I guess this is one way to get men to watch women's tennis:
MADRID -- The center court at next week's Tennis Masters Series tournament in Madrid will look more like a catwalk than a sports arena after organizers decided to drop the traditional ball boys and ball girls in favor of glamorous female models.
The organizers are reported to be paying the 25 women an average of $1,115 to do the job previously done by enthusiastic young volunteers from local tennis clubs.
Friday, October 15, 2004
I Love Hollywood
The upcoming Miami Vice movie is a good idea, but it gets even better. Look for the sequel to Spaceballs, as well as the A-Team movie.
Reason #121 Why I Don't Read Fiction
This is why. However, there was one refreshing comment from the novelist Robert Ferrigno:
Mark me on the Bush side of the ledger, a lonely side for this survey, I'm certain. Most novelists live in their imagination, which is a fine place to be until the bad guys come knock knock knocking. I don't agree with Bush on shoveling free meds to granny and grandpa, or his antipathy to fuel conservation along with opening up the arctic reserve, but this is small stuff. I'll be voting for Bush because his approach to stopping the people who want to kill my children is the right one, i.e., kill them first. Kerry will dance the Albright two-step with Kim Jong-il, consult with Sandy Berger's socks, and kowtow to the U.N. apparatchiks who have done such a fine job of protecting the Cambodians, Rwandans, and the Sudanese. No thanks. No contest.
Ouch. Good luck getting that next book published...especially if Bush wins.
Mark me on the Bush side of the ledger, a lonely side for this survey, I'm certain. Most novelists live in their imagination, which is a fine place to be until the bad guys come knock knock knocking. I don't agree with Bush on shoveling free meds to granny and grandpa, or his antipathy to fuel conservation along with opening up the arctic reserve, but this is small stuff. I'll be voting for Bush because his approach to stopping the people who want to kill my children is the right one, i.e., kill them first. Kerry will dance the Albright two-step with Kim Jong-il, consult with Sandy Berger's socks, and kowtow to the U.N. apparatchiks who have done such a fine job of protecting the Cambodians, Rwandans, and the Sudanese. No thanks. No contest.
Ouch. Good luck getting that next book published...especially if Bush wins.
C - A - T - S - CATS! - CATS! - CATS!
In about 10 hours the madness will begin. Let's all send out some positive vibes to our fearless leader...
Hollywood is Getting Its Act Together
This movie just had to be made:
According to Variety, actors Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx are in talks to play the roles of Crockett and Tubbs in Universal's big-screen version of Miami Vice. Michael Mann, the show's executive producer, is expected to write, produce and direct the feature, TV Guide reports.
Some important questions:
1. Will the film be set in the 1980's or today? If 1980's, this could be a classic. If today, forget about it.
2. Will Yan Hammer score the film?
3. Can they bring back Castillo, Izzy, Noogie and Calderone?
4. Will Willie Nelson make a cameo?
Hold the Phones...
...maybe John Edwards is Divine.
The following is an excerpt from John Edwards' argument to the jury on behalf of a girl born with cerebral palsy. He claimed he was channeling the unborn baby girl, Jennifer Campbell, who was speaking to the jurors through him:
"She said at 3, 'I'm fine.' She said at 4, 'I'm having a little trouble, but I'm doing OK.' Five, she said, 'I'm having problems.' At 5:30, she said, 'I need out.'" [...]
"She speaks to you through me and I have to tell you right now -- I didn't plan to talk about this -- right now I feel her. I feel her presence. She's inside me, and she's talking to you."
That is some damn fine lawyering.
The following is an excerpt from John Edwards' argument to the jury on behalf of a girl born with cerebral palsy. He claimed he was channeling the unborn baby girl, Jennifer Campbell, who was speaking to the jurors through him:
"She said at 3, 'I'm fine.' She said at 4, 'I'm having a little trouble, but I'm doing OK.' Five, she said, 'I'm having problems.' At 5:30, she said, 'I need out.'" [...]
"She speaks to you through me and I have to tell you right now -- I didn't plan to talk about this -- right now I feel her. I feel her presence. She's inside me, and she's talking to you."
That is some damn fine lawyering.
More Wisdom from the World of Hip Hop
Ever wonder why the black inner city is in the condition it is? Here's part of the problem...ignorant rappers.
If Osama bin Laden ever buys a rap album, he'll probably start with a CD by KRS-One. The hip-hop anarchist has declared his solidarity with al-Qaida by asserting that he and other African-Americans "cheered when 9-11 happened," reports the New York Daily News.
The rapper, real name Kris Parker, defiled the memory of those who died in the terrorist attacks as he spouted off at a recent New Yorker Festival panel discussion.
"I say that proudly," the Boogie Down Productions founder went on, insisting that, before the attack, security guards kept Blacks out of the World Trade Center "because of the way we talk and dress."So when the planes hit the building, we were like, 'Mmmm - justice.'
"The atrocity of 9-11 "doesn't affect us the hip-hop community," he said. "9-11 happened to them, not us," he added, explaining that by "them" he meant "the rich ... those who are oppressing us. RCA or BMG, Universal, the radio stations."
Parker also sneered at efforts by other rappers to get young people to vote."Voting in a corrupt society adds more corruption," he added. "America has to commit suicide if the world is to be a better place."
If Osama bin Laden ever buys a rap album, he'll probably start with a CD by KRS-One. The hip-hop anarchist has declared his solidarity with al-Qaida by asserting that he and other African-Americans "cheered when 9-11 happened," reports the New York Daily News.
The rapper, real name Kris Parker, defiled the memory of those who died in the terrorist attacks as he spouted off at a recent New Yorker Festival panel discussion.
"I say that proudly," the Boogie Down Productions founder went on, insisting that, before the attack, security guards kept Blacks out of the World Trade Center "because of the way we talk and dress."So when the planes hit the building, we were like, 'Mmmm - justice.'
"The atrocity of 9-11 "doesn't affect us the hip-hop community," he said. "9-11 happened to them, not us," he added, explaining that by "them" he meant "the rich ... those who are oppressing us. RCA or BMG, Universal, the radio stations."
Parker also sneered at efforts by other rappers to get young people to vote."Voting in a corrupt society adds more corruption," he added. "America has to commit suicide if the world is to be a better place."
A.J. Hawk...Cash Cow
From the Dayton Daily News:
Ohio State souvenir outlets are selling A.J. Hawk jerseys in prodigious numbers. The school's director of athletic merchandise, Jason Hill, isn't at all surprised. The junior linebacker leads the Big Ten in tackles with 12.8 per game, and was named one of 12 finalist for the Butkus award, given to the nations top linebacker.
"The fans love him," Hill said. "He's energized. He has fun. He does the right things. He says the right things. He handles himself very well. And when all that comes together, it makes for a great jersey number."
OSU has sold about 1,000 replicas of the No. 47 jersey worn by Hawk, priced at $49.95 and $79.95, and has ordered 300 more. Other sports apparel stores are having trouble keeping the number in stock, too. The Buckeye Corner, which has four outlets in the Columbus area, carries about a half-dozen different OSU jerseys. Hawk is outselling the others combined by a 4-to-1 margin.
