Are you watching the Kagan confirmation hearings?

You can do so here.

And here’s the view so far.

UPDATE: Recessed until 9 a.m. Tuesday.

No charges against Blackwater

Though there were economic sanctions against Southern Sudan at the time, Blackwater still tried to drum up lucrative defense contracts.

Turns out that no charges will be filed. Instead, the talk is the federal government will impose a fine.

And thanks, Sis. Cynical, for the link.

There’s some cultural significance here

But dang if I can find it.

Nevertheless, thanks, Sis. Cynical, for the link. This poor ass sounds tortured.

Was it an act?

When Chris Brown broke down at Sunday’s BET Awards while singing Michael Jackon’s “Man in the Mirror,” was it a real display of emotion? Or was it a self-serving display meant to sway? And yeah, we’re sitting in the Judgment Seat here.

And thanks, Bro. Todd, for the link.

The violence in Darfur is surging

Sis. Jac sends this: A story of about 600 people killed in May in the conflict in Darfur. Things are so bad that some aid agencies are pulling back.

And here we thought those people were finally enjoying some peace.

By comparison, says Jac, check the number of casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Caught staring

Kevin Michael Connolly is a champion skier who was born without legs.

Recently, he started to take photos of people he caught staring at him, and now, he has compiled some of those photos in a book, “Double Take.”

And hey! The guy’s a neighbor — sort of — of Bro. Leftover, who sent the link.

I hope this is a true story

 

Sis. Cynical sends this:

A first grade girl handed in the drawing below for her homework assignment.

The teacher graded it and the child brought it home.

She returned to school the next day with the following note:

Dear Ms. Davis,

I want to be perfectly clear on my child’s homework illustration.
It is NOT of me on a dance pole on a stage in a strip joint surrounded by male customers with money.
I work at Home Depot and had commented to my daughter how much money we made in the recent snowstorm.
This drawing is of me selling a shovel.


Sincerely,
Mrs. Harrington

Annnnnd: Once again…

…what’s missing from this picture?

That’s right. The wimmens. And no, I’m not talking about voting for any old girl, but really? This is the best we can do for our number of female world leaders?

More on the Group of 20, here.

Good advice? Or heartless policy toward people who need more?

The British government is drawing up plans to relocate the unemployed to areas of the country where there are more jobs.

And thanks, Digg, for the link.

Seven days without speaking:

Could you do it?

My one attempt to meditate — and this was by no means silent — was at a Zen center in New Haven, Conn. We were to do a walking meditation, around and around in a circle, but I kept crawling up on the heels of the guy in front of me because he was walking so slowly.

Yeah. Me. Meditation. Uh-uhn. And yet, I know it’s a health and smart thing to do. Have you a meditative practice? I think sometimes when I’m on a long walk/hike, or when I’m painting, or gardening, I’m meditating. But I’m never still so maybe that doesn’t count.