Ok kids, check out Yoni's college basketball blog here. Good stuff.
Of particular interest to the Big Blue Fans among us is his "Strength of Schedule" post. Tubby continues to brutalize us with the toughest schedule in the country. Here's hoping we can make it through without getting our heads handed to us.
BTW...I'll post a link to Yoni's blog on my home page once I figure out how to do it.
Thursday, October 21, 2004
This Goose is Cooked
This sort of thing has got to drive the Lefties crazy. Those are big, dead geese they're holding. Where's PETA when you need them?
Smart is as Smart Does
Would you have forfeited your final two years of college for a guaranteed two-year contract for $1.2 million? I think I know the answer to that.
So did Donta Smith...but Traitor Rick thought it was a bad idea.
Many observers criticized Donta Smith for reneging on his commitment to the University of Louisville and entering the National Basketball Association draft straight out of junior college last May. Jilted UofL coach Rick Pitino called it "one of the five worst moves" he'd ever seen.
But Smith's gamble has reaped rewards. The former Oldham County High School star has signed a two-year guaranteed contract with the Atlanta Hawks worth about $1.2 million, said his agent, Mike Naiditch.
So did Donta Smith...but Traitor Rick thought it was a bad idea.
Many observers criticized Donta Smith for reneging on his commitment to the University of Louisville and entering the National Basketball Association draft straight out of junior college last May. Jilted UofL coach Rick Pitino called it "one of the five worst moves" he'd ever seen.
But Smith's gamble has reaped rewards. The former Oldham County High School star has signed a two-year guaranteed contract with the Atlanta Hawks worth about $1.2 million, said his agent, Mike Naiditch.
Pat Robertson Out of His Mind
So says Bob Woodward:
KING: An interview yesterday on CNN, Pat Robertson, an avid Bush supporter by the way, says he urged the president to prepare the United States people for casualties before launching the war and he said Bush told him, they're not going to have any casualties. What do you make of that? The White House denied that today.
WOODWARD: Yes, I don't think the president would say that. Certainly didn't believe that. When I talked to him about it, in fact, he said, in making the decision to go to war in Iraq, or the war in Afghanistan, he knew there were going to be casualties and he knew he was going to have to comfort the loved ones afterwards, so that there was kind of a deep awareness of that. I don't think that makes sense.
KING: An interview yesterday on CNN, Pat Robertson, an avid Bush supporter by the way, says he urged the president to prepare the United States people for casualties before launching the war and he said Bush told him, they're not going to have any casualties. What do you make of that? The White House denied that today.
WOODWARD: Yes, I don't think the president would say that. Certainly didn't believe that. When I talked to him about it, in fact, he said, in making the decision to go to war in Iraq, or the war in Afghanistan, he knew there were going to be casualties and he knew he was going to have to comfort the loved ones afterwards, so that there was kind of a deep awareness of that. I don't think that makes sense.
Crime Doesn't Pay
Like I said before, the Dems are going to try and steal the election...again.
The prospects for another contested election loom with every poll showing the race neck and neck.
Six so-called "SWAT teams" of lawyers and political operatives will be situated around the country with fueled-up jets awaiting Kerry's orders to speed to a battleground state. The teams have been told to be ready to fly on the evening of the election to begin mounting legal and political fights. Every battleground state will have a SWAT team within an hour of its borders.
The Kerry campaign has recount office space in every battleground state, with plans so detailed they include the number of staplers and coffee machines needed to mount legal challenges.
It's critical that Bush win by 3% or 4% to ensure that this sort of skullduggery doesn't work.
"Right now, we have 10,000 lawyers out in the battleground states on Election Day, and that number is growing by the day," said Michael Whouley, a Kerry confidant who is running election operations at the Democratic National Committee (news - web sites).
While the lawyers litigate, political operatives will try to shape public perception. Their goal would be to persuade voters that Kerry has the best claim to the presidency and that Republicans are trying to steal it.
Democrats are already laying the public relations groundwork by pointing to every possible voting irregularity before the Nov. 2 election and accusing Republicans of wrongdoing.
The prospects for another contested election loom with every poll showing the race neck and neck.
Six so-called "SWAT teams" of lawyers and political operatives will be situated around the country with fueled-up jets awaiting Kerry's orders to speed to a battleground state. The teams have been told to be ready to fly on the evening of the election to begin mounting legal and political fights. Every battleground state will have a SWAT team within an hour of its borders.
The Kerry campaign has recount office space in every battleground state, with plans so detailed they include the number of staplers and coffee machines needed to mount legal challenges.
It's critical that Bush win by 3% or 4% to ensure that this sort of skullduggery doesn't work.
"Right now, we have 10,000 lawyers out in the battleground states on Election Day, and that number is growing by the day," said Michael Whouley, a Kerry confidant who is running election operations at the Democratic National Committee (news - web sites).
While the lawyers litigate, political operatives will try to shape public perception. Their goal would be to persuade voters that Kerry has the best claim to the presidency and that Republicans are trying to steal it.
Democrats are already laying the public relations groundwork by pointing to every possible voting irregularity before the Nov. 2 election and accusing Republicans of wrongdoing.
More Bad News for the Bengals
The Bengals are still viewed as one of the worst franchises in the NFL...even with Marvin. Not a good sign.
Anti-Abortion is Good Politics
Contrary to conventional wisdom, the President's anti-abortion platform helps him with voters.
Shhhh!
As Jed Clampett would say to Jethro, "Stop helping me boy!" From Michael Moore:
“There's a reason that they're saying Kerry is the No. 1 liberal in the Senate. It's because he is the No. 1 liberal in the Senate."
With supporters like this, who needs political enemies.
“There's a reason that they're saying Kerry is the No. 1 liberal in the Senate. It's because he is the No. 1 liberal in the Senate."
With supporters like this, who needs political enemies.
Is the Curse Broken?
Not yet. Congrats to the Red Sox on their stunning (and I mean stunning) comeback against the mighty Yankees. Derek Lowe was awesome last night, Johnny Damon finally woke up, and David Ortiz was...well...David Ortiz.
As for the Yankees, this once again proves that to win in the major leagues you need pitching, pitching, pitching. Even with the injury to Giambi, the Yanks still have a pretty potent lineup. But you can't be rolling out Kevin Brown and Javier Vasquez and expect to beat good teams like the Red Sox.
Up next for the Sox: the Astros. Phil Garner did absolutely the right thing in saving Roger Clemons for game 7. Throwing him last night on 3 days rest would have been foolish. Besides, the Astros nearly won the game anyway.
