What Caught My Eye This Week - Magazine Edition

Newsweek

Gun Control - In the aftermath of the Virginia Tech massacre, Newsweek ran a story on guns in the U.S. Here is a sampling of some of the statistics that were included in that story:

Top ten states with the highest percentage of guns in the home: Montana (76%), Wisconsin (62%), Kentucky (61%), Arkansas (58%), Missouri (54%), Mississippi (54%), Washington (53%), South Dakota (53%), Tennessee (49%) and Wyoming (49%)

Top ten countries by total firearms and firearms per 100 persons: U.S. (270,000,000 / 90), Yemen (11,500,000 / 61), Finland (2,900,000 / 56), Switzerland (3,400,000 / 46), Iraq (9,750,000 / 39), Serbia (3,050,000 / 38), France (19,000,000 / 32), Sweden (2,800,000 / 31), Austria (2,500,000 /31) and Germany (25,000,000 / 30).

Firearm Death Rates for select countries (firearm deaths / deaths per 100,000):
U.S. - 29,645 / 10.08
Switzerland - 459 / 6.40 (in case you were curious, like I was, most of these were suicides)
France - 2,964 / 4.93 (ditto)
Finland - 235 / 4/51 (ditto)
Belgium - 379 / 3.67
Spain - 309 / 0.75
Poland - 171 / 0.44
England - 159 / 0.31
South Korea - 49 / 0.10
Japan - 96 / 0.08

You can make your own conclusions. All I know is that the U.S. appears to be at the top of all the wrong lists

The Week

Ethanol - A new study says that ethanol might be a worse pollutant than gasoline. According to a computer model that simulates air quality, burning ethanol in car engines causes more smog and ozone than gasoline. The resulting air quality would cause about 200 more ozone-related deaths each year. I'm not saying this is a good thing, but how many gasoline-related deaths are there each day over in the Middle East? Oops, sorry. We're fighting for democracy over there, aren't we?

Abstinence - Abstinence-only sex education programs, which cost the federal government $176 million per year, don't seem to have any effect at all on kids' decisions about their sex lives according to a a study ordered by Congress. Lemme see here...duh.

Campaign Financing - Due to widespread disgust with campaign spending and advertising, support for the public campaign-financing system is waning. Only 7.3% of taxpayers who filed a tax return in 2006 designated a $3 contribution to help finance presidential campaigns compared with 27.5% in 1976. Two observations here. First, it doesn't exactly appear that here was ever much support for this programs. Second, how many front runners in the upcoming presidential race are relying on public financing? Yeah, that's right, zippo.

Extreme Engineering - Russian and American developers are planning to build the world's longest railway tunnel under the Bering Strait to link Siberia with Alaska. At 64 miles, the tunnel would be about twice as long as the Eurotunnel, which runs the under the English channel. While the technical challenges are considerable, the economic hurdles are even higher, with projected price tag for the project starting at around $65 billion. That may be true, but think about the traffic bottlenecks that will be alleviated. I here rush hour on a Friday night on the Bering Strait is murder.

Maxim

High Priced Hooch - Here are the 3 most expensive bottles of whiskey...if you can find one.
1. The Macallan Fine and Rare Collection (1926) - $38,000 (a shot will only set you back $3,300)
2. The Macallan Fine and Rare Collection (1939) - $10,125
3. Chival Regal royal Salute (50 year old) - $10,000

By the way, the hangover from any one of these fine spirits is still free.

Office Lingo - For hapless schmos (like me) who work in an office, here's a glossary of terms that you are likely to come across during your daily trials and tribulations along with some additional translation by yours truly):

Bandwidth: One's capacity to take on work (that is according to what your boss thinks as opposed to what is humanly possible)
Circle Back Around: To contine a meeting or discussion at a later date (basically a polite way of saying, 'we'll discuss your stupid idea after hell freezes over')
Granularity: The details (or the actual work it will take to pull this pipe dream off)
Hydraulics Of the Situation: The facts needed to understand an issue (truth be told, I haven't heard this one before)
Incentivize: To encourage (though the manner in which you are encouraged is not exactly clear, it usually involved a thinly disguised threat of being fired)
Low-hanging Fruit: Objectives that are easiest to accomplish (or the ones you never get to because of all the other craps you've been assigned)
Net It Out: To consider all the factors and summarize (a rather pointless activity, since management has already decided what it's going to do regardless of the facts)
Reconsense: To revise an opinion as necessary (usually to align it with whatever your boss's opinion is)
Socialize: To float an idea around the company in order to gauge reaction and win its acceptance (or the boss has already decided you're doing this, so get used to it now)
Throw It Over The Wall: Shift responsibility (which means, if you are low man on the totem pole, cancel your weekend plans)
Timebox: To do the best you can under time constraints (or business as usual)
Value Proposition: A particular advantage that a business offers a client (or 'here's how we're going to screw you and why you'll be smiling while we're doing it)
Wordsmith: To can a document and provide comments (also known as running the spell checker)

What Caught My Eye Today

Iraq - President Bush warned Congress Friday that he will continue vetoing war spending bills as long as they contain a timetable for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. He invited congressional leaders to come to the White House to discuss a new piece of legislation that would not include a timetable, and expressed hope a deal could be reached. Democratic leaders said they hoped to have a follow up bill ready by June 1. Several Democratic officials have said the next measure likely will jettison the withdrawal timetable, but may include consequences if the Iraqi government does not meet certain benchmarks, such as expanding democratic participation and allocating oil resources. And such consequences would be what? I'm curious how the wording of these benchmarks and consequences will influence the palatability of the spending bill both for Congress and the White House. Let the wordsmithing commence.

Britain - Prime Minister Tony Blair, preparing to step down after a decade in power, says he has changed British politics for good and history will judge his decision to back the invasion of Iraq. Blair set out his achievements in a memo to lawmakers of the ruling Labour Party. Blair's memo showed his determination to secure his legacy and disprove critics who say he squandered the huge political capital he enjoyed when he came to power in 1997, ousting an unpopular Conservative government that had ruled for 18 years. Blair is expected to announce his resignation soon after he reaches the milestone of 10 years in office on May 1. Dude isn't exactly overflowing with humility is he?

iPods - Banning baseball caps during tests was obvious — students were writing the answers under the brim. Then, schools started banning cell phones, realizing students could text message the answers to each other. Now, they're targeting iPods and other digital media players as potential tools for cheaters. Who thinks American students are stupid now, huh? Pretty creative use of technology, I think. Clearly beyond the realm of dullards and simpletons.

Baseball - After winning 8 straight to follow up a 2 and 7 start, the San Francisco Giants now lead the NL West at 12 and 8. Having said that, and now having hope that they're actually good, I fully expect them to implode.

And this just in (literally)...

A former New York Mets clubhouse employee pleaded guilty Friday to distributing steroids to major league players, and is cooperating with baseball's steroids investigation. Friday's guilty plea is the latest development in the steroids scandal that has plagued sport in recent years. And it put baseball back in the doping spotlight and surely will get fans wondering what names will follow. Oh happy day. I was getting tired of just watching them play.

Football - You have to hand it to the NFL for making its annual draft such a big deal. ESPN has already aired 4 or 5 thousand hours of coverage on the draft (I may be lowballing the actual number of hours...they have lots of networks, you know) and will be airing the all 7 rounds of the draft this weekend. As for me...I'll be watch highlights of the Cricket World Cup. I hear the commentators are riveting.

What Caught My Eye Today

Iraq - In a bold wartime challenge to President Bush, the Democratic-controlled Congress cleared legislation Thursday to begin withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq by Oct. 1 with a goal of a complete pullout six months later. The White House dismissed the legislation as "dead before arrival." The 51-46 Senate vote was largely along party lines, and like House passage a day earlier it underscored that the war's congressional opponents are far short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a Bush veto. Several Democratic officials have said they expect the next measure will jettison the withdrawal timetable, a concession to Bush. At the same time, they say they hope to include standards for the Iraqi government to meet on issues such as expanding democratic participation and allocating oil resources. Bush and congressional Republicans, eager to signal the public that they do not support an open-ended commitment to Iraq, have both embraced these so-called benchmarks. Unlike Democrats, they generally oppose using benchmarks to require specific actions, such as troop withdrawals. Here's how I score Round 1 of this standoff...a draw. On to Round 2.

Civil Unions - New Hampshire is set to become the fourth state to offer civil unions for gay couples with legislation approved Thursday and sent to Gov. John Lynch, who has said he would sign it. "This legislation is a matter of conscience, fairness and of preventing discrimination," said governor's spokesman. "It is in keeping with New Hampshire's proud tradition of preventing discrimination." New Jersey, Connecticut and Vermont already offer civil unions for gay couples. Neighboring Massachusetts in 2004 became the only state to allow gay marriage. Washington, Maine, California, New York City and Washington D.C., recognize domestic partnerships. New York Governor Eliot Spitzer this week pledged to introduce gay marriage legislation in the next few weeks. You can almost hear the steam coming out of the conservative right wingers who are desperately trying to gain momemtum for a Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Not exactly working out the way you guys planned it, eh?

American Idol - The charity special filled with wrenching pictures of impoverished children and celebrity appeals raised more than $60 million with more donations still coming in. Some of the highlights from last night's telethon (let's call a 'duck' a 'duck' shall we):

Elvis lives - Singing a duet with an obviously 'delighted' Celine Dion
Ben Stiller - Stick with your day job, bro', though kudos for having the most lighthearted segment
Jack Black - You know, if that acting gig doesn't pan out for you, I'd try this singing deal. Looks like Seal was impressed
Carrie Underwood - Great rendition of the Pretender's classic. I'll admit it, I was grabbing for the tissue box by the end of that segment.
Stayin' Alive clip - Cute but dumb.
Simpsons clip - Watching Simon cover a Pussycat Dolls song...priceless.

Oh by the way, in the spirit of the evening, "American Idol" decided not to bounce a contestant as usual Wednesday — meaning two singers will be going home next week.

