What Caught My Eye Today

2008 Presidential Race - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin cast herself as an outsider and took a swipe at Democrat Barack Obama in what was the most anticipated speech of the Republican National Convention. In remarks released in advance of her appearance, she pledged that as John McCain's running mate, she wanted to go to Washington not to seek the media's approval but "to serve the people of this country." "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a `community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities," she said. Palin didn't mention Obama by name but her target was obvious: Obama began his political life as a community organizer. Well lookie here. Seems Governor Palin doesn't have much of an opinion of Obama. I so totally thought that coming from similar backgrounds, that they would be best buds.

And yes...the press continues to dig up fascinating soundbites from Palin. Here's one on that Palin gave to some students regarding the Iraq War.

"Our national leaders are sending them out on a task that is from God. That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that plan is God's plan....God's will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas line built, so pray for that....I can do my job there in developing our natural resources and doing things like getting the roads paved and making sure our troopers have their cop cars and their uniforms and their guns, and making sure our public schools are funded. But really all of that stuff doesn't do any good if the people of Alaska's heart isn't right with God."

Seriously, Senator McCain, no disrespect intended, but are you sure you vetted this broad carefully enough?

Georgia - Pushing back against an increasingly aggressive Moscow, President Bush said the U.S. will send an extra $1 billion to Georgia to help the pro-Western former Soviet republic in the wake of Russia's invasion. Also in tandem with Bush, the International Monetary Fund announced it has agreed to lend Georgia $750 million for economic recovery. The administration is delaying an announcement on some sort of punishment of Russia for its actions against Georgia and its refusal thus far to comply with a French-brokered cease-fire. However, the decision to shower tiny Georgia with such substantial aid and have Vice President Dick Cheney talk about it in Moscow's backyard will likely be seen by the Kremlin as highly provocative, if not a punitive measure in and of itself. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice mocked Russia for its recognition of the two separatist regions in Georgia that are at the heart of the conflict that broke out last month, and for its failure to garner international backing. "Almost no one followed suit, I might note. It isn't really an impressive list to have Abkhazia and South Ossetia recognize each other," she said. This is a form of diplomacy that I'm not altogether familiar with. Apparently, instead of taking punitive measures against another country, we just piss them off by mocking their foreign policy and funding the countries that oppose them. Maybe that'll work. I'm not going to hold my breath, but it might.

Arctic - A chunk of ice shelf nearly the size of Manhattan has broken away from Ellesmere Island in Canada's northern Arctic, another dramatic indication of how warmer temperatures are changing the polar frontier. The 4,500-year-old Markham Ice Shelf separated in early August and the 19-square-mile shelf is now adrift in the Arctic Ocean. Also, two large sections of ice detached from the Serson Ice Shelf, shrinking that ice feature by 47 square miles or 60%. This comes on the heels of unusual cracks in a northern Greenland glacier, rapid melting of a southern Greenland glacier, and a near record loss for Arctic sea ice this summer. And earlier this year a 160-square mile chunk of an Antarctic ice shelf disintegrated. So like how bad is this really? Seems to me that if ice is receding, we've got more land that can be reclaimed and put to good use. It's all good right? The loss of these ice shelves means that rare ecosystems that depend on them are on the brink of extinction. Along with decimating ecosystems, drifting ice shelves and warmer temperatures that will cause further melting ice pose a hazard to populated shipping routes in the Arctic region. Or perhaps not. Here's a final bit of irony add to the story. Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced last week that he plans to expand exploration of the region's known oil and mineral deposits, a possibility that has become more evident as a result of melting sea ice. It is the burning of oil and other fossil fuels that scientists say is the chief cause of man made warming and melting ice. Let me see if I've got this right. "Hmm it appears that the polar ice shelves are melting. What to do, what to do? Let's extract more of the stuff that is responsible for melting the ice, so that we can melt more of it faster." Makes total sense, doesn't it?

Internet - As if we didn't have enough ways to surf the 'Net. The new Web browser that Google Inc. released yesterday is designed to expand its huge lead in the Internet search market and reduce Microsoft's imprint on personal computers. The free browser, called "Chrome," is being promoted as a sleeker, faster, safer and reliable alternative to Microsoft's Internet Explorer, which has been the leading vehicle for surfing the Web for the past decade claiming roughly three-quarters of the world's Web surfers. Google is counting on Chrome to become the linchpin in its effort to distribute widely used computer programs like word processing, spreadsheets and calendars through the Web browser instead of as applications installed on individual machines. If the crusade is successful, it might undercut Microsoft's profits by diminishing sales of its Office software package. Yes, and after, Google vanquishes Microsoft, they plan to set their sights on total world domination.

Baseball - This next item backs my argument that baseball season is too bloody long. The Florida Marlins beat the Atlanta Braves 5-3 in an afternoon game in front of an incredibly sparse crowd of just 600 fans. While the official attendance, based on tickets sold, was 11,211, the ballpark was so quiet that home-plate chatter could be heard. Some Florida players even joked in the locker room before the game about trying to guess the total number of fans, throwing out figures between 200-500. Florida is used to a lack of support, but even today's game was a stretch for the Marlins, who are by far the majors worst in attendance with an average between 16,000 and 17,000 fans. It's nice to see at least the players have a sense of humor about this. They get paid either way, but still, it has to be a bit depressing playing a game in front of an empty stadium.

Britney Spears - Oh dear God, Britney is back in the news. Be afraid. Be very, very afraid. Despite her train-wreck performance at the MTV Video Music Awards last year, the network confirms Britney Spears will kick off the show once again. Well why not. Who doesn't like watching the same train wreck over and over again? Instead of a singing performance, Spears appearance will be something "fun and unexpected". I'm sure it will be. Unexpected is probably the kindest way to describe Spears' performance at last year's VMAs. In what was heavily promoted as the troubled singer's comeback, she instead gave an unfocused, almost unwatchable performance of "Gimme More," one of the many low points in her year of debacles. So what made Spears and MTV reunite one more time? Oh I know, I know. Stupidity, lack of self esteem, total loss of reason. It's one of those right? "MTV has long played an important role in my career. How can I not be there to kick off their 25th VMAs? I'm excited to open the entire show, to say hi to my fans and to be nominated," Spears said in a statement. I see. It's a bit of all three. What the heck. You go, girl. You and your train wreck of a career will be a welcome distraction from all the crud going on in the world these days.