I've got court this morning. Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

The Mississippi Supreme Court has upheld the pardons of former Governor Haley Barbour.

Via Sentencing Law and Policy, this factsheet from the Federal Defender's Office says the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) analysis of federal sentencing disparity released this week is flawed.

TRAC’s analysis fails to meet minimal academic standards and should not be a basis for policy making.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Apple will be announcing its new iPadHD at 10 am PT.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Our earlier open thread is full. Here's another one, all topics welcome.

It's a work day for me. A big primary day for the Republicans

It's also a day I'd rather be outside because we don't get too many 70 degree days in the first week of March here in Denver.

In case I miss the news feel free to report it in this thread, along with any other things you'd like to share or discuss.

All topics welcome.

Another Sunday with weather too nice to stay indoors. Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

I doubt I'll be online most of the day, so here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

At last, after interminable auditions, American Idol tonight gets down to naming the finalists. Update: Now that's how to put on an American Idol show. Almost riveting. There were 33 million votes. And both America's votes and the Judge's wild card picks were spot on. This will be a great season.

Nicolette Sheridan knows how to dress for court. (Rear view here.) She testified today in her civil trial against Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry and ABC. The dismissed Housewife is seeking $4 million in damages (I think that's one year's pay) for her wrongful termination from the show. She alleges Marc Cherry slapped her hard in the head, apologized, and then killed off her character. Or something like that.

Cherry and ABC say they decided to kill off her character before the "slap" incident (which they say wasn't a slap but a "light tap". ) Nicolette demonstrated the slap in court today by smacking her lawyer. It had been reported the other Housewives would testify for Cherry and ABC, but lawyers told the court today they won't be called. The trial seems to be of interest to Hollywood media because of the rarity of a single star taking on a network -- David vs. Goliath.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Bill Simmons with a huge get - President Barack Obama.

Open Thread.

We're due for an open thread. What's on your mind? All topics welcome.

Pierce on The War on Drugs: PED Edition.

Open Thread.

FARC has announced it will free its hostages and cease economic kidnapping.

Since I will shortly be turning my attention to the Oscars, here's an open thread for other news, all topics welcome.