Article Yep... since you probably haven't heard, turns out Scooter Libby was not the "leaker" of Valerie Plame's identity. Rather (ahem), it was Richard Armitage, Colin Powell's right hand man in the State Department. It doesn't stop there, as further information indicates "captain integrity" Patrick Fitzgerald may have known this from the outset of the investigation. As Investor's Business Daily puts it: Fitzgerald knew in the early days of his politicized witch hunt that no crime was committed. No one intentionally revealed the identity of a truly covert agent. Yet he made a reporter, Miller, spend nearly 90 days in jail for refusing to reveal her source. Meanwhile, Fitzgerald refused to reveal to the public the true source. From top to bottom, this has been one of the most disgraceful abuses of prosecutorial power in this country's history. That it's taking place at a time of war only magnifies its sordidness. Bizzyblog (also getting the hat tip on this!) makes a great point by doing some investigative work at DailyKos and Atrios.

From the Anchoress, the article is here. Remember the outcry over President Clinton receiving communion on a trip to Africa in 1998? Probably not, given the media blackout on anything that would tarnish his reputation, unless outed by Drudge. As the Anchoress puts it: Here we see President and Mrs. Bush doing it the way we ask it to be done, and believe me we surely appreciate and honor their respectfulness. That “arrogant” president, Bush, did Catholics the world over honor when he respected our ways. Thank you President Bush, for taking the time to understand what this means to us.

Being a study of history, more specifically German history, and even more specifically German history during World War II, I'm always excited when someone takes a different angle in their approach to this tragic historic period in that nation's history. Run-on sentences and excessive use of the word "history" aside, this article provides a unique insight to humor during the National Socialist regime. Generally regarded (rightfully so) as a bleak era, most of the humor appears to have been an effort to raise peoples' spirits. I, for one, was surprised to find out that serious crackdowns on those who used humor to detract from the regime itself did not start occurring until defeat was becoming inevitable. Hat Tip: The Cafeteria is Closed

During the 2000 Republican primaries, John McCain criticized then-governor Bush for speaking at Bob Jones University, an organization that banned interracial dating and had a lengthy detailed history of anti-Catholicism. Now that we're entering the earliest stages of the 2008 presidential primaries, McCain, who had stated previously "Look, what your doing in this ban on interracial dating is stupid, it's idiotic, and it is incredibly cruel to many people," now believes the folks at Bob Jones "have made considerable progress." Stephen Jones, a direct descendant of the Jones line, would beg to differ. He has advised that "we haven't changed our position at all" on Catholicism. Jones then goes on to state "We don't hate Catholics. We certainly disagree with Catholicism, but I think it's going a bit far to say it's anti-Catholic." Let's delve into what, in Stephen Jones' mind, goes a bit far to call "anti-Catholic." From Catholic Answers: Not long after Pope Paul VI died in 1978, Bob Jones, chancellor of Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, wrote an ill-tempered article in his school’s magazine, Faith for the Family (not to be confused with Dr. James Dobson’s magazine, Focus on the Family). The article was republished by the Fundamentalist organization Mission to Catholics, International (run by an ex-Carmelite priest-turned-Fundamentalist minister) as a tract entitled The Church of Rome in Perspective. No effort is made to be conciliatory, as the first line demonstrates: "Pope Paul VI, archpriest of Satan, a deceiver and an anti-Christ, has, like Judas, gone to his own place." It goes downhill from there. At one point, Jones attempts to raise the level of discussion, if only momentarily, by citing a diary kept by Bernard Berenson, the famous art collector and critic (who was, by the way, an Episcopalian). Here is what Jones says: "A pope must be an opportunist, a tyrant, a hypocrite, and a deceiver or he cannot be a pope." I swear, the only entry under "panderer" in the dictionary should be the political career of John McCain. Update (Same Day): From the Wikipedia: The three Bob Joneses, especially the late Bob Jones, Jr., sharply criticized the Roman Catholic Church. For instance, Jones, Jr. once said that Catholicism was "not another Christian denomination. It is a satanic counterfeit, an ecclesiastic tyranny over the souls of men....It is the old harlot of the book of the Revelation -- 'the Mother of Harlots.'" All popes, Jones asserted, "are demon possessed." In 2000, then-president Bob Jones III referred, on the University's web page, to Mormons and Catholics as "cults which call themselves Christian." Furthermore, in 1966, BJU awarded an honorary doctorate to the Rev. Ian Paisley, future Northern Irish MP, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, and Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, who has referred to the Pope as a "Roman anti-Christ." But they're not anti-Catholic! That's going a bit far, doncha think?

