Friday, May 30, 2008
Damn southern Bible-thumpers...hold on...
Lesbian couple files discrimination complaint after Safeco Field officials tell them to quit kissing or leave the park. Safeco Field, for those you scoring at home, is the home of the Seattle Mariners.
I feel compelled to note that had the couple in question been attending a pro wrestling event pretty much anywhere in the country, they more than likely could have kissed all they wanted without a complaint from the crowd.
Cause pro wrestling fans are progressive like that. It's a shame baseball fans aren't as forward thinking.
I feel compelled to note that had the couple in question been attending a pro wrestling event pretty much anywhere in the country, they more than likely could have kissed all they wanted without a complaint from the crowd.
Cause pro wrestling fans are progressive like that. It's a shame baseball fans aren't as forward thinking.
Wait - there's a downside to gambling?
A study of office betting pools claims betting reduces the enjoyment of the event, because the prospect of losing makes it too difficult to appreciate.
Also, there's the constant wondering of how you're going to listen to the office dillweed's gloating without stapling his pool sheet to his head, but I think they save that particular complication for the endnotes.
Also, there's the constant wondering of how you're going to listen to the office dillweed's gloating without stapling his pool sheet to his head, but I think they save that particular complication for the endnotes.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Man, I love diplomacy...
Kofi Annan - Zimbabwe opposition needs to use the experience of Robert Mugabe and his party to move Zimbabwe past its current crisis.
Mugabe's relevant experience, of course, would be that of causing said crisis.
In any event, according to Mrs. Mugabe (who might be in a position to know a thing or two about such things), Robert Mugabe ain't going anywhere, and yes, that means even if he loses the election.
Mugabe's relevant experience, of course, would be that of causing said crisis.
In any event, according to Mrs. Mugabe (who might be in a position to know a thing or two about such things), Robert Mugabe ain't going anywhere, and yes, that means even if he loses the election.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
I knew I liked those guys...
U.S. Supreme Court rejects George Ryan's appeal.
The only avenue remaining would be clemency from the President, which his attorneys say they will seek. One assumes any pardon application will lead with the health issue (Ryan is 74), as leading with Ryan's work against the death penalty would likely result in President Bush laughing until he passed out from lack of oxygen. Personally, I think Ryan's best shot at getting out would involve Bush leaving office, and pardon power resting with a new President, who ideally for Ryan, would be a liberal from Illinois. But really, how likely is that?
The only avenue remaining would be clemency from the President, which his attorneys say they will seek. One assumes any pardon application will lead with the health issue (Ryan is 74), as leading with Ryan's work against the death penalty would likely result in President Bush laughing until he passed out from lack of oxygen. Personally, I think Ryan's best shot at getting out would involve Bush leaving office, and pardon power resting with a new President, who ideally for Ryan, would be a liberal from Illinois. But really, how likely is that?
Well, it's not like the Burmese government has any other, more pressing matters to deal with...
Myanmar junta extends the house arrest of their country's rightful Prime Minister, Aung Sung Suu Kyi.
Interestingly enough, not only is her continued detention wrong by any reasonably applicable standard of human decency, it also happens to be pretty plainly illegal under the junta's own laws, unless there's a "people who irritate Than Shwe" provision somewhere else that nobody noticed.
Which, honestly, there probably is.
Interestingly enough, not only is her continued detention wrong by any reasonably applicable standard of human decency, it also happens to be pretty plainly illegal under the junta's own laws, unless there's a "people who irritate Than Shwe" provision somewhere else that nobody noticed.
Which, honestly, there probably is.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Character is what you do when you don't think anyone is watching
A while back, Nick Bollea (better known as Hulk Hogan's son) was sentenced to eight months in jail for reckless driving after an accident caused by Bollea's high-speed antics critically injured his friend John Graziano, a passenger in the car, and an Iraq war veteran. At his sentencing, when the judge was contemplating how much jail time to hand out, Bollea emotionally apologized to the Graziano family for what he had done to their son, and Hogan spoke on his behalf as well.
This week, taped conversations from jail suggest maybe remorse wasn't all he was feeling.
