First Looks category archive

Break time.

Bob Molinaro, in my local rag:

It’s a sign of the times that two of the happiest words in college and pro football are “charges dropped.”

More of his incisive insights at the link.

Time to drink liberally.

Fun and fellowship for liberals. Join us and talk about anything in a relaxed atmosphere.

When: Thursday, july 25th, 6 p.

Where:
Croc’s 19 Street Bistro
620 19th Street (Map)

More here.

Update: Date corrected. For some reason, I’ve been a day off all day.

Librivox is having a fundraiser. Please help.

Family matters.

(Link fixed.)

The Orlando Sentinel reports (emphasis added), with a refreshing breath of candor:

If you’re one of many drivers who has switched on your car’s hazard lights while negotiating heavy rain, guess what: You’ve broken the law.

But it’s not too likely you’re going to get a ticket for it.

Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Mark Wysocky said the law is probably not very frequently enforced, noting that both the officer and driver would get “soaked” if a citation was issued in the pouring rain.

Drivers’ flashing four-ways when there is no good reason irritates the heck out of me.

(The rationale for the law is to keep drivers from confusing ordinary vehicles with police cars and ambulances.)

Context.

And if the truth about the actual confrontation remains in doubt, the moments leading up to it are all too clear. It was Zimmerman who incorrectly decided Martin was suspicious. It was Zimmerman who did not listen to a police dispatcher. It was Zimmerman who got out of his vehicle. And it was Zimmerman carrying a weapon.

Follow the link.

Taking it easy.

In the meantime, enjoy the view from the back seat.

Well, maybe not so much, but one heck of a PR guy.

Off to drink liberally.

Now on Tuesdays for Norfolk (still Thursdays for Virginia Beach) to make it easier for persons with commitments on either day to catch at least one per month.

Drinking Liberally is a gathering place for liberals. Socialize and laugh in a friendly atmosphere.

When: 6 p., Tuesday, June 11.

Where:
Pasha Mezze
350 West 22nd Street
Norfolk (map)

Details here. Meetup page here.

The long-time entertainment critic–as long as I can remember, and I grew up reading that paper–at my local rag reminisces about his encounters with some movie stars.

Read it. It will give you smiles.

Mark Washburn of the Charlotte Observer has unearthed the rules for local television news. What he found does not surprise.

A nugget:

There is no bigger story in Charlotte than weather. Never use the term “rain.” In Charlotte, it is “liquid death.” This is why our forecasting center is named “The Nostradamus Smaction News Severe First Warn Corpse-Watch Unit.”

If we send you to the coast for a hurricane, stand out in the storm while beseeching people to take shelter. Go find some civilians outside in the storm and remark on how they are foolishly risking their lives.

Slightly better.

Payrolls rose by 195,000 workers for a second straight month, the Labor Department reported today in Washington. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey projected a 165,000 gain after a previously reported 175,000 increase in May. The jobless rate stayed at 7.6 percent, while hourly earnings in the year ended in June advanced by the most since July 2011.

Are you smart enough to be a citizen?

I scored a 64.

Via Vivian Paige.

Off to drink liberally.

Fun and fellowship for liberals. Join us and talk about anything in a relaxed atmosphere.

When: Thursday, june 27th, 6 p.

Where:
Croc’s 19 Street Bistro
620 19th Street (Map)

More here.