Cindy Sheehan:

How exactly does this honor your son?

What's in a name...?

I don't know about you, but I've always wondered how they name tropical storms and hurricanes.

This from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

Military weather forecasters began giving women's names to significant storms during WWII, then in 1950 the World Meteorological Organization agreed to an alphabetical naming system, using the military's radio code.

The first named Atlantic hurricane was Able in 1950.

Officials soon realized the naming convention would cause problems in the history books if more than one powerful Hurricane Able made landfall.

So, in 1953 the organization adopted a rotating series of women's names, planning to retire names of significant storms.

Feminists urged the WMO to add men's names, which was done in 1979. The boy-girl-boy-girl naming convention evolved to include French and Spanish names in the Atlantic system, reflecting the languages of the nations affected by Caribbean hurricanes.

Twenty-one names are reserved each year (the letters q, u, x, y and z are not used), and the names are recycled every six years, minus those retired. When a name is retired, the World Meteorological Organization chooses a new name to replace it.

Jack Stanton cares about YOU!

I have to admit it - I like John Travolta. I think he's a good actor. But outside of the movies, he scares me. That Scientology thing is just way too creepy (although I love the t-shirts!)

But I do give him and his wife props for flying their private jet down south to deliver food and medicine to the victims. Good for him.

This picture though reminded me of his role in Primary Colors (in which he plays southern Governor, and presidential candidate, Jack Stanton - based on Bill Clinton) and the opening scene that talks about the "political handshake."

The narrator says that if Stanton gives a two handed handshake then he "cares" about what the person is saying.

If he touches the forearm or the elbow of the person with one hand, during the handshake, then he "really cares." The higher up the arm Stanton goes the more he "understands," "sympathizes" and "cares" until, in the ultimate show of devotion, he reaches the shoulder.

The point of the scene was to show that every move - even a simple handshake - was calculated and thought out (in other words, not genuine) for Stanton (i.e. Clinton)

Maybe I'm being unfair, but I saw this picture and immediately thought of that scene.

Not the photo-op he wanted

Sean Penn's attempt to help victims of Hurricane Katrina took on a leak almost immediately after launch over the weekend. Penn forgot to plug a hole in his small boat - that had room for his personal photographer - and his feeble attempts to bail the water out (above) were captured on film.

Penn was there to do, "whatever I can do to help." But one on-looker apparently taunted "How are you going to get any people in that thing?"

It's a funny picture of an "activist" I don't much like ... but Penn's willingness to travel to New Orleans and do whatever he can (even if it didn't work out) should be commended.

Perhaps, though, he should just write a big check and leave the rescuing to people who know what they're doing. But I guess the photo-op of writing a check isn't as compelling.

Chief Justice Rehnquist Dies

Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist has died.

There will be plenty of time to analyze the fight to come over his replacement - Bush now has the opportunity to elevate an Associate Judge to the Chief Justice position and nominate two Associates (the nightmare scenario for liberals) - but that can come after Rehnquist is laid to rest.

Rehnquist was nominated to the High Court in 1972 by President Nixon, and served as Chief Justice from 1986 until his death on Saturday.

BLOG FOR RELIEF DAY

• The Salvation Army 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769)
• Armed Forces Retirement Home (800) 332-3527
• America's Second Harvest 1 800 771-2303

Unsure which charities are reputable? Go to CharityNavigator.org for a comprehensive evaluation of American Charities, and what they're doing with your money.

PennyWit.Com is keeping abreast of charity scams.

Chuck Simmons is following which corporations have donated to the Relief Efforts so far.

I found out about a cool website- Strengthen The Good - which facilitates chairitable fundraising through the Blogosphere. They have a matching funds drive going.