Friday, March 31, 2006
Wrestlemania XXII Preview...
Assuming WWE.com has the correct card - here are the official predictions...
Torrie Wilson vs. Candace Michelle - Playboy Pillow Fight
Who Should Win: Ummm...how, exactly, do you win such a thing? If there is to be a winner, it should be current Playboy cover girl Candace.
Who Will Win: Candace
Will It Suck? As a wrestling match, absolutely. Yet for some reason, it will probably still be worth watching.
Boogeyman vs. Booker T & Sharmell
Who Should Win: Booker T & Sharmell - Please please please get the crappy wrestler who eats worms off my TV.
Who Will Win: Boogeyman - they never listen to me.
Will It Suck? This is the K-Fed of wrestling matches.
Women's Title Match - Trish Stratus (c) vs. Mickie James.
Who Should Win - James
Who Will Win - James
Will It Suck? Both girls can wrestle, and this is one of the better developed storylines on the card. It will not suck.
Tag Team Title Match - Kane & Big Show (c) vs. Carlito & Chris Masters
Who Should Win - Kane & Show - the challengers just don't rate.
Who Will Win - Kane & Show - There may be a breakup angle between Carlito & Masters.
Will It Suck? Probably.
U.S. Title - Chris Benoit (c) vs. John "Bradshaw" Layfield.
Who Should Win - Benoit
Who Will Win - Probably JBL
Will It Suck? Chris Benoit Wrestlemania matches do not suck. Ever.
Hardcore Match - Edge vs. Mick Foley
Who Should Win - Edge
Who Will Win - Edge
Will It Suck? Nobody in wrestling history has worked harder to make their opponents look like world-beaters than Mick Foley. This will not suck.
Casket Match - Undertaker vs. Mark Henry
Who Should Win - Undertaker
Who Will Win - Undertaker
Will It Suck? Yep.
Money In The Bank Ladder Match - Lashley vs. Finley vs. Matt Hardy vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Ric Flair
Who Should Win: Shelton Benjamin is the most underutilized talent in wrestling.
Who Will Win: That said, man do the crowds love the RVD.
Will It Suck? No.
No Holds Barred - Vince McMahon vs. Shawn Michaels
Who Should Win: Well, Michaels is an actual wrestler, so let's say him.
Who Will Win: Since Bret Hart swears he's not going to show up and interfere in this match, Michaels will probably win. (Which of these two would Hart be likely to help, anyway?)
Will It Suck? Say what you want about Vince McMahon, when he gets in the ring, he delivers a decent effort. This will not suck.
Triple Threat Match - World Championship - Kurt Angle (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. Rey Misterio
Who Should Win: Rey Misterio winning will make this entire event.
Who Will Win: Rey
Will It Suck? Absolutely not, unless Rey doesn't win. If he doesn't, it will suck, no matter how good the match is. Oh, yeah, and this should close the show, but nobody involved is married to the boss' daughter, so your main event is...
WWE Title Match - John Cena (c) vs. Triple H
Who Should Win: Triple H - Cena needs to step away and come back as a heel.
Who Will Win: Triple H
Will It Suck: No, but it won't be a classic either. It will be fine.
I count the potential for six good matches, and the Angle/Orton/Misterio match is a good bet to be a classic. Should be a good show.
Unless Misterio doesn't win the title.
Torrie Wilson vs. Candace Michelle - Playboy Pillow Fight
Who Should Win: Ummm...how, exactly, do you win such a thing? If there is to be a winner, it should be current Playboy cover girl Candace.
Who Will Win: Candace
Will It Suck? As a wrestling match, absolutely. Yet for some reason, it will probably still be worth watching.
Boogeyman vs. Booker T & Sharmell
Who Should Win: Booker T & Sharmell - Please please please get the crappy wrestler who eats worms off my TV.
Who Will Win: Boogeyman - they never listen to me.
Will It Suck? This is the K-Fed of wrestling matches.
Women's Title Match - Trish Stratus (c) vs. Mickie James.
Who Should Win - James
Who Will Win - James
Will It Suck? Both girls can wrestle, and this is one of the better developed storylines on the card. It will not suck.
Tag Team Title Match - Kane & Big Show (c) vs. Carlito & Chris Masters
Who Should Win - Kane & Show - the challengers just don't rate.
Who Will Win - Kane & Show - There may be a breakup angle between Carlito & Masters.
Will It Suck? Probably.
U.S. Title - Chris Benoit (c) vs. John "Bradshaw" Layfield.
Who Should Win - Benoit
Who Will Win - Probably JBL
Will It Suck? Chris Benoit Wrestlemania matches do not suck. Ever.
Hardcore Match - Edge vs. Mick Foley
Who Should Win - Edge
Who Will Win - Edge
Will It Suck? Nobody in wrestling history has worked harder to make their opponents look like world-beaters than Mick Foley. This will not suck.
Casket Match - Undertaker vs. Mark Henry
Who Should Win - Undertaker
Who Will Win - Undertaker
Will It Suck? Yep.
Money In The Bank Ladder Match - Lashley vs. Finley vs. Matt Hardy vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Ric Flair
Who Should Win: Shelton Benjamin is the most underutilized talent in wrestling.
Who Will Win: That said, man do the crowds love the RVD.
Will It Suck? No.
No Holds Barred - Vince McMahon vs. Shawn Michaels
Who Should Win: Well, Michaels is an actual wrestler, so let's say him.
Who Will Win: Since Bret Hart swears he's not going to show up and interfere in this match, Michaels will probably win. (Which of these two would Hart be likely to help, anyway?)
Will It Suck? Say what you want about Vince McMahon, when he gets in the ring, he delivers a decent effort. This will not suck.
Triple Threat Match - World Championship - Kurt Angle (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. Rey Misterio
Who Should Win: Rey Misterio winning will make this entire event.
Who Will Win: Rey
Will It Suck? Absolutely not, unless Rey doesn't win. If he doesn't, it will suck, no matter how good the match is. Oh, yeah, and this should close the show, but nobody involved is married to the boss' daughter, so your main event is...
WWE Title Match - John Cena (c) vs. Triple H
Who Should Win: Triple H - Cena needs to step away and come back as a heel.
Who Will Win: Triple H
Will It Suck: No, but it won't be a classic either. It will be fine.
I count the potential for six good matches, and the Angle/Orton/Misterio match is a good bet to be a classic. Should be a good show.
Unless Misterio doesn't win the title.
And you think Americans are nuts about gay adoption...
How about some woman in Sweden who tried to prevent a lesbian couple from adopting a puppy?
Maybe they were afraid the puppy would grow up gay. Although, you know, there's a procedure your vet can perform that kind of renders that whole question moot.
Maybe they were afraid the puppy would grow up gay. Although, you know, there's a procedure your vet can perform that kind of renders that whole question moot.
Just one freaking day...
Forget the lunatic political positions, and the incessant conspiracy theories. What's really wrong with Congressloon Cynthia McKinney is that the day she picks to slap a police officer is also a day I'm swamped, and by the time I hear about it, everyone's already posted about it.
What was funny was so far, Rep. McKinney's comments have been rather subdued:
Other funny quote - Rep. Nancy Pelosi on the incident:
In any event, the police will now seek an arrest warrant.
The people of Georgia's 4th Congressional district are some lucky, lucky people.
What was funny was so far, Rep. McKinney's comments have been rather subdued:
"I know that Capitol Hill Police are securing our safety, and I appreciate the work that they do. I have demonstrated my support for them in the past and I continue to support them now,"Rep. McKinney does not have a reputation for suffering injustice in silence - leading me to believe the truth isn't going to set her free here.
Other funny quote - Rep. Nancy Pelosi on the incident:
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi on Thursday labeled it "a mistake, an unfortunate lack of recognition of a member of Congress." She added that the police officer was not at fault.Ummm - it's either a lack of recognition of a member, or the officer was not at fault. If the officer wasn't at fault - the problem is McKinney not wearing her Congressional pin to make identification easy, or her being a pain in the ass when the cop tried to do his job. If the officer is required to recognize, on sight, all 435 members of the House of Representatives, then it's a recognition issue. Or, if he's especially supposed to recognize McKinney because she's a singular pain in the ass about security issues, then maybe it'a recognition issue.
