The Presidential Drinking Blame . . .

Rule 1: The President takes a shot every time a levee comes down.
Rule 2: Someone gets to fire the head of FEMA each time an administration official says the word "prepared."

Now, we kinda doubt the accuracy of this story (given the source), but this is quickly becoming a popular bit of gossip within the beltway . . . so, we're choosing to follow the crowd (at least as far as the bar):
Bush reaches for a shot in time of stress

Rita Upgraded to Category 5

In case there's any doubt about the strength of a Category 5 hurricane, just read what the National Weather Service had to say about Katrina.

Oh, and . . . double eep!

Kerry will vote "No" on Roberts nomination:

"Monday, I shared with you my Brown University speech setting out what needs to be said and done at this critical moment for our country. Today, in that same spirit of clarity and conviction, I want to tell you how I will vote on the nomination of John Roberts to serve as Chief Justice of the United States.

I will vote against this vitally important nomination.

Win or lose on this vote, it is essential that we act on our deepest convictions. And I refuse to vote for a Supreme Court nominee who came before the Senate intent on demonstrating his ability to deftly deflect legitimate questions about his views, opinions and philosophy.

John Roberts owed the American people far more than that.

If he is confirmed - and he may well be - the Roberts Court will shape the course of constitutional law for decades to come. It will decide dozens of cases that will define the depth and breadth of freedom in America - our commitment to civil rights, our dedication to civil liberties, our devotion to privacy and a woman's right to choose.

With that much at stake, Judge Roberts needed to show us where his heart is.

Instead he recited case law and said little about what he really thought. He needed to engage the Senate Judiciary Committee and the American people in a genuine conversation. He failed that test. And, while I recognize that other members of the Senate will legitimately make a different choice, I will vote "NO" on the Roberts nomination."

Today's "Jackass Award" winner: Rep. Richard Baker (R-LA)

"We finally cleaned up public housing in New Orleans. We couldn't do it, but God did." –Rep. Richard Baker (R-LA) to lobbyists, as quoted in the Wall Street Journal.

If history teaches us anything . . . it's that you just shouldn't piss off Neil Young

"the sickest piece of journalism I've ever seen."
Neil lashes out at the Chicago Tribune

"Then according to an account published today, he tore up a copy of the newspaper and stomped on it." Oh man . . . what a missed photo-op.

"Yuck . . . American horse meat tartare?"

Why Belgians Shoot Horses in Texas for Dining in Europe

Oprahmations . . .

"She seemed like such a nice person," the neighbors always say. "I can't believe she strangled that Bloomingdale's floor clerk with his own tie."

Yeah, um . . . this article kinda sucks, but ya' gotta love the quote!

Dave in Sioux Falls . . . we salute you!

Viewer comments from yesterday's "Situation Room" (CNN):

CAFFERTY: Busy place, huh, Wolf? President Bush has named his Homeland Security adviser, Francis Townsend, to investigate what went wrong with the governments response to Hurricane Katrina. I guess they think everybody is going to say, gee, that's a great idea. The question we're asking, is the presidents Homeland Security adviser the right choice to investigate Hurricane Katrina. You can't even say this stuff with a straight face.

Theresa in Petal, Mississippi. Bush appointing his Homeland Security adviser to investigate her own departments bungled response to Katrina would be shocking, if it wasn't so tragically typical of this administration. It's like O.J. Simpson searching for the real killer, when all he had to do was look in the mirror. Just how dumb do they think we are?

Steve in Carlsbad, California writes, no one from the Department of Homeland Security can effectively investigate the Department of Homeland Security. The findings would always be viewed suspiciously, would not have credibility. We need an independent commission such as was formed to investigate the 9/11 failures. That is the only was the public will accept any report that's eventually issued.

Ron in Manistique, Michigan. Of course it's a great idea, just like having the tobacco industry do the studies on the health effects of smoking.

Terry in Nebraska writes, what's not fair about investigating oneself. Congress votes on whether to give themselves pay raises. If the public continues to buy hook, line and bobber whatever this president tells them, then they deserve what they get.

And finally Dave in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Yeah, she's fine, and when there's an impropriety on my tax return, just tell the IRS I'll look into it and get back to you.

BLITZER: Dave in Sioux Falls has got a good sense of humor.

CAFFERTY: Yes, he does.

The Wasteland . . . the profit and loss.

Phlebas the Phoenician, a fortnight dead,
Forgot the cry of gulls, and the deep sea swell
And the profit and loss.
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Red in the morn, sailors take warn . . .

Good feeling gone . . .

Wide Angle: Avian Flu Pandemic

Martha: The new PETA spokeswoman?

Martha's fur expose

We think PETA's practices have not always been upstanding, ethical, or safe (for humans and animals) . . . terrorism in the name of ending cruelty (of any type) is simply not acceptable:
"Blowing stuff up and smashing windows" is "a great way to bring about animal liberation."

(Oh . . . and might we remind Martha that PETA had a little "animal cruelty" problem of it's own not so long ago).

Quote of the day . . .

"At least give us some idea" of how to cover the cost, said Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), who is facing reelection in 2006. "We owe that to the American taxpayer."

Katrina May Test GOP Harmony

Hold off on that Lamborghini . . .

Best & Worst Fuel Efficient Cars