Mr. Chairman… Are You Serious?

Last week, Wall Street Investment Companies borrowed $13.4 billion per day. Their lender? The Federal Reserve. Borrowing into advancement…Another Ben Bernanke disaster.

Yahoo: Wall Street Will Never Learn

Wall Street investment bankers got another lesson about the dangers of risk-taking this past week with the downfall of Bear Stearns Cos. The question now obviously is, how long will it last?

Those bankers, many of whom lived through market debacles like the dot-com bust at the start of this decade, turned out to have very short memories. And so analysts believe the sale of Bear Stearns to JPMorgan Chase & Co. for a stunning $2 per share ultimately won't have that much of an impact on how Wall Street conducts business.

In fact, bankers and traders are under even more pressure to reap big returns because of the ongoing credit crisis, and risk is just part of the game. "There's an old saying on Wall Street that, for traders and bankers, you'd have to take a normal 30 year career and distill it to 15 years," said Quincy Krosby, chief investment strategist for The Hartford. "This whole episode might change Wall Street for a little while."

Krosby believes that Bear Stearns' near-collapse, which followed the company's investing too heavily in risky mortgage-backed securities, might force some bankers to change their ways in the short term. But it won't be enough to temper the financial industry's relentless pursuit of money.

Indeed, the past decade has seen a number of investing fiascoes that Wall Street doesn't appear to have learned much from. Krosby noted the go-go Internet days — when untested high-tech companies reaped piles of cash in public offerings. The lesson then was, don't put a lot of money into a venture that isn't on fairly solid ground — but mortgages granted to people with poor credit are quite akin to high-tech firms that had never turned a profit. In both cases, investors gleefully looked past the risk.

Now investors are smarting from what happened to Bear Stearns. And traders are somewhat chastened, for now. Erin Callan, the chief financial officer for Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., said her firm has certainly become more wary about the risks it takes amid the credit crisis. However, the market's gyrations also offer Lehman's army of traders an opportunity to make money.

"We just try to come in, and run the business the best way we can," she said. "But, you can't survive if you take no risks at all. All we can do is plan in this environment, making sure we do all the things to optimize running the firm."

It seems there's little that will change an industry and a lifestyle attached to Wall Street, which is thought of by Americans as more than just the center of free-market capitalism. Its culture attracts men and women with a swashbuckling mentality — smart, aggressive risk takers with the potential to become very rich. And, their skills in trading and investment banking were proven this past week — even after news of Bear Stearns' buyout.

Chief executives at Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs Group Inc., and Lehman Brothers pointed out that trading desks played a big part in offsetting massive mortgage-backed asset write-downs, which have ticked past $156 billion for global banks since last year. As the three companies released first-quarter earnings data, Morgan Stanley said equity trading revenue surged 51 percent to $3.3 billion. Revenue at its fixed-income sales and trading group dropped 15 percent to $2.9 billion, but it was still the firm's second-highest performance ever despite having to write down $2.3 billion linked to subprime mortgages and leveraged loans.

And that pleased investors. Morgan Stanley had its largest gain in more than a decade on Wednesday, climbing 18.8 percent to $42.86. Rival investment banks also had their best week since 2001.

But, investors shouldn't get too comfortable — the investment banking industry, and Wall Street in general, still have a long way to go before they can be called healthy. It's not just the credit market problems that are an issue, it's also the struggling U.S. economy and its potential to hurt other countries. "Until we feel more certain about the worldwide economies, we don't see things picking up dramatically," said Goldman Sachs CFO David Viniar. "We just need to keep plugging away."

Fox News: The Help Hurts?

While the debate grows on how to tackle global jihadism on the Internet, some security experts warn that "cyber vigilantes" — people who track and help shut down terror-related Web sites — are compromising government investigations with their amateur sleuthing tactics.

Michael Radu, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and an expert on terror-related Web sites, said the government is already overburdened trying to monitor the thousands of sites on the Web believed to contain radical Muslim messages. These cyber vigilantes, he said, are not helping. “It is very unlikely they will find something of significance in the Internet that the government doesn’t already know," Radu said. "They are redundant at best.”

Cyber vigilantes typically troll the Internet, searching message boards, Web sites and media sharing sites for incendiary postings from people with ties to terror groups like Al Qaeda. Using Arabic translation software, they monitor postings and even assume fake identities to join online conversations. One of them is Bill Warner, a Sarasota, Fla.-based private investigator and a self-proclaimed cyber-crusader.

Just last month alone, Warner was instrumental in helping shut down three Web sites hosted by a Tampa Internet service provider (ISP) that contained text, images and video related to attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. One site contained footage of a U.S. military mine sweeper being blown up by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). According to Warner, the site claims that all the troops aboard the vehicle were killed. (www.alekhlaas.info)

The same site, which is still operational, shows what appears to be footage of fighters in Afghanistan firing on U.S. troops and what is believed to be the destruction of an American mine sweeper in Iraq. Warner said the popular site is nearing 19 million hits over the last 10 months, and is among a growing number meant to incite would-be followers to join the ranks of extremist groups like Al Qaeda and provide information on how to carry out attacks and build weapons. "This is what Al Qaeda does now," said Warner.

He said the World Wide Web is where the real fight for global jihad is being fought. Sites such as these are often hosted by ISPs in the U.S. because they have large bandwidth, making posting and viewing large videos easier. Because of the anonymous nature of the Internet and foreign language content, U.S.-based ISPs can't provide sufficient screening and oversight.

Warner said he alerted the local police and the FBI in Tampa after he identified three Web sites hosted by the Florida ISP. In some cases the sites were removed within hours. But he said others remained online for days after he reported their presence. But not everyone thinks Warner's vigilance is helpful.

"There are a lot of weekend warriors and quasi vigilantes out there that think they can do what the government can't," said a private intelligence contractor for the U.S. government who has been investigating jihadist Web sites for more than 15 years. The contractor spoke to FOXNews.com on condition of anonymity due to his continuing work with U.S. intelligence.

He said that when cyber-sleuths alert authorities or ISPs to the whereabouts of an extremist site, the page is removed — only to reappear somewhere else, and sometimes within hours. "For those working in the intelligence community, it becomes extremely costly, because then they have to go looking for the sites all over again," said the private intelligence contractor, noting that U.S. intelligence often knows of the sites for a long time and monitors their traffic to look for clues to their origins, creators and visitors.
When the site comes down, he said, intelligence investigations can be ruined.

"They have good intentions, but end up doing more harm than good," he said.

