ZOOM

Here are two columns about the war on terror.

It's interesting because a liberal takes on his own and conservative does the same and say essentially the same thing.

Posted by Editors at 11:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

By Rick Silva

Democrats are running around telling the world the Senate report on Iraq is an untold story. It's not untold and their version of events may not even be true.

The NRO's Mark Levin has a good piece on this as well. He points out that Stephen Hayes has done a lot of good work in this area on the Iraq-al Qaeda link.
Levin also points out the Senate committee has anti-Bush Republicans (like Chuck Hagel) on the committee.

One Republican staffer told Byron York “We don’t have a majority on the committee" -- pointing out that two moderate Republicans in Hagel and Olympia Snowe are as likely to vote Democrat.

But a real key to what York points out: A key Hagel staffer was a Kerry volunteer and studied under key Kerry advisor Rand Beers.

There's also this: In Nov. 1998, the DOJ under the direction of Janet Reno, indicted bin Laden . In that indictment, the DOJ alleges:

4. Al Qaeda also forged alliances with the National Islamic Front in the Sudan and with the government of Iran and its associated terrorist group Hezballah for the purpose of working together against their perceived common enemies in the West, particularly the United States. In addition, al Qaeda reached an understanding with the government of Iraq that al Qaeda would not work against that government and that on particular projects, specifically including weapons development, al Qaeda would work cooperatively with the Government of Iraq.

Did the Clinton administration know in 1998 when they made this allegation and when they bombed Iraq, Afghanistan and the Sudan it was all a lie? Or was it true and is Hayes is correct about a long-running connection?

Finally there is this column by Thomas Joscelyn who pretty much wrecks the notion the committee was ever really interested in the getting to the real issue.

Posted by Editors at 12:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

By Rick Silva

So Brad Pitt won't be getting married to Angelina Jolie. At least that's what he's saying.

Apparently, Mr. Pitt is sacrificing wedding bliss for a cause.
Pitt and Jolie won't even consider marriage until everyone can get married. Can't he imagine how horrific this news is to us all?

How will the rest of us muddle through the day knowing this egomanic won't get married unless the rest of the country does what he wants. Apparently this is in Esquire where he tells us there are 15 things we should know.

Well, here are 3 things he should know:

1. Get over yourself. Get married, don't get married -- whatever, we don't care. Just whatever you do: Shutup about it.

2. Given the first marraige and how well you did with that one, maybe marriage isn't a topic you need to discuss.

3. Somehow I don't think the state of the Pitt-Jolie relationship is going to the deciding factor on the constitutionality of gay marriage.

Posted by Editors at 11:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It's over now. It's not a rumor, it's a fact. The release of Valerie Plame's name wasn't secret plan by Bush to attack his enemies.

Nor was it retribution for Joe Wilson's alleged debunking of the Niger claim. It was the loose lips of one Richard Armitage.

If you don't believe me -- believe him. Perhaps Mr. Fitzgerald can now drop his case against Libby and we can move on.

Posted by Editors at 12:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

By Rick Silva

The Miami Dolphins and the Pittsburgh Steelers are kicking off the season as I write the NFC Preview. So techincally the NFC preview is still a preview, right?

NFC East
1. Dallas (10-6): I'm not a big Terrel Owens fan and I never know what you are going to get from Drew Bledsoe. But I do like Bill Parcells and if anyone can get the most out of TO -- it's him. If the defense plays like most teams do under Parcells, they could be a very good team.
2. NY Giants (9-7): Eli Manning is becoming a pretty darn good QB -- making San Diego fans hate him even more. But I just don't think their going to be better than Dallas.
3. Philly (9-7): This is a team surrounded by "ifs." If McNabb is healthy and can return to his old self, they'll be tough. They won't have TO's talent but they won't have TO either. If the defense is as good as it has been they could win the division.
4. Washington (8-8): A lot of folks love Washington. But I don't see Brunell being as good in 2006 as he was in 2005. WithPhilly not being as bad as they were last year an improved Cowboy team, I just can't see a return to the playoffs.

NFC North
1 Chicago (10-6): They aren't as good this year and the QB situation is still terrible. But that defense might be good enouugh to carry them.
2. Green Bay (8-8): Brett Farve won't be the train wreck he was last year. Running game should be better as should the WRs. But the defense is still questionable and I don't think Charles Woodson looks any better as a Packer than he did as a Raiderl
3. Minnesota (8-8): The Vikes appear to be another popular pick, but they have an OK RBs and no real WRs to go along with a QB in Brad Johnson who is all of 38. It's the Mark Brunell factor is all that I can figure.
4. Detriot (5-11): They've dumped Joey Harrington, signed Joe Kitna. Picked up Mike Martz (OC) and Donnie Henderson (DC) who should make things better, but they're a long way a way. But root for former Butte star Shaun Bodiford

NFC South
1. Carolina (12-4) The Panthers are a huge favorite to get back to the Super Bowl after a down year. If they can stay healhy -- WR Steve Smith is already hurt -- it's easy to see why. But it won't be easy, TB is improving and Mike Vick has to meet his potential right? All these equal, the Panthers will win the division.
2 Tampa Bay (10-6): The Bucs just couldn't score against Washington, but I still like the offense. Chris Simms is pretty decent and Gruden won't ask him to win games. If Carnell Williams and Mike Pittman provide a stable running game, Tampa will be good.
3. Atlanta (9-7) :Speaking of Vick, the Falcons will need him, but the bigger question is can Warrick Dunn be the big back? When he shared time with Duckett he didn't to and now he will. If he can't it puts pressure Vick.
4 New Orleans (6-10): The Saints have Reggie Bush. And they have Drew Brees. But with only Horn at WR, one wonder how good they will be? Despite Bush's I'm not thrilled.

