James Taranto takes batting practice

Taranto’s Best of the Web column – always a good read – is

particularly smart and funny today. Reading it is like watching a good hitter take batting practice, with one ball after another going out of the park. His first swing, “In Cold Blood” (wherein he examines a weatherman’s assertion that Iraq may only be going well because it’s so hot in July) is a home run, but it follows it up with other humdingers, little bits of idiocy perpetrated mostly by the press, but also by some pols:

Because There Are Only 8 Republicans Left in the House
“The House on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved sweeping ethics rules. . . . On a vote of 411 to 8, Democrats moved closer to fulfilling their pledge to change the culture of Washington.”–New York Times, Aug. 1

and…

If Clinton Were President, They’d Be Called ‘Wages’
“Employment Costs Rise in 2nd Quarter”–Associated Press, July 31

and…

Franco Marks His 32nd
“Castro Marks First Year Out of Public Eye”–headline, Sydney Morning Herald, Aug. 1

There’s lots more. Enjoy.