Need my UK news...

Well, it's almost Labor Day weekend and that means that there's a big college football game on Sunday--which I believe is on ESPN, but I don't know considering a certain athletic site has been made UNAVAILABLE to students on this campus since January of 2005--which is ridiculous if you ask me. It's one of the most important athletic programs in the state and I can't even access the game notes?!? I have no pocket schedules for either UK Football or Basketball to look up what channel the game is on--it would be nice though. One rumor I have heard is that it is a bandwidth issue. Either way, it's upsetting.

Amy Poehler is believed to still be an anchor on SNL's Weekend Update. I'm assuming that no one will know for sure what's going on until the date and/or week of the season premiere in September of this year.

Curt Schilling became the 14th player yesterday to record 3,000 strikeouts.

"Hats off to the organization, the Oakland A's, for recognizing it," said Schilling. "I'm very humbled by the fact that their fans recognized it and the Sox fans that were here. You certainly don't expect it on the road. It's kind of uncomfortable because there's a game going on and ... you want to acknowledge the people but you don't want to make it bigger than the situation. I was very humbled by it. I was very honored that they did that. I thought it was a very, very classy thing to do."

Schilling joins a who's who list of former and current greats that includes Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Steve Carlton, Bert Blyleven, Tom Seaver, Don Sutton, Gaylord Perry, Walter Johnson, Phil Niekro, Ferguson Jenkins, Greg Maddux and Bob Gibson.

Pedro Martinez is the only active player right now within reach of 3,000 strikeouts this season if he comes off the DL in early September. Martinez has 2,986 strikeouts.

Boston 2, Oakland 7
Losing pitcher - Curt Schilling (14-7)

Tom Cruise has some strange company.

Former Congressman Baron Hill is doing the same thing that State Rep. Mike Weaver did the other day. Cheap gasoline for all.

Mazel tov to Neil Simon on receieving the Mark Twain Prize for Humor.

The frightfully prolific playwright Neil Simon, of Brighton Beach Memoirs and Odd Couple fame, will receive the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize, which "focuses on those who create humor from their uniquely American experiences."

Simon will be honored Oct. 15 at a do featuring Jason Alexander, Richard Dreyfuss, Nathan Lane, Cyndi Lauper and Robert Redford. (It will air Nov. 20 on PBS.)

The humor prize was inaugurated in '98 with honors going to Richard Pryor. Honorees include Jonathan Winters, Carl Reiner, Whoopi Goldberg and Steve Martin.

A long time coming for Israel's Magen David Adom.

Some thoughts...

I just want to say first and foremost that Red Sox DH David Ortiz is in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that whatever is wrong with him is taken care of during the offseason, if not this season.

Well, don't expect Jessica Simpson to be performing anytime soon. The blonde singer has lost her voice. Look at it this way, she won't be caught lip-synching.

Former Virginia Governor Mark Warner has expressed his feelings with regards to Iraq. I can't say that I'm not surprised that he's joining the vast number of Americans that want our troops out of Iraq but he did not embrace a time table.

Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner said in Iowa Monday that the United States should begin to withdraw troops from Iraq, which represents a shift for the Democrat who is taking steps toward a run for president in 2008.

But Warner, who kicked off a two-day trip through the lead-off caucus state, stopped short of embracing a timeline to have troops out of Iraq, unlike Sens. Joe Biden and Russ Feingold, who are also in Iowa this week.

Warner’s statement that "we’ve got to find a way out of Iraq" marks a departure from the wait-and-see stance he articulated this summer, when he said withdrawal should be an option. The statement also coincides with growing support among Americans to bring the troops home, which recent polls show a majority of Americans favor.

Make sure to visit Barry Welsh's campaign site. This is an excerpt from a campaign email.

Political professionals said we didn't stand a chance of being here. Now they are saying, "Whatever you have been doing, keep doing it!" They said, "If you are still standing by Labor Day, you have a chance to win." Well, we are standing. Thank you for standing with us.

This year, due to the incredible combination of radicalism and incompetence displayed by Republicans from George W. Bush to Mitch Daniels, people are highly motivated to take our country back.

In Red Sox news, other than the vast injuries to the club...
August 29
Boston 1, Oakland 2
Losing pitcher - Josh Beckett (14-9)

Curt Schilling will guarantee his status as a Hall of Famer today as he is currently struck out 2,999 victims (probably some of those were multiple offenders) from 858 batters.

Are you f***ing insane?!? I know it's free speech but you have got to be kidding me?!? Excuse me while I silenty go use all the four letter words that I refuse to use in daily life because it's just wrong.

Bill Tumpowsky, chairman of the Jewish Community Relations Council, said he expected the city would grant the permit. He and others remain concerned.
"We collectively stand in tremendous support of the First Amendment," he said. "This has many members of the Jewish community frightened. When you say, 'Death to Israel,' it speaks death to Jews. We're deeply saddened to see that form of ugly bigotry express itself here in Salt Lake City."
He encouraged people who oppose Breeze's message to express their opposition Wednesday.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Jewish citizens of Salt Lake City.

Other news this afternoon...

Just caught this in my inbox. I blogged earlier about Brandon Webb's reaction. Now, I share with you Joe Blanton's reaction.

A's pitcher Joe Blanton spent a lot of time on the phone Monday with friends from Kentucky. They all said the same thing about his former college teammate Jon Hooker.

"He was such an outstanding person," Blanton said. "Aside from being a good baseball player, I'll remember what kind of person he was. He's probably the nicest guy anybody could ever meet. Everybody considered him a friend."

Hooker, who played a couple of years in the minor leagues, was aboard Comair Flight 5191, which crashed Sunday after leaving Lexington, Ky.

Of the 50 people on the plane, 49 died, including Hooker and his wife, Scarlett Parsley. The two were married the night before (as Blanton was pitching against the Texas Rangers) before 300 family and friends. They were en route to their honeymoon.

"It's so tragic because he was so happy (Saturday)," said Keith Madison, a former University of Kentucky baseball coach who attended the wedding. "It's just an incredible turn of events. It's really painful."

Blanton last saw Hooker a couple of years ago when he was working out in Lexington. Playing for the Kentucky Wildcats was a lifelong dream for Hooker.

"He bled blue," Blanton said. "He loved UK, the university in general, but especially the basketball team. I know what he wanted to do in life. He wanted to be a high school basketball coach."

It's still hard to believe that the crash happened.

Ben Chandler for Governor?

Check it out. Nice job, Ralph!

In other news....

Paul McCartney pulled out of a charity fundraiser due to the split with second wife Heather Mills. As a result, the event was cancelled. However, he did donate a lot of money.

In news relating to Senator Bayh, here's a WaPo article on campaigning the Bayh way. The Bayh watch deals with Facebook.

Make sure to check out Alan Dershowitz's latest article.

Right on, Tom Lantos!

The ranking Democrat on the U.S. House of Representatives’ International Relations Committee, Lantos said Sunday during a visit to Jerusalem that he was putting a hold on President Bush’s proposal to funnel $230 million in aid to Lebanon following Israel’s war with Hezbollah.

“The international community must use all our available means to stiffen Lebanon’s spine and to convince the government of Lebanon to have the new UNIFIL troops on the Syrian border in adequate numbers,” Lantos said, referring to a U.N. peacekeeper force which, for now, is to be deployed only in southern Lebanon.

“My purpose is not to withhold aid from Lebanon, my purpose is to persuade the government of Lebanon that the closing of the Lebanon-Syria border to arms smuggling from Iran and Syria is in the prime national interest of Lebanon and the Lebanese people.”

Here's an article on the newest member of the New York Mets: Shawn Green.

Here's one writer's view on the show that I missed on Sunday.

Honest Reporting uncovers some bias in the media.

Katherine Harris has outdone herself this time. What she says is just as bad, if not worse, than Ann Coulter.

U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris (R-Fla.), the leading GOP contender for a Florida U.S. Senate seat, said not electing Christians amounts to “legislating sin.

“If you are not electing Christians, tried and true, under public scrutiny and pressure, if you’re not electing Christians then in essence you are going to legislate sin,” Harris told the Florida Baptist Witness in an interview last week. “Whenever we legislate sin and we say abortion is permissible and we say gay unions are permissible, then average citizens who are not Christians, because they don’t know better, we are leading them astray and it’s wrong.”

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), who is Jewish, told the Orlando Sentinel that Harris’ comments were “disgusting.”

Harris, who also described the separation of church and state as a “lie,” later issued a clarification to Fox News saying that she is pro-Israel and supports Holocaust education.

I'm not buying into the argument that Harris gives in the paragraph where she says that she supports education on the Shoah. If she supported such education, she wouldn't be saying filth like this.

Just a reminder of what happened last year.

Red Sox news:
August 27
Boston 3, Seattle 6
Losing pitcher - Kyle Snyder (3-3)
HR: Mike Lowell (15), David Ortiz (47)

August 28
Boston 0, Oakland 9
Losing pitcher - Kason Gabbard (0-3)

I think that's about all for now.

"This one's for Hook"

Brandon Webb dedicated his win last night to his late [and former] roommate Jon Hooker.

This one, Brandon Webb said, was for "Hook."

Pitching one day after the death of close friend Jon Hooker in a Kentucky plane crash, Webb scattered six hits over 7 1/3 innings and helped the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the San Diego Padres 7-4 Monday night.

Hooker, Webb's roommate and teammate at the University of Kentucky, was among 49 people killed in the crash of commuter jet in Lexington on Sunday. Hooker was married the previous night to Scarlett Parsley, also killed in the crash.

"I'm sure people do it all the time when tragedy happens like that, you try to do it for them, for the person," Webb said. "I think that's what kind of motivated me and got me through it."

Webb said he never thought about skipping the start.

"I always knew I'd pitch. I had no doubt about it," he said. "Knowing Hook, I'm sure he'd want me to do it, too."

Right up until the time he took the mound, Webb said the crash was on his mind.

"As bad as the situation was," he said, "for him to just be married a few hours beforehand makes it that much tougher."[...]

