What Caught My Eye Today

White House - The White House made fun of former President Clinton and his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, for criticizing President Bush's decision to erase the prison sentence of former aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby. A White House deputy press secretary, said that, "When you think about the previous administration and the 11th-hour, fire-sale pardons ... it's really startling that they have the gall to criticize what we believe is a very considered, a very deliberate approach to a very unique case." President Clinton tried to draw a distinction between the pardons he granted, and Bush's decision to commute Libby's 30-month sentence in the CIA leak case. "I think there are guidelines for what happens when somebody is convicted," Clinton told a radio interviewer Tuesday. "You've got to understand, this is consistent with their philosophy; they believe that they should be able to do what they want to do, and that the law is a minor obstacle." Oh for goodness sake. What's done is done. Bush merely exercised his right to commute a sentence just as every President before him has been entitled to do. Enough with the political rhetoric. Bush didn't do anything wrong. Unpopular, yes, but wrong, no.

Al-Qaida - A new video by al-Qaida's deputy leader Thursday left no doubt about what the terror network claims is at stake in Iraq — describing it as a centerpiece of its anti-American fight and insisting the Iraqi insurgency is under its direct leadership. However, the proclamations carried another unintended message: reflecting the current troubles confronting the Sunni extremists in Iraq. Al-Qaida in Iraq has been put on the defensive. Some Sunni insurgent groups have publicly split with it, distancing themselves from its bomb attacks on Iraqi civilians and accusing al-Qaida of trying to strong-arm their members into joining. Some rival armed groups have even joined U.S. battles against it. Isn't it ironic that the world's sole remaining superpower couldn't accomplish in 5 years what internal infighting seems to be doing almost overnight. Can someone explain to me again why we're still in Iraq?

Olympics - Russia hailed its winning bid to host the 2014 Winter Olympics on Thursday as proof of the country's return to global prominence following a post-Soviet slump, and as a personal triumph for President Vladimir Putin. Putin, a keen skier, spent two days in Guatemala this week lobbying International Olympic Committee (IOC) members to give the Games to Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi. Russia's bid was also helped by its new-found wealth, most of it generated by high world prices for Russia's oil and gas exports. That allowed Putin to pledge $12 billion to fund the Games and associated infrastructure projects around Sochi. Russia's bid team spared no expense in wooing IOC delegates. It hired the consultants who worked on London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, and shipped in an ice rink which it assembled near the venue in Guatemala City where delegates were deliberating. An ice rink? What up with that? Wouldn't an under the table bribe has sufficed?

Movies - New Line Cinema is close to sealing a final deal to finance and distribute the long-stalled picture. The project is set to begin shooting in the fall with all four stars of the HBO hit -- Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon -- on board to reprise their roles. Plans for a movie were first revealed by HBO in early 2004, months before the show ended its six-season run. But the project stalled when Cattrall sought greater script control and a salary closer to that of Parker, who was more highly paid than her co-stars because she was a co-executive producer of the series. Cattrall was reportedly won over with a sweetened offer that included a series deal with HBO. So like does that mean a Sopranos flick is on the horizon?

Baseball - So let's see how things look as we get ready for the All Star break. In the American League the division leaders are Boston, Cleveland and the LA Angels. Boston is clinging to an 11.5 game lead over Toronto and the Yankees. Dude, the Yankees suck. Steinbrenner must be pissed. Over in the National League the division leaders are the NY Mets, Milwaukee and San Diego. Lemme see, did I miss anything? Hmm. Oh yes. A certain San Francisco Giant has 751 dingers.

Tennis - Despite Mother Nature's best efforts, Wimbledon is slowly working its way to the finals. The men's quarter finals are finally set. Roger Federer (1) faces off against Juan Carlos Ferrer (20) after a 5 day break. The other top 3 seeds are also into the quarter finals--Rafael Nadal (2), Andy Roddick (3) and Novak Djokovic (4). It's down to the semifinals in the women's draw with Justin Henin (1) taking on Marion Bartoli (18) and Ana Ivanovic (6) against Venus Williams (23). Two observations here. First, there must be something in the water in Serbia. For the second grand slam in a row, Serbia is well represented, this time by Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic. Second, how cool would it be for Venus to win Wimbledon...for a fourth time?

Cycling - Break out the Tivo for Vs., my friends. The Tour de France starts this Saturday. Discovery Channel, with whom Armstrong won his seventh and final yellow jersey in 2005, come into the race with one aim in mind: get Levi Leipheimer as close to the top step of the podium as possible. Leipheimer finished 16th overall last year, later admitting he had peaked too soon. Nearly six weeks earlier he had won the Dauphine Libere stage race. In the absence of the recently banned Italian ace Ivan Basso for doping, Discovery and Astana are shaping up to be the teams to beat at the Tour. CSC are spearheaded by Spanish outside favourite Carlos Sastre, while another Spanish contender, Alejandro Valverde, is untested having failed to finish in 2005 and 2006 through injury. Cadel Evans meanwhile could be handicapped by his Predictor-Lotto team being divided over his ambitions, and those of fellow Australian compatriot Robbie McEwen, who is aiming for a fourth green jersey and a stage win or two. Let me guess. I lost most of you at Cycling, didn't I?