Red Sox Should Not Protest… Ramirez Was Them

On Sunday, Manny Ramirez shopped himself. “If the Red Sox are a better team without Manny Ramirez, they should trade me; I will not object.”

On Thursday, the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Pittsburgh Pirates concocted a swap. The Dodgers received Ramirez. The Red Sox received outfielder Jason Bay. The Pirates received a quintet of minor leaguers.

Ramirez’s reaction was blunt. “The Red Sox don't deserve a player like me,” said Ramirez. “During my years here, I've seen how they [the Red Sox] have mistreated other great players when they didn't want them to try to turn the fans against them. The Red Sox did the same with guys like Nomar Garciaparra and Pedro Martinez, and now they do the same with me. Their goal is to paint me as the bad guy. I love Boston fans, but the Red Sox don't deserve me. I'm not talking about money. Mental peace has no price, and I don't have peace here.”

Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti’s reaction was optimistic. “We figured we had to do it,” he said. “There was obviously a point in time that you have to make a major decision. We did and we were glad we did it. Hopefully it pays dividends. We're confident we've got one of the best hitters in baseball coming in here -- one of the best hitters of his generation from the right side. He's a champion, he's a winner, and we really couldn't be happier with trying to make the club better at this point in time than to do this. We wanted this player at least for the next two months, and hopefully longer. So we're willing to take the chance and go with this guy.”

Currently, the Red Sox are 61-48. The Dodgers are 54-54. In the American League East, the Red Sox trail the Tampa Bay Rays. In the National League West, the Dodgers trail, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Boston’s deficit is three contests. Los Angeles’ deficit is two contests.

During his career, Ramirez has batted .312 with 510 home runs and 1,672 runs batted in. This season, he has hammered .299 with 20 home runs and 99 runs batted in. “It's nice to see we've done something like this, to make a push for the next two months,” said Garciaparra. “I think he'll be just fine. Manny is really a simple person. He works extremely hard. He just wants to play baseball and go home and be with his family. How can you not respect and love a guy like that?”

In eight seasons, Ramirez and the Red Sox won two championships. They sparred and squabbled. Boston may criticize him. They may excoriate him. They cannot ignore the obvious. Since 2004, Ramirez epitomized the Red Sox. Arrogant. Empirical. Smug.

Bittersweet Symphony Squelched

On February 10, 2000, the Cincinnati Reds acquired Ken Griffey Jr. Griffey’s homecoming was celebrated, exalted, praised. Playoff appearances were assured. Division championships were probable. World Series championships were viable. Unfortunately, reality never equaled expectations. During Griffey’s tenure, Cincinnati accrued a 649-755 record. They amassed zero playoff appearances.

On Thursday, the Reds traded Griffey to the Chicago White Sox. As reciprocation, the Reds received pitcher Nick Masset and minor league second baseman Danny Richar. “I think he was just a little bit surprised, maybe, but I think he thought about it and said he wanted to talk to his family about it,” said Reds General Manger Walt Jocketty. “I think he agreed it's a very good opportunity for him, and the club obviously wanted him and pursued him and came after him. That's got to be a good feeling for him, I guess.”

Currently, the White Sox are 60-47. In the American League Central, they lead the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers. Minnesota’s deficit is one-half contest. Detroit’s deficit is five and one-half contests. “Ozzie [Guillen] has the opportunity to field his best team, offensively and defensively, on a day-to-day basis over the next two months,” said White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams. “And this gives us a chance to keep some of our middle-of-the-order hitters fresh and producing down the stretch. I spoke with Ken, and he is excited to be coming to Chicago to try to help us reach the postseason.”

During his career, Griffey has batted .288 with 608 home runs and 1,754 runs batted in. This season, he has swatted .245 with 15 home runs and 53 runs batted in. “Maybe he's not the player at 38 that he was at 28 but, as you saw last night, he's still a force on a ballclub, and I think he'll definitely help the White Sox a lot,” said Jocketty.

