Open Thread

Another Shabbas with a Yom Tov.

Have a good weekend.

Shabbat Shalom

Star Wars to go small UPDATE

From TheForce.net:
100 episodes
1 hour each
based on a spinoff character
Lucas will direct first season
write season one at one time
film season one at one time
takes place between ROTS and ANH
---
Now, I know George doesn't read this blog, and even with my limited connections, I'm going to do all I can to get cast in this series. I can use a British dialect but I root for the nice guys (I won a Jedi Warrior award in 8th grade).

For your Star Wars pleasure:
Nick "Winters": Hey, wait a minute! This is the Nick "Winters" show, and I do the entertaining, thank you! Let's go out with something really hot for these folks, alright? A big hit on the '77. [singing] "Ah.. Star Wars! Nothing but Star Wars! Gimme those Star Wars.. don't let them end! Ah.. Star Wars! If they should bar wars.. please let these Star Wars stay-ay! And, hey! How about that nutty Star Wars bar? Can you forget all those creatures in there? And, hey! Darth Vader in that black and evil mask - did he scare you as much as he scared me-e-e-e?" [ turns and screams when he finds Paul the Pianist wearing a Darth Vader mask ] My seventh winter up here! [singing] "Star Wars-s-s-s!"

Almost done...

Finals have officially started, since my last class ended today at 9:30 AM.

The Kenton Co. Summer Picnic will be on August 28, 2005. I may be at that. I just hoped Fletcher and gang fixed the clock at the park.

Network programming causes a move of the President's conference. Why give him free advertising? It's sweeps month. Nobody wants to see a guy who can't pronounce things when they would rather be watching The O.C.

Read the comments here. Is that behavior one would expect from Democrats? I mean, the guy was a Senator for crying out loud!

Rick Ankiel begins conversion to the outfield. The former pitcher went 1-4 in his debut.

Ankiel hopes that the media and fans will let him work on his game in Springfield.

If he wasn't in Springfield, Ankiel said, "you would probably be talking to the man who hit that walkoff" home run, referring to Tyler Minges, who came into the game in the eighth inning for Ankiel and homered in the ninth to win the game 2-1 for Springfield.

"Our manager will determine where to hit him and what he wants to do with him," Bruce Manno, director of player development, said before the game. "As long as he's healthy we're excited to get him in there."

The 25-year-old Ankiel, once one of the Cardinals' brightest prospects, decided to stop pitching in March on a day he had been scheduled to make a "B" game start, and devoted his efforts to making it back to the major leagues as an outfielder. He had been plagued by wildness and elbow surgery in 2003 before pitching for the Cardinals last September, his first appearance in the majors in more than three years.

Manno said the back injury likely was caused by Ankiel's position switch. He also was afflicted by blisters early in the conversion process.

"It was more muscular than anything," Manno said. "It flared up on him and we had to really back him off, and once he felt he could do some things and felt good, we started giving him more activity."

Ankiel was always considered a very good hitter for a pitcher, with a .207 career average and two homers, a double, a triple and nine RBI in 87 major league at-bats. After being demoted due to wildness in 2001 he impressed as a designated hitter for the Cardinals' rookie league team in Johnson City, Tenn., when he hit 10 home runs.

Ankiel signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals earlier this month after clearing waivers. He has spent his entire career in the St. Louis organization after getting drafted in the second round out of high school in 1997.

I remember watching him losing his strike zone. I just wish that he had played for Louisville.

Did John Rocker lose his strike zone? I wish him the luck hge'll need to survive in New York. I'm a forgiving person.

Marc Maron will perform at Go Bananas in Cincinnati, OH on Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 7.

Evan Bayh ended his opposition to the trade representative-designate.

Under the deal announced Thursday night, Bayh instead will get the Senate Finance Committee to discuss his Stop Overseas Subsidies Act during a hearing to be held no later than July 15.

And Portman promised Bayh he would meet with Indiana manufacturers during a visit to the Hoosier state at a date to be worked out.

In a press statement, Bayh said, "My hold was never about Representative Portman's qualifications. It was an attempt to focus the attention of the administration and the Congress on the problems of unfair trade."

Bayh's spokesman, Dan Pfeiffer, added in a telephone interview that a key to the agreement was Portman's pledge to include an examination of China's subsidy practices as part of an overall review of U.S.-Chinese trade.

What about the other bill?

I'n not worried. Evan Bayh will win.

"She's either going to pass muster or not. I think it's an open question," said Paul Maslin, pollster for one of Clinton's potential rivals for the Democratic nomination, Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh.

"What will matter more?" asked Maslin. "All the attitudes people have about Hillary that date back to the Clinton administration - or her on her own, in her own right, as a senator from New York, casting votes, speaking out?"[...]

Maslin, the Democratic pollster, suggested that there are so many special aspects to a Clinton candidacy - her sex, her status as former first lady, her husband's role - that the calculations become uniquely tortured.

"It's very interesting, because she is both early and late in her political career," Maslin said. "Early, from the standpoint that she is only 4 1/2 years into being a U.S. senator, with a record that's still taking shape. ... How liberal is she? Is she now a New Yorker or is she from Arkansas or from Illinois? And late, from the standpoint she has now been in a very prominent way on the public stage for almost 15 years, and certainly longer than anybody else that's considering running next time."

Is Clinton, he asked, one of those people capable of remaking themselves and rewriting the political rules?

Or "is she burdened so much by the past, it will be hard for her to sort of step out of that clothing?"

Send a message to NBC by selling all your stock in General Electric. They dropped American Dreams.

Meanwhile, word is that the fate of NBC's "American Dreams" has now been sealed, and the period drama, long considered a long shot for renewal, will not return next season. NBC declined comment Thursday.

Dick Gephardt will speak at WUSTL's commencement. I hope to meet him sometime.

Former U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt, who recently established the Gephardt Policy Institute at Washington University, is gearing up to give the commencement speech there on May 20. The primary focus of the institute is to encourage young people - regardless of their political persuasion - to participate in the political process and public service because they are noble undertakings. Several of Gephardt's former staffers have taken that message to heart. Former aide Chuck Banks is preparing to kick off his campaign on May 6 for presiding commissioner of Jefferson County; while another former aide, Kevin Gunn, has recently become a Webster Groves city councilman.

Jay Reiff to manage Bob Casey, Jr.'s campaign. I still back Dr. Chuck Pennacchio.

Bob Wiltfong is in the news.

The weekend is full of other events, including a rap battle, a fake business seminar starring Bob Wiltfong of The Daily Show and what could be the final appearance of the soon-to-split sketch duo Superpunk.

Word has it that he will be in Louisville later this year but I will have that confirmed much later.

Zell Miller hospitalized

AP:

Former Sen. Zell Miller fell ill while giving a speech Thursday night and was taken to a hospital emergency room. His wife said he had flu-like symptoms.

Miller, 73, was in stable condition at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, according to nursing supervisor Tammy Harbison. She said she did not know what made Miller ill. The hospital said Miller was alert and cracking jokes, but would likely be kept overnight.

Miller, who gave a fiery keynote speech against fellow Democrats at last year's Republican National Convention, left the Senate in January.

He was Georgia's governor from 1991 to 1999.

Senator, I may not be your biggest fan but The Kentucky Democrat wishes no suffering on anyone. Get well soon so we can see you on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

is our children learning?

CNN is Cable News Network!

Tom Brokaw was on NBC!

Cronkite was on CBS!

To be ignorant is depressing. Learn your history folks!

I sure hope Jaywalking wasn't scripted.

Quote of the Day

"The new prime minister is a Shiite, the new president is a Kurd, and of course as always, the new transportation secretary is Hispanic."
--Jon Stewart, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, April 28, 2005

Oy vey!

Tony Gwynn is suspended after critcizing the way the Mountain West Conference is run. When asked for comment, he said "I don't want to talk about the past."

One of my favorite programs did not air tonight. Another one wasn't even on tonight. So what did I do after rushing from class to watch it? Worked on a project and looked up old newsletters.

You are probably wondering whether or not it was Drew Barrymore who broke the curse, right? Well, you're wrong. It was this guy, below, who heads up the money in Kentucky. Yep, that's right, Jonathan Miller broke the curse during last year's convention. Credit should be given to the Nov. 15, 2004 issue of the Miller Times.

One class left after tonight!

Rep. Nancy Pelosi has hired Reva Price.

A congressional Democratic leader hired a top Jewish official to run the party’s outreach to the community.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the minority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, hired Reva Price, Washington director of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the umbrella body for Jewish community relations councils. Price will liaise with the Jewish community and also will deal with women’s issues.

The late-May departure of Price, who set up the JCPA’s Washington office eight years ago, leaves two top positions vacant, as the JCPA has yet to replace its executive director, Hannah Rosenthal, who resigned in January.

This is a good move for the Democratic Party.

For the first time since 1968, the St. Louis Cardinals have started off with 14 wins in the first 19 games. In 1941, they started out with a 15-5 record. The current record ties club history as the Cards won 14 games in 1963 during the month of April.

