| Responding to the Jack Lynch Non-Story
I'm going to try not to flip out. Which I may anyway. Because I'm angry, and I'm repulsed by this whole episode, and it's a large part of what's been keeping me away from this "blog" for too long. A Spokane Police Department internal investigation released in its entirety Wednesday says Deputy Mayor Jack Lynch was not stopped in High Bridge Park last August or apprehended at any time for any illegal activity.
Remaining unanswered are the circumstances surrounding Lynch's still-unexplained medical leave, which was announced Dec. 29 and is expected to continue until March 1. So what? This has always always been a complete and utter distraction from the "story," intended only to damage Mr. Lynch's credibility by implying he's infirm, and likely has a disease of which he is ashamed, or that implies activity unbecoming to an All Powerful City Employee(!).
Mike Luckovich
I am absolutely astonished that Senator Klinton, a leading candidate on the Democrat side, says she wants to surrender in Iraq, she wants to wave the white flag. After all the sacrifice we've made in this surge, which everybody knows is succeeding, she wants to surrender and bring the troops home, and set a date for withdrawal," McCain said. "I have never, never in American history heard of a leading candidate for president of the United States that wants to surrender to the enemy."$$$$ I got to give the guy credit, that was right up her fat as-s. $$$$When the discussion finally turned to the subject of Iraq, both Romney and Giuliani went out of the way to take shots at Hillary Clinton. Romney said it was "audacious and arrogant" for Klinton to have asserted earlier in the week that progress in Iraq is due, at least in part, to the Democrats pressing to get US forces out as quickly as possible.
Cuba second from last, just ahead of North Korea
The Israeli army's repeated abuses against journalists in the occupied territories and the US army's responsibility in the death of several reporters during the war in Iraq constitute unacceptable behaviour by two nations that never stop stressing their commitment to freedom of expression. General deterioration in the Arab world The war in Iraq played a major role in an increased crackdown on the press by the Arab regimes. Concerned about maintaining their image and facing public opinion largely opposed to the war, they stepped up control of the press and increased pressure on journalists, who are forced to use self-censorship. Kuwait (102nd) replaced Lebanon (106th) as the Arab world's leader as regards respect for freedom of expression because of cases of censorship in Lebanon, together with abusive judicial proceedings and an attack on the television station Futur TV.
2008 Nightlife Awards
White returns to the Oak Room for a three-week stand beginning Feb.12. Allan Harris took the jazz vocalist trophy and justified the honor with "L-O-V-E," bolstered by pianist and music director Tedd Firth, who plays with vigorous chops and then some. The femme nod went to vet jazz thrush Carol Sloane, who offered some beautifully subtle Ellingtonia with a gently bounced "Just a Sittin' and a Rockin'" and a reverently phrased "All Too Soon." Hilary Kole remembered Oscar Peterson with "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," on which she pairs with the late pianist on a yet-to-be-released CD. Kole studiously revealed the passionate subtext of the Rodgers and Hart classic, leaving the listener with the glow of the long-simmering embers of a classic torch song. Cabaret comedy honors went to Christine Pedi, who justified the nod with hilarious takes on Liza Minnelli, Ethel Merman and Carol Channing.
eBay outlines fee overhaul; Is it smoke and mirrors?
Updated with more information on listing fees: eBay on Tuesday said that it is cutting listing fees, boosting selling standards and dangling carrots in front of sellers to move more volume. The effort is new CEO John Donahoe's first move in an effort to boost eBay's growth. Donahoe, technically president and CEO elect until March 31, unveiled the changes, which are designed to improve "the overall experience for eBay customers." The crux of eBay's problem is making it more easy to shop. Safety is also a concern. Among the big changes outlined in a statement, which sparked some debate over eBay's intentions. Is the company raising fees overall or decreasing them? Here are the key components of eBay's grand plan: Listing fees: eBay is cutting its listing fees by 25 percent to 50 percent.
Final Year's Realities Push Big Ideas Into Background
At some point, you realize you're coming to the end of your time in office, and you've got to start making a determination what your legacy is going to be," said Rep. Michael N. Castle (R-Del.). "And some of the broader, sweeping things you wanted to do at the beginning simply aren't going to be achieved." For a president who has always favored boldness, it amounts to a dramatic shift. Just a year ago, Bush in the same chamber defied the new Democratic majority with his decision to send more troops to Iraq and challenged lawmakers to overhaul the immigration system. The past year demonstrated that Congress could not force him to change course in Iraq, but neither could he bend it to his will in the domestic arena. So last night, Bush focused on extending or cementing past initiatives, such as pumping $30 billion more into his anti-AIDS projects in Africa, reauthorizing his No Child Left Behind education program, extending $2 billion in aid to other countries developing clean-energy technology and codifying his policies that steer more federal funds to religious charities.
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