Friday, February 22, 2002

Quote of the day:

"Those who would threaten Americans, those who would engage in criminal, barbaric acts need to know that these crimes only hurt their cause, and only deepen the resolve of the United States of America to rid the world of these agents of terror. May God Bless Daniel Pearl."

-President George W. Bush

Pray for Danny Pearl, his beautiful wife and his unborn son.

Name Change: Perhaps MSNBC should consider just telling the world that thost letters stand for Must Serve Nothing But Chumps. Yesterday, because of their committment to carrying the contentious, corrupt, rigged and mostly booooooring Olympics they delayed the announcement of the slaughter of journalist and kidnap victim Danny Pearl for more than an hour. So much for and infotainment outlet pretending to be grown ups.

The Girl Gets It: With her clear, cool and concise understanding of Donald Rumsfeld, his demeanor and why his message cuts through the fog of war, Peggy Noonan's column is today's must read. She understands those things Americans hold dear and above love. She sounds a soothing counter point to yesterday's horror.

The Ghost of Janet Cook: In an attempt to "convey a larger reality" - New York Times freelance Michael Finkel thought up an impoverish West African teenager and just winged it for a piece in a Sunday Times Magazine last November. We're never truly shocked. This happens too often. What is surprising is that a group called Save the Children Canada smelled a rat and went looking for the non-existent boy. And, wadda 'ya know? They found that "larger reality." Howie Kurtz reports.

Shut Up and Stand Up: Florida State Majority Leader Jim King suggested that the media covering a state function might want to stand up during the pledge of allegiance to the flag. The Tampa Tribune reports he got a snotty retort from the scribes. Perhaps the slaughter of one of their own may help to clear the heads about respect for this country.

Notes From The Dawn Patrol: One split second report on Fox News Network last night said the Danny Pearl had been beheaded. Later reports say his throat was slit. Shocking enough but reports this morning say the videotape of his death had been in the hands of a Pakastani journalist for twenty four hours. He tried, in vain, to get a call back from the U.S. Consulate in Karachi all that time.

-Your Friday Bolstered LComStaff

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2002