(Bumped. And Sentencing Law and Policy has lots more links.)On Monday, the Supreme Court will hear two cases challenging laws imposing life sentences without parole on juveniles who are not convicted of murder.

The cases are both from Florida: The Equal Justice Initiative has an excellent synopsis of Florida v. Sullivan and Sullivan v. Graham in layman's terms.

Both cases ask the Court to address whether the differences between children and adults that led the Court to strike down the death penalty for children also make permanent imprisonment a constitutionally impermissible punishment for a child.

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A child born in the U.S. is an American citizen, even if his or her mother is an undocumented resident. That's a given under the Constitution. Since anti-choicers and those willing to put extra restrictions on health insurance based on gender, like those who voted for the Stupak Amendment, believe life begins at conception, how can they justify a health care bill that denies coverage, particularly pre-natal care and birth benefits, to undocumented or out-of-status pregnant women?

Ideally, the final health care bill should not prevent benefits to the undocumented at all. No human being is illegal. But, since some form of denial is present in both the House and Senate bills, at the very least, an exception should be made in the final bill for those who are pregnant. [More....]

This morning:

LIEBERMAN: If the public option plan is in there, as a matter of conscience, I will not allow this bill to come to a final vote [. . .]

The why Lieberman gives is irrelevant. The fact that he will filibuster is what people need to deal with. Time for reconciliation.

Speaking for me only

Dallas travels to the Iggles tonight. Philly is a 3 point fav. I like the Birds (-3).

The Giants have lost 3 straight and looked awful in each game. They host the Chargers today. I like the Giants (-5) to snap out of it.

The Bears host Arizona. Both of these have been impossible to fathom. I'll take the Bears (-2.5) at home. More . . .

But if you try sometime....

Lots of unhappy folks out there tonight, and lots of politicians thumping their own chests. The reality, as usual, probably lies somewhere in the middle.

After 6 hours of watching C-Span, I'm signing off for the evening. This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Update: 9:08 pm MT: The Health Care bill passes. With 6 minutes remaining to vote, there are 218 votes in favor. Final vote: 220 yes, 215 no. 39 Dems voted no, 1 Republican voted yes. House adjourns at 9:33 pm.

Now that it's a done deal, people will want to know what's in it, and what it means for them. A good starting place, with lots of links, factsheets and more:

Question: Did the Stupak Amendment save the health care bill? 64 Dems voted for the Stupak amendment. 39 Dems voted against the health care bill. Does that mean the Stupak amendment resulted in 25 yeas for the HCR bill? The HCR bill passed with only 2 votes to spare. Next question: Was the trade-off "wire coat hanger amendment" worth it?

****

While some fool is going on about malicious trial lawyers on the House Floor, we are waiting for the vote on the full health care reform bill, which should take place in the next hour. It's the Affordable Health Care for America Now Act. The Dems need 218 votes. The Dems think they have them. [More...]

Update: Stupak passes, only 1 present vote (Shadegg)because the anti-choicers said they'd score a present vote as a no vote. Final vote: 240 to 194, 1 present. Who are the 64 Dems who voted for the wire coat hanger amendment? The roll call vote is here. Shame on Colorado Rep. John Salazar, brother of former Sen. Ken Salazar.

Update: Reps. Diana DeGette and Louise Slaughter, co-chairs of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, issue this statement:

“Placing onerous new restrictions on a woman’s right to choose sets a terrible precedent and marks a significant step backwards. This effort will effectively ban abortion coverage in all plans, both private and public – marking a significant scaling back of the options offered under existing laws. Such a terrible, last minute amendment to a critical, historic piece of legislation is a shame. This kind of outrageous interference in health care by the government marks a sad day in this struggle and will result in women across America losing the right to health care.”

Update: If the line is busy when you call, Tweet Your Rep.

The Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment, to the health care reform bill (H.R. 3962)is being voted on today. Reportedly, it prevents federal funding of abortion and health insurance plans which include abortion coverage(Hyde Amendment). Supposedly, it will not affect coverage of abortion in non-subsidized health plans, and will not bar anyone from purchasing a supplemental abortion policy with their own funds. [More...]

Planned Parenthood breaks it down. At 2pm (ET), the House just began four more hours of debate on the bill.

Fox News Boston reports Rep. Barney Frank was present at the home of James Ready, his long-time companion, when it was raided for marijuana. Rep. Frank did not live at the house:

According to a police report, police charged Ready with marijuana possession, cultivation and use of drug paraphernalia in August of 2007. Ready admitted to civil possession and paid a fine. The remaining charges were dismissed in 2008. Sources tell FOX25 that when Frank was questioned he told police that he did not live in the house and that he only smoked cigars.

Here's Barney, in his own words, explaining. [More...]

It's been over 70 degrees in Denver this week. Anita arrived last night from Owl Farm -- she's been staying here a night a week or so during the months of the LSAT prep course in Denver. She has a practice test today and when it's over, we're heading up to Boulder for the afternoon. She brought me a copy of her latest book, Ancient Gonzo Wisdom: Interviews with Hunter S. Thompson. It's a compilation of Hunter S. Thompson's media interviews (including transcripts of tv and radio interviews) over a period of 40 years. She has spent the past few years sifting through the archives and boxes in the basement to find and edit the material, not a small task. From the reviews, she has done a great job, as always. [More...]

Should lead to final votes tonight. You can watch on C-Span or online.

The biggest game of the day will be played in Tuscaloosa where the Crimson Tide host LSU. Remarkably, LSU has won the last 4 played in Tuscaloosa. Yet Alabama is a 7.5 point favorite. I like the Tigers (+7.5).

Ohio State travels to Happy Valley to face Penn State. Terrelle Pryor, the Ohio State QB is from Pennsylvania. Ohio State still controls its destiny in the Big Ten, facing Iowa next week at the Horseshoe. The thing is . . . Ohio State just is not very good this year. I like Penn State (-5.5). More . . .