From the AP via MSNBC comes this news that a Texas state senator is proposing a bill that would require all purchasers of prepaid cell phones to show a state-issued ID, and would establish databases to record who bought the cell phones.

Quotes and link after the jump.

I don't see one up, so I'll start one and take it down if need be.  Who won the Democratic Debate?  Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton both came out swinging, but didn't devolve into mudslinging, even with Wolf Blizer's constant needling.  Let's see how DailyKos views the debate!

If someone else has already diaried this, I'll delete this entry.  Video footage from an undercover investigator working for an animal rights group has uncovered systematic abuse and torture of sick cows at a California slaughterhouse, in violation CA law and USDA regulations, in an attempt to get them to pass inspection.  Link to the Washington Post after the jump.

A lawsuit against Blackwater claims that Blackwater is looking the other way about the use of illegal steroids by its employees/mercenaries.  From CNN

A quarter of Blackwater security guards in Iraq use steroids and other "judgment-altering substances," according to a lawsuit filed by the families of several Iraqis killed or wounded in a Baghdad shooting in September.

More after the Jump

A local Houston TV news channel has uncovered a secret police test of unmanned surveillance drones for use in local law enforcement.

As we charge toward Primarytown and Caucusville, it seems to me that not many people have yet discussed what real impact the eventual candidate's choice for Vice President will have.  Now, perhaps this is a good thing---pointless speculation gets old quick, after all---but it seems to me that in this election the choice of who fills out the Democratic ticket could have a significant impact on the results of the election.

This diary focuses primarily on what will happen should Hillary receive the nomination, since the polls continue to favor her, and in reality she perhaps has the most to gain or lose from picking the right or wrong Veep (In the interests of full disclosure, I am an Obama supporter).  It does not explore the possibilities that could result from Richardson, Dodd, or Biden receiving the nomination, because at present, their positions look almost as hopeless as Gravel's.

We all know the type.  These are those who would move armies and condemn the lives of millions from the comfort of their kitchen table.  Many have never served a day in the military.  Nearly all have never seen death or destruction.  Yet, somehow, they have the courage and wisdom to decide the fate of continents.

To the Armchair Warrior, the only thing that matters is victory for his side.  To him, the end justifies the means.  War?  Turmoil?  Genocide?  No matter, those are unimportant if victory can be achieved.  Failure to use all ends to gain victory is nothing but weakness to him.

There are many different types of people who advocate war, but the Armchair Warrior is to me a particularly irritating breed.  Many who serve in the armed forces passionately support the current war in the Middle-east for one reason or another.  I disagree with them vehemently and completely, but I have to respect them for this one thing: they, at least, practice what they preach.