Police Blotter - Some big time actors look like they're going to have to brush off the old Roledex to find those lawyers' numbers:

Hugh Grant: Hugh Grant has been arrested and questioned by police after a photographer accused the actor of attacking him with a tub of baked beans. The photographer said that he and Grant clashed near the home of the star and alleged that Grant abused and kicked him before lobbing the beans. So like this happened out of the blue without provocation, right? I think not.

Richard Gere: An Indian court ordered the arrest of Richard Gere for repeatedly kissing Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty at an AIDS campaign event, saying it was an obscene act committed in public. Gere's kisses on Shetty's cheeks at an event to promote AIDS awareness in New Delhi sparked protests in some parts of India, mostly by Hindu vigilante groups, who saw it as an outrage against her modesty and an affront to Indian culture. I saw a picture of the incident and have to say, she didn't look like she was in agony, but wasn't exactly thrilled by being groped by the dirty old man.

Cricket - Here's one from the 'No kidding, Sherlock' file.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive admitted that the 2007 World Cup, which lasts for a marathon seven weeks, is too long. The World Cup, which reaches a conclusion with the final between champions Australia and Sri Lanka on Saturday, staged its first competitive match on March 13. This year's competition is spread over 47 days (which officials are trying to cut down by about 7) with the majority of the matches being played out half-empty stadiums.

This is clearly just one guy's opinion (mine, but then again this is my blog, isn't it), but this is one of those rare activities that makes you wish for an early onset of death.

What Caught My Eye Today

Iraq - President Bush and the Democratic-controlled Congress lurched toward a veto showdown over Iraq, as the House planned to vote on legislation that would order troops to begin coming home by Oct. 1. Democrats predicted the bill would pass, albeit narrowly, while Republicans said setting a timetable on the war would hand a victory to terrorists. Democrats view the November elections that allowed them to take control of the House and the Senate as a referendum on Bush's conduct of the war. Bush, however, says he stands firm on his latest strategy for winning the war and dismisses as counterproductive the Democratic call for withdrawal. Some Republicans said they would be open to legislation that would condition foreign aid for Iraq on the government's ability to meet certain standards, such as reaching a political compromise on sharing oil revenues. I think I've got this straight now. Democrats have enough votes to send a bill to the President to get vetoed and now some Republicans are now saying what it would take for them to support the legislation. If that's true and Democrats decide to play ball, the President could quickly find himself up a creek without a paddle.

In other news...

Radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr strongly condemned construction of a wall around a Sunni neighborhood in Baghdad, calling for demonstrations against the plan as a sign of "the evil will" of American "occupiers." The remarks were the first by the anti-American cleric since the U.S. military announced last week that it was building a three-mile long 12-foot high concrete wall in Azamiyah, a Sunni stronghold that has been targeted by mortar and rocket attacks by Shiite militiamen. Tell me again who thought this was a good idea. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's not like we haven't seen the ineffectiveness of building walls. Anyone remember how that Berlin Wall deal turned out?

Dow Jones - The Dow Jones industrial average shot past 13,000 for the first time Wednesday as stronger-than-expected earnings reports streamed in, suggesting to investors that corporate America is successfully weathering the cooling economy. The Dow climbed to a record as many of the country's biggest companies surpassed analysts' first-quarter earnings projections. Wall Street got an additional lift from the Commerce Department's report on durable goods last month, which showed a gain in orders of business capital goods and reassured investors that demand for U.S. products remains strong. 13,000? Bid deal. You find way to get gasoline prices back under $3.00 a gallon, then I'll be impressed.

Taliban - A top Taliban commander said al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden was behind the February attack outside the U.S. military base in Bagram, Afghanistan, during the visit there by Vice President Dick Cheney. Bin Laden planned and supervised the attack that killed 23 people outside the base during Cheney's visit said the Taliban's main military commander in southern Afghanistan who has had close associations with al-Qaida. On the off chance that this claim is valid, I guess that means bin Laden is still alive and kicking. Lucky us.

Dancing With The Stars - I almost forgot about this one. Heather Mills, the estranged wife of ex-Beatle Paul McCartney, was voted off the hit television show "Dancing with the Stars" on Tuesday after winning widespread praise for performing with an artificial leg. Mills and partner Jonathan Roberts made it to the sixth week of the ABC network's knock-out competition which pairs celebrities with professional dancers, but a tumble on the dance floor last week had put them in the bottom two. Her participation in the fourth season of "Dancing with the Stars" has proved a big ratings draw for the program with nearly 22 million viewers tuning in at one stage to watch her fox-trotting across the floor, the first contestant to compete with an artificial leg. Other celebrity contestants remaining in the show include world female boxing champion Laila Ali (daughter of Muhammad Ali), country music star Billy Ray Cyrus, former 'N Sync boy-band member Joey Fatone and Olympic speed-skater Apolo Anton Ohno.

Hockey - Newsflash, the quarterfinals are over. Only 8 teams remain in the chase for the Stanley Cup. Here's who is left along with my expert opinion of who will advance to the Conference finals:

Eastern Conference:
(6) NY Rangers vs. (1) Buffalo Sabres - Sabres in 6
(4) Ottawa Senators vs. (2) NJ Devils - Senators in 7

Western Conference:
(5) SJ Sharks vs. (1) Detroit Red Wings - SJ in 6
(7) Vancouver Canucks vs. (2) Anaheim Ducks - Anaheim in 5

What Caught My Eye Today

Astronomy - For the first time astronomers have discovered a planet outside our solar system that is potentially habitable, with Earth-like temperatures. The planet is just the right size, might have water in liquid form, and in galactic terms is relatively nearby at 120 trillion miles away. But the star it closely orbits, known as a "red dwarf," is much smaller, dimmer and cooler than our sun. There's still a lot that is unknown about the new planet, which could be deemed inhospitable to life once more is known about it. The discovery of the new planet, named 581 c, is sure to fuel studies of planets circling similar dim stars. About 80 percent of the stars near Earth are red dwarfs. The new planet is about five times heavier than Earth. Its discoverers aren't certain if it is rocky like Earth or if its a frozen ice ball with liquid water on the surface. Great news! With real estate prices soaring here, maybe I can find a deal there.

Virginia Tech - Some more developments...

More than a week after Seung-Hui Cho killed 32 people during an early morning rampage at Virginia Tech, investigators have yet to find a motive, despite examining his computers, e-mail and cell phone records. Authorities have found no evidence that could begin to explain the massacre that ended when Cho took his own life or any link between the 23-year-old loner and his victims. So like what qualifies as motive with these guys?

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said on Sunday that armed students have successfully stopped killers in the classroom and suggested that armed students may have been able to stop Cho before he killed 32 students and faculty members. You boob.

2008 Presidential Campaign - Republican Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record) will lay out his case for the presidency Wednesday, claiming he has the experience to lead a nation at war as he seeks momentum for his troubled campaign. "I know how to fight and how to make peace. I know who I am and what I want to do," he said. Good for you, spark plug. As I see it, you knowing what you want to do isn't the problem. It's that no one agrees with what you want to do. That could be a problem on election day.

Iraq - Vice President Dick Cheney accused Democratic leader Harry Reid on Tuesday of personally pursuing a defeatist strategy in Iraq to win votes at home — a charge Reid dismissed as President Bush's "attack dog" lashing out. The particularly harsh exchange came just hours after Bush said he would veto the latest war spending bill taking shape in Congress, which includes a timetable for withdrawing from Iraq. Who else besides me wants to see these two guys duke it out in a real life version of 'Celebrity Deathmatch'?

Mexico - Mexico's capital legalized abortion on Tuesday, defying the church but delighting feminists in the world's second-largest Roman Catholic country. Mexico City lawmakers voted 46 to 19 to pass a leftist-sponsored bill allowing women to abort in the first three months of pregnancy. The vote split Mexico and prompted a letter last week from Pope Benedict urging Mexican bishops to oppose abortion. Look at it this way, Your Holiness, you might be losing your grip on Mexico, but thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court you made up ground here. All things considered, I'd say you came out ahead.

Yachting - Half way through the first round robin of the America's Cup qualifier, the Louis Vuitton Cup, USA-98 (designation for the Oracle BMW Racing boat) is the only undefeated entry after 5 races. Say it with me now, 'Loo-EE Vi-Tone'. It'll make you smile. Seriously, try it.

What Caught My Eye Today

Russia - Boris Yeltsin, who kicked the props out from under the tottering Soviet empire and then struggled to build a nation from its wreckage, died Monday after seeing many of his democratic reforms rolled back. The former Russian president was 76. President Vladimir Putin spoke to the nation four hours after the announcement of Yeltsin's death to praise briefly Russia's first freely elected president as a man "thanks to whom a whole new epoch has started." "New democratic Russia was born, a free state open to the world; a state in which power truly belongs to the people," Putin said. Truth be told, I thought he died a few years ago. Oops.

War on Terrorism - A historic veto showdown assured, Democratic leaders agreed Monday on legislation that requires the first U.S. combat troops to be withdrawn from Iraq by Oct. 1 with a goal of a complete pullout six months later. Bush, confident of enough votes to sustain his veto, was unambiguous in his response. "I will strongly reject an artificial timetable for withdrawal and/or Washington politicians trying to tell those who wear the uniform how to do their job." Democratic leaders hope to clear the measure through both houses by Friday and send it to Bush by early next week for his expected veto. They have not said whether they will attempt to override the veto in what would be a largely symbolic act given the number of Republicans who have said they will back the president. There is far less certainty about the next steps in the historic wartime confrontation between Congress and commander in chief. Democrats have said repeatedly they will not leave the troops without the funds they need, but they have not said whether they will first force Bush to veto at least one more bill before sending him legislation he finds acceptable. I'm not worried. Clearly they have a plan. They wouldn't be going through all this trouble without plan. They do have a plan, right?

