Entries for March 2006

Since live presidential press conferences started when John F. Kennedy was in office, every chief executive since then has wanted to emulate his ability to use humor as a way to keep the reporters in line and sway the public with that natural gift.

I've attended at least some press conferences with all the presidents since JFK. None have been able to capture his ability, with the exception of Ronald Reagan.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's stormy term at the Pentagon proves two lessons that cabinet officers, especially those in high-profile departments, should heed:

The Republican would-be presidential candidates, or most of them, displayed their wares earlier this month in Memphis.

Judging from the content of the speeches, it was a rather dismal performance.

Even before 2,000 faithful partisans at the Southern GOP Leadership Conference, the lineup was hardly a distinguished group.

CLEARWATER, Fla.–Barry Bonds is a great baseball player, one of the greatest of all time. He is a slugger for the ages. Until recently, he was a sure bet for the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

CLEARWATER, Fla.–For those baseball fans agitated about whether the World Baseball Classic is a winner or a loser, I have some advice: Be open about the debate and not close-minded like George Steinbrenner, the owner of the Yankees.

As for me, I've changed my mind from anti to pro.

If ever there was a case of blatant political chicanery, it is the redistricting controversy in Texas. And it appears the Supreme Court may not enter the fray even though it should.

To remind readers, former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay could not wait for the 2010 census to deliver his own Texas-style thievery. DeLay and his Republican cohort in the Texas Legislature redesigned the map of Texas to get rid of a half-dozen Democratic seats and four Democratic incumbents in the process.

As a loyal American and huge sports fan, I am relieved that the Olympic Games in Torino have ended. I watched some events, but I have to admit that Major League Baseball as well as college football, basketball, and hockey rank far above curling in my interest.