Mighty slim pickens in today's edition of the Find The Hottest TV News Babe Contest.

Deanna Richards (Above left - There is something about those glasses.) and Brooke Wehner (Above right) hail from 6News in Lawrence, Kansas.


Here's Nicole Ferguson from WECT in Wilmington, NC.

Battle of the Day.

On this date in 1944 the Battle of the Bulge began. My father received his second Purple Heart for wounds he suffered in the Ardennes.

SEX IS DEATH. (What is the ultimate penalty?)

The AP provides the latest on the saga of David Ludwig and his child bride wannabe.

Death awaits Mr. Ludwig as it awaits us all. His chances of avoiding the night-night needle are excellent. ("Slow" Eddie Rendell , call your office.) His chances of avoiding ultimate judgement are nil. His chances of avoiding damnation depend on the quality of his professed Christian faith.

A prosecutor said Friday he will seek the death penalty against a man already accused of shooting to death his 14-year-old girlfriend's parents, and announced he does not plan to charge the girl.

Lancaster County District Attorney Don Totaro also added a firearms violation and sexual assault charge against 18-year-old David Ludwig.
Totaro said Ludwig's statements have exonerated Kara Beth Borden, and convinced investigators that she did not have any role in planning or carrying out the shooting deaths of her parents Michael and Cathryn inside their Lititz home on Nov. 14.

"There was no plan or no agreement to harm her parents in any way," Totaro said.

Ludwig said only that he had no questions Friday morning as he signed a court document waiving his preliminary hearing, meaning the charges against him were forwarded to county court.

Also Friday, prosecutors dropped the kidnapping charge against Ludwig, who fled the state with Kara before being captured in Indiana. He still also faces one count of reckless endangerment.

Totaro said the death penalty is justified because the killing occurred while perpetrating a felony, the firearms charge; that it created a great risk of harm to the couple's children, who were at home at the time; and that more than one person was killed.

Prosecutors said Ludwig killed the Bordens after an argument over his relationship with their daughter. He was captured the next day following a high-speed chase that ended with him crashing his parents' car.

You can see the outline of his defense forming: It was a crime of passion. They argued. There was no premeditation. The children merely planned to run away if their "love" was discovered.

Police said Ludwig dropped off the girl at her house at about 5:30 a.m. on the morning of the killings, after the teens had spent the night together at Ludwig's house.

After Ludwig didn't receive a text-message that she had made it into her room undetected, he called the girl on her cell phone and learned she had been caught by her parents and needed him to come over, according to the court filing.

He returned to the house at her request — sticking a Glock pistol in his waistband and grabbing some other weapons, authorities said. He had two guns and a hunting knife when he showed up at about 7 a.m., police said.
Michael Borden told Ludwig during a 30- to 45-minute talk that he could no longer see his daughter.

It was then, Ludwig allegedly told police, that he then decided to kill the couple. He shot Michael Borden from behind as he was going down the hallway to the front door, and then Cathryn Borden from six feet away as she was getting of out a chair, according to the court papers. Both were shot in the head.

Ludwig then started to drive away before turning back to look for the girl, who came running after him and got in the car, authorities said.

He told detectives that the girl wanted to "get as far away as possible, get married, and start a new life," according to court documents.

Totaro said Friday that the teens had discussed what they would do if the parents discovered their relationship.

"There was a plan if they were caught in the relationship, to possibly run away. That was the extent of the plan," Totaro said.

Ludwig's formal arraignment in Lancaster County Common Pleas Court was scheduled for Jan. 25.


Part 1: SEX IS DEATH. (Stories for Boys) is here.
Part 2: SEX IS DEATH. (Distaff Death) is here.
Part 3: SEX IS DEATH. (Joyously dispensing death) is here.
Part 4: SEX IS DEATH. (Sex is depression) is here.
Part 5: SEX IS DEATH. (When self-pleasuring becomes self-destruction) is here.
Part 6: SEX IS DEATH. (Sex is theft) is here.
Part 7: SEX IS DEATH. (A review of Bareback Mountain) is here.

Does this mean Farrakhan blew up the levees?

Statistics Suggest Race Not a Factor in Katrina Deaths

(CNSNews.com) - Statistics released by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals suggest that fewer than half of the victims of Hurricane Katrina were black, and that whites died at the highest rate of all races in New Orleans.

The F-22A Raptor is operational.

The futuristic F-22A "Raptor" fighter jet, designed to dominate the skies well into the 21st century, joined the U.S. combat fleet on Thursday, 20 years after it was conceived to fight Soviet MiGs over Europe.

The Air Force said "initial operational capability" had been achieved at the 1st Fighter Wing's 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.

Pilots in the squadron, the Air Force's oldest in continuous operation, have been training on the F-22, the Air Force's most advanced weapon system, for about a year.

"If we go to war tomorrow, the Raptor will go with us," Gen. Ronald Keys, head of the Air Force's Air Combat command, said in a statement. He said an initial group of 12 was ready for combat worldwide or for homeland defense.

The squadron may swing through the Pacific next year, probably flying from Guam and elsewhere, though no decision has been made about where to best "showcase" it, Keys said in a later teleconference with reporters.

With the Soviet Union gone, defense analysts have cast the F-22 as the weapon of choice for any future U.S. conflict with China, for instance over Taiwan.

You were warned. It was just a matter of time before the anti-smoking nazis invaded private homes.

From The Washington Times:

Anti-smoking activists who are driving cigarettes from public places across the country are now targeting private homes -- especially those with children.

Their efforts so far have contributed to regulations in three states -- Maine, Oklahoma and Vermont -- forbidding foster parents from smoking around children. Parental smoking also has become a critical point in some child-custody cases, including ones in Virginia and Maryland.

In a highly publicized Virginia case, a judge barred Caroline County resident Tamara Silvius from smoking around her children as a condition for child visitation.

Mrs. Silvius, a waitress at a truck stop in Doswell, Va., calls herself "highly disappointed" with the court's ruling.

"I'm an adult. Who is anybody to tell me I can't smoke or drink?" she said in an interview yesterday.

An appeals court upheld the ruling, but not before one judge raised questions about the extent to which a court should become involved in parental rights and whether certain behavior is harmful or simply not in a child's best interest.

Mrs. Silvius says she complied with the decision by altering her smoking habits.

"My children know not to come around when I'm on the front porch with my morning coffee, tending to my cows or out in my garden, because I'm having a cigarette," she said.

Still, she thinks this was not a matter for the courts because it was not proven that she posed a risk to her children's health.

"If a child suffers from asthma or some sort of problem, the courts shouldn't even have to be told to [step in]," Mrs. Silvius said. "That should be the parent's better judgment. But my kids aren't sick. If there's no health issue, it isn't the court's place to say someone can't do something that's perfectly legal, just because the other spouse doesn't want them to."
The smoking-at-home issue also sparked debate about whether such rulings will lead courts to become involved in such matters as parents' making poor TV programming choices for their children.

'Action' might be too strong a word...

John Lennon Talking Action Figure Planned by Ono...

There has always been something seriously wrong with this woman.