This week, taped conversations from jail suggest maybe remorse wasn't all he was feeling.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
You have the right to an attorney - unless...
When might a defendant not have the right to have an attorney appointed for him?
Well, according to a Minnesota Appeals Court - when he beats the crap out of his previous court appointed lawer in front of the judge and jury. Mark Groettum, a deputy public defender in St. Louis County, Minnesota, was trying to defend William Lehman on charges of assault and terroristic threats. Lehman was unsatisified with his attorney's efforts, and asked the court for a mistrial and a new attorney, requests the judge denied. So, when the jury was back, Lehman took a different tack, attacking Groettum and punching him repeatedly until deputies hauled him off. The judge's response to this was to remove Groettum as Lehman's attorney, and instead of declaring a mistrial, forced Lehman to represent himself for the remainder of the trial. Lehman, in one of the legal world's less surprising developments, was convicted of all counts. On appeal, while the Court of Appeals agreed that forcing a defendant to defend himself was about as extreme a step as one could take, allowing defendants to get out of trials that were going badly by attacking their lawyers was even worse, and upheld the judge's decision to force Lehman to go it alone.
One wonders if Lehman had gotten a new trial, and it started to look bad for him, whether he would have figured out the problem didn't lie with lawyer so much as with the guy sitting next to him.
Minnesota v. Lehman may be read here.
Tip - Arbitrary and Capricious.
Well, according to a Minnesota Appeals Court - when he beats the crap out of his previous court appointed lawer in front of the judge and jury. Mark Groettum, a deputy public defender in St. Louis County, Minnesota, was trying to defend William Lehman on charges of assault and terroristic threats. Lehman was unsatisified with his attorney's efforts, and asked the court for a mistrial and a new attorney, requests the judge denied. So, when the jury was back, Lehman took a different tack, attacking Groettum and punching him repeatedly until deputies hauled him off. The judge's response to this was to remove Groettum as Lehman's attorney, and instead of declaring a mistrial, forced Lehman to represent himself for the remainder of the trial. Lehman, in one of the legal world's less surprising developments, was convicted of all counts. On appeal, while the Court of Appeals agreed that forcing a defendant to defend himself was about as extreme a step as one could take, allowing defendants to get out of trials that were going badly by attacking their lawyers was even worse, and upheld the judge's decision to force Lehman to go it alone.
One wonders if Lehman had gotten a new trial, and it started to look bad for him, whether he would have figured out the problem didn't lie with lawyer so much as with the guy sitting next to him.
Minnesota v. Lehman may be read here.
Tip - Arbitrary and Capricious.
How not to get out of a ticket...
A passenger in a car pulled over for a routine traffic stop calls 911 and reports a robbery nearby, hoping the officer will get called away before ticketing the driver.
What, feigning going into labor was too complex a plan?
What, feigning going into labor was too complex a plan?
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
All I need to know about life I learned from TV...
The new leading contender for how I want to be remembered when I die now involves a giant straw effigy filled with fireworks placed outside the local big box hardware store.
Tip - Reaper.
Tip - Reaper.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Greatness is not appreciated in its time. Neither, apparently, is suckiness.
A collection of poems from a poet identified as the World's Worst Poet is going up for auction, and bidding is expected to be similar to what a signed first edition of Harry Potter.
An example of William McGonagall's poetry is in the above story:
An example of William McGonagall's poetry is in the above story:
"So the train mov'd slowly along the Bridge of Tay,It holds up all right, compared to say, a Vogon, or perhaps another famous poet named William.
"Until it was about midway,
"Then the central girders with a crash gave way,
"And down went the train and passengers into the Tay."
Narnia 2: Electric Boogaloo
Saw a sneak preview of Prince Caspian last night - excellent movie. If you're a big fan of the book, you should know the movie takes a few liberties. The film begins with the birth of Miraz' son, there's an attack on Miraz' castle that just basically substitutes for Caspian's guerilla war, and when they meet, Peter and Caspian engage in a douche-off over who's actually in charge. There are a few more It all works, though - the cast is mostly very good - in addition to the kids, Peter Dinklage is great as Trumpkin and Eddie Izzard has Reepicheep's combination of swagger and chivalry down to a T. (Reepicheep may be my favorite character in the whole series.) On the critical side, the guy who plays Caspian struck me as adequate at best, and everyone who played a centaur acted like a Vulcan with hooves.
