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April 30, 2006
Player of the Week - 5/1 - Steven Colbert
Steven Colbert wins this week's Political Sports Player of the Week Award for his superb performance at the White House Correspondent's Association Dinner last week. Editor and Publisher reports
Colbert, who spoke in the guise of his talk-show character, who ostensibly supports the president strongly, urged Bush to ignore his low approval ratings, saying they were based on reality, "and reality has a well-known liberal bias."
He attacked those in the press who claim that the shake-up at the White House was merely re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. "This administration is soaring, not sinking," he said. "If anything, they are re-arranging the deck chairs on the Hindenburg."
Colbert told Bush he could end the problem of protests by retired generals by refusing to let them retire. He compared Bush to Rocky Balboa in the "Rocky" movies, always getting punched in the face - "and Apollo Creed is everything else in the world."
Turning to the war, he declared, "I believe that the government that governs best is a government that governs least, and by these standards we have set up a fabulous government in Iraq."
He noted former Ambassador Joseph Wilson in the crowd, just three tables away from Karl Rove, and that he had brought "Valerie Plame." Then, worried that he had named her, he corrected himself, as Bush aides might do, "Uh, I mean ... he brought Joseph Wilson's wife." He might have "dodged the bullet," he said, as prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald wasn't there.
Colbert also made biting cracks about missing WMDs, "photo ops" on aircraft carriers and at hurricane disasters, melting glaciers and Vice President Cheney shooting people in the face. He advised the crowd, "if anybody needs anything at their tables, speak slowly and clearly into your table numbers and somebody from the N.S.A. will be right over with a cocktail."
Observing that Bush sticks to his principles, he said, "When the president decides something on Monday, he still believes it on Wednesday -- no matter what happened Tuesday."
Also lampooning the press, Colbert complained that he was "surrounded by the liberal media who are destroying this country, except for Fox News. Fox believes in presenting both sides of the story - the president’s side and the vice president's side." In another slap at the news channel, he said: "I give people the truth, unfiltered by rational argument. I call it the No Fact Zone. Fox News, I own the copyright on that term."
He also reflected on the alleged good old days for the president, when the media was still swallowing the WMD story.
Addressing the reporters, he said, "Let's review the rules. Here's how it works. The president makes decisions, he’s the decider. The press secretary announces those decisions, and you people of the press type those decisions down. Make, announce, type. Put them through a spell check and go home. Get to know your family again. Make love to your wife. Write that novel you got kicking around in your head. You know, the one about the intrepid Washington reporter with the courage to stand up to the administration. You know -- fiction."
He claimed that the Secret Service name for Bush's new press secretary is "Snow Job."
Colbert closed his routine with a video fantasy where he gets to be White House Press Secretary, complete with a special "Gannon" button on his podium. By the end, he had to run from Helen Thomas and her questions about why the U.S. really invaded Iraq and killed all those people.
I think it took a great amount of courage to be that forthright with the President in the room. In addition, the speech was amazingly funny and politically sharp. We don't always want to hear the truth.
Posted by Chip Spear at 10:21 PM | Comments (5)
April 29, 2006
Living With War
Here is a link to listen to Neil Young's new CD, Living With War. It is free. Let me know what you think.
Posted by Chip Spear at 9:58 AM | Comments (0)
April 28, 2006
Republicans Thrown For Another Loss
Daily Kos has ongoing details of the erupting Republican sex scandal. (DK)
Sometimes when things go bad, they go REALLY bad.
Posted by Chip Spear at 11:24 AM | Comments (0)
The NFL Draft and Mid-Term Elections
I am soooooo sick of all the media attention about the NFL draft and the mid-term elections. In both cases the media can't seem to think about much else. It is definitely a case of networks, newspapers and magazines having too little to do, or competely losing sight of the big picture of events. Prognosticating is certainly fun, to a certain extent. I like to think about the future and try to figure out what might happen, it is fun, sort of. However it is more than a little bit like staring at your navel....a waste of time.
I have heard way too much information about draft picks. Everyday a new analysis comes out about Vince Young. He didn't take enough snaps under center during his college career...so he drops 3 slots. Matt Leinhart ran a pro-style offense, up 2 slots. 15 articles each week repeating the same stupid stuff. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, I love that name, moves up as the others drop, so does Mario Williams. Now today Vince is picking up steam and up to #3 in SI's mock draft. (SI) STOP already.
