I'm off to the jail this afternoon. Our server was down for a few hours this morning, but all is fixed now.

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

This is pretty funny:

Some have suggested that because [Kagan's 2001 Harvard Law Review] article looks favorably on President Bill Clinton’s energetic use of executive orders and regulatory efforts, Ms. Kagan must agree with the Bush administration’s theories of the unitary executive.

This is a mistake [. . . H]er article clearly and directly rejected the theories supporting the executive branch’s broad constitutional powers. [. . .]

This is actually very true, as I explained on April 14. Of course for Yoo, this is a bad thing. For the civilized world, it is a favorable for Kagan.

Speaking for me only

The House Armed Services Committee defense bill that will soon be considered by the full House contains a provision to investigate lawyers for detainees for misconduct:

The provision would require the Pentagon inspector general to investigate instances in which there was “reasonable suspicion” that lawyers for detainees violated a Pentagon policy, generated “any material risk” to a member of the armed forces, violated a law under the inspector general’s exclusive jurisdiction, or otherwise “interfered with the operations” of the military prison at Guantánamo.

The inspector general would be required to report back to Congress within 90 days after the provision became law about any steps the Pentagon had taken in response to such conduct by either civilian or military lawyers.

Would the Democrats be so knuckle-headed as to pass it? Would Obama sign the bill into law if it passed or veto it? [More...]

For those of you not watching American Idol, there's also the finale for Dancing With the Stars (I lost interest weeks ago) and the Biggest Loser, and new episodes of The Good Wife and Justified.

There's also lots in the news to talk about today, so here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

Update: Crystal by miles. She soared. Text 5702. (Put "vote" in the message box.)You have four hours.

The final showdown on American Idol between Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze begins tonight. The winner will be announced tomorrow night.

Who should win? Who will win? Will you vote?

I'm torn, Crystal and Lee are my two favorites of the season. From a talent only perspective, although I think Lee is great, I think Crystal should win. From the perspective of who fits better as the "next American Idol," I think Lee prevails. I guess I'll vote for both.

Simon and Randy think Lee will win. It's all viewer-vote determined though, so they may or may not be right. I think the young female vote will go to Lee, which could easily put him over the top. But Crystal's fanbase may come out of the woodwork, so who knows?

Speaking of Simon, these are his final shows. He's definitely been my favorite judge. While Paula's leaving didn't phase me, I'm having a hard time picturing AI without Simon.

American Lori Berenson has finally been freed from prison in Peru, after serving 15 years of a 20 year sentence.

Berenson has served 15 years of a 20-year sentence for aiding Peruvian rebels in a 1995 plot to overthrow Peru's congress.

Her release is conditional, meaning she's on parole. So she can't leave the country right away. According to the FreeLori website, maintained by her family, she and her year old son Salvador, whom she had in prison, will be moving to an apartment in Lima.

Lori appeared before the judge in court on Monday, May 17th, for a hearing, defended by her husband, Anibal Apari Sanchez, a Lima lawyer and candidate for Mayor of Villa El Salvador, a suburb of Lima with over a half million inhabitants. Lori will be a single mom - Anibal and Lori are legally separated but remain friends and both share concerns for Salvador's proper upbringing.

Here's an interview with Lori from 2008, describing her arrest and life in prison. Lori's parents, Mark and Rhoda Berenson, worked tirelessly all these years to free Lori. They never gave up. What wonderful news, so long overdue, for all of them.

After meeting with Republicans toay, President Obama will ask Congress to fund sending 1,200 National Guard troops to secure the Mexico border in a greater effort to crack down on illegal trafficking organizations.

McCain says it's not enough. He wants 6,000 deployed.

The cost of the 1,200 troops: $500 million. What's it for?

[I]ntelligence and intelligence analysis, surveillance and reconnaissance support.

We already authorized $1.3 billion in Merida funds for the war on drugs in Mexico. Even though it hasn't been fully distributed , Obama is planning on asking for another $390 million.

Throwing more money into the failed policies of the past 40 years will do no good. The cartels will become stronger.

The oil spill looks worse and worse. They're talking about "top kill" now.

Jamaica is a mess too, lots of violence. The U.S. is trying to extradite a drug "kingpin" and his neighbors don't want him to go.

Christopher "Dudus" Coke, who was charged last year in U.S. federal court with conspiracy to distribute marijuana and cocaine and with conspiracy to traffic in firearms illegally....Coke maintains a heroic reputation in the Kingston slums, with some people comparing him to Robin Hood, Jesus and one-time Colombian kingpin Pablo Escobar. He has helped the community by handing out food, sending children to school and building medical centers.

His lawyer says he should face any charges in Jamaica, not the U.S.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today signed an important bill into law, reducing penalties for possession of drugs.

House Bill 1352 increases the amount of drugs a person can posses before facing jail time, instead diverting offenders to substance-abuse treatment centers paid for by the savings on avoiding incarceration.

Ritter also signed bills allowing judges greater discretion in granting probation, increasing possible good time and ability to be placed on parole.

House Bill 1360 lessens penalties for parolees who make technical violations. House Bill 1338, makes it easier for people previously convicted of two or more nonviolent felonies to obtain parole. And House Bill 1374 increases the amount of time off their sentences that well-behaved inmates can earn for each month served.

Here's a copy of the final bill. [More...]

President Obama has endorsed a compromise to pave the way for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Under the deal, lawmakers could vote soon to repeal the contentious 17-year-old policy, which bars gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the armed services; the House Democratic leaders are considering taking up the measure as soon as this week. But the policy would not change until sometime after Dec. 1, when the Pentagon completes a review of its readiness to deal with the new policy. President Obama would also be required to certify that repeal would not harm military readiness.

If it passed, the measure could clear the way for gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military as early next year, ending a policy that Mr. Obama, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, all say they oppose.

Here is the Committee Amendment that Sen Joe Lieberman is expected to introduce.

I'm still at work but the series finale to "24" is about to begin. This year wasn't the most exciting, but I'm sorry to see the show end.

Also tonight, The Bachelorette begins with Ali Fedotowski, who was one of the women competing for Jake on last season's Bachelor, meeting her 25 suitors. The season was filmed in LA, New York, Iceland, Turkey, Portugal and Tahiti, so at least the locations will be good. Ali's crying jags, indecisiveness and whimpering really wore on me last season. While she's attractive, I don't think she's particularly exciting, but I'm still going to give her another chance.

There's also the finale to DWTS and a new Nurse Jackie.

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

Open thread. Posted from my phone. Never done that before.