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Monday Open Thread

Busy Monday.

There's a good column in the Aspen Daily News about the conclusion of the "geriatric cocaine dealers" cases. They ended with the conviction last week of the only defendant who went to trial.

The convictions of the local dealers aren’t a victory by any stretch of the imagination. It’s a loss for their families, our community and the country, and proves the insanity of the system we have set up. Throwing 60-year-olds in prison for making money in a capitalistic society accomplishes zero. Cocaine is still available in Aspen. Nothing has changed. Meet the new boss; same as the old boss.

[More...]

On the absurdity of the war on drugs:

You may have noticed that reports of murders in Mexico have decreased lately. It’s not because the narcissistic American media has decided to ignore another foreign country, it’s because that after 70,000 needless deaths the turf wars have been won. In case you’re wondering, the Sinaloa cartel came out on top.

Those 70,000 deaths, and even the murder in Aspen, are because of the laws the government has in place to stop the drug trade. Without prohibition the black market wouldn’t exist. We’ve proven that the murderous problems will immediately disappear when we legalized booze after Prohibition. That we are so foolish to leave such a lucrative black market in business and to allow such carnage is truly the definition of insanity. Drugs didn’t murder these people, government policy did.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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  • Display: Sort:
    One last plug for my friend's opera (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by Dadler on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 01:53:31 PM EST
    Excercise your rights. (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 05:33:40 PM EST
    Unfortunately the Aspen (none / 0) (#12)
    by fishcamp on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 05:45:28 PM EST
    Geriatric Cocaine Cowboys were trying for just one more roundup at the GREED corral.

    Parent
    I love this video. (none / 0) (#31)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 08:58:35 AM EST
    "Please pull your car over there."
    "Am I being detained?"
    "No, please pull your car over there."
    "Am I free to go?"
    "Please pull your car over there."
    "Am I free to go?"
    "You can go."

    Parent
    Now you know why Picasso (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by jondee on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 01:36:40 PM EST
    looked at those cave paintings and said "we've learned nothing".

    He wasn't just talking aesthetics.

    I'm beginning to think (none / 0) (#38)
    by brodie on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 03:44:17 PM EST
    the good guys -- the smarter Neanderthals (or at least those with the larger brain pans), the more creative ones, and probably the more peacable ones -- lost out years ago to the real knuckledraggers -- the more aggressive and violent Homo sapiens.

    Call it an early victory for the conservatives over the liberals.

    Parent

    Re Sandra O'Connor's (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by brodie on Wed Mar 06, 2013 at 08:43:27 AM EST
    current rehab-book tour, has anyone seen or heard of a media person asking her a direct question about how the five robed robbers of Scotus stole the election for Junior in 2000?

    Rachel Maddow mentioned the court case -- somewhat to my surprise -- but in an in-studio interview failed to directly press her about political bias in favor of Bush in that most peculiar decision.  Typical of Maddow who tends to swoon over getting a major figure not of the left to sit down with her as she then often goes easy on them.  I can't help but wonder that O'C and her publicist figured it would go like that and that therefore the very polite and respectful Maddow would be one of the few "safe" liberals to interview with.

    Terri Gross also interviewed Sandy O, but I didn't catch any direct or sustained questioning on this point.

    Well, first of all (none / 0) (#61)
    by NYShooter on Wed Mar 06, 2013 at 04:23:13 PM EST
    all famous people are thoroughly trained in side-stepping difficult questions. But, in the Bush/Gore affair, there has been quite a bit of anecdotal information by "people in the know" that when the decision was tossed into the SC's lap the outcome was instantly, unanimously understood. It was like a Mafia meeting where a decision about "wacking" someone has to be decided. Nobody comes right out and says, "lets kill Bugsy," a shrug and a sigh is enough.

    In S. O'Connor's case,  I remember reading that someone there said she came right out and said something like, "there's no way that "xoxzx" is going to be our next President. And, the legal contortions they had to go through to reach their conclusion has to be one of the most wrenching, disgusting, perversions of the legal system ever foisted on the American people.


    Parent

    Yes, it (none / 0) (#62)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Mar 06, 2013 at 08:45:22 PM EST
    was awful but in all honesty look what it did to the GOP. It literally destroyed the party for a generation and that is if the GOP even survives. I have to wonder if they haven't become so toxic that they will go the way of the Whigs and another party will rise up out of the remains.

