After an analysis of 1,000 cases, USA Today reports that the Supreme Court is granting fewer stays of execution.

The court continues to resolve disputes over when prisoners can make last-ditch appeals, and some justices have expressed concern about the adequacy of court-appointed lawyers in capital cases. But overall, the nation's court of last resort has made it clear — with unusual unanimity and little public discussion — that it wants lower courts to carry more of the burden in screening death-row appeals, and that it wants a small role in the debate over capital punishment.

"The court simply isn't looking at individual cases as much" as it did until the early 1990s, says Stephen Bright, director of the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta. "The justices want the court of last resort to be state supreme courts and the federal courts of appeals. I think the Rehnquist court ... would like to be out of the business of reviewing capital cases."

After an analysis of 1,000 cases, USA Today reports that the Supreme Court is granting fewer stays of execution.

The court continues to resolve disputes over when prisoners can make last-ditch appeals, and some justices have expressed concern about the adequacy of court-appointed lawyers in capital cases. But overall, the nation's court of last resort has made it clear — with unusual unanimity and little public discussion — that it wants lower courts to carry more of the burden in screening death-row appeals, and that it wants a small role in the debate over capital punishment.

"The court simply isn't looking at individual cases as much" as it did until the early 1990s, says Stephen Bright, director of the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta. "The justices want the court of last resort to be state supreme courts and the federal courts of appeals. I think the Rehnquist court ... would like to be out of the business of reviewing capital cases."

A new USA Today/Gallup poll shows support for President Bush continues to drop. You can view the actual results here.

In a nutshell, 57% of independents disapprove of the way Bush is handling the war in Iraq. Back in April, he had a 73% approval rating from independents. Now that approval is at 39%. In addition,

Independents are less inclined to vote for Bush next year than to vote for a Democrat; 35% of registered independent voters choose Bush and 42% choose an unnamed Democrat. Among all registered voters, Bush leads the unnamed Democrat 46%-43%, which is within the 4-point error margin.

Support for the war also is declining:

Fifty-seven percent say the United States should withdraw some or all of its troops from Iraq. That is up considerably from two months ago, when 46% wanted to withdraw some or all of the troops. Seventy percent of Democrats, 58% of independents and 43% of Republicans want a partial or full withdrawal of troops from Iraq. Democratic support for the war has fallen more sharply than independent support — from 54% in April to 24% now.

A new USA Today/Gallup poll shows support for President Bush continues to drop. You can view the actual results here.

In a nutshell, 57% of independents disapprove of the way Bush is handling the war in Iraq. Back in April, he had a 73% approval rating from independents. Now that approval is at 39%. In addition,

Independents are less inclined to vote for Bush next year than to vote for a Democrat; 35% of registered independent voters choose Bush and 42% choose an unnamed Democrat. Among all registered voters, Bush leads the unnamed Democrat 46%-43%, which is within the 4-point error margin.

Support for the war also is declining:

Fifty-seven percent say the United States should withdraw some or all of its troops from Iraq. That is up considerably from two months ago, when 46% wanted to withdraw some or all of the troops. Seventy percent of Democrats, 58% of independents and 43% of Republicans want a partial or full withdrawal of troops from Iraq. Democratic support for the war has fallen more sharply than independent support — from 54% in April to 24% now.

Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton was sworn in a year ago. He promised to turn around the escalating crime rate. How has he performed?

Homicides are down 23% over the same period last year, with all violent crime down 4.5%. Arrests are up 12%. Complaints against police also have risen by 12% during Bratton's watch. Compared with crime statistics of other large American cities, only Los Angeles appears headed toward a significant drop in homicides this year.

...In his first report card, the civilian-run police commission that hired him concluded on Oct. 14 that Bratton's overall performance "exceeds all standards." Police Commission President David S. Cunningham, the lone vote last year on the commission to retain former LAPD Chief Bernard C. Parks, said Bratton has changed how he thinks about crime.

....Bratton vowed to pursue "assertive policing" while denouncing the beatings, thefts and evidence-planting that had plagued the Rampart Division's former gang unit. "You will not break the law to enforce the law," he warned repeatedly.

Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton was sworn in a year ago. He promised to turn around the escalating crime rate. How has he performed?

Homicides are down 23% over the same period last year, with all violent crime down 4.5%. Arrests are up 12%. Complaints against police also have risen by 12% during Bratton's watch. Compared with crime statistics of other large American cities, only Los Angeles appears headed toward a significant drop in homicides this year.

...In his first report card, the civilian-run police commission that hired him concluded on Oct. 14 that Bratton's overall performance "exceeds all standards." Police Commission President David S. Cunningham, the lone vote last year on the commission to retain former LAPD Chief Bernard C. Parks, said Bratton has changed how he thinks about crime.

....Bratton vowed to pursue "assertive policing" while denouncing the beatings, thefts and evidence-planting that had plagued the Rampart Division's former gang unit. "You will not break the law to enforce the law," he warned repeatedly.

Bush is a Miserable Failure. So says Old Fashioned Patriot which encourages you to participate in a little web project. Since we agree with the premise, we're doing our part. So is The Horse, which is where we found it. If you've got a blog, check it out and join the effort.

[Thanks to all who replied, comments are now closed.]

Bush is a Miserable Failure. So says Old Fashioned Patriot which encourages you to participate in a little web project. Since we agree with the premise, we're doing our part. So is The Horse, which is where we found it. If you've got a blog, check it out and join the effort.

[Thanks to all who replied, comments are now closed.]

Recovering Private Jessica Lynch is not too busy to write a book or be interviewed by Diane Sawyer. But she's too busy to meet the Iraqi lawyer who helped save her life --even when he visits her home town.

The Iraqi lawyer who helped U.S. forces locate Jessica Lynch paid a visit Monday to her home town, where he was showered with affection, gifts and awards. But he was unable to meet the former prisoner of war, who was too busy with other commitments, according to her spokesman.

We'll probably be too busy to read her book or watch her interview.

Recovering Private Jessica Lynch is not too busy to write a book or be interviewed by Diane Sawyer. But she's too busy to meet the Iraqi lawyer who helped save her life --even when he visits her home town.

The Iraqi lawyer who helped U.S. forces locate Jessica Lynch paid a visit Monday to her home town, where he was showered with affection, gifts and awards. But he was unable to meet the former prisoner of war, who was too busy with other commitments, according to her spokesman.

We'll probably be too busy to read her book or watch her interview.

ABC News declares that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing President John F. Kennedy.

ABC News has conducted an exhaustive investigation of the Kennedy assassination, complete with a computer-generated reconstruction, which irrefutably confirms that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, the network said Monday.

A two-hour special on the event is scheduled to air Nov. 20, two days before the 40th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's killing. "It leaves no room for doubt," said Tom Yellin, executive producer of the special, narrated by Peter Jennings. He called the results of ABC's study "enormously powerful. It's irrefutable."

ABC News declares that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing President John F. Kennedy.

ABC News has conducted an exhaustive investigation of the Kennedy assassination, complete with a computer-generated reconstruction, which irrefutably confirms that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, the network said Monday.

A two-hour special on the event is scheduled to air Nov. 20, two days before the 40th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's killing. "It leaves no room for doubt," said Tom Yellin, executive producer of the special, narrated by Peter Jennings. He called the results of ABC's study "enormously powerful. It's irrefutable."