Drudge offers the link above to a Fox News story on the latest money grab by another talentless widow.


All right, this is for hard even for yours truly to believe, but here goes.

It looks as if Yoko Ono has licensed a John Lennon action figure that will be sold, I don't know, in stores of some kind. Parts of it may be referred to as the Plastic Lennon Hand (get it, Plastic Ono Band?)

Ono is clearly out to prove that there's nothing you can sell that can't be sold.

Yes, it's been only a week since the 25th anniversary of Lennon's murder. I did in fact write a hopeful piece about Ono last week. All I was saying was, give peace a chance.

But there's no limit to bad taste, and here we go again. You can actually see this thing at http://necaonline.com/lennonnews1.html.

National Entertainment Collectibles Association is the company with the license, and they've got a picture of the 18-inch plastic Lennon. They say it will talk, speaking "John Lennon" phrases. They also say it will be known as "The New York Years" Lennon.

NECA says this is the first ever licensed Lennon figure ever. That's quite a distinction. There is a line of "Yellow Submarine" pose-able figures, but those are of Lennon and the other Beatles in character from the animated film. This is actually one of Lennon, with all profits going to Ono.

So the question is: How much money does this woman need?

And, a better question, whatever happened to her Spirit Foundation? There's no listing for it among U.S. charities at www.guidestar.org. And last, what will the plastic Lennon say when you push his buttons? "Ah! Bowakawa, pousse, pousse"?

Bleh!

Satchel displays cognitive abilities on a par with MSM employees.

Click to enlarge. If you dare.

Well, somebody invented Rugby League...

Click to enlarge this absolutely fabulous bit of copyrighted material I hope nobody will notice.

I get mail from powerful people with interesting jobs...

In response to my post on the anti-Wal Mart polling bias of John "I was right once" Zogby, Mr. Michael Krempasky wrote


Fyodor,

Hope you're well - just wanted to drop you a line and introduce myself. I've done no small amount of blogging (I run RedState.org among others) but for my day job - I do online public affairs for Wal-Mart.

Just wanted you to know that your post echoing the Mowbray column on the wierd Zogby poll (http://thechurchmilitant.blogspot.com/2005/12/from-worshipping-at-altar-of-pollster.html) is most appreciate and will certainly end up in the corporate suites in Bentonville.

It's always interesting to see liberals organize to attack corporations - and the companies ALWAYS seem to have their hands tied in terms of responding. That's why it's nice to see folks defending them when it's the right thing to do.

As a practice, If you're interested - I'd like to drop you the ocassional (or regular) update with some newsworthy clips about the company. Just let me know.


Best,

Mike Krempasky

Edelman


Thank you, Mr. Krempasky, for your kind words about my idiot blog (Heck, thanks for even noticing it.) and I look forward to your updates on the war against Wal-Mart.

But don't think I'm going to let your employer off the hook for it's capitulation in the War Against Christmas. I haven't bought any Christmas gifts at Wal-Mart and will not until it returns to sanity and reality.

Son of a bitch!

Iraq mistakenly freed al-Zarqawi last year

Your time is running out, you murderer of women and children. The Sunnis are voting now.

Bush took reasonable and measured actions that have prevented terrorist attacks on our soil for over 4 years.

Of course Washington's other newspaper sees it differently.

Washington Post:Bush Authorized Domestic Spying
Post-9/11 Order Bypassed Special Court

First, note the interesting timing of the release of this story the NYT has had for over a year. The vote on the Patriot Act is scheduled for today. Then there was the wonderful turnout of formerly disaffected Sunnis in yesterday's latest Iraqi election.

Second, Fox repeats something the WaAPo conveniently omitted:

The Bush administration had briefed congressional leaders about the program and notified the judge in charge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, the secret Washington court that handles national security issues.

Aides to National Intelligence Director John Negroponte and West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller, (Who, in the WaPo story, is already making anti-administration noises.- F.G.) the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, (That makes him one of those briefed. - F.G.) declined to comment Thursday night.


Third, Drudge has this:

NYT 'SPYING' SPLASH TIED TO BOOK RELEASE

Fatuous Democrass cowards and liars don't have the courage of ANY convictions.

Washington Post:Pelosi Says Dems Won't Offer Unified Position on Iraq


House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said yesterday that Democrats should not seek a unified position on an exit strategy in Iraq, calling the war a matter of individual conscience and saying differing positions within the caucus are a source of strength for the party.

Sure it is. Idiot.

Pelosi said Democrats will produce an issue agenda for the 2006 elections but it will not include a position on Iraq. There is consensus within the party that President Bush has mismanaged the war and that a new course is needed, but House Democrats should be free to take individual positions, she sad."There is no one Democratic voice . . . and there is no one Democratic position," Pelosi said in an interview with Washington Post reporters and editors.

Instant translation: We got nothing. Vote against Bush by voting Democrass.

Pelosi recently endorsed the proposal by Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.) for a swift redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq over a period of six months, but no other party leader followed, and House Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) publicly opposed her.

Meanwhile...


Meanwhile, House Republicans are planning to seek a vote as early as today on a resolution saying that an "artificial timetable" for the withdrawal of troops is "fundamentally inconsistent with achieving victory in Iraq."

Pathetic. That is about the best the Repansycans can produce. Lesser of two evils, kiddies. Lesser of two evils.

In a wide-ranging interview, Pelosi labeled the Republican-controlled Congress "the most corrupt in history" and repeated her assertion that Democrats will make ethics a central issue next year. She said that the issue and ethical climate in the country point to Democratic gains next year, and noted that if the elections were held today, Democrats would take control of the House.

Heehee!

The 21st century would like to welcome Iraq's Sunnis!

Boston Globe:Iraqis vote by the millions

Day relatively peaceful; Sunni turnout large

Fyodor's Pro Football Picks of the Week.

1) The guys who set the lines are professionals. Their job is to make each game look as attractive as possible to everyone. That way they even out the amount of money bet on each side.
Instant translation: The house wins no matter who wins. That's why people get into the gambling business.

2) I am just a fan. I won't even keep track of these picks week to week if it gets too embarrassing.

3) There is no such thing as "inside information". Especially in the pros.

4) If those idiot touts on tv and in the paper were any good, they wouldn't go public with their genius. They'd sit at Harrah's sports book from open to close and then go out and buy $2,000 an hour hookers who dress like high school girls.

5) Gambling is stupid. You cannot win.

That being said, here are my NFL picks for this week.


Saturday 12/17


Tampa Bay (+5) at New England
Buccaneers will keep it under 5 but lose.
FINAL: Patriots 28 Bucs 0 - Fyodor loses! (Oh, they were playing that New England.)


Kansas City (+2.5) at NY Giants
The Chiefs are the better team, but for some strange reason I'm picking the Giants.
FINAL: Giants 27 Chiefs 17 - Fyodor wins! (WOW! Forget Reggie Bush. Give me Tiki Barber!)


Denver (-9.5) at Buffalo
Denver. Denver. Denver. They don't stink out loud.
FINAL: Broncos 28 Bills 17 - Fyodor wins!