2008 Presidential Race - Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record) said Monday that President Bush has fallen short in his role as leader of the free world, and the 2008 election is a chance to change that. Obama reiterated his call for a phased withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq and said bringing a responsible end to the war was one of the ways the country could begin to lead again if he is elected president. Another would be to increase the overall size of the military by adding 65,000 soldiers to the Army and 27,000 Marines, forces stretched thin fighting wars abroad and protecting the homeland. He said the United States must work with Russia to make sure its weapons and nuclear materiel are secured. Also, he said the world must stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and work to eliminate North Korea's nuclear weapons program. While I'm not one to disagree with criticism of Bush's foreign policy, Obama doesn't exactly have a lot of foreign policy experience to draw from. He's been a U.S. Senator for what, ten minutes?

Addiction - The latest health scare to concern college campus officials is exercise bulimia, a type of eating disorder that drives patients to cut their weight by working out at least two hours a day. In addition to extreme weight loss, the syndrome can lead to stress fractures or early osteoporosis. Thankfully, this is one health risk that I don't have to worry about. Too much exercise? Yeah, right.

Baseball - Oh dear. Don't look now, but somebody's got 740 home runs.

Cycling - Tour de France winner Floyd Landis blamed the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency after a report on Monday that further analyses of his urine samples from the 2006 Tour had shown traces of synthetic testosterone. He said in a statement posted on his website that USADA had stopped a rider's observer from attending the retesting of the samples at a French laboratory. So am I to understand that if an observer was present, the results would have been different? I don't know, dude. Sounds like a bit of a stretch to me.

What Caught My Eye Today

Iraq - U.S. soldiers are building a three-mile wall to protect a Sunni Arab enclave surrounded by Shiite neighborhoods in a Baghdad area "trapped in a spiral of sectarian violence and retaliation," the military said. It said the concrete wall, including barriers as tall as 12 feet, "is one of the centerpieces of a new strategy by coalition and Iraqi forces to break the cycle of sectarian violence" in Baghdad. U.S. and Iraqi forces have long erected cement barriers around marketplaces and coalition bases and outposts in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities such as Ramadi in an effort to prevent attacks, including suicide car bombs. It seems to me that Iraqis should be looking for ways to tear down the walls that divide them (metaphorically speaking, of course) not building more walls.

Impeachment - Vermont senators voted Friday to call for the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, saying their actions have raised "serious questions of constitutionality." The nonbinding resolution was approved 16-9 without debate — all six Republicans in the chamber at the time and three Democrats voted against it. Bush and Cheney's actions in the U.S. and abroad, including in Iraq, "raise serious questions of constitutionality, statutory legality, and abuse of the public trust," the resolution reads. Why not? If the Feds are content with wasting time on non-binding resolutions, no reason why state legislatures shouldn't have the same fun.

France - It's been a presidential campaign unlike any France has seen, with rioting youth, a bikini-clad candidate and a national identity crisis, with many scattershot proposals but no central theme to unite the French. On Sunday, it comes down to the 40 percent of voters who are keeping the nation guessing until the last minute of a captivating campaign with stakes for all of Europe. The presidential contenders are still trying to fathom what voters want, and have seemed ready to do anything to court the fringes or the middle — or the opposite camp. Across the country, jobs are voters' No. 1 concern, polls show. But the campaign focus never stayed on jobs, instead switching to school choice, trashing the European Central Bank and taxing the rich, then to cracking down on youth rampaging in a Paris train station. In recent weeks, the most enduring campaign theme was French identity. That, in turn, renewed French gloom over its shrinking role in the world, and the world economy. That may be true, but look at it this way. The French have the better food, the better wine, a language that makes a trip to the bathroom sound sexy, and by a wide margin the best method of kissing. If you think about it, the reason some many of us (myself included) hate the French is envy.

Catholicism - The Roman Catholic Church has effectively buried the concept of limbo, the place where centuries of tradition and teaching held that babies who die without baptism went. In a long-awaited document, the Church's International Theological Commission said limbo reflected an "unduly restrictive view of salvation." The verdict that limbo could now rest in peace had been expected for years. The document was seen as most likely the final word since limbo was never part of Church doctrine, even though it was taught to Catholics well into the 20th century. So long as they don't get rid of purgatory, I'm cool with this. I'd hate to think that I'm definitely going straight to hell.

American Idol - Rumor has it that Sanjaya may meet the President at a correspondents dinner hosted by the White House. The ousted Idol contestant has been invited to the glittery event by the People magazine. You know, I almost feel sorry for the President.

Sports - Already then, how about that update on all those obscure sporting event going on in Europe?

America's Cup - American boat BMW Oracle Racing enjoyed two wins as the America's Cup challengers series started. The Americans led from start to finish and sailed to easy wins over United Internet Team Germany and China Team. Owner Larry Ellison took the helm as Oracle crossed the finish line 2 minutes ahead of the Germans. The Louis Vuitton Cup, which runs through June 11, will decide which of the challengers will sail against America's Cup champion Alinghi in the final from June 23-July 4.

Tour de France - The director of the Tour de France is asking cycling teams to exclude riders who were implicated in the Spanish doping investigation. More than 50 cyclists were implicated in the Spanish probe before the 2006 Tour started, leading to pre-race favorites Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso, along with seven other riders, being excluded from the race. "The Tour was sullied last year," the Tour director said. "It won't happen again." That's true. They're going to run out of riders who are clean enough to race.

What Caught My Eye Today

Virginia Tech - In high school, Cho Seung-Hui almost never opened his mouth. When he finally did, his classmates laughed, pointed at him and said: "Go back to China." As such details of the Virginia Tech shooter's life come out, and experts pore over his sick and twisted writings and his videotaped rant, it is becoming increasingly clear that Cho was almost a textbook case of a school shooter: a painfully awkward, picked-on young man who lashed out with methodical fury at a world he believed was out to get him. When criminologists and psychologists look at mass murders, Cho fits the themes they see repeatedly: a friendless figure, someone who has been bullied, someone who blames others and is bent on revenge, a careful planner, a male. And someone who sent up warning signs with his strange behavior long in advance.

Yet somehow he still managed to pull this off. To me, that speaks volumes about the state about our mental health system...or lack thereof.

Attorney General - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales struggled Thursday to convince skeptical senators he did nothing improper in firing eight federal prosecutors, losing ground as a second senator from his own party joined the calls for his resignation. Republican as well as Democratic lawmakers challenged the embattled attorney general during an often-bitter five-hour hearing before the Judiciary Committee. Lawmakers confronted Gonzales with documents and sworn testimony they said showed he was more involved in the dismissals than he contended. Even with the White House offering fresh support, it was a long day for the attorney general. Seventy-one times he fell back on faulty memory, saying he could not recall or remember conversations or events surrounding the firings. On the bright side, we appear to have finally found something that appears to have bi-partisan support in Congess--the desire for Gonzales to resign.

Iraq - Defense Secretary Robert Gates, on an unannounced trip to Iraq, delivered a sharp message to the country's political leaders Thursday: The U.S. military's commitment to the war is not open-ended. Gates, traveling to Iraq for the third time in four months, took a decidedly stronger tone this time, reflecting U.S. frustration and the political tumult in Washington, where President Bush and Congress are deadlocked over whether to set an end date for the war. He said that the Washington debate has been helpful in letting the Iraqis know that American patience with the war is ebbing. That's certainly an interested way to put it. One wonders, if he cleared his comments with the White House first or just spoke his mind? If so, at least we have one guy associated with the Administration who has some grasp on reality.

American Idol - Finally...Sanjaya gets the boot. Thank God.

Baseball - Two superstars are having pretty good stars to the season.

Alex Rodriguez - Having homered for the third straight game, Rodriguez increased his major league-leading totals to 10 homers and 26 RBIs. Yet somehow, I'm guessing Yankees fans will find something to critize about A-Rod

Barry Bonds - Watch out, Mr. Selig. Bonds hit his fourth of the season bringing him to 738, just 18 shy of breaking Hank Aaron's reord.

What Caught My Eye Today

Virginia Tech - Midway through his murderous rampage, the Virginia Tech gunman went to the post office and mailed NBC a package containing photos and videos of him brandishing guns and delivering a snarling, profanity-laced tirade about rich "brats" and their "hedonistic needs." NBC said the package contained a rambling and often-incoherent, 1,800-word video manifesto on CD, plus 43 photos, 11 of them showing him aiming handguns at the camera. The package arrived at NBC headquarters in New York two days after Cho killed 32 people and committed suicide in the deadliest one-man shooting rampage in modern U.S. history. It bore a Postal Service time stamp showing that it had been mailed at a Blacksburg post office at 9:01 a.m. Monday, about an hour and 45 minutes after Cho first opened fire. Earlier in the day, authorities disclosed that more than a year before the massacre, Cho was accused of stalking two women and was taken to a psychiatric hospital on a magistrate's orders and was pronounced a danger to himself. But he was released with orders to undergo outpatient treatment. The disclosure added to the rapidly growing list of warning signs that appeared well before the student opened fire. Among other things, Cho's twisted, violence-filled writings and sullen, vacant-eyed demeanor had disturbed professors and students so much that he was removed from one English class and was repeatedly urged to get counseling. This is just to eeire and disturbing to offer commentary on...so I won't.

Supreme Court - The Supreme Court's new conservative majority gave anti-abortion forces a landmark victory Wednesday in a 5-4 decision that bans a controversial abortion procedure nationwide and sets the stage for further restrictions. It was a long-awaited and resounding win that abortion opponents had hoped to gain from a court pushed to the right by President Bush's appointees. For the first time since the court established a woman's right to an abortion in 1973, the justices said the Constitution permits a nationwide prohibition on a specific abortion method. The court's liberal justices, in dissent, said the ruling chipped away at abortion rights. Personal bias aside, it irritates me that conservatives are celebrating a decision that basically says the government can dictate what medical procedures a woman can have.

Iraq - Two items today.