And then there is the endless banter about the mid-term elections. Every day we hear more about the impending collapse of the Republican majority. Who is going to lose, what Dems will win. And what about the Senate, can the Dems take that too? Who is vulnerable? Where are the tight races. This has been going on for months. The party nominations haven't even been finalized. In addition, many races aren't decided until the last couple of weeks, or days. Talking about this once in a while is fine, but not all the time. It is like focusing completely on the NFL draft, or spending all your time thinking about next year's Super Bowl. Get a life....watch the game and shut up for a while.
Posted by Chip Spear at 11:03 AM | Comments (2)
Hastert Fumbles
Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House, left a news conference on gas prices in a politically correct hydrogen car, but changed to his politically incorrect SUV when he thought he had escaped reporters. (AP) Sorry.....
Posted by Chip Spear at 9:45 AM | Comments (2)
April 26, 2006
Prosecutor Plays Game According to His Own Clock
Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald has Karl Rove back before the Grand Jury investigating the Valerie Plame leak. (AP) He obviously is ensuring that he is playing properly and not reacting to the needs of the media or the public.
Rove consulted with his private lawyers before a scheduled afternoon court appearance and was prepared to answer questions about evidence that emerged since his last grand jury appearance last fall, the person said, speaking only on condition of anonymity because of grand jury secrecy rules.
That new evidence includes information that emerged late last year that Rove's attorney had conversations with Time magazine reporter Viveca Novak during a critical time in the case.
Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald met with the grand jury Wednesday. Among other things he is investigating why Rove originally failed to disclose to prosecutors that he had talked to Time magazine reporter Matt Cooper about the outed CIA operative, Valerie Plame, back in 2003.
Posted by Chip Spear at 1:38 PM | Comments (0)
The Today Show and the Duke Lacrosse Scandal
I watched a segment on The Today Show this morning. Matt Lauer interviewed the President of Duke and the President of North Carolina Central University. He repeated tried to provoke the two gentlemen by questioning the scandal, their reactions and the process that Duke implemented to find the truth to the tragic events of the lacrosse party and alleged rape. I have followed the case fairly closely and the thing that strikes me is that there are many unanswered questions on both sides of the issue. Nothing seems too clear about either the guilt or innocence of the two guys accused of the rape. Neither does the woman have a clean bill of health. In addition, her friend gave two different versions of what transpired at the house. I have read way too much conflicting information to know what actually occurred. For anyone to accuse anyone with certainty at this point seems grossly irresponsible.
Matt tried to make much of the fact that the lacrosse team was known for problematic behavior, drinking, lewdness and general rowdy actions. I would contend that that sounds like almost any group of college athletes. All the ones I know hold rowdy parties, with lots of alcohol and as much lewd behavior as they can get away with. What is new about this? Not much. Mr. Lauer seemed more intent on fanning the flames of controversy instead of bringing new insights into this horrid affair.
I suppose we should keep in mind that the intent of his show is to get high ratings, not necessarily find the truth. He can act like he is seeking accuracy, but the end goal is drawing viewers, which mean more money. We should never lose sight of his motives.
Posted by Chip Spear at 9:12 AM | Comments (1)
April 24, 2006
There Are Many Nasty Players in the World Game
Robert D. Kaplan, national correspondent for The Atlantic, writes a provocative article on threats to the U.S. in yesterday's Washington Post. (WaPo)
We are entering a well-armed world, with more players than ever who can unhinge the international system and who have fewer reasons to be afraid of us. That's why a resentful state leader, armed with disruptive technologies and ready to make use of stateless terrorists, poses such a threat.....
We face a world of unfriendly regimes, even as our European allies are compromised by burgeoning Muslim populations and the Russians and Chinese deal amicably with dictators, because they have no interest in a state's moral improvement. Never before have we needed a more unified military-diplomatic approach to foreign policy. For the future is a multidimensional game of containment.
If you agree with his contentions, then it is no time for the U.S. to follow a single line of attack. We must diversify our offense and defense, employing every conceivable tactic. Conventional military options are not enough to stop new threats.
