Lottery winnings bring heartache

Here's one of those articles about people for whom winning the lottery has only been bad news, but this one includes a weird twist- this guy won the lotto and had to give his soon-to-be-ex half, then got sued... by the ex's sister. Why? Turns out he was doin' both of them, and had children with both. They were one big extended unhappy family, that bunch. No they're not from Utah.

"America's high schools are obsolete"-Bill Gates

The most blunt assessment came from Microsoft chief Bill Gates, who has put more than $700 million into reducing the size of high school classes through the foundation formed by him and his wife, Melinda. He said high schools must be redesigned to prepare every student for college, with classes that are rigorous and relevant to kids and with supportive relationships for children.

"America's high schools are obsolete," Gates said "America's high schools are obsolete," Gates said. "By obsolete, I don't just mean that they're broken, flawed or underfunded, though a case could be made for every one of those points. By obsolete, I mean our high schools _ even when they're working as designed _ cannot teach all our students what they need to know today."

Here's a radical idea. Maybe it's time for the government to get out of the education business all together.

Children need Honest Education
Separating School from State
Is the Only Way to Get There
Fifty years ago, Americans were thunderstruck by Rudolph Flesch's best seller, "Why Johnny Can't Read." Today we have evidence that Johnny not only can't read, but he doesn't even want to. Worse, Johnny can't behave himself. What happened?

The "Three R's"
Many parents believe that the core of "education" is primarily learning the Three R's: Readin', Writin', and 'Rithmatic.
With the media attention to test scores of schools, districts, and states—and politicians sensing that "education is a hot issue"—school leaders have developed a mania for looking good on tests.

Odd as it may seem, their low-score phobia pushes them to turning children into test-taking robots. Many a teacher will tell you that we are drifting ever further from genuine education.

"Education" is more than skills training
When our schools help an intelligent person become the smartest accountant in the world, but somehow undermine his moral formation, they turn out an embezzler you can't catch. Traditional educators, on the other hand, held "wisdom"—not just skills—as the goal of an educated person. But for over a century, American school leaders have more and more focused on "career skills" and for over a half-century, on "life adjustment" or "social skills" as the ultimate goal for their students.

This is dishonest. Schools implicitly tell students a lie: Mere professional and social success can bring satisfaction. How many parents believe that a person can find happiness by selling a cancer therapy he knew was a fraud?

We in the Alliance for Separation of School & State believe that the restoration of "Honest Education" can help every Johnny and Jill on their path to wisdom.

Indeed, even the earliest stages of wisdom—for example, diligence—will help them apply themselves to learning the many important skills of life, including Readin', Writin', and 'Rithmatic.

"I proclaim publicly that I favor ending government involvement in education."

DRINKS WITH DEAD HUNTER THOMPSON...

I use to think of suicide as the ultimate act of despair. Perhaps in Hunter's case it is the ultimate act of pride.

The Rocky Mountain News is reporting...
'Loving' farewell to writer
Wife details family gathering with Thompson dead in chair

ASPEN — Hunter S. Thompson heard the ice clinking.

The literary champ was sitting in his command post kitchen chair, a piece of blank paper in his favorite typewriter, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot through the mouth hours earlier.

But a small circle of family and friends gathered around with stories, as he wished, with glasses full of his favored elixir — Chivas Regal on ice.

"It was very loving. It was not a panic, or ugly, or freaky," Thompson's wife, Anita Thompson, said Thursday night in her first spoken comments since the icon's death Sunday. "It was just like Hunter wanted. He was in control here."

Family Says Woman Died After Hospital Moved Her to Accommodate Flu-Stricken Pop Star

Jacko kills! A family claims their grandmother was moved out of the trauma ward to make room for "flu"-sufferer Jacko, and the woman then died. They may have a case- the woman was taken off a ventilator and switched to a manual pump for the move, then had to be reconnected to machines that were crammed into a smaller room while Jacko had his vapors in her original location.

ABC is reporting...
Family: Heart Attack Victim Moved for Michael Jackson
Family Says Woman Died After Hospital Moved Her to Accommodate Flu-Stricken Pop Star

Feb. 25, 2005 - A woman who had suffered a massive heart attack died after hospital personnel moved her out of a trauma room to accommodate a flu-stricken Michael Jackson, the patient's family said.

Why would the Orlando Sentinel defend a cad like Michael Schiavo?

Mike Thomas does his best to act as an apologist for Michael Schiavo. Poor Mr. Schiavo has been unfairly demonized & vilified by people like me. He just wants what's best for Terri. Yeah right! This clowns motives are highly suspect if not down
right criminal. With friends like Michael Terri doesn't need enemies.


Mike Thomas writes...
Terri's husband isn't the enemy, guardian says

Monday morning 7AM you want some inspiration? Tune in to hear the story of Captain David Rozelle

The inspiring true story of the first amputee to return to active duty in Iraq!

