Photo by ewilfong.

Good morning, Washington. If you’re going to be stuck in an airport security line or twiddling your thumbs in the passenger seat of a car today, at least you’ll have a couple of excellent pieces of journalism to read. Be sure to print out a copy of (or bookmark) Rend Smith’s spectacularly-paced profile of Washington Post columnist Courtland Milloy and this amazing narrative about the experience of the individuals who survived the Alaska plane crash which killed former Senator Ted Stevens in August. Both should help you kill at least ten minutes of that opt-out or traffic-related delay!

Fenty’s Budget: Does It Matter?: Analysis of Mayor Adrian Fenty’s FY2011 budget cuts continues around the internet this morning, including from Mike DeBonis, who decided to switch things up and work bottom-up through the document. Some things that we noticed which didn’t make our lightning-round post about the budget yesterday afternoon: a decrease in TANF funds to align “with federal policy” (Marion Barry will be pleased), some summer furloughs and a cut to legal aid by $1.7 million. Of course, the real question is whether any of these specifics actually matter — with the new mayor being the sitting Chair of the Council and already working on his own solutions, the answer is probably not.

Two Metrobus Accidents Yesterday: Both the morning and afternoon rush hours yesterday brought accidents in which cars hit Metrobuses. The Post reports on the two incidents: one each at the intersections of Naylor and Good Hope Roads SE and Alabama Avenue and Good Hope Road SE. A total of 11 people were injured in the two accidents, none seriously.

Heading Northeast Via 95 Today?: Go now — the Newark Toll Plaza wasn’t too bad early this morning! Do enjoy your trip along America’s most congested road.

Briefly Noted: D.C. police handle hostage barricade situation on 100 block of Ridge Road SE…Well, is it 6:30 or 7?…Hope springs eternal at TBD: “Redskins playoff chances still in play“…Guandique attorneys get more time to file motion for a new trial…Prince George’s cop arrested in corruption probe released, will wear monitoring bracelet…Gaithersburg, County police nab 11 in internet sex crime sting.

This Day in DCist: Last year on this date, a man stopped a rented U-Haul van in the middle of the intersection of 17th and K Streets NW, demanded $200 million and, for good measure, threw a couple of Molotov cocktails while standing on top of the vehicle.