In any event, the police will now seek an arrest warrant.
The people of Georgia's 4th Congressional district are some lucky, lucky people.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
A picture of love...
Petitdov has an interesting theory in this post. Her theory is that a photographer taking a picture of a subject they love will take a better picture, because of an inherent ability to see everything that makes the subject beautiful that another, less interested photographer just doesn't have. It makes sense - a loved one would know better than anyone else when and how to bring out their subject's best side.
With this in mind, I went back and looked at some photos taken by my wife, to see how her love for us shows in the photos she takes...
Here's one of me and the girl dog...
...and here's one of Mishka...
In each shot, you can feel the love.
With this in mind, I went back and looked at some photos taken by my wife, to see how her love for us shows in the photos she takes...
Here's one of me and the girl dog...
...and here's one of Mishka...
In each shot, you can feel the love.
It's the end of the world as we know it...
Kevin Federline's debut album to drop in August.
Just calling it a "debut" album is worrisome. It suggests there will be more.
K-Fed, of course, can't hardly wait:
Just calling it a "debut" album is worrisome. It suggests there will be more.
K-Fed, of course, can't hardly wait:
"My album is sure to set the dance floors across the world on fire!"Danish embassies were set on fire in response to the Mohammed cartoons. Does K-Fed know those weren't positive reviews?
No "professional courtesy" here...
The cop from the Village People arrested on drug charges.
Good, says I. Law enforcement personnel are not above the law.
Good, says I. Law enforcement personnel are not above the law.
Viva Italia!
Italy grants asylum to Abdul Rahman, the Afghan citizen who faced the death penalty from converting to Islam from Christianity.
And meanwhile, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi pisses off China by claiming Mao Zedong boiled babies during the Great Leap Forward. And his only apology is that maybe as a joke, it wasn't all that funny.
What a country!
And meanwhile, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi pisses off China by claiming Mao Zedong boiled babies during the Great Leap Forward. And his only apology is that maybe as a joke, it wasn't all that funny.
What a country!
Actually, that is kind of unusual...
And we keep on going...
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
The smartest, most clever, most physicially fit...
Yoduk Story, a musical set in a North Korean prison camp, has just opened in Seoul. The interesting part of the story is the discomfort Yoduk Story is causing the South Korean government, which hasn't been too thrilled in recent years with pointing out what kind of railroad Kim Jong Il is running up there. (Bad news clouds reunification, you see.)
The director is planning a series of four musicals about North Korea. The English site for Yoduk Story is here.
Tip - Corner.
The director is planning a series of four musicals about North Korea. The English site for Yoduk Story is here.
Tip - Corner.
The good news is, you spent five months listening to accounting details...
Two jurors kicked off the George Ryan jury for failing to disclose criminal convictions. How to proceed is still under discussion. The defense has objected to restarting deliberations with alternate jurors. The parties could agree to go forward with just 10 jurors, as well. (I'd suspect while the state would be OK with it - at least one, if not both defendants would object. The more jurors have to be convinced of guilt to convict - the better for the defense.)
One quote surprised me - when the judge spoke to reporters (the lawyers for each side are covered by a gag order):
If you don't think a prior conviction is a bar to being a fair juror - leave them on the panel. But it's still a good idea to know.
One quote surprised me - when the judge spoke to reporters (the lawyers for each side are covered by a gag order):
Pallmeyer said it was not regular practice in Chicago's federal courthouse for prosecutors to check the criminal records of potential jurors.Maybe the volume they deal with makes it hard to do, but the bottom line is - if you don't check a juror's criminal history, you aren't going to know a juror's criminal history. Virtually no amount of voir dire, no matter how skillful, is going to bring out a disclosure of a conviction if the juror is too embarrassed to admit to a prior record, or just plain doesn't want to tell you.
If you don't think a prior conviction is a bar to being a fair juror - leave them on the panel. But it's still a good idea to know.
Try not to make us look bad right away...
Human Rights Watch encourages UN member states not to put "countries that commit atrocities" on the new Human Rights Council.
"Look, after a few years, the press will die down, and we can all go back to the usual way of doing business - you know, blaming Israel for stuff. I mean, it's not like there are any safeguards that would block dictators or anything like that. But people are paying attention right now, and if you go ahead and put Cuba and Zimbabwe right back on after all this fuss, John Bolton will have been proven right about something. So, for the sake of international diplomacy, can we just this once pretend we give a crap?"
I'm paraphrasing, of course.
"Look, after a few years, the press will die down, and we can all go back to the usual way of doing business - you know, blaming Israel for stuff. I mean, it's not like there are any safeguards that would block dictators or anything like that. But people are paying attention right now, and if you go ahead and put Cuba and Zimbabwe right back on after all this fuss, John Bolton will have been proven right about something. So, for the sake of international diplomacy, can we just this once pretend we give a crap?"
I'm paraphrasing, of course.
Monday, March 27, 2006
No No No No No No No No No No No No No No
Lindsey Lohan wants to play Wonder Woman.
Put down the drugs, and step away from the invisible plane.
Put down the drugs, and step away from the invisible plane.
The film the world was waiting for...
"Ocean's 13", the second sequel to "Ocean's 11," will start filming - with George Clooney playing Danny Ocean. This time, his wacky band of theives will come up with an improbable scheme to free the wrongly imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay.
Meanwhile - my efforts to come up with an improbable scheme to get back the money and time I wasted watching "Ocean's 12" continue to be in vain.
Meanwhile - my efforts to come up with an improbable scheme to get back the money and time I wasted watching "Ocean's 12" continue to be in vain.
Friday, March 24, 2006
If that sort of thing interests you...
Good article on Rey Misterio, the smallest man to ever appear in a Wrestlemania main event.
A Warrior's Death...
Kind of figures...
So the Belarussian police sent in the stormtroopers to arrest all the demonstrators who didn't buy Aleksandr Lukashenko's "election."
Just had to note that China's news agency considers this an "eviction."
Per the opposition, though - the protests are still on. Publius will almost certainly have reports.
Just had to note that China's news agency considers this an "eviction."
Per the opposition, though - the protests are still on. Publius will almost certainly have reports.
The nice thing about picking Duke to win it all...
Is if you turn out to be wrong, you're still happy.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Honey - remember those times I drove you to those Apprentice auditions?
Why do I bring this up?
Because they're taking applications for a reality show where the prize is you get to be a superhero.
A superhero. Not slave labor for an egomaniac with a bleached ferret on his head. Not the temporary "fiance" of some conniving harlot who'll drop you the second the cameras shut off. Not some guy who was dumb enough to eat yak testicles. A freaking superhero.
I will be "Bloggerman." I won't fight evil, per se, but I'll link to people who do and make witty comments about their efforts.
Tip - Corner.
Because they're taking applications for a reality show where the prize is you get to be a superhero.
A superhero. Not slave labor for an egomaniac with a bleached ferret on his head. Not the temporary "fiance" of some conniving harlot who'll drop you the second the cameras shut off. Not some guy who was dumb enough to eat yak testicles. A freaking superhero.
I will be "Bloggerman." I won't fight evil, per se, but I'll link to people who do and make witty comments about their efforts.
Tip - Corner.
Rooting for laundry...
Jerry Seinfeld once famously said that pro sports fans were basically rooting for laundry - since the players themselves never stuck around.
Probably no sports transaction proves that more than the recent announcement that New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri will sign with the Colts.
As a Rams fan, I shouldn't think much of Vinatieri. But if the future of mankind depended on somebody kicking a 45 yard field goal - he's the guy Planet Earth would go to. (Of course, the French would make a fuss - but with the survival of mankind on the line, we'd quit pretending we give a damn what the French think.) If there was one team you'd think would do whatever it took to keep one player, it'd be the guy who clinched two Super Bowls - and neither of those moments even qualified as his biggest play ever.
