Saddam Swings

Saddam Hussein, brutal ex-dictator of Iraq, was hanged this morning for his part in the deaths of 148 Shiites in Dujail in response to a failed assasination attempt against him. The 69-year-old despot was executed within the 30-day window prescribed by the trial judge and before he reached the age of 70. (Iraqi law does not allow executions of people 70 or older.) Further, he received the ultimate temporal punishment before hadjis trek to Mecca. Bush issued a low-key statement but did not comment before the cameras to underscore that the execution was an Iraqi carriage of justice not an American imposition thereof.

Cf. execution video at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7532034279766935521 and FNC.

President Ford Dies

President Gerald R. Ford, the nation's only President unelected as either President or Vice President, died last night at his home in Rancho Mirage, CA, at the age of 93. The former University of Michigan football star, distinguished WWII veteran, and 13-term U.S. House Rep assumed the vice presidency after the resignation of Nixon's Veep, Spiro T. Agnew, amidst corruption charges and ascended to the presidency upon the resignation of Nixon under threat of impeachment over the Watergate scandal. Ford was well received by the American public with a high approval rating: however, when the Nebraskan native pardoned President Nixon to "bind up the nation's wounds," his ratings tanked. In his bid for election in his own right in 1976, the moderate Republican barely survived a spirited challenge in the 1976 Republican primaries from Ronald Reagan and narrowly lost his election bid to the Plains peanut farmer who asked people to trust him. Ford was the nation's longest lived president (over a month more than Reagan); the first adopted president (born Leslie King); and the only President to testify in front of a Congressional committee while President. Ford will be remembered as a decent man who helped the nation heal in the painful aftermath of Watergate and Vietnam.

Cf. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061227/D8M9601G0.html and FNC's Special Report with Britt Hume.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! May we remember today that God sent His Son not only to be born in a manger but also to die on a tree for our sins. Let us be thankful for His most precious Gift: may we also love Him and, in doing so, love one another. Happy New Year!

Nordic America?

Dems and the GOP don't seem to offer any real leadership now. Bush got spanked by the voters, and he seems to be gun shy: the Dem have no agenda that they'll endorse now other than one that passes minor ad hoc laws. Perhaps, a triangulation of a strong military, flat taxes, and pro-life libertarian agenda coupled with universal health care, affordable education, and a safety net would properly carry the day in the governance of the nation: such a program would arguably glean the best of both camps and jettison the worst.

Trump: Miss USA Not Fired

Donald Trump announced today that Miss USA Tara Conner was not fired. The small-town KY beauty had reportedly been drinking underage and canoodling with Miss Teen USA. (Allegedly, she also failed a cocaine test.) Reportedly, Trump banned Tara from Trump properties and met today with Miss USA officials to determine the fate of the pageant queen. This morning Trump announced that Tara would go to rehab and would be given a second chance. In this holiday season, the master promoter decided not to play Grinch and to come off as a compassionate and caring tycoon and father figure. Tara keeps her tiara, and Trump barnishes his image.

Cf. FNC Fox News Live (12/19/06 - 10:00 a.m. CST).

Rummy Saluted

Donald Rumsfeld, the youngest (under Ford) and oldest (under Bush 43) Secretary of Defense was feted today by the Veep and the Prez as the nation said goodbye to the longest serving Secretary of Defense ever. Vice President Cheney, a Secretary of Defense himself under Bush 41, said, "I believe the record speaks for itself: Don Rumsfeld is the finest secretary of defense this nation has ever had. The Commander in Chief added, "Because of Don Rumsfeld's determination and leadership, America has the best-equipped, the best-trained, and most-experienced armed forces in the history of the world." It appeared that the executive dyad wanted to give the distinguished warrior his due after summarily giving him the door after the Dems' rout of the Republicans in the midterm elections. The erstwhile senior stud saw his star dim as the the Iraq war turned from a military triumph to a nation-building tribulation.

Cf. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/15/AR2006121501195_pf.html.

Oslo Rapes Mount

This year Oslo's clinic at Legevakt, the emergency hospital, has served nearly 300 alleged rape victims higher than the Big Apple's per capita rate. It's head Endre Sandvik, said, "Our resources have been the same for the past 10 years, while the number of our patients has doubled, and continues to increase this year." Oslo City Council health issue chief Sylvi Listhaug, said, "The growth in the number of rapes is dramatic: It makes me angry, and worried about the young women of our city."

Cf. http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1567514.ece.

McCurry: Clinton's Legacy Is "Stain"

In a lecture to Princeton students and visitors, Mike McCurry, Bill Clinton's 1995-1998 press secretary, said, "The record and legacy of the Clinton presidency is, dare I use the word, 'stain.'" He added, "In some ways, he had enormous potential and political gifts: But, they didn't arise because of his lack of discipline." McCurry elaborated that even though it was not Clinton's time as to the creation of a legacy, maybe, it would be time for another Clinton. Or another Bush.

Cf. http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2006/12/12/news/16969.shtml.

Richie's "Simple Life" Complex

Nicole Richie, adopted daughter of Lionel, was stopped at 4:50 a.m. this morning for a DUI. According to police, the eighty-five pound starlet admitted to having smoked marijuana and taken Vicodin: however, she tested negative for alcohol. Like her long-time friend and FOX's Simple Life co-star, Paris Hilton, in a similar event earlier this year, she was very cooperative according to CHP officers. Reportedly, Richie had an earlier brush with the law in 2003 when she pled guilty to heroin possession: nevertheless, those charges were dismissed after she satisfied the stipulations of her probation. She is apparently being represented by Hollywood attorney Howard Weitzman in the current affair. Hopefully, this troubled young celeb will find needed help so that she will not endanger her life and the lives of others in the future.

http://www.tmz.com/2006/12/11/nicole-richie-popped-for-dui.

The Importance of Ice Cold Beer

According to St. Louis police, last Sunday night a woman was not overly appreciative of the warm beer that her approximately 70-year-old hubby served her. No fan of the British-style brew, she allegedly shot her mate four to five times in the chest when he brought her a tepid Stag. With the electricity out, the foolish fellow had forgotten to cool her robust libation in the freezing al fresco air.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/laworder/story/21A0F729496ED22D8625723A0015A7EB?OpenDocument.

Preserve Para

As of yesterday, the State of Para became a majority preserve of the biota of Brazil as the federal government placed an area the size of Alabama under its ecological egis. This northeastern state, twice the area of France, has been known as an area where ranchers and timbermen are at loggerheads with green activists. E.g., this impoverished, rural state garnered international attention last year with the slaying of Sister Dorothy Stang, an American who sought to establish a preserve on property that ranchers wanted to clear for pastureland. With Brazilia's declaration, 55.4% of Para is under the control of the feds or indigenous Indians. A spokesperson for Conservation International stated, "Together, the protected areas and indigenous lands of northern Para form one of the greatest biodiversity corridors of tropical forests in the planet." According to the organization, the home of 54.1% of native Amazonian fauna and flora are now under the program's protection.

Cf. http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=2699418&page=2.

New Bond: B(I) Spy

Daniel Craig wants his next Bond flic to involve the suave superspy in a gay interlude. Further, Craig is interested in doing a full frontal nude scene for his male and female fans. He stated, "Why not? I think in this day and age, fans would have accepted it." If his studio bosses give in to the new Bond's suggestions, I have a feeling the vaunted franchise will have finally jumped the proverbial shark. Will Brosnan be back?

Cf. http://uk.news.yahoo.com/29112006/364/craig-wants-gay-bond-scene.html.

Judge: Show 'em the Money!

U.S. District Judge James Roberton ruled yesterday that the federal government discriminates against the visually challenged by printing paper money that is uniform in feeling, size, etc. and thereby violates the Rehabilitation Act which bars bias on the basis of disability. He mandated that the U.S. Treasury implement a way for the blind to distinguish between the denominations of bills. (Formerly, these currency certificates were not uniform but were made so in 1929 in an attempt to lower costs and discourage counterfeiting.) Judge Robertson noted that of the 180 countries that print paper currency only the U.S. makes no distinction in size or color: he added that  over 100 vary the size of the bills of differing value and that every other national issuer has some method for the visually impaired to recognize the value of a bill. The government has ten days from the judgment to appeal.

Cf. http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/11/28/D8LMC4600.html.

Madonna's Fall

Madonna's Confessions tour special on NBC failed miserably as it finished fourth in its time spot last Wednesday. Her pre-Thanksgiving turkey was bested by Jericho (CBS), Show Me (ABC), and Cheaper by the Dozen (FOX). To make matters worse for the Detroit diva, Madonna's votary Brit seems to have a new mentor in Paris.

Cf. http://contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/madonna%20concert%20special%20fails%20to%20score%20ratings_1014772.

Girls Talk: Guys "Think"

Femmes talk almost thrice as much as their male counterparts according to Dr. Luan Brizendine, author of The Female Mind. This self-professed feminist states that the differences between the female and male brain explain why women do so. According to Brizendine, females devote more brain cells to chatting and the very act of conversing initiates an inundation of brain chemicals that give women a high akin to heroin. She said, "Women have an eight-lane superhighway for processing emotion, while men have a small country road." However, Brizendine said that whereas men have an international airport for sex thoughts (with their brain "sex processor" that is twice as large in men as in women), "women have an airfield nearby that lands small and private planes." In fact, she observed that a woman tends to think of sex once a day whereas a man does so every 52 seconds on average.

Cf. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=419040&in_page_id=1879.

Happy ThanXgiving!

On this special day dedicated to giving thanks for the benevolence and beneficence of God from Whom every good and perfect gift emanates, I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving with your family, friends, and proverbial neighbors. Isn't it wonderful to have a holiday that puts aside the commercialism and materialism of contemporary culture and allows its celebrants just to appreciate, love, and enjoy? Thank God for His goodness, your kith and kin for their love, and others for their "random acts of kindness."

Bush Jinxed

The Western world laughed and progressive Indonesians groaned as shaman Ki Gendeng Pamungkas put a santau, or curse, on President Bush in Bongor, Indonesia. The witch doctor imbibed a potent potation concocted with the bloods of a sacrificed goat, a slaughtered black crow, and a slain snake and imprecated POTUS. The voodoo practitioner said, "I don't hate Americans, but I don't like Bush" and added, "The devil is with me today."

As Bush returned to the States, the hex that didn't meet its mark in its intended venue (Bogor Presidential Palace, where Bush met with Indonesian Prez Yudhoyono) seemed to fall on the presidential entourage in Hawaii and even onto his daughter Barbara's governmental posse in Argentina. First, the acting director of the White House Travel Office was mugged and beaten by three thugs in Waikiki as he left a nightclub alone: after being found in a pool of blood by friends, he was treated by paramedics and taken to the Queen's Medical Center. Later, three of Bush's police motorcycle escorts crasheded on rainy, slippery Honolulu roads: two are in serious condition at the Queen's Medical Center, and the third is in good condition. Moreover, his daughter Barbara's purse and cell phone were stolen at a restaurant in Buenos Aires even though she had Secret Service agents in tow. To top it off, a Secret Service agent on advance detail for Barbara got badly beaten in a brawl after a tear in the town.

