Blackout on Obama Island

Heaven help us if this interrupts The Messiah's daily workout or delays his morning tee time.

The island of Oahu, including the resort where President-elect Barack Obama is vacationing, was hit by a power blackout on Friday, possibly caused by a lightning strike, authorities said.

Eyewitnesses said it appeared electricity in Obama's holiday compound was knocked out and workers were hurrying to set up an emergency generator.

An electricity company spokesman said the entire 600 square mile (1553 sq km) island, which is home to around 900,000 people, was affected.

"We lost the last generator ... The whole island is now without power," said spokesman Peter Rosegg.

Traffic was snarled on major Honolulu roads.

Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann told KSSK radio station it would be at least 12 hours before power was restored. Rosegg said it might be considerably longer.

Hopefully King Obama and his adoring media contingent manage to survive.

9/11, Obama Led Princess Kennedy to Politics

Sure, this is believable. I'll be back to discuss things after I get back from riding my shiny, happy unicorn.

Caroline Kennedy emerged from weeks of near-silence Friday about her bid for a Senate seat by saying that after a lifetime of closely guarded privacy, she felt compelled to answer the call to service issued by her father a generation ago.

She said two events shaped her decision to ask Gov. David Paterson 11 days ago to consider her for the position if Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is confirmed as secretary of state: the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and her work for Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

In her first sit-down interview since she emerged as a Senate hopeful, the 51-year-old daughter of President John F. Kennedy cited her father's legacy in explaining her decision to seek to serve alongside her uncle Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy.

Media Again Horrified by 'Barack the Magic Negro'

Two years later, how stupid is this?

RNC candidate Chip Saltsman’s Christmas greeting to committee members includes a music CD with lyrics from a song called “Barack the Magic Negro,” first played on Rush Limbaugh’s popular radio show.
Saltsman, a personal friend of conservative satirist Paul Shanklin, sent a 41-track CD along with a note to national committee members.

“I look forward to working together in the New Year,” Saltsman wrote. “Please enjoy the enclosed CD by my friend Paul Shanklin of the Rush Limbaugh Show.”

The CD, called “We Hate the USA,” lampoons liberals with such songs as “John Edwards’ Poverty Tour,” “Wright place, wrong pastor,” “Love Client #9,” “Ivory and Ebony” and “The Star Spanglish banner.”

Several of the track titles, including “Barack the Magic Negro,” are written in bold font.

The song, which debuted on Limbaugh’s show in late March 2007, latches onto an opinion column in the Los Angeles Times of the same title. That column, penned by cultural critic David Ehrenstein, argued that Obama could serve as a balm to whites who felt guilty about past treatment of African Americans.

A nonstory if there ever was one. So expect widespread rage from the left.

NFL Week 17

We enter the final Sunday of the NFL season with only seven of the 12 playoffs spots clinched. Right now in the AFC, Tennessee (No. 1) and Pittsburgh have the byes and the Colts are locked in with the No. 5 seed. At this point all we know is the Colts will be traveling to either Denver or San Diego next weekend for a wildcard game. No doubt you'll hear a lot of howling if a 12-4 Colts team has to go to San Diego to face an 8-8 division winner.

In the NFC, the Giants clinched home field advantage with their pulsating victory over the Panthers last Sunday night. Carolina and Atlanta are definitely in, but as to who is the No. 2 with a bye depends on Sunday's results. Imagine Carolina missed locking up the top seed on a 50-yard field goal that went barely left and can wind up as the fifth seed. In an absolute embarrassment to the NFL, the sorry, no-account Arizona Cardinals will be hosting a playoff game next weekend, likely against either the Panthers or Falcons.

