Welcome to The Now

Before I get into my comments on Game 5 between the Cavs and Wizards: In the Wizards' darkest hour, it was Butler who opened the Matrix (I just have to use a Transformers: the Movie reference). Don't mistake toughness for thuggery , Cleveland fans. Coach Mike Brown on why the Cavs lost : " We put the ball in the best player's hands and we told him to go make the play, like he has for us many times before. That's up to the referees to make the call. We're a no-excuse team ." I'm sorry, but those last two sentences contradict each other. If you're a no-excuse team, then why put the lost on the refs making (or not making) the call? Butler on Lebron James, trash-talking, and his team : "" Don't judge this team from comments. LeBron made a statement: 'These guys are talkers.' But unless you hear something from the captains, which would be myself and Antawn, don't label that as the team. I'm the voice of this team and Antaw...

President Low Poll states the ridiculously obvious regarding our economy . Sen. Obama goes Anakin Skywalker on Rev. Wright , but in a necessary way. The Suns are set (what happens to the coach ?). The father of LSD dies (R.I.P). Lip gloss = skin cancer ? " Stay the course ."

Mike Wise: The Wizards should win one for the "Abe-ster." Via JP: Ron Paul supporters freak the GOP out . According to daveawayfromhome, Hannah Montana is a sign that things aren't that bad . DeShawn Stevenson wears the Vick jersey . Oliver Willis on the McCain Health Care Plan: we got to pray just to make it today .

As anyone who either has a teenager or even a TV knows, the non-political, non-sports story is Miley Cyrus . Namely, this picture: But as Slate.com points out , the company that writes her checks (Disney) has done it's own "tween advertising." Is Cyrus' pic any worse than this: I just want to add that Vanity Fair pics always seem to be the center of controversies. Valerie Plame, LeBron James (I'm backing the guy on this issue) and now Miley Cyrus. Is VF really that hard up for cash?

Wizards guard DeShawn Stevenson was fined for the above motion ( " a menacing gesture ") in Game Four. But here's Damon Jones (around 1:05, 1:06) back in March: Now tell, me: should Jones have been fined as well? All I can say is this: If the Wizards win the next three games (big hurdle, I know) everything changes. The Jay-Z dissing at Love Nightclub this past Friday. James referring to himself in the third person and saying the series is over. Critics saying that James is inside the players' head. Everyone ignoring how Haywood went from a pariah last year to the best story of the team this year. All of it. Haywood is right: just shut up and play.

The Atlanta Hawks don't believe in the Bostocalypse . VA gets hit hard by tornadoes. You gotta make up for that lost income somehow . Almost 60% of the teens at that polygamist compound was either pregnant or raising children . The gas tax break is the latest thing Democrats can't agree on . What they don't seem realize is that buy arguing over an idea that was essentially John McCain's it give him (and the GOP) more clout. For the seafood lover in you . When you're a talentless (yet still moderately attractive) singer, mother of two and in need of resurrecting your train wreck of a career , where can you go? Sitcoms !

NBA Playoff match ups ESPN's Sports Guy would like to see. Ron Paul is still getting votes ? Jinkies! American soldiers say that the praise given to Iraqi troops in the latest Basra offensive was unwarranted . John McCain thinks eBay can save our economy (Lord help us).

Can't say I'm surprised : Motorists, angered by soaring gasoline prices, are resorting increasingly to theft -- a trend that could worsen heading into summer driving season, a national association of fuel retailers said Thursday. "It is getting bad. When the price of gasoline goes up, the number of drive-offs goes up," said Dan Gilligan, president of the Petroleum Marketers Association of America, which represents about 8,000 retailers. Drive-off means a motorist pulls up to a gas station's pump, fills the car's tank, and then speeds off without paying for the fuel. What does surprise me is that Right Wing Media types are hyping this up, saying, "It's not safe anymore! People are coming to your homes to steal your gas! Be afraid! BOO!" What's that? A Republican is in the White house still ? Oh, OK, I guess we'll have to see how this election thing goes then.

