Patterico's Pontifications

9/3/2007

I’m Back, Suckers!

Filed under: General — Patterico @ 11:46 pm



Hi, folks. I’m back, after more than two weeks without an Internet connection. Glancing over this blog, it appears that the guest posters have not only kept things running well, but may well run a better blog than I do when I’m here. DRJ in particular has published consistently and kept on top of important developments with her usual good writing, excellent insights, and admirably even tone.

I’m ready to retire and turn over the reins. Hearing no objections, the motion carries.

P.S. During my Andrew Sullivanesque vacation, I haven’t been paying attention to the news, though flipping through channels one or two nights, we somehow learned that Larry Craig resigned and Owen Wilson tried to kill himself.

We also saw that the 10th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death occurred — a date more important to me as the 10th anniversary of my engagement to my wife. I am quite sure that the 10th anniversary of Mother Teresa’s death on Wednesday will not occasion the same blanket coverage, just as her death couldn’t compete with that of Diana 10 years ago, in terms of media coverage.

Now that I’m back, I see that Alberto Gonzales and Tony Snow also resigned. I’m pleased to see that these and other interesting issues have been covered well here. Thanks very much to the guest posters.

P.P.S. I’ll post some photos when I get a chance.

More Good News from Texas

Filed under: Crime,General,Law — DRJ @ 2:25 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

Good news for Cheech and Chong types. Effective September 1, a new Texas law allows officers to issue citations in lieu of jailing some offenders:

“The law applies to marijuana possession of less than four ounces, theft by check or theft of services less than $500, criminal mischief and graffiti with damage less than $500 and driving with an invalid license. Penalties for these offenses do not change.

(more…)

Jan Crawford Greenburg on the Latest Urban Myth Legend in the Harriet Miers’ Nomination

Filed under: General,Judiciary — DRJ @ 1:18 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

Jan Crawford Greenburg is the nation’s pre-eminent Supreme Court reporter. In today’s Legalities column, she categorically states that Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., did not suggest Harriet Miers’ nomination to President Bush:

“Roberts, a man of caution with a tremendous sense of propriety, did not strenuously object when Miers’ name came up—but he didn’t believe it was his place to do so. He certainly never endorsed her.

But like a game of telephone, the false rumor that Roberts “signed off on her” has now morphed into Roberts “suggested” her. Heck, maybe even the President believes it by now if he’s heard it repeated back to him by his advisers. But it didn’t happen.”

Greenburg even tells us why Roberts wouldn’t do this:

(more…)

Infighting in the Bush White House: Did CJ John Roberts suggest Harriet Miers? [Updated]

Filed under: Judiciary,Politics — DRJ @ 10:35 am



[Guest post by DRJ]

The Washington Post has an online article entitled Book Tells of Inner Circle Dissent [free registration required]. The book in question is Dead Certain: The Presidency of George Bush by Robert Draper and, according to the article, it reveals interesting turmoil in the Bush White House. Among the more surprising allegations are these concerning Karl Rove:

“Karl Rove told George W. Bush before the 2000 election that it was a bad idea to name Richard B. Cheney as his running mate, and Rove later raised objections to the nomination of Harriet E. Miers to the Supreme Court, according to a new book on the Bush presidency.”

The real shocker (to me) is the claim that John Roberts suggested Bush nominate Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court:

(more…)

Happy Labor Day!

Filed under: General — DRJ @ 9:57 am



[Guest post by DRJ]

Hey, Americans: Take a few minutes to enjoy being the most productive people in the world:

“American workers stay longer in the office, at the factory or on the farm than their counterparts in Europe and most other rich nations, and they produce more per person over the year. They also get more done per hour than everyone but the Norwegians, according to a U.N. report released Monday, which said the U.S. “leads the world in labor productivity.”
***
Only part of the U.S. productivity growth, which has outpaced that of many other developed economies, can be explained by the longer hours Americans are putting in, the ILO said. The U.S., according to the report, also beats all 27 nations in the European Union, Japan and Switzerland in the amount of wealth created per hour of work – a second key measure of productivity.”

What makes us so productive?

“America’s increased productivity “has to do with the ICT (information and communication technologies) revolution, with the way the U.S. organizes companies, with the high level of competition in the country, with the extension of trade and investment abroad,” said Jose Manuel Salazar, the ILO’s head of employment.”

So … Happy Labor Day!

Now get back to work.


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