But Yigal Carmon, President of the Middle East Media Research Institute, a Middle East media monitoring group, said the sites reported by Warner are tools of "ideological recruitment" that should be removed from the Internet entirely, and especially from American ISPs. "Why is it that [an] American ISP can host them?" Carmen asked. "When these sites appear there, the whole war on terrorism becomes a joke."

Lt. Col. Joseph Felter of West Point’s Combating Terrorism Center said the increased participation to battle online terrorists is a good thing. "The more people that we get involved combating the threat, the better,” said Felter. “God knows the enemies are getting a whole lot of people on board.”

But Radu warns that without specific knowledge of extremist groups or languages like Arabic, Urdu and Farsi, Cyber vigilantes don't always understand what they're looking at. “Those people are nuisances, nuisances that already burden an overworked government and should be discouraged,” Radu said. “No matter what their intentions are, they are overburdening the government” and “have nothing to contribute.”

Cyber vigilante Aaron Wisesburd has taken a similar approach to Warner, tackling terror-related Web sites and reporting his findings to authorities. Wiseburd, the creator of the Web monitoring site Internet Haganah, which collects and stores intelligence for governments to use, said he was responsible for the dismantling of thousands of extremist sites.

Weisburd's critics say posting of sensitive material on his site may reveal too much and jeopardize ongoing investigations. Wiseburd is reticent to discuss his efforts, due to safety concerns — he said he has received death threats and a handwritten note mailed to his home from a disgruntled site creator. But he said he won't stop fighting the emerging threat of cyber terrorism.

He and Warner say their work is an important part of stopping terrorist groups from gaining a recruiting foothold in the U.S. and inspiring others to form their own spin-off extremist groups. "If a Web site is calling for U.S. citizens to be killed, it should be shut down," Warner said. "If it incites these wackos who don't have direct allegiance to Al Qaeda to commit attacks, then it shouldn't be on the Internet, period."

But a private intelligence contractor said winning the War on Terror isn't just about shutting down sites; it's about tackling the heart of the problem. "Great. Somebody shut down a bunch of websites. What we're trying to do is find out where the terrorists are."

Fox News: Work of Spring

The spring break snapshots coming out of the Big Easy aren't of tabletop dancing and beer-drinking contests. No, the photos making it onto student blogs and personal Web pages this spring show hard hats and hammers.

Hundreds of students from across the nation are streaming into New Orleans this spring break to lend their time and an air of hope to a city where years of repair work remain. One after another, students said they've come because they haven't forgotten about New Orleans and how 80 percent of the city was flooded when the levees broke during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

"The 20-somethings — we're a lot more aware politically, socially, culturally," said Melissa Licastro, a New Jersey architecture student helping out Friday in the funky but flood-wrecked Lower 9th Ward neighborhood of Holy Cross. Clad in a T-shirt and blue work trousers, she pulled crooked and blackened nails from old cypress planks, just a few blocks from Fats Domino's house. She paused, hammer in hand. "I don't think the older generation gives us enough credit."

Licastro, who attends the New Jersey Institute of Technology, joined ranks with about 500 other students from Ivy League colleges and big state campuses on an all-out "spring greening" campaign to make the hard-hit Lower 9th more energy efficient and green, or, as activists want, "the nation's first zero carbon community."

Over the past week, students painted houses in bright pastels with nontoxic paint, salvaged historic homes undergoing deconstruction, painted fences and cleaned up a bayou. Although the Lower 9th largely remains a landscape of despair and neglect, many streets, especially in the Holy Cross neighborhood, are bouncing back: There are porches lined with plants, a few churches have reopened, people stroll the streets — and there's now a restaurant.

For the students, coming to New Orleans is no easy street. They have to pay their own airfare, sleep in dormitories and get little time for Bourbon Street fun. And once here, they're immediately put to work by charities and community groups that have spent months preparing for the influx of free labor.

Avi Edelman, a film student at Columbia University in New York, shrugged off the cost. "People pay that much to go to Miami for their spring break."

Kaley Hanenkrat, also from Columbia and studying Russian and political science, chipped in with the obvious sequitur: "It's better to spend your time helping someone than getting drunk somewhere."

Edelman and Hanenkrat helped restore a rambling wooden playground next to the Mississippi River threatened with rot because it was so badly flooded.

The wave of students brought a bounce in mood to this struggling corner of the city, and, inescapably, a bit of spring break frivolity, with the occasional water fight breaking out. They got a hero's welcome from residents. "It's a godsend," said Deloris Wells, a 67-year-old retiree whose home on Dauphine Street was badly flooded — Katrina's water left "the love seat on the coffee table."

"A nice bunch of kids," she said, so grateful for the gang of T-shirt-and-sneaker clad students on ladders lending her shotgun home a new lease on life with a pale yellow coat of paint.

In many ways, volunteers — students, church groups, senior citizens, old house enthusiasts, community activists — have become the backbone of New Orleans' recovery. Said Darryl Malek-Wiley of the New Orleans chapter of the Sierra Club: "If it weren't for volunteers, we would still be back in 2005."

Forbes Folly

On Thursday, Steve Forbes fired Trainer Roger Mayweather. His rationale? On September 20, Floyd Mayweather Jr. will oppose Oscar De La Hoya. A Forbes’ victory would have imperiled this rematch. Money trumps authenticity… Why is boxing suspect?

Peep Jousting

Are We Children, Criminals, or Losers?

On Thursday afternoon, Senator John McCain suspended Staffer Soren Dayton. Dayton disseminated a video featuring Senator Barack Obama, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Malcolm X, Juan Carlos and Tommy Smith. On Thursday evening, the United States Department of State fired two officials. The officials breached Obama’s passport record. Amidst these events, McCain raised only $11 million. The aforesaid render us amateurish, illicit, and uninterested. If Republicans value victory, we should mature.

World Champion

Congratulations Mao Asada

Reality at Eight

Survivor

Following Kathy’s exodus, Airai garnered immunity. Subsequently, Ozzy was targeted. However, the plan collapsed. Via a 5-1 vote, Tracy was eliminated.

American Idol

Amanda Overmyer was deemed top ten undeserving. Her elimination was warranted. Her performance was wretched. She was frightening. Her appearance, personality, and wailing were scary. She was not a viable artist. America recognized this. I applaud them.

American Idol Live Blog

Amanda Overmyer (23 – Indiana)

“Back in the USSR” as a southern rock song? Back in the USSR was a political statement. Her performance is wretched. She is screatching and wailing. She sounds hideous. Dying cats sound superior. Her wardrobe has improved. However, her singing remains flawed. Pathetic opening performance. Simon is correct. Her tickets are not available. They will never be. America, eliminate her.

