TIME FOR AL GORE’S NONSENSE TO END!

I think that former Vice President Albert Gore, Jr. has milked this “global warming” fantasy of his about as far as anyone can expect. He should quietly meander off into the silence of obscurity (taking another lunatic, James Earl Carter, Jr., with him) and spend his remaining years cuddled up with his Nobel prize and his Oscar. The “global warming” boondoggle is over, fella! And, as I have said all along, physicists have gone back to predicting a new ice age!

As reported over the past few days, food prices are rising (and shortages are beginning to manifest themselves), because nobody seems to be "getting" that diverting 30% of the corn crop to bio-fuels is having a major effect all over the world. Cows eat corn - thus the precipitous rise in prices of milk, cheese and beef. In Mexico they are really hurting because of course CORN is a huge component of their diet (actually of mine as well). Poultry eats corn too, thus the price of eggs and chicken and so forth is also elevated. I completely agree that we need to limit our dependence on outside fuel sources but we have major oil reserves in this country that need to be utilized. And while you're at it - leave my sharp cheddar alone!

Speaking of unintended consequences: most of the so-called “green” vehicles utilize rather powerful batteries. How long are they built to last, how (and where) are they to be disposed of when they fail and what will be the cost of replacing them? It’s an important consideration. Our landfills don’t need the extra business.

Look, I’m all for conservation of natural resources but I’m also against jumping willy-nilly on bandwagons before consequences are able to be determined. For example, some 25 years ago, I explored the world of “green” products for laundry and cleaning of my home. First I discovered they didn’t work very well and second I discovered that I was allergic to them.

HEAD ON OVER TO WALT'S BLOG

There you can read about the latest attempt to smear John McCain. I freely admit that he wasn't my first choice for the nomination, but likewise I cannot believe the depths to which the minions of the despicable chattering classes have sunk. Despicable, disgusting and wholly offensive. I don't care if you supported another Republican candidate or whether you support one of the Democratic candidates. John McCain's disability pension is well deserved and a non-issue and should remain that way!

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA CONTINUES TO REVEAL HIMSELF AS UNSUITED FOR ANY PUBLIC OFFICE – LET ALONE THE PRESIDENCY!

This is presidential? Hardly.

From American Thinker today:

Thanks to American Thinker's Rick Moran and his analysis of a video from an LA Times blog, even better displayed in another camera angle posted by the Baltimore Sun, it's clear that Senator Obama delivered a common obscene gesture in Senator Clinton's direction as he spoke to a crowd of his loyal followers in North Carolina the day after the Philadelphia debate. He shot Hillary the bird, only slightly surreptitiously. Visit the links above to see it happen.

Obama's explanation of how the debate questions represented "Washington" playing "gotcha politics" is telling by itself. Whining does not become anyone who aspires to be the President of the United States of America, as Obama likes to voice the complete title of the job he wants. And his assurances that he was unfazed by the perceived attacks he received from the ABC moderators resemble the braggadocio of the boxer who climbs up from the canvas on a nine count, nose bleeding with one eye swollen shut, saying "Hey, he never laid a glove on me." We could read Obama's body language in the debate. We saw him take heavy leather. So what is this video all about, and what does it tell us about Barack Obama?

When I first saw the video, I really hoped that it was just an optical illusion of some sort, somewhat akin to the reflection in Dick Cheney’s sunglasses that surfaced last week. After watching the video a few more times, the ugly truth became apparent – a candidate running for the office of President actually was juvenile and idiotic enough to make an obscene gesture to another presidential candidate.

I have never thought that Barack Hussein Obama had the credentials for the presidency. From his plans to tax us into personal bankruptcy to his clear inability to understand the threats posed by Muslim fascist behavior, his totally ignorant plans for NASA, his arrogant and condescending attitude toward the very people who could put him into the Oval Office and his clear moral bankruptcy as evidenced by both his ties to that hate-filled pastor of his and his wife’s completely arrogant belief in her own superiority – let’s not even get into his clear lack of understanding of what it takes to protect our nation from enemies both foreign and domestic – this is a man of great charisma and absolutely zero substance! And let’s face it, anyone who can makes Hillary Rodham Clinton look statesmanlike by comparison is pretty doggone flawed!

John McCain, warts and all, is a far better choice.

OBAMA ENDORSED BY HAMAS!

Well actually, by Jimmy Carter, but one has to wonder if those two aren't one and the same.

"Carter strongly hints he supports Obama
50 minutes ago

JERUSALEM (AFP) — Former US President Jimmy Carter declined to endorse either candidate on the eve of Pennsylvania's Democratic primary but strongly hinted that he supported Illinois Senator Barak Obama.

"As a superdelegate, I think I ought to stay as flexible as I can, but I obviously observe what goes on around me," Carter told reporters in Jerusalem as he wrapped up a Middle East tour in which he drew fire from Washington and Israel for meeting with leaders of the Islamist Hamas movement.

"My little town of Plains voted for Obama, and as you know my state of Georgia voted for Obama, and all of my children, all of my grandchildren, and all of their spouses are for Obama... That's as far as I've gone."

Carter said he has already made his decision but would not announce it until at least June 3, after the last primaries have been held."

Sounds like the nail just got driven in Obama's coffin. McCain for President, y'all!

THERE IS NOTHING “INTERIM” ABOUT THIS POPE!

From Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. until 8:45 this morning, Washington, D.C. was blessed with the presence of the Holy Father, the extraordinary Pope Benedict XVI.

President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush and daughter Jenna Bush were at Andrews Air Force Base to greet our beloved Pontiff, the first time the President has so honored a visitor to our country. Through the duration of the Pope’s visit and whenever he was in public, there were enthusiastic and vocal welcomes extended to him. On Wednesday, the Pope met with President Bush at the White House and was treated to 2 enthusiastic renditions of “Happy Birthday”, one planned and one spontaneous. He was also given a 21-gun salute – that salute was clearly audible from my office, since we are in an office building with windows that still open (and it was a beautiful Spring day so a lot of the attorneys were taking advantage of that pleasant bonus) just 2 blocks from the White House. I discovered first hand that a 21-gun salute is LOUD! I mean I knew that in theory – but Wednesday I experienced it in real time!

I will be the first one to proclaim loud and clear that for the three days of the Pope’s visit, this holy man blessed this sometimes extremely unholy city with his charm, his humility, his humanity and kindness, together with a demonstrable deep faith in God. Yesterday I was working on a brief all day for my boss, but the nature of this project was that I could keep the Pope's Mass playing in the background throughout its duration. When one round of edits was complete, I could bring the Mass to the foreground and watch and listen to a remarkable event, frequently with moist eyes. The Pope's homily was profoundly moving.

We had heard dire predictions of terrible traffic problems in the weeks leading to the Papal Visit. They really didn’t materialize. In fact, traffic was less snarled than it had been in the prior few weeks when the Cherry Blossom Festival was going on. And there was a sense of joy in Washington, D.C. that I haven’t really noticed before. I know that really listening to the Pope’s words generated in me a sense of rediscovered spiritual lightness.

All the above being said, the one fly in the ointment was, per usual, the chattering classes of the mainstream media beginning with the appalling Katie Couric and continuing through numerous commentators who displayed their complete ignorance of Catholicism and, worse, seemed to be proud of their stupidity!

So I will reiterate what I have said multiple times over the past few weeks when non-Catholics have had the effrontery to tell me what changes the Catholic Church must make in order to satisfy their (non-Catholic) sensibilities! It isn't going to happen. We are who we are. Deal.