Turning the countdown clock from 69 to 68 if the game gets started is Marine Corporal Eric Shelvy.

Jeff Bingaman has only raised $230,000 during the first quarter.

Today's Update

It's my errand running day. Math project due tomorrow and rough draft of English paper due today. Then, I need to stop by the Communication department to grab my quiz results from telecommunications in order to study for the final. Also, I need to contact the DLC with regards to the convention because I'm not sure if I should have recieved my invitation by now. I know the dates and location but haven't rceieved an official invitation yet--and I don't remember what address I used.

Comedy Central is expanding their talk shows. Was Jon not enough?

The cable network has picked up D.L. Hughley's half-hour talk show pilot, ordering 39 episodes of the project hosted by the actor-comedian and executive produced by late-night talk show veteran Robert Morton, who has worked with David Letterman since his NBC show.

Tentatively titled Weekends at the D.L., the talker will run at 11 p.m. Friday-Sunday for 13 weeks.

The show, which will be unveiled officially at Comedy Central's upfront presentation Tuesday in New York, complements the network's The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, which runs in the time slot Monday-Thursday.

No decision has been made on a companion piece for the Stewart-hosted mocu-newscast to run at 11:30 p.m., with several projects, including a talk show hosted by Adam Carolla, in the running.

Al Franken is making the move back to Minnesota. Ah, Senator Al Franken. I like the sound of it. He may be a comedian, but he is an intellectual.

"I'd rather be part of [the process] than commenting on it," he insists. But he pauses, shrugs indecisively, a boyish chuckle follows. "I think. I don't know. That might be part of the calculus of whether I go for it or not." Whether Franken will "go for it" in 2008, against freshman Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, remains to be seen. "I can tell you honestly, I don't know if I'm going to run," Franken continues, as we now sit 41 floors below his studio, in the skyscraper's courtyard. "But I'm doing the stuff I need to do, in order to do it."

That stuff includes moving home to Minnesota after three decades away. He's buying an apartment in Minneapolis, and moving his radio show to the Twin Cities. He's talking about political action committees and fundraising with key state and national Democrats, looking to raise money for candidates in the 2006 elections. After years of stumping for Democrats nationwide, he has some chits to cash in. "He has national reach; his name and who he is will attract small contributors and large contributors from all over the country, so a lot of little folks too," says Democratic strategist Joe Trippi, who managed Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign. "In that way he's like the Dean campaign because he's really somebody that can energize not just Minnesota but around the country, to get involved and contribute."[...]

You could see both the promise and the risk of Franken's comic background when he did his friend Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion one Saturday night early in April. Keillor is one of those who originally asked Franken to consider entering politics. At the New York studio broadcast, Franken did a long, moving monologue about his working-class dad. "My dad loved comedians, especially George Jessel, and he loved Henny Youngman and Buddy Hackett," Franken says. "We're Jewish, OK?" The crowd is cracking up.

Travis Ford will pay $150,000. That's more money than I can even imagine.

NKU Softball Update

The new record holder for the longest winning streak in D2 is Northern Kentucky. They set it yesterday with a 2-1 victory over Ashland. In the second game, they won 10-1.

Stephanie Leimbach has an 18-game hitting streak, which is 18th all-time in D2.

Quote of the Day

"Not the Hammer of Thor crashing to Earth."
--Jon Stewart, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, April 27, 2005

Bonus:
"Is anyone at CNN awake?"
--Jon Stewart, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, April 27, 2005

WY: Jeremiah Brewer for WY Dems Secretary

From my good friend, Jeremiah Brewer:

This Saturday is the WY Democratic Party State Central Committee Meeting. Remember, I'm pursuing State Secretary - 3rd highest position in the party. In keeping with recent tradition though, I'll probably lose. Maybe not.

I have faith that Jeremiah will win this race. I wish him the best of luck as he pursues the position of Secretary.

I'm calling this one...

In his latest diary on Daily Kos, Tim Tagaris labels Peter O'Malley as a DLC member due his his moderate ideology beliefs. O'Malley is not referenced to anywhere on NDOL. Tim is doing some great things for the Democratic Party, including working for Dr. Chuck Pennacchio, but I gotta call him on this one.

Just because one is a moderate, it doesn't automatically mean they are a DLC member.

Peter O'Malley is running against Christine Cegelis in the IL-6 Democratic primary. IL-6 will be an open seat due to the retirement of Rep. Henry Hyde.

I'm staying neutral in this race. Perhaps, Corey can tell us more in the comments.

Just a quick one...

Ed Kilgore has linked to a post I made earlier today.

The GOP is going to reverse an ethics rule that blocked a Delay probe. Good. Once they realize what they did was stupid, Democrats will make a comeback.

A congressional aide said that changing the rules will mean "a couple of great days for Democrats" but that Republicans have calculated this will deny them long-term use of the ethics issue heading into next year's midterm elections.

Can we say that Jack Conway will join Ben Chandler in Congress? Jack is my dark horse for KY-3. I know the guy but I haven't heard of any decisions made.

JibJab's video for "Matzah." Very hilarious and not political at all.

Mitch McConnell, I think you are wrong.

Senate GOP Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee has no choice but to press ahead with a vote to try to end the use of filibusters on judicial nominees. His chief vote counter, the shrewd Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, insists that they have the votes to change the rule – and give the president the conservatives he wants. But if McConnell really was sure he had the votes, he wouldn’t be out there declaring victory in advance.

We should have run Dr. Dan Mongiardo in 2002 rather than last year. McConnell needs to lose his seat in the Senate. He is not worthy of Henry Clay's desk. Granted, I admire his stance on Israel, but that's it.

A College Republican speaks out in favor of the filibuster.Steve Funaro, a NKU College Republican, writes:

A filibuster is a device used in the Senate to delay or prevent a vote by time-consuming talk. It can be stopped only by a super majority 60-member vote of the senators that are present and voting. Filibustering has of course stopped the voting on the judges, thus keeping them from being appointed. The Republicans, as of late, have been talking about changing the rule so that it's a simple majority to end it. Normally, I agree with most of the things the Republicans do, but not this time.[...]

I don't know what the answer is. The only thing I do know is that they should not do away with the filibuster.

Perhaps if the Republicans started playing hardball instead of tee-ball, they wouldn't be being pushed around by a minority in Congress.

Bill Frist is beginning to backfire. Contact him now and ask him to hold a vote on Sen. Bayh's legislation.

My friend, Kay Panabaker of Summerland, turns fifteen (15) on Monday, May 2, 2005. I wish her a happy birthday.

Politicking in Ohio? Uh, there will be more in Columbus in July. I plan to be there.

Just this week, Ohio is hosting visits by former Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards, Sen. Hillary Clinton and the nation's Republican Party chairmen. Earlier this month, President Bush visited Kirtland to push his Social Security proposal and Karl Rove, chief political strategist for Bush and the GOP, gave a speech in Ashland.

San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy has submitted his official letter of resignation. I wish him the best of luck.

Evidently, Marc Maron wrote a book. I don't think he is the Moshiach.

Mark Grudzielanek hit for the cycle in 6 innings. Chris Carpenter had a memorable 30th birthday.

Mensch of the Week: U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall

The Texarkana Gazette writes about Hall's generous aiding of his challenger from 2004.

But a recent event in our own back yard has caused a blip on that radar.

U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall, R-Rockwall, whose district this extreme northeastern corner of Texas has recently fallen into, held a fund-raiser for his Democrat challenger, Charles Nickerson of Pittsburg.

A prominent, longtime Republican helping his also-ran Democrat challenger pay of his campaign debts?

Truly, it's all part of what a kinder, gentler nation is all about.

All kidding aside, this sort of assistance across party lines is quite refreshing and encouraging.

It's raised a few eyebrows throughout the region but there don't appear to be any ulterior motive on Hall's part. He was once a Democrat.

This gentlemanly gesture sets a good example and speaks well of political liaisons and leadership in our area.

It wasn't anything Hall was obligated to do. He said he was compelled to do it because Nickerson ran a clean race against him.

Area Democrats and Republicans turned out to attend the fund-raiser.

Think of it as an example of the adage one good turn deserves another.

After a particularly nasty election year, it's nice to know two candidates didn't sling the mud and extend goodwill toward one another in this manner.

It certainly a different site than we are used to when Republicans and Democrats get together.

More often than not, politics raises those hackles of hatred against the other party and it leads to labeling and intolerance of views other than our own.

As a result of this mentality, we become Republicans, Democrats, liberals or conservatives based on our views.

Oftentimes, during all this bickering and name-calling, we forget we are Americans first and foremost.

As Americans, we have certain freedoms and privileges many in this world do not enjoy.

One of those freedoms is the right have differing views and opinions.

Of course, those differing views are what birthed this country and political parties.

But those differing views should make us foster cooperation and compromise, not division and demeaning ways.

The campaign between Hall and Nickerson and the resulting fund-raiser to assist Nickerson should remind us we can get along despite opposing political views.

