Boris Yeltsin R.I.P.

Today, the first democratically elected president of Russia, Boris Yeltsin, was laid to rest in Moscow. Fittingly, his memorial service was held in Christ the Saviour Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox cathedral, which Yeltsin had rebuilt after it was razed by the atheist despot Stalin. Further, the father of democracy in the former USSR was interred in Novodevichye Cemetery among Everypersons as opposed to the Kremlin, the burial place of his repressive, Communist CCCP predecessors. He was honored with a national day of mourning as his countrymen and world leaders, including his successor President Vladimir Putin, his antecessor and critic
Mikhail Gorbachev, former U.S. Presidents (Bush and Clinton), whilom U.K. Prime Minister John Major, and Solidarity leader and Polish President Lech Walesa, bid the great Russian leader adieu. Thank you, Mr. President, for standing up against tyranny and oppression and for democracy and freedom.

Cf. http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1262483,00.html; http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/04/24/russia.yeltsin/index.html; and http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,21626293-401,00.html?from=public_rss.

1 Charmin Square: "Strong Enough"?

Sheryl Crow has been the butt of many jibes as her inane suggestion on the rationing of toilet paper made even Rosie O'Donnell mock the Missouri native. Karl Rove's not-so-fave eco-cutie opined, "I propose a limitation be put on how many squares of toilet tissue can be used in any one sitting: "I think we are an industrious enough people that we can make it work with only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where two to three could be required." 

No One Said It Would Be Easy. Remember, A Change (Will Do You Good).

Cf. http://entertainment.bodogbeat.com/sheryl-crow-saving-the-world-one-toilet-paper-square-at-a-time-43344.html.

41 & Romney: Bush Fatigue

President Bush I opined yesterday on CNN's Larry King show that the American voters may be having "a little Bush fatigue now." He said this in response to Mitt Romney's observation or echoing of the conservative blogosphere that Jeb would be the Republican standard bearer if his last name were not Bush. However, the proud papa and forty-first President added, "I hope that Jeb . . . is not through with politics. . .: I think he's got a future." I guess the U.S. is not ready for Bush III now: or is that another George III? And no obvious BRAVO jokes.

Cf. http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2007/04/bush-sr-bush-fatigue-may-be-setting-in.html.

Bush & CNN, Listen & Learn

President George W. Bush, grandson of a U.S. senator and son of a U.S. President, has been mired in the polls with approval ratings below 40% for the last seven months. Since such polls began, only Truman, Nixon, and Carter have had similarly low approbation from the American people. Bush, an Eli with a Harvard Business School Ph.D., seems to think that Americans merely want him to be their CEO. He produces results for the right with his emphasis on the judiciary (as to abortion especially), the military, and lower taxes and for the left with his accent on education, immigration, and governmental growth. However, like CNN, he seems to think that if you merely perform your tasks, then you will gain the approval of those you serve. In today's society, people want a President who talks with people, listens to them, and truly cares about them. CNN talks to people, doesn't seem to listen enough, and appears to often patronizingly pontificate: President Bush seems to do the same. Both are capable and can do better--much better.

MSNBC Axes Imus

UPDATE: Don Imus lost his radio show as CBS Prez and CEO Leslie Moonves followed MSNBC's example. After suspending the radio host for two weeks, CBS gave in to the mounting calls for his dismissal. Later, last night Imus met with the Rutgers women's team in what was characterized as a productive meeting by the Rutgers coach.

Cf. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/04/12/national/main2675273.shtml and http://news.aol.com/entertainment/articles/_a/cbs-fires-don-imus-from-radio-show/20070411183809990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001.

MSNBC announced today that it will no longer carry its simulcast of shock jock Don Imus' radio program, "Imus in the Morning." The cantankerous curmudgeon has long been a favorite of the political, literary, and media left and ivied elite. However, his racist and sexist slur, "nappy-headed hos," against the second place Rutgers women's bball team gave him the comeuppance that the p.c. crowd and the aggrieved right desired. He, like Nixon, gave a sword to his enemies, and they with little fault plunged it into him with abandon. Ironically, Imus' ratings increased 39% over a year ago and threatened CNN's American Morning for second place in the cable morning news show. (Thus, Ted Turner's former network canned Soledad O'Brien and Miles O'Brien and replaced them with the delectable Kiran Chetry and her sidekick John Roberts.)

Cf. http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8OEM9M81&show_article=1 and http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/03/AR2007040302298.html.

