Supreme Court confirmation hearings next week...

A thorough examination of John Roberts and the issues that Senators will raise when the confirmation hearings begin next week.

Creepy Liberals...

If you have ever wanted to see Hillary Clinton and Ted Kennedy as cartoon villains, here is your chance.

World Ahead Publishing has released Help! Mom! There Are Liberals Under My Bed ... teach your kids young, that's what I say.

Buy it here.

NCAA gets it right... finally

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has reversed an earlier decision that placed Florida State University on a list of universities banned from using what it called "hostile and abusive" mascots and nicknames during postseason play.

Seminole Tribe of Florida supports the FSU mascot - even helping pick out the colors for the costume. So the NCAA's decision to ban the mascot was seen by many as particularly dumb.

So at least in this instance the NCAA got it right in reversing the decision as it pertains to FSU.

But they have opened the flood gates and other universities still on the list, such as the University of Illinois (Illini) and of North Dakota (Fighting Sioux), are issuing appeals of their own. Good luck to them.

Another Vietnam?

Republican Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska today likened the situation on the ground in Iraq to Vietnam.

A Vietnam veteran himself (that's him in 1968), Hagel told George Stephanopoulos on ABC's "This Week" that, "We are locked into a bogged down problem not unsimilar or dissimilar to where we were in Vietnam. The longer we stay there the more problems we are going to have."

Hagel's statement isn't that shocking - it's newsworthy because he's a Republican, but that's all. For someone to say that the longer we're there the tougher it will be isn't groundbreaking stuff. And the Vietnam comparisons began almost as soon as the war did.

Couple that with the fact that Hagel's just flat wrong. Here's a quick comparison of the two major stats of any conflict, time and casualties:

VIETNAM
US involvement in Vietnam began in 1957 and officially ended with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords in 1973 - that's 16 years.

58,226 American soldiers were killed in action or classified as missing in action in Vietnam. A further 153,303 Americans were wounded to give total casualties of 211,529.


IRAQ
Major US military operations began in March, 2003 - that's 2 years and 5 months ago.

The US has lost 1,861 military men and woman during the War in Iraq.

With 2008 around the corner there are 99 other US Senators trying to get on the Sunday morning talk shows - Hagel's inflammatory remarks have guaranteed him good camera time for the foreseeable future... Mission Accomplished.

The Gaza Strip

Sheehan and the Democratic Party

A fantastic column from Mark Styen in the Chicago Sun-Times today about Cindy Sheehan and what she means to the Democratic Party.

A must read.

Can't wait 'till two thousand and eight

We've all seen it, but isn't it worth seeing Hillary sprawled out on a piano, singing just one more time?

I think so.



And for those who have forgotten why we fight the GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR, click here.

Rub my belly and I'll say somethin' funny

The Clinton Presidential Museum is selling a Bill Clinton talking action figure for the low, low price of $19.92

The talking doll speaks 21 famous quotes, according to the Web site... but doesn't list them.

Here are just a few that I bet didn't make the cut:

"Politics gives guys so much power that they tend to behave badly around women. And I hope I never get into that. "

"I tried to walk a line between acting lawfully and testifying falsely, but I now realize that I did not fully accomplish that goal."

"I did not inhale. "

"I did not have sex with that woman."

"It depends upon what your definition of 'is' is."

Fame, paid for by the blood of her son

debate08 has already posted on Cindy Sheehan's anti-war agenda at the expense of her son's death. But today Matt Drudge reports that Sheehan is taking her rhetoric to another level.

Sheehan is using her new found fame, paid for by the blood of her son, to call for the impeachment of President Bush and Israel's departure from Palestine ... she's even using her son's death as an excuse not to pay her 2004 taxes (the year her son, Casey, died).

But some of Casey's relatives are not as quick to use his death to promote an agenda. In a letter released on Friday, Casey Sheehan's grandparents, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins expressed dismay about Cindy's manipulation of her son's death.

The Sheehan Family lost our beloved Casey in the Iraq War and we have been silently, respectfully grieving. We do not agree with the political motivations and publicity tactics of Cindy Sheehan.

She now appears to be promoting her own personal agenda and notoriety at the expense of her son's good name and reputation.

The rest of the Sheehan Family supports the troops, our country, and our President, silently, with prayer and respect.

Cindy Sheehan confirmed the authenticity of the letter on Michael Moore's Web site, saying that "they barely knew Casey."

But according to the Sacramento Union, the letter was also signed by Cindy's husband - and Casey's father - Pat, who separateded from his wife after their son's death.

Numbers look good for Hillary, despite drop

Hillary's numbers have dropped since April, according to a WNBC/Marist Poll, conducted August 9, 2005.

In a head-to-head with Jeanine Pirro, who recently announced her bid for the Republican nomination, Hillary's support dropped from 64% to 50%. Pirro was consistent at 28% support, while the number of Undecided voters rose from 8 to 22%.

Clearly New York voters are intrigued by Pirro's candidacy and many have decided to withhold judgment until they get to know the Westchester County District Attorney better.

Name ID is always the toughest challenge for first-time statewide candidates. However, unlike charisma, a record or a message, Name ID can simply be bought.

Raise enough money, spend it correctly and every voter will know your name by Election Day.

While it's too early to tell how good a fundraiser Pirro will be or how deep into their pockets Republicans will be willing to go for her, Hillary is showing $8.7 million cash on hand with $3.9 million raised in the 2006 cycle.

Pirro has her work cut out for her.

Most Wanted

The FBI's Web site lists the Most Wanted criminals, including the most wanted terrorist.

Surprisingly, the top spot is currently held by Al-Zawahiri, who among other things is thought to be Usama Bin Laden's doctor.