It takes tolerance, open mindedness, compromise and a respectful attitude toward others' views.

It's what should always be on our collective radars whether we're talking politics or other subjects.

This is what the political system is all about. Helping each other instead of one man fending for themself. I applaud the Republican congressman from Rockwall

MD: Benjamin Cardin for Senate 2006

Rep. Benjamin Cardin has announced he will run for Senate. He has my endorsement in his campaign.

Rep. Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.), a 10-term Baltimore congressman, made his announcement Tuesday at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. The 2006 campaign will produce a replacement for Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.), who is retiring. Kweisi Mfume, who recently stepped down as president of the NAACP, also has announced his intention to run in the Democratic primary. The likeliest Republican candidate is Lt. Gov. Michael Steele.

Cardin, 61, has been in politics since he was elected to the state House of Delegates at 21. He is a member of a well-known Baltimore Jewish family.

His congressional campaign site can be found here.

I knew it!

That sportscasting bug was brief. I'm so predictable like that. I never said I would give up on acting/comedy and I'll always be a political blogger.

But, gosh darn it, I wish I could star in a movie with you know who...Natalie Portman. If you were suprised by that comment, have you been living in a cave.

Oh and about the comedy show, the season wrapped this past Monday evening. I want to publicly thank, once again, the following people for coming on the show as a guest: SGA Senator Paul Myers, former SGA VP Trey Orndoff, Secy. of State Trey Grayson, State Treasurer Jonathan Miller, and Kenton Co. Democratic Chair Kathy Groob.

I don't have the sort of budget to bring A-list celebrities on the show. I should be back on the air in the fall but not as often. Writing a show is very time-consuming. Not having a cast gives more dead air. Oh, and did I mention my co-producer, Rob Johnson, is not well-liked around the studio. I dislike him as well. When Trey Grayson was on, Rob wanted to run onto the set and complain that I was going on for too long. I'm like, who cares?!? Rob should not be allowed to have a show.

Happy Birthday to Chris Carpenter. He gets the mound tonight as he turns the big 30. Enos Slaughter was born on this date in 1916. Former Cardinal reliever Ken Dayley will turn it from 70 to 69 today at Busch Stadium. St. Louis is 13-5 for the first time since 1982.

Uh, oh, someone's in trouble

Station violates political prohibition.

Louisville's cable Channel 19 made a mistake in airing the Justice Sunday telecast from Highview Baptist Church because it violated station guidelines prohibiting endorsements of political candidates or parties, a station official said yesterday.

The Rev. Lucinda Laird, rector at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church and president of the station's board, said David Schraffenberger, general manager of the channel that broadcasts religious programming, made the decision to carry the event at the request of Highview Baptist.

Justice Sunday was intended to rally support among conservative Christians for a proposal to end filibusters of President Bush's judicial nominees by Democrats in the U.S. Senate.

Laird said Schraffenberger did not consult the station's board, whose members are from each of the station's three partners -- the Baptist Coalition, including the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Highview and other Baptist churches; the Kentuckiana Interfaith Community, a consortium of diverse religious organizations; and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville.

Laird said the channel's executive board members agreed that airing the program was inappropriate. She said steps were being taken to make sure the board considers special programming in the future.[...]

The telecast, organized by the Family Research Council, a Washington, D.C., lobbying group, featured conservative Christian leaders. Other religious leaders, including Baptist, Episcopalian, Jewish and ecumenical representatives from around the country, criticized the event as an effort to paint those who oppose the Bush nominees as anti-religion.

Laird, who participated Sunday in a demonstration against the Justice Sunday event, said airing the demonstration on Channel 19 would not have been appropriate, either.

"We believe in a strong separation of church and state," she said. Laird called the Justice Sunday event partisan and divisive.

The Rev. Dan Odle, minister of music and worship at Highview, said the church asked the station to run the telecast because members had asked if it would be on television. There wasn't enough space in the church sanctuary for everyone who wanted to attend, he said.

"I can understand what they're saying," Odle said. "We just thought it was something we wanted to educate our people on."

Garry Gupton, minister to adults at Highview, declined to comment on whether it was appropriate for the station to air the broadcast. "We're not going to get into the business of running their television station," he said.

Gupton said, however, that the program did not endorse political candidates or parties. "The only thing asked was that senators do what they are constitutionally mandated to do, which was to vote" on judicial candidates, he said.

Laird said judicial filibusters are a partisan issue, and the event's organizers presented only the Republican side. The participation of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a potential presidential candidate in 2008, on videotape during the telecast "crossed the line" into partisan politics, she said.

The Rev. Joe Phelps of Highland Baptist Church, whose church is affiliated with Kentuckiana Interfaith Community, said he's conflicted about whether Channel 19 should have run the broadcast. He said on one hand it allowed people to see for themselves what was occurring, but he said it also was "very political" and violated the channel's guidelines.

Lawrence Smith, vice president of communications at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Channel 19 board member, said if the issue had come to a vote he would have voted in favor of airing the telecast but he wouldn't have minded if other board members did not approve. Southern seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. was one of the main participants in the Justice Sunday event.

Cecelia Price, chief communications officer for the archdiocese and a member of the station's executive board, said, "We don't think it should have run" because of its political nature and "out of respect for the diversity of our membership."

Price said the board needs to consider programs such as Justice Sunday that are out of the ordinary to ensure they meet station guidelines.

I'm very disappointed in Garry Gupton. I wish he was still a sportscaster for WHAS.

Man, I'm tired

Note to self: Don't stay up to watch Conan when you have a frickin' 9:00 class to wake up early for!

We've got us a feud here. Senators John Kerry and Mark Dayton. However, it is Sen. Kerry that is on the offensive. I've met John and his brother, Cam. Both are very nice guys. Cam personally replied to my letter from the Jews for Kerry rally in Cincinnati last October. But this behavior is very childish between the two Senators.

A fuming John Kerry had "daggers in his eyes" after a fellow Democrat promoted Hillary Rodham Clinton for president — suggesting the 2004 loser is green with envy at a potential rival.

The flap was touched off two weeks ago when Clinton spoke at a Minneapolis Democratic dinner and Sen. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.) told the cheering crowd that he was introducing "the next great president of the United States."

Two days later, Kerry came over to Dayton on the Senate floor "with daggers in his eyes and said, 'What are you doing endorsing my 2008 presidential opponent?'...He was very serious," Dayton told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.[...]

Kerry spokesman David Wade tried to make light of the story, claiming "some lines must have gotten crossed in his retelling of this particular conversation" — and insisted they were mostly "joshing" about hockey.

But Dayton's office says the "daggers in his eyes" report was accurate and Dayton has no quarrel with it.

At the April 9 Minnesota dinner, Dayton made it clear that touting Clinton for president was his own idea, saying it was an "unauthorized" introduction — but she did nothing to dispute it.

The best part was this line: Clinton's office declined comment but a friend tut-tutted: "Boys will be boys, even when they are senators."

I admire Sen. Kerry for running for President. However, this behavior is wrong. John, just head over to the dugout so Senator Evan Bayh can step up to the plate...in 2008!

Quinnipac must be a huge Jon Stewart fan. So many articles in my Google alerts from this paper dealing with...who else but Jon Stewart.

Through satire, we are presented with an opinion or an issue in a humorous way. Humor can change the way we think about certain issues. And, for people that are not completely aware of a specific issue or incident, satire could provide a better understanding of what is going on.

One example of how satire brings awareness to the issues is the popular Comedy Central 'fake' news program The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. On this program, Stewart provides a humorous outlook on issues that involve both world affairs and pop culture. Such issues as the war in Iraq and terrorism are addressed through humor by using real footage and Stewart's sharp wit. The program, at times, even parodies the way that television media covers events on network news and 24-hour cable news channels, usually by showing a montage of clips from coverage taken from actual news programs. The result is a rapid-fire lampoon on the entire news media and the way that the public views.

SNL is next!

Studio 8H, where the long-running sketch comedy show is filmed, will be completely refitted with high-definition equipment by next October.

Will George be #44? I tend to think no.

Go Evan Go. Bill Frist, take lesson. We won't stop and we will not walk away.

The University of Kentucky has approved a practice facility. Best of luck with raising funds.

What's Joe say?

"President Bush's plan to privatize the program would do nothing to save Social Security — in fact, it would hasten its day of reckoning," said Lieberman. "We need a real, bipartisan plan to strengthen this vitally important social safety net, not a privatization plan that weakens it."

Now, for the love of everything holy, can the other Democrats stop the Joe-bashing? How can we be united when they are divided?

Tina Fey pregnant? Good thing that she mainly justs sits at the desk.

Early news flash for Weekend Update: Word has it Saturday Night Live star and former Second City mainstay Tina Fey and her husband, SNL songwriter Jeff Richmond, are expecting their first child in September. Congrats!

Mazel Tov!

So true:

It's become blood sport to knock Fox News, political shoutfests, and the pancaked heads of local broadcasts. And, honestly, without them, where would Jon Stewart or any other comedian be?