Now he's got Clemons on a a full 4 days rest, Oswalt's available for a couple of innings, and Lidge can come in for the ninth. On the other hand, Tony LaRussa's going with Jeff Suppan. Although Suppan was 16-9 this year, I think he had a losing record at home and a considerably high ERA. Also, he used closer Jason Isringhaussen (sp?) for a few innings last night, so he probably won't be able to give the Cardinals much tonight.
World Series prediction: Astros in 6. However, I'm hoping for a game 7. That would mean Clemons pitching in Fenway. Awesome.
As for the Yankees, this once again proves that to win in the major leagues you need pitching, pitching, pitching. Even with the injury to Giambi, the Yanks still have a pretty potent lineup. But you can't be rolling out Kevin Brown and Javier Vasquez and expect to beat good teams like the Red Sox.
Up next for the Sox: the Astros. Phil Garner did absolutely the right thing in saving Roger Clemons for game 7. Throwing him last night on 3 days rest would have been foolish. Besides, the Astros nearly won the game anyway.
Now he's got Clemons on a a full 4 days rest, Oswalt's available for a couple of innings, and Lidge can come in for the ninth. On the other hand, Tony LaRussa's going with Jeff Suppan. Although Suppan was 16-9 this year, I think he had a losing record at home and a considerably high ERA. Also, he used closer Jason Isringhaussen (sp?) for a few innings last night, so he probably won't be able to give the Cardinals much tonight.
World Series prediction: Astros in 6. However, I'm hoping for a game 7. That would mean Clemons pitching in Fenway. Awesome.
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
UK Football News
From ESPN:
Rumors are swirling that this will be Rich Brooks last season at Kentucky. Don't be surprised if the 'Cats stay in state for the new coach. Louisville D-coordinator Mike Cassity has done wonders for the Cards D (Brock Berlin's recent heroics notwithstanding) and he was also one of the key reasons for Illinois' Big Ten title three years ago when he ran the Illini's aggressive defense. Cassity is well thought of as a recruiter (he unearthed Illini playmaker E.B. Halsey from New Jersey) and has worked in every major conference. Better still, Cassity played safety at UK and also was a standout wrestler for the Wildcats.
Rumors are swirling that this will be Rich Brooks last season at Kentucky. Don't be surprised if the 'Cats stay in state for the new coach. Louisville D-coordinator Mike Cassity has done wonders for the Cards D (Brock Berlin's recent heroics notwithstanding) and he was also one of the key reasons for Illinois' Big Ten title three years ago when he ran the Illini's aggressive defense. Cassity is well thought of as a recruiter (he unearthed Illini playmaker E.B. Halsey from New Jersey) and has worked in every major conference. Better still, Cassity played safety at UK and also was a standout wrestler for the Wildcats.
They're Trying to Cheat...but it's Not Working
Some very un-surprising news out of Columbus:
COLUMBUS - Thousands of cards mailed by county election boards to newly registered voters in Hamilton County and throughout the state are being returned because the people can't be found.
John Williams, director of the Hamilton County Board of Elections, said the situation indicates that there might not be as many new voters as some expect in a state deemed crucial in the presidential election.
COLUMBUS - Thousands of cards mailed by county election boards to newly registered voters in Hamilton County and throughout the state are being returned because the people can't be found.
John Williams, director of the Hamilton County Board of Elections, said the situation indicates that there might not be as many new voters as some expect in a state deemed crucial in the presidential election.
See No Evil
If this reflects the thinking within the Kerry foreign policy team, then we may be in BIG trouble.
The Coming Battle of Fallujah
Yep, our "insurgent" friends are about to go down...all the way to Chinatown.
BAGHDAD – The collapse of peace talks between Fallujah representatives and the Iraqi government signaled an end of hope for Ahmad Salim last Thursday. The generator mechanic loaded his tearful family into a car and escaped the embattled city of Fallujah by way of dusty farm tracks.
Already 80 percent of the city's population of 300,000 has made the same decision, he estimates, even as the intense US bombardments over the weekend gave way to relative quiet Monday.
Allawi's clearing the innocents out so that - as Salim later adds:
"I think the Americans will wipe Fallujah from the map."
BAGHDAD – The collapse of peace talks between Fallujah representatives and the Iraqi government signaled an end of hope for Ahmad Salim last Thursday. The generator mechanic loaded his tearful family into a car and escaped the embattled city of Fallujah by way of dusty farm tracks.
Already 80 percent of the city's population of 300,000 has made the same decision, he estimates, even as the intense US bombardments over the weekend gave way to relative quiet Monday.
Allawi's clearing the innocents out so that - as Salim later adds:
"I think the Americans will wipe Fallujah from the map."
Jim Bunning Update
I think I posted the other day that rumors are circulating regarding Jim Bunning's health...or lack thereof. This story makes me think the rumors are true.
Reality TV on the Outs
This is good news. TV is - for the most part - dreadful. And reality shows are worse than dreadful (with the exception of the only reality show I ever watch, The Amazing Race).
Here's the scoop:
So far this TV season, several reality staples have suffered declining ratings and a few newcomers have already been axed or cut down. The breakout hits have been — gasp — scripted.
"I definitely think the genre had reached a saturation point," said Michael Ausiello, news director at TV Guide Online. "I don't think the genre is dead by any means. I do think the weak shows will fall off quicker than they used to and the stronger ones will stay on.”
Here's hoping reality TV goes away.
Here's the scoop:
So far this TV season, several reality staples have suffered declining ratings and a few newcomers have already been axed or cut down. The breakout hits have been — gasp — scripted.
"I definitely think the genre had reached a saturation point," said Michael Ausiello, news director at TV Guide Online. "I don't think the genre is dead by any means. I do think the weak shows will fall off quicker than they used to and the stronger ones will stay on.”
Here's hoping reality TV goes away.
The Wisdom of Peter Jennings
From Peter Jennings:
"I'm a little concerned about this notion everybody wants us to be objective," Jennings said.
Jennings said that everyone -- even journalists -- have points of view through which they filter their perception of the news. It could be race, sex or income. But, he said, reporters are
ideally trained to be as objective as possible.
"And when we don't think we can be fully objective, to be fair," the anchorman said.
I think Jennings is exactly right. No one is completely objective; everyone's view of a story or issue is clouded by their worldview no matter how much they try to suppress it. That's why I don't have a problem with "liberal" media per se. However, the problem I do have is that they refuse to acknowledge that they are liberal media. A fact is a fact...just admit it and move on.