On June 9, Griffey registered his 600th home run. In twenty seasons, Griffey has endured hatred, humiliation, injuries, and pain. Yet, he has maintained dignity. He has never cheated. Griffey is an authentic performer. Hopefully, Chicago scores his championship.

Barack Obama: I’m Not Money

Senator Barack Obama: “Nobody thinks that Bush and McCain have a real answer to the challenges we face. So what they’re going to try to do is make you scared of me. You know, ‘he’s not patriotic enough, he’s got a funny name,’ you know, ‘he doesn’t look like all those other presidents on the dollar bills.”

Economic Muddle

During the second quarter, the Gross Domestic Product increased 1.9%. Consumer spending increased 1.5%. Exports increased 9.2%. Unfortunately, prices and unemployment also increased. Concerning the economy, all news is bipolar.

Monologue Joke of the Evening

“You folks excited about the Olympics? Excitement is in the air. Also, lead, zinc, arsenic, benzene… sulfur dioxide.”

Late Show with David Letterman

Begging Alaska

On Thursday, Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) plead not guilty. Subsequently, Attorney Brendan Sullivan requested venue alteration. His preference? Alaska. Clearly, Stevens is stupid. His council is worse.

Chicago Brilliance

On Thursday, the Chicago Blackhawks hired Scotty Bowman. He will not coach. Instead, he is Senior Advisor for Hockey Operations. Since 2002-2003, Chicago has amassed a 147-195-24-27 record. Clearly, they require resurrection.

Detroit’s Disaster is New York’s Marvel

The New York Yankees are resolute. Annually, they may succeed. They may succumb. Their victories may vary. Their philosophy never will. When improvement is required, General Manager Brian Cashman excels.

On Wednesday, the Detroit Tigers traded Ivan Rodriguez to the Yankees. As reciprocation, the Tigers received Kyle Farnsworth. “Honestly, I was shocked by this, but that's baseball,” said Rodriguez. “Now, I'm just looking forward to playing for the Yankees and maybe I will play against Detroit again in the playoffs.”

According to Gary Sheffield, the swap is sensible. “This is a surprise to people if they don't know the situations of the players,” he said. “Both teams get better by this, and that's what a trade is supposed to be all about.”

Tigers General Manager Dave Dombrowski’s response was ridiculous. “We think Brandon Inge can do a fine job at catcher and at the same time we've done some repair to our bullpen,” he said.

During his career, Rodriguez has batted .302 with 293 home runs and 1,214 runs batted in. This season, he has rapped .295 with 5 home runs and 32 runs batted in. “Pudge has always wanted to play in New York and Detroit felt it needed a relief pitcher, so both sides were able to get what they wanted to some degree,” said Agent Scott Boras.

During his career, Farnsworth has amassed a 29-47 record. He has tallied 27 saves. He has totaled a 4.42 earned run average. This season, he has logged a 1-2 ledger.

“First let me say that Pudge has done an outstanding job for us,” said Dombrowski. “I'm sure he was very surprised by this, but for him this is a good situation. He's going to New York City, and they are in contention.”

Dombrowski’s assessment is asinine. The Tigers are contenders. Their deficit is five and one-half contests. Additionally, their bullpen merited attention. However, Dombrowski could have utilized the offseason. Instead, he acquired nothing. He maimed the Tigers. Dombrowski warrants figurative castration.

SMUK

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced his resignation. Officially, he will depart September 17. Israel should rejoice. Olmert was ineffectual, vacillating, and weak. He embarrassed his nation. He jeopardized peace. Ariel Sharon was an icon. Olmert was an impotent weasel.

Celebrity Barack Obama?

Ludacris Loses His Mind

Monologue Joke of the Evening

“That’s what I love about LA. If Countrywide Financial doesn’t get your house. The earthquake will.”

The Tonight Show

Wie Subs Women, Sorenstam Snaps

Annika Sorenstam: “Well, we all have different agendas in life. I had a wonderful experience and, when I look back on my career, I will always think about that. I think it was really a turning point in my career and as a person. I really don’t know why Michelle continues to do this. We have a major this week and, if you can’t qualify for a major, I don’t see any reason why you should play with the men.”

