Open Thread–12/23/2011

Today I caught up on replying to comments.  When I can, I will post articles in the morning when I’m still fresh.  I feel good about being back in full time blogging mode.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:07 (4:42 average).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Religious Ecstasy:

Short Takes:

From The Independent: Scientists have established a link between the cold, snowy winters in Britain and melting sea ice in the Arctic and have warned that long periods of freezing weather are likely to become more frequent in years to come.

An analysis of the ice-free regions of the Arctic Ocean has found that the higher temperatures there caused by global warming, which have melted the sea ice in the summer months, have paradoxically increased the chances of colder winters in Britain and the rest of northern Europe.

But the Republican Party still tries to prove that this is a myth.

From McClatchy DC: Grand jury weighs evidence of conspiracy in Tiller murder.

This is way past due.  Let’s start with Beck, Limbaugh, and the leadership of the Republican Party.

From AP/Google: Republican Joe Miller said he won’t stand in the way of Sen. Lisa Murkowski being certified the winner of Alaska’s U.S. Senate race, but he vowed to not end his legal fight over the state’s handling of the vote count.

It will be interesting to see how she acts, since she no longer owes allegiance to the Republican Party.

Cartoon:

OGIM!