In lieu of real blogging, I just did one of those cheap-roundup things. Bon appetit. And while I really do dislike both teams, I've come to my decision for the Rose Bowl. HOOK 'EM 'HORNS! … [Read more...] about News in My Absence

Newsweek's Howard Fineman gives his take on the winners and losers in the Abramoff mess. Read the entire piece but here are some of the standouts he mentions. Firstly, according to Fineman, the amount of alleged bribe money contributions at play here is NOT "business as usual." It's a stunning amount, even for Washington. It is, Fineman contends, "the biggest … [Read more...] about So Who Wins And Who Loses In The Abramoff Mess?

When it comes to the torture ban, is the President now basically saying "Never mind"? … [Read more...] about President George W. Bush And The McCain Amendment

Just as Will Smith donated his found money to the neighborhood kid on Fresh Prince to go to basketball camp, instead of giving it to charity, so too do promising individuals need the occasional financial boost, amid the huddled masses of poor at home and abroad that need our sympathy and open wallets. In that spirit, consider donating to aspiring screenwriter and novelist … [Read more...] about Help a blogga out!

The Los Angeles Times looks at the news that lobbyist Jack Abramoff will be cooperating with prosecutors in an influence-for-sale probe and concludes it's bad news for the well-oiled GOP Congressional machine. The two most striking points of its piece are: (1) The fact that gathering up and tight holding on to as many interests as possible was taken to new level by … [Read more...] about Abramoff’s Cooperation Reportedly Throws Monkey Wrench Into GOP Machine

This post began early on Tuesday and is in vaguely chronological order... CNN Breaking News — Lobbyist Jack Abramoff, a close associate of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, to plead guilty to corruption, other charges, source tells CNN. According to the New York Times, Abramoff will plead guilty to 3 felony counts: "fraud, public corruption and tax evasion, … [Read more...] about Abramoff Round-Up, vaguely chronological…

CNN: 11 of 12 missing miners found dead; survivor critical Wednesday, January 4, 2006; Posted: 3:19 a.m. EST TALLMANSVILLE, W.Va. (CNN) -- Eleven miners initially reported to be alive after spending nearly 40 hours trapped underground following a mine explosion were found dead, and the only survivor was the man reported to be hospitalized in critical condition, officials said … [Read more...] about Mine Accident Has Sole Survivor

Jesus gets SACKED. … [Read more...] about The Divinity Bowl (Sponsored by Kia)

Another gem from the pen of TMV's favorite poet, Michael Silverstein, aka Wall Street Poet: The Credit Card Poem I get my fun with Capital One Discover buys my treasures And when I'm down there's Citicorp Providing needed pleasures. For special sin, Providian And to you I'd be lying If I denied with Sov'reign's card I do some basics buying. They lendeth with an open … [Read more...] about The Credit Card Poem

Due to hectic day away from the computer (and a highly painful, possibly broken toe) TMV is getting to bed early tonight. His posts will resume tomorrow morning after 7 a.m. But our co-bloggers may have something to say in the meantime. NOTE: we usually redate some of the posts done later in the day for the next day's weblog. We'll do that tomorrow morning...so keep scrolling … [Read more...] about TMV’s Wednesday Posts May Start A Bit Later

It's officially over — basically declared as ancient history...happening so swiftly you'd swear it happened by some kind of... intelligent design:DOVER, Pa. — Dover's much-maligned school policy of presenting "intelligent design" as an alternative to evolution was officially relegated to the history books Tuesday night. On a voice vote, and with no discussion … [Read more...] about Intelligent Design Officially Vanishes In Dover, PA

Tonight's PBS Frontline: Is Wal-Mart Good for America? … [Read more...] about Wal-Mart, China and the USA

It appears that legal bottom-feeder Roy Moore's replacement on the Alabama Supreme Court is just as psychotic as he was. … [Read more...] about Judging Alabama

NPR's All Things Considered had a good segment on the Mars Rover today. You can listen to it online. According to the BBC, NASA scientists have witnessed an explosion on the Moon. … [Read more...] about News from Space

You gotta hand it to him. Democratic Governor Brian Schwitzer has sure been impressive in his first year. An unabashed progressive with 65% approval ratings in the bloodiest of red states? If I were the GOP (especially Conrad Burns!), this would scare me almost as much as Abramoff. … [Read more...] about Montana Miracle

So who gets the biggest laughs on the Supreme Court? Guess:BOSTON — Court jesters, they're not. But the justices on the nation's highest court do draw laughs during oral arguments, and a new study finds that the witty and quick-tongued Antonin Scalia brings in the most chuckles from the bench. According to the study by Boston University law professor Jay D. Wexler, … [Read more...] about “My Name Is Scalia. I’ll Be Here All Week. Tell Your Friends..”

In answer to Justin's question to me posed below: What do you mean "during the 70s?" I dress up and dance like that now when someone leaves a tip in the tipjar... … [Read more...] about JG’s Answer (See Below)

Holy $#!+. This clip makes me want to vomit, but in a good way... And seriously, did any of you actually dress like this during the 70s? Fess up Gandelman... (h/t: Screenhead) … [Read more...] about Classic Bad/Brilliant Disco Dance Video

Reuters: Official says Iraqi Interior Minister Bayan Jabor`s sister kidnapped in Baghdad. … [Read more...] about Has the Sister of the Iraqi Interior Minister Been Kidnapped?

Op-Ed by Phyllis Snyder: Alito would erode minority protection Judge Samuel Alito, nominated for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court, would overturn crucial protections for minority religions, and would roll back the right to an abortion, writes the president of the National Council of Jewish Women.... Op-Ed by Jeffrey Wasserstein: Alito protects minority rights Judge Samuel Alito … [Read more...] about JTA Op-Eds on the Alito Nomination for SCOTUS