Of course, Bush's shellacking in the November elections preceded the black magic curse.

Cf. http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=230807; http://www.wtop.com/?sid=977070&nid=456; http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Nov/21/br/br5187469032.html; and http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/11/first_daughter_.html.

Bringing Brit Back

UPDATE: K-Fed's divorce lawyer claims, "There is not a sex video of Kevin and Britney in existence." Brit's reps had no immediate response.

Cf. http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=entertainmentNews&storyid=2006-11-21T234751Z_01_N21431273_RTRUKOC_0_US-BRITNEY.xml&src=rss&rpc=22.

After sending her career into the toilet with her marriage to K-Fed and birthing two of his spawn, Britney is apparently trying to rescucitate it by ditching her backup dancer hubby, possibly preempting him by releasing the sex tape, partying with satyr sweetie Paris, and, perhaps, pondering a Vegas comeback a la Elvis. Does the pop princess still have it? With her latest choice of friends, she seems to realize that Malawi Madonna is no longer a muse to immulate but possibly to immolate. After getting some career intervention from her mom, it appears that she may be ready to reassert herself on the contemporary cultural stage with former Mouseketeer mates Christina and Justin.

Cf. http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3873170a5620,00.html; http://www.tmz.com/2006/11/20/britney-hangs-with-paris-drops-pants-in-public; http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Nov-08-Wed-2006/news/10688806.html; and http://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2006-11-16#celeb7.

Dems Humble Pelosi

Democrats handed putative Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) an humbling loss this morning. Spurning her endorsement letter, telephone calls and personal entreaties to support Jack Murtha (D-PA), they elected his opponent Steny Hoyer (D-MD) with an overwhelming vote of 149 to 86. In Pelosi's first public attempt to influence her colleagues in her new leadership role, she futilely tried to depose her rival Hoyer, the number two Democrat in the House, for her man Murtha. (In 2001, Murtha had run Pelosi's successful campaign against Hoyer for House Minority Whip.) Murtha has been dogged by ethical problems since his taped role in the Abscam scandal through his earmarks favoring KSA Consulting, a company which featured his brother Kit as a senior partner until his retirement this summer. His defeated can be attributed in no small part to the many liberals, conservatives, and good government advocates who view Murtha as an ethically challenged Congressman and as a politician at home in a "culture of corruption." Now will Pelosi still elevate Alcee Hastings (D-FL) to the chairmanship of the House intelligence committee? (Hastings is the federal judge who was impeached by a Democratic House on bribery charges.

Cf. http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110009248; http://www.rollcall.com/issues/1_1/breakingnews/15974-1.html; Fox News Live (10:58 a.m CT); and http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/15/AR2006111501339.html.

Feds Eye Reid

Brian Ross and Rhonda Schwartz of ABC New's Blottter report that a source close to the federal prosecution investigation of public corruption pertaining to Jack Abramoff indicates that newly chosen Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is one of the members of Congress that has been allegedly implicated. ("Six to eight seriously corrupt Democratic senators" and an ever larger number of Congressional Republicans have been implicated by Abramoff according to sources near the fed investigation.) Reportedly, Abramoff has claimed that Reid agreed to help him with Indian gaming matters and that more than $30,000 in campaign contributions from Abramoff clients had been requested by Reid. Reid spokesman Jim Manley stated, "We have no idea what Abramoff is telling prosecutors to save his skin, but I do know that these kind of old allegations are completely ridiculous and untrue." Have the voters exchanged one "culture of corruption" for another?

Cf. http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/11/abramoff_report_1.html.

Senator Lott Back

UPDATE (11/15/06): Lott won his Senate Minority Whip race against Alexander by a squeaker vote of 25 to 24, according to Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA). He will be second in command to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who won his post unanimously.

Cf. http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/11/15/D8LDJE9G1.html.

Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) officially announced last night his run for Minority Whip in the U.S. Senate after being banished to his political Moab after impolitic remarks he made at a 2002 birthday party feting Strom Thurmond (R-SC). The former Senate Majority Leader said that he thought America would be better off if the 1948 Dixiecrat presidential nominee and erstwhile segregationalist Thurmond would have won. His remarks created a firestorm among those offended by his comments and others who also saw the opportunity to take down the GOP leader who was "making nice" with Daschle and Clinton.

Cf. http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/111406/lott.html.

Pelosi Backs Murtha: Win/Win for GOP

Putative Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has given the GOP a win/win situation with her endorsement of Jack Murtha (D-PA) in a letter to her fellow Democratic representatives. N.B. Murtha was a key supporter of Pelosi's successful bid for Minority Whip in 2001 against Steny Hoyer (D-MD). The Hoyer/Murtha battle for the second most powerful Democratic post in the House pits an Abscam-tainted anti-war Murtha and stalwart Pelosi ally against racially insensitive moderate Hoyer and one-time rival of the first woman, Californian, and Italian-American slated to win the Speakership.  If Hoyer wins, Pelosi loses credibility and clout if she fails in her first attempt to publicly exercise power over her colleagues. If Murtha wins, the Dems appear even more dangerously dovish on Iraq and the war on terrorism.

Cf. http://www.rollcall.com/issues/1_1/breakingnews/15974-1.html.

Germany to Judge America?

After the US resurrected and rebuilt the nation that gave the world Hitler and slaughtered six million Jews and, approximately a quarter million Gypsies (or Roma), Germany's top prosecutor is seeking to file criminal charges against U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, AG Alberto Gonzales, erstwhile CIA chief George Tenet, and other top U.S. armed forces and civilians for alleged abuses at Guantanamo Bay (Cuba) and Abu Ghraib (Iraq). If this nation with arrogated "universal jurisdiction" tries to try any of the aforementioned American public servants, then, perhaps, the U.S. should withdraw all of its forces and tell Putin that his regrets about East Germany leaving the Russian orbit are well founded. Let Germany coalition with Chirac and his fellow French fighters.

Cf. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1557842,00.html and http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/gypsies.html.

Maher Intimates Mehlman Gay

On Larry King Live, politically correct Bill Maher threatened to out some prominent people who run the GOP this Friday night. After King asked, "You will name them?", Maher said, "I wouldn't be the first: I'd get sued if I were the first. (Republican Chairman) Ken Mehlman. Ok, there's one I think people have talked about: I don't think he's denied it." King responded, "I never heard that: I'm walking around in a fog." Maher answered,  "Maybe you don't go to the same bathhouse I do, Larry." I guess the gay/lesbian community feels safe and secure around Maher as long as their thoughts and acts are in sync with his.

Cf. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2006/11/08/censored-by-cnn-bill-mah_n_33701.html.

Jews, Muslims Up on Capitol Hill

The number of Jews on Capitol Hill increased to an all-time high with the results of Tuesday's elections. In the Senate, their sum expanded from 11 to 13 with the additions of Bernie Sanders (Vermont-I) and Benjamin Cardin (Maryland-D). In the House, their tally rose from 26 to 30 despite the loss of Sanders and Cardin from their ranks. Muslims got their first representative in Congress as Minnesotans chose their first black member of Congress with the election of Democrat Keith Ellison.

Cf. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3326053,00.html.

I read an article on this in the Jerusalem Post yesterday but I couldn't find it today. Be careful: when I searched for it today, a David Duke website was at the top of the list.

Coz, Accuser Settle

Bill Cosby settled a lawsuit brought by Andrea Constand, a Canadian woman, who accused the famous comedian of drugging and sexually assaulting her at his Philly home in early 2004. She also alleged that Cosby had assaulted at least ten other women. Cosby spokesman David Brokaw commented, "Ms. Constand and Mr. Cosby have resolved their differences, and therefore the litigation has been dismissed." Prosecutors had decided earlier not to prosecute Cosby on their judgment that the evidence was insufficient.

Cf. http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=entertainmentNews&storyid=2006-11-08T210105Z_01_N08412834_RTRUKOC_0_US-LEISURE-COSBY.xml&WTmodLoc=NewsArt-R2-Today-7.

Bush Replaces Rummy

The day after voters handed Republicans a stinging rebuke in no small part for the messy, protracted aftermath of a successful deposal of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, President Bush replaced Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld with former CIA chief Robert Gates. President Bush acknowledged that the Iraqi situation had contributed to Republican losses. However, he indicated that he had planned before Election Day to replace Rumsfeld with Gates if both concurred. The alacrity with which he did so underscored the veracity of Bush's assertion: nevertheless, conjecture has been made that Rumsfeld's replacement may have been merely the activation of a contingency plan if the Dems won. Regardless, the action post election sends an olive branch to Pelosi and the other new power players on Capitol Hill.

Cf. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/youdecide2006/index.html.

Dems Take House: NOW Senate

UPDATE #2: Allen Concedes: Reid Celebrates

Cf. ABC News Radio.

UPDATE: AP News Alert: Dems take Senate with Webb victory. Newly Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut will be feeling his oats when he attends the next Democratic caucus.

Cf. http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/11/08/D8L98GMG0.html.

Republicans lost the House of Representatives and may yet lose the Senate in yesterday's off-year elections. To control the House, 218 votes are needed: thus far, Democrats have surpassed that number by 5 and are poised to gain more. (Republicans have 185.) To control the Senate, 51 votes are needed: thus far, Democrats have 47 seats, Republicans 48, and Independents 2. (Since the two Independents caucus with the Democrats, the Democrats have effectively 49.) The yet undecided states are Montana and Virginia and both may be subject to a recount. In order to maintain control of the Senate, Republicans only need to keep one of the states whereas Democrats must win both to wrest control from the GOP. The reason that the GOP needs only to get a tie to still control the Senate is because the Vice President (the presiding officer of the Senate) votes in case of a tie.

Cf. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/youdecide2006/index.html.

Rather Funny

In a delightful twist, Dan Rather, disgraced former CBS Evening News anchor, will continue his 44-year personal record of covering elections going: he will be analyzing the news on Comedy Central's Indecision 2006 special at 10:00 p.m. tonight with Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. "Some viewers won't be able to tell the difference," said Bob Thompson, director of the Center for the Study of Popular Television (Syracuse University). Rather known for his folksy, quirky illustrations or "Ratherisms" has given much comedic fodder to late night talk show hosts, such as Leno and Letterman. He once commented, "This race is tight like a too-small bathing suit on a too-long ride home from the beach." Of course, many saw Rather's discredited story on Bush's National Guard service and his stubborn refusal to disavow it as dark humor that manifested a manic animosity toward conservatives in general and the Bushes in particular. Rather assessed his decision to join the Comedy Central crew tonight, stating, "It's a risk, I guess, but what the hell."

Cf. http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/magazine/daily/15946250.htm.

Faith Unhinged

Faith Hill's persona as a sweet, beautiful wife and mother took a hit last night at the Country Music Awards. When Carrie Underwood was awarded Female Vocalist of the Year, Faith became unhinged: she looked straight into the camera and said, "I won," and then she stormed off in disgust. Faith, no need to throw a temper tantrum: you're supposed to be a Southern lady.

