Great Ghost

On Saturday, Kelly Pavlik obliterated Gary Lockett. Given Floyd Mayweather’s retirement, Pavlik is America’s finest.

Thirty Years and Nothing…

On Saturday, Da' Tara won the Belmont Stakes. Big Brown finished ninth. Belmont prevents another.

Hillary Concedes

On Saturday, Senator Hillary Clinton renounced her presidential candidacy. On Tuesday, Clinton was arrogant, egotistical, oblivious, narcissistic, and truculent. Her concession was cordial, compassionate, magnanimous, poignant, and sensitive.

During her campaign, Clinton won twenty-two contests. She won 1,926 delegates. She won 18,046,007 votes. For the Democratic nomination, Clinton has an argument. Will she accept her failure, supplant her ego, and support Senator Barack Obama?

Clinton Concession Complete Text

Money Maxed… Mayweather Walks

Floyd Mayweather Jr. was brash, cocky, egotistical, grandiloquent, pompous, and verbose. He was self-important and self-indulgent. He was colorful, contentious, and controversial. Universally, Mayweather was not cherished. Yet, he was entertaining.

On Friday, Mayweather retired. “It is with a heavy heart that I write you this message today,” he said. “I have decided to permanently retire from boxing. This decision was not an easy one for me to make as boxing is all I have done since I was a child. However, these past few years have been extremely difficult for me to find the desire and joy to continue in the sport.”

“I have said numerous times and after several of my fights over the past two years that I might not fight again,” he continued. “At the same time, I loved competing and winning and also wanted to continue my career for the fans, knowing they were there for me and enjoyed watching me fight. However, after many sleepless nights and intense soul-searching I realized I could no longer base my decision on anything but my own personal happiness, which I no longer could find. So I have finally made up my mind, spoken to my family, particularly my mother, and made my decision.”

During his career, Mayweather amassed a 39-0 record. He garnered WBC Light Middleweight, WBC Lightweight, IBF Light Welterweight, IBO Light Welterweight, WBC Light Welterweight, and WBC Super Featherweight championships. He vanquished Carlos Baldomir, Jose Luis Castillo, Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Oscar De La Hoya, and Ricky Hatton.

“I am sorry I have to leave the sport at this time, knowing I still have my God-given abilities to succeed and future multi-million dollar paydays ahead, including the one right around the corner,” Mayweather said. “But there comes a time when money doesn't matter. I just can't do it anymore. I have found a peace with my decision that I have not felt in a long time.”

Despite his flamboyance, Mayweather merits respect. He was a cartoon. He was also a champion.

“Founding Father of Sports Television”

Jim McKay
(1921-2008)

Baseline Survival

In 1998 and 1999, Serbia was ravaged. For seventy-eight days, Operation Allied Force shelled the fragile nation. Citizens were killed. Families were displaced. Property was eviscerated. Thankfully, Ana Ivanovic survived. Tennis were her savior.

On Saturday, Ana Ivanovic defeated Dinara Safina 6-4, 6-3. With her victory, Ivanovic garnered the French Open Championship. “This was amazing,” she said. “I still don't realize what happened. As a kid, when I used to go by bike to practice, I used to dream of this.”

During her career, Ivanovic has accrued seven singles titles. She has scored three Grand Slam finals appearances. “It was a very nervous match with lots of chances but I was able to keep my composure until the end,” she said. “I am very thrilled to be the champion.”

Artillery, mortars, and shrapnel are lethal. Diplomats cannot negotiate them. Humans cannot outrun them. On this afternoon, Ivanovic’s title should be celebrated. Her existence should be savored.

Correctable Storm?

In May, 49,000 jobs were lost. Simultaneously, the unemployment rate rose (5.5%). Oil priced $139 per barrel. Senators John McCain and Barack Obama, your solution?

Red Wings Amongst Elite

They are a prodigious franchise. Their reputation and success is exceptional. Eleven championships. Seventeen division championships. Thirty-two enshrined immortals. They are not unparalleled. Yet, they are incomparable.

