What. A. Jackass.

A guy attends a Mother's Day event at a baseball game. He doesn't get a special Mother's day tote bag, because, well, he's not a female. What's a guy to do?

Get a lawyer and sue! It's the American way!

Michael Cohn's class-action claim in Orange County Superior Court alleges that thousands of males and fans under 18 were "treated unequally" at a "Family Sunday" promotion last May and are entitled to $4,000 each in damages.

The targets of the suit are the team and the Corinthian Colleges. Corinthian oversees Bryman College, which has an Anaheim campus and sponsored the event, its name printed on the bags.

Thousands of the red nylon bags were given to women 18 and older attending the Sunday Mother's Day game.

The team says Cohn was the only one to complain. When he did, they sent him four bags and an apology. Whereupon he sued.

His lawyer said, "By looking at the bag, you can see a 17-year-old male or female would be just as happy with it as an 18-year-old male or female. I don't know why the Angels and Bryman College had a seemingly contrived cutoff for this ageless bag."

In the world of ageless things, this is an obvious one. That would be greed. And I think it would be a good idea to send a few more bags to the plaintiff AND his lawyer.

Because they're a couple of the biggest mothers on the planet.

101st Blog Of The Day

Keeping on with my project to visit one member of the 101st Fighting Keyboardists each day, today I visited The Bullwinkle Blog. With a name like that, how could I NOT visit? (My son will get that one)>

JohnJ has a good take on the foofrah going on about the NSA program and a whole lot of other stuff as well. Nice blog - great name!

Ahmadinejad To Bush: Submit

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told reporters that his letter his letter to President George W. Bush "did not concern the nuclear dossier, but rather was an invitation to Islam and the prophets culture".

In other words, submit.

"We act according to laws and our activities are quite clear. We are rather intent on solving more fundamental global matters.

"The letter was an invitation to monotheism and justice, which are common to all divine prophets. If the call is responded positively, there will be no more problems to be solved," added the president.

Oh, and about those talks?

"We hold talks with our allies, such as Indonesia, quite smoothly. However those intending to speak to us with authority should attempt to change their attitude," he added.

Oh, and that pesky nuclear thingie?

In response to a question about suspension of enrichment, the president said that Iran will agree to suspend the process only if all those having access to nuclear fuel will suspend theirs and let their relevant facilities be inspected.

"Otherwise, we do not find it necessary to suspend our uranium enrichment and consider the call for it as unfair and will continue to reject it,"
In reply to another question whether Iran will need the assistance of other Islamic states in its nuclear issue, he said that the country has the potential to defend itself.

That was as translated and reported by IRNA.

So in other words:

UPDATE: I'm not the only one seeing this. Klein Verzet is seeing the problem. Flares Into Darkness has a very scary take. A Blog For All has more round-up. There are more, but I tried to get a few different people than the usual suspects on this. Houston, we have a problem.

Senate To Take Up Immigration

According to the AP, the leadership in the Senate has agreed to reintroduce the bill that was blocked by the Democrats before the last recess. I'm not at all impressed with that bill, but supposedly there will be amendments proposed and allowed to be debated and voted on.

Frist said a "considerable" number of amendments would be debated when the Senate begins debating the bill early next week.

It would be the most comprehensive rewrite of immigration laws since the so-called Simpson-Mazzoli bill some 20 years ago.

Reid acknowledged on the Senate floor Thursday morning that he "didn't get everything that I wanted" in the agreement, but said Frist didn't either. Reaching the agreement is "not easy with the political atmosphere," Reid said.

Reid had been taking some criticism for refusing to move forward on the bill after complaining that Republicans were trying to undermine it with amendments and insisting that Democrats be allowed to have a say in who serves on the conference committee.

We'll see I guess. Gateway pundit reports Bill Frist said that security for the border would be a priority. It should be.

Hallelujah!

A profound and wondrous miracle has occurred! A miracle that will live on forever in song and fable! The frail and crippled woman shall arise from her wheelchair and run! Run like the wind! To escape the police who were attempting to arrest her!

After her arrest this month by Las Vegas police, Laura Lee Medley, 35, of Alhambra leaped from her wheelchair and ran for freedom, officials said.

