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Friday Afternoon Open Thread

In a game that no one but JeffinAlabama and I will be following at this site, Florida meets Auburn tonight in a de facto play-in game for the NCCA tourney. Go Gators!

This is an Open Thread.

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    War Eagle (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by AUJason on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 04:50:46 PM EST
    Hoping both teams play well this evening. But would like Auburn to play just one point better.

    He. You're outnumbered on your own site, (none / 0) (#14)
    by jeffinalabama on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:16:55 PM EST
    Gatornation!

    Let's hope it's a good game.

    Parent

    Best game in the tournament so far (none / 0) (#72)
    by AUJason on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 11:18:46 PM EST
    Sloppy at times but still a good game.

    Parent
    since its been hours since the last Madoff thread (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:04:55 PM EST
    I would like to say that IMO Madoffs mistake was that he swindled rich people.  swindle rich people and go to jail for life.  swindle poor people - like every major bank in the country does daily - and you are considered the backbone of the economy and get a 8 billion dollar bailout from the government.
    have a nice weekend.


    Since it has been hrs. since the (none / 0) (#29)
    by oculus on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:50:50 PM EST
    last Madoff, I must confess I dreamed last night I was at a sentencing hrg. of a civil case I defended many yrs. ago.  Case has been closed for at least 10 years, yet I was comforting the family of the victim and finding out who wanted to speak on the record, etc.  Much worry on my part and I had absolutely nothing to do w/the criminal case and, in the civil case, was not representing the criminal defendant.

    Parent
    That's not really true (none / 0) (#64)
    by MrConservative on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 10:59:31 PM EST
    There were poor people who got caught up in the scheme.  A veteran killed himself after he lost his families life savings in Madoff's scheme:

    http://wcbstv.com/local/Bernard.Madoff.William.2.934647.html

    The rich clients just grab the most headlines.

    Parent

    So very sad... (5.00 / 0) (#99)
    by kdog on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 08:58:30 AM EST
    that the human mind can become so obsessed with money that not having any is a reason to take your own life.  So very very sad.

    Parent
    Take your point (5.00 / 1) (#105)
    by Cream City on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 10:21:21 AM EST
    in other comments, correctly, that money is in itself meaningless -- that it is only useful for what it represents.  Looks like that's the way it was seen by this victim and many others; i.e., that what is sad is what Madoff really stole from them, such as these people's pride in planning for their families' future.  I think victims like this one were closer to your viewpoint about what money means than you see.  So that's what is sad -- what Madoff really stole with his utter lack of ethics and empathy.

    Parent
    Hadn't thought of the pride angle..... (5.00 / 2) (#106)
    by kdog on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 10:30:43 AM EST
    good point...it's not the dough, it's the hit to the pride...that you could be taken so easily... that breaks people's spirits.

    Parent
    VT Supreme Court: 2 major decisions today (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by dutchfox on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 09:32:46 PM EST
    In the Blotter (Burlington Free Press):--
    The Vermont Supreme Court issued two significant rulings today (although the author of one of the opinions oddly tried to downplay the importance of the decision):
    1) Borden v. Hofmann, in which the court spilt 3-2 to say the Corrections Department's use of Nutraloaf -- wheat bread, non-dairy cheese, raw carrots, spinach, seedless raisins, beans, vegetable oil, tomato paste, powdered milk and dehydrated potato flakes -- constitutes punishment. Corrections placed inmates on the diet after they became unruly or uncooperative; namely, to stop them from flinging excrement, meal trays or utensils. The majority opinion says inmates are entitled to a disciplinary hearing before being placed on the Nutraloaf diet. Justices Dooley, Johnson and Skoglund composed the majority; Chief Justice Reiber and Justice Burgess dissented. (Skoglund, the majority-opinion's author, called the decision "pedestrian" because of what she said was its relatively narrow scope).

    2) State v. Colby and Wardinski, in which a unanimous high court threw out the convictions of Michael Colby and Boots Wardinski. Both men were found guilty of recklessly creating a risk of public inconvenience or annoyance when they, without lawful authority, attempted to disturb a lawful assembly or meeting of persons. The accusations arose from the pair's brief interruption of then-National Intelligence Director John Negroponte's graduation speech at the St. Johnsbury Academy in June 2006. The court ruled the statute is an overly broad restriction on free-speech rights, because a person must actually create a disturbance, rather than create merely the risk of one, to have broken the law.

    The Vermont Supreme Court's ruling on State v. Colby and Wardinski can be read here. (Sorry I can't seem to find the other one.)