From the Inside Flap
They put a price on his head. They did everything they could to disrupt his mission. Finally, when an anti-tank mine tore off his right foot, the warriors of jihad in Iraq thought they had neutralized one of their most resourceful, determined foes.
They were wrong.

Refusing to let his injury stop him, Captain David Rozelle roared back into action, returning to Iraq as commander of an armored cavalry troop. He became the first amputee in recent military history to resume a dangerous command on the same battlefield.

In Back in Action: An American Soldier¹s Story of Courage, Faith, and Fortitude, Rozelle tells the whole gripping story: from the day he had to tell his pregnant wife that he was going to war (Valentine’s Day 2003) and deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom, to the fateful day four months later when a land mine tore off his right foot‹and beyond, through months of agonizing rehabilitation to his final triumphant recertification as "Fit for Duty."

Rozelle, who has been awarded the Bronze Star with Valor and the Purple Heart, speaks with brisk frankness about his post-amputation battles and the gritty determination that saw him through. He recounts his inspiring battle through rehabilitation, as he learned to walk with a prosthetic foot and did his utmost to prove he still had the stuff to be a soldier: completing five sprint-distance triathlons, an Olympic-distance triathlon, the New York City Marathon, and skiing, snowboarding, and mountain climbing through Disabled Sports USA.

It’s an astonishing story of courage, determination, heroism, and bedrock patriotism. "Every now and again," says Rozelle, "I would get the standard, ‘That is horrible. How do you feel about the war?’" The fearless captain would respond: "How do you feel about your freedom? If you aren’t willing to die for it, then you aren’t American."

David Rozelle was willing to die for freedom, and he is still willing to put his life on the line for it, despite the injury he has already suffered. Back in Action is a stirring reminder of the commitment every American should have to the cause of freedom, if we hope to continue to enjoy that freedom. It’s an extraordinary and inspiring story of devotion to duty overcoming all obstacles.

Mike Gallagher Nationally Syndicated Talker & FOX News contributor stops by the PC Show. 

Mike Gallagher stops by the 540 studio
 

Schiavo's Feeding Tube to Remain Until March 18th

Breaking News
Judge: Schiavo's Feeding Tube Remains

NewsMax.com is reporting...
Saturday, Feb 26, 2005

A judge on Friday extended for three weeks a court order keeping Terri Schiavo's feeding tube in place, the latest development in a long-running family feud over the fate of the brain-damaged woman.
Pinellas Circuit Court Judge George Greer made his decision after pleadings from the woman's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, that they need more time to pursue additional medical tests which might prove their daughter has more mental capabilities than previously thought.

The ruling came two days after the parents sought court protection to keep their son-in-law from ordering doctors to remove the feeding tube. The tube keeps the 41-year-old disabled woman alive.

The husband, Michael Schiavo, says he is seeking to carry out his wife's wishes not to be kept alive artificially.

The judge extended the stay until March 18.

State officials also are trying to intervene in the case. Attorneys for the Schindlers said the state wants a 60-day stay to investigate allegations that she is being mistreated by being denied appropriate medical care and rehabilitation.

Bradley Fallon Dead at 36. Leaves behind wife & 6 children with one on the way.

Earlier this month I told you about a tragic story. Bradley Fallon passed away at the young age of 36 after his 3rd failed kidney transplant. He was a good man and a great father. He leaves behind a wife and six children. Child #6 Ignatius was born with downs syndrome. Child #7 is due March 5th. If any of you feel compelled to help financially the information is below. At the very least I would ask you to keep Victoria and the children in your prayers, they have some tough times ahead.

Subject: Re: I just found out about Bradley Fallon's death, how devastating!

Pat,
Thanks for asking. It’s been tough. He got his 3rd kidney transplant on Christmas day so there was much hope this one would succeed. The doctors wanted to prevent rejection to the point that appearantly the anti-rejection drugs triggered septic shock—it was a gamble they all realized and accepted. St. Peter’s was packed yesterday for the funeral. She’s had lots of support, but the task ahead is a hard one. She’s due in about 5 weeks.

We know that he didn’t have life insurance, and as the oldest in a family of 13, his parents don’t have much to lend Victoria. We’ve never gotten a clear read on her side of the family and I’ve yet to hear what the Social Security survivor benefits will be. Emily Stimpson who works in our office is one of Victoria’s closest friends so we’ll get a read on that soon. The number 1 goal seems to be to get donations to pay for a day helper in the house—someone to watch the younger kids and babies, clean, make a meal, while Victoria does the schooling.
Thanks for asking—at the homily, Miravalle said it best: Brad’s mission in life was to suffer, and he accepted that cross with a ton of grace and beauty.

