Ramblings' Journal

Day By Day coming back to where it belongs tomorrow

Chris Muir ends his long hiatus tomorrow, and brings Zed, Sam, Jan and (my main man) Damon back to our screens.

Welcome home, Chris!

Whining Libs demand Ohio recount

First it was Jesse "The Gypsy" Jackson. Then it was Green Party presidential candidate David Cobb and Libertarian Party presidential candidate Michael Badnarik (both of the "Hey, look at me! I'm a candidate with a snowball's chance in Hell of winning" crowd).

Now the Kerry-Edwards campaign has officially joined the growing din of whining liberals demanding a recount of votes in Ohio, according to a statement released by Cobb.

Today, attorneys representing the Kerry-Edwards campaign filed papers in Delaware County, Ohio to intervene in legal proceedings in defense of Green Party presidential candidate David Cobb, Libertarian Michael Badnarik and their legal counsel, the National Voting Rights Institute, who are seeking a recount of all votes cast for president in the Ohio 2004 general election.

Liberals are trying for one last gasp at trying to change the outcome of the election; yet, they insist that WE are the bad guys.

Mfume to resign from NAACP

According to reports from the Baltimore Sun & USA Today, NAACP head Kweisi Mfume is expected to announce his resignation from the post today.

Mfume, 56, has said he would like time off to spend with his six sons, the youngest of whom is 14. He also reportedly is looking forward to a break from the punishing schedule of leading the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the nation's oldest and largest civil rights group.

Mfume will soon conclude his ninth year as NAACP president. He took over the organization amid financial problems and turmoil under the leadership of Benjamin Chavis.

After keeping a schedule that includes 65 trips a year on NAACP business, the source said, Mfume will likely take a vacation after his departure.

Mfume reportedly will serve as a consultant with the NAACP until the end of the year. The organization is expected to begin a nationwide search and have a new president by its next national convention in July 2005. According to NAACP rules, officers in the group cannot seek or hold public office.

Political allies said Mfume is eyeing a run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Paul S. Sarbanes, whose current term ends in 2006. Sarbanes is 71 and has not said publicly what his intentions are.

Mfume was previously a Baltimore city councilman and a US Congressman from Maryland. He also had explored running for the office of mayor of Baltimore in the late 90s.

The group claims to be non-partisan, but past experience and practice have shown otherwise. I wouldn't be surprised if another Democratic politician (or former politican) gets the nod to replace Mfume. I wonder what Bill Clinton is doing with his time.... (he said with his tongue only HALF stuck in his cheek)

Cleveland Browns coach Butch Davis finally resigns

Butch Davis finally figured out that scoring 48 points is not a cause for celebration, when your arch-rivals (the Cincinnati "Bagels") score 58 points.

After saying he wouldn't be fired this season as recently as last week, Davis quit today.

And there was much rejoycing in the Dawg Pound.

Vast is das "Show Trials?"

I've been absent from the Komissar's "Show Trials" feature for awhile now....'tis more than time for me to make up for lost ground.

Chris Noth may replace moonbat Vincent D'Onofrio on L&O: CI

According to published reports, Sex and the City and Law & Order alum Chris Noth may reprise his role as Detective Mike Logan in the lead for Law & Order: Criminal Intent to replace lead Vincent D'Onofrio -- at least temporarily.

D'Onofrio has been suffering from a mystery illness that has left him with fainting spells -- though these things initially were attributed to D'Onofrio's support for John Kerry, and Kerry's November election loss.

Noth is set for a January episode reprising the Det. Mike Logan character he played from 1990-95 on the original L&O.

Erratic behavior of CI star Vincent D’Onofrio has NBC Universal executives considering Noth as an emergency backup in the lead detective role, according to industry sources.

The New York Post’s Page Six column has chronicled D’Onofrio’s instability, reporting that he passed out on the set, was starting fistfights and was an overall nightmare to work with.

He was hospitalized briefly after the first fainting spell, then returned to the hospital when he keeled over a week later at home. An NBC spokeswoman confirms Noth’s planned guest spot, but says she knows of no discussions of any cast changes on the show.

Noth's portrayal of Mike Logan was well recieved by L&O fans, and was first reprised in a L&O television movie, "Exiled", in 1998.

Cars by Citroën: Robots in disguise

French auto maker Citroën stopped selling cars in the United States in the 1970s, but they have continued unabated overseas.

Citroën has a new ad campaign for their C4 model based on the old Transformers series that is simply fantastic.

When I pulled it up on my screen, both my teenaged daughter (who's already bugging me for a car) and my pre-teen son (who soon will be) exclaimed, "I want one!"

Alas, though this spot was shot in Vancouver, they're only available in Europe, which means I'm stuck with my kids driving my car.

Mel Watt (D-NC) to lead CBC

US Congresscritter Mel Watt (D-NC) has been elected the new head of the Congressional Black Caucus. Watt, a Charlotte-area Democrat was apparently the only candidate for the chairman's seat of the organization, and will hold the seat for a two-year term.

Watt says that one of his primary goals will be to heal the ongoing rift with the Bush Administration. In addition, Watt says that the group will continue to work toward improving education, health care and employment opportunities for blacks.

"That's been a consistent agenda, and we never vary that agenda," Watt said in an interview last week. "It doesn't change from chairman to chairman. Closing and trying to eliminate the disparities in every element of our society between African Americans and white Americans."

Let's hope that the continued bludgeoning of conservatives in general and Republicans in particular doesn't continue to be the agenda of the day for the CBC. But with their past track record, and the reelection of noted moonbat and antagonistic Republican-hater Cynthia McKinney (D-GA), I'm not holding my breath.

Court documents of Steven Williams suit over banning of Declaration of Independance

California school teacher Steven Williams has filed suit in Federal Court over the banning from his classroom of the Declaration of Independance, due to it's religious content.

The court documents are available for you to view courtesy of The Smoking Gun.

In the below federal discrimination lawsuit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court, Steven Williams contends that brass at Cupertino's Stevens Creek School have recently rejected his use of "curriculum-related handouts" like the Declaration, various state constitutions, George Washington's journal, John Adams's diary, and writings by William Penn. Williams alleges that the San Francisco-area school's principal, Patricia Vidmar, banned the use of these handouts because "many original source documents from the founding era contain references to God and Christianity." Williams alleges that Vidmar cracked down on his lesson plans in May, shortly after he distributed an example of a presidential proclamation. The document he chose was one issued by President George W. Bush dealing with a National Day of Prayer.

Williams "understands and admits that he is not permitted to 'proselytize' or seek to convert his students to Christian beliefs during instructional time."

