Roundup from the day's blogs - 8/27/09

Over at Big Hollywood, we learn why, as if we need another reason, we shouldn't be funding the arts with tax money. Ministry of Propaganda, anyone?

The obituary of Edward Kennedy that you are not likely to read in the New York Times.

Howard Dean explains why there is no tort reform in the health care bill. They didn't want to take on the trial lawyers - really. We all know that, but it is interesting to see it admitted.

Over at Commentary, Jennifer Rubin discusses Barack Obama's "It wasn't me, it was Eric Holder" defense.

The Telegraph raises concerns of 'cruel and neglectful' care of one million British National Health Service patients.

A Federal Reserve official claims that the US unemployment numbers are greatly underestimated.

Jonah Goldberg, at The Corner, says, "But here's one tip for liberals outraged that anyone would speak ill of the dead in regard to Kennedy. Such protests are fair for the moment. But they lose all legitimacy the moment liberals try to use his memory to steam roll a healthcare bill through Congress. If they want to invoke his memory or legacy as a reason to pass their partisan version of healthcare reform, that is their right. But they should not then say that nobody should dare criticize Kennedy. That's not making an argument for healthcare reform, that is simple bullying and I see no reason why opponents of the Democratic push should cave in to it." Wow, that didn't take long!

Bernard Goldberg uncovers more of the Dan Rather/Mary Mapes story on President Bush and the National Guard. It seems that Bush didn't dodge the draft - he volunteered for Viet Nam.

Finally, a beautifully written piece by Fouad Ajami in the WSJ describing why political charisma alone will not work for long in the United States.