Each time someone would reference some Catholic Church doctrine that they felt should be changed, usually a doctrine that I both understand and approve, I had to remind myself of something that Dennis Miller said this week. He opined that it’s okay to insult Catholics because it’s a safe bet that Catholics don’t riot in the streets and kill people when they’re insulted. I guess that means WE are civilized. And I guess we know who isn’t!

God bless, everyone, and have a great weekend. I’m heading into this weekend with a little Papal Energy Boost which hopefully will translate into an immaculate house and lots of clean laundry by Monday morning. And none of this will interfere with my quality time with the remarkable Sam, my 26 pound cat (yes, he's lost a bit of pudge folks) because after all, our beloved Pontiff, Papa Ratzi, loves cats! And Mozart!

NOTE: I am reposting this diatribe now because clearly James Earl Carter, Jr. isn't improving with age. No fine wine is he! And his current antics are reprehensible, dangerous and - in my view - utterly insane! So here's an oldie but a goodie. And you wonder why I'm cranky!

JIMMY CARTER - AN INCREDIBLE INTERVIEW!

Within the modern Democratic Party, there are many utterly incompetent foreign policy thinkers. But standing head and shoulders below the worst of the worst within the modern Democratic Party – one man stands alone, the worst American president during the 20th century: James Earl Carter, Jr.! And when you consider President Carter’s competition (Harding and Clinton come to mind.), that’s some feat.

In an interview published on 8/15/06 in DerSpiegel Online, President Carter opined that administrations prior to George W. Bush had a “commitment to peace instead of preemptive war. Our country always had a policy of not going to war unless our own security was directly threatened and now we have a new policy of going to war on a preemptive basis.” Yes, folks, he really did say that! Apparently his short term memory doesn’t include 9/11/01!

Further on in the interview, Mr. Carter chatters mindlessly about the Lebanon/Israel/Hezbollah situation. He states: “. . .the concerns I exposed have gotten even worse now with the United States supporting and encouraging Israel in its unjustified attack on Lebanon.” [emphasis mine] HUH?

President Carter, I realize you are far from the brightest bulb in the chandelier but perhaps you have noticed over the years that there have been never-ending, violent and utterly unprovoked attacks on the Nation of Israel since the date of its founding in 1948 and it may have come to your notice that Hezbollah and Iran have both LOUDLY (and recently) proclaimed their intention to drive the Israelis from their land and into the sea. They aren’t keeping this any big secret. Even you, President Carter, mired as you are in a sea of hopeless confusion, should have heard some inkling.

Mr. Carter believes that President George W. Bush poses a threat to American values and expresses some sympathy for the ailing Fidel Castro! Mr. Carter is also most approving of the peace proposals set forth by the President of Lebanon and claims that they are “quite reasonable”. James Earl Carter, Jr. is, in my opinion, a doddering nincompoop. But here is the truly incredible part of the interview. And I am quoting:

"The fundamentalists believe they have a unique relationship with God, and that they and their ideas are God's ideas and God's premises on the particular issue. Therefore, by definition since they are speaking for God anyone who disagrees with them is inherently wrong. And the next step is: Those who disagree with them are inherently inferior, and in extreme cases -- as is the case with some fundamentalists around the world -- it makes your opponents sub-humans, so that their lives are not significant. Another thing is that a fundamentalist can't bring himself or herself to negotiate with people who disagree with them because the negotiating process itself is an indication of implied equality."

Mr. Carter is NOT, as you might suspect, speaking of Hezbollah, or the Islamofascist scum - no, he's talking about US, the Christians who are the overwhelming majority of American citizens. It is simply incredible. Mr. Carter, this nation is very fortunate that you are NOT the president of the United States in these perilous and dangerous times and that a man with REAL values, REAL courage and a steadfast determination to protect the United States of America occupies that office.

Mr. Carter's ineffectual lack of action at the time that the Iranian students (one of whom is now PRESIDENT OF IRAN) took American Embassy personnel hostage for 444 days, is a direct precurser to our present peril. His completely incompetent conduct of American foreign policy during his failed four year presidency sowed the seeds for our present War on Terror. Mr. Carter, your reputation will improve in direct proportion to the time we do NOT need to hear your ill-founded and puerile opinions. Please do not believe that your completely undeserved Nobel prize qualifies you for anything except being recognized as being anti-American. But respected as a great thinker. It isn't going to happen, sir, not now and not ever! History will judge you, Mr. Carter, and it will not be kind. Trust me on that.

FINAL NOTE: When, oh when, is this senile old fart (my opinion and I'll stick with it) going to be prosecuted under the Logan Act? It is long overdue.

THE MAN IS CLEARLY DEMENTED, PROBABLY SENILE AND ALTOGETHER DESPICABLE – WHO, EXACTLY, ELECTED HIM PRESIDENT?

Clearly, he was elected by the same idiots who are so madly in love with Barack Hussein Obama, the most unqualified candidate for the presidency ever to run for that office!

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - Former President Jimmy Carter embraced a leading Hamas figure Tuesday, according to participants in a meeting that infuriated Israeli officials already upset by Carter's freelance Mideast peace mission.

Carter also laid a wreath at the grave of Yasser Arafat, whom the Bush administration and many Israelis blame for the breakdown of peace talks seven years ago and the violence that followed.

At a reception in the West Bank town of Ramallah organized by Carter's office, the former president hugged Nasser Shaer, a senior Hamas politician, meeting participants said. Embraces between men are a common custom in Arab culture.

"He gave me a hug. We hugged each other, and it was a warm reception," Shaer told The Associated Press. "Carter asked what he can do to achieve peace between the Palestinians and Israel ... and I told him the possibility for peace is high."

Note to Jimmy Carter – just shut up you seditious old fart!

ANKLE BITING PUNDITS IS ON THE CASE!

“Obama, asked last Sunday why it was so hard for him to reach blue-collar voters, said that many had been overlooked economically and that "it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti- immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton pounced on the comment over the weekend, calling it "elitist and divisive."”

My take? Just plain stupid elitist nonsense from an intellectually stunted, self-involved, empty suit who is married to an empty dress! Do you really want that snarky Michelle Obama as first lady? Representing the U.S. to the world? For the love of God!

WHY IS IT?

When unemployment was around 5.4% in 1996, celebrations were ubiquitous because that was considered to be the equivalent of full employment?

Right now unemployment is sitting at 5.1% and the gloom and doom purveyors of the mainstream "useful idiot" media are blathering on about a recession?

Am I the only person who thinks there's something really rotten going on?

AND SO THEY BEGIN . . .!

The liberal attacks on Senator John McCain (R. - Ariz.), the presumptive Republican nominee for the presidency have begun. And of course, there's one thing that you can count on - reality has nothing whatsoever to do with the allegations:

" . . . in The Real McCain, scheduled to be released May 1, Schecter, citing unnamed sources, also relates two previously unreported incidents of McCain's allegedly losing his cool. He alleges that in 2006, McCain came to blows with fellow Arizona lawmaker Rep. Rick Renzi during a strategy meeting. The fight was precipitated, according to Schecter's two sources, when Renzi ordered McCain to stop calling him "boy." (McCain ultimately became friendly with Renzi, who has since been indicted on federal corruption charges.)"

Here's the problem with this allegation, Mr. Schecter. Due to the serious injuries suffered by John McCain when he was imprisoned for over five years by the North Vietnamese (something no liberal could survive, I suspect), he cannot raise his arms beyond a certain point. In fact, he is unable to comb his own hair. So "coming to blows" with anyone is both unlikely and ludicrous.