But to insist that Williams not use historic documents key in the formation and development of this nation is unconscionable. So because of "political correctness" we are supposed to ignore our nation's history?

Just damn.

Happy Thanksgiving and God bless you!

The first Thanksgiving in the United States of America did not mention the Pilgrims or Indians or turkey or football.

Contrary to popular belief, Thanksgiving was initially set aside in the United States for it's citizens to give thanks to Almighty God, and for prayer.

Of course, that isn't politically correct in today's day and age, after all, everyone is so concerned with a "separation" of church and state. But in 1789, and at the behest of President George Washington, America gave thanks and praise to God; much as my family, along with countless other families regardless of faith, will do tomorrow.

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Geo. Washington

And as you pause from your day of sharing and football and turkey and trimmings to give thanks and praise, I also thank God for you. For as much as I do this for me, I do this for you, and without you, I would be diminished.

Thank you, and God bless you.

Declaration of Independence banned in California school

Cupertino, California school teacher Steven Williams has been barred from showing his fifth grade students the Declaration of Independance and other historic American documents, simply because they contain references to God.

Since May, Williams has been required to submit lesson plans and teaching materials to the principal of Stevens Creek Elementary School, Patricia Vidmar, for approval.

Monday, Williams filed a discrimination suit in US District Court in San Jose, claiming he had been singled out for censorship because he is a Christian.

"It's a fact of American history that our founders were religious men, and to hide this fact from young fifth-graders in the name of political correctness is outrageous and shameful," said Williams' attorney, Terry Thompson.

"Williams wants to teach his students the true history of our country," he said. "There is nothing in the Establishment Clause (of the U.S. Constitution) that prohibits a teacher from showing students the Declaration of Independence."

Williams asserts in the lawsuit that since May he has been required to submit all of his lesson plans and supplemental handouts to Vidmar for approval, and that the principal will not permit him to use any that contain references to God or Christianity.

Among the materials she has rejected, according to Williams, are excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, George Washington's journal, John Adams' diary, Samuel Adams' "The Rights of the Colonists" and William Penn's "The Frame of Government of Pennsylvania."

"He hands out a lot of material and perhaps 5 to 10 percent refers to God and Christianity because that's what the founders wrote," said Thompson, a lawyer for the Alliance Defense Fund, which advocates for religious freedom. "The principal seems to be systematically censoring material that refers to Christianity and it is pure discrimination."

This needs to stop. Teaching historical documents and about those who created those documents has no business being watered down to satisfy someone's notion of political correctness. And to have the very audacity to eliminate the Declaration of Independance from a school curriculum is unconscionable.

I'm proud of this nation, and proud to be an American. All three of my children are taught about what those documents are and what they mean, and should mean to each and every person in this country. And I defy any educator --and I come from a family of educators who agree with me-- to try to tell me otherwise.

On checking the website for Stevens Creek Elementary, I found that the site is down this evening. Whether that was due to the interest from around the nation, or due to some action by the school or the Cupertino Unified School District is not known at this point.

John Bambenek has graciously supplied us with the contact information for the school and school district:

Stevens Creek School
http://www.cupertino.k12.ca.us/Stcreek.www/
10300 Ainsworth Drive
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 245-3312

Patricia Vidmar, Principal
(408) 245-3312 x 110
Fax (408) 245-7484

Part of the Cupertino Union School District:
http://cupertino.ca.campusgrid.net/home
10301 Vista Drive
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 252-3000

William E. Bragg, Superintendent
bragg_bill@cupertino.k12.ca.us

Board:
board@cupertino.k12.ca.us

I'm sure they are tired of all the calls, faxes and e-mails, but this is one case where, quite frankly, I don't give a damn.

Have at it, true believers!

NAACP supports Rice in statement

The NAACP has released a statement condemning the offensive language from Madison, WI radio host John "Sly" Sylvester, where he referred to Secretary of State-designee Condoleezza Rice as "Aunt Jemima," and outgoing Secretary of State Colin Powell as "Uncle Tom," last week.

(NAACP President Kweisi) Mfume said, “Her counsel is respected and valued in her field and in the upper echelons of her political party.” Moreover, “Rice, a PhD and former Stanford University Provost, is an example of how far hard work, education and determination can take one to new heights,” said Mfume.

He went on to say that “attacks on Rice by the radio host and political cartoonists who use stereotypes and racial caricatures are just as bad as those who hide under sheets and burn crosses. This is something the NAACP has fought against for more than 95 years and something we will continue to oppose.”

It took long enough.

On the other side of the coin, Sylvester continues to have his supporters, and those in the People's Republic of Madison who look down on blacks who dare to think outside the box, and who dare to leave the socio-political plantation that they'd prefer that all blacks stay on.

Clueless Artest refuses to apologize

A semi-intelligible Ron Artest appeared on NBC's Today Show this morning, and demonstrated that he clearly has no clue of the magnitude of his wrong-doing. To hear him tell it during the interview with Matt Lauer, he didn't do anything wrong.

Artest then boasted of the fact that "I never harmed anyone." Makes you wonder what he was trying to do when he was throwing haymakers at fans in the stands?

Asked to explain why he went into the stands, Artest statede: "I was frustrated. The tape speaks for itself."

He continued, describing the situation when he was lying on a table at courtside and was hit by a cup of beer: "It was just like 'wow, a cup and a beer,' it almost hit my eye. It was like 'wow.'"

Lauer: "Did it pop into your mind that 'I've crossed a line'?"

Revealing the extent of his self-delusion, Artest replied:

"I think I'm pretty disciplined. You can answer the questions from the tape."

Artest did not apologize, and spent the latter part of the interview trying to hype his upcoming rap CD, claiming that he hoped the girls (the group Allure, who's CD he's producing) aren't hurt by this.

Artest insists that the suspension levied by NBA Commissioner David Stern was too harsh, and says the he hopes to be back by playoff time -- as if the Pacers now have anything beyond a snowball's chance in hell of making the playoffs in the first place.

He claims that once he comes back that he can "help the League improve its image."

Don't mind the cynical chuckle from me. After all, Artest only has been suspended from games every year for the period he's been in the League due to his volatility. Never mind that he was actually benched 12 games in high school due to his volatility.

It's painfully obvious that this is a man with major impulse control issues. And sadly it's painfully obvious to everyone except Ron Artest.

Kenneth to step down from CBS Evening News

Dan "What's the Frequency Kenneth" Rather will be stepping down from the anchor chair of the CBS Evening News in March, 24 years after assuming the role of anchor and managing editor from Walter Cronkite.

Rather's been under major fire after several reports critical of President Bush, the truth and veracity of which were questionable at best.

