I beg your…

“Extraordinary.” — former Justice Department Attorney
“Quite remarkable.” — (I’m lost as to whether this would be an offense or defense) attorney

This story just gets better and better as it unfolds:

Pardon Lasts Just One Day for Developer in Fraud Case

Administration officials and experts in pardon law said they were not aware of a prior instance of a president’s withdrawing a pardon after it was announced. “This is extraordinary,” said Margaret Colgate Love, who served as pardon attorney at the Justice Department in the 1990s.

The Justice Department official maintained that Mr. Toussie would have no grounds to argue that the president could not take back a pardon….

The Toussie episode comes as more lawyers appear to be going directly to the White House for consideration of pardons, rather than through Justice Department channels, according to people involved in the process. The most notorious recent instance came in 2001, when President Bill Clinton pardoned the fugitive financier Marc Rich, even though the Justice Department had not offered a formal recommendation.

Which, of course, preceded the other pardon Bill had to ask for.


It’s heart-warming to know that even partisanship can be trumped by special interests.

Neural networks

I pride myself on the breadth of my network. There are, however, reassuring exceptions.

You and this LinkedIn user don’t know anyone in common.

You can only view the profiles of users within your network. However, as you add connections, you may discover people you know in common.


Am I reading too much into the color theme here?

I am no respecter of persons…

….when the person legitimately commands my respect.

Barely 48 hours in and no prisoners are being taken.

In 1651, Thomas Hobbes outlined the dangers of unadulterated libertarianism, stating it leads to a life that is “nasty, brutish, and short.*

In 2008, the New Administration is ensuring this doesn’t happen. Act 1: Rahmbo, whom the Chicago Tribune has rather described as “profane, ruthless and savvy.”

Bring it on, O!

While I have always appreciated the Brits….

….I am really growing in my appreciation of Israelis. Lest anyone accuse me of being starry-eyed for just ONE man.

*this phrase actually became emblazened in my memory as The Red Herring magazine’s unofficial legal counsel circa 1995…. attorneys out there, please take no offense despite intent