Hey, sports media--enough about Sania Mirza and the Muslim thing

Rising Indian WTA star Sania Mirza gets a lot of questions about her stardom in India, and about her fearlessness on court, but she also gets another question over and over: "How do you wear shorts and still honor your Muslim religion?" Mirza is poised enough to handle this question--"There are no perfect Muslims," she says, and changes the subject.

Of course, any time the sports media has a chance to talk about a woman's appearance, it's a good day for them, but Mirza's situation creates an angle that's new to the tennis scene. And that would be okay, I guess, if tennis reporters were also asking other players about how their clothing jives with their religious beliefs. The Williiams sisters come to mind: They are supposedly devout Jehovah's Witnesses (in the first episode of their recent reality show, Venus complains that doing yoga exercises violates her Christian beliefs), yet they wear sexually provocative clothing, participate in competitive sports, and represent their nation at the Olympics--all activities that are supposedly looked down on by their religion. The fact that the media never ask them about this leads me to the conclusion that certain players are off-limits for these kinds of irrelevant questions, but a Muslim woman is fair game.

I get a report from Camp Casey

I was not able to go to Crawford, but my friend Diana spent the weekend at Camp Casey, and was generous enough to take down my questions and to file a thorough report of what she saw and heard. Diana calls the experience an "encampment on the frontier of consciousness," and says she arrived in Crawford to the sight of restless natives:

(Continue reading at MoJo Blog)

Memo from Evacuation Central

The sun is shining in Bunkie, a town that is filled with murals on the sides of its buildings and fences. A trip down the street put me face to face with the kind of south-to-central Louisiana food stands that serve outrageously delicious food that is very bad for you. In my case, most of it is also not part of my no-meat diet: boudin, meat pies, crawfish pie, even baked potatoes stuffed with roast beef.

While I was out, I met a UNO student who knows his apartment won't be there when he returns to Metairie. He advised me that my hotel's cocktail lounge was the town's hot spot and said he'd keep an eye out for me over the weekend, if we're still here. I should be upset about the noise the bands are going to make, but the guests are so loud, the bands will have to work hard to compete with them. Our room is next to the lounge, so we have no choice but to deal with it, anyway.

Roxie and Velma, our cats, have settled in. They still are eating very little, but they've stopped hissing and fighting, and every time one of us leaves, a cat tries to follow us out of the room. There are several dogs--a Pekingese, a Chihauhau, and a very large pug--in the hotel with us. I'm blogging and watching the U.S. Open almost non-stop (I remembered to bring my drawsheets), though we do take breaks to check on hurricane news, which doesn't seem to be totally connected to reality.

So far, the only things we have had to buy are a small brush-type broom and dustbin, a box of Kleenex, some wine and beer, a bottle opener, and a corkscrew. How a Louisianian can evacuate without taking her bottle opener and corkscrew, I don't know, but I left them behind. I did remember my camera, however, and am getting some good photographs.

FBI labels peace workers as potential terrorists

The ACLU has released an FBI document that identifies a Michigan-based peace group as a potential terrorist organization.

(Continue reading at MoJo Blog)

It's worse than you think

The news media, for some reason, is invested in making the country think that things may not be hunky-dory in New Orleans, but they're really not that bad. Just so you know, portions of the Twin Spans bridge are gone, and there is some speculation that the entire bridge is a thing of the past. Two levees have been breached, the water continues to rise (up to 20 feet in some places), looting is rampant, the water is toxic, and martial law has been enforced.

In the city's Lower Ninth Ward alone, two hundred people were stranded on rooftops. At least 20 buildings have collapsed. Outside New Orleans, Metairie, Slidell, and Houma are underwater. The estimated bill for the damage is $26 billion.

Ladies and gentlemen: I give you....compassionate conservatism

From a conservative message board, on the subject of the devastation of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina:

...I was hoping that the Government housing was completly destroyed, but we built it too strong, now we have to replace their Bigscreens, Cadillacs and deep pile carpet so they can procreate in a manner that they have been accustomed to.

Covering property with swastikas may not be hate crime in city north of Atlanta

Law enforcement officials in Lawrenceville, Georgia say they are not sure whether to classify the burning of a swastika into the lawn of a Jewish family as a hate crime.

Two swastikas were spray-painted onto the road in front of the house, a swastika was burned onto the lawn--along with some obscenities--the trees were wrapped with toilet paper, and someone had urinated and defecated on the porch.