"I have been lucky and blessed over these years to have what is, to me, the best job in the world and to have it at CBS News. Along the way, I've had the honor of working with some of the most talented, dedicated professionals in the world, and I'm appreciative of the opportunity to continue doing so in the years ahead," Rather said in a statement.

Kenneth didn't mention the "Rathergate" scandal in his statement, though critics will most likely point to that as a part of the reason for the announcement.

He'll continue as a correspondent to 60 Minutes, and will likely contribute other reports to the network. There's been rampant speculation as late as yesterday that Rather might anchor an 8P ET newscast for CNN, but no word one way or the other on that front (even though former Rather-boss Jonathan Klein is taking over as head honcho for CNN's domestic newsroom).

CBS has not named a successor to Rather, but most pundits point toward Chief White House Correspondent John Roberts as the most likely candidate for the center seat.

Rather's departure comes on the heels of next week's retirement of long-time NBC anchor Tom Brokaw, who will be replaced in the anchor chair on the NBC Nightly News by Brian Williams.

Wisconsin radio shlock jock Sylvester gives "apology" & insults further

Madison, WI radio personality John Sylvester gave a half-assed "apology" for racially insulting Secretary of State-designee Condoleezza Rice in a letter to newspapers this morning.

I'm concerned that I have offended many African-Americans by using a crass term to describe an incompetent, dishonest political appointee of the Bush administration. I apologize. I know the term "Aunt Jemima" is not complimentary to African-American women who have worked so hard and yet receive so little from our great country.

I will not, however, apologize for pointing out that while Rice has clearly enjoyed the American dream, she has allowed herself to be used as a black trophy by an administration that is working hard to deny that dream to other African-American women.

Rice has had a very successful career in academia, but unfortunately she has clearly forgotten that many African-Americans are still paying the price for a country that promoted years of segregation, oppression and discrimination.

This radio hack thinks that by giving a back-handed slap at Rice, and by extension black conservatives across the nation, that he can attone for his offensive behavior.

I would dare say that it doesn't. If anything, it adds fuel to the fire.

Sylvester presumes to think for black America, and feeds into the misconception that black America is an ideological and intellectual monolith that can be led around by a would-be white "good guy" who's come to save the day from the "eeevil" conservatives.

He figures he can get away with insulting black conservatives, because in his pitiful little mind, blacks who happen to be conservative "aren't really black after all."

Pathetic. Simply pathetic.

Julian McMahon is Doctor Doom!

As I see the progress on 20th Century Fox's adaptation of Marvel's Fantastic Four (opening July 4, 2005), I continue to become more and more impressed.

Looking at this shot of Nip/Tuck's Julian McMahon as Victor Von Doom in full costume and makeup for the upcoming summer blockbuster, I can safely say THEY GOT IT RIGHT!

It's official; the Washington Nationals will begin playing baseball this season

Major League Baseball announced that upon their move to the Nation's Capitol, the Montreal Expos will become the Washington Nationals. This is a return to the original name of the Washington baseball team, which was known as the Nationals from 1901 to 1956. "Senators," the more widely known name, was an informal name for the earlier team, and the offical name of the second chapter of Washington's baseball history, from 1960 to 1971.

The team's primary logo is shown above, but caps will be similar to those of the old Washington Senators, which last played at DC's RFK Stadium in 1971.

The Expos will play at RFK until a new stadium is built in Southwest Washington, near the Navy Yard on the Anacostia River.

Shameless, gratituitous back-patting department

The 2004 Weblog Awards are undergoing nominations at this point -- you can nominate your favorite weblog (like me, nudge-nudge, wink-wink, hint-hint) for one or more categories.

According to Kevin Aylward from Wizbang, voting for the nominees should commence on December 1, 2004.

As I said in the title, I'm being shameless, so I'd love to be nominated and voted for (nudge-nudge, nod-nod, wink-wink) in one or more categories.

(So, to coin an old Chicago voting phrase, vote early and vote often!)

Basketbrawl fallout continues with more suspensions

The suspensions have been lined up like dominos; Indiana's Artest gets to sit out the remainder of the season sans pay, Jackson is benched for 30 games, O'Neal for 25. Detroit's Ben Wallace is suspended for 6 games, while Anthony Johnson is out for 5, and Eldon Campbell, Chauncey Billups, Derrick Coleman and Reggie Miller each getting docked a game for leaving the bench during an on-court altercation.

Of course, the players' union is calling the punishments excessive, and is promising an appeal as early as tomorrow.

NBA Commissioner David Stern says that the League has to demonstrate that they are serious about discipline in matters like these.

"We have to make the point that there are boundaries in our games," Stern said. "One of our boundaries, that have always been immutable, is the boundary that separate the fans from the court. Players cannot lose control and move into the stands."

Artest claims that he isn't being treated fairly, given the circumstances.

"I respect David Stern, but I don't think that he has been fair with me in this situation," Artest said in a statement released by the players union in which he also expressed his regrets.

"The NBA has singled out Jermaine O'Neal in an arbitrary and capricious way," agent Arn Tellem said, faulting the NBA for not considering the players' fear for their own safety.

Pacers co-owner Herb Simon issued a statement saying "We believe that there was a rush to judgment and not enough opportunity for all sides to be heard. We will vigorously support our players in any available appeal process.

Indiana fans and writers alike came to Artest and the Pacers' defense over the weekend, but they all fail to realize that if incidents like this are allowed to stand without repercussions for all involved -- players and fans alike -- that the NBA's already tarnished image will slide into the toilet for good.

The fans were wrong; they were no better than drunken fans at a NASCAR event or in the bleachers at Wrigley Field or Fenway Park. But the players are supposed to be professionals. They have a responsibility to be mature enough to step away from situations like that, not to wade into the middle of them like an out of control bull in a china shop.

Oakland County, MI police are expected to have something to say in the matter as the week progresses, and criminal charges against the fans involved in the fracas are expected. It is less clear as to whether charges will be levied against the players involved.

The wheels of justice continue to slowly grind forward.

The wheels of NBA justice begin to turn for last night's basketbrawl

For their parts in the ugly brawl that marked the end of last night's Pacers-Pistons matchup, Detroit's Ben Wallace, along with Indiana's Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson & Jermaine O'Neal have been "suspended indefinitely" by the NBA.

...a fight with fans that commissioner David Stern called "shocking, repulsive and inexcusable - a humiliation for everyone associated with the NBA."

League officials and police were examining videotapes of Friday night's melee and interviewing witnesses. The NBA issued a statement saying it was reviewing rules and security procedures "so that fans can continue to attend our games unthreatened by events such as the ones that occurred last night."

Artest, O'Neal and Jackson - who all threw punches at spectators in the stands or on the court at the end of the nationally televised Pacers-Pistons game - were to begin serving their suspensions Saturday night, when Indiana hosted Orlando.