Sunday 12/18



Arizona (-2) at Houston
Crummy Game of the Week. Take Houston to cover at home.
FINAL: Texans 30 Cardinals 19 - Fyodor wins!




Carolina (-9.5) at (sort of) New Orleans
Big number for suddenly inept Panthers, but N.O. is bad. Take Carolina.
FINAL: Panthers 27 Saints 10 - Fyodor wins!


NY Jets (+9) at Miami
Both teams looked good last week, but Miami actually played another NFL team. Take the mammals to cover.
FINAL: Dolphins 24 Jets 20 - Fyodor loses! (Inconsistency is the hallmark of a truly bad team. That means you, Miami.)


Pittsburgh (-3.5) at Minnesota
I'm sentimental, the Steelers need this one, and the Vikings' indictments were just handed down. Take the Steelers to cover big on the road.
FINAL: Steelers 18 Vikings 3 - Fyodor wins! (If only the defense had played this well against the Bengals and the Colts...)



San Diego (+ 7.5) at Indianapolis
1) This game means nothing to the Colts. 2) The Chargers are fighting for a playoff spot. 3) The game's in Indy's dome. Do the wise guys know something? Nope. Take the Colts to win big.
FINAL: Chargers 26 Colts 17 - Fyodor loses! (That's why they play the games. Good job, Chargers.)


Seattle (-7.5) at Tennessee
Big number for the Seahawks on the road. I'll take 'em anyway.
FINAL: Seahawks 28 Titans 24 - Fyodor loses! (That's why they call it gambling.)



San Francisco (+16) at Jacksonville
Can the Niners possibly be this bad? Can David Garrard be this good? Yes and no. Take San Francisco and the points.
FINAL: Jaguars 10 49ers 9 - Fyodor wins! (Jaguars play to the level of their opponent, and that means they'll be dangerous in the playoffs.)


Philadelphia (+3.5) at St. Louis
The Eagles may win this one, but who cares? Take Philly to cover.
FINAL: Eagles 17 Rams 16 - Fyodor wins!


Cincinnati (-8.5) at Detroit
Bengals had their near miss last week. They'll win big over Detroit.
FINAL: Bengals 41 Lions 17 - Fyodor wins!



Cleveland (+3) at Oakland
A strong contender for Crummy Game of the Week. Taking the Browns on the road is dumb, but it's only the Raiders. Cleveland will cover.
FINAL: Browns 9 Raiders 7 - Fyodor wins! (Yippee!)


Dallas (+2.5) at Washington
I'll take the Cowboys on the road. This should be a good game.
FINAL: Redskins 35 Cowboys 7 - Fyodor loses! (Parcells the genius.)



Atlanta (+3) at Chicago
Falcons outdoors in December on the road? Pick the Bears.
FINAL: Bears 16 Falcons 3 - Fyodor wins!


Monday 12/19


Green Bay (+3.5) at Baltimore
Bonus Crummy Game of the Week! Take the Packers because they still have a quarterback.
FINAL: Ravens 48 Packers 3 - Fyodor loses! (Favre may be done, but nobody could win with the Packers current "talent".)

Saint of the Day and daily Mass readings.

Today is the Feast of St. Nicholas Chrysoberges, a tenth century Partriarch of Constantinople. Pray for us, all you angels and saints.

Today's reading is Isaias 56:1-3, 6-8.
Today's Gospel reading is John 5:33-36.


[Links to the readings will be from the NAB until I can find another chapter and verse searchable Douay-Rheims Bible on-line.]


Everyday links:

The Blessed Virgin Mary
The Rosary
Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Prayers from EWTN
National Coalition of Clergy and Laity (dedicated to action for a genuine Catholic Restoration)
The Catholic Calendar Page for Today


Just in case you are wondering what exactly Catholics believe, here is

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.


Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession,was left unaided.Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy clemency hear and answer me. Amen.


St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse, pray for us.


Prayer to St. Anthony, Martyr of Desire

Dear St. Anthony, you became a Franciscan with the hope of shedding your blood for Christ. In God's plan for you, your thirst for martyrdom was never to be satisfied. St. Anthony, Martyr of Desire, pray that I may become less afraid to stand up and be counted as a follower of the Lord Jesus. Intercede also for my other intentions. (Name them.)


PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil; may God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the divine power, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Inside the minds of Big Babykilling's minions.

Comments are neither needed, or possible.

'God! I Didn't Know What to Say'

New York magazine features a piece on a group called Haven, which organizes volunteers who provide lodging in their homes to women and girls ("including a 10-year-old") who come to New York for late-term abortions:

Most Haven hosts are white, Jewish, well schooled, and political. Some are empty-nesters with beds to spare and memories of the sixties and seventies women's movement; many are young idealists with matchbox apartments and roommates who don't mind an extra body crashing in the living room. Meanwhile, most of the women helped by Haven are black and Latina, with GEDs or less, low literacy skills, and not much civic moxie. . . .

Katha Pollitt, the poet and Nation columnist, buys People magazine when she knows she's about to be called up for Haven duty. "But then I worry: Maybe that's patronizing. Maybe they'd rather read The Nicomachean Ethics." . . .

Late-term abortion is serious, hard-core. At 24 weeks, a fetus is at the same stage of development as those gruesome images shown on pro-lifers' protest placards. "The last woman I hosted showed me her sonogram," says Jennifer, a 26-year-old host who lives in Carroll Gardens. "Then she pointed out that the fetus was a boy. God! I didn't know what to say."

Every once in a while, after hosting a guest, I have bad dreams about sick babies. I have to remind myself that my dreams are just dreams, and that they're less important than my guests' realities.

One Haven hostess tells author Debbie Nathan, "Being pro-choice is a morality that takes you morally out of the picture." This is supposed to be a puff piece rather than an exposé, which makes the Havenites' condescension and depraved moral indifference all the more breathtaking.

Iraqi Election Update.

From Best of the Web Today:

"Iraqi voters turned out in force countrywide Thursday to elect a parliament to remake their troubled nation, with Sunni-led Iraqi insurgent movements suspending attacks for a day so that Sunni Arabs could vote en masse for the first time," the Washington Post reported late this morning:
Iraqi voters turned out in force countrywide Thursday to elect a parliament to remake their troubled nation, with Sunni-led Iraqi insurgent movements suspending attacks for a day so that Sunni Arabs could vote en masse for the first time.

There were no boycotts this time and insurgents were providing security at some polling places. In Ramadi, for example, guerrillas of the Iraqi Islamic Army movement took up positions in some neighborhoods, promising to protect voters from any attacks by foreign fighters.

Reuters, believe it or not, has an astonishingly upbeat account:

There may not be the same sense of history this time round, but the joy and determination of Iraqi voters emerging from dictatorship is still evident.

Young and old, able-bodied and infirm, they streamed to polls for the third time in 11 months on Thursday, this time to elect a four-year parliament.
While not as novel as the first post-Saddam Hussein election in January, participation was more widespread. Sunni Arabs, who boycotted the earlier poll for an interim assembly, flocked to vote this time, determined not to miss out on power again.