    Parent
    I wish (none / 0) (#65)
    by NYShooter on Wed Mar 06, 2013 at 11:06:26 PM EST
    I were as confident as you regarding the potential demise of the Republican party. In a sane world, I would agree. But, in spite of the toxic bile they've introduced into our political system they've managed to convince almost half the American public that their way is superior to the Democrat's. The tragic truth is however, that while the Republicans have contributed absolutely nothing positive for our country, they have managed to effectively block any attempts by those actually trying to be helpful from gaining any traction.


    Parent
    To say nothing of all the effort Obama has (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by caseyOR on Wed Mar 06, 2013 at 11:13:50 PM EST
    put in trying to revive the Republican Party.

    Parent
    I understand (none / 0) (#67)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Mar 07, 2013 at 07:15:33 AM EST
    because I have thought the same way but if the GOP could not win last year with the economy in the shape it's in, they are in SERIOUS trouble.

    Parent
    AND.... (none / 0) (#2)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 02:21:54 PM EST
    ...that policy's only purpose is to protect me from myself.  Should I decide I don't need protecting, they will take away my freedom/liberty and throw me in the same place where they store violent felons.

    It's similar to the mob, they decide you need protection and the minute you say you don't need it, they hurt you until you 'realize' the error of you ways.

    Which reminds me, ... (none / 0) (#4)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 02:31:21 PM EST
    ... your monthly "insurance premium" is overdue. Please don't make me send someone nicknamed "Noodles" over there to remind you again.
    ;-D

    Parent
    Sh*t... (none / 0) (#5)
    by kdog on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 03:09:53 PM EST
    for all their faults at least the mob will sell you cocaine, filling the marketplace void caused by prohibition...lets be fair to the mob here! ;)

    Parent
    Regarding the "War on Drugs," I am ... (none / 0) (#3)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 02:28:19 PM EST
    ... reminded of what the late British philosopher (and 1950 Nobel laureate) Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) once observed about conventional wisdom:

    "The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence that it is not utterly absurd; indeed, in view of the silliness of the majority of mankind, a widespread belief is more likely to be foolish than sensible."


    Ah ha....exactly (none / 0) (#13)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 06:39:44 PM EST
    My feelings re man made global warming.

    Thanks Donald.

    Parent

    how do you feel (5.00 / 3) (#15)
    by NYShooter on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 07:01:51 PM EST
    about the majority opinion regarding the Sun rising in the East?

    Parent
    Now you know (none / 0) (#17)
    by CoralGables on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 07:12:33 PM EST
    Sheldon Cooper would completely disagree as the sun doesn't actually rise at all. It's only believed to rise by small minds that that think the universe revolves around the earth. And technically North, South, East, and West are little more than humanly agreed determinants with no scientific evidence that the names have any meaning at all outside accepted terminology.

    Parent
    I would say the earth (none / 0) (#18)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 07:31:21 PM EST
    rotates to the east giving an appearance...

    Once again, consensus is proven stupid.

    lol...

    BTW - Learned to eat grits without sugar, yet??

    Parent

    Which explains why (5.00 / 2) (#36)
    by jondee on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 01:48:38 PM EST
    the 97% of the scientists in the world are wrong, and why Sean Hannity and the Washington Times should get the Nobel Prize.

    Parent
    So far I can only take grits with (none / 0) (#28)
    by NYShooter on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 10:06:20 PM EST
    Jim Beam

    not bad

    Parent

    They are better with a good (none / 0) (#43)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 05:00:59 PM EST
    Cabernet.

    Parent
    Except, in the case of MMGW ... (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by Yman on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 07:54:59 PM EST
    ... that consensus is held by scientists who are experts in the field of climatology and backed by thousands of peer-reviewed scientific studies, ...

    ... versus you and some winger blogs.

    Parent

    A friend (5.00 / 4) (#20)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 08:02:15 PM EST
    of mine has studied this and was linking to articles on facebook that explained what is going on here. Apparently the fossil fuel industry is doing what the tobacco companies did when if was found out that cigarettes cause cancer. They are trying to make fake science to confuse people like Jim on the issue and they know that the "rubes" (their words) won't read science journal or actually look for facts.

