Michigan attorney Scott Millard, 29, was held in contempt of court and jailed Dec. 1 for instructing his client to "take the 5th" and refuse to answer a judge's question at his arraignment and bond hearing. The judge had asked the client when was the last time he had taken drugs. Millard was released four hours later when a higher court granted a stay.

The transcript is here.

If Judge Post is found to be in violation of the law - which many attorneys and former judges who spoke with 24 Hour News 8 believe he is - he could face anything from censure to removal from the bench.

[More...]

Tonight was the most appalling X-Factor show of the season. Judge Nicole Scherzinger should hang her head in shame. She copped out of voting in the final sing-off round and the choice wasn't difficult. As a result, Rachel Crowe, who sang her best performance of the season in the safety round, went home. Rachel, who is only 14, fell apart crying out her eyes out. Unbelievably, Nicole went up to the stage as if she was going to comfort Rachel. Nicole has always been the weakest judge, replacing Cheryl Cole at the last minute. After her dereliction of duty tonight, I hope she's not brought back to judge next year. She was roundly booed by the audience and rightfully so.

Another hall of shame award today to Spirit Airlines, for offering special "slammer fares" to Chicago in honor of Rod Blagojevich's sentencing. I'm not linking to the ad because I don't want to send them business, but it says:

"you don't have to live in the 'Big House' to take advantage of these fares" to among other places, Chicago. But hurry... You don't want to get convicted for missing this seat-selling sale!"

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

There's still no explanation for why the security guards were dancing at the Sofitel following the hotel maid's report that she was assualted by Dominique Strauss-Kahn. (Background here.)

But now the video is available. (Also below.) The dance lasts 13 seconds, not 3 minutes as originally reported. [More...]

The Associated Press and German ARD TV have located the CIA's secret prison in Romania where terror detainees, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Ramzi Binalshibh, Abd al-Nashiri and Abu Faraj al-Libi were held and subjected to harsh interrogation techniques. You can view the building here.

Air transportation was provided by CIA contractor Richmor Aviation Inc., which also operated flights to Guantanamo and Morocco. The prison was closed in 2006. Porter Goss was the CIA Chief during the time it was used to hold the detainees.

A few months ago Reprieve published some of Richmor's billing records for its flights, which had been revealed in a civil lawsuit.

Lots of TV on tonight: The X-Factor, Survivor, Harry's Law, the finale of America's Top Model, even a new Restaurant Impossible.

The Wall St. Journal reports the Today Show has been recruiting Ryan Seacrest to replace Matt Lauer.

In Bachelor news, the show has had enough of spoiler Reality Steve. It filed a federal lawsuit today against Reality Steve and owner Stephen Carbone. The plaintiffs are NZK Productions Inc. and Horizon Alternative Television Inc., which are indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Time Warner, Inc.

The Complaint, available here, alleges intentional interference with contractual relations and unfair competition. It accuses Steve of contacting show participants and other cast, crew members and employees, and seeking information in violation of their contracts. In some instances, it quotes e-mails from him to show participants offering money for information. Steve doesn't seem worried and posts some e-mail correspondence between lawyers. He's always said on his site he doesn't get information from the cast or participants. But the suit now includes "other employees." Steve has already revealed the final four contestants on the upcoming Bachelor with Ben Flajnik.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

The DEA, our global holy warriors, have announced the opening of a new office is Sofia, Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Embassy notice is here.

The DEA has been training Bulgarian law enforcement officials from the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP) since 2008. DEA Regional Director of DEA, Mark Destito is in Bulgaria today for meetings. [More...]

Two additional alleged victims of Jerry Sandusky have testified before a grand jury in Pennsylvania, resulting in new charges being filed today and Jerry Sandusky's arrest. The complaint is here. The new grand jury presentment is here. The press release from the Attorney General's office is here. [More...]

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has been sentenced to 168 months, 14 years in prison. He will be allowed to voluntarily surrender on Feb. 16. Since there is no parole in the federal system, only good time, he'll do about 12 years.

Blagojevich told the Court this morning he was sorry and accepted that he committed crimes. He asked the court to be merciful. He spoke for 18 minutes. The Judge recessed for 20 minutes and then resumed to impose sentence. The best Twitter coverage hands-down is WCIA Steve, aka Steve Staeger. All of the following comes from him (not in order): [More...]

Former Illinois Governor will get a chance to speak to the Judge before sentence is pronounced today. After so many years of legal travails, he's got to be running on empty.

I'm hoping the judge will decide on less than 10 years. If he gives him 84 months, it sends a message, is big punishment, will still wreak havoc on his family, but at least, with good time, allow him to return home in time for his younger daughter's high school graduation. I think 5 would be a fairer sentence, but I don't see the judge getting to that level after his comments today.

Chuck Klosterman writes:

I doubt many Christians believe that God is unfairly helping [Tim] Tebow win games in the AFC West. I'm sure a few hardcores might, but not many. However, I get the impression that especially antagonistic secularists assume this assumption infiltrates every aspect of Tebow's celebrity, and that explains why he's so beloved by strangers they cannot relate to. Their negative belief is that penitent, conservative Americans look at Tebow and see a man being "rewarded" for his faith, which validates the idea that believing in something abstract is more important than understanding something real. And this makes them worried about the future, because they see that thinking everywhere. It seems like the thinking that ran this country into the ground.

(Emphasis supplied.) I don't think the Tebow haters are as smart as Klosterman thinks they are. Merrill Hoge? Chris Carter? Puhleaze. But I was struck by the reverse -- the irrational view that not playing Kyle Orton was an act of insanity. What kind of rational person thinks that? Kyle Orton is a terrible quarterback. How could anyone get offended by his benching? In fact, when Orton was released by the Broncos, I was astonished at the view that Orton was some prize for a team to pick up. Kyle Orton as Tom Brady?? Really? That attitude seems driven by irrational hatred of Tebow. More . .

The sentencing hearing of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is underway. The judge has said he won't rule until tomorrow. The best place to follow is Twitter.

This morning the parties debated the sentencing guidelines. The Judge sided with the Government, finding the criminal activity was extensive, Blago had a leadership role and he tried to get $1.5 million for the senate seat. That puts the guidelines at 30 years to life.

"It should be noted that I agree with the government and the defense for that matter that the guideline that is correctly computed for this of 30 years to life is simply not appropriate given the facts of this case."

So the Judge will grant a departure and/or variance from the guidelines, but how much? [More...]

Kevin Drum writes:

Obama is stuck trying to convince [2008 supporters] in very practical, non-soaring terms that he really has done a lot for them. That list is pretty long[. . . .] Were there disappointments too? Sure. [. . .] But that's to be expected. This is the real world, not utopia, and Obama is a cautious, pragmatic, mainstream, center-left Democratic president.

I'm good with this appraisal. Here's the problem though, Obama gets credit for what has been done and also blame for what has not been done. Just below in the Open thread, ABG writes about $1.5 billion in savings to seniors on prescription drugs and demands acceptance that ACA worked and the public option not being included is not important. I think Obama get credit for the $1.5 billion savings and also questions about the public option (and the housing finance crisis, among others). It's not all one thing or the other. I have stated that I think Obama could have been a great President and was not. but he was not terrible either. And obviously he has my support for reelection.

Drum titles his post "Real Obama vs. Fantasy Obama." That's kind of dumb imo. It's real Obama, the good things vs. Real Obama, the not so good things. He's not running against FDR. He's running against Romney or Gingrich.