News Jog 9/18/07

The Jog is in mourning this morning. One of the all-time TV greats- Brett Somers has shaken off the mortal coil. In the 1970s there was a group of celebrities who were only famous for appearing on, or hosting, game shows. Elaine Joyce, Charles Nelson Reilly, Richard Dawson, Bert Convy, and Gene Rayburn, the host of Match Game '73 thru '81 were the cream of the crop. These guys often seemed a bit inebriated and on good days engaged in improvised conversations that were much more authentic than the brand of reality TV and its stars that have emerged to replace them on today's boob tube. Match Game was the Jog's favorite daytime television show back in the day and its sad to see all of its regulars succumbing to age. We have to stop now... we're getting all misty eyed.


While watching the latest O.J. spectacle ramp up yesterday the Jog was struck with the idea that the always smirky Simpson had made the mistake of brushing his act up against a highly competent D.A.'s office and police department in Las Vegas. Vegas is a tourist town. Tourist towns don't do well if visitors don't feel safe. The fact that a gambling den is such a popular tourist destination is evidence that people feel safe going there- which is in itself de facto evidence that the police department is doing its job well. The only way to keep the bad people away from the tourists is for law enforcement to function as a well-oiled machine. We think 'the Juice' could be in real trouble here. If he had pulled this nonsense in another jurisdiction he might have gotten away with it. O.J.'s past triumphs over the authorities led him to believe he could always outsmart and out charm incompetent police departments that make sloppy mistakes. This system he's run into in Vegas doesn't look very sloppy and they have a good record of keeping their streets safe. If there's a case these guys will make it stick.
Relevant Links:
O.J. Simpson Lawyer Says There's No Evidence Against Former Star
Alleged O.J. Accomplice 'Shocked' Weapons Were Used
Goldmans to Seek Simpson Memorabilia
Is O.J. Memorabilia Still Valuable?

Bush's nominee for Attorney General seems at first glance to be a consensus candidate for the job. Joe Lieberman likes him- but then again he went to school with him and accepted political contributions from him in the past. We'll have to see how MoveOn.org responds before we can have any idea what the confirmation hearings will look like.

The White House was 'surprised' by some of the slings and arrows tossed their way by former Fed Chief Alan Greenspan in his new book. But as was reported in the Jog yesterday Greenspan's comments about the Iraq invasion and oil were taken way out of context and by mid-day yesterday there was a bit of a truce being declared between the two camps. The White House was most stung by the comments made about their tax policies in his memoir- but to some reviewers of the tome a lot of the heated rhetoric comes across more like the complaints of a grumpy old man than actual policy differences with the administration.

Meanwhile his replacement at the Fed, Ben Bernanke, looks set to announce an interest rate cut today for the first time since taking over the job.

Barry Manilow is a natural guest for 'The View'- a television show where gals get together and blather on about events of the day. But he was dis-invited by producers after requesting that co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck be sidelined during his appearance. It seems Barry doesn't dig Liz's politically conservative 'Views' and like most on the Left considers opposing opinions to be dangerous. This is the Left folks. Take a good look at it. They preach tolerance for everybody and everything except the opinions of those who disagree with them. Here's an idea Barry- go on the show and debate her. Oh no... that's too dangerous! It's not as if the Jog sits around listening to Manilow music all day but we always had a certain respect for his career and professionalism. Now we know he's just another arrogant Lefty... a douche bag. Oh well-

Blackwater USA, a private security firm that protects diplomats and others in Iraq is embroiled in controversy after Iraqi civilians were alledgedly killed during a shootout following the detonation of a car bomb near a convoy the company was protecting. The picture is murky but Iraq has now stated they will revoke the company's license to operate in the country which would immediately put a lot of those being protected in danger. Condi Rice has been in touch with officials in Baghdad to let them know there will be a thorough internal investigation and asking for a little breathing room. It should come as no surprise that anti-American cleric Maqtada al-Sadr has used the issue to call for the immediate removal of all such security firms from the country. Since Sadr probably wants them gone because they've kept his murderous thugs in check- the Jog is almost certain when the dust settles we'll find that the blame for what went down in the shootout belongs to those who initiated the fire fight- not the security team that responded. It's early and we could be wrong- but that's our hunch.

Iran vs. France update: Iran Dismisses France’s Warning of Conflict

Musharraf vs. Pakistan update: Musharraf to Quit Army if Re-Elected

Global warming vs. California update:
Global Warming Lawsuit Dismissed

In a bizarre incident at the University of Florida a student was tasered by police while trying to ask Sen. John Kerry a question. We know that college students can be annoying but being tasered during a Q&A session seems a bit much. But hey- maybe his question was really stupid and he deserved it.

The latest on recent plane crashes:
Thai Plane Crash Pilot Landed Despite Wind Warning
Hunt for Fossett Grinds to a Halt

McCann update: McCanns Get New Spokesman

More 'bagged' E-coli: Dole Lettuce Recalled in U.S., Canada

Did Hillary just pick up the coveted 50 Cent endorsement?
Is 'Fiddy' really retiring?
Did Kanye's label rig the charts to beat 'Fiddy'?
Or- Is 'Fiddy' just plain full of it?

Bill Belicheck and his New England Patriots are still under fire from the NFL commissioner. They've been ordered to turn over notes, files, and videos that go all the way back to the coach's start with the team. Still in question is whether or not he was using certain radio frequencies to pick up audible plays from opposing teams. The Jog finds it interesting that no one else seems to find it interesting that former NFL coaches Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer both admitted to doing exactly what Belichick is in trouble for on Fox's pre-game show this past Sunday. Is this a big deal or isn't it? Chris Collinsworth says it is a big deal- and who are we to disagree?

More Shuttle trouble: Repairs Ordered for Shuttle Landing Gear

Bee defense update: Bees Smother Enemies to Death

Now the Euros agree: Microsoft is a Monopoly.

Are you excited about that new Yahoo social networking site?

SpiralFrog is a new online music store that lets you download your favorite tunes for free! Isn't that great? It would be- if it didn't suck.

If you've been waiting for a 3-Core processor for your desktop computer- today's your lucky day: AMD Unveils 3-Core Phenom

$100 laptop update: $100 Laptop Now Costs $188

Turbo CD, Super CD Games Coming to Virtual Console

Good news for old people: Shot Can Decrease Hip Fracture Risk

The latest in all things Britney:
Britney 'About to Lose Her Kids'
Britney is Dropped by Management
Ex-Spears Bodyguard Rebuffed in Court
Police Close K-Fed Threat Probe

The only thing more pathetic than being an ex-soap star- is being an ex-soap star busted for DUI.

And finally:
Apparently the Jog was wrong and the members of Van Halen have found a way to work together. Check out this clip from a recent rehearsal show- it actually looks pretty good.


There's plenty more News,
but there's no more News Jog.
We're done.