Midday open thread

• Tomorrow, at 1 p.m. PT, I will be doing a "ask me about Daily Kos" liveblog here on the front page of the site. If you have questions about the site, that'll be your chance to ask them.
• The highest ranking military officer supports repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell:

  Adm. Mike Mullen's statement was the strongest yet from the uniformed military on this volatile issue, although he stressed that he was "speaking for myself and myself only." He told the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday he is deeply troubled by a policy that forces people to "lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens."

  Mullen said he knows many will disagree about abandoning the "don't ask, don't tell" policy and said there are practical obstacles to lifting the 1993 ban. But he said he thinks the military can handle it. Mullen is chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and chief military adviser to President Barack Obama.

• Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, so lots more winter for those of you unfortunate enough to live in places where winter exists.
• Richard Cohen desperately wants fascism. It's just uncomfortable for him, what with his always piddling his pants.
• One writer at NY Times Magazine tries to rank the top 10 most alarming revelations from our Republican-only poll released this morning.
• A couple of days ago I plugged the fundraiser for my preferred non-political charity, Whole Child International, featuring the Dalai Lama, in Los Angeles on February 20-21.

  Well, the event has gotten even better -- it'll feature a performance by Sheryl Crow. Unfortunately, I have a friend getting married that weekend, in Chicago, so I won't be able to go.

  And seriously, my friend better appreciate it -- I'm giving up an event with Sheryl Crow and the Dalai Lama for her wedding. In February. In Chicago.

• There is nothing too crazy for the wingnuts to embrace.
• Unlike 1994, Dems don't plan to be caught flat-footed in a tough environment. They're preparing early.
• Hey procrastinators, time's running out to submit panel ideas for Netroots Nation.
• Colbert crushes Harold Ford.
• Just got this note from Del Ali, president of polling firm Research 2000:

  We have received two threatening phone calls in the past hour. Interestingly enough, both calls conclude that both you and I are terrorists promoting a gay and of course ant-American agenda.

  Got it? Polling Republicans and asking them what they think, then jotting down their answers, promotes terrorism, gays, and an anti-American agenda. It's fun being a wingnut!