"Smokin' Joe" Frazier, 67, passed away Monday of liver cancer.

The two-time heavyweight champion was diagnosed with liver cancer last month and spent this week in a hospice.

Joe Frazier was a symbol for a generation,” promoter Lou DiBella said. “His death is resounding for what he meant: He was the heavyweight champion when being the heavyweight champion was the most famous man on earth. He was a giant of the sport, a legend and also one of the most accessible people there was. It’s sad when the giants start disappearing. It’s a sad day for boxing.”

A documentary called “Joe Frazier: When the Smoke Clears” will screen tomorrow at the DocNYC festival.

R.I.P. Joe Frazier

Herman Cain didn't cancel his scheduled appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Jimmy opened the conversation with "So, how was your day?" Cain responded, "“Well, all things considered, I’m still alive."

Cain said he and his team were surprised by Woman #4's coming forward Monday:

We watched it because we didn’t even know that this whole thing about "woman number four" was going to even come out, so that was a surprise.”

Then he said:

“At least it wasn’t one of the many that have the first name anonymous so now this one actually had a name and a so we watched to see what it was and who it was....We are dealing with it and tomorrow we’re going to have a press conference. We’re taking this head-on.”

[More...]

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has stayed the execution of Hank Skinner. Skinner has requested DNA testing to prove his innocence and the court said it needed more time to consider a newly revised state law on DNA testing.

"Because the DNA statute has changed, and because some of those changes were because of this case, we find that it would be prudent for this Court to take time to fully review the changes in the statute as they pertain to this case," the Texas criminal appeals court wrote in a two-page stay order.

Why no bail until sentencing for Dr. Conrad Murray, following his conviction today for manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson? He was handcuffed in court and remanded into custody until his sentencing. Los Angeles jail officials say he'll be kept in protective custody, not allowed to mingle with other inmates.

The judge set Nov. 29 for probation/sentencing and told the lawyers to be prepared to address restitution issues. He also referred to California's new sentencing law, the "Realignment Act" which took effect Oct. 1. Under the new law, persons convicted of certain felonies, including involuntary manslaughter cannot be sentenced to the state prison, only county jail. The time spent in county jail is reduced, and in some cases, a sentence can be served on house arrest. While Murray's sentence will be under the new law, his good time credit will be determined under the old law since the crime was committed before October 1. [More...]

I've got lots of work before another snow storm hits later today. Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

The New York Times reports on one of my favorite topics, the increased militarization and globalization and intelligence-gathering powers of our new world cops, the DEA.

From shootouts in Honduras to raids in Guatemala, Colombia, Afghanistan and Africa, to monitoring prescription use here at home, the DEA is smack in the middle (pun intended) at a cost of billions a year. Our new global holy warriors. But who's watching the DEA? Congress? It just keeps feeding them money. [More...]

Carlos the Jackal goes on trial tomorrow in France on decades-old terror charges.

Once among the world's most feared masterminds of terror, the man known as Carlos the Jackal is now a graying convict who has been behind bars for 17 years. On Monday, he goes on trial for four deadly attacks that occurred nearly three decades ago, and the verdict could determine his chances of ever being freed.

Lots of TV on tonight: Homeland, The Good Wife, Pan Am and The Next Iron Chef are what I'll be watching. Is anyone going to check out AMC's new Hell on Wheels?

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Herman Cain's popularity down 9 points with Republicans following the publicity of sexual harassment allegations against him:

The poll showed the percentage of Republicans who view Cain favorably dropped 9 percentage points, to 57 percent from 66 percent a week ago.

Among all registered voters, Cain's favorability declined 5 percentage points, to 32 percent from 37 percent.

Cain insists he is "back on message." Where's he going to deliver it? Late Night TV. He'll be on Jimmy Kimmel Live Monday.

Sarah Shourd, one of three American hikers detained in Iran, describes her year in solitary confinement in the Iranian prison in the New York Times. It's very depressing, but a good reminder that extended solitary confinement is torture.

The New York Times had an interview with the jury forewoman in the Viktor Bout trial earlier this week. Viktor Bout's wife, Alla Bout, who attended all of the trial except for the verdict return, has told a Russian newspaper that Bout's lawyers will challenge the verdict based on the interview. The article says "over the last few weeks" she has become something of an expert on Viktor Bout. It also says:

Another thing also became obvious: her knowledge of Mr. Bout was more expansive than she had realized. I had seen that terrible Nicolas Cage movie,” she said, a reference to the film “Lord of War,” which is believed to have been inspired by Mr. Bout, “and I had no idea it was about this guy.”

I wonder when exactly she realized this. Was it while the trial was going on or after the verdict was rendered? From the "past few weeks" reference, it could have been either. [More...]

Carlos Sagustume, the Guatemalan ex-soldier and drug dealer who became a DEA informant, has been paid $9 million for his work by the U.S. Government.

The Associated Press explains the payments, $7 million of which came from the State Department's Narcotic Rewards program.

Sagustume, who was the prime informant in the Viktor Bout case, also reeled in Monzer al Kassar, whose 30 year sentence was upheld by the Second Circuit in September. Viktor Bout's lawyer questioned Sagustume about his role in the case. The New Yorker had this long and fascinating article on the elaborate sting and DEA's Special Operations Division (SOD.)

Sagustume said he has only been paid $250,000 so far for Viktor Bout, but he's hoping for more, likely in my view for a cut of any forfeiture proceeds. [More...]

It's the one night of the year we get to turn back time. Hope you make the most of your extra hour.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.