LP's blog

The United States has killed terrorist sleader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.  Al-Zarqawi was intimately involved in the day-to-day operations of Al-Qaeda and has been a target for United States forces since the beginning of the Iraq War.

US General George Casey, the top US commander in Iraq, made the announcement this morning.

Coalition forces killed al-Qaida terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and one of his key lieutenants, spiritual adviser sheik Abdel-Rahman, yesterday, June 7, at about 6:15 in the evening. This happened in an airstrike which was conducted against an identified, isolated safe house.

A big part of this story is that he may have been given up by his own people -- possibly an internal power struggle in Al Qaeda.  Read More »

Probably the biggest election on Tuesday was the special election to replace disgraced former Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham. It pitted Democratic nominee Francine Busby and Republican nominee Brian Bilbray. The results were a four-point victory by Bilbray over Busby.

In 2004, Busby lost to Cunningham by 22 points; the Democrat gained 18 points in the Republican-dominated San Diego district. It also proved that the "Culture of Corruption" banner alone is not enough to win elections. Maybe if someone were actually implicated in a corruption case, it would be useful, but not in this case.  Read More »

I have to admit -- I'm a sucker for soccer.  So if you aren't... go ahead and blast soccer in the comments. I'm used to it.

At 11:55 ET, Germany will open the World Cup by playing Costa Rica. OK, the kickoff isn't at 11:55, but the ESPN2 coverage of the event starts then. Of course, I'll be at work.

Anyways, here are my predictions for the 2006 World Cup First Round -- guaranteed to go wrong!  Read More »

President Bush announced this morning that Monday, he will talk to Congress about the biggest threat to America today. Not terrorism, not our out-of-control budget defecit, not poor education, healthcare or even illegal immigration. No, he's going to speak to Congress about ... gay marriage.

It is called the Marriage Protection Amendment. I'm not sure what exactly this is supposed to be protecting against. Does Steve and Roger marrying affect your marriage any more than Eve and Roger marrying?  Read More »

The Scripps National Spelling Bee aired on, appropriately enough, ABC tonight.  Primetime, network TV.  It even pushed the NBA to the land of cable.  And yes, I watched the Bee.

Tonight there were 13 spellers on display who surely would have known enough to  ask for a definition.  And a language of origin.  And the use in a sentence.  Maybe an alternate pronunciation or two also.  Read More »

In yet another way that the current administration is trying to stop the education of America, Congress passed, and President Bush signed, the defecit reduction bill.  I'm all for reducing our already out-of-control budget.  Many say the economy is great now, but that is just a facade for when our children and our children's children will be trying to pay off our crazy debt.  Read More »

You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows
-Bob Dylan, "Subterranean Homesick Blues"

One of the biggest deals of the 2004 Presidential election was John Kerry "flip-flopping" on issues; one of the most infamous phrases from the campaign was when Kery explained he "voted for it before voting against it". He was referring to a war funding bill. Immediately, those on the Right leapt upon him like predators on a weak animal, calling him a flip-flopper, and worse.  Read More »

I’ve heard and read many things about Barry Bonds in the preceding weeks and months. I feel that I should toss my two cents into the collective conversation. After all, it is my responsibility as a blogger to do so.

First of all, hitting 715 home runs is a nice milestone, but Bonds didn’t break Babe Ruth’s record. Babe Ruth hasn’t held a record for thirty years now. The record wasn’t 714, but it was, and still is, 755 home runs, held by Hank Aaron. Passing Babe Ruth was a significant accomplishment, but only served to put Bonds into second place.  Read More »