The U.N. has authorized military strikes and imposed a "no fly zone" in Libya. Secretary of State Clinton said in Tunisia today.

"...that a no-fly zone would include "certain actions taken to protect the planes and the pilots, including bombing targets like the Libyan defense systems."

The U.S. is monitoring inbound flights from Japan for radiation. So far, there's no cause for concern. Also, the U.S. has chartered flights to evacuate family members of state department officials from the Northeast region of Japan. [More...]

Wisconsin marijuana activist Ben Masel is well known to readers of TalkLeft. He's been a frequent commenter here for many years.

I'm so sad to read this interview with Ben today, in the Wisconsin State Journal. Ben has terminal, stage IV lung cancer, that has "metastasized past a cure." Ben says the treatment plan has gone from "cure" to "contain."

Ben is undergoing radiation, and will start chemotherapy in May. He still plans on being in Denver in April for a NORML conference. I look forward to finally meeting him in person.

Our best thoughts go out to Ben. Feel free to leave him yours in comments.

It's a busy work day for me, here's an open thread for you, all topics welcome.

Here are my winning picks:

EAST 1st Round

(1) Ohio St (32-2)
(16) TexSA/AlaSt Ohio St

(8) George Mason (26-6)
(9) Villanova (21-11) George Mason

(5) W Virginia (20-11)
(12) UAB/Clem W Virginia

(4) Kentucky (25-8)
(13) Princeton (25-6) Kentucky

(6) Xavier (24-7)
(11) Marquette (20-14) Marquette

More one the flip . . .

Yoga classes are coming to the Pitkin County jail in Aspen.

The House today passed a spending bill to keep the Government going another three weeks.

Radiation fears are still rising in Japan.

What's on your news radar tonight? Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

Despite the weighty issues facing Japan, I'm going to watch the season finale of The Bachelor, followed by "After the Final Rose." which is not going to be all that rosey this year. If you want to know what happens, but don't want to watch, check my posts at PopLeft. Here's what you'll see tonight.

There's also a new Harry's Law.

Enjoy your evening, here's an open thread, all topic welcome.

So there are a lot of important stories going on right now. But none more important than my March Madness bracket.

No blogging today until I have it figured out. I may do some paying work as well.

Open Thread.

This weekend went by so fast. Maybe due to the great spring-like weather here.

I'm sure there's news besides what's happening in Japan, I just haven't checked yet. If you'd like to discuss something, here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead before going to bed. You may lose an hour of sleep, but you'll gain an hour of sunlight starting tomorrow.

Update: Too funny. Verizon i-Phones apparently are falling back an hour instead of springing forward. The fix (and again it's only Verizon iPhones): "Restart your device to fix the issue and get the clock back to normal."

Here's another open thread, all topics welcome.

March Madness! just around the corner.

Let's Go Gators!

Open Thread.

There are a lot of important political stories going on right now.

I'm on the sports opiate of the masses though. I'll be in SportsLeft mode for the time being, with the occasional repetitive "The Deal was a terrible mistake" post.

In that spirit, Go Gators!

Open Thread.

Open Thread.