Posted by Chip Spear at 5:06 PM | Comments (1)
Fabulous Fumble of the Week - 4/10 - The FBI & CIA
Sometimes you can only shake your head in disbelief and wonder about life. Here we are in the middle of a war against Muslim extremists. Plus there is that "other" little excursion into Iraq. Osama is wandering around, ostensibly in the mountains of Afghanistan or Pakistan. We don't know where, though he keeps producing tapes calling for our destruction. And what is the FBI doing? They are trying to get ahold of the papers of Jack Anderson, a now dead columnist who exposed numerous government foul-ups. The FBI wants to examine over 180 boxes of material to see what he knew. Most of that material is from the 50's, 60's and 70's. Talk about a waste of time. Considering the state of the country and the current war is this really worth it?
And what about our spooky agency? These days they are busy giving lie detector tests to their employees. Intent on stopping any leaks that might expose illegal government activities like secret prisons, the CIA is spending time and energy doing the White House's bidding. Too bad they don't wander into the White House to see who might be leaking false information to expose real agents and slander real citizens who provide hard facts about non-existent WMD that conflict with the Administration's agenda. Maybe they should try to find Osama, what do you think?
So, rather than give this week's Award to one person, we present our Fabulous Fumble of this week to two agencies, the FBI and CIA. Congratulations.
Posted by Chip Spear at 3:26 PM | Comments (3)
Player of the Week - 4/24 - Tyler Drumheller
Tyler Drumheller wins this week's Political Sports Player of the Week Award, for his hard body slam to the administration on 60 Minutes last night. Tyler, reiterated what many suspected, which is that the administration chose to ignore clear evidence that Saddam had no active WMD program. Drumheller, former head of covert operations in Europe prior to the invasion. With a few swift jabs to the gut, Tyler told the story of a high ranking Iraqi official with direct ties to Saddam, who told the CIA that Saddam had given up his dirty programs. He went on to say that though the Administration was excited about turning this official, they lost interest as soon as it was obvious he would not support their WMD excuse to attack Saddam.
Josh Marshall points out that this raises still more questions about the Congressional report supposedly clearing the White House of blame for misleading the public twisting intelligence for political purposes, because Drumheller told the same thing to the congressional committee investigating the White House. That information never made it into the report written by Republicans.
Stay tuned for White House reaction.
Posted by Chip Spear at 12:17 PM | Comments (3)
Something Different
This blog doesn't have anything to do with sports, or politics, however it is a very interesting blog. Explore, especially the interactive toys. It is fun, interesting and could be a bad time waster. It is a very special place.
Posted by Chip Spear at 10:57 AM | Comments (1)
April 22, 2006
Playing With Iran
As we engage more with Iran, over Iraq, terrorism and nuclear development, we should keep in mind that they are not playing the same game, or at least they are not playing by the same rules. If you read the TNR article linked in my post yesterday, you will know that the Iranian leadership has a very different perception of human life. They were, and still are, more than willing to send tens of thousands of young children to their death, clearing minefields and acting as a first attack wave against enemy combatants. We, on the other hand, go crazy when our death toll crosses 2000 soldiers. The major media reports every casualty on the nightly news.
Sit down at the table and play poker. How far are we willing to go? Iran is willing to suffer huge death tolls, we are not. How do you bluff? What do they want that we have? Why should they give up their nuclear program? Do you think they really care about our threats? Would an attack on their nuclear facilities really stop their program? We don't even seem to know where many of their labs and factories are, since many are underground or dispersed around the country. If we did attack they would probably respond with terrorist attacks against the U.S. Are we ready for malls, busses, trains, and packed stadiums to explode? I doubt it. In a game of chicken they seem to have a better hand.
Posted by Chip Spear at 11:45 AM | Comments (0)
April 21, 2006
Read this and let me know if you think we can negotiate with Iran?
A chilling analysis of Iran and its current leader. (TNR)
It would be wise to keep this in mind when trying to "negotiate."
Posted by Chip Spear at 3:46 PM | Comments (3)
Did You Get Off the Couch This Week?
Here was my workouts, helping me "Get Off the Couch"
Monday - Swim 2100 yds, mix of distance and sprints
Tuesday - 1/2 hour yoga (it was supposed to be an off day, but I got a new yoga DVD I wanted to check out
Wednesday - 1 hour of yoga
Thursday - 11 miles of roller-blading
Friday - 2000 yds. swim, mix of distance and sprints.