War Spending: President Bush sparred across the table with Democratic congressional leaders opposed to the Iraq war on Wednesday in a prelude to a veto showdown over a conflict that has claimed the lives of more than 3,200 U.S. troops. During an hourlong meeting at the White House, the president told lawmakers directly he will not sign any bill that includes a timetable for a troop withdrawal, and they made it clear Congress will send him one anyway. Several officials said the session was polite. But they said it turned pointed when Reid recounted a conversation with generals who likened Iraq to Vietnam and described it as a war in which the president refused to change course despite knowing victory was impossible. Bush bristled at the comparison. It was the first time Reid and Speaker Nancy Pelosi have met with Bush to discuss the war since the House and Senate approved bills to provide funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with conditions that he has vowed to reject. Well, hopefully lunch was good. Sounds like that was the only thing that they all agreed on.

Baghdad: Suspected Sunni insurgents penetrated the Baghdad security net Wednesday, hitting Shiite targets with four bomb attacks that killed 183 people — the bloodiest day since the U.S. troop increase began nine weeks ago. The attacks appeared to be yet another attempt by Sunni insurgents and al-Qaida to force Shiite militiamen back onto the streets. U.S. officials have reported a decrease in sectarian killings in Baghdad since the U.S.-Iraqi security crackdown was launched Feb. 14. But the past week has seen several spectacular attacks in the capital. Okay, I'll admit it, I'm a bit slow. Tell me again how this troop surge is helping?

What Caught My Eye Today

Virginia Tech - Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year-old senior suspected of carrying out the Virginia Tech massacre that left 33 people dead was described Tuesday as a sullen loner whose creative writing in English class was so disturbing that he was referred to the school's counseling service. News reports also said that he may have been taking medication for depression, that he was becoming increasingly violent and erratic, and that he left a note in his dorm in which he railed against "rich kids," "debauchery" and "deceitful charlatans" on campus. The rampage consisted of two attacks, more than two hours apart — first at a dormitory, where two people were killed, then inside a classroom building, where 31 people, including Cho, died after being locked inside, Virginia State Police said. Cho committed suicide; two handguns — a 9 mm and a .22-caliber — were found in the classroom building. Police and university officials offered no clues as to exactly what set him off on the deadliest shooting rampage in modern U.S. history.

In related news...

Representing America's anguish, President Bush said that he prays for comfort for those victimized by the "dark turn" of the day at Virginia Tech that turned into the nation's deadliest shooting spree. Speaking to a somber basketball arena, packed with students and others, many wearing orange short-sleeved Virgina Tech T-shirts, the president encouraged grieving students to reach out for help. While I'm not your biggest fan (to say the least), well played, Mr. President. You did the right thing by reaching out to the Virginia Tech community.

Terrorism - Sadly, it appears that terrorist organizations have been busy of late.

Iraq - A top insurgent leader boasted that his al-Qaida-linked group was now making its own rockets, posting the claim in an audiotape online. The voice on the audiotape was said to be that of Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, head of the Islamic State of Iraq, an umbrella group that includes al-Qaida in Iraq.

Algeria - Al-Qaida-linked militants are winning recruits from the margins of Algerian society for a new strategy of high-impact attacks, details emerging from last week's bombings in Algiers suggest. Last Wednesday's car bombings targeted a government building housing the prime minister's office in central Algiers and a police station on the outskirts of the capital, killing 30 people and wounding up to 330. The attacks were claimed by al-Qaida in Islamic North Africa. In Algeria, as in other countries, coverage of conflicts in Iraq and the Middle East on Arab satellite channels have helped recruitment by extremist groups, analysts say.

Afghanistan - A powerful remote-controlled bomb destroyed a U.N. vehicle in southern Afghanistan's main city of Kabul, killing four Nepalese guards and an Afghan driver. The attack on a three-vehicle U.N. convoy in Kandahar was the bloodiest in Afghanistan for the world body since the hard-line militia's 2001 ouster and illustrated how violence continues to impede much-needed reconstruction. While there was no immediate claim of responsibility, the attack came a day after a Human Rights Watch report accused Taliban militants of committing war crimes by targeting civilians.

I hate to be a pessimist, but these developments don't exactly convey a message that we are making any positive progress in the war on terror.

Foreign Currency - The British pound traded at $2 for the first time in 15 years after figures showing an unexpected surge in inflation led economists to conclude that multiple interest-rate increases were likely. While the currency has been flirting with the $2 level for several months, hitting it marks a key psychological notch in trading that analysts expect to hold. Tourism operators expect the new round figure to jog interest in bookings to the United States, with shopping breaks in New York proving popular last time the pound threatened $2. Conversely, Britain will become more expensive for U.S. tourists — but economists noted that the euro is also strong against the dollar and local travel agencies do not expect to see a large drop in visitors given that the currency has been hovering near $2 for several months. All I know is that if this somehow gets twisted into another excuse to jack up gas prices, I'm going out and getting myself a whole lot of 'cans of whoop ass' to share with those dudes that run the oil industry.

Weather - More than 250,000 homes and businesses remained without power on Tuesday after a rare spring Nor'easter hit on Sunday and Monday, knocking out electric service to more than 1.3 million customers from the Carolinas to Maine and Quebec. You have to give props to New Englanders for being of a hearthy stock. Despite the horrible weather, the Boston Marathon went on as planned on Monday.

Basketball - This one is straight out of the 'Twilight Zone'. NBA referee Joey Crawford has been suspended indefinitely for improper conduct towards San Antonio's Tim Duncan during the Spurs' game in Dallas on Sunday. Duncan claims Crawford challenged him to a fight before each of the technical fouls he received during the Mavericks' 91-86 win over the Spurs. Crawford also called a technical in a recent game against Duncan, who said Sunday that Crawford has a "personal vendetta against me." Duncan was called for his first technical foul Sunday with 2:20 remaining in the third quarter for arguing about an offensive foul. Crawford hit him with the second technical 1:16 later after Duncan was on the bench laughing about a call that went against the Spurs. "He looked at me and said, 'Do you want to fight? Do you want to fight?'" Duncan said. "If he wants to fight, we can fight. I don't have any problem with him, but we can do it if he wants to. I have no reason why in the middle of a game he would yell at me, 'Do you want to fight?'" Sounds like our boy Crawford should his time off to enroll in some anger management classes.

What Caught My Eye Today

Fred's Note: In light of the tragic events at Virginia Tech, today's entry is dedicated to the students and faculty who lost their lives.

A gunman opened fire in a Virginia Tech dorm and then, two hours later, in a classroom across campus Monday, killing at least 30 people in the deadliest shooting rampage in U.S. history. The gunman was killed, bringing the death toll to 31. It was not immediately clear whether the gunman was shot by police or took his own life. The massacre took place at opposite sides of the 2,600-acre campus, beginning at about 7:15 a.m. at West Ambler Johnston, a coed dormitory that houses 895 people, and continuing at least two hours later at Norris Hall, an engineering building about a half-mile away, authorities said. Police said they were still investigating the shooting at the dorm when they got word of gunfire at the classroom building. Some students bitterly questioned why the gunman was able to strike a second time, two hours after the bloodshed began. After the shootings, all entrances to the campus were closed, and classes were canceled through Tuesday. The university set up a meeting place for families to reunite with their children. It also made counselors available and planned an assembly for Tuesday at the basketball arena. Besides taking a few moments to offer up condolences to those who have lost loved ones in this attack, consider taking another moment to reflect on the last time you did something to anger someone else. Was it worth it? Did it make you feel better? Life is too short and far too precious. Be nice, for all our sakes.

What Caught My Eye This Week - Magazine Edition

The Week

China - China has surpassed the U.S. as the largest source of exports to the European Union by a $255 billion to $234 billion margin. Does that include all of the illegal copies of music, movies and computer software, or just the luxury label rip offs?

Saudi Arabia - Rising oil prices have increased Saudi Arabia's annual oil revenues from $98 billion in 1998 to $200 billion today. I cannot find the words to express the joy I haveto be one of the fortunate few tens of millions to be contributing to their coffers.

Iraq - The U.S. is holding 18,000 Iraqis in Prisons and detention camps in Iraq. The way I hear it, the military found it easier to ignore the Geneva Convention there than in Cuba. Human rights advocates are too afraid to go into Iraq.

Public Opinion - In the no kidding department, 59% of Americans sya they would like Congress to vote for a bill calling for a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq by August 2008. Only 27% say the recent troop surge has made things better in Iraq.

Tobacco - Of the $52.6 billion that tobacco companies have paid to the states to settle a massive lawsuit, only 33.55 has been spent on health care and anti-tobacco programs. The rest has been spent to fill holes in state budgets and cover other non-smoking related expenses. You have to love those politicians who have our best interests at heart don't you?

Television - The average American family now gets 104 television channels, up from 61 in 2000. Viewers only watched about 15% of the channels available to them. No kidding. Half the channels out there air repeats of 'Law & Order' and 'Friends.'

Business Week

Fast Food - Here's an interesting list. A poll of 70,000 people resulting in the following list of cities ranking highest in monthly trips to fast food restaurants:

- McAllen, TX: 25
- Greenville, NC: 24
- Memphis, TN: 22
- Dallas, TX; El Paso, TX; San Antonio, TX; Oklahoma City, OK: 21
- Charleston, WV; Raleigh, NC, Columbia, SC: 20

90% of respondents say they eat fast food at least once a month. Fast Food Nation indeed.

Beef - On the other end of the gastronomic spectrum we have wagyu beef, considered ambrosia for carnivores and fetching up to $20 an ounce. Wagyu beef comes from Japanese cattle that are treated to regular massages and a diet of grains and beer. The most well know wagyu beef, Kobe beef fetches $395 for a trio of preparations (filet, strip loin and rib eye) at New York's Kobe Club. You think that's pricey? I hear you have to pay extra for side dishes.