Michelle Wie: “There are going to be criticisms entering this tournament, but at the same time I'm just doing what I feel like I want to do and it's going to be a lot of fun. All I'm thinking about is trying to play some good golf. How can I limit the number of bogeys I make? How can I maximize the number of birdies I can make out of this golf course and that's all I can focus on. I can't focus on the rest of the field. People are going to write hateful stuff about me and that's fine with me. ... Good rounds and low scores can solve everything.”

Fox News: Hate Infiltrates Hope

A Florida woman who has been married to both the former head of the Ku Klux Klan and the creator of a notorious white supremacist Web site is working as a spokeswoman for a school that aims to lift underprivileged black and Hispanic children out of poverty. An executive with an organization that tracks hate groups calls the employment of the woman, Chloe Black, an "untenable position" and "unbelievable."

Black, the ex-wife of former KKK leader David Duke, is now married to Don Black, the creator of the white-power hate site Stormfront. Chloe Black is currently employed as an executive assistant at Florida Crystals, a sugar conglomerate whose owners, the Fanjul brothers, have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to help build a new campus for Glades Academy.

Glades is a charter school for the children of African-American and migrant workers in Pahokee, a rural town in Palm Beach County. Billionaire Jose "Pepe" Fanjul's wife, Emilia, is chairman of the board of Glades Academy, and she hired Black to help promote the school. Reports suggest that Black's salary from the school may be going to support her husband's activities on the hate site, as Don Black has had no clear source of income for some time.

Don Black, in an online appeal for contributions to his hate site, wrote that he does not receive a salary from the site. "Stormfront is an online community of White activists," he wrote. "It's not a business, no one receives a salary, and our work is supported by voluntary contributions."

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, an Alabama-based non-profit organization that tracks hate groups, Don Black has not had a regular job for “years and years,” though the SPLC could not prove that Chloe Black’s salary from Florida Crystals was going to support Stormfront. When contacted by FOXNews.com, Chloe Black refused to discuss the allegations or her role in Glades Academy. She told the New York Post earlier this month that she hasn’t been involved with the white supremacy movement “in 30 years.”

But the SPLC, which has followed the Blacks as principal leaders of the white supremacist movement for decades, said that is not true. Mark Potok, the SPLC’s intelligence project director, said Black in June attended a key conference of the Council of Conservative Citizens, a group that says on its Web site that it opposes “all efforts to mix the races of mankind” and once described black people as “a retrograde species of humanity.”

“The SPLC’s role is not to make demands of the Fanjuls. But they have put as a front woman on this very worthy philanthropic project a woman who represents everything that is antithetical to this project. This is an untenable position. She is not merely a woman who married white supremacist leaders; she has actively participated in white supremacist functions,” Potok said.

Potok said he found Black’s involvement with Glades Academy “unbelievable.”

There is no indication that the Fanjuls or Florida Crystals were aware of Chloe Black’s right-wing sympathies when she was appointed to speak on behalf of Glades Academy. Gaston Cantens, Florida Crystals' vice president of corporate relations, did not respond to repeated requests by FOXNews.com for comment but has been quoted as saying that the company does not “comment on the private lives of our employees.”

But a cursory look at Black's resume would have revealed her connections to the Knights of the KKK and the National Party. In 1972 the then Chloe Hardin married David Duke, former Grand Wizard of the Knights of the KKK who is described as a neo-Nazi by his critics. They divorced in 1984 but are reportedly still friendly and speak regularly. Black is the mother of Duke’s two daughters. Four years later she married Don Black, Duke’s best friend and an ex-Klansman himself. Black is the founder and webmaster of Stormfront, the premier online location for white supremacists in the U.S. and Europe. “Don Black and David Duke are not lightweight nationalists,” Potok said. “They are rabid white separatists. Duke is better described as a neo-Nazi more than anything else.”

