Cleansing History

Inside AT&T Park, Barry Bonds’ images have been removed. I applaud San Francisco Giants Owner Peter Magowan. Bonds embarrassed baseball. He fictionalized the records. He does not warrant remembrance.

Monologue Joke of the Evening

“Hillary now says that she just made an honest mistake when she said she had to duck sniper fire in Bosnia. There was no hostile fire of any kind. Although, ironically, while she was away, Bill Clinton did see some action.”

The Tonight Show

Department of Compassion

On Friday, ten-year-old Jayci Yaeger died. Prior to her death, Jason Yeager, Jayci’s incarcerated father, visited her. I applaud Nebraska Department of Corrections. Their actions were both sensible and sensitive. Rules are necessary. However, humanity is never optional.

Monologue Joke of the Evening

“New revelations about the whole Hillary Clinton-Bosnia thing. Turns out she went there to hire a sniper.”

The Tonight Show

NEW RULE

Stupid people deserve stupid leadership.

On Thursday, Senator Mike Gravel switched parties. He was a Democrat. He became Libertarian. His rationale? Democrats have forsaken their values. Gravel is an ass. During his presidential campaign, he belittled Iraq and Vietnam causalities. Disparaging soldiers is a Democratic value? Clearly, Gravel and the Libertarian Party are soul mates. Libertarians never receive attention. Gravel does not warrant attention.

Worth A Read

Election Geek

Blogging Decision 2008. Featuring analysis, history, information, insight, and news.

The Daily Smak

Hey, didn’t you used to be California’s Coach?

On Thursday, the Transportation Security Administration removed a woman’s nipple piercings. Afterward, they forced Britney Spears into underwear.

Today’s top five or this weekend’s attractions (1) East Regional Final, (2) South Regional Final, (3) West Regional Final, (4) Midwest Regional Final, (5) Braves vs. Nationals

Fox News: American Jihad

Law enforcement officials and security experts are warning against the threat of homegrown terrorism as several cases involving alleged American jihadists enter the courts. "The public is getting complacent," New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly tells FOX News. Kelly, who was the police commissioner during the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993, has developed a task force of counterterrorism officers trained to spot jihadists.

Although there has not been a major terrorist strike in the U.S. since Sept. 11, 2001, Kelley says the country cannot let down its guard. "We can't afford to be complacent in law enforcement, and I don't think we are," Kelly says in the new FOX News documentary, "Jihad, USA," which will air at 9 p.m. ET on March 29.

Several terror-related cases now in the courts highlight this need for continued vigilance, experts say. In Florida, the retrial of six of the "Liberty City Seven" is coming to a close. The group members, who allegedly plotted to destroy the Sears Tower in Chicago and swore allegiance to Al Qaeda on a secret FBI surveillance tape, were arrested in June 2006. Their first trial ended in a not-guilty verdict for one defendant and a mistrial for the other six.

In Washington state, the murder trial has begun for Pakistani-American Naveed Haq, who is accused of opening fire in Seattle's Jewish Federation Building in July 2006, killing one woman and wounding five others. Haq allegedly said he was mad at the Jews and how they are running the country.

Two other cases are to enter court next month. In Michigan, a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Houssein Zorkot, a Lebanese-born medical student at Wayne State University in Detroit who posted on his Web site in September 2007 that he was launching a personal jihad. He was arrested that same day in a nearby park, wearing camouflage paint and holding a loaded AK-47.

In South Carolina a trial is set for Youssef Megahed and Ahmed Mohamed, two University of South Florida students who officials say had pipe bombs in their car when they were caught speeding near the Goose Creek weapons base.

Terror experts say these and other cases since Sept. 11 illustrate an emerging threat from homegrown terrorists, people who have been radicalized by extreme Muslim doctrine within the U.S. "Al Qaeda is depending today upon the spontaneous emergence of these jihadist cells that are not tethered to the leadership of Al Qaeda by either telephone or e-mail," terror investigator and author Steve Emerson told FOX News.

But others say the threat of homegrown Islamic terrorism is overstated. In "none of these cases brought in the United States did the government ever produce any evidence suggesting that someone had prepared a bomb," says Jim Wedick, a former FBI agent. "Someone's actual ability to do harm needs to be taken into the equation."

