Friday Morning Open Thread

Good morning.

Obama has his first meeting with Pope Benedict the 16th Century today. Various news reports indicate this is a chance for the president to show American Catholics just how much he likes Catholics. (Note to Obama administration: Most Catholics pay no heed to the Vatican, particularly on social issue. Just an FYI.)

In DC, there's a big scandal swirling around Councilmember Marion Barry, our former mayor, who apparently put his girlfriend on his payroll (taxpayer funded payroll.) Barry, who has been married four times, has become the leading opponent of same-sex marriage in the District. One need only see the front page of the City Paper to get the sense of this scandal. The top photo is that front page, which is causing quite a stir. But as City Paper Editor Erik Wemple told the Washington Post, "Sometimes the truth is vulgar."

Let's get started..