As regular readers know, I am a strong advocate of Jack Balkin's theories of constitutional interpretation. Here he writes on the related idea of judicial activism. Well worth the read. See also Heather Gerken's response. I think Gerken's piece gets to it a bit better frankly. Both worth reading.

Here's a video:

This is an Open Thread.

I'm off to Aspen for the 2009 NORML Legal Seminar (that's me giving my talk in 2006.) Sad to say, not too much has changed since then, but at least some changes to our country's draconian drug laws are in the works. My topic this year: "High Hopes and Modest Expectations: Drug Law Reform under President Obama and a Democratic Congress." [More...]

NBA Finals start tonight. Here's a video:

This is an Open Thread.

BTD is in court today and I've got to make my powerpoint presentation for this weekend's NORML Aspen Legal Seminar. My topic: "High Hopes and Modest Expectations: Drug Law Reform under President Obama and a Democratic Congress." The rest of the agenda is here.

For lighter fare, here's Joe Biden at the beach. Yes, Obama looks better shirtless.

Update: Thanks to TChris, there will be some updates today, so do check back.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

As you can see, our blogging output has been enormous . . .

I have a court hearing tomorrow. Nothing more from me until sometime tomorrow night. There must be some sort of must see TV event to discuss no?

Anyway, here is a video:

This is an Open Thread.

Your turn.

This is an Open Thread.

BTD and I are both busy at work. The ACLU an update on the release of the Iraq detainee photos. There's also goings-on at the Gitmo trials.

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

What a difference a day makes. Susan Boyle was transported by ambulance today from her London hotel to a private health clinic, reportedly suffering exhaustion and some mental distress. [More...]

Your turn.

This is an Open Thread.

I'm sure there's lots to talk about. Since my earlier attempt at an open thread turned into one devoted to Britain's Got Talent, here's one for all other topics.

It's LA 9, Denver 7 at the commercial break. Update: Oh-Oh, LA up by 13 at half time. Update: Lakers crush the Nuggets. Oh well, there's always next year.

I only found out there was a game 10 minutes ago while I was barbecuing, which I've always been very afraid to do alone. Sure enough, the food was done, the flames were high, the grill was smoking and I turned it off, but the flame wouldn't go out.

After 5 minutes, I finally called the TL Kid (who usually does the grilling) to ask what to do, and he was at the Nuggets game. I'm sure he loved getting my distress call. He knew just what to do (turn the knob the other way to "off" -- I had it turned to "low".) An all grill dinner: Hamburger, vidalia onion, asparagus and mushroom caps. And I didn't have to call the Fire Department. (I bet they also are watching the game and would not have been thrilled to hear from me.)

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

I've never liked to stay at motels with ground level rooms and big windows that you enter from the outside.

Here's another reason not to stay at one: In Colorado Springs early this morning a deer charged through the window of a motel room, and went wild inside. The hotel guest had the foresight (and courage) to get him into the bathroom and then lock the door.

The panicked deer destroyed the toilet and flooded the room. The man says he's a maintenance worker for the hotel, so he'll have to repair the damage himself.

The deer was tranquilized and removed.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.