Saturday - plan on 2 hours of water polo
Posted by Chip Spear at 3:27 PM | Comments (0)
Very Interesting Article on Threat to U.S. Navy
I have read numerous articles in recent years about a Russian rocket torpedo that supposedly has the capability of traveling over 200 knots underwater. Iran recently announced that it had a sonar evading torpedo, similar in nature. Read the analysis of the threat. The article is long and fairly technical, but well worth the read. (MIL)
Posted by Chip Spear at 12:03 PM | Comments (1)
April 20, 2006
The White House Shuffle
Ah, so many changes, I just can't keep it all straight, or is it a case of the more things change, the more they remain the same. I don't intend to add too much more to the already endless discussion about the meaning of these changes. A couple of things strike me though. I don't see any of these changes as being particularly substantive. They are more like window dressing. No major player is gone. No infusion of new blood.
Imagine you are coaching a team. It isn't doing well. The playoffs are looming, the fans are screaming, the team keeps losing. What do you do? Do you pull a couple of players off the bench, give them more minutes on the floor, have them run the same offense and defense and expect more wins? I doubt it. You make a trade, you get new blood. You look in the mirror, take a good look at yourself, get some respected advice, try a new offense, new plays, something. Is that happening? I don't think so.
So why not? Why hasn't Bush made any big changes? I would contend that one only changes when you admit that you are screwing up. You need to admit failure to change. Bush should know this sort of thinking from AA, if he went to AA. We get a sponser to help us, a guide. In this case the guide probably should not be Dick Cheney. However, I don't think he feels that things are wrong. One doesn't get the sense that he feels he is failing. Until that happens I doubt he will relegate his leading players to the bench.
Posted by Chip Spear at 2:27 PM | Comments (0)
The American Economic Miracle
Tom Toles has an interesting take on the U.S. economy in the Washington Post (WaPo)
Posted by Chip Spear at 10:55 AM | Comments (1)
April 19, 2006
Bush's Press Secretary Scott McClellan Resigns
Resigns....oh sure......We believe that. I suppose it matters. The entire strategy of the Administration will change because of the "resignation" of Scott. You bet. Think Progress reports that he might be replaced by Fox News' Tony Snow. (TP) Ha, ha, ha....that is really funny, just like so much else about the White House...a tragic comedy.
Posted by Chip Spear at 9:51 AM | Comments (1)
April 18, 2006
I won't be on Subject 2 Discussion tonight
Due to a last minute schedule change, I will be on next week, same bat time, same bat channel.
Posted by Chip Spear at 8:37 PM | Comments (0)
There are always new ways to make money off Katrina when you are VP
Our Vice Illustrious Leader scores more financial rewards. This time he took advantage of some nice old loopholes from Katrina hurricane relief. From TaxProfBlog
It appears that the VP is a major beneficiary of the Hurricane Katrina tax relief act. In particular, he claimed $6.8 million of charitable deductions, which is 77% of his AGI -- well in excess of the 50% limitation that would have applied absent the Katrina legislation. The press release indicates that the charitable contribution reflects the amount of net proceeds from an independent administrator's exercise of the VP's Halliburton options -- apparently, the VP had agreed back in 2001 that he would donate the net proceeds from the options to charities once they were exercised.
The press release seems to confirm, at least implicitly, the VP's efforts to take advantage of the Katrina legislation -- it mentions that the Cheneys wrote a personal check of $2.3 million to the administrator in December in order to "maximize the charitable gifts in 2005." Admittedly, I don't know anything about the transactions beyond the info in the press release, but my gut reaction is that the personal check was given in order to make sure the independent administrator had sufficient liquid assets to pay all of the promised charitable contributions before the 50% limit returned on 1/1/06.
Despite the importance of the Katrina legislation to his tax return, it looks like none of the charitable contributions actually went to Katrina-related charities (the press release lists the 3 charitable recipients, all of which were designated in the original 2001 gift agreement). While there's nothing inappropriate about that from a legal perspective, it does demonstrate how the legislation, which was sold to the public as providing relief to Katrina victims, provided significant tax benefits to the VP (and potentially other wealthy individuals) in situations that have nothing to do with Hurricane Katrina.
What a play!