Tom...

Here’s what’s going out today to employees:

As many of you know, Brad Fallon, an alumnus and former Theology instructor,
passed away this past Friday following complications from a recent kidney
transplant. He leaves behind his wife, Victoria (Weltig '91), daughter
Veronica, and sons Joseph, Louis, John, Anthony, and Ignatius. Victoria is
expecting their seventh child next month.

For those of you who have asked how you can help the family financially,
contributions by check, money order, or cash may be mailed or delivered to:
Ginna Dombrowski, 603 Belleview Blvd., Steubenville, Ohio, 43952,
(phone:740-282-6368; e-mail: ginnad@sbcglobal.net). Checks should be made
out to "Friends of Widows and Orphans," a non-profit fund, with designation
for the Fallon Family.

For those of you wishing to offer other forms of support (i.e. meals,
babysitting, house cleaning, presents for the children, etc.) please contact
Emily Stimpson (w: 283-6450, ext. 4420, c: 202-427-4243, h: 283-2246, e-mail
estimpson@franciscan.edu).

For those who want to send a card or offer a Mass intention, the Fallon's
address is:
358 Hale Road
Toronto OH 43964

On behalf of Victoria and the children, thank you for your prayers and for
your support.

Friday 8:30AM in studio Fox News Channel Contributor Mike Gallagher

Nationally syndicated talk radio host and Fox News Channel Contributor Mike Gallagher joins me in studio to discuss the hot issues of the day. Why is Mike in Orlando? Tune in to find out.

Chicago DJ Helps Nab Bank Robbery Suspect

It could go down in history as one of the dumbest acts by a crook.

A man who called himself "D" phoned the Drex in the Morning program on Chicago's Kiss 103.5 FM and told how he and five others robbed a bank.

The man said he knew a woman who was working at the bank and that she helped them plan the whole thing.

"D" gave details about the robbery, which had gone unsolved for five months. He bragged about tying up the bank employees and getting away with $81,000 in cash; saying each person got $18,000.

The man talked about going on a shopping spree for luxury goods on Chicago's ritzy Michigan avenue, paying off his car and giving cash to a girlfriend.

Here's what he didn't expect: that someone who worked at the bank was listening to the radio at the time. She called the cops who went to the radio station, which was able to turn over a cell phone number.

24 year old Randy Washington was picked up a short time later and hauled off to federal court. Another man was also charged.

Authorities say they had no leads in the case .. until the radio phone call.

Be sure to check out the audio on this page.

Is hunting the ultimate in Animal Cruelty?

The Washington Times is reporting...
Proposed New York bill is absolutely criminal
By Gene Mueller

New York hunters are in an uproar over state assembly Bill 1850 that would make sport hunting a punishable act of animal cruelty.
The bill, introduced by Assemblyman Alexander Grannis, New York City Democrat, would revise the state's definition of animal cruelty to include the "killing or injuring [of] wild game and wild birds." The revision would make hunting and trapping activities criminal offenses. The bill is now being considered before the body's Agriculture Committee.
"The bill creates a contradiction in the law [because] the state code allows regulated hunting," said Tony Celebrezze of the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, a national watchdog group that is ready to enter the fray whenever Americans' right to hunt is challenged. "If [this] becomes law, anti-hunters will have a field day ensuring that sportsmen are prosecuted on animal cruelty charges."

These guys are very short sighted, they don't get the big picture. Hunting is a huge revenue generator for states like NY and the private sector. How do you make up for the lost revenue? Hunting is part of successful wildlife management. The real animal cruelty is allowing deer to starve to death(like Terri Schiavo).

I was just on “The Eric Hogue Show” on 1380 KTKZ Sacramento,CA

I was just on “The Eric Hogue Show” on 1380 KTKZ Sacramento,CA talking about the Terri Schiavo case. Great host, great interview, Eric understands the long term consequences of this case.

8AM ET Timothy Ruchti from BlogsforTerri joins me on-air

Timothy Ruchti from BlogsforTerri joins me on-air along with Dr. Richard Bingham from Hyscience to discuss the plight of Terri Schiavo. They want your help. Tune in to 540WFLA to find out how you can help.

Judge Extends Stay in Right-To-Die Case

A judge Wednesday extended a stay keeping brain-damaged Terri Schiavo alive until Friday, saying he needed time to decide whether her husband, who wants to remove her feeding tube, is unfit to be her guardian.

Terri gets a 48hr stay of execution. Jeb Bush may get involved again. Some last minute wrangling over guardianship.

Fines and prison terms for not practicing contraception

Manila (AsiaNews) – For Mgr Fernando Capalla, Archbishop of Davao and chairman of the Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, the new bill on population control is “unjust, arbitrary, and unreasonable” because it “violates the [. . .] autonomy of couples” and “desecrates the sanctity of marriage”.