Kristy Leigh Cook (24 – Oregon)

How did she survive? Her background and commencement are elegant. Her emotion is palpable. She is both commanding and vulnerable. As she traverses the stage, she exudes confidence. Honestly, I cannot believe last week occurred. Tonight, she was beautiful, melodic, and powerful. She warrants advancement.

David Archuleta (17 – California)

His jacket is hideous. His background is apocryphal. Fortunately, his singing is powerful. When he excels, he is heartthrob material. He is boyish and charming. Yet, he is powerful beyond years. Tonight, he was spectacular. Simon is correct. Masterful.

Michael Johns (29 – Georgia)

His commencement is satisfactory. Unfortunately, his background is awkward. His emotion is contrived. Despite his “Beatles admiration,” he is cardboard and monotone. He is a caricature. His performance continues deteriorating. His dancing is awkward. His facial expressions are random. He should excel. Yet, he is terrible. Simon is correct. The endeavor is complicated and was a mess. He dedicates this song? If the song has meaning, sing with emotion.

Brooke White (24 – Arizona)

The solo guitar is an excellent choice. Her commencement is exemplary. The outfit is hideous. Seriously, who shot the drapes? The spin and whoop are bizarre. Child, this is not your living room. Her emotion is slightly forced. However, her singing is acceptable. She deserves advancement. Simon is partially correct. Her emotion was messy. However, she was not terrible.

David Cook (25 – Missouri)

Seriously… Enough with the rock. The guitar is unnecessary. The screaming and sound effects are miserable. The background is acceptable. However, his emotion is forced. His appearance is creepy. His vibe is ridiculous. Simon is correct. He overestimates himself. The voice box is stupid.

Carly Smithson (24 – California)

Her ambiance is outstanding. Sadly, her performance and wardrobe are terrible. Her emotion is forced. She is vacant. Her blouse adds five pounds. Henceforth, she should never dress sleeveless. Her tattoo is scary. Her endeavor was bland and thoughtless. Simon is correct. Her choice was indulgent. She is indulging self-pity. No one respects that.

Jason Castro (20 - Texas)

Raggedy Andy phoned. He requested his hair. His commencement is awkward. His wardrobe is worse. Is he performing for a daycare audience? His emotion is silly and transparent. He is clownish. I expect the Barney Children may appear. America, eliminate him. Simon is correct. Goofy is the operative word.

Syesha Mercado (21 - Florida)

Finally! Someone attempts “Yesterday.” Contrasting last week, her appearance is spectacular. Her hair is flawless. Her dress is gorgeous. The solo guitar is also entrancing. This song is haunting. Sadly, her performance is scary. Her emotion is fake. She is screeching the notes. She is strangling the song’s beauty. Randy, are you serious? She was hideous.

Chikezie (22 – Arizona)

His background and wardrobe are exemplary. His commencement is elegant. You can feel his passion. His transition is hideous. A harmonica? Seriously? Someone remind him… He-Haw was canceled. I cannot stand songs which transition slow into fast. His entrance was subtle. His exit was silly. He is a ridiculous performer. He is a gimmick.

Ramiele Malubay (20 – Florida)

American Idol as a family? If a family competed. Her ensemble is flawless. She should lose the hat. However, she is bouncy, charming, and delightful. Her emotion is believable. Finally, she has captured herself. An adorable, precocious post-teenager. Her lyrics are prophetic. I love her.

NCAA Tournament Predictions

First Round

East Regional
(1) North Carolina 113 (16) Mount Saint Mary’s 45
(2) Tennessee 87 (15) American 49
(3) Louisville 81 (14) Boise State 67
(4) Washington State 58 (13) Winthrop 55
(12) George Mason 61 (5) Notre Dame 59
(6) Oklahoma 65 (11) Saint Josephs 58
(7) Butler 77 (10) South Alabama 72
(9) Arkansas 80 (8) Indiana 61

West Regional
(1) UCLA 91 (16) Mississippi Valley State 54
(2) Duke 89 (15) Belmont 64
(3) Xavier 73 (14) Georgia 67
(4) Connecticut 83 (13) San Diego 70
(5) Drake 66 (12) Western Kentucky 62
(11) Baylor 72 (6) Purdue 70
(7) West Virginia 79 (10) Arizona 71
(8) BYU 74 (9) Texas A&M 73

South Regional
(1) Memphis 102 (16) UT-Arlington 57
(2) Texas 96 (15) Austin Peay 61
(3) Stanford 77 (14) Cornell 51
(4) Pittsburgh 68 (13) Oral Roberts 60
(5) Michigan State 69 (12) Temple 63
(6) Marquette 85 (11) Kentucky 62
(7) Miami-Florida 71 (10) St. Mary’s 65
(9) Oregon 81 (8) Mississippi State 69

Midwest Regional
(1) Kansas 109 (16) Portland State 50
(2) Georgetown 74 (15) UMBC 53
(3) Wisconsin 68 (14) CSU-Fullerton 62
(4) Vanderbilt 67 (13) Siena 66
(5) Clemson 72 (12) Villanova 69
(6) USC 78 (11) Kansas State 77
(7) Gonzaga 73 (10) Davidson 71
(9) Kent State 67 (8) UNLV 63

Second Round

East Regional
(1) North Carolina 82 (9) Arkansas 64
(2) Tennessee 81 (7) Butler 79
(3) Louisville 84 (6) Oklahoma 70
(4) Washington State 59 (12) George Mason 57

West Regional
(1) UCLA 88 (8) BYU 67
(2) Duke 84 (7) West Virginia 81
(3) Xavier 79 (11) Baylor 75
(4) Connecticut 84 (5) Drake 83

South Regional
(1) Memphis 94 (9) Oregon 90
(2) Texas 90 (7) Miami-Florida 76
(3) Stanford 75 (6) Marquette 72
(5) Michigan State 67 (4) Pittsburgh 66

Midwest Regional
(1) Kansas 77 (9) Kent State 65
(2) Georgetown 71 (7) Gonzaga 65
(6) USC 83 (3) Wisconsin 66
(5) Clemson 79 (4) Vanderbilt 68

Sweet Sixteen

East Regional
(1) North Carolina 89 (4) Washington State 60
(2) Tennessee 86 (3) Louisville 85

West Regional
(1) UCLA 74 (4) Connecticut 72
(2) Duke 88 (3) Xavier 73

South Regional
(1) Memphis 73 (5) Michigan State 72
(2) Texas 85 (3) Stanford 71

Midwest Regional
(1) Kansas 83 (5) Clemson 79
(2) Georgetown 74 (6) USC 73

Elite Eight

East Regional
(2) Tennessee 88 (1) North Carolina 87

West Regional
(2) Duke 79 (1) UCLA 71

South Regional
(1) Memphis 82 (2) Texas 80

Midwest Regional
(2) Georgetown 73 (1) Kansas 70

Final Four
(2) Tennessee 75 (2) Georgetown 70
(1) Duke 80 (1) Memphis 77

NCAA Championship
(2) Tennessee 87 (1) Duke 85

Shock & Awe: Five Years Subsequent

Iraq Anniversary Speech Complete Text

Obama Addresses Nation, Reverend

“Race in America” Complete Text

A Proud Day For Baseball

On Tuesday, the New York Yankees opposed the Virginia Tech Hokies. Owner George Steinbrenner warrants praise. Tuesday exemplified baseball’s character.

