Good morning, AFFers! There’s a ton of link love today – and I’d better see you at kickball this evening.

BLOGS

Did anyone watch NBC’s “The Wanted?”

Robert Stacy McCain echoes the country’s common confusion about the state of the economy.

Would Obama be in a better political position if he hadn’t tried to accomplish so much?

A former CIA boss says in the NYTimes that wiretapping was lawful, effective and necessary.

Priceless: The White House Press Secretary plans a “beer run” with the press corps, and the DCist suggests the right beer for the president’s pow-wow.

Radley Balko succinctly rounds up the Gates affair.

The Weekly Standard on the Al Qaeda terrorist from Long Island.

According to The New Majority Nancy Pelosi would like to change the meaning of these words.

Wait – there’s a chance John Stewart really isn’t America’s new Cronkite! Journlism gods be praised.

The Economist has a brief video overview of economic history in the last 50 years.

The New Majority on the proven failure of health cost controls.

AFF ONLINE

Katherine Mangu-Ward talks pirates and the fun internet games that go along with them.

Jacob Grier weighs in on whether or not you should light up outside your local Starbucks.

James Kirchick’s web exclusive on the decline of America.

AFF has a new executive director (Jessica deGraffenreid), and in case you’re interested in literarily stalking her, here’s a link to some of her old articles. My favorite is her Grown Up Letter to Santa Claus.

James Poulos on youth, the age of the individual, and why he doesn’t have an iPhone.

Peter Suderman on the catfight between CBO and OMB.

EVENTS

AFF’s Libertarians vs. Conservative Kickball Showdown is tonight @ 6:30!

Virginia Highlands Park
1600 South Hayes Street (less than two blocks from the Pentagon City metro station)
Arlington, VA
Field #2

Email elizabeth@americasfuture.org to sign-up.

All of the details here.

(RSVP on facebook, too!)

Can’t make the game? Join us for post-game revelry at Tortoise & Hare Bar & Grille, 567 South 23rd Street, a little after 8 p.m.

YOUR DREAM JOB

Program Officer, Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, Arlington, VA

The Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation seeks a Program Officer for Policy. The Program Officer will work with the Foundation’s policy team and with external partners to identify, develop, and implement strategic opportunities to educate the public and policy makers about the benefits of economic freedom and about key threats to that freedom.For more information or to apply for this position, go here.

For more opportunities, visit the AFF Job Thread.

Got a blind item, gossip, a link, birthday, or anything of the sort for Washington Planner? Drop us a line at tips@americasfuture.org.