Catching Up on News

Sandra Day O'Connor resigned from the Supreme Court. If Bush is wise, he'd pick a moderate to replace her rather than someone that is far off to the right. That's the logical thing to do no matter what party you come from. Bayh calls on Bush to nominate a moderate to the bench.

Email-wise, this post covers Friday through today. A lot of emails to take care of.

Red Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo's new CD should have hit the stores already or it will soon if it has yet to do so. He performs of cover of the Standell's "Dirty Water."

Chris Carpenter was very deserving of his All-Star selection. He's arguably the most dominant pitcher for St. Louis this past month. He recorded a 0.90 ERA.

Indiana natives react to Tim Roemer's possible candidacy for Senate. If Hoosier Democrats field anyone, let it be this guy. He may not be liked by those to the left of me, but remember, Indiana is a conservative state and Lugar is very popular!

Indiana's US Senate election 2006, a race, local republicans aren't worrying about for these reasons.

First they think Senator Richard Lugar has better name recognition throughout the state than Roemer. Second it would take upwards of $10 million to run a good campaign. And local republicans say Roemer wouldn't have the backing of Hoosier democrats.

"He would have to rely on Washington Pac money and it would be difficult to raise that money because he doesn't meet that profile of national democrat because he's pro-life and more moderate on some issues," said Faulkner.

Live 8 rocked the globe.

Organizer Bob Geldof promised to deliver "the greatest concert ever," broadcast live around the world on television and the Internet.

On Independence Day weekend in the United States, Will Smith, host of the Philadelphia show, said people had united for a "declaration of interdependence."

"Today we hold this truth to be self-evident: We are all in this together," Smith said. Via satellite, he led the global audience in snapping their fingers every three seconds, signifying the child death rate in Africa.[...]

Paul McCartney and U2 opened the flagship show of the free 10-concert festival in London's Hyde Park with a rousing performance of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." A thunderous roar erupted from the crowd of about 150,000 as the two iconic rock stars belted out the first line: "It was 20 years ago today..." - a nod to the mammoth Live Aid concerts that raised millions for African famine relief in 1985.

Bono, dressed in black and wearing his trademark wraparound shades, wrapped the crowd around his finger, enticing tens of thousands to sing along to the anthemic "One" and "Beautiful Day." The crowd cheered when a flock of white doves was released overhead.

"So this is our moment. This is our time. This is our chance to stand up for what's right," Bono said.

"We're not looking for charity, we're looking for justice. We cannot fix every problem, but the ones we can, we must."[...]

Geldof appeared onstage to introduce Microsoft billionaire and philanthropist Gates, whom the crowd greeted with a rock star's roar.

"We can do this, and when we do it will be the best thing that humanity has ever done," Gates said.

The crowd joined in as REM sang "Man on the Moon," then heard U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan declare: "This is really the United Nations."

"The whole world has come together in solidarity with the poor," Annan said.

The fans turned out for the sound check on Friday.

Going north to Canada, Neil Young returned to the stage for the first time since surgery for the Toronto Live 8 concert.

The artists, some 20 bands and individuals in all, signed off with Young's trademark "Keep on Rockin' In The Free world" before being joined by the crowd in the singing of "O Canada."

Canadian favorite Tom Cochrane kicked off Canada's Live 8 concert with "Life is a Highway" before 35,000 roaring fans, moving the global event into North America.[...]

"Canadians care! Canadians care!" Host Dan Aykroyd cried to the fans before Cochrane took to the stage.

However, some of the events had some negative reaction.

But Simple Plan lead singer Pierre Bouvier seemed to make it his mission to singlehandedly change that perception. The band's performance got one of the biggest responses of the day.

He also reminded Live 8 revellers they had gathered for a reason.

"Please remember this day is more than just a concert," Bouvier told the crowd, which appeared to be made up largely of people in their 20s. "Don't forget about it tomorrow. Help out people who are in need."[...]

The exception was Celine Dion - who performed by satellite hookup from Las Vegas - and elicited boos from the audience in Barrie.

"No, no, no," scolded Aykroyd as the catcalls rained down. "Be proud of Celine Dion. She's here to help and entertain us. She's working hard, hard, hard."

In the 2000's, St. Louis is undefeated on the 4th of July. Johnny Damon and Albert Pujols have hitting streaks going for them: 15 and 14, respectively. Cardinal players David Eckstein, Scott Rolen, and Jim Edmonds will start the All-Star game. Albert Pujols, Chris Carpenter, and Jason Isringhausen are reservists for the game.

The GOP is worried about Fletcher. Meanwhile, Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson has found himself on the short list for Vice President in 2008.

We have here some insight from the Indiana Daily Insight, an online newsletter about Indiana politics and business (www.ingrouponline.com), regarding Louisville's mayor and a certain senator: "Could we see a pair of Indiana University graduates team up on the national Democratic ticket in 2008?"

"U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) is already laying the groundwork for a run, and we wouldn't be surprised if another IU grad, Metro Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson (D) is considered for the vice presidency -- regardless of who tops the Demo ticket."

Insight pointed out Abramson two years ago was praised by Governing Magazine for his handling of the Louisville-Jefferson County merger.

"He was widely rumored to be a potential Clinton administration cabinet pick," Insight added, "and his presence on the ticket could help Democrats in Kentucky and the neighboring states of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia and other southern states."

Evan Bayh's introduction is just about the way he wrote it.

Fox News gave Live 8 an "A." It should be noted that Jimmy Fallon flew over just for the Pink Floyd reunion.

Geldof, besides raising international awareness about poverty and hunger in Africa, did something far more immediately important: He reunited Pink Floyd.

For the first time in a quarter-century, Dave Gilmour and Roger Waters not only played together, they actually broke bread.

On Friday night, all the members of Pink Floyd and their wives, etc., ate together at the famous Ivy restaurant. Roger made the initial call, an insider told me, leading to this unique gathering.

Now the speculation begins: a new album, a tour, is any of it possible? From the rousing reception they got, something tells me more is to come.

Mind you, this is where MTV's Van Toffler made a direct pitch to Roger Daltrey to sing with Green Day at the Video Music Awards in August in Miami.
Said Roger: "There would have to be a rehearsal. We could do one of theirs and one of ours."
Toffler: "That would be right."
Daltrey: "Green Day is the real thing. They're the kind of rock band that really bites it. The others just suck it. The Who bites it."

Fifty years of improv in Chicago.

Evan Bayh voted against CAFTA because it doesn't do enough for workers.

Natalie Portman has the last word.