{"id":4259,"date":"2011-03-10T05:58:26","date_gmt":"2011-03-10T13:58:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=4259"},"modified":"2011-03-10T05:58:26","modified_gmt":"2011-03-10T13:58:26","slug":"open-thread3102011","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2011\/03\/10\/open-thread3102011\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Thread–3\/10\/2011"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yesterday I had an early appointment that took most of the day.  Getting there and back required over a mile of walking in addition to buses, so I was quite tired when I returned.  However, I caught up with comments before I left.<\/font><\/p>\n

Jig Zone Puzzle<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

Today it took me 3:50 (4:56 average).  To do it, click here<\/a>.  How did you do?<\/font><\/p>\n

Short Takes<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

From NY Times<\/a>: <\/font>Illinois became the 16th state to ban capital punishment as Gov. Pat Quinn on Wednesday signed an abolition bill that the state legislature passed in January. <\/p>\n

Bravo!  44 states and the feds to go and the US can become civilized.<\/font><\/p>\n

From The Scotsman<\/a>: <\/font>The Dalai Lama today announced he will give up his political role in Tibet’s government-in-exile, shifting that power to an elected representative.<\/p>\n

The Tibetan spiritual leader, speaking on the anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule in the Himalayan region, said the time had come "to devolve my formal authority to the elected leader".<\/p>\n

Hats off to a great leader and a champion of human rights.<\/font><\/p>\n

From Think Progress<\/a>: <\/font>Yesterday, the megabank held its investor conference in New York City. At one point during the meeting, activists from US Uncut disrupted the proceedings and unfurled a banner demanding that Bank of America pay its taxes. <\/p>\n