    Parent
    Yep (5.00 / 0) (#21)
    by Yman on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 08:29:47 PM EST
    Distortion, confusion, conflation and outright lies are being promoted by a variety of conservative think-tanks and industry-funded groups.  Then people who don't want to believe the science promote their opinion pieces to create more confusion.

    Parent
    These are the same older adults ... (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 08:57:41 PM EST
    ... who obviously have trouble coming to grips with the fact that the world's population has more than tripled over the course of their own lifetimes, and that such an exponential rise can't help but impact earth's climate and its environment negatively.

    So they take solace in Rush Limbaugh's preposterous claim that the world can support up to 12 million people without any adverse impacts, because they just want to keep doing the same things as they've always been done during their lives. At the end of the day, there's no "us" in them, and if they end up unduly compromising their grandchildren's future in order to pay for their comforts at the present time -- well, hell, just deal with it, you little b*tches.

    You'd be very hard-pressed to find a more extraordinary bunch of ignorant and selfish people than today's American wingbats and teabaggers.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    That's 12 B.B.Billion people, (none / 0) (#29)
    by NYShooter on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 10:11:57 PM EST
    we had 12 million in the tenement I grew up in the Bronx.

    Parent
    Thank you for the correction. (none / 0) (#40)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 04:27:40 PM EST
    I didn't proof prior to post.

    Parent
    Oh, I dunno (none / 0) (#47)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 05:06:01 PM EST
    I think the Far Left and the Far Right are the same in their desire to promote an ignorant agenda.

    Parent
    You do? (none / 0) (#57)
    by Yman on Wed Mar 06, 2013 at 07:57:41 AM EST
    I think the Far Left and the Far Right are the same in their desire to promote an ignorant agenda.

    So strange, considering your blog is filled with posts insulting and mocking the Left and many posts promoting right-wing fairy tales.

    So it's going to be "reasonable" Jim (aka "social liberal") today?

    Parent

    Ah yes, always a "friend" who explains (none / 0) (#45)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 05:02:51 PM EST
    things...

    Do you remember the Black Draught commercials?

    lol

    Parent

    Oh (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 06:10:04 PM EST
    do you ever read anything? Said friend LINKS to articles and said friend is a Professor at Penn State. I'm sure you would assume he's some "rube" because apparently you only get your information from "rubes". FYI i'm not as gullible as conservatives when it comes to sources.


    Parent
    Question for the deniers: (none / 0) (#49)
    by NYShooter on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 05:38:50 PM EST
    What if, just for the sake of argument, the deniers are right? What is the downside of countries working together to leave our planet a cleaner, healthier  place for future generations to raise their families?

    Then, again, what if the deniers are wrong?


    Parent

    Not really, must be a southern thing (none / 0) (#55)
    by Yman on Wed Mar 06, 2013 at 07:50:47 AM EST
    Big on superstition and fairy tales - as opposed to actual science - down there ....

    Parent
    Go to the graveyard at midnight (none / 0) (#60)
    by jondee on Wed Mar 06, 2013 at 12:40:08 PM EST
    with a dead cat if yew wanna git rid 'a global warming?

    Parent
    I'm (5.00 / 2) (#24)
    by lentinel on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 08:49:32 PM EST
    with you Jim.

    Those glaciers are melting just to fk us up.

    Parent

    Oh well (1.00 / 1) (#48)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 05:15:40 PM EST
    Hahahahahahaha ... (none / 0) (#56)
    by Yman on Wed Mar 06, 2013 at 07:52:13 AM EST
    Jim gets his science from Fox News and a winger blog.

    Classic.

    Parent

    Why do you think you know better than experts? (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by Leopold on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 07:00:32 PM EST
    Why do you think you know more about science and the environment than those who have gone to college and graduate school for 10-12 years; have become experts in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data; have trained in research methods; and have more knowledge about their fields than you or anyone on this blog?

    Do you also know more about medicine than doctors, who have trained for a similar length of time in a similarly intensive manner? Do you feel you should argue with them about the causes of cancer or heart disease?

    Do you also know more about the law than laywers?

    Etc.

    Parent

    I know that the science is not settled (none / 0) (#64)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Mar 06, 2013 at 09:54:38 PM EST
    and that the issue has been politicized. First by the environmental wackos and then by politicians who are looking to use a fake "disaster" to gain power and to move money to the so-called third world countries.

