One of my favorite of Dr. King's quotes:

That old law about "an eye for an eye" leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing. (He was quoting Mahatma Gandhi who said, "An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind."

and

Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.

Among my favorite long pieces: Declaration of Independence from the War in Vietnam and Letters From Birmingham City Jail.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."

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Jon Huntsman is dropping out of the Republican race for President. He will endorse Mitt Romney.

Update 8:40 pm: Meryl Streep is a delight. Jane Fonda still looks hot after all these years. Check out Angelina's tatoo on the top of her back that says "Know Your Rights."

Update 7:37pm: Some hope after all: Claire Danes won Best Actress in a TV drama for Homeland. I wonder why Dustin Hoffman needed encouragement from his wife and agent to present the awards. (Added: thanks to the commenter below who clued me on on what he meant. I missed most of Gerais' opening.) Woody Allen's movie Midnight in Paris was cute, not sure it was in the award-winning categor, even for best screenplay.

Update 7:07pm : Really boring show so far. Bizarre almost incomprehensible acceptance speech by Madonna. The Foreign Press reporters must have gotten kidnapped this year, their choices are just weird. Time to change the channel to Shameless I think. [More...]

The newly crowned Miss America, Laura Kaeppeler aka Ms. Wisconsin, has a special cause: Children of the Incarcerated. At one time, she was one. Check out her organization, Circles of Support.

As to her post-Miss America plans, her website says in addition to her mentoring work, she will pursue a degree in Family and Child Advocacy Law. She also owns a music studio and teaches voice and piano. For her talent competition, she performed (sang) Luigi Arditi's classical aria, Il Bacio. [More...]

BTD is still away, and I would be remiss if I didn't post this for him.

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome, Bronco-related or not.

Update: The captain of the cruise ship has been arrested.

I've been seeing headlines about the cruise ship disaster in Italy today, but I just around to reading one of the articles. What an unbelievable mess. 3,000 passengers and 1,000 crew and utter chaos. So far 3 are dead and many are missing. Many said it was like being on the Titanic:

The worst part came when a lifeboat crew member told everyone, "Women and children first," Smith said. "All these families who were clinging to each other had to be separated," he added.

And this poor woman: [More...]

Some SOPA changes, but still not enough. It's still a censorship bill.

A judge has refused to add Newt, Perry and Huntsman to the Virginia ballot.

What else happened today? This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

John Edwards has a life-threatening heart condition for which he will undergo surgery next month. His trial has been postponed until at least March 26.

The judge received information from two cardiologists who said "that a trial would "reduce the chance for success." In granting Edwards' request for a continuance, the judge stated there were "real and serious health issues."

Update: Joran Van der Sloot has been sentenced to 28 years. He was given credit for the time he has served since his arrest in June, 2010. His release date is June, 2038.

Joran Van der Sloot will be sentenced at 10 am Lima time. The prosecution has asked for 30 years but the judges should give him something off that for having plead guilty and allowing the trial to conclude early. If they do, it could be anywhere from 1 to 10 years less, and I suspect they will lean towards a minimal amount. Regardless of what the sentence is, he can serve a lot less, due to Peru's statutory good time credits. Those convicted of murder are eligible for parole after serving 1/3 of their sentence. In addition, if they work or take educational programs, they get 1 day off for every two days spent in the program. (Added: This may have been changed in October, 2010, see below, but the change may not apply to Joran since the crime was committed before this date.)[More]

For those of you not interested in Joran van der Sloot's sentencing, and with BTD out for a few more days, here's an open thread. All topics welcome.

Colorado U.S. Attorney John Walsh has been busy filling in names to his latest form letter, warning 23 Colorado medical marijuana dispensaries to shut down within 45 days or face forfeiture of their businesses and any financial proceeds generated, as well as enhanced criminal charges.

The reason: The dispensaries are operating within 1,000 feet of a school, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 860(a). The letter is here. The press release is here. Similar letters were also sent to the landlords of the businesses and property owners. Landlords were warned about 21 USC 856(a).

The most significant line in the letter:

"The Department of Justice has the authority to enforce the federal law even when such activities may be permitted under state law."

What about the Odgen Memo? Walsh insists his letters are in compliance with it: [More...]

I'm busy at work and BTD will be away for a few days.

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.