The Morning Blog

Attorney General Eric Holder gave a speech at the annual dinner for the Muslim Advocates, discussing the FBI's recent use of stings in the Muslim community which some have criticized as entrapment. I think there is a pretty serious problem with informants or agents that may move beyond simply identifying and controlling possible threats to actually serving as provocateurs. A good example is something I've posted on before: A Muslim community center asked for a restraining order after an undercover FBI informant freaked them the hell out with all his rants about violence.

Further soccer hooligan madness... Again, I ask: "What the hell is it with soccer fans?" As an American, I just find it truly baffling.

Because naturally, we are the most peaceful people on Earth...

Actually, I took a quick second to check for facts about the homicide rate in the United States. According to this article we're not as awful as we might be. Sure, we're no Liechtenstein. But if someone gets murdered in Liechtenstein, who'll be left to turn off the lights?

Here's a brand new thing for Homeland Security to worry about: Malicious sky hobos.

You know what? The people that run my local newspaper are jerks. What a depressing headline to lay on someone first thing in the morning. "Enjoy today for tomorrow the snow, frigid cold begin". Jesus...I mean it's like an existentialist koan from Siberia. I don't need to wake up to that sort of thing.

Senator Bernie Sanders delivered an eight hour filibuster that evidently, wasn't actually even a filibuster. It served no purpose as far as preventing a vote via procedural means. He pretty much just felt like spending a work day ranting about the tax code. At one point, he resorted to just yelling "China, China, CHINA!".

Perhaps not the most productive thing to do on a Friday? The Girlfriend loves the guy but frankly, I think he's a bit of a ranting loon. I just have a hard time accepting that wealth somehow equates malice.

Well, let's try this again. Another bill (this time a stand alone) has been introduced to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Best of luck guys. I mean it. But frankly, if it can't get passed when it's part of legislation that would improve pay and benefits for combat troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, I don't see it going through by itself.

Looks like Alaska may finally get a Senator. I have to say that it really says something about the level of respect the Tea Party has for the rugged, non-elite, non-Ivy League individual when one of its candidates does everything he can to dismiss votes over spelling and handwriting errors.

This is interesting: A study shows that Conservatives and Liberals shift their visual attention in significantly different ways. I don't know that it necessarily indicates higher individual autonomy amongst Conservatives as the researchers suggest but it is interesting.

I have to admit this: Despite the fact that I consider it a very, very silly way to spend ones time, religion does lead to some remarkable art.

I'm a boy, what do you expect? Here's a big ass cannon blasting the hell out of stuff. And robots!

Finally...

Your daily dose of wow.