    You should remember that doctors once had consensus that blood letting was a viable medical procedure, the church knew the world was the center of the universe, and it was believed by many that criminals could be identified by feeling the bumps on their heads.

    I would say any well educated person would be skeptical of a faith driven movement that wants to drastically impact our economy. Especially since it cannot meet these simple requriments for a scientific theory.

    A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of knowledge that has been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment.[1][2] Scientists create scientific theories from hypotheses that have been corroborated through the scientific method, then gather evidence to test their accuracy. As with all forms of scientific knowledge, scientific theories are inductive in nature and do not make apodictic propositions; instead, they aim for predictive and explanatory force.[3][4]

    Link

    And doubly so since the high priests of this strange new religion have consistently missed their forecasts and we have their own admission that they were wrong.

    It's as if the Pope had told us Christ would be here in 10 years, then ten years....

    Really, I feel sorry for you folks who can't think for themselves.

    Parent

    "The science is not settled" - heh (none / 0) (#68)
    by Yman on Thu Mar 07, 2013 at 08:10:47 AM EST
    Yep - and you guys are still trying to "settle" the science on evolution.

    The science is settled, and the proponents of MMGW are actual scientists and experts in climatology - it's you bible-belters who can't figure out the difference between science and religion.

    Parent

    "think for yourselves" (none / 0) (#70)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 07, 2013 at 01:39:02 PM EST
    from a guy who for 10 years hasn't said anything here that Rush, Sean, and the Washington Times didn't say first.

    Parent
    jondee you are typical far Leftie and a (none / 0) (#72)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Mar 08, 2013 at 09:28:09 AM EST
    prime example why the country is where it is at.

    Consider this. I don't like Obama. I thought he was a Chicago politician aligned with Chicago thugs and was lying through his teeth in 2008 and willing to say/do anything to get elected. I thought the media was giving (and has since then) him a free pass and we elected a President that we knew almost nothing about.

    He has met almost all of my expectations. The economy remains in the tank. The deficit is outrageous. Spending is out of control. The debt has increased some $6 trillion.

    His energy policy is to destroy the coal and petro companies in favor of so-called green. This has resulted in record gasoline prices which hurt the middle class but absolutely guts the working poor.

    His healthcare plan has driven up insurance costs and caused millions to lose their employer provided coverage. It is simply welfare for the big insurance companies. It is a classic example of doing something that makes the existing situation worse.

    His foreign policy is a disaster. Think of the irony of Michelle presenting Best Picture award to a picture about rescuing State Depot personnel just a few months after her husband allowed four Americans to be killed. He obviously hates what America stands for and has ignored attempts in Iran for freedom will supporting the Muslim Brotherhood's take over in Egypt. Simply put he is not a Muslim Radical but he has helped advance the Muslim Radicals' program.

    And while watching you, and others, condemn Bush's FISA policies, waterboarding, GITMO you say nothing while he has extended and expanded them while you collectively have said almost nothing. In fact, he has used drones to kill Americans....and hasn't really ruled out doing it in the US.  I guess killing opponents is okay. But waterboarding is not allowed.

    I oppose his policies. OTOH I support minority rights, including Gay marriage, women's right to choose, a redo of our drug laws, immigration reform (close the borders/get the employers and issue green cards)and a single payer health insurance plan based on the Medicare model paid for by a national sales tax and a strong national defense.

    I like where I'm at. If Limbaugh, Hannity and the Washington Times agree they are welcome in my Big Tent. If not, and they don't, they can join with you and stand on the outside and scream each other.

    There's no real difference in what you both want.

    CONTROL.


    Parent

    Obviously they're welcome (none / 0) (#73)
    by jondee on Fri Mar 08, 2013 at 11:35:07 AM EST
    in your big tent Omar, you're reading their script VERBATIM, on every issue..

    But here's the main thing: quit bullsh*tting everybody about being "a social liberal".

    You can't promote Bush-Rove-Delay-Rush-Romney and the Heritage Foundation bullsh*t factory's agenda
    and be a social liberal. It's really that simple.

    Right now, you're a serial rapist claiming he stands for non-violence and safe sex.

    What you need to do is quit jiving people here, which only pisses people off, and embrace and defend -- honestly -- your conservatism, traditional values, historical revisionism and the rest..

    At least people will respect your personal honesty, if not the honesty of your arguments.

