What Caught My Eye Today

Iran - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad insisted Friday that new sanctions won't force Iran to give up its right to enrich uranium, and he blasted the U.N. Security Council as an instrument used by "bullying" Western nations against Tehran. On Thursday, the governments of the five permanent U.N. Security Council members and Germany agreed on a new package of sanctions against Tehran for failing to halt the enrichment which the West fears is used for nuclear arms making. Iran denies the charge by the U.S. and some of its European allies that it is using uranium enrichment to secretly build nuclear weapons, claiming its nuclear program is for generating electricity. But the International Atomic Energy Agency says that while there is no evidence to prove Iran's nuclear program has diverted toward weapons, Tehran has stepped up enrichment rather than halt it. Is it just me or does this seem eeriely similar to the weapons of mass destruction that Iraq may or may not have had. 'We don't have WMDs...just all the ingredients needed to build them. What's wrong with that?' You'll have to excuse me for not giving Iran the benefit of the doubt.

FBI - Suspected members of extremist groups have signed up as school bus drivers in the United States, counterterror officials said Friday, in a cautionary bulletin to police. An FBI spokesman said, "Parents and children have nothing to fear." The bulletin did not say how often foreign extremists have sought to acquire licenses to drive school buses, or where. It noted "recent suspicious activity" by foreigners who either drive school buses or are licensed to drive them. But Homeland Security and the FBI "have no information indicating these individuals are involved in a terrorist plot against the homeland," it says. I'm not exactly sure what message you are attempting to convey with a bulletin that contains the phrases 'suspected members of extremist groups' and 'nothing to fear.' Not exactly the warm and fuzzy I was hoping for.

2008 Presidential Campaign - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday moved California's presidential primary from June to February, giving the nation's most populous state a greater stake in selecting nominees and shaking up the 2008 political calendar. California's bid for more clout has pressured other states to move up their contests, as well. That may diminish California's influence by turning the day into a national primary, with contests held in as many as 19 states. Oh goodie, now I can look forward to non stop election ads from September (for the general election) through February (for the primary). Thanks, guys. I owe you one.

Engineering - When John Cornwell graduated from Duke University last year, he landed a job as software engineer in Atlanta but soon found himself longing for his college lifestyle. So the engineering graduate built himself a reminder of life on campus: a refrigerator that can toss a can of beer to his couch with the click of a remote control. It took the 22-year-old Cornwell about 150 hours and $400 in parts to modify a mini-fridge common to many college dorm rooms into the beer-tossing contraption, which can launch 10 cans of beer from its magazine before needing a reload. Laugh if you will. My guess is this guy makes a fortune.

Golf - Bayhill showed its teeth today. Rocco Mediate surge to lead (-9) post a low round of the day, 65. Tiger Woods didn't do quite as well, posting a 3-over, 73 and is 6 shots off the lead going into the weekend. I still wouldn't bet against the boy, but its nice to see that even the best can have an off day from time to time.

Baseball - In case anyone was wondering, Barry Bonds has hit 4 dingers so far this pre-season. They start to count on April 3 when the Giants open their season at home against the San Diego Padres.

March Madness: Round #1 Update. As Round #1 wraps up, one of my upset picks finally panned out. Thank you, Winthrop. Going into Round #2, I'm 26 and 6.