How significant was that win for the Giants? Here's a fun fact for you. Consider that the only other times they held home field advantage they outscored their opponents a combined 127-13. That's right. Following the 1986 season they castrated the 49ers to the tune of 49-3 and then beat Washington 17-0. Following the 2000 season they beat Philadelphia 20-10 before destroying Minnesota 41-0. Zero points given up in two NFC title games. Expect the TV blowhards to discover that stat in a few weeks. Racking up 302 yards rushing on the Panthers must have sent a chilling message to the rest of the contenders as to what they have to face at Giants Stadium in January.

We went a dreary 5-11 in Week 16 and stand at 122-112-7 for the 2008 season. Next week we'll review our preseason predictions, have a playoff forecast and pick the wildcard games. Having gone 19-3 overall in the playoffs the past two seasons, you'll want to pay attention.

SUNDAY
Giants +6.5 VIKINGS: Sure, the Giants have nothing to play for, but that was the popular wisdom going into the New England game last year and look what happened. Though it'll be tuned down a notch this year and they'd be crazy to play Brandon Jacobs more than a couple of series and will obviously rest anyone with serious physical concerns. Vikings fumbled away a playoff spot last year, put the ball on the floor seven times last week and we're to believe they can win by a touchdown? Not buying it. Giants 27-17

BILLS +6.5 Patriots: Getting a firm handle on the Bills is like juggling with jello. I don't think I've picked them accurately the entire second half of the season. The Patriots have owned them this decade and are playing for a playoff spot, although they may likely be only the second 11-5 team to ever miss the postseason. It really has to suck seeing the Cardinals, a team they absolutely disemboweled last week, locked in while they're not. Patriots 27-24

Raiders +13 BUCS: Bucs were once 9-3, have coughed up three straight and no longer control their destiny. Chuckie must be very upset. Bucs 21-17

Lions +9.5 PACKERS: While the Packers have unraveled the second half of the season, they should still take out their frustrations on the winless Lions. Fear of losing to a winless team should be a great motivator. By the same token, being the only 0-16 team ever should be motivation enough for the Lions to fight, if only for their manhood. Packers 31-27

Bears +2.5 TEXANS: Bears have been on one of those magical rides now where every possible bit of luck is coming through for them. I'd normally go with a Texans team that's tough at home, but they got waxed by the Raiders last week and the Bears have more than enough to play for: The NFC North title if they win and the Vikings lose to the Giants. Bears 24-23

SAINTS +3 Panthers: Panthers coughed up an 11-point lead last week when they were on the edge of sealing the top seed and are now staring at playing a road game next weekend. Drew Brees, meanwhile, is 402 yards from passing Dan Marino for most yards ever in a season. This should be entertaining. Panthers 31-30

FALCONS -14.5 Rams: Having locked up a playoff spot already, Atlanta can now taste the No. 2 seed. They'll waste little time dispatching the dreadful Rams. Falcons 38-3

BENGALS -3 Chiefs: Two awful teams closing awful seasons. Patrons attending this affair will receive $50 off their next psychiatric evaluation. Bengals 27-14

COLTS +3 Titans: Since this game has no bearing on playoff seeding, expect the Colts to play a little harder for a couple of reasons. In the past when they mailed it in this time of year they crashed and burned in the playoffs. That and they'd like to send a little message in case these two teams meet again in a couple of weeks, a distinct possibility. All bets are off, however, if the Colts trot out Jim Sorgi and sit Peyton Manning. Colts 24-21

STEELERS -10.5 Browns: Steelers never need any motivation to beat up the Browns, now working with someone named Bruce Gradkowski at QB. Good luck, Bruce. Steelers 41-0

Dolphins +3 JETS: The worst nightmare of every Jets fan is upon us. Chad Pennington leading a team that was last year 1-15 to the AFC East title. Major caveat here: If the Patriots win their game, the Jets will kick off knowing any hope of winning the division is gone, meaning it could get ugly at Giants Stadium. If the Bills upset the Pats, this could get wild. Still, the Jets just look like a team going through the motions. Dolphins 24-16

