Buying the Vacant Illinois Senate Seat?

The latest pickings from the Political Grapevine:

Up For Bid

More than a dozen people outraged by the allegations against Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich have listed the state’s vacant Senate seat for sale on the auction Web site eBay.

Over 100 people have placed bids ranging from a penny to almost $100,000. One listing touts "No resume needed — just cash."

Another seller note reads, "All, if any, monies actually collected by this (sad) attempt to poke fun at a rather serious situation will be directly handed to a worthy charity."

And a follow-up note below that reads, "Aforementioned charity WILL NOT include bail and/or legal defense funds."

Just the Facts

All three network morning shows covered the allegations and arrest of Governor Blagojevich today. But a look by our research department at the first 30 minutes of NBC, CBS, and ABC's programming show a decided omission.

Not one of the networks identified Blagojevich directly as a Democrat. Four minutes into "The Early Show" on CBS it was noted Blagojevich and President-elect Obama "Have both been leaders in Illinois Democratic politics for years." Over on "Good Morning America," six minutes into the broadcast it was said the Illinois governor had "roots in the Chicago Democratic machine."

And on "The Today Show," there was not a single reference to Blagojevich's party affiliation in the first half-hour of the program.

Without a Doubt

Despite last year's United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change declaration that climate change was "unequivocal, is already happening, and is caused by human activity," not all experts are convinced.

More than 650 international scientists are disputing those claims in a newly updated U.S. Senate Minority Report. It adds about 250 scientists to the 400 who spoke out last year — and includes current and former U.N. climate panel members.

Atmospheric Scientist Joanne Simpson writes, "Since I am no longer affiliated with any organization nor receiving any funding, I can speak quite frankly….As a scientist I remain skeptical."

U.S. Government Atmospheric Scientist Stanley Goldenberg says, "It is a blatant lie put forth in the media that makes it seem there is only a fringe of scientists who don't buy into anthropogenic,” that is man-made ‘global warming."

And from Nobel Prize Winner in physics Ivan Giaever — "global warming has become a new religion."

Worth a Shot

And finally, two senators are calling on the D.C. City Council to reverse its decision allowing bars and night clubs to continue serving alcohol up until 5 a.m. during inauguration week.

The Washington Times reports California Democrat Dianne Feinstein and Utah Republican Robert Bennett sent a letter Tuesday to Council Chairman Vincent Gray and Mayor Adrian Fenty asking the council to change its decision because of security concerns. But one councilman says the senators should mind their own business.

"This is a local issue and is not a matter for the United States Senate," said Jim Graham (D) Ward 1 Council Member.

The council maintains that the longer hours will encourage celebrations that are safely indoors.

— FOX News Channel's Zachary Kenworthy contributed to this report.