"With everything Brandon Webb's going through, he did an outstanding job," Padres starter Woody Williams said. "He showed a lot of composure. I'm sure his teammates have that much more respect for him now that he was able to go out there and do what he did."[...]

"The story of tonight is Brandon Webb," Byrnes said, "and the way he was able to go out there and pitch a typical 'Webby' game. Our hearts and prayers are out to his friend and his family. You want to talk about bringing things into perspective. It really bring things back to reality."

If Chris Carpenter does not win the Cy Young award this season, I'd like Brandon Webb to.

Emmy Winners

Why this was not posted last night as a live-blog. There was another important show on ESPN at the same time.

A LIST OF THE WINNERS
Drama Series: "24," Fox.
Comedy Series: "The Office," NBC.
Miniseries: "Elizabeth I," HBO.
Variety, Music or Comedy Series: "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," Comedy Central.
Made for TV Movie: "The Girl in the Cafe," HBO.
Reality-Competition Program: "The Amazing Race," CBS.
Actor, Drama Series: Kiefer Sutherland, "24," Fox.
Actor, Comedy Series: Tony Shalhoub, "Monk," USA.
Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Andre Braugher, "Thief," FX Network.
Actress, Drama Series: Mariska Hargitay, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," NBC.
Actress, Comedy Series: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "The New Adventures of Old Christine," CBS.
Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Helen Mirren, "Elizabeth I," HBO.
Supporting Actor, Drama Series: Alan Alda, "The West Wing," NBC.
Supporting Actor, Comedy Series: Jeremy Piven, "Entourage," HBO.
Supporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Jeremy Irons, "Elizabeth I," HBO.
Supporting Actress, Drama Series: Blythe Danner, "Huff," Showtime.
Supporting Actress, Comedy Series: Megan Mullally, "Will & Grace," NBC.
Supporting Actress, Miniseries or a Movie: Kelly Macdonald, "The Girl in the Cafe," HBO.
Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: Barry Manilow, "Barry Manilow: Music and Passion," PBS.

Plane crashes in Kentucky

This statement from State Treasurer Jonathan Miller was posted over at Bluegrass Report on the tragic plane crash in the Lexington area.

Today's tragedy will leave no Lexingtonian, indeed no Kentuckian, untouched.

While we mourn for all of the victims and their families, Lisa and I suffer particularly by the loss of a good friend, Priscilla Johnson. Priscilla spent her life in service to others, and she was a passionate advocate for our country to fulfill its promise that all men and women are created equal. But like most of her friends, what we will miss most about Priscilla is her vibrance, her warmth, and her genuine love for all of her neighbors. May God bless her soul, and the souls of all of her fellow passengers.

This just in:

I just spoke with my friend, Priscilla Johnson. She is alive and well: another woman with her same name perished in the flight. While I still deeply mourn for all of the victims and their families, I wanted to be sure that the friends of the Priscilla Johnson who has served with honor on the Human Rights Commission, know that she is doing fine.

Please join me in my thoughts and prayers for the late Priscilla Johnson and her family.

My condolences to all the families and friends of the victims.Here's a writeup from the C-J. One of the victims included a a just-married former UK pitcher who played in the Chicago White Sox organization.

Hooker and Parsley both were graduates of North Laurel High School. He attended the University of Kentucky, where he pitched for the baseball team before competing professionally with the Chicago White Sox organization. He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University, according to the Sentinel-Echo announcement, and was employed as a counselor for Cumberland River Comprehensive Care.

The complete list can be found here

All the news fit to blog

It's another Saturday night. How about Matt Morris' complete game yesterday for the Giants?!?

Jackie Mason is still very much Jewish...

Is Crit Luallen running for governor? All signs point to yes based on the ruling from the other day.

New Jersey wants an earlier primary.

Why Natalie Portman is auctioning off items for a friend's kid.

Lieberman is taking a look at the statements made by Republican Congressman Chris Shays.

In Red Sox news:
August 25
Boston 0, Seattle 6
Losing pitcher - Curt Schilling (14-6)

August 26
Boston 3, Seattle 4
Losing pitcher - Mike Timlin (5-4)
HR: Coco Crisp (7)

Kentucky State Treasurer Jonathan Miller is concerned.

State Treasurer Jonathan Miller, a Democrat, said he's concerned the public will never know the "unvarnished truth" that Fletcher promised last year to seek.

Miller said the legislature should consider investigating the issue.

"If it doesn't come out through other means, my fear is that it will undermine public confidence," Miller said.

Not sure what this means for the Warner 2008 campaign but my guess is that it will not be pretty.

I know that I'll get slammed really hard for posting this letter from Ari Fleischer but you know what, in spite of whatever reaction I get from commenters, I'm going to post it anyway, even if I disagree with the president's former spokesperson on his favorite baseball team and his political affiliation.

August 21, 2006

The Honorable Jimmy Carter
The Carter Center
453 Freedom Parkway
Atlanta, Georgia 30307

Dear Mr. President:

I just read the transcript of your interview with the German magazine, Der Spiegel, in which you accuse Israel of launching an "unjustified attack on Lebanon."

Even after the interviewer reminded you that Israel was the first to get attacked, you charged Israel with lacking "any legal or moral justification for their massive bombing of the entire nation of Lebanon."

As someone who served in the White House as a spokesman for a President, I am reluctant to criticize another President, but in this instance my conscience compels me to do so.

Mr. President, your words are music to Hezbollah's ears and your message is a blow to long-term peace.

Just as you underestimated the threat of the Soviet Union in the 1970s, you underestimate the threat of radical Islam today. Your condemnation of Israel, the victim, only encourages Hezbollah, the attacker, to bide its time and attack again.

Ahmed Barakat, a member of Hezbollah's central council, last week told the Qatari newspaper as-Watan that "Today Arab and Muslim society is reasonably certain that the defeat of Israel is possible and that the countdown to the disappearance of the Zionist entity in the region has begun. The triumph of the resistance is the beginning of the death of the Israeli enemy."

I was raised a Democrat but I changed parties in 1982 because I believed your policies and the nuclear freeze movement invited increased Soviet militarism and adventurism. President Reagan's military build-up and credible threat of the use of force helped bring about the demise of Communism and brought freedom and a better life to hundreds of millions in Central and Eastern Europe. It also secured a lasting peace.

I'm sorry to see you articulate about Hezbollah and its aggression the same weak world-view that encouraged Soviet aggression. As Ronald Reagan showed us, peace through strength is the only formulation understood by those bent on destruction.

I understand your longing for peace and your fond hope that Hezbollah can be reasoned with. However, when you call Israel's defense "an attack", when you call what is justified "unjustified", and when you call morality immoral, I conclude that the pro-defense, strong foreign policy lessons of the 70s and 80s remain unacceptable to you. Also, when you criticize Israel for targeting so-called "civilian" areas in Beirut and other areas where Hezbollah hides its operations, the result would be - if Israel listened to you - the creation of safe havens from which more violence and rocket attacks would be planned and launched.

Sadly, Hezbollah today is planning its next war. For the sake of peace, Israel deserves your praise, not your condemnation.

Sincerely,
L. Ari Fleischer

Well, I never knew Fleischer was a Democrat back in the day but that is not the reason I posted this letter that he sent to former President Jimmy Carter.

Wow, blogger is a pain today

Democrats running for president in 2008 should take a huge look at this article.

Paramount is in a war of the worlds in Hollywood after their firing of Tom Cruise.

The Guidugli family picnic takes place this Saturday. It's usually the can't-miss political event in Northern Kentucky.

Rob Corddry signed off from The Daily Show last night so TV Squad takes a look at who is left on the show.

David Ortiz smashed another baseball as the Red Sox give Jered Weaver his first MLB loss.
Boston 2, LA Angels 1
Winning pitcher - Josh Beckett (14-8)
SV - Jonathan Papelbon (34)
HR: David Ortiz (46)

Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT) has called for troop withdrawal in Iraq.

Caption contest

Choose your caption of this photo of Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Governor Ernie Fletcher (R-KY).

Fletcher

Why in the heck did Stumbo let Gov. Ernie Fletcher off so easily? I'm ashamed of him right now. Here, you have an Attorney General who has pretty much pardoned Gov. Fletcher of all charges against him and mind you, this has been going on since May of 2005. I really hope we have someone primary Greg Stumbo at this point because Fletcher is guilty and you and I both know it. Fletcher will lose his own party's nomination. Stumbo, if he runs for governor, will most likely lose the nomination.

The taxpayers were the big losers today. All this taxpayer money goes to investigate the governor and a Grand Jury investigation to find Stumbo basically pardoning Fletcher. I said that already, didn't I?

Anyway, I reluctantly voted for Stumbo in the 2003 general election as I voted for Ed Hatchett in the primary. I'll likely vote for someone other than Greg Stumbo next year.

Katrina: One Year Later

It's very hard to believe that it's been almost one year since Hurricane Katrina devestated the gulf coast and left many families without a home due to the levee breaking and flooding the city.

Here was my first post on the incident from Sunday, August 28, 2005.
Second post: Superdome Roof Blown Off
Here's another related post.

Red Sox end streak

The Boston Red Sox have ended their depressing losing skid and finally won a game last night.

Boston 5, LA Angels 4
Winning pitcher - Jon Lester (7-2)
SV - Jonathan Papelbon (33)
HR: David Ortiz (45), Wily Pena (11)

I don't know if you noticed but David Ortiz is getting very close to the American League's single-season home run record set back in 1961 by Roger Maris with 61 home runs. Ortiz is only 16 home runs away with less than four games remaining on the regular season schedule. Is there a possibly that he can break the record? There definitely is. Now, here's the big question, can a DH win the MVP award?!? I'm personally an NL guy being that my overall favorite team resides in St. Louis, Missouri.

British Jews are about to celebrate 350 years of being readmitted to live in England. Don't expect London Mayor Ken Livingstone to be a part of the festivities at all.

The anniversary of official Jewish re-entry into England in 1656, when Cromwell is believed to have granted the community the rights to practice openly and build cemeteries, has been marked throughout the year with a series of cultural, educational and official events presented by individuals, Jewish organizations and cultural institutions.