Go Laundry!
Probably no sports transaction proves that more than the recent announcement that New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri will sign with the Colts.
As a Rams fan, I shouldn't think much of Vinatieri. But if the future of mankind depended on somebody kicking a 45 yard field goal - he's the guy Planet Earth would go to. (Of course, the French would make a fuss - but with the survival of mankind on the line, we'd quit pretending we give a damn what the French think.) If there was one team you'd think would do whatever it took to keep one player, it'd be the guy who clinched two Super Bowls - and neither of those moments even qualified as his biggest play ever.
Go Laundry!
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Funniest thing I've read in the last 20 minutes...
This line from an article on how noted actor/hooker employment insurance Charlie Sheen believes 9/11 to be a government conspiracy:
Charlie Sheen?!?
You know what we haven't had in a while?
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
Montoya Awards for everyone!
Tip - Ace.
Actor Charlie Sheen has joined a growing army of other highly credible public figures in questioning the official story of 9/11 and calling for a new independent investigation of the attack and the circumstances surrounding it. (Emphasis mine)Highly credible?
Charlie Sheen?!?
You know what we haven't had in a while?
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
Montoya Awards for everyone!
Tip - Ace.
In other stunning news, the Pope is Catholic!
Survey reveals women take twice as long as men to get ready for stuff.
When in doubt, blame the redhead...
If you want to read a very funny account of my trip to New York last weekend, click here. For a somewhat less funny, but still hopefully somewhat amusing account, keep reading.
Spouse goes up to New York for a training something or other, and decides she'll stick around for the weekend if her smart, sexy man could join her. Unfortunately, he was unavailable, so she said OK, send up my husband. We had a wonderful day walking around Times Square, by which I mean she didn't find that much to spend money on, and I still got back to the hotel in time to catch the end of the Bradley-Kansas game.
Saturday was the actual day we had planned, as we were going to meet Dawn Summers and Karol for a tour of Brooklyn, dinner, and poker, in that order. Prior to Dawn and Karol arriving, spouse has gotten her shopping groove back, and takes advantage of a traffic-related delay in their arrival to hit a store called Daffy's. Daffy's reminds the spouse of TJ Maxx, and TJ Maxx reminds me of the clothing section of Wal-Mart,without the glamour. However, I get to watch Duke-George Washington, so it's all good.
Karol is driving as we take our first ever non-taxicab car ride through New York City. Karol possesses what appears to be a key quality in a successful NYC driver - a refusal to show fear. (Probably helped that it was Dawn's car.) Atlanta traffic is similar - regularly life-threatening, so if you must, make sure you die a warrior's death. Shopping is suggested. Karol suggests Century 21. I think "I already own a house," but not wanting to appear stupid, I say nothing. Hey, it's a department store! Never seen one of those before! Spouse buys stuff, then, while waiting for Karol to check out, buys more stuff. If someone had needed to tie a shoe on the way out the door, it would have cost me $100.
Authentic Brooklyn pizza is next, along with Pheeleepok (who got to join in on the shopping trip), and Fisch, who will, for the duration of this post, be known as "Ringer." There is some debate on the way over concerning what the best example of "New York Pizza" is. (Apparently this is a long-running dispute.) I leave the resolution of the debate to the locals.
About the poker, you can read about it here. Memo to spouse - do not call four all-in bets with A-5o. Spouse did have two brilliant moments where she doubled up off the Ringer, much to Dawn's delight. Other than that, she was her typical crazy self the rest of the night.
All in all, a very nice trip. Dawn and Karol could not have been better hosts, and I encourage everyone to go up to New York City and visit them. They'll be thrilled to show you around.
Spouse goes up to New York for a training something or other, and decides she'll stick around for the weekend if her smart, sexy man could join her. Unfortunately, he was unavailable, so she said OK, send up my husband. We had a wonderful day walking around Times Square, by which I mean she didn't find that much to spend money on, and I still got back to the hotel in time to catch the end of the Bradley-Kansas game.
Saturday was the actual day we had planned, as we were going to meet Dawn Summers and Karol for a tour of Brooklyn, dinner, and poker, in that order. Prior to Dawn and Karol arriving, spouse has gotten her shopping groove back, and takes advantage of a traffic-related delay in their arrival to hit a store called Daffy's. Daffy's reminds the spouse of TJ Maxx, and TJ Maxx reminds me of the clothing section of Wal-Mart,without the glamour. However, I get to watch Duke-George Washington, so it's all good.
Karol is driving as we take our first ever non-taxicab car ride through New York City. Karol possesses what appears to be a key quality in a successful NYC driver - a refusal to show fear. (Probably helped that it was Dawn's car.) Atlanta traffic is similar - regularly life-threatening, so if you must, make sure you die a warrior's death. Shopping is suggested. Karol suggests Century 21. I think "I already own a house," but not wanting to appear stupid, I say nothing. Hey, it's a department store! Never seen one of those before! Spouse buys stuff, then, while waiting for Karol to check out, buys more stuff. If someone had needed to tie a shoe on the way out the door, it would have cost me $100.
Authentic Brooklyn pizza is next, along with Pheeleepok (who got to join in on the shopping trip), and Fisch, who will, for the duration of this post, be known as "Ringer." There is some debate on the way over concerning what the best example of "New York Pizza" is. (Apparently this is a long-running dispute.) I leave the resolution of the debate to the locals.
About the poker, you can read about it here. Memo to spouse - do not call four all-in bets with A-5o. Spouse did have two brilliant moments where she doubled up off the Ringer, much to Dawn's delight. Other than that, she was her typical crazy self the rest of the night.
All in all, a very nice trip. Dawn and Karol could not have been better hosts, and I encourage everyone to go up to New York City and visit them. They'll be thrilled to show you around.
You know what would make my day complete?
If I could just hear the musical stylings of pro wrestler Kamala, the Ugandan Giant.
And now my day is complete.
Tip - Kicking Air.
And now my day is complete.
Tip - Kicking Air.
When your crazy neighbor says "Keep off the grass,"
For the love of God, keep off the freaking grass!
Monday, March 20, 2006
The world is coming to an end.
Kevin Federline getting paid just to hang out in a nightclub.
Anything to keep him away from a recording studio, I guess...
Anything to keep him away from a recording studio, I guess...
Here goes nothing...
Having tried (and regretted) participating in Zimbabwe's fake elections, Zimbabwe's opposition has now committed themselves the Ukraine method of dictator removal. Robert Mugabe is not as nice a guy as the dude they replaced in the Ukraine - and the Ukraine guy was not a nice guy.
Stay tuned.
Stay tuned.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
A letter...
To: Billy Packer and everyone who thought the Missouri Valley Conference got too many bids in this years NCAA Tournament.
Get. Bent.
Sincerely,
The Valley.
Get. Bent.
Sincerely,
The Valley.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
And that's a good thing, right?
Out with a whimper
Remember the furor that came out on the right side of the blogosphere when it was revealed that some Democratic opposition researchers had used Maryland Senate Candidate Michael Steele's social security number to access his credit report?
Well, it's over (or will be once the paperwork is done), at least as far as law enforcement is concerned. Lauren Weiner, the DSCC staffer who actually obtained the credit report, has worked out an arrangement with prosecutors to plead guilty to a misdemeanor under an arrangement which will result in the charge ultimately being dismissed if she performs community service and otherwise complies with the terms of a year's probation. The other staffer involved, Katie Barge, will not be charged, which presumably means there was no evidence she participated in obtaining the report or directed Weiner to do it, although as Weiner's immediate superior, she also resigned from the DSCC.