If you're going to lie about someone, at least do a little research first, folks! Or better, yet, quit the freaking character assassination. Senator John McCain is not my first, or even second, choice for the Republican nomination, but he is both more qualified and less frightening than either Senator Barack Hussein Obama or Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Both the possible Democratic nominees are both unqualified and terrifyingly leftwing.

JIMMY CARTER TO MEET WITH THE HEAD OF HAMAS - IN SYRIA!

That means he'll be leaving the country - let's not let him back in, okay? The man is nasty, probably senile and definitely a detriment to this country and this administration. In point of fact, I would say this proposed meeting qualifies as treason and is in clear violation of the Logan Act!

Someone needs to put Krazy Glue in this old fart's lip balm! Frequently!

SPEAKING OF UNHINGED!

Howard Dean, the head of the Democratic Party in this country, has opined thus:

On John McCain

"I don't think Senator McCain would be a good president either in terms of defense or certainly in terms of national policy where he's deeply out of touch with almost everything that Americans believe. We need to change this country. The country wants to be changed." [ABC This Week, 4/6/08]

We don't need that much change, Dr. Dean. Never that much! Real Americans are not unhinged (like you) or cowardly like most leftwing liberals (most of your constituency). Americans would be a whole lot better off if idiots such as yourself stopped mouthing so much anti-American claptrap and started actually telling the truth about most of the things currently in the DNC "list of lies to tell" playbook!

ORAL SURGERY AND OTHER PLEASURES

Well, I finally went ahead and found myself a dentist in Fredericksburg, Virginia (where I live) and went in yesterday morning at 7:30 a.m. (this is something more dentists should do) and got the tooth that's been messing up my life removed. It was actually a rather simple procedure and I was home by 9 a.m.

Now here's the thing. When this tooth first started kicking up a fuss last month and the right side of my face was swollen up (there's a look in which to go to work), I went to a dentist in D.C. who proceeded to quote me, please be sitting down when you read this, $1,775.00 to remove this tooth. Included in this exorbitant quotation were a drain in my right cheek, bone grafts and general anesthetic. When she realized I didn't have that kind of money, she suggested I go to the Howard University Dental School and have the tooth removed. But they were too busy to take me and if they'd had time, some time, the cost would have been over $200 for a student to remove my tooth.

Dr. Expensive had given me a prescription for antibiotics, so I filled that prescription and one she'd given me for pain pills and lo and behold, the swelling in my cheek started to go down almost immediately and by the next day, it was completely gone. I took the antibiotics
as directed and by the time I was done, my mouth felt fine. However, not being a complete idiot, I decided to find a dentist in my home area to get this and future dental procedures taken care of.

The Internet came through for me again and I now have a fantastic dentist, 20 minutes from home, who doesn't charge an arm and a leg - an important consideration since I haven't yet received my dental insurance card. Out of pocket for yesterday? $215.00. And the procedure was performed by a real dentist, not a student. To my mind, the $20.00 additional is money well spent!

Here's the thing: there really isn't a true health care crisis per se but there is a laziness crisis. At least that's my opinion. If you look around, ask lots of questions and show some common sense, that $1,775.00 procedure can be had for $215.00 without compromising professional care. Shop around, I'm just saying.

A Special Lady

R.I.P. Sue Miller, Age 83


I feel like the final link to my happy childhood has departed my life with the passing of my Aunt Sue Miller. She has been afflicted with Alzheimer’s for the past 6 years, experiencing the steady downward progression typical of the illness. My cousin Stuart took her to live in Mexico several years ago where the medical care for people with her illness is both more affordable and kinder. Until the past year he was easily able to afford 24-hour caretakers and when that was no longer a viable option due to her declining health, Aunt Sue was cared for with affection and gentleness in an excellent Mexican nursing home where she was visited weekly by a physician. She died peacefully after a short [physical] illness.

My earliest childhood memories revolve around the 10 acre “farm” on which we lived during WWII. We were very popular with all our family, due in no small degree to the 1 acre of garden we grew which supplied everyone in our extended family with fresh, delicious produce. In addition, we had about 40 chickens and everyone got plenty of fresh eggs every week. We also had a cow who provided a great deal of fresh milk and cheese, again to many family members. And of course, due to the amazing quantity and quality available at our small farm, we had lots of visitors. I mean, a lot of visitors! My Aunt Sue and Uncle Herb were newlyweds, both still finishing up their college degrees at Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio. But I remember how much fun I had with Aunt Sue when they came to visit. My mother was then in her “demon housekeeper from the bowels of you-know-where” phase of life so there were times she simply didn’t have the patience to deal with me.

Aunt Sue, for whatever reason, elected to be my buddy whenever she and Uncle Herb would visit. And Uncle Herb had the unique quality of talking on a child’s level, without talking “down” to the child. In my childish reckonings, that made them VERY special visitors.

Over the years I have so enjoyed both long and short talks with Aunt Sue and felt blessed when I had an opportunity to visit with her a great deal back in 2002 before her mental decline had reached any kind of crescendo.

She loved her family, she loved her Christian prison outreach, she loved the birds who filled her Vienna, Virginia back yard. And I loved her a great deal.

The picture accompanying this quiet remembrance is of her after the move to Mexico, with our family friend, the extraordinary Fred Reed. As you can see, although she wasn’t always sure who she was or where she was, these final years were happy ones for this extraordinary and beloved lady.

Rest in peace, Aunt Sue.

REMEMBERING REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

This morning on the television news (a must see for those of us who commute the 50 miles from Fredericksburg, Virginia into the District for work 5 days per week – the weather and the traffic reports are crucial) there was a great deal of (justified) attention being paid to this, the 40^th anniversary of the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sadly, no attention was paid to another anniversary today, the death 5 years ago of the superlative journalist Michael Kelly who was embedded with a combat unit in Iraq when he died. So to correct the oversight, Michael Kelly you are still greatly missed for your intelligence, kindness and great humor.

But I digress (as usual).

During our commute this morning, we listened while one of the radio stations played the “I have a dream” speech and it dawned on me that Barack Hussein Obama is not attempting to channel the exceptional oratorical style of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, but rather the style of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Regardless of whose oratory Senator Obama is attempting to mimic, the sad (for Obama) truth is that he is not succeeding.

The difference between the locutions of Senator Barack Hussein Obama and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. or President John Fitzgerald Kennedy is that their brilliant speeches actually said something, while Senator Obama’s speeches say absolutely nothing! And no matter how well you may deliver your non-message, that’s all it remains: non-sense!

To speechify in an exceptional manner takes nothing more nor less than rudimentary training over a reasonable amount of time, much as one would train a dog to say “mama” on demand or to train a parrot to say “There’s no there there”.

To make a speech that is actually meaningful and worth the listener’s time, whether or not one agrees with the content of the speech, requires the speaker to have actual thought processes. And this is where Senator Obama fails each and every time. To paraphrase another politician’s rather snarky remark: “Senator, I knew fill in the blank and you aren’t him!”

For me, someone who came to adulthood before the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bobby Kennedy and thus was able to put those legendary public figures into perspective, I cannot condemn the effort of Senator Obama to raise the level of public oration in this time when the lowest common denominator is all too often the standard (for some reason the rantings of Randi Rhodes come to mind), but I can point out that while he talks real pretty, his content is nil and thus is a waste of breath.

