Washington Post had a good article on "National Security Letters," including the lack of oversight and inability for members of the administration to admit that even if they are a good idea, the costs must be addressed.
The official death (pulling the cord is so hard these days) of the NY Jets season occurred yesterday. They faced up against San Diego -- who couldn't beat the Jets last year and are making a habit of having Fourth Quarter collapses. SD appeared to be on the road to doing so again, especially with an interception at the end of the First Half keeping the game in reach, defensive penalties giving Jets points and tons of yardage, and a late turnover deep in their own territory.
The Jets helped San Diego when they had to take an injury timeout given it was after the Two Minute Warning (Wayne Chrebet's career ending hit ... one hopes at least, given his very season was questionable after last year), but San Diego gave them First and Goal on the 3. Down by 5 (missing a two pointer earlier), a TD would put them up by one ... and the Jets Defense actually showed up in the Second Half. Third stringer Brooks Bollinger [Vinny Testaverde is the sentimental favorite -- but, BB really should have been given more of a chance early on ... moot point now] had just got the team a quick 13 points. Those final three yards, however, was not to come.
Painful loss ... even without the fact the team went to 2-6. In other action, Terrell Owens' two year old crybaby routine helped the Eagles lose an ugly divisional match-up. Chicago beat the "Our team was flooded out too" Saints. Back-up QB Brad Johnson beat Detroit, helping the Bears too. The Packers game was not close ... whens the Packers/Texans match-up? The Giants -- who I still don't trust -- beat a team they had to beat. And, the Knicks did not manage to win a game yet ... two of the three games against lesser opponents.
As to West Wing -- I watched it on tape, but it played live. It was the "Debate" episode in which (fantasy-like) the candidates tossed out the rules -- other than freedom of movement (being able to walk around), it allowed some more back and forth. It surely didn't extend their remarks by much -- reference was made to the Lincoln/Douglas debates, but those were hours on end affairs on one basic point -- end time restraints and still have limited debate time, what do you have really? Anyway, the episode was pretty good (no grand moment, but worth watching) -- it addressed both sides of the coin, so to speak, and had some nutritional value. I say this as a bit of a wonk sort, but still ... I'd give it a B. The show is on the decline, but Alda and Smits are definitely interesting characters, and it has shown some life this season.
Anyway, there are some Air America connections to WW, including the former Clinton staffer, Lawrence O'Donnell involved in the show, and being a guest on the radio station. So, I'll toss in my The Truth (with Jokes) reference here. I discussed a book signing for the book that I went to at which I only picked up a complimentary bookmark. This is not to say the book is not good -- it is, especially its practice of backing up Democratic talking points with facts and notes ... the jokes and sarcasm make them less wonky. Al Franken does a good job -- I just heard much of the stuff on his show, and darn if the book already is in the library. A good addition to your "anti-Bush" library ... a cottage industry that is one of those economic areas that the administration actually helped.
BTW ... keep away from those Long Island Ice Teas that appear not to have any ice tea ... ouch.