    Parent

    What you need to do is quit your (none / 0) (#75)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Mar 08, 2013 at 07:10:03 PM EST
    foolish personal attacks and claims about my positions. They haven't changed since 2003.

    And you know that and you can't prove otherwise.

    Your problem is that one must worship at the altar of Obama, or Kerry, or any other Democrat you deem worthy, or you, and other Far Left types, attack.

    To you it is all about CONTROL. Faith driven CONTROL.

    Parent

    You're positions haven't changed (none / 0) (#76)
    by jondee on Mon Mar 11, 2013 at 01:14:50 PM EST
    since you were tacking up Wanted For High Treason posters in Dallas in '63..

    Parent
    Damn those wackos (none / 0) (#71)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 07, 2013 at 01:50:27 PM EST
    peacecreeps, knowledgenuts, and understandingfreaks..

    They're tryin' ta undermine Biblical and parental authority.

    Parent

    Timely chart (none / 0) (#27)
    by ruffian on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 09:04:43 PM EST
    How to Win nay Global Warming Argument. Not sure it will work on you though Jim. You are a tough nut to crack. Or maybe you are already cracked!

    Parent
    By associating with this bunch (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 05:04:14 PM EST
    I prove that I am, if not cracked, at least a nut.

    ;-)

    Parent

    Actually, I like that answer... (none / 0) (#52)
    by fishcamp on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 07:01:01 PM EST
    If I were you (none / 0) (#59)
    by jondee on Wed Mar 06, 2013 at 12:37:52 PM EST
    I'd get back to those sane people at Atlas Shrugged and World Net Daily.

    Parent
    And your claim is that the AS and WND (none / 0) (#63)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Mar 06, 2013 at 09:41:24 PM EST
    people have stated positions supporting minority rights, including gay marriage, a re do of our drug laws and a single payer health insurance system based on the Medicare model.

    Wow. Who knew this besides jondee??

    Anyone???

    Parent

    Yes (none / 0) (#69)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 07, 2013 at 01:34:30 PM EST
    My claim is that, like you, AS and WND support the rights of hard-Right gays, hard-Right drug offenders, and folks on the hard-Right who troll left-leaning sites claiming they support thigs like single payer while only promoting hard-Right politicians and media figures.

    Because, at this point, your dwindling coalition needs all the help it can get. It's all a bit pathetic, really.

    And yes, following your adventures is something of a "wow" experience.

    Parent

    From our "Cinderella Heavyweight" file: (none / 0) (#6)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 03:36:55 PM EST
    Congratulations to the Bulldogs of Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, who have become the first team from a mid-major conference to be ranked No. 1 in NCAA Div. 1 Men's Basketball by both the Associated Press and USA Today / Coaches polls in over five years. It's the very first No. 1 ranking in any sport in school history, and they are the first mid-major to reach that plateau since Memphis achieved the pinnacle of pollsterdom in 2007-08.

    For the record, the only mid-major program to ever achieve the top poll ranking AND subsequently make it hold up in NCAA tourney play was Nevada-Las Vegas in 1990, when they slaughtered Duke 103-73 in the most lopsided championship game in NCAA tournament history.

    But if any mid-major has the capability to emulate the Running Rebels' 23-year-old feat, it's Gonzaga. The Bulldogs (29-2) finished 16-0 in the always tough West Coast Conference, and own non-conference victories over West Virginia, Clemson, Oklahoma, Davidson, Oklahoma State, Kansas State and Baylor. Absent an errant inbounds pass in the final seconds at Butler three weeks ago, and the Zags would be 30-1 right now.

    I know you hate to hear this (none / 0) (#7)
    by CoralGables on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 03:53:24 PM EST
    and I like the Zags.

    But they only played two games against then top 20 teams this season and lost them both. Because of that, they probably aren't even a top seed in the tournament. Their current RPI ranking (used for the tournament seedings) is 11. Their strength of schedule is ranked at #94.

    Parent

    Oklahoma State was No. 22 ... (none / 0) (#9)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 05:13:19 PM EST
    ... at the time Gonzaga beat them on the road in Stillwater; the Cowboys are now No. 13. Further, Big 12 co-leader Kansas State is currently ranked No. 9, while WCC rival St. Mary's -- beaten twice by the Bulldogs -- is now No. 23 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, having been in and out of the Top 25 most of the season.

