104 degrees today, another record broken. The town of Manitou Springs, outside of Colorado Springs, was evacuated today due to the spreading Waldo Canyon Fire. More than 11,000 people have been ordered to leave their homes.

All eyes will be on the Supreme Court this week, as the fate of the Affordable Care Act and Arizona's Immigration law will be decided. Also this week: A decision on whether life without parole for juveniles violates the 8th Amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

I've made a new category called "Reference Docs" for the George Zimmerman case. It is for handy access to things like the witness interviews and case photos and maybe some legal documents. I'll be adding to it over the next few days.

I also made a special set of commenting rules for the George Zimmerman case. Please read them.

On to witnesses: Many have focused on Witness 6 (John) and Witness 13, but I'd encourage everyone to listen to the later interviews of W-11, who was the first to call 911 and lives with Jeremy at 1211 Twin Trees Lane. Her audio interviews are available here. [More....]

The New York Times reports on what a Supreme Court defeat of the Affordable Care Act may mean for Obama.

Paul Krugman on the problems with prison privatization.

Dick Cheney is delighted over daughter Mary's marriage to her partner Heather.

Mexico goofs in drug arrest. It parades a 24 year old in front of the cameras, proclaiming to the word he was Chapo Guzman's son. Turns out, he was an innocent car salesman with no connection to Guzman.

BTD -Spain-France at 2:45. Must see at the Euros. Also too, Yanks to avenge loss to Mets yesterday. Let's go SPAIN! Let's go Yanks!

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Jerry Sandusky has been convicted of 45 of 48 counts. He was not guilty of assault on victim 2 (McQueary count), Victim 5 and Victim 6.

He was remanded into custody immediately. He didn't display any emotion. Some of the counts have a 10 year mandatory minimum. Sentencing will be in 90 days. NBC says he will be sentenced to at least 60 years, an effective life sentence.

The cheering by the mob outside the courthouse was disgusting to watch. Do they think this is a football game?

His lawyer said earlier he would be shocked by an acquittal and the atmosphere at the Sandusky residence is like a funeral home.

We need another thread to continue the analysis of the George Zimmerman statements, interviews with police and crime-scene re-enactment.

So many were released yesterday, I doubt anyone but true case afficionados have listened to them all. I know I haven't. Yet across the internet, people are cherry-picking, pointing to minor variations as if they are contradictions affecting the totality of George Zimmerman's version of events.

If George Zimmerman told the exact same story over the course of days, people would say it was rehearsed and false. Variations are to be expected, human memory is not like a video recorder, it changes over time. So what is a reasonable test? How about this? [More...]

Too busy, no blogging.

Open Thread.

Attorney Mark O'Mara has released George Zimmerman's written statement, his audio interviews and the video of the re-enactment of the scene (which disappointingly doesn't show anything but a parked car -- it's really an audio of the re-enactment.)

All of the recordings are available here.

I've only read the written statement and listened to the re-enactment so far, so I'll update later today with my thoughts after I've had an opportunity to listen to all the interviews.

Update: For reference, here is the transcript of the 911 call.

Congressman Jared Polis grills DEA Chief Michele Leonhart on the dangers of heroin and meth as compared to marijuana. Great job by Polis. Not so great job by Leonhart who couldn't answer the simple question of whether methamphetamine or heroin is worse for your health than marijuana.

The hearing was held yesterday by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security and the subject was Oversight of the DEA. Here is Leonhart's prepared testimony. [More...]

Sanford City Manager Norton Bonaparte has issued a press release stating Police Chief Bill Lee, who has been on paid leave since he submitted his resignation in April, has been terminated.

"After much thoughtful discussion and deep consideration for the issues facing the City of Sanford, I have determined the Police Chief needs to have the trust and respect of the elected officials and the confidence of the entire community. We need to move forward with a police chief that all the citizens of Sanford can support. I have come to this decision in light of the escalating divisiveness that has taken hold of the city."

Interim chief Richard W. Myers will stay on the job while they search for a permanent replacement. I wonder why Myers isn't getting the job permanently.

I don't read much into this. I've seen nothing official to indicate he is being fired because he didn't arrest George Zimmerman right after the shooting, or that the initial determination that they lacked evidence to dispute that Trayvon Martin's shooting was an act of self-defense, was wrong. It was just unpopular with the public, causing friction in the community. This seems to be tying up loose ends, so that Sanford can stop paying his salary when they know he's not returning to the position.

Long day at work, and the TL kid is coming over for dinner -- Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

Update: Holder was held in contempt. It's meaningless:

The contempt resolution will have little practical effect on Holder or the Obama administration. The Democratic-controlled Senate will not take action on a contempt resolution.

Here's part of Holder's statement calling Issa's action political "election-year tactic intended to distract attention": [More...]

Our morning open thread is full. Here's another one.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange may seek asylum in Ecuador.

Jerry Sandusky's wife testified today and ABC reports his lawyers say they are leaning towards him taking the stand (no link for ABC because their videos play automatically.)

Mitt Romney says he is vetting Mark Rubio as a VP choice.

Your turn, all topics welcome.