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Day By Day by Chris Muir December 27, 2006
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President Gerald Ford RIP
AP: Former President Gerald Ford dies at 93
Gerald R. Ford, who picked up the pieces of Richard Nixon’s scandal-shattered White House as the 38th and only unelected president in America’s history, has died, his wife, Betty, said Tuesday. He was 93.
“My family joins me in sharing the difficult news that Gerald Ford, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather has passed away at 93 years of age,” Mrs. Ford said in a brief statement issued from her husband’s office in Rancho Mirage. “His life was filled with love of God, his family and his country.”
The statement did not say where Ford died or list a cause of death. Ford had battled pneumonia in January 2006 and underwent two heart treatments — including an angioplasty — in August at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
He was the longest living president, followed by Ronald Reagan, who also died at 93. Ford had been living at his desert home in Rancho Mirage, Calif., about 130 miles east of Los Angeles.
Flap remembers President Ford when he traveled to USC during the campaign of 1976. Ford barely beat Ronald Reagan at the August GOP convention and then lost to Jimmy Carter.
Flap always wondered what America would have been like had Ford NOT pardoned Richard Nixon and the GOP held the White House in 1976.
Gerald Ford Rest in Peace……..
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More at Pajamas Media
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Day By Day by Chris Muir December 26, 2006
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Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: California Governor Schwarzenegger Scheduled for Tuesday Surgery
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger , right, tours the California Hospital Medical Center Emergency Room with Emergency Director and registered nurse Steven Myles in Los Angeles, Monday, Dec. 18, 2006. Schwarzenegger broke his leg while skiing with his family Saturday morning Dec. 23, 2006 in Sun Valley, Idaho, a spokesman said.
Reuters: Schwarzenegger in hospital for leg surgery
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair the leg he broke during a skiing accident, his office said.
The 59-year-old former movie star, who broke his right femur while on holiday with his family in Sun Valley, Idaho, on Saturday, is currently in an undisclosed California hospital awaiting the routine procedure, a statement said.
The surgery, which involves the insertion of orthopedic cables and screws, should last less than two hours, it added.
Schwarzenegger will be kept for observation for three days, and will use crutches during the eight-week recovery period, the statement said.
Flap knew that the governor would return for surgery sooner than was first indicated. In February of this year Flap took over a dentist’s practice who had fractured his femur in a roller blade accident. He also had surgery to reset and stabilize his leg.
The Governor will not be too mobile for the next 3-4 weeks and the pain will be nagging for at least two weeks.
Don’t look for too much activity from the Governator until the first of February and the inauguration festivities will be curtailed and rescheduled.
Stay tuned as Cruz Bustamecha finally becomes Governor for a few hours in the morning.
Discuss this blog post and MORE…. at the FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blogs, My Dental Forum.
Arnold Schwarzenegger poses during a ceremony at Planet Hollywood Beverly Hills in this April 23, 1998 file photo. California Governor Schwarzenegger suffered a fracture to his right femur on December 23, 2006 while skiing with his family in Sun Valley, Idaho.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Governator Breaks His Leg while Skiing
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Cuba Watch: Cuba Awaits Verdict on Castro’s Health
A woman walks near a photograph of Cuba’s President Fidel Castro in Havana in this file picture. A renowned Spanish surgeon has been rushed to Cuba to try to stop a steady deterioration in Fidel Castro’s health, a Spanish newspaper reported on Sunday.
AFP: Cuba awaits Spanish doc’s verdict on Castro’s health
Cuba was on tenterhooks over Fidel Castro’s fragile health, as residents of the Communist island awaited a visiting Spanish doctor’s diagnosis on whether additional surgery is needed.
Officials in Madrid confirmed Monday that a Spanish surgeon had been dispatched to Cuba to treat Castro, 80, who has not been seen in public for five months. Few medical updates have been made public since his reported intestinal surgery.
“The Cuban government decided to ask one of our top professionals to care for its president,” Manuel Lamela, health councilor for Madrid’s regional government, told reporters.
“When a government asks for help or collaboration, health officials respond,” Lamedo added, appearing to confirm a Spanish newspaper report, which identified the physician as Jose Luis Garcia Sabrido, head of surgery at Madrid’s Gregorio Maranon hospital.
Separately, Spain’s Cadena Ser radio described Garcia as a well-known specialist in digestive problems.
Castro’s brother, interim leader Raul Castro, has said the Cuban leader’s recovery continues apace, but his continued absence from the public eye has fueled widespread speculation that he may be seriously ill and perhaps even near death.
US Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte told the newspaper The Washington Post earlier this month that Castro was likely to survive “months, not years.”
Obviously, Castro and his government are grasping at life and the last straws for Castro’s government. United States national security officials, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met last thursday to discuss Cuba and the aftermath of a Castro death.
President George W. Bush’s national security adviser Stephen Hadley chaired the 90-minute meeting on Thursday that included Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other officials, National Security Council press secretary Gordon Johndroe said on Saturday.
“We’re engaged in an interagency process that is focused on a successful transition to democracy for the people of Cuba,” Johndroe said.
Stay tuned for likely another surgery or the announcement of hospice care.
Two workers lean on a poster depicting Cuban President Fidel Castro in Havana on 19 December 2006. Cuba was on tenterhooks over Castro’s fragile health, as residents of the Communist island awaited a visiting Spanish doctor’s diagnosis on whether additional surgery is needed.
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Previous:Cuba Watch: Is Fidel Castro Dead?
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Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Vows to Continue Uranium Enrichment
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gives a speech in Tehran. Iran has increased its foot-dragging on United Nations atomic inspections in the run-up to getting hit by UN sanctions against its nuclear program, and these problems are now expected to escalate.
New York Times: Iran Is Defiant, Vowing to U.N. It Will Continue Nuclear Efforts
Iran on Sunday reacted defiantly to the United Nations Security Council resolution imposing sanctions because of the country’s nuclear program. Iranian officials vowed to continue efforts to enrich uranium and warned that the Security Council action would change Iran’s relationship with the United Nations’ nuclear monitoring agency.
The Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday to impose sanctions on Iran banning the import and export of materials and technology used in uranium enrichment, reprocessing and ballistic missiles.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Sunday that the sanctions would not prevent Iran from developing its nuclear program, ISNA news agency reported.
Blah Blah Blah…….
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, gestures as he speaks in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006. Iran on Sunday vowed to push forward with efforts to enrich uranium and to change its relations with the international nuclear watchdog after the U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions designed to stop the country’s disputed nuclear efforts.
The Quotes:
“The nuclear technology is our right, and no one can take it away from us,†Mr. Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying. “You will soon regret this superficial action,†he said, referring to the sanctions.
“What kind of Security Council is this that is completely in the hands of the Zionists, the United States and Britain?†he added.
Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, said Iran would respond immediately to the vote by pushing forward with its plan to develop its nuclear program, the newspaper Keyhan reported.
“Beginning Sunday morning, we will begin activities at Natanz — site of 3,000 centrifuges — and we will drive with full speed,†he was quoted as saying. “This will be our immediate response to the resolution.â€
United Nations sanctions or NOT, Iran was proceeding with its uranium enrichment program leading ultimately to a nuclear weapon.
But, China still wants to discuss the issue.
AFP: China urges more talks on Iran’s nuclear program
China, a veto-wielding member of the United Nations Security Council, wants more talks on
Iran’s nuclear program, state media and the government have reported, after the UN voted in favor of sanctions.China reacted after the Security Council passed a resolution that mandated sanctions targeting Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs over its refusal to halt uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities.
“We hope the UN resolution is carried out in an earnest fashion, but we also think sanctions are not the objective and cannot fundamentally resolve the issue,” foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said in a statement.
“China wants… to see a peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear issue through talks,” he said in the statement, posted on the ministry’s website.
More negotiations are WORTHLESS at this point in time. The P-5-Plus-1 have been offering carrot and stick negotiations for over a year and Iran’s Mullahs are NOT interested. They covet a nuclear weapon.