Complaining earlier that she was having medical problems, police took the woman to a Las Vegas hospital for treatment, said David Wert, spokesman for San Bernardino County.

"That's where the great miracle occurred," he said. Medley "made a break for it," leading police on a brief foot pursuit before she was captured, Wert said.

It seems Laura Lee has a penchant for filing lawsuits against various municipalities and public bodies over certain ADA-related grievances. And she's got an unusual anatomy, as well.

Medley's claims against public entities — including San Bernardino County, South Pasadena and Long Beach — claimed a bus dropped her off near what she called a non-ADA compliant roadway or curb, causing her wheelchair to topple. She claimed three broken arms in eight weeks — two lefts and a right.

She's still got a federal lawsuit pending against the city of Long Beach.

And you didn't believe in miracles!

Fish Story

I've never been much of a fisherman. Mostly I find it dull. Or hot and dull. Or cold and dull. Did I mention dull? But I honestly don't think I would have found this dull. A Pennsylvania man just landed a 49 inch long, 54 pound carp. If the weight is officially confirmed, it will be the state record, surpassing a 52 pounder caught in 1962.

For (Dennis) Russian's fish to be declared a record, it has to be weighed on a certified scale — those that are inspected by state Weights and Measures officials, Tredinnick said. Such scales are at post offices, butcher shops and grocery stores.

If the fish is heavy enough, Russian has to submit paperwork documenting the catch to the Fish and Boat Commission, which will have a biologist inspect the fish to make sure it is a carp and that there is nothing artificially inflating its weight, such as lead pellets.

"It was really nice to get a record," Russian said. "It was an ugly, yellow-bellied thing. Makes good raccoon bait."

Russian said he planned on taking the carp home, "chop it up and feed it to the skunks and possum. It's good for the ecology."

That's a big fish. I don't know if carp are good for anything, though. Even the ecology.

And Now Back To Our Regular Crisis

Yeah, I know. Today is all NSA all the time. I haven't seen this many hits in a Technorati search ever before. This is bigger than a wardrobe failure.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, Iran has decided to bypass the paralyzed US government, mindlessly thrashing about in partisan politics run amok, and negotiate with the real power in America. Or at least what they perceive is the real power.

They have directly opened negotiations with Time magazine.

NO, I'm not making this up. When the Iranian psychopathic loony President sent his rambling laundry list of lefty talking points gleaned from Daily Kos letter to the President of the US, a separate two page letter was sent directly to Time magazine. In it Hassan Rohani,representative of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini gives a strategy for opening negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.

Hassan Rohani,representative of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini, on the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) and Iran's former top nuclear negotiator, defends Iran's nuclear posture, decries American bullying, and puts forward a plan to remove the nuclear issue from the U.N. Security Council and return it to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, a long-standing Iranian goal.

The letter also offers some specific Iranian starting points for negotiation. Rohani said Iran would "consider ratifying the Additional Protocol, which provides for intrusive and snap inspections," and that it would also "address the question of preventing 'break-out'" — or abandonement of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Independent nuclear experts consulted by TIME said these proposals were "hopeful" signs. p> However, on the key U.S. demand that Iran forgo uranium enrichment on its own soil, because of international fears the process would permit Tehran to develop weapons-grade fissile material, Rohani said Iran would agree only "to negotiate with the IAEA and states concerned about the scope and timing of its industrial-scale uranium enrichment." And while Rohani promised that "Iran would accept an IAEA verifiable cap on enrichment limit of reactor grade uranium" on Iranian territory, that would not meet the concerns of the U.S. and most of its European allies.

Rohani also pledged that "Iran would accept an IAEA verifiable cap on the production of UF6 — uranium hexafluoride, which is used for enrichment." Finally, Rohani promised that "Iran and the IAEA would agree on terms of the continuous presence of inspectors in Iran to verify credibly that no diversion takes place."

Now, there is no indication whatsoever that Time magazine turned this letter over to the White House, but they did go directly to a good reliable Democratic Senator for his outlook:

Senator Joseph Biden, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee noted: "If this is Iran's position, there may be something to build on, but after two decades of deception, and outrageous threats from its president, Iran has to do much more than Rohani suggests to regain the world's trust. For our part, we should talk directly to Tehran, as we did with the Soviet Union during the Cold War."