The political intrigue of Miraz' supporters is also done with more depth than I'd have expected - Glozelle and Sopespian are portrayed differently in the film than they are in the book, but their importance to the plot is given fair weight, even though they are neither the Penvesie children, nor a talking animal. The religious symbolism is still there, of course - Lucy's part of the film is essentially a study of the nature of faith, but as the The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe, anyone who doesn't want a religious message in their movie should have no trouble enjoying the sword fights and the talking animals.
You probably have to be a huge fan of the books to prefer it to Iron Man, but Prince Caspian is a very good movie, although hopefully Ben Barnes takes a few action hero classes before filming starts on the Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which in my humble opinion, is the best book in the series.
The political intrigue of Miraz' supporters is also done with more depth than I'd have expected - Glozelle and Sopespian are portrayed differently in the film than they are in the book, but their importance to the plot is given fair weight, even though they are neither the Penvesie children, nor a talking animal. The religious symbolism is still there, of course - Lucy's part of the film is essentially a study of the nature of faith, but as the The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe, anyone who doesn't want a religious message in their movie should have no trouble enjoying the sword fights and the talking animals.
You probably have to be a huge fan of the books to prefer it to Iron Man, but Prince Caspian is a very good movie, although hopefully Ben Barnes takes a few action hero classes before filming starts on the Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which in my humble opinion, is the best book in the series.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Updates on stuff...
In January, a man was arrested after he posted a video on Youtube of himself and a buddy waving guns and daring the police to come and get them.
Yesterday, he was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison for being a felon in possession of firearms found after the police called his bluff. He claimed everything was a big misunderstanding, and he meant no harm. The judge was less than impressed.
In an interesting update for the three of you who saw the movie "Alpha Dog" - (which was actually pretty good), the California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that prosecutor Ron Zonen would be allowed to prosecute Jesse James Hollywood on capital murder charges. Zonen had been removed from the case by an appeals court following his consulting with the makers of "Alpha Dog" on the details of the case.
Yesterday, he was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison for being a felon in possession of firearms found after the police called his bluff. He claimed everything was a big misunderstanding, and he meant no harm. The judge was less than impressed.
In an interesting update for the three of you who saw the movie "Alpha Dog" - (which was actually pretty good), the California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that prosecutor Ron Zonen would be allowed to prosecute Jesse James Hollywood on capital murder charges. Zonen had been removed from the case by an appeals court following his consulting with the makers of "Alpha Dog" on the details of the case.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Break out the steel cage...
A war of words is breaking out over the movie Recount, an HBO movie about how the evil Bush forces took advantage of the Gore team's excessive decency and fair play and stole the 2000 election.
No, I haven't seen it. It's a guess.
My actual point is this - apparently former Secretary of State Warren Christopher is taking issue with how is portrayed in the movie (apparently as a bit of a wuss), and is taking on the film's screenwriter, one Danny Strong.
Yes, that Danny Strong.
Warren Christopher, once the face and voice of American diplomacy worldwide, is trying to start something with Jonathan from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I'm going to call Jonathan in this one - he's got a history with people named "Warren."
(Note - the above only applies to the "Superstar" version of Jonathan. Regular Jonathan would probably get his tail kicked.)
No, I haven't seen it. It's a guess.
My actual point is this - apparently former Secretary of State Warren Christopher is taking issue with how is portrayed in the movie (apparently as a bit of a wuss), and is taking on the film's screenwriter, one Danny Strong.
Yes, that Danny Strong.
Warren Christopher, once the face and voice of American diplomacy worldwide, is trying to start something with Jonathan from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I'm going to call Jonathan in this one - he's got a history with people named "Warren."
(Note - the above only applies to the "Superstar" version of Jonathan. Regular Jonathan would probably get his tail kicked.)
