Briefly:

The Star-Tribune says that the race in Minnesota is about even. We've become an increasingly centrist state, and the Bush campaign has been targeting us as a possible toss-up. But, in all honesty, I would be surprised if Bush won the state. Minnesota hasn't voted republican since Nixon carried the state in 1972. Maybe we've become more of a battleground state in recent elections, but what leads one to believe that anything has *really* changed? Especially in these days where Bush is so loathed by the media and roughly half of the general public? When Minnesota begins voting republican again it will likely be for another landslide winner (like Nixon). Right now I would say (if pressed) that Kerry will take Minnesota by a couple of percentage points (but probably not by the five percent margin the Star-Tribune poll shows).

Supreme Court to debate executions of teens. I am not going to weigh in on this yet; maybe sometime tonight. For now, just read the article and think about this: if the government can decide that at 18 you can die for your country (assuming (a) there is a draft or (b) you volunteer for service), then shouldn't that same government be allowed to execute you for taking the life of someone else (assuming (a) the crime is particularly heinous and (b) not in self-defense)? Am I wrong about that? If you think so, use the comments section to tell me why.

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Tonight: Possibly going to a lecture on journalistic ethics. The debate and the MLB Playoffs are both on as well. I might be back to comment on those. If not, have a good night.