"I'm delighted to be voting for the first time," said 21-year-old driver Jamal Mahmoud in Ramadi, a Sunni Arab city west of Baghdad that has been at the front line of the anti-American insurgency for the past two years.
For much more detailed on-the-ground reporting, see the Pajamas Media site.

There is an interesting disconnect in the U.S. media, and it goes beyond the usual complaints of pessimism or hostility to the American war effort. Go back and look at the transcript of NBC's "Meet the Press" for Nov. 27, which we noted the next day--and in particular the journalist roundtable, which features five senior Washington journalists, all of whom seem to agree that democracy in Iraq is a dead letter. The only mention of Iraq's then-forthcoming election was in a setup quote from the White House press secretary. To hear the journos talk, it was as if they hadn't even heard that Iraqis were going to the polls.

And yet the producers at CNN and Fox appear to have regarded a genuine election in Iraq as such a routine event that it didn't merit continuous live coverage. (Both stations did break into the recorded fare for occasional live updates.) It's quite a striking indication of just how out of touch with the outside world are those within the Beltway media bubble.

If you think Ben Bernanke is going to improve things, don't hold your breath.

The Federal Reserve is un-American. Its independence is a sham or irrelevant - take your pick.

Alan Reynolds of Townhall.com puts the problem succinctly.

Central banking is the last refuge of central planning -- the notion that a group of experts can meet in secret and plan the economy from the top down. But this is a game played without any rules. We speak of the "art of central banking," as though it is akin to a magic show. So long as a central bank doesn't mess up too badly, we tend to almost deify central bankers. When they do mess up, many then argue that we must have deserved the pain and suffering as penance for the good times.

One well-known problem with this magic show is called "recognition lag," and it often results in "overshooting" -- pushing interest rates too high or too low for too long...

The bottom line?

To avoid lurching back and forth between brake and accelerator requires great caution and foresight. Rules would be better, but there are none. Monetary policy is a euphemism for whim and caprice.

Penguins Update.

Penguins fire Olczyk, promote former Canadiens coach Therrien

Eddie Olczyk, expected to win immediately after being given a much more accomplished team to coach, was fired Thursday as the coach of the fast-fading Pittsburgh Penguins and replaced by former Montreal Canadiens coach Michel Therrien.

Olczyk, a former team broadcaster and player who had no coaching experience at any level before being hired in 2003, was let go following a run of eight losses in nine games that dropped the Penguins' record to an Eastern Conference-worst 8-17-6.

Only St. Louis (6-17-4) has fewer wins in the NHL, and general manager Craig Patrick decided to fire Olczyk after a dismally played 3-0 loss to the Blues on Tuesday night in which the Penguins did little to support an excellent game by goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.

Olczyk, 39, is the first NHL coach to be fired since the league resumed play following a one-season labor impasse and the fourth Penguins coach to lose his job in six seasons, joining Kevin Constantine, the late Ivan Hlinka and Rick Kehoe.

Therrien, who coached the Penguins' Wilkes-Barre/Scranton farm club to a 21-1-2-1 record that represents the best start in AHL history, was to run the team's practice Thursday and coach his first NHL game since the 2002-03 season Friday night against Buffalo. He was 77-77-13-13 as Montreal's coach from 2000-03.

The 42-year-old Therrien expected to bring a much more disciplined approach to a team that has been criticized for its lazy work habits and inability to stick to a system. He emphasizes controlling the puck and creating turnovers in the transition game. (Thanks to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review for the heads up.)

Gratuitous Kelly Monaco Photos of the Day.

I've really got to start taping soap operas.

She even got me to tape Dancing With the Stars. (Too bad about Evander Holyfield. It rarely ends well for fighters.)

Click to enlarge. It is well worth the effort.

Senator War Hero ensures we will lose this war.

Senator War Hero will go down in history as one of the biggest fools this nation has ever produced. He may go down in history as the man who hastened the end of this nation.

Just you wait. If this nonsense passes, every two bit political murderer in the world will lawyer up with an ACLU mouthpiece and that will be the end of the War on Moslem Terrorists.

After months of resistance, the White House has agreed to accept Sen. John McCain's call for a law specifically banning cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of foreign suspects in the war on terror, several congressional officials said Thursday.

Under the emerging deal, the CIA and other civilian interrogators would be given the same legal rights as currently guaranteed members of the military who are accused of breaking interrogation guidelines, these officials added. Those rules say the accused can defend themselves by arguing it was reasonable for them to believe they were obeying a legal order.

The congressional officials spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they did not want to pre-empt an expected announcement later in the day at the White House, possibly by President Bush and McCain.

These officials also cautioned the agreement was encountering opposition in the House from Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. A spokesman for Hunter said negotiations were ongoing.

But Sen. John Warner, R-Va., Hunter's counterpart in the Senate, was said to be on board. And his spokesman, John Ullyot, said: "Senator Warner is meeting with Chairman Hunter to work out the refinements."

Somebody with some brains and some balls better start filibustering now.

A day earlier, the House endorsed the Senate-passed ban, agreeing that the United States needed to set uniform guidelines for the treatment of prisoners in the war on terror and to make clear that U.S. policy prohibits torture.

That put pressure on the White House at a time when the president finds himself defending his wartime policies daily amid declining public support for the Iraq war and his own low standing in opinion polls.

The White House at one point threatened a veto if the ban was included in legislation sent to the president's desk, and Vice President Dick Cheney made an unusual personal appeal to all Republican senators to give an exemption to the CIA.

But congressional sentiment was overwhelmingly in favor of the ban, and McCain, a former Navy pilot who was held and tortured for five years in Vietnam, adopted the issue.

Yeah? What's he done lately?

There were plenty of heroes in the Vietnam War. The difference is most of them didn't return home to become petit fasciste morons who can't tell (or don't care) they are destroying the very things for which they fought so bravely.

In a word, "Wake the hell up, McCain, you jackass"!

The Republican maverick and the administration have been negotiating for weeks in search of a compromise, but it became increasingly clear that he, not the administration, had the votes in Congress.

As passed by the Senate and endorsed by the House, McCain's amendment would prohibit "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" of anyone in U.S. government custody, regardless of where they are held. It also would require that service members follow procedures in the Army Field Manual during interrogations of prisoners in Defense Department facilities.

In discussions with the White House, that languge was altered to bring it into conformity with the Uniform Code of Military Justice. That says that anyone accused of violating interrogation rules can defend themselves if a "reasonable" person could have concluded they were following a lawful order.

The Senate included the McCain provisions in two defense bills, including a must-pass $453 billion spending bill that provides $50 billion for the Iraq war. But the House ommitted them from their versions, and the bills have been stalled.

Negotiations intensified this week, with Congress under pressure to approve at least the spending bill before adjourning for the year.

In recent weeks, the administration had been seeking to add language that would offer protection from prosecution for interrogators accused of violating the provision. But McCain rejected that, arguing it would undermine the ban by not giving interrogators reason to follow the law.

Supporters of the provisions say they are needed to clarify current anti-torture laws in light of abuses at Abu Ghraib in Iraq and allegations of misconduct by U.S. troops at the detention center at Guantanamo Bay.