ONCE AGAIN SPEAKER PELOSI PROVES SHE IS A ONE-TERM WONDER!

As always she is trying really, really hard to sabotage a Democratic victory in the general election this Fall, an aim against which I cannot argue. Nancy Pelosi, just had to run her ignorant and disrespectful mouth, presuming to tell General Petraeus, in advance, what his testimony will be before Congress next week and how she won't like it - - once again her imagination is outrunning her ability to think in a coherent fashion. And for a change, the Republican minority leader Boehner of Ohio slapped her down and did it expeditiously and thoroughly.

Nancy, I hate to tell you this but you would never make it for 10 seconds in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard or Marines (and for sure you wouldn't survive the nuns who taught me in high school back in the day) because you are an effete, cowardly, San Francisco values (which means no values whatsoever) cretin whose few remaining brain cells have been calcified by excessive use of Botox!

My scant comfort is that between abortion-on-demand and excessive birth control, there will be very few of these leftist louts left within another generation or so!

UPDATE: I knew I was on to something!

"Botox May Move From Face to Brain, Study in Rats Says (Update1)

By Elizabeth Lopatto

April 1 (Bloomberg) -- Botulinum neurotoxin type A, sold as Allergan Inc.'s Botox remedy for wrinkles, can move from its injection site to the brain, a study shows."

Clinton antics will make Bill and Hil
the next American Idles

The title of this article, written by self-confessed Bill Clinton (and Hillary) fan Stanley Crouch, says it all. The protection of the MSM has been withdrawn, irrevocably to all appearances, from Hillary Rodham Clinton.

CONGRATULATIONS, HYNSIE!

Oh yes, and congratulations Senator McCain. It's a terrific article and testimony to the burgeoning power of the blogsphere.

But I cannot help but be reminded of the late governor of Ohio, James Rhodes, who didn't know the Young Republicans existed, except when he was running for office! Here's hoping Senator McCain has a better memory.

Pat Hynes was one of the earliest voices encouraging me to start my own blog. So this recognition of him is doubly pleasing to me.

IT ISN’T AS MUCH FUN AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE!

Watching the Dems eat their own is not nearly the fun I imagined it would be. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a certain sick fascination as their various outright lies and evasions are revealed. And there is also the stupendous revulsion when so-called newsmen like Chris Matthews make the most offensive, sexual insinuations about his reaction to one of the candidates. And finally, I simply find it amazing that any Democrat is taking either of these two, horrendously unqualified candidates seriously!

I have to question Barack Hussein Obama’s judgment when he continues to attend a church with a [now former] pastor as indefensibly racist, intolerant and anti-American as Rev. Jeremiah Wright. What’s even more offensive to me is that Senator Obama is making excuses for his pastor’s hate-filled rhetoric and those excuses don’t stand up to even the most cursory scrutiny. You have been a member of Rev. Wright's congregation for 20 years, Senator, and you didn't know that he was a race-baiting anti-Semite? Give me a break!

Senator Obama’s views on race relations come into question when he does not hesitate to throw his white grandmother “under the bus” while in defense of someone who is, plain and simple, a race-baiting and hate-filled megalomaniac. Why do Jewish Democrats support Barack Obama when he continues to attend a church that was, until recently, led by an avowed anti-Semite?

Our Hillary is in the habit of making grandiose claims about her background and experience that don’t stand up to scrutiny for even a day. Does anyone really believe that she didn’t know about her husband’s frolics with “that woman . . Ms. Lewinsky” until a few days before he finally fessed up to the rest of America? Did anyone really buy that story that she has “always been a Yankees fan”? Did anyone really believe that she was named after Sir Edmund Hillary – five years before he successfully climbed Mount Everest? Has anyone with a functioning brain cell ever bought into her claims to have foreign affairs experience?

Why don’t we question Hillary’s judgment when she is photographed kissing Sufa Arafat, the wife of terrorist leader Yasser Arafat after a 1999 speech where just Mrs. Arafat made the incendiary claim that Israel has poisoned Palestinian children????

Senator Obama’s legislative resume is virtually nonexistent, but then on that score, he and Hillary Rodham Clinton score a virtual tie. Other than running for President practically non-stop since November 2006, what legislative accomplishments can either point to? Almost none.

The fact is that both these candidates are running for the Presidency not because they feel they can best preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, but rather because they have decided that they are entitled to the office. What is frightening to me is that one of them will be nominated and at that point, one of them might be elected.

Pray for our nation and campaign to keep both of these fatuous, leftist goons out of the White House.

THE EXCELLENT BENEDICT WILL BE IN

WASHINGTON, D.C. NEXT MONTH!

The excellent Pope Benedict XVI will be in D.C. next month and will celebrate Mass at the new Washington Nationals stadium during his visit. I very much suspect that he will draw a crowd far larger than will the baseball team – and rightly so.

Pope Benedict garnered headlines during Easter observances when he very publicly baptized with his own hands, and publicly, one Magdi Allam, who chose the baptismal name “Christian”.

As the inimitable and brilliant Anchoress put it:

“Magdi Christian Allam — or Christian Allam, however this very brave man wishes to style it — told reporters, after receiving baptism, confirmation and his first Holy Communion, “this is the happiest day of my life,” and he also had a few words to say about the current state of Islam.

Christian Allam knows that he is now a target, that in some extremist quarters his conversion is seen as justification for his death.

But Christian Allam is now justified by Christ.

I am sure the timing of this baptism was no accident. And I have read more than a few comments suggesting Christian Allam go into hiding, somewhere. But I doubt he will. He seems made of tough stuff.

Christian Allam now feeds on the Body and Blood of Christ - through his veins the blood runs both royal and supernatural. If Christian Allam is now killed for his faith he knows his place in eternity; he knows, too, that anyone stupid enough to murder him for his faith will speed Christian Allam’s way to heaven wearing a martyr’s crown - and a true martyr eats not the golden raisin nor plunders the numerous virgins; he becomes a saint in heaven, and an inspiration. He also becomes an intercessor-in-prayer for the rest of us.”

As an American, and more than that as a Catholic American, I am looking forward to at least being in the same city with this remarkable and holy man!

According to Jake Tapper on ABC News, a Democratic Party Official Claims that Hillary Clinton Will Soon Be Pursuing 'The Tonya Harding Option'

March 25, 2008 3:44 PM

l just spoke with a Democratic Party official, who asked for anonymity so as to speak candidly, who said we in the media are all missing the point of this Democratic fight.

The delegate math is difficult for Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, the official said. But it's not a question of CAN she achieve it. Of course she can, the official said.

The question is -- what will Clinton have to do in order to achieve it?

What will she have to do to Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, in order to eke out her improbable victory?

She will have to "break his back," the official said. She will have to destroy Obama, make Obama completely unacceptable.

"Her securing the nomination is certainly possible - but it will require exercising the 'Tonya Harding option.'" the official said. "Is that really what we Democrats want?"

The Tonya Harding Option -- the first time I've heard it put that way.

It implies that Clinton is so set on ensuring that Obama doesn't get the nomination, not only is she willing to take extra-ruthless steps, but in the end neither she nor Obama win the gold.

Despite the fact that this primary campaign has gone on for far too long, it’s starting to get fascinating at long last!

TUESDAY MORNING RUMINATIONS

Hillary Clinton: In order to be a really great liar, you have to have a really good memory. Hillary? Not so much! If she had remembered that CBS News accompanied her to Bosnia, she would have embroidered the truth a whole lot less. Then again, maybe she was counting on the press to cover her back as it used to do in the PB (pre-Barack) days?