The Black family residence in West Palm Beach has been registered in Chloe Black’s name since the year she separated from Duke. According to the SPLC, 32 percent of Pahokee residents live in poverty. The Glades Academy project aims not only to educate the children in the area, but encourage graduates to give back to the community.

Dana Milbank: President Obama Continues Victory Tour

Barack Obama has long been his party's presumptive nominee. Now he's becoming its presumptuous nominee. Fresh from his presidential-style world tour, during which foreign leaders and American generals lined up to show him affection, Obama settled down to some presidential-style business in Washington yesterday. He ordered up a teleconference with the (current president's) Treasury secretary, granted an audience to the Pakistani prime minister and had his staff arrange for the chairman of the Federal Reserve to give him a briefing. Then, he went up to Capitol Hill to be adored by House Democrats in a presidential-style pep rally.

Along the way, he traveled in a bubble more insulating than the actual president's. Traffic was shut down for him as he zoomed about town in a long, presidential-style motorcade, while the public and most of the press were kept in the dark about his activities, which included a fundraiser at the Mayflower where donors paid $10,000 or more to have photos taken with him. His schedule for the day, announced Monday night, would have made Dick Cheney envious:

11:00 a.m.: En route TBA.
12:05 p.m.: En route TBA.
1:45 p.m.: En route TBA.
2:55 p.m.: En route TBA.
5:20 p.m.: En route TBA.

The 5:20 TBA turned out to be his adoration session with lawmakers in the Cannon Caucus Room, where even committee chairmen arrived early, as if for the State of the Union. Capitol Police cleared the halls -- just as they do for the actual president. The Secret Service hustled him in through a side door -- just as they do for the actual president. Inside, according to a witness, he told the House members, "This is the moment . . . that the world is waiting for," adding: "I have become a symbol of the possibility of America returning to our best traditions."

As he marches toward Inauguration Day (Election Day is but a milestone on that path), Obama's biggest challenger may not be Republican John McCain but rather his own hubris. Some say the supremely confident Obama -- nearly 100 days from the election, he pronounces that "the odds of us winning are very good" -- has become a president-in-waiting. But in truth, he doesn't need to wait: He has already amassed the trappings of the office, without those pesky decisions.

The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder reported last week that Obama has directed his staff to begin planning for his transition to the White House, causing Republicans to howl about premature drape measuring. Obama was even feeling confident enough to give British Prime Minister Gordon Brown some management advice over the weekend. "If what you're trying to do is micromanage and solve everything, then you end up being a dilettante," he advised the prime minister, portraying his relative inexperience much as President Bush did in 2000.

On his presidential-style visit to the Western Wall in Jerusalem last week, Obama left a written prayer, intercepted by an Israeli newspaper, asking God to "help me guard against pride and despair." He seems to have the despair part under control, but the pride could be a problem. One source of the confidence is the polling, which shows him with a big lead over McCain. But polls are fickle allies: A USA Today-Gallup poll released Monday found McCain leading Obama by four percentage points among likely voters. Another reason for Obama's confidence -- the press -- is also an unfaithful partner. The Project for Excellence in Journalism reported yesterday that Obama dominated the news media's attention for a seventh straight week. But there are signs that the Obama campaign's arrogance has begun to anger reporters.

In the latest issue of the New Republic, Gabriel Sherman found reporters complaining that Obama's campaign was "acting like the Prom Queen" and being more secretive than Bush. The magazine quoted the New York Times' Adam Nagourney's reaction to the Obama campaign's memo attacking one of his stories: "I've never had an experience like this, with this campaign or others." Then came Obama's overseas trip and the campaign's selection of which news organizations could come aboard. Among those excluded: the New Yorker magazine, which had just published a satirical cover about Obama that offended the campaign.

Even Bush hasn't tried that. But then again, Obama has been outdoing the president in ruffles and flourishes lately. As Bush held quiet signing ceremonies in the White House yesterday morning, Obama was involved in a more visible display of executive authority a block away, when he met with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani at the Willard. A full block of F Street was shut down for the prime minister and the would-be president, and some 40 security and motorcade vehicles filled the street.