Anyone else besides me think this is a) wrong and b) wrong? This is information warfare and Time is being quite useful to the Mullahs.

What Gives This Year?

What in the heck are politicians - from both parties, no less - trying to pass laws that directly attempt to bypass the constitution? The Washington Post reports a plan to introduce a law to give the District of Columbia voting representation in the Congress. This, of course directly goes against the constitution which says the Congress has sole authority over the District.

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;– (Article 1, Section

The District is not a state and was not meant to be one. It took a constitutional amendment to even grant the District electors in the Presidential election:

AMENDMENT XXIII

Passed by Congress June 16, 1960. Ratified March 29, 1961.

Section 1.
The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as Congress may direct:

A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.

Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

On top of this they just want to unilaterally give Utah an extra congressman - in violoation of the way these seats are supposed to be allocated.

Pu this on top of the attempted end-run around the electoral college and we're seeing a really bad trend in government here. I don't know about you, but I do not like lawmakers going around the constitution of the United States. At all.

Alaa Update

Well, he's managed to blog, even from jail. That's encouraging, but it's still from jail, which is not good. If you haven't already, please sign the online petition.

Support Freedom.

This Is A Good Thing

All I can say is that it's about time the White House started objecting to some of the allegations the press makes. A lot of folks in the blogosphere have been doing this all along (myself included). Until now, the White House has not directly challenged outright falsehoods the press has printed.

Tony Snow is changing that. That's good. When the New York Times prints outright false numbers, they need to be publicly called out for it. The same applies to CBS and to USA Today:

“CBS News misleadingly reports that only 8 million seniors have signed up for Medicare prescription drug coverage,” Wednesday’s missive said. “But 37 million seniors have coverage.” On Tuesday, the White House railed against “USA Today’s misleading Medicare story.”

“USA Today claims ‘poor, often minority’ Medicare beneficiaries are not enrolling in Medicare drug coverage,” the press office complained. “But by April, more than 70 percent of eligible African Americans, more than 70 percent of eligible Hispanics, and more than 75 percent of eligible Asian Americans are enrolled or have retiree drug coverage.”

Waiting for a page 92 microtype correction is not going to counter the lies. Calling them on it publicly will at least let the American people know something is really wrong with the news they are getting these days. (Though judging by the falling revenues in the media world, I suspect a lot already do).

New To The Blogroll

I've been linked a couple times now by a blogger from Thailand, who's got an interesting little blog. I just exchanged emails with him and he tells me he's originally from Vancouver. How or why he moved to Bangkok, I have no idea! Anyway, if you have some time, take a look at Agam's Gecko.

Absurdity

Byron York, writing in The Hill, discusses an issue that I have raised before: is it proper to charge someone with lying about a crime when no underlying crime has been shown to have been committed?

Libby’s lawyers had asked Fitzgerald to produce evidence that Valerie Plame Wilson was a covert agent at the CIA. They had also asked for an assessment of the damage, if any, caused by the exposure of her identity.

In papers filed with the court, Fitzgerald refused both requests. Now, in the courtroom, Judge Walton wanted to hear Fitzgerald’s reasons.

“Does the government intend to introduce any evidence that would relate to either damage or potential damage that the alleged revelations by Mr. Libby caused, or do you intend to introduce any evidence related to Ms. Wilson’s status and whether it was classified or she was in a covert status or anything of that nature?” Walton asked.

“We don’t intend to offer any proof of actual damage,” Fitzgerald said. “We’re not going to get into whether that would occur or not. It’s not part of the perjury statute.”

Now this is something that should be worrisome to everyone. If the government cannot get an indictment on a crime - in a grand jury where it is generally accepted that a prosecutor can get a ham sandwich indicted - should they then be charging someone with perjury? Even though the crime that allegedly causes the perjury has not been shown to exist? I think this is a terrible road to go down.

I was dead set against the conviction of Martha Stewart for this same reason. (I was not blogging then, though). Left or right, you should be worried about this kind of prosecution. It is insidiously dangerous. It is prosecutorial abuse and it could happen to anyone.

Think about that.

UPDATE: California Conservative has much the same take on this.