Wallace's suspension will start at home Sunday night against Charlotte, the next game for the reigning NBA champion Pistons.

The exact length of the four players' bans could be announced as early as Sunday.

Wallace claims that he didn't start the fight, but that he was just "playing the game."

Quiet as it's kept, he's right. His team was losing, and Wallace was going up for a layup. Artest (already a pegged for a loose cannon with little business in the League) hit Wallace from behind in a hard, blatant foul that should have earned him an instant technical foul.

Wallace retaliated (which arguably, he shouldn't have done) by shoving Artest, and that started the on-the-floor fight that got settled after a few minutes.

Artest then laid down flat on his back in the middle of the scorers table. That should have gotten Artest another foul, if not an outright ejection, but things were about to get much, much worse.

Artest took a full cup of beverage in the face from a fan. And instead of being the professional that he's supposed to be and removing himself from the situation, he charged into the stands going after who he thought was the drink thrower. And he took a swing at the wrong fan!

Then, unbelievably, O'Neal & Jackson took off into the stands along with Artest, swinging at fans along the way!

As far as I'm concerned, Artest's NBA career should be over. Period. If I were commissioner, O'Neal and Jackson would be forced to sit out the season. All would be fined in addition to the suspensions and expulsions.

But I'm not commissioner. David "Show me the money" Stern is. So don't hold your breath.

The League may give the length of the suspensions as early as tomorrow, as the NBA tries to put this sorry chapter behind them.

Local police were reviewing ESPN's game footage to determine if criminal charges would be brought against anyone, fan or player. I expect to hear something from the local authorities on Monday or Tuesday.

Timeline of the NBA's "Big Brawl" last night

Jackie Chan was nowhere to be found, but finally, we have found a fully sorted-out timeline of last night's game-ending brawl between the Pistons, the Pacers and the fans at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

The brawl began with 45.9 ticks on the clock as Indiana's Ron Artest blatantly fouled Detroit's Ben Wallace hard as Wallace was going up for a layup. Indiana was ahead 97-82. Or in other words, there was no way Detroit could even consider winning.

The melee escalated from there.

• Wallace wheels around and delivers a hard, two-handed shove to Artest's chin, which leads to pushing and shoving with several players near midcourt.
• Artest lies on the scorer's table with his hands behind his head, looking relaxed. Wallace tries to get at Artest, but is held back by teammates and coaches.
• As players shout at each other, Wallace throws a wristband toward Artest, who stands up briefly before lying back down on the scorer's table.
• An unidentified fan near midcourt hits Artest in the face with a cup filled with ice and a beverage.
• Artest storms into the stands and attacks a fan, who he thinks hurled the cup at him.
• Indiana's Stephen Jackson joins his teammate in the seats and starts throwing punches.
• David Harrison, Eddie Gill and Fred Jones of the Pacers, Detroit's Rasheed Wallace and former Piston Rick Mahorn try to break up the fight between Pacers and fans, who land their share of punches.
• Back on the court near Indiana's bench, Artest punches a fan wearing a Pistons jersey who walked toward him. After another fan tries to tackle Artest and as he tries to stand up, Jermaine O'Neal runs toward him and lands a vicious right hand on his face.
• Pacers players and coaches leave the floor and are showered with beer, popcorn and assorted debris, including a folding chair.
• Indiana's Jamaal Tinsley tries to go back on the court, holding a metal dust pan over his head before he is turned back to the locker room.

Pistons coach Larry Brown took the mike and attempted to quell the disturbance, but tossed the mike down in disgust after it became obvious that the fans were in no mood to be placated.

Players from both teams left the arena without commenting to the press, but both coaches gave their two cents about the ugly incident, both calling it "unbelievable."

UPDATE: Here's a video of the brawl, courtesy of my blog-brother Avery Toley.

Someone shoot the designer. Please.

That is the new Jetta?

Just damn. It's just plain ugly.

P21: Black Activists Condemn Anti-Rice Hate Speech

Project 21 released a press release this afternoon on the constant and continuous bashing of Dr. Rice -- I'm quoted in the piece.

Black Activists Condemn Anti-Rice Hate Speech

Civil rights Leaders Criticized for Ignoring Attacks on Conservative Minorities

For Release: November 19, 2004

Contact: David Almasi at 202/371-1400 x106 or Project21@nationalcenter.org

President Bush's nomination of Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state as resulted in harsh liberal criticism that members of the black leadership network Project 21 consider racist.

Along with their condemnations of offensive commentators and cartoonists, Project 21 members also are critical of self-professed civil rights leaders who are remaining silent on current and previous racial attacks on black Bush Administration officials.

Over the past few months, and peaking this week with her appointment, cartoonists have been using Dr. Rice's race as a point of ridicule. Demeaning political cartoons by Pat Oliphant and Jeff Danziger accentuate Dr. Rice's black features and feature her speaking in rural southern dialect. Garry Trudeau called her "Brown Sugar" in his "Doonesbury" comic strip. Earlier this year, cartoonist Ted Rall questioned Dr. Rice's race in a comic suggesting she was President Bush's "house nigga" and needed "racial re-education." Universal Press Syndicate distributes Oliphant, Trudeau and Rall. The New York Times distributes Danziger.

On November 17, radio host John "Sly" Sylvester called Dr. Rice "Aunt Jemima" and secretary of state Colin Powell "Uncle Tom" on his WTDY (Madison, Wisconsin) radio show. Sylvester, who also is the station's program director, is refusing to apologize, but has said, "I will apologize to Aunt Jemima." The station's owner, the Mid-West Broadcast Group, is declining to discipline him.

In late October, a conservative host at WISN in nearby Milwaukee was suspended for a week for calling an illegal Mexican immigrant a "wetback."

While some local leaders have condemned Sylvester's comments, the Madison chapter of the NAACP has so far declined to make a statement. Project 21 asked the NAACP's national leadership to condemn Rall's racist cartoon in July, but no action was taken. Jesse Jackson and the National Association of Black Journalists were also contacted at the time. They took no action.

"To hear the leftists tell it, conservative blacks have become the new 'trash class' of American society," said Project 21 member Michael King. "And with the continued cricket-filled silence from the professional civil rights crowd, the Jesse Jacksons and Al Sharptons give tacit permission and acceptance of such language and tactics."

King's comments are echoed by Project 21 member Mychal Massie: "The recent racist attacks and mimicry of Condoleezza Rice are infuriating and despicable. Even more insufferable is the deafening silence of the elite liberals. I believe their silence is proof positive of their personal racist attitudes. Obviously condemning racist attacks against a man and woman who are conservative and black is not a worthy undertaking for them."