"We've sold into the thousands," said a company spokesman. "It's the No. 1 jersey right now from the kids' sizes all the way up to adults."
Except for Maurice Clarett's No. 13, which shattered sales records during the 2002 national championship season, Hawk's 47 has been in more demand than any other OSU jersey since Andy Katzenmoyer's 45 in the late 1990s.
Should Hawk get a cut of this money? I say credit him with a percentage of the sales, put it in escrow, then pay it out once he graduates. Any problems with that?
Ohio State souvenir outlets are selling A.J. Hawk jerseys in prodigious numbers. The school's director of athletic merchandise, Jason Hill, isn't at all surprised. The junior linebacker leads the Big Ten in tackles with 12.8 per game, and was named one of 12 finalist for the Butkus award, given to the nations top linebacker.
"The fans love him," Hill said. "He's energized. He has fun. He does the right things. He says the right things. He handles himself very well. And when all that comes together, it makes for a great jersey number."
OSU has sold about 1,000 replicas of the No. 47 jersey worn by Hawk, priced at $49.95 and $79.95, and has ordered 300 more. Other sports apparel stores are having trouble keeping the number in stock, too. The Buckeye Corner, which has four outlets in the Columbus area, carries about a half-dozen different OSU jerseys. Hawk is outselling the others combined by a 4-to-1 margin.
"We've sold into the thousands," said a company spokesman. "It's the No. 1 jersey right now from the kids' sizes all the way up to adults."
Except for Maurice Clarett's No. 13, which shattered sales records during the 2002 national championship season, Hawk's 47 has been in more demand than any other OSU jersey since Andy Katzenmoyer's 45 in the late 1990s.
Should Hawk get a cut of this money? I say credit him with a percentage of the sales, put it in escrow, then pay it out once he graduates. Any problems with that?
Don't Mess with Momma's Baby
I didn't think Kerry's use of Mary Cheney in the debate was that out of line, but apparently it's killing him with women voters...or more specifically, mothers. Even Howard Fineman, Newsweek Chief Political Analyst and Kerry cheerleader, couldn't help but notice:
But do you like one who mentions someone else’s child to make a nasty political point? There were no laughs but gasps in the press room when Kerry noted that Vice President Dick Cheney's daughter, Mary, was a lesbian. It came during a discussion of gay marriage. Now, of course, everyone knows something about Mary — she is open about her sexual orientation and has worked in outreach programs to gays and lesbians, and even brought her partner to the vice presidential debate in Cleveland.
Still, what was Kerry's point in hauling her into a discussion of the pros and cons of gay marriage? Was he trying to highlight the fact that the vice president doesn't share the president's support for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as only between a man and a woman? Was he trying to say that Cheney should actively OPPOSE it because of his daughter? Cheney and Kerry actually seem to share the same views.
This little incident only reinforces Kerry's "unlikeability".
But do you like one who mentions someone else’s child to make a nasty political point? There were no laughs but gasps in the press room when Kerry noted that Vice President Dick Cheney's daughter, Mary, was a lesbian. It came during a discussion of gay marriage. Now, of course, everyone knows something about Mary — she is open about her sexual orientation and has worked in outreach programs to gays and lesbians, and even brought her partner to the vice presidential debate in Cleveland.
Still, what was Kerry's point in hauling her into a discussion of the pros and cons of gay marriage? Was he trying to highlight the fact that the vice president doesn't share the president's support for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as only between a man and a woman? Was he trying to say that Cheney should actively OPPOSE it because of his daughter? Cheney and Kerry actually seem to share the same views.
This little incident only reinforces Kerry's "unlikeability".
More Disin' of the Divine Ticket
More commentary on Kerry/Edwards - the "miracle workers" - from Charles Krauthammer (who, by the way, is confined to a wheelchair).
After the second presidential debate, in which John Kerry used the word "plan" 24 times, I said on television that Kerry has a plan for everything except curing psoriasis. I should have known there is no parodying Kerry's pandering. It turned out days later that the Kerry campaign has a plan -- nay, a promise -- to cure paralysis. What is the plan? Vote for Kerry.
This is John Edwards on Monday at a rally in Newton, Iowa: "If we do the work that we can do in this country, the work that we will do when John Kerry is president, people like Christopher Reeve are going to walk, get up out of that wheelchair and walk again."
After the second presidential debate, in which John Kerry used the word "plan" 24 times, I said on television that Kerry has a plan for everything except curing psoriasis. I should have known there is no parodying Kerry's pandering. It turned out days later that the Kerry campaign has a plan -- nay, a promise -- to cure paralysis. What is the plan? Vote for Kerry.
This is John Edwards on Monday at a rally in Newton, Iowa: "If we do the work that we can do in this country, the work that we will do when John Kerry is president, people like Christopher Reeve are going to walk, get up out of that wheelchair and walk again."
Good News for W
For once, my debate analysis was right on the money. Bush destroyed Kerry, and the polling from Zogby (notoriously Democratic leaning) proves the point.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush opened a four-point lead on Democratic Sen. John Kerry the day after the final debate between the White House rivals, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Friday.
Bush led Kerry 48-44 percent in the latest three-day tracking poll, which included one night of polling done after Wednesday's debate in Tempe, Arizona. Bush led Kerry, a senator from Massachusetts, by only one point, 46-45 percent, the previous day.
An improvement in Bush's showing among undecideds and a strong response from his base Republican supporters helped fuel the president's rise.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush opened a four-point lead on Democratic Sen. John Kerry the day after the final debate between the White House rivals, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Friday.
Bush led Kerry 48-44 percent in the latest three-day tracking poll, which included one night of polling done after Wednesday's debate in Tempe, Arizona. Bush led Kerry, a senator from Massachusetts, by only one point, 46-45 percent, the previous day.
An improvement in Bush's showing among undecideds and a strong response from his base Republican supporters helped fuel the president's rise.
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Welcome to My World
This is how I feel at work every day.
Bottom line:
So, you're no doubt thinking, why do I stay? I confess, it's my combative spirit that keeps me... Disagreeing is more challenging than agreeing. When I make headway -- however slight -- with someone starts out dead set against the way I think, I feel I'm fulfilling the -- yes -- liberal ideal of "making a difference."
Bottom line:
So, you're no doubt thinking, why do I stay? I confess, it's my combative spirit that keeps me... Disagreeing is more challenging than agreeing. When I make headway -- however slight -- with someone starts out dead set against the way I think, I feel I'm fulfilling the -- yes -- liberal ideal of "making a difference."
Fair and Balanced My (You Know What)
FOX News, that bastion of right-wing propaganda, is staffed with a bunch of Democrats:
"Totaling $25,383, a search of Fox News' contributions turned up donations to Bush and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, along with contributions to Howard Dean and the left-wing Emily's List. Kerry, Gephardt and Wesley Clark also showed up on the list. Of the $25,383 total, $4,930 went to Republican candidates or committees."
