I won't be blogging until Christmas Day or after, but I did want to note:

• Congrats to Joe Tacopina who got an acquittal for actor Lillo Brancato on second degree murder and burglary charges (Background here.) Brancato won't go free immediately, he was convicted of attempted burglary and faces a 3 to 15 year sentence on the count. But he's been in jail awaiting trial for 3 years, so he'll get credit for that against any sentence imposed. More news on the verdicts here and here.

And wires, wires, everywhere.

• The Washington Post explores the secret tapes used against Rod Blagojevich.

• Also in WaPo, the FBI's wiring of a peasant Afghan farmer to convict a member of the Taliban in U.S. criminal courts of "narco-terrorism."

I'll be back in a few days, BTD and TChris will be posting as their schedules permit. This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Former major leaguer Doug Glanville, who played winter ball there in the 90s, pens an ode to Puerto Rico in the NY Times today. It's a nice piece.

This is an Open Thread.

It's warm in Florida. I think I'll stay here for a few days.

This is an Open Thread.

It's cold in New York. I'm going to Florida today. J is not available today. Hopefully, TChris will be.

Corrente is organizing house party discussions on health care. Health care geeks are encouraged to add their thoughts to the discussion.

From the TalkLeft diaries, lilburro is still on the torture beat, discussing Biden's statements on prosecutions. Dalton Hoffine, like me, does not think much of "experience" in politics. Jacob Freeze finds some humor in the "oversight" of the TARP bailout.

This is an Open Thread.

It's too sunny to stay at the computer today, so here's an open thread for you. I'll be back tonight.

With Christmas shopping out of the way (except for those who truly wait until the last minute), shopping online is still worthwhile for great deals on things to buy ourselves.

Amazon is having a blow-out on boxed DVD sets. See, Great Deals on DVD boxed sets. There are 800 DVD Boxed Sets up to 60% Off. From The Wire: The Complete Series in one set to pre-ordering 24 - Season Seven.

Another good one: Amazon's Electronics Sale. From tv's to cameras to blue ray.

There are also big sales on books

What great deals have you found today?

I'll be out most of the day. We're expecting a huge freeze tonight for the rest of the weekend so I'm going to stock up on necessities in case I decide to hibernate.

What are you up to? Christmas shopping, or something fun?

A snowstorm is expected here in New York. How's the weather where you are? This is an Open Thread.

BTW, Franken moves into the lead in the Minnesota Senate race.

Voting is still open in the ABA Journal's top 100 law blogs for 2008. TalkLeft was fortunate to be nominated for the second year in a row. We were ahead a few weeks ago, but we've fallen behind.

It takes less than five seconds to vote, so if you enjoy Talkleft, please go here and vote for us.

Thanks, everyone! And this is an open thread.

I agree with every word of this Glenn Greenwald piece. I have nothing to add to it except to say I wish I had written it.

This is an Open Thread.

Not much news to report this evening. It's all Blagojevich, Caroline and stories we've been talking about for days. The Illinois Supreme Court won't remove the Governor; Caroline toured upstate NY.

Chrysler has shut down production of cars for a month; Bernie Madoff got better bond conditions today with a condition of home detention -- at night only; Attorney General Mukasey recused himself from Madoff's case because his son, a lawyer with Bracewell and Giuliani (yes that Giuliani) is representing a Madoff exec; and Madoff's wife Ruth may be under investigation.

Former Soprano's actor Lillo Brancato's jury is deliberating his fate on felony murder charges -- they asked to review evidence this afternoon; Georgia legislators push to eliminate the jury unanimity requirement in death penalty cases.

Obama has picked Pastor Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his inauguration.

If there's something you'd like to talk about, here's a place.

lilburro offers us two more diaries on the intelligence community and the Obama Administration. Jacob Freeze questions our silence regarding the wiretapping of two Democratic governors by an unreliable Bush Justice Department.

This is an Open Thread.