Here's my question, Since when has Bin Laden not been our most wanted terrorist?

Grief with an agenda

I can't begin to imagine the pain Cindy Sheehan is going through with the death of her son, so I know I shouldn't judge the fact that she is now dishonoring his death - and those of hundreds of other men and women in Iraq. But I can't help it.

Her protest outside of Crawford, Texas - where Bush is spending the month of August - has gained national - and international - media attention.

She demands a meeting with the President. Why? What will she say to him? What does she expect him to say to her? Because her son died, the entire U.S. military should leave Iraq?

The Deputy White House Chief of Staff and the National Security Advisor both spent 20 mintues with Sheehan outside of the ranch ... she called those meetings "pointless" and still demands a meeting with Bush.

I agree that the meetings were meaningless. This woman has an anti-war agenda and there is nothing anyone can say - not even the President - to satisfy her.

What's she thinking?

UPDATE ON AUGUST 13, 2005

debate08 asks below who is running Pirro's campaign so ineptly that they would allow an article on her official site that all but says Pirro will lose the election. Perhaps the same person who has page 10.

----------------------------

In case you missed it, Hillary Clinton has an opponent.

Westchester County district attorney Jeanine Pirro (campaign Web site) announced yesterday that she'll go head-to-head with the smartest, most focused politician in America.

Some may ask, "What's she thinking?" ... but that's a silly question. This week Pirro has catapulted herself onto the national stage. Not bad for a couple of day's work.

Now the trick will be to stay there.

Pirro's initial message was that New York needs - and deserves - a full-time Senator, not one with an eye on the White House. No surprise there.

But what is surprising is the bizarre news release (at least that's what I think it is as it's not attributed to a news source) on pirogue Web site. It starts out innocently enough, but then the second paragraph takes a turn for the worse:

Ms. Parry, a political moderate who supports abortion rights, gay rights and the death penalty, is seen by many Republicans in New York and Washington as their best hope of pulling off a big upset in 2006 by defeating Mrs. Clinton. More realistically, Republicans say that Ms. pirogue dogged style, sharp wit and telekinesis presence will help them raise tens of millions of dollars and at least bruise Mrs. Clinton in advance of her possible 2008 presidential run. Read the full text here.

"at least bruise"? I'm sorry, but has she just admitted defeat two days into the race? Who wrote this? Her campaign? A reporter? Why is this on her site? Who put this up?

If this is the kind of incompetence she surrounds herself with, then perhaps, "What's she thinking?" is a valid question after all.

"hostile" & "abusive"

"hostile" and "abusive" could be used to describe movie critic attitudes toward The Dukes Of Hazzard that opened yesterday, but these terms have actually been called upon by the enlightened minds of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

No longer will colleges and universities be able to use "hostile" or "abusive" Native American nicknames, imagery or mascots during their end-of-season tournaments; during the regular season there's no problem, but come championship time - you know, when more people are tuning in - then you're either P.C. or you're out.

So, for instance, the "abusive" and "hostile" image above of the Florida State University Seminoles official logo will be banned; despite the fact that "the Tribal Council of the Seminole Tribe of Florida spoke unequivocally of its support for Florida State University in its use of the Seminole name and related symbols," according to a statement from FSU President T.K. Wetherell.

If the group that is being described isn't offended, should anyone else care?

From a statement on the NCAA Web site: The presidents and chancellors who serve on the NCAA Executive Committee have adopted a new policy to prohibit NCAA colleges and universities from displaying hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin mascots, nicknames or imagery at any of the 88 NCAA championships.

The NCAA Executives met in Indianapolis, Indiana to make this important decision.

Back to "War"

Just days after getting ripped for his administrations apparent shift in terminology from "war on terror" to "global struggle against violent extremism" President Bush reversed course in a speech to the American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative group of state legislators, in Texas.

Bush used the word "war" 13 times in a speech primarily about domestic issues:

''Make no mistake about it, this is a war against people who profess an ideology, and they use terror as a means to achieve their objectives,'' he said.

''We're at war with an enemy that attacked us on September the 11th, 2001 ... We're at war against an enemy that, since that day, has continued to kill.''

We are at ... struggle ...?

One of the more nonsensical bumper stickers I see driving the streets of Los Angeles is the simple blue print on white background "War is not the answer" sticker - popular with Volvo and Saab drivers with no tees on ... I've often wanted to ask the driver, Well, what is the answer? But, alas, I lack the courage to confront such stupid, bumper sticker logic.

But our Commander in Chief has no such lack of courage! He has heard the silent question of thousands of bumper stickers and said, Yes, you're right, war is not the answer.

So, no longer will the United States be engaged in a "War on Terrorism". Now we're fighting a "Global Struggle Against Violent Extremism." Yes, your eyes do not deceive my fearless comrades, it stands for G-SAVE.

God SAVE us from the madness, more like it. And I suppose we should ignore the fact that on the White House Web site today, under Major Speeches is a link to the Presidents Commencement Address to the Naval Academy called "War on Terror."

Now, I'm not one for acronyms (although I'm involved in the NNA, the AHA, enjoy the YMCA, am member of AAA, celebrate the demise of the AFL-CIO and hold a BA) ... but I digress.

I did think it would be fun though to come up with some alternatives to G-SAVE, as I think it's a stupid name. But of course, the cutting edge writers at the Contra Costa Times beat me to it.

They offer the following worthy choices:

Moderates' Efforts Seeking Security (MESS)
Worldwide Initiative Mandating Peace (WIMP)

I guess we know where the Times stands in the Yeah Bush!/Boo Bush! debate.

But what say you? Give me your best acronyms ... keep them clean, of course, this is a family-friendly show and extra brownies for who ever comes up with a name with the acronym QUAGMIRE.