But the other networks are far worse:
"2004 election cycle donations from employees of CBS, which has been embroiled in a scandal over the use of fake National Guard documents to call President Bush's service into question, went to the DNC Services Corp., presidential candidates Dennis Kucinich, John Kerry and Richard Gephardt, and Senate candidates Barbara Boxer and Barack Obama, among others. Of over $111,000 given by network employees, just two $1,000 contributions went to President Bush's re-election campaign."
NBC's records were similar. Employees of the network spread their money a bit wider, including gifts to Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Christopher Dodd, D-Conn. The list of employees included producers, attorneys, on-air hosts, writers and executives. NBC's contributions totaled $146,585, none of which went to Bush."
My Lord, talk about a lack of diversity.
"Totaling $25,383, a search of Fox News' contributions turned up donations to Bush and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, along with contributions to Howard Dean and the left-wing Emily's List. Kerry, Gephardt and Wesley Clark also showed up on the list. Of the $25,383 total, $4,930 went to Republican candidates or committees."
But the other networks are far worse:
"2004 election cycle donations from employees of CBS, which has been embroiled in a scandal over the use of fake National Guard documents to call President Bush's service into question, went to the DNC Services Corp., presidential candidates Dennis Kucinich, John Kerry and Richard Gephardt, and Senate candidates Barbara Boxer and Barack Obama, among others. Of over $111,000 given by network employees, just two $1,000 contributions went to President Bush's re-election campaign."
NBC's records were similar. Employees of the network spread their money a bit wider, including gifts to Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Christopher Dodd, D-Conn. The list of employees included producers, attorneys, on-air hosts, writers and executives. NBC's contributions totaled $146,585, none of which went to Bush."
My Lord, talk about a lack of diversity.
Straight Dope from the Coz
I think Cosby just doesn't care anymore what the "race merchants" think of him. Outstanding stuff from a guy who knows what it takes to succeed.
RICHMOND, Va. -- Bill Cosby spoke bluntly to students at Richmond's mostly black public schools Monday, urging them to dedicate themselves to graduation, not gangs, and to control anger that threatens to derail their dreams. Cosby toured four schools with former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, who is running for mayor. But instead of talking politics, Cosby stuck to his no-nonsense message to inner-city black children that at times has made him the target of criticism.
"Study. That's all. It's not tough. You're not picking cotton. You're not picking up the trash. You're not washing windows. You sit down. You read. You develop your brain," Cosby pleaded at Fred D. Thompson Middle School, where 65 percent of the 700 students meet low-income criteria for free or reduced-price lunches.
There and at George Wythe High School, the 67-year-old actor and comedian implored black children in their teens to begin studying in groups, for girls not to allow themselves to get pregnant and for boys not to compensate for love they lack at home with gangs or sex.
"I'd like to tell you I don't think things have changed since I was 14," Cosby said. "There are still old people who drink, do drugs--who will stop and take the time to tell you don't be like them. Have you heard them? Pay attention to them."
Cosby mentioned sex and an auditorium packed with sixth- through eighth-graders buzzed with laughter, catcalls and whistles. Then he mentioned algebra and the room momentarily quieted.
"Everybody knows about sex. Not too many people want to know about algebra," he said. "Let's think about love. Let's think about where it is and where you can get it, but not sex. You're too young for sex," he said, joking with the children. "You don't have sex 'til you're 50 years old. What, that's too old? Well how about 49?"
In urging young blacks to find self-worth in academics, Cosby's comments were similar to those he made in May in Washington, D.C., when he upbraided some inner-city blacks for squandering opportunities won in the civil rights movement.
RICHMOND, Va. -- Bill Cosby spoke bluntly to students at Richmond's mostly black public schools Monday, urging them to dedicate themselves to graduation, not gangs, and to control anger that threatens to derail their dreams. Cosby toured four schools with former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, who is running for mayor. But instead of talking politics, Cosby stuck to his no-nonsense message to inner-city black children that at times has made him the target of criticism.
"Study. That's all. It's not tough. You're not picking cotton. You're not picking up the trash. You're not washing windows. You sit down. You read. You develop your brain," Cosby pleaded at Fred D. Thompson Middle School, where 65 percent of the 700 students meet low-income criteria for free or reduced-price lunches.
There and at George Wythe High School, the 67-year-old actor and comedian implored black children in their teens to begin studying in groups, for girls not to allow themselves to get pregnant and for boys not to compensate for love they lack at home with gangs or sex.
"I'd like to tell you I don't think things have changed since I was 14," Cosby said. "There are still old people who drink, do drugs--who will stop and take the time to tell you don't be like them. Have you heard them? Pay attention to them."
Cosby mentioned sex and an auditorium packed with sixth- through eighth-graders buzzed with laughter, catcalls and whistles. Then he mentioned algebra and the room momentarily quieted.
"Everybody knows about sex. Not too many people want to know about algebra," he said. "Let's think about love. Let's think about where it is and where you can get it, but not sex. You're too young for sex," he said, joking with the children. "You don't have sex 'til you're 50 years old. What, that's too old? Well how about 49?"
In urging young blacks to find self-worth in academics, Cosby's comments were similar to those he made in May in Washington, D.C., when he upbraided some inner-city blacks for squandering opportunities won in the civil rights movement.
Who's Your Daddy?
With the Yankees winning 3-1 last night, it appears that Pedro's lucky charm isn't working.
More Democratic Shenanigans
Did anybody think this wasn't going to happen? They tried to steal the election in 2000; hopefully they're not successful in 2004.
Crazy Ralph
I think most sane people would agree that Ralph Nader is a buffoon and needs to go away. Most sane people would also agree that petition signatures should be verified and discarded if false.
However, it's interesting that the group working to keep Nader off the ballot in every state is none other than the Democratic Party.
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (AP) -- A state court knocked Ralph Nader off Pennsylvania's presidential ballot on Wednesday, citing thousands of fraudulent petition signatures including "Mickey Mouse" and "Fred Flintstone."
Describing the petitions as "rife with forgeries," Commonwealth Court President Judge James Gardner Colins said that fewer than 19,000 of the more than 51,000 signatures that Nader's supporters submitted were valid. Nader needed at least 25,697 to be listed on the ballot as an independent candidate.
...The signature review was prompted by a court challenge filed by a group of voters sympathetic to Democratic candidate Sen. John Kerry.
Democrats have had mixed success in their effort to keep Nader off the ballot in battleground states where they fear he could siphon votes from John Kerry. Besides Pennsylvania, he failed to make the ballot in Ohio, Oregon and Missouri but has succeeded in winning a spot on ballots in Florida, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
So the Democratic Party would disenfranchise citizens from voting for the candidate of their choice simply because of a technicality. You bet.
However, it's interesting that the group working to keep Nader off the ballot in every state is none other than the Democratic Party.
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (AP) -- A state court knocked Ralph Nader off Pennsylvania's presidential ballot on Wednesday, citing thousands of fraudulent petition signatures including "Mickey Mouse" and "Fred Flintstone."
Describing the petitions as "rife with forgeries," Commonwealth Court President Judge James Gardner Colins said that fewer than 19,000 of the more than 51,000 signatures that Nader's supporters submitted were valid. Nader needed at least 25,697 to be listed on the ballot as an independent candidate.