The White House long has contended that the United States does not engage in torture. (Thanks to AP for the heads up.)

Cliff Clavin explains why beer is not only good for man, it is necessary for mankind.

"Well ya see, Norm, it's like this. A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members.

In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."

(Thanks to Steve Czaban for this Cheers flashback.)

Those pesky fredom loving Iraqis are having another one of those pesky free election thingees today!

What exactly is wrong with those people? Why in the world do they insist on standing up as free men and trying to rule themselves?

Saint of the Day and daily Mass readings.

Today is the Feast of St. Mary Di Rosa, a member of the Handmaids of Charity, a religious society whose purpose was to dedicate all their time and attention to the suffering in hospitals. Pray for us, all you angels and saints.

Today's reading is Isaias 54: 1-10.
Today's Gospel reading is Luke 7:24-30.


[Links to the readings will be from the NAB until I can find another chapter and verse searchable Douay-Rheims Bible on-line.]


Everyday links:

The Blessed Virgin Mary
The Rosary
Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Prayers from EWTN
National Coalition of Clergy and Laity (dedicated to action for a genuine Catholic Restoration)
The Catholic Calendar Page for Today


Just in case you are wondering what exactly Catholics believe, here is

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.


Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession,was left unaided.Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy clemency hear and answer me. Amen.


St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse, pray for us.


Prayer to St. Anthony, Martyr of Desire

Dear St. Anthony, you became a Franciscan with the hope of shedding your blood for Christ. In God's plan for you, your thirst for martyrdom was never to be satisfied. St. Anthony, Martyr of Desire, pray that I may become less afraid to stand up and be counted as a follower of the Lord Jesus. Intercede also for my other intentions. (Name them.)


PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil; may God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the divine power, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

SEX IS DEATH. (A review of Bareback Mountain)

I came to Carthage, where I found myself in the midst of a hissing cauldron of lusts. I had not yet fallen in love, but I was in love with the idea of it, and this feeling that something was missing made me despise myself for not being more anxious to satisfy the need. I began to look around for some object for my love, since I badly wanted to love something. —St. Augustine, Confessions


Bareback Mountain
Starring a couple of straight actors as a couple of homosexual sheepherders. (That's what all the other reviewers are saying. I didn't get that press release.)

Directed by that guy who does the high class kung fu flicks where everybody can hang in the air for thirty seconds or more.

All Flocked Up

I suppose you could say the sodomites are making progress. At least in this flick they aren't used for comic relief as they usually are. You know, the bumbling effeminate lisper who makes fun of how the heteros dress. Kind of like the way Hollyweird used blacks back in the 1930's and 1940's. Can't teach old dogs new tricks, I guess.

First, these two characters are sheepherders, not cowboys. But "sheepherder" was never in contention to make it into The Village People, so "cowboys" they are. And how realistic is the idea that these sheep men turn to each other for icky love instead of those hot, hot sheep on those lonely nights on the range? You know what they say, "Once you've tried sheep...". I guess the PETA Police got to Larry McMurtry. (!!! Partial screenplay credit for the former king of the oater novel.)

And talk about sexual dishonesty and prejudice! I can't wait until Little Bisexuality gets a whiff of Bareback Mountain. These two guys have orgasms in each other (off and on) for twenty years while marrying, rearing children, decorating, accessorizing, et cetera. That smells like bisexuality to this reviewer. There should be mass demonstrations and riots all across the land by the millions of bisexual men out there who will be offended by this outrage. (Heehee! "Out" - "rage". Get it?)

Where in the world were the representatives of Big Sodomy on this one? They should have been on the set insisting Hollyweird finally portray a homosexual couple in a steady, stable, long term, committed relationship. Bareback Mountain is just what the afficionados of non-euclidean sex DO NOT need, namely another wham-bam-thank-you-Adam-and-Steve oater about two bi-guys who hook up whenever their flocks happen to meet. What do you think the ratio of shepherd/wife to shepherd/shepherd boinking is when these two alleged homosexuals are only able to "pasturize" each other on the occasional weekend? 10 to 1? 50 to 1? It's obviously a stealth anti-homosexual hate film, probably financed by Pat Robertson.

Want proof?

The New York Daily News' Jack Matthews, writing about the film's Oscar chances, said that Bareback Mountain "may be too much for red-state audiences, but it gives the liberal-leaning Academy a great chance to stick its thumb in conservatives' eyes."

Now if that isn't evidence of a right wing disinformation campaign planting agent provocatuer-type thoughts in people's heads, I don't know what is.

Why must one of the "lovers" be stigmatized as a "ranch hand"? What difference does a man's choice of autoerotic lubrication make? Ranch, Thousand Island, even French. (But never Italian or Caesar.) How narrow minded our elitist filmsters have become! The other guy is labeled a "bull rider"! Will these shameful stereotypes never be annihilated? Can't we all just get along and take turns on top?

I have saved the worst outrage for last. The title Bareback Mountain is a limp-wristed slap in the face of all those sodomites who have died in the almighty pursuit of Hap The Penis. (It's in the Declaration of Independence, you products of government schools. Look it up!) If a man and his wife and another man and some sheep and an intern and a fence post want to make sweet, sweet love without the nerve-deadening hand of Big Latex (A division of Big Masturbation) present, who are we to say "boo"?


Note To The Squeamish: Mr. Lee can't resist using his sick-making slow motion special effects (see Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) for the "love" scenes. (Ron Jeremy, call your office.) You've been warned.

Part 1: SEX IS DEATH. (Stories for Boys) is here.
Part 2: SEX IS DEATH. (Distaff Death) is here.
Part 3: SEX IS DEATH. (Joyously dispensing death) is here.
Part 4: SEX IS DEATH. (Sex is depression) is here.
Part 5: SEX IS DEATH. (When self-pleasuring becomes self-destruction) is here.
Part 6: SEX IS DEATH. (Sex is theft) is here.

For Whom The Bell Tolls by John Donne

From "Devotions upon Emergent Occasions" (1623), XVII: Nunc Lento Sonitu Dicunt, Morieris - "Now, this bell tolling softly for another, says to me: Thou must die."

PERCHANCE he for whom this bell tolls may be so ill, as that he knows not it tolls for him; and perchance I may think myself so much better than I am, as that they who are about me, and see my state, may have caused it to toll for me, and I know not that.

The church is Catholic, universal, so are all her actions; all that she does belongs to all.

When she baptizes a child, that action concerns me; for that child is thereby connected to that body which is my head too, and ingrafted into that body whereof I am a member.

And when she buries a man, that action concerns me: all mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated; God employs several translators; some pieces are translated by age, some by sickness, some by war, some by justice; but God's hand is in every translation, and his hand shall bind up all our scattered leaves again for that library where every book shall lie open to one another.

As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come, so this bell calls us all; but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness.

There was a contention as far as a suit (in which both piety and dignity, religion and estimation, were mingled), which of the religious orders should ring to prayers first in the morning; and it was determined, that they should ring first that rose earliest.

