Ever lose touch with an old friend you assumed would always be around, then look them up years later only to learn they were long gone? I did. R.I.P., Great Beer Palace.

The L.A. Times reports that fewer alcoholics are seeking treatment than did a decade ago. This will come as good news to those who complain about America’s high incarceration rate.

I’d fisk this one, but some things just fisk themselves, so instead I’ll just lay it out for all to see:

Your Sept. 20 editorial advocates that Democrats in the Senate vote to “Confirm Roberts.” Why? John G. Roberts Jr. has an extensive record of advocating positions that are in opposition to core Democratic beliefs; voting for his confirmation would be voting against those beliefs. Roberts will be confirmed. The American people assured that when they turned control of the Senate over to the Republicans. The Democrats are the opposition party, so why shouldn’t they oppose? Your editorial makes no sense.

ROBERT EARLE
Torrance

Looks like I picked a totally crappy time to fly to Texas. The only saving grace is that we won’t be staying anywhere near Houston. My guess is that by the time it reaches Dallas, Hurricane Rita will have been downgraded and renamed Sucky Weather Rita. One would hope, anyway.

UPDATE: As it turns out, even Sucky Weather Rita didn’t live up to her name. All she got us was a little drizzle, a more moderate temperature, and some winds that are wimpy compared to what we got in California just the other day.

If you’re going there, be sure to go here first. H/t: Techbargains.

The “Emerging Church” offers a silly “prayer lamp,” in which users are encouraged to click on lava lamp blobs, type in their prayers, and watch their “prayers” gradualy sink to the bottom of the screen and merge with the goo that constitutes everyone else’s prayers. Michael Williams tested the lamp, entering prayer reading “Holy crap this is stupid.” The result: Holy Crap! It is stupid! Looks like his prayer as been answered.

The Puppy Blender doubts it will succeed, but he wasn’t an early believer in California’s 2003 recall, either, and I think at least as good a case can be made to recall Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco as could ever have been made to impeach that guy whose term Arnold Schwarzenegger is finishing out. However, to succeed they’ll have to have a plan, and nailing down the difference between an impeachment and a recall would be a good place to start.

Justin Levine is rightly outraged over this, and has offered to assist the defendant victim pro bono and urged other lawbloggers to do likewise. I agree, and would be happy to assist Justin behind the scenes if Rex takes him up on the offer. I don’t think Justin is going far enough, however. If crazy legal threats are to be stopped, something needs to be done about the lawyers who make such threats, as well. If I were Rex, I’d report attorney Eric Nilsson, the author of the frivolous demand letter sent on Keillor’s behalf, to the Minnesota Bar. Let them be the ones to decide where zealous representations stops and abuse of process begins.

The NRA was a bit slow on the draw when the city of New Orleans began illegally confiscating everyone’s weapons, but they are hot on the case (h/t: Matt Rustler) now. If you are a New Orleans resident who has had a firearm confiscated stolen by the NOPD, call (888) 414-6333.

On the topic of looting vs. finding, Гриф links to this post and opines:

Забавно теперь возвращаться к старым дебатам с высоты сегодняшней информации. Вот здесь всё рассказано. Не было двух фоток АП. А была одна – с чёрным парнишкой. И была другая – но ФрансПресс, с белыми. Два разных агентства, две разных редакционных политики. Но самое главное – есть (на моей ссылке) пояснение фотокора FP, автора кадра, где он объясняет почему он считает что эти люди таки нашли еду.

Indeed.