"I'm a little concerned about this notion everybody wants us to be objective," Jennings said.
Jennings said that everyone -- even journalists -- have points of view through which they filter their perception of the news. It could be race, sex or income. But, he said, reporters are
ideally trained to be as objective as possible.
"And when we don't think we can be fully objective, to be fair," the anchorman said.
I think Jennings is exactly right. No one is completely objective; everyone's view of a story or issue is clouded by their worldview no matter how much they try to suppress it. That's why I don't have a problem with "liberal" media per se. However, the problem I do have is that they refuse to acknowledge that they are liberal media. A fact is a fact...just admit it and move on.
"No casualties"?
This is - to put it mildly - disturbing. Granted, Robertson isn't the most credible source. But Bush does tend to have a "messianic" view of his presidency which I could do without.
NEW YORK (CNN) -- The founder of the U.S. Christian Coalition said Tuesday he told President George W. Bush before the invasion of Iraq that he should prepare Americans for the likelihood of casualties, but the president told him, "We're not going to have any casualties."
Pat Robertson, an ardent Bush supporter, said he had that conversation with the president in Nashville, Tennessee, before the March 2003 invasion U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. He described Bush in the meeting as "the most self-assured man I've ever met in my life."
"You remember Mark Twain said, 'He looks like a contented Christian with four aces.' I mean he
was just sitting there like, 'I'm on top of the world,' " Robertson said on the CNN show, "Paula Zahn Now."
"And I warned him about this war. I had deep misgivings about this war, deep misgivings. And I was trying to say, 'Mr. President, you had better prepare the American people for casualties.' "
Robertson said the president then told him, "Oh, no, we're not going to have any casualties."
NEW YORK (CNN) -- The founder of the U.S. Christian Coalition said Tuesday he told President George W. Bush before the invasion of Iraq that he should prepare Americans for the likelihood of casualties, but the president told him, "We're not going to have any casualties."
Pat Robertson, an ardent Bush supporter, said he had that conversation with the president in Nashville, Tennessee, before the March 2003 invasion U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. He described Bush in the meeting as "the most self-assured man I've ever met in my life."
"You remember Mark Twain said, 'He looks like a contented Christian with four aces.' I mean he
was just sitting there like, 'I'm on top of the world,' " Robertson said on the CNN show, "Paula Zahn Now."
"And I warned him about this war. I had deep misgivings about this war, deep misgivings. And I was trying to say, 'Mr. President, you had better prepare the American people for casualties.' "
Robertson said the president then told him, "Oh, no, we're not going to have any casualties."
Trouble in Tarheel County
How long before Roy Williams kills this man...
...for saying idiotic things like this:
McCants and Tar Heels coach Roy Williams held a news conference to explain comments McCants made to a local TV station last week.
In an interview that aired on WRAL-TV on Friday night, McCants compared playing college basketball to being in jail. He also said he considered his time in the program to be his job.
"It's to get up and go to school, get here and lift weights and play basketball," McCants said in the interview. "That's my 9-to-5. As my uncle said, I'm in jail right now. You're not allowed to do certain things, you're not allowed to say certain things.
"But once you get out of jail, you're free. So I'm just in my sentence and I'm doing my time."
...for saying idiotic things like this:
McCants and Tar Heels coach Roy Williams held a news conference to explain comments McCants made to a local TV station last week.
In an interview that aired on WRAL-TV on Friday night, McCants compared playing college basketball to being in jail. He also said he considered his time in the program to be his job.
"It's to get up and go to school, get here and lift weights and play basketball," McCants said in the interview. "That's my 9-to-5. As my uncle said, I'm in jail right now. You're not allowed to do certain things, you're not allowed to say certain things.
"But once you get out of jail, you're free. So I'm just in my sentence and I'm doing my time."
T - U - B - B - Y!!
It's official: the Tubbster is joining forces with NASCAR.
MOORESVILLE, N.C. - Two of the winningest names in their respective sports - and two national champions - are putting together a new NASCAR Busch Series team with driver Jamie Mosley beginning in 2005.
Mosley will drive a Chevrolet fielded by a partnership involving the driver, University of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith and his wife Donna, and NEMCO Motorsports, which is owned by former NASCAR Busch Series champion and Cup driver Joe Nemechek.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for me, and I am really excited with the team we are putting together," said Mosley, who orchestrated the arrangement with the Smiths and NEMCO.
Smith, whose Kentucky Wildcats won the 1998 NCAA championship, is the sixth-winningest active coach in Division 1 men's basketball. Smith and his wife, Donna, have partnered with Mosley and NEMCO, the 1992 NASCAR Busch Series national champions led by Joe Nemechek, who has 16 career wins in the series and is a leading driver in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.
Said Coach Smith, "I am very excited to be partnering with a young driver like Jamie Mosley and a proven winner like Joe Nemechek. This is a unique opportunity to expand the scope of our efforts with the Tubby Smith Foundation, to further the education of many children in need and to bridge the knowledge gap that exists for many of our young people today."
MOORESVILLE, N.C. - Two of the winningest names in their respective sports - and two national champions - are putting together a new NASCAR Busch Series team with driver Jamie Mosley beginning in 2005.
Mosley will drive a Chevrolet fielded by a partnership involving the driver, University of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith and his wife Donna, and NEMCO Motorsports, which is owned by former NASCAR Busch Series champion and Cup driver Joe Nemechek.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for me, and I am really excited with the team we are putting together," said Mosley, who orchestrated the arrangement with the Smiths and NEMCO.
Smith, whose Kentucky Wildcats won the 1998 NCAA championship, is the sixth-winningest active coach in Division 1 men's basketball. Smith and his wife, Donna, have partnered with Mosley and NEMCO, the 1992 NASCAR Busch Series national champions led by Joe Nemechek, who has 16 career wins in the series and is a leading driver in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.
Said Coach Smith, "I am very excited to be partnering with a young driver like Jamie Mosley and a proven winner like Joe Nemechek. This is a unique opportunity to expand the scope of our efforts with the Tubby Smith Foundation, to further the education of many children in need and to bridge the knowledge gap that exists for many of our young people today."
You be the Judge
I don't know who's the bigger moron, Chris Matthews or Jimmy Carter? Carter's a major league moron, but I think Matthews has a bigger upside.
MATTHEWS: Let me ask you the question about—this is going to cause some trouble with people—but as an historian now and studying the Revolutionary War as it was fought out in the South in those last years of the War, insurgency against a powerful British force, do you see any parallels between the fighting that we did on our side and the fighting that is going on in Iraq today?
