Tony Snow, 1955 - 2008

Sad news about a guy who from afar always seemed genuine and warm towards everybody, no matter which side of the political aisle you were from:

Former White House press secretary Tony Snow -- who once told reporters "I'm a very lucky guy" -- died at the age of 53 early Saturday after a second battle with cancer.

Snow, who had been undergoing chemotherapy treatments for a recurrence of the disease, left his White House job September 14, 2007, and joined CNN in April as a conservative commentator.

President Bush said Saturday that he and first lady Laura Bush were "deeply saddened" by Snow's death.

"The Snow family has lost a beloved husband and father. And America has lost a devoted public servant and a man of character," the president said in a statement.

"It was a joy to watch Tony at the podium each day."

Snow also worked for the first President Bush, who commented Saturday:

"In this case it isn't a press secretary. It isn't a speech writer. It was a dear, valued friend that went on to heaven. ... He won the respect of even those who violently disagree with the president's proposals and policies. For that I think he'll be remembered. He brought a certain civility to this very contentious job."

Condolences to his family, friends and to everyone else who were lucky enough to have met Tony Snow.

Eliot Spitzer Hooker Ashley Dupree To Get Her Own Reality Show?

So what do you do after being exposed as the whore who brought down a married, Democratic governor? Call the liberal, sex-obsessed suits at MTV of course, and pitch them a reality show based on the surreal life of a young lady who lies on her back for money:

You knew it would come to this: Spitzer paramour Ashley Dupré is trying to parlay her infamy into regular fame with a career in reality television. Her lawyer says the former escort has “prospects for many exciting new projects” and she's headed to Hollywood. Though “a rep” for Dupre (presumably one rep on a team of many) admits she doesn’t quite have a TV deal yet, E! News is reporting that a dating show may be in development: "They are talking to MTV about Ashley being the next Tila Tequila." Anyone else relieved to have absolutely no clue what that means?

Amazing.

Jesse Jackson Is An Idiot

...but most conservatives have long recognized that, however, just in case you needed another reason as to why, the narcissistic, race-baiter serves up another plate of stupidity:

The Rev. Jesse Jackson apologized Wednesday for "crude and hurtful" remarks he made about Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama after an interview with a Fox News correspondent.

The remarks came Sunday as Jackson was talking to a fellow interviewee, UnitedHealth Group executive Dr. Reed V. Tuckson. An open microphone picked up Jackson whispering, "See, Barack's been talking down to black people ... I want to cut his nuts off."

Jackson told CNN's "Situation Room" that he didn't realize the microphone was on.

"It was very private," Jackson said, adding that if "any hurt or harm has been caused to his campaign, I apologize."

An Obama campaign spokesman, Bill Burton, said that the senator from Illinois "of course accepts Rev. Jackson's apology."

As much as I do not support his bid for president, I'll give Barack Obama the benefit of the doubt on two important matters: if he spoke up on race more on his way to securing the Democrat nomination, there's no way he would've won. Race remains the most divisive topic in all of America, most Americans remain too uncomfortable to deal with it and by default Obama would've had to have broken bread with the likes of self-appointed, black liberal leaders Jackson and Al Sharpton--a guaranteed loss if there ever was one. Secondly, while Senator Obama's speech on race in America back in March continues to get all the praise from liberals and their minions in the press, I thought his Father's Day message to black fathers was much more vital.

You see on that day Senator Obama wasn't speaking as if he was better than anyone as Jesse Jackson would like you to believe. He was speaking as a proud husband and father of two young girls. He was speaking from the experience of having his own father abandon him when he was all of two years old. He was speaking as a black man truly concerned about the plight of black men who continue to run away from their parental responsibilities at a startling rate. He spoke to a group, deadbeat dads (aka "sperm donors"), that desperately needed to hear his message on the importance of family, morals and self-responsibility and how their negligence is ripping apart the black community. And over the years that's what the race-hustlers, led by Jackson, Sharpton and Louis Farrakhan (who along with Jackson has reportedly cheated on their wives and fathered kids out of wedlock) have rarely attempted to convey, all the while filling their pockets with all the proceeds coming in from their continual exploitation of the race card. Any wonder why they envy Barack so much? Indeed, for Black liberals the leadership torch has been passed.

