‘It may well have [derailed] the deal’: Tough to sympathize with either side in the pay issue for Massachusetts judges. There’s the Supreme Judicial Court making up laws and imposing them on lawmakers and the people. There’s the Legislature’s regulars ‘who see their local courts as patronage havens.’ ... How about cutting a few hundred patronage jobs the courts didn’t request and using the savings for both pay raises and deficit reduction? ... Sal wouldn’t do that. Does not compute. Must find way to blame Mitt.



Mia Hamm, Peyton Manning and Derek Jeter?: John Ellis’ weird symbiotic relationship with Boston continues. His list is a bust. No mention of Pats or Sox, though there’s an oblique reference to the ALCS seventh game as the ‘best night.’ But Mia, Peyton and Derek are mentioned. Oh well. ... Mitt is the ‘GOP’s best hope in 2008’? Maybe I’m suffering from a mild case of familiarity breeding contempt. But if Mitt’s the GOP’s best hope in 2008, then 2004 wasn’t the watershed year some Republicans claim. ...


Update -- John Kerry apparently hasn't ruled out a 2008 rerun. I wouldn't be a bit surprised. He's dreamed and shaped his entire life around becoming president. ... Read the last four paragraphs. Mandatory. Vintage Kerry.

Update II -- Reader No. 1 on the list: "Cringeworthy."

Update III -- Reader No. 1 asks that I put up the rest of his comments about John's list. I thought "cringeworthy" said it all. But here it is: "His cringeworthy 2004 list is the Blogosphere equivalent of the flabby old Larry King columns in USA Today. And I agree with a number of these choices (Lileks, Real Clear, Kausfiles). John, either write the blog or don't!" ...   ¶ 5:07 AM