...The signature review was prompted by a court challenge filed by a group of voters sympathetic to Democratic candidate Sen. John Kerry.
Democrats have had mixed success in their effort to keep Nader off the ballot in battleground states where they fear he could siphon votes from John Kerry. Besides Pennsylvania, he failed to make the ballot in Ohio, Oregon and Missouri but has succeeded in winning a spot on ballots in Florida, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
So the Democratic Party would disenfranchise citizens from voting for the candidate of their choice simply because of a technicality. You bet.
Mmmm, Beer
Cincinnati entrepreneur Randall Herbst has an idea on how to revitalize the struggling Tower Place Mall - convert it into a Beer Hall of Fame.
A Maryland group of beer enthusiasts likes Herbst's vision so much that it picked downtown Cincinnati over 59 cities nationwide.
Establishing the hall in a city that boasts a rich beer-brewing history would effectively "show Cincinnati how to believe in itself," said Herbst, an owner of Kenwood-based Vision Implementation Group LLC.
Herbst said Vision would form a joint venture with Maryland-based Leisure Technician LLC, which owns and operates suds-inspired concepts such as the U.S. Beer Drinking Team, Beer Radio and Beer Television.
Wait a minute, there's a U.S. Beer Drinking Team? I thought that only existed in my dreams.
A Maryland group of beer enthusiasts likes Herbst's vision so much that it picked downtown Cincinnati over 59 cities nationwide.
Establishing the hall in a city that boasts a rich beer-brewing history would effectively "show Cincinnati how to believe in itself," said Herbst, an owner of Kenwood-based Vision Implementation Group LLC.
Herbst said Vision would form a joint venture with Maryland-based Leisure Technician LLC, which owns and operates suds-inspired concepts such as the U.S. Beer Drinking Team, Beer Radio and Beer Television.
Wait a minute, there's a U.S. Beer Drinking Team? I thought that only existed in my dreams.
The Thin Blue Line
Shouldn't this guy be working with Newport's finest?
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS - Shawn J. Weyer might go down in history as having the shortest career with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Hours after graduating from the corrections academy and celebrating with friends, Weyer, 24, was arrested early Wednesday while off duty. He is charged with accidentally shooting himself in the left hand and a woman in the leg while drunk - and lying about it to police.
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS - Shawn J. Weyer might go down in history as having the shortest career with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Hours after graduating from the corrections academy and celebrating with friends, Weyer, 24, was arrested early Wednesday while off duty. He is charged with accidentally shooting himself in the left hand and a woman in the leg while drunk - and lying about it to police.
Listen Up Carl
Interesting news out of Chicago:
The Cubs' disappointing season continued to have repercussions this week when trainer Dave Groeschner and assistant trainer Sandy Krum were fired by general manager Jim Hendry.
The move came a day after the Cubs announced a reshuffling of their coaching staff, firing third-base coach Wendell Kim and having Gene Clines and Gary Matthews switch jobs (Clines becoming hitting coach and Matthews moving to first base).
The ax came down on the trainers Tuesday, and the issue was so sensitive that the Cubs decided not to issue a news release. Rather, they allowed the news to leak out by word of mouth and reacted in a tight-lipped manner Wednesday when contacted.
That usually means a messy divorce with plenty of juicy gossip that everyone is trying to contain. There are always behind-the-scenes personality clashes that the public isn't privy to, and some personal conflict could have affected their dismissals. But the most logical reason to explain the move was that 869 man-games were lost last season, with 15 Cubs going to the disabled list, including reliever Mike Remlinger twice.
Hmmm, so if your players break down year after year, you should fire the training staff? YYYEEESSSS!!! It's time for Tim Kremchek and the rest of those bozos down at GABP to go.
The Cubs' disappointing season continued to have repercussions this week when trainer Dave Groeschner and assistant trainer Sandy Krum were fired by general manager Jim Hendry.
The move came a day after the Cubs announced a reshuffling of their coaching staff, firing third-base coach Wendell Kim and having Gene Clines and Gary Matthews switch jobs (Clines becoming hitting coach and Matthews moving to first base).
The ax came down on the trainers Tuesday, and the issue was so sensitive that the Cubs decided not to issue a news release. Rather, they allowed the news to leak out by word of mouth and reacted in a tight-lipped manner Wednesday when contacted.
That usually means a messy divorce with plenty of juicy gossip that everyone is trying to contain. There are always behind-the-scenes personality clashes that the public isn't privy to, and some personal conflict could have affected their dismissals. But the most logical reason to explain the move was that 869 man-games were lost last season, with 15 Cubs going to the disabled list, including reliever Mike Remlinger twice.
Hmmm, so if your players break down year after year, you should fire the training staff? YYYEEESSSS!!! It's time for Tim Kremchek and the rest of those bozos down at GABP to go.
Debate #3
Caught chunks of the debate last night. It's interesting that the conventional wisdom says that Bush's strength is foreign policy and Kerry's is domestic. The debates have proved exactly the opposite.
Debate # 1 dealing with foreign policy was a clear win for Kerry. Debate #2 on foreign and domestic policy was pretty close. But Debate #3 on domestic policy was a Bush slaughter. Bush was clearer, more wonkish, looked better, and was much more likeable. The media will spin a Kerry win, but most of the "unbiased" commentators I've seen have scored it a big Bush victory.
Debate # 1 dealing with foreign policy was a clear win for Kerry. Debate #2 on foreign and domestic policy was pretty close. But Debate #3 on domestic policy was a Bush slaughter. Bush was clearer, more wonkish, looked better, and was much more likeable. The media will spin a Kerry win, but most of the "unbiased" commentators I've seen have scored it a big Bush victory.
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Bush Continues to Slide
Bad news for Bush backers like me:
We continue to believe that President Bush absolutely, positively MUST have at least a 51 percent approval rating in the nation as a whole to be reelected. Second, given our surmise that the undecideds/leaners will break somewhat more heavily for Kerry, we think Bush needs to have built a lead of at least several points overall to win narrowly. In other words, a polling tie probably results in Kerry's election.
We continue to believe that President Bush absolutely, positively MUST have at least a 51 percent approval rating in the nation as a whole to be reelected. Second, given our surmise that the undecideds/leaners will break somewhat more heavily for Kerry, we think Bush needs to have built a lead of at least several points overall to win narrowly. In other words, a polling tie probably results in Kerry's election.
Mississippi Education Update
This article on homeschooling in Mississippi is chalk full of whoppers. Check this out:
MERIDIAN, Miss. - A state education official says she's concerned about the growing popularity of homeschooling in Mississippi.
Peggy Peterson, director of compulsory school attendance enforcement with the Mississippi Department of Education, said she fears that some children may not be receiving top quality education instruction from their parents.
A few thoughts:
1. There is such a thing as a "director of compulsory school attendance enforcement"? Does every state have this? Do you go to jail if you don't send your child to school?
2. This woman "fears that some children may not be receiving top quality education instruction from their parents." Here's a news flash, but many parents fear that their children may not be receiving top quality education instruction from their public schools (especially in Mississippi!).
