I checked the Politics page over at MSNBC this morning, and from looking at the headlines I was immediately struck by how different the news world and political climate are from a few years ago or, in some cases, a few months ago. The tide has officially turned in the court of American opinion, and it seems as if the media has at least made some strides towards doing the job we wish they'd been doing the last six years. In case you were wondering, the headlines that inspired these thoughts and the rest of the Roundup are after the jump.

Ann Coulter has reared her Republican head once again. Not satisfied with using an ugly slur specifically meant to demean John Edwards, and also clearly intended to play off of her audience's homophobia, she has now attempted to justify her use of the slur by saying that it was clearly a joke because John Edwards isn't gay.

There are several problems here.

I'm not usually a fan of online petitions, because most of the ones I see are in support of silly things, like bringing back Mr. Kotter or making Pocky illegal. But this one is definitely worth it — the TDP has a petition online which you can sign in support of fixing all the problems with CHIP, including doing away with the 90-day waiting period, extending the renewal rate from every six months to every year, and eliminating the assets test. You can find it here.

On this week's episode of Who's Blue?, I talk with Ellen Cohen, freshman State Representative from District 134 in Harris County.

We discuss her experiences so far in the 80th Session, her work at the Houston Area Women's Center, and legislation concerning the Texas Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Check it out here.

I would be remiss if I didn't point out that the men's basketball team from the University of North Texas, my alma mater, won the Sun Belt Conference title last night, which earned them a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 80's. This is a big deal for UNT, and they join Texas Tech, Texas, and A&M as the Texas delegation.

The information is flowing now about the TYC coverups, and the situation is becoming more troubling for state lawmakers and executive officials. The Dallas Morning News put together a report on complaints and allegations filed since 2000, and discovered that more than 750 have been filed in that time. That story chronicles what is turning into a real mess that probably could have been at least somewhat mitigated by strong leadership within the institution.

And so, Scooter Libby has done his duty as a good Roman and fallen on his sword. He stood before the Forum and ended his political career in a dazzling Roman finale, as befits any Consul of the Republic.

A Senate committee is looking into the allegation that Sen. Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico) and Rep. Heather Wilson (R-New Mexico) pressured a federal prosecutor on a corruption case against Democratic candidates before the last fall elections.

This bill prevents college students from dropping more than three classes at any one particular college. The section of the Education Code applies if the student was able to drop the course without receiving a grade or incurring an academic penalty and the student's transcript indicates or will indicate that the student was enrolled in the course. The only two exceptions to the rule are for severe illness of the student or if the student is taking care of a sick person.

Scooter Libby is found guilty on four of five counts with which he was charged. There will be endless speculation about this in the next few days, and indeed, within the Texas Blue offices, some of that has already begun. Some of us are convinced he'll receive a pardon just like Caspar Weinberger did in Iran-Contra. I think, if anything, the case will get locked up in legal proceedings until someone throws it out, like they did with Oliver North. However, I think it is much more likely that Scooter may take it for team on this one.