Thanks for the explanation, anyone?

http://www.thoughttheater.com

Craig was likely flying NW (Northwest) #1276 from Boise to MSP (since the incident happened a little after noon and he had to catch his plane) which landed at 11:44 am and connecting to DC on NW 672 which departs at 1:05 pm.

If some enterprising individual (with press credentials?) could find out which were the arrival/departure gates for these flights (they’re daily with dedicated gates at least they used to be when I was flying this route a few years back) and the location of the restroom in question, this map [pdf file] would indicate whether or not Craig went out of his way, during the limited time he had between flights, to use the restroom

It will also be interesting to witness how much the “so called” progressive blogsosphere will discuss Mearsheimer and Walts new book?

Maybe if someone would post a piece delineating the argument contained therein so that we could devote an entire thread on-topic to the argument they make in their book?

There is one other good possibility for Craig, and if I am Craig’s lawyer, this is where I am heading very fast and very quietly. The Hennepin County Court has a pre-trial diversion program that could be offered. I would be talking very quietly to the head county attorney, or his chief deputy, about what a useless mess for both sides this is if it gets reset on a trial docket; big time and resource costs, dog and pony show interrupting other court activity etc. Talk him into stipulating to set aside the plea and entering into the pre-trial diversion program; which is typically a 8 or 16 hour class costing about a $150, an agreement that you will not commit any other offenses for a year and you are done.

bmaz – don’t you think you’re maybe discounting too easily the anger and resentment of both the County prosecutor and the judge involved? IOW, having engaged in what they thought to be a good-faith negotiation (and yes, I think it *was* negotiated) with Craig, that they’ll take at all kindly to Craig now coming back, reneging on his agreement, and then asking for a diversion program in return for his screwing them over?

(and the Minn DOC statute does encompass “obscene” conduct. so that might well be what you’re think of there).

And won’t the diversion agreement, even if he can sell it, still entail a stipulation to the facts as alleged? They do here.

jayt – As to factual basis, some do, some don’t I have no idea what it is in that specific court; but since it is not regulated by the court, but rather by the prosecutor, it could be to an amorphous disturbing the peace anyway as long as the prosecutor was cool with it. As to the anger and resentment on the part of the authorities, that is a very salient point. I almost wonder if they didn’t have some of that to begin with and that is why he didn’t do diversion to start with. More likely, I think that may not be the case and the mail in plea bit was all arranged because it had the least “noise quotient”. In short, I got no idea where that part of it stands. Apparently Craig has also retained Tom Kelly, a Minneapolis attorney that is very well respected by several people in NACDL that I know. We will know pretty fast if this is the course; so we shall see. It may not work, but I sure as hell would be trying it if I represented Craig.

bmaz – don’t you think you’re maybe discounting too easily the anger and resentment of both the County prosecutor and the judge involved? IOW, having engaged in what they thought to be a good-faith negotiation (and yes, I think it *was* negotiated) with Craig, that they’ll take at all kindly to Craig now coming back, reneging on his agreement, and then asking for a diversion program in return for his screwing them over?

(and the Minn DOC statute does encompass “obscene” conduct. so that might well be what you’re think of there).

And won’t the diversion agreement, even if he can sell it, still entail a stipulation to the facts as alleged? They do here.

Does Mitch McConnell always look like that – like he’s straining at stool?

Wonkette had a shot of him the other day, standing near Craig, wide-eyed, looking like he’s physically revolted by being in the same room with the Wide Stancer. He’s very expressive.