Arby's is buying Wendy's (didn't know Arby's had that kind of cash). As long as they don't make the Roy Roger's mistake, they should be fine. With the way the economy and the job market has been going, you would think that President Bush wouldn't be pushing to outsource so many federal jobs. You would think . The Boston Celtics are true road warriors this season. Wesley Snipes is sentenced . Odds are this woman is smarter than you. Just sayin'. ...A dish best served cold . So Jimmy Carter talks to militants, and he's a "traitor." The Pakistan government talks to militants and what...they're making inroads?

Here are some stories and links to peep before the game gets too heavy: Caron Butler shaves his head to show his new focus (and he's not the only one with a hair change). Wizznutzz talk about hard fouls . Take a look at the Wizards locker room . Wizards fans have their marching orders . And slightly off-topic: The Mystics beat the stuffing out some " fat, out of shape, always the last to get picked as a child, wanna-be basketball players claimed one morning on their talk show that they could beat any women's professional basketball team in a game!!! "

This just in : WASHINGTON (AP) -- Gen. David Petraeus, the four-star general whose led troops in Iraq for the past year, has been tapped to become the next commander of U.S. Central Command, according to officials familiar with the decision. If confirmed by the Senate, he would replace Navy Adm. William Fallon, who abruptly stepped down in March after a magazine reported that he was at odds with President Bush over Iran policy. Fallon said the report, while not true, had become a distraction. I guess if this goes through, John McCain won't have to worry about not knowing what Petraeus does anymore .

For those of you who have been living under a rock for the past 20 hours, Sen. Hillary Clinton has won the Pennsylvania Primary . But as the Great Orange One himself has stated , the margin of victory is not substantial enough to support her most consistent argument: that she is better equipped to beat GOP candidate-to-be John McCain in the general presidential election. Of course, instead of focusing on that, or the fact that her funds are running low, or that Sen. Obama still has a relatively comfortable lead, the media would rather focus on the growing non-story of why can't Obama "crush" her . And because of that, a difference of 9.38 (or is it 8.6 now?) becomes a difference of 10 instead of a difference of 9, because now the statement can become, "Hillary won by double-digits!" Why is this a non-story ? Because simply, it's not a hard question to answer: Clinton will not quit her campaign as long as She has money; She has her base (made up of blue-coll...

If you have a choice to use any movie as a basis for criminal activity, why choose Weekend at Bernie's ? 80's Israeli spy finally captured . Spurs eclipse the Suns. China's weapons deal with Zimbabwe may not happen .

As Dana Milbank points out , Sen. Obama's general positives do not translate into absolute love. To point: If Hillary Clinton wins Tuesday's Democratic presidential primary -- and polls forecast that she will do just that -- it will be because of white, working-class voters like the Norgrens. Yet the blue-collar voters poised to keep Clinton's candidacy alive are also the reason she is losing the national race to Obama: Though still in charge here, they have lost control of the Democratic Party to the wealthy and better-educated. The biggest problem here is that it appears that blue-collar voters seem to equate "better-educated" to "wealthy," or rather (the word no one wants to say in this context) elitism. We have a real problem in this country when having a an education level above high school or college is frowned upon. As E.J. Dionne points out, Obama is hard to label...at least in the traditional sense : At its most exciting moments, Obama's cam...

The Cavs pile on the Wizards, and James was definitely a factor. The people in Baghdad are still looking for the bare necessities . An earth-friendly hotel ? Cool. In hockey: the Caps show that Washington teams do have some resilience . More threats from the current #2 al Qaeda guy .

