OUCH: Franken pays $70,000 in back taxes and penalties in 17 states. No rest-room groping charges yet, though, so I'm not sure he's ready for the U.S. Senate.

IT'S FINAL EXAMS AT THE LAW SCHOOL, and I'm already grading. Luckily, I only have papers -- no exams -- this semester. Grading papers is much less of a chore than grading exams. Students are studying, as you can see.

Some are collaborating:

And some are recovering from all-nighters:

That's why we have the comfy sofas!

PROFESSOR THREATENS CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUIT AGAINST STUDENTS, for criticizing her in course evaluations. That's gonna make people more willing to pony up the big-bucks Dartmouth tuition . . . .

HEY, MAYBE PHOTO ID REQUIREMENTS REALLY DO HURT MINORITY VOTERS: Reader Matt Szekeley sends this about the Texas Democratic Caucuses. Local Obama supporters get tripped up by the Texas Two-Step:

One bitter point of contention involved the verification process. Each participant needed to provide photo identification and a stamped voter card, proving that they’d cast a ballot in the Democratic primary. Attempting to follow the guidelines in the packet, Gonzalez pointed out that anyone in line without a stamped card needed to be marked “Provisional.” If the person in question supported Clinton, Gonzalez says she’d find herself bombarded with complaints from Clinton volunteers.

But it all evens out: "Perhaps because the caucus system worked so well for Obama at the statewide level, campaign reps don’t seem too eager to investigate local irregularities."

WELL, YES: "An international group of food scientists says countries should not use food crops to produce biofuels during a world food crisis. . . . Instead of using grains, the international group is calling on the U.S. and other countries to shift biofuels production to nonfood crops such as switchgrass."

But, actually, as some critics are trying to tar all biofuels as if they are made from corn, this is a point worth stressing. Crop-based biofuels are just votebuying from farmers, but others are worth pursuing.

NEGATIVE COATTAILS: Obama looking like a down-ticket drag?

IF YOU'RE READING THIS, YOU PROBABLY NEED THESE: Exercises To Avoid Pain While At Your Computer.

OKAY, THIS GADGET LOOKS PRETTY COOL: But wouldn't it be a distraction, on a motorcycle?

UPDATE: Most readers say no: "Lots of riders are using GPS these days. It's a wonderful tool when exploring, and a lot easier to use on the fly than a paper map. It'll also show you where to find gas'food, and how to get back where you came from if you've just picked roads at random."

"BMW is a big fan, offering these as an accessory to their M/Cs. And as a former M/C rider, I can assure you having a Garmin read directions into your ear would be a lot less distracting than checking a paper map on your tank bag as you drive down a country lane..." You could come to a stop, you know.

"Personally, I use the Garmin StreetPilot 2610, but do not use the audio inputs to my helmet. I find the visual cues to be sufficient. I ride without the use the audio inputs which I find distracting. Still others have employed elaborate communication systems wherein they normally listen to either an iPod/MP3/Satellite radio but the navigation system has priority for 'turn-by-turn-navigation.' For the people that I ride with, the emplyment of the Garmin/music mix doesn't seem to be any more distracting to them while they're on a motorcycle than it is when they're in their cars, and none of them impress me as bad vehicle drivers. I think it really comes down to an individual case. Some of my friends seem not to be distracted by the additional input, I can't handle the 'distraction'."

RICK MORAN on the Obama press conference. "Obama has credibility issues with Wright as well as his other problem associates Ayers and indicted Chicago political fixer Tony Rezko. In each and every case, Obama has first downplayed his connections to these political hot potatoes. Wright was a 'crazy uncle.' Ayers, a 'neighbor.' Rezko, just 'one of thousands of contributors' to his campaign. Only when these associations have reached a critical political mass has Obama tried to put out the fire."

UPDATE: "I never had sexual relations with that pastor."

ANOTHER UPDATE: "Obama on Wright: He Really Means It This Time."

AMY ALKON NOTES a choice bit of idiocy.

ADVICE TO OBAMA SUPPORTERS, from Michael Silence: "Quit splitting hairs. You're only making the story drag on. Most of us will not be basing our votes on who the candidate's preacher is/was. We will, however, be basing our votes on a candidate's forthrightness and candor. And the latter has taken a beating lately."

LARRY KUDLOW:

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