What Caught My Eye Today

In honor of Halloween, today's entries are presented in orange and black.

Congress - President Bush ratcheted up his confrontation with Democratic leaders Wednesday, laying out what he said is a stark ideological divide between a fiscally prudent, free market-loving GOP president and a Congress that aims to raise taxes and nationalize health care. He chided Congress for failing to send him any appropriations bills even though the government started a new budget year on Oct. 1, and for drafting bills with higher spending than he wants. Bush never vetoed a spending bill when Republicans controlled Congress, but he's itching to do so now to demonstrate fiscal toughness. "Considering how eager they are to spend your money, it's shocking how long they are taking to do so," the president said. Forgive me I take the President's criticism of Congress with a grain of salt. I may not have all my facts straight, but at least Congress is attempting to include ways to pay for the spending increases it is proposing. I haven't seen the President once explain how we're supposed to pay for the war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Myanmar - More than 100 Buddhist monks marched peacefully in a northern Myanmar town noted for its defiance of the country's military rulers, the first large protest since the junta violently crushed a wave anti-government demonstrations. The monks chanted a Buddhist prayer that has come to be associated with the pro-democracy cause. They did not carry signs or shout slogans, but their action was clearly in defiance of the military government. You have to give these guys credit for their persistence in what they believe in. It looks like they are going to need it too, seeing as the international community shows no inclination for getting involved.

Iran - Iran warned the United States on Wednesday it would find itself in a "quagmire deeper than Iraq" if it attacked the Islamic state, and Russia intensified efforts for a diplomatic solution to Tehran's nuclear row with the West. The United States has refused to rule out military action if diplomacy fails. Iran has so far refused to heed U.N. demands to halt nuclear work that has both civilian and military uses. President Bush has suggested a nuclear-armed Iran could lead to World War Three. Russia, a veto-wielding member of the U.N. Security Council, says dialogue rather than punishment or talk of military action offers the best way to ease tension over Iran. It says the International Atomic Energy Agency process should be given time to run its course. How sad of a commentary is it on U.S. foreign policy, when of all countries, Russia is providing the voice of reason?

Health - Keeping slim is one of the best ways of preventing cancer, as is avoiding excessive amounts of red meat and wine, a landmark study has revealed. The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) said the link between body fat and cancer is closer than generally realized. The report, which selected 7,000 studies from a worldwide pool of 500,000 written since records began in the 1960s, includes five key findings: 1. Processed meats, such as ham and bacon, increase the risk of colorectal cancer, and should be eaten sparingly. Well that sucks. At least I can enjoy a nice steak 2. Another is the link between red meat and colorectal cancer, for which the evidence is stronger than ever. People should not eat more than 500g of cooked red meat a week -- or between 700g and 750g for "blue" or uncooked meat. DOH!!! Okay fine, I'll just drink my dinner from now on. 3. A further finding was the strongest evidence yet that alcohol is a cause of cancer. If people must drink, the report said, they should limit their intake to two units a day for a man or one for a woman. A unit is a half pint of beer or a small glass of wine. Just kill me now. 4. The report recommended mothers breastfeed exclusively for the first six months after birth followed by complementary breastfeeding, after evidence showed breastfeeding protects the mother against breast cancer. I'm not sure this is going to help me at this point in my life. 5. It did not recommend dietary supplements as prevention. Finally, something that I can embrace. Yeah, so basically it comes down to this--everything you like to eat and drink is bad for you so stop. And on top of all that, now they are saying that pills won't help you. Apparently you have to actually do some exercise. Oh, the humanity! When will the madness stop?

What Caught My Eye Today

Egypt - Egypt's president announced plans to build several nuclear power plants -- the latest in a string of ambitious such proposals from moderate Arab countries. The United States immediately welcomed the plan, in a sharp contrast to what it called nuclear "cheating" by Iran. President Hosni Mubarak said the aim was to diversify Egypt's energy resources and preserve its oil and gas reserves for future generations. A U.S.State Department spokesman said the U.S. would not object to the program as long as Egypt adhered to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and International Atomic Energy Agency guidelines. The United States accuses Iran of using the cover of a peaceful nuclear program to secretly work toward building a bomb, an allegation Iran denies. Iran asserts it has a right to peaceful nuclear power and needs it to meet its economy's voracious energy needs. Jordan, Turkey and several Gulf Arab countries have announced in recent months that they are interested in developing nuclear power programs, and Yemen's government signed a deal with a U.S. company in September to build civilian nuclear plants over the next 10 years. I'm trying to keep an open mind about this and am the first one to admit that Iran is not my favorite country, but doesn't it seem like there is a little bit of a double standard being applied here. Seriously folks, how does this make sense and how is are U.S. officials managing to keep straight faces as we try to explain ourselves out of this one. Iran is cheating, but it is okay for Yemen to pursue a nuclear program. Hell, we're helping them build the freaking thing.

Cuba - The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to urge the United States to lift its four-decade-old embargo against Cuba in a resolution adopted for the 16th consecutive year. The measure is nonbinding and such moves in the past have had no impact on U.S. policy.The resolution, entitled "necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba," was passed with 184 votes in favor, four against and one abstention. Voting "no" with the United States were Israel, Palau and the Marshall Islands. I say screw the U.N. With friends like Israel, Palau (I looked it up--Palau is an island nation of just under 21,000 in the South Pacific) and the Marshall Islands, who needs the rest of the world to side with us. Take that, Fidel.

United Kingdom - The Queen has said Britain and Saudi Arabia must work together against terrorists "who threaten the way of life of our citizens". At a state banquet hosted by the Queen, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia spoke of "ominous signs of war and conflict in the world". Critics said the visit should not take place because of Saudi Arabia's human rights record. I'm not saying that Saudi Arabia is a role model when it comes to human rights--I'm not sure many folks outside the U.S. think very highly of us at present--but it seems to me that turning your nose up at a country doesn't exactly encourage it to change its ways. Some of you may not agree with my assertion. Fair enough. But let me ask you this--how stellar is our track record in employing this strategy?

Congress - I have a two-fer special for you today.

Democrats are debating whether to approve $50 billion to $70 billion more for Iraq and Afghanistan, less than half of President Bush's $196 billion request but enough to keep the wars afloat for a few more months. Such a move would satisfy party members who want to spare the Pentagon from a painful budget dance and show support for the troops as Congress considers its next major step on Iraq. Many Democrats say the money is necessary if Congress passes an annual defense spending bill without any war funding. If left without a "bridge fund" to fill the gap until Congress takes up the full $196 billion request, the Pentagon would have to divert money from less urgent accounts to pay for immediate war requirements — an approach military officials warn is disruptive and inefficient. Earlier this fall, Democrats decided to delay until next year action on Bush's war spending request. Unable to pass veto-proof legislation ordering troops home, they also are divided on whether to continue paying for the unpopular war.

Elsewhere on Capitol Hill...

President George W. Bush again threatened to wield his veto pen. Bush's objection is over the Democrats' desire to spend about $9 billion more than he wants for various domestic social programs, from cancer research and early childhood education to helping the poor heat their homes this winter. Democrats were considering coupling the domestic funding bill with money for the Pentagon and veterans that Bush wants, but final decisions had not yet been made, according to congressional aides. His remarks were another in a string of veto threats as the Republican president tries to burnish his credentials as a fiscal conservative despite six years of deficit-spending and debt accumulation. In blocking enactment of various fiscal 2008 spending bills, Republicans also are trying to paint the Democratic-controlled Congress as incompetent big spenders in the run-up to next year's national elections. While Bush wants Congress to reduce some of its domestic spending priorities that they insist will not add to the debt, he is asking lawmakers to approve $196 billion in new funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that would use borrowed funds. Like the previous $600 billion in war funds he has spent, none of the $196 billion would be paid for with spending cuts elsewhere or tax increases.

I know that's a lot of information to digest so let's break it down shall we? On one hand, we have a Democrat-controlled Congress that seems incapable of writing legislation that can withstand a lame-duck Republican President's veto. On the other hand, we have the same lame duck Republican President talking out of both sides of his mouth slamming Congress for submitting out of control domestic spending bills while at the same time asking for another $196 billion dollars to pay for a war that no one wants to see continue. I don't know, seems like business as usual to me.

What Caught My Eye Today

Hi folks, I'm back from vacation. I want to start today's rant--I mean, observations--with a little history. On this date in 1982, my little sister graced humanity with her presence. Happy birthday, Sis.

California - Firefighters have tamed the handful of wildfires still burning in California. The devastating wildfires which erupted on October 21 were among the worst in Californian history, leaving seven people dead, destroying 2,000 homes and displacing 640,000 people as they tore through tinder-dry parks and forests. At the height of the crisis 23 fires were blazing. But a lull in winds which fueled the flames early last week combined with cooling temperatures allowed firefighters to gain the upper hand over the weekend. Early today only six fires continued to be classified as "active." The fires are the worst to hit the state since 2003, when 22 people were killed and more than 3,000 homes lost in a series of blazes. At least two of them were believed to have been set deliberately. San Diego County officials have put the cost of property damage at more than one billion dollars, although insurance industry analysts have said it may go as high as 1.6 billion. So like, here I was thinking finally a year without a major natural disaster in the good 'ol U.S. of A. Sure, there was some flooding in parts of the country, but nothing remotely close to the hurricanes of two years ago. And then come these fires. Guess I spoke too soon. Then again, not all of these fires where sparked by natural causes, were they? I will say this. Whatever penalties these arsonists receive, will not come close to the pain and damage that they inflicted on the residents of Southern California. I hope these fires gave these guys an idea of what burning in hell will feel like.

