When justice doesn't get justice

In an article on the New York Times web site, that will be in tomorrows print edition, Erik Eckholm writes about a very disturbing trend. The trend is the lack of public defenders for the growing amount of cases in the country. Mr. Eckholm writes about how in Florida's Miami-Dade county there is a lawsuit that has been filed by lawyers to cut back on there workload. A workload that has increased over the last few years from somewhere around 210,000 clients/cases to over 225,000. The article goes on to describe how Florida is not the only place hard hit by this trend. It is happening all over the nation, along with a growing case load, budgets are also being cut. In Florida a budget cut of somewhere around 12%. The article also tells antidotes of lawyers who because they had such big caseloads they missed out on providing all of there clients with proper legal service. In one case a man who would've gotten 1-year in jail, did not because his lawyer could not get to him in enough time, he ended up receiving 5-years in jail. A very interesting article, that is linked below:

New York Times

"A beautiful thing to behold"

Last nights election of now President-Elect Barack Obama left many commentators with feelings of euphoria.  This was very evident in comments made by African American commentators.  One that really hit home were the comments made by PBS's Tavis Smiley on NBC last night.  Mr. Smiley is an African American from the state of Indiana.  A state that he was shocked to see still "in play" for Obama late into the night, a state that later on has gone for Obama.  The 5 minute video is below:

GO VOTE!!

Very simple message today to anyone who reads this blog.  

It doesn't matter who you vote for, just go out and vote.  It is your civic right and responsibility.  GO DO IT!!

The interview that will make her or break her

MSNBC's newest host Rachel Maddow had an interview tonight on her self named program that was very interesting.  The interview was with former Bush speech writer David Frum, and to say there was tension between Frum and Maddow, would be an understatement.  Mr. Frum took Ms. Maddow to task about the tone of her program, calling out her use of sarcasm, and in some cases making fun of important issues.  Now something that I have generally found to be an NBC News trait, with the exception of Joe Scarborough and Chris Matthews.  It was not a shouting match, but a calm, tension filled conversation.  However, compared to her 8 p.m. lead-in Countdown with Keith Olbermann, seeing a liberal having a guest on who disagrees with there views only helps ratings.  The 10 minute segment is below:

What matters to other states

In the USA Todays 50 states in 50 days series, in a story that will be printed in tomorrows paper Charisse Jones profiles the state of Rhode Island and there concerns about energy.  Like many in the nation Rhode Islanders want to see an end of the countries dependence on foreign oil.  The state is one that many see as a poster child  for using wind and water as an energy source.  The article also talks about the makeup of the state as far as voting in the presidential election.  Right now the state is leaning towards Obama.  In a poll done at the end of September Obama was ahead of McCain 48% to 26%.  

The link is below to the article, where you can also find other articles from the 50 states in 50 days series.

Rhode Island

Katie and Sarah, with some Joe on the side

The CBS Evening News is really kicking out the hits over the last two weeks.  Tonight anchor and managing editor Katie Couric had a segment called VP Question.  The point behind these questions was to ask questions of the candidates to get there thoughts on certain issues.  In this case Sarah Palin and Joe Biden were asked the same questions about the Supreme Court.  The first question dealt Roe v. Wade, followed by what court decision they do not agree with.  As many of us know lately it has been the Katie and Sarah show, but this time Senator Biden gets to joy in the fun.  The video segment is below:

Watch CBS Videos Online

Is my money safe?

That's the question millions of Americans are supposed to be asking.  Is my money safe?  Well CNBC's Erin Burnett tried to answer that on tonight's NBC Nightly News.  She did a 3 minute segment on all the things Americans need to know about keeping there money safe.  It is pretty much everything all business anchors have been hammering in our heads over the last few weeks and months, but in these troubled times, why not hear it a few more times.  The clip from tonight's program is below: