Around The World…

Today had it’s share of news. Some of it good, some of it bad, and some of it was just plain ugly. So, our first stop is Captain’s Quarters.

http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/
In an interview aired yesterday with Fox News, Mr. Volcker took direct issue with Mr. Annan's insistence that he had been exonerated by investigators probing both his role in overseeing the Iraq aid program and conflicts of interest involving a key contract awarded to a Swiss firm that employed Mr. Annan's son.

"I thought we criticized [Mr. Annan] rather severely," Mr. Volcker said of his panel's interim report, released March 29. "I would not call that an exoneration."
Asked point-blank whether Mr. Annan had been cleared of wrongdoing in the $10 billion scandal, Mr. Volcker replied, "No."

Oh yes, Kooky Uncle Kofi lied, again. His report, at first seemed like an attempt, at times, to gloss over the complicity of Annan and his son, Kojo, in the Oil-For-Food scandal. Volker’s response to whether or not Annan was cleared of any wrongdoing is quite telling. And now is the time for Congress to push this. They have subpoena powers, and they are already investigating much of what Volker has been privy to in terms of information and records.

Here’s the problem with that scenario. Anyone watching the partisan pettiness erupting in the Senate right now? The Democrats—the party chiefly in charge of cheerleading for the worthless UN—is holding up judicial nominees, and the appointment of John Bolton. If a serious investigation is initiated by Congress, does anyone really think that the Democrats will pursue the information they receive earnestly? I don’t. Based on past actions of leaders in the Democrat party, I wouldn’t be surprised if they shredded some of the most damning records during the investigation just to protect their precious Uncle Kofi.

http://hughhewitt.com/
http://www.shotinthedark.info/
Mitch Berg, of Shot in the Dark fame, filled in for Hugh Hewitt on his radio show today. On his show, Sen. Mitch McConnell announced that yes, the GOP had the votes locked up to end the filibuster, and promised that the showdown is coming; and it’s coming soon. We will see if his powers of prediction will come true. Hugh has faith in McConnell, and the MOB (Minnesota Organization of Bloggers—an alliance of the elite bloggers on the blogosphere) also have faith in him. I know the guy’s a good senator, and has always stood on the side of the Constitution. McConnell’s on board. And it sounds like a couple of the key RINOs may have gotten the message. BUT, let me emphasize that the pressure should not be let up. Don’t let these guys off the hook, and keep the pressure up on the Democrats, as well. A few of them are facing reelection in 2006, too.

Much of what Mitch addressed concerned the Constitutional Option, including a debate between a liberal law professor, and John Hinderocker of PowerLine blog fame. Needless to say, this professor didn’t know half of what he was saying, and it served as an embarrassment to Constitutional scholars everywhere. The professor’s continued insistence that the judicial filibusters were inherent within the Constitution would be laughable were it no so tragic. NOWHERE in the Constitution is the filibuster even addressed. It is addressed, to a point, in the Federalist Papers; the majority coming in #76 and #77. Article I, Section 5, Clause 2 specifically states that BOTH houses of Congress may establish their own rules. The filibuster is exactly that, and like any rule, it can be revoked. The Democrats in 1995 attempted to remove ALL filibusters from being exercised. Now, they don’t want it changed. Will someone please make up their minds.

http://www.drudgereport.com/

http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/weblog.php
http://www.powerlineblog.com/

http://www.instapundit.com/

This Hat-Tip must go to all of the above. They all picked it up and ran with it. The Secret Service is investigating Air America radio for the following skit.

The announcer: "A spoiled child is telling us our Social Security isn’t safe anymore, so he is going to fix it for us. Well, here’s your answer, you ungrateful whelp: [audio sound of 4 gunshots being fired.] Just try it, you little bastard. [audio of gun being cocked]."

The audio production at the center of the controversy aired during opening minutes of The Randi Rhodes Show.

"What is with all the killing?" Rhodes said, laughing, after the clip aired.

"Even joking about shooting the president is a crime, let alone doing it on national radio... we are taking this very seriously," a government source explained.

This shows the epitome of the hate on the Left for this president. This doesn’t just apply to Air America. Go on a search through the Internet and see the seething hatred that is evident for Pres. Bush, for slights they can’t even prove. MoveOn.org took the rhetoric to new lows last year with their portrayal of Pres. Bush as Adolf Hitler. Sometimes, you just gotta laugh, but most of the time I’m left shaking my head at the utter stupidity of the Left. Now, Air America did release a brief statement about it.

AIR AMERICA President of Programming and co-COO Jon Sinton said in a release: "We regret that a produced comedy bit that was in bad taste slipped through our normal vetting process. We do acknowledge that it was an internal error and internal discipline will be enforced."

Rhodes apologized for the skit on her show today. "It was a bit," Rhodes said. "It was bad. I apologize a thousand times."

Now, it’s wonderful that she apologizes now, but I know a bit about the radio business. The host approves of the things that occur during a show, and would have had advance knowledge of it in the planning meetings that go on prior to the show, so she can apologize, but I don’t buy it. She has made comments in the past regarding the death of the president. And as for discipline, what kind are they referring to? Will Ms. Rhodes be fired, or is their investigation going to be an equivalent to the one that CBS conducted over "Rathergate". The kind where Dan Rather was allowed to stay on after he committed his journalistic felony. I doubt that Ms. Rhodes will receive a harsh punishment from the executives at Air America. If the Secret Service wishes to press charges, that punishment will certainly fit the crime.

Publius II