In his pastoral letter on population control legislation, Archbishop Capalla condemned the “two-child policy” bill that was approved last week by a committee of the Filipino Congress. The goal of the policy is to impose controls on population growth.

“The measure imposes fine and imprisonment for parents, spouses, and health professionals who impede ‘sexual and reproductive rights’ [i.e. a euphemism for contraception and abortion],” Archbishop Capalla said.

The programme that the bill would set up is called Lingtas Buntis and involves a mass information campaign on fertility control methods and government financial aid to couples who decide to stop at two children.

According to the chairman of the Bishops’ Conference, the bill’s “premises are all wrong. A long line of serious economists and demographers have long discredited the Malthusian myth that positive population growth stunts economic growth. Modern history has also demolished this myth.”

Now what happens if you have six children,like me? Is it like opening day of Trout Season, if you're over your limit you have to throw some back? I'm sure Jane Fonda and Hillary would be huge supporters of this policy.

Tune in to 540WFLA at 3PM this afternoon.

Bud Hedinger will have the latest breaking news on the plight of Terry Schiavo.

Hugh Hewitt mentioned me on his blog!

Pat Campbell is a morning drive host in Orlando who was kind enough to interview me about Blog last week. He obviously understands the combined power of talk radio and blogging, and has launched PC540, and is all over the Terri Schiavo case. Look for Campbell, already a force in Orlando, to become one of that region's dominant voices.

I am honored to be recognized by Hugh's site. He is the Father of the Talk Radio/Blogging movement. His blog gets a ton of traffic.

Here's a quick wrap-up of what we covered on the show.

A 13-year-old student in Orange County, Fla., was suspended for 10 days and could be banned from school over an alleged assault with a rubber band

These zero tolerance policies are getting ridiculous, they need to be done away with,stuff like this should be handled on a case by case basis. I get the feeling we're not getting all the details. Based on the information we have the maximum penalty should have been detention.

ORANGE CITY -- Alex Crionas needs a kidney, and Patrick Garrity has one to give him.

They went through rigorous blood and tissue testing last month at LifeLink HealthCare Institute, which coordinates the transplant program for Tampa General Hospital, and say they were declared physically compatible for the operation.

But the hope of a new life for the 28-year-old Crionas didn't last long.

Crionas got a letter earlier this month from LifeLink, a Tampa nonprofit that links patients and donors, telling him his request for surgery was rejected because Crionas had a Web site seeking a donor.

The organ transplant system in this country is all screwed up. It's not based solely on need but rather geographic location. I think people should be allowed to buy and sell organs. We brainstormed on-air for ways to increase the pool of available organs.

MAN CHARGED WITH ALLEGED PLOT TO KILL PRESIDENT BUSH: Twenty-three-year-old Ahmed Omar Abu Ali, a U.S. citizen born in Houston and raised in Virginia, was charged yesterday with conspiring with al-Qaida to kill President Bush in a conspiracy thought up while he studied in Saudi Arabia. Abu Ali had been held without charges in Saudi Arabia since June 2003. He was returned yesterday and made an initial court appearance soon after. He didn't enter a plea, but charged he was tortured in Saudi Arabia. According to the charges, Abu Ali discussed plans with an al-Qaida member in 2002 and 2003 to kill Bush by either shooting him or using a car bomb. His family and friends contend the charges are not true, and had previously filed a lawsuit claiming U.S. officials had Saudi authorities detain Abu Ali so he could be harshly questioned.

After I shared this story Kiefer Sutherland of FOX's hit TV series 24 made a cameo appearance to issue the following disclaimer...

"Hi. My name is Kiefer Sutherland. And I play counter-terrorist agent Jack Bauer on Fox's 24. I would like to take a moment to talk to you about something that I think is very important. Now while terrorism is obviously one of the most critical challenges facing our nation and the world, it is important to recognize that the American Muslim community stands firmly beside their fellow Americans in denouncing and resisting all forms of terrorism. So in watching 24, please, bear that in mind."

We also talked about No Media Interest in Secret Clinton Tapes?

Newsmax is reporting...
The New York Times thought it was front page news when it obtained secret recordings of presidential candidate George Bush sharing a few personal insights, like admitting that he once tried marijuana.

But the Times and the rest of the prestige press don't seem particularly interested in another set of secret tapes, recorded while one of the participants actually occupied the Oval Office. Only last June, former White House paramour Monica Lewinsky revealed that she's sitting on a stash of never-before-heard tapes of her own - recordings of President Clinton whispering sweet nothings into her answering machine.

At the time, Lewinsky threatened to make the tapes public, telling London's Daily Mail:

"If I chose to, I could bring out ... the messages on the answering machine tapes that no one's heard. I could make it into something big to try to demonstrate that this wasn't just inappropriate intimate contact - that it really was something."