CARTER: Well, one parallel is that the Revolutionary War, more than any other war up until recently, has been the most bloody war we’ve fought. I think another parallel is that in some ways the Revolutionary War could have been avoided. It was an unnecessary war.
Had the British Parliament been a little more sensitive to the colonial’s really legitimate complaints and requests the war could have been avoided completely, and of course now we would have been a free country now as is Canada and India and Australia, having gotten our independence in a nonviolent way.
MATTHEWS: Let me ask you the question about—this is going to cause some trouble with people—but as an historian now and studying the Revolutionary War as it was fought out in the South in those last years of the War, insurgency against a powerful British force, do you see any parallels between the fighting that we did on our side and the fighting that is going on in Iraq today?
CARTER: Well, one parallel is that the Revolutionary War, more than any other war up until recently, has been the most bloody war we’ve fought. I think another parallel is that in some ways the Revolutionary War could have been avoided. It was an unnecessary war.
Had the British Parliament been a little more sensitive to the colonial’s really legitimate complaints and requests the war could have been avoided completely, and of course now we would have been a free country now as is Canada and India and Australia, having gotten our independence in a nonviolent way.
Smart Move by Bush
Bush waited until the home stretch to pull out the big guns:
Bush-Cheney '04 is announcing a NASCAR tour that will cover 14 events in four states (Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania) on October 19 and 20. The tour features seven of NASCAR's best drivers and most well-known figures: Darrell Waltrip, Mark Martin, Bill Elliott, Jack Roush, Benny Parsons, Jeff Hammond and Eddie Wood.
...Nine Of The Nextel Cup Series Top 10 Drivers Have Endorsed The President. Drivers include: Kurt Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Elliott Sadler, Mark Martin, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman, Jimmie Johnson and Jeremy Mayfield.
NASCAR President Mike Helton Has Endorsed The President.
The Most Successful Owners Have Endorsed The President. They include Jack Roush, Teresa Earnhardt, Richard Childress, Robert Yates, and J.D. and Joe Gibbs.
Countless NASCAR Heroes Have Endorsed The President. They include: Geoffrey Bodine, Brendan Gaughan, Jeff Green, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Jamie McMurray, Joe Nemechek, Kyle Petty, Ken Schrader, Brian Vickers, Rusty Wallace and Michael Waltrip.
There's only one problem: where's Jeff Gordon? If my NASCAR peeps are correct, he's probably voting for Kerry over the gay marriage issue...if you know what I mean.
Bush-Cheney '04 is announcing a NASCAR tour that will cover 14 events in four states (Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania) on October 19 and 20. The tour features seven of NASCAR's best drivers and most well-known figures: Darrell Waltrip, Mark Martin, Bill Elliott, Jack Roush, Benny Parsons, Jeff Hammond and Eddie Wood.
...Nine Of The Nextel Cup Series Top 10 Drivers Have Endorsed The President. Drivers include: Kurt Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Elliott Sadler, Mark Martin, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman, Jimmie Johnson and Jeremy Mayfield.
NASCAR President Mike Helton Has Endorsed The President.
The Most Successful Owners Have Endorsed The President. They include Jack Roush, Teresa Earnhardt, Richard Childress, Robert Yates, and J.D. and Joe Gibbs.
Countless NASCAR Heroes Have Endorsed The President. They include: Geoffrey Bodine, Brendan Gaughan, Jeff Green, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Jamie McMurray, Joe Nemechek, Kyle Petty, Ken Schrader, Brian Vickers, Rusty Wallace and Michael Waltrip.
There's only one problem: where's Jeff Gordon? If my NASCAR peeps are correct, he's probably voting for Kerry over the gay marriage issue...if you know what I mean.
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Larkin to the Hall?
It's a tough call, but I say yes. Why? First, he's a 12-time All-Star. Second, he won 3 Gold Gloves and would have won 6 or 7 more if not for Ozzie Smith. Third, he won the MVP in 1995. Fourth, he's nearly a .300 career hitter with over 2,300 hits.
My only reservation is that he was not the premiere shortstop in the National League for any extended period of time. In addition:
"The offensive evolution of the shortstop position has shrunk (Larkin's) numbers," said Mike Klis of the Denver Post, who will vote for Larkin but doesn't think enough of his colleagues will. "He also hung on too long. If he would have retired three years ago, I think he would have been a first-ballot guy. But the longer he played, the more mediocre he became. Five years from whenever he retires, a significant number of voters will remember many ordinary years."
I think the point that he held on a few too many years is a good one. However, to punish Larking for what the position has BECOME versus what it WAS when Larkin played is wrong.
My only reservation is that he was not the premiere shortstop in the National League for any extended period of time. In addition:
"The offensive evolution of the shortstop position has shrunk (Larkin's) numbers," said Mike Klis of the Denver Post, who will vote for Larkin but doesn't think enough of his colleagues will. "He also hung on too long. If he would have retired three years ago, I think he would have been a first-ballot guy. But the longer he played, the more mediocre he became. Five years from whenever he retires, a significant number of voters will remember many ordinary years."
I think the point that he held on a few too many years is a good one. However, to punish Larking for what the position has BECOME versus what it WAS when Larkin played is wrong.
This is Serious Trouble for Kerry...and I Don't Mean Political
BOSTON, Oct. 18 - A canon lawyer seeking to have Senator John Kerry excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church because of his support for abortion rights said on Monday that he had ammunition in the form of a letter issued at the request of a senior Vatican official.
The lawyer, Marc Balestrieri of Los Angeles, who heads a conservative Catholic nonprofit organization called De Fide, also said that, based on the letter, he would now seek to have four other Catholic politicians excommunicated: Senators Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, Tom Harkin of Iowa, Susan Collins of Maine, and Mario M. Cuomo, the former governor of New York.
"Senator Kerry, and all pro-choice Catholic politicians, who publicly call themselves Catholic yet who blatantly violate canon law by continuing to profess heresy and receive Holy Communion, must publicly reject their abortion advocacy for the sake of their own souls, and the others they have scandalized," Mr. Balestrieri said in a statement.
I'm not Roman Catholic, but I am somewhat familiar with canon law. Basically it comes down to this:
1. Roman Catholic doctrine (and all Christian doctrine, for that matter) teaches that abortion is the taking of innocent human life (i.e. murder).