    Michael Colby reacts to the ruling on his blog, Broadsides:-- This is fantastic news for activists. It means that the state cannot arbitrarily arrest and prosecute those who simply stand to voice their political opinions. It sends a clear and unequivocal message to all levels of law enforcement to think twice before engaging in the speech-chilling activities exhibited by the multiple levels of police that day.

    Wow (none / 0) (#61)
    by squeaky on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 10:38:07 PM EST
    Love Vermont.

    Parent
    Vermont Supreme Court (none / 0) (#62)
    by eric on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 10:55:17 PM EST
    I would have a beer with them.

    Parent
    Not surprised (none / 0) (#76)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 11:34:30 PM EST
    Vermont judges are Vermonters.  The people who invented this "nutraloaf" crap seem to be Joe Arpaio groupies.

    And noisy dissent is considered by Vermonters a God-given right, displayed every year in spades on Town Meeting Day.

    Vermont doesn't do absolutely everything exactly right, but it gets most of the important stuff right.

    Parent

    BTD, it was a classic SEC quarterfinal (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by jeffinalabama on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 11:10:48 PM EST
    Don't be upset. Florida is freshman-heavy, and Auburn is senior-heavy.

    Both teams made a lot of mistakes, a lot of turnovers. It did come down to the last shot.

    Next year, UF wins.

    And you know me. I'm happy, but not vindictive.

    UF has a LOT of good freshmen.

    Oh, If you tivo'd it, it is a defensive game. You'll probably watch anyway, you're from the SEC.

    Good game, and for me, lucky result.

    Tomorrow my Vols go for revenge Jeff. (5.00 / 2) (#79)
    by Teresa on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 12:06:55 AM EST
    I'm counting on a loss since we haven't been to the final game since the year we were 5-20+ losses and almost pulled a Georgia. The Vols are so inconsistent and played good tonight. We don't do that two games in a row unfortunately.

    And, I'm highly insulted that BTD left me out of his SEC thread!

    Parent

    Both Oregon and Oregon State (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by caseyOR on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 12:14:50 AM EST
    are in the wilderness this year. Portland State might get a shot, but I don't know how far they would get.

    So, I'm looking for a team to root for. I grew up in the Big 10, so I guess I could cheer for Michigan State. I really like the Cinderella teams from small schools, though. So, who looks to be this year's Cinderella?

    Parent

    How about... (5.00 / 1) (#110)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 10:48:28 AM EST
    ...the St Mary's College Gaels?  Small school and will be a true Cinderella if they make the tourny.

    Go Gaels!

    Parent

    Apparently the "Lasallian" approach (none / 0) (#111)
    by oculus on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 10:52:15 AM EST
    to basketball is effective.  

    Parent
    Well, their approach to... (none / 0) (#112)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 11:01:37 AM EST
    ...education seems to have served my nephew/Godson well.  But then, for what tuition costs there, it darn well ought to.

    They do have a pretty good BB program for being such a small school.

    Parent

    I gather it is costly as a friend whose (none / 0) (#113)
    by oculus on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 11:05:52 AM EST
    daughter wants to go there is pushing Chico State.

    Parent
    I don't know! I usually wait until after the (none / 0) (#81)
    by Teresa on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 12:40:45 AM EST
    first round to see who survives and then pick one. I've chosen Auburn for my women's substitute team. I really admire Syracuse for that game last night and then coming back tonight and winning in overtime. They've already won but if they were up against NC or Duke I'd probably go with them.

    What about Washington? They are pretty good this year. I'm also rooting for Michigan St for SteveM.

    Parent

    I don't think I have (5.00 / 1) (#85)
    by caseyOR on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 01:12:49 AM EST
    ever rooted for Washington. The Ducks and the Huskies have quite the hate-hate relationship going.  The Huskies are having a good year, though, unlike their poor, benighted football team.

    The only Big 10 team I really dislike is Ohio State (sorry, Fabian), so rooting for Michigan State would be easy. And SteveM is a nice guy.

    Sorry about your Vols. And the Ducks, oh my goodness. I don't think Ernie Kent is going to be around much longer. Oregon has been looking for a reason to ditch him for quite awhile. I'm not sure why. Maybe Phil Knight doesn't like Ernie's cologne. Anyway, soon the Ducks will have a new, fancy basketball arena which has been named in honor of Phil Knight's late son.

    In a few months Mike Belotti will become the athletic director. Will firing Kent be Pat Kilkenney's parting gift to Belotti?

