What Caught My Eye Today

Economy - President Bush said the country is not recession-bound and, despite expressing concern about slowing economic growth, rejected for now any additional stimulus efforts. Well, I have to agree with the President on this point. Why would you keep performing CPR on a patient that is already stone cold dead? Bush's view of the economy was decidedly rosier than that of many economists, who say the country is nearing recession territory or may already be there. No kidding. In fairness to Bush, who actually expected him to acknowledge that we may be in a recession--especially in an election year? Dude may not be the smartest tool in the shed, but he's not completely deranged. On one issue particularly worrisome to American consumers, there are indications that paying $4 for a gallon of gasoline is not out of the question once the summer driving season arrives. Asked about that, Bush said "That's interesting. I hadn't heard that. ... I know it's high now." Bush also expressed optimism about the U.S. dollar, which has been declining in value. "I believe that our economy has got the fundamentals in place for us to ... grow and continue growing, more robustly hopefully than we're growing now," he said. "So we're still for a strong dollar." Okay, my bad. Maybe he is completely deranged.

2008 Presidential Race - Rebounding from weak fundraising in January, Hillary Clinton is expected to raise $35 million in February. The $35 million would be Clinton's biggest fundraising mark yet and represents a remarkable recovery for her campaign. Barack Obama's campaign reacted promptly, promising an even higher number, but divulging no totals. Yeah, there's no pissing contest going on between these two. Despite her increased fundraising, Obama is still outspending her in the crucial March 4 primary states of Ohio and Texas. As of Tuesday, Obama had spent a total of $7.5 million in advertising in the two states. Clinton had spent $4.6 million. Obama also was getting help from labor unions. The Service Employees International Union began spending $1.4 million in ads in support of Obama in Ohio and Texas. The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union was spending nearly $200,000 in ads in Ohio. So let's ponder this one shall we? Let's say I contribute to Clinton's campaign and she ends up not getting the Democratic nomination. Can I apply for a refund?

Abkhazia - That's right, kids. Another geography quiz. Abkhazia is a small region in the Caucuses bordering the east coast of the Black Sea...so now you know.Georgia's breakaway republic Abkhazia will seek recognition for its de facto independence from Russia and the European Union. Last week leaders of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two Georgian breakaway republics, said that Kosovo's independence, recognized by the U.S., Australia, Japan and major European countries, should be taken into account as far as their sovereignty is concerned. Russia has repeatedly said the recognition of the Balkan region's independence will set a precedent for other breakaway regions, including in the former Soviet Union. The Russian parliament said in a statement last week that Kosovo's independence gives Russia the right to forge new relationships with self-proclaimed states. It's kind of hard to argue with their logic, don't you think. Don't get me wrong. I'm sure someone will point out the 'flaws' in Russia's logic. I'm just not sure how they'll manage to do so.

Turkey - Since we're on the subject of flawed logic... Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he told Turkish leaders Thursday that they should end an offensive against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq as soon as possible. President Bush made a similar point. "It should not be long-lasting," Bush said at a White House news conference. "The Turks need to move, move quickly, achieve their objective and get out." Surely, you can appreciate the irony here. The cross-border fighting has put the United States in a delicate position. For one, it is close allies with Iraq and Turkey, Secondly, a prolonged Turkish offensive could jeopardize security in Iraq just as the U.S. is seeking to consolidate recent security gains. Call me crazy, but if there had been security gains in this part of Iraq, I'm guessing Turkey would not have felt compelled to conduct this incursion into Iraq. Be that as it may, here's my favorite part... Gates said he pressed the Turks on three key points, saying they need to: continue and deepen their dialogue with the Iraqi government, which has strongly objected to the incursion, be more open about the specifics of their operation, including the number of troops involved, and recognize that military means alone will not solve the problem. Hmm. Fascinating notions, Mr. Secretary. Just out of curiosity, have you consider drinking some of that Kool-Aid, yourself?

British Royals - The Ministry of Defense announced that Prince Harry has been serving on the front line in Afghanistan with the British Army, calling in air strikes on Taliban positions and going out on foot patrols. You go, Rambo! Officials said the prince, a lieutenant in the Blues and Royals regiment, was still deployed in the country. Harry, who is third in line to the throne, has been in Afghanistan since December. The news blackout was intended to reduce the risk to the prince and his regiment. The news embargo was broken, however, after reports of the prince's deployment were leaked by an Australian magazine and a German newspaper, and then reported on a U.S. Web site, the Drudge Report. My problem with this is that I'm betting this 'leak' was all about selling more magazines and newspapers, rather than reporting on news that really matters. I cannot think of any other reason why these publications would purposely risk greater endangerment to Prince Harry than he is already facing. I have to say rather poor judgment--if any--was employed by these unscrupulous organizations.