And, while I haven't seen any reaction to it yet, I hope nobody blows a gasket and claims Weiner and Barge were "let off" because they were Democrats. It sounds like the facts don't support any charges on Barge, and as far as what appears likely to happen to Weiner, it sounds about right, assuming she has no criminal history. The damage done to Steele was as contained as it could be, with the report being destroyed prior to being disseminated. As far as penalties paid - both women are going to be politically unemployable for the foreseeable future, which has to be a huge hit. They also get to live with the idea that they made Michael Steele into a victim, and turned their own party into the bad guys. Everyone got the point. First offenders should be treated as first offenders.
Well, it's over (or will be once the paperwork is done), at least as far as law enforcement is concerned. Lauren Weiner, the DSCC staffer who actually obtained the credit report, has worked out an arrangement with prosecutors to plead guilty to a misdemeanor under an arrangement which will result in the charge ultimately being dismissed if she performs community service and otherwise complies with the terms of a year's probation. The other staffer involved, Katie Barge, will not be charged, which presumably means there was no evidence she participated in obtaining the report or directed Weiner to do it, although as Weiner's immediate superior, she also resigned from the DSCC.
And, while I haven't seen any reaction to it yet, I hope nobody blows a gasket and claims Weiner and Barge were "let off" because they were Democrats. It sounds like the facts don't support any charges on Barge, and as far as what appears likely to happen to Weiner, it sounds about right, assuming she has no criminal history. The damage done to Steele was as contained as it could be, with the report being destroyed prior to being disseminated. As far as penalties paid - both women are going to be politically unemployable for the foreseeable future, which has to be a huge hit. They also get to live with the idea that they made Michael Steele into a victim, and turned their own party into the bad guys. Everyone got the point. First offenders should be treated as first offenders.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Most. Expensive. Waffles. Ever.
Here's the tally of what was taken from a Kansas City Chiefs player mugged in a Waffle House parking lot:
$8500 in cash.Late-night greasy Waffle House goodness: Priceless.
2 diamond earrings valued at $6,000
1 bracelet valued at $20,000
1 watch valued at $6,000
1 pair of sunglasses valued at $450
and, oh, yeah, a $90,000 Hummer.
Vern Schillinger would not be happy...
Federal prosecutors are beginning to lay out their case in a huge racketeering trial against leaders of the Aryan Brotherhood gang, with the hope of securing death sentences against the leaders for conspiracy to commit murder, in addition to numerous other charges. Two of the primary defendants are:
Barry "The Baron" Mills, and his tag team partner...
Tyler "The Hulk" Bingham.
And aren't they just a couple of fine looking Aryan warriors? Fine white men, with fine white mustaches. Makes me want to check "Eskimo/Pacific Islander/Other" on my next census form.
Though the defendants are unquestionably unpleasant people, and undeniably prone to anti-social behavior, there are of course complications. They are in prison, serving richly deserved lengthy terms, and their victims, and the witnesses who would prove the case - are also prisoners who very much need to be in prison. This presents issues of credibility, as well as "why the hell should we care?" The defense intends to not just attack witness credibility, but to claim that in prison, whites are a beleaguered and endangered minority:
Question for those opposed to the death penalty - you have defendants who are already in prison, serving lengthy terms, and in some cases, even life sentences. They nevertheless continue to find a way to kill. What sentence, short of death, would need to be imposed to have any kind of impact?
Barry "The Baron" Mills, and his tag team partner...
Tyler "The Hulk" Bingham.
And aren't they just a couple of fine looking Aryan warriors? Fine white men, with fine white mustaches. Makes me want to check "Eskimo/Pacific Islander/Other" on my next census form.
Though the defendants are unquestionably unpleasant people, and undeniably prone to anti-social behavior, there are of course complications. They are in prison, serving richly deserved lengthy terms, and their victims, and the witnesses who would prove the case - are also prisoners who very much need to be in prison. This presents issues of credibility, as well as "why the hell should we care?" The defense intends to not just attack witness credibility, but to claim that in prison, whites are a beleaguered and endangered minority:
Attorney Dean Steward, representing Barry "The Baron" Mills, alleged to be the ringleader, said last week: "The reality is, federal penitentiaries are violent and dangerous places and all of these guys — white guys — are a small minority and they're just trying to survive."Doesn't your heart just bleed for these victims of oppression? Will a jury's?
Question for those opposed to the death penalty - you have defendants who are already in prison, serving lengthy terms, and in some cases, even life sentences. They nevertheless continue to find a way to kill. What sentence, short of death, would need to be imposed to have any kind of impact?
Ooh, baby do you know what that's worth? Not as much as you think.
Belinda Carlisle is trying to shop a Go-Go's movie, with Jessica Alba playing her.
Suggested titles include "Head Over Heels Over Heroin," and "No, We Will Not Play 'Manic Monday' - Wrong Group, Asshole!" (Or was it just me who kept getting them and the Bangles mixed up?)
Anyway, if anyone buys this, let me know. I have a great idea for "News To Me: The Huey Lewis Story."
Suggested titles include "Head Over Heels Over Heroin," and "No, We Will Not Play 'Manic Monday' - Wrong Group, Asshole!" (Or was it just me who kept getting them and the Bangles mixed up?)
Anyway, if anyone buys this, let me know. I have a great idea for "News To Me: The Huey Lewis Story."
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Update -
Death penalty proceeding against Moussaoui can proceed - testimony about aviation security disallowed.
Talented, but...
Steel cage match - the perfect vs. the good.
I think adoption is good. I also think gays and lesbians are just as likely to be good parents as anyone else, and should not be excluded from adopting children because of their sexual preference. I understand the Catholic Church, as an institution, is with me on the first point, but differs with me on the second. I also get that I'm not going to change their mind on the latter point, and neither is anyone else.
Which brings up the question facing the good people of Massachussetts (and, presumably, Ted Kennedy): Should they stand on their anti-discrimination laws - knowing it will shut down a service that has placed hundreds of children because of that service's opposition to gay adoption?
A similar dilemma faces the state's Catholics - violate the church's teachings regarding gay adoption, or shut down your program to avoid said violation, giving up the good it does the children placed? For that matter, if you believe an abortion takes an innocent human life (and here the Church and I are back on the same page), do you really want adoption to be any harder than it already is?
I'm not Catholic, so it's easy for me to say they're wrong, and they should change, centuries of doctrine be damned. (No pun intended.) But if you recognize they won't - do you force them out anyway?
Which brings up the question facing the good people of Massachussetts (and, presumably, Ted Kennedy): Should they stand on their anti-discrimination laws - knowing it will shut down a service that has placed hundreds of children because of that service's opposition to gay adoption?
A similar dilemma faces the state's Catholics - violate the church's teachings regarding gay adoption, or shut down your program to avoid said violation, giving up the good it does the children placed? For that matter, if you believe an abortion takes an innocent human life (and here the Church and I are back on the same page), do you really want adoption to be any harder than it already is?
I'm not Catholic, so it's easy for me to say they're wrong, and they should change, centuries of doctrine be damned. (No pun intended.) But if you recognize they won't - do you force them out anyway?
Moussaoui hearing update...
The expected star witness, TSA lawyer Carla Martin, was excused to hire her own attorney. Good idea. The judge is now hearing testimony from other witnesses who received emails from Martin to determine what steps she should take regarding the violation of her sequestration order.
Both sides have filed memos suggesting how to deal with it. The defense's brief may be read here, and the government's opposition memo may be read here. Although I still think Judge Brinkema could get away with dismissing the death notice if she wanted to, the government's real concern is the exclusion of potentially tainted witnesses, which, if they really are half the government's case, would amount to the same thing. The state is hinging their argument against exclusion on the claim that Martin, as a TSA lawyer, isn't really part of the prosecution team. The defense claims that Martin is a government lawyer working on the case, therefore, they're stuck with her, even though the actual prosecutors involved are not responsible for her actions.
The $64,000 question, of course, is "what the hell was this lawyer thinking?" TalkLeft has what looks like a pretty sound theory about that:
Martin is currently not talking to reporters. Also probably a good idea. Evidence continues today, and possibly into tomorrow.
