For those bored by Lincoln, FDR, Obama and "change you can believe in," here is an Open Thread.

Is it my imagination or is Valentines Day a bigger deal this year than in recent years? I think it's a bigger deal. There seems more attention to it, between the ads everywhere for gifts and flowers and magazines around the country promoting their "most eligible singles" issue. My theory as to why: Barack and Michelle Obama.

We haven't had a couple in the White House that represent romance in a long time. The inauguration showcased their warm and close relationship for all to see, and it's impossible not to be moved by it.

So, is romance back? I hope so because I'll have a post up in a few hours on tonight's Bachelor show on ABC with an interview I recently did of last season's Bachelorette winner, Colorado snowboarder Jesse Csinscak, and I'm looking for any way to make it not completely off-topic for TalkLeft. I'm probably the only interviewer who asked him who he voted for in November. (Yes, he answered.)

The interview probably won't generate many comments here, so I'm putting up an open thread now for all other topics.

Your turn.

This is an Open Thread.

Nadal breaks Federer's will in Australia.

The Super Bowl is tonight.

Some gasbags will be talking about stuff this morning.

This is an Open Thread.

The Washington Post reports criminal defense lawyers in Juarez, Mexico are shying away from taking drug cases, out of fear of being threatened and killed -- by their clients, the cartels or the Mexican military police.

Here's Johny Cash and Cocaine Blues, probably my favorite of his songs since it's one of just a few songs I can play on the guitar. The lyrics are great:

Early one mornin' while makin' the rounds
I took a shot of cocaine and I shot my woman down
I went right home and I went to bed I stuck that lovin' 44 beneath my head

Got up next morning and I grabbed that gun
took a shot of cocaine and away I run
Made a good run but I run too slow
they overtook me down in Juarez Mexico

More...

Via TBogg, conservative bloggers like Protein Wisdom (whose proprietor Jeff is a friend of mine) and LGF and many others who joined Pajamas Media got unwelcome news: PJ is letting the bloggers go from their advertising network. They are going to focus on Pajamas TV, aka internet video. Instapundit has more.

Here's the letter PJ sent to its blogger corps: [More....]

Teresa and I are focused on one thing - the big hoops game between the Vols and the Gators tonight in Knoxville. The rest of you probably are concerned with other matters.

This is an Open Thread.

Your turn/

This is an Open Thread.

Shockingly, I am with David Broder on something.

This is an Open Thread.

Your turn.

This is an Open Thread.

BTW, on the first of a series of votes in the House on the economic stimulus bill precisely ZERO Republicans are voting in favor.

I've been at work all day, and will be Wednesday as well. We have a new diary up by James TX on an interesting Kansas case involving the prosecution of a doctor who prescribed pain medication.

Nonpartisan has a diary on Wilmington, Delaware and the attempt to create a Green Zone for jobs.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Your turn.

This is an Open Thread.