On Wednesday, the Detroit Red Wings garnered the 2008 Stanley Cup. In eleven seasons, they have amassed four titles. They have racked four conference titles. They have recorded eight division titles. They have registered eleven playoff appearances. Are they a dynasty?

From 1964-1979, the Montreal Canadians accrued ten championships. They scored fourteen playoff appearances. From 1982-1992, the Edmonton Oilers accrued five championships. They scored ten playoff appearances. Detroit is not Edmonton or Montreal. However, they are within their strata.

Why Not Help?

Monologue Joke of the Evening

“It’s graduation season. We have many honor students here in New York City. Yes, your honor. No, your honor. Not guilty, your honor.”

Late Show with David Letterman

“Mad Dog”

Dwight White
(1949-2008)

NEW RULE

Martyrs are silent.

On Thursday, Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali, Mustafa Ahmad al-Hawsawi, Ammar al-Baluchi, Ramzi Binalshibh, and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed refused representation. Apparently, they covet martyrdom. On September 11, 2001; Ali, al-Hawsawi, al-Baluchi, Binalshibh, and Mohammed murdered 2,998. Given the aforesaid, I request silence. Their legal circumstances are irrelevant. Their execution is inevitable.

Worth A Read

South Dakota Politics

A little blog on the prairie. Covering history, law, and politics.

The Daily Smak

Hey, didn’t you used to be the Air Force?

According to Bill Parcells, the Miami Dolphins want Jason Taylor. Allegedly, Barack Obama wants Hillary Clinton.

Today’s top five or this weekend’s attractions (1) NBA Finals, (2) Belmont Stakes, (3) French Open Finals, (4) NCAA Super Regionals, (5) Hillary Clinton’s Concession

Rivalries Never Die…

Monologue Joke of the Evening

“Hillary is supposedly set to concede the Democratic nomination to Barack Obama. She was supposed to quit on Friday; word is she will quit on Saturday; and nothing has ruled her out for jumping back into this thing on Sunday.”

Jimmy Kimmel Live

A National Conversation?

On Wednesday, Senator John McCain challenged Senator Barack Obama. His proposal? Ten town hall debates. Obama should accept. The dialogue would benefit our nation.

Celtics, Lakers Face Significant Finals

They were tattered franchises. Despite illustrious histories, each possessed only one superstar. Death, misfortune, mismanagement, and scandal ruined one franchise. Egotism and indulgence ruined the other.

Tonight, the Boston Celtics will oppose the Los Angeles Lakers. In the NBA Finals, they have convened previously. However, this is their most significant clash. This series will resurrect one’s mythology. This series will revive one’s trajectory. This series will validate one’s superstar.

From 1957-1986, the Celtics garnered sixteen championships. They also scored eight conference and twenty-one division titles. Sadly, Len Bias and Reggie Lewis died. Prior to this season, the Celtics posted a pedestrian 802-806 record.

From 1999-2002, the Lakers garnered three NBA Championships. They amassed a 181-65 record. Unfortunately, squabbling and Colorado occurred. The Lakers endured two non-title seasons. They traded Shaquille O’Neal. Prior to this season, the Lakers amassed an anemic 121-125 record.

In their ten title encounters, the Celtics have won eight. The Lakers only two. Tonight, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce join Larry Bird, Bob Cousy, and Bill Russell. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol join Magic Johnson and James Worthy. Only one collection can refurbish their franchise. Only one can win this significant clash.

Anyone Believe This?

Clinton Communications Director Howard Wolfson: “She is not seeking the vice presidency, and no one speaks for her but her. The choice here is Senator Obama's and his alone.”

NEW RULE

One hundred and ninety-five nations exist.

For the 2016 Olympics, Chicago, Madrid, Tokyo, and Rio de Janeiro are finalists. Does the International Olympic Committee need an atlas? Obviously, America is a prosperous nation. However, we hosted the 1996 Olympics. Another nation merits an opportunity.

The Daily Smak

Hey, didn’t you used to be inevitable?

According to a study, makeup emboldens male birds. Coincidentally, Ryan Seacrest enjoys similar effects.