Caribbean - At least 20 people have been killed in flooding in the Dominican Republic following torrential rains dumped by Tropical Storm Noel. The deaths were reported in the Dominican capital Santo Domingo, and along the south coast. The storm was expected to pour 10 to 20 inches of rain on the Dominican Republic and neighbouring Haiti, the US National Hurricane Center said. Early this evening the center of the storm had passed and was heading north-west, past the eastern tip of Cuba towards the Bahamas. This particular news item drew my attention because two short days ago I was wrapping up a rather enjoyable cruise through the Eastern Caribbean. I want to give a shout out to the staff and crew of the Freedom of the Seas. Be safe, folks.

Space Shuttle - The space shuttle Discovery has extended its 14 day mission to the International Space Station to launch an Italian-built U.S. multi-port module for the station in order to take a closer look at the gears that control the international space station's solar wings to try to find out what's grinding inside and causing steel chips to clog the system. The inspection of the good left gear will take up just a small portion of the spacewalk. The primary goal will be to hook up a giant beam and its attached solar panels — folded up like an accordion — to their new location on the space station. These panels, once unfurled, will be controlled by the left rotary joint. Installing that beam and extending those solar panels to their full 240 feet has taken on added importance because of the rotary joint problem. A significant power shortfall would delay the arrival of European and Japanese laboratories on the verge of launching. This is the 120th space shuttle mission and 23rd mission involved in the construction of the International Space Station. Don't you feel some much more informed now?

Argentina - First lady Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner will become Argentina's first elected woman leader, but her husband, President Nestor Kirchner, is expected to stay active behind the scenes. Fernandez's margin of victory in the Sunday presidential vote, seen as the largest in the history of Argentine democracy, will allow her to avoid a runoff next month. With ballots counted at 96.4 percent of polling stations, Fernandez had 44.90 percent support, followed by another female candidate, former lawmaker Elisa Carrio, who had 22.96 percent. Please, please, please, don't make me explain why I included this bit. If you cannot figure out the connection by now, frankly, I give up.

Oil - Oil futures surged to a new record near $94 Monday, propelled by the weak dollar and news that Mexico's state oil company had suspended a fifth of its oil production due to stormy weather. Crude futures rallied late in the session as the euro rebounded against the dollar, analysts said. The dollar's descent against other major currencies has drawn investors to crude futures as a hedge against the weakening currency and made dollar-denominated oil futures less expensive to people dealing in other currencies. Prices on Monday were also supported by fighting in Turkey between armed forces and Kurdish rebels, and the U.S. government's imposition last week of harsh penalties against Iran, the world's fourth largest oil producer. Despite oil's relentless march higher in recent weeks, many analysts argue that the price increases are being driven by speculation, not market fundamentals. Maybe it's just me, but wouldn't it be nice if these so-called analysts practiced some of these market fundamentals? Seems to me that these analysts are the ones doing most of the talking about all this speculation. Why do they spend so much more time talking about speculation rather than fundamentals. Too boring perhaps? Or there the remote possibility that some of this speculation may actually be based on a sliver of reality. I do know this...I'm paying about $3.25 for a gallon of unleaded. If this keeps up, I may have to cutback on my Starbucks. If that happens, dude, the gloves are coming off.

Baseball - Police in riot gear cleared several large crowds gathered around Fenway Park early Monday and said they made 37 arrests the Red Sox won their second World Series title in four years. Boston, who had gone 86 years without winning a World Series before sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004, repeated the feat by outscoring the Rockies a cumulative 29-10. The Rockies, who won 21 of 22 games to storm into the postseason and their first World Series, never found their stride after waiting eight days for the Series to begin. 37 arrests, huh? I wonder how bad it would have been if Colorado had come back and won 4 in a row? Guys, let's be cool about this. Sure, last time you went a little crazy and who could blame you. 86 years is a long time. But seriously, it shouldn't be that hard to show some class and act like you have been here before and will probably be here again as soon as next year.

What Caught My Eye Today

I'm off for a little rest and reaction for the next week, so if you don't see much new stuff over the next several days, I'm probably endulging in an adult beverage, reading a book or taking a nap.

Harry Potter - Albus Dumbledore, master wizard and Headmaster of Hogwarts, is gay. J.K. Rowling, author of the mega-selling fantasy series that ended last summer, outed the beloved character last night while appearing before a full house at Carnegie Hall in New York. She then explained that Dumbledore was smitten with rival Gellert Grindelwald, whom he defeated long ago in a battle between good and bad wizards. My apologies for leading off with this story, but you have to admit this is huge (wink-wink). I suppose this revelation is not such a big deal. After all, the Christian groups that would likely have been bothered by this already condemned the Harry Potter series for promoting witchcraft. Next to that, how much worse can a gay wizard be?

Pakistan - Benazir Bhutto blamed al-Qaida and Taliban militants for the assassination attempt against her that killed at least 136 people, and declared she would risk her life to restore democracy in Pakistan and prevent an extremist takeover. The former premier presented a long list of foes who would like to see her dead — from loyalists of a previous military regime that executed her politician father to Islamic hard-liners bent on stopping a female leader from modernizing Pakistan. Bhutto's procession had been creeping toward the center of Karachi for 10 hours Thursday when a small explosion erupted near the front of her truck as well-wishers swarmed around it. A larger blast quickly followed, destroying two police vans. Authorities said the assault bore the hallmarks of a Taliban-allied warlord and the al-Qaida terror network — with a man first throwing a grenade into the sea of people around Bhutto's convoy and then blowing himself up with a bomb wrapped in bolts and other pieces of metal. I don't claim to be an expert on security, but if Bhutto knew ahead of time that an attempt on her life was likely, what exactly was she thinking when she left herself open as a target for 10 hours in broad daylight. I'm not saying she should go into hiding, but at the same time, let's not go out there and basically dare someone to take a shot at you.

These next two items are kind of interesting. You'd think that the roles would be reversed.

Poland - Poland's upcoming election could bring to power a party that favors a quicker end to the country's military mission in Iraq and tougher bargaining over hosting a U.S. missile defense base — while still promising to remain a strong American ally. Polls give an edge to the pro-business Civic Platform party over Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski's conservative Law and Justice party going into the balloting for a new parliament. Both favor a strong alliance with Washington, but Civic Platform shows signs it may be more inclined to push for getting more for its friendship with the United States. Since taking power in fall 2005, Kaczynski's government has twice extended the Polish mission in Iraq, beefed up its force in Afghanistan to more than 1,000 soldiers, and voiced strong support for hosting the U.S. anti-missile base despite fierce objections from Russia. Civic Platform, in contrast, has called for bringing home Poland's 900 soldiers in Iraq, though some party officials have said that could take as long as until the end of 2008. The party also says Poland should get more from the U.S. in return for a missile base deal. Regardless of the outcome of the election, it's great that a debate like this actually taking place. It wasn't that long ago when Poland was just another Soviet-bloc nation. You go vote yourselves a new parliament, you crazy kids.

North Korea - North Korea wants the standoff over its nuclear weapons program resolved in order to forge better ties with the United States, according to South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun. Some North Korea analysts had speculated that Kim might try to convey to the U.S. his seriousness about resolving the nuclear issue through Roh. North Korea has been increasingly compliant in international talks to get rid of its nuclear program since the U.S. significantly softened its approach toward Pyongyang after the Communist regime conducted its first-ever nuclear test last October. I find it fascinating how countries at odds with the United States are much more interested in trying to work out their differences with us when we are not threatening to blow them up?

I cannot leave, without one more mention of our favorite damsel in distress.

Britney Spears - Hours after losing visitation rights with her two young sons, Britney Spears apparently ran over the foot of a photographer for celebrity Web site TMZ.com. Spears was driving away from a Beverly Hills medical building, her car surrounded by photographers. Earlier in the day, Spears learned she can no longer visit her two preschool-age sons, who are in the custody of ex-husband Kevin Federline, until she complies with a Superior Court order. Previously, Spears was ordered to undergo random drug and alcohol testing twice a week and to meet weekly with a "parenting coach." Based on Britney's recent track record, I'd say the judge did a huge favor for those poor children. I'm amazed that they managed to survive this long.

Alright then, I'm out of here. See you in a week.

What Caught My Eye Today

Pakistan - A suicide bombing in a crowd welcoming former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto killed at least 126 people, shattering her celebratory procession through Pakistan's biggest city after eight years in exile. Officials at six hospitals in Karachi reported 126 dead and 248 wounded. It was believed to be the deadliest bomb attack in Pakistan's history. An estimated 20,000 security officers had been deployed to protect Bhutto and her cavalcade of motorized rickshaws, colorful buses, cars and motorcycles. At the risk of stating the obvious, I don't think the extra protection helped much. And another thing, if this sort of thing happens during a triumphant homecoming, what kind of reaction can Bhutto expect when the day comes that she isn't so popular any more? And you can bet that day will come sooner or later.