Tiger: What Matters Most

Tiger Woods: “You can win every tournament for the entire year, but if you go 0-for-4 in the major championships -- you don't really get remembered for the number of wins in a career. It's the number of wins in major championships. Those are the biggest events. This week is a new week, and I'm trying to get this one and make sure my game is right for Augusta. As I've always said, you want to peak four times a year, and I want everything going positively that way. If you win one major a year, it turns a good year into a great year. That's one of the reasons why I think we as players put so much emphasis on those major championships. They mean so much, and not only to us, but in the historical sense.”

Ben… Here Before

On Tuesday, the Federal Reserve sliced the benchmark interest rate. They cut three-quarters of a point. Chairman Ben Bernanke is flailing. With a teaspoon, he is attempting an ocean bailout. Why should I feel safe?

Bear Genius

On Friday, Bear Stearns’ was worth $30/share. On Monday, Chase purchased Bear Stearns. Chase paid $2/share. My initial thought? This acquisition is illegal. My second thought? Chase CEO James Dimon is a genius.

Finally Farewell: Favre Finishes Career

Brett Favre was not the Alpha Quarterback. Troy Aikman, Terry Bradshaw, John Elway, and Joe Montana won multiple Super Bowls. Favre won one. Steve Young was higher rated. Favre was interception prone. Yet, Favre was beloved. He was not glamorous or gorgeous. He was simply relatable. Favre was human, ordinary, and unspectacular. For this, fans worshiped him.

On March 4, Favre finally retired. “I'm not up to the challenge anymore,” he said. “I can play, but I'm not up to the challenge. You can't just show up and play for three hours on Sunday. If you could, there'd be a lot more people doing it and they'd be doing it for a lot longer. I have way too much pride. I expect a lot out of myself. And if I cannot do those things 100 percent, then I can't play.”

“I've given everything I possibly could give to this organization, the game of football, and I don't think I've got anything left to give,” he continued. “And that's it. I know I can play. But I don't think I want to.”

During his career, Favre started 253 contests. He completed 5,377 of 8,758 passes (61%). He amassed 61,655 yards with 442 touchdowns and 288 interceptions. Favre garnered three NFL Most Valuable Player Awards. He won Super Bowl XXXI. He accrued ten playoff appearances. Favre’s records include career completions, attempts, yards, touchdowns, and interceptions.

For several seasons, Favre has openly considered retirement. Evidently, he respects his decision. “I'm going out on top,” he said. “Believe me, I could care less what other people think. It's what I think, and I'm going out on top.”

“I hope that with every penny they've spent on me, they know it was money well spent,” Favre said. “It wasn't about the money or fame or records. I hear people talk about your accomplishments and things. It was never my accomplishments, it was our accomplishments.”

Simply stated, Favre was American. He was chaotic, disorganized, haphazard, and scattered. He was not concise, elegant, or refined. Favre’s final play epitomizes his legacy. He could have acted prudently. He could have prolonged his season. Instead, Favre forced an interception.

Decision 2008 (During Our Absence)

Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C.

On February 12, Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain won the Potomac Primary. Each arena is unique. Virginia is conservative. Maryland is liberal. Washington D.C. is a contradiction. A powerful and poor city. Each underscores Obama and McCain’s electability.

Hawaii and Wisconsin

On February 19, Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain won Wisconsin and Hawaii. Both advanced their cause. However, the victories were cosmetic.

Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, and Vermont

On March 4, Senator Hillary Clinton won Ohio, Rhode Island, and Texas. Senator Barack Obama won Vermont. Senator John McCain clinched the Republican Presidential nomination. The Republicans are settled. The Democrats are squabbling. November is on the table.

Mississippi and Wyoming

On March 8, Senator Barack Obama won the Wyoming Democratic Caucus. On March 11, he won the Mississippi Democratic Primary. Congratulations Senator. You lost states you should have won. You won two meaningless states.

American Idol (During Our Absence)

Preseason

This season is vastly improved. The obese, peculiar, and unattractive were rejected. Jason Castro and David Cook have odd appearances. Colton Berry, Robbie Carrico, and Danny Noriega are atypical. However, the quintet is not Rudy Cardenas, Sundance Head, Paul Kim, Sanjaya Malakar, and Chris Sligh.

The women’s ranks are also superior. Asia’h Epperson and Ramiele Malubay are adorable. Kristy Lee Cook and Syesha Mercado are delightful. Alaina Whitaker and Kady Malloy are soul muffins. Overall, the compilation is exquisite.

Week One

On February 21, America eliminated Colton Berry, Garrett Haley, Amy Davis, and Joanne Borgella. The male eliminations were expected. Berry’s performance was cheesy. Haley’s was horrific. The female ousters were also appropriate. Borgella’s endeavor was wretched. Davis’ induced insomnia.

Week Two

On February 28, America eliminated Robbie Carrico, Jason Yeager, Alexandrea Lushington, and Alaina Whitaker. Carrico and Lushington’s eliminations were predictable. Davis and Yeager’s were perplexing. America should silence the judges. They victimized Davis and Yeager.

Week Three

Luke Menard, Danny Noriega, Asia’h Epperson, and Kady Malloy were deemed top twelve undeserving. Noriega’s elimination was deserved. Epperson and Malloy’s were unfortunate. Both were gorgeous. Sadly, they could not succeed.

Week Four

Last week, America eliminated David Hernandez. Hernandez’s exodus was surprising. He was not perfect. His endeavor was flawed. However, Kristy Lee Cook was revolting. She massacred “Eight Days A Week.” She warranted elimination. Hernandez warranted a fifth song.

Greed Dooms Dodgertown

On Monday, the Los Angeles Dodgers closed Dodgertown. Henceforth, Glendale, Arizona will host them. I appreciate profit. I understand revenue. With that stated, nostalgia is valuable.

