Here's Minnesota Senator Al Franken breaking down into tears during the Violence Against Women Act debate today. On the Republican side of the legislative branch, John Boehner's usually prolific tear ducts have remained tellingly silent.

Yesterday's Senate failure on the Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal was disappointing, but as White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs put it, "I don't think this is the end." Oh yeah?

Christine O'Donnell canceling major media appearances — even Fox News — means her 90s-era Politically Incorrect appearances pack even more punch. The latest: sparring with Al Franken. But wait! She has a new website, and it has positions! Sort of.

The Senate Judiciary Committee just voted 13-6 to confirm Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court. Lindsey Graham was her only Republican supporter, and many others were worried she was a liberal "activist" who hated marriage and the military.

• Lady Gaga took a break from touring to go fishing in New Zealand, "She didn't take her heels off once - she went down to Onetangi beach to go fishing in her eight-inch heels, undies and a man's business shirt..."

The GOP is complaining that Al Franken isn't doing enough to combat leftists from "tap[ping] into the natural sympathy that we have for [victims of rape]" and it's making them look bad. Here's a thought: stop defending rapists! [Politico]

• We're so used to thinking of dogs as companions that we often forget the most basic reason people buddy up to animals: Food. A new study suggests wolves were first domesticated in southeastern China for their meat. •