I almost feel obliged to say something about Don Brash and Peter Davis. Sorry, not Brash and Peter Davis, I don't want to be starting any more rumours. Brash, and Peter Davis. That's better. Keep 'em apart with a comma. Anyway, as I say, I almost feel obliged. What kind of blogger wouldn't chime in on issues like those?

Moving right along, it's lollies light this week. First Mark offers a profile of Karl Pilkington, who some say is the real genius behind the Ricky Gervais podcasts. And, while we're in profile mode, he also recommends this one of Maggie Gyllenhaal.

George W is desperately trying to get Congress to pass laws to make his military tribunals, the NSA eavesdropping program and his interrogation techniques legal. But he's finding a few people with military experience and a conscience getting in the way. Now, hold on, aren't these the programs wingers insisted were already legal? Didn't they want The New York Times prosecuted for treason for even mentioning them? In the cause of freedom of course.

Anyway the midterm Congressional elections are looming. Many expect the Democrats to retake the House of Representatives for the first time since 1994. But the Senate seems tougher. They need a net gain of six seats to gain control there with 33 seats up for grabs. The analysts reckon there are five in play. But there are interesting developments in Virginia that might, just might ... Slate is monitoring the momentum here.

Not interested in politics? Then try Will Self on Louis-Ferdinand Celine. We have a Booker prize shortlist, including Aussie Kate Grenville's The Secret River.

Chris says it may be long, but everyone who visits NZBC owes it to themselves to at least read ‘The age of horrorism’, an exclusive three-part essay by Martin Amis at the Observer. And a Homeland Security detective, in justifying another senseless bust ("If you remember, a lot of people were killed on 9/11") is shamed by Boing Boing:

“Yes, I remember ‘a lot’ of people were killed. So I have this suggestion, Detective — and you can pass it on to Mr. Bush: Go and find the people who killed them.”

Is Wikipedia ‘knowledge’ merely third party hearsay, asks ZDNet’s Donna Bogatin who reckons the quality of the product that Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales touts “does not match the quality of his orations”. Meanwhile Guantánamo Bay is a “shocking affront to the principles of democracy” and a violation of the rule of law, says Lord Falconer, the highest-ranking official in the British legal system.

And Richard Cooper of Thoughtcat likes this “very principled article” by UK MP Clare Short, who says she’s standing down so she can speak the truth: “I am profoundly ashamed of the Government. The Labour Party has lost its way.”

Adios muchachos.