3. How does Ms. Peterson explain this:
Sarah Nicholas, a spokeswoman for the state College Board, said homeschool students often score higher than public school students on the American College Test and the Scholastic Aptitude Test - two national, standardized tests used for college admissions.
"I don't know why they score so high," Nicholas said. "But historically, students who are homeschooled usually have exceptionally high scores on those tests."
I'll tell you why, because parents (I should caveat this by saying "good" parents) care more about their children and their education - and are willing to sacrifice for it - than professional educators do. Parenting is based on love; educating is a job.
MERIDIAN, Miss. - A state education official says she's concerned about the growing popularity of homeschooling in Mississippi.
Peggy Peterson, director of compulsory school attendance enforcement with the Mississippi Department of Education, said she fears that some children may not be receiving top quality education instruction from their parents.
A few thoughts:
1. There is such a thing as a "director of compulsory school attendance enforcement"? Does every state have this? Do you go to jail if you don't send your child to school?
2. This woman "fears that some children may not be receiving top quality education instruction from their parents." Here's a news flash, but many parents fear that their children may not be receiving top quality education instruction from their public schools (especially in Mississippi!).
3. How does Ms. Peterson explain this:
Sarah Nicholas, a spokeswoman for the state College Board, said homeschool students often score higher than public school students on the American College Test and the Scholastic Aptitude Test - two national, standardized tests used for college admissions.
"I don't know why they score so high," Nicholas said. "But historically, students who are homeschooled usually have exceptionally high scores on those tests."
I'll tell you why, because parents (I should caveat this by saying "good" parents) care more about their children and their education - and are willing to sacrifice for it - than professional educators do. Parenting is based on love; educating is a job.
How Big is Kentucky Basketball?
This big:
The University of Kentucky has awarded Host Communications Inc. and Gray Television Inc. the university's expanded athletic multimedia marketing rights. Host, UK's radio and television rights’ holder for most of the past three decades, will team up with Lexington's top-rated television station, WKYT-TV, to pay the university $80.5 million over the 10 years of the agreement, making it one of the most lucrative deals of its kind in NCAA history.
The University of Kentucky has awarded Host Communications Inc. and Gray Television Inc. the university's expanded athletic multimedia marketing rights. Host, UK's radio and television rights’ holder for most of the past three decades, will team up with Lexington's top-rated television station, WKYT-TV, to pay the university $80.5 million over the 10 years of the agreement, making it one of the most lucrative deals of its kind in NCAA history.
Pops Updated #3
Pops has finished most of his tests at UC's transplant unit. He visits the cardiologist on Monday. If his heart checks out (and his kidney test results are good), there's an excellent chance he'll be deemed a good candidate and put on the transplant list.
If this happens, he'll be very high on the list and will probably receive a new liver within a month. But everything in medicine is fluid, so I'm not writing anything in stone.
If this happens, he'll be very high on the list and will probably receive a new liver within a month. But everything in medicine is fluid, so I'm not writing anything in stone.
WNBA...It's Fantastic!
Hmm, it appears the WNBA championship was last night. The WNBA is still in existence?
Ah, the French
I missed this one. That damn fool Jacques Derrida died last week.
I love this brief synopsis of Derrida's thought:
The core of Derrida's thinking is that every text contains multiple meanings. To read is neither to know nor to understand, but to begin a process of exploration that is essential to comprehend oneself and society. This is, however, the sort of pretentious bullshit language a minister for Europe can only use when speaking French.
I love this brief synopsis of Derrida's thought:
The core of Derrida's thinking is that every text contains multiple meanings. To read is neither to know nor to understand, but to begin a process of exploration that is essential to comprehend oneself and society. This is, however, the sort of pretentious bullshit language a minister for Europe can only use when speaking French.
You Can't Destroy Rubble
The whole gay marriage debate is largely moot. Heterosexuals have crippled the institution, gays want to finish the job.
Bottom line:
Of course, there is much more to be said about gay marriage, and about divorce, too, for that matter. But let’s not kid ourselves. The current demand for homosexual marriage and the sad prevalence of heterosexual divorce are part and parcel of the same trend toward reducing marriage to a loose association of sexual partners. All of us need for marriage to be more than that.
Bottom line:
Of course, there is much more to be said about gay marriage, and about divorce, too, for that matter. But let’s not kid ourselves. The current demand for homosexual marriage and the sad prevalence of heterosexual divorce are part and parcel of the same trend toward reducing marriage to a loose association of sexual partners. All of us need for marriage to be more than that.
More Reds Buffoonery
The Reds are the most inept professional sports franchise next to...well...the Bengals. After 19 years of service, GM Dan O'Brien calls Barry Larkin on the phone to tell him his 20th year of service is not needed.
Man, real classy there Dan. Was your email down? How about a telegram? Could you have done this 3 months ago? So is Felipe Lopez the guy at SS?
Unbelievable.
Man, real classy there Dan. Was your email down? How about a telegram? Could you have done this 3 months ago? So is Felipe Lopez the guy at SS?
Unbelievable.
Freedom on the March?
Is a political transformation underway in the Middle East? Sure seems that way. Listen to this:
Drowned out by the bombings in Iraq, and the debate over whether the staging of elections there is an achievable goal or a mirage, the Bush administration's democracy initiative for the rest of the Middle East creeps quietly forward. In neo-realist Washington, it is usually dismissed -- when it is remembered at all -- in much the same way that, say, national elections in Afghanistan were once laughed off. The unpopularity of the Bush administration and the predictable resistance from the dictatorships of Egypt and Saudi Arabia are cited as proof that the region's hoped-for "transformation" is going nowhere.
And yet, the process started at the Sea Island summit of Group of Eight countries in June is gaining some traction -- sometimes to the surprise of the administration's own skeptics. A foreign ministers' meeting in New York two weeks ago produced agreement that the first "Forum for the Future" among Middle Eastern and G-8 governments to discuss political and economic liberalization will take place in December. Morocco volunteered to host it, and a handful of other Arab governments, including Jordan, Bahrain and Yemen, have embraced pieces of the process.
More intriguingly, independent human rights groups and pro-democracy movements around the region are continuing to sprout, gather and issue manifestos -- all in the name of supporting the intergovernmental discussions. An independent human rights group appeared in Syria this month; Saudi women organized a movement to demand the right to vote in upcoming municipal elections. On the same day that the Egyptian foreign minister belittled what is now called the Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative (BMENA) in an interview with The Post, an unprecedented alliance of opposition parties and citizens' groups issued a platform in Cairo calling for the lifting of emergency laws, freedom of the press and direct, multi-candidate elections for president.
President Bush has always focused on a two-pronged attack to defeat terrorism: (1) kill the terrorists and (2) spread democracy in the region to alleviate the "root causes" of Muslim extremism. Huge goals, but essential ones. To this point, the administration has killed a bunch of terrorists, al Queda is in disarray, Afghans just held elections, Iraqis are on the cusp of elections, and the march of freedom continues to spread throughout the region. This is the Bush Doctrine.