At the most visible anniversary event of the year so far, Prime Minister Tony Blair, BBC Chairman Michael Grade and other officials joined Britain’s chief Orthodox rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks, and 500 invited guests in a June service at Britain’s oldest synagogue, the Bevis Marks Synagogue in London’s East End.

After the British national anthem was recited in Hebrew, Blair told the congregation that Britain’s Jewish community demonstrates “how identity through faith can be combined with a deep loyalty to our nation.”

Jews first arrived in Britain with William the Conqueror in 1066 and served as special representatives of the king. For over a century, they worked as moneylenders and coin dealers.

According to Richard Huscroft, author of “Edward I and the Jews,” by the mid-13th century more than one-third of the circulated coins in England were controlled by a few hundred Jews, leading the king to levy upon them untenable rates of taxation and creating rampant anti-Semitism.

Conditions became so bad that the Jews volunteered to leave in 1255, but their request was turned down by Henry III, who considered them royal property.

In 1290, a short time after money lending was made heretical and illegal in England, Edward I expelled the Jews, who fled to continental Europe.

Not all historians agree about the exact date of the Jews’ official re-entry into England, or if re-entry in fact was granted by Oliver Cromwell at all.

According to Eliane Glaser, a Jewish scholar who also works for BBC radio, when Rabbi Menasseh of Amsterdam appealed to Cromwell in 1656 at the Whitehall Conference of traders and businessmen to allow the Jews back into England, no verdict was given.

The following year, the few hundred Jews still living in England but practicing covertly were turned down when they petitioned to have a synagogue and a cemetery.

“The process of re-entry was gradual and didn’t just happen all of a sudden in 1656,” Glaser told JTA. “Bevis Marks Synagogue wasn’t founded until 1701. There was much debate at the time about who let the Jews back in, and it was probably people who didn’t like Cromwell that claimed it had been him because he had organized the Whitehall Conference.”

In 1894, the first “resettlement day” was celebrated by Jews in Britain, and Glaser hypothesizes that they chose to celebrate Cromwell because he was more popular at the time than Charles II.

“In a way, these anniversaries do provide an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Jews in this country,” Glaser said. “But we have a vibrant history of questioning and engaging in critical debate, and if we celebrate tolerance only, we can’t see what has gone wrong and can’t do anything to address current issues like religious disintegration.”

In any event, this year’s celebrations have prompted many British Jews to get in touch with their heritage, marked most notably by sold-out lectures on British Jewish history, as well as the public’s use of the newly re-opened Jewish Chronicle archives.

Comedian Jon Stewart is headed to Ohio for a week of reporting from The Ohio State University. No word yet on how the Michigan fans feel about this recent turn of events.

On the four shows, to air at 11 p.m. each night of taping, correspondents Samantha Bee, Dan Bakkedahl, Jason Jones and John Oliver “will provide political commentary from various locations in and around Ohio, to give viewers a unique perspective that only a true outsider can provide,” according to “The Daily Show” announcement.

Religion and politics are appearing in a lot of books this fall.

Others, such as Jonathan Miller, a Democrat and Kentucky's state treasurer, see a positive, unifying role for religion. His "The Compassionate Community" advocates a "values-based policy agenda," based in part on biblical writings, and includes an afterword by former Vice President Al Gore, a Democrat, and a blurb from Republican Christine Todd Whitman, the former New Jersey governor and head of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski can treasure the last few months of the office because he won't be working there next year.

With 87 percent of precincts reporting, Sarah Palin, a former Wasilla mayor, won the GOP nomination with 51 percent of the vote. Former state legislator John Binkley came in second with 30 percent. Murkowski polled just 19 percent.

Palin will next face Tony Knowles, a former two-term governor. Knowles handily won the Democratic primary with 74 percent of the vote, beating state Rep. Eric Croft.

Elections also were held Tuesday in Wyoming, where incumbent Dave Freudenthal easily won the Democratic gubernatorial primary, and in Oklahoma, where three-term Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin won the Republican nomination in District 5 in her bid to become the state's first female member of Congress since 1920.

I'm not surprised in this bit of news. Outfielder Shawn Green is one of the most famous Jews to play the game since Sandy Koufax and Hammerin' Hank Greenberg.

“It’s something that’s always intrigued me,” said the baseball player, who was traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks. “New York is head and shoulders the largest Jewish population in the country, if not the world, and it will be an interesting and fun experience for me.”

Green made headlines in 2004 when he sat out one game for Yom Kippur, but played in one as well.

New York is leading the NL Eastern division so the question now is: Will Shawn Green be playing on Rosh HaShanah or Yom Kippur?

SNL lets five go

The list is here.

DEFINITE:
Kenan Thompson (2003-2006)
Chris Parnell (1998-2006)
Horatio Sanz (1998-2006)
Tina Fey (2000-2006)
Rachel Dratch (1999-2006)

NOT SURE:
Darrell Hammond (1995-)

Some reports have Will Forte leaving. Others have Maya Rudolph leaving on her own.

Ho is in denial

President Bush comes clean!

The President, in a press conference, has finally come clean!

Q: What did Iraqi have to do with that?

Bush: What did Iraq have to do with what?

Q: The attacks upon the World Trade Center.

Bush: Nothing.

Earlier in the press conference, he said the following: "Nobody likes to see innocent people die."

Cleveland is looking to host the 2008 GOP Convention.

Protest songs are still relevant in this day and age. And yes, they still come in cycles.

Expect Saturday Night Live to have a smaller cast when the season starts up in September as six castmembers have quit or were let go.

The A.V. Club interviews Conan O'Brien.

AVC: You'll be taking over The Tonight Show in 2009. Will that give you enough time to prepare?

COB: I asked them if 2015 is possible. It's like a term paper. It's like calling your professor the night before, and saying your mom is sick. I'm going to call NBC the night before and say, "Can we make it 2015?" I'm going to keep trying to get an extension over and over again until it's around 2020, when the president of the U.S. is an aluminum cyborg. I think that's the appropriate time to take the 11:30 slot.

Former Virginia Governor Mark Warner weighs in the New Hampshire issue.

It looks like Joe Lieberman picked up some significant endorsements.

Trey Grayson was in Fletcher's audience recently.

Evan Bayh and Facebook are making the rounds. The latest to report is ABC.

Red Sox news: Not a good final run if this is what you call one...
Boston 3, LA Angels 4
Losing pitcher - Kason Gabbard (0-2)

Just a reminder that Redbirds Fun has been the home for my writings about the Cardinals since before the season. It can also be found towards the top of the sidebar.

Checking out the news...

Bill McClellan's article in the Post-Dispatch mentions that Bayh is the strongest candidate for the nomination.

Nero first talked about the Democrats. He said Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York is clearly the early favorite, but will face a strong challenge from Russ Feingold of Wisconsin. He was the only senator to vote against the original Patriot Act, and he has always opposed the war in Iraq, Nero said. So he'll get an early boost from the crowd that opposed Sen. Joe Lieberman. But that will actually help Clinton because a challenge from the left will frame her as a centrist. She'll win the nomination and select Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois as her running mate.

A woman and a black? Isn't that risky?

Not really, Nero said. Most of the country is beyond that, he said. He also said that the strongest Democratic nominee would be Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana. He's experienced. He's not seen as a polarizing figure, and he has consistently won elections in a red state. He could win Ohio in addition to Indiana, Nero said. You have to figure out what states a nominee can win.

In baseball trivia, today in 1961, Roger Maris became the first major league baseball player to reach 50 home runs in the month of August.

Be sure to check out this CD. Sales will benefit the terror victims in Israel.

From Honest Reporting, we've learned of some of the information from Israel which was rarely, if ever, reported by the American media. The information comes straight from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

43 Israeli civilians were killed by Hezbollah rocket fire
116 Israeli soldiers and officers were killed
3,970 rockets were fired at Israel, 901 of them hit urban areas
4,262 civilians were treated in hospitals for injuries
6,000 Israeli private homes were damaged
300,000 Israelis were forced to flee
Over 1,000,000 Israelis were forced to spend a month in bomb shelters
One third of the population of Israel was directly exposed to the missile threat
Over $1,400,000,000 is estimated to be the direct economic loss to the Israeli economy

Mazel Tov to Rep. Steve Rothman of NJ.

In Canadian news, it appears that some prominent members of the Liberal Party have made the switch to the other side due to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's stance on Israel and frustration with their own party.

Bring back Stargate: SG1

In some sad news today, it was announced that Stargate: SG1 was cancelled and that Atlantis was renewed for a 4th season. This pisses me off because I enjoy SG1 so much. Contact them if you don't want it cancelled:
SciFi Channel
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY
United States
NY 10020

MGM/UA
2500 Broadway St.
Santa Monica, CA
United States
CA 90040

Or email feedback@scifi.com

More news of the day...

Make that news of the past week since I recieved Google alerts and just now changed the settings so that posts get back to normal.

Again, these are some dark days for the Red Sox. They got swept in a five game series by the New York Yankees.
N.Y. Yankees 2, Boston 1
Losing pitcher - David Wells (2-3)
HR: Wily Pena (10)

Graham Nash now signs on to have his own show on XM Radio.

Col. Mike Weaver got some much-needed publicity.

Will Singer return to the X-Men franchise?

Monday Monday

So the semester got underway today. It should be my last first day of college in the fall. Anyway, I heard the strangest thing. Apparently, someone is spreading a rumor that I am in Hollywood this fall. It's blatantly untrue. It's the second time I've heard this as well.

I went to bed at the end of the ninth inning of last night's Red Sox-Yankees game which was delayed due to rain. Ortiz went yard again for the 44th time this season. He's gaining ground on Roger Maris's historic single-season record--which is still alive in the American League.

N.Y. Yankees 8, Boston 5
Losing pitcher - Craig Hansen (1-1)
HR: David Ortiz (44)

Surprisingly, that's all I have for now. I need to reset my Google alerts for daily now that I am back on campus.

