Let's say for the sake of argument that Ben Domenech is indeed a plagiarist, with scads of examples to be found here and here and a here, too. It goes on and on, so let's call the Benster a plagiarist. Oh, and Ben appears to be quite a racist too, by the looks of things. And this is all easily established during Ben's initial That Was the Week That Was # One on the Job (not bad for a Home Skewled Wunderkind out to bruise the sky with his brilliant rockets)--so here's my point: A conservative youth, raised in the loving confines of Conservatopia, has shown (leaving a trail big enough for millions to follow) that he is a plagiarizing, racist bloviater with no credentials. Yay Washington Post! Yay, Republicans! Come to their arms, 'ye beamish boy! 'O frabjous day! Callou, callay!

For those of you playing at home: the best the WAPO could come up with in terms of hiring a young and vibrant "conservative blogger" is a coddled, mewling, disingenuous racist bloviater. And they wonder why I never call to take them to lunch. Really.

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UPDATE: Joe Conason picks the pieces of the story up and sets them neatly on the page. Via the Pennsylvanian Punkin Hisself.

UPDATE #2: Relax and remember: when it comes to the Republican Party and those who would lay smooches upon their boots, Mantra Knows Best. +++