Many people are like instant coffee: the minute they get in hot water they dissolve. ~ Unknown

Captain’s Quarters (Ed Morrissey) Veterans Victimized By Bureaucrats — “This gives a great example of why we do not want sensitive personal information in the hands of civil servants. It’s not necessaily any fear of Big Brother, it’s the fear of Big Idiot Brother-In-Law.”

The Jawa Report (Mike Pechar) Israel Captures Hamas Military Leader — “Apparently, Hamed decided to surrender, alone and unarmed, when the walls started collapsing. An Israeli military spokesman stated that the capture will significantly impede Hamas’ capabilities since Hamed will be hard to replace. He was known to be a creative bomber who allegedly masterminded attacks resulting in the deaths of scores of people.”

Wizbang (Lorie Byrd) Hello — “What has been most exciting and rewarding the past two years, though, are the friendships I have formed with fellow bloggers and readers that share my interest in politics. I look forward to forming many new friendships here. Thanks again to Kevin and the Wizbang crew for having me.” [A great fit for a great writer. Jim]

Right Wing Nut House (Rick Moran) THE AVENGER (PART I) — “Television, a medium much maligned and rightly so for its appeal to the lowest common denominator among us, showed that in the right creative hands, it has the ability to move us and entertain us beyond mere titillation and voyeuristic thrills. This ain’t your daddy’s sitcom nor was it your run-of-the-mill courtroom or hospital drama where the good guys usually win or the doctors discover what strange disease is afflicting the patient. This was raw. It was edgy. It was shocking. And in the end, where triumph mixed with anticipation for what will happen next season, we were left gasping for breath and on our feet applauding.”

The Anchoress The Essential President Bush — “President Bush has never surprised me. He is, in essentials, the man he ever was. It does not surprise me that he is a Christian man living a creed before he is a President, that he is a President before he is a Conservative. It seems to me precisely the right order of things.” [This entire post is absolutely a must read. Jim]