Thursday morning roundup

David Ignatius offers some historical perspective on the philosophizing of tragedy.

A referendum on what, exactly???, asks Gail Collins. Dana Milbank elaborates.

Newsflash: the Beltway sucks. I mean the actual ring road, not the proverbial geopolitical entity for which it often serves as shorthand.

Seriously? I kind of liked the idea of my old car being an unappealing target for theft. Shrug.

Wait, that includes my walk to work from the metro. If they're there when I'm there, I won't hesitate to give them a piece of my mind.

This doesn't surprise me.

I've met her. She's super nice.