We are reliably informed that this is called “snow”. Apparently it’s what happens when Chicago prays to the wrong gods.

City says motorists shouldn’t have taken the Drive [Chicago Tribune, via Blogenfreude]

“Free people have a common law and constitutional right to travel on the roads and highways that are provided by their government for that purpose. Licensing of drivers cannot be required of free people, because taking on the restrictions of a license requires the surrender of an inalienable right.” [CBS Atlanta, via Political Wire]

Developing Story….

Pro-Mubarak groups are fighting with protesters calling for his ouster. Mubarak forces riding horses and camels are attacking people in Tahrir Square.  Shit is getting ugly.

Nicholas Kristof of the NYT: “It’s not quite right to describe what’s happening in #Tahrir as “clashes.” These are attacks by #Mubarak thugs.” and “It’s odd that Mubarak despises Iran. In fact, he’s precisely copied the Iranian model to crush pro-democracy protests.”

Updates in the comments, I’ll try to add video and images as they come in.

Al-Jazeera

Nick Kristof on Twitter

Beeb

Read more »

We don’t know why it took us so long to notice what’s wrong with this picture, but now that we have, it’s freaking us out.

He was Mozart’s teacher, and he was probably the greatest orchestrator the world has known.  Oh, and he was Beethoven’s teacher as well. Here’s his Symphony 100 (!) finale, played at about the correct tempo (in my mind):

Well, not much to say about Snobama / Snoprah / SNOMG except to say that, at 1800 Central War Time, we are in whiteout conditions at Chicago Bureau World Headquarters & Chowder Club.  And the worst of it is not going to hit for another three hours.

Eeep.

Open weather thread, y’all!

Tahrir Square, Tuesday night, via Al Jazeera

Developing story — post being updated as we go…

As of the initial post, it’s about 10 p.m. in Cairo. We’re at the Stinque Remote Office, watching Al Jazeera English on the iPhone. Reports are that Mubarak will be addressing the nation soon — or providing a “statement” off-camera — perhaps to announce that he won’t be running for “re-election” again in September.

Crowd counts are notoriously difficult in the best circumstances, but nationwide the estimate seems to be “millions” on the streets.

Read more »