Jitters. Calls. LeBron. Size. Homecourt. That's how Game 2 of the Wiz and Cavs were decided. The entire Washington team has jitters from the offset. It's the only way I can explain how a team who ranks in the Top Ten in free throw shooting did so poorly from the line tonight. And as if on cue, the missed free throws, combined with the early shaky shooting, appeared to give the refs enough of an excuse to not give the Wizards the benefit of the doubt on a number of questionable calls. The game was essentially determined when Haywood received a Flagrant Two for his hard foul on James. The message? "Knock LeBron down and we'll kicking you out." And if you don't think James did his part to influence the refs, than you don't know basketball. LeBron James is the only player the Wizards can't guard straight-up. Double-teaming him leaves his shaky cast open, but the team has enough shooter to still make teams pay. And now, the refs have basically taking away t...

Stats don't lie .

From the WashPost : JERUSALEM, April 21 -- The radical Islamist movement Hamas is prepared to accept Israel as a neighbor as long as the Palestinian people approve the terms for peace, former U.S. president Jimmy Carter said Monday following a trip to the region that included seven hours of controversial negotiations with the group. Carter, the most prominent Westerner to publicly talk with Hamas, secured that agreement even as the group rejected his proposal for a unilateral, month-long cease-fire. Hamas, which has vowed to destroy Israel, also declined to meet with an Israeli deputy prime minister who has said he is interested in holding face-to-face talks on the fate of a kidnapped Israeli soldier. Like I said, just give it a chance . If Hamas ends up trying to trick/back stab a person like Carter, then yeah, it'll be awhile before any US political figure should take them seriously again.

So LeBron James gets popped in the lip and slapped on the noggin and all of a sudden he's Kobe Bryant . Wait a minute: even Kobe (who's way better than James) doesn't get treated that well. Maybe it's because Kobe's emulating Michael Jordan Version 2 (after his post-baseball comeback) and not Michael Jordan Version 1 (the first three rings). See, with MJV2, Jordan drove to the basket, had pull-up jumpers, the fade-away, and post ups. MJV1: 98% slasher, but a damn good one. The key difference is James is bigger so he's not going to be knocked down too easily. But that's his game; no more no less. Don't be fooled when James hits the occasional 3-pointer; he's only the 206th best guy from that range . We all know that the Wizards aren't the Bad Boy Pistons, but they ain't the Chris Webber Kings either. They are good enough offensively to score on the Cavs, and just good enough defensively to stop any Cavs player not named LeBron James. In other...

Shorter OW: crabs in the barrel, 2008-style . Before I do anything resembling a Wizards recap, check this (good) one out . Good Lord, is Mitt Romney dumb . John McCain makes up a new demographic: Forgotten Americans. With a positive, complimentary label like that, I'm sure his latest campaign tour will be heavily attended . Hey guys: don't act so needy around women . Jesus; I wish this was a joke .

How can "conservative intellectuals" call themselves "intellectuals" when they can't use Goggle ? What did the Cobert Report think of the ABC Debate? Even at 54, Jackie Chan is too damn fast for the movie camera. What John McCain doesn't know may kill us . Nicknames athletes probably wish they didn't have .

The guy who brought you Supersize Me (Morgan Spurlock ) tries to answer that question : When Spurlock learns that he and his wife are expecting a baby, he decides that he wants the child to grow up in a safer world than we know today, so he takes it upon himself to track down the most dangerous man on Earth, Osama bin Laden. Spurlock hops on a plane and flies to the Middle East in search of his quarry, making stops in Egypt, Morocco, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan as he keeps an eye peeled for the head of Al Qaeda . When he isn't playing sleuth, Spurlock interviews people representing all walks of life, ranging from Orthodox Israeli enclaves and a mosque operated by rabidly anti-American Muslims to political moderates and ordinary folks at the supermarket, quizzing them about the nature of post-9/11 conflict and the need for peace.