2. Roman Catholic doctrine also teaches that the taking of innocent human life is grave sin.
3. Those committing grave sin - including those encouraging and/or permitting them to do so - are not allowed to receive the body and blood of Christ (the Eucharist) unless they first repent of that sin (confess the sin as sin and vow never to commit it again).
4. Those who commit a grave sin and refuse to repent cannot receive the Eucharist. This is important because according to Catholic Doctrine, participation in the Eucharist is essential to the forgiveness of sins.
5. As a result, Roman Catholic doctrine treats this as heresy and requires the excommunication of such individuals.
Or something like that.
The lawyer, Marc Balestrieri of Los Angeles, who heads a conservative Catholic nonprofit organization called De Fide, also said that, based on the letter, he would now seek to have four other Catholic politicians excommunicated: Senators Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, Tom Harkin of Iowa, Susan Collins of Maine, and Mario M. Cuomo, the former governor of New York.
"Senator Kerry, and all pro-choice Catholic politicians, who publicly call themselves Catholic yet who blatantly violate canon law by continuing to profess heresy and receive Holy Communion, must publicly reject their abortion advocacy for the sake of their own souls, and the others they have scandalized," Mr. Balestrieri said in a statement.
I'm not Roman Catholic, but I am somewhat familiar with canon law. Basically it comes down to this:
1. Roman Catholic doctrine (and all Christian doctrine, for that matter) teaches that abortion is the taking of innocent human life (i.e. murder).
2. Roman Catholic doctrine also teaches that the taking of innocent human life is grave sin.
3. Those committing grave sin - including those encouraging and/or permitting them to do so - are not allowed to receive the body and blood of Christ (the Eucharist) unless they first repent of that sin (confess the sin as sin and vow never to commit it again).
4. Those who commit a grave sin and refuse to repent cannot receive the Eucharist. This is important because according to Catholic Doctrine, participation in the Eucharist is essential to the forgiveness of sins.
5. As a result, Roman Catholic doctrine treats this as heresy and requires the excommunication of such individuals.
Or something like that.
Cats are Good...Could be Great
ESPN has Kentucky ranked #13 in their preseason poll. I think their analysis of the Cats is right on.
What we like: The freshmen class. Randolph Morris could turn out to be the national freshman of the year. He has the potential to be one of the most dominating big men in the country. He could have gone in the first round of the NBA draft like his AAU teammates Dwight Howard and Josh Smith. The backcourt of freshmen Rajon Rondo and Joe Crawford are as good a tandem of newcomer guards as you will see. But the biggest impact might be from Western Kentucky transfer guard Patrick Sparks. He'll bring instant credibility, toughness and leadership to the backcourt. The Wildcats don't lack returning talent with the hard-nosed senior Chuck Hayes up front along with junior wing Kelenna Azubuike. Coach Tubby Smith continues to maximize the Wildcats' talent. He usually has a relative cast of unknowns that he forms into a title contender; this season he has one of the top newcomer classes in the country. Regardless, he'll find a way to transform this team into an SEC champ.
Causes for concern: The lack of experience. Hayes and Azubuike aren't a concern. But the Wildcats will rely on players who haven't played at this level. It might take a few months for the newcomers to feel completely comfortable playing in pressure-packed, emotional games. The bench also is still developing and, while the Wildcats can go eight to nine deep, they still don't have the experienced role player to come off the bench.
Keep an eye on: Ramel Bradley. He's not getting as much hype as Morris, Rondo and Crawford, but Bradley should have a significant impact, too. The 6-foot-3 Bradley gives the Wildcats four guards that could end up being interchangeable, all able to handle the ball at times. If all four are scorers, then the Wildcats will be even tougher to defend.
Non-conference nightmare: The Wildcats never shy away from a tough non-conference game. They play at North Carolina, vs. Indiana in Louisville and travel to Louisville in the first three weeks of December. They also host Kansas on Jan. 9 before they dive deep into the heart of the SEC schedule.
Best-case scenario: This team has the look of one that could be real special by March. Don't be surprised to see Kentucky make a deep run in March, even if it has a few more losses then it's used to along the way. Once the newcomers get comfortable, this team will be extremely dangerous.
What we like: The freshmen class. Randolph Morris could turn out to be the national freshman of the year. He has the potential to be one of the most dominating big men in the country. He could have gone in the first round of the NBA draft like his AAU teammates Dwight Howard and Josh Smith. The backcourt of freshmen Rajon Rondo and Joe Crawford are as good a tandem of newcomer guards as you will see. But the biggest impact might be from Western Kentucky transfer guard Patrick Sparks. He'll bring instant credibility, toughness and leadership to the backcourt. The Wildcats don't lack returning talent with the hard-nosed senior Chuck Hayes up front along with junior wing Kelenna Azubuike. Coach Tubby Smith continues to maximize the Wildcats' talent. He usually has a relative cast of unknowns that he forms into a title contender; this season he has one of the top newcomer classes in the country. Regardless, he'll find a way to transform this team into an SEC champ.
Causes for concern: The lack of experience. Hayes and Azubuike aren't a concern. But the Wildcats will rely on players who haven't played at this level. It might take a few months for the newcomers to feel completely comfortable playing in pressure-packed, emotional games. The bench also is still developing and, while the Wildcats can go eight to nine deep, they still don't have the experienced role player to come off the bench.
Keep an eye on: Ramel Bradley. He's not getting as much hype as Morris, Rondo and Crawford, but Bradley should have a significant impact, too. The 6-foot-3 Bradley gives the Wildcats four guards that could end up being interchangeable, all able to handle the ball at times. If all four are scorers, then the Wildcats will be even tougher to defend.
Non-conference nightmare: The Wildcats never shy away from a tough non-conference game. They play at North Carolina, vs. Indiana in Louisville and travel to Louisville in the first three weeks of December. They also host Kansas on Jan. 9 before they dive deep into the heart of the SEC schedule.
Best-case scenario: This team has the look of one that could be real special by March. Don't be surprised to see Kentucky make a deep run in March, even if it has a few more losses then it's used to along the way. Once the newcomers get comfortable, this team will be extremely dangerous.
You Will Reap What You Sow
Looks like the investigation into the Oil-for-Food scandal is moving forward.
American prosecutors are preparing charges against Benon Sevan, the former head of the United Nations oil for food programme, who has been accused of accepting millions of dollars in kickbacks from Saddam Hussein's regime.
If I were Kofi, I'd be surrounding myself with lawyers.
American prosecutors are preparing charges against Benon Sevan, the former head of the United Nations oil for food programme, who has been accused of accepting millions of dollars in kickbacks from Saddam Hussein's regime.
