Cardinal Bergoglia of Argentina, nom-du-guerre "Francis I", is first Latin American, first Jesuit to become Pope; takes helm of sinking ship....and on this same day, Los Angeles archdiocese agrees to $9.99 million payout in 4 sex abuse cases, but admits no wrongdoing
--US military sex scandals continue, as we learn that the shooter who reportedly killed 2 cops in Santa Cruz was allowed to leave the military after 2 rape charges, and an Air Force general has overturned the rape conviction of a fighter pilot
--in private meeting, at least one Dem senator is reported to ask tough questions of Obama about drones and killing programs
--Andy Worthington, journalist and regular contributor here, is featured in "Debate Club" at US News & World Report arguing in favor of court trial (instead of military commissions) and federal prison (instead of Guantanamo) for the latest suspect, bin Laden's son-in-law
--Sen. Bernie Sanders introduces constitutional amendment to void Citizens United
--Gen. Keith Alexander runs NSA and Cyber Command, says we will defend our networks with cyber war offensives
--Reuters reports new plan to collect all of our financial data to protect us from terrorists
--rumor mill says Koch Brothers are mulling a bid for Tribune Company; Sam Zell is the vulture capitalist I was trying to remember
--just as your humble host is trying to schedule an interview with Detroit reporter Charlie LeDuff, we learn that he picked a fight at the St. Patrick's Day parade, explaing the silence of his publicist
--it's over 80 degrees F at the secret studio today, as we read report on big spike in our planet's temperature
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