This is a constitutional law lecturer?

Our dear (presumptive future) leader, via Hotair:

If you look at the victories and failures of the civil rights movement and its litigation strategy in the court. I think where it succeeded was to invest formal rights in previously dispossessed people, so that now I would have the right to vote. I would now be able to sit at the lunch counter and order as long as I could pay for it I’d be o.k. But, the Supreme Court never ventured into the issues of redistribution of wealth, and of more basic issues such as political and economic justice in society.
To that extent, as radical as I think people try to characterize the Warren Court, it wasn’t that radical. It didn’t break free from the essential constraints that were placed by the founding fathers in the Constitution, at least as its been interpreted and Warren Court interpreted in the same way, that generally the Constitution is a charter of negative liberties. Says what the states can’t do to you. Says what the Federal government can’t do to you, but doesn’t say what the Federal government or State government must do on your behalf, and that hasn’t shifted and one of the, I think, tragedies of the civil rights movement was, um, because the civil rights movement became so court focused I think there was a tendency to lose track of the political and community organizing and activities on the ground that are able to put together the actual coalition of powers through which you bring about redistributive change. In some ways we still suffer from that. …
I’m not optimistic about bringing about major redistributive change through the courts. You know, the institution just isn’t structured that way.

Give people permission to use their brains

We were at the local Babies-R-Us for some birthday photos for the eldest child. He lets us know that he's thirsty. My wife informs me she forgot to bring water. No problem, just get some from the convenience cooler at the checkout line, that's what it's for.

So the cashier scans my one 20 oz. bottle of water, and asks, "Is this for a registry or do you need a gift receipt?"

Wow, I just wish I had thought of something snappy and sarcastic to say in response. I just said, "no."

Great quote from the office today

We plant Rickover seeds and pray an O'Kane plant sprouts.

Submarine officer inside joke.

Theory to practice: redistribution of wealth

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need–the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

From Robert Bluey.

Billy Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn's Manifesto

Zombietime found a copy of Prarie Fire and have provided some interesting snippets for us to peruse. Warning, these are disturbing.

Marketplace uncorks CDOs

Crisis explainer: Uncorking CDOs from Marketplace on Vimeo.

Is it a model? Or real?

Bathtub II from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.

Navy - Air Force week

Navy strikes first - with real stealth.