Pradamaster says no way . Michael Wilbon (taking time from his TV gigs) agrees with that sentiment. Bottom line: we know what the Wizards will bring. They haven't really shuffled their roster that much over the years. The reason some fans have been pissed at GM Ernie Grunfeld (not making splashy or panicky trades) has proven to be a key ingredient in making a perennial playoff contender. We have three All-Stars. At least two bonafide clutch players (Jamison and Arenas) and two potential ones (Stevenson and Butler). We have size (imagine a lineup of Haywood, Blatche/Songalia, Jamison, Butler, and Arenas) and speed (Arenas, Daniels, Young). We have a waaaay better coach. Our guys are, for the most part, recovering from their injuries. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, don't really know who they are . As others have mentioned, there's little firepower beyond James and Big Z. Unlike the Wizard's coach, Cavs coach Mike Brown hasn't been able to juggle injuries that wel...

On a night of completely horrid debate questions , this had to be the worst: MR. GIBSON: And Senator Obama, I want to do one more question, which goes to the basic issue of electability. And it is a question raised by a voter in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, a woman by the name of Nash McCabe. Take a look. NASH MCCABE (Latrobe, Pennsylvania): (From videotape.) Senator Obama, I have a question, and I want to know if you believe in the American flag. I am not questioning your patriotism, but all our servicemen, policemen and EMS wear the flag. I want to know why you don't . MR. GIBSON: Just to add to that, I noticed you put one on yesterday. But -- you've talked about this before, but it comes up again and again when we talk to voters. And as you may know, it is all over the Internet. And it's something of a theme that Senators Clinton and McCain's advisers agree could give you a major vulnerability if you're the candidate in November. How do you convince Democrats that thi...

The political cartoonist warns us to watch out for knee- jerkers .

I originally saw a mention of this from Oliver Willis' site: HuffPost has a video of MSNBC (and former GOP Congressman) Joe Scarborough trying to bully the ever-astute Rachael Maddow, and she was having none of it. The result? Well, according to MSNBC: "Joe didn't walk off. He chose not to participate in the final couple of minutes of the discussion because he felt the conversation didn't fit his role as a political analyst." Whatever. He was unsuccessful in his attempt to cut her off and prevent her from countering his weak talking points with reality: in this case, the reality that John McCain (and to an extent, Hillary Clinton) has not faced the " Six Degrees of Association " that Barack Obama has faced. Scarborough theory that only new politicians should face such scrutiny is absurd; with enough connections and money you can cover up enough dirty laundry to get you elected, and then all you have to do is create an image of a good statesman. McCain ...

South Korea's president (finally) extends an olive branch to North Korea. Sen. Clinton can't crack the superdelegates. Video Game consoles are selling like hotcakes . Bank of America: No loans for you ! Britney Spears needs to pay her lawyers (for what, I don't know). Yesterday, the Pope met with some victims of "priest abuse." Despite what some people may say about the guy because of his past, this was a big move (as was his acknowledgement of racism, education and other religions).

That's pretty much the consensus from the liberal blogosphere. Whether your preference is Daily Kos , Perrspectives , or Democratic Underground , the feeling is mutual: ABC used the debate to slam Sen. Barack Obama. Think Progress has audio confirming that one of the moderaters, George Stephanopoulos , essentially used questions from Fox News own Sean Hannity. From what I can tell, it took almost an hour before any questions relating to the issues of the day were raised. Before that is was question after question about Obama's associations with a variety of characters. I'm curious as to why such links (big and small) wasn't a concern when George W. Bush was running for president, or during his re-election campaign. How about his father's ties to the bin Laden family? Or his own ties to James Bath? I don't see how this "Six Degrees of Barack Obama" is relevant to fixing the economy, resolving the Iraq occupation, preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear...

