FOSSIL VIRUSES: Unexpected viral ‘fossils’ found in vertebrate genomes. “Over millions of years, retroviruses, which insert their genetic material into the host genome as part of their replication, have left behind bits of their genetic material in vertebrate genomes. In a recent study, published July 29 in the open-access journal PLoS Pathogens, a team of researchers have now found that human and other vertebrate genomes also contain many ancient sequences from Ebola/Marburgviruses and Bornaviruses – two deadly virus families.” Starting to sound like Darwin’s Radio.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN Mutts And Mongrels. Just words?

FACTCHECK: Geithner’s GDP Whopper.

SOCIALLY CONNECTED PEOPLE live longer.

HMM: BREAKING: Sen. Leahy (D-VT) Denies Senate Judiciary Request to Investigate New Black Panther Case.

CHARMING: McMahon Campaign Hits Grimm For Taking “Jewish Money.”

CLEAN: X-Prize Challenge Offers $1.4 Million for Revolutionary Oil Cleanup Tech.

WHEN YOU’RE 80, You’ll Want To Live Like Stirling Moss.

THREE UNANSWERED questions about our Moon.

UH OH: The Volt: G.M.’s Electric Lemon. “So the future of General Motors (and the $50 billion taxpayer investment in it) now depends on a vehicle that costs $41,000 but offers the performance and interior space of a $15,000 economy car.” Whether it’s good or not, as a taxpayer, you’ve already bought it!

AIRBRUSHING: Who Got to Chris Matthews?: ‘Hardball’ Defense of Breitbart Memory-Holed. The first instinct is Stalinist, again. . . .

IN THE MAIL: From Lawrence Kane, Blinded by the Night.

UH OH: Did The Government Cause The Gulf Oil Spill? “A new report by the Center for Public Integrity, based on testimony from people on scene and Coast Guard logs, contains evidence that the platform sunk because of a botched response from the Coast Guard, which failed to coordinate firefighting efforts and to have the proper resources to fight the fire.”

The White House isn’t talking about this.

TAXPROF: A Rangel Ethics Reader.

THIRD HOUSE DEMOCRAT CALLS FOR RANGEL TO RESIGN. “It’s not quite a chorus, but it’s become at least a three-part harmony. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) joined Betty Sutton (D-OH) and Walt Minnick (D-ID) in demanding that Charlie Rangel resign from office in disgrace. Murphy’s statement came after the House Ethics Committee produced 13 charges of unethical behavior by the New York Democrat and former Ways and Means chair.”

WHY HE WENT ON “THE VIEW:” Obama Losing Ground With Women. “Mr. Obama averaged a 59% approval rating among women in 2009, but seven months into 2010, that’s dipped 14 points to just 45%.”

MAX BOOT: Impact of past defense cuts should warn of risks. “If there were ever evidence that it’s impossible to learn from history — or at least that it’s difficult for politicians to do so — this is it. Before they rush to cut defense spending, lawmakers should consider the consequences of previous attempts to cash in on a ‘peace dividend.'” If you want peace, prepare for war.

SO MUCH FOR “GEORGIA OVERDRIVE:” Coasting in Neutral Does Not Save Gas. “Coasting downhill in neutral consumes less fuel than in gear, right? Wrong. Coasting in neutral is dangerous and it burns up more fuel. Here’s why.”

AMAZON ROLLS OUT THE NEW KINDLE. I still like the Kindle app on my iPhone.

RAND SIMBERG: The Space Policy Battle Continues. Follow the link to see what you can do.

PJTV: The World’s Funniest Klavan On The Culture Bloopers.

TIM PAWLENTY’S FIRST Presidential Campaign Ad.

A JOURNOLISTA WONDERS: Was It All For Nothing?

RANGEL CONSTITUENT: “Wrong Is Wrong No Matter Who It Is.”

TIM CARNEY: Calling bull on Biden’s pretend war against ‘corporate interests’.