I haven’t been happy with SciFi lately. First, they cancelled Farscape. That was anathema. Then they ruined the character of Starbuck on the “reimagined” Battlestar Galactica. I like the idea of strong female characters. But create a NEW strong female character, don’t destroy an old one, especially a fan favorite. I also don’t so much like Stargate SG1, which makes only one show on SciFi Friday of any real quality.

Which is why this latest development surprises me. They, unlike Fox, are going to re-air episodes of Joss Whedon’s Firefly in order starting July 22 at 7. Joss Whedon is most famous for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, both the 1992 movie and the long-running TV show. He also wrote Toy Story and Alien Resurrection, did Angel and Firefly, and will soon premiere Serenity, a movie that finishes what Firefly started, before moving on to write and direct Wonder Woman. Sort of a book end there. First he turned a failed movie into a succesful TV show, now he’s turning a failed TV show into a movie. Oh, yes, and he also writes the Astonishing X-Men comic book, wherein he brought back one of my favorite characters, Colossus. He’s well-known for his dialogue and his casts of memorable characters. Unfortunately, Fox, after horrendous scheduling decisions, decided to ax Firefly. I recommend all the sci-fi fans give it a try. Then, if you like it, go see Serenity and make the likelihood of a trilogy even more likely.

But anyway, I can finally have some faith that the execs at SciFi maybe do care about quality science fiction, and not just a quick buck.

You ever notice that any time somebody starts talking about the “greater good,” an atrocity is about to happen?

What, precisely, is a “holla back girl”? And why would one not wish to be such?

Our resident linguistic-literalism nerds will appreciate this rant (and the follow-up) from Opinion Journal’s Best of the Web, regarding the misuse of the word “literally.” Excerpt:

“For 20 years, the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps has been literally buried in the woods–small groups of young people quietly building trails, making rock steps and fixing bridges for communities around the state,” reports the Burlington Free Press. This leads to the obvious question: How can they do all these things when they’re literally buried in the woods?

Heh. Other examples of “literally” being used to describe non-literal turns of phrase are “literally a handful” (of people), “literally a shadow of his former self” (referring to a person, not to The Shadow), “literally getting warmed up for a big change,” “communities literally join[ing] at the hip,” and “tak[ing] the art of golf to a new level, literally.”

This sort of linguistic laziness makes me want to literally pull my hair out.

American Idol runner-up Bo Bice (a.k.a. “Bo Brice“) got married earlier this month.

Becky takes an in-depth — and dare I say it, fair and balanced — look at Tom Cruise’s remarks about psychiatry, over on Tidal Moods. Money quote:

First point, do drugs mask the problem? In some instances, I’d have to say yes. We all know people who actively make horrible decisions and become unhappy as a result. Instead of working on their decision-making processes, they hope that taking a little pill everyday will make everything better. Those people abuse psychiatry when therapy would help them change their lives in a more meaningful way.

That being said, it would be and is an absolute mistake to assume that just because such people exist, that all mentally ill people fall into that category. Perhaps one of the most frustrating experiences a person can have is feeling anxious, scared or paranoid and running into a well-meaning loved one asking, “why are you anxious?” Well, if I knew why I was anxious, I would take active steps to prevent anxiety in the future! Sometimes, there is no psycho-spiritual reason for unhappiness or hallucinations or whatever. They just happen.

I would be fascinated to see how Mr. Cruise would explain the well-documented changes visible in a bipolar or schizophrenic brain. Tell me, Mr. Cruise, would exercise or vitamins decrease the size of a bipolar patient’s enlarged basal ganglia? Or perhaps you would like to tell the obsessive compulsive person who has plucked one side of the scalp completely bald that taking more vitamin C would cure her?

There’s much more. Read the whole thing.

There are two things in life that you never fully appreciate until they’re gone: good health and good weather. In an attempt to reverse at least one of these trends, I’d like to take a moment to thank God, or Mother Nature, or Rick Mecklenburg, or whoever is responsible for the beautiful weather that South Bend is expected to experience this holiday weekend.

Sandra Day O’Connor has just announced that she is retiring from the Supreme Court. Here’s the CNN story.

If blogger Erick Erickson is right, this means Emilio Garza, a Double Domer, will be Bush’s first SCOTUS nominee.

Now imagine if Rehnquist steps down next week, as predicted, and Bush decides to appoint two new associate justices and elevate a current associate justice (presumably Scalia or Thomas) to Chief Justice. We could have three simultaneous Supreme Court nomination battles! Could the Senate survive that? Could the country survive that?

UPDATE: Bush will make a statement at 10:15 AM EST, according to NRO.

UPDATE, 10:04 AM: Sandra Day O’Connor is officially causing me to take my earliest lunch break ever. :)

According to NRO’s “Bench Memos” blog, news reports are saying that Bush will not name a successor today.

Here is her resignation letter:

Dear President Bush:

This is to inform you of my decision to retire from my position as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Untied States, effective upon the nomination and confirmation of my successor.

It has been a great privilege, indeed, to have served as a member of the Court for 24 terms.

I will leave it with enormous respect for the integrity of the Court and its role under our constitutional structure.

Sincerely,
Sandra Day O’Connor

UPDATE, 10:14 AM: You can listen to Bush live here (RealPlayer) and here (Windows Media), via C-SPAN.

UPDATE, 10:19 AM: [Revised later with more accurate and full transcript.] Here is Bush’s statement:

Good morning. A short time ago I had a warm conversation with Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who has decided to retire from the Supreme Court of the United States.

America is proud of Justice O’Connor’s distinguished service, and I’m proud to know her. Today she has the gratitude of her fellow citizens, and she and John and their family have our respect and good wishes.

Sandra Day O’Connor joined the nation’s highest court in 1981, the first woman ever appointed to that position. Throughout her tenure, she has been a discerning and conscientious judge, and a public servant of complete integrity. Justice O’Connor’s great intellect, wisdom and personal decency have won her the esteem of her colleagues and our country.

Under the Constitution, I am responsible for nominating a successor to Justice O’Connor. I take this responsibility seriously. I will be deliberate and thorough in this process. I have directed my staff [Bill Kelley, that means you! -ed.], in cooperation with the Department of Justice, to compile information and recommend for my review potential nominees who meet a high standard of legal ability, judgment and integrity, and who will faithfully interpret the Constitution and laws of our country.

As well, I will continue to consult, as will my advisers, with members of the United States Senate. The nation deserves, and I will select, a Supreme Court justice that Americans can be proud of. The nation also deserves a dignified process of confirmation in the United States Senate, characterized by fair treatment, a fair hearing and a fair vote. I will choose a nominee in a timely manner so that the hearing and the vote can be completed before the new Supreme Court term begins [in October].

Today, however, is a day to honor the contributions of a fine citizen and a great patriot. Many years ago, Sandra Day O’Connor chose the path of public service, and she served with distinction as a legislator and a judge in Arizona before joining the Supreme Court. When President Ronald Reagan appointed Justice O’Connor 24 years ago, Americans had high expectations of her. And she has surpassed those expectations in the performance of her duties.

This great lady, born in El Paso, Texas, rose above the obstacles of an earlier time and became one of the most admired Americans of our time. She leaves an outstanding record of service to the United States, and our nation is deeply grateful.

Thank you.

UPDATE, 10:23 AM: You can watch the archived video of Bush’s statement here.

Okay, “lunch” break over, back to work.