Article VDH is right on target, as usual. On the Right the politicking works out with cynicism and disgust: “These ungrateful and hateful people aren’t worth the life of another American soldier or American dollar.” Yet the Bush idealism wins no points from the Left either. Both for partisan purposes, and due to the wages of multiculturalism that oppose any Western effort to bring to the other the good life that they themselves so eagerly embrace, Leftists still harp about no blood for oil and assorted conspiracies in lieu of legitimate analysis and criticism. What, then, is needed — aside from crushing the jihadists and securing Afghanistan and Iraq — is more articulation and explanation. The word “liberal” — as in promoting liberal values abroad, and reminding the world of the traditions of liberal tolerance — needs to be employed more often. It still amazes me that there are some individuals that do not understand the stakes we are dealing with in the WoT.

Dean Barnett has a brief post that makes a great point here. This is, of course, unsurprising... it just appears as though the NYT still claims some sort of credibility in the media. As long as that continues, we will have to continue our efforts to point out the obvious lack of said credibility. ..being forced to adopt another faith at the point of a gun doesn’t rise to the level of “harm” in the Times’ judgment.

Looks like our president will be faced with another impending hurricane disaster. Katrina had him on the ropes last year, but he's returned to singlehandedly fight off every potential hurricane contender this year so far. Ernesto, undoubtedly spawned from the frustration of other multinational U.N. endorsed hurricanes to reach shore, appears particularly likely to actually hit land and attempt to end the Bushitler McHalliburchimpyton Rove inspired Jewish anti-hurricane conspiracy. We shall see. /sarc

Just found a GREAT Q&A on the "Priest Scandal" here. Since someone will undoubtedly accuse me of supporting the clergy at the expense of little boys' lives (sigh), I must offer the obligatory "no, I do not support grown homosexual men molesting small children" response. Just providing a decent Q&A... felt the need to do a bit more research following an exchange on a high school football message board. There is still much anti-Catholicism in America... the pockets are small, but intense enough to erupt when discussions debating parochial versus public school football programs are to be had. Sad, really.

GM's Corner and The Curt Jester, two blogs I am stunned I had not discovered previously, have been added to their appropriate distinctions on the left column bar. Both are highly recommended. Posting is still light due to my incredibly busy work schedule.

Article He's really on the money with this one: I keep thinking, again, that if Israel, with its back to the sea, cannot muster the will to fight in a big way, then the fat, faraway U.S.A. will never be able to do it. I keep saying this and it terrifies me. We’re in a war with people who want to kill us all and wreck our civilization. They’re taking it very seriously. We, on the other hand, are worrying about leveraged buyouts and special dividends and how much junk debt the newly formed private entity can support before we sell it to the ultimate sucker, the public shareholder. We’re worrying whether Hollywood will forgive Mel Gibson and what the next move is for big homes in East Hampton. We’re rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. The terrorists are the iceberg. WHAT stands between us and the iceberg are the miraculously brave men and women of the armed forces. They’re heroes and saints as far as I’m concerned. But can they do it without the rest of us? Can they do it while we’re all working on our tans and trying to have our taxes lowered again? How can we leave them out there all alone to die for us when we treat the war to save civilization as something we can just wish away? If we don’t win this war against the terrorists, there’s not going to be business as usual ever again. If the terrorists get to their goal, there’s not going to be a stock exchange or hedge funds or Bain Capital or the Carlyle Group or even Goldman Sachs. If the terrorists get their way — and so far, they’re getting their way — there’s not going to be business, period. Hat Tip: Little Green Footballs

Just caught this in my morning reading, thought you'd be able to appreciate it. Trusting the national security to Democrats is like trusting a moving car to a four year old, or the management of a vast company to the junior high school business club. Neither the child nor the preteens want to wreck the car or ruin the corporation, but both results are near inevitable. Oh wait... it's afternoon now. How 'bout that.

I am always front and center in defending any religious faith from unwarranted attacks. In fact, as I've stated before, prior to the 9/11/01 attacks I was slightly more supportive of the Palestinian cause than I was of Israel. Though I am a devout Catholic, I feel that faith in general is beneficial to creating a healthier society. That being said.. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s publishing arm has released a book that says President Bush organized New York's Sept. 11 attacks. The decision by the 160-year-old Westminster John Knox Press, the trade and academic publishing imprint of the Presbyterian Publishing Corp., to attribute the attacks on the World Trade Center brings into the U.S. religious mainstream a conspiracy theory long held by the world's jihadists. In 'Christian Faith and the Truth behind 9/11: A Call to Reflection and Action,' author David Ray Griffin calls the United States the world's 'chief embodiment of demonic power, says he initially scoffed at 9/11 conspiracy theories. So the conspiracy theorists now have another form of "official" backing to help them justify their insanity. Way to go PBC! Hat Tip: GM's Corner