If I were Kofi, I'd be surrounding myself with lawyers.
Monday, October 18, 2004
Gambling Tamed this Tiger
I haven't found Chris Perry, but I did find Cecil Fielder...and it's not a pretty story.
Missing Persons Report
Have you seen this man?
Rumor has it he was the Bengals' first round draft pick this year. Anybody seen him?
Rumor has it he was the Bengals' first round draft pick this year. Anybody seen him?
NAACP Getting Out the Vote
Surely this isn't Dr. King's dream being realized, is it?
MAN GIVEN CRACK COCAINE TO REGISTER VOTERS ARRESTED IN OHIO
Mon Oct 18 2004 13:26:03 ETOctober 18, 2004
The Defiance County Sheriff's Office arrested Chad Staton, age 22, of Stratton Ave., Defiance, on a charge of False Registration, in Violation of Section 3599.11 of the Ohio Revised Code, a felony of the fifth degree.
The Sheriff's Office alleges that Staton filled out over 100 voter registration forms that were fictitious. Staton was to be paid for each registration form that he could get citizens to fill out. However, Staton himself filled out the registrations and returned them to the woman who hired him from Toledo, Ohio. Deputies allege that Staton was paid crack cocaine for the falsified registrations.
Defiance Deputies along with Toledo Police Department detectives conducted a search warrant of a residence on Woodland in Toledo, believed to be the home of the woman who hired Staton to solicit voter registration. Officers confiscated drug paraphernalia along with voter registration forms from the home.
The occupant of the home, Georgianne Pitts, age 41, advised law enforcement, along with Ohio B.C.I.&I., that she had been recruited by Thaddeus J. Jackson, II, of Cleveland, to obtain voter registrations. Pitts admitted to paying Staton crack cocaine for the registrations in lieu of money. A business card provided by Pitts indicated that Jackson is the Assistant NVF Ohio Director of the NAACP National Voter Fund. The initial complaint received by the Sheriff's Office came from the Defiance County Board of Elections. The Board had received the 100 plus registration forms from the Cuyahoga Board of Elections that had been submitted to the Cuyahoga Board by the NAACP National Voter Fund.
MAN GIVEN CRACK COCAINE TO REGISTER VOTERS ARRESTED IN OHIO
Mon Oct 18 2004 13:26:03 ETOctober 18, 2004
The Defiance County Sheriff's Office arrested Chad Staton, age 22, of Stratton Ave., Defiance, on a charge of False Registration, in Violation of Section 3599.11 of the Ohio Revised Code, a felony of the fifth degree.
The Sheriff's Office alleges that Staton filled out over 100 voter registration forms that were fictitious. Staton was to be paid for each registration form that he could get citizens to fill out. However, Staton himself filled out the registrations and returned them to the woman who hired him from Toledo, Ohio. Deputies allege that Staton was paid crack cocaine for the falsified registrations.
Defiance Deputies along with Toledo Police Department detectives conducted a search warrant of a residence on Woodland in Toledo, believed to be the home of the woman who hired Staton to solicit voter registration. Officers confiscated drug paraphernalia along with voter registration forms from the home.
The occupant of the home, Georgianne Pitts, age 41, advised law enforcement, along with Ohio B.C.I.&I., that she had been recruited by Thaddeus J. Jackson, II, of Cleveland, to obtain voter registrations. Pitts admitted to paying Staton crack cocaine for the registrations in lieu of money. A business card provided by Pitts indicated that Jackson is the Assistant NVF Ohio Director of the NAACP National Voter Fund. The initial complaint received by the Sheriff's Office came from the Defiance County Board of Elections. The Board had received the 100 plus registration forms from the Cuyahoga Board of Elections that had been submitted to the Cuyahoga Board by the NAACP National Voter Fund.
Drugs North of the Border
Hmm, sounds like importing drugs from Canada isn't quite the panacea everyone's claiming it is.
More than 30 Canadian internet pharmacies have decided not to accept bulk orders of prescription drugs from US states and municipalities.
...But growing concern in Canada that growing exports to the US could lead to rising prices and shortages north of the border has prompted the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (Cipa), whose members include several of the biggest internet and mail-order drugstores, to act. “We don't want to give Americans the impression that we have unlimited supply for them to tap into on a commercial basis,” said David Mackay, the association's executive director. Americans, he added, “can't get everything from Canada. We can't be your complete drugstore”.
More than 30 Canadian internet pharmacies have decided not to accept bulk orders of prescription drugs from US states and municipalities.
...But growing concern in Canada that growing exports to the US could lead to rising prices and shortages north of the border has prompted the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (Cipa), whose members include several of the biggest internet and mail-order drugstores, to act. “We don't want to give Americans the impression that we have unlimited supply for them to tap into on a commercial basis,” said David Mackay, the association's executive director. Americans, he added, “can't get everything from Canada. We can't be your complete drugstore”.
Off to the Funny Farm
Great stuff from yesterday's "Women for Kerry" rally in Cincinnati.
Many in the crowd also made statements of their own with signs that derided Bush.
Carol Smith, who drove 125 miles to the rally from her home in Corydon, Ind., walked around the rally with a sign on her back that said, "Kerry to the White House. Cheney to the Jail House. Bush to the Nut House."
"This man (Bush) is not capable of running his own life, let alone the country," she said. "The man should be in a nut house.
"He is absolutely unfit to be president. Do you want the president of the United States, a mental case, with his finger on the red button?"
State Rep. Catherine Barrett of College Hill reminded rally goers that the 9-11 terrorist attacks on America "happened on the watch" of Bush.
"We want no more 9-11s," she said. "We want no more wars. We want no more lies."
Eve Bolton, a teacher in suburban Wyoming, criticized Bush for not being an "education president."
"If we lose the White House again, it is very possible we will lose public education," she said. "There are people who want to dismantle public education. Those people will be stopped if John Kerry is elected president."
Do these people really get to vote?
Many in the crowd also made statements of their own with signs that derided Bush.
Carol Smith, who drove 125 miles to the rally from her home in Corydon, Ind., walked around the rally with a sign on her back that said, "Kerry to the White House. Cheney to the Jail House. Bush to the Nut House."
"This man (Bush) is not capable of running his own life, let alone the country," she said. "The man should be in a nut house.
"He is absolutely unfit to be president. Do you want the president of the United States, a mental case, with his finger on the red button?"