Project 21, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, has been a leading voice in the black community since 1992. For more information, contact David Almasi at (202) 371-1400 x106, e-mail Project21@nationalcenter.org or visit Project 21's website at http://www.project21.org/P21Index.html.

Psst! Hey buddy! Want a free Sirius^® satellite radio?

And it ain't hot either!

Howard Stern (Mike spits on sidewalk) is giving away free Sirius satellite radio systems with a committment to a one year contract (of course you've gotta pay to get the thing installed, too). It comes out to a $150 value, overall.

Not that everyone is a Stern fanatic (actually, I can't stand the guy), but Sirius has all sorts of programming including each and every NFL play-by-play broadcast in the League.

Here's what ya gotta do:

• Go to this site.
• Click the "Redeem Your Certificate" button.
• If it's not already filled in, enter "263" in the "promo code" box.
• Click "Add To Cart" next to the Audiovox radio (that's the only model available for the promotion)
• Enter your e-mail address as the "Certificate Number" on the next screen
• Select your accessories
• Purchase your subscription

And it's all yours.

Madison, WI radio host continues racially offensive remarks against Rice

John Sylvester, who is known on the air as "Sly," continued an on-the-air tirade against Secretary of State-designee Condoleezza Rice on WTDY-AM Madison, WI yesterday. Sylvester referred to Rice as "Aunt Jemima," and compounded his verbal assault by calling departing Secretary of State Colin Powell "Uncle Tom."

Sylvester claims that his black listeners "gave him permission" to use those disparaging terms about the duo, whom he insists are "letting themselves be used" by conservatives -- as if they don't have an original thought capable of being conserative.

Sly, the on-air name for John Sylvester, told WTDY-AM (1670) morning show listeners that Rice, who is black, bought her way into the White House with obedience to President Bush.

"I'm not apologizing for what I said," Sylvester said Thursday in an interview. "I stand by it.

"I was aiming that directly at a black person that is letting himself (and herself) be used by an administration that has been extremely hostile to minorities," he said.

"Being subservient and being a black role model are two different things. I think (Rice) has not only been bad for the country and for national security, but I think she's been a bad black role model.

"I don't think being subservient to white people and not blowing the whistle on their misdoings is a good role model at all."

The "soul patrol" continues its "acceptance-by-silence" rule over Sylvester's bleatings; that "rule" appears to be par for the course for all of the racially-tainted criticism of black conservatives in general, and Rice in particular of late.

Political cartoonists continue to lampoon Rice in bigoted cartoons across the nation, yet if any conservative-leaning commentator, writer, columnist, cartoonist, talk show host or anyone else for that matter, even strayed near that path, he/she'd be run out of the nation on a rail. And that goes the same for conservative blacks as well as whites, especially as noted by the amount of hate mail I've entertained behind my past criticisms of Jesse Jackson in print, online and in the broadcast media.

The double-standard is alive and well in black America, and I'm sorry to say that there appears to be no end to it in sight.

WashingtonPost.com finally drops Ted Rall

Ted Rall has finally been given the axe from the Washington Post's web site.

Rall, whose cartoons give new meaning to the term "bedwetting liberal," has been under fire off and on since insulting former Arizona Cardinals player Pat Tillman, after his death with in combat in Afghanistan.

Rall's infantile scrawlings have included racially-tinged etchings against National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, and most recently (and what got him yanked from the Post) a cartoon that showed a drooling mentally ill student.

Rall said he thinks the site dropped his work because of a Nov. 4 cartoon he did showing a drooling, mentally handicapped student taking over a classroom. "The idea was to draw an analogy to the electorate -- in essence, the idiots are now running the country," he told E&P.

"That cartoon certainly drew a significant amount of negative comment from our users," said WashingtonPost.com Executive Editor Doug Feaver when contacted by E&P. But he added that the decision to drop Rall was a "cumulative" one that had been building for a while.

"Ted Rall does very interesting work," Feaver said. "Some of it is not funny to an awful lot of people. We decided at the end of the day that it just did not fit the tone we wanted at WashingtonPost.com."

Rall was dropped effective Nov. 15, according to Feaver.

The Post received some complaints from readers criticizing the decision to drop Rall.

Rall himself criticized the site for the decision, saying that it was only over one "boneheaded drawing."

I, for one, won't be lamenting the Post's decision, but I'm sure there are plenty of other Kool-Aid drinkers who will.

If you've just GOTTA see the 'toon that got him finally yanked, it's below the fold.

The New York Times pulled Rall earlier this year -- though his syndicator, United Press Syndicate is still defending him.

Here's hoping that he's relegated to the alternative press out there, where they sit around in a circle and drink Kool-Aid together.

Troops find Al-Zarqawi hideout with "Al Qaeda" sign out front

US GIs going through the beleagured Iraqi city of Fallujah happened upon what is believed to be a training center for the terrorist group headed by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi -- the very group that started the latest beheading craze (starting with Nick Berg).

And how did the troops know it was Zarqawi's place? Probably because of the "Al Qaeda" sign out front.

In video footage shot by an embedded CNN crew, soldiers walked through one imposing building with concrete columns with a large sign in Arabic on the wall reading "Al-Qaeda Organiation" and "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger."

Inside the building, US soldiers found documents, old computers, notebooks, photographs and copies of the Qu'ran.

The footage also showed that flight patterns were found for aircraft, along with plans and instructions for how to shoot them down.

There were also two letters inside the house, one from al-Zarqawi giving instructions to two of his lieutenants in the region. Another sought money and help from the terrorist leader.

Just damn.

"If your friend invites you over to help take the wheels off of his house...."

Is it just me, or does the new Clinton Presidential Library, from a distance, look for all the world, like an oversized double-wide trailer hanging out over the edge of the Arkansas River?

Shop smart! Shop S-Mart!

Ready to buy Lands' End clothes, Kenmore appliances and Craftsman tools at your local K-Mart? How 'bout Martha Stewart housewares or Joe Boxer underwear at Sears?

You time will be coming soon.

K-Mart is purchasing Sears in an $11 billion deal that was announced today.

Both chains will still exist, though "a number" of K-Mart locations will be rebranded as Sears stores.

The new company, to be known as Sears Holding Co., will be headquartered in Chicago. This comes as a disappointment to business-watchers here in metro Atlanta, as K-Mart was seriously considering moving their corporate headquarters to Atlanta as recently as this past September.