Both sides have filed memos suggesting how to deal with it. The defense's brief may be read here, and the government's opposition memo may be read here. Although I still think Judge Brinkema could get away with dismissing the death notice if she wanted to, the government's real concern is the exclusion of potentially tainted witnesses, which, if they really are half the government's case, would amount to the same thing. The state is hinging their argument against exclusion on the claim that Martin, as a TSA lawyer, isn't really part of the prosecution team. The defense claims that Martin is a government lawyer working on the case, therefore, they're stuck with her, even though the actual prosecutors involved are not responsible for her actions.
The $64,000 question, of course, is "what the hell was this lawyer thinking?" TalkLeft has what looks like a pretty sound theory about that:
Martin may not have been concerned with getting a conviction against Moussaoui -- but the civil litigation over 9/11 involving the FAA and United and American Airlines. It appears to me her "partners", for lack of a better word, were not the prosecutors, but the civil lawyers representing United and American Airlines in the civil litigation, and she was trying to prevent the Moussaoui witnesses from saying something that could result in a judgment against the Government and the airlines in the civil litigation.TalkLeft has more on the matter here, and it's all worth reading. If this theory is correct, it may strengthen the government's claim that their case should not be sanctioned because of Martin's misconduct. If she was in fact working on a civil agenda, rather than the criminal case - perhaps she wasn't really part of the team, as envisioned by the relevant case law. (Which I haven't read, so don't take my thoughts as dispositive.)
Martin is currently not talking to reporters. Also probably a good idea. Evidence continues today, and possibly into tomorrow.
Not to be mean-sprited, but...neener neener.
More and more would-be lawyers are failing the bar exam. Many major law firms have a "two-strikes" policy - meaning if you fail the bar exam twice, you're out.
Having passed four state bar exams (MO, IL, MI, and GA, in that order), I've never seen what all the fuss was about - and in my field, there's often a "one strike" policy. (Many prosecutors' offices just can't afford to keep a lawyer they can't put in a courtroom. I expect public defenders are often in the same situation.)
States are raising the cutoff score - meaning the exam isn't necessarily getting harder, they're just requiring a higher score to pass, cause there's so many freaking lawyers out there.
In short - law school remains an expensive, time-consuming, unpleasant proposition, at the end of which, you still have to pass the bar exam. Or, you could do anything else, and get to enjoy our nation's vast repository of lawyer jokes.
I like this one:
Having passed four state bar exams (MO, IL, MI, and GA, in that order), I've never seen what all the fuss was about - and in my field, there's often a "one strike" policy. (Many prosecutors' offices just can't afford to keep a lawyer they can't put in a courtroom. I expect public defenders are often in the same situation.)
States are raising the cutoff score - meaning the exam isn't necessarily getting harder, they're just requiring a higher score to pass, cause there's so many freaking lawyers out there.
In short - law school remains an expensive, time-consuming, unpleasant proposition, at the end of which, you still have to pass the bar exam. Or, you could do anything else, and get to enjoy our nation's vast repository of lawyer jokes.
I like this one:
What's the difference between a lawyer and a bucket of pond scum?Tip - TaxProf, via Instapundit.
The bucket.
Keeping up appearances...
Early voting has begun in Belarus, in an election nobody thinks is going to be fair. President and winner (yeah, they haven't counted the votes yet, but let's go ahead and call it) Alexander Lukashenko is embarked on last-minute campaigning, by which I mean arresting opposition activists. Which is small potatoes, considering that Alexander Milinkevich, the main opposition candidate, was previously arrested and beaten by pro-Lukashenko security forces.
Tip - Oxblog - who puts it best:
Tip - Oxblog - who puts it best:
THE PEOPLE OF BELARUS WILL HAVE THEIR ELECTION STOLEN THIS THURSDAY.Lukashenko's hoping everyone has better things to do than notice.
Monday, March 13, 2006
No whammys, no whammys, no whammys...crap!
Uh-oh...
Did the government irreparably screw up Zacharias Moussaoui's death penalty trial?
Screwed up - definitely. Whether or not the damage is reparable will be addressed Tuesday, at a special hearing called by the judge to see whether or not certain witnesses have been irredeemably tainted by their exposure to opening statements and other witness testimony.
What occurred was a TSA lawyer working on the case emailed certain witnesses transcripts of opening statements and portions of a witness's testimony. The U.S. Attorneys handling the case, when they learned about it - did their job and notified the judge and defense counsel. (And while medals shouldn't be awarded for doing one's job - I do want it noted that the U.S. Attorney's office appears to have disclosed a very painful fact very quickly and very completely.) Judge hits roof - defense attorneys argue for dismissal of the case - which, since this is a penalty trial, would mean Moussaoui avoids a death sentence.
The emails - and the U.S. Attorney's letter to the judge regarding same - may be read here. There is definitely a problem - witnesses who are sequestered are supposed to be shielded from the goings-on in the courtroom, so their testimony isn't colored by what is said previously. The emails from the TSA lawyer not only include transcripts, but they point out what witnesses should say in response to defense openings.
The defense position on this is that the death penalty case should be dismissed, or in the alternative - that the tainted witnesses should be excluded. The government isn't disputing that a problem exists, but argue the proper remedy is a vigorous cross-examination - in essence, the improper coaching would go to the weight of the evidence, and not its admissibility.
I don't know how important these witnesses are to the government's case (it has been claimed that they amount to "half the government's case") - and not everyone who got an email has read the transcripts, suggesting the problem may (stress may) be less than it initially appeared. Therefore, it would be premature to suggest any remedy is right or wrong - unless you're one of those results oriented people who knows what's right and doesn't care how you get there. That said - I must respectfully disagree with those who have chosen the judge as the focus of their anger in the case - the judge didn't give witnesses information they weren't allowed to have, and frankly, she's within her rights to consider all possible remedies.
Moussaoui's role in 9/11 remains murky. He faces execution for concealing information that could have prevented it - but the depth, if not the fact, of his involvement in Al-Qaeda is subject to debate. The prospect of someone involved in 9/11 escaping a well-deserved execution because someone on the government side screwed up bugs me as much as it bugs most people. But them's the rules. Being the good guys means we agree to play by more of them than the bad guys do.
Screwed up - definitely. Whether or not the damage is reparable will be addressed Tuesday, at a special hearing called by the judge to see whether or not certain witnesses have been irredeemably tainted by their exposure to opening statements and other witness testimony.
What occurred was a TSA lawyer working on the case emailed certain witnesses transcripts of opening statements and portions of a witness's testimony. The U.S. Attorneys handling the case, when they learned about it - did their job and notified the judge and defense counsel. (And while medals shouldn't be awarded for doing one's job - I do want it noted that the U.S. Attorney's office appears to have disclosed a very painful fact very quickly and very completely.) Judge hits roof - defense attorneys argue for dismissal of the case - which, since this is a penalty trial, would mean Moussaoui avoids a death sentence.
The emails - and the U.S. Attorney's letter to the judge regarding same - may be read here. There is definitely a problem - witnesses who are sequestered are supposed to be shielded from the goings-on in the courtroom, so their testimony isn't colored by what is said previously. The emails from the TSA lawyer not only include transcripts, but they point out what witnesses should say in response to defense openings.
The defense position on this is that the death penalty case should be dismissed, or in the alternative - that the tainted witnesses should be excluded. The government isn't disputing that a problem exists, but argue the proper remedy is a vigorous cross-examination - in essence, the improper coaching would go to the weight of the evidence, and not its admissibility.
I don't know how important these witnesses are to the government's case (it has been claimed that they amount to "half the government's case") - and not everyone who got an email has read the transcripts, suggesting the problem may (stress may) be less than it initially appeared. Therefore, it would be premature to suggest any remedy is right or wrong - unless you're one of those results oriented people who knows what's right and doesn't care how you get there. That said - I must respectfully disagree with those who have chosen the judge as the focus of their anger in the case - the judge didn't give witnesses information they weren't allowed to have, and frankly, she's within her rights to consider all possible remedies.
