Today is the last day for voting in the Weblog Awards. We are just barely ahead after dropping behind for a while, so if you haven't used your last vote yet, head on over and make a stand for morons everywhere. Polls are supposed to close at 5pm Eastern.

Posted by: Gabriel Malor at 05:19 AM | Comments (47)
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This one’s even more egregious than the previous ones since it involves a public elementary school in Chicago. In this case we get “sky art” wherein the kids lay down on the playground in various colored clothes to form a mosaic of Him. (PBUH) Note the biting analysis and secular skepticism of the reporter covering the story. It’s good to see the media performing their self-appointed role as watchdog/decider/pimp.

Found this at the blog of talk show host Dori Monson.

Whatever happened to the separation of cult and state?

Posted by: Open Blog at 07:24 PM | Comments (95)
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We are behind now and losing ground. Folks have suggested embedding the poll here, but the problem is the way the blog software loads the stuff below the fold even before you click on the "Continue Reading" link.

To avoid grinding the HQ and the Wizbang Awards to a halt, I embedded it in a post that's not on the main page. If you're having trouble getting the poll to load at the link above, try here instead. It seems to be a little faster. NEVERMIND. I swear that was working ten minutes ago. You'll just hafta wait for it to load at the top link above.

Your votes are appreciated.

Posted by: Gabriel Malor at 06:55 PM | Comments (94)
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See, the failing car-maker originally wanted $7 billion, but only got $4. Fortunately, Treasury is happy to accommodate:

Chrysler is the only one among Detroit's Big Three automakers seeking immediate additional aid. General Motors Corp. said it had no plans to seek more aid beyond the $13.4 billion the U.S. Treasury Department is loaning it from the $700 billion Wall Street rescue fund, known as the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP.

Ford Motor Co. said Sunday that it would not seek a $9 billion line of credit as planned because the company was satisfied that it would receive government help if auto sales weaken substantially this year.

"All the mechanisms are in place that if (the economy) really degraded, then we'd be able to ask for help, but right now we have no plan to do that," Ford CEO Alan Mulally told The Detroit News on Sunday.

Treasury says the deal might be finished by Friday. The Chrysler folks say they might not make it to March 31 without it.

In related news, Obama wants the other half of the TARP funds authorized as "ammunition" to use on the economy.

Posted by: Gabriel Malor at 05:49 PM | Comments (56)
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I heard about this on NPR on the way home (note: fuck youÂ…someone snapped the antenna off of my truck and until I get it replaced, thatÂ’s about the only news I can get on the journey to and from work).

Now that weÂ’ve established all this good will, Crayon Physics bills itself as follows:

”Crayon Physics Deluxe is a 2D physics puzzle / sandbox game, in which you get to experience what it would be like if your drawings would be magically transformed into real physical objects. Solve puzzles with your artistic vision and creative use of physics.”

Q & A: In the first comment, CoolCzech asks the following question: Does this mean we can have flesh tone crayons back, so little white kids can draw pictures of themselves again that don't look like they're albino?

CoolCzech is an obvious racist for asking that question. I know this because I listen to NPR. I mean, really, what the hell do you have against albinos (or to use the more appropriate term: The Pigmentally-Challenged.)?

Posted by: Open Blog at 05:35 PM | Comments (40)
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Cry me a river:

A senior federal prosecutor who has worked on a wide variety of cases along the border said that the focus on relatively simple immigration prosecutions was eroding morale at United States attorney offices.

"A lot of the guys I work with did nothing but the most complex cases — taking down multigenerational crime families, international crime, drug trafficking syndicates — you know, big fish," said the prosecutor, who did not want to be identified as criticizing the department he works for. "Now these folks are dealing with these improper entry and illegal reentry cases." He added, "It's demoralizing for them, and us."

Just so I'm clear on what you're saying, Mr. Anonymous: you're too damned good to do your job? You think your legal prowess is so vasty-powerful that it hurts your fee-fees to do the simple tasks which your bosses set for you? Welcome to the real world.

But while we're on the topic of "Things that Genuinely Demoralize", we're behind by a few votes now.

Posted by: Gabriel Malor at 05:01 PM | Comments (51)
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And the usual clowns are in attendance.

No further commentary is necessary. If a picture is worth a thousand words, what I linked reads like a novel.

I will say this, though. How Zombie can go to these things and remain sane is beyond me.

Update: Don't forget to vote!

Posted by: Open Blog at 02:29 PM | Comments (106)
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Rickey Henderson was a no doubter for the Hall and for Jim Rice it's about damn time.

Rickey Henderson sped his way into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot Monday, and Jim Rice made it in on his 15th and final try.

Henderson, baseball's career leader in runs scored and stolen bases, received 94.8 percent of the vote from the Baseball Writers' Association of America, well above the 75 percent needed.

Rice, among baseball's most feared hitters in the late 1970s and early 1980s, got 76.4 percent of the vote after falling just shy with 72.2 percent last year.

"The only thing I can say is I'm glad it's over with," Rice said. "I'm in there and they can't take it away."

The undisputed standard for leadoff hitters, Henderson became the 44th player elected in his first year of eligibility. Rice was only the third elected by the BBWAA in his final year, joining Red Ruffing (1967) and Ralph Kiner (1975).

The pair will be inducted into the Hall during ceremonies on July 26 in Cooperstown, N.Y. Former Yankees and Indians second baseman Joe Gordon, elected posthumously last month by the Veterans Committee, will also be inducted.

"I feel great about it. It's been a long time coming," said Henderson, who wanted to be a football star before excelling in pro baseball. "I was nervous, waiting."

Odds makers in Vegas have set the over/under on Henderson referring to himself in the third person during his induction speech at 27. I'm taking the over.

How many days until pitchers and catchers?

And while we're talking about balloting, don't forget to vote for Ace in the Weblog Awards.

Posted by: DrewM at 01:11 PM | Comments (62)
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Blago, you magnificent bastard!

Harry "Profile in Courage" Reid has backed down and will seat Roland Burris as Barack Obama's replacement in the Senate.

"Barring objections from Senate Republicans, we expect Senator-designee Burris to be sworn in and formally seated later this week," said a joint statement from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin.

The Senate Democratic Leaders had told Burris last week that he needed to testify before the Illinois House impeachment committee about his relationship with Gov. Rod Blagojevich and submit a signature from Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White certifying his appointment by Blagojevich.

"We have spoken to Mr. Burris to let him know that he is now the Senator-designate from Illinois and as such, will be accorded all the rights and privileges of a Senator-elect," said the joint statement.

Reid and Durbin are singing a very tune today than they were all of two weeks ago. Remember this?

...We say this without prejudice toward Roland BurrisÂ’s ability, and we respect his years of public service. But this is not about Mr. Burris; it is about the integrity of a governor accused of attempting to sell this United States Senate seat. Under these circumstances, anyone appointed by Gov. Blagojevich cannot be an effective representative of the people of Illinois and, as we have said, will not be seated by the Democratic Caucus.

Harry shot his big mouth off and wound up hitting himself in the foot. Well played Senator, well played.

Rod Blagojevich 1-Harry Reid 0.

Posted by: DrewM at 12:31 PM | Comments (63)
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I'm at the airport now, heading West. Flight's at 3:55. I was supposed to go yesterday so it wouldn't interfere with work, but I changed the flight so I could see the Giants game.

That was a tremendously awesome choice on my part. I've never been more thrilled by my team's performance, grit, and composure. It was the best $60 I've ever spent.

So, while I'm here for a bit, I won't be for long.

Posted by: Ace at 11:05 AM | Comments (48)
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