If we understand aright the dignity of this bell that tolls for our evening prayer, we would be glad to make it ours by rising early, in that application, that it might be ours as well as his, whose indeed it is.

The bell doth toll for him that thinks it doth; and though it intermit again, yet from that minute that this occasion wrought upon him, he is united to God.

Who casts not up his eye to the sun when it rises? but who takes off his eye from a comet when that breaks out? Who bends not his ear to any bell which upon any occasion rings? but who can remove it from that bell which is passing a piece of himself out of this world? No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.

If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

Neither can we call this a begging of misery, or a borrowing of misery, as though we were not miserable enough of ourselves, but must fetch in more from the next house, in taking upon us the misery of our neighbours.

Truly it were an excusable covetousness if we did, for affliction is a treasure, and scarce any man hath enough of it.

No man hath affliction enough that is not matured and ripened by it, and made fit for God by that affliction. If a man carry treasure in bullion, or in a wedge of gold, and have none coined into current money, his treasure will not defray him as he travels.

Tribulation is treasure in the nature of it, but it is not current money in the use of it, except we get nearer and nearer our home, heaven, by it.

Another man may be sick too, and sick to death, and this affliction may lie in his bowels, as gold in a mine, and be of no use to him; but this bell, that tells me of his affliction, digs out and applies that gold to me: if by this consideration of another's danger I take mine own into contemplation, and so secure myself, by making my recourse to my God, who is our only security.

The Party of Blasphemy, Buggery, and 'Bortion is soooooooooooo clever.

The official website of Washington State Democrats sold magnetic car stickers of the Christian fish symbol and cross emblazoned with the word "hypocrite" on a background of hellish flames.

The item was removed about mid-day yesterday after a weblog took note, calling it an example of Democrat Party hostility toward religious believers, especially Christians.

Har-dee-har-har-har!

Religion of Scientific Genius Update.

Palestinians: Jews come from pigs, monkeys
Anti-Israel radio, audiocassettes abound in Gaza, Judea, Samaria --WND

I guess I should not be so hard on those "palestinian" pinheads. After all, neo-darwinists think the same thing about everybody.

First the good news. 3 out of 4 Australian babies are not chopped up and thrown in the trash.

1-in-4 children aborted Down Under

THE first national abortion figures show more than 84,000 pregnancies are terminated each year, or one in four pregnancies.

Unless you are what is euphemistically referred to as a liberal, that is the bad news, kiddies.

On the other hand, those open minded Aussies could always invite some more foreigners over to fill the jobs left vacant by their monstrous 25% babykilling rate. (Thanks to WND for the heads up.)

Here's a surprise. Big Babykilling hates Baby Jesus too.

Planned Parenthood's "Choice on Earth" Christmas cards are back for a fourth year, once again drawing criticism from pro-life groups, which call the alteration of familiar biblical text sacrilegious.

"One would think the highly paid Planned Parenthood leadership would have received the message last year when they faced strong censure for selling these profane cards," said Douglas R. Scott, president of Life Decisions International.

"They are either slow learners or just plain anti-Christian," he declared.

They are both, actually.

What was that about desecrating your dead son's memory?

Have you no shame, madam?

Cindy Sheehan may get to the corprophilia stage before Mrs. Ritchie. Here she can be seen pretending to sleep on her beloved Casey's grave for an upcoming Vanity Fair article.

Q: When are journalists not really journalists?

A: When they're left-fascist bullies trying to re-shape reality to fit their twisted world view.

No End to Media's Defeatism on Iraq

According to an ABC News/Time magazine survey of 1,700 Iraqi citizens, released in advance of historic parliamentary elections on Thursday, “surprising levels of optimism prevail in Iraq,” according to ABC’s polling director, Gary Langer. “Despite the daily violence there, most living conditions are rated positively, seven in 10 Iraqis say their own lives are going well, and nearly two-thirds expect things to improve in the year ahead.”

Of course, those optimistic Iraqis don’t watch ABC, CBS and NBC every night. A new Media Research Center study of network evening news coverage of Iraq during October and November found the networks maintained the same negative approach our team found during a review of Iraq news during the first nine months of 2005. In spite of a successful constitutional referendum in October, the start Saddam’s trial for mass murder, successful U.S. offensive campaigns along the Syrian border and the return of a number of cities and town to full Iraqi control, the networks continued to offer mainly downbeat coverage of the situation in Iraq.

MRC’s latest analysis focused on 324 Iraq stories aired on the three broadcast evening newscasts between October 1 and November 30. Unlike the earlier study, MRC found that the three newscasts did not provide relatively similar amounts of Iraq war news. The “CBS Evening News” led the way, airing 139 stories on Iraq -- 90 full reports, plus another 49 short items read by the anchor. “NBC Nightly News” aired 113 stories (81 full reports vs. 32 anchor briefs), while ABC’s “World News Tonight” aired only 72 Iraq stories in two months (49 full reports and 23 anchor briefs).
(Thanks to Human Events Online for the heads up.)

You want us out of Iraq? We're working on it.

Toward Iraq's Fifth Milestone

Terence P. Jeffrey, of Human Events Online, outlines the exit strategy. (Senator War Criminal, call your office.)

Speaking in Philadelphia Monday, President Bush pointed to “four major milestones” in the post-Saddam political development of Iraq: transfer of sovereignty, elections for a transitional government, approval of a constitution, and this week’s parliamentary elections.

But with his talk of “encouraging Iraqi reconciliation,” the President pointed toward a fifth milestone yet to be achieved: the successful romancing of Sunni Arab rejectionists by Iraq’s Shiite majority.

Brokering a Sunni-Shiite political marriage is crucial to establishing the stability in Iraq needed for our troops to come home. It will be difficult, but it is not impossible.

Here's the skinny from Bush's speech. Don't be surprised if you haven't heard any of this on your friendly neighborhood tv.

In recent speeches on Iraq, President Bush has described three enemies: Zarqawi’s terrorists, who must be killed or captured; “Saddamists” who can be “marginalized and defeated;” and indigenous Sunni “rejectionists,” the largest and most important adversary, who must be dealt with politically. “We believe that over time most of this group will be persuaded to support a democratic Iraq led by a federal government that is strong enough to protect minority rights,” Bush said of the rejectionists.

Religion of Peace and Love Update.

The latest from beautiful downtown Tehran, where the greatest minds in all of Islamdom are in charge.


IRAN PRESIDENT SAYS HOLOCAUST A 'MYTH'...

Berlin calls in Iranian diplomat...

White House: Comments 'outrageous'...

Iran, West head for confrontation...

(Thanks to Drudge for these links.)

From THe Triumph Of Life Over Death Department:

Houston Chronicle: Baby boom part of rebuilding after tsunami's devastation

Giggling women swarm outside a little gray tent in Block D of a sprawling refugee camp. The attraction is one tiny miracle — 2-month-old Asmaul Tzuchina, swaying peacefully in a cloth hammock.

The baby simply known as Tzuchi, which means "pure" in Acehnese, represents hope for women who lost children to the earthquake-spawned tsunami nearly a year ago.