Later, Obama's aides issued an official-sounding statement, borrowing the language of White House communiques: "I had a productive and wide-ranging discussion. . . . I look forward to working with the democratically elected government of Pakistan."

It had been a long day of acting presidential, but Obama wasn't done. After a few hours huddling with advisers over his vice presidential choice, Obama made his way to the pep rally on the Hill. Moments after he entered the meeting with lawmakers, there was an extended cheer, followed by another, and another. "I think this can be an incredible election," Obama said later. "I look forward to collaborating with everybody here to win the election."

Win the election? Didn't he do that already?

Obama For Berlin

NEW RULE

Iraq is innocent.

On Thursday, the International Olympic Committee banned Iraq. On Tuesday, they reversed their decision. Their reversal is correct. Iraq is guiltless. Their President and Prime Minister are not puppets. Their athletes are not instruments. Zimbabwe will participate. Their situation is worse. Iraq should compete.

The International Community may abhor America. However, Iraq is immune.

Worth A Read

Shots on the House

Mixing politics, sports, and entertainment.

The Daily Smak

Hey, didn’t you used to be Senator Stevens?

On August 20, Jimmie Johnson and Randy Moss will unite. Implausible combination. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton labeled them “odd.”

Today’s top five or most annoying celebrities (1) Miley Cyrus, (2) Lindsay Lohan, (3) George Clooney, (4) Brooke Hogan, (5) Heidi Montag

Senator Porky Perpetrator

On Tuesday, Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) was indicted. Stevens was charged with concealing gifts. Allegedly, VECO Corporation renovated his house. They renovated sans payment.

Predictably, Stevens’ reaction was narcissistic. “I have proudly served this nation and Alaska for over 50 years,” he said. “My public service began when I served in World War II. It saddens me to learn that these charges have been brought against me. I have never knowingly submitted a false disclosure form required by law as a U.S. senator.”

Stevens epitomizes corruption. He is a charlatan. He is a swindler. As Senate Appropriations Committee chairman, he could have constrained spending and solved entitlements. Instead, he exploded spending. Stevens should resign. He should sacrifice himself. Unfortunately, Stevens’ ego is gargantuan. No one ever trumps him.

Teixeira Toast

On Tuesday, the Atlanta Braves traded Mark Teixeira to the Los Angeles Angels. As reciprocation, the Braves received first baseman Casey Kotchman and minor league pitcher Stephen Marek. “Our goal is to win a world championship,” said Angels General Manager Tony Reagins. “The team is playing well at this point, but being able to add a player like Mark Teixeira just makes us that much better.”

During his career, Teixeira has batted .286 with 190 home runs and 633 runs batted in. This season, he has charted .283 with 20 home runs and 78 runs batted in. “They have the best team in baseball,” he said. “I'm not going to go over there and make them any different, other than just hopefully add a few more runs. They have all the pitching they need, they have great defense. It's a little bittersweet. I really enjoyed my time here. I had a great year here. I love this team. I love this organization. I love this city. It's tough to leave. But at the same time I have a great opportunity in Anaheim, and I'm looking forward to it. The last couple days I knew it was coming, so I prepared for it.”

On July 30, 2007, the Texas Rangers traded Teixeira to the Braves. Regrettably, Atlanta accrued only a 77-83 record. Clearly, Teixeira was overvalued.

Monologue Joke of the Evening

“China says they are doing everything they can to clean p the air. In fact, they said today, protestors would only be run over with hybrid tanks.”

The Tonight Show

Iran Ends the World

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: “The big powers are going down. They have come to the end of their power, and the world is on the verge of entering a new, promising era.”

Fox News: The Lost Dollars of Burma

The United Nations lost at least $10 million in cyclone relief for the battered country of Burma because it conformed to the ruling junta's distorted official exchange rate, according to the U.N.'s top humanitarian official. "Clearly this is a significant problem," said John Holmes, U.N. undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs, who called the losses "unacceptable" and said he raised the issue with the leaders of Burma, also called Myanmar, during a recent trip.

