The missing Air France Jet with 216 people aboard may have fallen into the ocean. But, nobody knows for sure. It is still missing.

Douglas Ferreira, head of the investigation division of Brazil's Civil Aeronautics Agency, warned reporters that the search could take a long time because it was taking place in a vast stretch of open sea.

"We can fear the worst," said Jean-Louis Borloo, the French minister of ecology, who was overseeing rescue efforts from the Paris end.

Terrorism is not suspected. It was an accident of some kind, probably related to a lightning and thunderstorm. But, as of now, the French Government says it has "no news."

Loyal readers of this site know that I have been following the the NBA playoff series between the Boston Celtics and the Chicago Bulls rather closely. I have no real positive rooting interest (though Joakim Noah is a Gator) in this series. I do have a negative rooting interest as I have always hated the Celtics (I also hate Notre Dame football and Duke basketball and have come to hate the Red Sox of late, before 2004, it was mainly just contempt and pity). But sometimes a sporting event becomes compelling on its own terms. The Bull-Celtics series has become that this year. I am obsessed with it and can't wait for tonight's Game 7.

The great Bill Simmons, the greatest sportswriter alive( On second thought, it is still Mark Kram (correction, Kram passed away in 2002) and probably the most entertaining writer alive, writes:

Think of all the crap we deal with as fans. "Bulls-Celtics 2009" explains why we put up with every story about Clemens and Bonds and Michael Vick and Terrell Owens and everyone else who conspires to make sports less fun.

Yes it does. For JThomas:

Speaking for me only

JUSTICE SOUTER: Good evening Mr. President.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Good evening Justice Souter. You watching this game? Incredible! Ray Allen goes for 51 and hits every big shot. John Salmons goes for 35?? Joakim Noah strips PAUL PIERCE and takes it the distance and dunks in Pierce's face! And then makes the free throw! Can you believe it?!? Triple overtime! Greatest series ever. Can't wait for Game 7.

SOUTER: Um, I do not own a television, Mr. President. I was calling to tell you I am retiring from the Court.

OBAMA: We'll have to talk about this tomorrow Justice Souter. Thanks for calling.

Speaking for me only

As well he should:

President Barack Obama has welcomed the Florida Gators to the White House and congratulated them on a second national championship in football in three years. Obama welcomed the Gators to the East Room and sa[id] their excellence on and off the football field is worthy of praise. Obama says being a champion doesn't end when the clock runs out and noted that the team volunteers 400 hours each year.

. . . In a moment of levity, Obama says he still supports a national playoff system instead of the current bowl system. But the president also says he's confident the Gators could've defeated any team out there.

Damn straight they would have Mr. President. This is an Open thread.

HuffPo has a nice story about 5 interesting Passover traditions from around the world.

President Obama and family will be holding the first seder ever celebrated at the White House.

Best wishes to all observing.

. . . President Obama's TV viewing habits:

President Barack Obama can’t stand to be without his “Entourage.” . . . For less R-rated fare, he tunes into “Hannah Montana” or “SpongeBob SquarePants” in the White House with his daughters. Aides said he would have watched Monday night’s NCAA championship on TiVo on his way home from Iraq Tuesday night.

MORE . . .

I'll be rooting for the Spartans of Michigan State tonight to derail the prohibitive favorite, North Carolina. Tipoff is around 9:20 pm.

The game is in Detroit. Michigan deserves some good news. Go Spartans!

Today is Final Four day in the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament. One of the stories being discussed is NC guard Ty Lawson's successful venture at a Detroit casino (he won $250 playing craps.) A lot of outraged folks around, notwithstanding that neither the law nor NCAA rules prohibit athletes from legal gambling.

But hypocrisy abounds. In any event, Steve M.'s Spartans are the home team. With all the bad news coming to Michigan, they deserve a little bit of good news. So here's hoping the Spartans can pull off the upset. The other 3 teams are UConn, Villanova and North Carolina.

This is an Open Thread.

(larger version here)

The world seems obsessed with Michelle Obama's clothes. Today's outfit didn't go over as well as yesterday's. (See this picture in which one cardigan sleeve is also patterned.)

It is a strange and (in my view) ugly cardigan but why do people care? Maybe the Jackie O comparisons will stop now.

Alaska state representative Mike Doogan wrote:

My own theory about the public process is you can say what you want, as long as you are willing to stand behind it using your real name.

Alexander Hamilton and James Madison disagreed - "The Federalist Papers serve as a primary source for interpretation of the Constitution, as they outline the philosophy and motivation of the proposed system of government. . . . The articles were written by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. . . . They appeared under the pseudonym 'Publius' . . ."

The Cuse, one of my final 2 teams, advanced to the Sweet Sixteen earlier today. Who will join the 9 (all the top 3 seeds are through so far) already through? March Madness continues today.

This is a March Madness Open Thread.

Tonight is my turn to talk about TV. I'll be watching the BSG finale tonight. Anybody else watching?