Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Late Update

My apologies for the late update but they had a bunch of kids at the university which delayed lunch for half an hour so I'm getting down to things NOW. I do have another exclusive interview which will be posted immediately after this.

The St. Louis Cardinals invited a former Red to spring training.
The St. Louis Cardinals have invited former Cincinnati pitcher Josh Hancock to spring training, pending the results of an exam on the right-hander.

Hancock, 27, was released by the Reds last week, reportedly for coming to camp overweight. He was 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in 11 games for Cincinnati last year, and has a career mark of 6-3 with a 4.40 ERA in 32 games (12 starts) for Boston, Philadelphia and the Reds.
What's up with Chad Hedrick and Shani Davis and the rivalry? Are they friends or rivals? This is America and I root for all of our athletes in the Olympics. Apparently, it has to do with not shaking Shani's hand. Chad Hedrick says it has to do with Shani not participating in a team event.

Joe Lieberman opposes the Broadway Energy proposal, thus removing a potential campaign issue from his opponent.

Dr. Condi Rice wants Arab allies to pressure Hamas. I want Hamas to be pressured.

UK takes on Ole Miss today which pits father against son.

Jim Edmonds expects to be in better shape this season. Jim Edmonds is a must have on any fantasy baseball roster.
Edmonds wants to remain a cardinal for the rest of his career. The Cardinals have an option through the 2007 season. So, does he want his agent to call Cardinals owner Walt Jocketty and close the deal?

Edmonds says, "I don't want my agent to call Walt, I want Walt and the owners to call my agent."

And the question that must be asked: What would Edmonds be doing if he didn't play baseball? Says Edmonds, "I'd probably be a newscaster."
I give major kudos to Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana. He proposed a bill requiring port security oversight. It should be noted that Democrats and Republicans alike are against the President on this proposal. Even Sen. Frist has come out against the idea. Geoff Davis as well. The President has said he will veto any bill but I find it likely that there will be over 2/3 of the Senate that would overrule that veto.
Indiana Senator Evan Bayh has proposed legislation to increase oversight of business deals with foreign companies to help protect homeland security.

His proposal will require the director of national intelligence to approve any deals made with foreign companies before their handed off to the committee on foreign investment.

The legislation reveals Bayh's doubt in the committee's effectiveness.

He says it's only blocked one foreign purchase of a US company since it formed in 1988.

Bayh's announcement comes as lawmakers from both parties question whether it's safe for a company with the United Arab Emirates to take over operations at six major US ports.
See Bayh's press release here.

A new TV show for sketch comedy will have no script. The name of the show is Not Quite Right and was created by Lee Godden.
With half a dozen episodes complete, Godden is now focusing on finding a network home for Not Quite Right. Meanwhile the show is being cablecast on Charter Communications’ Channel 3 in the Los Angeles area. In addition to Godden, current Not Quite Right cast members include Bret Calvert, Dan Jablons, Eve Savona and Elvis Winterbottom. In 2005 Godden and his Telsius Productions company received Charter’s top new producer of the year award.

"I’ve been a stand-up comic and a comedy writer," said Godden, "but nothing makes me laugh harder than well-executed improv. Let’s hope a lot of other folks feel the same way."
Larry Walker did arrive for spring training at the St. Louis Cardinals camp. Only this time, he arrived as an instructor.
The Cardinals' former right fielder now makes his residence in Florida and plans to split time between the Cardinals' clubhouse and helping out at home this March. He and former Redbirds reliever Cal Eldred -- who like Walker retired in the off-season -- will serve as special instructors alongside Hall of Famers Bob Gibson, Lou Brock and Red Schoendienst.

"I told Tony it won't be an everyday thing," Walker said. "My wife's going to need some help with the kids before and after school, and I don't want to drop everything on her. I want her to have a life as well."

In the offseason, Walker thought briefly about coming back to play another season, but tasks around the home told his body otherwise.
Some interesting news about Sir Paul McCartney.
McCartney also raised eyebrows when he performed at the Grammy Awards earlier this month. He sang a version of "Yesterday" with Jay-Z and Linkin Park.

The reason is simple, the source said. When mash-up artist DJ Danger Mouse created the infamous Grey Album, he chose to mix the vocals from Jay-Z's The Black Album and the Beatles' The White Album.

Though the remix was subjected to a cease and desist order by EMI, the move did win Danger Mouse one interested potential fan - Paul McCartney, who listened to the album in his car.

"McCartney remains really interested in what's going on in the creative world," the source explained, "He likes to know what's going on."

This interest in modern music culture also led McCartney to take UK DJ, remixer and musician The Freelance Hellraiser (Roy Kerr) along with him on his tour.
Improvisers trust each other and have fun.

Harvard President Lawrence Summers, a former secretary in the Clinton administration, has resigned his position at Harvard.
Among the many controversies that dogged Summers during his five-year tenure were his outspoken remarks opposing efforts by college campuses to divest from companies that did business with Israel. He called these and other selective sanctions against the Jewish state "anti-Semitic in their effect if not their intent."

Writing in an Op-Ed for JTA last year, Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz said, "It’s no coincidence that so many of the professors leading the campaign" against Summers "were in the vanguard of the campaign to divest from Israel and boycott Israeli academics."
I don't know about you but this makes me very angry.
Little noticed in the kerfuffle over the takeover of major US ports by Dubai Ports is the key role being played by former Democratic Party leaders. Lobbying firms associated with ex-Democratic Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and Madeleine Albright (Clinton’s Secretary of State) have been working (paid subscription only link) to secure approval of the purchase by Dubai.
Second City will be at UK on Friday.

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