Congress - Hold on to your hats, folks. The Democratic-controlled House failed to override President Bush's veto of a politically popular children's health bill--I know, shocking isn't--and the White House instantly called for compromise talks on a replacement. The maneuvering followed a 273-156 vote that left supporters 13 short of the two-thirds majority needed to prevail in a bruising veto struggle between congressional Democrats and a politically weakened Republican president. It was Bush's third veto of the year. He has yet to be overridden, although Democrats say they will succeed in doing so on a water projects bill that soon will go to the White House. Call me crazy, but I'm not sure a President who has never had his veto overridden and has spent the past year pretty much doing what he's always been doing, despite the fact that the Republican party lost control of both the House and the Senate, can be characterized as 'weakened.'

2008 Presidential Campaign - Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton said that immigrants living in the U.S. illegally would not be covered by her proposed universal health care plan. Clinton said she supports basic health services for illegal immigrants, including hospitalization and treatment of acute conditions. But she said the magnitude of the nation's health care challenge means her universal coverage proposal would not cover the 12 million people living in the country illegally. Maybe I'm missing something here, but are illegal immigrants covered by any sort of health plan now? I'm not sure I understand why this is newsworthy.

France - French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Cecilia have divorced, ending rampant speculation about the state of their 11-year old marriage. It was the first time in modern French history that a serving president has divorced his wife, and Sarkozy's reaction to the split will come under intense scrutiny. Cecilia played a crucial role in his rise to power, serving as an adviser during his previous stints as interior and finance minister. Sarkozy himself vaunted their relationship, telling aides she was "the only non-negotiable part" of his career. Gushing media compared France's first couple to America's glamorous John and Jackie Kennedy, but behind the glossy exterior, there were clear signs their marriage was flailing. Cecilia played no public part in her husband's election campaign this year, did not vote for him in the second round and only appeared fleetingly alongside him at three public engagements since his May victory. Why do the French have to complicate things so much. Heck look at the roller coaster ride the Clinton's have endured. When Bill was President, sure he engaged in a little something-something on the side, but from where I sit, things haven't turned out too badly for Hilary. Girlfriend, has a pretty good shot at snagging the Oval Office next year. And you just know that she's gonna get some payback.

What Caught My Eye Today

Iraq - A State Department review of private security guards for diplomats in Iraq is unlikely to recommend firing Blackwater USA over the deaths of 17 Iraqis last month, but the company probably is on the way out of that job. Blackwater's work escorting U.S. diplomats outside the protected Green Zone in Baghdad expires in May and U.S. officials expect that the company will not continue to work for the embassy after that. State Department officials gave admiring appraisals of Blackwater's work overall, noting that no diplomats have died while riding in Blackwater's heavily armed convoys. No kidding. Blackwater guards shot anyone who came close to their charges. And another thing. Is it just me or does this whole arrangement between the U.S. Government and Blackwater seem reminiscent of its deal with Halliburton? I wonder who's getting rich off this gig?

These next couple of items show just how much influence Congress wields these days...God, help us all.

Turkey - Parliament voted 507-19 to authorize the government to send troops into northern Iraq to root out Kurdish rebels who've been conducting raids into Turkey. While they now have the authority to strike at PKK bases used to stage attacks in Turkey, the country's leaders appear to be holding back in hopes the threat of an incursion will prod Iraq and the U.S. to move against the guerrillas. The Turkish military, which had little success when it last carried out a major incursion into Iraq a decade ago with 50,000 soldiers, estimates 3,800 Turkish Kurd guerrillas operate from Iraq territory and 2,300 are inside Turkey. Public anger is high in Turkey over a recent spate of guerrilla attacks in the southeast as well as a perception that the United States has failed to back Turkey in its fight with the PKK, even though Washington lists the movement as a terrorist group. Meanwhile, in the United States, President Bush urged the Democratic-controlled Congress not to worsen tensions by approving a resolution labeling as genocide the World War I-era killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians by Turks as the Ottoman Empire crumbled. The House vote to label the bloodshed nearly a century ago as genocide was in jeopardy after several Democrats withdrew their support and sounded alarms it could cripple U.S.-Turkish relations. The House vote to label the bloodshed nearly a century ago as genocide was in jeopardy after several Democrats withdrew their support and sounded alarms it could cripple U.S.-Turkish relations. Oh for heaven's sake, make up your minds, Congress. First you go to all this trouble to piss off everybody, for what I thought was a legitimate reason, and now you are backing off. Did I miss something or were all those historical accounts that you cited when you passed this resolution in committee last week wrong? What a bunch of dumb asses.

Besides having no backbones, Congress (and the President, for that matter) seems to be applying a bit of a double standard when it comes to principles.

China - President Bush, raising Beijing's ire, presented the Dalai Lama with the U.S. Congress' highest civilian honor and urged Chinese leaders to welcome the monk to Beijing. Bush praised a man he called a "universal symbol of peace and tolerance, a shepherd of the faithful and a keeper of the flame for his people." "Americans cannot look to the plight of the religiously oppressed and close our eyes or turn away," Bush said. China reviles the 72-year-old monk as a Tibetan separatist and vehemently protested the elaborate public ceremony. China had demanded that the United States cancel this week's celebrations. The Chinese Foreign Minister said the events "seriously wounded the feelings of the Chinese people and interfered with China's internal affairs." U.S. lawmakers regularly criticize Beijing for human rights abuses and a massive military buildup and claim that China ignores abuse by unsavory foreign governments in Sudan and Myanmar in its pursuit of energy and business deals. Perhaps someone can explain to me why its okay to piss off China by honoring the Dalai Lama, but it is way out of bounds to criticize Turkey for the 1.5 million lives lost there? If you can figure this one out, you are way smarter than I am.

And finally, at a time when most second-term Presidents are starting to feel the effects of the 'lame duck' syndrome, Bush took great pride in slamming Congress on a number of issues. Right or wrong, the dude is getting away with it.

President Bush - President Bush, weakened by record-low poll ratings, asserted he is still politically relevant and scolded the Democratic-led Congress on Wednesday for having "little to show for all the time that has gone by." Bush used a mid morning news conference to lecture lawmakers about their failure to complete action on any spending bills to keep the government running or to send him legislation dealing with education, housing and other matters. Saying he did not share any blame for Congress' failure to act, Bush said, "I think it is their fault that bills aren't moving." With his presidency in its final 15 months, his approval ratings at just 31 percent and Democrats running Congress, Bush has little clout to push his own agenda through Congress. However, he can stop the Democrats' proposals with his veto since Congress has been unable so far to override his rejection of troop withdrawal deadlines in Iraq and expanded stem cell research. The House on Thursday is expected to fail to override his veto of an expansion of a popular children's health insurance program. Bush said his veto pen was "one way to ensure that I am relevant; that's one way to ensure that I am in the process. And I intend to use the veto." I just don't get it. This guy has record low approval ratings, is perpetuating a war that no one wants to continue and is having his way with a Congress that the Democratic party controls the majority in both the House and the Senate. Is he that smart or is the Congressional leadership that dumb? I just don't know.

So as not to end this post on a down note, here's a little tidbit that I'm sure we can all use to enrich our lives...well, at least the guys can.

Libations - According to a relationship expert, the type of drink a woman orders at the bar can say a lot about her:

• Martini - Martini women are typically high-maintenance. They tend to be stressed out, depressed and looking to shift their mood.


• Beer - Beer drinkers are spontaneous and fun, but don't feel comfortable with their femininity.


• Lemon Drops - These women are fashionable, trendy and fun-loving, but may not be the sharpest tools in the shed.


• Red Wine - Wine lovers are health conscious and conservative, but also sensual, warm and nurturing.


• Scotch - Scotch-drinking women are grounded. They know who they are and don't care what anybody thinks.


• Rum and Coke - These girls like to have fun and are really laid-back.


• Champagne - These ladies are elitist, pretentious and want people to think they are intellectuals.


• Cosmopolitan - Cosmo drinkers fall into the high-maintenance category, typically trying a bit to hard to look sophisticated

Yeah, whatever. I think I speak for all guys when I say, who cares what they drink so long as they say 'yes' later. Yes, I know it sounds crude and demeaning, but honestly, am I right or am I right?

What Caught My Eye Today

Iraq - Commanders in Iraq have decided to begin the drawdown of U.S. forces in volatile Diyala province, marking a turning point in the U.S. military mission. The number of Army ground combat brigades in Iraq will fall from 20 to 19. This reflects President Bush's bid to begin reducing the American military force and shifting its role away from fighting the insurgency toward more support functions like training and advising Iraqi security forces. The shift in Diyala could be a model for follow-on reductions next year, with a redrawing of the U.S. lines of responsibility so that a departing brigade has its battle space consumed by a remaining brigade. At the same time, Iraqi security forces would assume greater responsibility. It is not yet clear how the rest of the five-brigade reduction will be carried out; the cuts are to be completed by July 2008, under a plan recommended by Gen. David Petraeus, the top commander in Iraq, and announced by Bush in September. Okay, so get this. The part of the story that I did not include is that while the number of U.S. brigades is dropping, the number of troops on the ground will remain the same, because a replacement brigade scheduled to arrive in December is substantially larger than the one it is replacing. You have to hand it to those number crunchers in Washington. Somehow, they manage to tweak the numbers so that everyone gets what they want. Didn't Enron do the same thing a few years back?