Fellow SOB'er Porkopolis found a great site exposing earmarks. If this site or others become more prominent in exposing the giant, clear flowing drain of tax dollars that is the United States Congress maybe we can somehow salvage our economy and cut spending in the future. Highlights from Porkopolis: * 135 Earmarks * Total of all Ohio earmarks: $33,645,000 * Largest earmark: $1,750,000 for the Columbus Children's Research Institute, for facilities and equipment * The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra getting $300,000 for the Sound Discoveries program for K-12 students * The Taft Museum of Art getting $200,000 for exhibitions and outreach * The Toledo Jazz Society getting $100,000 for music education initiatives for youth and teachers * The Cleveland Institute of Art getting $50,000 for expansion of programs * The Camp Fire USA Northeast Ohio Council getting $50,000 for the Young Leaders Serving Ohio program * Miami University getting $30,000 for digitization * And much, much more This is the single greatest area of deep disappointment for me in the Bush administration, and even more so the Republican Congress. On the rare occasions that we actually are able to get tax cuts passed, typically they are temporary and spending does not decrease.

Bob Crable took the head coaching role at Moeller with a passion for the school (having graduated from it himself) and the game (playing at the high school, college (UND), and professional (NYJ) levels. Over the past 5 years, he took the team from a decidedly sour 5-5 record, all the way to 8-2 and the third round of the OHSAA playoffs. Last year, the team hit a speedbump and went 6-4. Unfortunately for coach Crable, who most people agree is a good man, and very wise on football matters at large, this will likely be his defining year. I say unfortunately because Moeller faces possibly the most grueling schedule in its history, and potentially the toughest schedule in the entire nation. There was much drama on the team at the end of last year. I'm not going to go into details, but despite the turmoil the Crusaders nearly came back to defeat a very good Huber Heights Wayne team in round 1 of the playoffs. QB Ross Oltorik looked very different in this game than previous regular season games, almost as if he had matured as a QB over the course of one week. A sophmore thrown into a difficult situation, he improved as the season rolled along and appeared to take true leadership on the field in the final game of last year. Look for Andy Wersel to lead on defense this year, despite fighting double teams for most of it. I feel the Crusaders will benefit from a lack of respect to start the year. Despite the insanely difficult schedule, these Men of Moeller can play with the best teams in the nation. Should the inner turmoil have subsided by the advent of this season, I look forward to a very successful year. If certain elements within the Moeller community continue to turn inward and continue to cannibalize the program, things could turn out very badly for this great group of players. Good luck Crusaders, if you play up to your potential, you will not need it. GO BIG MOE!

Ahhhhhh... the good old days, when baseball was my favorite sport, and the anticipation of football season was decidedly less dominant in my mind (until post World-Series) than it is today. This was pre-1997. I've decided, almost 10 years later, that I may never be able to fully forgive the MLB for what transpired that year. The Reds are still in contention, and while this excites me, I've been doing more reading of various football annuals than following the baseball standings. Of course, this same principle could be applied to professional sports across the board... I've always been more a fan of NCAA (the actual collegiate sporting events, not the organization, guh!) and high school sports than the NFL, NBA, MLS, or MLB. Most college players and all high school players are doing what they do for the team, trying to win every single game so they can share a magical moment with their teammates and community. I've already posted on my thoughts regarding a potential OSU Vs UND matchup for the NCAA championship... since that posting, at least one other major publication has the Irish #1. This could potentially be bad news, what with the #1 curse and all, but we shall see. I'd like to take this opportunity to plug my lesser-known blog, GoBigMoe, which unfortunately became COMPLETELY dormant during the football offseason. I've been hoping to turn it into an all-sports Moeller blog, but to do that I'd likely need co-editors. I welcome all who would be interested in such a proposition.

As we continue our precipitous slide down the slippery slope of genetic engineering and selective birthing, I can't help but wonder... will it be possible to look 20 when you're 60? It seems that India is facing an impending crisis of monumental proportions, as the female birth rate has dropped to about 80% of the male rate. As we continue the slide with no end in sight, it's only a matter of time before everything biology related is selected specifically. Whether it's tailoring your child's hair or eye color, height, build, or destroying the child altogether due to mental retardation, or so that you may look 10 years younger, it appears to be on the way.