    Parent

    Hey, don't worry about my Vols yet! (none / 0) (#86)
    by Teresa on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 01:21:48 AM EST
    They blew out Alabama who had won 5 of 6 (and beat us last Sunday) tonight. We have Auburn tomorrow. I was just anticipating a loss due to their inconsistency this year. :)

    I can see the Oregon vs Washington thing. Just do my a favor casey, under no circumstances make Memphis your underdog or favorite this year. Even against Duke! They are the most obnoxious fans on earth. By far..if you lived in TN you'd understand. :)

    Parent

    Query: are college men's basketball (5.00 / 1) (#88)
    by oculus on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 01:25:22 AM EST
    scores generally as low as tonight's FL/Auburn(was it Auburn?  I forgot already) score?  

    Parent
    Auburn is a good defensive team. (none / 0) (#95)
    by jeffinalabama on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 04:18:49 AM EST
    if you have a good defense, lookfor lower scores. With the shot clock at 35, lower scores are the norm, though.

    But when a good defense goes bad, it's a high scoring game.

    Parent

    Thanks. Where is the shot clock (none / 0) (#107)
    by oculus on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 10:38:17 AM EST
    set in NBA?

    Parent
    24 seconds n/t (none / 0) (#109)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 10:42:06 AM EST
    For you, Teresa, (5.00 / 1) (#90)
    by caseyOR on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 01:30:23 AM EST
    I'd be more than happy to root against Memphis. If you say they have rotten fans that's good enough for me.

    And if the Vols have a chance, I'll send 'em some good vibes. Lord knows, it won't do my teams any good this year.

    Parent

    Teresa, we'll be adversaries tomorrow, (5.00 / 1) (#96)
    by jeffinalabama on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 04:19:49 AM EST
    but not enemies!

    Parent
    Hey T-- (none / 0) (#119)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sun Mar 15, 2009 at 12:40:14 PM EST
    Your Vols have a lot of bubble teams depending on them to win today to get into the tourny.  Hope they can win the Championship today!

    Parent
    Please define "bubble team." Thanks. (none / 0) (#120)
    by oculus on Sun Mar 15, 2009 at 12:51:38 PM EST
    It means... (5.00 / 1) (#121)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Mon Mar 16, 2009 at 08:44:31 AM EST
    ...at-large teams that are on the borderline of making the field of 64.  Teams like Maryland, St. Mary's, Creighton and the like.  They are at the mercy of the Selection Committee as to whether or not they make the tourny.

    With TN losing yesterday (probably because the Basketball Gods were too busy laughing at Bruce Pearl's hideous Orange sportcoat), a lot of these teams had the "bubble" burst.  

    Parent

    When you said Portland State (none / 0) (#92)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 02:08:59 AM EST
    I thought you were referring to the Women!  The Portland State Women are going down-down-down to the Lady Grizzlies tomorrow night -- and it isn't going to be pretty! ;-).

    (My niece Misty plays for the Griz....well, played, she's injured right now).

    Parent

    I believe (none / 0) (#78)
    by CoralGables on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 11:42:08 PM EST
    you are far too kind. I'm a Gator but in this instance being realistic is the better approach. The Gators are young but they didn't start any freshmen. They have a handful of 3-pt shooters and very little bulk. The two big recruits from 2 years ago, Nick Calathes and Chandler Parsons combined to shoot 3 for 15 from the field and 0 for 2 from the charity stripe.

    Throw out the season wins when they fattened up against lower level schools such as Toledo, Southern Utah, Florida A&M, Florida Gulf Coast, UCF, Georgia Southern, UMKC, Winthrop, Stetson and the always mighty Longwood and they finish a very mediocre 13-10... which is exactly how they have been playing all season.

    Parent

    Let's Go Orange! (5.00 / 1) (#82)
    by 1040su on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 12:50:12 AM EST
    Another OT tonight baby!  I just got home from watching the game & with a little help from a bottle of wine, I'm still psyched!  I love my team!  Kids played great.  Gutted out another one & we're playing Louisville tomorrow night.  This game will be really tough.  Lousiville presses for 40 minutes & our kids have played 155 minutes of basketball since Wed. night. LET'S GO ORANGE!!!
    These T-shirts are great Marathon Men

    Best game I've ever seen. I want your (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by Teresa on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 01:23:58 AM EST
    point guard, ok?

    Parent
    I think the NBA may be getting him (none / 0) (#103)
    by 1040su on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 09:52:33 AM EST
    I've been very frustrated with him for a lot of the season.  In his attempt to impress the NBA scouts he became very "it's all about me" and the team suffered.  The last 2 or 3 games of the regular season & into the tournament he has discovered he has a team & when the team looks good, he looks good.  He has a ton of talent & the last couple of games he's shown he has a ton of heart too.
    Go Orange


    Parent
    My Vols have a couple like that too. (none / 0) (#114)
    by Teresa on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 12:19:44 PM EST
    when they play as a team, they can beat anybody. They can also lose to anyone.

