Who is the rabid dog, Jesse or Hank?

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

President Obama today said he has asked Congress to vote on launching a strike on Syria when it returns Sept. 9. John Boehner says the vote will be the week of September 9.

Obama said he believes he has the authority to act without congressional approval, but asked lawmakers to weigh in and shoulder the responsibility for the decision.

“The country will be stronger if we take this course,” Obama said. “We should have this debate.”

Yesterday, Obama released this 4 page summary of a U.S. report detailing intelligence on the suspected use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government on Aug. 21. [More...]

The picks: Kentucky -3 1/2 over Western Kentucky, Syracuse +9 over Penn State, Alabama -21 over Virginia Tech, LSU -3½ over TCU, Washington -3 over Boise State, Temple +31 over Notre Dame, Mississippi State +13 over Oklahoma State, California +6 1/2 over Northwestern, Arkansas -10 over UL Lafayette, Georgia -3 over Clemson, Auburn -14 over Washington State, Buffalo U vs. Ohio State, Over 54, Florida International +22 over Maryland. ALL 2 units.

EPL Special - Manchester City (-1) over Hull in First Half.

Go Gators!

Open Thread.

Last workday before long weekend, it's hard to get everything done. I haven't had a chance to read today's news, so here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

My goal for the weekend: Finish watching Pablo Escobar, El Patron del Mal on Mun2.tv. All 74 episodes are available online with English subtitles and it's really good -- almost addictive. I'm up to episode 28.

Robel Phillipos, the third friend of Jahar Tsarnaev who was arrested for making false statements to the FBI related to the terrorism investigation into the Boston Marathon bombing, has now been indicted. He's charged with two counts of making a false statement in a matter involving domestic or international terrorism. The Indictment is here. It alleges his false statements material and made knowingly and willfully.

His attorneys previously said they were working on a disposition. No more. They now say he will fight the charges. My translation: Negotiations over sentencing broke down. [More...]

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

The Department of Justice has officially spoken about state marijuana laws. It has advised the Governors of Colorado and Washington that provided it enacts robust regulations that do not not interfere with 8 DOJ priorities, it will "defer its right to challenge their legalization laws at this time."

AG Eric Holder has issued a memorandum to federal prosecutors (available here) on the new policy and the 8 priorities in enforcing federal marijuana laws.

The key point: The major sea change is not with respect to possession for personal use, which the feds don't normally charge anyway, but in its willingness to allow some private production and distribution of marijuana. [More...]

Christi O'Connor, the reporter who conducted the ABC Shellie Zimmerman interview, does not work for ABC. She is a freelance investigative journalist.

She says she is writing a book about the trial. I don't recall her reporting on the case prior to now, and with the exception of a reference to her in a video clip on CNN the night on July 13, Lexis.com has no record of articles or media transcripts with her about the case.

She says her book will reveal new information that could have resulted in a different verdict. Here's what she is peddling: A story about a white Sanford police officer's alleged misconduct in tasering an African American male which she is self-publishing on her weblog. On her blog, she writes: [More...]

College football is back!

My picks (all picks 2 units unless otherwise indicated) for the first night of college football: Utah -3 over Utah State, Fresno State -11 over Rutgers, Tulsa +165 over Bowling Green, Vanderbilt +140 over Mississippi, USC -24 over Hawaii, Akron +23 over Central Florida, South Carolina -13 over North Carolina (3 units), UNLV +14 over Minnesota.

Also too, John Amato of Crooks and Liars and yours truly talking sports - Link.

Open Thread.

It's a jail day for me. Here's an open thread, all topics welcome, including Zimmerman. (Shelley Zimmerman pleaded guilty to misdemeanor perjury today.).

Here are some details of the planned military strike on Syria. The UK is expected to assist the U.S. Tomahawk missiles are likely.

The blitz may last 48 hours.

The missiles would be unleashed to destroy Syrian President Bashar Assad’s command and control facilities, weapons delivery centres, intelligence bases and military training camps.

A former Syrian military official who has since defected says chemical weapons stockpiles are unlikely to be targeted. [More...]

Sen. Patrick Leahy has scheduled a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on September 10th on the conflict between state and federal marijuana laws. Attorney General Eric Holder and Deputy Attorney General James Cole have been invited to testify.

“It is important, especially at a time of budget constraints, to determine whether it is the best use of federal resources to prosecute the personal or medicinal use of marijuana in states that have made such consumption legal,” Leahy said. “I believe that these state laws should be respected. At a minimum, there should be guidance about enforcement from the federal government.”