NFC West
1. Arizona: (11-5) Trendy pick last year, but I really like the offense. If the OL can open holes for Edgerrin James, they will be explosive. Kurt Warner looked in preseason play and if stays healthy the Cards could be good.
2. Seattle (9-7) : They'll have a mini-hangover from the Super Bowl this year. The WRs still stink. The defense might be better with ex-49er Julian Peterson up there.
3. St. Louis (6-10): Martz is gone and Linehan comes on -- to bring a more balanced attack. The problem the Rams will have is both lines are suspect. Will the defense keep them in games long enough for a running game to have an impact. The Rams might end up throwing as much under Linehan as they did under Martz.
4. 49ers (5-11) The 49ers should be a little better. And they did sweep the Rams this year, but I think they're at least a year away.

Posted by Editors at 05:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

By Rick Silva


Not only will we be seeing some changes on the field in 2006, there are plenty of changes off it. The NFL has a new commissioner replacing Paul Taglibue.

ESPN will now carry Monday Night Football – and it dumped Mike Patrick and Paul McGuire from the Sunday Night gig in the process.

I have no idea why because they were pretty good.
NBC gets football back – leaving ABC on the outside looking in – and NBC gets the ABC Monday Night tandem of John Madden and Al Michaels.

It’s too bad too, because I was just getting used to Michaels doing NBA games on NBC.
There have been plenty of coaching changes this year – 10 new coaches total. Scott Linehan takes over my beloved Rams – and I’m not all confident it will make them better.

Detroit also has a rookie coach in Rod Marinelli, but they’ll still be terrible. But hey, former Butte College kid Shaun Bodiford is now a Lion.

The Raiders went out and hired Art Shell. Lest you thought that was nuttiest thing they did – they signed QB Jeff George. Yes that Jeff George. But within a week, they regained their senses (that’s a relative term with the Raiders) and waived.

Rumor is that George was cut because owner Al Davis wanted to make room for George Blanda.

So in the spirit of an old sports writer here’s my 2006 predictions:
AFC East
1. New England (12-4): Yeah, they’re not what they used to be. But until someone wins the division, you have to give it to them. Besides, they’ve still got Tom Brady.
2. Miami (10-6): They’re better with Duante Culpepper and they’ve got a nice defense. But got both Pittsburgh and New England on the road early and finish of the year in Indy.
3. NY Jets (6-10): Team gets way too much press for one that hasn’t done anything since 1969. If they played Iowa would anyone care? They’re a mess at QB, RB and WR and they no longer have Herm Edwards running the show and I’m not sure the new coach has a clue.
4. Buffalo (4-12): If you thought the Jets were a mess, take a gander at the Bills. J.P. Losman at QB? Wait, no, we’ll go with Kelly Holcomb. Uh, wait Mr. Beat Writer, we’re going with uh … um … hey do you know if the Raiders kept George?

AFC North
1 Cincinnati (13-3): If the preseason is any indication, Carson Palmer is just fine. And really in Bengal country that's all what to know. Who knows how that game against Pittsburgh goes with a healthy Palmer out there? I like Marvin Lews and the Bengals a lot.
2. Pittsburgh (11-5): Big Ben nearly killed himself on a motorcycle. Then he had an emergency appendectomy. You start wonder if it's just not his year. Maybe he should just stay in bed this year. Seriously, they lose Bettis and now won't have Ben for at least a week. It seems to me to be a Bengals division.
3.Baltimore (8-8): I like Steve McNair, but he's aging and Jamal Lewis is old for a RB. Has the defense got another dominant year in it?
4. Cleveland (6-10): No one hurts more for the Browns than our buddy at KPAY, Mike Baca. And this year won't be any better. Charlie Frye is the QB. Is he the next Palmer?

AFC South
1. Indianapolis: (10-6) Won't be as great unless that running game gets going without Edgerrin James. But can you get into Sunday's night's game? Peyton vs. Eli! How much fun is that!? This is the Colts division to lose.
2. Jacksonville (9-7) : If Fred Taylor and Byron Leftwinch can stay healthy this could be a darn good team. But they probably won't. First 4 weeks are brutal: host Dallas and Pittsburgh and then travel to Indy and Washington. All 4 teams are potential playoff teams. They could start 0-4 and finish 9-3.
3. Tenneesse (6-10): Rebuilding isn't easy and keeping Volek as the starter will be the key to Vince Young's development. I like LenDale White and he might be better on Sundays than Reggie Bush will be.
4. Houston (4-12) might be headed in the righ direction. They just have to keep David Carr on his feet.

AFC West
1. Denver: (11-5) If Jake Plummer plays in 2006 like he did in 2005, they'll be very tough. The running game should be solid and the defense is among the best in the AFC.
2. San Diego (9-7) : If Phillip Rivers can just manage the team -- Ladainin Tomlinson will do the rest. Is Marty Schottehomeir the guy to get the Chargers to that next level?
3. Kansas City (9-7): Trent Green is good QB and the defense will be even meaner under Edwards. I don't like that they've lost Al Saunders as the OC.
4. Raiders (4-12): Are we serious with the Art Shell thing? I guess if the Rams can haul back Chuck Knox (1992) why not Shell? The Raiders have nore serious QB issues than the Bills do and it will hurt them.

Posted by Editors at 06:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)