Before I begin today's blog round-up, guest-blogged by me, noted conservative blogger Jon Swift, I just want to offer my sincere thanks to C&L readers for the warm welcome that greeted me on my first day here. Like George Bush, I am a uniter not a divider and I hope your hospitality is a sign that the divisions that Democrats have created in this country will soon be healed.

Kevin Hayden at American Street wants us to listen, but I must say it is very difficult for me to do that when I have my hands over my ears and I'm singing, "La, la, la, la…"

Something seems to be happening in Burma or Myanmar or whatever, but it must not be very important because hardly anyone is blogging about it.

Lotus salutes the Boston police, who are working overtime to protect us from "hoax devices," the latest weapon in the terrorists' frightening arsenal.

Brilliant at Breakfast has some great news about our economy! Corporate streamlining has led to higher exports and productivity.

Talking Dog has a fascinating interview with Randall Larsen the Founding Director of The Institute for Homeland Security.

In memorium: Divided We Stand, United We Fall remembers Rick Rescorla, a Vietnam veteran who died in the World Trade Center on September 11; last year Pierre Tristam at Candide's Notebooks wrote about Jose Gutierrez, the first soldier to die in Iraq, and a criminal; and Tom Watson pays tribute to Courtney Hollinsworth, who died in Iraq just two weeks ago.

Please send your tips to modestjonswift [at] gmail [dot] com. I will consider any links you send me, especially from smaller blogs, though I may find it necessary to report you to the NSA.