President Obama signed the bill today which will end the role of banks as 'middle men' in the lending process for college students.

The signing ceremony, which acts as the final piece to the health care reform law, took place at a Virginia community college just outside of Washington D.C. today.

According to the president, "the banks hired an army of lobbyists" to keep the bill from passing. Obama stood with the American students though, in order to strengthen our nation's education process and help preserve the student loans' true intention: to help advance education, not the bank's profit margin.

LA was thoroughly embarrassed as they were handed their first loss of their 5 game road trip last night by the Oklahoma City Thunder, with a score of 91-75.

The first bad omen was when Phil Jackson called a timeout only 90 seconds into the game. The Thunder's first possession resulted in 2 free throws after grabbing 2 offensive rebounds, while the Lakers' first 2 possessions resulted in turnovers. The Thunder took an early 17-6 lead, and we might as well have called the game there. Russell Westbrook came out hot with 9 early points, and finished 10-13 shooting in the game. Artest was called for 2 early fouls keeping him from playing the type of defense we have come to expect. The Lakers scored only 15 points in the first quarter, their lowest all season.

The 2nd quarter didn't start out any better for the Lakers as the Thunder were able to easily extend their lead to 17. It looked like there might have been a sigh of relief for the Lakers when the red hot Westbrook headed to the locker room after twisting his ankle, but returned after a timeout to score more of his 17 first half points. Kobe had 7 turnovers at the half, and when the Lakers headed into the locker room they were down by 19 with only 34 points. Again, another season low.

I doubt you really want to hear anything about the 3rd quarter. Just know this, the Lakers broke their season low for points in a quarter, for the second time in one night with only 13.

The Lakers threw in the towel down by 33 at the start of the 4th. Adam Morrison and the rest of the bench came out with the team's best quarter scoring 28 points to Oklahoma City's 11, and still suffered a 16 point loss. And in case you weren't already following the trend of the game, the Lakers set another season low with 75 points for the game. The team shot 39% from the field and a whopping 2-15 from three point land.

The Lakers are headed back to Texas tonight to face the Houston Rockets, who are most definitely hungry for Laker blood. The game can be caught locally at 5:30pm on KCAL9 or 710 ESPN Radio.

Hey all, the Santa Clarita Sheriff's Dept. will be conducting a DUI/driver's license checkpoint tonight in the SCV between 7pm and 3am at an undisclosed location.

I know that it is required by federal law for them to announce the checkpoints before they set them up, but I was also under the impression that they had to disclose the location. Apparently, I was wrong. To me, it doesn't make sense. It's unconstitutional to stop citizens when they haven't done anything wrong, so if they are going to do so, I believe they should have to at least announce where.

Deputies hope that if drivers know that there will be checkpoints on the road, it will help to prevent them from drinking and driving in the first place. I am all for that. I wish upon no one the fines and penalties one must go through after receiving a DUI, and most importantly the dangers they cause on the road. But, speaking from a strictly constitutional view point, I believe that police should have to disclose the location of these checkpoints.

The only information given about the location is that it will be based on the DUI activity in that area. Not quite sure what that means, but if I were to speculate, I would say it probably means the check point will be in the downtown Newhall area close to The VU.

So, if you're planning on going out and drinking tonight, please make sure to have a designated driver. Also, I would like to hear your comments and views on the constitutional controversy these checkpoints bring up. Have a good night, and please be safe!

-pb


UPDATE via The Signal:

Deputies will determine the location of the checkpoint based on previous DUI activity and statistics, and will announce the location at a later time.

"Ever thus to deadbeats, Lebowski."
Movie screening on Good Friday and bowling on shabbos, how perfectly fitting!

Fri, April 2nd - Movie Party - Creedence cover set by Paddy and The Poor Boys + special guests Jack Kehler (Dude's Landlord), Philip Moon (Woo The Carpet Pisser), Jim Hoosier (Liam), Peter Exline (inspiration for the story), Andrea Nunn (Julianne Moore/Maude's Stand-in for the carpet flying scene) and possibly others followed by a screening of The Big Lebowski. Doors 8:30 pm @ The Wiltern - All Ages - $19.99 - RSVP on Facebook

Sat, April 3rd - Bowling Party - Bowling, costume, trivia and other contests. Special guest Jim Hoosier (Liam). Bowling and shoe rental included. Bowling is general admission and not guaranteed. 9 pm @ The Cal Bowl - All Ages - $25 adv / $30 day of. RSVP on Facebook


Schedule information courtesy of lebowskifest.com