Moussaoui's role in 9/11 remains murky. He faces execution for concealing information that could have prevented it - but the depth, if not the fact, of his involvement in Al-Qaeda is subject to debate. The prospect of someone involved in 9/11 escaping a well-deserved execution because someone on the government side screwed up bugs me as much as it bugs most people. But them's the rules. Being the good guys means we agree to play by more of them than the bad guys do.
Trial of the...will you give it a freaking rest, already?
The trial of Illinois State Insect George Ryan is now before the jury, where they have the delightful task of sorting through 148 pages of jury instructions in the course of resolving 18 counts against Ryan and his co-defendant Larry Warner.
The evidence against Ryan in the nearly five months of testimony includes details of Ryan giving no-work jobs to friends, living large despite never needing to withdraw money from his own accounts (due to the cash payments he was receiving, according to prosecutors), squelching investigations into corruption at the Secretary of State's office regarding the selling of driver's licenses, creating a paper trail to leave the impression he'd paid for luxuries that were in fact gifts, and falsely reporting same to the IRS. The big witness against Ryan was his buddy Scott Fawell, who did his best to defend Ryan despite having been convicted himself in the scheme. Fawell acknowledged giving no-work jobs to Ryan cronies, and made it clear he really didn't want to help prosecutors - which may make the damaging aspects of his testimony more credible. Prosecutors were also successful in including an "ostrich" instruction - which allows jurors to find guilt if they believe Ryan consciously ignored the wrongdoing that was going on around him.
The big news in Ryan's defense were the testimony of character witnesses, including Mike Farrell and Sister Helen Prejean. They testified Ryan had character and integrity, based on him reaching a policy position they agreed with. (New reports weren't clear if they testified about how they thought Ryan treated victims' families). Ryan himself did not testify, a move his attorney spun as "unnecessary" due to the perceived weakness of the government's case. Webb, considered one of the finest white-collar criminal defense attorneys in the nation, gave a strong closing argument, attacking the details of every charge in the indictment. According to Webb, Ryan always gave the Illinois taxpayer's their money's worth.
The last word is a crucial advantage in a trial setting, especially one with five months of testimony, and the prosecution did a strong job with theirs, persuading at least one journalist covering the trial, and according to this poll, over two thirds of Illinois voters. As Eric Zorn pointed out - the people who testified what a great guy Ryan was were people like his doorman and anti-death penalty activists - Ryan did not, or could not, call people who worked closely with him in the Secretary of State or Governor's office - and indeed, Sister Helen and others admitted they had no idea how Ryan conducted his affairs there.
In a reverse of the Bill Campbell trial here in Atlanta, the corruption charges are stronger than the tax charges. Ryan's wife put out the popular defense spin that Ryan is being persecuted for his brave and courageous decision to commute every death sentence in Illinois. As I've stated previously, this is complete, and verifiable horseshit. The investigation began while Ryan was in the Secretary of State's office, before was even elected Governor, let alone before his very last act in office. But, faced with the choice between a false narrative of Ryan as victim of a vindictive Justice Department, or trying to say that no, he wasn't crooked, he was just too dense to notice that everyone else in his office was, I can see why his supporters would prefer the former.
Jury deliberation may take a few weeks - given the complexity of the charges.
The evidence against Ryan in the nearly five months of testimony includes details of Ryan giving no-work jobs to friends, living large despite never needing to withdraw money from his own accounts (due to the cash payments he was receiving, according to prosecutors), squelching investigations into corruption at the Secretary of State's office regarding the selling of driver's licenses, creating a paper trail to leave the impression he'd paid for luxuries that were in fact gifts, and falsely reporting same to the IRS. The big witness against Ryan was his buddy Scott Fawell, who did his best to defend Ryan despite having been convicted himself in the scheme. Fawell acknowledged giving no-work jobs to Ryan cronies, and made it clear he really didn't want to help prosecutors - which may make the damaging aspects of his testimony more credible. Prosecutors were also successful in including an "ostrich" instruction - which allows jurors to find guilt if they believe Ryan consciously ignored the wrongdoing that was going on around him.
The big news in Ryan's defense were the testimony of character witnesses, including Mike Farrell and Sister Helen Prejean. They testified Ryan had character and integrity, based on him reaching a policy position they agreed with. (New reports weren't clear if they testified about how they thought Ryan treated victims' families). Ryan himself did not testify, a move his attorney spun as "unnecessary" due to the perceived weakness of the government's case. Webb, considered one of the finest white-collar criminal defense attorneys in the nation, gave a strong closing argument, attacking the details of every charge in the indictment. According to Webb, Ryan always gave the Illinois taxpayer's their money's worth.
The last word is a crucial advantage in a trial setting, especially one with five months of testimony, and the prosecution did a strong job with theirs, persuading at least one journalist covering the trial, and according to this poll, over two thirds of Illinois voters. As Eric Zorn pointed out - the people who testified what a great guy Ryan was were people like his doorman and anti-death penalty activists - Ryan did not, or could not, call people who worked closely with him in the Secretary of State or Governor's office - and indeed, Sister Helen and others admitted they had no idea how Ryan conducted his affairs there.
In a reverse of the Bill Campbell trial here in Atlanta, the corruption charges are stronger than the tax charges. Ryan's wife put out the popular defense spin that Ryan is being persecuted for his brave and courageous decision to commute every death sentence in Illinois. As I've stated previously, this is complete, and verifiable horseshit. The investigation began while Ryan was in the Secretary of State's office, before was even elected Governor, let alone before his very last act in office. But, faced with the choice between a false narrative of Ryan as victim of a vindictive Justice Department, or trying to say that no, he wasn't crooked, he was just too dense to notice that everyone else in his office was, I can see why his supporters would prefer the former.
Jury deliberation may take a few weeks - given the complexity of the charges.
I'm getting better
This year, I correctly predicted 53 teams out of 65. (And I should get half a point for Seton Hall.) My best calls were Air Force, Utah State, and Xavier, and I will have a nice tall glass of "What the hell was he thinking?" regarding Colorado, Houston, and Old Dominion. (3 at-large bids for the CAA was admittedly wishful thinking on my part - but seriously, if you finish 8th in your conference, however good said conference is - do you really merit a spot in the Big Dance?) Apologies to the Bradley Braves for incorrectly giving their spot to Missouri State. (The thing about attending a school in a mid-major conference - we all become Missouri Valley fans come NCAA time. The Valley isn't going to get at-large bids if we don't deliver in the tournament - so I need Wichita St. and company to deliver, because sometime in the future Illinois State may win 20 games and choke in the conference tournament. This sentiment is not shared by alumni of big conference schools - as I recall the following law school conversation with a Tennessee alum:)
In filling out my brackets, I went with the relatively easy final of Duke over UConn. My more upset-minded (read: crazy) spouse has Illinois beating Gonzaga, which is I think like the 6th year in a row she's picked that particular final.
Bonus pick - Cincinnati over Creighton in the finals of the NIT.
Me: So, you don't pull for your fellow SEC teams come tournament time?(In a somewhat related note - Thinking of Tennessee as a #2 seed requires Keith Richards levels of mind altering drugs.)
Him: No, we pretty much wish them ill all year round.
Me: So, if Kentucky were to lose to Sam Houston State in the first round...
Him: That would pretty much be the greatest thing to have ever happened in the history of America.
In filling out my brackets, I went with the relatively easy final of Duke over UConn. My more upset-minded (read: crazy) spouse has Illinois beating Gonzaga, which is I think like the 6th year in a row she's picked that particular final.
Bonus pick - Cincinnati over Creighton in the finals of the NIT.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
You've changed, man...
Possible trial strategy for Saddam?
Slobodan Milosevic dies in his jail cell.
I think back to Jonah Goldberg's words when he mourned Yassir Arafat:
Tip - Ace.