Really something?

Wouldn't you love to hear some of these tapes? They'd be in heavy rotation on my show!

Local 6 reporting...
Man In Uniform Falsely Tells Army Wife Her Husband Died In Iraq

POSTED: 2:32 pm EST February 22, 2005

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Military police are investigating a cruel hoax in which a man wearing an Army dress uniform falsely told the wife of a soldier that her husband had been killed in Iraq.

What a sick stunt, find this SOB and prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law.

Who would really benefit from an Election Day holiday?

Bruce Bartlett has a different argument:

I don't agree that giving people the day off on election day will benefit Democrats. Think about it. Most of their constituency doesn't work that day anyway. They are either retired, on welfare, or union members who have already negotiated that as a day off. Republicans mainly get votes from people who are working and paying taxes. That's why they are Republicans. On balance, making it easier for those people to vote would probably help the Republicans more than the Democrats, in my opinion. I think there is even some academic literature supporting this proposition.

Update on the Brooklyn 6th Graders that slammed a GI.

The NY POST reporting...
WRITING A WRONG
By DAVID ANDREATTA

The city Department of Education, red-faced over Brooklyn sixth-graders who slammed a GI with demoralizing anti-Iraq-war letters as part of a school assignment, will send the 20-year-old private a letter of apology today.

Deputy Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina, who has a nephew serving in Iraq, plans to personally contact Pfc. Rob Jacobs and his family, said department spokeswoman Michele McManus Higgins...

In an accompanying letter to Jacobs, Kunhardt had written that the students "come from a variety of backgrounds and political beliefs, but unanimously support the bravery and sacrifice of American soldiers around the world."

The teacher is the one that owes the GI an apology!

Emergency Stay Issued in Right-To-Die Case

DUNEDIN, Fla. - The case of a severely brain-damaged woman remained locked in a legal stalemate Tuesday after an appeals court cleared the way for her husband to remove her feeding tube only to see a judge promptly block the removal for at least another day.

The 2nd District Court of Appeal offered no specific instructions in a one-page mandate issued in the case of Terri Schiavo, who was left brain damaged 15 years ago. That meant her husband, Michael Schiavo, could order his wife's tube be removed.

But Pinellas Circuit Court Judge George Greer later issued an emergency stay about an hour later blocking removal of the feeding tube until 5 p.m. EST Wednesday. Greer, who has been overseeing the long-standing dispute, scheduled a hearing on the case for Wednesday.

SOLDIER STUNNED BY LETTER KIDS' RANTS

An American soldier overseas is fuming over letters he received from Brooklyn middle-school children accusing GIs of destroying mosques and killing civilians in Iraq.

Pfc. Rob Jacobs of New Jersey said he was initially ecstatic to get a package of letters from sixth-graders at JHS 51 in Park Slope last month at his base 10 miles from the North Korea border.

That changed when he opened the envelope and found missives strewn with politically charged rhetoric, vicious accusations and demoralizing predictions that only a handful of soldiers would leave the Iraq war alive.

"It's hard enough for soldiers to deal with being away from their families, they don't need to be getting letters like this," Jacobs, 20, said in a phone interview from his base at Camp Casey.

One Muslim boy wrote: "Even thoe [sic] you are risking your life for our country, have you seen how many civilians you or some other soldier killed?"

His letter, which was stamped with a smiley face, went on: "I know your [sic] trying to save our country and kill the terrorists but you are also destroying holy places like Mosques."

The letters were written as a social-studies assignment.

The JHS 51 teacher, Alex Kunhardt, did not return phone calls, but the school principal, Xavier Costello, responded with a statement:

"While we would never censor anything that our children write, we sincerely apologize for forwarding letters that were in any way inappropriate to Pfc. Jacobs. This assignment was not intended to be insensitive, but to be supportive of the men and women in service to our nation."

This teacher failed to do his job. He should have proofread the letters before sending them. Anything that was objectionable or in poor taste should have been excluded. Failure to do so was irresponsible. The teacher should be reprimanded.
The claim that they don't censor is laughable. Have you ever heard of zero tolerance policies at schools? Do you remember two kids being suspended for drawing threatening stick figures? Give me a break! They censor when it suits their agenda.

Here's a sneak peek at Wednesday's show

Special Guest: Jason Bloom, forensic psychologist and trial consultant

Topic: With the Michael Jackson case choosing jurors this coming week -- among others in the near future -- Jason Bloom will discuss jury selection issues and procedures including the identification of dangerous jurors, jury persuasion in the courtroom, the power of opening statements, effective witness testimony- what makes a witness credible or not, general trial strategies.

"Law of the Sea Treaty"

Frank Gaffney rocked at 7AM. In addition to weighing in on the Syria/Iran alliance he also weighed in on...

