One of the more amusing spectacles I have been following is how American Prospect writers continue to argue against Markos' book "American Taliban" without ever acknowledging that The American Prospect co-editor Robert Kuttner penned an article in the American Prospect titled, yep, "American Taliban."

"Intellectually honest", aren't they?

Open Thread.

I'm just getting back from work and there's a lot of TV about to start...from the Big Brother and Top Chef D.C. finales, to America's Next Top Model and the new Jimmy Smit law show "Outlaw" which got totally panned by USA today.

My prediction for Big Brother: It will be Hayden and Lane in the F2 and Hayden will win. Too bad for Brittany, her house in Arkansas burned down last night (in real life) and they aren't telling her until after the finale. I hope she at least wins the $50k viewer's favorite player award.

The 9th Circuit today reversed the arson related convictions of ELF activist Briana Waters. Waters was sentenced to 6 years. The case involved the firebombing of the offices of a Univ. of Washington researcher who ELF allegedly "mistakenly believed was genetically engineering poplar trees." Reason for reversal: The rulings of the judge and evidence introduced by the prosecutors rendered the trial unfair. The opinion is here.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

I have not thought about Richard Cohen for a while, but Balloon Juice mentioned his latest stupidity ("Terry Jones, As Right As John Brown") and it made me think of The Portent:

Hidden in the cap
Is the anguish none can draw;
So your future veils its face,
Shenandoah!

But the streaming beard is shown
(Weird John Brown),
The meteor of the war.

You think they will be writing poems about Terry Jones? Anyway, Frederick Douglass said of John Brown:

His zeal in the cause of my race was far greater than mine – it was as the burning sun to my taper light – mine was bounded by time, his stretched away to the boundless shores of eternity. I could live for the slave, but he could die for him.

You think someone is going to write something like that about Terry Jones? Maybe Richard Cohen.

Open Thread.

I'm finally done with court today, and about to watch the finale of the Bachelor Pad (even though I know who wins.) It should be fun to see what the pros from DWTS can do with them in such a short time.

Update: Congrats to Dave and Natalie. Of the two final pairs, they were my fave by miles. I've always liked Natalie, she has so much moxie and not an ounce of fake goody-two shoes-ness.(We also have the same birthday.) Dave really rehabilitated himself from his angry, psycho, over-macho performance on Jillian's season, something I never would have thought possible. I actually liked him on this show. [More...]

It's a beautiful day here, I'm headed out to enjoy it. I hope to be back for the "white carpet" at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

I was 5-6-1 last week. Here are my picks for today - Ga Tech (-14.5) over Kansas, South Carolina (-3) over Georgia, Florida (-16.5) over South Florida, Cal (-10) over Colorado, Notre Dame (-3.5) over Michigan, Miami (+8.5) over Ohio State, LSU (-10) over Vandy, Tennessee (+10) over Oregon, Washington (-13) over Syracuse, Penn State (+13) over Alabama, Stanford (-6.5) over UCLA, and UVA (+20.5) over USC, Also an EPL special - Chelsea over West Ham.

Go Gators!

Open Thread.

Open thread.

Big Brother is down to the Final Three. Anyone but Enzo please. Project Runway is also on. And a new Jersey Shore.

Is there any news besides Pastor Terry Jones today?

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Open Thread.

The Jewish High Holy Days begin at sunset with Rosh Hashanah, ushering in and celebrating a new year, 5771. They end in ten days, with Yom Kippur, a day of atonement and fasting, and a sunset "Break Fast" meal.

On the menu for many: Brisket, roast chicken, challah, matzo ball soup, gefilte fish, chopped liver and kugel. For dessert: sliced apples dipped in honey is traditional. And, of course, the blowing of the Shofar.

I have a brisket on the stove, it smells really good. Here's an overview of Rosh Hashanah's customs.

Update 7:54 pm MT: Shana Tova is the number #1 trending topic on Twitter. שנה טובה! A year of blessings, fulfillment, health and happiness to all.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Open thread.

Congrats to the Boise State Broncos who won a heartstopper last night in DC over the Virginia Tech Hokies, 33-30.

If I had a vote, the Broncs are #1 AND Kellen Moore is the Heisman Trophy winner. But that's this week. A long way to go yet.

Open Thread.