Mobile Alabama Criminal Defense Attorney Domingo Soto Homepage and Blog

Boating Conditions

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HARPER'S INDEX
Yes, I confess. Back when I had a subscription to Harper's, I would immediately turn to the Index and probably not much more in the magazine. Here is a compilation of the most recent Indexes.
(JEZEBEL)

JON STEWART SHOW IS LIKE O'REILLY
A journalism think tank studying The Daily Show doesn't believe many people get their news from Jon Stewart — because otherwise they wouldn't get the jokes. The Project for Excellence in Journalism also said it was surprised at how much the Comedy Central late-night program resembles The O'Reilly Factor,Hardball and other cable news shows in content.
(AP, unearthed by Media Bistro)

WHAT KIDS TEACH US
Carlos lives with his mom. I was miffed at him the other day because he hadn't called me in a few days. When he came over for the weekend I was so happy to see him that I let it go. But that night when we were having a quiet moment, I thought about it. I reminded him that I worry about him, that it hurts my feelings when he takes me for granted, and that he's old enough to take responsibility for letting me know he's okay.
And then I told him that if he was "ever, ever lucky enough to have children" he'd know what it really means to love someone and how important a child is to a parent. "You'll also have a lot of regrets about things you did or didn't do and you'll miss me. But know, this, I love you with all my heart and nothing that you do can change that," I told him.
He had tears in his eyes and apologized. I assured him that everything was okay, that I wasn't nagging and that It really was a sincere effort by me to let him know that everything was okay between us, that I was proud of him, that I loved him tremendously, that everyone makes the same mistakes and has the same regrets and that what I wanted him to know was what kids teach us - true, full, real love.

ASIAN NOSE SURGERY, ANYONE?
So, this ad for "Asian Nose Surgery" shows up on my google mail page. "Hmmmm," I wonder, "do people in Beverly Hills want Asian noses or is it a service for Asians?"

WILL THE REAL POLLYANNA PLEASE STAND UP?
Days or weeks into the war, commentators and reporters made premature declarations of victory, offered predictions about lasting political effects and called on the critics of the war to apologize.
(FAIR)

AUSSIES ARE BI
Are Australians bi-aural or merely ambi-dextrous? According to government statistics, Australia has more cell phones than people.
(USA TODAY, unearthed by Media Bistro)

POLITICAL PUNDIT POLL
So, what the hell do the British know about us? Well, for one thing, England's The Daily Telegraph thinks it knows who the top political pundits are. "These are the people who make voters sit up and take notice. They are the ones who political candidates and campaigns are constantly seeking to woo and influence. They include television presenters, newspaper columnists, bloggers and talking heads," they claim. See if you agree.

ALSO CHECK OUT THEIR LIST OF LIBERAL AND CONSERVATIVE LEADERS

(THE DAILY TELEGRAPH, unearthed by Media Bistro)

NOT-SO NOBEL
In 2003, the Nobel Prize for Medicine went to the breakthrough field of diagnostic MRI scanning. It was shared by two scientists. The exclusion of one of the developers of the MRI as the third co-recipient of the Nobel has sparked talk of the possibility of a link between his exclusion and his views on creationism.
(ANWERSINGENESIS, unearthed by Tommy Bealle)

ROLE REVERSAL: TUBING BILL
As NBC News political director Chuck Todd sees it, none has gotten burned by this new-media phenomenon quite like former President Bill Clinton. "It's fascinating: Nobody's been a bigger victim of the so-called YouTube moments than Bill Clinton," Todd said. "I think Bill Clinton was woefully unprepared for 21st century media."
(B&C, unearthed by Newser)

AN ANECDOTAL HISTORY OF CAMPAIGN FLUBS
Hillary has her Bosnia comment. Obama has guns, religion and Wright. Add these to the long list of campaign gaffs.
(CQ POLITICS)

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING BEN STEIN?
I've been wondering how a bright guy like Ben Stein could have gotten himself involved in something like a "documentary" about Creationism - oops, I mean "Intelligent design. I ran into THIS NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE surrounding the making of the movie and also a reference to this Expelled/Exposed a site which is an attack on the movie. According to the site's promo they "show you why this movie is not a documentary at all, but anti-science propaganda aimed at creating the appearance of controversy where there is none."
(NEW YORK TIMES & EXPELLED EXPOSED)

WHAT THE HELL IS SHE THINKING?
Hillary Clinton will appear Thursday, April 17 on the Stephen Colbert show. What the hell is she thinking? Set your Tivos. This will be a television moment.

MCCAIN'S INTEGRITY
In a rather oblique way, my son Carlos is named after Eugene Debs (CLICK HERE FOR THAT STORY), a historical personage I hold in high regard. I came to admire him after reading the biography The Bending Cross not only because of his supposed great oratorical skills and principled positions but because he managed to avoid becoming the thing he was fighting. He treated an antithetical opposition with respect and dignity, even after the point of being incarcerated for his beliefs.
I was reminded of his example in this Slate article about John McCain that was sent to me by John Furman. It's worth a read and might fill you with hope that no matter who wins we might get someone in the White House who is worth a damn.
Here's a passage from that article:

And then, for maybe the third time that morning, McCain spoke of how it affected him when Udall took him in hand. It was a simple act of affection and admiration, and for that reason it meant all the more to McCain. It was one man saying to another, We disagree in politics but not in life. It was one man saying to another, party political differences cut only so deep. Having made that step, they found much to agree upon and many useful ways to work together. This is the reason McCain keeps coming to see Udall even after Udall has lost his last shred of political influence. The politics were never all that important.
(SLATE, unearthed by John Furman)

FIRST LADY TO GUEST HOST
Laura Bush will co-host the 9am hour of the Today Show next Tuesday, April 22, joined by her daughter, Jenna Bush during the program. According to the program's spokesperson, Bush will be involved in all aspects of the show, from interviewing guests to participating in segments. She will also give a special look at her new children's book, Read All About It!
(MEDIA BISTRO)