Pryor Picks Buckeyes

On Wednesday, Terrelle Pryor selected Ohio State. According to ESPN, Pryor is America’s finest quarterback. Buckeye fans should avoid delusion. Justin Zwick was also a prized recruit.

Big Five & Hot Five (During Our Absence)

Big Five (Alphabetical)

Andy Pettitte

Barack Obama

Brett Favre

Bobby Cutts

Economy

Elliot Spitzer

Hillary Clinton

John McCain

NBA Trades

Ralph Nader

Roger Clemens

Ryan Newman

Super Bowl XLII

Writers Guild of America

Hot Five (Alphabetical)

Academy Awards

American Idol

Andy Pettitte

Barack Obama

Brett Favre

Economy

Ed Rendell

Elliot Spitzer

Hillary Clinton

John McCain

NBA Trades

NCAA Tournament

Roger Clemens

Super Bowl XLII

Philanderers Are Forgiven, Liars Are Not

On Monday, Governor Elliot Spitzer (D-NY) resigned. Last week, Spitzer was indicted. His crime? Multiple interstate acts of prostitution. “I look at my time as governor with a sense of what might have been but I also know that, as a public servant, I and the remarkable people with whom I worked have accomplished a great deal,” Spitzer said. “There is much more to be done and I cannot allow my private failings to disrupt the people’s work.”

Simply stated, Spitzer was evil. He was political slime. He personified blackmail and extortion. Spitzer decapitated via smears. He vilified other’s indiscretions. Americans appreciate sex. We will tolerate infidelity. Yet, we abhor insincerity. Ultimately, Spitzer’s adultery was irrelevant. His hypocrisy damned him.

Does Every New Yorker Cheat?

Survivor Micronesia (During Our Absence)

Survivor is rhythmic. Reward Challenge. Immunity Challenge. Tribal Council. Elimination. Every day, honor, integrity, and trust are nonexistent. Betrayal is constant. Bizarrely, pattern inhabits this madness.

Week Two

On February 14, the favorites scored immunity. Pre-tribal council, Joel and Mike offered competing scenarios. Mike favored Chet’s exodus. Joel suggested Mary’s ouster. Ultimately, Joel prevailed. Via a 6-2-2 vote, Mary was eliminated.

Week Three

On February 21, the unfathomable occurred. The fans garnered immunity. Cirie commenced plotting. Her target? Yau-man. Openly, she courted both alliances. Eventually, Amanda, Ozzy, Parvati, and James accepted her. Via a 6-2-1 vote, Yau-man was eliminated.

Week Four

On February 28, the favorites earned immunity. Subsequently, Mike and Tracy schemed. Mike was outflanked. Tracy, Joel, Chet, and Kathy forged an alliance. Via a 6-3 vote, Mike was eliminated.

Week Five

On March 6, fans versus favorites was forgotten. Eliza, James, Jason, Jonathan, Kathy, Natalie, and Parvati became Airai. Amanda, Ami, Chet, Cirie, Erik, Joel, Ozzy, and Tracy became Malakal. Airai snared immunity. Once again, Cirie brokered a compromise. Via a 6-2 vote, Joel was eliminated.

Week Six

On March 13, Jonathan’s injuries forced his exodus. Following Airai’s immunity, Chet lamented his situation. He claimed injuries. He requested elimination. His opponents obliged. Via a 5-2 vote, Chet was bounced.

WGA Pens Payday

On February 13, the Writers Guild of America concluded their strike. As reciprocation, the WGA received digital and increased residual royalties. The writers warrant praise. They deserved paid. Movie and Television studios earn millions. They would not sans writers. I am elated the studios compromised.

David Patterson: Governor of New York

Hillary Clinton’s Promise: We Will Withdraw

Iraq Speech Complete Text

Michael Wilbon: This Season Needs Saving

Maybe a string of first-weekend upsets and buzzer-beaters will divert our attention from what has been a very ordinary season. We've become trained like seals to applaud at the very mention of Selection Sunday and the sight of a tournament bracket, and legitimately so, because March Madness has delivered more consistently and more dramatically than probably any annual event in American sports.

People love college basketball so much it's become blasphemous to criticize the product as a whole, to suggest the season was just, well, blah. But that's what it was. There aren't many great teams, if any.

There aren't many upperclassmen we're just itching to see. Conferences that often are loaded and deep, like the Big Ten and the SEC, are unimpressive at the top and dreadful beyond the first four or five teams. Even Dick Vitale, college basketball's biggest advocate, used the word "mediocrity" to describe the tournament field when it was announced yesterday evening.

Of course, we remember the college season based on how the NCAA tournament plays out. Not much that happened in the 2005-06 season was as memorable as George Mason's Cinderella run in March. If the tournament's dramatic and full of wonderful games, that's pretty much how we remember the season. And this season needs a bailout.

Don't get me wrong, I turn into a cheerleader the second week of March every year. I get all gooey-eyed over the conference tournaments, especially the one-bid leagues where the whole season comes down to a tournament final.

American University getting into the tournament for the first time is what makes the whole thing so wonderfully sappy and exciting. But this season needs a boost, lest it be crowded by Tiger Woods and the Houston Rockets, which as of this morning are the two best stories in sports by a mile. You couldn't watch Tiger sink that putt on No. 18 at Bay Hill without coming out of your seat. And if you love basketball, and don't have some cultural or political agenda, you can't watch the Rockets, without Yao Ming, and not appreciate the effort and teamwork and high school-like joy they get from playing together.

I hope the college boys can give me a little bit of what the Rockets have demonstrated over the last month -- and history suggests they will. At least we're starting with a tournament field relatively short on controversy. Okay, maybe Virginia Tech could have gone in over Baylor. And if I were an Arizona State Sun Devil and I were left out of the field, only to watch my blood rival, Arizona, get in after beating the Wildcats twice, I'd be a little nuts. Arizona State finished with a better conference record, had quality wins over Xavier, Stanford and Cal, yet had to be ripped when Arizona received an invite. Of course, the men's selection committee can counter with the fact that Arizona had a much better RPI and strength of schedule.

Still, we can pretty much skip the squabbling and get right to my tournament forecast. And I'm looking for a ton of upsets early. A ton.

The big-name, big-conference teams beyond the No. 1 seeds, simply aren't good enough to pick favorites when filling out a bracket. You want early upsets? I can see second-seeded Georgetown going to the Final Four; I also can see the Hoyas losing a second-round match with Davidson, which has won 22 straight games, just like the Rockets. I could see Duke going to the Final Four; I also can see Duke losing a second-round match with West Virginia or the aforementioned Arizona. And when we start dealing with high-profile schools seeded, say, fifth, I can see even more upsets. It's certainly not crazy to pick George Mason to beat Notre Dame, or Temple to beat Michigan State.