If you want to see the video, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYh8shXJ7PI. (However, the video is a bit messed up: Fox and Friends had a clean clip on the morning and may put it on their site.)

Saddam Guilty: Death by Hanging

Saddam Hussein was found guilty this morning of the 1982 killings of 148 Shiites in Dujail in response to an assasination attempt on the deposed dictator. The Iraqi criminal court of crimes against humanity sentenced Saddam to hang until dead. Saddam has the right to appeal but he must be executed within 30 days if the appellate court upholds the verdict (according to an Iraqi judicial source). Upon hearing the sentence, Saddam shook the Koran and wagged his finger at the judge as he exclaimed, "Allahu Akbar (Allah is great!) Long live the nation!"

President Bush stated, "Saddam Hussein's trial is a milestone in the Iraqi people's efforts to replace the rule of a tyrant with the rule of law: It is a major achievement for Iraq's young democracy and its constitutional government." Abbas Khalaf, Sadam loyalist and former Iraqi ambassador to Russia, said that the court proceedings were "a purely political trial." Vitaya Visetrat, a Thai academic and Islamic expert opined, "The hanging of Saddam Hussein will turn to hell for the Americans."

Cf. http://www.bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=114012; http://www.bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=114014; and http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13550448,00.html.

Tag: Not It!

Willett Elementary School (south of Boston) has banned kids from playing tag, touch football, and other unmonitored chase games. Officials fear that the school will be held liable for any injuries that the children may suffer when engaged in these sports during recess. (Elementary schools in Spokane, WA, and in Cheyenne, WY, have also banned tag, and a Charleston, SC, suburban school has banned all unsupervised contact sports.) Even though the disallowals of contact sports such as tag, touch football, and dodge ball are ridiculed by many conservatives, these sports do allow the victimization of weak children by strong ones often with the tacit, and not so tacit, encouragement of callous coaches. If schools continue to allow such unsupervised sports, they should be held fully liable for any foreseen or reasonably foreseen harm that the children under their care incur.

Cf. http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2581504.

Heinz (Kerry) Slow Bad

After advising CA collegians that if you don't study hard, you'll end up in Iraq, Teresa's hubby has finally "apologized." After initially saying that he did not apologize to anyone and saying that his remark was a "botched joke," Kerry finally expressed his regret to the soldiers, their families, and any American that took offense from a "misinterpretation" of his remarks. Hillary swiftly slammed Kerry's comments as inappropriate, TN Democratic senatorial candidate Harold Ford quickly called on Kerry to apologize, and Kerry smartly cancelled campaign appearances on behalf of Democratic candidates for the House and the Senate. His take on the military reminds one of his expressed beliefs in the 2006 presidential campaign that U.S. soldiers were terrorizing women and children in the dead of night in Iraq coupled with his 1972 U.S. Congressional race questionnaire submission to anti-war group, Massachusetts Political Action for Peace, that a volunteer army would consist of the poor and of people of color and would be susceptible to commit war crimes. The Catsup Queen's patrician spouse should get out of his ivory tower and mingle with his benighted plebes that decide to serve their country without regard to their economic, social, racial, or credal status.

Cf. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061102/D8L4QH580.html.

5 Hurt in French Quarter Shooting

Early this morning at 12:30 a gunman entered Club Decatur, a bar on Decatur St. and Iberville St.(near the Houe of Blues), and shot three men and injured two women (with bullet fragments). The latest violence highlights the fact that the Big Easy is on edge as its Katrina evacuees return to a city that has a murder rate approximately ten times the national average. The National Guard and state police who were called up in June in response to the murders of five youths in a vehicle in New Orleans are scheduled to leave this December. Mayor Nagin will have to redouble his efforts to make the citizens and visitors of the Crescent City safe and thereby make Louisiana's cultural capital a magnet anew for conventioneers and other cash-spending tourists.

Cf. http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/10/31/D8L3OQJO0.html.

Oedipus: Eyes Wide Open

Albertville, Alabama, police report that Gary Helms, Jr. a nineteen-year-old boy, sought revenge against his brother over a girlfriend by raping their passed-out, drunk 45-year-old mother at Willow Terrace Trailer Park. According to the the Albertville police Sgt. Jamie Smith's account, the mother came to as her son was assaulting her and tried to resist without success. Understatedly, Sgt. Smith said, "It's totally sick is what it is." He is now in jail on $100,000 bond and is charged with first degree rape of his mother.

Cf. http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5598920&nav=menu33_3_6.

Pagan Prisoners Get Halloween Off in UK

The UK Prison Services regulations require that paganists (including Satanists and devil worshipers) get October 31 (Halloween) or Summer's End (i.e., Sarnhain, its Celtic name) off to be free to celebrate one of their religious days. The 282 English and Welsh prisoners will be allowed to use artifacts such as rune stones, flexible twigs, and unhooded robes in their cells or in their communal rites. (Hooded robes are forbidden for security reasons.) Pagans are afforded two religious "holidays" whereas Christian and Buddhists get three, Jews receive seven, Hindus obtain ten, and Muslims require 26. Some attacked the Prison Service directive as political correctness gone amok while a Home Office spokesperson defended the decision as evidence of its commitment to "treating all prisoners with decency and humanity, which includes respecting those of all religions."

Cf. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23372521-details/Pagan+inmates+are+given+a+day+off+from+work+for+Halloween/article.do.

Eyelash Nip & Tuck

Nose jobs, face lifts, botox injections, breast augmentation, liposuction, posterior implants, labiaplasty. What's next? Ready to increase America's 10 million cosmetic surgeries, eylash transplants are beoming the rage. Using procedures pioneered by the "plugs" for balding men method, docs are using these same techniques to give ladies (and some gents) those luscious, lengthy lashes that they formerly had to glue on. Surgeons charge approximately $3000/eye for the procedure: it involves the removal of 30-40 hair follicles from the back of the scalp and their transferrance to the eyelid. Originally, this surgery was meant for burn victims and the like but now has transmogrified to a praxis to give those willowy waifs that pose and model for America's entertainment and Park Avenue's ad that look that may mandate more monthly attention but negates the need for eye lash extensions and daubs of mascara. Hurray for Hollywood!

Cf. http://www.moscowtimes.ru/stories/2006/10/25/003.html.

Russian Decline

Now that the USSR has devolved into Russia and its erstwhile satellites, the tongue of the tsars is seeing a marked decline even in the mother country itself. Russian is the fourth most spoken lingua after English, Chinese, and Spanish according to the Russian Academy of Science's Center for Demography and Human Ecology (CDHE). Within 15 years the CDHE forecasts that Russian will be tenth. One salient reason is the annual decline of the Russian population by 700,000. Also, the loss of superpower status has diminished the cachet of the language. An analyst at the Institute for Cultural Research, Kirill Razlogov, said, "As the geopolitical importance of Russia degenerated to being little more than a big supplier of raw materials for other countries' growing high-tech economies, so did the demand for knowing Russian. He added, "In many former Soviet republics, particularly in Central Asia, Russia was once the language of the elite: now with advancing globalization, more people opt for English." Now that the Cold War has subsided, Islamic fundamentalism is on the rise, and Hispanics are in the ascendancy in America, Arabic and Spanish are projected to surpass Russian in the number of speakers. To reassert itself on the world stage, this great power founded by Swedish princes and now a superpower (but only a military one), this bear should arise from its hibernation and roar anew as a nation that embraces freedom and democracy.

Cf. http://www.moscowtimes.ru/stories/2006/10/25/003.html.

Mayoress Demands Demires for Dutch Doughboys

Almere (Netherlands) mayoress and member of the ruling VVD libs Annemarie Jorritsma has called for prostitutes to go on foreign missions with the Dutch troops. Ms. Jorritsma said, "The army must consider ways its soldiers can let off steam." She elaborated that it would keep the military from turning to local women. Her suggestion is getting mixed reviews from her fellow citizens. Spokesman for the military trade union, Wim van den Burg told Volkskrant (a Dutch newspaper), "I don't think that my wife would find it a good idea." Even VER (sex industry) spokesman Andre van Dorst expressed doubts and said, I can see something in this, though it's a very strange idea."

Cf. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061023/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_dutch_prostitutes.

Newsweek: Cold, Warm, Warmer . . .

Newsweek admits that its Global Cooling scare was scientifically challenged. Now it claims with more facts, faster computers, and "infinitely more sophisticated mathematical methods" the truth can now be ascertained: the globe is warming! Don't "pour soot over the Arctic ice cap to help it melt" (as it once suggested). And now that we have taken more of the dust out of the air from the coal-burning factories and aerosols (suspended liquid) as prescient scientists demanded, the heat will no longer be reflected back into space. Thanks for keeping us warm, our ecological friends! Keep listening to Newsweek: sooner or later, we'll get it!

Cf. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15391426/site/newsweek/page/2.

AL's "Mary Carey" Gov Candidate

America's most conservative state, Alabama, the "Heart of Dixie," now has a "Mary Carey" candidate for governor. She is Loretta Nall, a Libertarian Party write-in who advocates the decriminalization of marijuana and other progressive principles. Nall is garnering free media coverage with her unconventional campaign for governor. This bottled blonde tititillates her audience with her campaign tees that emphasize her "boobs" and decry her Republican and Dem opponent "boobs" that run the state and with her discussion of how her fashion predeliction (a la Brooke Shields) precluded her from a jailhouse meeting with her alcoholic sib because of overly zealous jailers. If one gets past the more "sin"sational aspects of her run, she does seem to faithfully represent her libertarian brethren and sisterhood. Of course, she probably has the same chance that the old George C. Wallace would have if he were campaigning for office (if he were still alive).

Cf. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061024/ap_on_fe_st/candidate_s_neckline and http://www.lorettanall.com/indexf.htm.

Paris New Brit

Paris Hilton, ubiquitous hottie, has now supplanted Tabasco tart, Britney Spears, as America's fave sex symbol. Paris, known best for her top selling private tape, One Night in Paris, her series Simple Life, and her errant heiress status, is now making her mark on the MTV music scene. Last week her latest chart climber, Nothing in this World, from her successful Paris CD made one forget Stacy's Mom as it reached number five on MTV's Top 18. Poor Brit is dreaming of reinvigorating her moribund music career as she nurtures KevFed's two latest and complains on YouTube.com about looking ugly while she downs fried chicken and burps miasma. The Louisiana lolita reminds one of an eponymous film by Stanley Kubrick except that she has two of a real ne'er-do-well's progeny and may be hoping that a Humbert takes her to a better life.

Report Sooner Smokers: Call 9-1-1

Omaha, Nebraska, has a stringent new anti-smoking law that bans the verboten pleasure in almost all public places. (Keno establishments are exempted.) A first-time offense is $100, a second-time is $200, and any subsuequent offense is $500. Cops and city officials urge Omaha citizens to report on the offending smokers by calling 9-1-1. Police public information sergeant Teresa Negron elucidated that witnesses are observed to call the emergency hotline when infractions are observed just like other crime. Marty Conboy, city prosecutor, said that he hasn't seen any citations on his desk yet. He added, "We're very grateful people in the city have taken it seriously." Mark Conrey, Douglas Country Emergency director was not amused with the call to inundate his hotline with illegal smoking sitings: he said that such actions threaten his emergency system. Who you gonna call? Buttbusters!