The Problem With Leaks

I see USA Today has a story, written completely around leaked information, about a secret NSA program. I also see that the blogosphere is exploding about this. Opinions are predictable, of course. There is much rage on the left. One pictures many coffee stained monitor screens and spittle drenched keyboards.

Just a couple of points. I read this story and have a few mixed feelings about it. Because the people who leaked the story are not identified in any way, I cannot judge the accuracy of the program description. I cannot judge the truthfulness of the leakers. I cannot judge if there are political motivations to the leaks. I cannot judge if only part of the program is being reported. I cannot judge whether there are totally legitimate reasons for the program's existence. I cannot tell if any laws have been broken. I cannot tell if Congress was fully informed and agrees with the program. I cannot tell if these leaks have caused massive damage to a legitimate program.

Neither can anyone else.

What we're likely to get is more rage and uproar. More heat, but little light. Which is very unfortunate, because I would like a sane discussion of some topics. This is one of them.

UPDATE: President Bush made a statement about the program. Transcript of his remarks here. Pretty straightforward. It would also appear that damage may very well have been done.

UPDATE: Possiblymajor, major news. AJ Strata at Strata-Sphere notes that the leaker(s) may already be known - and it sounds like a political hit job.

Cracking?

Well, this article points to the possibility that the Democrat's unified front may be cracking. Thomas Edsall, in today's Washing post reports a very contentious meeting between Howard Dean and Representative Rahm Emanuel, who heads the party efforts to gain seats in the elections. Edsall reports That Emanuel left the meeting "leaving a trail of expletives". Doesn't sound like Howie's making friends.

The disagreement is over Dean's 50 state strategy and Emanuel's more traditional (these days) idea of focusing on competitive races. Dean's approach has been very expensive to date and the Democratic coffers are rather low with only $10 million on hand.

The blowup highlights a long-standing tension that has pitted Democratic congressional leaders, who are focused on their best opportunities for electoral gains this fall, against Dean and many state party chairmen, who believe that the party needs to be rebuilt from the ground up — even in states that have traditionally been Republican strongholds.

Emanuel's fury, Democratic officials said, was over his concern that Dean's DNC is spending its money too freely and too early in the election cycle — a "burn rate" that some strategists fear will leave the party unable to help candidates compete on equal terms with Republicans this fall.

This is going to be a long six months.

And?

Howard Fineman appears to be implying that there is something sneaky and underhanded going on with the Republican's election strategy.

 So the White House will try to survive by driving down the ratings of the other side. Right now, an impressive 55 percent of voters say they have a favorable view of the Democrats, one of the party’s best ratings in years. But the “favorables” of leading national Democrats are weak: 34 percent for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton; 26 percent for Sen. John Kerry; 28 percent for former Vice President Al Gore. The bottom line: As long as the Democrats remain a generic, faceless alternative, they win; Rove’s aim is to paint his version of their portrait.

Forgive me if I fail to see exactly how this is any different from any campaign strategy used by any party.

Then there is the attention being paid — and it’s just starting — to obscure Democratic characters such as Rep. John Conyers of Michigan. As of now, only political junkies know that Conyers, an African-American and old-school liberal from Detroit, would become chairman of the Judiciary Committee if the Democrats regain control of the House. Few know that Conyers has expressed interest in holding hearings on the impeachment of the president.

But before this election season is over, Republican and conservative voters are going to know a lot about Conyers. To hear the GOP tell it, the impeachment of the president will be the number one priority if Conyers gets his say, which of course Rep. Nancy Pelosi will be only too happy to give him. The aim will be to rally The GOP Base with talk of a political Apocalypse.

Raising the issue of what people would likely take over chairmanships is wrong how? Conyers should be scrutinized and his record on quite a lot of things should be discussed. This is again, absolutely no different than it has ever been. I'm failing to see what is so underhanded about these tactics.

Bush and Rove are daring the Democrats to turn the nomination of Gen. Michael Hayden as head of the CIA into a fight over the president’s secret eavesdropping program. That’s a fight they think they can win politically, by turning a legitimate constitutional issue into another Us v. Them morality play.

It’s worked before.

This closing to the article is really odd. Haven't the left been trying desperately to get this program out in the open? Is it just possible that the Democrats who have been pumping this issue know they are, in fact, wrong?

Just asking.