Posted by Chip Spear at 2:35 PM | Comments (0)
Plans for Ira(q/n)
Is it the old Quarterback Sneak? Read here
Much of the quote is from the increasingly quoted Cobra II, which I am still reading.
Posted by Chip Spear at 1:50 PM | Comments (0)
Duke Lacrosse
Karen Russell at Huffington Post writes about the Duke lacrosse rape scandal (HuffPo)
I'm also wondering what we should call her? Victim? Accuser? Single mom? Exotic dancer? Part-time student? Stripper? If you are Tucker Carlson, you call her a "crypto-hooker" and if you are Rush Limbaugh, she's a "ho".
Nothing like fair, balanced reporting, or that un-American concept "innocent until proven guilty." There are many unanswered questions about this case. I read reports about the woman, then more reports about the team and the party and I come out confused. I am not sure what to think, but to uncategorically blame one side in this is reprehensible. It appeals to the worst of our sensibilities. Until all the facts are known, I think it behoves anyone with half a brain to keep an open mind.
Posted by Chip Spear at 1:30 PM | Comments (2)
Subject 2 Discusion
Join me this evening at 10:30 Eastern Time on Subject 2 Discussion, an Internet Radio program hosted by the always interesting and amusing Shaun Daily. You can listen by going to LVRocks, then click on "Listen". It is always a fun time for me.
Posted by Chip Spear at 12:39 PM | Comments (1)
Player(s) of the Week - The General Revolt - 4/17
Six retired U.S. Generals have recently called for the resignation of Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld. The fact that so many high ranking officers are speaking out against the Sec. of Defense is unprecedented in modern times. Given the nature of the military, is in not often that officers will ever question the tactics or strategy of their commanding officers. These men felt so strongly that Rumsfeld's policies and demeanor were so counter-productive to long term success in the war against Muslim fundamentalism (I refuse to use the term "war on terror") that they decided to call for his removal. The result is a national debate of the leadership of Rumsfeld and his arrogant manner of leadership. From his earliest days he has implemented an agenda that often clashes with experienced military men and women. He never served in the military, never studied military tactics or logistical operations, yet he has been only too quick to demand that the military follow his orders. One only has to read the first 100 pages of Cobra II, the great book by Michael Gordon and Bernard Trainor, to get a clear sense of how this man operates.
Earlier Friday, retired Gen. John Batiste, who called for Rumsfeld's resignation, said the recent criticism is "absolutely coincidental" and said he did not know of any coordinated effort to discredit the defense secretary.
"I have not talked to the other generals," Batiste said on NBC's "Today" show. But, he said, the demands for Rumsfeld to step down are "happening for a reason."
Also calling for Rumsfeld to resign were retired Army Maj. Gen. John Riggs, retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni, retired Army Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack, retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton and retired Marine Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold.
Their unusual and tough minded decision to call for Rumsfeld's resignation wins the six men this week's Player of the Week Award.
Posted by Chip Spear at 11:37 AM | Comments (2)
Bolton and Bush Making Changes?
Is the new White House Chief of Staff Making changes at the White House? (NYT) Rumor has it, however I would think that the man is merely resting a couple of players instead of actually changing anything.
Even as he poked fun at the way "little flickers of gossip start moving" about a possible staff shake-up, the president suggested that more changes would be coming in the White House and possibly in the cabinet.
Unless we see Rove, Cheney, Rice or Rumsfeld go, I would contend that nothing substantive will actually change. The White House will still act the way it has the past five years. All underlings will follow in lock step. Does anyone actually think that changing the Treasury cheerleader will affect how the adminstration plays with the economy? Having Snow resign or Scott McClellan replaced will do little to change Administration strategy or tactics. Those folks are all role players at best. Unless and until Bush changes some of the major players on his team, we are stuck watching a game of three card monte.
Posted by Chip Spear at 10:53 AM | Comments (1)
April 17, 2006
Dirty Player Needs Bath
When you play a tough game you get a little dirty. This little article is amusing and disgusting.
When Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad got an anonymous text message suggesting he didn't wash enough, he did not take it lying down.
He fired the president of the phone company, had four people arrested, took other legal action and accused those involve of conspiring with the Israeli foreign intelligence service Mossad, according to the Iranian opposition website Rooz Online.
