The editors at Der Spiegel can’t contain themselves. Even before publication of the WikiLeaks documents, they’ve taken to their website to announce jubilantly that the leaking of these documents “is nothing short of a political meltdown for US foreign policy.”

Nonsense.

The world is once again anticipating a massive leak of classified documents by WikiLeaks. The U.S. State Department is so concerned that it has published a letter addressed to the head of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, and his attorney, arguing that publication of the documents will “risk the lives of countless innocent individuals,” “[p]lace at risk on-going military operations,” and “[p]lace at risk on-going cooperation between countries.”

On Election Night a few weeks back, several races remained outstanding.  In the weeks that have followed, all but one of the contests has been settled, with the final one (NY-1) now being tended to by a judge.  Let's run down the results.

-CA-11.  Republican efforts to take back Richard Pombo's old seat have proven unsuccessful.  Democrat Jerry McNerney ultimately prevailed, despite the fact that late on election night Republican David Harmer had the lead.

THE WEEKLY STANDARD first reported on the continued legal battle between the IRS and the pro-Israel group Z Street earlier this week.

Signs of a new political culture abound. Call it the era of “reverse pork barrel.”

On Glenn Beck's show earlier today, Sarah Palin accidentally said North Korea when she meant South Korea:

CO-HOST: How would you handle a situation like the one that just developed in North Korea? [...]

Jennifer Rubin says Mike Pence is underestimated.

On the eve of Thanksgiving, Howard Dean writes about the troops in an email to his supporters. No, Dr. Dean doesn't find space to thank those who are serving our country--it's just an opportunity to rail against the "shameful policy" of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Oh, and ask for donations: 

U2 frontman Bono on his new Broadway musical:

We’re wrestling with the same stuff as Rilke, Blake, ‘Wings of Desire,’ Roy Lichtenstein, the Ramones — the cost of feeling feelings, the desire for connections when you’re separate from others.

Heavy, man. Especially for a production titled Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark.

Yesterday, Sarah Palin seemed to say that if she were criticized by some in the GOP establishment "then I will know that I would probably do more harm that good to the cause":