"Presumably the government is benefiting somehow," Holmes said.

Before dollars can be converted, Burma requires the purchase of Foreign Exchange Certificates valued at $1 each. These then can be changed into Burmese currency, the kyat, but at a great loss: The government artificially deflates the certificates' worth, resulting in losses ranging from 10 percent to 25 percent in each exchange. According to Holmes, about one-third of the $200 million spent by U.N. agencies in Burma went toward local products and services, requiring the exchange certificates. Holmes estimated an average loss of 15 percent per exchange, accounting for the $10 million lost.

The U.N. announcement came just a day before the U.S. government on Tuesday enacted new sanctions against the Burmese military regime. "We are tightening financial sanctions against Burma's repressive junta and the companies that finance it," said Adam J. Szubin, director of the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, which enforces the sanctions.

"The regime's refusal to protect and allow relief to reach the Burmese people as Cyclone Nargis devastated their country is but another example of the regime's heartless neglect of its people," he said.

The Burmese junta was heavily criticized for refusing vital aid in the days and weeks following the cyclone, which killed an estimated 140,000 people. Holmes said the U.N. raised an additional $200 million in cyclone aid as part of a renewed campaign for relief in Burma. The U.N. did not mention the losses in its new appeal, which it launched July 10. "Perhaps we were a bit slow to recognize — because the spread suddenly widened in June — how big a problem this was going to become for us," said Holmes. "We have recognized it and are taking it up with the government."

Yet an internal U.N. document dated June 26, two weeks before it began its fundraising campaign, it made note of the "very serious 20% loss on foreign exchange."

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Zalmay Khalilzad said Tuesday that the U.S. mission was "looking further into the Myanmar government's diversion of aid," according to the Inner City Press, a watchdog group that monitors the U.N. Khalilzad called for Burma's currency regulations to be "eliminated."

While Holmes downplayed the amount of money the Burmese junta may have received from the extortive exchanges, he added that there was "no room for any kind of complacency. There is still a lot to do to make this operation a lasting success."

Disgraced & Done

On Tuesday, Tim Donaghy received 15 months incarceration. This is the sad end of a sorry episode. Donaghy betrayed his profession. He sold his honor. Concerning him, this is my final comment.

NASCAR States the Obvious

Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton: “There's nothing wrong with the surface. It's obvious we didn't go there with the right car-tire combination. We've raced on that surface the last four years. I wouldn't ask them to change that surface. We've got to do a better job. I can't say enough how sorry we are. It is our responsibility, NASCAR's, that we don't go through this again.”

“It hurts us whenever we have a weekend like we had. There's nothing worse than coming away from a race and knowing the result was ... it wasn't even close. It wasn't even in the 25th percentile of what we're capable of doing and what we do week in and week out. I don't feel real good about it right now. If you talk to anybody around me the last 48 hours they'll back me up on that. It's difficult and hard. But that's what makes us the best motor sport in the world. Whenever we see something that needs fixing, we go fix them. When we go back to Indianapolis next year, we'll probably have the best Brickyard [race] we've ever had.”

Richard Cohen: Obama the Unknown

"Just tell me one thing Barack Obama has done that you admire," I asked a prominent Democrat. He paused and then said that he admired Obama's speech to the Democratic convention in 2004. I agreed. It was a hell of a speech, but it was just a speech.

On the other hand, I continued, I could cite four or five actions -- not speeches -- that John McCain has taken that elicit my admiration, even my awe. First, of course, is his decision as a Vietnam prisoner of war to refuse freedom out of concern that he would be exploited for propaganda purposes. To paraphrase what Kipling said about Gunga Din, John McCain is a better man than most.

But I would not stop there. I would include campaign finance reform, which infuriated so many in his own party; opposition to earmarks, which won him no friends; his politically imprudent opposition to the Medicare prescription drug bill (Medicare has about $35 trillion in unfunded obligations); and, last but not least, his very early call for additional troops in Iraq. His was a lonely position -- virtually suicidal for an all-but-certain presidential candidate and no help when his campaign nearly expired last summer. In all these cases, McCain stuck to his guns.

