After an impossibly intense period of work, I finally get a chance to dedicate some time to the relaunch of SportsLeft, which will start with a preview of the World Cup, which starts on June 11.

SI's Grant Wahl had a nice piece (can;t find it online) on what the "beautful game" means around the world. There are sports I enjoy more than association football (soccer), but the World Cup is indeed something special.

Open Thread.

Hearing over.

Some blogging by me to resume tomorrow.

Open Thread.

I've got a lot of work to get done today, and BTD is busy in hearings.

I don't think the Romanoff news is any big deal but Politico says it means Obama's political team is faltering.

I can't see the argument that the contacts were unethical or illegal. It's more of a perception problem, that Obama promised to end "politics as usual" practices and provide greater transparency, and this was just a typical back-door effort to exercise some muscle.

If Rahm Emanuael's testimony at the Rod Blagojevich trial, which I assume will include him answering questions about taped conversations replayed in court, is embarrassing, I wonder if he'll then announce his departure and return to Chicago. I think it's time. But given the Blago trial is expected to last four months, and he'd be a defense witness, his testimony is still a few months away.

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

I'm still in hearing mode.

Open Thread.

It's a dead TV night, so I'm going to test out new Apps for my iPad. I take it everywhere now. It's so much faster and easier to read and use than my iPhone, both on wi-fi and 3G. And the screen display is so awesome. Netflix movies and TV shows look incredible and reading is more enjoyable than on the Kindle. The Kindle syncs with the iPad, so I can pick up either one and access all my books. The battery lasts hours and hours.

For those of you online, here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

Hearing tomorrow. No time.

Hope your weekend was good.

Open Thread.

Atrocities continue in Afghanistan, here's an awful report of child brides forced to marry older men. Two run away, are caught, returned to the home village where they are publicly flogged with 40 lashes. It was videotaped, and the videos were released today by human rights groups.

A video going viral on You Tube tells the story of a two year old in Indonesia who smokes 40 cigarettes a day. His parents say he's addicted and won't stop. Story here.

Here's an interesting report on why the Vietnamese resist drug treatment.

The Gulf oil spill is likely to continue until August.

The damage to the shorelines of Gulf states such as Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida is literally only the surface of the problem: The damage to the sea floor could be extensive, and oil could also devastate marine life between the Gulf floor and its surface, as well as in coastal areas far from the leaking wellhead.

There's a new "Breaking Bad" tonight on AMC.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Travel day for me.

Open Thread.

Update (TL): Who's barbecuing today? What are you cooking? I'm making something called Margharita Flank Steak with Enchiladas and tomatillo guacamole. The marinade is equal parts fresh lime juice, orange juice, tequila and brown sugar with a half teaspoon of salt. The "enchiladas" are flour tortillas filled with black beans, goat cheese, chicken broth, chopped red onion and garlic, topped with shredded monterey jack and baked. (I would think that makes them more like a quesedilla but whatever.) How its served: the guacamole goes on the plate first, topped by the enchilada, then topped by slices of the flank steak, and finally topped with sour cream. Hope this isn't a big failure. What are you cooking?

Another threat to our right to privacy is looming, courtesy of Sen. Charles Schumer who has teamed up with Republican John Cornyn.

What's it this time? He thinks people who buy pre-paid phones are either terrorists or drug dealers and has introduced a bill to prevent you from buying one without providing ID. And, the seller would have to keep your info for 18 months.

There are a lot of reasons to buy pre-paid phones. Reporters talking to sources, spouses who want some privacy, people with bad credit who can't get a contract.

Does anonymity have a legitimate social value? “There has to be a little bit of a safety valve for whistle-blowers and battered spouses who want to get off the grid,” said Jim Dempsey of the Center for Democracy and Technology, a civil liberties organization.

What's next? We can't pay for things in cash without providing our names? I won't even answer a question about my zip code, let alone give my name, if I'm buying something with cash. Stores just want to get you in their database anyway they can.

And if you think law enforcement isn't looking at you, think again. [More...]

Open Thread.

More thread.

I'm still in a busy period but next week will be better.

However, my free time will be devoted to a relaunch of SportsLeft to coincide with the World Cup, the NBA Finals and Wimbledon. I also will be doing some previewing of the Tour de France

The next big political event for me will be the Kagan hearings, scheduled to begin June 28. For me at least (not sure how J is doing schedule wise), political blogging will be light until then.

Open Thread.