Apparently a number of web surfers, like me, have been fascinated by the lurid details revealed during the trial of German cannibal Armin Meiwes. The following News of the World article offers more of the gruesome story.
NOTE: Graphic content advisory.

Continue reading →

Finally, some potentially good news from outed Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore:

“Alabama’s former chief justice may challenge Bush for the religious vote”
But Roy Moore, the ousted Alabama Supreme Court justice who made headlines last year by refusing to remove a Ten Commandments monument he placed on public property, could make a difference in a close race. And just last week, he refused to rule out a presidential candidacy.
A lot of people want him to run. Last Saturday, Mr. Moore was a featured speaker at the Christian Coalition’s “Family and Freedom” rally in Atlanta. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported he was “treated like a rock star, signing autographs and getting thunderous standing ovations.” The week before that, Mr. Moore was the speaker at a dinner in Lancaster, Pa., sponsored by the Constitution Party, which has the third-largest number of registered voters in the U.S. and whose presidential candidate, Howard Phillips, was on 41 state ballots in 2000.
During a question-and-answer period, Mr. Moore was asked if he would run for president. “Not right now,” he said, noting he is still appealing his dismissal from office for violating a federal court’s order to remove the monument from the Alabama Supreme Court building. “I have to wait till all these things are done to decide my future.” His friends say he is undecided about whether to run for president or to wait two years and seek Alabama’s governorship.

Clearly, in an election race as close as this one is shaping up to be, any third party running on the right could mean doom for Bush, just as Nader was for Gore in 2000.
I doubt Moore will follow through with this and run. Then again, he’s already proven himself to so egocentric that I can’t rule it out, either.
Stay tuned.

Final:

Patriots 32
Panthers 29

My Panthers by 4 prediction fell short. Perhaps if Carolina had had a few yards of offense during the game’s first 27 minutes things would have turned out different.
Super Bowl ads generate a lot of buzz. I wasn’t overly impressed with the ones I saw, though I did miss a number of the highest rated ones. One thing I don’t quite get is why movie companies plop down $2.3 million per to promote films that won’t even come out for two or three months. Do people really plan to see a movie three months in advance? And exactly how does CBS define an advocacy ad? Apparently, it’s an ad they don’t want to show.
Alas, I missed Janet Jackson’s breast. And here people were getting all worked up about the Lingerie Bowl.

I was watching C-SPAN and a woman called in claiming to have an IQ of 175. Whenever people introduce themselves by singing their praises, you should immediately be suspect of them. That was borne out by this caller.
According to her astrological sources, Senator Kerry will have some sort of personal issue exposed in April and his campaign will take a dive. Governor Dean will go on to win the nomination and defeat George Bush.
Thought you’d like to know.
Have I ever commented on how nutty astrology is? Yes, it is.

The South Carolina Democratic Party is requiring that voters declare that they are Democrats in order to vote in Tuesdays’ primary.

Voters who appear at their polling places will be asked to sign an oath swearing that “I consider myself to be a Democrat” before casting their ballots.
If they don�t sign, they can�t vote.
Democrats say they don�t want to keep independents away, but they do hope to deter Republicans from voting in the primary and interfering with the results.
The pledge is legal because the Democratic Party � not the state Election Commission � runs and pays for the presidential primary, said Donna Royson, deputy executive director of the Election Commission. South Carolina requires only that voters declare they have participated in just one party�s primary.
Democrats said the national party has required the pledge since 1984 in South Carolina and other states that don�t require voters to register by party.

Funny, I’ve never registered with a party or taken the Democratic pledge.
Some contend the vow discourages independents from participating in the primary. Former DNC Chair Don Fowler counters:

“We want everybody to come vote as long as it�s done in good faith,” said Don Fowler, a former Democratic National Committee chairman. “I don’t think many Republicans will come. If they want to come and consider themselves a Democrat for the day, they�re welcome.”

If that’s the case, why even have the requirement? It seems silly and will only filter out the more moderate voters who will likely determine the race this November.