    I'll agree with your Go Orange! Down here we say Go BIG Orange. :)

    Those Syracuse boys have a ton of heart. I can't help but hope they do well. I enjoyed that game so much.

    Parent

    After 6 overtimes last night (none / 0) (#2)
    by scribe on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 04:50:50 PM EST
    in the Syracuse-UConn game, you expect anyone to be watching basketball tonight?

    Syracuse has to be tired. (5.00 / 1) (#97)
    by jeffinalabama on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 04:20:52 AM EST
    Tonight was impressive.

    Parent
    Aggghrr (none / 0) (#8)
    by lobary on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:08:29 PM EST
    I can't believe I missed that game. I had no idea until this morning.

    Parent
    Don't worry. (none / 0) (#11)
    by scribe on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:09:15 PM EST
    It'll be on ESPN Classic in a couple weeks or so.

    Parent
    So ESPN is actually useful? (none / 0) (#13)
    by lobary on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:14:41 PM EST
    I'll dvr it next week.

    Parent
    ESPN is responsible (none / 0) (#15)
    by andgarden on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:20:31 PM EST
    for most of the cable rate increases of the last decade. I hate, hate, hate it.

    Parent
    How so? (none / 0) (#23)
    by Joelarama on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:44:44 PM EST
    Sorry (none / 0) (#27)
    by andgarden on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:48:56 PM EST
    My reply is at the bottom.

    Parent
    I hate it, too (none / 0) (#24)
    by lobary on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:46:22 PM EST
    for different reasons. For example, Chris Berman and Steven A Smith.  

    Parent
    ESPN was useful for some Marquette fans (none / 0) (#37)
    by Cream City on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 06:00:19 PM EST
    yesterday, who got to see the end of the heartbreaker -- as long as they weren't in, y'know, Milwaukee where Marquette is.  The local cable outfit claims it couldn't help what happened.  Funny how it never happens during a commercial, though. . . .

    Test wipes out end of MU telecast
    By the Journal Sentinel

    Many Time Warner Cable viewers from around the state of Wisconsin missed seeing the end of the Marquette men's basketball game against Villanova Thursday afternoon on ESPN because an emergency broadcast test was initiated, wiping out the last 40 seconds of game action.

    Marquette, playing in the quarterfinal round of the Big East Conference tournament, was clinging to a 75-74 lead and had the ball when the test began. By the time the test was over, Villanova had won the game, 76-75.

    Viewers missed MU's last possession and Villanova's game-winning shot. . . .

    "This was a federally required and randomly executed weekly test that ran on 80 analog channels," said a spokeswoman for Time Warner Cable of Wisconsin.

    Bev Greenberg, a vice president for Time Warner of Wisconsin, said the cable system does not select the times the tests run.  "They have to be random," Greenberg said. "It's required by law. . . ."

    Parent

    The Time Warner guy is telling the truth (none / 0) (#38)
    by andgarden on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 06:01:49 PM EST
    A version of the truth (none / 0) (#58)
    by Cream City on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 09:50:09 PM EST
    but the local paper is finding other answers to, again, why the randomization always manages to avoid commercials. . . .

    Parent
    If it actually shows on all channels (none / 0) (#59)
    by andgarden on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 09:59:37 PM EST
    then it would be virtually impossible to avoid commercials.

    Parent
    It didn't (none / 0) (#104)
    by Cream City on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 10:15:38 AM EST
    show on all Time-Warner channels, or on all local channels, or in any other way that would work the way you suggest.  That's why the company's response isn't meeting the local sniff test, i.e., that's the point.

    Parent
    Good thing it was a college game! (none / 0) (#32)
    by nycstray on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:53:42 PM EST
    Need that youthful energy to do hoops for over 4hrs! O.M.G.

    Parent
    Madoff files appeal to get out of jail (none / 0) (#3)
    by nycstray on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 04:52:54 PM EST
    is this common? I mean, didn't he plead guilty knowing he had a darn good chance of going straight to jail?

    Thing is - the judge didn't even bother to (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by scribe on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:02:32 PM EST
    listen to the government's argument - upon receiving the allocution and then hearing the defense's argument on why he should get bail until sentencing, the judge told the government he didn't need the government's argument and decided to send the defendant away.

    This is where all that publicity - turning Madoff into the most vilified man in America - might actually work in favor of the defendant.  Basically, there was a near-lynch-mob mentality ginned up by the tabloids, and the judge went along with it.  Arguably, he abused his discretion in doing so.