Many grieving mothers are desperate to rebuild family and home, even if the latter is just a plastic tent or a cramped barrack. No one has counted all the pregnant women in Indonesia's tsunami-stricken Aceh province, but UNICEF's Dr. Brian Sriprahastuti says she doesn't need statistics to know what's coming.

"A baby boom," she says. "We have to do that because if not, we will lose a generation in Aceh."

UNICEF estimates more than a third of the 216,000 dead or missing in 12 Indian Ocean countries were children — too weak to run, swim or simply hang on.

Sriprahastuti has noticed a surge in pregnancies since August after a flurry of marriages.

She predicts many of those newlyweds will soon be cradling newborns.
"This is just the beginning," she says, smiling. "We will be very busy next year."

The Esteban phenomenon continues apace.

ABOVE: The man himself at work live at Red Rocks.

ABOVE: Esteban and his band.

From the guitar-selling infomercials, to the Geico tv commercial (at the bottom of the page here), to the concerts, to the CDs and DVDs, Esteban appears to be unstoppable.

Yes, it is a bit of a joke, but hang around on his site for a few minutes. They do produce some nice sounds.

Saint of the Day and daily Mass readings.

Today is the Feast of St. John of the Cross, Carmelite, reformer, Doctor of The Church, and poet. Pray for us, all you angels and saints.

Today's reading is 1 Corinthians 2:1-10.
Today's Gospel reading is Luke 14:25-33.


[Links to the readings will be from the NAB until I can find another chapter and verse searchable Douay-Rheims Bible on-line.]


Everyday links:

The Blessed Virgin Mary
The Rosary
Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Prayers from EWTN
National Coalition of Clergy and Laity (dedicated to action for a genuine Catholic Restoration)
The Catholic Calendar Page for Today


Just in case you are wondering what exactly Catholics believe, here is

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.


Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession,was left unaided.Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy clemency hear and answer me. Amen.


St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse, pray for us.


Prayer to St. Anthony, Martyr of Desire

Dear St. Anthony, you became a Franciscan with the hope of shedding your blood for Christ. In God's plan for you, your thirst for martyrdom was never to be satisfied. St. Anthony, Martyr of Desire, pray that I may become less afraid to stand up and be counted as a follower of the Lord Jesus. Intercede also for my other intentions. (Name them.)


PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil; may God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the divine power, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Pregnant Skydiver Survives Face-First Fall

After taking some of the worst Fate has to dish out, she figures she'll be safe the next time. Let's hope her child grows up with more sense.

Shayna Richardson was making her first solo skydiving jump when she had trouble with her parachutes and, while falling at about 50 mph, hit face first in a parking lot.

Although badly hurt, she survived — and doctors treating her injuries discovered she was pregnant. Four surgeries and two months later, Richardson said she and the fetus are doing fine.

"Just this last week we went and saw the doctor and we've got arms, we've got legs. We've got a full face. The baby is moving around just fine. The heart rate looks good. So not only did God save me but he spared this baby," she said.

Richardson, 21, of Joplin, Mo., was skydiving in Siloam Springs on Oct. 9 when her main parachute failed.

"I heard a snap and I started spinning and I didn't know why. I didn't know what to do to fix it. I didn't know how to make it stop," Richardson told Fort Smith, Ark., television station KFSM.

She cut away her primary chute so her reserve could deploy, but it didn't open all the way. She spun out of control, heading straight for the asphalt below.

"At the end I said, 'I'm going to die. I'm going to hit the ground. I'm going to die,'" she said. "I don't remember it. I don't remember hitting the ground. I don't remember the impact or anything that came with it."

Rescuers got her to a hospital in Fayetteville, where Richardson underwent surgery. She broke her pelvis in two places, broke her leg, lost six teeth and now has 15 steel plates.

"I went into the first surgery where they cut me from ear to ear and they cut my face down and they took out all the fractured egg-shelled bones and put in steel plates," Richardson said.

During treatment, doctors found that Richardson was pregnant, which was a surprise to her. She said she would not have jumped had she known.

Well, that shows some sense.

"To hit the ground belly first — that's dangerous. I mean at any stage of pregnancy that's dangerous. That's not something you want to do let alone at 50 miles per hour," Richardson said.

Her fall was videotaped and Richardson said she was able to watch it, without qualms.

"I wanted to watch it," said Richardson. "And the whole reason I'm comfortable with watching it because I know how it ends."

The words "one tough broad " come to mind.

Richardson said her due date is June 25. She plans to make her next parachute jump in August.

A Columbian victory in the counter-revolution.

Colombian Pro-Lifers Beat Back Attempt to Legalize Abortion

In the Catholic country of Colombia, on the Catholic Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Constitutional Court rejected an attempt to legalize abortion in a case that was meant to be a model for Latin America.
Well-funded American and European pro-abortion groups backed Colombian activist Mónica Roa in the now-familiar tyrannical strategy favored by advocates of death in so many countries: If you cannot change the law through the proper channels and democratic activism, use the courts to impose your will.

PRI Latin American Director Carlos Polo helped coordinate opposition to the lawsuit, now dismissed by a 5 to 3 (with one abstention) vote of the court. “The outcome is incredible,” he says. “Everything was against us.” Pro-lifers thought that the pro-abortion side had a majority on Colombia’s highest constitutional court (don’t they always?), and perhaps they do, but the court refused to hear Roa’s complaint due to inadequate legal arguments. Roa’s complaint was officially brought by Women’s Link Worldwide, for which she works. A second complaint, not brought by Roa, was also rejected.

“The decision is very important for us in the pro-life movement in Latin America,” Polo says. “Everyone in the pro-life movement in Latin America will feel empowered. Abortion is still a crime in Colombia, under every circumstance. No exceptions.”

Amen to that, Brother.

Roa used arguments increasingly familiar in American courts. She claimed that Colombia’s international treaty commitments required the liberalization of domestic abortion laws, which highlights once again the importance of keeping “reproductive health rights” out of international treaty language. She made it clear that she wanted abortion on demand legalized but sought specifically to create exceptions to save the life of the mother (which are never needed with today’s technology), to kill a severely disabled unborn child not expected to live long after birth, rape, and incest.

The rape and incest "exceptions" have always bothered me. Why murder a child for a crime his father committed? That sounds like Stalinism to me.

And "health of the mother"? The State should not compel anyone to be a heroine. I think it should compel any woman seeking such an exception to undergo an impartial medical exam to determine if killing her child is indeed necessary to save her life.

But what kind of mother kills her child to save herself? I wouldn't have such a woman as my wife.

The Story of Senator Klan.

The heartchilling story of a boy, his hatred, and power.

From Human Events Online:

Hoodwinked: Race and Robert ByrdKu Klux Klan Inspired a Life in Politics Joshua R. Preston, Human Events - First of a three-part series


Hoodwinked: Race and Robert ByrdWhere's the Follow-Up From the Press?
Joshua R. Preston, Human Events - Second of a three-part series


Hoodwinked: Race and Robert ByrdSenator Fought Against Civil Rights in '64
Joshua R. Preston, Human Events - Last of a three-part series

Eagles Party With Owens After Big Loss

Terrell Owens and 19 current Eagles players celebrated T.O.'s birthday last night, the day after the team was knocked out of playoff contention.

