Don't just do something, stand there.

From Lowering the Bar:

There are many sad examples of innocent bystanders and police officers being injured as a result of high-speed chases, and so it is understandable that some cities might direct officers not to engage in those kinds of pursuits, on the grounds that it usually isn't worth the risk. But Wellford, South Carolina, is probably the only place where police have been directed not to chase suspects at all, even on foot.

World's Oldest Man

Walter's 113 and still going.

Leslie's Leaving

Leslie Kerwin's resigning as Secretary of Administration and Finance, heading off to a deanship at Harvard. Her leaving is a real loss. She's a very capable person, lots of talent. Leslie is also someone who understands municipal government and knows about towns. She'll be missed.

Dropped Objects

The Gazette (no link) reports that not much detail is forthcoming in the Air Force report about the wheels that fell from a C5 over Belchertown. I had the opportunity to review and comment on the environmental impact statement prepared in the early 80's when bringing the C5's to Westover was planned. Noise was the predominant concern at the time but a couple other details in the EIR stuck in my head.

One was that the C5 had the highest rate of dropped objects of any large aircraft. You had to search out side the report for a definition of dropped object -- essentially its a part of the plane that should stay attached but doesn't. The report also carefully listed all the landfills in proximity to the base. Much further in the report was a mention that the C5 is very prone to bird damage. One had to come to the conclusion on your own that where there are dumps, there are likely to be dump ducks & other fowl.

Slow turning but he finally gets it....

Andrew Sullivan sez:

The pattern is now clear: the imperative to play the political game has won on the right. The longer-term pattern is just as clear: a faction of congressional Democrats sometimes backed Bush on his initiatives (such as his tax cuts). No one in the Congressional Limbaugh-run GOP will back anything this president does. Not only that; they will assault him, race-bait him and insult him in a continuous reel of populist bile.

(De)tox

Arbonne International, LLC ("Arbonne") has voluntarily recalled one lot of its Seasource Detox Spa® Foaming Sea Salt Scrub.

This voluntary recall was initiated by Arbonne as a result of discovering the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria in the recalled lot. No other lots are affected. The organism Pseudomonas aeruginosa may cause dermatitis, soft tissue infections, bacteremia, and a variety of system infections, particularly with users who are immunosuppressed. Because the Foaming Sea Salt Scrub is used to exfoliate the skin’s surface, there is a possibility that inadvertent introduction of the tainted product directly into any skin abrasions could result in infection.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with this product.

Too Much Time on His Hands

Christy Mihos wants to be Governor, no wait a minute, Senator. After all, he's made millions giving folks the opportunity to buy Fritos and Red Bull at 2:00 AM, why shouldn't he be a policy maker?
He's rich, so he must know sumpin'.

The Dummie Dozen

Salon provides a field guide to the knuckleheads of the Senate.

Volvo for sale?

According to Reuters: "China's Geely Automotive said on Wednesday its parent wants to bid for Ford's Volvo Car Corp -- the latest Chinese automaker to chase a foreign brand in a global industry overhaul."
Volvo owners may have to contemplate the consequences of owning a Commonist car.