Today’s top five or Los Angeles Lakers’ finest (1) Kobe Bryant, (2) Pau Gasol, (3) Derek Fisher, (4) Lamar Odom, (5) Luke Walton

Obama Selects Caroline

For his Vice Presidential selection committee, Barack Obama has chosen Caroline Kennedy. Obama’s selection is intriguing. Given her intellect and lineage, Kennedy should prove invaluable.

Obama Fundraiser Found Guilty

On Wednesday, Illinois fundraiser Tony Rezko was convicted of fraud and money laundering. Senator Barack Obama’s statements are irrelevant. Once again, his judgment is suspect.

Monologue Joke of the Evening

“That’s the question on everyone’s mind: What does Hillary want? Of course, the bigger question is, Who’s going to tell her she can’t get it?”

The Tonight Show

Pistons Solution? Fire Flip

In the Eastern Conference quarter-finals, the Atlanta Hawks (37-45) opposed the Boston Celtics (66-16). The Hawks surrendered zero home contests. In the Eastern Conference finals, the Detroit Pistons (59-23) opposed the Celtics. The Pistons squandered two home contests. Obviously, someone was responsible.

On Tuesday, the Pistons fired Coach Flip Saunders. According to General Manager Joe Dumars, the alteration was necessary. “There are no sacred cows here,” Dumars said. “You lose that sacred-cow status when you lose three straight years.”

During his career, Saunders has amassed a 634-447 record. In Minnesota (780 games), Saunders racked a 428-356 record. In Detroit (297 games), he registered a 206-91 record. Despite eleven playoff appearances, Saunders has never won a conference title. He has been fired twice.

Despite six conference finals, Detroit has accrued only one championship. Their lone title was a titanic upset. In 2004, they stunned the Lakers 4-1. In 2005, the San Antonio Spurs defeated them 4-3. In their first conference final, the New Jersey Nets swept them 4-0. In their fourth, the Miami Heat broke them 4-2. In their fifth, the Cleveland Cavaliers embarrassed them 4-2. On Friday, the Celtics silenced them 4-2.

Since 2002-2003, the Pistons have logged a 334-158 ledger. Yet, they have fired Rick Carlisle, Larry Brown, and Saunders. Dumars’ rational is simple. “There are 25, 26 teams that would love to be where we are, but good has not been good enough,” he said. “I appreciate everything that Rick Carlisle, Larry Brown and Flip Saunders have done, but I also know they were handed some great teams. It's not like they had to take bad teams and make them good. The next coach is going to inherit a good team.”

NEW RULE

Victims merit aid.

On Wednesday, United States warships exited Myanmar. Despite fifteen requests, Myanmar’s military junta refused relief. Myanmar’s government are criminals. They warrant international prosecution. They facilitated their population’s eradication. For them, hell is inadequate.

Worth A Read

I’m Not A Stalker

Lindsay sifts celebrity sites.

The Daily Smak

Hey, didn’t you used to be Detroit Pistons Coach?

On Tuesday, Senator Hillary Clinton would not concede. Subsequently, the San Antonio Spurs demanded game six.

Today’s top five or Boston Celtics’ finest (1) Kevin Garnett, (2) Ray Allen, (3) PJ Brown, (4) Paul Pierce, (5) James Posey

Fox News: Divided They Stand

Democratic Party elders who hoped the emergence of a presidential nominee would end the bitter divisions of the primary race got a startling reality check Wednesday. One day after Barack Obama clinched the nomination, supporters loyal to Hillary Clinton kept up the fight and in some cases antagonized Obama and his campaign.

Even as more than a dozen superdelegates drifted to the Illinois senator Wednesday, Clinton backers flooded the office of one Obama supporter on Capitol Hill with threatening calls and some urged other Clinton-ites to shift their support to presumptive GOP nominee John McCain. Meanwhile, bloggers on Obama’s Web page and major liberal Web sites threw charges and slurs at Clinton for refusing to concede the race Tuesday night in New York City. “Hillary Showed No Class!” read one headline on Obama’s community blogs page.

