Disclaimer.  Not a serious post.  Read no further if you were seeking muck or political enlightenment.  Or if you hate South Park.  Should be good for a laugh if you're tired and you need one after the Democratic Primary Nomination Process That Just Wouldn't End.

If you'll take a look at this week's Muck, you might notice that a few of the stories that broke within about 24 hours resemble a muckraker pastiche of a classic South Park episode.

Phase I:  Collect Underpants
Phase II: ?
Phase III: Profit

For years, we asked, "What's Phase II?"

Now, we finally know the answer to that question.

But more importantly: Has TPMMuckraker succumbed to the foul and besotting influence of the Underpants Gnomes?  Has their vile influence affected the journalistic integrity of Josh Marshall's intrepid muckbloggers?  How else can we explain this blatant disclosure of the Gnomes' familiar and despicable plan, right there on the Muck's front page?  Is it all merely a coincidence?

Just to be careful, Tweek and I will be guarding my laundry machine this weekend.