Jose Padilla, the al-Qaeda suspect held in military detention for more than three years before being transferred to federal court where he was tried, convicted and sentenced to 17 years, got off too easy according to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The three-judge appeals panel voted 2-1 to reject the lower-court judge’s opinion that Padilla will be too old to pose a threat upon his release from prison. “Padilla poses a heightened risk of future dangerousness due to his al-Qaeda training,” the appeals panel wrote. “He is far more sophisticated than an individual convicted of an ordinary street crime.”

I find the opinion (available here) demeaning in tone to the trial judge. It reads like a parent scolding a child when the parent thinks it knows best and the child should know better. [More...]

At the airport. Blogging tomorrow.

Open Thread.

President Obama took a stand for Democrats and seniors today. I'm canceling his pink slip notice.

Obama's plan to cut the nation's deficit is already being attacked by Republicans. The plan is in line with Democratic values. Why should those who make more than a million dollars a year pay tax only at the rate of 15%, when so many of us who earn far less are taxed at 35%? The Bush tax cuts should have been repealed a long time ago.

The plan also calls for $1 trillion in cuts for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan and Iraq. Most importantly:

The plan doesn't touch Social Security, and there is no proposed increase in the Medicare eligibility age -- a cost-saving plan the president was willing to agree to earlier in the year, to the dismay of liberals.

[More...]

I so hope this is true:

The plan includes no changes in Social Security and does not include an increase in the Medicare eligibility age, which the president had considered this summer.

If it's accurate, I'm withdrawing my pink slip to President Obama. I'll even thank him.

Update: Obama Deficit Plan Aimed at Democratic Base.

Stay tuned.

Update: Worst and most boring Emmys I've ever seen. I'm switching to watch the new episode of Breaking Bad.

What a lame opening to the Emmys. I don't like Glee and I sure don't want to watch Jane Lynch for 2 hours. Did Julianne Margolies swallow too many Xanax? She's so subdued. And the top of her dress looks like a plastic cup.

***************

First, the biggest question about the Emmys: Why are there no nominations for AMC's Breaking Bad? Simple answer, according to AMC: It was not eligible for this year's competition because it wasn't telecast during the Jun. 1, 2010-May 31, 2011 awards year. The first three seasons, AMC aired Breaking Bad in the Spring, which made it eligible for Emmy nominations the same year in which it aired. Next year, Breaking Bad will be eligible again because the fourth season premiered July 17. Also missing for the same reason, not airing new episodes during the eligibility season: Damages.[More...]

Dominique Strauss-Kahn gave his first French interview today. He called the French writer's claim against him "imaginary", saying there was no act of aggression or violence.

For those of you not planning on watching the Emmy's Red Carpet or the Emmys, here's an open thread for all other topics.

Eleanor Mondale, daughter of former Vice President Walter Mondale, has died of brain cancer at age 51.

Eleanor was considered a "wild child" back in the day. I remember when she was dating Don Henley. According to news reports, she also dated Warren Zevon . Her friendship with Bill Clinton made Monica Lewinsky jealous.

In addition to her parents and brother, she is survived by her third husband, rock musician Chan Poling, whom she married in 2005. [More...]

The New York Times has the details of the economic plan President Obama will introduce on Monday. It's mostly about taxes -- a minimum tax for millionaires. But then there's this:

Mr. Obama, in his plan, will call for more than $300 billion in 10-year savings from Medicare and Medicaid but not for changes in Social Security.

The increased taxes may not pass be accepted by Republicans. So what's the point?

The Obama proposal has little chance of becoming law unless Republican lawmakers bend. But by focusing on the wealthiest Americans, the president is sharpening the contrast between Republicans and Democrats with a theme he can carry into his bid for re-election in 2012.

The Expendable Project has released "The Transit Report" with previously unreleased documents and new evidence, about Schapelle Corby, who continues to languish in an Indonesian prison due to a 20 year sentence for importing 4.2 kilos of marijuana into Bali, a charge she has always vehemently denied.

The movie and project, a global effort by Hidden World Research Group and Hidden World Films, was originally scheduled for release six months from now. On September 7, it announced it would start publishing now, because of credible information that Schapelle tried to commit suicide via a drug overdose just before her birthday in July. News reports say she's rapidly deteriorating. [More...]

Teddy Kennedy's daughter, Kara Kennedy, died yesterday at age 51. She suffered a heart attack while exercising at a health club in D.C.

Kara battled lung cancer in 2003. Her brother said it may have taken a toll on her heart, and she loved to exercise.

Kara and her husband Michael have two teenage children. Our condolences to the family.

College Football day. I'm pressed for time so I will just be able to give you a few of my picks in the bigger games - Oklahoma, Ohio State, Mich State.

Go Gators!

Open Thread.

I don't really care whether Sarah Palin used cocaine, had a pre-marital affair with Todd's business partner or a one night stand with an athlete she was interviewing for her college radio show, or is feuding with Bristol over her relationship with her DWTS costar, now roommate and reality show co-participant, Kyle Massey or Bristol's latest tattoo.

But I do think it's funny that Sarah Palin looked just like the caricature of the secretary from Staten Island portrayed by Melanie Griffith in the movie Working Girl -- an image Griffith spent the whole film working to shed. (Melanie succeeded at the end of the film.)

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.