Conservatives are highly critical of a revived "Law of the Sea Treaty" supported by President Bush and Sec. of State Condoleeza Rice, which would give the UN virtual control of the world’s oceans, allow the UN to tax seabed mining and the like, and create yet another international court with jurisdiction over virtually anything that affecting the seas.

The treaty was rejected by President Reagan's Administration 22 years ago.

In a recent column for Human Events magazine,, Frank Gaffney, president of the Center for Security Policy, and Reagan's Assistant Secretary of Defense, wrote: "it is unimaginable that the United States would choose to expand the power and influence of the United Nations at a time when evidence of the latter's corruption, malfeasance and inherent anti-Americanism is growing by the day."

You can read Gaffney's full column here

Conservatives Predict Giuliani/Rice Ticket in 2008

Conservatives Predict Giuliani/Rice Ticket in 2008
By Nathan Burchfiel
CNSNews.com Correspondent
February 21, 2005

Washington (CNSNews.com) - Conservatives gathered in Washington, D.C., for a political action conference predicted that former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will win the Republican nomination for president in 2008.

Giuliani received 19 percent of the vote in a straw poll conducted over the weekend at the 32nd annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).

Giuliani narrowly edged Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who earned 18 percent of the vote after intensive campaigning by her supporters, who donned "Draft Rice in 2008" buttons and stickers.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), tied for third place with Sens. George Allen of Virginia and John McCain of Arizona; they all received 11 percent of the vote.

Other Republicans on the ballot included former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and New York Gov. George Pataki.

IMO this would be disastrous for the GOP. Rice is an outstanding choice, however Rudy Giuliani is kryptonite for the GOP. He's not a conservative, he has too many skeletons in his closet,he's a proabort and the red states will not support him. The only thing worse the Republicans could do is nominate Newt Gingrich virtually assuring Hillary of victory in 2008.

Frank Gaffney former Assistant Secretary of Defense

Frank Gaffney former Assistant Secretary of Defense and President of the Center for Security Policy joins me Tuesday(2/22/05)at 7AM ET to talk about the new Syria/Iran alliance and what the U.S. response should be.

IRAN, SYRIA IN NEW ALLIANCE

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran and Syria, both facing pressure from the United States, said yesterday they will form a "united front" to confront possible threats against them, state-run television reported.

"In view of the special conditions faced by Syria, Iran will transfer its experience, especially concerning sanctions, to Syria," Mohammad Reza Aref, Iran's first vice president, was quoted as saying after meeting Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otari.

"At this sensitive point, the two countries require a united front due to numerous challenges."

Otari concurred, saying, "The challenges we face in Syria and Iran require us to be in one front to confront all the challenges imposed [on us] by others."

The report did not specifically mention the challenges, but both countries are under U.S. economic sanctions and the targets of intense American pressure.

Iran, which President Bush had labeled part of an "axis of evil" with North Korea and prewar Iraq, was named an "outpost of tyranny" last month by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

The United States has accused Iran of seeking to produce nuclear weapons, while relations with Syria have deteriorated, especially since Monday's assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Many Lebanese blamed Monday's car bombing in Beirut on Syria, but the Syrian government has denied responsibility. Washington is recalling its ambassador from Syria in apparent response to Hariri's killing.

Washington also accuses Syria of aiding anti-Israeli militants and supporting terrorists in Iraq.

Tehran and Damascus have been strategic allies for years. Syria was the only Arab country that continued its warm relations with Iran during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war.

Bill Maher: Christians have neurological disorder

Television personality Bill Maher, host of HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher," says Christians and others who are religious suffer from a neurological disorder that "stops people from thinking."

Appearing as a guest on MSNBC's "Scarborough Country" this week, Maher told host Joe Scarborough:

"We are a nation that is unenlightened because of religion. I do believe that. I think that religion stops people from thinking. I think it justifies crazies. I think flying planes into a building was a faith-based initiative. I think religion is a neurological disorder. If you look at it logically, it's something that was drilled into your head when you were a small child. It certainly was drilled into mine at that age. And you really can't be responsible when you are a kid for what adults put into your head."

The former host of "Politically Incorrect" said the lack of enlightenment of so many Americans means the nation actually has more in common with its enemies than one might think.

Said Maher: "When you look at beliefs in such things as, do you go to heaven, is there a devil, we have more in common with Turkey and Iran and Syria than we do with European nations and Canada and nations that, yes, I would consider more enlightened than us."

Maher explained that he was not singling out evangelicals, but was targeting all "religious" people.

Bill Maher is the one with a neurological disorder. I'll tell you just how screwed up he really is Tuesday on The Pat Campbell Show 6 to 9AM ET on 540WFLA.