Entertainment Weekly

American Idol - EW ranked some of the mentors from recent weeks. Here are the reviews from best to worst:
Tony Bennet: His segments offered the best critiques of the season.
Jennifer Lopez: Lopez played to her strengths, focusing on dance moves for two performers.
Lulu/Peter Noone: Lulu coached Jordin to her best performance of the season, while Noone seemed lost.
Diana Ross: Her tutoring was considerably tamer than her hairdo and the music proved to be equally unmemorable as 3 performers forgot the lyrics to Ross' songs
Gwen Stefani: Stephani looked adorable but appeared far less comfortable and awfully bored with coaching. Though in my opinion she had one of the best comments when her advice to Sanjaya on covered No Doubt's 'Bathwater' was "Good luck."

Procreation - Here are the 5 worst songs to listen to while doing the 'hoopity doopity':
1. 'Mr Roboto' by Styx (this could rank as a worst song on any list)
2. 'I Drink Alone' by George Thorogood (Thorogood doesn't exactly have that Luthor Vandross vibe, does he?)
3. Anything by Weird Al (do ya think?)
4. 'I Ran' by Flock of Seagulls (not exactly words that your partner would want to hear)
5. 'Ninja Rap' by Vanilla Ice (definitely a buzz kill)

What Caught My Eye Today

North Korea - North Korea missed a Saturday deadline for shutting down its main nuclear reactor, and a key U.S. negotiator said the country must keep the disarmament program from foundering. The United States and other governments involved in six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear programs said the slipping of the 60-day deadline was significant, but not yet fatal to a two-month-old agreement that laid out a timetable for disarmament. The missed deadline marked the latest setback for an agreement that, when reached in February, offered the prospect of disarming the world's newest declared nuclear power. The timetable was tripped up by a dispute over North Korean deposits frozen in a tiny Macau bank, which was blacklisted by Washington for allegedly abetting money-laundering and counterfeiting. North Korea refused to make any move until the funds issue was resolved, but the matter dragged on until this past week. Tell me if you've heard this one: How many North Koreans does it take to turn of a nuclear reactor?

Morocco - Two brothers strapped with explosives blew themselves up near an American cultural center in Casablanca Saturday. The attacks came just days after three suspected militants blew themselves up as they were cornered by police in Casablanca, and al-Qaida claimed suicide car bombings in neighboring Algeria that killed 33 people. The attacks have stoked new fears of Islamic terrorism in North Africa — especially in Morocco, long known for its stability. The Moroccan and Algerian governments have not addressed an al-Qaida link or inspiration in the bombings earlier this week. Both countries have allied themselves with the United States in its fight against terrorism. Let's give ourselves a tip of the hat for our masterful handling of the war on terrorism. Not only are we making ourselves targets of terrorism. We're dragging our allies down with us.

Germany - A video showing a German army instructor telling one of his soldiers to envision African-Americans in the Bronx while firing his machine gun was broadcast Saturday on national television. The video, coming after scandals involving photos of German soldiers posing with skulls in Afghanistan and the abuse of recruits by instructors, seemed likely to raise more questions about training practices in Germany's conscript army. The instructor tells the soldier, "You are in the Bronx. A black van is stopping in front of you. Three African-Americans are getting out and they are insulting your mother in the worst ways ... Act." The soldier fires his machine gun several times and yells an obscenity several times in English. The instructor then tells the soldier to curse even louder. Here's my plan for addressing this growing concern of racism in Germany...send over Al Sharpton. If he can bring down Don Imus, the German army should be a piece of cake.

Britain - Prince William and his girlfriend Kate Middleton have ended their four-year relationship, dashing hopes of a royal wedding to rival that of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. The Sun newspaper reported Saturday that the couple had reached an "amicable agreement" to separate. The newspaper said the split was caused by the huge pressures on the young couple and by William's career in the army. News of the break-up took many royal-watchers by surprise. It was widely thought the couple would soon announce their engagement; one bookmaker was so certain of a royal wedding it had stopped taking bets on it. This is why I love the British. They take bets on anything.

Baseball - You can almost hear the pounding in Bud Selig's head getting louder and louder with each home run that Barry Bonds hits. Bonds hit 2 dingers on Friday night bringing his season total to 3 and his career tally to 737, just 19 shy of breaking Hank Aaron's home run record. I'm not a huge fan of Bonds, but I must say that I'm enjoyed watching MLB executives squirm at the prospect of having to acknowledge his record breaking accomplishment, if and when it happens.

Yachting - Bet you thought I forgot about this after my earlier post. Oh no, my friends. We've only just begun. The scene is set for the most competitive America's Cup in the 156 years of sport's oldest trophy, Peter Isler, skipper of the US challenger BMW Oracle predicted on Saturday. With a record 10 countries and five continents including first timers China, South Africa and Germany, represented the 32nd edition of the yachting blue riband is the most international ever staged. And the toughest, according to Isler who was part of Dennis Conner's dual winning Stars And Stripes crew. America, holders of the Cup from the first Cup in 1851 through to 1983, are desperate to reclaim what they used to regard as rightfully theirs. Four of the past six winners of the Louis Vuitton Cup, which runs from Monday through to June 16, have gone on to defeat the defender, held by the Swiss boat Alinghi. Oracle are favourites to go on to meet Alinghi in the America's Cup match from June 23 along with Team New Zealand. Hold on to your ascots. The whole deal is going to be televised on Versus, so get your Tivo's ready.

What Caught My Eye Today

Don Imus - So let's recap. The team had just played for the NCAA national championship last week and lost when Imus, on his nationally syndicated radio show, called the players "nappy-headed hos." The statement outraged listeners and set off a national debate about taste and tolerance. It also led to his firing by CBS on Thursday. Today, the Rutgers women's basketball coach said the team had accepted radio host Don Imus' apology. She said he deserves a chance to move on but hopes the furor his racist and sexist insult caused will be a catalyst for change. Amen to that. Now can we please move on?

Iraq - Iraq's parliament met in an extraordinary session of "defiance" Friday, the Muslim day of prayer, and declared it would not bow to terrorism. A bouquet of red roses and a white lily sat in the place of Mohammed Awad, the lawmaker killed in the parliament dining hall suicide bombing claimed by al-Qaida. Thursday's bombing in the heart of Baghdad's most secure region, coupled with the stunning destruction of one of Baghdad's Tigris River bridges, was a heavy blow to the Bush administration's plan to put an additional 30,000 American forces in Iraq by summer. Should we give bonus points for stating the obvious?

Empire State Building - A man jumped to his death Friday out the window of a 69th-floor law office in the Empire State Building. More than 30 people have committed suicide at the Empire State Building since it opened in 1931, including a 21-year-old man in February 2006. The skyscraper reaches 1,454 feet to the top of its lightning rod. Only 30 people in almost 80 years? Wow that's impressive. All suicides are tragic, I'm just a little surprised see such a small number. This is the Empire State Building after all.

Privacy - Or lack thereof. The Bush administration asked Congress to expand the number of people it can subject to electronic surveillance in the United States. The request was contained in a proposed bill authored by intelligence and Justice Department officials that also protects companies that cooperate with spy operations and calls for the 1978 law that governs eavesdropping operations to be updated to combat the threat from Islamist militants who use computer and wireless technology that did not exist in the 1970s. The move was likely to reinvigorate a congressional debate over the effectiveness of the generation-old Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). FISA, which requires the government to get court warrants for surveillance, was at the center of political controversy over President George W. Bush's domestic spying program, which allowed the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on the international telephone calls and e-mails of U.S. citizens without warrants. The program was suspended for a review by a secret federal court that grants FISA warrants. I'm telling you, 'Big Brother Is Watching' is more than just a catchphase now. Tragically, it is reality.

Divorce - Forbes magazine just release its list of the most costly divorce settlements of the stars. Here are the top 10 ranked by the amount of the settlement:
1. Basketball great, Michael Jordan, $150 million (that's like 2 weekends in Vegas)2. Singer/songwriter, Neil Diamond, $150 million (dude, she don't love you anymore)
3. Director, Steven Speilberg, $100 million
4. Actor, Harrison Ford, $85 million
5. Actor/director, Kevin Costner, $80 million (peanuts compared to that Waterworld mess)
6. Singer, Paul McCartney, $60 million (yeah, so far)
7. Director, James Cameron, $50 million
8. Actor, Michael Douglas, $45 million (those scenes in 'Basic Instinct' did look awfully authentic)
9. Singer, Lionel Ritchie, $20 million
10. Singer, Mick Jagger, $15 million (that's it? nice prenup, bro')

What Caught My Eye Today

Iraq - Stretched thin by four years of war, the Army is adding three months to the standard yearlong tour for all active-duty soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, an extraordinary step aimed at maintaining the troop buildup in Baghdad. The change is the latest blow to an all-volunteer Army that has been given ever-shorter periods of rest and retraining at home between overseas deployments. The extended tours are a price the Army must pay to sustain the troop buildup that President Bush ordered in January as part of his rejiggered strategy for stabilizing Baghdad and averting a U.S. defeat. Remember when the talk was all about 'victory'? Interesting how now our objective is to 'avert defeat'. My how the times are changing.

Stem Cells - A stubborn Senate voted Wednesday to ease restrictions on federally funded embryonic stem cell research, ignoring President Bush's threat of a second veto on legislation designed to lead to new medical treatments. The 63-34 vote was shy of the margin that would be needed to enact the measure over presidential opposition, despite gains made by supporters in last fall's elections. The House, which passed similar legislation earlier in the year, is expected to adopt the Senate's version in the next several weeks for Bush's veto. The Senate's action marked the latest act in a drama that blends science and politics on an issue that affects millions of disease sufferers and their families. They only need 4 more votes. That veto may not necessarily be a sure thing. I'm probably stirring up a hornet's nest (gee, there's a big shock), but where does the greater moral cost truly lie: Protecting some cells that some day may create a life or protecting thousands of people now with remedies that only stem cells can provide? Call me crazy, but I'm going with the latter.