Kwame Kilpatrick is due to be arraigned this morning on the various charges being asserted against him and due to that arraignment, I actually heard a Democrat say something that made me stop in my tracks. CBS News was interviewing the prosecutor who will be handling the case and without prompting she opined: “It isn’t just about sex, it’s about lying under oath, obstruction of justice and misuse of government resources.” HUH? Isn’t that what Republicans were saying way back when Bill Clinton was being impeached?

WORLD FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS

To say that the results were a major disappointment for our country is understatement. On the other hand, that we (or any nation for that matter) would expect our athletes to ALWAYS bring home gold medals is both unfair to the athletes and also unrealistic in the extreme. That said, here’s my assessment, such as it is:

Ladies:

Despite imperfect short and long programs, the victor was Japan’s Mao Asada. She is a charming sprite of a young woman who, with maturity, may remain a force to be reckoned with. Carolina Kostner, a skater who does not impress me, won the silver. Both Mao Asada and this year’s bronze medalist Yu-Na Kim of South Korea, who is 20 days older than Asada, sat out the 2006 Olympic Games because they were both three months too young. But I can’t help but consider that three U.S. skaters, all too young to compete at Senior World’s (including U.S. Champion Mirai Nagasu) just finished going 1-2-3 in the World Junior Championships. What concerns me is that there seems to be some serious burnout going on with the ladies, none of whom seem to have the staying power (perhaps because of the too-much-too-soon syndrome) of say, a Michelle Kwan. One can only wait and wonder. But the bad news is that because of how poorly the U.S. team performed, the U.S. can only send 2 ladies to next year’s World Championships.

Men:

Jeffrey Buttle skated brilliantly in both his short and long programs to win gold. He is the first Canadian world championship since the days of the extraordinary Elvis Stojko.

I have always been super critical of Johnny Weir, less for his flamboyance and more for his lack of focus and self-discipline. For the entire past season, Mr. Weir has been displaying none of his previous behaviors, he has been training seriously and has been entirely focused on his skating. His infatuation with all things Russian led to him changing coaches to the extremely successful Tatiana Tarasova and her son in law Viktor Petrenko, and it has worked. He definitely earned his bronze medal and I foresee many and better things ahead for him. More important than even Weir’s bronze medal (the only medal earned by any American), is the fact that because he placed third and Steven Carriere placed 10^th, three men will be able to represent the U.S. at the 2009 World Championships. Brian Joubert skated surprisingly well considering his recent and very serious encounter with a most resistant virus which wholly sapped his strength for many weeks, rendering practice impossible. And let’s face it, Joubert is definitely the sexiest male skater in the world today! Next year, if Evan Lysacek is healthy, the men's event should be really exciting!

Pairs:

Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany won the pairs title at the World Figure Skating Championships, and given the unending controversy surrounding their coach, Ingo Steuer which must cast a pall over their training, I cannot begrudge them their victory in any way. I was, however, sad to see China's Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao beaten. Canada's Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison won the bronze. America’s Rena Inoue and John Baldwin and Brooke Castile and Ben Okolski, skated competently but I do believe that our chances next year (only 2 pair may compete in 2009) will be markedly improved if Inoue and Baldwin retire (and they should) and our U.S. Champions who were too young to compete this year, Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker and Castile and Okolski represent our country.

Ice Dance:

Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder won the gold medal. I’m happy for them. Maybe now they’ll go away! I have never liked their skating. At least this year her rather severe patent leather hairdo reflected the chilly reserve they have always exhibited in competition – technically precise and utterly removed from both the emotion of their performance and the audience for whom they are supposed to be skating.. Clearly, skating together for 18 years has paid off for them on a technical level.

On the other hand, I cannot say enough good things about the beautiful skating of Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada who won the silver medal. They are exquisite and technically brilliant. I am underwhelmed (and then some) by the overly flamboyant, technically deficient pair of Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski, who won the bronze. If they are the future of Russian ice dance, it’s in big, big trouble!

Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto disappointed themselves and their fans by placing 4^th. And maybe that’s a good thing. Belbin and Agosto have made no secret of the fact that they are pacing themselves toward the 2010 Olympics. Better a setback of this kind now, than next year in the run-up to the Olympics! And U.S. ice dancers will have three 2009 worlds spots, with up-and-coming Meryl Davis and Charlie White finishing sixth.

It was a great, self-indulgent weekend of enjoying figure skating! And next weekend the “special performances” will be broadcast, and that’s enjoyable. I recorded all of the action and can replay it when the temps outside are 90° to create the illusion of cooler climes!

Congratulations to all who competed. To even make it to the World Championships is an amazing achievement. And to all of you who’d like to see next year’s World’s in person – they are in Los Angeles and you can start planning your trip now by going to www.dashtours.com where I am also exploring the possibility of being there in person – blogging live!

DO NOT EVER DO BUSINESS WITH DIRECTTV!

When I first moved to Virginia, I had DirectTV installed at my new home. The service was appallingly bad (every little breeze seemed to whisper "no service") and the costs, rather than the amount promised, were always at least $20-$30 higher than agreed. Finally, in frustration, I canceled the DirectTV Service and went with Cox Cable.

Imagine my surprise when I checked my bank balance this morning and discovered that the money needed to pay for my car repairs which had been resting quietly in my bank account, was suddenly GONE due to DirectTV, without authorization and without my foreknowledge, raided my bank account for $257+!

I did not have a contract, but DirectTV is claiming I did. There is absolutely nothing I can do about it at this juncture except to warn everyone that they are SCAM artists who can deliver POOR SERVICE and still collect more than was originally agreed to on a regular basis!

DO NOT SUBSCRIBE TO DIRECTTV. Let my experience with these hucksters be your warning!

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA - BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!

Apparently the foaming-at-the-mouth hate-filled sermons of his pastor of 20 years aren't supposed to make us wonder about the true beliefs and intentions of candidate for the Democratic nomination, Barack Hussein Obama, 1^st Term Senator representing the State of Illinois (when he can be bothered to show up and when he can be persuaded to do more than vote “present”).

Recently, the Candidate gave a lengthy speech that was intended to calm the furor over some of the Rev. Wright’s more incendiary sermons, many of which appear to me to be somewhat more political than religious in content. Where is the IRS in all of this and shouldn’t they be dealing with Rev. Wright’s church’s tax-exempt status?

Once again, despite his stated aims of keeping race out of the conversation, Senator Obama’s actions and associations inject the subject directly into the political process. And, despite the Senator’s attempts to blame us nasty old conservatives for this latest brouhaha, this one’s on you Senator. All on you!

First your lady wife opines that only IF you are elected President will she be able to feel proud of America. What a condescending, not to mention asinine point of view for someone whose husband aspires to lead this nation! Michelle Obama grew up privileged (despite her protestations to the contrary) and is still living a very privileged life. She is better off than at least 90% of her fellow countrymen, be they black, white, Latino or Asian and she’s got the unmitigated gall to play the VICTIM card? That’s chutzpah, lady!

As for you, Senator, you were raised in extreme comfort in Hawaii of all places, by two loving WHITE grandparents who saw to it that you had the best of everything. So of course you thank them by spouting the inevitable bullshit victim line of gab! I’m sorry – if you went to Harvard, you ain’t no victim, Senator!

