The cocky, self-assured former football star suddenly seemed gone -- seemingly taken away by aliens, or victim of a body snatcher. There seemed to be an older man in his place -- a man with worn lines on his face, deep bags under his eyes seemingly carved into his flesh by stress. It's terrible but completely accurate to say it: today was the day many Americans have been … [Read more...] about OJ Simpson’s Sentence: For Many Justice Delayed Finally Delivered
Early Christmas for the Constitution
The Supreme Court granted certiorari review in the case of Ali al-Marri, after Padilla, the second most important case of our lives. Why? Mr. al-Marri, you will recall from our interview with his attorney Jonathan Hafetz, was a legal resident studying at Bradley University in Peoria, IL, when, just like Padilla, was already in the criminal justice system when he was … [Read more...] about Early Christmas for the Constitution
Bill Richardson
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant … [Read more...] about Bill Richardson
Nothing To Cheer About
CNN has a video story up about high school cheerleaders who were kicked off the team, after it was revealed they had texted nude pictures of themselves to their boyfriends. Everyone CNN talked to was in 100% righteous fury mode, absolutely convinced the school did the right thing, lamenting how today's girls are sluts, and slamming the parents for trying to get their daughters … [Read more...] about Nothing To Cheer About
The New Broom May Need a Few Spikes
A mystifying story from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. (Hat tip to Think Progress) When a new administration comes in, the old appointees tend to begin gathering up their personal effects and as many office supplies as they can stuff in their bags and head for the parking lot. Not so with Mary Beth Buchanan. Though she was, to put it kindly, a rather avid Bush supporter, she sees … [Read more...] about The New Broom May Need a Few Spikes
Canada Lost Lots Of Jobs, Too
Lest you think that the United States is the only country now breaking its own records for joblessness, just look north across the border where there's also a new bit of lousy economic news for Canada: Canadian employment fell by the most since 1982 in November, led by manufacturing, a sign the world’s eighth-largest economy is falling victim to a global … [Read more...] about Canada Lost Lots Of Jobs, Too
Dumb Rule: Feds Ease Gun Ban In Parks
The Interior Department revised a Reagan-era regulation Friday that now allows persons to carry concealed firearms in some national parks and wildlife refuges. It is a dumb rule observed from personal experience which will be described later. According to the Associated, the rule allows an individual to carry a loaded weapon in a park or wildlife refuge — but only if the … [Read more...] about Dumb Rule: Feds Ease Gun Ban In Parks
Can We Say The Words?
"Get a life." … [Read more...] about Can We Say The Words?
The Destructiveness and Historical Dishonesty of Newt Gingrich
Michelle Goldberg, author of the fantastic Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism, had a must-read guest post at TNR's The Plank a couple of days ago on Newt Gingrich's latest contribution to the far right's seemingly endless culture war in support of "religious fundamentalism and sacralized nationalism." It involves "Gingrich hawking a full-length documentary … [Read more...] about The Destructiveness and Historical Dishonesty of Newt Gingrich
Recount Is Done…. Almost…. Or Maybe Not
The recount is sort of done in Minnesota. I say sort of because there are still the allegedly missing 133 ballots as well as the 6,000 or so challenged ballots to be reviewed. The current count has Coleman up by 192 votes over Franken. From what I have read the experts think most of the challenges will be rejected but we still have to see where those go, and of course we … [Read more...] about Recount Is Done…. Almost…. Or Maybe Not
Quote Of The Day: Let’s Use The Word “Depression”
Former Clinton administration Labor Secretary Robert Reich gives us our quote of the day. Writing in his weblog he says this: Today's employment report, showing that employers cut 533,000 jobs in November, 320,000 in October, and 403,000 in September -- for a total of over 1.2 million over the last three months -- begs the question of whether the meltdown we're … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: Let’s Use The Word “Depression”
The Political Crisis in Canada
I've been closely monitoring the political situation here in Canada as events have unfolded over the past several days. Rarely are our politics so exciting. I've written two articles for The Guardian, the first with some background and an overview of the situation, the second a response to yesterday's developments (specifically, the governor general agreeing to Prime … [Read more...] about The Political Crisis in Canada
Holography in the News
Election Day featured CNN's holographic election coverage. (But were those images really holograms?) Later Endgadget pointed to NICT researchers developing a new method to make holography more practical (image above). And then yesterday The Chronicle reported on a U. of Southern California professor unveiling a Holographic Videoconferencing System. Other than looking … [Read more...] about Holography in the News
OJAILED
MSNBC: O.J. Simpson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. CNN: O.J. Simpson gets at least 15 years in prison A Las Vegas judge sentenced fallen gridiron great O.J. Simpson to at least 15 years in prison for leading an armed hotel room confrontation over sports memorabilia in 2007. A pre-sentencing report recommends an 18-year prison term for O.J. Simpson, 61. … [Read more...] about OJAILED
Republicans Decide to Ruin the Technosphere
Just when you thought you were having fun with Twitter, instant messaging, Facebook and the like, somebody has to go and ruin it. You and your friends were probably just getting relaxed, being the "cool kids" on the block and keeping up with all of the latest trends and news on gadgets, entertainment and social ideals. Well, the Republicans have decided to take their pudgy … [Read more...] about Republicans Decide to Ruin the Technosphere
Marriage Equality: A Help, Not a Hindrance (Guest Voice)
Same-sex marriage has been in the news, particularly in California where Proposition 8 unleashed a firestorm of emotions on both sides. Centrist writer Scott Payne steps back and looks at the issue in this Guest Voice post. Marriage Equality: A Help, Not a Hindrance by Scott Payne For a month now the issue of same sex marriage has taken the spotlight in America's … [Read more...] about Marriage Equality: A Help, Not a Hindrance (Guest Voice)
Half-Million November Job Losses Worst In 34 Years
And the financial hits keep on coming: a new Labor Department report says more than half a million jobs were lost in November -- making it the worst job loss in 34 years. The economy shed 533,000 jobs in November, according to a government report Friday - bringing the year's total job losses to 1.9 million. November had the largest monthly job loss total since December … [Read more...] about Half-Million November Job Losses Worst In 34 Years
Bill O’Reilly To Quit Radio Show: Did Rush Limbaugh “Win”?
When Fox News talk powerhouse Bill O'Reilly announced several years ago that he was going to launch a talk radio show, some conservatives were angry, saying he was going to compete with and hurt conservative talk show radio icon Rush Limbaugh. But now the news sweeping the talk show and media world: O'Reilly will give up his highly rated radio show. So in the battle for the … [Read more...] about Bill O’Reilly To Quit Radio Show: Did Rush Limbaugh “Win”?
Coleman-Franken Update
In the never-ending battle between Norm Coleman and Al Franken (see "It's Coleman! No, It's Franken. No, Wait..."), it's now about 130 ballots from Minneapolis that have gone missing. According to last night's "Missing ballots stall Minnesota Senate recount," a missing envelope containing about 130 ballots has now stalled the recount in the Minnesota's U.S. Senate … [Read more...] about Coleman-Franken Update
Ambivalence Over Obama Inaugural
January 20th will be a dicey day. It represents a joyous celebration of Change but also a reminder of how much we have suffered in the last eight years and the pain that now has to be eased. Such uncertainty has clouded the triumph of Barack Obama, starting with Election Night when he canceled a fireworks display in Grant Park as inappropriate. As he takes office, what's the … [Read more...] about Ambivalence Over Obama Inaugural