I can't say I remember the last time I saw such a stunning contrast in the same publication. First we have Mahmoud al-Zahar , who has praised ex-president Jimmy Carter for trying to find some common ground between Israel and Hamas. GAZA -- President Jimmy Carter's sensible plan to visit the Hamas leadership this week brings honesty and pragmatism to the Middle East while underscoring the fact that American policy has reached its dead end. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice acts as if a few alterations here and there would make the hideous straitjacket of apartheid fit better. While Rice persuades Israeli occupation forces to cut a few dozen meaningless roadblocks from among the more than 500 West Bank control points, these forces simultaneously choke off fuel supplies to Gaza; blockade its 1.5 million people; approve illegal housing projects on West Bank land; and attack Gaza City with F-16s, killing men, women and children. Sadly, this is "business as usual" for the...

Wizards lose to Orlando , but is doesn't affect their standing. Yankee Nation crushes Red Sox Nation. Lethal injection is A-OK with the Supreme Court. New X-Files movie ! Another (sad) day in Gaza .

Even with President Bush's admirable gift to needy nations , we still have to focus on issues here. Namely that Bush's occupation of Iraq, combined with tax cuts and turning a blind eye to the free markets ( unless when they need a bailout ) has resulted in too many Americans (and other nations) having to make choices that they shouldn't have to make : The idea of turning farms into fuel plants seemed, for a time, like one of the answers to high global oil prices and supply worries. That strategy seemed to reach a high point last year when Congress mandated a fivefold increase in the use of biofuels. But now a reaction is building against policies in the United States and Europe to promote ethanol and similar fuels, with political leaders from poor countries contending that these fuels are driving up food prices and starving poor people. Biofuels are fast becoming a new flash point in global diplomacy, putting pressure on Western politicians to reconsider their policies, e...

Tavis Smiley's ego problems . Jesus, what's with his obsession with having Obama "kiss the ring?" Crazy like a fox, indeed . Wu-chess , m-f'ers. John McCain wasn't always 'Captain Tax Cut." One out of 33 homeowners will not have a house in the next 24 months.

And some people called Michael Moore socialist (and worse) for his movie about the crummy American Health Care system ( SiCKO ). It turns out that (once again) he was on the money for raising concerns: The Institute of Medicine report - "Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care Workforce" - estimates that there is only one physician certified in geriatrics for every 2,500 older Americans and that turnover among nurse aides averages 71 percent annually . In California, the situation is even more dire. Although the institute's study focused on the national picture, a state legislative report estimated there is only one geriatrician for every 4,000 Californians 65 and older .

Why else would soldiers in Iraq be leaving ? BAGHDAD — A company of Iraqi soldiers abandoned their positions on Tuesday night in Sadr City, defying American soldiers who implored them to hold the line against Shiite militias. The retreat left a crucial stretch of road on the front lines undefended for hours and led to a tense series of exchanges between American soldiers and about 50 Iraqi troops who were fleeing. Capt. Logan Veath, a company commander in the 25th Infantry Division, pleaded with the Iraqi major who was leading his troops away from the Sadr City fight, urging him to return to the front. “If you turn around and go back up the street those soldiers will follow you,” Captain Veath said. “If you tuck tail and cowardly run away they will follow up that way, too.” Captain Veath’s pleas failed, and senior American and Iraqi commanders mounted an urgent effort to regain the lost ground. An elite Iraqi unit was rushed in and with the support of the Americans began to fight its w...

The Wizards are taking a precautionary approach to tonight's game against the Orlando Magic , which is a good thing, mainly because: A win or a loss will not affect Washington's standings; Orlando has been slumping; and The Cleveland Cavaliers have decided, for the most part, to also take things slow. The biggest reason for the Wizards to be careful is because (as the story says) they want to be as healthy as possible when facing the one-man band in Cleveland. Sure, LeBron James has even less help now then he did last season (or even the season before that) but he's good enough to single-handily win at least two games. And no, I don't think he'll be motivated by DeShawn Stevenson's comments . With that all said, the best strategy for tonight's game is to just let the young players run the court. I wouldn't play the vets any more than 15 minutes apiece. Sure the Wiz may loose, but no one knows what's going to happen over the course of these playoffs a...