Actually, there are players I'm more interested in seeing than teams. Start with Michael Beasley of Kansas State and then move to Davidson's Stephen Curry. I want to see O.J. Mayo, who has gotten nothing but better late in his freshman season at USC. I want to see this kid, Dionte Christmas of Temple, a 6-foot-5 kid who has scored 37 and 29 points already this month. I want to see Cornell's Ryan Wittman (son of NBA Coach Randy Wittman) and U-Conn.'s 7-3, 265-pound athlete extraordinaire Hasheem Thabeet, who blocked 10 shots in a game against Notre Dame this season and whom I believe is going to be the next big man to have a major impact on the sport. I want to see George Mason's Final Four holdovers, Folarin Campbell and Will Thomas. I want to see all the shooters who play for Drake, which is pretty much everybody in a Drake uniform: Josh Young, Leonard Houston, Jonathan Cox and Adam Emmenecker. I want to see Wink Adams of UNLV -- just because his name is Wink.

There are plenty of presumably good first-round games to see them in, too, including Kansas State vs. Southern Cal, Beasley vs. Mayo. There's Indiana vs. Arkansas in the first round, Notre Dame vs. George Mason, Davidson vs. Gonzaga, Butler vs. South Alabama, Clemson vs. Villanova, Marquette vs. Kentucky. I like Georgia, given the Bulldogs' spirit in winning the SEC tournament, but I like their opponent, Xavier, even more.

I like North Carolina coming out of the East Region. I like Texas over Memphis in the South. I like Xavier over UCLA in the West and Georgetown over Kansas in the Midwest. Mostly, I like March Madness and the NCAA tournament too much to think it can possibly be as pedestrian as the regular season that preceded it.

Oscar Appraisal

Best Motion Picture
Prediction: “No Country For Old Men”
Winner: “No Country For Old Men”
(For the second consecutive year, the Academy is correct. The speech is excellent. Sydney Pollack’s standard was achieved. No Country was outstanding.)

Performance by Actor in A Leading Role
Prediction: Daniel Day-Lewis “There Will Be Blood”
Winner: Daniel Day-Lewis “There Will Be Blood”
(Golden Globes, SAG Awards, Oscars…Lewis completes the triple. His speech is exemplary. His dedication, fathers and sons, evokes beautiful thoughts.)

Performance by Actor in A Supporting Role
Prediction: Javier Bardem “No Country For Old Men”
Winner: Javier Bardem “No Country For Old Men”
(Completely deserved. Bardem was the category’s class. Comedic speech. Concerning the haircut, he is correct.)

Performance by Actress in A Leading Role
Prediction: Marion Cotillard “La Vie en Rose”
Winner: Marion Cotillard “La Vie en Rose”
(A loaded category. Cotillard’s speech is outstanding. Her emotion is palpable. She is a charming presence. She is an elegant victor.)

Performance by Actress in A Supporting Role
Prediction: Saoirse Ronan “Atonement”
Winner: Tilda Swinton “Michael Clayton”
(Slightly surprising. With that stated, Swinton is deserving. She epitomizes the American Dream. Her Clooney joke is excellent. Batman and Robin is ideal fodder.)

Achievement in Directing
Prediction: Jason Reitman “Juno”
Winner: Joel & Ethan Coen “No Country For Old Men”
(Completely deserving. The Cohen story was endearing. They are examples.)

Best Documentary Feature
Prediction: “Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience”
Winner: “Taxi to the Dark Side”
(Shocking selection. With that stated, anything trumps Michael Moore. The political shots are predictable. They are also annoying and unnecessary.)

Best Animated Feature
Prediction: “Ratatouille”
Winner: “Ratatouille”
(Rats as victors? George Clooney has a chance. Endearing speech. The doubting high school guidance councilor. Timeless and relatable.)

Best Original Screenplay
Prediction: “Juno”
Winner: “Juno”
(Poignant dedication. Excellent speech. Viva la WGA.)

Best Adapted Screenplay
Prediction: “No Country For Old Men”
Winner: “No Country For Old Men”
(Exemplary selection. Stunningly, the Cohen brothers lack words.)

Rattled Rocket: Clemens, Congress Clash

Roger Clemens: “I have never taken steroids or HGH. No matter what we discuss here today, I am never going to have my name restored.

“Andy Pettitte is my friend. He was my friend before this. He will be my friend after this and again. I think Andy has misheard. I think he misremembers.”

Henry Waxman (D-CA): “We found conflicts and inconsistencies in Mr. Clemens' accounts. During his deposition, he made statements we know are untrue. They don't disagree on a phone call or one meeting. If Mr. McNamee is lying, he has acted inexcusably and he has made Mr. Clemens an innocent victim. If Mr. Clemens isn't telling the truth, then he is acting shamefully and has smeared Mr. McNamee. I don't think there is anything in between.”

Elijah Cummings (D-MD): “It's hard to believe you, sir. I hate to say that. You're one of my heroes. But it's hard to believe.”

Selection Sunday: Reality & Reaction

Last season, I scorched the selection committee. This season, I applaud them. The top twelve seeds are perfect. Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt, and Washington State are slightly overvalued. George Mason, Kansas State, and Oregon are slightly undervalued. With that stated, the overall competitive balance is exquisite.

East Regional (Charlotte, North Carolina – Charlotte Arena)
Raleigh, North Carolina (RBC Center) – March 21 & 23
(1) North Carolina vs. (16) Coppin State\Mount Saint Mary’s
(8) Indiana vs. (9) Arkansas

Denver, Colorado (Pepsi Center) – March 20 & 22
(5) Notre Dame vs. (12) George Mason
(4) Washington State vs. (13) Winthrop

Birmingham, Alabama (BJCC Arena) – March 21 & 23
(6) Oklahoma vs. (11) Saint Joseph’s
(3) Louisville vs. (14) Boise State

Birmingham, Alabama (BJCC Arena) – March 21 & 23
(7) Butler vs. (10) South Alabama
(2) Tennessee vs. (15) American

West Regional (Phoenix, Arizona – US Airways Center)
Anaheim, California (Honda Center) – March 20 & 22
(1) UCLA vs. (16) Mississippi Valley State
(8) BYU vs. (9) Texas A&M

Tampa, Florida (S. Pete Times Forum) – March 21 & 23
(5) Drake vs. (12) Western Kentucky
(4) Connecticut vs. (13) San Diego

