The Crows Nest
Crow's Nest Mostly Unmanned
Yes, I know the Crow's Nest has mostly been moribund since the site's relaunch. I do plan on using it more often in the future, I promise. I'll be spending a little more time on these posts as a way to link out to the blogosphere. Keep an eye on this space.
Also, please note that I've put the Amazon search bar on the main page, in the right sidebar. If you want to do some shopping at Amazon -- and who doesn't? -- be sure to shop through Captain's Quarters. Amazon does pay a small percentage of the sale to me, and it helps pay for a few sundries related to the blog. Much appreciated!
OpenCongress Web Widget
Ever wanted to announce your support or opposition to Congressional legislation? OpenCongress now has a web widget that allows bloggers to do exactly that. Take a look at this, and check out how easily you can build your own.
Maybe They're Flotation Devices?
The Australian Navy foots the bill for breast augmentations. The Labour Party would like to know why, and probably so would most of the voters in Australia.
The Thinking Blogger
Congrats to Fausta, who won a Thinking Blogger award. She thanks me for my friendship, but the truth is that Fausta makes it easy to be her friend. She's always positive and energetic, and she epitomizes the notion of a thinking blogger. Make sure to put her on your must-read list!
Ensign Calls For Return Of MoveOn Money
NRSC chair Senator John Ensign calls for Democrats to return all campaign funds donated by MoveOn, after their despicable New York Times ad today accusing David Petraeus of treason. "If Senate Democrats are serious about moving our country forward, they will denounce this outrageous ad and return the campaign funds MoveOn.org has lavished on them as well as the donations made through MoveOn.org -- the choice is theirs." Ensign's right, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the refund ...
Support The Al-Dura Petition
Roger Simon at Pajamas Media is circulating a petition to demand accountability for the discredited al-Dura report from France's Channel 2. This is, as Roger calls it, the "Father of all Fauxtography," and C-2 has never acknowledged its fault in airing the supposed murder of a Palestinian child. He wants C-2 to show all of the unedited footage of the incident in order to show that C-2 faked the murder. If they're resisting the demand, I'd say they have something to hide ....
There Goes The Undefeated Season
Notre Dame managed to get its first loss out of the way as soon as possible -- and as badly as possible. Georgia Tech came to South Bend and stomped the Irish, 33-3, in the worst home opener loss in school history. The offense fumbled twice and allowed seven sacks on Evan Sharpley, who must have longed to have Brady Quinn back on the field instead. If Charlie Weis doesn't turn this debacle around fast, he may want to start asking Ty Willingham for some career counseling ....
Would Early Primaries Allow More Donations?
Jim Geraghty at The Campaign Spot believes that candidates will benefit if primaries and caucuses get pushed into 2007. A loophole in campaign finance regulation appears to allow an extra $2,300 per donor for candidates if those elections are held this year. Be sure to check out Jim's analysis, and the surprising candidate that may benefit the most.
When Tom Met Jeralyn
One of the interesting aspects of politics is finding out that opponents are people, too. Jeralyn Merritt of TalkLeft met Rep. Tom Tancredo backstage at NBC's studios, and found him more likable than she had anticipated. Perhaps it was their mutual interest in Dog, The Bounty Hunter ...
Joe Lieberman A Right-Wing Nut?
That's what CAIR says, according to Joe Kaufman. He has a link to a CAIR official's blog post that calls Lieberman, along with John Bolton, former CIA director James Woolsey, and the Heritage Foundation's Peter Brookes as "extremists". Affad Shaikh also calls Dick Cheney a "fat bastard of a liar," apparently not meant as a pop-culture reference to the Austin Powers movies. (via Let Freedom Ring)
Broadband Homelessness
The Japanese have made homelessness more efficient, and more Net-friendly, too. Their Internet cafés have become homeless shelters for the struggling manual-labor sector. The problem has grown into such a problem that government intervention will shortly become a political priority.
Found My Law Firm
Power Line links twice to this story regarding an attorney at Faegre & Benson who refused to become a victim and helped capture a very dangerous man. Keith Radtke is a partner in the firm as is Power Line's John Hinderaker. Radtke is listed in satisfactory condition after getting shot in the back, but that didn't keep him from locking up his attacker in a wrestling grip until police could arrive. I don't know about you, but that's the kind of man I'd want as my counsel ....
