Thomson Correctional Facility, an empty Illinois prison which now can't be used for Guantanamo inmates, is going on the auction block December 21. The minimum bid is $270 million.

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois has been working to get the money for the sale via an omnibus spending bill, which could be on Obama’s desk awaiting his signature later this month.

Doesn't the U.S. have better things to spend $270 million on than yet another prison? Tell Dick Durbin and Congress to just say no to more of America, Prison Nation.

Busy day here. Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

Here's the summary of the new report of the Director of National Intelligence on the number of detainees released from Guantanamo who returned to terrorist associations and activities.

Since President Obama took office:

[O]f the 66 former Guantanamo detainees transferred since President Obama took office, “2 are confirmed and 3 are suspected of reengaging in terrorist or insurgent activities.”

Under former President Bush: [More...]

Actor Wesley Snipes reports to prison today to serve a three year sentence for failure to file tax returns. He's not happy, but he's going.

Snipes will be at the McKean Federal Correctional Institution in Lewis Run,

The House of Representatives tonight approved an add-on to the budget bill preventing Guantanamo detainees from being transferred to the U.S. for trial:

In a setback for President Barack Obama, Democrats still controlling the House have approved legislation to prevent alleged 9/11 mastermine Khalid Sheik Mohammed and other detainees at the military prison at Guantánamo Bay from being transferred to the U.S. for trials in criminal courts.

The Guantánamo ban was included in a huge catchall spending bill that passed the House Wednesday by a 212-206 vote. The Senate has yet to act on the legislation, which would further imperil Obama's effort to close the detention center for terrorist suspects.

Currently, the law prevents detainees from being transferred and released, not transferred and tried. If passed by the Senate, the ban will be in effect until September 30, 2011, the end of the fiscal year.

The Dream Act has passed the House, by a vote of 216-198. The bill will help immigrant students and servicemembers. It go to the Senate tomorrow, where it faces uncertain odds. What does it mean?

Tn brief, the DREAM Act would enable some immigrant students who have grown up in the U.S. to apply for temporary legal status and to eventually obtain permanent status and become eligible for U.S. citizenship if they go to college or serve in the U.S. military.

Sen. Michael Bennet:

Support for the DREAM Act is not only a matter of conscience for me since it’s the right thing to do; it’s also a practical solution. Continue delay is an irresponsible waste.

“We owe it to the tax payers who have invested in these youth, the teachers who have fostered their development and our military who can benefit from the energy of these youth to move forward on the DREAM Act. ”

I missed the news today and will start catching up soon. BTD is still in trial. Here's an open thread, all topics welcome. What did we miss?

This is the 8th year I am blogging on December 8 about the death of John Lennon, and how for me, it's a day of both sadness and celebration. (2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009.) Probably everyone over 40 remembers that night and where they were when they heard the shocking news. [More...]

The U.S. is considering extraditing Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. What would the charges be? Attorney General Eric Holder today said an investigation is underway and charges other than espionage are being considered. Like what?

Among them, law enforcement sources said, is charging Assange with receiving stolen property.

The Guardian has details of the sexual assault allegations against him. They seem pretty weak.

MADD is on the warpath again. This time they want Congress to pass a law requiring alcohol ignition interlocks for all first-time drunken-driving offenders.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

The Texas Court of Appeals has granted a prosecution motion for reconsideration to stop an ongoing hearing on the constitutionality of the death penalty. The hearing was in its third day and expected to last two weeks. The case involves John Edward Green, who has not yet been convicted.

His defense lawyers are arguing that Texas has executed two innocent defendants, and the procedures surrounding the death penalty in Texas are unconstitutional because there are not enough safeguards. "He is at risk of being wrongfully convicted, wrongfully sentenced and wrongfully executed," said defense lawyer Richard Burr.

After the Appeals Court ruling today, his lawyers issued this statement: [More...]

Elizabeth Edwards has passed away. Her family released this statement:

Elizabeth Anania Edwards, mother, author, advocate died today at her home in Chapel Hill, surrounded by her family.

Today we have lost the comfort of Elizabeth's presence but she remains the heart of this family. We love her and will never know anyone more inspiring or full of life.

On behalf of Elizabeth we want to express our gratitude to the thousands of kindred spirits who moved and inspired her along the way. Your support and prayers touched our entire family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wade Edwards Foundation which benefits the Wade Edwards Learning Lab.

[More...]

One step forward, two steps back. Colorado's proposed regulations on medical marijuana are 90 pages long. You can read them here.

The rules would govern everything: how state officials regulate marijuana cultivation; how dispensary owners keep track of their sales; what makers of marijuana-infused pastries should put on their labels. Several of the rules would place Colorado in unprecedented territory — for instance, requiring marijuana growers to install security cameras through which state auditors could remotely monitor their crop. Others would take action on areas of long-standing concern, including inventory-control rules designed to prevent medical marijuana from leaking into the black market.

Check out the 5 pages of possible violations. [More...]