isn't it pretty much common knowledge that Michael Jackson is virtually bankrupt at this point? I mean, I remember this being common knowledge prior to the abuse charges and continuing legal fees.

I think that's a matter of debate. He has some money and he owns the Beatles catalog (worth about $100 million?) but then he owes money too, and he spends money like an exploding shark loses blood....

you need to watch more L&O!

It's what got me into this confusion in the first place. I may have to quit.

I was as disgusted with the Vikings as he was and because I can be moody and petulant too, I felt compelled to defend him.

We have that luxury, from the couch (and the relative poverty). His ass should be on the field.

Sorry, the only Randy love here is when he is acting like a professional. One circus catch a game doesn't entitle anyone to behave like Terrell Owens.

It's what got me into this confusion in the first place. I may have to quit.

Tell it to the Eyebrows.

But I live in Chicago, so this season sometimes my only NFL joy is watching the Bears trot out another quarterback to fail spectacularly.

And yet, they left Jeff George on the bench.

How far does fruit of the poisoned tree go? If she finds them because he told her they existed (but not where) and hands them to the cops -- do they have to throw it out as evidence?

Great question. I dunno. The fruit of the poisonous tree and similar doctrine apply against the government, to keep its agents from conducting improper searches, etc. Private citizens may be able to obtain evidence and give it to the authorities which can then use it in court whereas the police cannot. If the police suggested to her to find the evidence and give it to them, MJ may argue that the cops made her their agent and thus the evidence could not be used.

Does MJ still own all those Beatle's song rights?

I thought he sold the catalog? But I don't know why I thought that.

Hi everyone. t blithely ignoring the sports talk

Happy birthday, shrift!

Work has not been as crazy as I thought it would be, despite it being my boss's first day back from vacation. My coworker brought back yummy pralines from his trip to NOLA last week. And tonight I get to hang out with some friends while drinking wine and watching Greg the Bunny on DVD. I think it's gonna be a good week after all. Happy New Year!

Once upon a time the Dodgers were the Brooklyn Dodgers rather than the New York Dodgers

When did they change? I've only known them as the Brooklyn Dodgers. (Although I don't follow baseball closely, and I learned of the Dodgers' Brooklynness from some baseball books I read as a child.)

They didn't. Nutty was having some fun. They were Brooklyn (even though they played a few games in Jersey City near the end of their tenure there) until they moved to Los Angeles.

MJ may argue that the cops made her their agent

TV law is so confusing. It seems on British TV, the cops can make people their agents willy nilly, and the police restrictions don't apply to them (well, not as rigourously). However, they diligently record their interviews. Maybe it evens out.

I thought he sold the catalog? But I don't know why I thought that.

He took out a big loan, and may need to sell the catalog to pay the loan back.