What Caught My Eye Today

Iran - Good news, everyone. The controversy over who won Iran's presidential election last week looks like it is winding down. Do these guys have their act together or what. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sought to end the deepening crisis over disputed elections with one decisive speech — declaring the vote will almost certainly stand and sternly warning opposition leaders to end street protests or be held responsible for any "bloodshed and chaos" to come. That's right, scare the electorate into submission. Good plan. I there is a lesson to be learned here, my friends. Embrace democracy at your peril. Everything is everything when the results go your way, but the problem with allow the people determine those results is that they have an annoying tendency of not always voting the way you want them to. Thank goodness, Iran doesn't have this problem thanks to a supreme leader who can settle such matters with a single edict. Lucky bastards.

Hunger - Here's a milestone, no one is likely to celebrate. The global financial meltdown has pushed the ranks of the world's hungry to a record 1 billion, a grim milestone that poses a threat to peace and security, U.N. food officials said. Because of war, drought, political instability, high food prices and poverty, hunger now affects one in six people, by the United Nations' estimate. The number of hungry people is estimated to have reached 1.02 billion — up 11% from last year's 915 million. The world's most populous region, Asia and the Pacific, has the largest number of hungry people — 642 million, up 10.5% from last year. Sub-Saharan Africa registers 265 million undernourished, an 11.8% increase. Even in the developed world, undernourishment is a growing concern, with 15 million in all and a 15.4% increase, the sharpest rise around the world. As much as I like big numbers, I'm stuck on the little ones. One out of every 6 people on the planet is hungry? I'm almost at a loss for words...almost. Here's a radical notion. Maybe if we spent more time making sure humankind was well nourished, we wouldn't have to spend so much effort trying to figure out why so many people are angry with each other. Heck, if I was hungry all the time, I'd be pissed off to and looking for someone to blame.

Golf - Here's a 64 dollar question--who's leading the U.S. Open after a rather lengthy rain delayed first round. I'll give you a hint--It's probably not who you think, eh (actually there's two hints in there). Despite a double bogey on his back nine, Canadian Mike Weir closed with back-to-back birdies for a 6-under 64, giving him a two-shot lead and the lowest score in the U.S. Open in six years. Phil Mickelson challenged for the lead until he missed some short putts coming in and settled for a 69. Tiger Woods dropped four shots over the last four holes for a 74, his highest start at a major since a 76 at Winged Foot in the 2006 U.S. Open, the only time he has missed a cut in the major. Weir's great play put Woods right on the cut line — the 10-shot rule. I wouldn't rule Woods out just yet, but man does this guy like to dig himself into holes, or what?

Soccer - This just in...U.S. Soccer still blows on the international stage. The latest case in point is the 8-nation Confederations Cup being played in South Africa. Not only has the U.S. been shredded by both Italy (3-1) and Brazil (3-0), but it has the distinction of having earned not one, but two red cards. Way to go, Stars and Stripes. Bring on the World Cup!

TLC - In a clear sign that the tabloids are desperate for a headline, any headline, here's the latest in the ridiculous saga known as "Jon and Kate Plus 8". The TLC network says its biggest stars, Jon and Kate Gosselin, will announce a major decision on their reality show, "Jon & Kate Plus 8." Splashed across Web sites and magazine covers in recent weeks are accounts of infidelity by both spouses — Jon with a 23-year-old schoolteacher and Kate with her bodyguard — accusations both of them deny. Originally envisioned as a series chronicling the challenges of raising a supersize family, "Jon & Kate" has become more of a show that raised the question: Can this marriage be saved? Riddle me this--which is the more tragic tale--that the TLC network is exploiting this family for a ratings bonanza or that the viewing public is delivering those ratings?