Exiled from the Philadelphia Eagles last month, the All-Pro wide receiver known for his flamboyant end zone theatrics hosted a birthday party Monday night at rapper Jay-Z's 40-40 club. T.O. turned 32 on Dec. 7.

The bash drew several NFL stars, some of Owens' former teammates on the Eagles and a few celebrities.

Among the celebrities on the guest list were Jamie Foxx, Will Smith, Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson and the Rev. Jesse Jackson. It isn't known if any of those celebs showed up for the event.

Uh, Jamie? Jesse...Weren't you two noted humanitarians supposed to be at San Quentin last night showing support for that other humanitarian, Tookie Williams?

Owens arrived shortly before midnight, wearing a white suit.

``Everything's great. It's a party,'' he said. ``I have everything I want. My mom's here.''

From The Get Your Kids Out Of The Government Schools Department:

Thanks to Drudge for these links:

'One in five' middle school students have had sexual intercourse...

"We really do not understand what's going on with kids today," Lloyd Zimet, who oversees prevention and wellness programs for Hillsborough schools, told a small group of Parent-Teacher Association parents and grandparents last week.

Four high school cheerleaders busted for selling morphine...

Headline of the Day.

From Drudge and The Washington Times...

Army Exceeds Recruiting Goals For Two Straight Months...

...and likely not to be found anywhere else.

Immigration, legal and otherwise.

US Immigration Hits Record High, Increases Poverty Levels

(CNSNews.com) - From 2000 to 2005, the United States has seen the highest five-year immigration levels in its history, according to a report released Monday by the Center for Immigration Studies. Full Story



Las Vegas Sun/AP: Judge Clears Way for Border Fence Construction

A federal judge on Monday lifted the final legal barrier to completing a border fence meant to thwart illegal immigrants in the southwestern corner of the U.S.

The project comprises 14 miles of additional fencing in San Diego. In September, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff waived all laws and legal challenges to building the final 3 1/2-mile leg through coastal wetlands to the Pacific Ocean.

The Sierra Club and other environmental groups had argued that Chertoff lacked the authority to do what he did.

But U.S. District Judge Larry Burns said Congress delegated such authority to Chertoff in June. He noted that the executive branch already had significant jurisdiction over national security and immigration.


Las Vegas Sun/AP: Economists Disagree on Immigrant Employment Puzzle

Religion of Peace and Love Update.

Christmas Terror Warning for Indonesia

(CNSNews.com) - The Australian government has warned citizens of a "very high threat of terrorist attack" in Indonesia during the Christmas season, adding to prevailing concerns about the possibility of Islamist violence targeting Christians during the holidays. Full Story

Jerome Bettis.

This season looks like the end of the line for The Bus and I doubt he's going to win the Super Bowl championship he wants so badly.

This past Sunday's game at Heinz Field against the Bears and their top ranked defense will serve as an excellent way to remember a good man and a sure-fire Hall of Fame running back.

The cold, the snow, the mud. 101 yards and 2 TDs. By the end of the game, we could hardly read his name and number on the back of his jersey. This is the way it used to be before the NFL became a giant, antiseptic marketing firm.

Did you see the way he ran through Brian Urlacher on that touchdown run? They just don't make them like Jerome Bettis these days. Save the VCR tapes. Copy them onto DVDs so your grandchildren will know what men were like in the good old days.

Memo To Mr.Urlacher: If you play in the street, you're gonna get run over by The Bus.

Thank you, Mr. Bettis, for your grace, your class, and above all, your tireless efforts on behalf of our beloved Steelers.

May God bless and protect you in all your future endeavors. May He heal all those bumps, bruises, and sprains you suffered while entertainig and inspiring us.

And even if you retire to your hometown of Detroit, please be assured as long as crazed fanatics wear Black and Gold, you'll always have a home in our hearts.

WTF??? An Australian crackup?

You'd think a nation of people descended from British criminals would be a bit more tolerant. (You folks in Georgia can stop laughing right now.)

The racial unrest that broke out in Sydney's beachside suburbs over the weekend has spread to two other large Australian cities, where people of Middle Eastern descent were assaulted by whites, police said Tuesday.

In New South Wales, where Sydney is located, lawmakers scheduled an emergency session of the state Parliament to consider legislation cracking down on the rioters who rampaged through the city's suburbs for two straight nights, the region's premier said.

Seven people were injured and 11 arrested after youths rioted in the suburbs Monday night, smashing the windows of stores, homes and parked cars. The youths appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent, leading police to believe the destruction was in response to racially fueled attacks on a Sydney beach a day earlier.

Calling the rioters "ratbags," New South Wales premier Morris Iemma said police would be given special "lockdown" powers to stop convoys from forming and driving into communities to carry out acts of retribution. He also said he would urge lawmakers to pass legislation toughening prison sentences for rioting offenses.

Opposition lawmakers have already called for tough new laws and are expected to support the legislation. The state Parliament session is scheduled for Thursday.

"I won't allow Sydney's reputation as a tolerant, vibrant international city to be tarnished by these ratbags and criminals who want to engage in the sort of behavior we've seen in the last 48 hours," Iemma said.

He added that rioters had "effectively declared war on our society and we won't be found wanting in our response."

The rioting began Sunday on Cronulla Beach when about 5,000 white youths, many drunk and wrapped in Australian flags, attacked people believed to be of Arab or Middle Eastern descent after rumors spread that Lebanese youths had assaulted two lifeguards earlier this month.

Police, who had stepped up patrols on the beach after learning of cell phone text messages urging people to retaliate for the attack on the lifeguards, fought back with batons and pepper spray.

Carloads of young Arab men then struck back in several Sydney suburbs, fighting with police for hours and smashing dozens of cars with sticks and bats, police said. Thirty-one people were injured and 16 arrested in the first day of unrest.

On Monday, police said they discovered weapons including firebombs and rocks on the roofs of some houses in the beachside suburb of Maroubra. Some of those arrested were armed with machetes and baseball bats.
(Thanks to AP for the heads up.)

Let us hope Mr. Williams got himself right with God before he met Him last night.

One should never rejoice in the shedding of blood, but Williams' execution was twenty-six years overdue. He brutally murdered four innocent people in cold blood. That is the bottom line. No repentence, no conversion, no children's books, and no celebrity pleas change what he did.

The State owes it to the law-abiding super-majority to execute murderers, showing that innocent life is of greater value and order will be preserved.

L.A. Crips gang founder executed in Calif.

Convicted killer Stanley Tookie Williams, the Crips gang co-founder whose case stirred a national debate about capital punishment versus the possibility of redemption, was executed early Tuesday.

Williams, 51, died at 12:35 a.m. Officials at San Quentin State Prison seemed to have trouble injecting the lethal mixture into his muscular arm. As they struggled to find a vein, Williams looked up repeatedly and appeared frustrated, shaking his head at supporters and other witnesses.

"You doing that right?" it sounded as if he asked one of the men with a needle.

May God have have mercy on his soul.