Racism - MSNBC said Wednesday it will drop its simulcast of the "Imus in the Morning" radio program, responding to growing outrage about the radio host's racial slur against the Rutgers women's basketball team. The decision does not affect Imus' nationally syndicated radio show, and the ultimate decision on the fate of that program will rest with executives at CBS Corp. In a statement, CBS reiterated that Imus will be suspended without pay for two weeks beginning on Monday. MSNBC's action came after a growing list of sponsors — including American Express Co., Sprint Nextel Corp., Staples Inc., Procter & Gamble Co., and General Motors Corp. — said they were pulling ads from Imus' show for the indefinite future. That certainly didn't take long. The thing is that this was probably driving more by advertising dollars than by the racial slurs made by Don Imus.

NASCAR - The witness who discovered Michael Waltrip's overturned car initially thought no one survived the accident until the NASCAR driver wiggled out the back window. The witness, 18-year-old college student, stumbled upon the accident when she was returning home around 2 a.m. Saturday. She saw an overturned Toyota Land Cruiser in a ditch and rushed over to check on the occupants. She didn't see anyone in the car and no one answered her shouts, so she called 911 for help. The witness said she asked Waltrip how long he'd been in the car and he told her about 10 minutes. Waltrip was charged Saturday evening with reckless driving and failing to report an accident, both misdemeanors. He told police he fell asleep the wheel and woke up to find his car overturned in the gravel. Waltrip is having a rough first year as a car owner. He was caught cheating during Daytona 500 preparations when NASCAR found a fuel additive in his engine, and was docked a record 100 driver points. His crew chief was fined a record $100,000 and suspended indefinitely, as was his competition director. Meanwhile, he has failed to qualify for the five races since the 500. Well dagummit, y'all. Looks like our boy is having a a whole heap of trouble this year.

What Caught My Eye Today

Justice Department - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales received a subpoena on Tuesday from a U.S. congressional panel for documents related to the firing of federal prosecutors, a controversy that has prompted calls for his resignation. The House of Representatives and the Senate are investigating the Bush administration's dismissal last year of the eight U.S. attorneys. While the administration has insisted the firings were justified, Republican and Democratic critics question if the dismissals were politically motivated. Gonzales, who with Bush's public support has rejected calls to resign, is to appear next week before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which plans to authorize subpoenas of its own on Thursday for administration documents. Does it strike anyone as odd that Gonzales is planning to appear before Congress while everyone else with ties to this is resigning?

Stem-cell Research - The White House threatened on Tuesday to veto a new bid to lift the President's restrictions on federal funding of stem cell research as the Senate began considering the bipartisan bill. While the Democratic-led Senate seemed certain to pass the legislation as early as Wednesday, it was unclear if backers would have the needed two-thirds majority to override a veto. In the first and only veto of his presidency, Bush rejected a similar measure last year. Earlier this year, the House passed a similar stem cell bill on a vote of 253-174 -- about three dozen votes short of a two-thirds majority. So in the first 7 years of his Presidency, Bush used his veto once. Now he's threatening to use it for this and Iraq. Interesting how the politics change when the President loses control of Congress.

Hockey - This probably won't mean much, unless you are Canadian. Don Cherry, the outspoken former coach of the Boston Bruins, who has been a fixture on CBC's "Hockey Night In Canada' telecasts for more than 25 years, will make his U.S. broadcasting debut as part of NBC's Stanley Cup playoff telecasts. Despite, the entertainment that he brings to a hockey telecast, I'm betting, the television ratings will still be in the toilet.

Racism - The Rutgers women's basketball team blasted radio host Don Imus Tuesday for "racist and sexist remarks that are deplorable, despicable and abominable" and agreed to meet with the embattled radio host. Starting Monday, Imus will be suspended for two weeks for calling the players "nappy-headed hos." In Washington, a White House spokeswoman President Bush thought Imus' punishment was strong enough. "The president believed that the apology was the absolute right thing to do," Perino said Tuesday. "And beyond that, I think that his employer is going to have to make a decision about any action that they take based on it." Must be a slow week, if this is making it into the White House press briefings. One can only hope that the President did not actually take the time to respond to this himself. Dude has a few other things that he should be tending to.

What Caught My Eye Today

Iraq - Tens of thousands of Shiites rallied Monday to demand that U.S. forces leave their country. The protesters marched about three miles between the holy cities of Kufa and Najaf to mark the fourth anniversary of the fall of Baghdad. Radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered up the march as a show of strength not only to Washington but to Iraq's establishment Shiite ayatollahs as well. While al-Sadr had ordered his militia to disarm and stay off the streets during the Baghdad crackdown, he has notched up his anti-American rhetoric in three brief but hostile statements demanding the departure of U.S. troops. Let's recap, shall we? The American public wants the troops to come home. The troops definitely want to come home. Now the Iraqi people are demanding that the troops leave. Is it just me or is there a pattern here?

Racism - Don Imus had a hot seat on the other side of the microphone Monday, appearing on the Rev. Al Sharpton's radio show and enduring more criticism for his offensive comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team. Imus issued another apology for referring to members of the team as "nappy-headed hos." Sharpton called the comments "abominable" and "racist" and repeated his demand that Imus be fired. "Our agenda is to be funny and sometimes we go too far. And this time we went way too far," Imus said. A spokesman for MSNBC said the network considers Imus' comments "deplorable" and was reviewing the matter, while over at CBS radio, the company said it was "disappointed" in Imus' actions and characterized his comments as "completely inappropriate." I'm sure that he is sorry that he said it, but maybe Imus should be apologizing for thinking it in the first place.

China - The Chinese Foreign Ministry is awfully busy these days.

Japan - China's premier will visit Japan this week for the first time in seven years, in a sign that ties may finally be stabilizing after years of rancor over the Japanese occupation of China in the first half of the 20th century. Premier Wen Jiabao plans to address lawmakers and issue a joint statement with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressing their "aspirations to build a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship." Military cooperation, economic dialogue, and collaboration on energy conservation, environmental protection and finance issues are also on the agenda.

Sudan - China urged Sudan on Monday to accept the deployment of U.N. peacekeepers in Darfur, increasing the pressure on a key economic partner that Beijing has been criticized for protecting. China's assistant foreign minister said Sudan should accept the peacekeeping plan proposed last year by then-U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. China buys two-thirds of Sudan's oil exports, sells it weapons and military aircraft, and has come under criticism for not using its influence to do more to stop the crisis in the Darfur region.

It's kind of interesting to see how other countries exert their influence in international affairs. I'm not saying that the U.S. should model its foreign policy after any other country, but it does show that not all foreign policy has to be conducted with the threat of 'shock and awe.'

Golf - 31-year-old American, Zach Johnson fired a three-under-par 69 at a sun-drenched, fast-running Augusta National to finish on one-over 289, holding off a late challenge by four-times champion Tiger Woods to claim his first major title by two shots at the Masters. World number one Woods, hunting his third consecutive major and a fifth green jacket at Augusta, had to settle for a share of second place with South Africans Retief Goosen (69) and Rory Sabbatini (69) after closing with a 72. Technically, this guy is not a one-hit wonder. He also won the the 2004 BellSouth Classic. That said, I'm not holding my breath to see his name at the top of the leaderboard at the U.S. Open in June.

Baseball - The Cleveland Indians moved their series against the Los Angeles Angels to Milwaukee's Miller Park after a spring snowstorm wiped out Cleveland's series against Seattle for the fourth straight day Monday. Friday's game will serve as the unofficial home opener. The Indians were ahead 4-0 with two outs in the top of the fifth, when their home opener Friday was called off by umpires because of heavy snow. After Friday's game was called, the teams hoped to play a day-night doubleheader Saturday, but that was put off by the spring storm. They then scheduled a doubleheader for Sunday, which also was postponed. Ah yes, the boys of summer are back in town. Here's a crazy thought. Maybe MLB should consider scheduling early season games in stadiums where weather isn't such a factor. I hear there are some domed stadiums out there.

Hockey - The NHL regular season came to an end on Sunday. Next up, 2 months worth of playoffs with 16 of the 30 teams in the league, duking out for the Stanley Cup. You'd think after 82 games, they could cut the playoff field down just a tad bit. I mean really, its harder not to to make the playoffs.

Basketball - Speaking of playoffs, the NBA kicks off its 'second season' on April 21 for, tell me if you've heard this one before, 2 months worth of playoffs. And yes, 16 of the 30 teams in the league have a shot at the title. At the very least, teams should have a winning record to get in. If the playoffs started today, 2 teams from the Eastern Conference and 1 from the Western Conference would be in with losing records. That's just wrong.

What Caught My Eye This Week - Magazine Edition

Newsweek

Military - The number of active-duty soldiers who deserted the Army last year is 3,301. Deserters are branded after abandoning their posts without permission for 30 days. The tally is hardly at Vietnam War levels, but is significant for an all-volunteer military. Many of today's deserters have served a term or two in Afghanistan and Iraq already, and were slated to redeploy to Iraq. Since there troops disagree only with the premise of this war, it is more difficult for them to escape deployment as conscientious objectors, who oppose all wars. I think it's safe to say the Commander-in-chief will not be receiving Christmas cards from this group. This does cause one to wonder how military recruiters are positioning careers in the armed forces.

Mormons - Dick Cheney is running out of friendly audiences are a rapid pace. Cheney is scheduled to deliver the commencement address at Brigham Young University later this month in Utah, one of the most conservative states in the country. Due to overwhelming demand, university officials have approved a rare campus protest this week against Cheney's visit and is considering another on commencement day. I read somewhere that some Republican insiders are pushing to have Cheney make a run for the Presidency in 2008. Guys, this dude has managed to piss off even the Mormons. Find yourselves another candidate.