Commander in Chief

Please sign this petition to bring back Commander in Chief.

Chuck Hagel: A Good Republican

Senator Chuck Hagel shows some sanity in his recent comments today. Hagel is a moderate Republican if you ask me.

Republicans have lost their way when it comes to many core GOP principles and may be in jeopardy heading into the fall elections, Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb. says.

Hagel, a possible presidential candidate in 2008, said Sunday that the GOP today is very different party from the one when he first voted Republican.

"First time I voted was in 1968 on top of a tank in the Mekong Delta," said Hagel, a Vietnam veteran. "I voted a straight Republican ticket. The reason I did is because I believe in the Republican philosophy of governance. It's not what it used to be. I don't think it's the same today."

Hagel asked: "Where is the fiscal responsibility of the party I joined in '68? Where is the international engagement of the party I joined - fair, free trade, individual responsibility, not building a bigger government, but building a smaller government?"

His frustration does not lead him to think Democrats offer a better alternative. But Hagel wants to see the GOP return to its basic beliefs.

"I think we've lost our way," Hagel said. "And I think the Republicans are going to be in some jeopardy for that and will be held accountable."

Hagel has not decided whether he will run for president in 2008. But he respects his wife's reservations about being first lady - cited in a book about Hagel.

Could Hagel be going independent soon? We shall certainly see...

In other news....

I'm glad to say that blogging will return to normal starting today!

In case you didn't hear about it, Rescue Me's Denis Leary and Lenny Clarke were recently guests in the booth during a recent NESN broadcast of the Boston Red Sox game. JTA has more. It appears that Seth Mnookin posted a transcript on his blog.

Denis Leary: Now, Youkilis, is he a Greek kid?
Jerry Remy: No, I don’t think so.
Don Orsillo: I think he’s Jewish.
JR: He’s Jewish, yeah.
Lenny Clarke: Really?
DL: that’s fantastic. That’s one bottle of whiskey away from being Irish Catholic. They got the Manischewitz, we got the Jamesons. It’s the same guilt, the same bad food. That’s fantastic, we got a Jewish first baseman! I didn’t know that. This is fabulous...I’m so proud to have a Jewish first baseman. i didn’t even know!
LC: I hope Mel Gibson doesn’t come into this park. We’ll run him out of here on a rail.
DL: Nice! Yeah, where’s Mel Gibson now! Where’s Mel Gibson now, huh? He’s in rehab! he’s in rehab and Youkilis has got first base, alright Mel! (Don Orsillo giggles uncontrollably.) You happy Braveheart, huh? You see that grab, Mel? I hope in rehab they’re showing replays of that. A Jewish first baseman makes the play, Mel Gibson! Good luck when you come out. Call Jeffrey Katzenberg and ask for a job when you get out. We’ll have a whole Jewish infield by the time he gets out. Bring back Sandy Koufax, Mel Gibson, huh? Braveheart, my ass. Thatta boy, Kev.
LC: We should have Sandy Koufax pitch at Mel’s head.
DL: That should be his community service, get in the box against Sandy Koufax. Guess who’s at first base? Kevin Youkilis!
LC: Now what other Jewish players are there, because I’m not aware.
JR: Gabe Kapler, I think.
DL: Gabe Kapler! We got two Jews on this team, Mel! Where’s your father now, huh?
LC: How about that, Mel?
DL: Yeah. It feels good to get that out, didn’t it?
LC: We’ve got quite a team.
LC: Are we in trouble?
DL: No, we’re not in trouble. They don’t have TVs in rehab.
LC: Oh, I don’t care about Mel.

Deadspin has a link to the vieo somewhere.

In other Red Sox news:
August 18
Game 1
N.Y. Yankees 12, Boston 4
Losing pitcher - Jason Johnson (3-12)
HR: Manny Ramirez (33)

Game 2
N.Y. Yankees 14, Boston 11
Losing pitcher - Mike Timlin (5-3)
HR: David Ortiz (43)

August 19
N.Y. Yankees 13, Boston 5
Losing pitcher - Josh Beckett (13-8)
HR: Manny Ramirez (34)

These are, without a doubt, some dark days for the Boston Red Sox.

Forward article

The Forward, the nation's leading Jewish paper, has an excellent article on Dan Gerstein.

In-depth update....

Until this weekend comes, updates have been as best as I could do. However, once this weekend comes, blogging will return to normalcy. Unlike last semester when I hardly blogged during the early morning on Mondays and Wednesdays, I will have the time to do that.

Aish.com has a new movie on the photo fraud in Lebanon. Speaking of Eretz Yisrael, the UN must make sure that Hezbollah is disarmed.

Okay, so it looks like I have to break my own rule again in reporting about the CT senatorial race. JTA actually has an article on Lamont's position on Israel.

He has spoken out strongly in support of Israel, is skeptical about faith-based initiatives and opposes what he sees as unnecessary restrictions on civil liberties.

Those views could help Ned Lamont win more Jewish support in this fall’s election for a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut — even though his major opponent is a leading Jewish politician.[...]

Pudlin said the primary campaign included very little direct outreach to the Jewish community, which represents about 3 percent of the state’s population and 5 percent of the electorate. CBS/New York Times exit polls showed Lieberman outpolling Lamont 61 percent to 39 percent among Jewish voters.

Lieberman’s pledge to run as an independent in the November general election against Lamont and Republican Alan Schlesinger may create a dilemma for some Jewish voters, who will have to choose between loyalties to the Democratic Party and to a co-religionist.

Ira Forman, executive director of the National Jewish Democratic Council, said Lamont has handled issues of importance to Jews adeptly so far.

“He’s saying the right things on issues that are important for the vast majority of Jewish voters. His statements on Israel have been correct, and he’s been criticized from the left for being too supportive of Israel,” said Forman, whose group generally does not make endorsements during primaries.

During the campaign, Lamont was endorsed by the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, civil rights activists who sometimes have had strained relations with the Jewish community.

Marvin Lender, a Connecticut resident and chairman of the Israel Policy Forum who has been a strong Lieberman financial backer and adviser, said Lamont would have a solid voting record on issues of importance to Jews.

But he predicted Lamont would be less effective as a policy-maker because of Lieberman’s long involvement in the Middle East.

“The Lieberman-Lamont primary wasn’t about Jewish issues. Lamont would do all the right things with respect to Israel, and no one has led me to believe he doesn’t care about these issues,” said Lender, who is backing Lieberman’s independent candidacy.

But he added that Lamont “doesn’t have Joe’s experience in the region and the firsthand knowledge you need to make a contribution to trying to find a solution.”

Bruce Springsteen is releasing a special edition of We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions on Oct 3, 2006.

In Red Sox news, they have traded for Eric Hinske of the Blue Jays. Also,

August 15
Detroit 4, Boston 6
Winning pitcher - David Wells (2-2)
SV - Jonathan Papelbon (32)
HR: David Ortiz (42)

Neil Young has a new music video for "After the Garden."

Mel Gibson has been sentenced to probation for three years.

Some of the victims in Northern Israel from the Hezbollah rockets included animals.

When tens of thousands of Israelis fled their homes as Hezbollah rockets began raining down on northern Israel, they left behind not only hastily locked-up houses but, in many cases, their pets.

After days and weeks of being left to fend for themselves, many of the animals were found starving and dehydrated in the streets of northern towns and cities. Estimates put the number of animals in distress at about 8,000.

Three dogs were killed after a rocket hit the house in Kiryat Shmona where their owner had tied them up and left them. Some dogs were found wounded, their bodies riddled with shrapnel.

Many others, terrified by the sound of rocket fire and artillery blasts, fled their homes and began living on the streets.

Soon after the fighting began, Hakol Chai, an Israeli animal welfare group, began sending volunteers to feed and water animals and rescue those in need of medical attention. Yadin Elam, the organization’s director, finds it hard to believe so many pets were left behind.

The owners “probably thought it wouldn’t take so long, thinking, ‘We’ll leave food for our pets.’ Some of them called us,” Elam said. “I have some issues with those people, but they’re not the same as people who didn’t do anything. Some even chained their dogs in the yard.”

I wouldn't leave man's best friend behind.

Senator George Allen (R-VA) made some remarks recently about a Jim Webb supporter. I admit to not being the biggest Jim Webb fan since his campaign advertisement dealing with Harris Miller but Allen's remarks went too far. I give the edge in the race to Webb.

Here's an update about Kentucky Democratic Party's Family Day:

Release to Party Officials 8/16/06

Kentucky Democratic Party - Allison Haley

FRANKFORT - Many thanks to Kentucky Democratic Party Vice-Chair Joni Jenkins, who, last night, brought to our attention the scheduled date for the 2nd Annual KDP Family Day falls on the same day as Rosh Hashanah. This was an oversight on our part, brought on by an effort to plan a date that did not conflict with any other events in the state.

We apologize to anyone who may have been offended by this oversight and hope you realize it was simply a scheduling error.

Originally, KDP Family Day was planned as part of a two-day event on September 9 and 10. We then rescheduled due to conflicts with other planned events, including the St. John's Picnic in Western Kentucky.

In an effort to include all Democrats in Kentucky, we have again rescheduled KDP Family Day for Sunday, September 24, from noon to 5 p.m.

We hope that you, your family members and friends will join us for this fun, family event. There will be free food and drinks, games, carnival rides, music and face painting. There will also be a healthy dose of political speaking from former Democratic governors, current lawmakers and candidates, which will begin at 2 p.m.

Apparently, nobody told schedulers that Rosh HaShanah doesn't end til Sunday EVENING. So count me out for the event that I was really looking forward to going to and getting together with old friends in Frankfort.

I was at last year's family day and enjoyed it.

Thank you. Thank you very much...

Today in 1977, Elvis officially left the building.

Family Day on Rosh HaShanah?!?

That's right, the Kentucky Democratic Party has scheduled the second annual Family Day during Rosh HaShanah. In case Chairman Lundergan did not know, about 90% of the Jewish population votes for Democrats. In terms of state leadership within the party, there's both Jonathan Miller and Kathy Stein. In Louisville, we've got Jerry for Life. Thanks to Mark for bringing this to our attention.