Desperate Housewives Outs Gay Teen With a Kiss

The fact that Desperate Housewives's 16-year-old Andrew Van de Camp (Shawn Pyfrom) is secretly gay hasn't exactly been the best-kept secret in town: the spoiler was all over the news a few weeks ago along with the rumor that actress Marcia Cross, who plays Andrew's mother Bree, was going to come out as a lesbian in real life (a rumor eventually denied by the actress).
But even with advance notice, Andrew's outing on last night's episode of the hit ABC drama was a welcome development in gay visibility on primetime network TV. It also made Desperate Housewives one of the few network TV series ever to air a gay kiss.

In episode 15 ("Impossible"), housewife Susan (Teri Hatcher) finds Andrew making out with teen gardener Justin (Ryan Carnes), in the pool. The boys, who are naked and kissing in a dark corner of the pool, duck under the water when Susan initially mistakes them for her daughter and her boyfriend; when they can't hold their breath any longer and are forced to surface. Susan realizes her mistake and stares at the two boys in surprise, while Andrew blurts out "I'm not gay!"

New character Justin is revealed to be gay earlier in the episode, when he admits to his employer, Gabrielle (Eva Longoria), that he tried to sleep with her because he's afraid he might be gay. "I've been fooling around with a buddy," Justin tells her, which is "no big deal," except lately, he's started to develop real feelings for his friend. "My buddy and I have been messing around for awhile, and this whole time I kept telling myself it didn't really mean anything, you know? Guess I've just been kidding myself, huh."

Gabrielle responds that "we're all in denial about something," but commends him for "finally facing the truth." Then she kisses him passionately on the way out, and when he admits it didn't do anything for him, she pats him on the cheek and pronounces, "Yep, definitely gay!"

Well they had to go and do it, they had to ruin it! You can't have a number one rated TV series without a gay character. I am so sick and tired of being bombarded
with this crap day in and day out. I want to move to an isolated island and become a hermit. Ode to Desperate Housewives.

Outstanding Interview with Bob Schindler(Terri Schiavo's Dad)

Bob Schindler spent the 8AM hour updating us on Terri's plight. I asked him what we could do to help? 1. Prayers 2. Contact your Florida State Legislator and urge them to take action.


If you're interested in signing an online petition to Governor Bush to support
Terry, it can be found here.

Does the State of Florida have the authority to starve someone to death?

Can the court starve Terri to death?
By Frank Pavone

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Terri Schiavo is not dying. She has no terminal illness. She is not in a coma. She is not on life-support equipment. She is not alone, but rather has loving parents and siblings ready to care for her for the rest of her life. She has not requested death.

A battle rages over whether she should be starved to death. Schiavo sustained brain injuries and cannot speak or eat normally. Nevertheless, the only tube attached to her is a small, simple, painless feeding tube that provides her nourishment directly to her digestive system. Her legal guardian is her husband, who already has another woman -- by whom he also has children. He wants Terri Schiavo's feeding tube removed. Of course, he could simply allow her to be cared for by her parents and siblings and get on with his life, but he refuses.

I have had two opportunities to visit Terri Schiavo, most recently on the first Sunday of February. I have been able to talk to her, to listen to her struggle to speak, to watch her focus her eyes and smile and attempt to kiss her parents. I have prayed with her, blessed her, and assured her that she has many friends around the country and around the world, who love her and want her to enjoy the same protections we all enjoy, even when we're wounded.

News articles have recently characterized Terri's situation by saying that some want to keep her alive against her husband's wishes. But Terri Schiavo is not dying. What does keeping her alive mean, if not the same thing as keeping you and me alive -- that is, by giving us adequate food, shelter, and care?

Some say that Terri's family should let her go. But this is not a matter of letting her go, because she isn't going anywhere. If, however, she is deprived of nourishment, then she would slowly die in the same way that any of us would slowly die if we were deprived of nourishment. It is called starvation. If the courts permit that to happen, then why should that permission apply only in Terri Schiavo's case? There would be no way to limit it to her case alone. Countless others would follow, and their deaths would be described as letting them die instead of killing them.

Where, indeed, does the state get the authority to starve people? Court decisions permitting this lack all authority, as Pope John Paul II teaches in Section 72 of The Gospel of Life. These decisions cannot be obeyed, because they are not binding on the conscience and are in fact acts of violence.

We are about to witness a historic event in Florida. As early as Tuesday of this week the State of Florida, once again, is going to allow Doctors to deny Terri Schivo food and water. If I denied my dog or cat food and water, and allowed it to starve to death, I would go to jail for animal abuse and cruelty. Yet we are about to do just that to another human being. This is barbaric, inhumane & cruel. It establishes a dangerous precident with consequences far beyond the Terri Schiavo case.