Wedick consulted with the defense on the Liberty City Seven case. "The solution is not to treat the whole Muslim community as a suspect community," says Hussam Ayloush, a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "This is not about ignoring a threat, but this ... should not be about exaggerating any threat in a way that promotes certain political agendas."

Kelly says the threat is real and the only way to combat it is through prevention. "Just imagine if the 19 hijackers on Sept. 11 were arrested on Sept. 10," he says. "How would that have been characterized?"

ESPN: Players, Coaches Debate Court Configuration

Players and coaches alike talked Thursday about how they hadn't seen a setup quite like the one at Ford Field, site of the Midwest Regional. There is a reason for that. No one has seen anything like it.

The NCAA tournament is experimenting with a new-look configuration during the regionals in Detroit and Houston, putting the court on the 50-yard line of football stadiums instead of tucked toward one end.

The hardwood will be 27 inches off the ground and some players acknowledged some trepidation. "What if we go for the loose ball and dive off the court?" Villanova guard Scottie Reynolds asked. "I mean, that's the thing I was scared about."

The raised court also creates a unique perspective for coaches, who will have the option of sitting on stools a few feet above their players. "I like to coach sitting down," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "But if you do that here, you're 15 feet away from the court."

The Final Four next week at San Antonio's Alamodome is expected to be the last one in which the court is near an end zone, with bleachers on one side and curtains cutting off some of the sections. "It really opens up the whole stadium and makes it so much better for the fans," said Laing Kennedy, Kent State athletic director and a member of the NCAA Division I Basketball Committee. "Having the court elevated like that just makes for a terrific view from the upper level."

While the fans may enjoy it, some of the players were not too excited about the height of the court. "I'm definitely not jumping in the stands," said Chris Douglas-Roberts of Memphis, which plays Michigan State on Friday night in Houston. "I'm not even going to act like it. If it's going out of bounds and I can't get it, hey I'm not going to fake hustle and act like I'm diving for it."

After the court was placed, officials decided to add a border of carpet around it to act as a buffer for players who do get caught up in hustling. It is 10 feet wide under each basket and five feet wide on the two other sides. There is a curtain covering the north and south ends of the court, so seating is only on two sides of the playing area. That leaves a rather long blank space between the baskets and any wall or occupied area.

"There's going to be an obvious depth perception [problem] just from the goals, but nothing you can't handle," said A.J. Abrams of Texas, which plays Stanford said. "Just go out and get a couple shots up and get the feel of it and that's what it's all about."

When the Motor City hosts the Final Four next year, the NCAA plans to use the same setup it is using Friday night when third-seeded Wisconsin plays 10th-seeded Davidson and No. 1 Kansas faces No. 12 Villanova.

In Houston, the curtains will be gone when it hosts the 2011 Final Four. Reliant Stadium officials are anticipating 60,000 fans over the course of two days this weekend, putting its crowds in the top five of regional sites.

Ford Field officials expect their paid attendance to surpass the 100,000 mark, a total that will exceed the regional-record crowd of 85,568 set in 1999 at St. Louis. The home of the Detroit Lions, though, is not set up to break the basketball world-record crowd of 78,129 fans that watched Kentucky beat Michigan State in 2003. During that event, the field was filled with seats -- creating obstructed views -- and thousands of students were in standing-room only areas on the artificial turf.

NCAA officials expect the crowds at the four regional sites this season to break the previous record more than 20 percent, drawing a combined total of 250,000-plus fans.

NEW RULE

Greatness earns.

On Wednesday, the Seattle Seahawks retained cornerback Marcus Trufant. Trufant signed a 6-year, $50.2 million contract. During his career, Trufant has amassed 396 tackles and 16 interceptions. He has never craved attention. He has never sought headlines. He has defended, tackled, and neutralized premiere receivers. Trufant is not flashy. He is not quotable. He is simply brilliant. His payday is deserved.

Keith Olbermann Scorches Lee Scott

The Daily Smak

Hey, didn’t you used to be Chikezie?

According to the Advocate, a transsexual believes they are pregnant. Congratulations, Ryan Seacrest.