    It needs also be noted that Madoff continued, in his allocution, to try to defend his sons and wife by claiming he acted alone.

    Parent

    I honestly don't think the media needed to work (none / 0) (#30)
    by nycstray on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:50:52 PM EST
    too hard to make him the most vilified. I haven't been following the blow by blow, my low opinion of him is strictly on him. I don't think I'm alone. He did some serious widespread damage.

    Couldn't the average Joe on the street given the Government's argument? I'd think anyone with even a fraction of the money he has would be a flight risk in this situation. And didn't his wife just pull out millions before this went down?

    How would the publicity work in his favor? If they have to hear both sides in the appeal, what's going to change? Seems like Madoff wants it all his way, free on bail and hands off his family?

    Parent

    How Bad Is Perjuring Oneself (none / 0) (#39)
    by tokin librul on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 06:02:19 PM EST
    In an allocution?

    Parent
    But (none / 0) (#48)
    by lentinel on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 07:32:45 PM EST
    Madoff also subtly blames his investors. He said that their expectations is what lead him to do criminal activity.

    I have absolutely no sympathy or compassion for this freak of nature.

    He robbed people of their futures. Knowingly.

    I hope he has only four little tiny walls to look at for years and years. I still think he hasn't a clue of the damage he has done.

    Parent

    Mostly, he robbed (none / 0) (#63)
    by eric on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 10:57:32 PM EST
    rich people.  I do not remember this level of outgrage about Ken Lay.

    Parent
    No, he did not (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by nycstray on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 11:39:58 PM EST
    he stole from average folks and charities also. If folks had insurance, I believe they will be recouped up to 500k, but who knows how long that will take. Those that may have had 1 mil invested aren't actually rich. It was most likely a retirement fund for both with hopes of leaving some to their children for their retirement. My parents fall into that category. Although they lost some in the energy scandal and with the way the economy and my dad's health is going . . . My parents skimped and saved so my sister and I wouldn't have to worry about finances if they both needed long term medical care etc. They are your classic old school type of save for the future. And I saw many of the same in news clips today.

    And frankly, even if folks were rich, why the f*** is that ok?

    Parent

    I must say... (5.00 / 1) (#100)
    by kdog on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 09:07:40 AM EST
    a charity that collects money for a charitable cause and then gambles it is no charity at all.  How can chairties in good conscience gamble the money donated to them for a specific cause?  I mean I'm sure they thought they would win and all, I'm sure they thought they were doing right by their cause, but still...how irresponsible.

    If I give to a charity in the future damn sure I'm gonna find out if they plan on gambling with the money...it's shady.

    Parent

    Depends on how they are investing (5.00 / 1) (#117)
    by nycstray on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 12:56:17 PM EST
    if they were playing fast and loose with risky investments, hedge funds, etc, not good. But for years it's been SOP to have "solid" investments that slowly grow your money.

    I have a hard time blaming everyone as gamblers trying to make a quick buck. That's no more honest than the guy that scammed them. People and charities that invested in what they thought were solid investments aren't at fault here. I think the amount of people that are willing to play fast and loose with their retirement or funding are the smaller percentage. They also trust business/investment advice from people like Madoff (same as many people used to trust bankers!) and to some extent rely on them to educate them about investing. And to a degree, we should be able to do that. I don't think people should be totally naive, but let's get real here and quit blaming the victims.

    Parent

    I do (none / 0) (#66)
    by Inspector Gadget on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 11:05:49 PM EST
    outrage existed from many directions against Ken Lay.

    What was odd to me, though, was the minimal announcement that he died and then the subject just closed.

    I don't think the "outrage" at Madoff is greater than the Enron horror.


    Parent

    You guys (none / 0) (#67)
    by MrConservative on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 11:07:49 PM EST
    Are calling for the death penalty.

    Hysterical?

    Nah.

    Parent

    What? (none / 0) (#71)
    by eric on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 11:14:37 PM EST
    What in the world are you drinking? (none / 0) (#93)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 02:28:56 AM EST
    Water (none / 0) (#94)
    by MrConservative on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 03:39:38 AM EST
    But you need to lay of the PCP.

    Parent
    Well... (none / 0) (#83)
    by lentinel on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 12:50:57 AM EST

    "Kenny Boy"...
    You don't remember the outrage?
    I do.

    Parent
    Apparently you can still get a US Passport (none / 0) (#5)
    by andgarden on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:03:21 PM EST
    based on bogus documents pretty much the same way Ed Fox did in the 70s in Day of the Jackal.  

    Heh. If it was created by people (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by scribe on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:08:36 PM EST
    it can be gamed.