The strife among supporters underscores the challenge ahead for Obama and Democratic leaders working to bridge the party divide in their quest to galvanize voters on a message of hope and change, and take back the White House. Clinton could ease some of that tension Friday, when she is expected to drop out of the race and endorse Obama.

But supporters on both sides of the Democratic fence almost immediately began drawing a line in the sand Tuesday over what likely will be the big question facing Obama over the next few months: whether he should tap Clinton to be his running mate. If there’s middle ground on the issue, it was hard to see Wednesday. Former President Jimmy Carter, now an Obama supporter, told the Guardian’s Weekend magazine that picking Clinton “would be the worst mistake that could be made.”

Meanwhile, Clinton supporter Bob Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television, wrote the Congressional Black Caucus asking its members to urge Obama to place Clinton on the ticket. Clinton supporter Lanny Davis also was circulating an online petition pushing for the joint ticket, saying such a match-up would be “unbeatable.” In an interview with FOX News he denied that Clinton was bullying her way into the No. 2. slot.

CBC spokeswoman Keiana Barrett told FOX News, though, that the caucus “is not considering any appeal and will support Senator Obama’s right to make his own selection; like all other nominees have done in the past.”

Obama named a three-person team to spearhead the vice presidential search Wednesday. And the campaign is tight-lipped about whether they’d seriously consider the overtures for Clinton to be his running mate. The campaign was also tight-lipped about Clinton’s refusal to concede after the final two primaries Tuesday night. Obama said simply that she was “understandably focused on her supporters.”

But she stunned Obama supporters and several Democratic strategists by not acknowledging his historic achievement. While Clinton extended her congratulations to Obama for running what she called an “extraordinary race” Tuesday night, her address almost took the tone of a victory speech, rather than a concession, as she talked up her supposed popular vote advantage. At one point, supporters started to cheer “Denver! Denver!” — a nod from them that she should take her fight to the August convention.

Democratic strategist Bob Beckel said whoever made the call to not recognize Obama’s delegate majority Tuesday night was “stupid,” and he said she effectively jeopardized her chances at being the No. 2 by doing so. After Obama’s victory, there was some scuttlebutt about Clinton backers breaking for McCain. Cristi Adkins, of the newly formed Clintons for McCain group, told FOX News she wants Clinton backers to throw their support behind McCain and not the presumptive Democratic nominee because they have more in common. “I can fairly comfortably give all of my passion over to McCain should Hillary Clinton be bullied out of the White House,” she said.

“I look out for my children and I fear Senator Obama. He wants change, what kind of change is that?” she said, adding that it’s going to be “very challenging” for Obama to pick up Clinton supporters.

Obama will have fence-mending to do with Clinton supporters, especially women voters. Amid all the talk about a first black president, many women are deeply disappointed, in some cases furious, that Clinton’s own historic campaign fell short and that Obama’s campaign undercut her along the way. Obama himself must heal the rift with women, said Clinton fundraiser Susie Buell of San Francisco, or a new brand of “stay-at-home moms” might sit out the election. “I know that women are very worked up right now,” she said. Obama “has never apologized for the way Hillary has been treated.”

Emotions boiled over at last weekend’s televised meeting of a Democratic Party rules committee, when some women chanted “McCain ‘08″ after the Clinton team lost its bid to win more disputed delegates from Michigan. Many party insiders believe that, over time, most Clinton supporters will decide that a reluctant vote for Obama is better than a spiteful vote for McCain. Still, polls underscore Obama’s challenge.

FOX News exit polls from the South Dakota Democratic primary — where Clinton scored her final victory of the campaign Tuesday — showed that 30 percent of voters there would be dissatisfied with Obama as their nominee. Healing the wounds will require a strong endorsement by Clinton of the man who beat her, says Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., one of Obama’s most prominent female supporters. And the reality of the presidential stakes will sink in, too, she says. “As time passes and everyone begins focusing on the differences between John McCain and Barack Obama,” she said, “I think the medicine is going to be a little easier to swallow. But right now I think it’s really hard for these women.”