The LA Lakers claim the West' #1 spot . Baby bottles of death ...maybe. Pseudo-star Ashlee Simpson is preggers . Pope-mania ! Should we be surprised that celebrities have been going after their nannies ? Michelle Obama works her magic on Stephen Colbert. Tiger Woods has knee surgery , won't be available to win anything for about a month.

"A large U.S. study has linked alcohol consumption to an increased risk of the most common type of breast cancer in postmenopausal women."

Of course the Cavs didn't win under suspicious circumstances . No way! It's not like they have a superstar the League is desperate to put in the NBA Finals for ratings or anything. I've seen my fair share of fake craigslist ads, but this is crazy . Alicia Keys: Hip-Hop conspiracy theorist (I knew I liked her for a reason). Eugene Robinson on those " Elitist Democrats ." John McCain doesn't know what General Petraeus' role is concerning the War on Terror.

Neveretheless, I gotta give credit where credit is due : WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. President George W. Bush has ordered the release of $200 million in emergency aid to help countries where the soaring cost of basic food has spurred riots and instability. The money, to be drawn down from a food reserve, will address food needs in Africa and elsewhere, the White House said. The announcement follows an appeal to the international community by World Bank President Robert Zoellick. "The international community must fill the at least a $500 million food gap identified by the U.N.'s World Food Programme to meet emergency needs," he said. "Governments should be able to come up with this assistance and come up with it now." The United States is the world's largest provider of food aid, delivering more than $2.1 billion in food aid to 78 countries last year, the White House said in a statement. I've said before that Bush's biggest accomplishment was his tax cu...

The guy who labeled the black hole ...the black hole. Scientists and Star Trek fans everywhere are mourning.

Sen. McCain joins Sen. Clinton in attacking Sen. Obama. Just another (sad) day in Iraq. The Golden State Warriors regret that they will not be able to attend the 2008 NBAPlayoffs. For you last-minute-tax-filers: don't forget about the rebate checks (aka: Bush's bribe). Kate Hudson wants to make out more . "Mass consolidation?" Don't be silly; what gave you that idea ?

To go along with the President's 28% approval rating : WASHINGTON - Eight out of 10 Arabs have an unfavorable view of the United States and only six percent believe the U.S. troop build-up in Iraq in the last year has worked, said a poll of six Arab countries released on Monday. The poll by the University of Maryland and Zogby International, also found most Arabs did not see U.S. foe Iran as a threat and they sympathized more with Hamas in the Palestinian Territories than U.S.-backed Fatah. "There is a growing mistrust and lack of confidence in the United States," said Shibley Telhami, a University of Maryland professor in charge of the annual poll. The survey canvassed the opinions of about 4,000 people over the past month in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates. It has a margin of error of about 1.6 percent. Of those polled, 83 percent had an unfavorable view of the United States and 70 percent had no confidence in the superpower. S...

You may never hear of this person again, but know here that he's the man who helped Marilyn Monroe keep some dignity (yeah, I understand that she's dead).

A Pennsylvania newspaper endorses Sen. Barack Obama after he makes his "bitter" gaffe . What I think is interesting is that up until this point, Sen. Clinton and Sen. McCain mocked Obama for trying to convey a message of hope (McCain called it a platitude; Clinton talked about how Obama was thinking that the sky was going to open up with angels or something). Now, with the "bitter" gaffe, both are jumping on it as if Obama's been the Eeyore of this campaign. Ye gods. You can see Sen. Obama's response to this silliness for yourself: So when Obama's preacher quotes some guy from the Reagan Administration , Obama gets flamed. When Obama says people are bitter and turn to other social outlets to deal, he gets flamed. When Obama's wife talks about being happy to be an American, but doesn't say it in an approving manner, Obama get flamed. Meanwhile, Sen. Clinton tries to equate her time as first lady as practically being Vice President (I'm betti...