I don't know. In line for Episode 3, I guess.

Quote of the Day

"There is nothing coool about smoking...there's nothing cooler than to be yourself, that's one to hurl your feces on."
--Jon Stewart, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, April 26, 2005

Louisville on the Daily Show

"Louisville" was not butchered. Could we have been on for Thunder instead? No mention of Jonathan Miller speaking at a counter-rally?

Colbert says "Eastern Kentucky."

How sad

RIP: The Family Sitcom

Photo Caption

Choose your caption!

What to do...

DLC Conversation July 23-25
CDA Convention July 21-23

Throw in a cousin's wedding on July 30 and a Brewers game on July 16th. I think the DLC will do. Now, if they would reply to my emails...UGH!

Oh, and the NKU Democrats elected a new board. I have no hard feelings. I'll be busy enough with the show and Americans for Bayh, and the athletic dept. here.

Star Wars to go small

George Lucas has made an announcement.

No, he is not making the final trilogy. Instead, he will create a live-action series that takes place in between Star Wars: Episode III--Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV--A New Hope. Also, it appears that

He announced that he is going to produce a 3-D animated action series expanding on the Cartoon Network's Emmy-winning Clone Wars.

Here's some more on that live action show...I have always been a Star Wars fan and it's been a dream of mine to hold a lightsaber on-screen in a Star Wars film. This is close enough. Just a matter of getting the right connections. Yea, I know, I sorta have one but let's just say--he hasn't met Natalie Portman yet even though they were at the SAME city at the SAME time for the DNC. Of course, Natalie Portman is doubtful to be in this--unless they show flashbacks.

Lucas said the live-action series is the more ambitious undertaking, attempting to translate the magic of the Star Wars universe to the small screen via supporting characters that fans have only briefly come to know from the movies. The filmmaker added that the show will also be similar in tone to the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, the TV adventures inspired by his other mega-franchise.

"We're probably not going to start that for about a year," Lucas said. "Like on The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, we want to write all the stories for the entire first season all at once. I'm going to get it started and hire the showrunners and all of that, then I'll probably step away."

It is not known whether the two TV projects were the basis of a highly publicized Internet rumor a few months back speculating on future Star Wars adventures.

Lucasfilm has yet to make an official announcement on the new shows. The company doesn't even have a deal in place with a network to air either series because it's been marshalling all its minions for the hugely anticipated May 19 release of Revenge of the Sith, the final prequel.

This isn't the first occasion Lucas has packaged Star Wars for the boob tube. First, there was the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special in 1978, which Lucas has disowned. Then, after 1983's Return of the Jedi, he hatched two made-for-TV spinoffs, 1984's The Ewok Adventure and 1985's Ewoks: Battle for Endor, both of which were largely derided by Star Wars fans for focusing on the relatively tame deeds of the furry critters at the expense of action-packed escapades of cooler characters.

Lucas' infatuation with Ewoks continued with the Ewoks cartoon series, which was paired with another kiddie-themed 'toon, Droids, focusing on the mishaps of R2-D2 and C-3PO. Those shows ran from 1985 to '87.

In other news, George Lucas will be on a show set in Orange County.

And lest you think you've seen the last of Darth and the gang on the big screen, think again. Lucas appeared at last month's ShoWest exhibitors convention in Las Vegas and announced that, starting in 2007, he'll rerelease all six episodes, beginning with the original Star Wars, in IMAX digital 3-D.

Meanwhile, the typically media-shy filmmaker is gearing up to make his own splash on the small screen. He's scheduled to guest star as himself on the May 12 episode of Fox's The O.C.. The plot: Lucas becomes interested in a graphic novel written by Seth (Adam Brody) and invites him to dinner to offer some sage advice. Seth is forced to choose between taking Summer to the prom or hanging with George.

There will be some Star Wars news as we get closer to the big enchilada. Now, if only I had an agent.

Afternoon, folks

But before I continue my research paper on the impact of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on the news, I wanted to make a few updates.

Congrads to Senator Bayh. He finished the Big Sur International Marathon in 103rd place of the 40-49 age group. This is a 26 mile marathon. His health should be no problem. I'm impressed. I wonder if Sen. Bayh reads this.

The National Jewish Democratic Council responded to the mess that went on this weekend. Oh, and a religious conservative invoked the Shoah.

Jewish leaders have been appalled. ADL National Director Abraham Foxman said that "playing the 'religious' card is as unacceptable as playing the race card." The president of B'nai B'rith International, Joel Kaplan, said, "Without doubt, the whole idea of judicial independence is under attack. ... I just don't know how far this will encroach on the separation of church and state before the electorate calls a halt to it."

And Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, said, "When leaders of the Republican Party lend their imprimatur to such outrageous claims... it should be of deep concern to all who care about religion. ...[Frist's] association with the scheduled telecast is, in a word, shameful."

What Senator Frist refuses to acknowledge -- what we all know to be true -- is that the separation between church and state in America grants every American a level of religious liberty that is envied around the world. It is because of this separation of church and state that faith in America has flourished; this separation helps faith, while protecting Americans of all faiths from religious or governmental coercion.

James Dobson, a well-known member of the religious right invoked the Holocaust. I denounce his comments and I ask all Jewish Republicans to do so as well.

DOBSON: And in 1973, the Roe v. Wade decision, the Supreme Court labored forth and came to us with the abortion decision that all abortion is protected by the Constitution. And that has now resulted in 44 million deaths. The biggest holocaust in world history that came out of the Supreme Court.

On April 11, 2005, Dobson also compared the Supreme Court to that of a evil organization that I consider a terrorist group. Reminder, 7 of the 9 Sumpreme Court Justices were appointed by Republicans.

DOBSON: I heard a minister the other day talking about the great injustice and evil of the men in white robes, the [expletive], that roamed the country in the South, and they did great wrong to civil rights and to morality. And now we have black-robed men, and that's what you're talking about.

Ira Forman released a statement:

It is disturbing enough that a radical-right leader like Dobson would engage in such divisive rhetoric to score anti-choice points. But it is inexcusable for the Senate GOP Leader -- the second highest-ranking elected Republican in the land -- to appear on the same telecast where the memory of the Holocaust is diminished. The Anti-Defamation League has rightly pointed out that such comparisons between a woman's right to choose and the Holocaust are 'hideous and offensive,' implying that American women who exercise their rights under U.S. law are somehow Nazis. Such rhetoric is patently offensive, and it trivializes the memory of the Holocaust.

"The GOP and conservatives have an insidious, pervasive problem with inappropriate abuse of Holocaust rhetoric. Bush White House insider Grover Norquist does it; GOP lawmakers and conservative talk show hosts and commentators do it; even the Bush-Cheney '04 campaign did it. Such unacceptable rhetoric is an epidemic among conservatives and Republicans, and it must end," Forman added.

Bob Uecker changes the number at Busch Stadium from 71 to 70. Uecker, a Ford Frick Winner and Milwaukee Brewers announcer, is a former St. Louis Cardinal ballplayer. He was a catcher on the 1964 World Championship Team.

Tuesday Update

Random titles, I know...

Media bias? I'm a Democrat and I will tell you that there is one.

Will Jon Stewart move to CBS or will ABC take him away?

Unlike Dr. Ted Schlecter's wishes, Jonathan Miller will take on Trey Grayson for Secretary of State. Good. Grayson is a good fundraiser and I just don't think we can beat him unless we run one of two people: George Clooney or Ashley Judd. They have the only chances of winning in my opinion.

If Anne Northup wants to continue to represent Louisville, ask her to call on Rep. Tom Delay to resign from his leadership position.

I'll coin it "No Justice" Sunday.

For Rep. Ben Chandler, the message of Justice Sunday was that only those who agree with the Christian right can be people of faith.[...]

But Chandler said Sunday's event was "completely different."

"I've never attacked anybody else's faith," Chandler said. "This is an issue of attacking other people's faith. It's unfortunate they would use church to attack other people."

An array of national religious leaders yesterday called the Sunday telecast dangerous and divisive.

"Playing the religion card divides people rather than unites people," said the Rev. C. Welton Gaddy, president of The Interfaith Alliance, a nonpartisan group that says it has 150,000 members from 75 faiths.[...]

Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., was flying to Washington from California and was unavailable, according to press secretary Meghan Keck.

Was everyone unavailable or did they simply not want to get into the CROSSFIRE.

Ted Sizemore was supposed to turn the number last night but the game was rained out. On Sunday Tony LaRussa moved into fifth place for all-time managerial wins. He needs 31 wins to tie for 4th place all-time and 16 to tie Whitey Herzog as a Cardinals manager.

The Promised Rant

Okay, so the religious conservatives held their anti-filibuster program at the Highview Baptist Church on Sunday. I did not join in the counter-rally due to Yom Tov restrictions that prevent travel unless it is to the Seder.

I have nothing against the filibuster and I hope it is around for years to come. I read the Constitution many times in my life. There is a seperation of religion and state. My religion makes me who I am but I don't force my beliefs on others. However, I avoid religious debates in school, etc. at all costs.