House Majority Whip James Clyburn, S.C., also said Wednesday that his office has been deluged with angry phone calls from people identifying themselves as Clinton supporters. Clyburn, who endorsed Obama Tuesday, told FOX News Radio there were racial overtones in the calls and that some of the callers used “names that I would not repeat on this show today.” He said some threatened to “sabotage this election.”

He later told FOX News that “there are a lot of immature people in this country, and those of us who are mature are going to have to work that much harder to overcome that.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday that Obama is the clear nominee, and that it’s time to “rally around” him. Other Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill made a strong call for party unity. Washington Rep. Adam Smith, an Obama supporter, told FOX News there was absolutely no bad blood between Obama and Clinton. “We’re rather happy this morning,” he said. “We have secured the nomination. There is no consternation whatsoever about what Senator Clinton said last night.”

Monologue Joke of the Evening

“Dick Cheney has apologized for a joke he made about West Virginians and inbreeding at their expense. I don’t think Cheney gets it . . . today, while trying to apologize, he said he felt as stupid as a guy from Kentucky.”

The Tonight Show

Decision 2008

On Tuesday, Senator Barack Obama clinched the Democratic Presidential nomination. Finally, the campaign commences.

Democratic Sound & Farewell?

Barack Obama Complete Text

Hillary Clinton Complete Text

McCain Commences Fall Campaign

New Orleans Complete Text

Ford, GM Continue Collapse

On Tuesday, Ford sales plunged 15%. Simultaneously, General Motors shuttered four factories. Simply stated, Ford and GM are drowning. President Bush, Senators, and Congressman must act. They cannot sacrifice our nation’s heartbeat.

Tampa Bay Tosses Tortorella

On Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Lightning fired Coach John Tortorella. Once, the Lightning were worthless Tortorella reinvented them. He merited another campaign.

Ocho Reconsiders

Chad Johnson: “Am I coming back? Of course I am. I told my coaches I'm going to California to act, but the truth is I may come back to the Bengals as early as June. I may be crazy but I'm not stupid.”

“If we want to be like Indy and New England, we have to pay and bring in some difference-makers on defense. Our offense is fine. But if they're fussing about paying a guy like me, a guy among the best in the league, you know damn well the Bengals aren't gonna supply the defense with what it needs. So I just said, 'If we aren't gonna do what we need to make us win -- can I please leave?' It's simple. I just told 'em: 'If y'all won't change, then I have to.’”

“Look how well I've done while talking every week and calling people out and making things so hard on me with all this attention. I've been thinking a lot lately about what I could do if I just played and didn't talk. Things would be a whole lot easier on me. And think of the numbers I could put up. Then what would people say about me?”

“It's the reinvention of Ocho Cinco. I'm dead serious. People need to take me as I am because I just don't give a [expletive] anymore. That's how I'd sum up my attitude for the next season.”

NEW RULE

Polygamists remain pedophiles.

On Monday, the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints prohibited underage marriage. Evidently, nineteen year old wives are acceptable. As previously stated, the polygamist males are not religious. They are dirty, horny old men. Their “promise” will not alter this.

The Daily Smak

Hey, didn’t you used to be the primaries?

Tonight, Senator Barack Obama will clinch the Democratic Presidential nomination. Senator Hillary Clinton’s reaction? “Barack, please.”

Today’s top five or Pacman’s potential pastimes (1) Cathouse, (2) Real Sex, (3) Playboy Channel, (4) NFL Network, (5) The L Word

Spell What?

Monologue Joke of the Evening

“Barack Obama says he is now looking for a new church . . . preferably one where the religious order has to take a vow of silence.”

The Tonight Show

Senator Kennedy Survives Surgery

On Monday, Senator Ted Kennedy underwent brain surgery. The Kennedy family has our thoughts and prayers.

Goodell Grants Pacman Reprieve

On Monday, Pacman Jones received partial reinstatement. Commissioner Roger Goodell’s action is unfortunate. As previously stated, Pacman has flouted the law. He has embarrassed his profession. He warrants incarceration. His career should be finished.

