Eric Hobsbawm has passed away. He was 95 and an unrepentant Marxist-Leninist. A giant figure in the study of history, his studies of the 19th Century are classics. May he rest in peace.

Mitt Romney urges that the US should repeat its catastrophic errors regarding the Iraq Debacle and listen again to Bib Netanyahu, this time on Iran. Juan Cole remembers Bibi's urging the Iraq Debacle, even though the Media seems to have conveniently forgotten.

Open Thread.

A new season of Homeland begins tonight on Showtime. Same for The Good Wife. Also, there's a new episode of Boardwalk Empire. In case anyone's watching, here's a place to discuss them.

If you're doing something else, this is an open thread, all topics welcome.

More than 2,000 U.S. troops have now died in Afghanistan.

Justin Beiber threw up twice onstage during his debut "Believe" concert last night, but charged back each time and finished the show.

When he finally returned, Bieber had the poise and innate show-business smarts to come clean with the audience. "It's hard for me, you know, not feeling great and throwing up in front of a bunch of people," he said to laughs. "Will you love me even though I'm throwing up on stage?" Shrill shrieks. "OK, I wanted to give you my best show ever, so do you mind if I finish it?"

Here are some Supreme Court possibilities if Mitt Romney wins the election. Among them: Judge Janice Rogers Brown. Remember her?

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

I have an amazing "investment" story that unfolded over last night and this morning. I'd love to share it, but then I'd have to silence you. Anyway, about today's college picks (I think I was about .500 last week and remain well below the break even mark. Detail will be provided as soon as I can muster the courage to recalculate the damage. But today is a new day and the start of a huge up streak), here they are (all picks 2 units unless otherwise indicated):

Oregon -31 over Washington State, Arizona -3 over Oregon State, Texas Tech -3 over Iowa State (5 units), Alabama -30 over Mississippi, Texas -3 over Oklahoma State, Louisville -10½ over Southern Mississippi, Wisconsin +11½ over Nebraska (5 units), South Carolina -21 over Kentucky (3 units), TCU -16 over SMU (3 units), Penn State -1 over Illinois (4 units), Cincinnati +7 over Virginia Tech (4 units), Michigan State -3 over Ohio State (4 units), Minnesota +7 over Iowa, Marshall +17 over Purdue, Missouri +3 over Central Florida, North Carolina State +3 over Miami (Florida), Georgia -14 over Tennessee (3 units), Baylor +11 over West Virginia, Texas A&M -14 over Arkansas (4 units), and Arizona State -1 over California.

Open Thread.

Yesterday, Google turned 14, Lil' Wayne turned 30, Gwynneth Paltrow turned 40 and Meatloaf turned 65.

Today, it's my turn.

I'm taking the day off from blogging, so here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

I'll be flying solo on Daily Kos Radio from 11 to noon Eastern today. Topic of discussion - can "true" progressives vote for President Obama? Hint - Absolutely yes.

How to Listen to Daily Kos Radio:

Can't see the Flash player? Click here to download the stream directly.

Open Thread.

Busy day. Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

I'll be flying solo on Daily Kos Radio from 11 to noon Eastern today. I'll be discussing the notion that a pure progressive should not vote for Obama. Hint: drones.

How to Listen to Daily Kos Radio:

Can't see the Flash player? Click here to download the stream directly.

Open Thread.

Bruce Springsteen celebrated his 63rd birthday last night with a concert in New Jersey. His daughter Jessica is in Europe. She just bought the horse that won Great Britain an Olympic gold medal in show jumping. She didn't make the US team for London, but is going to try again for 2016.

The Emmys are early tonight, I already missed the first hour. I hope Breaking Bad wins some. (Update: Aaron Paul just won best supporting actor for Jesse! I wish there were two awards, so Gus could win too. Hopefully this bodes well for Bryan Cranston. )

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Disaster struck me last week (I'll calculate the details for you later.) But today is a new day. Much more reliant on Sagarin, the picks:

Kansas State +5 over Oklahoma, Hawaii +9 over Nevada, Clemson +15 over Florida State (2 units), Fresno State +6½ over Tulsa, Arizona +23 over Oregon (5 units), Vanderbilt +16 over Georgia, Missouri +11 over South Carolina, Notre Dame -5 over Michigan (5 units), LSU -21 over Auburn, California +16 over USC, Oregon State +7½ over UCLA, Temple +7½ over Penn State, Colorado +20 over Washington State, Miami (Florida) +14 over Georgia Tech (2 units), Wisconsin -17½ over Texas-El Paso, Army +7 over Wake Forest,Mississippi -19 over Tulane, Bowling Green +17 over Virginia Tech (3 units), Maryland +25½ over West Virginia , Western Michigan +1 over Connecticut, TCU -18 over Virginia, Kentucky +23 over Florida, Iowa -14 over Central Michigan (2 units).

For the season, 6 games under .500. Minus 14 units.

Open Thread.

Really busy day. Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

More stars are born...Will Jones and Jeffrey Alan Gutt on the X Factor.

So far this season, I'm liking the X Factor better than The Voice.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.