Is anyone watching the Country Music Awards? Taylor Swift gave an impressive opening performance. It's a strikingly all white audience. Carrie Underwood sings well, but she has the personality of a piece of furniture. Other than America's Next Top Model, I don't see much else to watch. I'll probably only tune in for Keith Urban, Sugarland and Kenny Chesney.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Today is Veterans Day. The AFL-CIO Veterans Council provides these thoughts:

[. . .] While we take the time on Veterans Day of 2009 to reflect upon and honor the courage and sacrifice shown by our veterans as they continue the fight to defend liberty and freedom against those that seek our demise, I would urge all Americans, and especially all American policymakers, to similarly take heart of the particular plight of the veteran community during this time of extreme economic hardship in America. Today, figures from the U.S. Department of Labor show that the unemployment rate among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans stands at 11.3%, which is significantly above the overall rate of 9.8% for the nation as a whole. Approximately 185,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are out of work. [More. . .]

The second episode of "V" is on ABC tonight. I bet The Biggest Loser's ratings go down the first hour. Then, it's DWTS with results from last night's competition. I hope Kelly Osborne and Donnie Osmond and Joanna stay. Why Joanna? Because I like her partner Derek. I don't care about Mia or Aaron. I don't even know who they are or why they qualify as "stars" and I've watched every episode.

Same-sex marriage suffered a setback in NY today. Watch out for free wi-fi. President Obama is weighing 4 options for Afghanistan. Bill Clinton is urging Dems to pass the health care bill.

That's all I've got tonight, so here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

You're on your own for a little while. This is an Open Thread.

Update (TL): I was at the pharmacy a few minutes ago to get some prescription eyedrops and they had a big sign for the Shingles vaccine. I decided to get it. Shingles is a risk for older people who had chickenpox when young, and it is an ugly, painful recurring disease. The vaccine costs $220.00, but Anthem/BCBS paid for the whole thing. Just another reason I hope my policy is still available and affordable next year. The pharmacist also told me he got an email this morning that previous restrictions in Colorado on the Swine Flu vaccine have been lifted, and it will be available to all, not just those in high risk categories.

I watched the opening episode of "V" yesterday, it's pretty far out there. Some are linking it to the "hope and changers" that followed President Obama last year. Others say that's silly. The show denies it, saying it's just about blind devotion. If you haven't seen it, you can watch online for free here.

I'm watching DWTS tonight. Here's an open thread for you, all topics welcome.

Your turn.

This is an Open Thread.

Busy day.

This is an Open Thread.

I am leaving health care behind to begin my outline on challenging the Government's expanded use of electronic surveillance in drug cases, for the NORML Key West legal seminar, which is just around the corner (Dec. 3-5.) My title: "Snoopy's New Tricks: Getting Around the 4th Amendment and Title III in Drug Cases." If you're a defense lawyer and would like to join us, there's still time to sign up. (Even the TL kid is attending this year.)

I trust there are things going on the world (besides health care and football) to discuss, so here's a place to do so.

This morning:

LIEBERMAN: If the public option plan is in there, as a matter of conscience, I will not allow this bill to come to a final vote [. . .]

The why Lieberman gives is irrelevant. The fact that he will filibuster is what people need to deal with. Time for reconciliation.

Speaking for me only

Dallas travels to the Iggles tonight. Philly is a 3 point fav. I like the Birds (-3).

The Giants have lost 3 straight and looked awful in each game. They host the Chargers today. I like the Giants (-5) to snap out of it.

The Bears host Arizona. Both of these have been impossible to fathom. I'll take the Bears (-2.5) at home. More . . .

But if you try sometime....

Lots of unhappy folks out there tonight, and lots of politicians thumping their own chests. The reality, as usual, probably lies somewhere in the middle.

After 6 hours of watching C-Span, I'm signing off for the evening. This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

The biggest game of the day will be played in Tuscaloosa where the Crimson Tide host LSU. Remarkably, LSU has won the last 4 played in Tuscaloosa. Yet Alabama is a 7.5 point favorite. I like the Tigers (+7.5).

Ohio State travels to Happy Valley to face Penn State. Terrelle Pryor, the Ohio State QB is from Pennsylvania. Ohio State still controls its destiny in the Big Ten, facing Iowa next week at the Horseshoe. The thing is . . . Ohio State just is not very good this year. I like Penn State (-5.5). More . . .