(Continue reading at MoJo Blog)

National Guard not able to play usual role in hurricane crisis

Normally, the Louisiana National Guard would be out in full force to handle the devastation of a major hurricane, but that is not possible with Katrina because much of the Guard's equipment is in Iraq.

Suddenly, everyone cares about Louisiana

In her news conference yesterday, Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco said she had heard from George W. Bush, and that he was "very concerned" about Louisiana. It was only few weeks ago that Bush's sudden status as a Louisiana booster surprised the governor, and it may take her a while to get used to his newly found solicitousness. Bush has been bragging about the $540 million for Louisiana's coastal restoration that is part of the new energy bill. But only a week before the bill passed, the White House was trying to get the Louisiana appropriation changed to $57 million.

(Continue reading at MoJo Blog)

Lindsay Davenport gives Gimelstob what he deserves

I hardly needed another reason to like Lindsay Davenport, but she gave me one yesterday. The world number one responded to the sexist drivel ATP player Justin Gimelstob wrote in his blog about the WTA tour.

Here's a sample:

Another dynamic I find interesting is the players' lounges at joint events. In these player-exclusive hangouts, you'll find two groups of women: On one side you have the WTA players, many of whom are very attractive and in great shape. Unfortunately for them, they have to share the space with the most beautiful one percent of female creatures on the planet: men's players' girlfriends and wives.

It's an unfair competition when you have the girlfriends showing up looking like they're ready to stroll down a runway. Meanwhile, you've got the female players hanging out in tennis gear, dripping sweat from their practices and matches. We all know women are competitive creatures, and even I have some sympathy for the players who have to deal with the "glamour girls"whenever they turn the corner.

For Gimelstob to assume that the athletes in the locker room give a damn about visiting "glamour girls" is the height of sexist fantasy. Here is part of Davenport's reponse:

I'm always curious what the fascination is about men having to judge women constantly. What they look like. What they wear. Who they hang out with.

It's like women are, "Oh yeah, he's cute, well whatever." We don't sit there and go, "Oh, my gosh, his arms are a little too thin, his legs are a little too thick."

When asked to comment on Gimelstob's body, Davenport replied, "Yeah, really. I asked him if he wanted me to get into that. He said no."

Hurricane evacuation--report from the road

Taking two-lane highways the very long way around, it took us six hours to make what would normally be about a two-and-a half-hour trip to Bunkie, a small town in central Louisiana. We were very lucky to get a room in an old historically preserved hotel, where we have a lovely view of the courtyard. Our cats, Roxie and Velma, still recovering from evacuation stress, have taken turns sitting on the window ledge and watching the banana leaves flutter in the wind. When they aren't perching or sleeping, they are hissing, growling, and swatting each other. All in all, though, they have adapted amazingly well.

It took us longer to pack for them than it did to pack for ourselves. Our small hotel room is crowded with a litter box, food and water bowls, cat bed, two pet carriers, and computer equipment. We also have catnip, a toy mouse, some Rescue Remedy, towels, and a ZoomGroom on hand. I am able to watch the U.S. Open on the USA Network, so really, I have everything I need.

We passed miles of cotton fields to get here, and drove through small towns whose shops displayed signs like Perfection Brake & Clutch and Virtuous Woman Fitness & Tanning. Is some areas of Mississippi, there was a lot of kudzu, which protects the land from erosion. We watched a Weather Channel reporter stand on the flooded, windy streets of our city, and we were glad that we were not there.

Katrina is coming to call

More blogging when I can get to it--stay tuned.

Dumbing down tennis

The ATP (Association of Professional Tennis), the organization that runs the men's tennis tour, has set about to ruin the game of tennis, at least insofar as doubles is concerned. Under a proposed rules change that will go into effect following the U.S. Open, matches will feature no-ad scoring, with tiebreaks at 4-4, rather than 6-6.

The elimination of ad-scoring in all women's matches has also been proposed by tennis legend Martina Navratilova, and it is the worst idea she has ever had. What would be the point of watching tennis without the ad point?! Every time a game goes to deuce, a new drama unfolds. The more it goes to deuce, the more drama there is for fans.

Eliminating the ad point and requiring fewer games to get to a tiebreak would make the matches shorter, which is another bad idea. But the point seems to be to sell tennis to non-tennis fans--people who might buy a ticket, but who don't want to waste their time watching high-quality, tension-filled matches while they wait for a glimpse of Maria Sharapova or Roger Federer.