Caspian Sea Summit - Vladimir Putin issued a veiled warning against any attack on Iran as he began the first visit by a Kremlin leader to Tehran in six decades — a mission reflecting Russian-Iranian efforts to curb U.S. influence. He also suggested Moscow and Tehran should have a veto on Western plans for new pipelines to carry oil and natural gas from the Caspian Sea, using routes that would bypass Russian soil and break the Kremlin's monopoly on energy deliveries from the region. In Iran's confrontation with the West, Russia has tread a fine line, warning against heavy pressure on Iran and protecting it — for now — from a third round of U.N. sanctions, while urging Tehran to heed the Security Council's demand that it halt uranium enrichment. Putin's careful stance on completing the Russian-built nuclear power plant in Iran suggested the Kremlin is seeking to preserve solid ties with Tehran without angering the West. The main issue before the summit was the Caspian Sea itself. Divvying up territory in and around the inland sea — believed to contain the world's third-largest reserves of oil and natural gas — has been a divisive issue among the five nations, and the leaders showed no signs of progress toward resolving the dispute. Putin argued that all pipeline projects in the region should require the approval by all five Caspian nations to take effect, a view that would give each capital a veto. But the idea was barely mentioned in comments by the leaders of the former Soviet republics of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, which are striving to balance their relations with Russia, the West and Asia. All this noise aside, I think the intriguing thing here is how Putin is rather shrewdly extending the sphere of influence of Mother Russia. Maybe it's just paranoia on my part, but would any of us be that comfortable with access to on of the world's largest oil and natural gas reserve under the control of Russia and Iran...and maybe the three other 'token' countries?

Iran - Republican presidential candidate John McCain said he prays every night the United States doesn't go to war with Iran, and he blamed Russia and China for standing in the way of a diplomatic solution. With sharp words, he accused both Russia and China of causing gridlock in the U.N. Security Council and hindering the world body's ability to sanction Iran or address pressing matters in Darfur, Burma and other trouble spots. In my mind, these latest ramblings explain three things rather succinctly. First, I'm not sure praying constitutes much of a foreign policy. Second, blaming other countries for our inability to negotiate with Iran because our President does want to, doesn't exactly sound like a roadmap to improving the situation. And lastly, those first two observations are just a sampling of the reasons why McCain is so far back in the race for the GOP Presidential nomination.

Social Security - The nation's "first" baby boomer, a retired teacher from New Jersey, applied for Social Security benefits Monday, signaling the start of an expected avalanche of applications from the post World War II generation. Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue called it "America's silver tsunami." Kathleen Casey-Kirschling was born one second after midnight on Jan. 1, 1946, gaining her recognition as the first baby boomer — a generation of nearly 80 million born from 1946 to 1964. An estimated 10,000 people a day will become eligible for Social Security benefits over the next two decades, Astrue said. The Social Security trust fund, if left alone, is projected to go broke in 2041. But Astrue said he is optimistic that Congress will address the issue, perhaps after the 2008 presidential election. Let me see if I've got this straight. This dude, Astrue, calls this the beginning of a 'silver tsunami', acknowledges that the Social Security Fund will dry up in 2041, and is optimistic that Congress will address the issue. This is the very best guy we could find to run the Social Security Administration? We are so screwed.

Britney Spears - This is almost like watching a video loop of a train wreck over and over and over again. Britney Spears reported to a Los Angeles police station last night to face charges of hit and run and driving without a valid license. The charges stem from an Aug. 6 wreck during which paparazzi filmed Spears steering her car into another vehicle as she tried to turn into a spot in a Studio City parking lot. The video showed her walking away after assessing the damage to her own car. She has been spending considerable time dealing with legal issues lately. On Oct. 1, a court commissioner ordered her to temporarily relinquish custody of her two young sons to ex-husband Kevin Federline, citing concerns over Spears' drug and alcohol use. She was in court last week to appeal the order and was granted one overnight stay a week with her boys, but the visits must be monitored. Is there some sort of contest between her and Lindsay Lohan to see who can rack up the longer rap sheet? I used to feel sorry for the broad, but how many times is she going to go into self-destruct mode before enough is enough?

What Caught My Eye Today

Russia - Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to negotiate with Iran on behalf of the international community in their nuclear standoff, although he didn't come to Tehran as scheduled amid warnings of a possible assassination plot. Putin's planned trip, the first here by a Kremlin leader since World War II, raised hopes that personal diplomacy could find a solution to the impasse over the Iranian nuclear program, but he delayed his arrival, which had been set for this evening. The Russian leader insisted to reporters in Germany that he was going ahead with the trip, but the Kremlin declined to discuss details. Oh come on, guys. give the assassins a fighting chance, will ya? I tell you, these guys are taking this threat way too seriously. Honestly, what's the worst that could happen? Hmm. Okay, maybe they have a point.

Palestinian State - Saying the time is now for a Palestinian state, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice prodded Israel and the Palestinians to agree at a U.S.-sponsored conference this fall on how and when to start formal peace talks. In one of her strongest statements yet on the issue, Rice declared that creation of a Palestinian state is a key U.S. interest and urged the two sides to drop contentious demands and reach consensus on a substantive joint statement ahead of the international conference. The international community has been dragging its feet for years on this. Why the sudden urgency now? Is it possible--now hear me out on this one--that President Bush is looking for a foreign policy success story anyway and anywhere that he can before he leaves office?

Turkey - Turkey's cabinet asked parliament on Monday for permission to launch attacks on Kurdish separatists in northern Iraq that Washington fears could destabilize one of the most peaceful areas of the country. Iraq urged Turkey not to resort to military action on its territory, calling on it to be "wise and patient." The United States has urged restraint on Turkey, a key NATO ally strategically located between Europe and the Middle East. But Washington's influence in Ankara is being severely undermined by U.S. Congressional moves to brand as genocide the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915. Turkey's sole target, if its troops entered northern Iraq, would be the PKK militants, about 3,000 of whom are believed to be hiding there. Large-scale incursions by Turkey into northern Iraq in 1995 and 1997, involving an estimated 35,000 and 50,000 troops respectively, failed to dislodge the rebels. I've been following this story for a little over a week now, and I have to tell you, Turkey seems pretty serious about going through with this. I remember not too long ago when a warning from the U.S. would have easily been enough to diffuse the situation. Not any more.

Government Spending - President Bush admonished Congress day for failing to send him a single spending bill yet, and warned lawmakers to trim their plans or face rejection. The budget year began Oct. 1, and federal agencies are operating on a stopgap bill for now. Congress has not yet agreed on the 12 spending bills that keep the government running. Bush never vetoed a spending bill when his party ran Congress, but he's dug in for a challenge now. He said the Democrats' plans would raise taxes and prevent the nation from balancing the budget. Conservative House Republicans appear to have the votes to sustain his promised vetoes. For a president short on domestic victories, the White House sees fiscal discipline as a winning argument for Bush: a chance to label the opposition in tax-and-spend terms. In the budget stalemate, Democrats are pressing to spend about $22 billion more on domestic programs than Bush wants. Here's a case of 'the pot calling the kettle black'. Bush wants to give a lecture on fiscal responsibility? That's a good one. Here's a guy whining that Congress wants to spending $22 billion more than he is comfortable with on trivial things like children's health care. $22 billion. That's the equivalent to what, like a week of funding for the war on terror.

What Caught My Eye Today

Turkey - Turkey's top general warned that ties with the U.S., already strained by attacks from rebels hiding in Iraq, will be irreversibly damaged if Congress passes a resolution that labels the World War I-era killings of Armenians a genocide. Turkey, which is a major cargo hub for U.S. and allied military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, has recalled its ambassador to Washington for consultations and warned that there might be a cut in the logistical support to the U.S. over the issue. Turkey suspended its military ties with France last year after the French parliament's lower house adopted a bill that that would have made it a crime to deny that the Armenian killings constituted a genocide. But there is more at stake for NATO's only Muslim member when it comes to its relations with the U.S. The Turkish military, and especially the air force, is heavily dependent on the American defense industry. This is almost like watching two children engaged in a stare down--who will blink first? The irony is that both countries need and want good relations with the other. Too bad political posturing has made that all but impossible at this point.

Iran - President Bush must seek congressional approval before taking any military action in Iran, unless Tehran attacks the United States first, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. "We don't believe that any authorities that the president has would give him the ability to go in without an act of Congress. Any president, if we are attacked, if our country is attacked has -- even under the War Powers Act -- very strong powers to go after that country. But short of that, he must come to the Congress," she said. Pelosi said Bush had not requested any congressional authority to take military action in Iran, despite growing U.S. concern over Iran's nuclear ambitions and its support for militant groups in Lebanon and Gaza. Iran denies trying to build a nuclear weapon, but the United States, France, Britain and other countries fear Iran's stated pursuit of nuclear-generated electricity is a precursor to learning how to build atom bombs. Okay, so maybe my memory isn't what it used to be, but when exactly did Iraq attack us, before we invaded? It seems to me that regardless of what Congress says should happen, Bush has demonstrated that he will do whatever he wants when he wants.