    Further, if you expand your horizons and look at competition against the Top 100 teams, Gonzaga is 12-2, while No. 2 Indiana by comparison is 10-4. The Zags are a legitimate national power, and for right now anyway, they deserve their top ranking.

    Should Gonzaga win the WCC tournament this week as expected (which is hardly a given, with the always-tough St. Mary's and BYU in the hunt), they should receive a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. RPI rankings notwithstanding, I can't see any logical rationale for denying the Bulldogs their due, as long as they continue to take care of business.

    As of right now, and pending no major washouts by these teams in conference tourney play, my other three projected picks for the NCAA's top seeds are Indiana, Duke and Georgetown, given the present trends.

    However, if I had my way, I would not seed Duke lower than Miami in the NCAA tournament, since the Blue Devils will probably finish at least two games behind the pending regular-season champion Hurricanes in the ACC standings. The ESPN bobbleheads are already predicting that Duke's hold on the No. 1 seed would probably be cemented if they beat North Carolina later this week, even if Miami somehow goes on to also win the ACC tournament the following week.

    I'm sorry, but I think that's wrong and I have to disagree with them. A first-place finish, especially in the powerhouse ACC, really ought to count for something -- even if the champion is a relative Johnny-Come-Lately program like Miami, while the runner-up is an established marquee name with serious pedigree like Duke or North Carolina.

    A No. 1 regional seed in particular comes with distinct built-in advantages come tourney play, and if Duke can't win its conference title, then why should the runner-up Blue Devils be subsequently reaping those benefits, i.e., playing close to home against low seeds, while champion Miami probably heads out of region to slug it out with higher seeds up north or out west?

    Any thoughts?

    Parent

    I've been watching the WCC for years (none / 0) (#14)
    by Dadler on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 06:51:16 PM EST
    IMO, this is Gonzaga's best team. Whether that translates into a deep tourney run, I don't know. Butler has far surpassed them as the most accomplished mid-major, so maybe it's time to take it back. I would love to see a lower profile conference get an NCAA title, and the Zags are as good a bet as any team in that regard. Gonna be a very interesting case of March madness coming on.

    Parent
    I have no thoughts (none / 0) (#16)
    by CoralGables on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 07:05:50 PM EST
    on seedings. I've always felt you have to beat whoever drops in your lap at tournament time or you don't deserve to be champion.

    But I do follow the methodology that they use in determining seedings. Right now the four #1 RPI seeds would likely be:

    Duke
    New Mexico
    Miami
    Kansas

    Of course, RPI changes on a daily basis.

    Parent

    New Mexico's an interesting choice. (none / 0) (#22)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 08:30:24 PM EST
    I heard someone argue the Lobos' case this morning on ESPN radio. Certainly, the Mountain West is a very strong conference in men's basketball this year, with up to five of its teams worthy of NCAA consideration -- New Mexico, Colorado State, San Diego State, UNLV, and Boise State.

    I know New Mexico is currently 25-4, and their resume includes a rather sweet win at then No. 8 Cincinnati, so that's certainly an awesome record. But unfortunately, the only two games I saw the Lobos play on TV (on Time Warner Cablecast out of SoCal) ended up being a pair of very ugly conference road losses, 55-34 at San Diego State and 64-55 (not as close as the final score) at UNLV -- and I do mean ugly. For such a highly regarded team, they shocked me with how poorly they played on those two occasions.

    For that reason, I see the Lobos as no more a No. 3 seed. They not only remain somewhat suspect in my view, but also appear ripe for one of those first round upsets that everyone loves to watch the NCAA tourney for -- especially if the team that shows up that first day is not the one that shined brightly in Cincinnati, but the quintet that bellyflopped and sank like a rock in San Diego and Las Vegas.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Fearless & Brave Florida Lawmen bust (none / 0) (#8)
    by Mr Natural on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 04:07:07 PM EST
    grandma who relies on a non narcotic, non addictive, non violence engendering herb, that like everything else on the planet, according to proper God fearing Christians, was created by God him [or her] self, to relieve the unending suffering caused by a hideously crippling disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

    Heh, at least they didn't shoot her cat.

    Because old ladies should know their place. (none / 0) (#10)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 05:24:48 PM EST
    That's just a terrible story, even if Grandma did offer herself up as low-hanging fruit for the local authorities by being featured on TV.