Drowned out by the bombings in Iraq, and the debate over whether the staging of elections there is an achievable goal or a mirage, the Bush administration's democracy initiative for the rest of the Middle East creeps quietly forward. In neo-realist Washington, it is usually dismissed -- when it is remembered at all -- in much the same way that, say, national elections in Afghanistan were once laughed off. The unpopularity of the Bush administration and the predictable resistance from the dictatorships of Egypt and Saudi Arabia are cited as proof that the region's hoped-for "transformation" is going nowhere.
And yet, the process started at the Sea Island summit of Group of Eight countries in June is gaining some traction -- sometimes to the surprise of the administration's own skeptics. A foreign ministers' meeting in New York two weeks ago produced agreement that the first "Forum for the Future" among Middle Eastern and G-8 governments to discuss political and economic liberalization will take place in December. Morocco volunteered to host it, and a handful of other Arab governments, including Jordan, Bahrain and Yemen, have embraced pieces of the process.
More intriguingly, independent human rights groups and pro-democracy movements around the region are continuing to sprout, gather and issue manifestos -- all in the name of supporting the intergovernmental discussions. An independent human rights group appeared in Syria this month; Saudi women organized a movement to demand the right to vote in upcoming municipal elections. On the same day that the Egyptian foreign minister belittled what is now called the Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative (BMENA) in an interview with The Post, an unprecedented alliance of opposition parties and citizens' groups issued a platform in Cairo calling for the lifting of emergency laws, freedom of the press and direct, multi-candidate elections for president.
President Bush has always focused on a two-pronged attack to defeat terrorism: (1) kill the terrorists and (2) spread democracy in the region to alleviate the "root causes" of Muslim extremism. Huge goals, but essential ones. To this point, the administration has killed a bunch of terrorists, al Queda is in disarray, Afghans just held elections, Iraqis are on the cusp of elections, and the march of freedom continues to spread throughout the region. This is the Bush Doctrine.
The Divine Ticket
Wow! This is great news. I didn't know that the Son of God was on earth posing as John Kerry and John Edwards.
Edwards said Reeve, who died Sunday, "was a powerful voice for the need to do stem cell research and change the lives of people like him.
"If we do the work that we can do in this country, the work that we will do when John Kerry is president, people like Christopher Reeve will get up out of that wheelchair and walk again," Edwards said.
Imagine how much we'll save on health care costs.
Edwards said Reeve, who died Sunday, "was a powerful voice for the need to do stem cell research and change the lives of people like him.
"If we do the work that we can do in this country, the work that we will do when John Kerry is president, people like Christopher Reeve will get up out of that wheelchair and walk again," Edwards said.
Imagine how much we'll save on health care costs.
Dan Rather, Call Your Office
Let's see if Dan Rather and Mary Mapes jump on this story. I doubt it, but you never know. Dan may find "recently uncovered emails" from the late 70's that shed light on this controversy.
Our Grip is Tightening
More encouraging news from Iraq:
BAGHDAD, Oct. 12 -- Local insurgents in the city of Fallujah are turning against the foreign fighters who have been their allies in the rebellion that has held the U.S. military at bay in parts of Iraq's Sunni Muslim heartland, according to Fallujah residents, insurgent leaders and Iraqi and U.S. officials. . . .
"If the Arabs will not leave willingly, we will make them leave by force," said Jamal Adnan, a taxi driver who left his house in Fallujah's Shurta neighborhood a month ago after the house next door was bombed by U.S. aircraft targeting foreign insurgents. . . . Several local leaders of the insurgency say they, too, want to expel the foreigners, whom they scorn as terrorists. They heap particular contempt on Abu Musab Zarqawi, the Jordanian whose Monotheism and Jihad group has asserted responsibility for many of the deadliest attacks across Iraq, including videotaped beheadings.
By the way, those who believe that we are exclusively fighting Iraqi nationalists are sadly mistaken. Foreign terrorists have been flooding to Iraq (instead of Europe and America), and we've been killing them.
And StrategyPage reports:
Although the details are secret, American and Iraqi troops are on the offensive against Sunni Arab and terrorist gangs. Over a year of effort in building up an intelligence network among the population has paid off. Even in the Sunni Arab areas, many people are fed up with the lawlessness and violence created where the gangs operate. So information comes in about who is who and is doing what. This provides more, and higher quality, targets for raids. The ground units usually surround houses or compounds at night and arrest people, and seize weapons, bomb making equipment and documents, without a shot being fired. Some 30 areas have been identified as occupied and influenced by various gangs. The process of clearing out these areas has apparently been underway for two weeks. Not a lot of publicity for this effort, as keeping the opposition guessing is a powerful weapon.
BAGHDAD, Oct. 12 -- Local insurgents in the city of Fallujah are turning against the foreign fighters who have been their allies in the rebellion that has held the U.S. military at bay in parts of Iraq's Sunni Muslim heartland, according to Fallujah residents, insurgent leaders and Iraqi and U.S. officials. . . .
"If the Arabs will not leave willingly, we will make them leave by force," said Jamal Adnan, a taxi driver who left his house in Fallujah's Shurta neighborhood a month ago after the house next door was bombed by U.S. aircraft targeting foreign insurgents. . . . Several local leaders of the insurgency say they, too, want to expel the foreigners, whom they scorn as terrorists. They heap particular contempt on Abu Musab Zarqawi, the Jordanian whose Monotheism and Jihad group has asserted responsibility for many of the deadliest attacks across Iraq, including videotaped beheadings.
By the way, those who believe that we are exclusively fighting Iraqi nationalists are sadly mistaken. Foreign terrorists have been flooding to Iraq (instead of Europe and America), and we've been killing them.
And StrategyPage reports:
Although the details are secret, American and Iraqi troops are on the offensive against Sunni Arab and terrorist gangs. Over a year of effort in building up an intelligence network among the population has paid off. Even in the Sunni Arab areas, many people are fed up with the lawlessness and violence created where the gangs operate. So information comes in about who is who and is doing what. This provides more, and higher quality, targets for raids. The ground units usually surround houses or compounds at night and arrest people, and seize weapons, bomb making equipment and documents, without a shot being fired. Some 30 areas have been identified as occupied and influenced by various gangs. The process of clearing out these areas has apparently been underway for two weeks. Not a lot of publicity for this effort, as keeping the opposition guessing is a powerful weapon.