Posted by Chip Spear at 2:17 PM | Comments (2)
Weekend Warrior Update
Workout
Friday - Swim 2050 yds.
500 warm up
250 kick
4 x 200 yds free
2 x 200 yds breast
6 x 25 yds fly
Saturday - Swim
500 warm up
250 kick
2 x 200 yds back
5 x 100 yds free
5 x 100 yds IM
4 x 25 fly
6 repeats on the Water Bottle drill - take a 5 gallon water bottle to the deep end of the pool. Fill it (you will have to adjust for your own ability). Turn the bottle upside down, lift over your head, let it drain as you tread water using an egg-beater kick. Repeat
Sunday - off
Monday - Swim
500 warm up
250 kick
1250 swim
Posted by Chip Spear at 12:41 PM | Comments (3)
April 14, 2006
G.W. and The Carlyle Group
I picked up Amy Goodman's book "The Exception to the Rulers" and though it is decided left leaning the book has some interesting things to say about the state of our state. I found this very interesting analysis of OIL (Our Illustrious Leader) and The Carlyle Group.
Although Bush was paying his respects to a former payhmaster, not everyone at Carlyle was happy with the relationship. On April 23, 2003 Carlyle founder and managing director David M. Rubenstein spoke to the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association, some of whose members were pushing to divest from his company. Journalist Suzan Mazur obtained a tape of Rubenstein's remarks, which then aired on Democracy Now! after Mazur broke the story in Progressive Review.
"When we were putting our board together, somebody came to me and said, 'Look there is a guy who would like to be on the board. He's kind of down on his luck a bit. Needs a job. Needs some board positions. Could you put him on the board? Pay him a salary and he'll be a good board member and be a loyal vote for the management and so forth.'"Rubenstien continued, "We put him on the board and he spent three years. Came to all the meetings. Told a lot of jokes. Not that manay clean ones.....I kind of said to him after about three years, 'You know, I'm not sure this is really for you. Maybe you should do something else because I don't think you're adding that much value to the board. You don't know that much about the company.' He said, 'Well, I think I'm getting out fo this business anyhway and I don't really like it that much. So I'm probably going to resign from the board.' And I said, 'Thanks.' Didn't think I'd ever see him again.
"His name is George W. Bush. He became president of the United States. So, you know, if you said to me, 'Name twenty-five million people who would maybe be president of the United States,' he wouldn't have been in that category. So you never know."
Hmmmmmm.
Posted by Chip Spear at 10:08 AM | Comments (4)
Connections to the Leak
23 Administration officials are connected to the Valerie Plame leak according to Think Progress. (TP) It is worth a read, if for no other reason to add to the discussion of the current state of the White House and its continual denials.
Posted by Chip Spear at 10:04 AM | Comments (2)
Exercise
Political Sports pushes action, by that I mean life is not all politics, nor is it all spectator sports. You have to get up off the couch, get outside and do some good old fashioned exercise. It is our mission here at PS to get the world moving, in more ways than one. So how is our mission to slim down America going this week? What have you done for exercise?
My exercise schedule this week:
Sunday - 12 miles of in-line skating
Monday - 2200 yards swimming:
500 yds warmup,
250 kick.
500 yard swim,
2 x 200 yds free,
2 x 200 yards breast stroke
6 singles butterfly
Tuesday : off
Wednesday: bike 20 miles
Thursday: run 5 miles
As Nike says, "Just Do It"
Posted by Chip Spear at 9:55 AM | Comments (0)
April 11, 2006
Fabulous Fumble of the Week - 4/10
Not even close. Before the White House leak blew onto the scene I was sure the flap with Cynthia McKinney would win, but the revelation that the President declassified documents for political purposes without going through normal procedures or notifying anyone other than Cheney and a couple of others on his staff was too much to ignore. The President and White House win this week's award in a walk.
Posted by Chip Spear at 9:43 AM | Comments (1)
April 9, 2006
Read This
Occasionally we find a special thought, a speech or quote that brings one to pause, to take a break and think about the issues confronting us. Please take a few moments, click on this link and read the e-mail to Andrew Sullivan in a post called Revenger's Tragedy. It is truly something important to consider. (AS)
Posted by Chip Spear at 9:12 PM | Comments (2)
More Great Workouts
"Dana" suggested a good site for women to get advice on health and exercise, Women's Fitness.(WF) The site has tons of information on diet, exercise, nutrition, etc. There is also much more information related to yoga than you normally find on men's sites. I don't do yoga too often, but it is a regular part of my exercise regime. Yoga is still too much a female activity in this country. It is a great way to get in shape, plus a wonderful way to stretch your muscles and joints. Great site, so check it out. Thank you Dana.
