R.I.P. Richie Havens.

Federal defenders in Tsarnaev's case filed a motion this afternoon asking that two experienced death penalty lawyers be appointed as co-counsel with them. Federal law provides that in any case with the potential for the death penalty, the defendant is entitled to "learned counsel". Here's the motion. They cite the Jared Loughner and Eric Rudolph cases. Judy Clarke's phone must be ringing off the hook. (She represented both Loughner and Rudolph as well as the Unabomber -- and was also part of Zacarias Moussaoui's team.) If she'd agree, it would be the biggest break Tsarnaev could hope for. When it comes to saving a life, there's no one better. The New York Times had this profile of Judy in 2011 during her representation of Loughner. [More...]

I don't think I've read any news this week that's not related to the Boston bombings.

I'm turning my attention now to Nurse Jackie, the Good Wife and Celebrity Apprentice.

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

Update: Miami Herald reporter Carol Rosenberg is back at Guantanamo. The Pentagon now says 45 of the 166 detainees as on hunger strikes, 13 are on tube feeds, and two are hospitalized for observation. Follow her on Twitter, she posts frequent and accurate updates.

Those kids, they sure do "the darndest things." This story about a six year old who took the family car to get more chinese food from the restaurant his family had eaten at the night before, and made it three miles before being stopped by the cops, made me laugh.

Is force-feeding the hunger striking detainees at Guantanamo torture? The group Physicians for Human Rights says it is.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Militants in Somalia attack the Supreme Court. All 9 attackers, most wearing suicide vests, were killed, court was in session, and hostages were taken. These AP photos show a ravaged city and incredible poverty. A burning car, rescue efforts, a woman with a baby trying to get to safety, one of the injured clinging to the pants of the soldier trying to help him, a little girl and her brother running to safety.

In the random acts of violence department: In Long Beach, CA, a man goes to a 7-11 and a homeless man throws a flammable object in his car.
[More...]

It's a jail day for me, here's an open thread for you, all topics welcome.

Busy day. Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

Last 2 spots in in Champions League semis filled today. I like Barcelona -1½ over Paris Saint-Germain (5 units) (and to advance to the semis) and Juventus -½ (+190) over Bayern Munich (Bayern to advance to the semis). (I have Dortmund to win it all at 8-1 (made the investment before they advanced to the semis.))

Open Thread.

Jimmy Kimmel's latest threat to Germany to release Justin Bieber's monkey is pretty funny. So is Kid Rock who comes on at the end (and of course Guillermo in the middle blowing up a German chocolate cake.)

Why is the Voice so much better than American Idol? I think it's because the singers are more talented and memorable and the judges are better and much less scripted. They also have good chemistry with each other. New judges Shakira and Usher are more interesting than either Cee Lo Green or Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton is impossible not to like, and Adam Levine is so....earnest. Even Carson Daly is good in his role as hand-holder to the contestants' families backstage as they watch the performance. Or maybe it's just that the casting directors are better. Whatever, it's a the season is off to a great start. The blind auditions continue tonight.

On a more serious note, Reason TV has a video, "Tortured for Testimony: Anarchists Get Solitary Confinement for Not Snitching" about some young political activists/anarchists put in the hole at Seattle's federal detention center for refusing to comply with a grand jury subpoena ordering them to testify. Neither had been charged with a crime.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Early afternoon anyway.

Some investment advice - Louisville (-4) over Michigan, 6 units (+26 units for MM.) Soccer bonus - ManU pick over ManCity.

Open Thread.

There is college basketball today. My interest is purely investment related: Louisville (-10) (3 units), Michigan (-2) (5 units.)

31-23 ATS, +24 units for MM.

Open Thread.

I'll be offline for several hours. Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

Update: Forgot to mention, for those disappointed Richie Sambora won't be playing the upcoming leg of the tour with Bon Jovi, Phil X is filling in. He subbed for Richie in 2011 for a few months and is great. Here's a video. Bon Jovi's brother Matthew tweets the TMZ story about a feud is way off. No one has yet explained the "personal issues" involved, other than Sambora is clearly not in rehab. In Calgary, Bon Jovi told the audience he didn't know Richie wouldn't be coming until he got a phone call at 3:30 pm that day. He'll be missed, but it's still well worth keeping your tickets and seeing the show.

Again, this is an open thread, all topics welcome.

I'll be busy at work the rest of the day. Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.