Amazon announced two new programs today: Amazon Pages, which allows you to buy any page or chapter of a book, and Amazon Upgrade, which allows you to upgrade a purchase to include an online version of the book. Prices TBA. The announcement was clearly timed to coincide with Google blowing the doors open on Google Print today.

Bach probably didn’t compose the Toccata and Fugue in D minor. If you don’t recognize the name, you’ll definitely recognize the opening melody, especially if you’ve seen Fantasia. The beginning of the fugue part has been my cell phone ringtone for awhile (no Crazy Frog for me) – now I’ve lost all nerd-cred.

Sorry for the lack of content, folks – I’m having major computer problems. Looks like I’ll be having to send my computer to Apple, and even though I have another computer I can use until then, I’m behind on my “real” work. So things will be slow around here probably until Monday.

Reid invokes the magical Rule 21 to put the Senate into a closed session to discuss the administration’s handling of pre-war intelligence. I’m not sure what political or strategic end the Democrats are trying to achieve by doing this, but I like that they are finally showing off their true anger. With the indictments last Friday and the war as unpopular as it currently is, the Democrats have no excuse to not take advantage of the moment. The accusations against the government right now are very serious and are not without merit – we should all be angrily demanding the truth.

Samuel A. Alito, a White Catholic male who believes that women can be legally compelled to inform their husbands before an abortion and is nicknamed “Scalito,” has been nominated to replace Sandra Day O’Connor. We can debate whether Roe v. Wade going down would be good for the pro-choice cause in the long run, but no matter what, history won’t look kindly to an all-male majority decision. If confirmed, he would be the fifth Catholic currently on the court. Gee, I wonder if the death penalty will become illegal now? (That’s sarcasm, people.)

Jack Handey returns! Don’t know if this is the same guy as on SNL , or at least written with permission. Here’s a classic and timely Deep Thought:

“Indie” musicians such as Arcade Fire, Beck, and Davendra Banhart mock “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” with “Do They Know It’s Hallowe’en?” Includes a video, which is arguably better than the song. This has been around for a few weeks now, but I was waiting for the right time to post – i.e., the day before All Saint’s Day! The day after Cabbage Night! Oh, and I think David Cross has the most recognizable voice than anyone else currently living.

One of my favorite Halloween movies is the underappreciated Cemetary Man (Italian title: Dellamorte Dellamore). It’s a 1994 Italian horror film dubbed in English, similar to the style of Dario Argento but much more surreal and philisophical than the films of that master of Italian horror.

An insight into suburban mass hysteria from one of its “victims.” I’ve always been interested in mob mentality, but I missed out on the McMartin preschool affair in 1984 since I was too young to follow it at the time. Reading about it now, it seems absolutely nuts that the fantastical tales the children were telling ended up launching a multi-million dollar investigation – it doesn’t even seem as ambiguous as Capturing the Friedmans was constructed to be. (via kevin drum)

“Scooter” Libby indicted, resigns; click for the PDF of the indictment. The rumor mill says that Rove was supposed to be indicted today as well, but his lawyer provided last minute evidence to hold it off – hence, the continuing investigation. If he does get indicted, I assume he’ll immediately resign as well.

Charles Krauthammer predicted the feeble excuse for withdrawing Miers six days ago. Andrew Sullivan has more. With a potential indictment announcement around the corner, the timing of the withdrawal was clearly strategic. Expect the replacement to be announced right after the indictments come down.

Edward Lazarus tries to reign in the black-and-white fanaticism of politics, especially that of some liberals with respect to Plamegate. “In contemporary politics, liberals think conservatives are destroying the country with evil hearts through evil means, while conservatives think liberals would destroy the country through decrepit thinking and weak-kneed policies. Doubt does not flourish in this toxic environment; nor does an attention to those facts that might not support one’s passionate political position.”