Obama argues that he himself stuck to the biggest gun of all: opposition to the war. He took that position when the war was enormously popular, the president who initiated it was even more popular and critics of both were slandered as unpatriotic. But at the time, Obama was a mere Illinois state senator, representing the (very) liberal Hyde Park area of Chicago. He either voiced his conscience or his district's leanings or (lucky fella) both. We will never know.

And we will never know, either, how Obama might have conducted himself had he served in Congress as long as McCain has. Possibly he would have earned a reputation for furious, maybe even sanctimonious, integrity of the sort that often drove McCain's colleagues to dark thoughts of senatorcide, but the record -- scant as it is -- suggests otherwise. Obama is not noted for sticking to a position or a person once that position or person becomes a political liability. (Names available upon request.)

All politicians change their positions, sometimes even because they have changed their minds. McCain must have suffered excruciating whiplash from totally reversing himself on George Bush's tax cuts. He has denounced preachers he later embraced and then, to his chagrin, has had to denounce them all over again. This plasticity has a label: pandering. McCain knows how it's done.

But Obama has shown that in this area, youth is no handicap. He has been for and against gun control, against and for the recent domestic surveillance legislation and, in almost a single day, for a united Jerusalem under Israeli control and then, when apprised of U.S. policy and Palestinian chagrin, against it. He is an accomplished pol -- a statement of both admiration and a bit of regret.

Obama is often likened to John F. Kennedy. The comparison makes sense. He has the requisite physical qualities -- handsome, lean, etc. -- plus wit, intelligence, awesome speaking abilities and a literary bent. He also might be compared to Franklin D. Roosevelt for many of those same qualities. Both FDR and JFK were disparaged early on by their contemporaries for, I think, doing the difficult and making it look easy. Eleanor Roosevelt, playing off the title of Kennedy's Pulitzer Prize-winning book, airily dismissed him as more profile than courage. Similarly, it was Walter Lippmann's enduring misfortune to size up FDR and belittle him: Roosevelt, he wrote, was "a pleasant man who, without any important qualifications for office, would very much like to be president." Lippmann later recognized that he had underestimated Roosevelt.

My guess is that Obama will make a fool of anyone who issues such a judgment about him. Still, the record now, while tissue thin, is troubling. The next president will have to be something of a political Superman, a man of steel who can tell the American people that they will have to pay more for less -- higher taxes, lower benefits of all kinds -- and deal in an ugly way when nuclear weapons seize the imagination of madmen.

The question I posed to that prominent Democrat was just my way of thinking out loud. I know that Barack Obama is a near-perfect political package. I'm still not sure, though, what's in it.

Veterans of False Words

NEW RULE

John McCain supports immigration.

According to a poll, Hispanics mistrust Senator John McCain. Only 23% support him. 59% support Senator Barack Obama. The aforesaid is ridiculous. McCain has issues. However, Hispanics are a non-issue. McCain is not Duncan Hunter. He is compassionate. He supported “amnesty.” Immigrants may not choose him. With that stated, this “disconnect” is perceived.

Worth A Read

Live Breath Love Gymnastics

Blogging the princesses.

The Daily Smak

Hey, didn’t you used to be the gold medalist?

In New York, a man exited his driveway. On his car’s roof? His wife. Bill and Hillary, why not simply divorce?

Happy Birthday, Federal Bureau of Investigation. One hundred years old. From J. Edgar Hoover to Alberto Gonzalez, zero improvement.

Females Fatal

On Monday, Iraqi suicide bombers struck. They were female. 57 were killed. 300 are injured. Pacifists should remember this. Withdrawal advocates should remember this. Terrorists are barbaric and depraved. They will sacrifice anyone. They will slaughter anyone.

Monologue Joke of the Evening

“Two guys go into a Wendy’s and they found a dead mouse in the chili. Wendy’s said… Are you kidding? A dead mouse? It was alive when we put it in there.”

