Open Thread–1/4/2011

I’m running a little behind today, because I came down with a cold and overslept.  I’m feeling like something that should be buried in the deep end of my cat box, but could not pass up having some material to work with.  I did, however, stay up to date on comments.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:58 (average 4:59).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From TPM: A few years ago, Tim Griffin was a key figure in of the biggest scandals in the Bush administration. Democrats said — and the Justice Department Inspector General later concluded — that the Bush White House and Justice Department pushed out U.S. Attorney H.E. "Bud" Cummins III to give Griffin, a former aide to presidential adviser Karl Rove, a plum spot as interim U.S. attorney that would pad his resume.

Now Griffin, who was elected to Congress from Arkansas in November, has been named by House Republicans to be a member of the House Judiciary Committee — the very same committee which took a close look at his own role in the scandal that ultimately lead to the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

They clearly have no shame whatsoever.

From Huffington Post: The equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution does not protect against discrimination on the basis of gender or sexual orientation, according to Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

We all know where LGBT folks stand in the hierarchy of the extreme fascist right.  Congrats, Ladies!  You have been assigned the same status in the pecking order.

From Me: Don’t be upset if Senate rules reform doesn’t come up for a vote tomorrow.  As long as the appropriate motion is made and accepted on schedule, they can defer the voting to negotiate the actual changes without losing the ability to approve it with 51 votes.

Cartoon:

What’s up in your world?