    Parent
    Thank god for that... (none / 0) (#101)
    by kdog on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 09:12:25 AM EST
    If we insist on living in a "show me your papers" world, I'm glad the papers can be fudged.

    Parent
    N.M. Senate passes capital repeal (none / 0) (#7)
    by scribe on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:06:49 PM EST
    and sends the bill to Richardson's desk.

    The N.M. Legislature passed a repeal of capital punishment a while back and now the Senate has passed it, too.  The bill is going to Richardson's desk for his signature.

    The bill would replace capital punishment with life-without-parole.

    I'd Like To Experiment With The Right-wing (none / 0) (#43)
    by tokin librul on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 06:08:27 PM EST
    theory of 'deterence' with somebody like Bernie Madoff or that other guy, Stanford.

    Even though, on principle, I am opposed to the death penalty, if the flying monkeys are right, it might be worth a try.

    Most murders are not premeditated. Most frauds are...

    Parent

    ....uhmmm (none / 0) (#65)
    by MrConservative on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 11:05:06 PM EST
    but non-premeditated murders don't qualify for the death penalty.

    Parent
    Legally (none / 0) (#73)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 11:23:07 PM EST
    Which means approximately 2 seconds.  We're not talking "premeditated" in the way normal people would interpret the word.

    Parent
    Anyone see the champions league (none / 0) (#10)
    by Salo on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:08:48 PM EST
    Matches this week?  I also suggest yous check out the Liverpool  v Manchester united match Saturday!  It's the clash of the two best teams in football.  Expect it to be explosive.  Both teams are fresh off victories against real Madrid and internazionale Milan.  The two teams hate the guts of the other.

    Champions and UEFA (none / 0) (#56)
    by tokin librul on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 09:26:25 PM EST
    have been fun all week.

    Man U vs Liverpool should be a fantastic game.

    If the 'Puddlians prevail, it'll be off the foot of their baby-faced assassin, Fernando Torres...

    Parent

    Liverpool 4, Man U 1 (none / 0) (#118)
    by tokin librul on Sun Mar 15, 2009 at 08:31:02 AM EST
    Torrez had the game winner

    Parent
    War Eagle! (none / 0) (#12)
    by jeffinalabama on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:11:02 PM EST
    Want to liveblog this one BTD? I posted in the earlier open thread that the winner of this one goes to the big dance, I think. You had mentioned Florida, but Auburn also.

    It is going to be hard enough (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:33:31 PM EST
    for me to follow it. I have a previous commitment and will be like that TV commercial where the people follow a game on their blackberries.

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    Seems like you're a perfect candidate (none / 0) (#20)
    by andgarden on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:36:14 PM EST
    for a slingbox.

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    For the technologically (none / 0) (#31)
    by oculus on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:51:45 PM EST
    challenged (read "phobic"), what is that?

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    Watch the video (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by andgarden on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:54:54 PM EST
    Hmmm. I bought a Sony (none / 0) (#36)
    by oculus on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 06:00:03 PM EST
    TV (tiny) which can be wireless.  Supposed to be able to take it with me and watch it whereever--if I set my computer correctly.  Haven't tried that feature though.

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    If it isn't really new and digital (none / 0) (#40)
    by andgarden on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 06:02:21 PM EST
    it will be an expensive paperweight come june when analog broadcasts end.

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    I have it on very fine second hand (none / 0) (#41)
    by oculus on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 06:04:52 PM EST
    authority that my tiny Sony will be fine as it is hooked up to Time Warner cable. Not true?

    Parent
    If it's connected to cable, it's fine (none / 0) (#42)
    by andgarden on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 06:06:34 PM EST
    but if you try to tune over the air (OTA) TV, it will probably be useless.

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    Like, the coolest thing EVAR! (none / 0) (#33)
    by lobary on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:54:25 PM EST
    Hook up a slingbox to your cable and you can watch TV anywhere you get an internet connection on your laptop. I want one badly.

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    I remember when (none / 0) (#35)
    by andgarden on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:57:50 PM EST
    TV2me introduced the concept about 5 years ago. It was EXPENSIVE then.

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    my dentist has one (none / 0) (#91)
    by Jeralyn on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 02:01:06 AM EST
    and I can watch any show I want when he's cleaning my teeth. Not a great place for it, but it is definitely cool. Whatever you have on your home cable you can watch anywhere on the slingbox with just an internet connection. Good picture too.

