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This is pretty much no big deal as a story, but here's the money quote: "I still have the same respect for him as I had, not just for what he's done in baseball but for what he did for his country," Pujols said. "That's something you have to appreciate." Nice to see a big sports star who knows what is important.

One Pissed off Canadian Housewife This is very good PLEASE read.... Thought you might like to read this letter to the editor. Ever notice how some people just seem to know how to write a letter? This one surely does! This was written by a Canadian woman, but oh how it also applies to the U.S.A. , U.K. and Australia . THIS ONE PACKS A FIRM PUNCH Written by a housewife in New Brunswick , to her local newspaper. This is one ticked off lady... "Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it...

Kayaker presumed dead after Congo crocodile attack By Jenny Gross - JOHANNESBURG | An acclaimed South African outdoorsman who was leading a kayaking expedition from the source of the White Nile into Congo was dragged from his craft by a crocodile as two Americans watched, horrified. The guide is presumed dead. The two Americans paddled to safety after the Tuesday morning attack on the Lukuga River in Congo. The International Rescue Committee helped evacuate the Americans to a nearby town after Tuesday's attack, said Ciaran Donnelly, the organization's regional director in the Central African country. The body of 35-year-old Hendrik...

(Gibson) Jamaican reggae star Gregory Isaacs died yesterday at his home in London after a long illness. He was 59. Isaacs, once described by the New York Times as "the most exquisite voice in reggae," had been diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago. BBC News reports his wife Linda as saying: "Gregory was well-loved by everyone, his fans and his family, and he worked really hard to make sure he delivered the music they loved and enjoyed. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends." Madness singer Suggs, speaking at last night's Q Awards in London said:...

While perusing the current Sports Illustrated (Feb. 1 issue), I saw an article on famous sports gaffes by politicians dealing with Boston teams, in light of Martha Coakley's Curt Schilling comments. The author (Joe Lemire) mentions Reagan messing up the names of the Celtics in 1984, then Ted Kennedy's "Mike McGwire" and "Sammy Sooser" comments. It then ends with John Kerry's botching of "Lambert Field", "Manny Ortez," and claim that Eddie Yost, who never played for Boston, was his all time favorite Sox player. Each bit ends with the fallout from the comments, explaining that Reagan barely carried Massachusetts in...

I was listening to NPR today (I know, I know), and someone was interviewing Spike Lee, who, for some reason, is throwing a birthday celebration for Michael Jackson. Lee said he was "devestated" by Jackson's death and that he loved him. While musing on the fact that Spike is a militiant loudmouth and the irony of his celebrating a self-hating black man who literally bleached his skin (so it is claimed) and what an asshat Lee is, I also realized I admire some of his work. So, I began to think of other celebs and artists whose work I admire...

I'm looking for a good starter firearm (a good one to start with, not a starter's pistol). What would be a good choice for a handgun for protection, security, etc. Thanks!

Check out this Yahoo poll

Wha' happen? I posted a funny thing about Sesame Street. Did I do wrong? Please advise.

November 18, 2007 The Medium Sweeping the Clouds Away By VIRGINIA HEFFERNAN Sunny days! The earliest episodes of “Sesame Street” are available on digital video! Break out some Keebler products, fire up the DVD player and prepare for the exquisite pleasure-pain of top-shelf nostalgia. Just don’t bring the children. According to an earnest warning on Volumes 1 and 2, “Sesame Street: Old School” is adults-only: “These early ‘Sesame Street’ episodes are intended for grown-ups, and may not suit the needs of today’s preschool child.” Say what? At a recent all-ages home screening, a hush fell over the room. “What did...

I'm interested in your thoughts.

Get this, from a flyer I picked up in the People's Republic of Santa Monica: "Ribbon Cutting Ceremony as The Peace Center transitions into THE IMPEACHMENT CENTER. Crescent Heights and 3rd St. 11am to noon, 8124 W. 3rd St. Volunteer phone banking on Saturdays thereafter. Following the Ceremony, show your patriotism! Come to the LA Impeachment Cosortium's July 4th Impeachment Picnic. 12-3 at La Cienega Park. Invited guests: Orson Bean, Byron DeLear, Dixie Chicks, Larry Everest, Paul Koretz, The Hon. Abbe Land, Dennis Loo, Joni Mitchell, Henry Rollins, Anthony St. Martin, confirmed keynote: The Hon. Rep. Maxine Waters. Information: http//bcimpeach.com"...

How would I go about finding a relative's record of service in the Marines? If anyone could help me out, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Mamas & Papas member Doherty dies at 66 Denny Doherty, one-quarter of the 1960s folk-rock group the Mamas and the Papas, known for their soaring harmony on hits like "California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday," died Friday at 66. His sister Frances Arnold said the singer-songwriter died at his home in Mississauga, a city just west of Toronto, after a short illness. He had suffered kidney problems following surgery last month and had been put on dialysis, Arnold said. The group burst on the national scene in 1966 with the top 10 smash "California Dreamin'." The Mamas and the Papas broke...

Mortal enemies, united Could Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness possibly share power in Northern Ireland? By Ted Smyth TED SMYTH participated in the peace process as an Irish diplomat in the 1970s and 1980s, including as an advisor on Northern Ireland to former Republic of Ireland Prime Minister Garret FitzGerald. January 2, 2007 FOR THOSE Americans who despair of peace between Israelis and Palestinians or between Shiites and Sunnis in Iraq, there is proof in Northern Ireland that such ancient hatreds can be overcome: Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness, once mortal enemies, are on a historic path to become, respectively,...

Hello Deadheads. I'm trying to acquire some Grateful Dead for my music collection and I'd like some guidance as to what the essential recordings are. I have "Skeletons from the Closet" and "What a Long Strange Trip It's Been," and now I'd like to delve further into the catalogue. Which recordings should I get to have a solid collection? What sayest all you experts? Thanks for the help!

I found this steaming pile of crap on the Ginsberg official website (yeah, yeah, I know, I was just surfing around). It is stupefying in its silliness and self-importance. I love the way these schumcks act like they're living in dangerous times and that freedom is under assault. They're so anti-war but said nothing when Billy-Boy was bombing the crap out of Serbs and pursuing regime change in Iraq. Adolescent morons. The actual site is here: www.protestrecords.com Funny thing is, Kerouac hated all that commie crap and lambasted Ginsberg for his radical politics. He'd think the whole thing was crap,...

Tortured logic By Karol Sheinin · August 17, 2006 11:30 AM Andrew Sullivan, clearly wanting to engage with the "deranged", has asked that I provide evidence that an attack was imminent, and therefore, as I argued, that torture to obtain information about the impending attack was necessary and legitimate. The entirety of Sullivan's argument, in particular his criticism of me, actually makes no sense. He writes: "I have yet to read any evidence that an attack was "imminent". All the stories I've read have argued that the plot was for a dummy-run. Maybe Karol Sheinin has sources that I haven't...

Judge bars sniper from examining detective AP - 2 hours, 9 minutes ago ROCKVILLE, Md. - A judge blocked John Allen Muhammad from presenting some of his defense evidence Thursday in the Washington-area sniper shootings, preventing him from questioning a police detective who Muhammad claims prodded his young accomplice to confess. Muhammad, who is defending himself against murder charges in six Maryland sniper killings in October 2002, called witnesses who saw other suspicious vehicles at shooting scenes. He also introduced a search warrant from a Virginia home where investigators found more than 20 guns and bullets similar to those used...

Rarely have I read anything as absurd as Caitlin Flanagan's essay in the May 8 issue of Time, in which she claims she's being driven out of the Democratic Party because she's a housewife.