Today’s top five or potential NCAA Tournament champions (1) North Carolina, (2) UCLA, (3) Memphis, (4) Texas, (5) Xavier

United States, China Discuss Tibet Turmoil

On Wednesday, President Bush phoned Chinese President Hu Jintao. They discussed Tibet. Their conversation was both necessary and overdue. Tibet is a crisis. Tibet requires mediation. China’s actions are unacceptable. They must compromise.

Deservedly, Keith Olbermann Wastes Walmart

McCain Discusses Defense, Stresses Alliances

Foreign Policy Address Complete Text

Barack Obama: Wright’s Ignorance Irrelevant

Chikezie Canned

On Wednesday, America eliminated Chikezie. This result was shocking. Chikezie’s performance was stellar. He was passionate. Jason Castro, David Cook, Kristy Leigh Cook, and Brooke White were worse. Chikezie should have survived.

Pat Riley: Shaq, Shut Up!

Shaquille O’Neal: “I love playing for this coach and I love playing with these guys [Phoenix Suns]. We have professionals who know what to do. No one is asking me to play with Chris Quinn or Ricky Davis. I'm actually on a team again.”

Pat Riley: “It's sad that he says those things. We shared so much here, together, for three years, good and bad, 3½ years. I just think it's sad that he's got to do that. When you're 9-40, we're all frustrated. I mean everybody's at fault, we all were. Everybody was feeling bad and nobody wants that. He didn't want to be there, he didn't want to play for that kind of situation, 35 years old. He wanted to go to a contender and we sent him there. We sent him to Utopia and we're left here with the carnage and I don't know why he's not happy. It's really a shame that he would insult those people like that because they gave him care. They cared. They didn't kiss his butt. They cared about him. He can do whatever he wants to do to me. That's OK, I don't care. But those men, they tried. ... That upsets me more than anything.”

Egg McMuffin Inventor

Herb Peterson
(1936-2008)

Monologue Joke of the Evening

“Today, Elliot Spitzer began the heeling process. Or as he calls it, masturbation.”

The Tonight Show

NEW RULE

Eliminating competitors eliminates competition.

On Tuesday, the United States Department of Justice approved a Sirius-XM merger. Their rationale? Unification will not curtail competition. The Department of Justice is delusional. Sirius subscribers may not switch. Dish subscribers may reject Direct TV. However, one choice is one choice. How is that competition?

Chelsea Clinton: Monica? Layoff!

Worth A Read

The Sartorialist

Founder Scott Schuman photographs fashion. Features include a shopping guide and video.

Pittsburgh Pirates Release Byung-Hyun Kim (Remember Him?)

The Daily Smak

Hey, didn’t you used to be Heidi Montag’s boyfriend?

According to Fox News, Iranian teenagers have embraced western haircuts and fashion. Evidently, Laguna Beach diplomacy is succeeding.

Today’s top five or NHL’s finest (1) Red Wings, (2) Sharks, (3) Canadians, (4) Ducks, (5) Penguins

One Week Late: Clinton Rips Reverend Wright

Hillary Clinton: “He would not have been my pastor. You know, we don’t have a choice when it comes to our relatives. We have a choice when it comes to our pastors and the churches we attend. Everyone will have to decide these matters for themselves. They are obviously very personal matters … I think the choice would be clear for me. I gave a speech at Rutgers, about a year ago, that was triggered by the Don Imus comments. And I said that it was time for standing up for what is right, for saying enough is enough, for urging that we turn a culture of degradation into a culture of empowerment, for saying that, while we, of course, must protect our right to freedom of expression, it should not be used as a license or an excuse to demean and humiliate our fellow citizens.”

Republican Royalty Endorses John McCain

Nancy Reagan: “My husband and I first came to know him as a returning Vietnam War POW, and were impressed by the courage he had shown through his terrible ordeal. I believe John's record and experience have prepared him well to be our next president.”

Monologue Joke of the Evening

“A Judge has annulled the marriage of a 92-year-old millionaire and his 43-year-old bride. Boy, that Heather Mills gets around.”

The Tonight Show

The Big Five

For reasons good and bad… they were the news.