High Tech - Get ready for twitter, a service that tells your friends--via mobile phone, instant message, or the Web--what you're doing at any given moment. The idea was born from the instant message status line, 'I'm away from my computer.' The premise is rather simple. You 'twitter' by answering the question, "What are you doing?" in 140 characters or less. The messages are dispatched as frequently as you like to fellow Twitterers who have chosen to follow you. One does not respond to a twitter. Well that's a relief. No telling the types of responses you get from something like this...DO NOT BOTHER ME. DOWNLOADING PORN. Or maybe this...DO NOT DISTURB. GETTING YELLED AT FOR DOWNLOADING PORN AT WORK.

Television - Network executives have clearly run out of original ideas. Producers are exploring the possibility of creating a sitcom pilot based on the cavemen from those Geico commercials. This is the last straw for me. That's right folks, from now on, I'm spending my free time playing Sudoku.

Tourism - Let me start by saying this was my favorite article in this week's edition. In a recent BBC poll taken in 27 countries (as reported on this very blog a couple of weeks ago), 56% of respondents considered Israel a negative influence in the world, higher than Iran and the United States. But Israels's real PR problem is that Americans--particularly men aged 18 to 35--either associate the country with war or holy relics, or don't think of it at all. So six months ago, Israeli officials approach Maxim magazine (I kid you not) to do a photo shoot of scantily clothed models on Tel Aviv's beach front. This is a new one for me. A country is trying to 'sex' itself up. And not just any country, but freaking Israel. You have to love the irony.

The Week

International Travel - The State Department issued new guidelines on travel to foreign countries, and they were not particularly diplomatic.

Qatar - Driving here is described as 'an extreme sport.'
Cyprus - 'Cabaret girls' connive with bar owners to fleece patrons looking for female company.
Laos - Operates according to 'unpublished laws.'
Mexico - Reporting a crime is an archaic, exhausting process in Mexico and is widely preceived to be a waste of time.

Remind me again, is this a travel advisory for the rest of the world, or just any large city in the United States?

Sainthood - The late John Paul II came a step closer to sainthood this week when Vatican officials closed their investigation into his life and virtues. He has been on the fast track to sainthood ever since his successor, Benedict XVI, waived the five year waiting period and began the investigation just 41 days after his death. John Paul can be declared a saint after the Vatican certifies that he has performed two posthumous miracles. One is already recorded: a French nun said she was cured of Parkinson's diseases after praying to John Paul. Well, I for one am relieved to hear this. I thought that whole concert deal with Bob Dylan was going to screw the whole thing up.

2008 Presidential Race - With most presidential candidates trying to accumulate $75 million by the first primary, spending on the 2008 Presidential campaign is expected to top $1 billion. One journalist was quoted as saying, 'Americans spend $36 billion annually on pet care and $10 billion on porn. If candidates spend $1 billion with the electorate, why is that a waste? More money means more communication, more debate, more education. In other words, more democracy.' I don't think so, sparkplug. That 'so-called' communication and debate deteriorates into mudslinging well before the election. Call me crazy but I'm sticking with Fido and the naked human form.

What Caught My Eye Today

Immigration - Organizers expect several thousand people at an immigrant rights rally on Saturday in Los Angeles, saying many illegal immigrants are angry about a White House plan that would grant them work visas but require them to return home and pay hefty fines to become legal U.S. residents. The White House's draft plan, leaked last week, calls for a new "Z" visa that would allow illegal immigrant workers to apply for three-year work permits. They would be renewable indefinitely, but would cost $3,500 each time. To get a permit and become legal permanent residents, illegal immigrants would have to return to their home country, apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate to re-enter legally and pay a $10,000 fine. The proposal has been sharply criticized by Hispanic advocacy groups, Democrats, the Roman Catholic Church and unions that have many immigrants in their ranks. They argue the cost of work permits and the green card application — which could total more than $20,000 — are prohibitive for low-wage earners. In defense of Bush, at least the American public is protesting something other than his actions in Iraq.

Iraq - The President criticized Democrats on Saturday in his weekly radio address for going on vacation without first giving him what he wants: a war spending bill free of orders to pull troops home. Bush has asked Congress for more than $100 billion to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan this year. The House and Senate have approved the money, but their bills aim to wind down the war by including timelines for troops to come home — something Bush won't accept. Unless he can sign a bill by mid-April, he said, the Army will be forced to consider cutting back on training and equipment repair. The problem will grow even more dire if Congress does not send him a bill he supports by mid-May, Bush said. Democratic leaders, while eager to show backing for the troops, say Bush is overstating the consequences of missing those deadlines. The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service says the Army has enough bookkeeping flexibility to pay for operations in Iraq well into July. 'Bookkeepping flexibility'? Okay, I get it. The Army went out and hired it some CFOs from the private section. No reason for the Army to stop spending money it doesn't have, when some simple accounting entries will do the trick. I'm sure this will work out much better than it did with Tyco and Enron.

India - Nearly two decades into India's phenomenal growth as an international center for high technology, the industry has a problem: It's running out of workers. There may be a lot of potential — Indian schools churn out 400,000 new engineers, the core of the high-tech industry, every year — but as few as 100,000 are actually ready to join the job world, experts say. Graduates are leaving universities that are mired in theory classes, and sometimes so poorly funded they don't have computer labs. Even students from the best colleges can be dulled by cram schools and left without the most basic communication skills, according to industry leaders. This is what economists call a 'problem of success.' Lemme see here. High tech universities without electricity, computers, and sometimes even professors? Yeah, I'd call that a problem.

China - The Chinese Foreign Ministry said a U.S. State Department report that criticized China's human rights record is without basis and irresponsible. The report, released Thursday, detailed Washington's moves to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law in China. The State Department said China's already poor human rights record deteriorated in 2006, with tightened restrictions on press and speech, government control of courts and judges, and endemic corruption. The report also noted there were an increased number of cases in which officials harassed and arrested reporters, activists and defense lawyers seeking to exercise their lawful rights. China said the U.S. should pay more attention to its domestic human rights situation. Last month, China issued a report in response to U.S. criticism of Beijing's human rights record in which it accused Washington of trampling on Iraq's sovereignty. It also said the U.S. used its campaign against terrorism as an excuse to torture people around the world and violate the rights of its own citizens. Whoa. Hold the phone there, spark plug. Our situation is totally different. I know this because the President told me it was, so there.

Baseball - Barry Bonds hit his first home run of the season on Wednesday against the San Diego Padres, pulling the slugger within 21 of passing Hammerin' Hank's 755. In related news, the Giants lost the game, 5-3 and are currently in last place in the National League West with a 1-3 record. I have a feeling the Giants win/loss record will be a footnote to Bonds' pursuit of the home run record. Given how they've started the season, maybe that's not such a bad thing.

What Caught My Eye Today

Britain - British sailors and marines freed by Iran said Friday they were blindfolded, isolated in cold stone cells and tricked into fearing execution while being coerced into falsely saying they had entered Iranian waters. They said there was no doubt the 15 crew members were in Iraq's territorial waters when they were seized by heavily armed boats of Iran's Revolutionary Guard. They also said their jailers had singled out the only woman among the captives for use in propaganda. Iran, which has been celebrating the incident as a victory, quickly rejected the charges, dismissing a news conference held by six of the freed personnel as "propaganda" and "a show." So this is interesting--both sides accuse the other of using these servicepeople for propoganda. I can see the recruiting posters now, Sign up now to see the world, serve your country and become an instrument of propoganda for...hmmm. Let's see. If you are a western country I guess that would read 'an instrument for radical Islamic rogue states' and if you are Iran it would say 'an instrument for the evil Zionist regimes.' Kind of catchy, don't you think?

Global Warming - Climate experts issued their starkest warning yet about the impact of global warming, ranging from hunger in Africa to a fast thaw in the Himalayas, in a report on Friday that increased pressure on governments to act. The report said warming, widely blamed on human emissions of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels, would cause desertification, droughts and rising seas and would hit hard in the tropics, from sub-Saharan Africa to Pacific islands. Overall, the report was the strongest U.N. assessment yet of the threat of climate change, predicting water shortages that could affect billions of people and a rise in ocean levels that could go on for centuries. For those of you who aren't terribly interested in reading what is probably a rather dull report, I hear that there is a movie version. I think its called, "An Inconvenient Truth." I hear its pretty good. Got an Oscar and everything.

Good Friday - Pope Benedict led a procession around the ancient ruins of the Colosseum in Rome on Good Friday and listened to meditations including one lamenting the abuse and marginalisation of women across the world. The 14 meditations, written by a church official and read aloud, painted a bleak picture of an abusive and neglectful world. One spoke in painful detail about offences against women. The meditations also lamented the torture of prisoners "in thousands of sadistic and perverse forms, in the darkness of so many prison cells." Doesn't sound like much of a Good Friday, does it? And another thing, the Pope is the last guy I'd want manning the phones for a suicide hotline.

Disney - The 'Happiest Place on Earth' just got a little happier for same sex couples. The Walt Disney Co. had limited its Fairy Tale Wedding program to couples with valid marriage licenses, but it is now making ceremonies at its parks available to gay couples as well. "We believe this change is consistent with Disney's long-standing policy of welcoming every guest in an inclusive environment," a Disney Parks and Resorts spokesman said. "We want everyone who comes to celebrate a special occasion at Disney to feel welcome and respected." I'm guessing it will take a day maybe two for some conservative group to impose some sort of boycott to protest this blatant disregard for 'moral values.'

The Masters - If you didn't know better, you'd swear this was the leaderboard for the U.S. Open. We're down to 3 players under par (the leaders are at -2) and a total of 7 at even par or better. Tiger Woods, who carded a 2-over 73 is tie for 15th place and just 5 strokes back. Among the notables who missed the cut (an incredible +8) were Ernie Els, Colin Montgomerie, Sergio Garcia and Chris DiMarco. This more a test of survival than a golf tournament.

What Caught My Eye Today

Britain - A Royal Navy crew celebrated at home Thursday after nearly two weeks in Iranian captivity, hugging tearful relatives as Britons expressed outraged that the team was used by Tehran for propaganda. While much of the country rallied behind the crew's return, others criticized them for offering apologies where none was required — namely for appearing in videos in which they admitted and offered regrets for entering Iranian waters. What a bunch of jerks. Let's see how much bravado they would have if they were the ones being held captive.

