If you haven't already, say hello to America's new favorite jurist, US District Judge Richard Leon. While a great many people since June have sought to downplay the revelations of widespread NSA snooping unearthed by Edward Snowden, Judge Leon issued a lengthy and forceful smack down yesterday. The judge, a George W. Bush appointee, said the NSA's telephonic records sifting probably violates the Constitution. It's as forceful and as weighty an opinion as we've had on the matter, and especially important since Leon was privy to a great deal of evidence the various pundits and knee-jerk lawmakers in DC haven't seen.

As to the plaintiffs in the case, you likely know one of them. Larry Klayman is the author of 2009's "WHORES: Why and How I Came to Fight the Establishment.”

But the ruling is by no means the last word in the court case to which it belongs— it's actually just a preliminary step—and Leon has said the government may continue violating your rights while it appeals his injunction.

President Obama's approval ratings—even before yesterday's bombshell—are terrible. Right on par with despised House Republicans, actually.

Speaking of the House, remember when, against all odds, they were comparatively rational on a budget bill last week, but everyone was saying the Senate would likely hold it up because of the recent filibuster fracas? Well, the Senate looks like it'll pass it, too.

While China continues pushing folks around the East China Sea (trying, anyway), Japan's just approved its first military spending increase in a decade. DRONES.

Nirvana's going to be enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but you knew that two decades ago. Kiss, too, I guess?

Following the arrest of an Indian diplomat in New York last week—she allegedly lied about the pathetic sum she was paying her nanny—India is striking back. The country has removed barricades around the US embassy in New Delhi.

Here's an interesting read about life in the world's most-murderous city: San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

I'm just trying to hold it together 'til Friday.

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Are we, as a society, ready to acknowledge Bing Crosby's version of "White Christmas" had nothing on The Drifters'?