Leftists figure it's fair game to insult Rice's race -- after all, she's "only a conservative"

Leftist columnists and cartoonists have opened up with both barrels on Secretary of State-designate Condoleezza Rice. As many remember, moonbat Ted Rall used his waste of space in newspapers everywhere this summer to insult Dr. Rice's race. Project 21 sent a formal letter of protest (under my signature) to Rall's synidcator, Kansas City-based United Press Syndicate, demanding Rall's removal from their slate of cartoonists, barring an apology. We also sent letters to the National Association of Black Journalists, the NAACP and Rainbow/PUSH, asking for their support in the matter.

United blew us off, saying that it was a free-speech issue; the NAACP sent us a form letter that basically said thanks, but no thanks; and from the NABJ & Jesse Jackson, we heard crickets.

Just last month, political cartoonist Jeff Danziger went down the same racially insulting road. At least Danziger had the where-with-all to pull the cartoon after a ruckus ensued over it's content.

Well, now that Dr. Rice has been nominated as the next Secretary of State, the moonbats are crawling out of the woodwork.

Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Pat Oliphant has scrawled cartoons for multiple days of Dr. Rice as represented by a parrot with exaggerated lips, bucked teeth and dark skin, perched on a pirate's (President Bush's) shoulder.

A new column in the UK's Mirror newspaper continued the insult-fest.

IF THERE were a monkey in the White House - and many reckon there is - then his trainer would be the world's most powerful person.

Other political cartoonists made Condi fodder for varying degrees of insulting fury across the nation.

As I've said here and elsewhere though, I'm not holding my breath waiting for any outrage on the part of the "soul patrol." After all, both the "soul patrol" and the remainder of the leftists out there have proven that racist statements against blacks are OK (contrary to their constant bleatings), provided they're against blacks who happen to be conservative.

ABC apologizes for racy MNF open

ABC has formally apologized for a slightly raunchy open to Monday Night Football featuring Philadelphia's Terrell Owens and actress Nicolette Sheridan of ABC's prime-time sudser Desperate Housewives.

The open featured Sheridan, clad only in a towel, trying to entice Owens. Once Sheridan dropped her towel, Owens opted out of the game, saying the team would have to win without him.

In the taped segment, Sheridan drops a towel and is shown from a rear angle unclothed down to the lower part of her back. After Owens says, "Aw, hell, the team's going to have to win without me," Sheridan jumps into his arms.

"We have heard from many of our viewers about last night's MNF opening segment, and we agree that the placement was inappropriate," ABC vice president Mark Mandel said in a statement. "We apologize."

In a strongly-worded statement, NFL public relations vice president Greg Aiello said, "ABC's opening was inappropriate and unsuitable for our Monday Night Football audience. While ABC may have gained attention for one of its other shows, the NFL and its fans lost."

A spokeswoman for the FCC who declined to be identified, said, "I can confirm we did receive complaints" about the ABC MNF opening. She said the complaints will be reviewed.

If an "apparent violation" of the rules is determined, the FCC would issue a "letter of inquiry" to ABC asking for more information about the incident. If a violation is ultimately determined, penalties that could include fines could ensue.

I missed the open myself; then again, everyone seems to be on pins and needles lately when it comes to "decency" or at least percieved decency on television.

But with the kind of ratings Desperate Housewives has been getting, ABC isn't going to yank it off the air any time soon.

Margaret Hassan murdered by AQ in Iraq

A video released today shows the murder of CARE worker Margaret Hassan in Iraq.

The Irish family of aid worker Margaret Hassan taken hostage in Iraq have said they believe she is dead.

Their statement followed reports in Iraq of a video reportedly showing her murder.

Hassan was kidnapped by AQ-affiliated terrorists more than a month ago. She subsequently appeared in several videotaped messages pleading for the British government to acquiese to the monsters' demands to withdraw their troops in exchange for her life.

Downing Street did not, and does not, as a matter of policy, negotiate with terrorists.

The body of a blond-haired woman was found on the streets of Fallujah by US Marines engaged in battle there. It is widely thought that the body is that of Hassan, but no confirmation has been made as of the present.

Cosby saying the right thing

This morning, someone suggested to me that Bill Cosby might be someone worth the Bush Administration's attention for the post of Secretary of Education.

I got that same quizical look on my face that probably is on yours at reading that statement. But after his continued vocal defiance of the "Soul Patrol" who would rather he dummied up and kept our collective "dirty laundry" in the closet, one has to wonder.

'Let them stay mad," Bill Cosby told CNN's Paula Zahn last week.

But Cosby has no plans to shut up. "This is about little children and people not giving them better choices," the 67 year-old actor-comedian told Zahn. "How long you gonna whisper about a smallpox epidemic in your apartment building when bodies are coming out under the sheets?"

At a Jesse Jackson confab in Chicago over the summer, Cosby kept up the scolding, despite being accused of airing African-Americans' dirty laundry in public. Cosby shot back that this dirty laundry is displayed on a daily basis by black youths who use profanity, call each other the "N" word, and think they're hip even thought they're barely literate.

He blasted blacks who hurl the same racial slurs at each other that are used by racist whites, and who don't take advantage of the opportunities that were so hard won by the heroes and heroines of the civil rights movement. And he offered no soothing words for black men who passed up the chance to get a high school education, but now vent their anger at not being able to earn a good living on the women in their lives.

Cosby's educational credentials are well known and respected.

He holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. His doctoral thesis used his Fat Albert characters as a basis for teaching aids in the classroom. He was involved in the early seasons of CTW's (now Sesame Workshop) The Electric Company, and he created and produced Picture Pages for CBS and PBS' Captain Kangaroo. His Little Bill is currently part of the lineup of educational programs on NickJr.

Cosby's more recent outspoken stance toward education and personal responsibility has earned the ire of many from the "Soul Patrol" sector of black America, but because of his background and history, many other blacks are listening.

Perhaps it is time to bring his no-nonsense truth and wisdom to the Education Department.

Conservative Christians not welcome in Lake Wobegon

Garrison Keillor, host of American Public Media & NPR's popular A Prairie Home Companion the weekend after the November elections, during a live broadcast:

"I am now the chairman of a national campaign to pass a constitutional amendment to take the right to vote away from born-again Christians."

Keillor unabashedly claims to be a Democrat, and wears his politics on his sleeve.

According to the University of Chicago Maroon newspaper, Keillor said, "If born-again Christians are allowed to vote in this country, then why not Canadians?"

I guess religious freedom is OK, provided you aren't a conservative and a Christian -- at least in Lake Wobegon.

It's Condi!

Dr. Condoleezza Rice is President Bush's choice to replace Colin Powell as Secretary of State.

Senior administration sources confirmed that Rice would be Bush's choice. The news came just hours after the White House announced Powell had submitted his resignation.

ABC News has also learned that Deputy National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley will likely replace Rice as national security adviser.