    Parent
    The Menendez/Prostitution case (none / 0) (#23)
    by CoralGables on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 08:33:18 PM EST
    first unearthed by The Daily Caller and its editor Tucker Carlson takes a nose dive, as the witnesses now claim to have been paid by lawyers in the Dominican Republic to read the accusation script on camera for a fee.

    LOL! (none / 0) (#26)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Mar 04, 2013 at 09:04:12 PM EST
    This is an instance that make me just want to grab both ends of Tucker's bow tie from behind, and keep pulling on them until he turns purple. What in the hell were these people thinking?

    The late Vince Foster was right. Welcome to Washington, D.C., where ruining people is considered sport.

    Parent

    This guy has a column in a paper? (none / 0) (#30)
    by jbindc on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 07:55:18 AM EST
    That was some of the biggest piffle I've read in a while. Besides the fact that he writes like an 8th grader, he seems to selectively pick and choose his facts. (Yes, this in opinion piece, but geez - make it better than what you'd find in a school journalism class).

    You may have noticed that reports of murders in Mexico have decreased lately. It's not because the narcissistic American media has decided to ignore another foreign country, it's because that after 70,000 needless deaths the turf wars have been won. In case you're wondering, the Sinaloa cartel came out on top.

    Partially, but it's also due to a concerted effort of cleaning up and strengthening the local police departments. Funny how he leaves that part out.

    The decision by former Mexican President Felipe Calderón to take the fight to the drug cartels contributed to the escalating violence but is now being viewed as an important part of the solution.

    Tijuana saw the first major reduction in crime around 2009, when Public Safety Director Julian Leyzaola Perez began coordinating more with the country's military to attack cartel violence and cleaned up the city's police force that many believed was working closely with the cartels.

    The murder rate in Tijuana has dropped from 41 people per 100,000 in 2008 to 21 last year, according to the San Diego study. Mayor Carlos Bustamante's office said kidnappings -- a major revenue generator for the cartels that also produced a sense of daily panic for city residents -- have fallen 74% since 2010.

    Bustamante said his administration -- in office for over two years -- has received more than 100 reports from police officers who were offered bribes. That was unheard of during the height of the violence, he said, and indicates a renewed sense of trust in the city's law enforcement.

    "Part of the success has been the people now call us and trust us," Bustamante said. "That's why we've had such success with the narco guys. People are calling, 'We think there's something suspicious here,' and now the soldiers and the police go."

    Then, there's this:

    Without prohibition the black market wouldn't exist. We've proven that the murderous problems will immediately disappear when we legalized booze after Prohibition.

    Really?  The black market is just going to go POOF! and disappear?  Highly unlikely, especially since "murderous problems" did NOT "immediately disappear" when we legalized booze.  Seems to me we still have "murderous problems" in this country, so unless he lives on Planet Zebulon, I have no idea what he's talking about.

    Drug dealers are already diversifying their portfolio by getting into sex slavery, prostitution, and human trafficking.These people are like cockroaches - they will not just wither up and go away.  Anyone who believes that just by making drugs legal will permanently put all the bad guys out of business need their heads examined.

    The issue of whether some or all drugs should be decriminalized / legalized is a serious one that has some merits to it, but this guy's arguments are no better than fluff and should not be taken seriously by people who really want to find a workable solution.

    If We Only Had a Model... (5.00 / 2) (#33)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 11:54:03 AM EST
    ...of a drug that was prohibited and later legalized to evaluate the claims and assertions on from both sides of how legalizing it would actually work.

    If Only...

    And stop with your workable solution non-sense, you are easily the biggest antagonist to legalization here, by like a factor of 10.  Acting like you're interested in solutions is as misleading as the people claiming legalization with solve all our problems.

    There will always be a black market, and like prohibition, the drug war has enabled that element to establish a serious foothold.  So acting like legalizing drugs won't solve all the problems it's created is pretty damn weak tea.  The anti-drug folks, like yourself, need to start acknowledging that their baby has create this Walmart of black-markets and start taking some responsibility by at the very least acknowledging that it's a huge failure and start turning out solutions that don't involve throwing money at it.

    Got any any ideas that aren't about ripping on the people with ideas you don't like ?

