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Even as
President Obama pays an undeniable political cost for the mere fact of his race,
he's paying a cost with many blacks for not doing enough for blacks. Black members of Congress want programs tailored specifically for blacks; academics are looking for more leadership on race. It just isn't Obama's style, as this New York Times article explains in some detail.
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today upheld the constitutionality of Arkansas's lethal injection procedure. Here's the opinion.
It says that the injection protocol "does not subject inmates to a substantial risk of serious harm." Unless you count death, of course.
More seriously, the case summary says the court finds that the protocol, among others, "contains sufficient safeguards to ensure inmate is fully unconscious before pancuronium bromide and potassium chloride are administered. and any risk that the procedure will not work as designated is merely a risk of accident."
Monday, February 08, 2010 - 11:14:08
Exene live in NYC. Via Brooklyn Vegan.
Though it was a brief encounter in a night of three, Exene Cervenka's visit to White Water proved to be a charmingly intimate set. The punk maven is unmistakably confident wielding a guitar. Her whole band was acoustic, without even substantive percussion — where the drum kit normally would have sat, a vase of flowers rested on a trunk like a bedside table.
Exene, under the moniker "The Alien Lord," introduced her band as "Conquering Lion" on a vintage "Carter-family-style" Gibson, "Wolf Maiden" on backing vocals, and "Black Scorpion 35" on bass, banjo, and handheld percussion. Like someone's spunky aunt bedecked in multiple rosaries and a silk apron, she grinned and chatted the whole time, engaging in banter with even the youngest and the drunkest present. Later, she took a moment to thank the crowd saying with a smirk, "Thanks for listening. We really like it when you do that."
Her set was comprised mostly of her newest album's material, and it ended with a triad of fraught love songs with titles like "I'll Admit It Now," all of which were heartfelt with a wicked tinge of humor.
Exene's set was followed by the Dexter Romweber Duo (and preceded by Brother Andy and His Big Damn Mouth), with Romweber himself brutalizing a vintage guitar so rocked out it looked like it had been dragged behind a truck. Dex and his drummer/sister Sara executed meaty, rough-hewn rockabilly with studied sneers. Sara pored over her drum kit like a spider, her red, shaggy head hanging down, her whole demeanor reminiscent of the world's biggest Cramps fan. Dex peppered in a few instrumental surf numbers, and even covered the old standard "Brazil" to merciless effect.
—Natalie Elliott
Second and Cumberland.
Just got out for a minute to fetch a staffer who got his car good and stuck up in his yard. The road's aren't particularly bad, but as you're crossing the Third Street viaduct, be ready for a thud. There's an encampment of snow ballers hidden on the northwest corner of the bridge.
Monday, February 08, 2010 - 11:44:15
Last week when the last blast came through, Fort Smith Eats posted pics from readers of snow treats, including this snow ice cream from Lauren Hendricks. Well, we seem to have been blessed with our own snowful bounty today. So, how about it? Share your photos of snow treats and the things you eat to warm up by sending your photos to kat@tiedyetravels.com.
On the jump, a recipe for snow ice cream you can make yourself.
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