On page A-18 of Thursday’s (April 9) print edition of the New York Times, three of the four stories on that page were about ethics: “New Scrutiny of Other Alaska Corruption Cases” “Director of Ethics Office Is Replaced at Justice Department” “Congressional Ethics Office Opens Inquiry into Rep. Jackson”         I typed “ethics” into The Washington Post search engine and...

Halfway through the Jim Carrey movie, The Majestic, the story takes a sharp turn away from romantic comedy to a drama that examines one man facing a moment of principle. Blacklisted writer Peter Appleton must choose between reading a pre-arranged statement that provides a list of communist sympathizers or take a stand against the Committee on Un-American Activities and stand for the second amendment.  » Read...

Jay Leno: “Please welcome President Barack Obama.” (Applause) President Obama: “Thank you.” (Applause) Obama: “…Let me just say, I think Kevin (the band leader) looks good in a suit.” (Laughter)  “He looks a little like Secret Service.” (More laughter) Nice opening line.  Did he write that one himself? Leno: “Now it’s only, what, 59 days now…  Is it fair to judge...

I don’t think Rush Limbaugh really likes being called an entertainer. What’s wrong with being an entertainer, Rush?  Jay Leno’s an entertainer.  He entertains millions and makes a lot of money doing it, too.  Jerry Seinfeld’s an entertainer and makes a lotmore money doing it! The problem is that Rush thinks he’s something else.  He thinks he’s Big Daddy from Cat on a Hot...

“You’re Roland Burris.  You used to be in the Senate.  You used to be big.” “I AM big.  It’s the Senate that got small.” First, he’s in:  Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, arrested on corruption charges stemming from trying to “sell” Barack Obama’s Senate seat, appoints Roland Burris. Then, he’s out:  Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid says the Senate won’t seat anyone appointed...

Did you know that Barneys is having a Warehouse Sale with savings between 50-75% off? ABC Carpet & Home is offering similar savings for its Presidents’ Day Extravaganza! What would Mr. Lincoln say? “Money is only valuable while in circulation…” What about the bankers on Capitol Hill, yesterday, answering questions from a Congressional committee looking into what they’ve done with the first round of bailout...

No, not that change.  We already know that in 11 days, former Illinois Senator Barack Obama will become the 44th President of the United States. I’m talking about a few other changes taking place in Washington. Former Idaho Senator Larry Craig has (finally!) given up efforts “to withdraw his guilty plea stemming from his 2007 arrest in a Minneapolis airport bathroom,” the Washington...

The slide began in September. Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, A.I.G., Fannie and Freddie, GM, Ford, Chrysler, Representatives Tim Mahoney and Charles Rangel, Senator Ted Stevens. Early yesterday we learned of the arrest of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich on corruption charges stemming from trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama’s vacated senate seat to the highest bidder.  » Read more about: The Winter of Our Discontent  »...

Yesterday, three judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals rejected Democratic Congressman William Jefferson’s argument to dismiss a 16-count indictment stemming from bribery and conspiracy charges. (JimsNotes:  Jefferson is the Louisiana congressman who was videotaped by the FBI receiving $100,000 in cash as part of an investigation in which, according to an FBI statement, “Jefferson sought things of value in...

John Podesta, transition co-chair for President-elect Obama, announced new ethics guidelines regarding lobbyists and the transition team. According to a report from The Fix, a political blog written by Chris Cillizza on washingtonpost.com, Podesta called the new ethics rules an example of “the most open and transparent transition in history.” “Podesta added,” Cillizza reported, “that members of the transition team will...