EAGLES -1.5 Cowboys: Nothing sweeter than the two teams I hate most in a death struggle just to make the playoffs. Eagles have remote chance of making playoffs while Cowboys are in with a win. It's like choosing between the Bloods and the Crips. Eagles 26-24

RAVENS-12.5 Jaguars: Baltimore is in as a wildcard with a victory and I have little reason to believe the lifeless Jags, a league worst 4-11 against the number, aren't putting up much resistance. The Ravens, by the way are 11-3-1, best in the NFL. Ravens 34-7

Cardinals -6 SEAHAWKS: Seahawks made their dredful season beating Jets last week. Cardinals need to do something to build a little momentum before hosting playoff game next weekend, NBC should be thrilled saddled with that game. Cardinals 38-13

49ERS -3 Redskins: Mike Singletary officially in as coach of the Niners while Redskins shot their load against the Eagles last week and have nothing to play for. Unless they're playing for Jim Zorn, which I'm wondering about. 49ers 21-17

Broncos -8 CHARGERS: Should be a great game and I'm glad it wound up this way considering the Ed Hochuli fiasco from Week 2. Still,with the erratic nature of the two teams this year, expect nothing if not the unpredictable. Spread way too high considering the stakes. As alwys, The Olbermann Rule is in effect. Chargers 27-24 OT

Crackpot Columnist Nails Down 'Raging Moonbat of the Year' Award

This guy certainly has enough competition out there. You have the editorial board of the New York Times, along with their stable of delusional columnists, that probably would get an annual group award. But for pure unvarnished anger, seething rage and unbridled derangement of the highest order, nothing can top this unhinged screed from syndicated columnist Robert Scheer.

In the end, the shame of Vice President Dick Cheney was total: unmitigated by any notion of a graceful departure, let alone the slightest obligation of honest accounting. Although firmly ensconced, even in the popular imagination, as an example of evil incarnate - nearly a quarter of those polled rated him the worst vice president in U.S. history, and another 41 percent as "poor" in this week's CNN poll - Cheney exudes the confidence of one fully convinced that he will get away with it all.

So, 25% of a dubious CNN poll claiming he's the worst VP in history (and let's face it, how many vice presidents could the respondents even name?) makes him evil incarnate? Getting a little hyperbolic there, Bob.

And why not? Nothing, not his suspect role in the Enron debacle, which foretold the economic meltdown, or his office's fabrication of the false reasons for invading Iraq, have ever been seriously investigated because of White House stonewalling. Nor is the new president, committed as he is to nonpartisanship, likely to open up Cheney's can of worms.

We may have a record there. Three blatant falsehoods in merely one paragraph. First of all, when Enron collapsed in 2001, there had already been a long track record there of over-reporting earnings dating back to at least 1997. Obviously the left loves to link Enron's collapse with Republicans, but to suggest that what happened seven years ago was a pre-cursor for today is simply delusional. Considering Bush inherited a recession from Clinton, then saw six straight years of growth while president, how exactly does that relate to 2008? Naturally, Scheer ignores any notion that the mortgage collapse and the Democrats involved in that having anything to do with the economic conditions today.

Second, where is there evidence, as he claims, that Cheney fabricated reasons to invade Iraq? I understand liberals have short memories, but we went through 17 UN resolutions and the reasons for ousting Saddam Hussein were pretty clear to the world community. If Scheer still wants to dispute what transpired six years ago in the buildup to the Iraq invasion, they he can have at it. Maybe some day he might realize nobody is listening.

The most laughable assertion is this: "the new president, committed as he is to nonpartisanship". Is he for real? Joe Biden is committed to nonpartisanship? Good grief. Even Scheer regular readers (God help their souls) must have chuckled at that.