Cf. http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=52559.

GW: Too Texan?

Is "43," "W," or POTUS much too stereotypically Texan? If you're conservative, you have to admire that he started his presidential quest at the Cold War Winner's library vis-a-vis his dad's: he told the U.S. that he had a vision and that he would return to the kind, gentle America (not with the grating "er" suffixes that impugned RR). (Yes, I know, his "compassionate conservative" line may have been a more subtle slur but I would prefer to think that he was referring to Goldwater, an abrasive whilom conservative.) Bush has cut taxes, taken on terrorism, and returned God to the national discourse. Of course, he has also co-written the "no child left behind" education bill with Teddy; has further increased the scope of Big Brother; and has been much too defensive whenever he addresses an audience. His defensiveness is most strange: why would a twice-elected Lone Star gov and twice-elected Prez seem to expect his listeners to be negative and/or disagreeable? He needs to take lessons from the Great Communicator who envisioned his audience to be a six-year-old lad who had just skinned his knee. I.e., he  was compassionate, loving, and nurturing to those he addressed and not defensive, combative, or condescending. President Bush should leave the swagger and snicker in Crawford and walk that second mile with a warm smile and a playful wink.

Putin Envies "Rapist" Israeli Prez

In Moscow Wednesday Russian President Vladimir Putin joked with Israeli PM Ehud Ohmert in a brief appearance in front of the Russian and Hebrew press about Israeli Prez Moshe Katsav's sex scandals. According to the Jerusalem Post, Agence France-Presse, and Kommersant, Putin told Olmert, "Say hello to your president: He really surprised us." According to the JP and AF-P, Putin added, "We did not know he could deal with 10 women." Kommersant's version cited the comments in Russian and gave a coarser account. According to Andrei Kolesnikov, Kommersant's reporter in the official Kremlin press pool, President Putin said, "He [Israeli PM Katsav] turned out to be a powerful man: He raped 10 women."  Putin added, "I never expected it from him. He surprised us. We all envy him." The crude remarks engendered laughter from the assembled Russian and Israeli media. Perhaps, remembering his less male chauvinistic constituency, Olmert replied, "I wouldn't be jealous of him." Who would be on David Letterman's Putin Top Ten list of most admired world leaders?

Cf. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/20/world/europe/20putin.html?ex=1318996800&en=4518d72a8666ca41&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss.

Katrina Flash Queen Killed & Kooked by Jilted Jumper (in Voodo Flat)

Adriane "Addie" Hall, a 30-year-old New Orleans Katrina survivor who found fame as the bohemian babe who kept cops patrolling her neighborhood by flashing her breasts at them, was strangled Oct. 5 (two weeks ago today) by her estranged live-in boyfriend Zachary Bowen, a 28 year-old veteran who had found refuge and a lover when he sought shelter under Hall's roof from the hurricane and its aftermath. Her body was found in the apartment they shared above a Rampart St. voodoo shop with her head charred beyond recognition in a pot on the stove, her limbs similarly cooked in the oven, and the rest of her dismembered body in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Police were notified of the murder, subsequent desecration of the body, and other pertinent facts by a suicide note found on Bowen's body Tuesday (October 17) as it lay at the foot of the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel after he had jumped to his death the night before. This tragedy is one of the most gruesome murders in recent memory in the Big Easy: the following links provide these details and more about this gory and sordid story.

Cf. http://www.nola.com/newslogs/tpupdates/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_tpupdates/archives/2006_10_18.html#196196; http://www.nola.com/newslogs/tpupdates/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_tpupdates/archives/2006_10_18.html#196198; and http://www.nola.com/newslogs/tpupdates/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_tpupdates/archives/2006_10_18.html#196174; and http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=52507.

House Dems' Whip: "Slavish" Steele

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, #2 House Democrat, said that black U.S. senatorial candidate Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele was "slavishly" supporting the GOP. Steele spokesman Doug Heye characterized Hoyer's statements as "insensitive and pretty stupid." The Democratic Whip yesterday replied, "I should not have used those words." Steele's spokesman said, "This is nothing new for Steny Hoyer." He added that in 2002 Hoyer was quoted as referring to Steele as a "token" candidate. What would Senator Byrd have said--now that he's a U.S. senator, that is?

Cf. http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/10/17/democrats.apology/index.html.

Israeli Prez Sex Scandals

Israel's President Moshe Katsav is facing possible indictment of rape charges which were recommended by the police and may be brought by  Attorney General Menahem Mazuz. The 60-y.o. wedded father of five and grandfather of six is apparently accused of sexual harassment of his underlings, fraud by giving personal gifts using governmental funds, wire-tapping his staff to monitor their conversations, and raping two women subordinates that were in his office. The embattled Prez could serve up to sixteen years upon conviction of the rape charges alone. Faced with opposition MP's ready to end his office and hostile to his appearance before the opening of the Knesset's winter session, Katsav ensconced himself at his official west Jerusalem residence. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni opined that the President should step down now that an indictment was imminent: the President said that he would if the AG endorsed the police conclusions. Americans can empathize with their Israeli counterparts.

Cf. http://www.smh.com.au/text/articles/2006/10/17/1160850933294.html and http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1159193438706&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull.

2nd Nuclear Test by NK Feared

Seoul is "aware" of new signs that Pyongyang is reading for a second nuclear bomb test according to a SK governmental official today reported the Yonhap News. Media reports have indicated that U.S. spy satellites have surveiled suspicious activites at sites in NK that could indicate  preparations for another test. The official stated, "We are preparing for uncertainties but are very caustious in analyzing North Korea-related intelligence. Even though the Russian Minister of Defense indicated that the first test was equivalent to 5000-15000 megatons of TNT, U.S. authorities put the strength as less than 5000 and seemed to indicate that the first test may have been somewhat of a failure. Secretary Condaleeza Rice is expected to meet with SK Foreign Minister Ban Ki Moon in Seoul Thursday: she plans to visit China, Russian, and Korea, also. Kelly Wright of FNC indicates that an Australian newspaper is reporting that Chinese authorities are openly debating regime change as to Kim Jung Il.

Cf. http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/10/16/D8KQ4KLG0.html.

US: 300 Mil Strong

Today the U.S. hit the milestone of 300 million people today at approximately 6:46 a.m. C.S.T. Only China with over 1.3 billion and India with 1.1 billion number more than the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. Rounding out the top 10 are Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, Nigeria, and Japan. The U.S. is growing at a rate of less than 1%, increasing the populace by 2.8 million per annum. Approximately 40% of the growth is attributable to immigration. With regard to any overcrowding concerns, the U.S. has .13 person/acre whereas the E.U. has 0.47 person/acre and Japan has 1.4 persons/acre. Paul Ehrlich, author of the Population Bomb, who predicted worldwide famine and the end of entire nations, e.g., England, by the end of the 20th century would be shocked and, perhaps, apoplectic: N.B. England is still with us much to the joy of the French and child obesity is a concern to American and European medical communities.


Cf. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population;  Chuch of Liberalism: Godless, ch. 1, p. 8 by Ann Coulter; http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061017/D8KQCF780.html; http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2006/10/17/255.html; and http://www.speedygrl.com/aconv.html.

Gorbachev: US Won Cold War

Always sensitive to the claim that Ronald Reagan won the Cold War, Mikhail Gorbachev has never wanted to give the Gipper his full due. However, in a scathing criticism of the US, he inadvertently accedes to the truth. In the German paper Netzzeitung, Gorby stated, "Today our American friends are suffering from an illness worse than AIDS: and I would say this is victor's complex." He further posited that the U.S. and the rest of the West had squandered the opportunity to make the world a better place after the Berlin Wall fell and communism ended (or was swept into the dustbin of history, as Dutch presciently predicted).

Cf. http://reuters.myway.com/article/20061013/2006-10-13T160754Z_01_L13180540_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-RUSSIA-USA-GORBACHEV-DC.html.

Cruel Coach Canned

Fayette County (PA) Judge Ralph Warman gave 29 year-old former youth baseball coach, Mark Downs, Jr., from  Dunbar, PA 6-to-36 month sentences after being convicted on charges of corruption of minors and criminal solicitation to simple assault. Judge Warman revoked Downs' bond and jailed him. Unless an appeal overturns his conviction, Downs will serve one-to-six years in the hoosegow. According to officials, Downs offered one of his players, 8 year-old Keith Reese, Jr., twenty-five dollars to bean an autistic teammate, 9 year-old Harry Bowers, so that the coach would not have to play Bowers. Reese hit Bowers with a baseball once in the head and once in the groin. According to Bowers' mother, she is finding it difficult to get him to try new activities because he fears getting hurt again. I've know coaches who I think would have done the same thing: however, I don't believe that criminal convictions would have been contemplated at that time. It is heartening to see the government give justice to the weak.

Cf. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15239517 and Fox News Live (10/12/06).

Orwell's Olympic City

The City of Chicago will be looking after you if you attend the 2016 Summer Olympics (if the Windy City is awarded that august athletic celebration). Mayor Richard M. Daley said, "By the time 2016 [arrives], we'll have more cameras than Washington, D.C." With a Big Brother's assurance, he added, "By 2016, I'll make you a bet: We'll have [surveillance cameras on] every block." In the meantime, Daley wants to mandate businesses open more than 12 hours per day and bars open until 4:00 a.m. to install cameras that can i.d. anyone who enters and leaves these establishments. Chicago already employs 2000 cameras around the city connected to the emergency command center. Feel free, citizens of the safe city? Or does it matter anymore?

Cf. http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/92811,CST-NWS-bside12.article and http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-02-14-chicago-cameras_x.htm.

Shays: Teddy Still All Wet

Rep. Shayes (R-Conn.) fought back against his Democratic foe Diane Farrell and Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) who joined forces against him. As Farrell called for Speaker Hastert to resign because of his handling of the Foley affair and for Shays to return any money raised by Hastert while she basked in the glow of Camelot's baby brother, Shays struck back. He reminded voters that Farrell's fast friend has left Mary Jo Kopechne to die in his car after it had careened off a bridge in the Chappaquiddick catastrophe and did not have a press conference the very next day. Shays added, "Dennis Hastert didn't kill anybody." The gloves are off!

Cf. http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/10/11/shays.kennedy.ap/index.html; http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-foley1011.artoct11,0,4392221.story?coll=hc-headlines-home; and http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/11/ap/politics/mainD8KMGS500.shtml.

Estrich v. Coulter: Jewish Lib v. Xian Conservative

Susan Estrich, liberal Fox News pundit and former Dukakis campaign chief, has penned Soulless, her response to conservative FNC commentator and controversial best seller Ann Coulter's book Godless. Not only does Susan like Ann sport  a sleeveless v-neck black dress on her book's cover but also long, blond tresses draped over her right shoulder: however, Estrich wears a Star of David pendant vis-a-vis Coulter's cross. What to make of this "progressive's" parody? Read 'em both, and you decide.

