Haven’t been in a very writey place this week, but here are some of the things that have occupied my thoughts:

1) Worst news I’ve read all week. I hope these guys don’t come to rue the day, but I believe America will. H/T and video: Allah. Naturally.

2) Funniest thing I’ve read all week. Thanks, See-Dubya.

3) Bonus See-Dubya: Best Word Use of the Week: Pulchritudinous. Note the first sentence in See-Dub’s post: He didn’t give a damn about ABC’s 9/11 miniseries until the stink began to rise off the party of free speech. Neither did Allah. Neither did I. But the brilliant Dems, instead of being content to set the facts straight themselves, ask that the facts be set straight in the mini, or any other such sensible course of action, have, by their despicable thuggery, ensured more viewers for this–if it airs–than ABC could ever have gotten on its own. Which they were trying assiduously to do, by–of course!–sending advance copies to obscure right-wing bloggers. Justin, Patterico! What are you doing angering the socks?!??

4) My friend the hurricane sent me this. That guy didn’t get any for a good long while after that.

5) There must be a middle ground between parental sacrifice and it’s all about me-me-me. Alas I don’t think I’ve yet reached it.

6) And speaking of parenting, let’s not let our … analysis … of Brad Pitt’s moronic statement regarding gay marriage blind us to his sterling qualities as a parent:

“I try not to stifle them in any way,” he says. “If it’s not hurting anyone, I want them to be able to explore. Sometimes that means they’re quite rambunctious.”

Brave words, Brad. But sadly for Zahara, Maddox, and Shiloh, actually he’s reduced to simply warning the poor kids when they’re about to be stifled:

“And always give them a heads-up before you jerk them out of something. You need to tell them, like, ‘You have three more minutes.'”

Father on, Mr. Pitt. Father bravely on.