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July 29, 2005

Around the Horn

- For the top news of the day, all four terrorism suspects were captured, only a little more than a week after the failed bombings. This is a huge success, and very telling of the British police. It also begs the question: why have we not included Scotland Yard in the search for Osama bin Laden?

- Bill Frist, a likely competitor for president in '08, may have just hurt his chances. For those who have strong feelings against abortion and cloning (i.e., most of the Republican primary voters), this is a disappointing choice. It is also a futile one, as President Bush has sworn that he will veto this bill (it would be his first).

- The Democrats will learn this week what delaying appointments accomplishes when President Bush makes a recess appointment of John Bolton. Now I'm not going to say whether I am for or against the appointment, as I have not made myself familiar with the entire "saga" of the Bolton appointment, but I can say this much; John Bolton will be the US Ambassador to the UN for about a year and a half, and the Democratic Senators ensured that he would at least see some time in that office.

- A blunt and very critical column could lose a radio talk show host his job, but his views do raise some interesting concerns. I agree with Michelle Malkin and will not call all Muslims terrorists, but they have been very inactive in terms of restricting (or at leasting distancing themselves from) terrorist activity, in particular that towards Jews. Shouldn't this be more of a concern?

- Just days after the tragice deaths of four Alaskan Boy Scout leaders comes more sad news that another scout leader has died from a lightning strike. Six others were injured, including a Boy Scout who is now brain-dead. Having spent a few years in the Boy Scouts, I feel greatly for those attending the Jamboree and their families. Keep them in your prayers.

- Days after returning to space, NASA has to cope with the possibility of being grounded again. Debris broke off of the Discovery shuttle in the recent launch, similarly to the Challenger. A robot arm attached to the shuttle and a flip over the International Space Station has allowed them to assess the damage, and the shuttle should be ready for re-entry. Unfortunately, until the foam problem is resolved, this will push back future missions indefinately. It becomes clearly obvious that (1) NASA needs a new shuttle fleet, as the current fleet cannot survive on continued repairs and (2) space travel should continue growing in the private sector. Already, Virgin mogul Richard Branson has space travel in mind, so one must wonder how much longer it will be before researchers outside of NASA pursue space exploration.

- Staying on the topic of space, another "10th planet" has been found. With Sedna, Quaoar, and a number of others, one has to wonder how the definition of planet may be made more specific.

- Peter Gammons of ESPN will officially be awarded the Peter Spink Award by the Baseball Hall of Fame this weekend. A well deserved award for a man who has, arguably, the strongest knowledge of the sport of baseball.

- And finally, Neil Cavuto hits the nail on the head again, reminding us that it is all right to get angry sometimes, and that it is always right to tell it like it is