Washington D.C. (Verizon Center) – March 20 & 22
(6) Purdue vs. (11) Baylor
(3) Xavier vs. (14) Georgia

Washington D.C. (Verizon Center) – March 20 & 22
(7) West Virginia vs. (10) Arizona
(2) Duke vs. (15) Belmont

South Regional (Houston, Texas – Reliant Stadium)
Little Rock, Arkansas (Alltel Arena) – March 21 & 23
(1) Memphis vs. (16) UT-Arlington
(8) Mississippi State vs. (9) Oregon

Denver, Colorado (Pepsi Center) – March 20 & 22
(5) Michigan State vs. (12) Temple
(4) Pittsburgh vs. (13) Oral Roberts

Anaheim, California (Honda Center) – March 20 & 22
(6) Marquette vs. (11) Kentucky
(3) Stanford vs. (14) Cornell

Little Rock, Arkansas (Alltel Arena) – March 21 & 23
(7) Miami-Florida vs. (10) St. Mary’s
(2) Texas vs. (15) Austin Peay

Midwest Regional (Detroit, Michigan – Ford Field)
Omaha, Nebraska (Qwest Center) – March 20 & 22
(1) Kansas vs. (16) Portland State
(8) UNLV vs. (9) Kent State

Tampa, Florida (S. Pete Times Forum) – March 21 & 23
(5) Clemson vs. (12) Villanova
(4) Vanderbilt vs. (13) Siena

Omaha, Nebraska (Qwest Center) – March 20 & 22
(6) USC vs. (11) Kansas State
(3) Wisconsin vs. (14) CSU-Fullerton

Raleigh, North Carolina (RBC Center) – March 21 & 23
(7) Gonzaga vs. (10) Davidson
(2) Georgetown vs. (15) UMBC

Automatic for the Tournament – Bid #31

Georgia Bulldogs (17-16)
(South Eastern Conference Champions)

Automatic for the Tournament – Bid #30

Kansas Jayhawks (31-3)
(Big Twelve Conference Champions)

Automatic for the Tournament – Bid #29

Wisconsin Badgers (29-4)
(Big Ten Conference Champions)

American Idol Live Blog

Syesha Mercado (21 - Florida)

New opening. Immaculate optics and set. Exact Ryan and Simon. Cowell’s brilliance is brevity. Easy songs are easy. Difficult songs are difficult. Her commencement is excellent. She is fun and flowing. She exudes confidence. The gold ensemble is flashy. However, she is relatable. Acceptable opening performance.

Chikezie (22 – Arizona)

Sweater vest? Seriously? Banjo and fiddle? Where’s the chaw? This is American Idol. This is not a Mississippi Saturday. His dancing and expressions are apocryphal. He is stumbling. He appears drunk. Paula requested risk, yet this is repugnant. Within this performance, he has insulted American Idol, singing, and southern culture. Paula, Oh Brother Where Art Thou? Actually, Oh Brother, Why Did Thou?

Ramiele Malubay (20 – Florida)

Her opening is elegant. She is soft and subtle. She could easily oversing. She could force emotion. Thankfully, she does not. Her frailty and vulnerability transcend. Her accompaniment is brilliant. Clearly, she is this season’s darling. Simon, bored to tears? Dreary song choice? Granted, she was not perfect. However, you are overly harsh.

Jason Castro (20 - Texas)

Does he wash his hair? Every week his dreadlocks appear greasier. His ambiance is cheesy. Lose the guitar. Lose the beat nick persona. His performance is apocryphal. He is boring and dull. If Chikezie were acceptable, he would be toast. Brilliant Simon and Ryan double entendre.

Carly Smithson (24 – California)

“Come Together” is a favorite. Her commencement is outstanding. Her emotion is perfect. She is electric. She elicits the song’s passion. Her background is also intriguing. Her transition and conclusion are rough. She oversings. She overplays the song’s grinding. However, her commencement was enough. Outstanding performance. Simon compares Kelly Clarkson? Exemplary praise.

David Cook (25 – Missouri)

“Eleanor Rigby” is an underrated favorite. Unfortunately, I can never listen again. His arrangement is repugnant. “Eleanor Rigby” is brooding, dark, and inaccessible. His version is commercial, glitzy, and Stone Temple Pilots. His porn persona should have complimented the endeavor. Instead, he butchered the selection. He warrants elimination. Simon and I disagree. He was repulsive.

Brooke White (24 – Arizona)

Three consecutive exemplary selections. Her solo piano is excellent. Contestants should mirror this example. These are classics. Do not reinterpret them. Do not oversing. If I may sound hypocritical, no one cares about you. We care about the song. Her emotion is believable and graceful. She does not sell. She sings. Perfectly, she portrays the Beatle’s finest. Randy is correct. Heartfelt is the word.

David Hernandez (24 – Arizona)

His opening is acceptable. Unfortunately, his dancing is wretched. His ensemble is cheesy. The guitar is excellent. His Chuck Berry interpretation is unique. Yet, he does not oversing. Acceptable performance. Randy and I concur. Slightly overdone. Simon, corny and desperate? Speaking of overstating…

Amanda Overmyer (23 – Indiana)

Seriously… Harley riding? Scratchy voice? A skunk on your head? You are not dating material. Obviously, you cannot win Idol. Her performance is miserable. He dancing is awkward. Her scatting is ignorant. She sounds akin to a drunken cat lady. Additionally, he ensemble is wretched. The striped pants? The beads? America, eliminate her. Simon and I concur. We could not understand her. Seriously, Simon punch Paula. She is annoying.

Michael Johns (29 – Georgia)

His assessment is outstanding. The Beatles affect everyone. His solo guitar choice is stellar. Unfortunately, his delivery is rushed. “Across the Universe” is soulful. The melody and words warrant savoring. He appears late for his final meal. He is scattered. His emotion is shallow. Simply stated, he is horrific. Whatever Paula is drinking, I request a double. He had no confidence. He rushed the selection.

Kristy Leigh Cook (24 – Oregon)

“Eight Days A Week” is not country. Her commencement is pathetic. The fiddles are annoying. As previously stated, your interpretation and opinions are not relevant. Your vision does not matter. The song matters. Her deterioration continues. Am I watching “Hee-Haw?” She butchered a classic. Why? She idolizes Carrie Underwood? We have one of those. We do not need another. Dolly Parton on helium? I love Simon.

David Archuleta (17 – California)

Deeply, I admire his talent. Unfortunately, his song selection is bizarre. His entrance is cheesy. He could have selected another song. He could have closed this competition. Instead, he was dreadful. He was akin to a twelve year old.

