Are Presidential Expectations too High?
Watching the Nevada Democratic Discussion, it becomes apparent that we expect our Presidents to be experts on every subject. They need to be economists, commanders, educators, visionaries, leaders, cheerleaders, serious-minded,and likable. They must command all issues and have well-reasoned positions for everything. On top of that, we shun change, abhor weakness, and decry dishonesty. We demand good looks, skinny ankles, and good teeth.
Perhaps it’s one of the reasons why so many Media Age presidents have been governors.
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Bill Maher and Ann Coulter had intimate relationship
Maher and republican media voice Ann Coulter confirmed a short lived relationship on Fox News’ O’Reilly Factor, that occurred in 1994 while Maher circuited in California.

Source: Wikipedia
Fidel Castro Steps Down – Cuba News
On February 18, 2008, Fidel Castro revealed in a letter that he would not be accepting the roles and responsibilities of President and Commander in Chief at the February 24, 2008 National Assembly meetings, saying “I will not aspire nor accept – I repeat I will not aspire or accept – the post of President of the Council of State and Commander in Chief.” This decree will effectively announce his retirement and stepping down from government service. This letter is published on the internet by the official Communist Party Paper Granma. In it, Fidel Castro noted that his health was a large reason for this critical decision, saying that “It would betray my conscience to take up a responsibility that requires mobility and total devotion, that I am not in a physical condition to offer,” however such has yet to be confirmed.
Somewhat crazy guess for today…Castro is actually dead. If Radio Havana starts playing mournful, dirge-like salsas later today, watch out. I would guess this means he’s probably not too far from death, based on his known health. Lots of turnover in world leadership.. Blair, Musharraf, Castro, and now Bush.
Immigration
Immigration
Although human migration has existed throughout human history, immigration in the modern sense refers to movement of people from one nation-state to another. Immigration implies long-term permanent residence (and often eventual citizenship) by the immigrants: tourists and short-term visitors are not considered immigrants (see expatriates). However, seasonal labour migration (typically for periods of less than a year) is often treated as a form of immigration. The global volume of immigration is high in absolute terms, but low in relative terms. The UN estimated 190 million international migrants in 2005, about 3% of global population. The other 97% still live in the state in which they were born, or its successor state.
Nicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy
| Nicolas Sarkozy |
Ron Paul
Ronald Ernest “Ron†Paul (born 20 August 1935) is a 10th-term Congressman, medical doctor (M.D.), and a 2008 presidential candidate from the U.S. state of Texas. As a Republican, he has represented Texas’s 14th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1997, and had previously served as the representative from Texas’s 22nd district in 1976 and from 1979 to 1985.

Paul advocates the limited role of government, low taxes, free markets, and a return to monetary policies based on commodity-backed currency. He has earned the nickname “Dr. No” for voting against any bill he believes violates the Constitution. In the words of former Treasury Secretary William Simon, Paul is the “one exception to the Gang of 535″ on Capitol Hill. He has never voted to raise taxes or congressional pay. He has always voted against the USA PATRIOT Act, the Military Commissions Act of 2006, and the Iraq War.
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Animal Human Hybrid Embryo Research Approved
The Human Fertilization and Embryo Authority in England has allowed the creation of part human and part animal hybrid embryos for research purposes. Once the legislation is finalized, British scientists will be able to keep hybrid embryos alive for 14 days, but not implant them into a womb. These mashup embryos must be destroyed within 14 days by current British law. The will cells form the fundamental building blocks of the body and have the propensity to evolve into any tissue, making them indispensable for research and development. It is already illegal to implant human-animal embryos in a female womb or to allow them to enter post fertilization stages.
Bush on track to become the Vacation President
President Bush tries to set an example for Americans whenever he can, in terms of physical fitness, faith, optimism and a certain overall moral rectitude. He also sets an excellent example on taking vacation.
On Thursday, Bush left for a weekend in Kennebunkport, Maine, and his family’s summer compound, Walker’s Point. On Monday, he heads to his Crawford retreat, where he has spent all or part of 418 days of his presidency, according to Mark Knoller, a CBS News White House correspondent and meticulous record-keeper.
Never a fan of Washington’s more cosmopolitan pleasures, Bush will be in Central Texas for about two weeks, with an overnight trip to Ottawa to meet with the leaders of Canada and Mexico.
At a White House press conference Thursday, Bush appeared to be already inhabiting his vacation mode, shedding the businesslike, sometimes grim demeanor he’s had of late to slouch against the podium and be avuncular.
He gamely joked and mugged with reporters, at one point raising two fists in a boxing stance to illustrate what not to do in a photo op with the president of Iran.
“You don’t want the picture to be kind of, you know, duking it out, you know?” Bush said ” ‘OK, put up your dukes.’ That’s an old boxing expression.”
Bush’s August sojourn will be his 65th trip to Crawford, according to Knoller.
The 1,600-acre ranch has proved a durable haven for Bush, who often disappears into its varied landscapes for days or weeks at a time without public appearances. He has an attractive stone house, shaded swimming pool, miles of rugged bike trails and law enforcement at every entry point keeping people out.
“I fell in love with it the minute I saw it,” Bush said of his ranch in 2001. “I like being out here. I like spending a lot of time outside.”
The presidential vacation-time record holder is the late Ronald Reagan, who tallied 436 days in his two terms. At 418 days, and with 17 months to go in his presidency, Bush is going to beat that easily.
Even so, this year’s August vacation for Bush is a contrast to previous years such as 2005, when he dragged out vacation in Texas to five weeks. That was also the year Bush remained on vacation immediately after Hurricane Katrina hit.
Vice President Dick Cheney generally takes August off, often heading to Wyoming or coastal Maryland. Congress left last weekend and is gone until Sept. 4. The Iraqi parliament is taking August off, too.
Still, all this governmental time off is more than most Americans are taking. A recent survey by Yahoo Hot Jobs found nearly half of American workers did not take all of their vacation days last year.
Bush, on his 10th visit to Kennebunkport as president (according to Knoller), is scheduled for lunch Saturday with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Indeed, on the issue of vacation, at least, Bush is much like a pleasure-seeking Frenchman. According to Expedia.com, French workers get about 39 days off a year and generally take all but one.
Julie Mason
The Politico Interviews Duncan Hunter
The Politico Interviews Duncan Hunter
Sunday, May 13, 2007 1:05 AM
The Politico has an interview with Duncan Hunter posted here. He focuses mainly on national security and protecting our borders. Very well done and worth your time.
Double Monkey Standard
“I’ve got to do something here to open this hour of today’s excursion into broadcast excellence. I need to apologize to both Sen. Obama and to Sen. McCain, ” said Limbaugh. “I had never heard of Curious George. Only now have staffers sent me little pictures of Curious George,” he continued.
“So I wish to apologize to both Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain. It was not my intent to bring dishonor and guttural utterances into this campaign. It happened. I laughed about it. It was a 12 year old kid’s reaction to Obama, it was told by his mother. I was laughing because I was being polite, but I had never heard of Curious George.”