Don't be fooled by Sen. McCain's image of being a maverick; he's as conservative as they come . Apparently, women (most of whom have long since left this mortal plane long ago) have sound relationship advice . Seemingly bored with Iraq, President Bush and McCain turn their obsessions toward Iran . Who could have foreseen the housing market collapse ? Obviously, we lack hope . A victory for FISA legislation ? About time! Who cares about his policies; Barack Obama may have smoked a cigarette ! Never doubt a manly basketball team .

For those who doubt the Washington Wizards' chances now, please note where this team came from: H/t: Wizznutz .

Honestly; who saw this Obama endorsement coming? It's hard out there for a translator . Staying healthy is going to cost more . Elementary , my dear: " Sharp rises in the cost of milk, grain and fresh fruits and vegetables are hitting cafeterias across the country, forcing cash-strapped schools to raise prices or pinch pennies by serving more economical dishes. Some school officials on a mission to help fight childhood obesity say it's becoming harder to fill students' plates with healthy, low-fat foods ."

Least people fall into the Lieberman/McCain "Iran is pulling the terrorist strings" talking point : TEHRAN, Iran - A bomb explosion in a mosque packed with hundreds of worshippers in southern Iran killed at least nine people and injured more than 100 Saturday, local media reported. The semi-official Fars news agency said the explosion in the city of Shiraz went off as a cleric was delivering his weekly speech against extremist Wahabi beliefs and the outlawed Bahai faith. The report said nine people were killed and 105 injured, some of them critically. The force of the explosion shook houses more than a mile away, and ambulances and firefighters were rushing to the mosque, it said. Officials urged the public to donate blood and called all nurses in the city in on duty. A police official said a homemade bomb caused the explosion, Fars reported. It also quoted a young woman who was there as saying some 800 worshippers were inside the mosque at the time of the explosion... ...Som...

Anybody need to hire an out-of-work former Attorney General who advocates torture ?

No-fly zone , indeed. Big Brother will soon be able to send you text messages ...for your own safety, of course. Thanks to modern science, now monkeys and rats can join cockroaches as creatures who can survive radiation. Now China hosting the Olympics may constitute a "crisis?" Where has this guy been? Sen. John McCain allegedly has a mortgage plan . Dirk Nowitzki may not be the second coming of Larry Bird, but for the most part he's clutch enough .

According to this article , then the career you should consider should be: Education Energy Environment (sector) Health Care Security The article goes into more detail about the different jobs. But you know what's interesting? These jobs are also highly political. The promise of better education (affordable schooling, relevant resources) is a popular platform. Security? Does "Department of Homeland Security" mean anything? We're fighting a war, in part, to to energy resources (in this case, oil). Thanks to people like Michael Moore, universal health care has become a campaign issue. And as far as the environment, I have two words: global warming.

Well for starters, not use pop stars in need of a comeback as ratings boosters . Don't worry Neil, I wasn't watching that show anyway; but I will check out the new Harold & Kumar.

Wow . Just... wow . Don't let anyone tell you different, Boston wanted this game because the Wizards matchup with like no other Eastern Conference team . Don't even talk about Cleveland; does anyone honestly think that this year's squad is better than last year's. Who's their second option? Third option? The way things look, only Detroit and Orlando (it's always a team from Florida) can keep these guys back. Washington doesn't really have and answer for Dwight Howard, and the Pistons have been though this before. But the Celtics? Butler goes after Paul Pierce like Anakin Skywalker went after Obi Wan. Nobody on that team other than Pierce can guard Arenas. Stevenson or Mason Jr. can keep Ray Allen in check. And I trust Eddie Jordan over Doc Rivers any day. Unless Kevin Garnett becomes a force of nature, I see a very competitive series in the making. But at least the Celtics are a complete team; what do the Cavaliers have other than LeBron James? Have yo...

Housing forclosures lead to abandoned pets . With ranch raid in Texas, more secrets are revealed . Higher prices are causing farmers to change their tactics . If you fly, prepare to pay . One out of 15 children in a hospital get the wrong medication . If kids can be CEOs , why can't we?