Syria - Vice President Dick Cheney accused U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday of "bad behavior" on her Middle East trip, saying she bungled a message for Syria's president that was later clarified by Israel. While in Damascus on Wednesday, Pelosi announced she had told Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that Israel was prepared to negotiate with Syria. That prompted Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office to underline the Jewish state's preconditions for such talks -- including that Syria abandon its "support for terrorist groups." "I think it is, in fact bad behavior on her part. I wish she hadn't done it," Cheney said. "Fortunately I think the various parties involved recognize she doesn't speak for the United States in those circumstances, she doesn't represent the administration." He went on to say, "The president is the one who conducts foreign policy, not the speaker of the House." That may be all well and good, but let's be fair. Bush does not exactly have a sterling record when it comes to foreign policy. How does refusing to engage in any sort of substantive discussions with a country constitute a sound foreign policy?

Solomon Islands - Diarrhea has broken out among children huddled in camps of tsunami survivors in the Solomon Islands, a Red Cross official said Wednesday — the first worrying sign that thousands of people who lost their homes in the waves may be at risk of disease. At least 28 people were killed when waves up to 16 feet high smashed into the western Solomons following a magnitude-8.1 undersea quake on Monday. No significant tsunami waves were reported anywhere outside the impoverished islands, located northeast of Australia in the South Pacific. I recall the last time a tsunami hit this part of the world, the outpouring of giving was unprecedented. I guess the carnage wasn't big enough to attract the world's attention.

Chrysler - Billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian, who lost out in Chrysler's 1998 merger with Daimler-Benz, wants to buy the troubled automaker back from its now-unhappy German owners. Kerkorian's wholly owned investment company, Tracinda Corp., on Thursday made a $4.5 billion cash offer for DaimlerChrysler's U.S.-based Chrysler unit. Long an active investor in automakers, the 89-year-old former movie mogul once offered $22.8 billion for Chrysler in an unsuccessful 1995 takeover bid. Kerkorian's bid, about one-fifth of what he offered in 1995, reflects the falling fortunes of Chrysler Group, which lost $1.5 billion last year and has announced 13,000 job cuts in North America and reduced production. No one likes to lose, but I'm thinking that Kerkorian is secretly happy that he didn't get the company back in 1995. He may well end up getting what he wanted at a fraction of the price.

The Masters - In case anyone forgot, Tiger Woods is shooting for his third straight major this week at Augusta National. At the end of the first round, a whopping seven golfers managed to card under par rounds. Justin Rose and Brett Wetterich share the clubhouse lead at 3-under. Tiger is lurking four strokes back at 1-over. Other notables didn't fare so well (Phil Mickelson +4, Sergio Garcia +4, Ernie Els +6).

What Caught My Eye Today

Iraq - President Bush called Democrats in Congress irresponsible for approving war bills that order U.S. troops to leave Iraq by certain dates. He said such efforts will backfire, keeping some troops in battle even longer. The president's remarks come one day after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced he would try to eliminate money for the war if Bush rejects Congress' proposal to set a deadline to end combat. Reid's latest proposal would give the president one year to get troops out, ending funding for combat operations after March 31, 2008, and allowing troops to conduct only counterterrorism operations, train Iraqi forces and provide security for U.S. infrastructure and personnel. Unable to override a presidential veto because he lacks the necessary two-thirds majority support, Reid is trying to ratchet up the pressure on Bush in the hopes the president will cave. You have to wonder how much longer these guys will be able to stick to their guns on this. Regardless of who is right and who wins, if the troops get short changed on this deal, Bush and Reid are both going to get crucified.

Syria - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi toured Damascus on Tuesday, the highest-ranking American politician to visit Syria since relations began to deteriorate four years ago. President Bush criticized the trip, saying it sends mixed signals to President Bashar Assad. The United States accuses Syria of interfering in Iraq and Lebanon and sponsoring terrorists — charges Syria denies. The Bush administration has resisted calls to open direct talks with Damascus on resolving the countries' disputes. Good plan. Let's isolate ourselves from everyone that we're pissed off at. That will certainly help our standing with the rest of the world.

Hurricane Season - Top researchers announced the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season should be "very active," with nine hurricanes and a good chance that at least one major hurricane will hit the U.S. coast. Researchers expect 17 named storms in all this year, five of them major hurricanes with sustained winds of 111 mph or greater. The probability of a major hurricane making landfall on the U.S. coast this year is 74%. There were 10 named Atlantic storms in 2006 and five hurricanes, two of them major, in what was considered a "near normal" season. None of those hurricanes hit the U.S. Atlantic coast — only the 11th time that has occurred since 1945. The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, averages 9.6 named storms, 5.9 hurricanes and 2.3 intense hurricanes per year. Best to plan ahead, people. Start digging out those Home Depot gift cards you got for Christmas.

March Madness - Florida beat Ohio State 84-75 to capture its second straight NCAA Men's Basketball Championship. More importantly, Florida's victory wrapped up my office pool win. I got 50 out of 63 correct picks good enough for a tie for 87928th place with 150 out of a possible 192 points (95th percentile) on Yahoo Sports. The winner, based on points, had 185 points from 58 correct picks. The most accurate bracket had 60 of 63 correct picks.

Yachting - Billionaires are racheting up the trash talk as the quadrennial America's Cup competition gets under way in Valencia, Spain. Try to keep up with me here. Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 13 is the ultimate preliminary regatta of the opening Acts, and represents a final opportunity for the challengers to move up or down on the Louis Vuitton Ranking table. For Alinghi, the Defender, this racing represents a last look at the challengers; following Act 13, won’t race again until the America’s Cup Match beginning on June 23rd. In one of the most extraordinary races ever witnessed in America’s Cup racing, BMW ORACLE Racing, the top U.S. entry, sailed from 8th to 1st on the final fickle run of Race 1 in Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 13. Next up is the Louis Vuitton Cup which will decide who will be the Challenger to the current America's Cup holder, Alinghi of Switzerland. I'm still scratching my head over the fact that a landlocked country is the reigning champion of a yachting competition.

What Caught My Eye Today

Tsunami - Bodies floated out to sea and thousands of residents camped out overnight Tuesday on a hillside above a devastated town in the western Solomon Islands after a tsunami that struck without warning washed away coastal villages, killing at least 13 people. The death toll was expected to rise. The tsunami was triggered by a magnitude 8.0 quake that struck six miles beneath the sea floor. The archipelago has more than 200 islands with a population of about 552,000 and lies on the Pacific Basin's so-called "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanos and fault lines where quakes are frequent. The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued warning bulletins for the Solomons and neighboring Papua New Guinea, and lower-level alerts for most other South Pacific countries, eastern Australia and Hawaii. I bet this caught the attention of those guys in Indonesia as well.

Fundraising - Republican Mitt Romney reported Monday he had raised $23 million for his presidential campaign during the first three months of the year. Sen. John McCain of Arizona lagged with $12.5 million raised. The current leader in Republican presidential surveys, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, said his donations totaled $15 million. New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Democratic front-runner reported raising $26 million between Jan. 1 and March 31. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has yet to release his total, touching off speculation of an announcement equivalent to the figure reported by Clinton. Aides to former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards said he has $14 million in new contributions. Meanwhile network television executives are salivating over what promises to be a very lucrative ad revenue season. Lucky us.

Global Warming - In a defeat for the Bush administration, the Supreme Court ruled on Monday that a U.S. government agency has the power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions that spur global warming. By a 5-4 vote, the nation's highest court said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency "has offered no reasoned explanation" for its refusal to regulate carbon dioxide and other emissions from new cars and trucks that contribute to climate change. The ruling in one of the most important environmental cases to reach the Supreme Court marked the first high court decision in a case involving global warming. You just know Bush is seething over the fact that he cannot fire Supreme Court Justices in the same manner that he can U.S. attorneys. It must get his knickers in a wad to know that there are some folks who do not 'serve at the pleasure of the President.'

India - The U.S./India nuclear agreement, a centerpiece of Bush administration foreigh-policy ambition, has hit a wall. India appears to be unwilling to accept even the minimal constrations on its nuclear weapons program demanded by U.S. law. The intended deal has been controversial from the start. Congress, in the final days of GOP majorities in December, agreed to relax in India's favor some longstanding U.S rules limiting trade with nuclear-capable nations, with the the understanding that other constraints would remain in tact. India has now rejected those constraints. You have to take your hat off to the Bush administration. It would appear that its foreign policy gaffs (or outright failures) are not limited just to the Middle East, but now include our allies as well.

Technology - Europe blew away the U.S. and Asia in the World Economic Forum's 6th annual Networked Readiness Index. The 2006 results rank 122 nations on their ability to make use of information technology to promote economic growth.

Here are the top ten countries (2005 rankings in parentheses):

1 - Denmark (3)
2 - Sweden (8)
3 - Singapore (2)
4 - Finland (5)
5 - Switzerland (9)
6 - Netherlands (12)
7 - United States (1)
8 - Iceland (4)
9 - Britain (10)
10 - Norway (13)

Let's be fair here. Half the countries on this list are inside the Arctic Circle for crying out loud. Of course they're going to be more wired into technology. It's too freaking cold to do anything else.

March Madness: One of my two picks made it into the Championship game (Thank you, Florida) and clinched me the top prize in my office pool. I get to shoot my mouth off bragging about how good I am and denying that luck had anything to do with it. I'm right about that. Luck had nothing to do with my victory...it was all dumb luck.

Baseball - The 2007 season has gotten underway. Among the headlines to follow this season:
Barry Bonds: Will he get to Hank Aaron's mark of 755 homeruns, and will anyone care?
New York Yankees: This is the final season for the historic Yankees stadium.
Chicago Cubs: Tribune Co. is selling the Cubs later this year. The selling price is expected to exceed $700 million.