The invocation of a "global war on terror" is a big-lie propaganda device that has no grounding in reality. The proof that "terrorism" does not exist as an enemy identifiable by commonality of structure, purpose and leadership comparable to the World War II Axis or the confederacy can be found in its use as a target to justify the invasion of Iraq. An invasion billed as a response to the 9/11 attack, which had nothing to do with Iraq

Again, the removal of Saddam Hussein was not related to 9/11. Noboody evr said it was. Sure, it followed as a matter of course in the broader war against rogue regimes and terror organizations. But where is the evidence Cheney or Bush ever said Saddam Hussein was behind 9/11? There is none. But the idea of removing a sponsor of terrorism and a man who violated ceasefire agreements dating back to the first Gulf War was a good one. I know Scheer doesn't want to admit it, but huge majorities of Democrats also voted to invade Iraq, even the nonpartisan Joe Biden.

It must be great to live in a fantasy world where you can rewrite history, make up history to fit current delusions and completely ignore reality. One reality Scheer and his ilk never will acknowledge is that since 9/11 there hasn't been a single terror attack against this country and for that George W. Bush and Dick Cheney deserve a lot of gratitude. I doubt they'll miss a second of sleep knowing the bitter left will never be thankful. History will judge them far better than today's media does and when an objective telling of the Bush administration is finally told, thankfully a bitter old crank like Robert Scheer will be long gone.

Pretty Boy Engaged to Supermodel

Aww, isn't this cute?

We haven't had Little Tommy Brady to kick around much since that vicious beating the Giants laid on him in Super Bowl XLII. Well now the guy who abandoned his pregnant girlfriend to shack up with a Brazilian moonbat has gotten engaged.

Celebrity gossip Web site TMZ.com is reporting that sidelined Patriots QB Tom Brady popped the question to his Brazilian supermodel girlfriend Gisele Bundchen during a flight from New Jersey to Boston on Christmas Eve.

The former Victoria Secret model said yes, the Web site is reporting today.

“We’re told Brady was nervous before he popped the Q,” according to three paragraph item posted on the Web site this morning.

Brady had four dozen white roses on board as well as champagne to toast the occasion, TMZ is reporting.

The jet-setting couple took off Christmas Eve from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey and landed in Boston, according to TMZ.

Along with Brady and Gisele were her parents.

Nothing like a romantic engagement with the bride-to-be's parents along for the ride.

Update: While noting Bundchen is a flaming moonbat, a commenter wondered what political persuasion Brady was. I honestly hadn't given it any thought as I just like taunting him over stuff like this. Enjoy.



Still, do the math. The guy grew up in San Mateo, his father contributes primarily to Democrats, he's marrying a far-left kook--albeit a pretty hot one--he's currently living in Brooklyn and is based with a team from Massachusetts. Odds of him being a Republican are pretty slim. He's wise, though, to keep his political leanings private, as are most athletes. When you're in the business, why alienate half your audience by being overtly political? He's free to do as he pleases when he retires. The guy would probably make a decent candidate. Sure has the name recognition built in.

Plus, according to this 60 Minutes interview from three years ago, he says he's an independent.

KROFT: You a republican or a democrat?

BRADY: You know, I'm actually independent. I'm actually an independent, and I have been for some time. There's no doubt this world needs a lot of help.

KROFT: You gonna run for office some day? Something you consider?

BRADY: So much of my attention now is focused on playing ball, and I like to do that. And if that chance does come up, and I'm still interested in it, I mean it would be something that I think I could do a decent job at. When you think about things you like to do, you think about things that you could be good at, and that's one thing I think I could be good at. Whether I do it or not, I don't know. Who does?

Other Than That, They're a Bunch of Homophobic, Inbred Bigots

Since we're pretty much in one of the slower news cycles of the year, this is a good time for the liberal media to assuage their guilt--what little they have--and dump those news items out there they normally would shun when their core audience is actually paying attention.

Charles Johnson at Little Green Footballs noticed today the New York Times actually give credit to George W. Bush for improving the foundation of health care in the United States.