...that history can repeat itself. Meet Pierce Bush: It's like looking into a mirror of the future, ain't it?

Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan wants the Fourth spot in the Eastern Conference Playoffs . It's entirely possible, especially after taking a peak at the current streaks for the conference . When you factor in how many top-seeded teams are resting their key players ( not the Wiz , though), it sounds like a good motivational strategy (which is what the coach claims it was). We'll find out tonight how affective it was.

Eugene Robinson on the most entertaining rumor in this election race. Hollywood's lovely Latina actresses . The Troops want to come home . He may still be wary of "check and balances," but President Bush has alot of faith in checks . Out of the three presidential candidates participating in today's "How the Hell Did We Get Here, and When Can We Come Home" Hearing, Sen. Barack Obama had perhaps the best line . Giving Antawn Jamison his props . Sen. John McCain needs more memory pills ...before he becomes the next Nixon . More proof that our media has been asleep at the wheel for far too long.

Drinks that make you fat and why .

Condoleezza Rice continues to resist calls to save the Republican Party from its base . Belly fat worse than butt fat ; could lead premature death. Kansas comeback mashes Memphis in NCAA Championship. Before the MD legislative session ended last night, what was passed ? Everything's bigger in Texas... even the raids . Protests may put an end to the Olympic torch relay. Can't make this up: Alan Greenspan sees a recession on the horizon, and he chooses to endorse John McCain . United Airlines + Aer Lingus = ? For babies, less sleep = more weight . In Asia, inflation is having an effect on the American economy . New stem cell process may alter the morality debate on the issue.

Not to long ago, when this story came out I said this : But before people start going into a frenzied "Muslims are everywhere!" mode, understand that: When considering all Christians and not just Catholics, Christians make up 33 percent of the world population, Formenti said. I don't know about anyone else, but wouldn't a better comparison been between two different sects or denominations? Y'know, like the percentage of Catholics versus the percentage of Shia? Or am I completely off-base here? Well, the good people over at Sadly, No! found someone who did "go frenzy," as in "Eject! Operation: Warfare!"

They say that we need to leave .

Did I say " from maverick to 'King Arthur' ?" I meant to say " from maverick to prostitute ." As much as anything else, presidential campaigns are won and lost by the media narratives that rightly or wrongly come to define a candidate. In the case of Republican nominee John McCain, the seemingly unshakable narrative of the political " maverick " could not be further off the mark. At almost every turn, McCain in his eternal quest for the White House has reversed long-held positions, compromised core principles and swallowed his pride in order to curry favor with both the leading lights of the conservative movement and right-wing Republican primary voters. The untold story of campaign 2008 is simply that of John McCain's transformation from maverick to prostitute . More here .

Tomorrow will be the closest America will get to having a cross-party primary debate (even if it is about one issue). As the Washington Post puts it : When Army Gen. David H. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker travel to Capitol Hill tomorrow, they might be the ones before the microphones, but the cameras will be trained on three of their inquisitors: Sens. John McCain, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama. The hearings before the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees promise to be as much about presidential politics as about the past six months of military and diplomatic progress in Iraq. All last summer, Washington anxiously awaited the September appearances of Petraeus, the commanding U.S. general in Iraq, and Crocker, the top U.S. diplomat in Baghdad, anticipating that their testimony could determine the political viability of continued war. Their return engagement is eliciting no more than shrugs -- except on the political front. It has been months since Ob...

Sen. Clinton's biggest campaign problem goes into hiding ( for now ). Radical elementary schools in Philadelphia dare to help kids lose weight . The nerve! Green Party members go a little too far in their protests of the Olympics. In DC: the utility company Pepco will raise it rates by 15% . New Bond Girl ; some of the actress' pics can be found here . Yahoo + Microsoft = ???