Don't Click That YouTube E-mail
The latest in spam seems to be redirections from YouTube links in e-mail to IP addresses without domain names. They attempt to entice people by making it seem that they have been inadvertently YouTubed. I'm sure most people can see through this scam, but just in case, you've been warned ....
Rick Moran Escapes The Floods
Rick Moran has kept us up to date on his travails along the Algonquin River. Yesterday, the police showed up to get him evacuated before the river flooded his home -- but today, Rick finds that a minor miracle has taken place, and that his house survives ... at least for now. Keep Rick in your prayers, and keep checking in at Right Wing Nut House for updates.
Rule 1: Drag The Corpse On Over First
If I've learned anything in four years of blogging, don't try to be out in front of the death rumors, especially with the villains of the world. Saddam died a hundred deaths before we caught him alive in his spider hole, and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi almost as many before his demise last year. Osama may or may not be alive, but everyone's avoided speculating on his fate for a while now. Maybe Val at Babalu Blog will get luckier with his "Castro Is Dead" story. We all hope so. I'll wait for the announcement ....
Comments (4)
Posted by Carol Herman | October 25, 2007 9:11 PM
I tuned in. And, it was wonderful. Because I just kept sitting, here, at my computer.
ON the topic of Jacobs; all I could think of was how people stand outside of Wal-Marts, earning 50-cents, or so, every time they stop someone to get them to sign a petition. (In California.)
Most of the time, the person will stop you by asking you if you're interested to sign on a particular petition. And, then, if you say "yes," ... you're then asked to sign on for other subjects.
I've never even have had to draw out my wallet, to show my driver's license. So it seems it's a system that has the loopholes right there?
The biggest petition drive in California? The one done in the 1970's, for Prop 13. Where caps were set in place on what sorts of tax bills you'd get ... which had climbed to the point, poor people were facing $20,000 ... in tax assessor bills. And, were being forced to sell their homes, because of it.
Also, (again, I'm not sure). But I think Jacobs said that another court has rules the opposite way, as well. And, the AG is still proceeding; as if he can have the law "both ways."
Doesn't this have SUPREME COURT written all over it?
Aren't politicians terrified at the powers of petition drives?
It seems, (and I think Jacobs said this) ... recall of word streams is not my forte. But our government officials are looking to remove voters rights. (Something about term limits?) Is that the other Oklahoma case?
We've got problems, is of all things not streamlined ... our laws seem more burdensome than they have to be.
But I'm reading Eric Lane's THE GENIUS OF AMERICA. It's about our US Contitution. And, I'm drawn to the idea that our Founding Fathers wanted to put as much handicaps in the way of "change" ... and meeting public protests ... as possible.
Again. Your show was WONDDERFUL! You look like a kid! Not a grandpa! You must have started very early in life. Which is, in fact, the way people used to make families. You're certainly not a man in your 50's! Gosh. You really looked young on the screen.
What a treat! Thanks.
Posted by Brian Epps | October 26, 2007 2:37 AM
Another prosecution for conspiracy to obey the law. Campaigning While Right-wing is fast becoming a crime in some parts of the country.
This is ugly, and it may get uglier still. A lot of paranoid militia-movement types in OK, with arsenals. If Jacob goes to prison for having the law change after the fact, some of those folks might get the idea their own rights aren't safe and that "action" is called for.
The SC had better grant cert FAST if Jacob is convicted, or there may be serious trouble in OK.
Posted by Dishman![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/nav-commenters.gif)
| October 26, 2007 4:17 AM
I don't see how you can get to a conspiracy charge on a done deed without having a charge on the deed itself.
For that matter, I don't see how a "conspiracy to commit a crime" charge can stand if they indeed sought legal counsel in advance and truly believed that their actions were lawful. Conspiracy requires intent, and it's actually easy to demonstrate that their intent was to act within the law.
Posted by Cousin Dave | October 26, 2007 9:28 AM
This case is a defense attorney's dream. Selective prosecution, unconstitutionally vague statute, First Amendment violations... heck, even I could beat this rap! And the publicity will be terrific.