Don't forget Operation Yellow Elephant

"Frankly, I want to be a politician. I'd like to survive to see that."

"If there was a need presented, I would go."

"I think I could do more here."

"We don't have to be there physically to fight it."

"There are Republican policies to maintain and protect and an economy to sustain."

"I'm staying here to fight the culture war."

These are some of the explanations college Republicans have given for why they have not enlisted to fight in Iraq. You can help them see through their hypocrisy by downloading and distributing enlistment forms, putting stickers on your correspondence, memos, bulletins, and backpacks, and distributing one of the Operation Yellow elephant public service announcements.

Because even college Republicans need help with some subjects.

Things to read while you bang your head against the wall

I went to Pam's House Blend, where Pam published a bunch of freerepublic quotations concerning Jerry Falwell's revelation that housing and employment are not "special" rights. One of them so completely boggled my mind that I think my mouth fell open, as the old song says, like a country pond: "...Gays want privileges like blacks and women have been granted. I've always wanted to ask one of these special rights people for just one example of how they were treated unfairly."

(Continue reading at MoJo Blog)

I didn't think I could possibly like Eve Ensler more than I already did

But after tonight's "Real Time," I do. If you missed it, catch the re-run. There's no ass left--she kicked it all.

With friends like these, who needs bin Laden?

Speaking on a panel on C-Span today, Juliette Kayyem, a terrorism expert at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, said that 40% of the suicide bombers in Iraq are from Saudi Arabia. 79% of the September 11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has one of the most repressive governments in the world. But it's all in who you know.

Looking for a way to jump on the French-hating bandwagon?

I have two for you.

Someone brought it to my attention today that fisherman on Reunion Island are using live puppies and kittens as shark bait. Animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot is calling on the French government to put a stop to it.

Of course, we don't know how the France will respond to this atrocity, but we do know how they have responded to another one. The French government and French restauranteurs are vehemently opposed to the proposed ban on foie gras. The making of fois gras is cruel on the same level as the making of veal.

God hates fags

Yah, you betcha.

Turning our backs on women's suffrage

Today is Women's Suffrage Day. 85 years ago, women in the United States gained the right to vote. In the 70's, we used to have a parade, dress in period costume, and do public readings. Now, the only thing I have to look forward to each year is Ellen Goodman's annual Sexism Awards.

(Continue reading at MoJo Blog)

Friday cat blogging---memorial edition

Today is the second anniversary of the death of our wonderful friend Princess, for whom the Princess Cafe was named. We really miss her. You may view Princess's memorial page here.

Her grave marker

Liar, liar

Camo pants on fire.

They exploded instead

The American Journal of Medicine has been getting mail about fetuses.

Please...someone in Congress

Make these people pay taxes.

Hey-- American Legion! Bring it on....

Delegates to the American Legion annual convention say they will "use whatever means necessary 'to ensure the united backing of the American people to support our troops and the global war on terrorism.'"

The 2.7 million-member organization has "declared war" on antiwar protesters, calling for an end to all "public protests" and "media events" against the war.

(Continue reading at MoJo Blog)

Who can be bothered with details?

In 2002, AOL Time Warner, Inc. obtained AT&T Corporation's stake in their cable television, film production, and programming partnership in exchange for it.

About five years ago, Enron and their partners stole it from California's electricity and gas customers.

Duke Energy recently agreed to acquire Cinergy for its value in stocks.

(Continue reading at MoJo Blog)

Fetuses feel no pain

With this news, the crazed fundamentalist right wing should implode, but it won't matter because they do not "believe in" science.

For Cindy and those who camp with her

With grateful acknowledgment to Allan Sherman:

Hello Stacy, hi there Tracy
Here I am at Camp Casey
Camp is really quite inspiring
And I'd like it more if I could stop perspiring

Lance went biking with the liar
But the health pie won't get higher
You remember the brush-whacker?
He's in Idaho because he's such a slacker

They call us hippies, call us traitors
Say the town's full of agitators
Larry Mattlage wants no patriots
So he fired his gun to show how much he hates us

Now I don't want to alarm you
But some of them want to harm you
Since arriving, we've had more losses
Some big redneck came and mowed down all the crosses

Won't go home, my dearest Stacy
Won't go home, I love Camp Casey
Don't send me back to the city where
I might not meet Americans who care
Won't go home, I promise I will make a lot of noise
Hope it's the ranch house it annoys
Made up my mind to stay
Until the very last day

Dearest Stacy, darling Tracy
You would love it at Camp Casey
Won't come home yet, though you miss me
I don't care how many Freeper no-necks dis me

Wait a minute, Cindy's here now
Folks are smiling, drinking beer now
Having her back makes it better
Stacy, make 10,000 copies of this letter

Symbolism is not a right-wing value

A common right-wing criticism of Cindy Sheehan's encampment in Crawford is that she doesn't really want to ask Bush a question, she doesn't really want to see him--she's just there to put on a "staged" event, to call attention to her cause, and to get media coverage.