Monday, May 12, 2008
Could have knocked me over with a feather...
A while ago, there was a news story about man charged in a robbery in Texas who was allegedly shot by the victim. Nothing terribly unusual, except for this one thing - the defendant had a bullet in his head, and the police initially got a search warrant to remove the bullet from his head.
The defendant was quite adamant that he was innocent - he was accidentally shot by a friend and he totally wanted the bullet out because it would prove he was innocent, he just wouldn't agree to the surgery because the cops were jerks. Remember that guy?
Incredibly, it turns out he did it.
I know. I'm stunned too.
The defendant was quite adamant that he was innocent - he was accidentally shot by a friend and he totally wanted the bullet out because it would prove he was innocent, he just wouldn't agree to the surgery because the cops were jerks. Remember that guy?
Incredibly, it turns out he did it.
I know. I'm stunned too.
Sue me, I liked it...
I thought Speed Racer was fun. We saw it on the IMAX this weekend, and even the crazy redhead liked it.
Is it as good as Iron Man? Of course not. But anyone who walked in expecting Speed Racer to meet that standard deserved to be disappointed. Iron Man is based on a comic book character who has a richly developed history sculpted by the finest comic book artists and writers in history. Speed Racer is based on a stupid cartoon that had the same plot for every single episode. (Remember the one where the future of civilization hinged on Speed winning a race against a diabolical opponent who wasn't above cheating by rigging his car with evil weapons? Also the stupid kid and monkey kept hiding in the trunk? Did you see that one?) Speed Racer was never going to compete as art - it just did OK as entertainment. It had its drawbacks - the cartoon style of the movie made the races hard to follow, especially the last one. Also, Spreidel and Chim-Chim win the "Jar Jar Binks Award" for being the characters who, could have improved the movie the most by having their screen time cut in half. That being said, it was an amusing use of a couple hours.
It also kind of came off as decent-sized middle finger to NASCAR and Indy Racing - since the villains were all rich corporate sponsors who were destroying the sport of auto racing. Every other racing movie in recent years has had real-world cameos (Cars and Talledega Nights both had NASCAR stars show up) - Speed Racer would have been ripe for an appearance from an open-wheel racer like Danica Patrick or Helio Castroneves, but in a movie that features corporate sponsors as the root of all evil, I don't think anyone was willing to sit for a lengthy meeting where the Wachowski brothers explain to Danica Patrick's sponsors that "No, we're not talking about you, of course." I'm not sure the kids in attendance picked up on that, however.
Not as good as Iron Man, way better than I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry.
Is it as good as Iron Man? Of course not. But anyone who walked in expecting Speed Racer to meet that standard deserved to be disappointed. Iron Man is based on a comic book character who has a richly developed history sculpted by the finest comic book artists and writers in history. Speed Racer is based on a stupid cartoon that had the same plot for every single episode. (Remember the one where the future of civilization hinged on Speed winning a race against a diabolical opponent who wasn't above cheating by rigging his car with evil weapons? Also the stupid kid and monkey kept hiding in the trunk? Did you see that one?) Speed Racer was never going to compete as art - it just did OK as entertainment. It had its drawbacks - the cartoon style of the movie made the races hard to follow, especially the last one. Also, Spreidel and Chim-Chim win the "Jar Jar Binks Award" for being the characters who, could have improved the movie the most by having their screen time cut in half. That being said, it was an amusing use of a couple hours.
It also kind of came off as decent-sized middle finger to NASCAR and Indy Racing - since the villains were all rich corporate sponsors who were destroying the sport of auto racing. Every other racing movie in recent years has had real-world cameos (Cars and Talledega Nights both had NASCAR stars show up) - Speed Racer would have been ripe for an appearance from an open-wheel racer like Danica Patrick or Helio Castroneves, but in a movie that features corporate sponsors as the root of all evil, I don't think anyone was willing to sit for a lengthy meeting where the Wachowski brothers explain to Danica Patrick's sponsors that "No, we're not talking about you, of course." I'm not sure the kids in attendance picked up on that, however.
Not as good as Iron Man, way better than I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Why prisons are full, part 3983...