Henry Halted

On Monday, the Denver Broncos released Travis Henry. Denver’s decision is correct. Henry embarrassed his franchise. He embarrassed the NFL. He warranted termination.

“The Originator”

Bo Diddley
(1928-2008)

NEW RULE

Scott McClellan is an ass.

On Sunday, Scott McClellan’s memoir was released. McClellan is gutless, miserable, and pathetic. However, the aforesaid is irrelevant. McClellan could have objected. He could have resigned. Instead, he remained silent. He wrote a book. For this, he warrants distrust and excoriation.

Worth A Read

The NHL Arena Program

Excellent Stanley Cup Finals coverage.

The Daily Smak

Hey, didn’t you used to be my health?

Four weeks ago, my right lung collapsed. Evidently, Hillary Clinton did also.

Today’s top five or Hillary Clinton’s possibilities (1) Senate Majority Leader, (2) Vice President, (3) Secretary,(4) Mother-in-law, (5) Divorcee

Clinton Racks Puerto Rico

On Sunday, Senator Hillary Clinton won the Puerto Rico Democratic Primary. As previously stated, I covet a brokered convention. Unfortunately, the Democratic contest is concluded. Senator Barack Obama is the nominee.

Despite Consternation, DNC Coddles Florida and Michigan

On Saturday, the Democratic National Committee compromised. Florida and Michigan will count. Their delegates will be halved. The Democratic National Committee’s action is appropriate. America’s fourth and eighth largest states deserve an opinion.

Church Move

From the Trinity United Methodist Church, Senator Barack Obama has resigned. Obama’s decision is irrelevant. Permanently, his judgment is suspect.

Fox News: Polygamists Prance, Texas Trips

For nearly two months, Texas child welfare officials had insisted conditions at a polygamist group's ranch were so abusive that none of its members should be allowed to keep their children. Now, however, one of the of the largest custody cases in U.S. history is unraveling, and some are looking for what went wrong when the state raided the Yearning For Zion Ranch and removed more than 400 children.

Since the state Supreme Court ruled that the Texas Department of Child Protective Services overreached when it swept the children into foster care, agency officials have been unwilling to discuss the case, their strategy or what went wrong. However, some close to the debacle say the operation was doomed from the start by a series of missteps.

First is the oddity of a religious sect the agency knew little about, exacerbating the inherent perils of balancing parents' rights and child safety. Then there were the abuse allegations, starting with a mysterious telephone call and echoed by disgruntled former members, seemingly accepted at face value.

And an ill-fated 1992 brush with another religious sect — which led to the fiery deaths of 21 children at the Branch Davidian compound near Waco — still lingers on the agency's collective conscience. "It's difficult to know whether, in fact, they screwed it up," said Linda Spears, vice president of the Child Welfare League of America, a national collection of nonprofits that aid abused and neglected children. "It's the 20/20 hindsight thing."

Folks in Schleicher County, a dusty patch near the middle of Texas, had been at least curious, if not suspicious, of members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a breakaway from the Mormon church whose members believe polygamy earns glorification in heaven. Members of the group revered leader Warren Jeffs as a prophet. Since the start of the group's Texas ranch, he has been convicted in Utah as an accomplice to rape and is jail in Arizona awaiting trial on separate charges.

Sheriff David Doran cultivated a confidential informant to monitor the group's activities, and former FLDS members recounted abuse and forced marriages to anyone who would listen. Investigators "listened to a lot of misinformation and allowed themselves to be kind of captivated by these anti-FLDS people," said FLDS spokesman Rod Parker.

When someone purporting to be a pregnant 16-year-old called a domestic abuse hot line claiming her middle-aged husband beat her, authorities went in with Child Protective Services workers on April 3. But the calls may have been a hoax. "We had no choice but to treat those calls as credible. If we had not treated them as credible and something bad happened, people would be very upset," said Tela Mange, a spokeswoman for the Department of Public Safety, which is still investigating possible sex abuse at the ranch in addition to the origin of the hot line calls.

