Good afternoon . . .
Santa Maria Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville threatened to close the court if the "combat" between Michael Jackson's lead attorney, Tom Mesereau and the mother of Jackson's accuser.
Throughout the cross examination by Mesereau, the mother often sparred with him and,m at times, directly addressed the jury. At one point she turned to the jury and said, "Two years I've been waiting for this."
Mesereau continued to press the mother on who wrote the "script" she alleges her family was forced to recite on a video praising the aging pop-star. The witness said Mesereau would have to ask Jackson's associates and invited Michael to come to the stand and tell the jury.
This case is getting so bizarre, you do not know who to believe. The bulk of the evidence does show a pattern of child abuse and molestation. If the jury believes even a small portion of it, Jackson will be convicted.
CNN.com - Jackson judge threatens to close court - Apr 15, 2005
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Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has decided that a double standard is the right way to criticize Senate Republicans.
Reid said that Majority Leader Bill Frist (D-TN) should cancel a videotaped speech to a group that claims the obstructionists for Bush judicial nominees is based on religious grounds. Reid calls it "radical Republican" politics.
Reid was among the Democrat senators who failed to criticize failed presidential candidate John Kerry for campaigning against President Bush at a Baptist church.
Frist spokesperson, Bob Stevenson accused the Democrat leader of a "double standard" saying, "Now, as they prepare to continue their unprecedented filibuster against the president's judicial nominations, they criticize the leader for agreeing to deliver a similar address pressing for fair treatment of the president's judicial nominees."
Reid and Sen Dick Durbin (D-IL) held a press conference to urge Frist to cancel the speech and to openly criticize his leadership. It is unusual for senators to openly criticize one another in public. This demonstrates the deep-seeded partisanship that pervades the Senate.
Senate observers say that Frist will utilize the so-called "nuclear option" to limit filibusters for judicial nominees. While not every Republican will vote for the rule change, Frist has enough senators plus the vice-president to guarantee the rule change.
Reid Calls Frist's GOP Politics 'Radical' - Yahoo! News
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Monday the College of Cardinals meet in Conclave to elect the next Pope. 117 Cardinals are eligible to vote for the new Pope. The Conclave is an ancient rite of the Church in which Cardinals have traditionally been sequestered in the Sistine Chapel until one of their number is elected Pope.
Under new rules instituted by John Paul II, Cardinals will have the ability to move throughout the Vatican during the meetings. They will stay in a hotel/conference center built for this purpose, but will hold their secret meetings in the Sistine Chapel.
Shortly after John Paul's funeral, the College of Cardinals voted to not speak to the press or accept media invitations until after the Conclave ends.
The Conclave begins Monday.
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Unless events warrant, the next Check This Out Briefing will be Monday. Have a great weekend.
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