These and other comments here, at the Democratic Underground. The thread topic is regarding the Fox News employees being kidnapped. This site is TRULY vile... more hatred than I possibly could have imagined. This is the faction that is slowly gaining control of the powerful Democratic Party. I encourage reading of the popular liberal blogs and sites DailyKos and the Democratic Underground, so people understand the true gravity of the situation. Update (08/15/06): Looks like the comment has been removed. It was #112, and if you'll notice, similar horrific comments have been deleted by moderators. What's wrong guys, don't want to show your true face to the world?

Why is it that Republicans are never allowed to even whisper about the War on Terror, while Democrats leak security measures, troop movements, and call our troops terrorists (John Kerry, D-MA) and cold blooded murderers (John Murtha, D-PA)? Because if you have a capital D and state initials after your name, you are not held liable by the media. It seems that our Vice President, Dick Cheney, had a little to say about Ned Lamont's big victory (and subsequent future defeat) over Joe Lieberman. To paraphrase, he said that it may encourage the "al Qaida" types in their war against civilization. Why would a Lamont victory encourage terrorists you may ask? He has run on one issue... getting out of Iraq and the War on Terror. Issuing a retreat during a battle or war encourages the enemy, period. Vice President Cheney has stated a fact, and if the Democrats opt to play this as a political issue, so be it. When the political footballs falls on the side of national defense, Republicans typically win, and there is a very good reason for that. It can be most easily seen in that we are not ashamed to be citizens of the United States of America. Republicans argue with facts, Democrats argue with emotion. We're realists, they're idealists. In an ideal world, there would be no reason for war. Conservatives live in the real world. Ned Lamont's victory is a victory for terrorists everywhere, because it symbolizes less harassment of them by the international community, and more specifically the United States. For every Ned Lamont victory, there is a little more time for terrorists to strategize and make bombs. When we have a Ned Lamont in congress, our enemies will have more time to form defining, lasting relationships with each other and terror sponsoring regimes. This is what the victory of someone elected to oppose war under any circumstance will bring. Update (Same Day): My goodness... here are some of the people that would fall into Ned Lamont's "core voter" group. Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin

In what will likely be viewed by future historians (I'm pretty sure that qualifies as a paradox) as a major win for the anti-free civilization terrorists, Israel has agreed to attempt a "diplomatic" solution for what seems like the thousandth time in its short modern history. Hopefully Israel was able to inflict enough damage on the internal structure of Hezbollah this time to keep them at bay for a year or two. There is never any justification for taking the side of the terrorists, particularly in this battle. Moral equivalency and justifying the murder of civilians, in the end, could bring down civilization as we know it. I do not live my life in fear of terror or terrorists. I do live with a fear of what the useful idiots who try to justify terror and clearly don't understand its implications could bring upon us.

It took a lot to hold back from putting the world female in quotes as well. Either way, the Philadelphia Inquirer ought to have inquired further before dousing us all with its ignorance and intentional misleading. Gerald has the story here. In brief, if the article had been written for the PI's sports section, it may have read something like this: "Eileen DiNardo, 54, was made a member of the Philadelphia Phillies yesterday. Yesterday she threw her first pitch on a field rented from the AA team of the New York Mets, wearing a tie-dyed version of the Phillies Away jersey. Although the Phillies deny that she is a team member, DiNardo says that she has been called to be a Phillies pitcher her whole life." After prayers to the four directions, DiNardo threw a wild pitch. Onlookers said that that was perfectly fine, claiming that DiNardo does not play my male rules." Apparently, Fr. Martin Fox of Bonfire of the Vanities, whom I also periodically link here, has written the PI several times. Here's a link to the correspondence at Gerald's site to save you the trip out to the PI and the sifting through other commentary.

Here's a good roundup of some recent fauxtography discoveries by bloggers. Also note that a Washington Post military reporter has advised that on word from unnamed "military analysts," Israel is allowing rocket attacks to happen so they can maintain some sort of "moral equivalency" in the battle. Sometimes they just make it so transparent... The MSM is not on our side.

Joe Lieberman lost his bid in the Democratic primary last night for one of Connecticut's U.S. Senate seats. This is a big win for Joe, as he'll no longer be constrained by the intolerant, rabidly liberal, extreme left wing Democratic party. It's a new era for the Democrats, who of late have habitually been seen grabbing defeat from the jaws of victory. Lieberman is the first casualty of the war against the war on terror. If last night's results are a window on the party's tilt, then a huge slice of the Democratic party is ready to sit out the war to protect America. God help us if the Republicans also get the wobblies. Let's hope the Connecticut Condition isn't contagious. And let's hope last night's decision is overturned. Indeed... now the general election in that state will determine at least partially the future course for the War on Terror. The Republicans now have a race they can focus on nationally to their advantage, and if Joementum can pull off a victory (as he should, because even in liberal Connecticut the general election voters are less extreme than the primary voters) there will be one less Democrat in the Senate. Bill Clinton may have been the single best thing to happen to the Republican party in the last half-century, Kos may be a close second. Update (Same Day): As expected, Hugh nails it. Actually, looks like that's Dean Barnett posting on Hugh's site... good post either way.

