Snow, wind and jail visits, that was my day.

Here's an open thread while I catch up on ISIS and the Russian plane crash news and El Chapo non-news. I missed last night's debate, but from what I heard on the car radio, I didn't miss much.

A special thanks to all our veterans. Even though I'm against war and big military spending, I appreciate their sacrifice and thank them for their protecting our country.

All topics welcome.

Open Thread.

Flooding the zone:

California @ Oregon -3, Arizona +20 @ USC, Navy @ Memphis -7, Iowa State @ Oklahoma -24 (4 units), UCLA @ Oregon State +18, Connecticut @ Tulane +7, South Carolina +18 @ Tennessee, Army +17 @ Air Force, Cincinnati @ Houston -9, Iowa -7 @ Indiana, Arizona State @ Washington State -2, TCU @ Oklahoma State +6, Arkansas +11 @ Mississippi, Wisconsin -10 @ Maryland, Florida State +11 (3 units) @ Clemson, Stanford @ Colorado +17, North Carolina State -3 @ Boston College, Syracuse +14 @ Louisville, Central Florida @ Tulsa -17, Illinois @ , Penn State Pick (3 units) @ Northwestern, Duke @ North Carolina -7 (4 units), Vanderbilt +22 @ Florida, Texas Tech +8 @ West Virginia, Notre Dame @ Pittsburgh +10 (3 units), Kentucky +16 @ Georgia, Florida Atlantic @ Western Kentucky -24, Charlotte @ Florida International -17.

Go Gators!

Open Thread.

I'm mostly following ISIS and El Chapo in my spare time. On the plane crash:

Egypt and Russia say no one has shared information with them showing a bomb brought down the metrojet.

From Charlie Winter in the Guardian, urging caution, but nonetheless expounding on what it would mean if ISIS did down the plane. Shorter version: Move over al Qaida, you're no match for ISIS.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

It's Election day. Don't forget to vote.

Ahmed Chalabi, who urged the U.S. to invade Iraq, has died of a heart attack.

In other news, Rafael Amaya-Nunez, lead actor of Senor de los Cielos, apparently took his role too much to heart last week. He was admitted to the hospital for a drug overdose. Telemundo and his office did not deny the report. After several hours in intensive care, he was able to move around and recovered. He's now on a well-deserved vacation, according to Telemundo.

Season 4 has been filming for a few months, and is almost done. There will be a season 5 as well. I just wish they wouldn't kill off so many good characters. (My recap of Season 3 is here. I describe Season 1 here.)

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Russia now says the plane that crashed in Egypt broke apart high in the air. A bomb on board? ISIS still maintains it caused the plane to crash but it hasn't said how.

The plane was in good shape. Metrojet Deputy Director Alexander Smirnov, ruled out engine failure:

"An engine failure doesn't lead to catastrophe," he said on television. Smirnov described the A321 as a reliable aircraft that would not fall into a spin even if the pilots made a grave error because automatic systems correct crew mistakes.

Air France, Dubai-based Emirates and Qatar Airways have suspended flights in the area. Would they do that if they thought it likely the plane crashed because of a technical problem?

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

It's WLOCP Day! The picks:

Notre Dame @ Temple +11 (3 units), Tennessee @ Kentucky +9 (3 units), Miami Florida +14 (3 units) @ Duke, Texas -4 (3 units) @ Iowa State, Michigan @ Minnesota +14(3 units), Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech +3 (3 units), Georgia +3 (3 units) vs Florida (In Jacksonville), USC -4 (4 units) @ California, South Florida @ Navy -7, Illinois +7 @ Penn State, Nebraska @ Purdue +8.

Go Gators!

Our last open thread is full. Here's a new one, all topics welcome.

Another beautiful day in Colorado, here's the western view from my balcony. (larger version here and here.)

[More...]

A flat tire and the dentist, all in one day.

I'm working on an El Chapo post, here's a new open thread, all topics welcome.

Here's a new open thread, all topics welcome.

After my historic debacle last week, I've had to mortgage the house, break my 401(K), sell my stocks and break my piggy bank. But hope springs eternal and really, do my daughters REALLY need to go to college? The picks, with a little bit of analysis of the 4 biggest games:

Michigan (-7) over Michigan State. There was never a doubt, not even a little bit, that Harbaugh would have Michigan back on top. The surprise is that he's doing it this fast. Michigan' talent level is not as good as the other major powers, though it probably is equal to Michigan State's (certainly not Ohio State.) But Michigan a 7 point favorite over MSU? Feels like too much in a rivalry game. But Sagarin rates Michigna 18 points better than MSU. And the game is in Ann Arbor. Can't ignore the numbers.

Alabama (-4) 4 units over Texas A&M. Every year people stat the season remembering how good Saban is. Then he has an early struggle or loss an they seem to forget. Bama always improves a lot during the season. They are doing so now. Yes the game is in College Station but by November this game would have a double digit line. Good opportunity here imo.

LSU -7 over Florida. Obviously I'm rooting for a different result. But this is a tough matchup for Florida who can;t match LSU's depth. A Saturday night in Baton Rouge is almost impossible when you have the better team. Here Florid probably does not. Even with Will Grier at QB (he's suspended for the season), probably would not. I expect good things from Treon Harris, Florida's replacement for Grier - he has the experiene and the talent to do well. But Heisman winner to be Leonard Fournette wil b too much for my Gators.

But Go Gators!

More on the flip,