So, by the Academy's own definition, Bowling for Colombine isn't a documentary. Yet it is nominated, and wins, an Academy Award. Ok, fine, the "documentary" supposedly supports a political opinion of a majority of Academy members, so we'll just overlook that. And while frustrating, if that was the only problem, it wouldn't be that big a deal. Unfortunately, the film is a complete falsehood that distorts the truth, fabricates material, and outright lies to the audience. What is mildly amusing is that while many anti-gun groups are congratulating Moore on his Oscar win, the conclusion of the film determines that the problem isn't with guns, but people. Gee, you think?

I believe these pictures, provided by the ultra-left-leaning, obviously anti-law enforcement, SF Indymedia branch, are sufficient to show that the anti-war protesters are interested in anything but peace. Your right to protest stops at advocating murder/desertion/treason. And if you truly believed in what you were out advocating, why are you hiding behind masks and bandanas? Cowards.

Something I forgot to note in the previous jury duty posts, but I thought worth mentioning: the judge overseeing the case we sat for, Joe Briggs, sent a handwritten thank-you note to each juror. I'm not sure if that's Denton County policy, or simply Judge Briggs's, but I thought it a nice touch.

Just to wrap up the "Jury Duty" saga: we concluded the trial this past Thursday, deliberating for about 10 minutes, and we found the defendant not guilty. Essentially, it sounds like a case of road rage that could have gone just as much to the "victim" as the defendant. All of us on the jury suspect there is more to both sides of the story than what we were told via testimony. The behavior of the defendant described by the "victim" was not in line with the defendant's demeanor when he was stopped and questioned by police officers, two of whom testified at trial. The defendant was also not arrested at the time of said stop, which goes a long way toward his not being the immediate threat the "victim" made him out to be. He was actually called a day later by a detective and was asked to turn himself in, which he did. For us, the state didn't provide enough evidence to remove reasonable doubt, and thus, we had to acquit. It was one man's word against another, with no other evidence to support the charge. I feel justice prevailed.

Whether or not you are in favor of the war with the Hussein regime, at least say thank you to the troops who are there in your place: Defend America Thank You.

"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." --Thomas Paine

Bombs over Baghdad tonight (tomorrow morning in Iraq). Apparently, intelligence on targets of opportunity was such that cruise missiles and F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighters were launched at limited targets of Iraqi leadership. Apparently, the U.S. military has jammed and co-opted Iraqi State Radio, and is now making statements in Arabic to the people of Iraq.

London's Evening Standard is reporting on a firefight that broke out between Iraqi forces in Basra and members of the British Special Boat Service (think SEALs) and U.S. Marines. Thanks to Dan for the link.

Trial was going pretty good this morning. Got through 4 witnesses, then the defendant had some kind of seizure (I think maybe diabetic/blood sugar), and court was recessed until 9 AM Thursday. So I get to "enjoy" a day at work tomorrow!

I made the cut; I'm one of the six jurors for this misdemeanor trial starting later this morning. The defendant is charged with Deadly Conduct. From what I gathered during voir dire, it sounds like he was either waving around or pointing a handgun at another man. Should be interesting.

So I reported for jury duty this morning, fully expecting to sit around all day while they waded through the list. This based on horror stories of jury duty from friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Denton County, thankfully, does things a little differently than our Dallas brethren. About 250 prospective jurors showed up this morning. After being sworn in by one of the judges and being given a rundown on qualifications and exemptions, the district clerk informed us that the courts needed 232 jurors to fill all of its panels today. That meant 18 lucky folks were walking out of there. I was not one of those 18. The first case was a felony, and they needed 42 people from the panel, of which the attorneys on either side would whittle down to 12. These first 42 totally lucked out, since as the clerk was getting ready to call their names, she received word the trial had been cancelled/postponed. The next 2 sets of jurors were also for felonies, 42 each. Then came a set of 24 for a misdemeanor trial. Then a set of 20 for another misdemeanor. The room was thinning out; were the odds of getting called getting better or worse? (Didn't really matter; computer system had kicked out the various lists, completely at random, minutes before, after all jurors had reported in.) On the 3d misdemeanor trial, my name was called. The good news was that I didn't have to report to the courtroom until 1pm. Not enough time to go in to the office for a bit, too much time to hang around the courthouse. So I came home for a while. I'll head back about noon, 1 out of 24, and they'll take 6 of us. I don't really mind one way or the other. Thankfully, my employer pays me if I'm at work or jury duty, and I donated my $6/$10 a day ($10 if you actually sit on a jury, otherwise $6 for reporting for service) to the Boys & Girls Club of Denton County. It's a misdemeanor trial, which means it shouldn't go more than a day or two. Should be interesting to see what happens later this afternoon.