They chose the worst weekend to hold their political rally. It was Thunder weekend and Pesach. They deliberately did this so they couldn't have any Jews in attendence or any people my age. As a Jew, I go to a synagogue and hardly ever walk in to a church--the only times I do are for a wedding of one of my dad's co-workers.

There were two counter-rallies in Louisville, one downtown and the other at a church with a name that I know I will butcher so I won't type it. Jonathan Miller spoke at one of them. I just saw him a week ago.

Back to my point, as someone who is knowledgeable of the tax code, this is a violation of the IRScode:

To be tax-exempt as an organization described in IRC Section 501(c)(3) of the Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for one or more of the purposes set forth in IRC Section 501(c)(3) and none of the earnings of the organization may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate at all in campaign activity for or against political candidates.

Also, these are the Senators under attack:
AK - Murkowski (R)
AZ- McCain (R)
AR - Lincoln & Pryor (Both D's)
CT- Lieberman (D)
FL - Nelson (D)
IN- Lugar (R) & Bayh (D)
LA- Landrieu (D)
ME-Collins & Snow (Both R's)
NE-Hagel (R) & Nelson (D)
NV-Reid (D)
NH-Sununu (D)
ND-Dorgan & Conrad (Both D's)
OH-DeWine (R)
OR-Smith (R)
RI-Chafee (R)
VA-Warner (R)

This event was promoted as saying Democrats are un-Christian. Well, I'm Jewish so of course my religious beliefs differ! I add those numbers as nine (9) Republican Senators and eleven (11) Democrats. Pretty fair and balanced, one would assume. But to get rid of the filibuster is wrong. We need the filibuster.

There is a reason why these ten judicial nominees are being filibustered. These are ten judges out of 200 nominees. That's only five percent. They are extreme in their views. I don't want someone using the Bible for interpreting Constitutional law. As to Jewish law or any Biblical law, I would ask a Rabbi.

Some Jewish Laws on Love and Brotherhood:
Not to wrong any one in speech (Lev. 25:17)
Not to cherish hatred in one's heart (Lev. 19:17)
Not to take revenge (Lev. 19:18)
Not to bear a grudge (Lev. 19:18)
Not to put any Jew to shame (Lev. 19:17)

By the way, if anyone cares, cooking, baking, transferring fire and carrying are permitted on Yom Tov.

Quote of the Day

"Bill Frist is in a persistent vegetative state."
--Jon Stewart, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, April 25, 2005

Happy Passover!

A rant will come later tonight or early tomorrow morning on that political rally that took place in Louisville.

NKU Democrats will be holding elections on Tuesday. Wish me the best of luck.

On Friday, it marked the 27th anniversary of the debut of the Blues Brothers on network television as well as Steve Martin's singing of "King Tut."

The Change for Kentucky 2005 State Summit Training Workshop will take place on May 21-22, 2005 at Paroquet Springs Conference Center, Shepherdsville KY with a cost of $25 for admission. Lunch is provided. The keynote speaker is Tom Hughes, the Executive Director of Democracy for America. State Auditor Crit Luallen will be the closing speaker. I won't be there because it's on Shabbas but I thought I'd spread the word anyway...needless to say, I'm DLC.

Congrats to Evan Bayh for getting some legislation passed.

The Senate voted 60-40 Thursday to pass the Humvee amendment, which Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., co-sponsored with Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass, as part of a bill to provide more money for military operations in Iraq.

"It is our moral obligation to provide our men and women fighting in Iraq with the equipment they need to do their job safely," Bayh said in a written statement.

Bayh has repeatedly said Pentagon officials underestimated both the number of armored vehicles needed in Iraq and the production capacity of the plants that produce and armor the Humvees for the military.

I have a bit over 187 more emails to go. Ain't that something? Not my problem that Shabbas preceded two days of Yom Tov.

Senator Joseph Lieberman introduced the National Park Centennial Act. This is "a bill that would fund the needs of the national parks for the next decade."

He's Rick James! He's going to be featured on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Stephen Colbert investigates...

This candidate said he is having a hard time getting his name to stick in the public eye. From the start of his campaign, James said he noticed that his yard signs were disappearing. He made door-to-door rounds to ask neighbors and Ward 4 residents where the signs had gone and discovered they were being stolen.[...]

The Daily Show segment on James' disappearing signs will probably air at 10 p.m. Thursday on the Comedy Central network but it could air any night between Monday and May 3, producer Kathy Egan said.

Your moment of zen: Gorillas in zoo keep kosher l'Pesach.

When Passover comes around, even gorillas in Israel keep kosher. In line with many other Israelis busy cleaning their homes to remove bread-related products for the Passover holiday that begins Saturday night, the Safari Park Zoo near Tel Aviv does the same.

Since the zookeepers and handlers cannot touch any leavened products during the weeklong holiday that marks the biblical Jewish exodus from Egypt, the gorillas and other animals are also fed matzo -- the unleavened cracker Jews eat to remember that in their rush to flee slavery, the ancient Israelites' bread did not have time to rise.

Accustomed to eating a slice of bread with cream cheese every morning, beginning Tuesday the gorillas and other animals at the safari were fed matzo instead, said Emelia Turkel, the zoo's curator.

"This turns out to be an interesting time for the gorillas and for the other animals because they get a bit of a change in diet," Turkel said. "We call this environmental enrichment, Jewish style."

The zoo has always fed the animals matzo during the Passover holiday, Turkel said, but try to limit their intake to just one or two crackers a day to prevent them from suffering from the most common side-effect of matzo -- constipation.

That's a note to self--and any other Jews in case you forgot.

Pitcher Tim Wakefield will be a Red Sox for life.

All That! celebrated ten years. Amanda Bynes is one of my favorite actresses.

Former Cardinal 3B Gary Gaetti tore down the number at Busch Stadium Friday night. Saturday night, it was SLU soccer coach Harry Keough. Walt Jocketty performed on the ocassion at Sunday's game. Jocketty is the VP/GM. Tonight's game was postponed.

Double the fun. Not only is Natalie Portman starring in Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium but also Dustin Hoffman and Will Ferrell.

I denounce the decision made by Britain's Association of University Teachers with regards to boycotting Israeli Academics.

Dick Lugar is running for re-election. The Kentucky Democrat is calling this race in his favor as I don't know of anyone planning to run against him.

Another political blog article but from the Herald-Leader. I was busy last week so maybe that's why I got missed.

It's only a matter of time. I like the sound of President Bayh, so does my good friend, State Treasurer Jonathan Miller. I hope Governor or US Senator Miller is in Jonathan's future.

The Indiana Democrat won't say whether he's preparing for a potential presidential bid in 2008. But he apparently doesn't mind joking about the possibility.

Before talking Tuesday at the Mortgage Bankers Association conference in Washington, Bayh was introduced by Michael Petrie, the chairman of the group and president of P/R Mortgage and Investment Corp. of Carmel.

Bayh told Petrie he liked his title.

"A president from Indiana," Bayh said. "It kind of has a little resonance to it."

Very surprising. Natalie Portman is always asked for an ID.

The 23-year-old actress admits her youthful image can be a blessing, but it's a hindrance when it comes to ordering an alcoholic beverage at a British bar.

She says, "Physically I haven't changed since I was 13.

"I can use my young looks to my advantage sometimes - but never in British pubs.

"I always get asked for ID when I order a drink, even though I'm five years over the legal British drinking age."

The emails still keep coming. Seventy-five to go.

Ezer Weizman, the former Israeli president, has died. He was 80.

Greg Giraldo might be taking over Tough Crowd.

Dr. Dan is not gay. Apparently, he's dating a 19-year-old woman that he met on the campaign trail. All I know is that she is at UK. No idea who it is. However, The Sunday Challenger reported who it is. However, I cannot find her on TheFacebook.com

Jonathan Miller is in the news for yesterday's rally. Apparently, he spoke at a counter-rally with regards to Sunday's events.

Kentucky state Treasurer Jonathan Miller, who also teaches at a Hebrew school in Lexington, said the argument that people who disagree with Bush's judicial nominees are anti-religion contradicts both "the golden rule" and the nation's founding principle of a free and independent judiciary.

"That is not an American message," Miller said. "In fact, it's quite un-American."

Former New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen has been named Director of the Institute of Politics (IOP) at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

The Centrist Coalition opposes changes to the filibuster rule. This is a good write-up. I commend the coalition on this policy.

Apparently, I am linked at http://www.allamericapac.com/blog.

That's it until my rant.

Pesach Open Thread

I'll be off this weekend in observance of Shabbas and Pesach. Pesach starts with a Yom Tov on the first two days and last two days...meaning a hectic week for me.

I just got this feeling that I will run out of food next Friday...which reminds me...I'll have no food after Pesach ends...darn, that means no breakfast either!

Discuss amongst yourselves...

Huh?

Elizabeth town has a pro basketball franchise? I didn't know.

Oh, my gosh. I feel sorry for Henry Miller. I'd have no choice but to do the same thing.