I think back to Jonah Goldberg's words when he mourned Yassir Arafat:
Obviously, my remorse knows bounds. My sadness has a bottom. Words are more than adequate to express my grief.Hope you enjoy your stay in hell, Slobo. We'll miss you.
Tip - Ace.
Friday, March 10, 2006
That was quick...
James Sullivan found guilty of murdering his wife.
After spending years on the run, ranging from Costa Rica to Thailand, the jury needed just four hours to find him guilty of the murder of Lita Sullivan. The sentencing phase is set to begin Monday. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
After spending years on the run, ranging from Costa Rica to Thailand, the jury needed just four hours to find him guilty of the murder of Lita Sullivan. The sentencing phase is set to begin Monday. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
One year later...
Remembering the victims of the courthouse shooting spree in Atlanta.
Judge Rowland Barnes.
Court Reporter Julie Brandau
Deputy Hoyt Teasley
Also remembering the other victims of Brian Nichols -
Customs Agent David Wilhelm
As well as Ashley Smith, Deputy Cynthia Hall, and of course, the young lady whose rape Brian Nichols was on trial for at the time of the shooting, and the families and friends of everyone whose lives were changed last year.
Judge Rowland Barnes.
Court Reporter Julie Brandau
Deputy Hoyt Teasley
Also remembering the other victims of Brian Nichols -
Customs Agent David Wilhelm
As well as Ashley Smith, Deputy Cynthia Hall, and of course, the young lady whose rape Brian Nichols was on trial for at the time of the shooting, and the families and friends of everyone whose lives were changed last year.
Crazy Venezuelan Bastards...
First, Venezuela selects someone other than Ozzie Guillen to manage their team at the World Baseball Classic.
Now comes an organized threat against bloggers who are pointing out a pollster that continually reports the love the Venezuelan people feel for Chavez is maybe not such an independent truth teller.
Oh well, at least the baseball thing makes it easier to root against them. (Although current U.S. play isn't helping.)
Now comes an organized threat against bloggers who are pointing out a pollster that continually reports the love the Venezuelan people feel for Chavez is maybe not such an independent truth teller.
Oh well, at least the baseball thing makes it easier to root against them. (Although current U.S. play isn't helping.)
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
So, one throwaway line from Dawn Summers can cause a total stranger to reach out and tag somebody. Whatever we may all disagree on, surely we can agree on this: That is too much power for her to have.
Hello, Gertie. I'm Gib. Nice to meet you as well. Everyone should go say hi, and warn her about Dawn. It's only fair.
Anyway, on to the meme.
My nickname: Well, "Gib" isn't on my birth certificate, so that counts. A couple people I work with also find it amusing to refer to me as "G-Man."
My hometown: Peoria, Illinois.
My team: Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Rams. Like the city of Atlanta, I have no professional basketball team.
My theme song: "The Greatest" - by Kenny Rogers.
My drink: Coke. I'm the only person I know who stopped drinking in law school. I know a bunch of people who picked up pretty substantial drinking habits here, but I don't know of anyone else who actually stopped.
My occupation: Prosecutor. Which is a Latin word meaning "Lawyer who isn't evil."
My spare time: Reading, dogs, video games. Reading a book about video games to my dogs would be an ideal evening. Well, maybe not for the dogs.
My hiding spot: Upstairs office at home.
My book: Shogun - by James Clavell.
Tag - I encourage everyone to find memes wherever they can and tag Dawn Summers. Also Gertie. It's the only way she'll learn.
Hello, Gertie. I'm Gib. Nice to meet you as well. Everyone should go say hi, and warn her about Dawn. It's only fair.
Anyway, on to the meme.
My nickname: Well, "Gib" isn't on my birth certificate, so that counts. A couple people I work with also find it amusing to refer to me as "G-Man."
My hometown: Peoria, Illinois.
My team: Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Rams. Like the city of Atlanta, I have no professional basketball team.
My theme song: "The Greatest" - by Kenny Rogers.
My drink: Coke. I'm the only person I know who stopped drinking in law school. I know a bunch of people who picked up pretty substantial drinking habits here, but I don't know of anyone else who actually stopped.
My occupation: Prosecutor. Which is a Latin word meaning "Lawyer who isn't evil."
My spare time: Reading, dogs, video games. Reading a book about video games to my dogs would be an ideal evening. Well, maybe not for the dogs.
My hiding spot: Upstairs office at home.
My book: Shogun - by James Clavell.
Tag - I encourage everyone to find memes wherever they can and tag Dawn Summers. Also Gertie. It's the only way she'll learn.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Americans cannot be trusted with democracy
Gedeon? What the hell, America? Look, we all like Kevin, but if you must keep him, surely you can do me the favor of getting rid of Ace. (Spouse likes him a little too much for my tastes. I tell her if he ever says he has a thing for redheads, he means Clay Aiken.)
Israeli PM candidate promises to set final borders.
Ehud Olmert - who stepped in when Ariel Sharon was stricken by a stroke - has pledged, if elected, to finalize Israel's borders by 2010. Whether the Palestinians wish to be included in the conversation will be up to Hamas.
Who's better?
Pro wrestler Chris Klucsarits, aka "Chris Kanyon" has revealed that he is gay. This would have been a huge deal in say, 1998, when Kanyon was a big star in WCW. (Heck, when there was a WCW.)
Kanyon said in his announcement that he had hoped to come out on a WWE or TNA show after being signed, but wasn't able to come to an agreement, so he came out at an indy match against Diamond Dallas Page (which would have been a heck of a match - again, in 1998.) And, in truth, he's probably better off, given pro wrestling's history of treating gay issues with sensitivity and respect.
And, if I may add a note to pro wrestlers in general - the presence of an openly gay wrestler will not make wrestling any more homoerotic. Nothing could make pro wrestling any more homoerotic.
Kanyon said in his announcement that he had hoped to come out on a WWE or TNA show after being signed, but wasn't able to come to an agreement, so he came out at an indy match against Diamond Dallas Page (which would have been a heck of a match - again, in 1998.) And, in truth, he's probably better off, given pro wrestling's history of treating gay issues with sensitivity and respect.
And, if I may add a note to pro wrestlers in general - the presence of an openly gay wrestler will not make wrestling any more homoerotic. Nothing could make pro wrestling any more homoerotic.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Random thought for the day...
Why, when people hear voices in their heads, are the voices always evil? Always telling people to kill someone, or set stuff on fire. At least occasionally, shouldn't the voices command people to volunteer at a soup kitchen, or deliver meals to shut-ins?
"No, sweetie - just desperate to remain relevant."
Madonna asked if she was gay by daughter, following Britney Spears kiss.
Legal order of the day...
Monday, March 06, 2006
Solomon Amendment Upheld...
America's finest law schools sure they're right - U.S. Supreme Court unanimously disagrees.
Future headline - Law Schools refuse federal funds on principle - principled students gladly pay higher tuition in service of greater good.
The actual decision may be read here.
Future headline - Law Schools refuse federal funds on principle - principled students gladly pay higher tuition in service of greater good.
The actual decision may be read here.
Athlete of the Week...
Now, like all decent Illinois State alumni, I loathe Southern Illinois. (Indeed, this is the position held by all people of sound intellect and good moral judgment, wherever they may have attended school.)
Still, as I was watching the Bradley Braves sit out the second half in the Missouri Valley Title game, there was an SIU athelete who deserves to be commended.
During a timeout, SIU cheerleader Kristi Yamaoka takes a header off a human pyramid, and play stops for several minutes as she is put in a neck brace and strapped to a backboard. As they are wheeling the stretcher off the court, SIU's band begins to play the school fight song, and from her stretcher, Yamaoka continues to lead cheers and she's being wheeled off the court.
A shame to see such courage wasted in the service of evil, but when the forces of good can't even manage a 10-win season, you take what you can get.
Still, as I was watching the Bradley Braves sit out the second half in the Missouri Valley Title game, there was an SIU athelete who deserves to be commended.