The announcement comes as a sort of birthday present for Rice, who turned 50 on Sunday.

Don't be surprised if Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge are next on the chopping block.

I'm sure the leftists will talk about the "revolving door," or about "rats deserting a sinking ship," but this looks like more strategic planning by the Bush Administration.

Boy is he gonna need Earl Scheib when he peels those off...

Is this the definition of "Losermobile?"

Powell leaving State

Word out this morning that Colin Powell will be leaving his post as Secretary of State.

Several people have been named as a replacement, including Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice. FOX News contributor and former ambassador Mark Ginsberg said Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz may also want the job, but could face trouble getting confirmed because of the troubles in Iraq that he takes the blame for. Sen. Richard Lugar, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is also a darkhorse for the job.

Three other cabinet level resignation announcements are expected today: Rod Paige from Education, Anne Veneman from Agriculture and Spence Abraham from the Energy Department.

Powell is expected to stick around until a replacement is found.

Is this the next generation of voting?

From the November issue of Wired:

Researcher: Atlantis ruins found off Cyprus

In what sounds like a real-life Clive Cussler novel or an episode of Stargate: Atlantis, American explorer and researcher Robert Sarmast claims to have located the ruins of the lost city of Atlantis off of the shores of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.

Sarmast says sonar scanning indicates man-made walls on the seabed, one as long as two miles.

"It is a miracle we found these walls as their location, and lengths match exactly the description of the acropolis of Atlantis provided by Plato in his writings," Sarmast said, referring to the ancient Greek philosopher.

"We have definitely found the Acropolis of Atlantis," he affirmed, adding the site was 80 kilometers (50 miles) southeast of Cyprus.

The chief government archaeologist of Cyprus, Pavlos Flourentzos, reacted with skepticism, telling The Associated Press: "More proof is necessary."

Expect more details of this to emerge over the next few months, and I wouldn't be surprised if an expedition to the location of the ruins emerged on the National Geographic Channel or Discovery Channel didn't show up on the tube before too long.

London paper claims US GI shot unarmed civilian in cold blood on tape

Sunday's London Mirror is claiming that video of an American Marine shooting an unarmed civilian in Fallujah, Iraq, has been shown on television in the UK.

A US marine has sparked world-wide revulsion after being seen shooting an injured and helpless Iraqi.

The sickening scene was broadcast by Channel 4 News after a fire-fight in the rebel stronghold of Fallujah.

The trigger-happy soldier had been asked to get nearer to the injured man.

But instead of trying to capture him, the marine is seen leaning over a wall and cold-bloodedly shooting him.

He then turns to his colleagues and says: "He's gone". Coalition chiefs were last night under pressure to investigate the incident.

I question the assertion by The Mirror, because, we haven't been made aware of the circumstances behind the incident. This, to me, sounds like someone grabbing a snippet of tape and jumping the gun in order to further their political agenda -- or to smear the United States and the Bush Administration.

Girl found inside of piñata during border check

I know that illegals try all sorts of ways of getting into the United States, but this case from Tecate takes the cake.

The child was found just before 3 p.m. Nov. 2, when two U.S. citizens attempted to drive a 1990 Acura sedan loaded with several piñatas through the border checkpoint. Suspicious customs inspectors decided to take a closer look at their cargo.

"Officers began to take the piñatas out of the back seat, and one seemed to be much heavier than the others," said Vince Bond, a spokesman for U.S. Customs & Border Protection. "This one had a little girl of approximately 4 or 5 years of age inside it."

The girl's mother also was found, curled up inside the car's trunk, and the girl's brother, who is about 9 years old, was found underneath the collapsible back seat.

The large piñata carrying the little girl appeared to be a representation of a "Powerpuff Girls" cartoon character.

The girl was completely sealed inside, Bond said, but she was able to breathe and seemed to be in good physical condition. She, her mother and brother were voluntarily deported to Mexico after they were found.

Just damn, indeed.

Osama now has "religious approval" to use a nuke against Americans

You read the headline right -- Osama bin Laden has secured "religious authority" to use a nuclear weapon against American citizens in his windmill-tilting fight against the West, according to a 60 Minutes interview to be broadcast this Sunday evening.

Osama bin Laden now has religious approval to use a nuclear device against Americans, says the former head of the CIA unit charged with tracking down the Saudi terrorist. The former agent, Michael Scheuer, speaks to Steve Kroft in his first television interview without disguise to be broadcast on 60 MINUTES Sunday, Nov. 14 (7:00-8:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Even if bin Laden had a nuclear weapon, he probably wouldn't have used it for a lack of proper religious authority - authority he has now. "[Bin Laden] secured from a Saudi sheik...a rather long treatise on the possibility of using nuclear weapons against the Americans," says Scheuer. "[The treatise] found that he was perfectly within his rights to use them. Muslims argue that the United States is responsible for millions of dead Muslims around the world, so reciprocity would mean you could kill millions of Americans," Scheuer tells Kroft.

Scheuer says bin Laden was criticized by some Muslims for the 9/11 attack because he killed so many people without enough warning and before offering to help convert them to Islam. But now bin Laden has addressed the American people and given fair warning. "They're intention is to end the war as soon as they can and to ratchet up the pain for the Americans until we get out of their region....If they acquire the weapon, they will use it, whether it's chemical, biological or some sort of nuclear weapon," says Scheuer.

Although Al Qaeda has recently claimed to have gotten ahold of a nuclear weapon, most argue that if AQ had such a weapon in their arsenal, that they would have used it long before now.

Rule number one: You do not talk about Fight Club

I meant to post this the other day. It came from a local bulletin board in New York.

Straight male seeks Bush supporter for fair, physical fight

I would like to fight a Bush supporter to vent my anger. If you are one, have a fiery streek, please contact me so we can meet and physically fight. I would like to beat the shit out of you.

Some people are just plain stupid.

CBS to reair interrupted episode of CSI:NY

CBS interrupted the last five minutes of last night's episode of CSI:NY to announce that Arafish was finally (really most sincerely) dead. Of course, it was a good episode, mind you.

Well, CBS is going to repeat the entire episode tomorrow night at 10.

CBS will rebroadcast the Wednesday night episode of "CSI: NY" that was interrupted by a news report of Yasser Arafat's death.

Viewers in some parts of the country missed the last few minutes of the popular crime drama because of the Arafat report. The program will be shown again Friday at 10 p.m. ET.

CBS issued the following statement: "An overly aggressive CBS News producer jumped the gun with a report that should have been offered to local stations for their late news. We sincerely regret the error."

Overly aggressive my foot. I bet it was some idiot that worshipped the ground the ol' terrorist walked on.

Secret messages to the Democratic Underground

To veterans everywhere: Thank you.

