Fables of the reconstruction

The Best Pizza in Savannah, Georgia

Vinnie VanGoGo's Pizzeria.

That is all. 

Hell, I'll Take Charges of Tax Evasion If That's What We Can Get 'Em On

Why Just Libby?

TV analysis is useless.  My question: why did Fitzgerald indict just Libby?  He could have waited until charges against Rove were ready, too.  I see a couple of choices: One, Fitzgerald doesn't think he can charge Rove.  Two, Fitzgerald may be seeking some advantage by going after Libby first, such as flipping Scooter. 

Irve Lewis Libby

Amazon.com: "The Apprentice", a novel:

Setsuo is a young apprentice at a remote mountain inn in turn-of-the-century Japan, who falls in love at first sight of the beautiful Yukiko, one of a roving band of actors who have come to stay. Trapped at the inn by a blizzard is a larger group of strange travelers. Emotionally wrought by his feelings for Yukiko, Setsuo cannot see that he is getting involved in political skulduggery as he tries to fathom the increasingly odd behavior of the guests. The finding of a corpse and a mysterious small box keep the reader guessing too.

Landfall in 15 Hours

Did I mention I am supposed to land in South Florida on Wednesday?

KEY WEST, Fla. - Hurricane Wilma churned toward Florida on Sunday as tens of thousands of residents were ordered to flee from vulnerable islands and coastal areas. Forecasters predicted the storm would pick up speed "like a rocket" after flooding the Mexican coast.

Whatever.  The party will go on.

Global Warming is a Myth

Philadelphia Inquirer:

Tropical Storm Alpha formed yesterday in the Caribbean, setting the record for the most named storms in an Atlantic hurricane season and marking the first time forecasters have had to turn to the Greek alphabet for names.

Big business makes money fucking up the environment and then makes money cleaning up the mess. Thanks, libertarians!

Some Good News: Kansas Supreme Court Strikes Anti-Gay Law

Philadelphia Inquirer:

The Kansas Supreme Court yesterday unanimously struck down a state law that punished underage sex more severely if it involved homosexual acts. The court said "moral disapproval" of such conduct was not enough to justify the different treatment.

In a case closely watched by national groups on all sides of the gay-rights debate, the high court said the law "suggests animus toward teenagers who engage in homosexual sex."

Would not suprise me if they cited Romer v. Evans. That one case, with its slightly ridiculous opinion of the court, will have a good long legacy of preventing much unjust stupidity.

Darwin Awards

Philadelphia Inquirer  Letters:

The development of a vaccine for avian influenza is totally dependent upon an understanding of natural selection, molecular genetics and evolution. This is in conflict with the theory of intelligent design and thus provides a marvelous opportunity for proponents of that concept to stand up for their beliefs and refuse to be inoculated. They would also be doing their part to make sure that there is enough vaccine for the rest of us.

Richard G. Fried, M.D.

Kimberton, Pa.

Unsung Hero Stefan Presser of ACLU Dies

Philadelphia Inquirer:

Stefan Presser had the credentials - degrees from Yale and New York Universities, for example - to make a fortune representing famous and powerful people.

Instead, Presser, who died Friday after a battle with cancer, chose to represent the most powerful ideals in America, even when they were momentarily unpopular.

Presser served 21 years as a lawyer and director of the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. He worked hard to defend the rights of prisoners and the powerless, and of protesters (even when he personally disagreed with the content of their protest).

...

In this time of turnover on the Supreme Court, the meaning of the Constitution is much on everyone's minds. Stefan Presser devoted his career to defending the Bill of Rights and upholding the promise of a more perfect union. He will be missed.

See also here.  I can only wish to accomplish what he did.

Mr. Presser, in my limited experience of him, could best be described as a selfless asshole. I can't say I liked him personally.  That doesn't matter at all. His work is far more important than his personality.  As the Inky said, he could have chosen to be rich in money,  but instead he chose to serve his country by devoting his time and energy to defending the constitution from those who would discard it. 

He was the best kind of lawyer.

In Case You Haven't Gotten It In Your Email Fifteen Times Already ...

Donald Rumsfeld is giving the president his daily briefing. He concludes by saying: "Yesterday, two Brazilian soldiers were killed."

"OH, NO!" the President exclaims with great emotion. "That's terrible!"

His staff sits stunned at his display of emotion and nervously watch as the President sits, head in hands.

Finally, the President looks up and asks, "How many is a brazillion?"

(Via Silly Bahraini Girl).

Rove May Be Indicted, So Bomb Scare in New York

God, so fucking obvious.  You know, if you wag the dog that hard, the tail might break off.

Sandy Must Be So Pleased

Bush has selected a crony with no prior relevant experience to fill a vitally important job.

That never happens.