The Hot Five

A quintet of sizzling conversation starters.

American Idol Live Blog

Ramiele Malubay (20 – Florida)

Her background is haunting. Red is an exemplary choice. Her ensemble is hideous. The ring is ghastly. The shorts or skirt are bizarre. Her performance is terrible. Her vocals are forced. Her emotion is contrived. Contestants must learn… screaming is not emotion. She is wailing. I adore her. However, she was horrific. She is sick? Alright, I apologize. Simon defends her. Judges catfight? This is an interesting night.

Jason Castro (20 - Texas)

The guitar is overplayed. The hippie vibe is annoying. His commencement and transition are acceptable. With that stated, the performance is bland. He does not oversing. His emotion is believable. However, I am bored. He will advance. He will not sell. Simon’s criticism is accurate. Blasé and self-indulgent.

Syesha Mercado (21 - Florida)

She must lose the fro. Her hair is gorgeous straight. Thankfully, her performance is exquisite. She is soulful. She is melodic. Her emotion is heartfelt. She transcends the song. Her vocals are heart stopping. Simply stated, this evening’s finest.

Chikezie (22 – Arizona)

His commencement is elegant. His vocals are powerful. He screeches slightly. Yet, he is not oversinging. He is controlled and refined. He channels Marvin Gaye. He exudes attraction and passion. Within his performance, one can imagine a romantic evening. Outstanding performance.

Brooke White (24 – Arizona)

Her commencement is flawed. Acapela? Seriously? As the piano begins, her performance improves. However, she is vacant. Her emotion is contrived. Her transition is apocryphal. I hate songs which transition slow into fast. She dominated “Let It Be.” She doomed “Every Breath You Take.” She was terrible.

Michael Johns (29 – Georgia)

Intriguing selection. His entrance is outstanding. His performance is spectacular. Easily, he could oversing. However, he does not. He is energetic and spectacular. His transition is flawless. He does not lose rhythm. His background is bizarre. What is this? The performance of blinding light? His conclusion is scattered. He slows slightly. His vocals are awkward. With that stated, he was stellar.

Carly Smithson (24 – California)

Excellent choice. “Total Eclipse” is a favorite. The background singer is perfect. Sans call and response, this song is inauthentic. Her transition is perfect. She is slightly oversinging. However, she is believable. Her emotion is vibrant. Her conclusion is exact. She is powerful. She is intoxicating. Immaculate performance.

David Archuleta (17 – California)

The music channels “Right Now.” The background is random. Purple lighting? His performance is satisfactory. His emotion is contrived. His voice is diminished. With that stated, he should advance. His largest problem? He was not stellar. We were expecting stellar.

Kristy Leigh Cook (24 – Oregon)

She should not be seated. “God Bless” is a powerful epic. Post September 11, the song defined our nation. Her transition is awkward. She is insipid. She is vacant. She is sans emotion. She is not singing. She is treading water. Simon, a stellar performance? You are drunk. Lee Greenwood was brilliant. She was not.

David Cook (25 – Missouri)

Enough with the rock! Not every selection is a rock song. You are not Scott Weiland. His performance is pathetic. The arrangement is repugnant. The slower tempo ruins “Billy Jean.” He is creepy and frightening. America, eliminate him. I am begging you!

NEW RULE

Cancer exists.

Last night, the Hills premiered. During the episode, Lauren and Whitney visited Paris. Everyone smoked. Obviously, the French hate America. Yet, medical science is universal. Cigarettes possess nicotine. Smoking causes cancer. Cancer can kill you. Smoking is not sophisticated. Smoking is stupid.

The Son Also Scraps

The Daily Smak

Hey, didn’t you used to be Detroit’s Mayor?

Yesterday, Governor David Patterson (D-NY) disclosed illegal drug utilization. Last week, he confessed affairs. This week, he confessed drugs. Next week?

