Lincoln's Failings Offer Modern Lesson

Archaeologists find animals' bones across northern Europe

(NEWSER) - The Roman Empire may have brought camels a long way from home to serve as its beasts of burden, archaeologists say. Researchers have found Roman-age camel bones at 22 sites across northern Europe, USA Today reports. What's more, "antique literature and iconographical sources inform us about the uses of camels in the Roman Empire," the archaeologists write. More»

Denver Broncos star says new career 'could be in my future'

(NEWSER) - Looks like we could be seeing some Tebowing on Capitol Hill: Tim Tebow says he'd consider a political career "if it's something I care about," the Huffington Post reports. "It could be something in my future," he told Dave Feherty on the Golf Channel. It wouldn't be the first time the Denver Broncos quarterback's name turned up in Washington: The 2012 GOP candidates have been seeking his support, but he hasn't endorsed anyone yet. More»

Noah Feldman is amused by Gingrich's academic past

(NEWSER) - Newt Gingrich's attacks linking President Obama to Saul Alinsky delighted Harvard law professor Noah Feldman. "What excites me is not the preposterousness of the statement," though indeed, it was preposterous, he writes for Bloomberg . "What I love was the absurdity of Newt Gingrich apparently believing that the name Saul Alinsky would have any kind of meaning to the Americans listening to him." (It doesn't, Bill Maher assures us .) Truly, the ex-speaker is a historian at heart—he "can't help himself." More»

Home state paid for food and lodging for bodyguards

(NEWSER) - Gov. Rick Perry's ill-fated presidential run cost the taxpayers of Texas nearly $800,000, spent on travel fees for the security detail that followed Perry around on his campaign from September through November, a state report reveals. Perry took 48 trips across state lines, mostly to primary battlegrounds Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. One trip in September from South Carolina to Iowa and back racked up $45,122 in charges, including $10,834 for hotels and $7,526 for food, reports the Austin American-Statesman . More»

Eric Cantor, Mitch McConnell top the list

(NEWSER) - Who are the real power brokers in Washington? GQ names the top 50 in its biennial list of the most powerful people in DC—although, the magazine notes, "People with the last names Obama and Biden not included." The top five:

• Eric Cantor: The House majority leader is definitely the Democrats' least favorite Republican; you can thank him for Washington's hyper-partisanship and inability to compromise. GQ notes that he is widely expected to follow—or even push aside—John Boehner as speaker of the House.
• Mitch McConnell: "Even Cantor has to go through this guy eventually," thanks to his position as Senate minority leader.