I’ve expressed optimism in the recent wave of Marvel Studios movies. This interview with Captain America director Joe Johntson, though, has me kind of worried: It’s not going to be a Captain America that you expect. It’s something different. It is influenced by the comic book, but it goes off in a completely different direction. [...]

He’s crass. He’s ego-filled. He values ostentatious displays of wealth. He doesn’t think he should earn his rewards. He’s not concerned what long-time New Yorkers think of him. He hasn’t thought about it very much, but his default mode is to expect you to support him in his endeavors to proclaim his greatness. He’s not [...]

Give Leon Panetta a break. Imagine that you’re the CIA director. You’ve heard, for years, armchair critics berate the agency for not being sufficiently forward-leaning. But you’ve been launching drone strikes against al-Qaeda’s senior leadership in Pakistan’s tribal areas. How good an idea is that? Not a great one, sure; but ain’t nobody invading Pakistan, [...]

Parks and Recreation is the Wu-Tang of Comedy – watch more funny videosAttackerlady and I have been enjoying Parks & Recreation‘s second season, conveyed to us at our leisure by the magic of Hulu. Believe the hype. But consider what might have been. (via Metal Lungies.) When the show returns from its brief holiday hiatus, [...]

And, one hopes, ends an unforced diplomatic error by the Netanyahu government. Ayalon wrote in the letter, “Although we have our differences of opinion on several issues, they should be discussed and solved only through open, reciprocal and respectful diplomatic channels between our two governments. Maybe next Ayalon can apologize to the Palestinians — and [...]

Seriously, check out what I’ve just reported at the Washington Independent. Complete with drone-strike numbers, broken down by month. The spike in recent months compared to the previous year looks like the result of a combination of factors. First, the increased operational tempo of U.S. troops fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan’s south and east, despite [...]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 027-10 January 13, 2010 DOD Identifies Marine Casualties The Department of Defense announced today the death of three Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The following Marines died Jan. 11 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan: Staff Sgt. Matthew N. Ingham, 25, of Altoona, Pa. Cpl. Jamie R. Lowe, [...]

Dead at 29. Such a shame. Blood Visions is a great record. It’s haunting that a song called “It Ain’t Gonna Save Me” would turn out to be his last single.

Harold Ford is on fire! An interview with the New York Times. Q. Guns. Let’s talk about this issue. A: I never got an A rating, like my opponent — would-be opponent — has enjoyed. I don’t own them. I do shoot them, and I shoot them at things that can’t shoot back. And will [...]

Carl Levin had some time to kill at the Dubai airport — he’s flying back from a three-day trip with Afghanistan and Pakistan — and so he held a conference call with reporters. His big news was that Gen. William Caldwell, the commander of the Afghan training mission, attributed a big spike in police and [...]