Politico Quickdraw is for those busy readers who only have four-fifths of a second to get caught up on the most recent political controversies. Eh, maybe the article isn't that short, but it'll get you caught up while you tie your shoes before heading to work.

Was Obama's bow too low? Yes. Is it embarrassing. A little. Does it really matter. Absolutely not. This is really faux-controversy cooked up by the GOP. I often hear the argument that Obama is being overconcilliatory towards the international community. But let's be honest; thanks to G-Dub, our country has a lot to atone for. So, until foreign detractors start throwing shoes at our current President, I say we give the guy a break.

Newsweek's photo is an inappropriate cover choice considering the story's context, but I don't think the editors care. They want to sell magazines, and Sarah Palin's thighs will do the trick. Newsweek is wrong for using Palin's sexuality to sell copies. She originally shot the photo for Runner's World, so the picture doesn't fit with the Newsweek story at all. But it's naive for her to think photos don't change hands. Plus, if the article had praised her, I doubt she'd be so outraged. Instead of hanging Newsweek out to dry, she should be more cognizant of what she wears for certain publications and negotiate her photos' terms of use better. If you wear your wallet on your head and it gets stolen, causing a fuss does little good. Just put it in your pocket next time.

I'm a religious person, but unlike many others, I know there's no way to prove my beliefs. I just go about my business, not throwing stones at other religions so as not to invite stones thrown at mine. Live and let live. So, if you're Pat Robertson --standing upon a narrow rock in the sea -- throwing pebbles at your Muslim neighbor on the next rock is just silly. As the number of nonreligious persons increase, you may require help from other rock-standers even if their rock appears a little different. With the rock metaphor successfully beaten into the ground, I think I'll call it a day. Oh wait, Virginia governor-elect Bob McDonnell, get off the fence. Pat Robertson is obviously wrong on this one.