Wow. Seriously?

Looks like Spidey, Iron Man, the X-Men, the Hulk, the Fantastic Four, etc. are moving into some shiny new digs with word this morning that Disney is forking over a cool 4 bil to buy Marvel Entertainment lock, stock, and irradiated spider. What this means for the publishing end, the licensing end, and especially the movie end for the Marvel that we know (or knew) is anyone's guess, but holy cow, was this ever out of the blue.

The remembrances and legacy pieces about Ted Kennedy have been coming fast and furious, and there's no doubt plenty more to come, but this is probably the best of the ones I've read so far, courtesy of David Von Drehle and Time.

(Thanks, Parvez.)

Ted Kennedy's death is momentous in many ways. With his passing, our last direct link to the legacy of Jack and Bobby Kennedy, both lost before their time, is gone. Further, and perhaps more relevant right now, his passion and advocacy for health reform was second to none, as indicated in this op-ed he helped pen for Newsweek last month. Certainly his absence in the current debate has been deeply, sorely felt. That said, there's another spate of emotions this news elicits which is also equally relevant. Here's an excerpt from Mark Evanier, echoing my thoughts entirely:

The term "mixed feelings" cannot begin to describe my reaction to the death of Senator Edward Kennedy. An awful lot of the legislation he backed did things I thought should be done and had to be done. Not only that but he generally achieved those things the hard way: Though they were Liberal initiatives, he nearly always managed to enlist at least one prominent Republican as a co-sponsor or strong supporter. Given how Washington works these days, he may have been the last elected official who knew how to make bi-partisanship happen.

Against all that, of course, were his personal failings. A lot of us wanted to admire him, respect him and cite him as a leader. He certainly didn't make that easy. Even now, when some might want to mourn him unreservedly, you have to wonder. He's been in dreadful health for months now. Why oh why didn't he step down last year so that his successor could be in or near office today? The Democratic push for Health Care Reform (his pet issue) didn't need this additional complication.

He's right. Perhaps Kennedy wanted to hang in there just long enough to cast that symbolic vote for the health care reform he'd spent so many years fighting for, but in what ultimately comes down to a numbers game, one man out is one vote less. Still, Kennedy's contribution to the senate as a true advocate for the disenfranchised is unassailable, and while Chappaquiddick is now and forever will be an unfortunate part of his legacy, his record of service to this country constitutes a far, far greater part.

Science ponders 'zombie attack'

As someone with perhaps an unhealthy fixation on this subject, I'm heartened that the scientific community has finally joined me in trying to figure out, y'know, the important stuff.

Rick Perlstein on the storied history in this country of everyday citizens emerging as far right crazies in the face of a progressive political agenda, and the subsequent exploitation of their fears by those with an interest in maintaining the status quo.

Zaki's Review: G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA

I'll admit it. This is not a fun review to write.

It's been a few days now since I've seen G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, and in trying to judge it for what it is rather than what it should be, I'm still trying to figure out whether I'm being too generous because of my fondness for the source material, or too harsh because of that same fondness.

Back after a two-week sabbatical, Olbermann didn't miss a beat last night with a blistering Special Comment aimed at those in our congress, on either side of the partisan divide, primarily responsible for holding up necessary health care reform:

Due to my childlike inability to maintain bladder composure at the movies, I've long been faced with a Sophie's Choice between going without soda, or risking the mad dash to the restroom at the exact moment something important ends up happening on-screen. Well, thanks to sterling service offered by this website, it looks like those days are now done. Super-sized Icee, here I come.

Jonathan Alter of Newsweek explains (with tongue figuratively in cheek, for the sarcasm impaired) why the status quo of our current heath care system is okay by him.