Here’s the deal, Senator: You aren’t a dewy eyed kid and your treacle-laden rhetoric is starting to wear thin with a lot of people – even some of those who have been slavishly adoring you for no discernible reason. Time to come clean because these are not times for taking a chance on insubstantial clouds of obfuscation. The American people have the right to know precisely what they’re buying if they choose to vote for you. I don’t give a rat’s eardrum how well you speak, I want some content, dammit!

IF YOU WANT TO SEE MORONS MARCHING, COME TO THE DISTRICT!

Today our Nation’s capital is being treated to the more-than-questionable joys of multiple protests being held all over the place by anti-war/anti-capitalism/anti-who-knows-what protesters. I don’t know what bonehead issued permits for protesters to bedevil sane, hard-working, law-abiding citizens during the work week, but the person in the District’s bureaucracy who is responsible should have his/her derriere kicked by every single citizen who was irritated or inconvenienced by this asinine rabble.

This, from the protesters' website:
"Twenty-four hours from when we began, we will gather at the Reflecting Pool on the West side of the Capitol at 5:00 PM and march with pots and pans in a cacophony of resistance to the Democratic National Committee Headquarters. Here we will make it clear that we hold them accountable for the death, destruction and lies and that we will . . . continue to take action and intervene in their business until our call for peace is honored and all of our troops come home."

So they started at 5:00 p.m. yesterday, which means they have screwed up TWO return trips home for people who have worked hard all day and who have usually endured a wretched commute IN and will, thanks to these self-involved morons, enjoy a similarly unpleasant commute home. My only comfort is that this time the ignorant horde is pissed off at the Democratic Party! What unbelievably sanctimonious arrogance!

I’m sure taxicab drivers are quickly reaching critical mass, since these petulant idiots are doubtless impairing the taxicabs’ ability to earn a living as well! What we'll face heading home is anybody's guess. Hopefully the pinheads won't create any problems for our progress home.

Why do these offensive twits all show up in our Nation’s capital looking like unmade beds? Do they EVER bathe? Do they believe it makes their activities more persuasive if nobody dares get downwind of them? Do they think that those of us who earn the money that makes it possible for them to be parasitical nincompoops deserve no basic courtesy?

Here’s my bottom line: These activities will accomplish not one blessed thing because however many pathetic losers show up to “march with pots and pans in a cacophony of resistance” they are a negligible percentage compared to the Americans who understand the reality of the world as it is – not as these brain dead cretins imagine the world to be. We cannot defeat radical Islamo fascism by joining hands and singing “Kumbaya”. All yesterday and today’s activities will accomplish is to once again send the wrong message to our enemies who fail to grasp the true workings and nature of the American Republic, not to mention pissing me off!

SPITZER HAS RESIGNED

There is now a lot of conversation along the lines that this entire Spitzer situation will be detrimental to a huge extent to the presidential aspirations of Hillary Rodham Clinton. Clearly she is down one superdelegate – but how else should this harm her? She didn’t give Spitzer the money during the past ten years in order for him to patronize whores, nor did she encourage him to do so. Ergo, how is it something that should cause harm to her campaign? I’m just saying.

While I will grant that one cannot help but hearken back to the peccadilloes of Madame’s erstwhile horndog spouse, I find myself somewhat offended by the entire notion that the actions of a third-party should be considered a black mark against a presidential candidate. Hold Hillary responsible for her actions, positions, agenda and speech, absolutely. Do likewise with both Obama and McCain, as well.

Likewise, Democrats seem to be willfully misunderstanding what Geraldine Ferraro said about Obama. Am I the only one who understands that what was said is that, given Obama’s rather miniscule resume of public service and non-existent knowledge of foreign affairs (ala the disastrous Jimmy Carter), not to mention his not-even-one-term as U.S. Senator – and the fact is that he is completely unqualified on any objective basis for the office he seeks and the only reason he IS being considered is BECAUSE he is the “flavor of the month” – that is, an exceptionally skillful public speaker who happens to be half black and half white? The problem is that Mrs. Ferraro didn’t go far enough in what she said. I don’t think HILLARY would be considered qualified either, based on HER resume, were it not for the fact that she’s a woman! And former first lady.

SHAME ON YOU, ELIOT SPITZER!

Given your sanctimonious mien over the years, people can and should be forgiven for finding your current predicament more than a little delicious! That being said, shame on you!

When you marry, current cultural nonsense aside, you make certain VOWS (aka solemn pledges) to your spouse and one of those is fidelity. Now I realize that situational ethics are a big deal to Democrats – but to most women fidelity means you keep your woo-woo in your trousers unless you are planning to indulge in spousal conviviality!

Already it is clear from the various news sites that Democrats are going to fall back on that old standby that they think has served them so well in the past – it’s just sex! Guess what folks – that probably isn’t going to work in this case. Here’s the deal. It is NOT just about sex. It is about violation of Federal law on a number of important levels – let’s start with the Mann Act since you caused your illicit booty to be transported across state lines. Then there’s the matter of engaging in prostitution activities as a “john” – that’s also illegal. And from the indictment (which I have read in its entirety) and the various news reports, you were a repeat offender!

You have not yet resigned and you should – forthwith. And that trifling excuse for an apology needs some serious expansion and sincerity. As to your wife – she doesn’t need to accept your apology and I hope she doesn’t! The example that you have set for your three daughters is appalling. And you are indeed fortunate that you aren’t the spouse of any of the women in my car pool – you’d have been giving your “apology” from an emergency room where doctors worked feverishly to remove a cast iron frying pan which has justifiably been embedded in your head!

HAS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY COMPLETELY LOST ITS MIND?

That would be my guess as I contemplate the latest infamia brought to us by the moronic twits at the RNC! Bad enough that the Republicans in Congress were such spineless wimps that they blew their first real majority in both houses so completely, leading to the debacle of the 2006 election. It's bad enough that the Republican majority allowed the Democratic minority to basically remove their cojones pretty consistently over the past 7-8 years. And of course, the now-assured nomination of RINO John McCain hasn't exactly warmed the cockles of conservative Republican hearts.

Now, this!

I'm telling you folks, it's enough to make me retch!

WILLIAM F. BUCKLEY, JR. – RIP

Another giant gone from our midst!

I have read virtually every book written by WFB, both fiction and non-fiction. I was a faithful viewer of “Firing Line” and read National Review (with dictionary at hand) from the onset of its publication. Whenever the latest issue arrived, WFB’s column(s) were my first stop within its pages.

There are people who adorn our world with wit, wisdom and pure genius and William F. Buckley, Jr. was one of those. The conservative point of view benefited directly from WFB’s good works throughout his life. One of my favorites of his books is “Inveighing We Will Go” and I think I might wrestle it out of the box in which it is still packed and enjoy it again in his memory! On the other hand, a rollicking good read through one of his 11 Blackford Oakes spy novels might be a fitting epitaph too!

Rest in peace, good and faithful servant. You will be sorely missed.

MY MORMON EXPERIENCES

Here's what I know about Mormons, based solely on my own interactions with them over the years.

A friend with whom I worked at Carnation (now Nestle, U.S.A.) in Los Angeles didn't wish to believe there was caffeine in hot chocolate because he loved hot chocolate. I've known and worked with a number of Mormons and found them all to be forthright (except for that chocolate addiction thingie), moral, cleancut, straightforward and generally, the "salt of the earth" despite their various differences from a Catholic like me.

I learned that you NEVER help a Mormon move. They believe in setting by a store of food to last for many months - so there's one horrendous amount of pantry and often many, many pounds of wheat to make their own bread.