David Arquette is Jewish. Coco however will not be raised Jewish as Courtney Cox-Arquette has been baptised.

Shimon Peres and Tiki Barber. 'Nuff said.

GetArrested.com is a faux grassroots petition site. Who owns it, you ask? None other than Fox.

It's true. Olivia Newton-John is indeed a member of the tribe.

Bill O'Reilly is in Lucky 13. I'm still seeing the Jewish flick regardless.

Jewsweek talks with Lewis Black:

He originally intended to become a playwright, but switched to comedy mostly because he was funny.

His Jewish upbringing, he says, informs his work. "The thing you gain by being Jewish is the sense of being an outsider. So you have an empathy, a natural empathy."

He's never censored himself because he's Jewish. He never said, gee, I shouldn't make fun of this because of my religion. On the contrary, one of his most popular routines is about Christmas, which he gladly summarizes:

"Christmas is completely out of control. Every year it's longer and longer. It used to be the 25 days of Christmas. Now it starts before Labor Day. How long does it take you guys to shop? At what point do you not learn that items are most expensive before Christmas. So why don't you just put empty boxes underneath the tree this Christmas, with little notes attached, 'I'm going to get you this coffee maker ... if the price is right.'"

He has another routine, he says, about how the Christian right uses Old Testament quotations as an argument to prove that gay marriages are immoral:

"The Old Testament was written by my people, the Jewish people. But that book wasn't good enough for you Christians. You guys said, 'We got a better book and a great new character. You're going to love it.' And yet you are constantly interpreting our book. It's not your book! A lot of the problems we have in the country is that you Christians interpret the Old Testament. You don't see rabbis going on TV interpreting the New Testament."

Routines like these keep him playing to full houses the year 'round. He's on the road 250 days a year playing to packed houses, and has no intention of cutting back. "When you finally find your audience, it's kind of silly not to go out to see them. I was working that much before and I had no audience."

He actually tours on a bus, like a Jewish country western singer, accompanied by his opening act, a tour manager and the man who sells Lewis Black doo-dads, such as t-shirts, CDs and now, presumably, copies of his book.

Success hasn't mellowed him. Sure, he says: "The fact that I've reached a wider audience gives you a sense that you've accomplished something." Huh? There aren't people he wants to get even with?

Who is Jewriffic this week?

1. Best reason to have Internet access: The hilarious animated short from the makers of Shabot 6000.
4. Best dis of a kallah: "Understanding [is] vital in a modern society. If you see a rather manly person in women's clothes -- it might not be a lesbian. It might be Camilla Parker Bowles." -- Jewish comedian Billy Crystal, accepting an award for playing a gay man on Soap in the late-'70s, at Monday's Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Media Awards dinner.
6. Best lesson in stand-up comedy: "Two Jews walk into a bar. Michael Jackson" -- Comedian-turned-author Lewis Black explaining to the co-hosts of The View that you can end any joke with the words Michael Jackson and it's funny.

I'll be back after the weekend, stay tuned.

Quote of the Day

"He has $57,000."
--auctioneer on my winning a digital camera, April 21, 2005

They did it! Congrats, NKU women's softball

The girls won the double-header matchup today. Thanks to a home run by Sarah King in the second game, they now have won 40 games and are still undefeated! Mazel Tov, girls! This is great for the university, now can we do something about fan support.

I went to the 39th game today. They won the first game 5-1. The second game was a 6-2 victory.

Thursday Night Update

I just won a digital camera.

What happened on April 21, 1939? Some Red Sox rookie leftfielder named Ted Williams made his Fenway Park debut.

Jay Randolph, Sr., a former Cardinal broadcaster, turned the number on the right field wall at Busch stadium.

Tell Senator Frist that we will not tolerate him playing the religion card. James Dobson is in the Ville with Bill Frist this weekend. I will not be at the counter rally for that as I shall be observing Yom Tov of Pesach.

Oy vey!

This is the worst time of year for my watch to be mean to me. Now, my hand feels naked since the battery died. Because it's a limited edition watch, this means, I'll have to go to a professional to get it fixed.

Note to whoever picks me up tomorrow: LEAVE EARLY BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO GET DONE BEFORE SUNDOWN. DON'T COUNT ON ME TO HELP PARK CARS BECAUSE YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER WHEN I TOLD YOU WHEN PESACH WAS!

Shame on the Kentucky Derby Festival for not reading a Jewish calendar correctly, well, that would be Judge Waterman in particular.

Ah, a cold front...

Assumming the rain stops sometime before lunch, the NKU women's softball team is slated to tie the D2 record for consecutive wins in a season, they have yet to lose all season. The current record is 40, and NKU is 39-0. The big question is: Will Gov. Fletcher be on hand?

George Voinovich surprises us all. He voted to derail John Bolton's UN nomination. Bolton is best known for his one-man show playing Mark Twain. Now, they are running ads against him in Ohio. Hmm, the guy just won re-election and they are running ads now?

How much did Evan Bayh raise?

Sen. Evan Bayh, Democrat: $225,207 raised; $33,351 spent; $6,816,975 in the bank; no debt.

That will look great for a run in 2008, it just needs to be raised higher.

Ellen Goodman believes no one should write about 2008 before 2006. I will by all means, when I want, where I want, etc.

Off to work on a math project and a research paper right now.

Quote of the Day

"I wanted to do the show outside tonight but then I remembered the set is bolted down and I'm allergic to sunlight."
--Jon Stewart, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, April 20, 2005

Jewish Cadets harassed

Okay, first off, it was the bloody Romans, not the Jews! This article scares me out of joining the Air Force!

School officials said Tuesday they had received 55 complaints over the last few months and were requiring students — and eventually all employees — to attend a course on religious tolerance.

"Some complaints had to do with people … saying bad things about persons of other religions or proselytizing in inappropriate places," said academy spokesman Johnny Whitaker. "There have been cases of maliciousness, mean-spiritedness and attacking or baiting someone over religion."

About 90% of the academy's 4,300 cadets identify themselves as Christians; the school's commandant, Brig. Gen. Johnny A. Weida, describes himself as a born-again Christian.

Mikey Weinstein, an academy graduate and a lawyer in Albuquerque, said that his son Curtis — a sophomore at the academy — had been called a "filthy Jew."

"When I visited my son, he told me he wanted us to go off base because he had something to tell me," Weinstein said. "He said, 'They are calling me a … Jew and that I am responsible for killing Christ.' My son told me that he was going to hit the next one who called him something."

Weinstein, 50, said he wanted Congress to investigate what he said was a pervasive Christian bias at the academy.

"When I was at the academy, there wasn't this institutional notion that if you didn't accept Christ you would burn eternally in hell," he said. "I want the generals to come out and say, 'Yes, we have a systemic problem and we are working to fix it.'"

Air Force officials said they got an inkling of a problem after reading the results of a student survey last May.

Many cadets expressed concern over religious respect and a lack of tolerance. Then "The Passion of the Christ," Mel Gibson's film about the crucifixion, was released. Hundreds of movie posters were pinned up in the academy dining hall advertising the film. Cadets did mass e-mailings urging people to see it.

School leaders denounced the e-mails, saying students should not use government equipment to promote their religion.

At that point, officials began looking into the situation.

"We started getting people coming forward," Whitaker said. "Folks sent e-mails to the chaplain describing events — none of which were reported when they happened. Many of the complaints have been addressed."

I do not like people forcing their religion on me. It's wrong. It's bad enough getting into political debates but religious ones?!? All I can say is: wait til Jonathan's book comes out.

Dennis Miller had me cracking up.

In sports...

The store is up for those wanting items related to the 131st Kentucky Derby.

Nothing is sacred for Lewis Black.

Note to those on my left: Joe Lieberman supports the filibuster.

Sens. Joe Lieberman (Conn.) and Ken Salazar (Colo.) on Wednesday planned to express support for the judicial filibusters taking place right now. But in the past, each man has expressed a different view on the topic of filibusters and judicial nominees.

In an interview with the Rocky Mountain News editorial board on Nov. 8, 2004, Salazar - then a U.S. Senate candidate - said he favored an up-or-down vote by the full Senate on judicial nominees.

The newspaper's editorial board wrote at the time, "We hope he sticks with that position even if his Democratic colleagues-to-be lean on him, as they are almost certain to do."

And Sen. Joseph Lieberman - speaking in January 1995, when Republicans were the majority party in the Senate - stood up for the "rights of the majority."

Lieberman called it unfair for Democrats to use the filibuster to "confuse and frustrate the will of the majority."

In January 1995, he and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) introduced a measure that would have eliminated filibusters designed to kill legislation or nominations that had majority support.

The Senate ended up tabling the motion.

Keith Foulke made his 500th career appearance. He is the 30th active player to reach that milestone.

No Jeffords in 2006

Burlington Free Press:

Vermont Sen. Jim Jeffords, an independent who triggered one of the most dramatic upheavals in Senate history when he quit the GOP four years ago, announced Wednesday he would retire at the end of his term next year, citing his and his wife's health.