Man loses bag of meth at casino. Bag of meth is found and turned in to casino security.
Man then approaches casino security, saying "Hey, has anyone found my bag?"
His best hope at this point is this woman sits on his jury.
Man then approaches casino security, saying "Hey, has anyone found my bag?"
His best hope at this point is this woman sits on his jury.
Diplomacy in action...
The military dictators of Myanmar have not been letting aid workers in to help victims of the massive cyclone that has probably killed 100,000 people, because doing so would risk making it abundantly clear that the junta lacks both the ability and the inclination to protect its citizens or help them in a crisis. Now we've learned that military leaders have been seizing aid shipments and putting their own names on them in an attempt to turn the whole thing into a propaganda coup. They will take food and aid shipments, but will not allow aid workers into the country, ensuring that more people will die, which is less important than Than Shwe looking like he needs outside help. This isn't that unusual - North Korea tells its citizens that aid shipments are tributes delivered by foreigners awestruck by the wonder that is Kim Jong-Il.
There is a way around the junta, of course, round up a force and go in anyway. The UN's charter even contemplates the necessity - it's called the "responsibility to protect" doctrine and it's enshrined in the UN and everything. Since feeding the Burmese people over the government's objection would probably destory the regime's credibility beyond all repair, they would fight back, which would be counterproductive to the goal of helping victims of the cyclone. Or, if they faced a united front at the UN, they would decide not to pick this particular battle, and work something out that lets in aid workers.
This being the UN, of course, a united front is never going to be possible, because dictatorships have a deeply vested interest in the idea that national sovreignty allows them to do anything they want within their own borders, and the rest of the world can suck it. The loudest speaker on this front, is, of course, China.
Enjoy the Olympics.
There is a way around the junta, of course, round up a force and go in anyway. The UN's charter even contemplates the necessity - it's called the "responsibility to protect" doctrine and it's enshrined in the UN and everything. Since feeding the Burmese people over the government's objection would probably destory the regime's credibility beyond all repair, they would fight back, which would be counterproductive to the goal of helping victims of the cyclone. Or, if they faced a united front at the UN, they would decide not to pick this particular battle, and work something out that lets in aid workers.
This being the UN, of course, a united front is never going to be possible, because dictatorships have a deeply vested interest in the idea that national sovreignty allows them to do anything they want within their own borders, and the rest of the world can suck it. The loudest speaker on this front, is, of course, China.
Enjoy the Olympics.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Our next governor...
Georgia Senator/Living Dead Johnny Isakson has announced he will seek re-election to the Senate instead of entering the governor's race. Isakson will almost certainly win re-election, and would have almost certainly won the governor's seat had he won.
Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine has announced on the Republican side, and Lt. Governor Casey Cagle is consider a likely challenger on the GOP side as well. Various congressfolk, including Lynn Westmoreland (R) and Jim Marshall (D) have been mentioned. State House Majority Leader Jerry Keen has come up in conversation, although I personally think a governor from St. Simons' Island is a long shot. Assuming he runs, Attorney General Thurbert Baker would be a strong contender. Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, previously mentioned as a possible Senate contender, is hugely popular, has been an effective mayor of Georgia's largest city, and would recieve no negative press coverage at any time during any campaign, even if she were videotaped shooting a puppy. (I can see the AJC headline now - "Franklin supports right to bear arms.")
Isakson was the one candidate that nobody running on either side was going to beat, so anyone who genuinely wants the job is likely to get in soon now that he's out.
Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine has announced on the Republican side, and Lt. Governor Casey Cagle is consider a likely challenger on the GOP side as well. Various congressfolk, including Lynn Westmoreland (R) and Jim Marshall (D) have been mentioned. State House Majority Leader Jerry Keen has come up in conversation, although I personally think a governor from St. Simons' Island is a long shot. Assuming he runs, Attorney General Thurbert Baker would be a strong contender. Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, previously mentioned as a possible Senate contender, is hugely popular, has been an effective mayor of Georgia's largest city, and would recieve no negative press coverage at any time during any campaign, even if she were videotaped shooting a puppy. (I can see the AJC headline now - "Franklin supports right to bear arms.")