Fox & Friends Frigid

Has any fan of Fox & Friends noticed the marked decline in the quality of the show in all of its variations? E.g., since luscious, lovely Kiran left, the viewers have nothing to look forward to other than the hope that a Fox vixen will appear. The main weekday F&F has Gretchen Carlson, a former Miss America but a bland, boring blond that gives Swedish girls a bad name. The weekend edition has the Kelly guys that may be good reporters but they have neither natural charisma nor chemistry as co-hosts: to make matters worse, they have no permanent female co host yet. In the mornings and the weekends, only the rare appearance of Page Hopkins reminds one of the saucy, sexy siren attitude that gave Fox & Friends the lift and lilt that it once enjoyed. Sadly, no longer do the likes of jaunty Juliet Huddy and comely Kiran Chetry grace the diurnal dawn. Might as well watch MSNBC.

Kiran at CNN: It's Morning in America Again

CNN's American Morning will pit it's new Fox & Friends snare, Kiran Chetry, against Fox & Friends. The delicious irony is that, according to FNC, Chetry had demanded Gretchen Carlson's co-host role on Fox & Friends. (Kiran Chetry has denied that accusation.) Kiran was the logical and obvious replacement for E.D. Hill when FNC revamped its line-up on its tenth anniversary. Kiran had a real rapport with Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade; a natural ease in front of the camera; and a delightful blend of eloquence, elegance, and equisite beauty. Not to mention--she was the Fox at Fox. Her male co-host will be John Roberts, a former CBS anchor and correspondent, who was a candidate to be the CBS Evening News main man after Dan Rather was shown the door in the wake of Filegate. Finally, CNN has quit shuffling Chetry from place to place as an updater and guest co-host. Now she finally has her own show: it's about time. Kudos, CNN! And I don't say that often.

Cf. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/03/AR2007040302298.html.

"Green" Obama: $25 Million!

Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) showed that he is a real competitor to establishment favorite Hillary Clinton. The well-oiled Clinton money machine garnered $26 million in the first quarter of the year with the expectation of making the coronation inevitable. However, the avatar of Jack Kennedy showed that he is a force to be reckoned with by pulling in a whopping $25 million from an incredible 100,000 donors (double Hill's contributors). The Illinois Senator ridiculed for his greenness in the political process showed he can garner the green from the Democratic base. Penny Pritzker, Obama finance chairperson stated, "This overwhelming response, in only a few short weeks, shows the hunger for a different kind of politics in this country."

Cf. http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8O9S8O80&show_article=1 and CNN's American Morning (04/05/07).

Papa Is a Rolling Stone

UPDATE: Jane Rose, long-time manager of Keith Richards, in an email alleges, "Said in jest: Can't believe anyone took seriously." Would one expect her to say otherwise?

Cf. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1556258/20070403/rolling_stones.jhtml.

Rolling Stones legend and survivor Keith Richards bemoaned that he was no longer on the list of "who's likely to die." (He said that he was No. 1 for a decade.) The sixty-three-year-old Richards stated that he was lucky and warned younger wannabees not to ape him. The worldly wise, wizened wizard of rock shared the oddest drug concoction that he had inhaled. He said, "The strangest thing I've tried to snort? My father." He added, "He was cremated and I couldn't resist grinding him up with a little bit of blow: My dad wouldn't have cared . . . [and] it went down pretty well." I guess a bit of his dad is blowing in the wind as well.

Cf. http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8O9AFO01&show_article=1.

"Puppy" Love

Puppy, a much beloved dog in southern India, died and was mourned by his childless owners, 67-year-old C.N. Madanraj and his 63-year-old wife Hyderabad. After giving their pet of 13 years a burial rite, they held a feast for their friends. Thereafter they hung themselves in their bedroom in sorrow. According to police inspector V. Anantaiah, "The couple described the grief over their pet dog in the suicide note they left on March 29." Martyrs and saints for PETA?

Cf. http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyid=2007-04-03T023547Z_01_DEL152285_RTRUKOC_0_US-INDIA-PET-SUICIDES.xml&src=rss&rpc=22.

Rodham, Romney Rule $ Race

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) topped the Dem fundraising list as expected: the former First Lady with the aid of hubby Bill, reportedly, raked in $26 million. Her main opponent, Barack Obama, the charismatic junior Senator from Rodham's home state of Illinois, is expected to make a strong showing with $21 million. Third-place John Edwards, 2004 Dem Veep candidate, pulled in $14 million. Surprisingly, former Massachussetts gov Romney, a Republican presidential candidate with ratings in single digits, garnered $21 million and embarrassed GOP frontrunner Rudy Giuliani ($14 million). Second-place John McCain brought in $12.5 million into his coffers. Will Fred own the Dollar Store in the near future?

Cf. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070402/D8O8HU100.html, FNC, and CNN.