State Rep. Catherine Barrett of College Hill reminded rally goers that the 9-11 terrorist attacks on America "happened on the watch" of Bush.
"We want no more 9-11s," she said. "We want no more wars. We want no more lies."
Eve Bolton, a teacher in suburban Wyoming, criticized Bush for not being an "education president."
"If we lose the White House again, it is very possible we will lose public education," she said. "There are people who want to dismantle public education. Those people will be stopped if John Kerry is elected president."
Do these people really get to vote?
St. Theresa's Not Paying Her "Fair Share" Either
From the WSJ:
"We think she ought to release the rest of her return, since her wealth was crucial to salvaging her husband's struggling campaign during the Democratic primaries in 2003."
"But even this minimal disclosure deserves more attention in light of John Kerry's pledge to raise tax rates. In 2003, Mrs. Kerry -- or Teresa Heinz, as she declared herself on her IRS 1040 form -- earned $5.07 million, hardly a surprising income for someone estimated to be worth nearly $1 billion."
The news is that $2.78 million of that income came in the form of tax- exempt interest from what the Kerry campaign's press release attributed to investments in 'state, municipal and public entity bonds.' What the campaign didn't say is that these are the kind of investments that rich people can afford to hire lawyers and accountants to steer their money into."
On her "remaining 'taxable' income of $2.29 million, Mrs. Kerry paid $627,150 in taxes, for an overall average federal tax rate of only 12.4% on her $5.07 million in total income." This "puts Mrs. Kerry's tax rate at well below that of other filers in her super-rich neighborhood. But it also means she is paying a lower average rate than nearly all middle- class taxpayers paid in 2001, the last year for which the IRS has published the data.
The top 50% of all federal filers contributed 96.1% of all federal income taxes in 2001, and they paid an average income-tax rate of 15.9%. That's 3.5-percentage points more than Mrs. Kerry paid in 2003." At the "very least, Mrs. Kerry's tax returns are a screaming illustration of the need for reform to make the tax code simpler and fairer. But they also show that Senator Kerry's proposed tax increases are much more about a revenue grab than they are about tax justice."
"We think she ought to release the rest of her return, since her wealth was crucial to salvaging her husband's struggling campaign during the Democratic primaries in 2003."
"But even this minimal disclosure deserves more attention in light of John Kerry's pledge to raise tax rates. In 2003, Mrs. Kerry -- or Teresa Heinz, as she declared herself on her IRS 1040 form -- earned $5.07 million, hardly a surprising income for someone estimated to be worth nearly $1 billion."
The news is that $2.78 million of that income came in the form of tax- exempt interest from what the Kerry campaign's press release attributed to investments in 'state, municipal and public entity bonds.' What the campaign didn't say is that these are the kind of investments that rich people can afford to hire lawyers and accountants to steer their money into."
On her "remaining 'taxable' income of $2.29 million, Mrs. Kerry paid $627,150 in taxes, for an overall average federal tax rate of only 12.4% on her $5.07 million in total income." This "puts Mrs. Kerry's tax rate at well below that of other filers in her super-rich neighborhood. But it also means she is paying a lower average rate than nearly all middle- class taxpayers paid in 2001, the last year for which the IRS has published the data.
The top 50% of all federal filers contributed 96.1% of all federal income taxes in 2001, and they paid an average income-tax rate of 15.9%. That's 3.5-percentage points more than Mrs. Kerry paid in 2003." At the "very least, Mrs. Kerry's tax returns are a screaming illustration of the need for reform to make the tax code simpler and fairer. But they also show that Senator Kerry's proposed tax increases are much more about a revenue grab than they are about tax justice."
John the Apostle
Once again, a politician is mixing religion and politics.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 17 -- John F. Kerry is evolving from a reserved Catholic reluctant to discuss faith in the public square into a Democratic preacher of sorts who speaks freely and sometimes forcefully about religion on the hustings.
From the pulpit to the pastures, Kerry is increasingly spreading a more spiritual message and visiting local churches, as he did the past two days in Ohio, to expound on the political lessons of the Bible's James and Saint Paul.
I'm sick and tired of these right-wing Republican theocrats always talking abo....uh, nevermind.
UPDATE: Imagine if a priest endorsed Bush this way:
A few hours later, a Roman Catholic priest in nearby Chillicothe praised his [Kerry's] religious beliefs at a Saturday afternoon service arranged for the traveling candidate.
"If dare we say by the grace of God the brother should be the one chosen to lead, it is our hope he will one day come back to us and celebrate with us as president of the United States, not in this small room, but in the church where we will do it openly, publicly, proudly," the Rev. Lawrence L. Hummer of St. Mary's said on Saturday.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 17 -- John F. Kerry is evolving from a reserved Catholic reluctant to discuss faith in the public square into a Democratic preacher of sorts who speaks freely and sometimes forcefully about religion on the hustings.
From the pulpit to the pastures, Kerry is increasingly spreading a more spiritual message and visiting local churches, as he did the past two days in Ohio, to expound on the political lessons of the Bible's James and Saint Paul.
I'm sick and tired of these right-wing Republican theocrats always talking abo....uh, nevermind.
UPDATE: Imagine if a priest endorsed Bush this way:
A few hours later, a Roman Catholic priest in nearby Chillicothe praised his [Kerry's] religious beliefs at a Saturday afternoon service arranged for the traveling candidate.
"If dare we say by the grace of God the brother should be the one chosen to lead, it is our hope he will one day come back to us and celebrate with us as president of the United States, not in this small room, but in the church where we will do it openly, publicly, proudly," the Rev. Lawrence L. Hummer of St. Mary's said on Saturday.
The Bungals are Back
Go check out this dung and see if you're not sick. I don't doubt Marvin's coaching abilities. But there's been one constant through Shula, Coslet, LeBeau, and now Lewis - the noxious Brown family.
Barry Bonds...Fraud!
The baseball community expressed concern for the sport after The Chronicle reported that Barry Bonds' weight trainer claimed in a secretly recorded conversation that the superstar used an "undetectable" performance- enhancing drug during the 2003 season.
Trainer Greg Anderson, a defendant in the BALCO steroid conspiracy case, also said on the recording -- which was provided to The Chronicle and made public in a story published on Saturday -- that he expected to be warned before Bonds was to submit to a drug test under baseball's new steroids- testing program.
Trainer Greg Anderson, a defendant in the BALCO steroid conspiracy case, also said on the recording -- which was provided to The Chronicle and made public in a story published on Saturday -- that he expected to be warned before Bonds was to submit to a drug test under baseball's new steroids- testing program.