I know that Mormons believe in community in the sense that beyond physical location, a Mormon in trouble or economic turmoil can absolutely count on the assistance of other Mormons to get them through a crisis.

Unlike Scientologists (I encountered way more than my share when I lived in L.A.), the vast majority of Mormons are pretty honest in business, generally quite moral in their lifestyle, and pretty good friends to have. All my Mormon friends are kind, funny and not nearly as boring as Mitt seems to be. They are, in overwhelming percentages, hard working, generous and dependable.

Ignorance is the great impediment to understanding one another - and unfortunately for understanding in this instance, many Americans base all they know about Mormons on The Osmond family!

For those of you who happen to live in Columbus, Ohio - there's a Mormon attorney who drives as though his tailfeathers are on fire! He is, despite that, a good and ethical guy in all other respects. But seriously Theran - Mountain Dew DOES have lots of caffeine.

So would I vote for a Mormon? That depends on the Mormon. I don't choose my favored candidate based on religion, skin color, ethnicity, or gender - I choose my favored candidates based on character, belief system and strength of their dedication to this country's survival.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, THIRD WAVE DAVE!

There is a shortage of good guys out there - Dave is one of them and he is cherished by all of his blogging friends for that reason. He has been an inspiration to me on more than one occasion and were it not for him, blogging wouldn't be nearly as much fun for any of us!

Hope the next 52 will be as productive as the first, with twice the joy!

SUPER TUESDAY - COMING TO A STATE NEAR YOU!

Virginia doesn't have its primary scheduled until 2/12/08, but next Tuesday a plethora of states will be holding their primaries on "Super Tuesday". Some outrageously credulous souls in the Republican Party are saying that because of Senator John McCain's 36% showing in Florida (which means that 64% of Republicans did NOT vote for him), the primary contests are basically over and that McCain is inevitable.

John McCain has served our country in a most courageous and significant fashion and nobody can deny the courage he displayed during the five plus years he endured as a much-abused prisoner of the North Vietnamese. Is it any wonder that he regards even the most benign form of aggressive interrogation as leading to a slippery slope? I don’t agree with him, but I understand his reasoning completely.

That being said, what I cannot overcome is my antipathy to his all-out assault on our constitutionally guaranteed free speech in the form of the McCain/Feingold campaign finance law.

I also felt that the Florida primary campaign was waged in an unseemly fashion. Republicans are supposed to be better than that, or so I was raised to believe.

I also find his legendary temper a troublesome problem, as I’m not sure we want a president with anger management issues of that magnitude. And, last, there is his age. There are myriad citizens of this nation who are the same age as Senator McCain or older who are in roaring good health. But those citizens were not guests of the North Vietnamese for more than five years. So yes, I am concerned about residual effects from that experience.

I am 65 years old and while my health is excellent, there is no denying that my physical stamina and strength are not all that they were even 10 years ago. My mental acuity is far beyond that of the average citizen (and I thank my parents for that genetic windfall) – but again, it may not be what it once was, despite my excellent health.

I do not and will never suggest that conservative Republicans stay home if Senator McCain is nominated. Far better “Democrat Lite” than the real thing – particularly if the Dems’ candidate is Shrillery the Socialist Shrew. And I would remind them of how well sitting on their hands worked during the 2006 elections! But I would be a whole lot happier with a nominee named John McCain if I thought he would choose a true conservative as his running mate, preferably someone who is in extraordinary health and considerably (or even kind of) younger than Senator McCain, and that vice presidential nominee should be possessed of considerable spine and a discernable moral compass. Far beyond pacifying the conservative base, that kind of running mate would assure the nation that we would be in good hands, regardless.

Meanwhile, I don't agree with those who believe that Senator McCain is the inevitable nominee. I still think that Mitt Romney has a shot at the nomination and it is for him I will be casting my vote on 2/12/08. I'm not wild about Mitt either, but I like him a whole lot better for the presidency than John McCain.

HOG HEAVEN!

That’s where I was all this past weekend when NBC did a surprisingly good job of broadcasting the U.S. Figure Skating Championships from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, again from 8-11 p.m. on Saturday and then from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Ice Dancing
This is my favorite part of the event. I only wish that I had ever been 1% of the ice dancer of any of those currently in the top 20 in the world. But it is my opinion – and not even based on national bias – that Tanith Belbin & Benjamin Agosto are superior to any other dance team in the world.

Certainly the controversial results at the European Championships last week give a frisson of déjà vu because it seemed clear to me that once again the judges were giving preferential treatment to the Russian ice dancers Domnina and Shabolin that was wholly undeserved. To me they are all flash and only mediocre technique and unworthy of the high marks they regularly receive.

Belbin & Agosto are the real deal, as are Meryl Davis & Charlie White. They will represent our country well.

Ladies Free Skate
First, let me comment that when only 1 of the top 4 ladies in the competition are even age-eligible to participate in the World Championships or Four Continents, a hard look at the U.S. criteria for this event is needed. Do we really need another wunderkind with endless hip and knee problems, as has been the case with Tara Lipinski? It is my view that there is nothing wrong with these little tiny phenoms gaining a little bit of seasoning and maturity. And, quite honestly, it is irritating as hell to hear them interviewed – they all sound like Minnie Mouse!

All that being said, Mirai Nagasu (gold), Rachael Flatt (silver) and Ashley Wagner (bronze and the only one old enough to actually GO to the World Championships) turned in wonderful performances. Caroline Zhang seemed to falter a bit under the weight of expectations – her own and those of the rest of the skating world – but her joy in her sport was evident in her long program to a far greater extent than in her short program. This is another 14-year old who needs seasoning, despite her beautiful skating.

Kimberly Meissner (former U.S. and World Champion) did herself no favors by skating on a sprained ankle (she placed 7th), but because of the ineligibilities of the children in the competition, she will be going to the World Championships. One can only hope that her ankle has healed somewhat by March. The final member of the U.S. team is Beatrisa Liang, a skater of enormous talent who has had some of the most bizarre bad luck as a skater that I have ever seen. Let’s hope this does not recur in Sweden.

Pairs
Again, the U.S. Pairs Champions are too young to compete at Worlds. However, the skating of Keanu McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker signals the emergence of a brilliant and ultimately highly successful team.

The reliable John Baldwin and Rena Inoue will be competing at the World Championships as the team leaders, but they will most be remembered for John’s actions after the Free Skate, when he dropped to his knees and proposed marriage to his partner! Talk about emotional! They will be joined at the Worlds by Castile & Okolski and Vise & Trent (as alternates).

Men
I respect Johnny Weir (and at age 23 it might be time to be just plain “John”) as an athlete but have always felt he lacked focus and intensity – not to mention plain old common sense. He is so flamboyant he makes Rudi Galindo look conservative by comparison.

Evan Lysacek is another story. Other than my on-going quibble about his ever-present 5 o’clock shadow, I have always both respected and enjoyed his skating. He has enormous courage and intensity, outstanding technical ability and a commanding presence on the ice. He is quite tall for a skater and he uses what could be a disadvantage in his own favor with his exceptional carriage and line.

All that being said, last night’s men’s program was historic. These two men laid down brilliant programs, both ever-so-slightly flawed, and in the end each of them scored a total of 244.77 for a numerical tie, an unprecedented result. Because Lysacek had scored 1.35 points higher in the long program, he was declared the U.S. Champion for the second year in a row.