Cf. F&F (10/11/06 which featured Estrich wearing the same getup as on her cover) and http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/book_jackets/default.asp.

Foley Foe 2 Out More Republicans

On Bill O'Reilly last night, Mike Rogers, gay activist and president of proudofwhoweare.com, threatened to out other "closeted" Republican members of Congress in the coming week or two. Obviously, Rogers is hoping to diminish the turnout of social conservatives as he questioned Republicans' ability to protect the moral values that James Dobson and Tony Perkins expect them to protect. Ironically, if Rogers is successful, the moral values of social conservatives will be even more at risk.

During the Foley hoopla, I believe worldnetdaily.com had an article indicating that CREW, alleged to be bankrolled by George Soros, would disclose that a Republican U.S. Senator is homosexual. If such a bombshell occurs (or even if more do), the voters will have to ask themselves whether their abandonment of the outed Senator (and/or other members of Congress) will accomplish their goals short term and long term.

Miller to Increase Foreign Beers on Tap

Miller Brewing Co. stated yesterday that it will import more three South American brews and expand the distribution of its Polish beer Tyskie which is now sold in the Windy City with its large Polish community. Cristal and Cusquena are from Peru, and Aguila from Columbia. (However, the three SA beers will be targeted to the large SA populations in NY and FL.) So for now: you'll probably only see Pilsner Urquell (Czech Republic) and Peroni (Italy) at your local grocery unless it caters to a more cosmopolitan palate.

Cf. http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=businessNews&storyid=2006-10-09T161404Z_01_N09273893_RTRUKOC_0_US-FOOD-SABMILLER.xml&src=rss&rpc=23.

"Rather" Returns

Last weeks ratings for Katie's latest week on CBS Evening News was below interim anchor Bob Shieffer's last week prior to Couric's ascension. Since Katie Couric opened on CBS Evening News the day after Labor Day to blockbuster ratings of 13.6 million viewers, her viewership has diminished from week to week. In fact, this week's average of 7.04 million watchers was third behind NBC's Nightly News (8.56 mil with host Brian Williams) and ABC's World News (7.97 mil with host Charles Gibson). SNL joked that the ratings had got so bad that Katie's new nickname was "Dan Rather." Try to forgive Schieffer if he can't hide his smile.

Cf. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061009/ap_en_tv/tv_cbs_couric_2 and http://www.calendarlive.com/tv/cl-et-evening11oct11,0,1209222.story?coll=cl-tv-features.

Amish Love Amazes English

One week after the incredible tragedy of Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, where a troubled milkman slaughtered five Amish primary and middle school girls, shot five others, and then committed suicide, church bells rang in memory of the victims today at 10:45 a.m. EST. The love of this Christian Amish community who reached out to the shooter's wife and their three young children assuring them of their forgiveness has touched the hearts of us, the English (non-Amish), in a profound manner. E.g., as funds were created for the victims' families, the Amish community asked that one be established for the killer's family, too. Incredible love!

Cf. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,218739,00.html.

Kim Goes Nuclear

North Korea carried out an underground test of a nuclear bomb equivalent to 5000-15,000 tons of TNT according to the Russian Defense Minister. (The bomb dropped on Hiroshima was approximately 15,000 tons of TNT.) Staunch NK ally China branded the test "brazen" and voiced its "resolute opposition." Japanese PM Shinzo Abe called the NK action "unpardonable" and stated that the region was "entering a new, dangerous nuclear age." In a statement from the White House, President Bush would not verify that NK had tested a nuclear bomb but he did affirm American intentions to fulfill its security commitments in the region and to hold NK responsible for the transference of nuclear material or weapons. Concerns are now that South Korea and Japan will seek to enter the exclusive nuclear club of nine now known to possess nuclear weapons.

Cf. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6032525.stm; http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,218699,00.html; and FNC F&F.

More AOL Weird

Yesterday morning around 10:26 a.m., I believe, I received a post (actually two but the same one posted twice). It purported to be from Bill Kerr of Oklahoma City, OK, and included his physical address and his phone no. As best as I can recall, it said, "Keep checking back for updates. Drudge was half right and I was was wrong. Oops!" After Googling to see who Bill Kerr was; whether his address and phone number were as he claimed; and whether he was the Wild Bill of Passionate America, I discovered that the post(s) appeared legitimate. Then I responded this morning at  1:09 a.m. as follows: Great scoop, Bill! You've definitely raised your profile. I look forward to checking out your updates. Comment from jakeho - 10/6/06 1:09 AM This afternoon when I checked my blog the post(s) was deleted. However, my response was still there. What is AOL up to? My loyalty to this shrinking erstwhile giant is diminishing with its lack of service to Mac users and its blog incompetence or worse. I just checked Kerr's address and phone no. again: it matched what I found early this morning in the post(s). It is as folllows: Bill Kerr; 1133 Live Oak Dr.; Oklahoma City, OK 73110-1307 (405) 737-3881. AOL doesn't seem to be worth a tinker's dam since Steve Case left. Maybe, Steve Jobs will give the Mac community an Internet service that is responsive to its needs and desires.

Foley's "Hot Stud" Revealed

According to the Drudge Report , the identity of ABC's infamous "17-year-old" who was Foley's IM "hot stud" was revealed on the blog of Passionate America (Wild Bill). According to Wild Bill, the now 21 y.o. is former Class 2002 Congressional page Jordan Edmund, a poli-sci major at Berkeley and now Deputy Campaign Manager for (Republican U.S. Rep.) Ernest Istook in Oaklahoma City. According to Drudge, Edmund was 18 y.o. when the lurid IM was made. However, ABC has said that there were other IM's exchanged between Foley and Edmund when the latter was only 17 y.o.

Cf. http://drudgereport.com/flashmfa.htm; http://passionateamerica.blogspot.com/2006/03/passionate-america-about-page.html; http://www.newsok.com/article/2951137; and http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/BrianRoss/story?id=2509586&page=1.

FNC's Sub Rosa Ciaos

Fox News' motto is "We Report. You Decide." Too bad they don't report to their loyal viewers personnel changes. First, Linda Vester was promoted with "that face, that face" for her midday program as if she were something to be vaunted: happily, her voguing visage is no longer visible with no reasons provided by FNC. Then the larger but brilliant Rita Cosby simply disappeared from her FNC program to reappear on MSNBC with no explanation.  Lately, Julian Phillips, the Bryant Gumbel of Fox News, who co-hosted Fox & Friends Weekend with the ever lovely Kiran Chetry and the spicy Alyson Camarotta, was sacked in favor of minister and chanteur extraordinaire Kelly Wright: not even a courteous comment was proffered. Since Fox News has purged its morning weekend show of the ostentatious, obnoxious display of personal aggrandizement of a spoilt elitist, all is forgiven. However, if they get rid of Kiran Chetry, I will be a less loyal viewer.

Defense News: China Blinds U.S. Satellites

According to the U.K.'s Telegraph, the Defense News, a military affairs publication, reported Monday that sources reveal that Chinese can and have blinded American spy satellites as they passed over Chinese territory. These Chinese tests indicate that U.S. intelligence satellites could be rendered useless to gather information over Chinese soil. One erstwhile Pentagon senior official said, "The Chinese are very strategically minded and are extremely active in this arena: they really believe all the stuff written in the 1980s about the high frontier." So did Gorbachev: remember the Oslo summit and the subsequent fall of the Evil Empire?

Cf. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/09/26/wchina226.xml.

WTFWJD Accidental? Yeah, Right!

Mocking "Passion of the Christ" producer, Mel Gibson, GS & Game Show Network created the new Internet game "So You Think You Can Drive, Mel." It places you behind the wheel as Mel with a bottle of tequila with the goal of making it home from a restaurant while avoiding rabbis swinging Stars of Davis (representing the Jewish community according to spokesman, John Roberts) and state troopers. You gain points by picking up tequila bottles in the process which continue to impair your ability to navigate, and your game ends after you hit five state troopers. On the license plate of Mel's video game sports car are the letters "WTFWJD." When I saw it on yesterday's Fox & Friends First, I was reminded of the bracelets with "WWJD." Of course, I also thought of what "TF" interjected therein meant and was appalled at the apparent blasphemy.

Clinton Steams Rice

Secretary Condoleeza Rice heatedly rebutted former president Bill Clinton's finger-wagging rantings on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace that he was the only one who tried to kill Osama bin Laden, that he left a all-encompassing anti-terrorist strategy, and that the Bush administration had fired top anti-terrorist official Richard Clarke. Condi asserted, "What we did in eight months was at least as aggressive as what the Clinton administration did in the preceding years" and that Clinton's allegations that the Bush administration had not lifted a finger to stop terrorism was  "flatly false." She added, "We were not left a comprehensive strategy to fight al Qaeda." As to Clarke, Rice stated, "Richard Clarke was the counterterrorism czar when 9/11 happened, and he left when he did not become deputy director of homeland security, some months later."

Cf. http://www.nypost.com/seven/09252006/news/nationalnews/rice_boils_over_at_bubba_nationalnews_.htm.

Chavez: Bush the Diablo

Venezuelan Prez Hugo Chavez addressed the U.N. General Assembly today calling President Bush "the devil." "The devil came here yesterday: he came here talking as if he were the owner of the world," huffed Castro's protege. Chavez pleaded, "We appeal to the people of the United States and the world to halt this threat, which is like a sword hanging over our head." U.S. Ambassador John Bolton responded that it was "too bad the people of Venezuela don't have free speech." He added, "I'm just not going to comment on this because his remarks just don't warrant a response: People can listen to what he had to say and if they do they will reject it."

Cf. http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/09/20/D8K8P6J00.html.

Thailand's Thaksin Overthrown

Today army chief General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as the PM was in New York to address the UN. Sondhi sent the Thai military into Bangkok's streets, cordoned off Thaksin's offices, took control of the television stations, and declared a provisional government loyal to the king. The constitution was revoked, martial order was declared, and governmental, business, and academic institutions were closed. On the street people emptied the normally bustling markets and red light districts. Thaksin, popular with the country's poor but less so with its cosmopolitan city dwellers, had recently been on the defensive with the nation's voters. Thaksin had called a snap election earlier this year after coming under heavy fire for his family's very profitable, controversial tax-free sale of shares in a large corporation. The election was boycotted by the opposition and invalidated by the nation's courts. Now it appears that the armed forces have attempted to remedy the situation after consulting with the country's revered monarch.

Cf. http://www.economist.com/agenda/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7938267 and http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060919/D8K87US00.html.

Poland Remembers the Gipper

President Ronald Reagan is revered in Poland for his stalwart stand against communism and his role in its defeat in Europe. Admirers of the Gipper from Poland, Canada, and the United States plan to unveil a 11.5 foot stone-and-bronze statue across from the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw on July 4, 2007 to honor the 40th American president. One of them, Janusz Dorosiewicz, stated, "Reagan was the person who defeated the communists and opened the way for freedom in Poland: The statue is a way for his legacy to live on." Thank you, President Reagan, for being the West's Cincinnatus.