Jeffords, 70, had been adamant in saying he would seek re-election, but he reversed himself.

"After much thought and consultation with my family and staff, I have decided to close this chapter of my service to Vermont and not seek re-election in 2006," Jeffords said in a news conference at a suburban Burlington hotel.

Jeffords has suffered from a bad back and neck for years and has seemed confused by some of the questions in several recent news interviews.

But it was his wife's health that he highlighted in his remarks.

"Liz, as you know, is battling cancer and will soon have to undergo another round of chemotherapy," he said, but added that he has had his own health concerns.

"There have been questions about my health and that is a factor, as well," he said. "I am feeling the aches and pains when you reach 70. My memory fails me on occasion, but Liz would probably argue this has been going on for the last 50 years."

Uh, this brings me to here. Bernie Sanders will run against Gov. Douglas most likely. However, the question remains: Will Gov. Dean run again?

Wednesday update

Remember Fletcher giving an office to his party's treasurer? It seems that State Sen. Ernesto Scorsone is calling him on it. I'm not surprised.

State Sen. Ernesto Scorsone has called on Gov. Ernie Fletcher to either give state Republican Party Treasurer Dave Disponett an official state job or evict Disponett from his Capitol office.

"I cannot imagine a more volatile political situation, nor one that compromises the public's view of politics and government," Scorsone, D-Lexington, said in a letter Fletcher's office received yesterday.

Doug Hogan, communications director for Fletcher, had no immediate response to the letter. "Our chief of staff (Stan Cave) got that letter this afternoon and hasn't had a chance to look at it," Hogan said.

Disponett said last night that he has no problem with his volunteer status. "I don't have an agenda," he said. "And whatever happens, I'll do the right thing."

Scorsone's letter complains that Disponett is not covered by state ethics rules if he is only a volunteer.

Hogan has said that Fletcher sees no problem in allowing Disponett to help the administration as a volunteer, that Disponett isn't raising political contributions while volunteering, and that Disponett signed a form saying he wouldn't involve himself in matters relating to his business.[...]

Since early last year, Disponett has been a volunteer for the administration -- working in an office on the first floor of the Capitol. Hogan said Disponett interviews applicants for political jobs and board appointments, and handles other assignments from Fletcher.

The Courier-Journal reported last week that since adoption of the current ethics code for state employees in 1992, two governors have appointed volunteers to official jobs with a salary of $1 per year so they would be covered by the ethics code and other laws and regulations governing state workers.

Scorsone wrote in his letter, "As one who campaigned against 'waste, fraud and abuse' I am sure you would not want the people to think you are trying to skirt the executive ethics rules. I urge you to remedy the situation immediately."

In an interview yesterday, Scorsone said, "Anyone volunteering to the extent they have their own office in the Capitol needs to be officially under the ethics rules and other laws."

It gets interesting as it doesn't end there. I'm more surprised by this list here.

A statement Monday from the governor's office identified Disponett and three other investors: Russell Springs contractor Stephen Branscum, a major Republican contributor appointed by Fletcher to the University of Kentucky board of trustees; UK basketball coach Tubby Smith; and former Auburn University basketball coach Cliff Ellis.

Yesterday, Hogan released the names of five other investors: Ron Turner of Lexington, president of the electrical contracting firm Amteck of Kentucky; Larry Kinnett, a former high school coach from Russell Springs; and three Florida residents -- real estate agent Grady Elder of Destin, restaurant owner Larry Fox and Joe Reppert.

No other information was released on Fox and Reppert.

According to the information provided Monday, Fletcher, Disponett and Branscum invested $97,600 each in two condominium projects. The other seven invested $55,000 each in one of those projects.

Why is Coach Tubby Smith an investor with those folks?

Senator Trent Lott says that Senators cannot win the White House. I beg to differ. Evan Bayh can and he will.

Johnny "Caveman" Damon is no "idiot." He's a talented ballplayer.

Democrats interested in Rob Portman's seat:
Russell Hurley, a barber from Anderson Township, announced his candidacy on Saturday.
State Rep. Todd Brook, D-McDermott
State Rep. Tyrone Yates, D-Cincinnati
Victoria Wells Wulsin, Indian Hill, medical doctor and head of non-profit AIDS prevention organization
Charles Sanders, former Waynesville mayor who ran unsuccessfully against Portman several times
Paul L. Hackett III, Indian Hill, personal injury lawyer and U.S. Marine Corps Reserve major, just completed tour of duty in Iraq
Thor M. Jacobs, vice president of home-building firm and former teacher
Jeff Sinnard, Anderson Township, civil engineer

Hadassah Lieberman warns of new holocausts.

Mrs. Lieberman spoke Monday night at Steinhardt Hall to Penn students and community members on the necessity of honoring Holocaust victims by taking a stand against the current genocide in Sudan.

Pointing to the obeservation of Yom Hashoah -- also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day -- yesterday, Lieberman stressed the duty of citizens of the world, and especially students, to speak out.

"We need to scream out about Sudan, we need to scream out about hatred, we need to scream out about all the things out there that disgust us and trouble our souls," she said. "We all have a role in representing more than ourselves."

Although acknowledging that the current generation of students may not be as idealistic as students of the 1960s, she believes that they have the potential to affect change. Her speech, however, focused on inspiration instead of concrete suggestions for change.

"These kids today, I don't think they've been tested yet," she said. "I think that they are thirsty, and that more and more their thirst will translate into a different kind of idealism."

Lieberman said that the election of her husband -- who is Jewish -- as a Democrat to the United States Senate shows how far society has come in increasing understanding among all groups. When she entered the capitol for the first time with her newly-elected husband, she recalled exclaiming, "Despite all of Hitler's efforts, the daughter of survivors is on the floor of the United States senate."

Lieberman also discussed her daughter's close relationship with her grandmother, who survived the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II, as well as her own participation in the United States delegation in 1995 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

I commend her on her speech.

Quote of the Day

"I had my money on Lieberman."
--Jon Stewart, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, April 19, 2005

Evan Bayh to blog soon

Go here to sign up. This way, you'll know when he starts blogging.

Cooling down in here

The AC guy came today and cooled down the room--Thank G-d. Now, for the bad news, you know how Thunder Over Louisville conflicts with Pesach? It seems my mom would rather park cars than hold a Seder. That's the least of it, her sister's family is more goy than Jewish these days.

The NKU Softball team has won 38 games this season, bringing their record to 38-0.

Matt Morris started tonight for the St. Louis Cardinals. He'll have a great season.

All-America PAC is finally up and running. It will be blogrolled shortly.

Morning, all

In the grapevine, both Steve Gold and Billy Ray Smith might be in the running for State Treasurer in 2007. Melissa Arnold might run for Jefferson County Clerk.

Another rant on why we need Jon Stewart.

Carl Pfeiffer of Hermosa Beach wants Lieberman back. Joe's not going anywhere. He'll be re-elected in 2006.

I can't say it enough: Save American Dreams.

Twenty horses might be in the Derby field. It's run for the roses as fast as you can...Dan Fogelberg is from Peoria, IL.

Rick Bozich makes an interesting point.

In the Derby, The Boss' numbers remind me of Alex Rodriguez in Game Seven of the American League Championship Series. George is 0 for 4.[...]

Steinbrenner responded by doing what Steinbrenner always does: buying or trading for two of everything, starting with pitchers Randy Johnson, Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright.

After the Yankees slipped to 4-8 Sunday, Steinbrenner reverted to his past performance chart and issued a statement that started with this line: "Enough is enough."

Translation: If this team doesn't play better before Derby Day, I'm going to the bullpen and even Zito is a candidate to replace manager Joe Torre.

HAPPY 37th BIRTHDAY TO KENTUCKY BASKETBALL CHEERLEADER/FAN ASHLEY JUDD.

Sandy Alderson has been hired by the Padres. He will be the new CEO.

That's it for now.

Bob Kerrey for Mayor? PART 2

Reuters:

Former U.S. senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bob Kerrey said on Monday it was "unlikely" he would run for New York mayor, backing off comments he made in recent days.

Kerrey, who is president of New York's New School University, mused in an interview with The New York Times on Saturday whether he should enter the race for City Hall because he was so dissatisfied with Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

"This past Saturday I answered a question from a reporter who asked if I was seriously considering becoming a candidate for mayor of New York City, and I said I was," Kerrey, who was a member of the national commission that investigated the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, said in a statement.

"It is unlikely I will enter this race as a candidate."

So, his sanity got the best of him then?

Quote of the Day

"I can have Oprah disappear, you people."
--Jon Stewart, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, April 18, 2005

A few more things

The Treasury Office is in the process of adding a blog.

ABC Monday Night Football is moving to ESPN. What drama will they come up with now?

After the coming season, ABC, which reshaped sports broadcasting by turning the NFL into a prime-time ratings draw, will be the only major network not to carry it. "Monday Night Football" has been a pillar of ABC since it began in 1970, when Howard Cosell anchored the show that now stands as the second-longest running prime time network series, trailing CBS's 60 Minutes by two years.