Well, a double-layered "duh" to that. Of course she is there to call attention to her cause and to get media coverage. Oh my god--someone is using symbolism to make a point. What a concept. What will we tell the children?

(Continue reading at MoJo Blog)

The truth about the yellow dog

I left the Democratic Party for a long list of reasons, but the main one was the fact that I felt dismissed as a woman. And nothing has changed. Even in the 21st Century, all the Democratic Party had to offer for a presidential ticket was two white males. To add insult to injury, John Kerry--not at all surprisingly--turned out to be the worst candidate in modern times.

(Continue reading at MoJo Blog)

Sharia comes to Kano, Nigeria

The women of Kano, Nigeria, are facing a life of misery as Islamic law takes over their community. The dominance of Sharia has already done away with prostitution, gambling, and the drinking of alcohol, and now it appears that Kano will end up like Zamfara, which has compulsory same-gender schools, and which has banned the Nigerian women's soccer team.

Under Sharia, women are now forced to sit in the back of the city's mini-buses so that their presence will not entice male passengers. Most women in Kano, however, use the motorcycle taxis for getting around, but since these vehicles are operated by men, they will no longer be permitted to ride on them.

Sharia also requires amputation as punishment for theft, and flogging or stoning as punishment for adultery. A woman, as you can imagine, are presumed to have committed adultery if a man says she has. No other proof is required.

"Armstrong Bikes With President Over Sheehan Grave"

Greg Palast is my kind of guy.

This poll is almost as offensive as Pat Robertson

I used to think that all of the media stupidity was concentrated at CNN and Fox, but then MSNBC got really competitive with them, and now it's a toss-up. All cable news polls are offensive--most of them ask Americans to decide on things that even the smartest citizens aren't qualified to have opinions on--but today's MSNBC poll is a real prize.

No, it isn't going "too far" for a religious leader (god, those two words were hard to type) to ask that a world leader be assassinated. First of all, think of all the terrible things Venezuela has done to America. Second, consider that famous Christian principle of killing as many people as possible. Third, think of how America doesn't need any allies right now.

Real estate firm's attempt to discriminate against gays fails

Pam's House Blend has the story, and it's worth reading.

Remember Afghanistan?

This morning, during Donald Rumsfeld's news conference, a reporter asked him to comment on the Pentagon's reopening of the investigation into Pat Tillman's death in Afghanistan. He knew nothing about it--he didn't even know the investigation had been reopened.

Because Afghanistan is so 2001....

(Continue reading at MoJo Blog)

Letter to the editor author says Bob Herbert's criticism of Bush's long vacation "borders on treason"

Dear Mr. Ignorant-by-Choice in Kenner, Louisiana:

Stealing a presidential election borders on treason.

Conspiring--before you have even unpacked your cowboy boots and bass lures--to invade a country that has shown no sign of attacking our country borders on treason.

Enticing a weak Secretary of State, a zealous National Security Director, and the leader of a major ally to help cook nonexistent "intelligence" borders on treason.

Destroying the infrastructure of a country for no reason borders on treason.

Causing the needless deaths and maimings of hundreds of American soldiers borders on treason.

Causing the deaths of thousands of Iraqi citizens borders on treason.

Creating a climate in which anti-American terrorist groups are either born or strengthened borders on treason.

On second thought, none of that borders on treason: It is treason.

A different kind of national defense

Excerpts from the message boards:

Let her give these speeches from Canada--I surely hope not a penny of my tax dollars ever goes to this misguided, delusional woman.

Come on. She is obviously delusional....She is a disgrace.

(Continue reading at MoJo Blog)

Right-wing Silver Ring Thing feels sting

Good news: The government has finally suspended funding of the Silver Ring Thing, a nationwide Christian organization that uses abstinence-only programs to minister to students. Not only does the Silver Ring Thing violate church/state separation, it also presents dangerous information to adolescents, encouraging them not to use any type of contraception or disease prevention techniques.

