Today is Good Friday, and a slow news day.

John Ensign (R-NV) announces retirement, ending ethics investigation (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The Treasury will release a report showing that TARP made $1.7 billion on the Public-Private Investment Program (NASDAQ)

John McCain visits Libyan rebels in Benghazi (Denver Post)

Texas governor Rick Perry proclaims days of prayer for rain to put out wildfires (Office of the Governor)

Nation’s mood at lowest levels in two years (New York Times)

Rep. Thaddeus McCotter discusses Silvio Berlusconi with Adam Tragone while playing a mellow jam:

On the main site:

IPAB Is an Acronym for ‘Death Panel,’ by David Catron: Obamacare’s “Independent Payment Advisory Board” was created to deny care to seniors.

The Traveling Obama Show, by Andrew Cline: A president who would rather campaign than govern.

Thank God It’s Friday?, by Jeremy Lott: Special Good Friday reflections, inspired by New Testament scholar Joel Marcus.

Celebrating the Resurrection, by Mark Tooley: A gloomy Easter coming up for those aging theologians who’ve spent decades arguing the great event never occurred.

Earth Day 2011, Tree-Hugger Edition, by G. Tracy Mehan, III: China gets into the act too.

Translating the Word, by Roger Scruton: The 400th anniversary of the King James Bible has received only muted celebrations in the English-speaking world.

Reluctant Reich George H. Wittman: The last thing Germany wants is to be disliked, but it also has no particular desire to be “hegemonic.”

Desperate Measures for Desperate Times, by Mark Goldblatt: Getting serious about the environment on Earth Day.

Mr. Johnson Goes to Change Washington, by John H. Fund: Wisconsin’s new senator, Ron Johnson, is one reason you’re hearing so much about his state these days.