Automatic for the Tournament – Bid #28

North Carolina Tar Heels (32-2)
(Atlantic Coast Conference Champions)

Automatic for the Tournament – Bid #27

UT-Arlington (21-11)
(South Land Conference Champions)

NCAA Tournament Projection

East Regional (Charlotte, North Carolina – Charlotte Arena)
Raleigh, North Carolina (RBC Center) – March 21 & 23
(1) North Carolina vs. (16) Coppin State\Mount Saint Mary’s
(8) Michigan State vs. (9) Kent State

Tampa, Florida (S. Pete Times Forum) – March 21 & 23
(5) Butler vs. (12) Arizona State
(4) Pittsburgh vs. (13) Siena

Birmingham, Alabama (BJCC Arena) – March 21 & 23
(6) Washington State vs. (11) Western Kentucky
(3) Louisville vs. (14) Winthrop

Little Rock, Arkansas (Alltel Arena) – March 21 & 23
(7) Oklahoma vs. (10) Temple
(2) Tennessee vs. (15) American

West Regional (Phoenix, Arizona – US Airways Center)
Anaheim, California (Honda Center) – March 20 & 22
(1) UCLA vs. (16) Mississippi Valley State
(8) Texas A&M vs. (9) UNLV

Tampa, Florida (S. Pete Times Forum) – March 21 & 23
(5) Indiana vs. (12) George Mason
(4) Connecticut vs. (13) Cornell

Washington D.C. (Verizon Center) – March 20 & 22
(6) Marquette vs. (11) South Alabama
(3) Xavier vs. (14) CSU-Fullerton

Omaha, Nebraska (Qwest Center) – March 20 & 22
(7) BYU vs. (10) Mississippi State
(2) Texas vs. (15) Portland State

South Regional (Houston, Texas – Reliant Stadium)
Little Rock, Arkansas (Alltel Arena) – March 21 & 23
(1) Memphis vs. (16) UT-Arlington
(8) Miami-Florida vs. (9) St. Mary’s

Denver, Colorado (Pepsi Center) – March 20 & 22
(5) Vanderbilt vs. (12) Arizona
(4) Notre Dame vs. (13) San Diego

Birmingham, Alabama (BJCC Arena) – March 21 & 23
(6) Gonzaga vs. (11) Baylor
(3) Wisconsin vs. (14) Boise State

Washington D.C. (Verizon Center) – March 20 & 22
(7) USC vs. (10) Kentucky
(2) Duke vs. (15) Belmont

Midwest Regional (Detroit, Michigan – Ford Field)
Omaha, Nebraska (Qwest Center) – March 20 & 22
(1) Kansas vs. (16) Austin Peay
(8) West Virginia vs. (9) Davidson

Denver, Colorado (Pepsi Center) – March 20 & 22
(5) Clemson vs. (12) Georgia
(4) Drake vs. (13) Oral Roberts

Anaheim, California (Honda Center) – March 20 & 22
(6) Purdue vs. (11) Saint Joseph’s
(3) Stanford vs. (14) Villanova

Raleigh, North Carolina (RBC Center) – March 21 & 23
(7) Arkansas vs. (10) Kansas State
(2) Georgetown vs. (15) UMBC

Bracket Projection Sources:
ESPN
FOX Sports
Bracketography
Team Rankings

Automatic for the Tournament – Bid #26

Cal State-Fullerton (24-8)
(Big West Conference Champions)

Automatic for the Tournament – Bid #25

Boise State (25-8)
(Western Athletic Conference Champions)

Automatic for the Tournament – Bid #24

Pittsburgh Panthers (26-9)
(Big East Conference Champions)

Pettitte Expands HGH Confession, Implicates Clemens

Andy Pettitte: “I have to tell you all the truth. I have to live with myself. And one day I have to give an account to God and not to nobody else of what I've done in my life. And that's why I've said and shared the stuff with y'all that I've shared with y'all today that I wouldn't like to share with y'all.”

“In 2004, when I tore the flexor tendon in my pitching arm, I again used HGH two times in one day out of frustration and in a futile attempt to recover. Unfortunately, I needed surgery on the arm later in the year. I regret these lapses in judgment.”

“My dad had been using it. He ended up bringing me two syringes over to my house. And you know, I injected myself once in the morning and once at night. ... I did it for that day. And to this day, I don't know why. ... I was desperate and you know I really knew that it wasn't going to help me. My flexor tendon was already torn. I knew I needed surgery. I would just say just out of desperation I tried to do it again. But that was the extent of it.”

“In 1999 or 2000, I had a conversation with Roger Clemens in which Roger told me that he had taken human growth hormone This conversation occurred at his gym in Memorial, Texas. He did not tell me where he got the HGH or from whom, but he did tell me that it helped the body recover.”

“Shortly after my conversation with Roger, I spoke with Brian McNamee. Only he and I were parties to the conversation. I asked Brian about HGH and told him that Roger said he had used it. Brian McNamee became angry. He told me that Roger should not have told me about his HGH use because it was supposed to be confidential. While I don't remember if Brian told me that he supplied Roger with HGH, it certainly was my impression from the conversation that he did. I can just remember, you know, Mac telling me that Roger, you know, that he had gotten steroids for Roger. That surprised me.”

Automatic for the Tournament – Bid #23

Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (17-15)
(South Western Athletic Conference)

Automatic for the Tournament – Bid #22

UNLV Rebels (26-7)
(Mountain West Conference Champions)

Line of the Morning

Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ)

“Every superdelegate makes the decision about what's good for the country, the party, and for themselves. If you go against a district that is overwhelmingly Obama, you might ask for a primary next time… in the end, they should follow the pledged delegates. Senator Kennedy or Senator Kerry… somebody can challenge them in a primary.”

Automatic for the Tournament – Bid #21

Kent State Golden Flashes (28-6)
(Mid American Conference Champions)

Automatic for the Tournament – Bid #20

Temple Owls (21-12)
(Atlantic Ten Conference Champions)

Automatic for the Tournament – Bid #19

Coppin State (16-20)
(Mid Eastern Athletic Conference Champions)

A Criminal Sentence

In February, Bobby Cutts was convicted of aggravated murder. He received fifty-seven years incarceration. Simply stated, Cutts’ punishment is insufficient. Cutts deserved death.

Automatic for the Tournament – Bid #18

UCLA Bruins (31-3)
(Pacific Ten Conference Champions)

Automatic for the Tournament – Bid #17

Memphis Tigers (33-1)
(Conference USA Champions)

Stewart Smokes Goodyear

Automatic for the Tournament – Bid #16

UMBC Retrievers (24-8)
(America East Conference Champions)