And this too is one of my quibbles with John Weir – he freaking pouted! For heaven’s sakes. You skated your best; someone else won – get over yourself! Man up, at the very least!

MY SUPPORT AND MY MONEY ARE GOING TO . . . FRED THOMPSON

I have been critical of Thompson in the past (who hasn’t) for running an unfocused campaign. But tonight, he was magnificent. When Fred talks about the future of the party he becomes animated, passionate, and most importantly, makes good sense. His answers to almost every question were thoughtful, measured, and exuded a competence that only perhaps Mitt Romney has ever matched. Here is a serious man thinking deeply about serious issues. No half cocked chest beating on foreign policy questions like those given by Huckabee. No talking points economic blather like that given by Mitt Romney. Fred’s answers penetrated to the heart of the matter and revealed rather than obscured his positions.

Said by Rick Moran in his excellent analysis of last night’s South Carolina GOP debates.

Like Rick Moran, I am definitely rooting for Fred Thompson to achieve the nomination. I have been attempting to psyche myself into being enthusiastic for McCain, but I just cannot do it. His time has come – and GONE. As the man who represents the kind of President I want for our country in these perilous times, Fred Thompson is the only one who makes sense to me. The extraordinary Pam Meister also agrees as you can see here.

TO CONTRIBUTE TO FRED: GO HERE!

UPDATE: 1/22/08: What a great effect my endorsement has had on the campaign. I endorse Fred Thompson and Fred Thompson drops out! And I cannot help pondering the possibility that endorsing someone I really dislike . . . . naw - it won't ever happen!

R.I.P. CHRISTOPHER BOWMAN

He was blessed with good looks and stupendous talent! He was cursed with major drug and alcohol dependency issues which ultimately led to this 2 time U.S. Champion's death at age 40 in a seedy motel in California.

Anyone who has tapes of Christopher Bowman when he was "on" should replay them tonight to remember the incredible raw talent possessed by this still-young man who is now gone forever.

R.I.P. Christopher. A lot of people admired and loved you. I don't think you ever knew how many or how much.

TALK ABOUT THE KISS OF DEATH!

Breitbart reports in an article this morning that Senator John F. Kerry plans to endorse Senator Barack Obama at a press conference today.

Yes indeed, that will make a difference!

NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY RESULTS

So Hillary Rodham Clinton managed to pull her fat out of the fire in New Hampshire! Yes, it was no small feat. No, it doesn’t prove anything other than that, just maybe, people are finally realizing that Barack Obama is an empty suit. A doggone polished empty suit, but full of high flown rhetoric and very little substance, other than his decidedly left-wing mindset – a trait shared with Herself.

This campaign has already lasted 13 months and at the moment I find myself weary of the posturing, the evasions, the egos and the insanity that has occurred on both sides of the political spectrum!

What none of these candidates seem to realize is that whatever damage they do to each other during primary season will continue to hurt their respective parties come the General Election campaign.

So to both sides, I respectfully suggest: He/She may be a son-of-a-bitch/bitch, but he/she is YOUR son-of-a-bitch/bitch and you probably are going to need to work with each other in the future.

And an aside to Bill Clinton: This one isn’t all about YOU and we’re sick of you anyway! Just shut the heck up you has-been! I don’t even LIKE Hillary and I’m sick of you dragging her down! Let her win or lose this one on her own! You never garnered 50% of the national vote anyway – where did your reputation as this great political master come from.

You bet I’m cranky today.

SHE’S JOKING, RIGHT?

"You know for both Sen. Edwards and Obama, they've been given pretty much a free ride and that's fine," Clinton said. "I don't mind having to get up there and take all the scrutiny. But at some point the free ride ends, maybe it ends now, maybe it ends in a month maybe it ends in the general election. You cannot be elected president if you do not withstand the tough questions."

Thus spake Hillary Rodham Clinton during the New Hampshire campaign's closing hours. This is a woman who will not answer substantive questions, who claims interviewers are being unfair and picking on her if they try to ask a tough question, no matter who is posing those questions, so she is hardly in a position to criticize anyone on the basis of a “free ride”!

Thomas Sowell’s latest column is a reminder that we are seeking to elect a PRESIDENT who will serve this country for four years and whoever that president happens to be, the consequences will be with us, for good or ill, for a very long time.

We still must hear from that senile old fart Jimmy Carter far too often. Bill Clinton simply will NOT go away! George H.W. Bush has had the good grace to keep his mouth shut (as all former Presidents used to do before the ill-mannered, self-centered Carter and Clinton occupied the Oval Office). In addition, we are still suffering the results of Carter’s indefensible handling of the Iran situation when he first betrayed a long-time American ally, the Shah, and then utterly mishandled the hostage crisis. And the endless failures of the Clinton administration have led us to the current War on Terror.

Sowell opines that a president’s temperament is a defining factor in our choice. He deems Thompson, Romney and Giuliani to be the most even-tempered of the Republican candidates and John McCain as the least. On the Democratic side, he doesn’t have a good word in this department for ANY of the candidates. Character DOES count and none of the Democrats running have demonstrated to me that they possess ANY character at all.

NICE DREAM, NOW OVER!

The Ohio State Buckeyes is a team comprised of relatively inexperienced players and, as such, were not expected to do much this season. Instead, the team confounded the pundits and made it all the way to the National Championship game last night, where they lost to LSU in what was a really enjoyable football game.

I lived (until May 2007) in Columbus for 13 years and I can tell you that the entire city is in mourning right now, but their love affair (and my own) with the Buckeyes football team will continue. Any city where the classical music station plays the OSU fight song frequently is a city irrevocably in love with its University and that University's football team. So CONGRATULATIONS to LSU. They earned their victory and should enjoy it to the utmost.

There's always next year, folks! And whatever else you can say about OSU football, it's a very dependably strong franchise with a GREAT coach in Jim Tressell!

REALITY MEETS HUBRIS!

And as a result, Herself placed third in Iowa!

Got a question though. Iowa has 0.98% of the U.S. population and New Hampshire has only 0.48%. Why then are their votes considered to be so crucial!?

HE'S KIDDING, RIGHT?

In this article, Robert Novak predicts that the winners in the Iowa caucus will be Obama and Romney. The jaw dropping paragraph however is the following:

Ever since finishing second in the Iowa straw poll last August, Huckabee steadily climbed here in Iowa, aided by his evangelical pedigree, his sincerity and the freshface factor, and less critical press coverage than any other candidate. Polls of likely Republican caucusgoers consistently showed Huckabee ahead throughout December, but more recent surveys are a mixed bag, showing slippage by Huckabee.

Is Novak SERIOUS or just a besotted idiot? The candidate who consistently and long term has had less probing, critical press coverage than any other candidate is Hillary Rodham Clinton, that well known Spawn of Satan, to whom the press never addresses anything other than fawning encomiums! And anyone who DARES ask her even the most mildly probing question is routinely and immediately charged with picking on the little woman!

I find it fascinating that this so-called brilliant feminist is so quick to deploy behind the façade of helpless womanhood when it suits her purposes.

However, she is running for a position that requires brains, will and courage in exceptional quantities. Unless she is willing to DEMONSTRATE those qualities to the electorate by answering substantive questions, she has no moral right to expect our votes. Unless she can demonstrate some actual ACCOMPLISHMENTS in her public life – HER accomplishments, not Billy Jeff’s – then she is guilty of arrogant hubris in seeking our support.

Bottom line, based on my observations, she is only moderately intelligent, hardly a nice human being and a serial liar on all subjects.