For two hours in the car today, the only news was the Pope's visit to Washington. He rode in a small Fiat. He talked politics, taking sides on issues that showed his independent thinking. Republicans seemed less happy than Democrats, even though he espoused positions both in line with and against those taken by partisans. His views on immigration and climate change more closely matched Democrats while his views on same sex marriage and abortion were closer to Republicans. His views on sex abuse were expected to anger Catholics who think he has aligned too closely with Bishops.

He held a ceremony naming a new saint. Tomorrow he will address Congress. He mingled as much as possible with the people. He's also expected to to visit a homeless shelter at some point where he may serve food. And he'll go to Philadelphia to meet with sex abuse victims. And also visit New York.

Mexico announced today that a judge has approved an arrest warrant for the extradition of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman to the Western District of Texas. Mexico's announcement (in Spanish) is here.

Here are the details of the Texas Indictment, which was returned in 2012. [More...]

I've got jail visits in the mountains today. Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

Kim Dotcom's extradition hearing has begun in New Zealand. It is expected to take 4 weeks. It's being heard together with the extradition requests for his MegaUpload partners, Finn Batato, Mathias Ortmann, and Bram van der Kolk. [More...]

Season 3 of Senor de los Cielos on Telemundo ends Monday night with the Gran Finale. Since April or May, there have been 104 episodes and I've watched them all. (Season 1 and 2 are still available on Netflix, and on DVD through Amazon and Ebay.)

I would be sad the show is ending, except filming for Season 4 is already underway, and it seems like most of the main characters will be returning. (Spoiler photos here.) [More...]

The 2015 Emmys are tonight. Andy Samberg is hosting.

So far, I'm not liking what I see on the red carpet. Here's Heidi Klum. This is one of the worst, worn by Kiernan Shipka of Mad Men. Too much tummy on Padma Lakshmi of Top Chef and I doubt chartreuse looks good on anyone. [More...]

Here's a new open thread, all topics welcome.

13 more former prison officials and guards have been arrested and detained over the escape of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, including the ex-head of Mexico's prison system, Celina Oseguera Parra, and the ex-warden of the prison at Altiplano, Valentín Cárdenas Lerma, both of whom were fired days after El Chapo's escape (use Google translate for this and subsequent links).

Celina Osequera Parra is the most interesting of the arrested officials. [More...]

0-2 last night. I'm on fire! Reverse the following picks:

Mississippi +7 (3 units) @ Alabama; @ Kentucky +3 1/2 over Florida; Stanford @ USC; Rutgers +9 @ Penn State; South Carolina +17 @ Georgia; BYU +18 (4 units) @ UCLA; Northern Illinois @ Ohio State -35); East Carolina +4 1/2 @ Navy; Georgia Tech -2 @ Notre Dame; Auburn -7 @ LSU; Nebraska @ Miami Florida -3; Northwestern @ Duke -3; Nevada +35 @ Texas A&m; South Florida +7 1/2 @ Maryland; Wake Forest @ Army +7; Illinois @ North Carolina -7; Connecticut +22 @ Missouri.

Go Gators!

Open Thread.

It's Friday! Just 2 more working days until Monday!

My CFB sneak peek with games tonight:

New Mexico v @ Arizona State -27

Florida State v. @ Boston College +8 1/2

Open Thread.

Our last open thread is just about full. I put up a thread for tonight's Republican debate. Here's a thread for all other topics, your choice.

For those of you who "forgot" our comment rules in my absence last week, it's time to remember them. I banned one person today for name-calling and insulting character attacks on another commenter, and I won't hesitate to do the same to anyone else who engages in such conduct here. It just needs to be called to my attention.

Thanks to everyone for their positive comments about my moving disaster. They were very heartfelt and comforting.

There's a Republican debate on tonight on CNN. Is anyone watching? Here's a place for your thoughts on it.