Children and mothers were taken away from the ranch because CPS workers thought it would be better to interview them at a neutral location, something that wasn't done in the last high-profile brush the agency had with a religious sect — the Branch Davidians. CPS workers were confused about names, ages, and relationships of the children and adults in the complicated group marriages of the FLDS. The agency said at the time it believed sect members were deliberately misleading investigators about the names, ages and parentage of the children.

Although caseworkers said when they took custody of all the children that the sect was forcing underage girls into marriage and sex and training boys to be adult perpetrators, only a few dozen of the children swept into custody turned out to be teenage girls, and only a handful had children or were pregnant. Of 31 mothers CPS said were minors, at least half turned out to be adults.

David Schenck, an attorney for some of the mothers, said CPS workers were confronted with a decision when they arrived at the ranch: identify all the men who might be suspected abusers or grab all the children. "They were interested in taking care of kids, but the problem is they took on more than the evidence is going to support," he said.

Parker called the agency "heavy-handed." A state appeals court essentially agreed, saying the state failed to show that any more than five of the teenage girls were being sexually abused, and had offered no evidence of sexual or physical abuse against the other children.

The Texas Supreme Court agreed in a ruling issued Thursday. Spears, a caseworker-turned-advocate, said that despite the high-profile nature of the FLDS case, the dilemma faced by CPS is little different than in most removal cases. "At the time you walk in, you have very little information even in the best cases," she said, noting the snap risk assessments caseworkers are often asked to make.

The second-guessing, too, is typical. CPS also was criticized for its handling of the Branch Davidians cult at its ranch compound outside Waco. Allegations of abuse at the Waco ranch had swirled for years, but interviews with children at the compound produced no outcry of abuse and CPS closed its investigation in 1992. A year later, federal agents raided the fortified compound in a weapons investigation. Fire broke out and the 21 children died.

Spears said agencies worry about making wrong calls and seeing harm come to children. Decision-making often swings in reaction to criticism of previous cases or child deaths. "It swings back and forth," she said. "There's no exact science being practiced here."

“Most Influential Designer of the Past 25 Years”

Yves Saint-Laurent
(1936-2008)

Line of the Morning

Scott McClellan

“The president said he was going to restore honor and integrity. He said we were going to set the highest of standards. We didn't live up to that.”

Big Five & Hot Five (Memorial Week)

Big Five

1. Scott McClellan
2. Texas vs. Polygamists
3. Decision 2008
4. NBA Playoffs
5. Kasey Kahne

Hot Five

1. Scott McClellan
2. Texas vs. Polygamists
3. NBA Playoffs
4. Sex and the City
5. Recount

Yahoo: Next Season’s Failures

Given the annual turnover in the 12-team playoff field, I tried last week to make an educated prediction (i.e., wild guess) at which six postseason squads from 2007 will miss the bus in ‘08. The six pegged to be knocked down a peg or two in the coming season are the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks and New York Giants.

So with a half-dozen seats expected to be empty, the next job is to figure out which six non-playoff teams from 2007 will qualify for the Super Bowl tournament. Before that, let’s consider six non-playoff teams from last season that will remain non-playoff teams this time around:

1. New York Jets
The New England Patriots, who typically built their roster carefully and methodically, used an aggressive offseason in 2007 to position the franchise for an undefeated regular season. Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum previously espoused a build-through-the-draft approach, but he paid out like a broken poker machine in March, giving huge-money deals to more than a few strangers to the franchise.

Though the Patriots’ approach in ‘07 had an overriding sense of precision, the Jets’ offseason moves came off as reckless—almost desperate. The Jets have too many question marks, most notably at quarterback. Kellen Clemens, a second-round pick in ‘06, has struggled and thus gave Chad Pennington an unexpected shot at regaining the starting gig. The reality: Neither guy is the answer.

More important, there is growing evidence that the players don’t trust the front office. Last year, it was Pete Kendall who claimed the team had reneged on promises to increase his pay. Then, wide receiver Laveranues Coles made an identical contention. Now, tight end Chris Baker is barking the same tune. Despite the Jets’ ambitions to compete with division rival New England and the New York Giants—those Super Bowl ring-wearing crosstown neighbors with whom the they share a stadium—the reality for the Jets is that winning the AFC East is a pipe dream, and securing a wild-card spot is a long shot.