I watched this story develop over the weekend, and I'm glad to see Charles of LGF has once again pulled the creaky, rusty door from the cellar that is MSM reporting. Ed Driscoll has a great post on this scandal, and the general trustworthiness of the MSM. Is anyone surprised by this any longer? The media is the enemy.

Apparently, a woman handed a waitress her own stolen ID when carded for alcohol. Hat Tip: Catholic Ragemonkey

They call the Republican party "extreme right wingers." We're somehow racist, intolerant, and generally hateful of our fellow man according to Democrats and the MSM. Isn't it funny how our party works to support liberal incumbent senators such as Arlen Specter and Mike DeWine in their respective primaries, while the Democrats work to destroy a senator who disagrees with them on one issue? Good luck Joe... hopefully you'll lose the primary, then win your seat back as an independant. Following this primary battle, you should realize that your party is dedicated to only the extreme left, ultra liberalism (or "progressivism" if you're ashamed to call yourself a liberal). Update (Same Day): As if on cue... More on those wacky lefties, from the Anchoress.

The squad leader of the Marine unit involved in the Haditha "incident" is suing John "they killed innocent civilians in cold blood" Murtha for Defamation. I truly hope that these soldiers are found to be innocent, though even if they are I doubt that will be the case. Regardless, one item this case has brought to the forefront is another congressional privilage that ordinary Americans do not share, this one penned in by the founding fathers themselves. Article 1, Section. 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place. No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office. I'm certain they did not intend for it to be abused this way, however George Washington and Ben Franklin likely did not consider that political opportunity would trump national security and concern for the safety of our troops overseas. Up until the moral ambiguity of the 60s, Murtha's comments would have been considered treason (along with his treasonous acts of 20+ years ago, some marine this character is), thus obviously falling outside the realm of the afforementioned law. Today, we find ourselves in a quagmire of self-hating Americans willing to do anything for power, even if it provides aid and comfort to the enemy. Meanwhile, Jean Schmidt's reputation is destroyed by the media for calling Murtha a name. Update (Same Day): Heh... a great article here on exactly what Senatorial Privilage means.

The War on Terror as we know it is effectively over. Israel is fighting fiercely, rooting out terror in southern Lebanon, but U.S. policy has changed. It appears as though we can no longer defend ourselves from the enemy within, the MSM, and the Democrats. Political opportunism has reached a new high (or new lows) as Dem after Dem steps up, criticizes our troops, denounces our policy, and recieves incredibly positive news coverage as a result. They are giving the enemy fodder increasing the danger our troops are in, thus creating more casualties, which in turn increases their chances in November. It's despicable, but it's working. GW Bush is on his heels and appears to be hesitant to do anything that would help defend our nation, without U.N. approval. I was impressed that for a little while, we seemed almost supportive of Israel. Now this has changed as well, but hopefully they can get the job done "in time." It's clear that the media will turn the people of this nation against itself, provided the individual they do not like/agree with is in office. They will go to such great lengths as to endanger U.S. power and interests throughout the world, simply because they do not like one or two men (or a political party). The MSM should not rule our nation, we do not elect them. If they weren't busy revealing secret government programs to catch terrorists, giving us an onslaught of every single negative thing they can find about what's going on in Iraq, and providing the terrorists with propaganda for their own forces, they might actually be able to do some good. With positive reporting about what is going on in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere America sees her interests threatened and has chosen to defend herself, the battles and wars would end much more quickly, with more world support. If this trend continues, a terrorist attack will likely take out an American city. I just hope it's not Cincinnati.

Football season is right around the corner, and I was stunned to see a major college football annual (Lindy's I believe) pick the Notre Dame Fighting Irish #1 in the nation. I agree that the Irish will improve on last year's stellar record, but as with most publications I'd probably put them somewhere between 4-10. The general consensus appears to be (as expected at season's end last year) that the Ohio State Buckeyes will be the team to beat. Hopefully we'll get a great rematch of last year's Fiesta Bowl, with the two best programs in the land once again competing for the NCAA title. Yep, that's right Michigan fans, bite me. If your program isn't from the midwest, see comment regarding Michigan fans. I'm always amazed at the great reporting, articles, and evaluations in sports annuals. Magazines such as Sports Illustrated or whatever is popular these days don't really interest me, but the annuals are cover to cover (with the exception of the ever-increasing advertising pages) good reading and analysis.