Supreme Court Was Right About Louisiana vs. Kennedy

It's funny to see conservatives still whining about SCOTUS' recent decision in The State of Louisiana vs. Patrick Kennedy, with the justices 5-4 vote letting Kennedy live after it was decided, correctly, that capital punishment should only be considered in cases where someone is killed. I've cited on this blog numerous reasons why the death penalty is wrong: it's immoral, racist, the government cannot be entrusted with the most important decision that can impact a person's life, capital punishment is not a deterrent to crime and it's prime motive is nothing but revenge. Despite these facts, the righteous "kill and be killed!" crowd are now citing slip-ups in Louisiana vs. Kennedy and crying for a do-over. Yet, a fair and balanced response the latest whine in The Washington Post puts them in their place:

For the Supreme Court to grant a rehearing in this case would reward irresponsible parties for what is akin to malpractice. The lawyers for the state of Louisiana could have readily noted the Uniform Code of Military Justice's law regarding rape and capital punishment. They didn't. Justice Department lawyers easily could have caught it, too. They didn't. And the Supreme Court's cadre of law clerks, especially those who work for Justices Anthony M. Kennedy and Samuel A. Alito Jr., could have done some independent research and caught it. But they didn't.

Against this backdrop of professional carelessness, your editorial called for a rehearing. But this would only compound the problem. What precedent will the court set if it allows a second chance every time someone does shoddy work?

As for justice being served: Convicted child rapist Patrick Kennedy, whose case the high court decided, will live, albeit in prison. The union will survive. And the law in this area could be reconsidered in another case, such as one involving a soldier charged with child rape. Meanwhile, any request for a rehearing should be denied. Case closed.

It's the idea that a death penalty supporter can live with themselves when a state sanctioned murder kills an innocent person that scares me the most.

Donald Sutherland Quote of the Day!

"The DNC's 'Terry McAuliffe mind-set' ruined the campaigns of Gore, Kerry and Senator Clinton and now the legions of McAuliffites who have surrounded Barack Obama are doing their damndest to undermine the possibility of his Presidency...There's a well sourced rumor of Machiavellian proportions running around that what's going to happen is that his base support will be so demoralized they won't have the vital conviction they'll need this August to withstand a McAuliffite push to persuade disenchanted delegates on the floor of the convention to make a resurgent Hillary Clinton the Party's nominee!"

- actor and Barack Obama supporter Donald Sutherland on his belief that the Clintons are conspiring to steal the Democrat presidential nomination from Barack

Jim Webb Says No To Obama VP Spot

Newsmax.com:

Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., removed his name from consideration Monday as a potential vice presidential running mate for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

“Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for Vice President,” Webb says in a written statement.

“Last week I communicated to Sen. Obama and his presidential campaign my firm intention to remain in the United States Senate, where I believe I am best equipped to serve the people of Virginia and this country,” he writes.

"Webb, a former Navy secretary who was elected to the senate a year and a half ago, goes on to explain, “I entered elective politics because of my commitment to strengthen America's national security posture, to promote economic fairness, and to increase government accountability. I have worked hard to deliver upon that commitment, and I am convinced that my efforts and talents toward those ends are best served in the Senate.”

With his renowned military experience and his recently being selected as the Democrat spokesman to the President's State of the Union speech, I had Webb as a favorite to be Obama's VP. Plus with his earlier bouts of Bush Derangement Syndrome, you just know that Webb would've been a hit with the loons. In other words, Webb taking his name out of consideration is a huge blow to Barack Obama.

Politiks As Usual: In The News 7/7/08

NYTimes: The New And Not Improved Barack Obama

Free Speech Rights Not Guaranteed In 'Public' Online Spaces

The Liberal's Agenda - Antichrist Or Just Anti-Christ?

400 Members Of Rainbow Family Surround, Attack Federal Officers

U.S. Removes Uranium From Iraq

Female U.S. Casualties More Common In Iraq War

One Woman's Journey From Pro-Choice Atheist To Pro-Life Catholic

John Kerry: McCain Lacks Judgment To Be President

Freed Columbian Hostage Ingrid Betancourt To Write Play About Ordeal

G8 Summit Opens With Focus On Africa

Rosie O'Donnell: Being On "The View" Like Being Raped In Prison

Hillary Supporters Protest Votes Growing In Numbers

No matter which way they try to spin it, this can't be good news for Barack Obama:

One week after Sen. Hillary Clinton made a public show of unity with Sen. Barack Obama, a new survey suggests supporters of the New York senator are increasingly less likely to follow her lead.

A growing number of Clinton supporters polled say they may stay home in November instead of casting their ballot for Obama, an indication the party has yet to coalesce around the Illinois senator four weeks after the most prolonged and at times divisive primary race in modern American history came to a close.

According to a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll released Friday, the number of Clinton supporters who plan to defect to Republican Sen. John McCain's camp is down from one month ago, but -- in what could be an ominous sign for Obama as he seeks to unify the party -- the number of them who say they plan to vote for Obama is also down, and a growing number say they may not vote at all.

To be fair, if Hillary supporters stay home in Democratic states that Barack will in all likelihood win anyway, they won't make much of a difference. But in crucial battleground states like Ohio, Florida and Wisconsin, the disgruntled Billary wing could be a benefit to John McCain.

Other's Blogging: Hot Air, Hillary Supporters For McCain, No Quarter, Urbanagora