    Parent

    Blah blah blah (1.00 / 1) (#39)
    by jbindc on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 03:50:18 PM EST
    Shorter Scott:

    "People are always going to do it, so we should just rip open the doors and let 'em have it! Why actually discuss real-world problems with solutions that fit on a bumper sticker?"

    Parent

    Right On Cue... (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 05:01:15 PM EST
    ...with the criticism.

    Seriously, I can't stop laughing, you didn't even bother criticizing me.  You just made up some random garbage unrelated to my post, slapped my name of it, and hacked it to bites.

    The tinfoil brigade says you get an A+ today for crazy talk.

    Parent

    Yes... (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by kdog on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 12:42:03 PM EST
    the black market for drugs will go poof and disappear, which is clearly what the author meant...don't be obtuse.  Or are you still buying your booze in a speakeasy and playing your daily numbers with a mobbed up bookie?

    The black market for other prohibited things like sex work and guns and gambling will remain, until we realize legalize and regulate is a better way to deal with most black market stuff.  Most, not all...because the sex trade in children or snuff films obviously can't ever be tolerated, and a black market will remain to fill those sick & disgusting voids...but we will have more resources to combat a much smaller, and much poorer black market with a public much less likely to be shopping in the black market and thus supporting the black market.  

    But drugs, gambling, guns, and prostitution amongst consenting adults can and should be tolerated, perhaps reluctantly...with reasonable regulations to promote safety and limit the societal costs while acknowledging human nature.


    Parent

    Legalize and realize... (none / 0) (#32)
    by Dadler on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 09:44:09 AM EST
    ...that those cartels will merely switch to kidnapping more, bank robbing more, they won't simply fade away. We have allowed our society and those around it to become literally bloodthirsty in the quest for money, whether it is drug gangs or corporations or armies, it doesn't matter. We just can't get our sh*t together as a race of creatures, just can't do it. And it's pitiful in this day and age. Just pitiful.

    Ftr, Jeb Bush unofficially opened (none / 0) (#37)
    by brodie on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 03:39:33 PM EST
    his quest for the 2016 Repub nom by pulling a Romney (whether he recognized what he was doing or not) as he flip-flopped his formerly reasonable position on immigration reform to take a harder line against citizenship.

    Hey, it didn't seem to hurt the Mittster to flip flop his way to being more hardline conservative in order to make himself more viable for the nom.

    Your very early GOP frontrunners:  1) Jeb  2) Rubio  3) Christie  4) that female SC gov who took over from the Appalachian Trail Guy.

    Not that I care this far out.  It's just that the sequester discussion is so depressing and boring, and as far as good news goes, who cares about the stock market setting a record today (setting itself up for an even bigger fall)  or March Madness about to begin (the usual tourney suspects, mostly).

    Not sure where you grabbed your numbers (none / 0) (#42)
    by CoralGables on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 04:37:35 PM EST
    or if they are just your opinion, but the most recent poll has the GOP frontrunners for 2016 as:

    1 Marco Rubio 22%
    2 Paul Ryan 15%
    3 (tie) Chris Christie 13%
    3 (tie) Jeb Bush 13%
    5 Mike Huckabee 11%
    6 Rand Paul 10%
    7 Bobby Jindal 4%
    8 Rick Perry 3%

    Parent

    Uh, just my opinion (none / 0) (#53)
    by brodie on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 07:11:59 PM EST
    fwiw.  Which isn't that much, this far out, etc.

    But published horserace polls at this distance ... even more of a waste of time.  On those, wake me up again about 10 days before the IA caucuses.

    Parent

    Now, THAT'S what you call ... (none / 0) (#54)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 08:11:31 PM EST
    ... a clown car.

    Parent
    I'm thinking that (none / 0) (#74)
    by jondee on Fri Mar 08, 2013 at 11:55:55 AM EST
    after 2000 to 2008, the name "Bush" is still going to be radioactive. The American people's short attention span notwithstanding..

    Even if he offically changes his name to Col. Jeb Stuart Bush, he'll still only get the Guns-Rapture-and-Neo-Confederacy vote..

    Parent

    Breaking News: Hugo Chavez dies. (none / 0) (#41)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 04:34:56 PM EST
    President Hugo Chavez died today in a Caracas military hospital, after a long battle with cancer.

    In accordance with the Venezuelan constitution, the president of the National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello, will now succeed him, and he must organize a new presidential election in 30 days.