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    Good luck and good sportmanship (none / 0) (#25)
    by jeffinalabama on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:46:26 PM EST
    Back in the day (none / 0) (#74)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 11:26:48 PM EST
    it was radio with earphones.  My dad, a college perfesser no less, was a maniac Celtics fan, and when he couldn't get out of something that was the same time as a playoff game, he brought his little radio and earphones and listened as often as he could get away with it.  I remember particularly a concert I sang in and also my college roommate's wedding!  He flashed me a few hand signals during the concert when I was stuck on stage, and I passed the word to the other people on stage.


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    Democratic Governors aren't doing so (none / 0) (#16)
    by tigercourse on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:26:28 PM EST
    well just now. Corzine is in big trouble. He's 15 points down on an opponent who seems to be quite an idiot. Paterson is in deep, deep trouble and our next Governor is either Cuomo or (please no) Giuliani. Arizona is back in Republican hands, Kansas is headed there. The leading Democrat trails in Michigan and the last Virginia poll I saw (a while back) had the 3 Dem candidate behind the likely Republican.

    Michigan (none / 0) (#19)
    by jbindc on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:34:56 PM EST
    A Dem doesn't stand a chance in Michigan next year.  Bad economy and we've had a Dem governor (whom I love) for 8 years.  My guess at this early stage - it will be Terri Lynn Land, the current Michigan Secretary of State (Republican).

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    Opting for a live performance of the (none / 0) (#17)
    by oculus on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:30:51 PM EST
    Brahms "Requiem" this evening.  But--first--the sky lobby bar above the concert venue; TVs always features ESPN.  

    By whom? (none / 0) (#75)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 11:27:55 PM EST
    What's the venue?

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    San Diego Symphony. (none / 0) (#108)
    by oculus on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 10:41:34 AM EST
    Wonderful performance, except the German diction of the chorus was not intelligible.  The text (in English) was projected just below the proscenium arch.  

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    Best To Study Before (none / 0) (#115)
    by squeaky on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 12:29:39 PM EST
    I never can understand the text during performances, so I do my best to familiarize or learn the german before hand. Even english.

    Parent
    Oh, I know the piece quite well. (none / 0) (#116)
    by oculus on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 12:38:29 PM EST
    The solists had admirable German diction.  Chorus was behind the orchestra, so maybe their diction was better than I thought.  Just inaudible.

    Parent
    Well Florida wiped the floor with (none / 0) (#21)
    by Joelarama on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:39:57 PM EST
    Vanderbilt, so this shouldn't be too hard . . .

    No more use of the word (none / 0) (#22)
    by Saul on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:40:04 PM EST
      Enemy Combatant according to Obama

    Yeah, but (none / 0) (#47)
    by lentinel on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 07:28:26 PM EST
    the stench of detention without charges is just as strong - whatever you call it.

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    yep (none / 0) (#50)
    by tokin librul on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 07:44:06 PM EST
    stinks to high heaven, despite the propaganda

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    I've been following the trade press for a while (none / 0) (#26)
    by andgarden on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:48:23 PM EST
    And it turns out that Disney thinks it deserves $2-3/subscriber/month for ESPN. No doubt they're passing on the cost the that orgs charge them, but unlike HBO, they tend to require that they be included in expanded basic.

    And BTW, this is a problem with (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by andgarden on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 05:50:37 PM EST
    many of the channels in expanded basic. Most of them are owned by the same 3-4 companies, and are bundled for the provider too.

    Parent
    We need more greed! (none / 0) (#44)
    by jbindc on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 06:37:46 PM EST
    So says Larry Summers

    The nation's economy used to have too much greed and not enough fear of the future, but now has too much fear and could use a little more "greed" -- spending.

    Lawrence H. Summers, the White House economic adviser, calls it "the paradox at the heart of the financial crisis. "

    "In the past few years, we've seen too much greed and too little fear; too much spending and not enough saving; too much borrowing and not enough worrying," Summers said Friday in a speech to the Brookings Institution. "Today, however, our problem is exactly the opposite."

    In remarks to a private dinner at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Summers was even blunter, according to an attendee: "Before, we had too much greed and too little fear. Now, we have too much fear and too little greed."

    SNIP


    "While greed is no virtue, entrepreneurship and the search for opportunity is what we need today. We need a program that breaks these vicious cycles. We need to instill the trust that allows opportunity to overcome fear and enables families and businesses to again imagine a brighter future. And we need to create this confidence without allowing it to lead to unstable complacency."


    Maxine Waters (none / 0) (#45)
    by jbindc on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 06:53:12 PM EST
    Is in a little trouble maybe?

    If not - sure looks bad for her.

    Waters, a senior member of the congressional committee that oversees banking, has come under scrutiny because OneUnited Bank received $12 million in bailout funds after she helped arrange a meeting between its representatives and those from others banks and Treasury officials. Waters' husband, Sidney Williams, had been a board member and stockholder of OneUnited.