Tick Tock Tick Tock
The “POINT OF NO RETURN” clock moves forward.
Stay tuned……
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Previous:
Iran Nuclear Watch: United Nations Security Council Approves Iran Sanctions
Iran Nuclear Watch: United Nations Poised to Pass Sanctions Despite Iran Threat
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad MOCKS the United States and EU
Iran Nuclear Watch: British Prime Minister Tony Blair Issues Iran Warning
Iran Nuclear Watch: United States Considering Show Of Force Against Iran
Iran Nuclear Watch: A Military Option Redux
John Hinderaker: Mr. President, If I May Be So Bold…
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Expands Uranium Enrichment – AGAIN
The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.
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Day By Day by Chris Muir December 25, 2006
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Merry Christmas 2006
Chapter 2
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
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Hillary Clinton Watch: Clearing the Field
Senator Hillary Clinton, D-NY, responds to student volunteers from Americorps City Year program, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006 in New York, before announcing her support for Miracle on 138th Street, a collaboration between Feed the Children, the NBA Players Association and the Abyssinian Development Corporation to give away 355 tons of food to more than 10,000 needy New Yorkers in a single day.
Washington Post: Clinton, Obama Clearing The Field
Without Declaring, They Beat Back Would-Be Rivals
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), trading on star power, the capacity to raise tens of millions of dollars with relative ease and an ability to dominate media attention, are rewriting the script of the 2008 Democratic presidential campaign, driving potential rivals to the sidelines and casting a huge shadow over all others who may run.
What once shaped up as a sizable field of Democratic candidates is now shrinking. Sen. Evan Bayh (Ind.) announced on Dec. 16 that he would not seek the Democratic nomination, a surprising decision that came just days after he witnessed firsthand the megawatt voltage of Obama’s drawing power in New Hampshire. As Bayh drew small crowds on his seventh trip to the Granite State, Obama enjoyed sold-out audiences and saturation coverage on his first.
Bayh became the third Democrat to quit the race before Clinton or Obama have taken formal steps to enter. Former Virginia governor Mark R. Warner and Sen. Russell Feingold (Wis.) abandoned their bids after lengthy periods of exploration. All chose not to run for their own reasons, but Obama’s sudden emergence creates a significant obstacle to those hoping to become the alternative to front-runner Clinton in the Democratic nomination contest.
“Simply put, it’s the Obama factor,” said Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart. “Obama’s entry into the presidential race essentially raised the ante. Candidates who used to do careful exploration with the hope that they could catch fire in Iowa and New Hampshire and move from there recognize that there’s no oxygen left out there for their candidacies.”
The Democrat race for President in 2008 has ALWAYS been Hillary Clinton and whoever could muster or had the intestinal fortitude to mount an anti-Hillary candidacy.
Barack Obama has been a surprise to the Clinton Cabal.
Obama runs to the LEFT of Hillary on war issues and locks up the key black constituency for himself – one which Bill Clinton monopolized during his career. So, he has the NUTROOTS, the anti-Clinton Lefties, the anti-Clinton populists and the Blacks.
But, will this be sufficient number of votes to beat Hillary?
Probably not, but MAYBE
And the Clinton Cabal has not yet turned up the heat on Barack by launching their politics of personal destruction against him. And why is this?
If the keep Obama around just long to clear the field and then he withdraws (joins Hillary as Vice President) they keep his constituencies for the ticket (meaning Hillary), they will have expended NO political capital and they waltz into April 2008 with one goal – raise money and slime Giuliani or McCain.
A very sound strategy. Paul Begala and James Carville are insightful political strategists. There is only one problem:
If Obama screws them over and decides to turn on Hillary and GOES FOR IT
Might there be a surprise?
Political ambition is mostly BLIND.
Stay tuned…….
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Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani Continues to Lead Clinton, Gore
Hillary Clinton Watch: Iraq War – “Wouldn’t Have Voted That Wayâ€
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Day By Day by Chris Muir December 24, 2006