Monday, October 11, 2004
No Respect for C.C. (or The Nuge)
Here are the top 10 "Worst Riffs, Licks & Solos of All Time" as judged by Guitar World magazine. See if you agree:
10. "American Woman," Lenny Kravitz
9. "Sting of the Bumblebee," Manowar
8. "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," Rolling Stones
7. "Wango Tango," Ted Nugent
6. "Thirsty and Miserable," Black Flag
5. "All You Need is Love," The Beatles
4. Falstaff beer 1967 radio spot, Cream
3. "The Game of Love," Carlos Santana
2. "Summertime Blues," Blue Cheer
And the worst riff, lick & solo of all time:
1. "Guitar Solo," C.C. Deville (actually, they cited anything by C.C. Deville)
10. "American Woman," Lenny Kravitz
9. "Sting of the Bumblebee," Manowar
8. "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," Rolling Stones
7. "Wango Tango," Ted Nugent
6. "Thirsty and Miserable," Black Flag
5. "All You Need is Love," The Beatles
4. Falstaff beer 1967 radio spot, Cream
3. "The Game of Love," Carlos Santana
2. "Summertime Blues," Blue Cheer
And the worst riff, lick & solo of all time:
1. "Guitar Solo," C.C. Deville (actually, they cited anything by C.C. Deville)
"Swarming" the Bad Guys
Here's a fascinating article on the military's new fighting model: "swarming". What's swarming?
Swarming is a seemingly amorphous but carefully structured, coordinated way to strike from all directions at a particular point or points, by means of a sustainable "pulsing" of force and/or fire, close-in as well as from stand-off positions. It will work best -- perhaps it will only work -- if it is designed mainly around the deployment of myriad small, dispersed, networked maneuver units. The aim is to coalesce rapidly and stealthily on a target, attack it, then dissever and redisperse, immediately ready to recombine for a new pulse. Unlike previous military practice, battle management is now mainly about "command and decontrol," as networked units all over the field of battle (or business, or activism, or terror and crime) coordinate and strike the adversary in fluid, flexible, nonlinear ways.
Swarming is a seemingly amorphous but carefully structured, coordinated way to strike from all directions at a particular point or points, by means of a sustainable "pulsing" of force and/or fire, close-in as well as from stand-off positions. It will work best -- perhaps it will only work -- if it is designed mainly around the deployment of myriad small, dispersed, networked maneuver units. The aim is to coalesce rapidly and stealthily on a target, attack it, then dissever and redisperse, immediately ready to recombine for a new pulse. Unlike previous military practice, battle management is now mainly about "command and decontrol," as networked units all over the field of battle (or business, or activism, or terror and crime) coordinate and strike the adversary in fluid, flexible, nonlinear ways.
The Pope Castigates NATO
Good news out of the Vatican regarding Iraq:
Despite the Vatican's vociferous opposition to the war, the bloody terrorist attacks and the continuing insurgency have convinced the Pope that only an increased military presence, including Nato troops, can secure peace.
"There is a feeling that there really is no going back," said a Vatican adviser.
In a trenchant interview in the Italian newspaper, La Stampa, Cardinal Sodano said that as the crisis in Iraq deepened, the time had come to forget past differences over the decision to invade.
His comments appear to be part of an orchestrated campaign to galvanise military and financial support for a democratic Iraq among critics of the war such as France and Germany. Both countries have refused to contribute troops to Iraq, while American and British occupation forces remain in the country.
A subsequent front page editorial in Avvenire, an influential Roman Catholic magazine which boasts Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Pope's own vicar, as a board member, calls for "tens of thousands of Nato troops" to be sent to Iraq to assist the interim government and ensure free elections.
The prominent theologian, Vittorio Parsi, criticises the "laziness" of countries that have refused to commit troops to Iraq unless all occupation soldiers are removed. The Telegraph has learnt that the editorial was almost certainly commissioned by Cardinal Ruini.
"Even the European countries that opposed the American decision to overthrow Saddam Hussein's regime know well that an Iraq in the hands of the worst terrorists and criminals goes against the interests of all," wrote Mr Parsi.
Despite the Vatican's vociferous opposition to the war, the bloody terrorist attacks and the continuing insurgency have convinced the Pope that only an increased military presence, including Nato troops, can secure peace.
"There is a feeling that there really is no going back," said a Vatican adviser.
In a trenchant interview in the Italian newspaper, La Stampa, Cardinal Sodano said that as the crisis in Iraq deepened, the time had come to forget past differences over the decision to invade.
His comments appear to be part of an orchestrated campaign to galvanise military and financial support for a democratic Iraq among critics of the war such as France and Germany. Both countries have refused to contribute troops to Iraq, while American and British occupation forces remain in the country.
A subsequent front page editorial in Avvenire, an influential Roman Catholic magazine which boasts Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Pope's own vicar, as a board member, calls for "tens of thousands of Nato troops" to be sent to Iraq to assist the interim government and ensure free elections.
The prominent theologian, Vittorio Parsi, criticises the "laziness" of countries that have refused to commit troops to Iraq unless all occupation soldiers are removed. The Telegraph has learnt that the editorial was almost certainly commissioned by Cardinal Ruini.
"Even the European countries that opposed the American decision to overthrow Saddam Hussein's regime know well that an Iraq in the hands of the worst terrorists and criminals goes against the interests of all," wrote Mr Parsi.
You Go Jose
Many commentators noted earlier this year the singing of the national anthem and "God Bless America" by Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Jose Lima before a game with the Cubs.
Lima is from the Dominican Republic, but performing the songs meant something special to him: "I'm going to apply for citizenship," Lima said. "I love this country. 'God Bless America' is one of my favorite songs."
Hmmm...I can think of a couple of more reasons why Jose loves this country:
Lima is from the Dominican Republic, but performing the songs meant something special to him: "I'm going to apply for citizenship," Lima said. "I love this country. 'God Bless America' is one of my favorite songs."
Hmmm...I can think of a couple of more reasons why Jose loves this country:
Kerry's Mining the Pews
I sure am glad Kerry's not mixing religion and politics like Bush does. Here's how he spent his Sunday:
We have an unfinished march in this nation," Kerry told the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. "Never again will a million African Americans be denied the right to exercise their vote in the United States of America," Kerry promised, referring to the disputed Florida recount in the 2000 presidential race. Black support is key to Kerry's plan for winning Florida and elsewhere; less than 10 percent of black voters backed President Bush in 2000.
Said Sharpton: "The future of this world will rest on our ability to come out in big numbers and elect this man on Nov. 2." Added Jackson, "November 2, the power is in your hands, hands that once picked cotton."
We have an unfinished march in this nation," Kerry told the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. "Never again will a million African Americans be denied the right to exercise their vote in the United States of America," Kerry promised, referring to the disputed Florida recount in the 2000 presidential race. Black support is key to Kerry's plan for winning Florida and elsewhere; less than 10 percent of black voters backed President Bush in 2000.
Said Sharpton: "The future of this world will rest on our ability to come out in big numbers and elect this man on Nov. 2." Added Jackson, "November 2, the power is in your hands, hands that once picked cotton."
Is Kerry Paying His "Fair Share"?
Stephen Moore, president of the Club for Growth, says no:
According to the Kerrys' own tax records, and they have not released all of them, the couple had a combined income of $6.8 million in income last year and paid $725,000 in income taxes. That means their effective tax rate was a whopping 12.8%....
Under the current tax system the middle class pays far more than the Kerry tax rate. In fact, the average federal tax rate -- combined payroll and income tax -- for a middle-class family is closer to 20% or more. George W. and Laura Bush, who had an income one- tenth of the Kerrys', paid a tax rate of 30%. ...
