Open Thread–2/20/2011

Yesterday I ran errands.  My last stop was a convenience store to pick up a couple necessary staples, and as I stood at the counter, I stared at the cigarette display fully in my face.  My hands were shaking so bad that I dropped my change on the floor.  I did not buy a pack.  This morning the news cycle is still dominated by the same stories that most of us have been beating to death for days.  My aggregator normally has 400 – 500 articles for me to review.  Today it had only 84.  I have a couple items that are pretty fresh, and one of them, I have to make up.  I’m current on comments.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:41 (3:58 average).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Forbes: For Governor Walker, there is good news. The law in Wisconsin provides that an elected official may not be recalled until that official has served one year in office. That means it’s hands off Walker until January 2012.

That just sucks so bad. 🙁

From Aljazeera: Libyan security forces have reportedly opened fire at a funeral in the eastern city of Benghazi, killing at least 15 people and injuring scores more as protests against Muammar Gaddafi, the country’s long-time ruler, continued.

The victims on Saturday were mourning the loss of protesters who had been killed during anti-government demonstrations in the city during the past week, witnesses said, bringing the death toll to more than 100 in six days of unrest, according to opposition groups.

And Bush took him on as a client when he agreed to oppose Al Qaeda.

From The Vile Plutocrat: Federal authorities charged more than 100 doctors, nurses and physical therapists in nine cities with Medicare fraud Thursday, part of a massive nationwide bust that snared more suspects than any other in history.

Getting richer the Republican way, through fraud, is costing Medicare $60 – $90 billion per year.

Cartoon:

Learn something today!  Day 6.