• Saying “we squandered the goodwill of the world by our actions in Guantánamo,” General Michael Lehnert, the base’s first commander, yesterday called for closing “a prison that should never have been opened.” • The Pennsylvania senate overwhelmingly confirmed Christopher Abruzzo to head the Department of Environmental Protection, despite his testimony that "I've not read any scientific studies that would lead me to conclude that there are adverse impacts to human beings or animals or plant life at this small level of climate change." Abruzzo did concede an impact on human health "from things like air pollution."

• Cynthia Lummis, Wyoming’s hard-right Congresswoman, criticized the proposed budget agreement, which isn’t surprising since she opposes defense cuts, federal stimulus, tax increases, drilling restrictions, greenhouse-gas regulation, abortions, etc. But reducing Wyoming’s porcine royalties from mineral exploration on federal lands? No way! (She ended up voting for the bill.)

• Michigan’s legislature passed a law requiring women to buy rape insurance if they want coverage for such an event. Oh, and they have to buy it in advance, not after they’re pregnant.

•  “Believe it or not,” Democratic Congresswoman Nita Lowey told Gail Collins, “Paul Ryan is a good friend. He calls me Mom. I call him Naughty Boy.” With Orrin Hatch again evoking his bond with Ted Kennedy, we are reminded that friendships can cross ideological divides, something I experience each time I publish this blog.

• Finally, a Georgia woman is suspected of supergluing herself to a Home Depot toilet seat.