Yes, really. That same guy they've been at war with for eight years is actually given credit for something, 25 days before leaving office. How swell.

Another item from AP today nearly made me fall of my chair. After being portrayed as evil homophobes for having the temerity to oppose gay marriage, the Mormons have been under a nasty assault from much of the media and the radical gay left. Of course this has occurred while ignoring the fact an overwhelming majority of black and Latino voters also supported Prop 8 in California. You see, it's acceptable and, in fact, encouraged to hate religious groups, and the Mormons are always a favorite target of the angry left.

Well, what do you know, today we find out they're actually not a bunch of fire breathing monsters. Instead they're a compassionate, caring group who look out for each other.

Mormons may be among the country's best prepared to weather the current economic hard times. Since the Great Depression, church leaders have preached a doctrine of self-reliance and selflessness, calling on members to plan for their own future while tending to the needs of others.

"It's a critical component of our theology," said Bishop David Burton, a senior church administrator who oversees the faith's worldwide welfare and humanitarian services programs.

Members are encouraged to squirrel away a few months' worth of living expenses and stock a one-year supply of emergency food. Church handouts, classes and a Web site describe how to prepare, store and cook with emergency food supplies so nothing goes to waste.

Each month, members skip two meals and give the money they would have spent on food to church welfare programs, paying for the commodities, clothing, job training and other services made available to the needy.

The church also works in partnership with other faith traditions and local social service agencies to share surplus commodities and support services.

Self-reliance? Helping the needy? Why, such arcane concepts.

Then again, if enough of the haters see this, they'll probably be criticized for not being government dependent.

Misleading Headline of the Day: 'Obama the most admired man in the world'

It's a poll of Americans as to who they admire most in the world, and it should come as no surprise that Obama is atop the list. The president usually is, or president-elect, in this case.

A month before his inauguration, Americans choose Barack Obama as the man they admire most in the world, according to a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll. It's the first time a president-elect has topped the annual survey in more than a half-century.

President Bush falls to a distant second after seven years as the most-admired man.

Hillary Rodham Clinton leads the list of most-admired woman, a spot she's held for 13 of the past 16 years — as first lady, then New York senator and now Obama's designate for secretary of State. A newcomer is second: Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who wasn't well-known nationally until Republican presidential candidate John McCain chose her as his running mate in August.

Yet here you have the Telegraph tell us he's the most admired in the world. But it's not a reflection of any kind of worldwide poll. So at the same time, this would make Hillary Clinton the most admired woman, no?

Somehow, I doubt she is. For all I know, some poll will come out and say Obama is the world's favorite. But don't tell us now a poll of strictly Americans where 32% favor Obama reflects the planet's opinion. If there were headlines the past seven years saying Bush was the world's most admired man, I sure missed them.

For example, this time last year it was Bush and Mrs. Clinton, according to this story.

They're the odd couple again: George Bush and Hillary Clinton, the most-admired man and woman in America.

Though on opposite sides of a political divide, the Republican president and the Democratic senator from New York are sharing the honor for a sixth straight year, according to a USA Today-Gallup Poll.

Last year it was most popular in America. All of a sudden now it's the world. How convenient.

The $100 Million Princess Is Rather Stingy With Campaign Cash

Perhaps Princess Caroline wouldn't be facing such stiff opposition within her own party if she weren't such a cheapskate. So this now makes her totally unqualified and stingy.

Caroline Kennedy's supporters say she could raise tons of money as a senator, but when it comes to writing checks to New York Democrats, she's been largely AWOL.

This decade, other than a $1,000 donation to City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the Camelot heiress has not financially supported any Democrat seeking city or state office in New York, records reveal.

Some say Kennedy, who is worth at least $100 million, missed an opportunity to curry favor among Democratic pols to establish herself as a serious political player as she lobbies Gov. Paterson for Hillary Clinton's Senate seat.

She has already been asked to explain a spotty Election Day voting record over the past 20 years.

