- Digby writes about a disturbing video that was ahead of its time.
- Flablog writes about two surprisingly smart appointments announced by Florida Governor-Elect Charlie Crist. I agree they’re good, especially Bob Butterworth for the cesspool at the Dept. of Children and Families. But I’m slightly more cynical than Flablog here: part of DCF’s problem is criminal mis-management by far-right wingers. But another part of it is that DCF has been starved for resources. Putting a heavyweight honest Democrat in charge may fix the first problem (if he’s given a free hand with personnel), but that appointment alone will not fix the second. And meanwhile, the appointment conveniently hangs the albatross one of Florida’s biggest problems around the Democratic party — or at least away from the GOP. Smart politics, absolutely. Potential for good outcomes — amazingly so. But far from in the bag.
- As Lifehacker notes, This one rates a high on the geek scale, but it’s still sort of interesting to learn what you get if you have an eight-page-long URI: A graphic! Got to wonder how sp*mmers will use that one…
- Read my brother’s column, The Carpetbagger Report, TalkLeft…if you don’t already.
Recent Bluessky Posts- Jotwell Torts: Kenneth W. Simons, If Your Perception, Reaction Time, Or Coordination Is Substandard, Are You Negligent?, JOTWELL (September 23, 2026), torts.jotwell.com/if-your-perc.... September 23, 2026 Jotwell
- Caligula lite. September 23, 2026 Michael Froomkin
- The more I read about Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, the worse she sounds. And frankly she didn't sound that great when she was running for office. September 23, 2026 Michael Froomkin
- I know the generic ballot looks great for a Dem Congress. But when people say they hate Congress in general they also say they like their current Congressperson just fine. I wonder whether the generic ballot number needs to be filtered through this lens? Then again, GOP is showing signs of panic. September 23, 2026 Michael Froomkin
- This U.S. family was surrounded by Border Patrol agents after accidentally hitting a patrol car. Once free and proven innocent in court, they had the front door of their home blown off its hinges in retaliation. Border Patrol doesn't just target immigrants, it torments American citizens too. September 22, 2026 Status Coup News
Here are a couple of things about the linked video, though. First, the singer refers to America using female pronouns. I’ve never understood why countries get gendered, and in this context, given that it was largely men who began the Iraq war, if America needs representational gonads, I’m thinking a big dick might be most suitable. Seriously, I know it sounds like a small point but language has power. Second, I wonder if the familes of the soldiers depcted in the video, who I assume are soldiers who were killed, were alerted or asked for permission with resect to the use of the photos. I know this probably isn’t legally necessary but I think it is ethically required.
I think your brother’s right on substance but “increasingly few”? CLANK!