    Not what it seems (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by caseyOR on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 10:14:33 PM EST
    It was a meeting between Treasury and representatives from minority banks to discuss how these banks could benefit from the bailout. I think the whole point of the meeting was to get money to these banks. Nothing I have read indicates that Waters exerted any kind of pressure on Treasury to give money to OneUnited Bank.

    Her husband is a professional banking consultant. He was asked to join OneUnited's board. He took no salary or stipend from the bank. He did purchase stock because that is a requirement for board members.

    If small community banks got some of the bailout money because of this meeting, then good. It's nice to see that a little of the money went to community banks who really do lend to folks in their community.

    It seems like a better deal to me than pouring taxpayer money into Citigroup and B of A.

    And really, we are supposed to believe that Treasury officials were shocked by the audacity of banks asking for a little bit of the bailout? Or were they just shocked that minority owned banks had the nerve to ask for some? Treasury sure doesn't have a problem throwing the money at the big guys.

    This seems like a hit job on waters.

    Parent

    Except (none / 0) (#98)
    by jbindc on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 07:29:45 AM EST
    Barney Frank told her to stay out of it  - that he would take care of it.

    Rule #1 - it's not the act, it's the APPEARANCE of what the act looks like.

    Parent

    Just when (none / 0) (#46)
    by lentinel on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 07:25:35 PM EST
    you think that it is alright to stop gagging...

    "U.S. Abandons Detainee Label but Policy Is Largely Intact."

    The Obama administration on Friday said it was abandoning the use in court proceedings of the Bush administration's term "enemy combatant" as it argues for the continued detention of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, symbolically separating itself from Bush detention policies.

    But in a filing in federal court, the Justice Department argued that the president had expansive authority to detain terror suspects there without criminal charges, much as the Bush administration asserted." (NY Times 03/13/2009)

    -

    Still in the sewer.

    "symbolically" (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by nycstray on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 08:04:46 PM EST
    the symbolic President. That word popped up also in the forming of the Women's Council. We can "expect him to make more symbolic moves" as he's gearing up for 2012. Yeppers, that's what they said. Gotta hang onto the girl vote . . . .

    Parent
    Yep (none / 0) (#51)
    by tokin librul on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 07:45:30 PM EST
    a detainee by any other name, and all that

    Parent
    Keep reading the NYTimes (none / 0) (#68)
    by eric on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 11:08:25 PM EST
    and you will continue to get this crap.  Guantanamo is being closed.  We are talking about regular CIVILIAN courts here.  This is a big change.

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    Possible SCOTUS opening (none / 0) (#49)
    by Saul on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 07:41:23 PM EST
    Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg told law students Friday there could be an opening on the Supreme Court soon but didn't hint at who might be leaving.

    Whomsoever Obama appoints (none / 0) (#53)
    by tokin librul on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 07:46:37 PM EST
    will be right-of-center.

    Bet the ranch on it...

    Parent

    Does the ranch have ponies? ;) (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by nycstray on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 08:05:19 PM EST
    No chance (5.00 / 2) (#70)
    by eric on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 11:12:15 PM EST
    his appointee will be an academic.  Probably someone "left" of center, but politics does not necessarily translate to law.

    I'll bet my ranch for yours.  Obama does not want this court to tip right.

    Parent

    Sunstein? (none / 0) (#84)
    by oculus on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 01:09:24 AM EST
    Along with (none / 0) (#52)
    by CoralGables on Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 07:45:43 PM EST
    a very nice up week for the stock market, as of now there has been no report of a failed bank yet today. That could end a rather long bad Friday streak for bank failures.

    Major chilckens... (none / 0) (#89)
    by lentinel on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 01:26:30 AM EST
    are coming home to roost:

    "Exerting its new influence as the U.S. government's largest creditor, China yesterday demanded that the Obama administration "guarantee the safety" of its $1 trillion in American bonds as Washington goes further into debt to combat the economic crisis."

    I was wondering when China would move to exert the power it has accumulated over us by buying Treasuries during the Bush years.
    This is one whopper of a debt.

    I hope Obama ends the war sooner than later - number one to stop the killing and the ties to Bush era ethics - and number two to stop the flow of our resources (quoted as being a half million dollars a minute) down into the abyss.

    Do we have any reason to believe that the Chinese will be any nicer to us than our own government or our own banks?

    I don't know... (none / 0) (#102)
    by kdog on Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 09:16:48 AM EST
    if they can be any less nice, our govt. and our banks have done nothing but pi$$ on us.

    Parent