Studies have shown that adolescents who abstain from sexual intercourse have as many--and in some cases, more--STD's than other teenagers. Apparently, silver ringers are extremely technical about their virginity and engage in a lot of oral and anal sex. Bill Maher once remarked, when talking about his own adolescence, "If I'd known I was going to get porn star sex, I'd have been so down with Jesus."

Since the Silver Ring Thing is in the process of taking its, uh, dog and pony show to other parts of the world, its leaders can look forward to seeing even more disease and suffering than ever.

Pat Robertson calls for assassination of Hugo Chavez

We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability. We don't need another $200 billion war to get rid of one, you know, strong-arm dictator. It's a whole lot easier to have some of the covert operatives do the job and then get it over with.

(Continue reading at MoJo Blog)

Report on Camp Casey

Amanda at Pandagon has written an excellent report on her visit to Camp Casey, which you can read here.

The only thing worse than an animal abuser

Is a corrupt animal abuser.

Female scientists continue to be victims of sexism

A group of American researchers, writing in the latest issue of Science magazine, report that--despite major advances--female scientists continue to be the victims of sexism, both overt and subtle. The researchers identify four areas in which women in science have difficulty--the pipeline, the climate, unconscious bias, and the family/work equation.

I'll sacrifice my whole family

"If I have to sacrifice my whole family for the sake of our whole country and world, other countries that want freedom, I'll do that."

(Continue reading at MoJo Blog)

The problem with Cindy Sheehan's nickname

The news media loves to trivialize important issues and by giving them nicknames. They especially love to trivialize women and women's issues. This has been going on a long time: Consider that suffragists were called "suffragettes" (and unfortunately, still are, by both news professionals and other citizens). Second Wave feminists were called "women's libbers." And now Cindy Sheehan is the "Peace Mom."

Calling Sheehan the "peace mom" accomplishes a number of things. It makes her and her cause "cute," which is always the first line of attack against women who should be taken seriously. It also invites images of the 60's--hippies, war protesters, drugs--all the things that conservatives hold in contempt. And it implies weakness. That the word "peace" is a synonym for impotence is sad, but it is a fact, thanks not only to conservative talking points, but to the fourth estate.

So I have a new nickname for Sheehan: She is the "Truth Mom."

Court of Appeals panel overturns judge's order that parents cannot expose their child to Wiccan faith

Remember the nutcake judge in Indianapolis who ruled that a man and his former wife could not expose their child to their Wiccan faith? The Wall of Separation reports that a three-judge panel of the Indiana State Court of Appeals has unanimously invalidated Judge Bradford's ruling.

The bad news is that the panel did not overturn the decision on constitutional principle, but rather, relied solely on Indiana's child custodial laws to form its opinion.

A reminder to get your MoJo on

And meet me at Mother Jones.

News media continues to label pro-war groups "patriotic"

Twice today--once on MSNBC and once in an AP article--there were more nauseating examples of the media's referring to the pro-war group in Crawford as the "patriotic" group. This happens frequently, and needs to be confronted via letters to media outlets every time it happens.

Quote of the day

"Capitalizing on political defeat and emerging socioeconomic trends, the DLC and the New Democrats have offered the most durable and sustained effort to oppose the dominant liberal faction of their party."

From the DLC website

Protesters arrested for...well, protesting

Ol Cranky has yet another disturbing story posted at The Disenchanted Forest. It seems that Rick Santorum couldn't handle having some protesters at his August 10 Barnes & Noble book-signing in Wilmington. We would expect that. The significant part of this story is that--without consulting Barnes & Noble--a Delaware state trooper, acting in his capacity as a private security guard (but wearing his state trooper uniform), threatened the protesters with arrest if they did not leave. Two of them stayed and were arrested.

And just when you think the story can't get any worse, we learn that the Deleware state police supported the trooper's behavior.

Here's hoping for a civil rights violation lawsuit.

TennisWelcomeCenter.com airs offensive TV spot

TennisWelcomeCenter.com is promoting tennis as a way to stay fit and have fun. During the commercial breaks of the U.S. Open Series, TennisWelcomeCenter.com is running a spot that--a couple of decades ago--would either never have been made, or feminists would have seen to it that it was yanked from the airwaves.