Cf. http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyid=2006-09-18T155914Z_01_L18839909_RTRUKOC_0_US-POLAND-REAGAN.xml&src=rss&rpc=22.

Willie's New Orleans Lady: Mary Jane

This morning Willie Nelson and four others were given citations for marijuana and illicit mushroom possession according to the Louisiana State Police. Willie (et al) received them when his tour bus underwent a commercial vehicle inspection. Apparently, the trooper on the scene smelled the strong scent of marijuana when he opened the bus' door and, subsequently, ordered a search of the singer's vehicle. Police report that 1.5 lbs. of marijuana and 0.2 lbs. of unlawful mushrooms were found. Too bad for Willie that Jimmy is not still Prez.

Cf. http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/09/18/D8K7EL980.html.

Make Love, Not War

Senoras and senoritas are calling for a crossed-leg strike in Pereira, one of the most dangerous cities in Columbia. I.e., female lovers are putting their men on notice that they are not going to give it up unless the boys give up their guns in the local government's disarmament effort. Margarita, a gang member's moll said, "When we close ourselves off a bit they listen to us: if they don't give up their weapons, then we won't be with them." Caleno, a local tough, echoed her sentiments, " They say that if we don't drop our weapons, they won't be with us anymore: we need our women, and you'll change for your woman." According to officials, violence appears to have lessened.

Cf. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,20403441-1702,00.html?from=rss; http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/15/world/main2013041.shtml; and FNC.

Fly Over Vegas

Guys and gals, I'm sorry for the large lacuna between this posting and the prior one. Last week I took a "vacation" to Branson, MO, courtesy of dear ones. Even though I was quite dubious of this Las Vegas for middle America, I did have a relaxing time. (The obvious target demographic is an older, stereotypical red-state voter.) As I walked the Strip, I found an eatery/store that had the 10 Commandments with water cascading down, a church with gospel music wafting to the errant ear, and three crosses with less commercial crassness; a convenience store that asked for God's blessing on America (or her soldiers) and offered cheap cigarettes and the lotto; and an Amish store that sported a neon sign, sold sparkling wines, and accepted credit cards. When I encountered the service industry, its providers seemed to be largely from other areas with an attitude quite contrary to their customer base. Whereas Vegas appeals to the naughty nature of America with its allure of gambling, drink, and sex, Branson attracts its nice spirit with its invocation towards God, country, and family. An interesting dichotomy! I'm reminded of BET's juxtapositon of uncensored vids vis-a-vis an apparent Simeon-like televangelist.

Clinton Red-Faced over 9/11 Cine

Former President Bill Clinton is calling for ABC to pull the "Path to 9/11" miniseries unless it deletes or alters certain scenes that don't portray him in a more flattering light. (Path to 9/11 is set to begin this Sunday, September 10, and to end Monday, the fifth year anniversary of the American tragedy of 9/11.) He is most angry that the film indicates that his Secretary of State Madeline Albright warned Pakistani intelligence (some say close to the Taliban) about the strike on Osama bin Laden, that his National Security Adviser Sandy Berger called off a strike that had Osama well targeted, and that he was too distracted by the Monica Lewinsky scandal to keep the country safe. Still fighting for a legacy!

Cf. http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/bubba_goes_ballistic_on_abc_about_its_damning_9_11_movie_nationalnews_ian_bishop_________post_correspondent.htm; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/06/AR2006090601819_pf.html; and http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AP_ON_TV_PATH_TO_911?SITE=7219&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2006-09-07-08-34-20.

Suri's Real

As I was looking today at a Vanity Fair pic of Suri, scion of Tom and Katie, I felt an odd sense of estrangement from pop culture. Why does anyone care a whit that the TomKat union has produced a tyke? Is it because of all of the rumors about Tom's sexual predelictions, the strange nature of Tom & Katie's romance, or that Top Gun finally quit shooting blanks? Rather odd. Katie even heralded the coming of this chosen child on her premier show: now Vanity Fair seems to have added the requisite hagiography or iconography to Hollywood's pantheon. Maybe, I should consult John Bunyan's magnum opus for some spiritual clarity.

Israel Deals

After denying the inevitable, Israel decides to trade approximately 800 Palestinian prisoners for kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. According to Al-Hayat, an Egyptian newspaper, Shalit has already been sent to Egypt in the first stage of the swap. He will held there until Israel fulfills its pledges under the agreement according to El-Halij, a Bahrain-based daily. After Nasrallah's stand against an untested Ohlmert, the Israeli state appears ready to cut its losses and to regain its footing among its Arab brethren.

Cf. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1154526005187&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull.

VIP's Rush to Katie

CBS is bringing out the country's political top guns to usher Katie into her new seat at the helm of CBS Evening News. Slated to appear on Couric's inaugural telecasts this week are uber leftist Uncle Walter (as previously noted); politically correct Bill Maher; controversial, conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh; progressive, no-nonsense America's mayor Rudy Giuliani; philandering impeachee and popular potential First Man Bill Clinton; and the terrorist–fighting, malaprop POTUS. CBS should get a ratings spike for such a luminous array of stars: however, will they continue to return for quotidian quaffs of Couric?

Cf. http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=51815.

R.I.P. Crocodile Hunter

Steve Irwin, a/k/a Crocodile Hunter, was killed yesterday by a three foot long, 220 lb. stingray as he was shooting a documentary on dangerous marine creatures at Bat Reef in Queensland, Australia. In the freak acccident, Irwin was swimming above the stingray when it got spooked and slung its 8-in. barb straight into his heart. Irwin went into cardiac arrest and died shortly thereafter as he was being evacuated to receive professional medical care. Irwin, a fearless wildlife explorer, brought his joyous embrace of the most dangerous animals on the planet into the living rooms of a worldwide audience as he taught it to admire, respect, and appreciate God's fearsome fauna. The 44-year-old star of numerous documentaries and the owner of Australia Zoo, a Queensland reptile park left a beautiful wife, an 8 y.o. daughter and 2 y.o. son. He will be truly missed by his many fans young and old.

Cf. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20349888-2,00.html.

Back in the C-U-B-A

Fidel is back! And so is Hugo! As Castro continued to recuperate from intestinal surgery, the Cuban leader greeted his protege with elation as Chavez returned for another courtesy call. Fidel exclaimed, "What joy! A million thanks!" Once deemed dead by many of his detractors, the Marxist strongman emerged with renewed vigor: the eighty-year old Communist general seems ready to give his Yankee neighbor its own bout of visceral vexing. While we await a return to democracy, please send us some of your famed cigars and potent mojitas.

Cf. http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/09/01/D8JSBPP80.html.

A.R.I.T.

Waitresses and barkeeps know well the acronym for Attitude Reflected In Tip. Generally, it is said by a customer ready to stiff (or leave a three-penny tip) to that service provider who has not lived up to his/her expectations. Or, maybe, it was a cutie that didn't flirt enough. However, Cindy Kienow, a bartender at Applebee's in Hutchinson, Kansas, received quite a surprise when a generous regular who generally discussed current events or the weather and who often tipped 50% left her a check. As she related the account, he normally turned it over but this time he kept it right side up and explicitly said, "I want you to know this is not a joke." As she looked agape at the $10,000 tip that he had left, he added, "This will buy you something kind of nice, huh? Kienow replied, "Yeah, it will." The eatery is still confirming that the tip is a legit charge and indicated its eagerness to give her the money upon verification. Kienow said, "I hope that he comes back in so I can tell him 'thank you' because the  other day I was kind of dumbfounded." She indicated that she would like to share her good fortune with her parents: she said, "[b]ut I feel like he wanted me to buy something for myself, and there's a Jeep that I've had my eye on for a while." An appropos anecdote for the under-appreciated working gal/gent: Happy Labor Day weekend!

Cf. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/1/10?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US.

Another Shiner for the Eye Network

What is CBS thinking? Or is it? For the first part of the 13th (rather appropos) season, Survivor is dividing its tribes according to race. I.e., the tribes will consist of Asians, Hispanics, blacks, and whites. Using a "separate but equal" logic, Survivor creator Mark Burnett explains, "By putting  people in tribes, they clearly have to get rid of people of their own ethnicity: So that's not racial at all." GM pulled out of its sponsorship of show claiming that it had nothing to do with the controversy and that it had no prior knowledge of the race-based element of this season. Are you listening, Mr. Orwell?

Cf. http://contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/burnett%20slams%20survivor%20critics_1006792 and http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/08/30/D8JQV2IO2.html.

CBS Lipos Chubby Couric

CBS employees slimmed a Katie Couric pic (via PhotoShop) as they prepared to promo her to lead the erstwhile Tiffany network's news division. As Cronkite readies to crown Couric as CBS Evening News anchor, Rather's spirit seems to be haunting that once august division. In addressing Uncle Walter's intro for the perky princess, (remember) a top CBS source said, "This is a bold statement of continuity  and 'trust,' a commitment to the quality of the CBS Evening News." Perhaps, it's more of a comment on continuity rather than a transferrence of truth.

Cf. http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/weighing_anchor_nationalnews_don_kaplan.htm.

F.B.I. Most Wanted Polygamist Nabbed

Warren Jeffs, a polygamist on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list, was nabbed late last night on I15 just north of Las Vegas in his red SUV Cadillac Escalade on a routine traffic stop. Jeffs is the fifty-year old leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints. He is wanted for suspicion of sexual misconduct in UT and AZ for purportedly arranging marriages between major males and minor females. Now Jeffs no longer has the notoriety of being grouped with Osama bin Laden but is relegated to defendants in sex cases with the likes of John Karr.

Cf. http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/08/29/D8JQ4EV01.html.

Karr Back on Road to Anonymity

John Karr's DNA does not match the JonBenet Ramsey crime scene DNA according to two NBC station KUSA sources. (The Denver Police Department Crime tested Karr's hair and saliva that were obtained upon his arrival in Boulder Thursday.) Further, KUSA has confirmed that the Boulder DA will not bring charges against him. Poor, sad soul: who in their right mind would want to be blamed for such an atrocious crime if he/she were innocent? To think that this individual would deem to drag the nation through a gut-wrenching trial that did not bring justice to JonBenet and closure to the country is unbelievably perverse.

Cf. http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=5647dd32-0abe-421a-01cb-49517318e6a4&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047-c589c01ca7bf.

AOL Counter Croaks

When AOL is trying to retain its diminishing customer base (from @ 30+ million to @17.5 million users), you would think that its techs would fix its irritating re-setting journal counter. I called its customer service, and the rep indicated that he couldn't do anything about it: he suggested that I write an e-mail to the AOL acephalus (now ensconced in a fetal position). I.e., put your problem in the suggestion box (that might get answered, or, more likely discarded). As a blog writer, it's nice to know the potential readership of the journal or, at least, how many hits the site is receiving. However, my Carpe Diem counter has reset thrice: ergo, I've removed it from the page.