If others of you know of good sites to get advice on exercise, please let me know and I shall pass them along.
Yesterday, I played water polo with some college age guys for about 90 minutes and the day before I managed to swim 2250 yards. I think I am going roller blading later today. It is quite a nice spring day.............I hope you get out and do something today too.
Posted by Chip Spear at 11:25 AM | Comments (2)
April 7, 2006
A Great Workout
For those of you sports and exercise fans and wannabes who were appalled at the recent obesity report by the Federal Government, I found a terrific exercise program at Men's Journal (MJ)
The only equipment you need is a sturdy chair or two. I did this last night and broke out in a great sweat after doing 12 rounds. You don't have to do that many, or do more if you want, but it is quick, you get your heart rate up and develop some strength. My legs are aching today. Try it, get healthy. You can even do it watching the baseball game.
Posted by Chip Spear at 4:40 PM | Comments (1)
Woman's BB Coach, 28, Dies of Arrhythmic Ailment
A young coach from West Point died today of an arrythmic heart attack. She recently led the women's Army team to its first NCAA tournament. It is always a shame when something like this happens under any circumstances. Political Sports offers condolences. (AP)
Posted by Chip Spear at 4:23 PM | Comments (0)
McClellan Bobs and Weaves Through White House Briefing
Hey, even TPM Muckraker likes the sports metaphor. (TPMMuck) Muckraker has a transcript up of this mornings White House press conference with Scott McClellan. That guy is moving so fast up there that I can hardly see him.
QUESTION: Did the President authorize the leak of intelligence information?
Scott McClellan: Terry, there is an ongoing legal proceeding, and our policy has been that we're not going to comment on it while it's ongoing. And that remains our policy. You will recall, if you go back to that time period that you are referencing, that we did declassify information relating to the -- in the National Intelligence Estimate, to provide that information to the public. That was provided on July 18th, I believe was the day, of 2003.
QUESTION: And since you put it in a context, is this the same information that Mr. Libby cites in his affidavit?
Scott McClellan: That's a question relating to an ongoing legal proceeding and, as you know, I can't get into commenting on that. We want to make sure that there is due process, that there is a fair trial, and that we don't do anything to jeopardize an ongoing legal proceeding.
There is more, lots more.......and it is all fun.
Posted by Chip Spear at 12:17 PM | Comments (1)
How Do the Republicans Justify This
Is this American? Is the President above the law, answerable to no one? Do the Republicans say that the President can do anything he wants as long as it MAY fit into the terrorist agenda? The Washington Post reported (WaPo)
In response to a question from Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) during an appearance before the House Judiciary Committee, Gonzales suggested that the administration could decide it was legal to listen in on a domestic call without supervision if it were related to al-Qaeda.
"I'm not going to rule it out," Gonzales said.
In the past, Gonzales and other officials refused to say whether they had the legal authority to conduct warrantless eavesdropping on domestic calls, and have stressed that the NSA eavesdropping program is focused only on international communications
The Republican response will be interesting.
Posted by Chip Spear at 10:44 AM | Comments (0)
DeLay is Still Swinging As He Goes Down for the Count
Tom DeLay might know that he is going down for the count, but he hasn't stopped swinging. (AOL)
Supporters of U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay protested at an event Thursday held by the Democratic candidate for the congressman's seat, and the event quickly dissolved into a shouting and shoving match. Police were called, but made no arrests...
DeLay campaign manager Chris Homan said he organized the protest but DeLay, a Republican, didn't know about it.
Did he actually not know about it? Maybe yes, and maybe no. Given his track record I would not put too much faith in the veracity of his campaign statements, but only they know for sure.
Posted by Chip Spear at 10:09 AM | Comments (0)
April 6, 2006
OIL (Our Illustrious Leader), Cheney, Libby and the Leaks
I never went to law school, I am not a lawyer, I am not sure of the exact legalities of the leak, however, after reading and watching more than one analysis I am reminded of something my grandfather said, which is a cliche, "If it walks like a duck, quakes like a duck, and looks like a duck, it's a duck."
