There's equality for ya!

In this month's "go figure" section of Sports Illustrated:

$510,000
Amount won in a
settlement by a man
who sued the A's for
sex discrimination
because he was not
given a souvenir hat
the club handed out to
women at a game on
Mother's Day 2004.

Fair and Balanced: Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before

Thank G-d for Fox News. Today, Gov. Mark Sanford (D) of South Carolina admitted that instead of hiking the Appalachian Trail, he took a five or six day to trip to hike in Argentina. He amended that statement to say he went to Argentina to see his mistress.

During the Press Conference, Fox News was right there to help his cause:



What? Sanford is a Conservative Republican? Does that mean Fox News made a mistake when defining someone to confuse its viewers? Seriously? They would do that? Again?

And, since I watch Fox, I thought only Democrats had affairs....

The Nixon Tapes

A few more Nixon tapes, from January and February of 1973, were released, ensuring that he will be remembered as the worst president in the history of the United States. Though there is some competition fot that honor, no president can surpass Nixon. From The New York Times:

On abortion, after the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade:

Nixon worried that greater access to abortions would foster “permissiveness,” and said that “it breaks the family.” But he also saw a need for abortion in some cases, such as interracial pregnancies.

“There are times when an abortion is necessary. I know that. When you have a black and a white,” he told an aide, before adding: “Or a rape.”

On antisemitism:

The tapes also include a phone call from February 1973 between Nixon and the evangelist Billy Graham, during which Mr. Graham complained that Jewish-American leaders were opposing efforts to promote evangelical Christianity, like Campus Crusade. The two men agreed that the Jewish leaders risked setting off anti-Semitic sentiment.

“What I really think is deep down in this country, there is a lot of anti-Semitism, and all this is going to do is stir it up,” Nixon said.

At another point he said: “It may be they have a death wish. You know that’s been the problem with our Jewish friends for centuries.”

Hail to the Chief indeed.

Going Green

Greeting, fellow bloggers and readers of TRS. I've been drawn back after an extended hiatus--sabbatical, perhaps?--dragging my feet, kicking and screaming, because I cannot stop thinking about going green.

It seems everyone around us, from esteemed blogger Andrew Sullivan to our own Harrogate has changed their identifying display to the color in support of Iranian protesters. Until this morning, I've been skeptical of this sign of solidarity. "What do they care?" I thought, referring to the people of Iran. As late as last night, I told Solon that I found it somewhat empty to make so easy a change and do nothing else. "We're all in their support," I told him. "I don't know a single American who isn't. So what are these Greenies doing that's so important, making an outward sign of it?" Normally I'm all for the grassroots movement, but this one seems just too easy. Click a button, it says to me. That's all you have to do to help these people.

I don't know if it's the lack of sleep or the lack of coffee, but I started to change my tune this morning. If the Cub cared--or spoke English, for that matter--I'd right this moment be asking her about Iranian citizen's access to American media. For I truly don't know the answer. Are American bloggers truly speaking to the Iranian populous? Is that their intent? Since our own government has--wisely, I think--shied away from any pointed, tangible support of the protesters, is this more important?

(Both girls are awake now and demanding my thoughtful attention. More later, but I'd love input.)

A Father's Day Tribute

This is a little ditty for all the dads at TRS from all the kids. So Solon, Roof, Harrogate, Paperweight, and Oxy this is from Jeezy and Lion Cub; Harley Q; Supadisco-T; Wild Man; and Oxy Toddler.