While I'm venting, AOL tends to treat its Mac users like second-class citizens. Whereas AOL allows PC users to spellcheck, link, etc., it gives Mac users basically the write to type and include pics from their comps or Hometown links (if they have them). Of course, when a Mac user calls into tech support (even using the special Mac number), he/she should not be surprised if he/she gets sent to general customer support or PC tech support.

Cronkite Anchors Couric to CBS

Amid luminaries in the broadcast galaxy, Walter Cronkite, once known as the "most trusted man in America," will introduce Katie Couric to the nation on her opening night as CBS News anchor. A top CBS source said, "This is a bold statement of continuity and 'trust,' a commitment to the quality of the CBS Evening News." Since Dan Rather, her non-interim predecessor, is not passing the torch, that statement seems more than a tacit admission by CBS that the folksy, Texan has tarnished the Tiffany network's news reputation. After CBS' exile of Cronkite during the Rather years, it seems ironic that they have returned to him to restore an air of credibility to CBS. (Of course, those who have followed Uncle Walter's pontifications in the news wilderness realize that he has outed himself as an uber liberal: unless you are a NPR junkie, you may not be overly awed by CBS' transferral of "trust.")

Cf. http://drudgereport.com/flashckc.htm

Pluto Sent Back to Hades

In Prague Thursday at the International Astronomical Union meeting, astronomers banished Pluto from the planetary pantheon back to his hellish home: ergo, they deprived us of one our celeberated heavenly orbs. What is going on? Is there a conspiracy to discombobulate Everyman (or Everywomyn)? We have U.S. legislators trying to "save money" by purging pennies from our coin species: these carping cochleffels even want to expunge our trusty George Washington with a surly Susan B. Anthony. Will these pontificating panjandrums ever leave us and well enough alone?

Cf. "Third rock's atronomers 'dwarf' Pluto's status in the solar system," USA Today (Aug. 25-27, 2006), Section A, page 1.

Nagin Nox NYC

The Big Easy's mayor Ray Nagin would have none of CBS 60 Minutes correspondent Byron Pitts' condescending carp. As he took Pitts on a tour of the Ninth Ward, he remarked with pride that the city had removed most of the detritus on public property. Pitts pointed out a house that had been moved off of its foundation and was protruding into the street and cars on the thoroughfare that had also been damaged by the flooding aftermath of Katrina: the city chief was not overly amused. Nagin retorted, "That's alright: you guys in New York can't get a hole in the ground fixed, and it's five years later." He added, "So let's be fair." Of course, Nagin's knock of the Big Apple is reverberating through that urbane, sophisticated city's media: Louisiana has that joie de vivre that doesn't cotton to Yankee patronizing.

Cf. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/08/24/60minutes/main1933092.shtml

FDA: No Rx Needed 4 Morning-After Pill

Today the Food and Drug Administration decided that women 18 and older will not need a medical prescription to obtain the morning-after drug. However, women younger than 18 will continue to need a doctor's permission to obtain Plan B, the moniker for the new pills. Basically, this drug is a very strong dose of the one contained within the regular birth control pill. If taken within the first 72 hours after "unprotected" sex, the probability of pregnancy is reduced by up to 89%. If the woman is pregnant already, the pills purportedly have no effect. (As J notes in the first comment, infra., the morning-after pill also precludes the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus.) Proponents of the over-the-counter sales point out that doctors are difficult to find on weekends and holidays. Opponents counter that women may get a false sense of security and that minors may be forced to take the pills by their adult partners.

Cf. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060824/D8JMREMO0.html.

Britney: 2 Tabu 4 Tokyo

Tokyo's metro has refused to allow a Harper's Bazaar advert featuring Britney Spears nude and heavy with child a la Demi Moore. Officials labeled the pic "too stimulating" for some of their subway customers. Brit must be overjoyed that she can still titillate--even if it's the conservative constituency of the emperor's erstwhile Edo--after her YouTube.com vid that exhibited her belching and bemoaning her paucity of pulchritude. Now she may not have to listen as much to Christina sing, "You Are Beautiful No Matter What They Say."

Cf. http://news.aol.com/entertainment/music/articles/_a/spears-ad-too-stimulating-for-tokyo/20060823082509990001?cid=918.

Cruise Jetsam

After fourteen years of A-list star treatment by Paramount Pictures, Cruise was jettisoned by its parent company Viacom's chairman Sumner Redstone. Redstone said, "As much as we like him personally, we thought it was wrong to renew his deal: his recent conduct has not been acceptable to Paramount." Shortly after the debut of Mission: Impossible III, USA Today conducted a poll in which 1/2 of the respondents indicated that they had an unfavorable view of the Risky Business star. They cited his off-screen behavior which included his vociferous advocacy of Scientology, his acrimonious attack on psychiatry, and his cutting criticism of Brooke Shields (as to her taking medicine to cope with postpartum depression). I guess poor Tom has "jumped the shark," or, rather, the sofa.

Cf. http://money.cnn.com/2006/08/22/news/newsmakers/cruise_paramount/index.htm?section=money_latest; http://www.variety.com/VR1117948838.html; http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=domesticNews&storyid=2006-08-23T001318Z_01_N22285827_RTRUKOC_0_US-MEDIA-CRUISE.xml&src=rss&rpc=22; and http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060822/people_nm/media_cruise_dc_1.

Free Speech Lesson Up in Smoke

Stuart Middle School seventh-grade social studies teacher Dan Holden gave his students a lesson in free speech that they likely won't forget. In each of his two social studies classes, the Louisville, KY, teacher burned a small American flag to inspire his students to write an essay on their first amendment rights. Even though school district officials received only one complaint, they reassigned Holden to non-instructional work and contacted fire officials as to the flag burnings. He now faces possible criminal charges as to child endangerment with regard to the open flame in the classroom. Holden had no prior disciplinary record.

Cf. http://www.local6.com/news/9714394/detail.html and http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SCHOOL_FLAG_BURNING?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US.

I Ain't Missing U at All

Today is the anniversary of the death of a very dear person. His life impacted mine as he wed a dear, sweet sis and fathered the most special of children. Like his earthly father and, more importantly, like his heavenly Father, he brought love, joy, and compassion to his family, other sojourners in faith, and to his proverbial neighbor. I, and we, love you, J, and look forward to seeing you in that heavenly realm.

Rollin' Stones Gather Moss

In the home country, Mick and his chaps are not getting any satisfaction (or R-E-S-P-E-C-T). Hundreds of their tickets are going unsold for concerts in G.B., e.g., in Twickenham (tomorrow & Tues.), Cardiff, and Glasgow. On eBay, bids for tickets are at a pound, even a pence. Promoters are going so far as to put up last minute billboards on main arteries into London to get rid of the glut. To the further chagrin of the highest grossing tour band in the world, their tickets are being sold to seniors at half price by Saga, an English elders' discount company.

Cf. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=401097&in_page_id=1773.

Domestic Flight Scare: Bottles with Explosive Residue

Update: The Tri-State Airport (Huntington, WV) reopened after a ten-hour closing when subsequent chemical tests proved negative although both the airport security checkpoint machine and a canine team tested positive. The Pakistani woman was very cooperative according to officials, and she was taken from the airport at 5 p.m. by federal authorities.

Cf. citation (which has also been updated), infra.

Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Amy von Walter revealed that screeners at Tri-State Airport in Huntington, W. Va., have discovered two bottles of liquid that tested positive for explosive residue in the carry-on of a 28-year-old Pakistani woman. The Pakistani woman, a Huntington resident (earlier a resident of Jackson, Michigan), had purchased a one-way ticket to Detroit via Charlotte. According to Jeff Killeen, an FBI spokesperson, the woman was at the airport but had not been arrested. Albeit unclear, it seems apparent that she was being detained and questioned.

Cf. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,209042,00.html.

Hezbollah v. Israel: Did David Win?

According to Nasrallah and Khatami, Hezbollah won. According to Ohlmert and Bush, Israel did. Lebanon seems to be the only unanimous loser. Who really won?

JonBenet Murder Confession

According to FNC, John Mark Karr, a forty-one year old American second grade teacher held in Thailand on sex charges, has allegedly admitted to the murder of five-year-old beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey a decade ago. After his confession to Thai police and ICE in Bangkok, he was subsequently arrested on charges pertaining thereto. In his confession, Karr purportedly included facts unknown to the public: however, authorities do not have any corroborating DNA or handwriting evidence from him. Reportedly, Karr sent e-mail for the last three to four years to individuals close to the case, including Patsy Ramsey, JonBenet's mother, describing in lurid detail the sexual assault and murder of JonBenet. [Allegedly, Karr lived in Conyers, GA, outside of Atlanta, near or in the same place where the Ramseys lived after they lived in Boulder: further, early sources indicated that Karr may have once resided in Colorado and was interviewed by police in the early stages of the investigation.] Reports indicate that Karr is to be brought back to the States this weekend and that the Boulder DA's office will hold a teleconference tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. E.T. about the case. JonBenet's father issued a statement shortly after the arrest of Karr that he and Patsy had been informed by the Boulder, CO, DA's office of the investigation of Karr and his imminent arrest and that he was (and as Patsy, now deceased as of June 24, 2006, undoubtedly would have been) pleased.

Cf. http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_4921245,00.html, the Drudge Report, and FNC.

What Will Raul Say?

In the August 5, 2006, obituary section of the Economist, Ung Choeun (better known by his moniker Ta Mok, meaning "respected grandfather"), the last remaining leader of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge (KR) leaders was covered. (Under the communist Cambodian regime, 1.7 million of a population of 7 million were killed through executions or other aggravated circumstances.) After the 1979 fall of the KR government, Pol Pot's more philistine and hardline comrade-in-arms took control of the Marxist movement yet continued to keep the philosopher-first citizen in his protective custody until his death. When Pol Pot died, Ta Mok eulogized him, saying that he had dropped "like a ripe papaya" and was now no more than "cow sh*t." He added that Pol Pot was less than that because manure is useful. How will Raul praise Fidel?

Victoria's Secret Model's Bro: Bottle Bomber?

Abdul Wahid, a recent Caucasian convert to Islam and formerly known as Don Stewart-Whyte, is the 19 y.o. brother of top 1990's Victoria's Secret model Heather Stewart-Whyte. (She has been a runway model for various elite fashion houses and is the former wife of Yannick Noah, erstwhile French tennis star and current rock/reggae performer.) Also, Abdul Wahid is the son of now deceased Tory activist Douglas Stewart-Whyte. Wahid (or Wah-hid), described as a "mummy's boy" by a neighbor, was arrested by coppers on suspicion of being involved in apparently a jihadist attempt to bomb approximately nine airliners heading from various U.K. cities to sundry U.S. ones.

Cf. http://www.smh.com.au/text/articles/2006/08/12/1154803147123.html; http://www.answers.com/topic/heather-stewart-whyte; and http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=400012&in_page_id=1770.