Monday at 8AM ET Terri Schiavo's Dad will be on my show

If you still haven't made up your mind about Michael Schiavo(Terri's husband)please read these links so that you can fully appreciate what a creep he really is...

www.zimp.org/abuse
This group of documents outlines ongoing abuses against Terri Schiavo by the guardian.

www.zimp.org/stuff
This group of documents deals with the incident that spurred Terri's disability and includes a bone scan that shows multiple trauma sites and broken bones as well as a police report taken from the night of the incident that indicates her case was routed to a homicide department.

Bloggers. Truth-tellers or vigilantes? Trophy-hunters or watchdogs?

With the abrupt resignation of CNN chief news executive Eason Jordan, the American media are struggling with how to respond to bloggers.

Some see the bloggers as an explosion of free speech, a democratic counterbalance to media arrogance and a much needed call for greater transparency in the media, while others see bloggers as vigilante partisans bent on discrediting and destroying the media.

Which camp do you think I'm in? Welcome to the revolution, baby!

Outrage Of The Week

From La Shawn Barber's Blog...

02.16.05

Michael Jackson On Same Floor As Pediatrics Unit???


I just heard on 630 AM WMAL that Michael Jackson, suffering from the flu, we’re told, is staying on the same floor as the Pediatrics Unit! Do you seen the absurd irony? A man on trial for molesting children is on the same floor…as children. Good grief.

Developing…

Update: I just got off the telephone with WMAL anchor Michelle Basch, who confirms that Jackson is staying on the same floor as the Pediatrics Unit. He’s supposedly there because it’s the most isolated area at Marian Medical Center. Oh, the irony is disgusting!

I think he should be locked in his room for the duration.

Update II (11:15 a.m.): I called Michelle Basch to reconfirm. She said the report is an ABC Exclusive paraphrased this way: “ABC has learned that Michael Jackson is staying on the same floor as the Pediatrics ward…”

Who was asleep at the switch at Marian Medical Center? This is like putting a kid in a candy store and saying "don't touch". I'm sure Wacko Jacko would agree this is Off the Wall.

Me & my lovely wife with Glenn Beck at The Real American Christmas Tour at The Hard Rock Live
 

Hugh Hewitt author of BLOG was on the PC Show Friday

Hugh Hewitt was on the show Friday to talk about his new book BLOG he inspired me to start this one. He gave me a little shout out on his blog.

A new media note. Book tours can be very time consuming and very expensive, but they allow an author to connect with local audience in the same way that a local morning drive talk show host connects with his or her audience. Launch Radio Networks has figured out how to do a "virtual" book tour by lining up 10 minutes segments with a series of hosts that accomplishes in 90 minutes what would otherwise take weeks to organize. I just finished a series of interviews with key talkers in Orlando (WFLA's Pat Campbell), Indianapolis (WXNT's Abdul) Medford (KMED's Bill Meyer), Baltimore (WCBM's Sean and Frank) Hartford (WTIC's Ray and Diane) Lansing (Mark and Joanne) Youngstown (WKBN's Robert Mangino) and Wassau (WSAU's Pat Snyder.) Eight cities covered and done so with a trusted host or hosts (all of whom seemed much more aware of the blogosphere than many newspaper types) but coordinated out of one studio in New York and one author in California. That's a fine innovation

All of these conversations also showed me that the penetration of blogging into the talk radio world is fairly complete. Each of these hosts read the blogs and most
are on the verge of launching their own in response to the obvious effectiveness of the platform.

Special thanks to Bernadette at LAUNCH who makes these great interviews possible.

Jihad in Jersey City?

Was a Coptic Christian family in New Jersey murdered for their faith? The father was an outspoken critic of Islam, who reportedly received death threats from Muslims. The Egyptian-American's entire family was found with their throats slit, leading many to insist it was an act of terrorism -- a hate crime.

Debbie Schlussel mentioned this story on my show(2/10/05) she was attacked by a Muslim caller who accused her of being a liar. Looks like Debbie might have been on to something. The story has legs.

Teresa Heinz Blames the Media

Newsmax is reporting...

Making what she called her "first real speech" since her husband lost the presidential election, Teresa Heinz blamed the media for distorting their position on the environment.

This is one bitter lady(sic) that just doesn't get it.

According to The Washington Times, Teresa Heinz, the erstwhile Teresa Heinz Kerry, has stopped using the last name of her husband, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, last year's Democrat presidential nominee.

How long before she dumps John Kerry? I give it no more than a year before they are in divorce court.

Start your day "The Right Way" 

Condi to replace Cheney next year?

WorldNetDaily is reporting

Vice President Dick Cheney likely will step down next year due to health reasons and be replaced by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, according to a report by geopolitical expert Jack Wheeler.

If true this is awesome and could have some serious implications for Hillary in 2008.