So later this morning I'll be heading out to report for jury duty. Like most folks, it's not something I'm looking forward to, but it's one of our duties as citizens, and one I take seriously. So much so that I test drove the route earlier tonight, to ensure that I would arrive on time. Hey, if I were a defendant awaiting trial, I'd want people who took it seriously in the jury pool, too, even if they didn't really want to be there.

This is just disgraceful. Utterly disgraceful. Get it through your neanderthal-thick skulls, slugheads: men and women in uniform do not decide whether to go to war or not. They follow orders given by civilian commanders to do so. Focus your anger where it belongs, and respect those who serve in your place.

Charles Krauthammer delivers good advice to President Bush:

Walk away, Mr. President. Walk away from the U.N. Security Council. It will not authorize the coming war. You can stand on your head and it won't change the outcome. You can convert to Islam in a Parisian mosque and it won't prevent a French veto. [...] If you must have a second resolution, it should consist of a single sentence: "The Security Council finds Iraq in violation of Resolution 1441, which demanded 'full and immediate compliance by Iraq without conditions or restrictions.' " [...] If the one-line resolution passes, the violation triggers 1441, which triggers the original resolutions ending the Gulf War. If it fails, you've exposed the United Nations for what it is: the League of Nations, empty, cynical and mendacious. Mr. President: Call the vote and walk away.

Like Krauthammer says, no more dithering. Actions speak louder than words, and the UN isn't delivering anything but empty pronouncements. (Thanks, Rick.)

Coming in under the radar Monday was this report that the United Nations has redesigned its logo and has a new motto. (Thanks, Michael)

Even members of Congress are beginning to call them "freedom fries," and even "freedom toast." (Yes, I know French fries aren't really French.) Thanks, Rick!

You can always count on programmers to be logical. (Well, good ones, anway.) Gary Robinson sallies forth:

Saddam is today in a position where he is very, very likely to be attacked, and he is still not giving inspectors the facts. If he is not doing so now, the trivial added circumstance of the U.S. having the Security Council's permission is obviously not going to make a significant difference to Iraq's choices.

(via Michael)

Sent to me by Michael and noted by Jon, the UK's Sunday Mirror is reporting that Iraqi soldiers have already begun to surrender:

Terrified Iraqi soldiers have crossed the Kuwait border and tried to surrender to British forces--because they thought the war had already started. [...] The stunned Paras from 16 Air Assault Brigade were forced to tell the Iraqis they were not firing at them, and ordered them back to their home country telling them it was too early to surrender.

It's both funny and sad. I hope these guys do the sensible thing when the shooting really does start; Saddam's not worth dying for.

Twenty thousand people go to a baseball game, but the game was rained out. A refund was then due. The team was about to mail refunds when the Congressional Democrats stopped them and suggested that they send out refund amounts based on the Democrat National Committee's interpretation of fairness. After all, if the refunds were made based on the price each person paid for the tickets, most of the money would go to the wealthiest ticket holders. That would be unconscionable. The DNC Plan says: 1. People in the $10 seats will get back $15, because they have less money to spend. Call it an "Earned Income Ticket Credit." Persons "earn" it by demonstrating little ambition, few skills and poor work habits, thus keeping them at entry-level wages. 2. People in the $25 seats will get back $25, because that's only fair. 3. People in the $50 seats will get back $1, because they already make a lot of money and don't need a refund. If they afford a $50 ticket, then they must not be paying enough taxes. 4. People in the $75 luxury seats will have to pay another $50, because they have way to much to spend. 5. The people driving by the stadium who couldn't afford to watch the game will get $10 each, even though they didn't pay anything in, because they need the most help. Now do you understand? If not, contact Representative Nancy Pelosi or Senator Tom Daschle for assistance.