The Hutaree Militia members trial begins Monday. They've been picking the jury for weeks. 48 have been approved and Monday morning both sides will exercise their challenges to end up with a jury of 12 and 4 alternates. The defense says their clients were all talk and their speech is protected under the First Amendment. Most of the evidence comes from two informants who infiltrated the group and made secret recordings. The defense says:

"The recordings tendered thus far make it eminently clear that the group's objectives, even in their darkest light, included (1) exercising their First Amendment rights to free speech ... and (2) training to survive and defend themselves and their families in the event of chaos or an invasion by anti-American forces."

[More...]

Not much news today so far.

The southern border fence in Arizona doesn't seem to be working too well. Borderland Beat has a video of some guys using a lift jack to raise the fence off the ground and walk right under it with their duffle bags of (presumably) drugs. How much did we pay for that fence? $3 million per mile.

Federal estimates put the cost of building a mile of solid border fence at $3 million – meaning a border fence running the length of Arizona would cost about $1 billion. But Smith says the state will use inmate labor and donated supplies to cut expenses and meet his initial $50 million budget, though fundraising is expected to continue even after that point if it is reached.

President Obama is ready to send his 2013 budget plan to Congress. It proposes higher taxes on the wealthy, but what will be cut?

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Sorry about the dearth of posting. Really busy time for me.

If I can squeeze some time, I'll write about the reported Obama "accommodation" on contraceptives. My Sunday Daily Kos piece will be on the issue.

Open Thread.

8 states may vote to legalize marijuana this year. Is yours on the list?

Gallup says President Obama's approval ratings are up the past few days to 49%.

From The Nation: A Brief History of Drones.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

It's Hollywood Night on American Idol. I'll be curious to see how it does in ratings, given the strong competition from The Voice. The Voice is more fun to watch. AI seems dated and its contestants amateurish by comparison. Steven Tyler is the main reason I still watch.

Did anyone see Jon Bon Jovi on Person to Person?

Russian arms transporter Viktor Bout lost his bid for a new trial today. But the judge questioned his conditions of confinement, which his lawyers say include solitary confinement,no fresh air or sunlight, one weekly family visit and one phone call a month.

"It seems harsh. It seems brutal. It seems unnecessary. It seems like something should be done about it."

A hearing on the conditions will be held Friday.

What else is going on in the world? This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Santorum!!!

Deeper thoughts later if time permits.

Open Thread.

The Voice is back. The singers are so much better than those trying out for American Idol. They just need to get rid of their new "social media correspondent" and posting tweets onscreen.

Is anyone going to watch Smash?

Anonymous is now at war with Symantec. (Background here.) They published emails of the company offering them $50,000 not to release the source code taken in 2006 and according to Anonymous, to lie. Anonymous says it's declined and sometime tonight will release the source code for free. (Update: They have posted the code. You can find their link to it on Twitter or Pirate Bay. Symantec acknowledges the e-mails are real but says the FBI was in on the negotiations -- they viewed it as an extortion attempt and had contacted them. Anonymous says Symantec tried to bribe them.)

The National Lawyers Guild is ready to help out Anonymous members. They've put up this webpage. You can follow the latest via @YourAnonNews and AnonymousIRC or just #Anonymous or #AntiSec.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

I'll be busy the rest of the day, here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

I like the Giants (+3) (15 units.) Some late Pats money seems to be coming in.

Open Thread.

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.