In its continuing desperate attempt for attention, the NHL has actually hit on something cool...an annual New Year's Day game outside. Last year it was in the snow and ice in Buffalo. This year they've put a rink in Wrigley Field for a game between two Original Six teams...The Chicago Blackhawks and The Detroit Red Wings on NBC.

Below, how you turn a baseball stadium into a hockey rink.

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Posted by: DrewM at 09:31 AM | Comments (71)
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After Blago made his appointment of Roland Burris to replace Obama in the Senate, the Illinois Secretary of State said he would not sign the Certificate of Appointment. At first it looked like that was pretty much an empty threat but it turns out that Senate rules do may require a Secretary's signature (see Gabe's analysis in the comments).

Now Burris has filed suit in the Illinois Supreme Court to force Secretary of State White to sign the paperwork.

"The secretary of state cannot veto an action by simply not signing the document," Burris said. "He doesn't have that authority. He must do his job."

Justices on Illinois' highest court gave no indication when the court will take up the issue. If Burris prevails, it could allow him to present valid paperwork to the U.S. Senate, and perhaps give leaders one less reason to reject him.

And what happens if Burris shows up next week looking to take his seat with or without a fully filled out Certificate of Appointment? Fun, fun, fun!

Should Burris appear in Washington without that certification, armed police officers stand ready to bar him from the Senate floor, said a Democratic official briefed on Senate leaders' plans.

Leadership also is considering the possibility of Blagojevich appearing in person to escort Burris. Ironically, the scandal-plagued governor would be allowed onto the Senate floor, because sitting governors are allowed floor privileges, while Burris would not without certification. Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero said the governor had not decided whether he will appear in Washington next week with Burris.

...Senate Democrats also have a follow-up plan (should White sign the certificate): Refusing to seat Burris until the Senate Rules Committee completes an investigation into whether the appointment process was tainted by corruption. Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 on federal charges that he tried to sell the Senate seat."

Normally I am absolutely appalled by the race baiting crap Bobby Rush has been spewing the last few days. Honestly though, I can't wait to see him and the Black Congressional Caucus unload on Senate Democrats next week if they 'stand in the Senate doorway' to exclude Burris. Something about reaping what you sow.

At least the reduced Republican Senate caucus will have something to laugh about next week.

Posted by: DrewM at 08:55 AM | Comments (48)
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Hilarity ensues.

Israel assassinated a Hamas strongman on Thursday in its first assault on the top leadership of the territory's ruling group, escalating a crushing aerial offensive even as it declared itself ready to launch a ground invasion.

Check out the picture of a Jewish man looking at the damage inflicted by a Palestinian rocket in a classroom.

You could end it all today Hamas. But you won't.

In other news, resupply for Hamas has become a dire issue.

Darn.

Thanks to tips from commenters Dang and Sherlock. Couple of knuckleheads who hang out here.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at 08:16 AM | Comments (49)
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I'm shocked.

In a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Washington, the plaintiffs demand that the words "so help me God" not be added to the end of the president's oath of office.

In addition, the lawsuit objects to plans for ministers to deliver an invocation and a benediction in which they may discuss God and religion.

The suit asserts that the plaintiffs are faced with the terrible dilemma of having to watch a ceremony that will "exclude" and "stigmatize" them because it contains religious components, and that this places them an awful, untenable position (to watch, and suffer these indignities, or miss out on the completely awesome awesomeness of it all).

Allow me to retort. You exclude and stigmatize yourselves with your idiotic theatrics and perpetual aggrievement lawsuits. Also, you're a bunch of knuckleheads.

Is "knuckleheads" too harsh? They are showing some sense of proportion and reasonableness in the affair. They're not suing Obama.

Newdow told CNN that he didn't name President-elect Barack Obama in the suit because in addition to participating as a government official at the ceremony, he possesses rights as an individual that allow him to express religious beliefs.

Never mind that he selected the speakers (and the Lincoln bible). He's expressing rights as an individual, certainly not acting as the newly sworn Chief Executive of the whole friggin country.

Nuance.

Incidentally, there's a reason I swiped used ace's qualifier "evangelical" atheist. Mostly that the rest of us get along just fine, respectfully, and we don't sue each other over stupid shit.

I know most of you get that, I'm just puttin it out there. If you don't like it, you can send it right back. I wanna be on you.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at 05:37 AM | Comments (73)
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