Morning. Harry Potter day has arrived. And some guy that lives in VA that I know has midnight tickets. AHHHHHHHH!

It is another beautiful day here in the Capitol of these good ole United States. The birthplace of airplanes, moon walking (on the moon people - but he's not really did, as Agent K said "he just went home), and you know, other good things. Yet we can't seem to keep the teleprompter for the most powerful man in the world to stand up straight...bodes well for all those infrastructure projects, huh.

Up to the Hill today. Gotta thank all those Congressman for passing our energy bill. The one that creates millions of jobs and lowers the total number of oil imports. And for you Nick, if you're reading, allows us to bring some soldiers home since they won't be protecting oil as much. Or send them to Afganistan. But that's another matter.

Couple of notes before the links:

- if anyone wants to donate to the "bring Benton home for Kenny Chesney/Blue Angels fund, they are always accepted. Also to the "it's really expensive to live in DC fund". I'm not afraid of shamelessly asking for money. I work for a non-profit, come on.

- also, and this comes with a rather depressing link, Judge Sotomayor looked nothing like that smiling photo of herself seen below. As a matter of fact, I counted zero expression changes from the look of "most of you are criminals, I can't believe I have to listen to you for two hours" until the end of the hearing, when she smiled. Likely her scowl was not helped by the Representative from Alabama and his, shall we say, even-handed additions: "I will not vote for, and no senator should vote for, anyone who will not render justice impartially," Sessions said. "Call it empathy, call it prejudice or call it sympathy, but whatever it is, it's not law," he said. "In truth, it's more akin to politics, and politics has no place in the courtroom." No, sir. Just in the confirmation hearing. At least one Republican got something right: "Unless you have a meltdown, you will be confirmed," said Mr. Graham. Ah, politics. And the link as promised.


And on to the daily links:

Pretty cool story out of the Miami Herald.

Interesting column about the cause of cheating fathers on their children. I put it in with a qualification - she takes a shot at men, who absolutely cheat. However, more and more studies are showing that women are cheating at higher and higher levels. In addition, women are more likely to be emotionally attached to the person they cheat with, making a split more likely. That said, bad situations abound.

The ignorance of some people never ceases to amaze. This is why we call voters stupid in politics. Michigan is a swing state...

Sarah Palin makes her opinion known on the energy plan. Maybe she can walk out her big porch onto her bridge to nowhere and look out over ANWR to Russia...or maybe she's just worried she'll lose some of that $750,000 in PAC money to higher energy bills...

Very good column from the WSJ. Yes, I agree with some of it too. Especially the second to last line.

And a good site to just peruse.



Think I forgot to link this before, but UW's very own Tim Lincecum will be starting the All-Star game tonight. Yes, I have hit off him. Actually, I swung. Contact is another story. Some funny quotes alluding to his stint in an NYC hospital during last year's game for flu-like symptoms. Like Ozzie Guillen said about one of his pitchers: "he's real religious, so when he tells me he has a headache, I believe him. They other guys, I know they're hungover."

Realized I've yet to link a reporter I know from Seattle who does a great job on his blog, Bob Condotta. Hopefully his analysis on the success of first coaches can keep the expectations down a little. Also, if you know Bob, wish him well on his knee recovery.

Good stuff from another Times' writer, Larry Stone, on Mariners in the All-Star game. To Ichiro's quote, I'm Rickey really is still playing somewhere.

Also, if you have ESPN, I'm sure they will replay the Celebrity softball game from yesterday. Hilarious. Shawn Johnson is like 12 right? Rough life. And Nelly making a diving catch AND hitting a bomb? Yeah, good stuff.



Don't forget. Harry Potter TONIGHT! AHHHHHHHHHHH!

Stay Classy.