The news today so far: Ford makes a billion in profits and Hamid Karzai has been declared the elected President in Afghanistan following his opponent's withdrawal from the race.

The Guantanamo detainees will be receiving the H1N1 swine flu vaccine. Some Republicans, like John Boehner, object.

Texting while driving? If someone is killed, you could do big time...in England. Death by Dangerous Driving carries 4 to 7 years. Bet it catches on here.

I'm off to court, here's an open thread for you, all topics welcome

Well, it's not quite nightfall, but I'm on my way out for the evening, so here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

Brett Favre returns to Lambeau today. The game is garnering a bit of attention. The Vikings lost a game they should have won last week. They beat the Pack in Minnesota earlier in the season. I think they are the better team. I like Favres (+3).

Philly and New York play a double header today. The Giants meet the Eagles at 1. And the Yankees play the Phillies tonight. In the football game, I like the Giants (-1). More . . .

It's the one night of the year we get to turn back time. Hope you make the most of your extra hour.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Who's staying home and turning out the lights, refusing to answer the door? Who's going trick or treating or to a costume party? [More...]

A lot of big games on the slate today. I will avoid the Halloween trick or treat cliches in my review and picks.

In Autzen, the Oregon Ducks host USC. Since the debacle in Boise, Oregon has won 6 straight in impressive fashion. USC has not been as impressive this season. USC is a 3 point favorite, a line that does not reflect the respective performances of the two teams and the Autzen home field advantage. I like the Ducks (+3).

Oklahoma State has a history of blowing big leads against Texas. The Cowboys host the Longhorns today in T. Boone Pickens Stadium. Texas is a 9.5 point favorite. Des Bryant is ineligible and headed for the NFL. I like Oklahoma State (+9.5). Texas' offense has not been as explosive this year. More . . .

Roman Polanski lost another round in his quest for bail in Switzerland. Further appeals are contemplated.

Following a three week preliminary hearing, Howard K. Stern, Anna Nicole Smith's boyfriend, has been ordered to stand trial on charges of illegally providing her with prescription drugs, providing drugs to an addict and conspiracy. Also facing trial: Dr. Sandeep Kapoor and Dr. Khristine Eroshevich.

Denver is having a beautiful day today, the streets are clear of snow and life is getting back to normal. I'm still at work and BTD is also busy, so here's an open thread for you, all topics welcome.

Over due blogging assignments - (1) post about preemption (over due by one year.) Status - Request for one month extension (promise to extend discussion into federalism and impact of health care reform. (2) Post on Afghanistan (0ver due one week.) - Status - draft is written but being improved. Request for one week extension (promise to include discussion of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's trip to Pakistan and Afghanistan.) (3) post about call with Senator Arlen Specter (over due by one day.) Status - Request for one day extension (post will discuss Supreme Court, antitrust law, Commerce Clause, and SCOTUS' deference to Congressional findings.)

This is an Open Thread.

It's still snowing. Three days straight now. We're getting buried:

Wind-whipped snows are roaring across the Eastern Plains this afternoon, creating blizzard conditions, forcing road and highway closures, including a 150 mile stretch of Interstate 70 from Denver to the Kansas line....the northbound lanes of Interstate 25 north from Wellington to the Wyoming state line remain closed....Snow totals reported to the weather service at about 1 p.m. today include: 38 inches in Evergreen; 37 inches in Genesee; 26 inches in Golden; and 24 inches in Littleton.

It's been great to have a snow day and stay home, but enough is enough. (Thanks to Skippy for making this graphic last year.) [Update below]

Busy day. Your turn.

This is an Open Thread.

Your turn.

This is an Open Thread.

This so should be a snow day for me. It's been snowing since midnight and anyone with any sense would be home watching it fall outside the window with a fire going, or at least inside a warm office. Not me though, I have to drive to the jail where I'll be most of the day.

Here's an open thread for you, all topics welcome.