Yet another Snack Break

+ Here's a story that proves the states can set ownership caps for radio and TV stations. The state of New York has just joined Florida and New Jersey in criminalizing pirate radio broadcasts. (Unlike the prison states of New Jersey and Florida, a first-time offense is only a misdemeanor in New York.) If a state can outlaw pirate stations, it damn well can reinstate ownership caps for big corporations that own licensed stations. End of story.

+ Here we go again! Now Republicans in Congress are talking about a government shutdown for the end of September. Their reasoning? They said it's part of their jobs plan. No, I'm not making this up. Hope you're not planning any trips in October to the national parks that your tax dollars pay for!

+ Education Secretary Arne Duncan is widely considered one of President Obama's most questionable appointees, but this time he's doing something right. Duncan is waiving proficiency requirements in Bush's disastrous No Child Left Behind law - unfunded mandates that were designed as an excuse to shut down schools. Duncan is doing this because Congress has been derelict at reforming the law. The New York Times reports that Duncan's act "could inflame relations with Republicans in the House who want to reduce, not expand, the federal footprint in education." Um, if the GOP wanted to reduce it, why did they support No Child Left?