Russia - President Vladimir Putin has been warned by his special services of a possible plot to assassinate him during a visit to Tehran this week. Iran dismissed as baseless a report by the Russian Interfax news agency that suicide bombers were preparing to attack the President. It described the allegation as "psychological warfare" calculated by Tehran's enemies -- an apparent reference to Western powers -- to undermine Russian-Iranian relations. A Kremlin spokesman said there are no plans to cancel Putin's visit. The trip is the first by a Kremlin leader to Tehran since World War Two, and comes amid tension over Iran's nuclear ambitions. The trip to Tehran will be watched closely by Western capitals pushing Moscow for a harder line over an Iranian nuclear program they fear masks a drive for an atomic bomb. Try to follow me on this. Country A allegedly tries to 'pop a cap' into Country B's head of state. Country B's head of state finds out about said attempt and decides to teach Country A about a little thing called R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Country B's head of state then proceeds to open up a can of 'shock and awe' all over Country A. Far-fetched you say? Oh I don't know, seems to me that's pretty much how we got into this Iraq fiasco.

NASCAR - I wish I could say this was about how my boy Jeff Gordon has been lights out for a second week in a row (first Talledega, then Charlott) and is well on his week to wrapping up his 5th Nextel Cup with just 5 races to go. I wish I could, but I can't...and you can blame it on some idiot in Congress hell bent on screwing his fellow Democrats. An official with the House Committee on Homeland Security suggested that staff aides get immunizations before visiting health facilities at Alabama's Talladega Superspeedway and North Carolina's Lowe's Motor Speedway, where the Bank of America 500 was run Saturday. In an e-mail, a staffer who works for committee chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., noted an "unusual need for whomever attending to be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B," as well as "the more normal things — tetanus, diphtheria, and of course, seasonal influenza." The reaction on both sides illustrates just how valuable candidates for elected office consider the votes of NASCAR fans who pack grandstands by the thousands every weekend and the donations of business leaders who spend millions to sponsor the sport. Dude, are you mental? Not enough of a challenge getting votes so you decide to alienate the fan base of the single largest sport in the South. How did you manage to get elected to office in the first place?

College Football - Ohio State has been here before, leading the Bowl Championship Series standings. For second-place South Florida, it's another breakthrough in a season full of them. The Buckeyes and Bulls held the first two spots in the first BCS standings on the season released today. The Buckeyes (7-0) can thank the poll voters for making them No. 1. Ohio State is No. 1 in both the coaches' poll and the Harris poll, which are two of the three components the BCS uses in its standings formula. Ohio State was also the new No. 1 team in the AP Top 25. The Buckeyes (7-0) beat Kent State 48-3 Saturday and have played only one team that's been in the rankings at any point this season. In a season in which 10 ranked teams have been beaten by unranked teams, just avoiding the upset bug has been enough for Ohio State. An unpredictable season took a new twist Saturday when LSU, in its second week as No. 1, was upset 43-37 in triple overtime by Kentucky. A few hours later, California, poised to move up one spot to No. 1 with a victory, lost at home 31-28 to Oregon State. It was the first time in 11 years the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the AP poll lost on the same day. The Buckeyes received 50 of a possible 65 first-place votes, and were not the only team to advance. South Florida, which had never been ranked before this season, moved up three spots to No. 2, leapfrogging No. 3 Boston College. No. 4 Oklahoma and No. 5 LSU each received one first-place vote, as did No. 12 Arizona State. The rest of the top 10 was No. 6 South Carolina, followed by Oregon, Kentucky, West Virginia and Cal, which slipped eight spots to No. 10. Virginia Tech was No. 11, followed by Arizona State and Southern California, which fell another three spots to No. 13. USC was the preseason No. 1, but lost the top ranking three weeks ago after a lackluster victory at Washington. The Trojans slipped to No. 10 last week after being upset by Stanford. And this my friends, is why college football is the greatest sport in the world, and why I've decided from this moment forward to never participate in fantasy sports ever again...at least until next weekend.

What Caught My Eye Today

Turkey - U.S. officials promised that they would convey to Iraq Turkey's unease over Kurdish rebels in the north but they also expressed concern over the possibility of a Turkish military offensive in the region. Turkey recalled its ambassador to Washington for consultations after a House committee's approval of a resolution which would label the World War I-era killing of Armenians by Turks a genocide and warned of serious repercussions if Congress passes the resolution. U.S. officials said there are about 60,000 Turkish troops massed along the country's southern border with Iraq. But the U.S. military has not seen activity to suggest an imminent offensive against Kurdish rebels based in northern Iraq who have been crossing the border to attack Turkish forces. Turkey's parliament was expected to approve a government request to authorize an Iraq campaign as early as next week. The U.S. is concerned a Turkish incursion into northern Iraq would disrupt one of the country's few relatively stable areas. Turkey's military preparations come amid concern in Washington that the genocide resolution could jeopardize supply routes the American military has used to move armored vehicles to troops in Iraq. About 70 percent of U.S. air cargo headed for Iraq goes through Turkey, as does about one-third of the fuel used by the U.S. military there. U.S. bases also get water and other supplies overland by Turkish truckers who cross into Iraq's north. At issue in the resolution is the killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turks. Turkey denies that the World War I-era deaths constituted genocide and says the toll has been inflated. Turkey also contends the dead were victims of civil war and unrest that killed Muslims as well as the overwhelmingly Christian Armenians.

Having had a bit more time to digest the story, I'll say this. If in fact the historical accounts of Turkey's actions during World War I are correct, then so be it. However, one has to question the timing of this resolution. Why now after so many attempts does the resolution have a chance of making it through Congress? I can only hope that Congress is doing this because it truly believes this is the right thing to do, rather than doing this because Congress has finally found something it can do with or without Bush's approval.

Israel - Israel's air strike inside Syria last month was directed at a site judged by Israeli and U.S. intelligence analysts to be a partly constructed nuclear reactor. The reactor was apparently modeled on one in North Korea used for stockpiling nuclear weapons fuel. The targeted Syrian facility appeared to have been much further from completion than an Iraqi reactor the Israelis destroyed in 1981. Some officials said the facility was years away from being used to produce spent nuclear fuel that could eventually be used for weapons-grade plutonium. It remains unclear how far Syria had gotten with the plant before the attack, what role North Korea might have played and whether a case could be made it was intended to produce electricity. Every time I read about something like this, I wonder how many other countries are trying to do the same thing and just haven't been caught yet? I also can't stop the little conspiracy theorist in me from speculating that maybe the reason we are such staunch allies of Israel is that they can act in ways that the U.S. cannot. I bet you they launched the strike using firepower provided by Uncle Sam.

British Royals - Paparazzi on motorbikes chased Prince William's car through the streets of London last week, trying to get the first photos of him and his girlfriend, Kate Middleton, since the couple reunited this summer. The pursuit took place just as the government began its inquiry into the death of William's mother, Princess Diana, who died when paparazzi were chasing her in Paris 10 years ago. Most of the U.K. tabloids declined to run the pictures after the Press Complaints Commission called the paparazzi's methods dangerous and unethical. Okay so where to begin on this one. The obvious observation is what an eerie deja vu. And how about cutting the guy a little slack, you vultures. Secondly, I notice that most tabloids declined to run the photos--not all. If the rags that decided to run the pictures see an increase in readership, don't expect the paparazzi to stop anytime soon. And lastly, the Press Complaints Commission? What is that all about?

Steroids - Slugger Barry Bonds, sprinter Tim Montgomery, and now Olympic gold medalist Marion Jones have admitted to taking a powerful anabolic steroid known as 'the clear' and they all claim that they thought they were taking flaxseed oil. According to the head of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, "You'd have to be a moron to confuse flaxseed oil with an anabolic steroid." Derived from crushed flax-plant seeds, flaxseed oil is primarily used as an over-the-counter nutritional supplement that helps with heart disease and menopausal symptoms. It's also a common wood finish. There is no evidence that it leads to performance benefits. I have to say based on all this, I'm convinced...These athletes are absolutely morons.

Travel - There is a small but growing band of tourists who prefer to skip traditional hot spots and visit squalor instead. The trips are all part of an educational new travel niche dubbed 'poorism.' Private operators in Soweto, South Africa; Mumbai, India; Rotterdam, the Netherlands; and New York all offer similar tours. They're usually thrifty walking journeys that last a few hours during which clients visit commercial districts, schools and medical facilities. Guides are typically natives and they lace their tours with vivid stories about their own impoverished roots. Some critics worry that 'poorism' can be exploitative? Exploitative, you say? No kidding, Sherlock. Look at the name coined for it. As for the brilliant minds that are thinking of taking such an excursion, here's a thought. Why don't you take a drive through your own neighborhood and you'd be surprised how close to home the poor really are.

Boxing - The once-great Evander Holyfield failed in his quest to regain a piece of the world heavyweight title, losing a unanimous decision to Russian Sultan Ibragimov who remains WBO world champion. Holyfield, hoping to make history a week shy of his 45th birthday by reclaiming a world title for a record fifth time, was unable to inflict any real damage on his opponent before running out of gas himself. He did manage to defy predictions he would be knocked out in the first few rounds by the Russian southpaw 13 years his younger, managing to hold his ground in the center of the ring and prevent his opponent from landing too many serious blows. His defensive fighting was not enough though and the judges unanimously awarded the fight to Ibragimov with scores of 118-110, 117-111 and 117-111. All true, I suppose, but the payday sure must have been nice all the same. Now, Evander, I say this with your best intentions in mind when I say give it up, bro' before you go out and really hurt yourself.