Late Show with David Letterman

America the Besieged

On Monday, the White House projected a budget deficit. $482 billion. Simultaneously, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 240 points. Financial crisis. Mortgage crisis. Wall Street worry… Is economic recovery possible?

Robert Novak Suffers Tumor

On Monday, Robert Novak was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The Novak family has our thoughts and prayers.

NEW RULE

Cellular is not cancerous.

According to Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, cellular phones cause cancer. Herberman’s data is unpublished. Seriously? Did he even conduct research? Cellular phones are not risky. They will not cripple. They will not kill. Herberman is asinine. If he were correct, Paris Hilton would be dead.

Worth A Read

Scrutiny Hooligans

Blogging North Carolina.

The Daly Smak

Hey, didn’t you used to be four dollars?

In ten days, “The Dark Knight” has amassed 310 million. Upon hearing this, Christian Bale hugged his mother and sister.

Today’s top five or Philadelphia Soul’s favorite songs (1) Living on A Prayer, (2) Wanted Dead or Alive, (3) Who Says You Can’t Go Home, (4) Welcome to Wherever You Are, (5) You Give Love A Bad Name

Plebeians, Pundits Ponder Race, Resolutions

This weekend, I viewed CNN’s “Black in America.” The endeavor is exemplary. Candidly, the program discusses crime, education, family, poverty, and violence.

Concerning these afflictions, simple solutions are nonexistent. With that stated, their analysis must never cease.

Junk Tires Turn Jewel Into Joke

During the Allstate 400, Kurt Busch, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Paul Menard, and Michael Waltrip wrecked. Nine competition cautions occurred.

According to President Mike Helton, NASCAR managed this race. Actually, they hoped and prayed. Excitement and rhythm were nonexistent. Goodyear and NASCAR should be ashamed.

Manny Shopping Manny

Manny Ramirez: “If the Red Sox are a better team without Manny Ramirez, they should trade me; I will not object. I don't have any preferences: I could choose a team that offers me the best conditions or one in the chase for the postseason. I don't care where I play, I can even play in Iraq if need be. My job is to play baseball.”

“If they can get a trade, I'd approve it. If they can't trade me, then they will simply have to inform me by the end of the season that they won't use the options and we'll go separate ways. I don't want to be a problem and a distraction to the Red Sox in such a critical moment of the season. I want to help the team, even if that means I have to go.”

Favre Acquiesces, Appeals

Brett Favre: “I had planned on reporting for the start of Packers training camp Sunday, but [general manager] Ted Thompson asked if I would give him a couple of days to try to get the situation resolved. I agreed to do that. I don't want to be a distraction to the Packers, and I hope in the next few days we can come to an agreement that would allow me to continue playing football. I've also spoken with Commissioner [Roger] Goodell a couple of times this week, in hopes that he could be some sort of arbitrator in this. I hope he can be.”

Bears Heart Hester

On Sunday, the Chicago Bears retained Devin Hester. Hester signed a four-year contract. Hester is an electric kick return specialist. Singularly, he can alter contests. His payday is deserved.

Yahoo: Insurance’s Most & Least Expensive

Most Expensive
1. Cadillac Escalade (EXT 4WD)
2. Subaru Impreza (WRX 4WD)
3. Hyundai Tiburon
4. Mitsubishi Lancer
5. Scion TC

Least Expensive
1. Ford Taurus
2. Buick Rendezvous (4WD)
3. Buick Lucerne\Buick Rainier 4WD\Honda Odyssey
4. Ford Freestyle (4WD)\Subaru Outback (4WD)
5. Buick Rendezvous\Honda Pilot

The Big Five

For reasons good and bad… they were the news.

The Hot Five

A quintet of sizzling conversation starters.

Line of the Morning

Senator John McCain (R-AZ)

“If I had been told by the Pentagon that I couldn't visit those troops, and I was there and wanted to be there, I guarantee you, there would have been a seismic event.”