Did anyone else notice Ronnie Belliard was mistaken as Rafael Belliard by the Reds commentators George Grand and Chris Welsh in the sixth or seventh inning?

Check out this piece of news from our neighbors to the east in West Virginia.

U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, already far ahead in fundraising in his re-election race, will be able to collect triple what he previously could from donors, after opponent John Raese tripped the Federal Election Commission’s “millionaire’s provision” last week.

Raese, a multimillionaire Republican businessman from Morgantown, added more than $250,000 of his own money to his campaign coffers last week. Altogether, he has loaned or given about $1.15 million to his own campaign.

Under a convoluted FEC formula involving the amount given, population of the state and amount the opponent has raised, it tripped the clause meant to make elections fairer.

Marvel has pretty much killed the "Civil War" series by delaying every thing by a month.

Do you have any property that is unclaimed? You may just want to check ebay!

Facebook will start to play a roll in politics.

The Second City troupe in Denver has a new revue named How I Lost My Denverginity.

CSNY was in South Florida recently. Check out a review here.

In Red Sox news:
August 10
Boston 4, Kansas City 5
Losing pitcher - Curt Schilling (14-5)
HR: Doug Mirabelli (4), Wily Pena (8)

August 11
Baltimore 2, Boston 9
Winning pitcher - David Wells (1-2)

August 12
Baltimore 7, Boston 8
Winning pitcher - Jonathan Papelbon (4-2)
HR: Coco Crisp (5), Doug Mirabelli (5), Wily Pena (9)

August 13
Baltimore 9, Boston 11
Winning pitcher - Jon Lester (6-2)
SV - Jonathan Papelbon (31)
HR: Mike Lowell (14), Doug Mirabelli (6), Kevin Youkilis (12)

August 14
Detroit 7, Boston 4
Losing pitcher - Josh Beckett (13-7)
HR: Kevin Youkilis (13)

August 15
Detroit 3, Boston 2
Losing pitcher - Mike Timlin (5-2)
HR: Coco Crisp (6)

All the blog fit to print

You're kidding, right?

May 2007 will bring a heckload of money into the box office.

Spider-Man 3, Shrek the Third and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

Ambassador Dennis Ross will be speaking at a Louisville fundraiser for Ken Lucas on September 6th. I think the cost is $250.

The Steak Fry in Iowa is just around the corner. Obama is Tom Harkin's guest.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer has started his re-election bid by starting to raise money online for his re-election in 2008.

Say what?!? Natalie Portman is set to play a hooker in Johnny Postal! The film also has Blondie's lead singer Deborah Harry in the cast.

This NY Times article is worth the read. Check out Evan Bayh's hair while your at it!

At 50, Mr. Bayh has already served two terms as governor of Indiana and is in his second term as senator. He is clearly proud of his ability to run — and win — in a conservative, Midwestern state, an important part of the political rationale for his potential presidential candidacy. (He has said he will make a decision by the end of this year.)

While Birch Bayh was known as a classic “Great Society liberal,” as Evan Bayh has put it, and as a champion of causes like the equal rights amendment, the son has long been a careful centrist, a former chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council and a founder of the Third Way, a centrist research group.

Visiting 22 states over the past year, he has argued that the way for Democrats to win is to reach out to the middle class, demonstrate credibility on national security and show respect for faith and values issues.

“The world has changed a lot” since his father’s day, Mr. Bayh said. “So it’s natural that how we solve our problems changes, too.” For example, he said, the importance of fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets has become increasingly apparent over the years. And from a political standpoint, Democrats have learned over and over since 1980 the power of an ideological campaign when waged against them.

Mr. Bayh was 24 when his father ran for re-election in 1980; he took a break from law school to be chairman of his campaign. It was clear, early on, that it would be a tough election: double-digit inflation, a hostage crisis, an embattled Democratic president at the top of the ticket, and the emergence of a tough new conservative organization known as the National Conservative Political Action Committee, or Ncpac.

Ncpac wanted not only to defeat a generation of liberals — Mr. Bayh, Mr. Culver, Senator George McGovern of South Dakota, Senator Frank Church of Idaho and a handful of others — but also to “send a shiver down the spine of every other liberal senator and congressman,” as one official put it. They succeeded at both.

Afterward, “I came close to being turned off to politics,” Evan Bayh said. “I love my father and I believe in him. And he lost to Dan Quayle. I had a hard time understanding how that could happen.”

But Mr. Bayh said he ultimately came to see the loss as “an occupational hazard.” He added: “Every once in a while, an election comes along and who you are and what you believe gets subsumed in a larger tide. It just happens.”

People wanted change in 1980, he said. “And I think people want a change now,” he added.

But do Democrats want, in 2008, the practical centrism that Mr. Bayh offers? Or are they hungry, once again, for an unapologetic liberalism to match the conservatism on the right?

Mr. Bayh replied that Democrats who “believe we can stay true to our progressive heritage and implement it in practical ways” and who are keenly aware that “the Republicans are trying to pigeonhole us” will eventually “make their voices heard.”

The elder Mr. Bayh, now a 78-year-old lawyer and lobbyist in Washington, said the differences between his politics and those of his son tended to be exaggerated. But in general, said Mr. Bayh, who ran unsuccessfully for the presidency in 1976, “I try to remain at arm’s length; he’s the candidate, not old dad.”

I gotta go to get a hair cut, which is kinda sad given that at the young age of 21, I'm starting to lose hair--which is not fun given that if your grandparents were not bald, then you are not supposed to be bald.

X4?!?

It looks like it WILL happen.

The surprise clip at the end of this summer's "X-Men: The Last Stand," belied the film's title, leaving room for yet another stand of the mutant brigade. But when and which of the mutant posse will be back are the outstanding questions. Exec producer Lauren Shuler Donner reports that renegotiations will be in order for the fourth installment of the big-screen sagas.
"The newer cast members are signed, and the older cast members are not." Considering the older names involved -- Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Romijn, Famke Janssen and Anna Paquin -- that could run into a huge chunk of money.

All that's putting the cart before the wolverine, of course, since Hugh Jackman is set to reprise his role as the manicure-challenged mutant superhero in his own film. "Next, we're going to do 'Wolverine,' but not before the end of the year because he's in the Baz Luhrmann film," she says of the filmmaker's untitled Australian epic with Nicole Kidman. However, "We have the script and are working on it."

James Marsden (Cyclops) is also speaking in favor.

We asked James about a spinoff for his character of Cyclops; he kind of danced around the subject, but did say, "Yeah, I think this is going to be - no, no, I, um - I have no idea. I don't think that they're doing a Cyclops spin-off, but, if they're doing a 4th one, I don't know, I doubt it. I think they're just going forward with the Wolverine spin-off, I think with Hugh (Jackman)."

Even though it's supposedly a prequel for Wolverine, James said he'd love to join the cast if he's asked. "It's prior to our meeting in the first film. Yeah, I feel very lucky to be a part of those films and great affection for the comics and for those characters and I feel very lucky to be a part of it and I would. If they'd have me, I'd be a part of everyone they did."

Real update tomorrow...

But check out the Garlic's top 10. I need that laugh after the past weekend!

I watched the 60 Minutes interview last night and was less than impressed. I was waiting for Mike Wallace to jump him.

Steve Henry Update

Rumor has it that former Lt. Governor Steve Henry has chosen a running mate. No idea who it is or if this rumor is true as of the moment.

EDIT:
I don't know how credible David Adams at Kentucky Progress is or not, but he's reporting that Lt. Governor Henry will be naming State Treasurer Jonathan Miller as his running mate. All it is at this time, in my opinion, is a rumor although I'm surprised that Mark has yet to post something yet about it.

EDIT:
The rumor is untrue.

Review World Trade Center

Everytime that I write this review, there seems to be a political rant going on. I hope I've cleaned that part up. While it is a film that focuses on the events that happened on 9/11, it largely focuses on the events that happened to Will Jimeno and John McLaughlin, officers in the Port Authority Police Department. It also focuses on what led Dave Karnes to re-enlist in the Marines.

Oliver Stone did a very good job as the director. There were a few moments of comic relief and given the subject of the movie, that was definitely needed. I'm glad that Stone didn't make it a conspiracy theory movie like JFK was. I'd say it's definitely worthy of an Oscar nomination.

Seeing this movie made be realize that it's hard to believe that we're coming up on the five year anniversary of one of the worst attacks on American soil ever. I still remember where I was when I heard that there was an attack. I was sitting in my second period class, which was keyboarding. When I heard the announcement over Ballard's PA system, I immediately thought something happened in Israel since these things are unheard of in America. Oy, was I wrong! It was the World Trade Center, and then later, a plane crashed into the Pentagon. The rest is self-explanatory. Two hours later, the twin towers collapsed to the ground.

I won't lie. The worst thing that happened at the time was that the media kept saying where the president was. Even though I'm a Democrat, it's times like those that you don't give away the locations of the leadership although I'll never forget the quote that Bush made that evening:

Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.

With seeing the movie, I'm reminded that our country is very much still at war with radical Islamic militants. I'm not saying all people of Islam are bad, just the radical ones. We have troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, though going into Iraq was not justified and made things worse. Afghanistan was justified and the Taliban had to be taken out--not just that but why hasn't OBL been found yet? How hard is it to find a six foot Saudi terrorist?!?

Internationally, the reaction from several people that day was "We are all Americans!" Of course, that day, many of us felt we were New Yorkers whether we lived there or not. Seeing the movie made me feel like I was reliving that dreadful day. It took me a while to write this review as I had to gather my thoughts since it just made me as depressed as I was then (I've been repeatedly listing to Coldplay's "Fix You" and Green Day's "Wake Me Up When September Ends" as that was how depressed I got by seeing the movie.)

