It's hotter than Satan today. I can't remember the last time I used air conditioning on my way driving in to work.

focuspoint show tonight, everyone. We're playing with a couple other cool bands, and, hello, Nectar has outdoor seating. What more can you ask for on a hot Tuesday night? I'm publicly peer pressuring Jeanna to blog about the show for Metroblogging Seattle.

Hmm. Paolo is not too happy with W. right now.

Last week, of course, he "commuted" Scooter Libby's 30-month sentence (so Libby doesn't have to serve jail time, just pay the $250,000 fines, which the GOP is conveniently covering). I could at least handle that.

I mean, why not grant a man's Independence for Independence Day, right? Tis the season. Or, as the P-I puts it, "Why not give a hand to someone who is helping cover up the political motivations behind leaking the name of a CIA agent whose husband happened to be an outspoken critic of the campaign to wage a war on Iraq?" And W. is so appreciative he said last week that a full-on pardon isn't out of the question. Someone's feeling the love.

But today, the AP reports that W. has invoked executive privilege to deny requests by Congress for testimony from two former aides about the firings of federal prosecutors. I thought those U.S. attorney firings alone smelled fishy, but combined with several investigations into use of executive powers (Read: wiretapping), the White House reeks like the Port of Tacoma.

Back in the day. Nonna holding Jimmy and I front and center. Jimmy's sisters Mariangela (left) and Antonella (right).

Senior portrait.

Playing guitar.

Me at one of Jimmy's memorials.

FYI, I changed my email addy to:

paolomottolajr [at] gmail [dot] com