Terrorist Threat Thwarted

Police report that they thwarted a terror plot by at least 21 (up to 50) young Brits of Pakistani origin to down up to ten planes on flights from the U.K. to the U.S. (The cities of departure were London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow.) If successful, it would have exceeded 9-11 in its scope in the number of lives taken. The plan apparently involved liquid chemical cannisters that were to be carried onto the planes in carry-on luggage and later explode in midair. Passengers on flights from Heathrow to the States are prohibited from taking carry-on luggage or liquid onto planes: however, exceptions are made for mothers with infants. (Mothers are being made to taste the baby milk before being allowed to board.) Most European and all Tel Aviv flights into Heathrow other than ones already in the air have been cancelled. The U.K.'s Home Office raised the public risk level to "critical" from "severe." The U.S. has raised the alert level on flights from Great Britain to red and on other commercial aviation within or into the U.S. to orange. American officials believe that there was a very serious Al Qaeda connection.

Cf. Sky News and FNC.

Lieberman Loses

Joe Lieberman lost his bid for the Connecticut Democratic primary yesterday to Ned Lamont, a vocal anti-war and anti-Bush advocate. Lieberman, the "moral voice" of his party, has combined a liberal domestic policy with a hawkish foreign policy (in the Middle East) during his tenure as senator. However, the lib blogoshere and the Moveon.com gang were not as willing as Bush Republicans (e.g., as to Specter) to give their black sheep pol unwavering support. Former Prez Clinton and his wife gave Joe their lukewarm backing: they were undoubtedly grateful that he decided not to call for the President's impeachment or punishment during Monicagate but still a bit miffed that he sermonized about Bill's sin. Also, George's kiss of death didn't help things either.

Raul in Charge: Fidel at Large

Gramna, Cuba's paper of record, stated, "Raul is firmly at the helm of the nation and the armed forces." The front page of the Communist Party organ lionized Raul as a hero in its account of his arrest at the tender age of 22 after the daring assault in 1953 on the Moncada garrison in Santiago led by his elder brother. Rumors of Fidel's demise have reverberated thoughtout the Cuban community in the States, and the recent statements and stories emanating from Gramna are not dampening the speculation.

Cf. http://reuters.myway.com/article/20060804/2006-08-04T113749Z_01_N04409825_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-CUBA-CASTRO-DC.html.

Swedish Sweetie Stymies Soldiers

According to Aftonbladet, a Swedish bathing beauty caused a bit of a stir when she decided to bask in the sun in an Albanian village in the European manner. Abashed local women fled the shore with their children in tow and alerted the police to this strange siren. Soldiers were sent to the scene but were unable to accomplish their mission because they were not conversant in the lovely's language. Doubtless, these keepers of the peace lingered at the scene to insure that the public order was not disturbed.

Cf. http://www.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=4465&date=20060730.

Kerry Advocates Universal Health Care

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) advocates universal health care for U.S. citizens by the year 2012. After Hillary's misguided and failed attempt to bring coverage to all American citizens which had so many tethers as if to make each soul a marionette, one would think that the very idea would be an anathema to candidates of either party. Perhaps, Kerry ruminated over the idea with George Soros over martinis in a jacuzzi or sauna in Davos but, at least, he came up with an idea whose time has come. It seems self-evident that all Americans regardless of their financial situation, ethnic extraction, or any other classification should have the right to affordable health care. It is time that the government intervenes on the side of those who cannot afford health insurance and/or those who simply cannot provide the "pound of flesh" demanded by the medical industry from those who are not insured, are not members of an HMO, and are not covered by Medicare/Medicaid/and/or other governmental assistance. One begins to think that voting Democratic may have a merit or two.

Cf. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2255918&page=2.

Mel Gibson Death Wish?

According to Hollywood Daily, a source very close to Gibson's situation said, "[Gibson] was really on the verge of suicide because he felt he was helpless to alcohol and didn't know what to do with it." He/she added, "This was a death wish." Gibson was stopped last Friday at 2:36 a.m. in Malibu going 87 mph (in a 45 mph zone) on Pacific Coast Highway with a half-full bottle of Tequila in his back seat; he was charged with a D.U.I. after his blood-alchohol level tested at 0.12 (over CA's legal limit of 0.08); and then he was handcuffed and later booked after he tried to flee. (Pictures by an InTouch mag photog showed him bleary-eyed amid a bevy of beauties at Moon Shadows, a popular Malibu restaurant, earlier that night before the arrest.) Allegedly, Gibson made derogatory statements in re Jews to deputy Mee, a veteran of 17 years who is Jewish. Mee stated, "That stuff is booze talking." Gibson's publicist averred, "[Mel Gibson] is fighting for his life [in his struggle with alcohol]." The ramifications in Hollywood which has a significant Jewish influence is unclear: his Passion of the Christ engendered few new friends but its blockbuster status insured his continued viability.  Thus far, ABC has cancelled Flory, a Gibson Holocaust-related miniseries, but it's parent company Disney still intends to issue his Apocalypto. UPDATE: For Mel Gibson's personal apology in his own words, go to http://drudgereport.com/flash3.htm.

Cf. http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/exclusive-mel-gibson-was-really-on-the-verge-of-suicide-before-his-dui-arrest-this-was-a-death-wish; http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/07/31/D8J79VN80.html; http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,19622,00.html; and FNC's Fox News Live.

Castro Cedes Power to Raul For Now

Just short of his eightieth birthday (August 13), Castro, the longest ruling head of state in the world, has temporarily relinquished power to his brother Raul while he undergoes intestinal surgery according to a FNC Alert. On Hannity & Colmes, Dick Morris asserted that based on his knowledge of the Cuban exile community, it will be months or just a few years before Raul is ousted and Cuba becomes a modern democracy. Of course, this prediction presupposes that the long-time leader of Cuba does not reassume his leadership role that he has held since 1959.

Syria Raises Alert Level

Syria's military was put on heightened alert by President Bashar al-Assad who promised to stand by the Lebanese resistance. On the 61st anniversary of the Syria Arab Army's formation, Assad asservated, "The barbaric war of annihilation the Israeli aggression is waging on our people in Lebanon and Palestine is increasing in ferocity." He further stated, "We are facing international circumstances and regional challenges that require caution, alert, readiness, and preparedness." (The Syria Arab Army had already been on alert since Israel's retaliation on July 12 in response to Hezbollah's capture of two Israeli soldiers on Israel's soil.) On Hardball with Chris Matthews tonight, Martin Fletcher of NBC News stated that Syria had called for this heightened readiness because Israel had called up three reserve divisions that would be operating on the Syrian/Lebanese border only 20 kilometers from Damascus. He added that for the first time in fifteen or twenty years a bomb detonated on the border between Syria and Israel. In light of Qana and the widening conflict, it seems to be getting more and more difficult for Israel and its American ally to contain the current conflict to Lebanese land and abutting Jewish territory.

Cf. http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2006-07-31T212727Z_01_L31883392_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST-ASSAD.xml&src=rss&rpc=22.

Paris Gets Religion

After the traumatic riots of October and November 2005 by young Muslim youth from its seedy slums, Paris authorities have become attuned to a more restrictive clothing ban on its artificial shores. The Le Parisien reported last Saturday that Paris City Hall passed a law banning indecent clothing to preserve public order on its man-made beaches created each ete since 2001. According to its wording, "People must behave according to good standards to maintain tranquility, security and public order: notably indecent attire (nude sunbathing, g-strings, toplessness, etc.) is forbidden." Anyone showing too much skin can be fined 38 euros. Pascal Cherki, a city hall sports official, said that such indecent clothing "could have led to temptations and dangerous behavior on the banks of the river." The secular may still bask in Ole Sol as they see fit on France's natural beaches for now. Will the French change their cuisine as well?

Cf. http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0%2C22049%2C19955577-5001028%2C00.html.

Talking Bikinis

Girls, now your bikini-clad bodies can be safe from the sun's rays but not necessarily from overtly appreciative eyes. Solestrom has designed a new bikini that sports a UV overexposure alarm with a meter within the belt: ergo, when your $190 bikini starts beeping, go get a margarita or a cosmopolitan at a shaded cabana bar. Demand for this bikini is strong in Australia and South Africa where skin cancer rates are the highest in the world. This suit will become available in the U.S. next month. The ever popular bikini was designed in July 1946 by Frenchman Louis Reard who named it after Bikini Atoll, site of the a-bomb testing by the U.S. True to his prescient prognostications, the world was rocked by his creation: its explosive echoes reverberate ever mellifluous to many of Aphrodite's acolytes.

Cf. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/life_bikinis1_dc.

FEMA: No to Trailer Park Free Speech

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials are not allowing media assess to governmental trailer parks unless escorted at all times by a FEMA agent. For example, a guard in a Morgan City, LA trailer park ordered a reporter and photographer off of the property after they were invited by Dekotha Duvall, a trailer resident; called police when the reporter attempted the "forbidden" act of handing Duvall a business card; and then commanded another resident, Pansy Ardeneaux to not speak through a chain-link fence to reporters (and to return to her trailer home). "If a resident invites the media to the trailer, they have to be escorted by a FEMA representative who sits in on the interview: that's just policy," Rachel Rodi, spokesperson for FEMA said. Congressman Bobby Jindal (R-LA) impugned FEMA's position, stating, "You don't lose your fundamental rights just because you're living in temporary housing: it's an outrageous pattern of behavior." The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) asked FEMA to evaluate the constitutionality of its policy. The letter stated, "We are outraged by the arrogance and contempt for public discourse on display in Louisiana, a year after FEMA's performance in the wake of Katrina earned it widespread criticism."

Cf. http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=51240.

Dems Slam Arab Democrat

The cause celebre of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is even impinging on Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki's visit to the U.S., where he is scheduled to address a joinst session of Congress tomorrow. Al-Maliki addressed Israel's actions as he stated, "The Israeli attacks and airstrikes are completely destroying Lebanon's infrastructure." He added, "I condemn these aggressions and call on the Arab League foreign ministers' meeting in Cairo to take quick action to stop these agressions: we call on the world to take quick stands to stop the Israeli aggression." Congressional Democrats were quick to attack Iraq's recently elected prime minister. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) asseverated, "Unless Mr. Malaki disavows his critical comments of Israel and condemns terrorism, it is inappropriate to honor him with a joint meeting of Congress." Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) joined by New York senior senator Chuck Schumer asserted, "It is imperative that the U.S. Congress and the world know immediately whether you support or condemn Hezbollah's acts of terrorism." Even though Al-Maliki should obviously be even handed in his condemnation as to Israel and Hezbollah, he could be forgiven if he wondered if these lecturers were aligned with him in his war on the terrorists and insurgents plaguing his country. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert rejected these Democratic attempts to deny the new democratic leader of Iraq the honor of speaking to a bicameral Congressional audience.

Cf. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,205521,00.html and http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/20/world/middleeast/20shiites.html?_r=2&ex=1153713600&en=78691f5524ed9816&ei=5087%0A&oref=slogin&oref=slogin.