The question is: is it too soon for a movie about 9/11? I don't think any time is ever too soon but it had to be made eventually. That being said, in light of the events this week, the war on terrorism is not ending any time soon. Yes, we should get out of Iraq before it becomes less stable than it already is (Hussein had to go, no questions there, but there had to have been a diplomatic way). Iran is a threat. Syria is potential threat.

I do urge caution if and when you do see this movie. You will likely be depressed afterwards. I was hesitant at first because of the fact that less than five years may be too soon. It will likely gather a several Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. It's my pick, at this moment, for Best Picture at the Oscars.

I'm stopping now before I have to listen to those songs again.

Oliver Stone's World Trade Center

I just got back from World Trade Center. It's been almost five years to date. As a result, I'm feeling a bit depressed right now. I'll have more tomorrow after gathering my thoughts.

EDIT:
I'm working on a review right now. It's just that I don't want to make it sound too political.

In other news...

It's a busy news day here at the Kentucky Democrat.

In SNL news, word on the street is that Horatio Sanz is no longer going to be a cast member on Saturday Night Live.

VH1 will air So Jewtastic on December 19, 2006, shortly before the minor Jewish holiday of Chanukah starts.

The Lebanese govenment has called up 15,000 reservists

Lebanon said it would deploy troops in southern Lebanon if Israel withdrew.[...]

Israeli spokesman Mark Regev told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer that Israel welcomed the decision in principle, but wanted to see whether Hezbollah would disarm.

A recent survey shows strong support from Americans for Israel's recent conflict.

The Israel Project released a poll indicating strong backing for Israel in its conflict with Hezbollah.

The poll, released last Friday, said that 67 percent of Americans surveyed feel Israel is somewhat or strongly justified in its operations in Lebanon.

Also, 68 percent of those polled believe that Israel is targeting Hezbollah strongholds and strategic areas, as opposed to carrying out indiscriminate attacks.

Fifty-one percent support Israel’s continuation of military operations against Hezbollah, while 38 percent say Israel should stop.

I know I said I wouldn't blog about the CT race but this article says it right here.

In baseball...

August 8
Boston 4, Kansas City 6
Losing pitcher - Jon Lester (5-2)
HR: David Ortiz (41), Wily Mo Pena (7)

August 9
Boston 4, Kansas City 5
Losing pitcher - Jonathan Papelbon (3-2)
HR: Manny Ramirez (32)

How Liberal or Conservative are you?

Your Political Profile:

Overall: 40% Conservative, 60% Liberal

Social Issues: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Ethics: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

How Liberal Or Conservative Are You?

Being one who is a moderate and left of center, this does not surprise me the least bit at all. That said, no Democrat should score anything less than 100% liberal on the issue of ethics.

British Thwart Attack

The British police have thwarted an attack from terrorists.

British authorities said Thursday they had disrupted a well-advanced "major terrorist plot" to blow up passenger flights between the United Kingdom and the United States with liquid explosives, prompting a full-scale security clampdown at U.S. and British airports and a cascade of delays in trans-Atlantic flights.

The plot was well planned, well financed and "well advanced," U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff said at a news conference Thursday morning in Washington. It was "about as sophisticated as anything we've seen in recent years as far as terrorism is concerned. . . . This was not a situation with a handful of people sitting around dreaming about terrorist plots."

London's Deputy Police Commissioner, Paul Stephenson, said 21 people had been arrested in London and in Birmingham, England, after a months-long investigation into what he said was a plan for "mass murder on an unimaginable scale." Peter Clarke, chief of the London police department's anti-terrorism branch, said the investigation reached a "critical point" Wednesday night, requiring immediate disruption of the plot, the arrests and the imposition of heightened security measures.

British authorities said the threat involved terrorists who aimed to smuggle liquid explosive material aboard airplanes in hand baggage, including timers and detonators that could be assembled in flight. British Home Secretary John Reid said the operation was aimed at bringing down "a number of aircraft" -- reportedly at least ten -- "through mid-flight explosions, causing a considerable loss of life."

U.S. officials raised the "threat level" for air transport to red, the highest alert. The terrorists had intended to target flights to Washington, New York and California operated by American Airlines, Continental Airlines and United Airlines, a U.S. official said.

Passengers at all airports in the United States were told to expect intensified searches, considerable delays and new restrictions on carry-on items. The Transportation Security Administration announced that passengers on all U.S. flights, domestic and international, would be banned from transporting any type of liquid or gel in their carry-on luggage. The ban applies to all types of beverages, shampoo, toothpaste, hair gels and other items of a similar consistency, the TSA announced.

All of this comes the day after World Trade Center was released domestically in the United States of America.

On Israel

As the NY Times puts it, those on the left or right in Israel support the right for Israel to defend herself from terrorists.

Abroad, Israel is criticized for having overreacted and for causing disproportionate damage to Lebanon and its civilian population and even for indiscriminate bombing. But within Israel, the sense is nearly universal that unlike its invasion of Lebanon in 1982, this war is a matter of survival, not choice, and its legitimacy is unquestioned.

Even the bulk of the Israeli left feels that way. There is no real peace camp in Israel right now, says Yariv Oppenheimer, the secretary general of Peace Now, which has pressed hard for a deal with the Palestinians and on June 22, before this Lebanon war, called for a halt to air raids over the Gaza Strip. “We’re a left-wing Zionist movement, and we believe that Israel has the legitimate right to defend itself,” Mr. Oppenheimer said. “We’re not pacifists. Unlike in Gaza or the West Bank, Israel isn’t occupying Lebanese territory or trying to control the lives of Lebanese. The only occupier there is Hezbollah, and Israel is trying to defend itself.”

In the daily newspaper Haaretz, a cartoon satirized the group, showing a Peace Now advocate, balding with a ponytail, in a coffee shop saying, “It won’t end until we wipe Beirut off the map.”

After the war, Mr. Olmert and his defense minister, Amir Peretz, will face hard questioning, particularly from the center-right, about why there was such an early and naïve dependence on air power and why the ground war began so tentatively, especially in the face of so many rocket attacks on northern cities.

But as the fighting against Hezbollah has proved difficult and hazardous, most Israelis have come to believe that it is important to press ahead with the war and try to secure a visibly successful outcome rather than risk leaving Hezbollah emboldened enough to threaten Israel again.

Democratic Fans at Fancy Farm

This list was emailed to me since I was not able to attend Fancy Farm over the weekend. From what I hear, even though this one was not numbered (the rest were), the top read: "Trey Grayson doesn't count because he's a closet democrat."

10. With gas at $3 a gallon, it is awfully expensive to drive your SUV from Whitley County.
9. Sen. Mitch McConnell had already scheduled a lunch date with Hunter Bates and Steve Pence.
8. They were afraid Congressman Ed Whitfield would bring horse meat to the bar-b-que.
7. The Franklin County Detention Center didn't have a van big enough for all the co-conspirators.
6. Sen. Jim Bunning got his dates confused and showed up last Saturday.
5. They didn't make it back from their hunting trip with Vice President Cheney.
4. They are still looking for weapons of mass destruction.
3. They were afraid Larry Forgy would be off his meds.
2. They were playing reindeer games and wouldn't let poor Rudolph join in.
1. They were afraid to appear on stage with Ernie Fletcher.

Connecticutt

I have no comment on the election results, nor do I expect to blog any about the race until after the general election.

So...

In two weeks, blogging will be as back to normal as it can.

The Red Sox lost yesterday but not before David Ortiz went yard for the 40th time. In case you did not know, the single-season HR record in the American League is still 61, and yes, it still belongs to Roger Maris. Julian Tavarez (2-4) picked up the loss.

Little Green Footballs uncovered a major mishap by Reuters the other day. Obviously, what Reuters did was wrong and the photo should never have been published but even this is just well, it speaks for itself.

"Where is Ernie" seemed to be the theme of the day at Fancy Farm over the weekend. Heck, it even had Trey Grayson announce that he is looking at the big race himself. Grayson announced in March or April 2005 (I believe it was 2005) that he was running for re-election to the post he now serves. If you didn't read it in the news, you're correct as it was on The Nightly Show with yours truly that he announced.

Luallen rattled off various problems in the state and then let Democratic partisans shout out, "Where is Ernie?"

Treasurer Jonathan Miller, who is leaving his options open for a gubernatorial bid until after November's elections, congratulated Grayson as the only Republican in Frankfort who knows how to use a BlackBerry.

"He put Fancy Farm on his schedule," Miller said, taking an apparent jab at the trouble some Fletcher officials have encountered in the grand jury investigation for their frequent e-mails about state hiring practices.

Stumbo called upon Fletcher and the General Assembly to recoup the $450 million Kentucky loses each year to casinos in other states by expanding gambling and using $100 million to take the state property tax off cars and trucks.

Casino gambling is something I will be promoting in the commonwealth for the rest of my life if need be.

Sen. Lieberman counters his critics with the following:

"I am the only Democrat in America to run against George Bush in a national election twice," Lieberman told supporters at a rally Sunday. "You know why I ran for president in 2004? Because I believe that his agenda was wrong for our country and our future. And that's the truth."[...]

At his campaign rally, Lieberman said he has opposed nearly major domestic issue Bush has backed, including a ban on stem cell research and a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.

Lieberman laid out his stance on Iraq, saying he did support the resolution giving the president authority to take out Saddam Hussein, as did many Senate Democrats.

"I still believe that was right. What I don't think is right, as I have said over and over again, are many of the Bush administration decisions regarding the conduct of the war," he said.

He criticized the president for not having a plan to win the peace and for a shortage of troops and allies.

"Don't think for a minute I do not grieve for every casualty of this war," Lieberman said. "In fact, as someone who voted for the war, I feel a heavy responsibility to try to end it as quickly and successfully as possible."

Did Don McKay just make an endorsement for Ben Chandler for President? Chandler's grandfather ran for president if I recall.

When Dyche’s column was posted to blogger Mark Nicholas’s Web site, Nicholas (Chandler’s former campaign manager) noted that Ben Chandler could be a candidate for national office someday.

I agree with Nicholas.