2. Cleveland Browns
The Browns are the trendy pick to make the ‘08 playoffs, given their sudden resurgence and near miss of the postseason a year ago. And so they’ll face the intense pressure and scrutiny that go along with high expectations.

With a tough schedule, a bull’s eye on each side of that logo-less orange helmet and a full offseason for defensive coordinators to figure out how to stop quarterback Derek Anderson, it could be a long year for the Browns.

Like the Jets, the Browns’ offseason spending smacks of desperation. They gave too much money to wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth and gave up too much for underachieving defensive tackle Shaun Rogers. The big question is whether Anderson can continue to perform at a high level. His “nothing to lose” mindset has been replaced by the burden of being the clear-cut starter, with an upstart first-rounder peering over his shoulder, anxious for Anderson to screw things up.

Though the fans in Cleveland sorely deserve a winning team, the fact that last year’s team did so well without a playoff berth is going to work against the Browns this year. The end result could very well be another year without a postseason appearance.

3. Kansas City Chiefs
On the surface, the addition of the Chiefs to this list is a no-brainer. The franchise is in obvious rebuilding mode, and coach Herm Edwards expects nine of the team’s 12 draft picks to suit up on Sundays this fall. But I’ve added them because some Kansas City fans don’t seem to realize that the team is closer to the bottom than the top. Indeed, there’s a strange sense of swagger that comes from a franchise that, in reality, has nothing to swagger about.

Though confidence is a good thing, it needs a strong foundation. The Chiefs don’t have it, and thus the confidence from guys like Edwards and GM Carl Peterson is more accurately described as hubris. Come January, that hubris could be replaced by unemployment.

4. Detroit Lions
Like the Chiefs, the Lions have far more confidence than their talent level warrants. Quarterback Jon Kitna can’t keep quiet; he again has predicted 10 victories. It didn’t happen in ‘07, and it won’t happen in ‘08.

What have the Lions done to get better? The running back situation is a multi-headed crapshoot. The offensive line is average at best. And the defense is merely a collection of former Buccaneers who, if they were great players, would be current Buccaneers. Picking the Lions to miss the playoffs hardly represents a full-body shimmy onto a rubbery tree limb. However, it’s important to nip in the bud the annual sense that the law of averages will come into play and that this year will be the year for the Lions.

5. Arizona Cardinals
Speaking of the law of averages favoring a certain NFL team, look for plenty of preseason prognostications for the Cardinals reaching the playoffs. Some might even think the Cardinals will win their second postseason game since the Truman administration. Don’t count on it.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt has the team moving in the right direction, but two offseasons isn’t enough time to turn this team around. The offensive line still needs a lot of work, and the defense isn’t quite ready to perform like the unit that complemented Whisenhunt’s offense in Pittsburgh. Then there’s the quarterback position. Matt Leinart isn’t developing as anticipated, and Kurt Warner doesn’t have much time left. The starter/reliever approach the Cardinals used until Leinart (broken collarbone) landed on the injured reserve last year barely was working.

Leinart likely won’t tolerate that approach in ‘08. But Warner says he still can play, and that passive-aggressive routine of his will cause problems if Leinart struggles and still gets the snaps. For any other franchise, it would be a recipe for trouble. In Arizona, it means that things will continue to be the same as they’ve been.

6. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have the talent. For whatever reason, they can’t put it all together. It has been that way for two seasons, since the Panthers lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC championship game on Jan. 22, 2006.

Once again, the Panthers look solid on paper, especially with a pair of first-round picks in running back Jonathan Stewart and offensive tackle Jeff Otah. But Carolina GM Marty Hurney still hasn’t done anything to establish a receiving threat across from Steve Smith or provide depth at quarterback behind Jake Delhomme, whose star is in danger of burning out for good. Come January, then, it’ll be another round of excuse-making for a team that should have been good enough to go places in the postseason but simply didn’t.