Daniel Murphy

Murphy’s hustle proved to be the difference in this game. That’s the second time this week he has scored from second in a situation like that. He isn’t the most graceful of players, and sometimes he can make me scratch my head, but he’s gritty and has a winning attitude – every good team needs a baseball personality like that.

Yes. The nay-sayings annoys me. Baseball isn't just statistics and stuff. Daniel "Roger Ramjet" Murphy is a personality, gives the team character. Face palm moments duly noted.

"Ginsburg will be first justice to officiate at same-sex wedding"

One-half of the couple is "John Roberts." (No, not that one.)

The Body of John Merryman

An inane op-ed [from a member of the hack wing of the blog] led to some interesting comments, including a citation of the subject book. A brisk read, it helpfully provides the basics in around two hundred pages. An in depth look of the legal principles is found elsewhere, but this is a good addition to a cottage industry of books about historical cases.

Other News

Other news would be the big NFL concussion settlement, major IRS policy shift on SSM, CASC upholding "gay conversion" ban, Hasan getting the death penalty, the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington and Mets News (ace might be out long term, useful trade). And more. BTW, opinion page not great, but looking at it recently, WSJ has some good coverage.

Obama Administration Colorado/Washington Pot Response

August is busy busy, even outside of the sports world. If the usual isn't enough, we have Syria (chemical weapons ban of concern so much that darn who needs Congress? it's so obvious without them!), the Administration voiced a position on Colorado/Washington marijuana legalization. A lot of wriggle room -- it still is against the law federally after all -- but a hopeful sign. Any big change will realistically require congressional action.

Syria Bombing

First, get Security Council approval. Second, get congressional approval. Third (or zero-th), determine if engagement is a good idea. Wary about that, actually.

Gnostic Gospels

My source here has been Elaine Pagels (who I saw in person years ago) and some Bart Ehrman, but Marvin Meyer is also a well recognized scholar. I checked out The Gnostic Gospels of Jesus: The Definitive Collection of Mystical Gospels and Secret Books about Jesus of Nazareth recently and it's a useful compilation in one volume. The problem is that the esoteric nature of the text makes it hard going with the short introductions provided.

City Comptroller for NYC

Not sure about mayor, but good summary of why I'll vote for Stringer against Spitzer.

Mets Fans Reaction: "Yeah, Knew Something ELSE Was Going To Happen"

After a depressing sweep (not too long after another sweep vs. "big boys," the Dodgers, helped by a LOUSY call or two in a key at bat), we now hear that Matt "no decision" Harvey is hurt. The timing is a bit off -- it is not like fans were feeling great -- but, you know, to poison the "all things considered, the future looks okay" vibe. Oh well.

Prof. Sherry Goes Too Far ... Let's Ridicule Her!

I have read some of Prof. Sherry's writings (e.g., on the history of judicial review back to the 18th Century or the weakness of using any one type of judicial ideology) and found it helpful and insightful. This article is somewhat weak and it feels like overkill to have so many posts about it, but I guess some good came out of it. And, a lot of blather, sometimes latching on to some phrase in one or two posts. Such tiresome b.s.

The Cuckoo's Calling

Not a Harry Potter fan, but the drama over "Robert Galbraith" led me to check out this mystery. Quite good -- the detective (with a bit from the p.o.v. of his new assistant, a stand-in for a young J.K. Rowling) is an engaging character as is the story. It's over 400 pages, but never boring. One or two questionable moves, but look forward to future entries.

Rev. Joe Goes To Court: "Major tests on religion shaping up"

Wary of the results of all of them if they come up, but the prayer one should be of limited harm at least. A look at the questions presented suggests the deck is stacked, but perhaps helpful in that respect. Note Sotomayor's ruling on the contraceptive mandate.

D-O-M-A

That might be a new classic!

"The importance of my gag reflex in accepting who God made me to be"

So I repented. I turned around and faced God. I accepted who God created me to be and I exchanged my unnatural sexual relations for my natural ones.

Not quite the references to "God" likely to be found in a Tracie Peterson novel.

The Icecutter's Daughter

Here's an excited review for this book. I read it and the next one in the series. Over ninety books? Makes Danielle Steele look like a wanker! The book is quick reading Christian historical fiction. I think it sort of overdoes it on the Christian (moderation in all things!) but both were enjoyable reads. The second book has a surprising plot twist.

New Mexico Photographer Loses Discrimination Case

I'm not 100% sure the law in place is necessary, but the ruling itself looks very reasonable. The idea that photographers are uniquely "expressive" here as I noted in the comments to me appears particularly wrong. As with the contraceptive mandate, the other side is filled with arbitrary line-drawing, mixed with strong rhetoric that repeatedly doesn't address the hard questions. The OP discussion there is fair though.

Bradley Manning Sentenced

His mistreatment in prison complicates the matter, but for what he was sentenced for, ten years would seem appropriate. If he actually gets released when he is first up, I think it is reasonable. I would not be against commuting his sentence at the end of Obama's term either. Releasing all this information in this manner was rightly prosecuted but his treatment and the amount of charges, not so much.

The Loved Ones

I saw this on a "gross out" horror movie list and it started off promising. But, a mostly pointless subplot and a badly paced second half (plus some real stupid plot developments as well as an aggravatingly lame ending) made it a major disappointment. It had promise as a "fun" film with some verve, but it lost its way. Others liked it more.

Lee Thompson Young

I made a flippant remark about Rizzoli & Isles and someone brought up the news of his suicide. Very sad. The show is a somewhat silly one that can best be enjoined for its role as entertainment. But, like certain problems with Disney stars (like LTY, actually), reality shows its ugly face there too. How will the show deal with this? Oh well. Back to the non-serious.

F-bomb lady

A blog hit was connected to this picture of word goddess Kory Stamper.