Today’s top five or NBA’s finest (1) Celtics, (2) Pistons, (3) Suns, (4) Lakers, (5) Hornets

McCain: We Are Winning

John McCain: “For the first time, I have seen Usama bin Laden and General (David) Petraeus in agreement, and, that is, a central battleground in the battle against Al Qaeda is in Iraq today. And that’s what bin Laden was saying and that’s what General Petraeus is saying and that’s what I’m saying, my friends. And my Democrat opponents who want to pull out of Iraq refuse to understand what’s being said and what’s happening — and that is the central battleground is Iraq in this struggle against radical Islamic extremism. We’re succeeding. I don’t care what anybody says. I’ve seen the facts on the ground.”

Rewriting History

Hillary Clinton: “I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base.”

Howard Wolfson: “The facts are clear from contemporaneous news accounts that she was entering a potentially dangerous situation, and she has written about this before, she has talked about this before and there you have it. Now, it is possible in the most recent instance in which she discussed this that she misspoke with regard to, you know, the exit from the plane. There were reports of snipers in the hills and they were forced to cut short an event on the tarmac. That is what she wrote in her book, that is what she has said many, many times. And on one occasion she misspoke, but it’s — the record is clear in terms what she has said before on this topic.”

OMG: Texts Trap Kilpatrick

On Monday, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick (D-Detroit) was charged with perjury, conspiracy, misconduct, and obstruction of justice. During a civil trial, Kilpatrick denied an affair. Subsequently, text messages contradicted him. Democrats are unbelievable. Politicians and sex are not strangers. They are compatriots. However, text messages are unnecessary.

Minnesota Motivated: Twins Retain Nathan

On Monday, the Minnesota Twins retained Joe Nathan. Nathan signed a 4-year, $47 million contract. As previously stated, Minnesota is diminutive. They are not New York. They are not Los Angeles. They are restrained financially. However, fans are uncompassionate. They demand results. They require commitment. Progress is important. Talent is imperative. Ultimately, money talks.

Monologue Joke of the Evening

“The President of France said that they would reduce their nuclear arsenal… Because if there’s one thing the French hate, its being to prepared to defend themselves.”

The Tonight Show

Hills Continues Unsettled Season

Last season, Lauren and Brody deliberated. Heidi and Spencer separated. Heroes and villains were ambiguous. Specific solutions were unclear. Brody and Spencer could have chilled. Lauren could have acted. Heidi could have compromised. However, these actions would have been abnormal.

Tonight, The Hills returns. Everything or nothing may be solved. Lauren and Brody may couple. Heidi and Spencer may reconcile. Both tandems may cease speaking. Ultimately, the characters and scenarios are equally convoluted.

Yes He Did

On Friday, Governor Bill Richardson endorsed Senator Barack Obama. Obviously, Richardson is important. Hispanics revere him. However, Richardson is not the Holy Grail. Larger endorsements are available.

Line of the Morning

Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM)

“I'm not going to get in the gutter like that… that's typical of many of the people around Senator Clinton. They think they have a sense of entitlement to the presidency.”

Raging Carville Rips Richardson

James Carville: “Mr. Richardson's endorsement came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver, so I think the timing is appropriate.”

Protesting the Torch

NEW RULE

Blogging is a priority.

For thirty-one days, I did not blog. My occupation assumed precedence. I ignored CNN, ESPN, Fox News, and MSNBC. This was unacceptable. Henceforth, I will blog. Every day, I find myself with news opinions. Every day, I must archive them.

Worth A Read

The Mid Majority

Truth, justice, and twenty-two smaller conferences.

The Daily Smak

Hey, didn’t you used to be New York’s Governor?

Tonight, CSI Miami and the Hills return. I will watch the overdramatic and unrealistic program. My girlfriend will watch the Hills.

Today’s top five or stunning eliminations (1) Connecticut, (2) Georgetown, (3) Duke, (4) Clemson, (5) USC

No Accident

On Thursday, Edward Marquette was charged with falsifying business records and offering a false instrument for filing. Marquette did not inspect a construction crane. Subsequently, the crane collapsed. Seven were killed. Twenty-four are injured. Marquette warrants figurative castration. He lied. He endangered lives. Mercy is impossible.

Celebrating Their Choice

On Friday, the Seattle Seahawks retained Linebacker Lofa Tatupu. Tatupu signed a 6-year, $42 million contract. I applaud the Seahawks. Tatupu epitomizes the NFL Draft’s absurdity.