What Caught My Eye Today

Peace - For years, former Vice President Al Gore and a host of climate scientists were belittled and, worst of all, ignored for their message about how dire global warming is. Today they were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their warnings about what Gore calls "a planetary emergency." Gore shared the prize with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a United Nations network of scientists. Scientists and Nobel committee members said it was not a stretch to award the Peace Prize to Gore and the scientists. Studies by national security experts say a hotter world with changes in water and food supply can lead to wars and terrorism. In announcing the award earlier in the day in Oslo, Norway, Nobel committee chairman Ole Danbolt Mjoes said the prize was not a slap at the Bush administration's current policies. Instead, he said it was about encouraging all countries "to think again and to say what can they do to conquer global warming." Yeah sure, whatever you say, sparkplug. It's a total dig. Don't get me wrong, I agree with you. I'm just saying don't go and mess up a perfectly good dig by backpedaling.

Russia - Russian President Vladimir Putin warned President Bush's top two Cabinet officials to back off U.S. missile defense plans for eastern Europe as high-level talks yielded little more than a pledge to meet again. Despite presenting new cooperation proposals intended to bring Moscow on board, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates failed in a series of tough meetings to turn around Moscow's opposition to the system and other strategic issues. Putin set the tone early on when he hosted Rice and Gates and their Russian counterparts at his country home outside Moscow and delivered a stern rebuff to U.S. plans to push ahead with establishing missile defense facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic. The United States has repeatedly rejected Russian demands to freeze U.S. negotiations with Poland and the Czech Republic and Rice did so again today. I so did not see this coming. Here I am thinking 'everything is everything' with Russia. Wow, you never can tell about these things, can you?

Too much sarcasm? It's hard to tell sometimes whether you've applied just the right amount. Let's see how I do on this next item.

Myanmar - Myanmar's military junta rejected a U.N. statement calling for negotiations with the opposition, insisting that it would follow its own plan to bring democracy to the country. State-run TV and radio issued a statement Friday arguing that conditions inside Myanmar — a reference to the anti-government protests that were violently suppressed by troops on Sept. 26 and 27 — were not the concern of the outside world. "Myanmar's current situation does not affect regional and international stability. "However, we deeply regret that the U.N. Security Council has issued a statement contrary to the people's desires. The government of Myanmar will continue to implement the seven-step roadmap together with the people," the statement said, referring to the junta's plan that promises a new constitution and an eventual transition to democratic rule. The process is supposed to culminate in a general election at an unspecified date in the future. But so far only the first stage — drawing up guidelines for a new constitution — has been completed, and critics say the convention that drafted them was stage-managed by the military. Whoa, hold the phone! Myanmar rejected the non-binding U.N. Statement? Dude, no way. The junta seem like such good boys. I never would have suspected.

Okay, if that's still a tad excessive, the following snippet doesn't need much help from me.

Britney Spears - Evidently preoccupied with other matters, Britney Spears co-wrote just two of the 12 songs on her upcoming album. "Blackout," her first album in more than four years, comes out at the end of the month. The street date was moved up two weeks because some tracks have been leaked online. While pop singers of Spears' ilk usually leave the songwriting to the pros, she was credited on seven of the songs on 2003's "In the Zone," and five on 2001's "Britney." For the current project, Spears enlisted 23 songwriters. Maybe she should have spend some of her dough on some dance lessons instead of all those songwriters. Maybe then, that disaster at the MTV Video Music Awards could have been avoided.

Finally, here's one where the Associated Press has done all the work for me...

Boxing - The once great Evander Holyfield will step into the boxing ring in Moscow tomorrow night bidding to make history by claiming a share of the heavyweight world title for the fifth time. At almost 45 years of age, if he were to succeed in his WBO title challenge to Russian Sultan Ibragimov, Holyfield would also become the second oldest heavyweight champion of all time. Ibragimov is 13 years Holyfield's junior, he's the newly crowned champion and boasts a record of 21 victories with 17 knock-outs one draw and no defeats. Rightly so, few are giving Holyfield a chance, and should he win, some are even suggesting it would be an embarrassment for the heavyweight division. Holyfield's trainer has warned against underestimating his man saying, "He's tough. He's experienced. He's a good boxer. He's the guy who put guys on their asses. Some guys have been losing to guys that Holyfield put on their asses. You got to realise this." Sadly, Holyfield too needs to realise that it is time to say goodbye, and maybe a devastating defeat to Ibragimov will convince him.

Ouch, that's harsh.

What Caught My Eye Today

I want start off by wishing the folks a very happy 37th wedding anniversary. I did some checking to see what the traditional gift is for 37 years and you know what I found? Zilch. Looks like Mom and Dad will have to wait for the big 4-0 at which time it appears I'll be springing for some rubies.

Myanmar - China joined Western powers for the first time to deplore Myanmar's crushing of pro-democracy demonstrations and call for political dialogue there in a statement by the U.N. Security Council. The official policy statement is not legally binding, but because -- unlike a resolution -- it required the consent of all 15 council members, it left the Myanmar government isolated. The official policy statement is not legally binding, but because -- unlike a resolution -- it required the consent of all 15 council members, it left the Myanmar government isolated, Western diplomats said. It was the first time the council had taken official action on Myanmar and marked a shift of position by China, a neighbor and key trading partner of Myanmar that had previously used its veto to prevent criticism of the country's authorities. Kudos that China decided to vote with the rest of the world. Of course, the statement is pretty much worthless, so maybe that's why China agreed to it.

Turkey - Turkey, which is a key supply route to U.S. troops in Iraq, recalled its ambassador to Washington and warned of serious repercussions if Congress labels the killing of Armenians by Turks a century ago as genocide. Ordered after a House committee endorsed the genocide measure, the summons of the ambassador for consultations was a further sign of the deteriorating relations between two longtime allies and the potential for new turmoil in an already troubled region. Analysts also have speculated the resolution could make Turkey more inclined to send troops into northern Iraq to hunt Turkish Kurd rebels, a move opposed by the U.S. because it would disrupt one of the few relatively stable and peaceful Iraqi areas. The Turks suspended military ties with France last year after parliament's lower house approved a bill that would have made it a crime to deny the mass killings of Armenians in Turkey amounted to genocide. But Turkey has much more to lose from cutting ties to the U.S. The United States is one of its major business partners, with $11 billion in trade last year, and the U.S. defense industry provides much of the Turkish military's equipment. Here's what surprises me about all this--France and the U.S. actually agreeing on foreign policy? What is the world coming to?

Running - Not the most exciting topic on the face of the planet, but after reading 2 stories about two different marathons on the same day, I figured it was a sign.

First up, soaring temperatures and high humidity played havoc with the Chicago Marathon sending dozens of runners to the hospital and forcing organizers to cancel the event mid-race. With temperatures peaking at 88 degrees and water supplies running low, emergency workers were overwhelmed by racers suffering from the hear. Four hours into the event, the course was closed, and only those runners who were past the halfway mark were allowed to finish. One runner died during the race. How lousy must it have been for the poor slobs who got to mile 14 when the course was closed? They still had to finish 12 more miles.

Next, a Mexican politician who won the over-55 age group in the Berlin marathon last month cheated. An electronic tracking chip indicated that the man, who finished the race in 2 hours adn 41 minutes, took only 21 minutes to get from the 12.4 mile point to the 21.7 point. Nine miles in 21 minutes is faster than any human being can run. Wouldn't it be more accurate to say 'faster than any human being has ever run'? With all the blood doping that is possible these days, I wouldn't rule it out.

What Caught My Eye Today

Iran - President Vladimir Putin said there is no proof Iran is seeking to build nuclear weapons, but emphasized that Tehran must be encouraged to make its nuclear program fully transparent. Russia has opposed the U.S.-push for tougher sanctions against Iran and called for more checks and inspections of Iranian facilities by International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog. Iran's past clandestine activities — and its refusal to heed U.N. Security Council demands that it suspend uranium enrichment — have stoked suspicion among the U.S. and its allies that country is trying to create the fissile material for nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is intended only to develop an alternative source of energy. The IAEA says that it has not been able to detect signs that Iran has a weapons program, but has withheld judgment on what the Islamic Republic's ultimate aims may be. And therein lies the problem--what proof, other than producing a nuclear bomb, would satisfy Russia that Iran is building nuclear weapons? On the flip side--what proof, other than completely dismantling its nuclear facilities, would signal to the U.S. and its allies that Iran's aims are well-intentioned? Neither position seems very plausible.

Myanmar - The United Nations Security Council is debating whether to issue a statement that "strongly deplores" Burma's violent crackdown on anti-government protests last month. A draft copy of the statement calls on the government of Burma, also known as Myanmar, to cease all repressive measures. The statement also demands that the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations have full access to the country. All 15 Security Council members must agree to the statement before it is issued, which means the document will likely be reworked until consensus is reached. A presidential statement can condemn a country, but does not have the clout of a resolution. Unlike a resolution, it doesn't carry any weight in international law. It's not legally binding. Oh great, now the U.N. is following the U.S. practice of issuing non-binding statements. "You've been bad and we don't like it one bit." Yeah, that'll convince the junta to clean up its act.