Here is the man who finds clever ways to reduce his own tax liability while voting for higher taxes on the middle class dozens of times in his Senate career. He even voted against the Bush tax cut that saves each middle-class family about $1,000.
The Kerrys have unwittingly made the case for what George W. Bush says he wants to do: radically simplify and flatten out the tax code. ... So before John Kerry is given the opportunity to raise taxes again on American workers, shouldn't he and Teresa at least pay their fair share?
Here's what I've never understood: why don't those who feel they're not paying their "fair share" voluntarily do so?
According to the Kerrys' own tax records, and they have not released all of them, the couple had a combined income of $6.8 million in income last year and paid $725,000 in income taxes. That means their effective tax rate was a whopping 12.8%....
Under the current tax system the middle class pays far more than the Kerry tax rate. In fact, the average federal tax rate -- combined payroll and income tax -- for a middle-class family is closer to 20% or more. George W. and Laura Bush, who had an income one- tenth of the Kerrys', paid a tax rate of 30%. ...
Here is the man who finds clever ways to reduce his own tax liability while voting for higher taxes on the middle class dozens of times in his Senate career. He even voted against the Bush tax cut that saves each middle-class family about $1,000.
The Kerrys have unwittingly made the case for what George W. Bush says he wants to do: radically simplify and flatten out the tax code. ... So before John Kerry is given the opportunity to raise taxes again on American workers, shouldn't he and Teresa at least pay their fair share?
Here's what I've never understood: why don't those who feel they're not paying their "fair share" voluntarily do so?
The Original Sebastian Janikowski?
Somebody get Ace Ventura on the line:
Former Raider tied to shooting
Police looking for ex-NFL kicker in drive-by incident
Cole Ford acted like an ordinary guy during his years with the Oakland Raiders. He was always well dressed, clean cut and quiet.
"He looked more like a banker than a kicker," said David Humm, a Las Vegas resident and former Raiders quarterback who worked on the team's radio broadcasts during the mid-1990s.
But Humm's image of the former place kicker was a far cry from the bushy-haired fugitive who flashed across his TV screen Tuesday night.
"When I saw the picture ... I thought it was Charles Manson," Humm said. "That wasn't the guy I knew."
Las Vegas police have issued warrants for the arrest of Ford, 31, in a drive-by shooting last month outside the Jungle Palace home of Siegfried and Roy. The gunman yelled that the entertainers should leave the country, then fired at least four shotgun blasts at the home near Vegas and Rancho drives.
Former Raider tied to shooting
Police looking for ex-NFL kicker in drive-by incident
Cole Ford acted like an ordinary guy during his years with the Oakland Raiders. He was always well dressed, clean cut and quiet.
"He looked more like a banker than a kicker," said David Humm, a Las Vegas resident and former Raiders quarterback who worked on the team's radio broadcasts during the mid-1990s.
But Humm's image of the former place kicker was a far cry from the bushy-haired fugitive who flashed across his TV screen Tuesday night.
"When I saw the picture ... I thought it was Charles Manson," Humm said. "That wasn't the guy I knew."
Las Vegas police have issued warrants for the arrest of Ford, 31, in a drive-by shooting last month outside the Jungle Palace home of Siegfried and Roy. The gunman yelled that the entertainers should leave the country, then fired at least four shotgun blasts at the home near Vegas and Rancho drives.
Superman Dead, NY Times Wrong
This is from the New York Times piece on Christopher Reeve's death:
Reeve's support of stem cell research helped it emerge as a major campaign issue between President Bush and John Kerry. His name was even mentioned by Kerry earlier this month during the second presidential debate.
I know it's asking a lot for reporters to report accurately (they're a largely ignorant and agenda-driven lot), but President Bush - like Senator Kerry - supports stem-cell research. He's against EMBRYONIC stem-cell research. It's really not that hard to make the distinction.
Reeve's support of stem cell research helped it emerge as a major campaign issue between President Bush and John Kerry. His name was even mentioned by Kerry earlier this month during the second presidential debate.
I know it's asking a lot for reporters to report accurately (they're a largely ignorant and agenda-driven lot), but President Bush - like Senator Kerry - supports stem-cell research. He's against EMBRYONIC stem-cell research. It's really not that hard to make the distinction.
The Biggest Non-Story of the Weekend
Congrats to the people of Afghanistan who participated in their first free elections in...well...EVER!!! Here's the scoop:
The Taliban vowed to turn the Afghan election into a day of bloodshed, but the rebels mounted only a smattering of small-scale attacks on police and civilians and a larger clash that left many of their own dead.
After months of what proved to be empty threats, military commanders and ordinary Afghans said Sunday the vote was a serious setback for the holdouts of the hard-line Islamic regime that was driven from power by U.S. bombs almost three years ago for harboring Osama bin Laden.
"Yesterday was a big defeat for the Taliban and a huge defeat for al-Qaida," Lt. Gen. David Barno, the top American commander in Afghanistan, told The Associated Press. "It shows that the political process is overwhelming any influence they may have."
Voters also said the Taliban had been exposed as weak.
Naturally, there were instances of hanging chads (see Palm Beach County) and disappearing ink, but the elections were certified nonetheless:
Observers approve Afghan election
International observers have endorsed Afghanistan's first presidential election, rejecting opposition calls for a new poll amid reports of fraud. The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said demands by 15 of the 18 presidential candidates to annul the poll were "unjustified".
The local Free and Fair Elections Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) said the poll was "fairly democratic".
Despite the mistakes the president has made fighting the war on terrorism, this is a success of historic proportions. On to Iraq.
The Taliban vowed to turn the Afghan election into a day of bloodshed, but the rebels mounted only a smattering of small-scale attacks on police and civilians and a larger clash that left many of their own dead.
After months of what proved to be empty threats, military commanders and ordinary Afghans said Sunday the vote was a serious setback for the holdouts of the hard-line Islamic regime that was driven from power by U.S. bombs almost three years ago for harboring Osama bin Laden.
"Yesterday was a big defeat for the Taliban and a huge defeat for al-Qaida," Lt. Gen. David Barno, the top American commander in Afghanistan, told The Associated Press. "It shows that the political process is overwhelming any influence they may have."
Voters also said the Taliban had been exposed as weak.
Naturally, there were instances of hanging chads (see Palm Beach County) and disappearing ink, but the elections were certified nonetheless:
Observers approve Afghan election
International observers have endorsed Afghanistan's first presidential election, rejecting opposition calls for a new poll amid reports of fraud. The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said demands by 15 of the 18 presidential candidates to annul the poll were "unjustified".
The local Free and Fair Elections Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) said the poll was "fairly democratic".
Despite the mistakes the president has made fighting the war on terrorism, this is a success of historic proportions. On to Iraq.
The Second-Most Important Non-Story of the Weekend
Did you hear that Australian Prime Minister John Howard, the most fervent fighter of terrorism this side of George Bush, won in a landslide over the weekend. No? You're not alone. It was supposed to be a close election against Labor leader Mark Latham, but Howard destroyed him.
Does this bode well for President Bush? Yes. Hence the media blackout.
Does this bode well for President Bush? Yes. Hence the media blackout.
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