"Voting is the minimum thing that you can do, and she hasn't done that. The next thing you can do is you could donate money, and she hasn't done that," said Doug Muzzio, professor of public affairs at Baruch College.

"It calls into question her commitment to politics and to government."

On the federal level, Kennedy doled out roughly $30,000 in the past decade, but Clinton was the only New Yorker to benefit.

Paterson, meanwhile, is suffering from Hill's Seat Blues and sounding testy about it. Paterson may be reconsidering the Kennedy Schlossberg possibility considering he's going to be running at the same time as the next election for this seat and if she's as unqualified as appears, that could doom any hopes he has himself in 2010.

Keeping a Low Profile, Deeply Religious Obama Skips Christmas Services

Keeping a 'low profile'

Why bother to interrupt that daily workout the media slobbers over or, perish the thought, miss another tee time to bother with at least making a symbolic gesture of attending a Christmas Mass?

Nah, can't be bothered. In fact, ever since he dispatched Jeremiah Wright back in May, it doesn't seem as if anyone in his sycophantic press corps has bothered to ask The Messiah how that search for a new church is going. Apparently there's a shortage of psychotic spiritual mentors out there. After 20 years of getting your J-Wright fix, can there be any substitute?

President-elect Barack Obama and his family remained sequestered Thursday at their vacation compound on the eastern, windward coast of Oahu as Christians around the world attended Christmas services.

Obama has long cited the importance of religion in his life, but severed his relationship with his longtime Chicago church because of inflammatory remarks by its former pastor. Obama has not attended a public church service since before the Nov. 4 election.

"The president-elect didn't want to disrupt a church community on Christmas with the burdens that come with a presidential visit," Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt said Thursday.

Instead, Obama and his family spent the holiday at their oceanfront rental in Kailua, a 30-minute drive from his childhood home of Honolulu. Dinner included turkey and ham. Obama is spending 12 days there with family and friends and keeping a low profile.

Keeping a low profile? Huh?

The omnipresent visage of Obama the past two years has become so ubiquitous in American life it's inescapable. Now they want to pretend he's keeping a low profile? So those shots of him on the golf course, showing off the abs post-workout, eulogizing his typical white grandmother, all those very public appearances are deigned to be keeping a low profile?

Good grief. This is becoming like North Korean state media. Pretty soon we'll be hearing how much he labored on his way to shooting an 18 over 18 holes.

Although Obama's aides have taken steps to keep the vacation low-profile, they haven't been entirely successful. Photographers captured images of him scattering his grandmother's ashes from a rock ledge Tuesday. Another photographer took pictures of the future first family, including a shirtless Obama, in the backyard.

Yes, and with airtight Secret Service protection, that all just happens to be coincidence.

Sure.

Eat Up, Everyone: Christmas Feasts Now 'Contributing to Climate Change'

Really, it doesn't get any dumber than this. I thought the nonsense about Christmas lights was stupid enough, but this tops it.

Wasted food at Christmas time is now being highlighted as an environmental problem.

Jon Dee, the chairman of Do Something, says gases from leftover food rotting in landfill are 20 times more potent than the carbon pollution from car exhausts.

Mr Dee says there are simple ways to avoid over-catering at Christmas and damaging the environment.

"Australians waste more than 3 million tonnes of food every year and of course a lot of that food is wasted at Christmas," he said.

I wish these nattering nabobs would be more consistent. In one breath we keep hearing how hungry people are, now they're whining that too much food is being squandered. While that may be so in some cases, can we please stop turning everything into a story about this mythical climate change?

If Jon Dee wants to Do Something, how about shutting the hell up and letting people enjoy Christmas?

Aniston Says She was 'Bombed' For Naked Photoshoot

Hot, drunk and naked is no way to go through life.

On the other hand, yes it is!

"There was a story behind this," she said.