An attractive young woman is in a bar. A man comes up behind her and whispers something in her ear that is apparently so offensive that her response is to slap him. Only he ducks, and the following dialogue ensues:

He: Nice swing.

She: Nice reflexes

He: I bet you play tennis.

She: Every weekend.

He: Twice a week.

By this time, they are madly flirting. Because everyone knows that women will forgive a crude verbal assault if it comes from a guy who is physically fit.

You may write to TennisWelcomeCenter.com at: comments@tenniswelcomecenter.com. And I hope you do.

On today's "Meet the Press"

"...women's social rights are not critical to the evolution of democracy. We hope they're there. I think they will be there. But I think we need to put this into perspective."

Reuel Marc Gerecht, Director of the Middle East Initiative for PNAC

Another enticement to enlist

The federal government has filed a request to dismiss the lawsuit of Sean D. Baker, a former soldier from Kentucky who is suing the Army and the Navy for injuries he received during a training exercise at Guantanamo Bay. The government says Baker cannot sue for injuries incurred while he was in the military, nor can he sue in the United States, since the injuries occurred in Cuba.

Baker claims that, during the exercise, his head was repeatedly banged against a steel floor, causing brain trauma. He is asking for $15 million in damages, and for the judge to order the Army to fully investigate the incident.

Mono-gloved??!

"If one wants the youth of America and the world sashaying around in garish sequined costumes, hair dripping with pomade, body shot full of female hormones to prevent voice change, mono-gloved, well, then, I suppose 'Michael,' as he is affectionately known in the trade, is in fact a good example...."

John Roberts

(in a memo advising President Reagan not to jump on the Jackson bandwagon by sending the singer a note thanking him for his charitable work)

Atomic bomb earrings no longer available from museum store

Since we recently observed the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I have no idea how I missed the announcement that the National Atomic Museum in New Mexico has decided to stop selling Fat Man and Little Boy earrings.

"Where else will you find a pair of Fat Man and Little Boy earrings?" the museum website advertised. Nowhere else, thank goodness. After hearing those oh-so-sensitive Japanese people complain about them, museum officials decided not to order any additional atomic bomb jewelry.

How on earth could anyone have ever thought this was a clever idea? What kind of people bought the earrings?

Don't get too excited about the museum's sudden insight, however. You can still buy Fat Man and Little Boy shot glasses. No showing off your WMD on your earlobes, but a few drinks among friends, and it's bombs away.

They hate us for our freedom...

1,100 dead bodies in July alone

Via BlondeSense, we learn from Robert Fisk about the number of mutilated and disfigured Iraqi corpses that have turned up at the Baghdad mortuary. Most of the victims were executed, according to Fisk.

The word "hypocrite" is SO inadequate

Via Jinky the Cat: Unindicted but well-established sex offender (are you listening, Soledad O'Brien?) Arnold Schwarzenegger is calling for tougher laws against sex offenders.

Something about which I disagree with Cindy Sheehan

When Larry Northern mowed down the crosses, Sheehan declined to press charges. Fortunately, local law enforcement officers paid no attention to her and arrested Northern for felony criminal mischief.

To let Northern's behavior go unpunished will not teach him a damned thing about tolerance. But it will teach him and others like him that it's okay to destroy other people's property. I hear this kind of thing a lot--about sexual assaulters, drunk drivers, thieves. Not pressing charges against people who commit crimes against you is actually just saying it's okay for them to come and commit crimes against me. No thank you.

Northern, whose truck tire was punctured by one of the crosses he ran over, was released after posting a $3,000 bail. The penalty for felony criminal mischief in Texas ranges from 6 months to 2 years in prison. Let's hope Sheehan's representatives don't show up in court to plead for leniency.

Paul Hackett on "Real Time"

Did anyone else find him shallow and phony? This was the first time I'd seen him, and I couldn't wait for the interview to be over.

Torture and murder continue in China

This woman was shocked with three electric batons for seven hours. She died in June while in police custody. Her crime? She practiced Falun Gong, a Chinese spiritual practice with beliefs similar to those found in Buddhism and Taoism. The Chinese government began suppressing Falun Gong six years ago, with no let-up. Though the suppression was in the news for a while, it faded quickly.

Falun Gong practitioners have been tortured and killed on a regular basis by the Chinese government. This is not easy to look at, nor is this.

If you are unfamiliar with these atrocities, please take some time to learn about them.