Isakson was the one candidate that nobody running on either side was going to beat, so anyone who genuinely wants the job is likely to get in soon now that he's out.
Picked up that last spare...
William Hargrove, America's oldest active league bowler died Monday at age 106. He was bowling (in the low 100's) up until a few days before his death.
His one regret before he died was "Not getting Barack Obama on the lanes with money on the line."
His one regret before he died was "Not getting Barack Obama on the lanes with money on the line."
How not to get out of jury duty...
A woman reported to jury duty, where she was put on a panel to be considered as a juror on a trial where the defendant was charged with possession of marijuana. After a round of questioning prospective jurors, they took a break and the woman allegedly went outside for a smoke.
You know where I'm going with this, right?
It's too bad, too, because she was really looking forward to being on that jury.
You know where I'm going with this, right?
It's too bad, too, because she was really looking forward to being on that jury.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Today's reading...
Heather McDonald on race and the criminal justice system.
Tip - Paul Cassell at the Volokh Conspiracy.
Tip - Paul Cassell at the Volokh Conspiracy.
Friday, May 02, 2008
In today's episode of "Duh!"
Why the ESPY awards are worth having...
By now you may have heard the story about Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace, the two softball players from Central Washington University who carried an injured opponent around the basepaths after she collapsed following her first ever home run. The three-run home run ended up being the difference in the game - the injured Sara Tucholsky's team, Western Oregon, has a shot at making the NCAA tournament now, while CWU's season, as well as Holtman's impressive college career - will end for good this weekend.
(Interesting aside - the field ruling that caused all the drama - that WOU couldn't sub for Tucholsky without forfeiting the home run - appears to have been in error. According to this note sent to ESPN, a substitute runner could have been allowed to touch all bases previously awarded to Tucholsky - in this case, all of them, and the home run would have counted. But nobody knew that when this happened, and the story is better this way anyway.)
Which brings me to the ESPYs. It generally strikes me as a largely unnecessary event (do we really need to give another award to Tiger Woods or Tom Brady?), but they do give an award for the "Best Sports Moment" of the year. (You all remember last year's winner - Jason McElwain). Holtman and Wallace may not get to go to the NCAA tournament, but they will get to go to this otherwise superflous awards show, where they will probably get to meet host Justin Timberlake. When they are announced at the show, an audience filled with rich and famous athletes and other celebrities will stand up and give them a hero's welcome. The entire show (even giving Tom Brady another trophy) will then be justified.
Tip - Mithras.
(Interesting aside - the field ruling that caused all the drama - that WOU couldn't sub for Tucholsky without forfeiting the home run - appears to have been in error. According to this note sent to ESPN, a substitute runner could have been allowed to touch all bases previously awarded to Tucholsky - in this case, all of them, and the home run would have counted. But nobody knew that when this happened, and the story is better this way anyway.)
Which brings me to the ESPYs. It generally strikes me as a largely unnecessary event (do we really need to give another award to Tiger Woods or Tom Brady?), but they do give an award for the "Best Sports Moment" of the year. (You all remember last year's winner - Jason McElwain). Holtman and Wallace may not get to go to the NCAA tournament, but they will get to go to this otherwise superflous awards show, where they will probably get to meet host Justin Timberlake. When they are announced at the show, an audience filled with rich and famous athletes and other celebrities will stand up and give them a hero's welcome. The entire show (even giving Tom Brady another trophy) will then be justified.
Tip - Mithras.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
This is cool...
A website that will give you the #1 song in America for any day in history.
The day I was born, the #1 song was "Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me" by Mac Davis. Below, Mac sings his song on the Muppet Show with Miss Piggy.
The day I got married, it was "Fallin'" by Alicia Keys. Coincidence, I'm sure.
Tip - Mike.
The day I was born, the #1 song was "Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me" by Mac Davis. Below, Mac sings his song on the Muppet Show with Miss Piggy.
The day I got married, it was "Fallin'" by Alicia Keys. Coincidence, I'm sure.
Tip - Mike.
