Short Takes

In the Hot Seat -- Judge Sonia Sotomayor starts her confirmation hearings today and the GOP is gearing up to question her impartiality.

Rich beyond the dreams of Avarice -- Goldman Sachs is going to report huge profits... with our money.

What's the big deal? -- GOP Senators and Congressmen seem unconcerned about the CIA concealed program, and blame the Democrats for "partisanship." ("Partisanship" is their way of acknowledging that they got busted.)

No Go -- Shuttle Endeavour gets another delay; may go today.

Speaking of space, NASA is thinking about "de-orbiting" the space station in 2016 due to lack of funding. (That's a nice way of saying they're going to make a hole in the ocean with it.)

Cheap(er) Gas -- Compared to a year ago -- $4.15 -- $2.54 here in South Florida is a bargain.

One bright spot in the Michael Jackson saga is that his celebrity chimp Bubbles has retired to Florida without having to resort to a custody battle.

The Tigers end the first half of the season with a 10-1 blowout of the Indians and head into the All-Star break with a respectable 48-39 (.552) record. They lead the division by 3.5 games.