Turkey - President Bush urged U.S. lawmakers to reject a congressional resolution calling the 1915 massacres of Armenians genocide, saying it would do "great harm" to U.S. relations with Turkey. The House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee is to consider the Armenian genocide resolution later on Wednesday. If it passes, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a longtime supporter of the measure, could then decide to bring it before the full House for a vote. Many Democrats, who control Congress, support the resolution, which has 226 co-sponsors, more than half the House. Turkey strongly rejects the Armenian position, backed by many Western historians and a growing number of foreign parliaments, that up to 1.5 million Armenians suffered genocide at the hands of Ottoman Turks during World War One. Turkey has warned of damage to bilateral ties if Congress passes the Armenian bill. The measure comes at a delicate time for Turkey-U.S. relations. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan confirmed his government was drawing up plans to authorize a cross-border incursion into northern Iraq to strike Kurdish rebels after 15 Turkish soldiers were killed in attacks in recent days. Washington has urged Turkey not to send troops into mainly Kurdish northern Iraq for fear of destabilizing the country's most peaceful region.
In calling on lawmakers to reject the Armenian measure, Bush said: "Its passage would do great harm to our relations with a key ally in NATO and in the global war on terror." The bulk of supplies for U.S. troops in Iraq pass via Turkey's Incirlik airbase. Turkey also provides thousands of truck drivers and other workers for U.S. operations in Iraq. Yeah that's right. We cannot screw up the war on terror for something as irrelevant as condemning an event that is widely acknowledged as 'genocide.' I wonder what Bush's reaction would have been if, instead of the massacres in 1915, we were talking about the Holocaust?

International Space Station - A Russian spacecraft heading to the International Space Station (ISS) has blasted off from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The Soyuz rocket propelled Malaysia's first astronaut into space alongside the first female astronaut to become commander of the space station. The launch has been eagerly anticipated in Malaysia, where it has been hailed as a landmark for the Asian nation. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor will be the first Muslim to fly in space during the holy month of Ramadan and will be there for the Eid festival. For the rest of the time he will try and observe the dawn-to-dusk fasting rules of Ramadan. Muslim clerics in Malaysia have prepared special guidelines for him on observing religious rules while on the ISS. He will use a wet towel rather than water to clean himself before praying, and is not obliged to kneel in zero gravity or face Mecca while praying. To avoid confusion about when to pray, Mr Shukor will follow the time at the launch site in Kazakhstan. It never ceases to amaze me how many little details are involved in planning for out of town excursions and the ISS certainly qualifies as out of town.

Sexiest Woman Alive - Charlize Theron has an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild award. Now she's Esquire magazine's "sexiest woman alive." Past winners of the title include Jessica Biel, Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johansson. Who am I to argue?

What Caught My Eye Today

Iraq - Guards working for an Australian-owned security company fired on a car as it approached their convoy, killing two women before speeding away from the latest bloodshed blamed on the deadly mix of heavily armed protection details on Baghdad's crowded streets. The deaths of the two Iraqi Christians came a day after the Iraqi government handed U.S. officials a report demanding hefty payments and the ouster from Iraq of embattled Blackwater USA for a chaotic shooting last month that left at least 17 civilians dead. An Iraqi investigation of the Blackwater shooting on Sept. 16 was ordered by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and called for the company to pay $8 million in compensation to the families of each of the 17 victims. The commission also said Blackwater guards had killed 21 other Iraqis in past incidents since it began protecting American diplomats in Iraq shortly after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. By no means am I justifying the actions of the security companies (especially if they are guilty), but doesn't it strike you as somewhat curious that these reports of abuse of power are just now coming to light? Something odd is going on here. I'm not sure any of us are going to like what we hear when this all shakes out.

Supreme Court - A German man who says he was abducted and tortured by the CIA as part of the anti-terrorism rendition program lost his final chance Tuesday to persuade U.S. courts to hear his claims. The Supreme Court rejected without comment an appeal from Khaled el-Masri, effectively endorsing Bush administration arguments that state secrets would be revealed if courts allowed the case to proceed. The man says he was mistakenly identified as an associate of the Sept. 11 hijackers and was detained while attempting to enter Macedonia on New Year's Eve 2003. He claims that CIA agents stripped, beat, shackled, diapered, drugged and chained him to the floor of a plane for a flight to Afghanistan. He says he was held for four months in a CIA-run prison known as the "salt pit" in the Afghan capital of Kabul, then after the CIA determined it had the wrong man he was dumped on a hilltop in Albania and told to walk down a path without looking back. This case centers on the CIA's "extraordinary rendition" program, in which terrorism suspects are captured and taken to foreign countries for interrogation. Human rights activists have objected to the program. President Bush has repeatedly defended the policies in the war on terror, saying as recently as last week that the U.S. does not engage in torture. This lawsuit had been seen as a test of the administration's legal strategy to invoke the doctrine of state secrets and stop national security suits before any evidence is presented in private to a judge. Another lawsuit over the administration's warrantless wiretapping program, also dismissed by a federal court on state secrets grounds, still is pending before the justices. Don't look now, but it is starting to appear as though Bush is having his way with the judicial branch as much as he is with the legislative branch. How is he is managing to pull this off?

Lindsay Lohan - It's been quite some time since I've published an pearls of wisdom from Lindsay. Here's the latest. The 21-year-old actress reportedly checked out of the Cirque Lodge, a drug and alcohol treatment center in Utah, last week. She had entered treatment in August after reaching a plea deal on misdemeanor drunken driving and cocaine charges following two arrests. Lohan was arrested in May after crashing her Mercedes-Benz into a tree in Beverly Hills, Calif. She was arrested again in July after the mother of Lohan's former personal assistant called 911 to report that her car was being chased by a sport utility vehicle. "It was a sobering experience," Lohan said of her stay in rehab. That's sort of the point, girlfriend.

Baseball - No one is more surprised than me that I managed to get 3 out of the 4 divisional playoff winners correct, though I have to say I'm not shedding too many tears over the early exit (again) of the New York Yankees. Without further adeiu, here are my picks for the Championship Series:

American League: Boston Red Sox over the Cleveland Indians in 6 games.
National League: Arizona Diamondbacks over Colorado Rockies in 7 games.

Hockey - Not sure if anyone noticed (I'm guessing not), but hockey season started last week...That's all. I don't have much else to report other than the second half of the season, otherwise known as the playoffs, begins April 9.

Athletics - Disgraced sprinter Marion Jones has been stripped of her gold medals from the 2000 Olympics and asked repay more than 100,000 dollars in prize and bonus money, according to the United States Olympic Committee. Jones, who admitted in a US court last week to using performance-enhancing drugs, has returned the three gold and two bronze medals she won in Sydney. Jones pled guilty Friday to lying to federal investigators and USOC chairman Peter Ueberroth said the next step would be for her to hand back the Olympic medals. Jones was also slapped with a two-year competition ban by the United States Anti-doping Agency (USADA) yesterday but she had already announced her retirement on Friday. Greek sprinter Katerina Thanou is in line to receive one of the golds because she finished second behind Jones in the Sydney 100 metres. Thanou's situation poses another problem for the IOC as she was given a two-year ban for allegedly faking a motorbike crash to cover up missing a drug test during the 2004 Summer Games. This doping scandal in the world of sports has moved well beyond crisis and is approaching the realm of complete catastrophe. Even the runner up is in question.

Cycling - Speaking of vanquished champions, Spanish rider Oscar Pereiro will receive his yellow jersey as the retrospective winner of the 2006 Tour de France. The 2006 runner-up has been moved up to first position after American Floyd Landis was stripped of the title for doping. Pereiro finished the 2006 edition 57 seconds behind Landis but the American tested positive for testosterone following his 17th stage win at Morzine, three days before the finish in Paris. Landis is the first winner in the 100 year history of the cycling blue riband to be stripped of the title for doping. Well, I suppose this is one way for Landis to get himself into the annals of cycling history. Too bad its for all the wrong reasons.

What Caught My Eye Today

Iraq - Blackwater security contractors in Iraq have been involved in nearly 200 escalation of force incidents since 2005, including several previously unreported killings of Iraqi civilians, according to reports filed by congressional investigators. Blackwater has been under intense scrutiny since a recent shooting outside Baghdad that left at least 17 Iraqis dead. The firms's 1000 employees have engaged in frequent and extensive use of force, usually without provocation. Blackwater's CEO testifying before a House subcommittee last week, acknowledged that mistakes had been made, but said that Blackwater was being unfairly demonized. "They call us mercenaries, but we're Americans working for America protecting Americans. Actually, dude, if you were just Americans protecting Americans, you'd probably still be part of the military. When you get paid for it as a private sector entity, you are basically mercenaries with a snazzy corporate logo. And yet again, we are seeing the seemingly endless legacy of former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's policies--this time in the form of reducing the military by contracting out to the private sector.

Ecuador - Ecuador's president said that he would dissolve the national Congress. Rafael Correa made the announcement after his party won a sweeping victory in elections for delegates to the country's constitutional convention. The constitutional assembly will start drafting a new constituion at the end of October. Analysts expect it will concentrate more power in the executive branch. Ecuador has had eight presidents in 11 years, in part because under the present constitution, Congress can remove the president with relative ease. Well, I guess that's one way to reduce presidential turnover--get rid of Congress.

2008 Presidential Campaign - After hinting for months that he may seek the Republican presidential nomination, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has taken himself out of contention. Gingrich, who quit Congress in 1998 following his party's heavy losses in midterm elections, now runs a political action committee. Under election law, Gingrich would have had to give up that post to form a presidential exploratory committee. I'm guessing that Gingrich is sensing another GOP bloodbath in 2008 and doesn't want any part of it, but I wouldn't at all be surprised if he turns up again in 2012.