I have a huge disclaimer. Before becoming a political commentator, I supported Jody Richards in the 2003 Democratic primary against Chandler, but supported and donated to Chandler in the general election. I also helped Chandler when he first ran for Congress.

Chandler shouldn’t start plotting his inauguration speech based on my thoughts. A couple of years ago, I came close to writing that Ernie Fletcher would be a good candidate for president. Although Fletcher had the right paper credentials, he is not on track for the White House. Many think he is politically dead.

To Fletcher’s defense, being politically dead is not what it used to be. Chandler looked politically dead in December of 2003. He got over it.

He is young (47 in September) and a rising star in Congress. He is the only Kentuckian capable of making the jump to the White House. Mitch McConnell and Hal Rogers have tremendous power within Congress, but are not presidential candidates.

No one is looking at Ben Chandler as a presidential candidate in the next cycle, but he could appear on the radar screen after that.

Bayh-Chandler anyone?

This was in a JTA Breaking News Update emailed to JTA subscribers:

Ehud Olmert asked North American Jews for help in fighting Hezbollah. "I believe this is a war which is fought by all the Jews," the Israeli prime minister said in a conference call and webcast Monday. The call was sponsored by the United Jewish Communities to launch its Israel Emergency Campaign.

The DCCC is unlikely to pay for ads in KY-3.

Time to tune in to the Cards-Reds game. Go Cards!

Trey Grayson for Governor?

Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson is entertaining the idea to run for governor in the commonwealth. I wouldn't be surprised if he did. I like Trey Grayson and think he's a fine politician (I'm sure others feel the same), he's better than McConnell and Bunning. Unlike Fletcher et al., he can pick up the moderate support to win the office for Republicans. Grayson is likely already being groomed for the Governor's office. He can work with Democrats based on his work so far with State Treasurer Jonathan Miller.

The news reports show that GOP leaders are talking with him. It's an interesting scenario and we'll see how things play out from here.

Mel: Leave Hollywood

If I pursue a career in entertainment, I will join all of those pledging never to work with Mel Gibson for as long as I leave.

Look at some of the latest:

Personally, I would have drummed Mel Gibson outta Hollywood years ago for making Bird on a Wire. But now that he's supposedly made anti-Semitic remarks while being arrested on suspicion of a DUI, Tinseltown power player Ari Emanuel agrees with me. "People in the entertainment community, whether Jew or Gentile," the agent wrote on HuffingtonPost.com, "need to demonstrate that they understand how much is at stake in this by professionally shunning Mel Gibson and refusing to work with him, even if it means a sacrifice to their bottom line." Already, ABC is on board with the boycott: According to the Wall Street Journal, the network has abruptly canceled the miniseries it was making with Gibson about a pair of lovers during — I kid you not — the Holocaust.

Got this from the Ken Lucas folks:

First, SurveyUSA and WCPO-TV released the first independent poll of our race. By their calculations, Ken leads his opponent by 9 points, 50%-41%. Check out their report.

Then, polling conducted by well-respected veteran pollsters, Cooper & Secrest Associates, revealed an even wider margin. Ken outpaces his opponent 50%-36%--that is a full 14-point lead!

Would have posted it sooner but I've been out of town this week.

Wow! This is not something you see everyday but due to recent conditions, an Israeli couple got married in a bomb shelter of a places.

"This shows Hezbollah and (its leader Hassan) Nasrallah that not even 20,000 missiles can destroy the happiness of the bride and groom," said Boskila, the 29-year-old new husband.

Almost 75 people, at least half of them reporters, packed the 15-square-yard shelter. Most of the guests stood up because of the lack of space for seats.

"For 25 years I have married people, but this is the first time in a shelter," said Rabbi Nissim Malka.

Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz, who I have had the honor of meeting, has wrote about civilian casualties and what it means.

I support Hank Johnson in his race for Congress.

Speaking of Israel and American politics, here's another article on bloggers and their silence with the Middle East conflict. As to my somewhat of a silence lately, it's a mix of having to work and having two vacations while finishing up some requirements for my PR internship class--which ended on Friday. This article comes from Howard Kurtz of the WaPo.

As I've noted before, most of the lefty blogs are avoiding the Middle East war. Some of those puzzled by the relative silence have suggested that these bloggers don't want to wade into this particular crossfire. Some of the bloggers have noted that they have no particular expertise on the subject.

It's well worth the read.

Honest Reporting looks at the situation dealing with Qana. AISH already has compiled myths and facts WHICH YOU NEED TO SEE.

Back to Mel Gibson, here are some responses to the apology.

The Anti-Defamation League, which called Gibson’s first apology "unremorseful and insufficient," said Gibson’s most recent apology "sounds sincere."

Gibson went on an anti-Semitic tirade when he was arrested for drunk driving over the weekend.

The ADL offered to help Gibson, who in his second apology said he wanted to meet with a member of the Jewish community.

The American Jewish Committee also welcomed Gibson’s statement, but pointed out that "complete repentance is measured by actions, not just words, over time."

That's all for now.

Red Sox News

Trying to clean out my email and catch up on the Red Sox at the same time (Visit Redbirds Fun via the blogroll for all the St. Louis Cardinals action).

July 25
Boston 13, Oakland 5
Winning pitcher - Curt Schilling (13-3)
HR: Trot Nixon (7), Manny Ramirez (28)

July 26
Oakland 5, Boston 1
Losing Pitcher - Kyle Snyder (2-2)

July 28
LA Angels 8, Boston 3
Losing pitcher - Jon Lester (5-1)

July 29
LA Angels 6, Boston 7
Winning pitcher - Julian Tavarez (2-3)
HR: David Ortiz (35)

July 30
LA Angels 10, Boston 4
Losing pitcher - Curt Schilling (13-4)

July 31
Cleveland 8, Boston 9
Winning pitcher - Kyle Snyder (3-2)
HR: D. Ortiz 2 (36, 37) W. Pena (5) M. Ramirez (29)

August 1
Cleveland 6, Boston 3
Losing pitcher - Jason Johnson (3-11)
HR: Alex Gonzalez (9), Mark Loretta (4)

August 2
Cleveland 5, Boston 6
Winning pitcher - Jonathan Papelbon (3-1)
HR: Wily Pena (6), Manny Ramirez (30)
The home run marked the

August 3
Cleveland 7, Boston 6
Losing pitcher - Josh Beckett (13-6)

August 4
Boston 3, Tampa Bay 2
Winning pitcher - Curt Schilling (14-4)
SV - Jonathan Papelbon (30)
HR: D. Ortiz 2 (38, 39)

Jason Varitek is having surgery which means he'll be missing a month of the season so the Red Sox decided to trade a player to be named later for Javy Lopez.

Not so-in-depth update

Sen. Bayh opposes any plans to change the primary schedule.

Rob Corddry is in the news. He might star in The Donor.

John David Dyche penned an excelled op-ed on Congressman Ben Chandler.

Red Sox and Israel postings later...

Thoughts on the Hall - Hitter's Edition

The other day, I looked at several starting pitchers and today I am going to focus on several hitters currently playing and two others that may or may not be active since they aren't on a team or are on the inactive list (Bagwell, Sosa, Palmeiro). I went over to Baseball-Reference.com and looked at the active leaders in batting average, hits, and home runs. Since that website has not been updated in terms of this years stats so far, I had to edit the stats on Excel. Let's get down to business.

Ichiro Suzuki - In just 5 and a half seasons, Suzuki has a career .333 average. In his short MLB career, he has over 1,000 hits. He's only 33 so age will probably factor in to when he retires. If he retires with over 3,000 hits, he'll likely be elected and become the first Japanese player to enter the HOF.

Todd Helton - Helton is a likely candidate for the HOF. He has a .333 average in his career. Going into today, he has over 1600 hits. His age does help a little since he's 33. He has power as well when he hits and has accumulated well over 200 career home runs. Playing at Coors helps that with the thin air. I think Todd Helton is in. In six more seasons, he'll be 40 years old and we've seen that some guys still have it at 40. He'll get 3,000 hits in his career. He's been to five all-star games and won three gold gloves.

Albert Pujols - Pujols is one of the best young players out there. He's the first to hit 30 home runs in his first six seasons as a major league ballplayer. Pujols reached his 1,000th hit at a pace equal to Todd Helton. His career average is .331 and he's likely to finish up with probably 800 or so home runs to become the new home run king. Pujols has 234 home runs, including 33 this season. He's been to six all-star games and took home a ROY and MVP award. El Homebre is signed with the Cards for at least another five or six seasons. At only 26 years old, he is listed along all the Cardinal greats, and well on his way to the Hall of Fame assuming injury does not plague his career.

Vladimir Guerrero - Vlady or Spider-Man. In less than 11 full seasons, Vlady has hit 326 home runs. At this pace, he will enter the Hall of Fame as a member of the 500 home run club. Vlady has seen 6 all-star games so far and has taken home the 2004 AL MVP award. He should have well over 2,000, if not 2,500 hits by the time he enters the HOF. I just don't think he'll get to 3,000 hits. He's batting .323 in his career.

Nomar Garciaparra - Nomar has been plagued by injuries in his career but he's batting .320 nonetheless. He needs three more hits to be officially halfway to 3,000 as he's sitting on 1,497 right now. Nomar was the 1997 ROY in the AL and has seen six all-star games. If he keeps it up and doesn't get injured for the next ten or so seasons, Nomar will join baseball immortality. Like Helton, he's also 33.

Derek Jeter - It's no coincidence that his jersey is a single digit. Most of the Yankee greats have a jersey number lower than ten. Jeter is just over 32 years old so I figure he has at least another eight seasons left in him. At that rate of 200 hits or so a season, I see Jeter getting to 3,000 in the next five seasons, if not six. He's not a power hitter but he career batting average is .316. The four World Series rings help a little as well as the six all-star selections. He'll get elected on his first ballot.

Manny Ramirez - Ramirez is practically a lock right now for the HOF. He's got 464 home runs and 2,034 hits (.314 career AVG). His attitude when it comes to all-star selections may not work in his favor but Manny is in the HOF every way that I look at it despite not playing in a bulk of the nine all-star selections if any. When he came up, he was only 21, and is now in his 14th season. Even if he doesn't get 3,000 hits before retirement, the 500 home runs that he will hit will get him enshrined.

