The Opinionator

The Michael Jackson Trial

There is nothing that I care less about right now than the Michael Jackson trial. If he is guilty, jail time. If he is innocent, let him go. But please spare us the daily breathless coverage by the ambulance chasing media pimps! And that is all I have to say about this affair.

Chief Wiggles on the War in Iraq

Chief Wiggles, the Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer and interrogator that started a toy drive for children while serving in Iraq, has a few things to say about the coverage our media has given the War in Iraq. Suffice it to say, he is not happy and for Chief Wiggles that is rare. Go and give it a few minutes of your time.

Hat Tip: Jason Van Steenwyk.

The Oscars Were Last Night?

Hey who knew? While I thought that Chris Rock was a lousy choice for host, he was at least honest enough to admit that he did not know of any straight males not in show business that watched the Oscars. How true.

Earlier today, the media was crowing about how this was the most watched Oscars in years. However, that was based upon early data from the major cities. Well, it looks like they were looking at John Kerry's exit poll numbers again. Per this report, it now looks like ratings were down as the "Heartland," read that as Red States, tuned in elsewhere. Just another sign of how Hollywood seems to have divorced itself from much of the country. Couldn't happen to a better bunch of people!

Hat Tip: Drudge.

The Left and the Fascism Charge

Eric Simonson writes a terrific piece discussing how the Left, in throwing around the charge of Fascism, displays their complete misunderstanding of the term. He provides a definition and a critique of the Left's use of the term.. It is a must read.

NFL Draft Outlook

Don Banks of Sports Illustrated has published his first mock NFL draft. In it, he has USC receiver Mike Williams going to the San Diego Chargers. Being a die-hard Charger fan, I can only hope this is the case. Last year the Chargers picked the spoiled Eli Manning number one, calling his bluff. They were then able to move Manning to the Giants for the terrific Phillip Rivers (I watched him play at NC State here in Raleigh) plus draft picks. The emergence of Drew Brees and the potential drafting of Mike Williams make this deal look better all the time. I will be keeping my fingers crossed!

Dispatches From the WiFi Zone

I am blogging from the free WiFi access at Panera. As Glenn Reynolds points out, free WiFi can be a major differentiator among businesses. Consider that I am only a block away from Starbucks and Caribou coffee. I prefer both places, especially Caribou, to Panera. However, they do not have free WiFi. In fact, the access at Starbucks which is provided by T-Mobile and Caribou's access through SBC are quite pricey. The result is that I am at Panera. And I am not the only one. At least six other people have their laptops open and are working here as I type. Among the salespeople I work with, Panera is a regular stop to catch up on work between meetings. In fact, it is becoming a salesperson's hangout. In today's virtual business world of home offices and home-based businesses, I find that I have several meetings with my channel partners at Panera or Starbucks every week. And we are buying coffee and food the whole time.

If Starbucks, Caribou and the like want to capture this market, they need to jump on the free WiFi bandwagon or get left behind. It certainly influences my choice of which business to frequent.

Thanks Anheuser-Busch

The Anheuser Busch commercial thanking the troops moved me deeply. Nice of them to spend $2.4 million to thank those that are keeping us free and safe. The other commercials during tonight's Super Bowl were not that memorable. The A-B ad reminded us all that there are things much more important in life than a football game.

It's the Pat's Baby!

Congratulations to the New England Patriots winners of three of the last four Super Bowls. The last two have conflicted me, living in North Carolina, having lived in Boston and Philly. My wife is from Philly and my family is from Boston.  In any event, I like the Pat's enough that while the game was on I found myself rooting for them despite my supposed neutrality.

My choice for MVP: Rodney Harrison; Big plays that turned momentum when they were needed most. Also, a former Charger and I am a Charger fanatic, having lived in San Diego much of my life.

1stSgt Brad Kasal; Another Hero You Should Know

Here, Trevor Bothwell of The Right Report tells the story of how 1stSgt. Brad Kasal saved the lives of several of his Marines during the Battle of Fallujah, incurring serious wounds in the process. Be sure to check out the picture of a wounded 1stSgt. Kasal being carried out of the building they were in. He has been recommended for the Medal of Honor by his fellow Marines. Gratitude and Prayers for a speedy recovery go out to 1stSgt. Kasal and his family.

(Hat Tip: Power Line)

The Embrace

From last night's SOTU, this picture of Iraqi Safia Taleb al-Souhail comforting Janet Norwood, whose son, Marine Corps Sergeant Byron Norwood of Pflugerville, Texas was killed during the assault on Fallujah, captures what we are fighting for and what it means to the Iraqi's. If a picture is worth a 1,000 words, this one is worth 10,000.