In other related news...John McCain stirred controversy last week by telling an interviewer that he would probably not vote for a Muslim candidate for president because, "this nation was founded primarily on Christian principles." Trailing badly in the polls, McCain has been seeking support from Christian conservatives whom he alienated during the 2000 presidential campaign by dismissing them as "agents of intolerance." I don't want to split hairs here, Mr. Senator, but this country was founded on the principle of the freedom to practice religion, any religion, if I recall correctly. I'm pretty sure that the Constitution and Bill of Rights don't have any language that explicitly says or implicitly suggests that freedom of religion was limited only to Christian based faiths. Oh and by the way, nice flip-flop there. I'll give you an 8 for technical merit, but only a 5 for artistic expression.

India - An Indian businessman has launched the ultimate no-frills airline. The airline has only one plane, a used Airbus 300 with a missing wing, and it never actually leaves the ground (um yeah, no kidding). In a nation where 99% of the population have never flown, people are lining up to pay $4 to board the plan, strap themselves into seats, and listen to the captain, make such announcements as, "We will soon be passing through a zone of turbulence" and "We are about to begin our descent into Delhi." I'm thinking there should be one more annoucement..."You people are idiots!!!"

What Caught My Eye Today

War on Terror - Bush volunteered his thoughts on a report on two secret 2005 memos that authorized extreme interrogation tactics against terror suspects. "This government does not torture people," the president said. Speaking emphatically, the president noted that "highly trained professionals" conduct any questioning. "The American people expect their government to take action to protect them from further attack," Bush said. "And that's exactly what this government is doing. And that's exactly what we'll continue to do." He also said the techniques used by the United States "have been fully disclosed to appropriate members of the United States Congress" — an indirect slap at the torrent of criticism that has flowed from the Democratic-controlled Congress since the disclosure of the memos. White House press secretary Dana Perino said those briefed on Capitol Hill "are satisfied that the policy of the United States and the practices do not constitute torture." She refused to define, however, what would be considered torture, or off-limits, in interrogations. "I just fundamentally disagree that that would be a good thing for national security," she said. "I think the American people recognize that there are needs that the federal government has to keep certain information private in order to help their national security. ... We cannot provide more information about techniques. It's not appropriate." Here's what I would like to know, if the U.S. is following international protocols, what could it possibly need to keep private about its techniques?

Myanmar - A U.N. envoy warned Myanmar of international consequences from its brutal suppression of pro-democracy protesters. Meanwhile, China and the United States clashed over whether the international community should take any action through the U.N. Security Council, with Beijing insisting the crisis was an internal affair. The United States said it would propose sanctions at the 15-member council if Myanmar did not "respond constructively" to international concerns, but success seemed unlikely with veto-wielding China firmly opposed to such action. In a warning to the world body, Myanmar urged the United Nations to take no action that would harm its "good offices" role in defusing the crisis there. I don't see the junta having much to worry about in the near term. As long as China and the U.S. continue to see things differently, the U.N. will basically be powerless to do anything.

Pakistan - Pakistan's controversial presidential election can go ahead as planned on Saturday, but the legality of President Musharraf's bid is still in doubt. The Supreme Court says that no winner can be announced until it decides if he can be elected while still army chief. Gen Musharraf will step down as army chief, but only if he wins the election, his lawyers have said. President Musharraf is expected to be able to easily muster a majority in the national parliament and four provincial assemblies that select the president. But the court ruling means that even if he gets most votes, he cannot be declared winner until the court has decided if he was a valid candidate in the first place. Well, heck, at least he'll have the popular vote. In our country, popular vote doesn't mean diddly, thanks to the Electoral College.

Image Rebuilding - Former President Clinton has said his wife wants him to lead efforts to rebuild the United States' tarnished reputation abroad — if she is elected to the White House next year. "What Hillary has said is that if she were elected she would ask me, and others — including former Republican presidents — to go out and immediately try to restore America's standing, go out and tell people America was open for business and cooperation again," he said. He said for the first time in his political experience, "ordinary Americans in the heartlands" were concerned about how the world sees the U.S. after years of unilateralism of President Bush's administration on issues such as Iraq, climate change, and nuclear nonproliferation. I'm not saying that he wouldn't be good at the job, but do you thing maybe, just maybe, Hilary is looking for a way to keep Bill out of the way so she doesn't have to worry about him getting caught with his pants down?

Steroids - U.S. Athletics superstar Marion Jones pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators and admitted to using steroids, which could cost her the five medals she won in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. After years of publicly denying using performance-enhancing drugs, Jones admitted using a substance known as "the clear" before the 2000 Olympics. She pleaded guilty to two felonies -- lying to federal investigators about her steroid use and lying to them about a separate check fraud case. Jones became the first athlete convicted in connection with the probe into the San Francisco-area laboratory BALCO, the center of a doping scandal that has tarnished the reputations of leading athletes in baseball, football and athletics. By no stretch of the imagination can Jones' belated confession undo the damage that she has done to herself and her sport, but on some level, you have to give her some credit for coming clean. One can only imagine how hard it must have been for her to do this.

What Caught My Eye Today

War on Terror - Senate and House Democrats demanded to see two secret memos that reportedly authorize painful interrogation tactics against terror suspects — despite the Bush administration's insistence that it has not violated U.S. anti-torture laws. The memos were disclosed in today's editions of The New York Times, which reported that the first 2005 legal opinion authorized the use of head slaps, freezing temperatures and simulated drownings, known as waterboarding, while interrogating terror suspects, and was issued shortly after then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales took over the Justice Department. That secret opinion, which explicitly allowed using the painful methods in combination, came months after a December 2004 opinion in which the Justice Department publicly declared torture "abhorrent" and the administration seemed to back away from claiming authority for such practices. A second Justice opinion was issued later in 2005, just as Congress was working on an anti-torture bill. That opinion declared that none of the CIA's interrogation practices would violate the rules in the legislation banning "cruel, inhuman and degrading" treatment of detainees. I don't see this turning out very well for us among our international friends. I'm specifically thinking of those 'friends' who will be quick to point out that the U.S. should not be harping on human rights violations in other countries, when it is guilty of the same violations.

Iraq - The opening of a mammoth, $600 million U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, which had been planned for last month, has now been delayed well into next year. The Vatican-sized compound, which will be the world's largest diplomatic mission, has been beset by construction and logistical problems. Problems identified so far are related to the complex's physical plant, including electrical systems, and do not pose a security risk. Well, crap. How am I supposed to plan next year's summer getaway to Baghdad, if the the flippin' embassy isn't open to process my travel visa? And another thing, would someone explain to me the rationale of having an embassy that big in a country that small?

Japan - Japan has placed a satellite in orbit around the moon for the first time in a major space breakthrough for the Asian nation. The mission involves positioning the main satellite at an altitude of about 60 miles and deploying two smaller satellites in polar orbits, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA. Researchers will use data gathered by the $279 million Selenological and Engineering Explorer — or SELENE — project to study the moon's origin and evolution. The main orbiter will stay in position for about a year. Japanese officials claim the effort is the largest lunar mission since the U.S. Apollo program in terms of overall scope and ambition. I reported on this several weeks ago. I said it then and I'll say it now. Kudos for the accomplishment. This has to be a big boost for national pride. However, in making the comparison to the Apollo program, they are merely reminding everyone that we've been there and done that more than 40 years ago.

Myanmar - The U.N. Security Council decided to hear a U.N. envoy's report on Myanmar at a public meeting but China said it was opposed to any action by the 15-member body because the junta's crackdown on pro-democracy campaigners was an internal affair. Western nations have urged sanctions against Myanmar, whose security forces continued on Thursday to round up and interrogate protesters after last week's huge demonstrations led by Buddhist monks against military rule. China, which neighbors Myanmar and is one of the country's few allies and major trading partners, has called for restraint but opposes any U.N. Security Council resolution, maintaining Myanmar does not threaten the region or the world. China and Russia in January vetoed a U.S.-drafted Security Council resolution that demanded an end to political repression and human rights violations on grounds that the Myanmar crisis was not a threat to international peace and security, the council's mandate. Interesting quandry isn't this? So like if Myanmar poses no threat to the rest of the world, then are we saying it is okay to the junta to persecute the people however it sees fit? What if we stood by and did nothing in Bosnia or Sudan? Can you imagine the carnage? Oh wait a minute. We did stand by and do nothing, didn't we?

Costa Rica - Costa Rica could lose valuable access to the U.S. market if the country rejects a free-trade agreement with the United States when voters go to the polls on Sunday, a top U.S. official said. "It is difficult to imagine any U.S. administration renegotiating the current agreement or negotiating a new trade agreement with Costa Rica if this agreement is rejected. The opportunity for Costa Rica to enjoy the benefits of regional free trade is now," the official said. The warning came as Costa Rica prepared to vote Sunday on whether to join the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), which the U.S. Congress narrowly approved in 2005. Some Costa Rican opponents of the pact have argued it could be renegotiated and improved if voters reject it. Gee, that doesn't sound threatening at all does it. You want to bet that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez doesn't try to turn this to his advantage and try to buddy up with Costa Rica?