There's a Bridge in Brooklyn For Sale

Maybe I'm getting too cynical but isn't it a coincidence that this so-called Trump-Steward "feud" occurs just days before the start of the fifth season of The Apprentice? (And I've not seen one of 'em). Wasn't there some discussion that the franchise was getting long in the teeth (whatever that means) at the end of season four? That might have been me talking to myself though, so not sure. Suspect. Definitely suspect.

The Theory of Threes

Don Knotts, Darren McGavin (who will forever be Kolchak for me) and today Dennis Weaver. Don't tell me these things don't happen in threes.

Discharge Takes on Whole New Meaning

Alright - I woke up this morning wondering about NY Gov. George Pataki's condition and whether or not he'd taken a dump yet. Which immediately led to my second thought: I've gotta get a hobby.

Anyone who's ever been in the hospital or knows someone who's been in the hospital is aware that being able to go to the bathroom is essential - they won't let you leave if you can't. And while I'm not really particularly interested in Pataki's bowel movements -- or lack thereof -- I am surprised there haven't been more "politicians really are full of shit" jokes. Or is that just too mean?

Three Words We Don't Want to Hear

Bush's so-called energy tour made all of the newscasts and most of the papers. But a little thing like a "site area emergency" isn't mentioned on any newscast I watched today. Maybe it's just not local enough? Is it me or is it a bit ironical that a little thing like an emergency at a nuclear power plant just doesn't raise eyebrows anymore?

Poof. Here's Five Million...

Jobs cut at energy lab restored before Bush visit - it's a miracle. Have they no shame?

What We Have Here Is Failure to Communicate

So let me get this straight. The Senate will look no further into the fact that the federal government spies on American citizens - note to self: OMFG.

But wait. It gets better. Pat Roberts, a Republican Senator from Kansas, is working out a "deal" with the White House to modify the law -- the law that everyone in the Bush regimes says they haven't violated. Or at least doesn't apply to them. It's maddening -- but definite proof the lunatics are running the asylum. Not that I needed any more.

Who Needs This?

No need to take this test to find out your risk of dying in four years. I'll make it easy for you. The odds are even - 50 percent chance you will, and a 50 percent chance you won't. No need to thank me.

Taking Aim at Cheney

Anyone who's read my blog has heard my favorite cliche: better late than never. Thanks to the Cheney lawyer shoot I can honestly say it's not better to be late on something like this. But it's brought out a side of the Fourth Estate that has been missing for too long.

Just imagine if the press corps had shown the same tenacity, incredulity and aggressive questioning about Iraq. Imagine.

This story has legs, I told my mom yesterday. And even if it doesn't, I hope the White House press corp keeps it up and refuses to be spoon fed on any issue. Should be an interesting three years.

Some of the best columns today ran in the SF Chronicle, the San Antonio Express News...even London's Globe and Mail ran a piece. The end quote from James Brady is priceless.

Pretty Soon We'll Be Talking Real Money

Wow.
Big wow.
The Bush administration has spent more than a billion - BILLION - and a half dollars on PR contracts in the last 30 months. Imagine for a moment if that money had actually been spent on something worthwhile - feeding people, building better roads, fixing levees - I know, I know - crazy talk.

Where Have All the Editors Gone?

You'd think ONE editor would catch the typo in the following headline: Spears Photos Inpire Calls for Car-Safety. Inpires? So far, I've seen it about in about a dozen sites. Good gawd...

A Voice of Reason

Despite the risk, I recomend everyone read Paul Craig Roberts' Who Will Save America? A former WSJ editor, this is no liberal crackpot. The issues he raises are real -- and I believe this will be THE news story of the decade. I just wish I didn't feel like such a small minority.

What's It All About Arlen

There really isn't a city in the world like Washington, D.C. and this article about partisan bickering over an asbestos bill is classic Washington. But if Specter thinks this is "beyond outrage," he's not setting the banner very high.

Death Comes to Us All

That's a line from Braveheart that I always hear in my head - not sure why - but I said it again as I read Betty Friedan's obituary and a great article about the state of feminism today from Salon. (Full text here - not sure how long the link will be live.)

Of all the historical figures of the feminist movement, Betty Friedan was always the one I identified with most. Kevin would say it was her aversion to vacuuming that drew me to her -- and while I don't doubt it -- there is more to it than that. I was 10 in 1972 and my mom became involved for a time in the women's rights movement, particularly in respect to the Catholic Church. I marched in ERA rallies, condemned sexism as a sin, attended women's ordination conferences and was exposed to strong women with strong opinions from a very early age. I have no doubt that much of what I heard and witnessed has shaped how I think today - though I don't think I appreciated it much before now.

Not So Great Expectations

I'll never understand Wall Street. Google -- which is now a verb, not just a company -- sees its net income grow by 82 percent. And this is bad news for the stock market? Expectations are a dangerous thing.