Mike Piazza - Piazza has become one of the greatest catchers ever to play the game. At one point, there was talk to move him to another position to extend his career. But with over 2,000 hits and 400 home runs, Piazza will be elected on his first ballot.

Magglio Ordonez - Another young player who has batted a career .305 average so far. He's 33 with almost 1,400 hits. I don't see him getting elected to the HOF if ever. He's not a power hitter even though he's been to a few all-star games.

Alex Rodriguez - A-Rod is also one of the greats to ever play the game. He'll join the 700 home run and 3,000 hit club eventually. He just reached his 2,000th hit two weeks ago. Age helps him as he's only 31 years old. This is his 13th season and despite all those errors, he's still producing. A 2-time MVP and 6-time all-star selection, A-Rod will get in on his first ballot.

Frank Thomas - The Big Hurt has over 2,000 hits. That may not help but he's inching closer to 500 home runs which will. The 2-time MVP will get in on his first ballot.

Chipper Jones - I like Chipper a lot but I don't like his chances of getting elected to the HOF. He has almost 2,000 hits but his career has been injury plagued. He's still young and remember, he went straight out of high school. I'd say if he keeps hitting like he used to over the next five seasons, he may get elected. His power numbers are up there but not as high as they need to be to ensure a lock.

Ivan Rodriguez - His power numbers aren't as high at Piazza's but his hitting numbers are (.304 avg). He's played 16 seasons so far. If Piazza gets in, so does Pudge.

Lance Berkman - He's 30 years old so time is on his side. He's not that great of a power hitter averaging 32 home runs a season. That average needs to be higher and close to 40. Hitting-wise, he's batting .303 in less than eight full seasons. If he starts raising the power numbers or can get to 3,000 hits, he'll get in but I don't see it happening on the first ballot.

Bobby Abreu - His power numbers have been down since the 2005 all-star home run derby but I love his chances despite now playing for the Yankees. He has over 1,500 career hits in just less than 11 seasons. He may not reach 500 home runs but he will reach 3,000 career hits and elected on his first ballot.

Mark Loretta - He's 35 years old and has a career .301 batting average through almost 12 seasons. I don't think he'll get elected. If he does, it won't be his first ballot and it might not been until the Veteran's Committee does their voting. Yes, he's almost at 1,500 hits but it will take 9 more seasons to get 3,000 at his pace.

Moises Alou - Early on in his career, I would have said yes to voting him in but his numbers are on the decline and he's in his 15th season right now. He has yet to reach 2,000 hits and has barely hit over 300 home runs.

Jason Kendall - For a catcher, he's hitting great with .300 through less than 11 seasons. He's got over 1600 hits. Catchers need at minimum 2,000 career hits to be considered for the HOF due to the wear and tear that they suffer behind the plate. It's on the bubble for Jason Kendall.

Julio Franco - He's one of the oldest players in the game right now and doesn't play daily like he used to. He's hit over 2500 hits, and is 450 short of 3,000. He's likely to get elected by the Veteran's Cmte.

Kenny Lofton - Lofton is one of the speediest guys out there and has over 2,000 hits. However, he is in his 16th season right now and he's not getting any younger. He's what I consider on the bubble.

Barry Bonds - Bonds is teh most controversial of all active players in the steroids era. He hasn't admitted what people have: He used steroids. I'll say it right now, if you elect Bonds, you have to elect McGwire--and I am a McGwire fan. The media has this entire love fest with Barry Bonds that I don't understand. ESPN have him his own show which was pulled due to low ratings. Bonds will never hit 750 home runs in his career--and if he does, pigs will fly. He's on the decline and is close to 2,800 career hits. I wouldn't vote for him if I were a member of the BBWAA. How many of his home runs were while he was on steroids? He may have seven MVPS and eight gold gloves but he's not getting elected until McGwire gets in. I'm not saying this because I hate Barry Bonds but it's the fact. ESPN may not accept it but Barry Bonds is a cheater. If Bonds gets elected and McGwire does not, there is some major in-justice by the Hall of Fame voters.

Bernie Williams - In his 16th season, he's batting a career .297 with just over 2,303 hits. He's on the bubble but will likely retire before reaching 3,000 hits.

Brian Giles - He's 35 but given that he's played 12 seasons so far, I just don't think he'll get elected even though he's almost halfway to 3,000 hits.

Garrett Anderson - He's 34, batting .297 for his career, and just passed the 2,000 hit plateau this season. I say that he's on the bubble unless he can touch 3,000 hits.

Rafael Palmeiro - It's questionable because, so far, he's the biggest name that's actually been punished for steroid use. He's got over 3,000 hits and 500 home runs. Even though those are locks for election to the hall, he was suspended for steroid use which led to his retirement/free agency at the end of the 2005 season. It's gonna be up to the writers as to whether he gets in but knowing what I know, I wouldn't vote for him today.

Craig Biggio - He's the only active player close to 3,000 hits. To me, he's definitely going to be elected on the first ballot. He's been to several all-star games and won a few gold glove awards. I love his chances of getting elected to the HOF.

Steve Finley - He's hit over 2,500 in his career but he's over 40 years old. In terms of the game, time may not be on his side. Five gold gloves might help in his defense but it's unlikely he gets in on the first ballot, if at all.

Omar Vizquel - The same case with Finley except he just passed the 2,400 mark this season. However, he has 10 gold glove awards which help tremendously. I say if he gets 2,500 hits in his career, he's definitely in. Regardless, he should be elected on the first ballot.

Gary Sheffield - He's missed a lot of games this season but he's got over 450 home runs in his career. All it takes for Shef is to hit 47 more home runs to enter the 500 home run club. He's almost 40 so age won't exactly help him and this is his 19th season right now. He'll be elected on his first ballot.

Ken Griffey, Jr. - I think it's safe to say with his batting over 550 home runs, he'll definitely be enshrined on the first ballot. However, he'd have more home runs and hits if his career wasn't plagued by so many injuries.

Luis Gonzalez - He's 38 years old which isn't exactly helpful. However, he has over 2300 hits and has 326 home runs. To me, he's on the bubble.

Jeff Bagwell - Bags has been one of my all-time favorites that I would elect to the Hall of Fame. He's not yet 40 but he has only played in 15 seasons. For some reason or another, the Astros have not played him at all this year. I would vote him in even if he doesn't touch 500 home runs (He's 51 home runs away). I would like to see him get 500 career home runs because this is not the way that he should go out. If he's not in on the first ballot, he'll get in on the second one.

Sammy Sosa - He's a lock with over 500 home runs. I would vote him in on that alone on the first ballot.

Juan Gonzalez - He falls well short of 500 home runs or 3,000 hits. he only saw action once last season and has yet to play in the MLB this season.

Benito Santiago - For a catcher with 1,830 hits, he's on the bubble. He has three gold gloves and went to 5 all-star games in a career spanning 20 seasons.

Jim Thome - I like the chances for Thome. He has 463 career home runs in just 16 seasons. He'll get elected on his first ballot.

Carlos Delgado - He's 33 years old and was converted from a catcher to a first-baseman/DH. In his 14 seasons, he's hit almost 400 home runs. I have reason to believe that he'll hit his 500th in the next three seasons and guarantee a lock for his election on the first ballot when he retires.

Jim Edmonds - Edmonds is one of my favorites and that was before he joined my beloved Cardinals. I think he will enter the Hall of Fame on before his fifth ballot on the basis of his defensive skills alone even though he's inching closer to 400 home runs. Yes, he's been on the decline and he's in his 14th season but I feel that he deserves election to the HOF. He has eight gold gloves and if that's not enough, I don't know what is.

Jason Giambi - It's questionable since he's admitted to using steroids so I don't know if he'll ever get elected. His power numbers could get him in but it's up to the writers. Defensively, he has several gold gloves, too.

Andrew Jones - He's under 30 which means time is on his side. With 326 home runs so far, I think he'll get elected to the HOF as a member of the 500 home run club. His defense is great with eight gold gloves to his belt. Both of those play a big factor in his eventual election on what should be the first ballot. His batting average could hurt but I don't think it will too much.

Shawn Green - Green is a power hitter who hits for average. He's 33 so he may have at least seven more quality seasons. What he has going for him is his home run production. It's been in decline since the 99-02 seasons but if he puts out 30-40 a season, he'll get elected to the HOF with 500 home runs.

Reggie Sanders - Reggie is on the bubble mainly because he's in teh 300/300 club for home runs/stolen bases. He's in his 16th season and will be 39 at the start of 2007's season.

David Ortiz - Just look and what he's doing now! Ortiz only has 214 career home runs in ten seasons but I have reason to believe that he'll reach 500 in his career. He'll get elected on the first ballot.

Scott Rolen - Rolen is almost halfway to 3,000 hits. His defense, with six gold gloves, helps but the past two seasons have been injury plagued. He's only 31 so age will play a big factor. He's played 11 seasons so far and I think he may get in as a member of both the 3,000 hit and 500 home run club. It's definitely possible. He's been to 5 consecutive all-star games and was the 1997 NL ROY.

David Eckstein - It's a possibility given that in less than six full seasons that he has just less than 1,000 career hits.

Joe Mauer - Mauer is a possibility as well if he gets converted to another position and keeps hitting the way he is.

Alfonso Soriano - In 6 full seasons (8 if you include the end of the season call-ups), Soriano has over 1,000 hits and close to 200 career home runs. He turned 30 this year so he needs to keep up his power numbers.

Miguel Tejada - Currently, Tejada is on pace to break Cal Ripken, Jr.'s record sometime in 2016. Time is on his side as he just turned 30 this year. He's in his tenth season right now and if he keeps his numbers up, he'll get inducted on the first ballot with over 3,000 hits and close to 500 home runs. Right now, he's over halfway to 3,000. Additionally, Tejada was the 2002 AL MVP and has been to a few all-star games.