I know we are supposed to be making fun of the Tea Party thing, and they are significantly compromised by being so associated with the Republican Party, but I have to give credit for citizens getting involved in the debate. Sure it's forwarded by GOP astroturfing, and it would be silly to ascribe any political significance to it (after all, even under the most generous estimates, the nationwide totals will be around 20,000 "protesters" (who voted for Republicans in the 2008 election) in a country of 300 million), but I can not bring myself to ridicule folks who are arguing for their viewpoint.

This is an Open Thread.

What's as dreaded as going to the dentist? How about the moment before you open your tax return after getting it back from the accountant and finding out how much money you owe?

American Idol begins here in just a few moments. Dancing With the Stars (elimination night) and Biggest Loser (makeover night) should also be good.

What's on your agenda or mind this evening?

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Is anyone besides me watching Dancing With the Stars or "24" tonight? If not, what are you watching?

This is an open thread.

While I recognize Tiger is the greatest golfer of all time and I root for Lefty, could CBS' coverage of the Masters have been more embarrassingly fawning yesterday? Tiger never really had even an outside shot to win and after Mickleson took a 5 at the 12th, he was pretty much done too. There were 3 guys well ahead of them and it seemed as if CBS was rooting for them to fail. Really bad broadcasting. In the end, it was an anticlimactic finish, as Kenny Perry kicked away a 2 shot lead with 2 to play and Cabrera basically parred his way to victory. Pretty lousy tourney overall.

This is an Open Thread.

What's on your menu today? Martha Stewart is cooking:

Ham from costco,lemon meringue pie,rack of lamb,scalloped potatoes,artichokes,asparagus etc.

Why Costco hams? Martha tweets:

Hams are antibiotic free,lightly smoked over applewood-very similar in taste to the good old Kurowycky hams no longer made

I'm not a ham eater or a vegetarian (although I made Kitchari today (split moong beans and basmati rice -- with tumeric, cinnamon sticks, cardomon pods, bay leaves, cloves, cilantro and ginger heated in ghee).

What do vegetarians eat on Easter? Check out Vegan Soul Power by a vegan law student --it's filled with great photos and what looks like good recipes.

Here's an open thread. What's the best thing you cooked or ate today? Or, talk about something else, your choice.

Someone is on TV talking about politics. I regret to say I do not know who. And now for something completely different - the Obamas get a dog:

The first family has settled on a first pet -- a 6-month-old Portuguese water dog that the Obama girls are naming Bo. The selection was one of the White House's most tightly kept secrets. President Barack Obama's daughters, 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha, picked a black and white pup, a White House official speaking on the condition of anonymity told The Associated Press Saturday night. The dog is a gift from Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., who owns several Portuguese water dogs himself.

(Emphasis supplied.) Happy Easter to the observant.

Tiger double bogied the first hole today in the third round of The Masters. You can watch the play at Amen Corner and 15 and 16 at the link. TV coverage starts at 3:30 pm EST.

This is an Open Thread.

.... maybe you were kidnapped,
Tied-up, taken away, and held for ransom

That's me today only thankfully, unlike Captain Phillips, I'm imprisoned only by motions and tax return deadlines.

Anyone remember Grand Funk Railroad and "I'm Your Captain"? A better version is available here. (link got truncated, now fixed.)

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

The Masters started today. All eyes on Tiger. I root for the Spanish brat, Sergio. And Lefty. But watching Tiger is watching the greatest golfer of all time and it is not even close (Nicklaus comes next on longevity grounds, Hogan on peak performance in '53.)

This is an Open Thread.

I'm still drowning in wiretaps -- motions are due tomorrow. There are 20 plus defendants, 33 phones tapped, innumerable pen registers, trash searches, residence searches, computer searches, controlled buys and snitches -- and companion cases in two California districts. The TL kid's firm is also in the case so he's awash in them as well. But, he had time to win a trial today. He and another lawyer in his firm tried a double refusal DUI and the jury convicted only of careless driving, sparing their hero of a mandatory jail term due to priors. The TL kid did voir dire, opening and the direct examination of their hero. His associate cross-examined the cop and did the closing. The jury was out two hours. So, while even I don't have sympathy for their hero, congrats to the TL kid.

I'm going to take an hour off to watch American Idol and then get back to motions.

What are you watching or thinking about tonight?

I hope you can't go blind from reading 3,000 pages of wiretap affidavits in 48 hours. I still have 600 pages to go. 33 phone lines tapped in one case, what a monster.

Here's an open thread for those of you who are spending your Sunday in a more pleasurable way.

We're hunkering down for another huge snowstorm expected in a few hours.

There's no motive yet in the Binghamton, NY killings today.

President Obama is ready to lift travel and money transfer restrictions to Cuba.

The president has authority to loosen the restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba on his own. The new rules will affect an estimated 1.5 million Americans who have family members in Cuba. Other Americans are allowed to travel to Cuba but only if they qualify through particular cultural, educational and other programs.

Madonna's adoption application was denied by a Malawi judge today, she will appeal.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.