By far the best thing we've read all day is Jeremy W. Peters's funny/galling article in the NY Times about a back hallway in the State Assembly building that's always crowded with lobbyists mingling with lawmakers, despite a sign prohibiting their presence. "'The policy is not one of those that is strictly enforced,' said Ron Canestrari, the Assembly majority leader, managing a blithe grin as he defended the open-door policy as an example of direct democracy. 'A lot of times you need information or you need an analysis.'" The kicker? "When a reporter pointed out to one lobbyist standing in the back hallway last week that a sign near the west entrance marked the area off-limits to lobbyists, the lobbyist responded earnestly, 'There’s a sign?'"