Politics: Just like on West Wing, C-SPAN will be airing the first votes in New Hampshire at midnight. Great theater. Apparently, there are new buttons that say "Dated Dean, Married Kerry," the idea being that you date a crazy guy like Dean, but marry a safe (but boring) guy like Kerry. [see here, 1/26] This is a bit much, but I must admit that Kerry doesn't excite me, especially when I watch him. The idea is that you don't "get him" the first time, but over time. I wonder how much "time" you have to put in ... will the voters do it? As to Dean, I go on a tirade regarding the criticism of his post-Iowa "rant" here. As a reply noted, Dean has caused a lot of trouble himself, but I just think he had a bit too much help doing so.

FELLERS v. UNITED STATES: A grand jury indicted a person on drug charges and the police went to his home, warrant in hand, to talk to him, leading him to make some incriminating statements. He was not given any Miranda warning, but was at the stationhouse, whereupon he again made the same statements. The Supremes unanimously said "uh no" ... too late guys. The grand jury indictment and warrant makes this a somewhat special case, but Miranda held. So, good, if somewhat small, step.

Also, the Supremes accepted for argument a juvenile death penalty case in which the lower state court struck down the punishment because it held executing those under eighteen was cruel and unusual. I'd think that the Supreme Court wouldn't go out of its way to uphold the practice. This plus the fact that four justices are already on record against the practice bodes suggests a majority is available to strike down the practice. Time will tell.

Sports: Yankees third baseman Aaron Boone injured his left knee playing basketball and may be out for the season. Stupid! Oh well, one more hole to fill with some $$$. [Update: Actually, the Yanks did okay here. Basketball playing violates Boone's contract, so they can get rid of him (chances are he won't play much or all of the year), and only pay one month (c. 15%) of his ridiculous salary. The pickings are slim, but he wasn't a great prize so far anyway, so if a rookie like Erick Almonte or some journeyman player fills in, and they save a lot of salary, it will be mostly a wash. Or so it seems to me.]

Happy Birthday: Paul Newman (TCM is playing his movies until late into the night) and Ellen DeGeneres.