NBC will start its Sunday broadcasts with a pregame show at 7 p.m. eastern; games will begin at 8:15. The network plans to use a flexible scheduling model that in the last seven weeks, allowing it to shift afternoon games to prime time to ensure more meaningful games are shown on national TV.

The Monday night move to basic cable, which includes an earlier start time of 8:40 p.m., is expected to cost ESPN - which previously broadcast Sunday night games - $1.1 billion a year over eight years, two sources familiar with the deals told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Baseball fan gets tickets revoked.Let what Chris House did be a warning!

The resolution announced by the Red Sox does not ban the men from Fenway Park this year and leaves it up to the club to decide whether the season ticket holder, Chris House, will get those tickets reinstated for 2006.

"We selected a course of action that we thought was appropriate and enforceable," club spokesman Glenn Geffner said.

New York Joe Torre was pleased with the decision, as was owner George Steinbrenner.

"We applaud the Red Sox for decisively dealing with this matter," Steinbrenner said in a statement issued through spokesman Howard Rubenstein.

Boston acted after a four-day investigation following the play last Thursday night at Fenway Park in which Sheffield was chasing a ball along the low right-field wall that Jason Varitek hit for a triple.

House reached over the 3-foot high fence, and Sheffield said he was struck in the face. Sheffield picked up the ball, pushed House, then threw the ball to the infield. Sheffield turned toward House but did not make contact with him again as a security guard jumped over the wall and stood between House and Sheffield.

"The only thing I wanted to see is that whatever takes place ... is to try to send a strong message that fans can't throw things or hit people or put their hands on anybody," Sheffield said. "If you're out on the street, I guarantee that same guy doesn't put his hands on me. So why should we be penalized for a situation like that because we're on a baseball field?"

House did not return a message left Monday on his telephone answering machine

The Red Sox said House would receive full reimbursement when he returns his 2005 tickets. It did not release the name of the other spectator.

Major league baseball also is investigating.

"I think it will probably curtail that type of thing from happening at other ballparks," Tampa Bay manager Lou Piniella said. "It'll keep the playing field safer, which is a concern. You hate to see a fan penalized, but what are you going to do?"

The Red Sox cited the season ticket agreement, which states that "interfering with the play of the game in any way will not be tolerated and will be grounds for ejection from the premises, legal prosecution, recission of tickets and cancellation of subscription privileges."

Sheffield's agent, Rufus Williams, and the player planned to meet Tuesday with Bob Watson, vice president in charge of discipline in the commissioner's office. Williams called Boston's actions "a good thing."

"I think that there should certainly be an opportunity for players do their jobs without being interfered with. That sends a message to fans that that's what the expectation is," Williams said. "The whole situation is unfortunate. This is only one aspect of what took place in an unfortunate situation."

When Red Sox right fielder Trot Nixon reached into the stands Monday for a fly ball near the foul pole during Boston's 12-7 win over Toronto, fans didn't interfere. Nixon made the catch, depriving Alex Rios of a home run.

"I didn't have any fan interference at all. They backed away. I commend those fans there," Nixon said. "I gave them a little tip of the cap."

Red Sox chief operating officer Mike Dee said he hoped Monday's decision will be a warning to fans sitting near the field.

Sorry for the late update

But the sauna-esque settings in this room have prevented updates for being as frequent.

A purpose you say? Yep, there is a purpose for improv.

We have a Jewish Rockefeller.

“We do do Shabbat on Fridays,” Eileen Rockefeller Growald says. "We do do shehechianus after the first tomatoes of the season," she adds, referring to the Jewish blessing over something new.

The daughter of David Rockefeller long has rejected the strictures of religion. But in her marriage to Paul Growald, she has "expanded to Judaism," as she likes to say.

"I feel very blessed to have married Paul, and in a sense to have married into the richness of this culture," she told several members of Jewish family foundations who gathered recently in Baltimore for the annual conference of the Jewish Funders Network.

In one of their first public talks about their marriage, the couple imparted some of the intergenerational customs of America’s most philanthropic families. They also discussed how they teach the values of philanthropy and responsibility to their children.

Tony LaRussa has won 800 games as a Cardinals manager. Mazel Tov!

Meet Mark Mulder!
Thursday, April 21, 6:30 - 8 pm
Toys "R" Us Sunset Hills
3600 Lindbergh, Sunset Hills, MO

Meet Jason Marquis!
Saturday, April 23, 6:30 - 8 pm
Toys "R" Us Chesterfield
1781 Clarkson Rd., Chesterfield, MO

Conan is on reruns this week.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart:Monday, Robert Reich; on Tuesday, Sarah Vowell; on Wednesday, Dennis Miller; and on Thursday, Reza Aslan.

On my show today, I found out that Jonathan Miller is in the process of writing a book on faith and politics. I look forward to reading it. Also, Senator Bayh will be in KY later this year. I plan to be in attendance. Also, Attorney General Greg Stumbo, as of now, will seek re-election. State Auditor Crit Luallen is currently looking at the Governor's race. I thought I'd get an announcement out of Jonathan with regards to running for Governor. Jonathan currently Tivo's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

Depending on summer vacation plans, I sould be at the 2005 DLC National Conversation. It also depends on finances as well.

Get well, Tom Snyder

AP:
Tom Snyder, a late-night talk show fixture for years, has been diagnosed with leukemia.

Snyder announced on his Web site Friday that doctors have told him that he has chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

"When I was a kid leukemia was a death sentence. Now, my doctors say it's treatable! With pills or chemotherapy or a combination of both," he said.

Snyder, 68, says he had been low on stamina, felt bloated and gained about 50 pounds — all symptoms that led him to seek tests. Coincidentally, he says his younger brother also has been diagnosed with the same disease.

"Suffice to say that 2005 has not been a bell ringer for the Snyder boys," he wrote in an earlier posting.

Snyder hosted NBC's The Tomorrow Show from 1973-82. He also had a four-year run on CBS' The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder, which he left in 1999. The show was reformatted for new host Craig Kilborn.

Despite the news, Snyder was as upbeat and opinionated as ever. He brushed on topics such as Social Security, morning network television, the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry and celebrity memoirs. He finished with a familiar signoff:

"Back soon, same time. Same station. `Night all!"

Monday Monday

Where's that rain that I need...

Darrell Brock, Jr. of Eastern Kentucky is the new GOP chairman in the commonwealth. No word yet as to how many siblings he has had incest with. Sorry, I couldn't resist that (inside joke).

Melissa Joan Hart turns 29 today and funnyman Conan O'Brien is 42.

What's all the rage about? I find it hard that they errored in the headline!

The Washington Post takes a look at Senator Rick Santorum. You expecting a liberal spin from me? I don't know about that.

Sen. Barbara Boxer objected, saying it would be "rather exploitive to have a child present in the gallery" during such a debate. Santorum relented, bemoaning Boxer's objection as proof that "we have coarsened the comity of this place."

The same has been said of Santorum. In so many words, or facial gestures.

Sen. Mary Landrieu, the Louisiana Democrat, grimaces. "You couldn't quote what I'd have to say about him," she says.

Boxer (D-Calif.) says he has a knack for "becoming remarkably harsh and personal during debates."

Former Democratic senator Bob Kerrey once wondered whether Santorum is "Latin for [anus]." Teresa Heinz Kerry called him "Forrest Gump with an attitude." Howard Dean called him a liar. Then there are the crude Web sites and protesters outside his office, all of which Santorum takes with a measure of pride.

Other interesting quotes:
"Ford was a doofus," Santorum says, "and Carter I had no interest in."

So, the Senator hates President Gerald Ford, eh? Oh, and in news that upsets Democrats, Senator Kennedy was one of the first to offer condolences.

Insisting on running in 2006, Hillary Clinton abandons 2008 campaign. If only my wish was true.

The Red Sox are 61-48 on Patriots Day, which is celebrated tomorrow on April 19. Also, today in history, as a member of the Pawtucket Red Sox, Wade Box went 4-12 in one of the longest baseball games in history on April 18, 1981. The Sox took on the Rochester Red Wings in which the Sox won 3-2 in 33 innings when the game resumed on June 23, 1981. Shonda Schilling is running in today's Boston Marathon. Will she finish before her husband Curt Schilling? Schilling has the mound in today's 11:05 AM game against the Toronto Blue Jays?

Your Moment of Zen: The Red Sox have faced pitchers named Adams, Kennedy, Johnson, and Bush in the past season and this season.

Bradley University alumnus Charley Steiner is now out in Los Angeles working for the Los Angeles Dodgers and KFWB. He was with the New York Yankees.

I don't even know where to began. It's copy-proof.

Bonus Quote of the Day

"He's right. What are you going to say? I'm not going to dispute that. If I try to defend what we've been doing, you'd have to check my sanity. This stuff out here is not pretty. We have to make it better. No question."
--Joe Torre on George Steinbrenner's comments, April 17, 2005

LINK