Part 2 on the flip.

Open Thread.

Yes, it's still snowing here.

In other news, Lance Armstrong dodged a bullet. The U.S. Attorneys Office in Los Angeles announced the doping investigation is finally done, and no more charges will be brought.

The U.S. Army made it official today that Bradley Manning will face a full courts-martial. the announcement, which I haven't found, came from Maj Gen Michael S. Linnington of the Military District of Washington.

An inmate in Vermont is going to be in hot water for making decals for police patrol cars that had a picture of pig in it. (It's one of the spots on the cow.)

As BTD noted, Komen restores funding to Planned Parenthood.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

There are a ton of them and I'm on them. Here's part 1 of my Super Bowl props:

From first note starts until she completes saying "Brave". All wagers have action, if she restarts for any reason, wager will start from restart. How long will it take Kelly Clarkson to sing the National Anthem? Under 1 minute 34 Seconds

What will Kelly Clarkson wear to sing the National Anthem? Anything else [besides NFL gear] -300

Will Madonna wear an NFL Jersey or shirt at any point during the Super Bowl Halftime show? Yes +250

Will Madonna be wearing fishnet stockings at any point during the Super Bowl Halftime show? No -110

Will Madonna wear a hat at any point during the Super Bowl Halftime show? Yes -140

From kick off until final whistle. Half-time does not count towards wager. Book manager's decision is final. How many times will David Tyree's 2008 Super Bowl catch be shown be shown on TV during the game?(4027) Over 1½ (EVEN)

How many times will Peyton Manning be shown on TV during the game? Over 3½ (-135)

This just scratches the surface. Part 2 prop bets tomorrow. Actual game stuff Sunday. Open Thread.

Roseanne Barr is running for President. She plans to run on the Green Party ticket and has filed the necessary papers. The Green Party elects its candidate in July. I'd vote for her before I'd vote for a Republican.

We're getting a big blizzard starting tonight that will last until Saturday. The local news has been reporting on it non-stop for two days. The grocery store was unbelievably crowded today at 3pm and the shelves were getting empty -- the checker said it was like 2012 and the end of the world had arrived. What did people do before the news developed technology to announce storms days in advance?

And the rich get richer. Look who's going to make billions from the Facebook IPO.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Here's me talking with Conn Carroll of the Heritage Foundation about various and sundry things:

Open thread.

Donald Trump has announced he will disclose his preference for the Republican candidate for President tomorrow at 12:30 pm. If his candidate wins the nomination, he won't run as a third party candidate. Otherwise, who knows. But even if he decides to run, he reminds everyone he can't begin campaigning until May, when the newest Celebrity Apprentice finishes airing.

[Update: Trump endorsed Romney. The Atlanta Journal Constitution was wrong but it's erased the story, replacing the link that follows with one that says he's endorsing Romney.] Apparently, he's endorsing Newt Gingrich. Could it be because Romney wouldn't agree to participate in the debate Trump planned on moderating? Gingrich did agree to participate.

On a more interesting note, who will replace Nicole Sherzinger and Paula Abdul on the next X-Factor? Axing them and host Steve Jones was a good decision by Simon Cowell. Meanwhile, American Idol's ratings this season have slumped, and The Voice begins its new season right after the Superbowl.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

I'm swamped. Nothing from me today.

Open Thread.

Rough day at the dentist today. When I left with a prescription for pain medication, it came with a separate notice from the dentist, addressed to me, at my home address, advising me that when I fill the prescription, it will be entered in a state database accessible to law enforcement and doctors. 37 states are now enrolled in the prescription monitoring program. They are even working on an interstate version, having states share the information about your prescriptions with other states.

There's something wrong with this picture. Why should the private, personal medical information of millions of people be subjected to state surveillance and made accessible to law enforcement and thousands of pharmacists and health care providers, just so the Government can stop a few lawbreakers?

What if the database is breached or hacked, as happened in Virginia, exposing the medical information of 5 million people? The hackers demanded a $10 million ransom to return the information.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

I've updated my post on the Megaload hosting companies and potential data destruction.

I think it's time for Chuck Schumer to retire. Here's his latest: $140 million for research on how to test drivers for drug use.

The Obama DOJ has cited the NDAA in a brief opposing habeas for a Guantanamo detainee. Here's the Government's brief and the detainee's cert petition.

I'd rather watch The Bachelor than talk more about Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney and Florida, but if you have more to say, here's an open thread, have at it.

All other topics are also welcome.

Update: Shaun White makes the history books. On his third run, when he already had the Gold, he steps up his game and gets the first ever perfect score of 100 from the Judges. Really amazing runs, and considering two days ago he was hobbled by an ankle injury, truly a feat. He is just incredible.

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Shaun White hurt his ankle Thursday but still qualified in first place and will compete tonight in the Men's SuperPipe finals at the X Games in Aspen. He's great, no question, but I'm rooting for Louie Vito. Big changes for Louie this year, no drinking and he's signed with Red Bull. Here are the finalists. You can watch live at 9pm ET on ESPN, TV or online. [More..]

Nearly 400 arrests yesterday at Occupy Oakland.

More of the same stories about Republican primary candidates. I'm back to "Who cares?"

An op-ed in the New York Times highlights Justice Sotomayor's concurring opinion in the warrantless GPS case of U.S. v. Jones, decided last week. (Opinion here) [More...]

The media says Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are "trading jabs" with Mitt Romney hoping for a "knockout." The idea of either one of these guys in a boxing ring is pretty comical.

Update: Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times poll just released: Curtains for Newt? He's trailing Mitt by 11 points, and the paper says Mitt's lead looks "insurmountable", especially since it cuts across "geographic, ethnic and gender lines." Why did Herman Cain board a sinking ship?

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.