Here is the new blog. The re-population will start shortly. Comments welcome, and the main registration system on the Postnuke site is not required here.
From the "It depends what the meaning of is is" shelf at the Doublespeak Shop:
Charles Hurt (Washington Times): Have you ever crossed the line of ethical behavior in terms of dealing with lobbyists, your use of government authority or with fundraising?
Tom DeLay: Ever is a very strong word.
(Here is the complete transcript of the interview that led to DeLay's proclamation.)
What more fitting celebration could there be of the 50th birthday of that icon of American culture - McDonald's - than with that other great icon of American culture - the drive-by shooting? No one was hurt when shots were fired outside Macca's at Parramatta Road, Stanmore, in the early hours of Saturday.
April 15, 1955, and the first McDonald's "restaurant" opened in Des Plaines, Illinois, named by milk shaker-salesman Ray Kroc after the McDonald brothers, Dick and Mac, whose hamburger stand in San Bernadino, California became his inspiration. The rest... yeah well you know.
Australian vice-captain Karen Rolton's brilliant 107 not out in yesterday Women's World Cup Final against India is the first century scored in a WCWC Final. Not the second, as has been widely reported in the media today. I've explained why on Cricketwoman. [now available here - RE, 20.2.13]
It's probably the dream match-up. India have qualified for their first-ever Women's Cricket World Cup Final, and they'll be playing Australia on Sunday. A chance for revenge for the men's World Cup Final of 2003 perhaps? I'll be busy following the final on Cricketwoman this Sunday, please drop in and join us there.
It always irks me to hear talk of the December 26 calamity as the "Asian Tsunami". Somalia was affected badly too. This report from IRIN (originally at http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=46502):
SOMALIA: War and tsunami force Somalis into slums
[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]
New South Wales' mighty victory in the 2005 Pura Cup final represents one of the great comebacks of shield cricket.
They were gone for all money against Tasmania a few weeks ago before Stuey MacGill ripped through the Tigers' batting. That kept them alive in the finals race. Last week they knocked off Victoria and Queensland beat WA, boosting NSW from third place to second.
On Sunday, the Queensland hoodoo continued. They have never beaten New South Wales in a shield final. This time, the Blues won at the Gabba by one wicket with two days to spare.