During a timeout, SIU cheerleader Kristi Yamaoka takes a header off a human pyramid, and play stops for several minutes as she is put in a neck brace and strapped to a backboard. As they are wheeling the stretcher off the court, SIU's band begins to play the school fight song, and from her stretcher, Yamaoka continues to lead cheers and she's being wheeled off the court.
A shame to see such courage wasted in the service of evil, but when the forces of good can't even manage a 10-win season, you take what you can get.
Friday, March 03, 2006
It's "Stupid Person Friday" here at Crosblog
The problem: You work on the campaign of a statewide elected official seeking higher office. You have a project coming due, but you don't think you can meet the deadline. What do you do?
The solution: Well, obviously, you set fire to the office.
The Georgia Democratic Party: Not Afraid Of New Solutions.
The solution: Well, obviously, you set fire to the office.
The Georgia Democratic Party: Not Afraid Of New Solutions.
Poker. Is there anything it can't do?
Florida Sheriff passing out playing cards to jail inmates with info on unsolved murders or missing persons, hoping to stimulate tips.
While we're talking about stupid people...
Anyone remember the case where some idiot called McDonalds, pretending to be the police, and ordered the idiot manager and her idiot fiancee to strip-search and basically molest a teenage employee? And the idiot manager and her idiot fiancee actually did it?
(The word "idiot" really cannot be overused when discussing these folks.)
Well, two of the three cases are over (The guy who actually made the calls is scheduled to go on trial in April). Idiot fiancee is getting five years in prison. The idiot manager, in a display of mercy normally reserved for the truly contrite over the truly stupid, received a year's probation, for which she should give great thanks to the patron saint of morons as well as a forgiving victim, since she still refuses to admit she did anything wrong:
Or, "Why do you not walk into walls? Cause frankly, a sharp blow to the head couldn't hurt, and might help."
(The word "idiot" really cannot be overused when discussing these folks.)
Well, two of the three cases are over (The guy who actually made the calls is scheduled to go on trial in April). Idiot fiancee is getting five years in prison. The idiot manager, in a display of mercy normally reserved for the truly contrite over the truly stupid, received a year's probation, for which she should give great thanks to the patron saint of morons as well as a forgiving victim, since she still refuses to admit she did anything wrong:
Summers entered an Alford plea to misdemeanor unlawful imprisonment, meaning she maintained her innocence while acknowledging there was enough evidence to convict her.The whole affair calls to mind the rhetorical question Dawn and Karol always seem to be asking each other - "How do you not walk into walls?"
Despite the disposition, Summers left the courthouse in tears, saying she still holds McDonald's responsible for failing to warn employees of strip-search hoaxes at its other restaurants. She has said she never would have detained Ogborn had she known of previous hoaxes.
Or, "Why do you not walk into walls? Cause frankly, a sharp blow to the head couldn't hurt, and might help."
Ill. Gov. - Yep, he's still stupid...
You know, Governor, when you're appointing people to a hate-crimes panel, ideally you want people who are opposed to them. Or, if you're Rod Blagojevich, you bring in the Nation of Islam - who offers the panel the wisdom of Louis Farrakhan:
Tip - Volokh.
In the speech, Farrakhan accused "Hollywood Jews" of "promoting lesbianism, homosexuality" and other "filth." That angered some commission members who publicly complained Muhammad's work for Farrakhan clashed with the panel's goals.Maybe he thought Farrakhan was a Daily Show plant.
Tip - Volokh.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
People you're amazed can dress themselves...
Local nitwit tries and fails four times to kill spouse. One effort (using a car exhaust) nearly takes him out instead. He gets caught because he thought his son would be willing to help bump off his mother.
Truly a criminal mastermind.
Truly a criminal mastermind.
We should make this a challenge on America's Next Top Model...
Your mission - go to Cuba and find some way to piss off Castro. Winner gets the cover of Glamour.
Miss Czech Republic 1999 Helena Houdová got arrested in Cuba for taking pictures of AIDS sanitariums and general squalor - things that don't exist cause socialism works, but if they did exist, it'd be the fault of the embargo. They took her camera, but she smuggled the memory chip out in her bra, and is doing an exhibition of the photos.
Publius has a good photo of Ms. Houdova (whom people should remember the next time George Clooney claims he's being brave), but I like this one better.
Take that, you commie bastard.
Miss Czech Republic 1999 Helena Houdová got arrested in Cuba for taking pictures of AIDS sanitariums and general squalor - things that don't exist cause socialism works, but if they did exist, it'd be the fault of the embargo. They took her camera, but she smuggled the memory chip out in her bra, and is doing an exhibition of the photos.
Publius has a good photo of Ms. Houdova (whom people should remember the next time George Clooney claims he's being brave), but I like this one better.
Take that, you commie bastard.
Line of the night...
Talking to the spouse on the phone, describing American Idol...
Me: Heh heh heh. One of the contestants (Will, I think), just mentioned what a thrill it was to meet Justin Guarini.
Spouse: Where'd he do that? Hardee's?
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Try and broaden my cultural horizons, will you?
12 year old teaches art museum why it's a bad idea to drag 12 year old kids to museums when he sticks his gum on a $1.5 million dollar painting.
He apparently got in a lot of trouble. If he had described his act as an "artistic commentary on the folly of our desire to stick to outmoded means of expression," he'd be in line for an NEA grant.
He apparently got in a lot of trouble. If he had described his act as an "artistic commentary on the folly of our desire to stick to outmoded means of expression," he'd be in line for an NEA grant.
Times have changed...
You know, in the not too recent past, I'm pretty sure if you told members of ethnic minorities that we were going to set up a special court system just for them, most of them would have considered that a bad idea.
Like I said, times have changed. Maricopa County, Arizona is now dealing with a constitutional challenge to their segregated DUI diversion system, brought by the County Attorney. Specialized DUI courts and diversion programs are not uncommon in large areas, and Maricopa County has set up three separate programs - one for Indians (by which I presume the New York Times means Native Americans), one for Spanish speakers, and one general program for the everyone else. (The programs are frequently referred to as "courts" in media reports, but they actually appear to be probation programs set up for people who have been convicted of DUI. The Spanish and Indian programs are supposedly set up to deal with language and cultural issues. Defendants who fail to comply with terms of probation face jail.) Defendants in the general program are spending more time in jail than the defendants in the other programs- the different treatment is justified by the Judge in charge as actually reducing crime. As the County Attorney points out by way of response:
Tip - Corner.
Like I said, times have changed. Maricopa County, Arizona is now dealing with a constitutional challenge to their segregated DUI diversion system, brought by the County Attorney. Specialized DUI courts and diversion programs are not uncommon in large areas, and Maricopa County has set up three separate programs - one for Indians (by which I presume the New York Times means Native Americans), one for Spanish speakers, and one general program for the everyone else. (The programs are frequently referred to as "courts" in media reports, but they actually appear to be probation programs set up for people who have been convicted of DUI. The Spanish and Indian programs are supposedly set up to deal with language and cultural issues. Defendants who fail to comply with terms of probation face jail.) Defendants in the general program are spending more time in jail than the defendants in the other programs- the different treatment is justified by the Judge in charge as actually reducing crime. As the County Attorney points out by way of response:
"They're basically saying that racial discrimination in sentencing is acceptable if it reduces the recidivism rate," Thomas said. "If I were to make that claim the uproar would be deafening."Language programs designed to help non-English speakers understand the system and make informed decisions are not only good ideas, they're legally required. A program that actually treats defendants differently based on where they're from? Absent any research, who knows, but I'll say it's slightly more iffy. What I'd like to know is if someone who wasn't a native Spanish speaker, but spoke and read Spanish, asked to be put in the Spanish diversion program. Would they let him? Should they?
Tip - Corner.
Offered without comment...
This video about some kids who conduct an experiment wherein they actually drive the speed limit in Atlanta.
Tip - Instapundit.
Tip - Instapundit.
