News Jog 9/6/07

Emerging enigma Fred Thompson skipped the NH Republican debate last night. He was busy appearing on Leno where he decided to 'officially' announce that he was running for president. Or, was this the 'official' announcement? Who knows? The Jog suspects Thompson will end up delivering a lot less than promised- but he'll certainly add some technicolor to the process. The man can be downright erratic. Check out this vid from his '94 campaign where he calls his opponent a liar and tells him to shut up twice during a debate. The Jog wouldn't be surprised if this side of his personality flares up and becomes a detriment as he hits the hustings. Fred Thompson is only sale-able as a nice guy. If he gets cranky his support will go straight down the drain.

[BTW- Was that last lady in the '94 vid the actress who ran the store on Northern Exposure?]

Thompson's imminent arrival seemed to wake up the rest of the Republican field. The Fox News NH debate- actually more of an eight way press conference than a debate, played with a loose format that ultimately worked. This year's Republican candidates may look like the cast of a Robert Altman film (one of the good ones, of course) but the Jog was impressed by the level of debate. The second tier- no chance in hell, candidates are all very strong orators and a couple look like genuine statesmen. The surprise story of the Repub debates is Ron Paul from Texas. The most reasoned and persuasive anti-war candidate running this year is not debating Democrats he's debating fellow Republicans in the Republican primary. The Jog disagrees with Paul on the war but his impassioned plea to leave is framed as a policy dispute not a social rift. He tries to persuade rather than preach to the choir- here's a sample. His popularity at these events is being willfully ignored by the media. The Jog believes they could be missing a big story. Ron Paul may be building a new libertarianism within the party simply by proving how popular his ideas can be when given voice at this level.

Remember the Hillary fundraiser found to be a felon running from the law? He's running from the law- again.

Formerly retiring Senator Larry Craig sent out a bunch of signals yesterday that he's gonna un-retire if he can get a few things sorted out. The emphatically ungay senator left a voice message on what he thought was his lawyers system- but it was a wrong number and the message went public. It seems pretty obvious by the content and timing of the message to his lawyer that he never intended to actually retire. That sneaky little... well we knew that.

Update 11:10a.-Ethics Panel Refuses to Dismiss Complaint

Craig didn't have the worst day on Capitol Hill: Ohio Congressman Found Dead in Apartment

The Jog doesn't know much about opera. But they say Luciano Pavarotti was one of the best ever and who are we to doubt it? He's dead now.

As long as we're dwelling on death: Megachurch Leader D. James Kennedy Dies

That adventurer millionaire guy is still lost in the desert.

A general and two officers were sanctioned for their part in the handling of the Haditha massacre investigation. The court looked into claims that several marines went on a rampage, killing innocents after one of their guys was killed in the area. The puppy scene from Apocalypse Now comes to mind.

Here's a shining moment for the Air Force: Air Force Investigates Mistaken Transport of Nuclear Warheads!

Germans are in shock over the scope of terror plots planned by the three jihadists just arrested with an assload of bomb making materiel at their disposal.

President Bush is in Australia where his good friend John Howard may very well lose his Prime Minister post due to his close relationship with his good friend George W. Bush. As is customary in these circumstances the prez sat down with the popular leader of the opposition party since he may have to deal with him as the new Prime Minister soon.

Jerry Lewis apologized to the gays for dropping the F-bomb on his telethon- and in a surprising act of dignity the leaders at GLAAD graciously accepted. It's nice to see a little common sense prevail every now and again.

Whoopi ain't Rosie!

Are your toys killing you? Toxic Barbie Dog, Purse Recalled

Is your popcorn killing you? Popcorn Lung Patient Inhaled Fumes Daily

Are backyard mosquitos killing you? Threat of 'Skeeters' Not Over Yet

There's a promising new drug in the fight against HIV.

God bless the Wiccan that just won the Mega Millions Lottery!

Steve Jobs gave one of those new product demonstration thingies yesterday to announce a new iPod that is exactly like an iPhone except you can't make calls with it. He also pissed off a few people when he announced a huge price cut on the iPhone effective immediately. That's a hell of a reward for standing in line to be a first adopter. Can you say high and dry?

Not to be outdone Microsoft announced a hundred dollar discount on the Zune. Hello? Anyone?

Jobs and Apple may be riding high but NBC is moving its content to Amazon. This writer thinks it's a bad idea for NBC and its customers.

Your Facebook profile is about to go public.

They found the rock that wiped out the dinosaurs!

What a surprise: Roddick Plays Well but Loses to Federer

Shaq is filing for divorce. He says his wife has been 'shady' with his money.

Larry Birkhead appeared on Larry King Live to say he wasn't Howard K. Stern's lover and that he intended to sue Rita Cosby for writing a book that says he was.

Meanwhile: Anna Nicole Smith Psychiatrist Forced to Close Office Amid Financial Woes

The prosecutor in the Phil Spector murder trial launched into his closing argument yesterday and told the jury to follow their hearts.

The Top 10 Weirdest Phil Spector Moments

The Jog likes Busta Rhymes. The Jog doesn't want to believe he's a thug. We'll let the justice system sort it out: Busta Rhymes Trial Postponed Until November

Does the Family TV Hour even exist anymore? Would it be relevant if it did?

Tobey Maguire must like being a dad 'cos he just married mom.

And finally:
Jennifer Lopez's Ex-Husband Ordered to Pay Actress $545,000

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