Wildcat Madness
I caught Midnight Madness on Friday night (well, Saturday morning). Here are my initial impressions:
1. Talent: This will be the most talented team UK's had since '97.
2. Shooting: This will be the best shooting team since '98.
3. Depth. The cats will go 10 deep, even without the serviced of Sheray Thomas.
4. Development. Perry, Woo, Moss, et al. showed a lot of skill improvement over last year.
Granted, this was only a practice, but I'm pretty pumped for the upcoming season. As Mike DeCoursey wrote:
Among Kentucky's fans, excitement about the freshman class might be more of an issue this year than any since 1995, when wing Ron Mercer arrived as the final piece of the greatest NCAA team of the past two decades. Many gifted players have entered the program in subsequent years — Nazr Mohammed, Wayne Turner, Tayshaun Prince, Keith Bogans — but no class has generated as much anticipation as this one.
1. Talent: This will be the most talented team UK's had since '97.
2. Shooting: This will be the best shooting team since '98.
3. Depth. The cats will go 10 deep, even without the serviced of Sheray Thomas.
4. Development. Perry, Woo, Moss, et al. showed a lot of skill improvement over last year.
Granted, this was only a practice, but I'm pretty pumped for the upcoming season. As Mike DeCoursey wrote:
Among Kentucky's fans, excitement about the freshman class might be more of an issue this year than any since 1995, when wing Ron Mercer arrived as the final piece of the greatest NCAA team of the past two decades. Many gifted players have entered the program in subsequent years — Nazr Mohammed, Wayne Turner, Tayshaun Prince, Keith Bogans — but no class has generated as much anticipation as this one.
More Objective Journalism from ABC
This appeared in ABC's Noted Now online feature:
SCHWARZENEGGER SAYS BOTH BUSH AND KERRY EVASIVE IN DEBATES: "Both of them did not answer some of the questions, which I think is upsetting to me. I think it is much better to be straightforward with the people…. You know like Kerry did. Bush did the same thing in some instances, not really get into it and answer it."
But the full quote from the article they link to is:
"Both of them did not answer some of the questions, which I think is upsetting to me," Schwarzenegger told KGO radio in San Francisco. "I think it is much better to be straightforward with the people."
"I mean if you get a question about Iran and about the nuclear power and what you are going to do in the future with this nuclear power, and you don't even answer that question, I think it's a mistake, You know like Kerry did," he continued. "Bush did the same thing in some instances, not really get into it and answer it."
Nice try guys.
SCHWARZENEGGER SAYS BOTH BUSH AND KERRY EVASIVE IN DEBATES: "Both of them did not answer some of the questions, which I think is upsetting to me. I think it is much better to be straightforward with the people…. You know like Kerry did. Bush did the same thing in some instances, not really get into it and answer it."
But the full quote from the article they link to is:
"Both of them did not answer some of the questions, which I think is upsetting to me," Schwarzenegger told KGO radio in San Francisco. "I think it is much better to be straightforward with the people."
"I mean if you get a question about Iran and about the nuclear power and what you are going to do in the future with this nuclear power, and you don't even answer that question, I think it's a mistake, You know like Kerry did," he continued. "Bush did the same thing in some instances, not really get into it and answer it."
Nice try guys.
Our Friend China
Seems that China, like the French, are driven by oil.
China is trying to stop the United Nations imposing sanctions on Sudan over the crisis in the Darfur region to protect its oil imports from the country, say western diplomats.
For the past six years Beijing has been the Sudanese government's main backer, buying 70 per cent of its exports, servicing its $20bn debt and supplying the Khartoum government with most of its weapons.
Beijing oil imports jumped 35 per cent this year and its reliance on a growing number of rogue states to meet its needs is putting it on a collision course with the United States. Sudan and Iran together supply 20 per cent of China's oil imports, and if economic sanctions were applied to either, Beijing would be unable to sustain its high growth rates.
China is trying to stop the United Nations imposing sanctions on Sudan over the crisis in the Darfur region to protect its oil imports from the country, say western diplomats.
For the past six years Beijing has been the Sudanese government's main backer, buying 70 per cent of its exports, servicing its $20bn debt and supplying the Khartoum government with most of its weapons.
Beijing oil imports jumped 35 per cent this year and its reliance on a growing number of rogue states to meet its needs is putting it on a collision course with the United States. Sudan and Iran together supply 20 per cent of China's oil imports, and if economic sanctions were applied to either, Beijing would be unable to sustain its high growth rates.
Brother Vladimir
Here's one foreign leader that thinks we need a Bush victory:
MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says terrorist attacks in Iraq are aimed at preventing the re-election of U.S. President George W. Bush and that a Bush defeat "could lead to the spread of terrorism to other parts of the world." . . .
"Any unbiased observer understands that attacks of international terrorist organizations in Iraq, especially nowadays, are targeted not only and not so much against the international coalition as against President Bush," Putin said.
And here's a sober reminder that we must be vigilant over the next few weeks:
MADRID -- Seven months after bombs exploded aboard morning commuter trains in Madrid, killing 191 people, the precise motives of the attackers remain unclear. But new evidence, including wiretap transcripts, has lent support to a theory that the strike was carefully timed to take place three days before a national election in hopes of influencing Spanish voters to reject a government that sent troops to Iraq. . . .
People familiar with this fast-moving sequence of events say it suggests the attackers wanted to make certain that Spanish voters knew that Islamic radicals -- and not the Basque separatist group ETA -- were responsible when they went to the polls so they would punish the ruling party.
MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says terrorist attacks in Iraq are aimed at preventing the re-election of U.S. President George W. Bush and that a Bush defeat "could lead to the spread of terrorism to other parts of the world." . . .
"Any unbiased observer understands that attacks of international terrorist organizations in Iraq, especially nowadays, are targeted not only and not so much against the international coalition as against President Bush," Putin said.
And here's a sober reminder that we must be vigilant over the next few weeks:
MADRID -- Seven months after bombs exploded aboard morning commuter trains in Madrid, killing 191 people, the precise motives of the attackers remain unclear. But new evidence, including wiretap transcripts, has lent support to a theory that the strike was carefully timed to take place three days before a national election in hopes of influencing Spanish voters to reject a government that sent troops to Iraq. . . .
People familiar with this fast-moving sequence of events say it suggests the attackers wanted to make certain that Spanish voters knew that Islamic radicals -- and not the Basque separatist group ETA -- were responsible when they went to the polls so they would punish the ruling party.
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