Posted by Chip Spear at 7:33 PM | Comments (0)
America is Fat
Yesterday the government reported that approximately 2/3 of Americans are fat and almost 1/3 qualify as obese. IT IS TIME TO GET OFF THE COUCH AND STOP EATING JUNK FOOD!!!!
It is time to start a mission for America to get in shape. Men's Journal has a great Health and Fitness section (MJ) with fabulous workouts plus some good eating tips. Let me know if you are aware of good sites for women. I will look around for some good sites for women too. I will post more info and links as I find it.
Remember to take a walk today. Climb the stairs instead of taking the elevator.
Posted by Chip Spear at 1:17 PM | Comments (1)
Cheney and Bush Authorize Libby Leaks
MSM reports that the President and Vice President authorized Scooter Libby to leak classified documents. (NYT)
Vice President Dick Cheney's former top aide told prosecutors President Bush authorized the leak of sensitive intelligence information about Iraq, according to court papers filed by prosecutors in the CIA leak case.
Before his indictment, I. Lewis Libby testified to the grand jury investigating the CIA leak that Cheney told him to pass on information and that it was Bush who authorized the disclosure, the court papers say. According to the documents, the authorization led to the July 8, 2003, conversation between Libby and New York Times reporter Judith Miller.
There was no indication in the filing that either Bush or Cheney authorized Libby to disclose Valerie Plame's CIA identity.
But the disclosure in documents filed Wednesday means that the president and the vice president put Libby in play as a secret provider of information to reporters about prewar intelligence on Iraq.
I don't know the legal ramifications but it sure seems like dirty pool to me.
Posted by Chip Spear at 1:05 PM | Comments (0)
April 4, 2006
Quite a Quote
Eliot Spitzer just said on CSPAN of the Republicans:
"No party has ever done so much for so few who need so little."
Thanks to Buck Batard at Bad Attitudes.
Posted by Chip Spear at 3:46 PM | Comments (0)
April 3, 2006
Player of the Week - 4/3 - John McCain
John McCain's performance on Meet The Press, with Tim Russert, wins him this week's Political Sports Player of the Week. He did a masterful job of bobbing, ducking and weaving, evading the toughest of Tim's body punches and stinging right hooks. He even managed a few good counterpunches. If you would like to see a replay of the interview you can find it here. (C&L) Watch my video to get this week's analysis of the award performance.
Posted by Chip Spear at 12:57 PM | Comments (3)
April 2, 2006
A Few Good Men
I was channel surfing last night and stumbled onto the last 15 minutes of "A Few Good Men". Tom Cruise's scene with Jack Nicholson brought up some interesting parallels to our present situation. Check out the video.
Posted by Chip Spear at 9:18 PM | Comments (1)
April 1, 2006
April Fools
It is late on Saturday night, April 1st, April Fools Day. So yesterday, in my video I said to stop by and I would let you know my April Fools joke for this year. Do you know? Well, we have been fooled, most all of us. The joke, unfortunately is on us. And who pulled off one of the biggest jokes on the world? Our Illustrious Leader (OIL), G. W. Bush. Oh, how partisan you say, so left wing. Perhaps, but consider; a war based on lies costing at least a trillion dollars, thousands of deaths, tens of thousands of injuries that are not properly cared for because of budget cuts, absolutely huge budget deficits, increasing income disparaties between the rich and poor, mismanagement throughout the government, a joke of a Department of Homeland Security, the New Orleans disaster, a mounting energy crisis that the administration refuses to adequately address, serious education issues related to "No child left behind", a medicare prescription drug program that helps only the drug companies and no one understands, global warming that "needs more study" as the ice caps melt, Osama bin Laden still running around Afghanistan, Islamic fundamentalism growing throughout the Middle East, Iran and North Korea developing nuclear weapons and supporting terrorists, the country becoming increasingly politically and culturally polarized, lobbyists controlling our government, a President ignoring laws on whim, illegal wiretaps, leaking the name of CIA agents.....I could go on, but you get the idea. America voted him into office. The joke is on his supporters and unfortunately the rest of us, who failed to defeat him....twice.
Posted by Chip Spear at 10:29 PM | Comments (2)