I've been out of the loop (on purpose)

Took a week off just because I felt like resting and not bothering with the news. Sure, I kept up with the news, watched it for at least 15 minutes a day, which is about the length of the loops the 24 hour newsnets run before cuing it up again. I heard about Obama's concession to the Egyptians and his encoded message that he would supply the U.S. Military when the Arab/Muslim alliance launched their world takeover.

And I read with sadness about the "suicide" of Keith Carradine, whom I've loved ever since The Long Riders. I've never heard of someone binding their testicles right before hanging himself, but the Bangkok police seem to know what they're doing, so who am I to argue?

In a sure sign that the Apocalypse is upon us, Bill O'Reilly actually issued an apology. On air. I kid you not. Seems Bill took CNN to task for not reporting on the June 1 murder by a Muslim extremist of Army Recruiter William Long until Anderson Cooper mentioned it in his show during the 10 to 11 pm time slot.

Rick Sanchez, ever vigilant, put together a montage of all the mentions that story had received from CNN, beginning with the first breaking of the story, up until Cooper's analysis of it on AC360. O'Reilly, ever the gentleman and conscientious journalist, apologized, on the air, on his June 6 Factor. Hey Bill: a true "warrior" would fall on his sword rather than admit defeat. Please do so. Imagine the ratings your last deed could give Fox News. You'd go out a hero.

Is it me, or does David Axelrod (left) look like a young G. Gordon Liddy (right)?

Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's An Early A.M. Caffeine Rant

As I am new to this type of communication, I feel a certain freedom with the form that I would not feel in other, more traditional, more familiar forms of journalism. (This is, in fact, a journal, which I maintain by writing new ideas, notions, and rants; one could call this form of communication, therefore, ipso facto, journalism. QED.)

For instance, at first blush, the need for factual evidence to back up my claims seems not to apply to this form of communication (Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limburger, I feel ya brothers.)

But in fact, the medium is as reliable and fact-based as I choose to make it (Murdoch employees take note). I could fill these simple lines of code with fond reminiscences of my misspent youth; or I could choose to pass on blatant lies and hypocrisies generated by the paranoid right and lunatic fringe of Nugent and Cunningham; or, and here's where it gets good, I could actually report the truth, putting my own skewed stamp on fact and presenting fact-based stories to the small but dedicated (start dedicating yourselves friends) readership I have.
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So saddle up. We've got a long ride ahead.

Yours for the greater good,

Dale