God bless you, and thank you for your service.

The association between the poppy and war dates back to the Napoleonic wars when a writer saw a field of poppies growing over the graves of fallen soldiers.

During the Battle of Ypres in 1915, Canadian Lt.-Col. John McCrae was inspired to write the poem In Flanders Fields on sighting the poppies growing beside a grave of a close friend who had died in battle.

The poem was a great inspiration in adopting the poppy as the Flower of Remembrance in Canada, France, the U.S, Britain and Commonwealth countries.

The first poppies were distributed in Canada in 1921. Today the volunteer donations from the distribution of millions of poppies is an important source of revenue for the Royal Canadian Legion that goes toward helping ex-servicemen and women buy food, and obtain shelter and medical attention.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

ABC affiliates cancel Saving Private Ryan over decency fears

ABC's scheduled movie for tonight, Saving Private Ryan, the award-winning World War II epic, is being pre-empted on a number of ABC stations over fears regarding the salty language in the movie.

In a statement on the Web site of Atlanta's WSB-TV, the station's vice president and general manager, Greg Stone cited a March ruling in which the FCC said an expletive uttered by rock star Bono during NBC's live airing of the 2003 Golden Globe Awards was both indecent and profane.

The agency made it clear then that virtually any use of the F-word — which is used in "Saving Private Ryan" — was inappropriate for over-the-air radio and television.

The Bono case "reversed years of prior policy that the context of language matters," Stone said. He added that broadcaster could not get any clarification from the FCC on whether the movie violates the standard.

ABC, which broadcast the film uncut in 2001 and 2002, issued a statement saying it is proud to broadcast it again. The network's contract with director Steven Spielberg stipulates that the film cannot be edited.

"As in the past, this broadcast will contain appropriate and clear advisories and parental guidelines," the statement said.

In addition to Cox's WSB-TV Atlanta, stations chickening out on showing the movie include Cox's WSOC-TV Charlotte, Citadel's WOI-TV Des Moines, KCAU-TV Sioux City and KLKN-TV Lincoln, NE; Tribune's WGNO-TV New Orleans, Hearst-Argyle's WMUR-TV Manchester, NH; Pappas' KHGI Lincoln, Sinclair Broadcasting's ABC stations (which just got over their own controversy with the airing of the John Kerry documentary last month) and Scripps-Howard's stations.

If you are as dismayed by this, and your local station is pre-empting the movie, I'd suggest you contact them and let them know that you don't appreciate them playing "thought police" for you.

Arafish is floating upside down

Scratch one more terrorist.

75 year-old Yasser Arafat, terrorist and would-be Palistinian leader, died (finally) tonight in Paris.

Arafat had been in a coma since 3 November and later suffered a brain haemorrhage.

A hospital spokesman said that he died at 0330 (0230GMT) on Thursday.

The Palestinian leader was transferred to the military hospital in Clamart on 29 October, suffering from a blood disorder.

Tests showed he had a low count of blood platelets, which are needed for clotting, but doctors were unsure what caused the condition and made no official announcement about the cause of Arafat's illness.

Doctors were said to have ruled out cancer and poisoning.

Arafat will be buried in Rumallah on Friday, after ceremonies in Cairo.

My biggest complaint is that CBS broke in with five minutes left in tonight's episode of CSI:NY to talk about Arafish. And if you think I'm staying up three more hours to catch the west coast feed and find out whodunnit, you're nuts!

Alberto Gonzales chosen to be AG

An announcement from the White House is expected later today, but sources indicate that White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales will be chosen to replace outgoing Attorney General John Ashcroft. Gonzales, if confirmed by the US Senate, will become the first Hispanic Attorney General in US history.

Two administration officials said Gonzales, a longtime Bush friend who served with him in Texas, was the likely successor to Ashcroft and that the president could act as early as Wednesday. He would be the first Hispanic attorney general.

Ashcroft, along with Commerce Secretary Don Evans, tendered resignation letters to the Administration yesterday.

Mom never made holiday dinner like this...

Jones Soda Company, the Seattle-based soft drink company, who last year created buzz with their Turkey & Gravy flavored soda a year ago, is bringing it back this holiday season with the rest of your holiday dinner table as additional flavors. Green Bean Casserole Soda, Mashed Potato & Butter Soda, Fruitcake Soda and Cranberry Soda join Turkey & Gravy Soda in the Jones Soda Holiday Pack.

Proceeds from the limited-time pack will go to Toys For Tots.

The Family Pack goes on sale this week from Jones' website, Jones Soda distributors nationally, and selected Target stores for $15.95.

Why do I have this image of Dan Ackroyd doing SNL's classic "Super Bass-O-Matic '76" skit in my head? "Mmmmm...that's good bass!"

MSNBC: Ashcroft & Evans resign cabinet posts

From MSNBC: US Attorney General John Ashcroft & US Commerce Secretary Don Evans have both submitted resignations to President George W. Bush. The Bush Administration has accepted both resignations.

The names most widely floated to replace Ashcroft as AG are former US Senator John Danforth and former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Though no names have been formally introduced as of yet.

More details to come. Stay tuned.

Star Parker: How the GOP can win the black vote

In the wake of last week's Bush victory, Town Hall columnist (and Coalition on Urban Renewal and Education president) Star Parker has a list steps that the GOP can take to continue to grow the black Republican vote in America.

Continue to focus on the black church. Black Christians still vote overwhelmingly Democratic. Republicans are making gains, as evidenced by this election. But we're not making the gains we should. What does it say when Bill Clinton of Monica Lewinsky fame continues to get the warm welcome he does in black churches? There's a problem here. Black religious leaders need to be engaged to think about what is going on.

Understand that the messenger is as important as the message. One reason Bill Clinton gets the affection he does from blacks, despite the truth that he represents everything destructive to our community, is that blacks sense that he cares. Nothing gets done without trust, and the truth is that there are few Republican leaders who can walk into a black church, even with the best news in the world, and be received with trust. Black religious leaders need to be courted by Republicans they can trust and feel comfortable with.

One other point that Parker makes that I wholeheartedly agree with is that the GOP must maintain an open line of communication with blacks.

If the community only sees the face of the GOP at election time, then a huge measure of distrust will remain, as the one question that comes to mind is, "What do they want now?"

And, as I've said repeatedly, open communication allows the GOP to deliver it's own message and to clarify that message themselves -- and it prevents the Jackson-Sharpton cabal from spewing their ongoing lies and half-truths and presenting them as the be-all, end-all truth.

Contrary to what many believe, I don't think that an ongoing dialogue with black America can be crafted overnight. But if an honest attempt at making inroads can be made, then a true two-party system can be forged within black America with time.