"This had a whole concept. It was going to be in various stages of undress. There was going to be me in a gown and men in tuxedos. And then it would be me wearing the man's shirt. And he would have no shirt on. And then they were supposed to get naked! Somehow I don't know what happened!"

Asked if she had been tricked, Aniston quipped, "they got me bombed!"

My kind of girl. Sadly, she wasn't under my tree this morning.

Christmas Firesale: NY Times Looks to Unload Share in Red Sox

The Old Gray Lady has transformed into a decrepit, wheezing hag desperately gasping for air. After noting Wednesday their ad revenue was cratering, word now comes they're so desperate for cash they're looking to sell their share in the Boston Red Sox.

The New York Times Co is trying to sell its stake in the holding company of the Boston Red Sox baseball team, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the discussions.

The sale, which could give the Times desperately needed cash as newspaper advertising revenue falls and its debt payments loom, could involve its 17.5 percent stake in New England Sports Ventures and possibly the struggling Boston Globe daily newspaper, the Journal reported.

New England Sports Ventures owns the Red Sox, the Fenway Park baseball field where the team plays, and most of the cable network that shows their games.

A New York Times spokeswoman declined to comment.

The Journal report comes on the same day that the Times Co reported a 20 percent drop in advertising revenue in November, compared with the same period last year.

But wait, there's even more good news. Dig this:

The Times previously refused to sell the Globe after former General Electric Co Chief Executive Jack Welch and former advertising executive Jack Connors reportedly asked about the possibility. At the time, they valued the Pulitzer prize-winning newspaper at $550 million to $600 million, the Journal said. Barclays now values the Globe at about $20 million.

How long until the federal government bails these folks out? The Democrats already own the media. They may as well just assume official ownership.

H/T Radical Ron.

Christmas Rage: 'Santa' Guns Down Three in LA Suburb

Well, this certainly isn't in the holiday spirit.

A man dressed as Santa Claus opened fire at a Christmas Eve party in a suburban Los Angeles home that subsequently caught fire, leaving three people dead, police said today.

The man arrived at the party in Covina late Wednesday and immediately opened fire with a handgun, police Lt. Pat Buchanan said.

Buchanan said three bodies were found after the fire was put out. He could not say how the fire started or how the three people died. Buchanan had no information on the identities of the dead.

Buchanan said three other people were injured. A woman in her 20s and an 8-year-old girl had gunshot wounds that were not life-threatening, and a third person had a broken ankle.

Police are seeking a man they are calling a person of interest, 45-year-old Bruce Jeffrey Pardo. Buchanan said Pardo is the estranged husband of a person who may have been at the party.

Police received several 911 calls with reports of shots fired at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night, and were still hearing gunshots after they arrived and found the house in flames, Buchanan said.

Los Angeles County firefighters arrived at the home and were at first held back by police because shots were still being fired, authorities said.

Update: Suspect found dead in Sylmar.

Silver Lining in Madoff Scandal: ACLU Loses $850,000

Merry non-denominational winter holiday!

Although we probably shouldn't enjoy the misery of others on Christmas Day.

Nah.

The American Civil Liberties Union sent out an emergency appeal to card-carrying members and donors this week after realizing it is a victim of Bernard Madoff's self-confessed Ponzi scheme.

"We've been hit hard in a way that no one could forecast," Alma Montcla, director of administration and finance for the left-leaning advocacy group, wrote this week.

"Two foundations that have been incredibly generous and longstanding supporters of our national security and reproductive freedom work have been victimized by the Madoff scandal - forced to close their doors and terminate their grants," the plea said.

"That means that $850,000 in support we were counting on from these foundations in 2009 simply won't exist."

Heartbreaking, isn't it? Still, don't extend much sympathy. They're still rolling in money with which to agitate against the country they hate.

The ACLU reported $80 million in income in 2007.

Who you should really feel sorry for is Elie Wiesel.

The grim news came as the Elie Wiesel Foundation, which previously said it lost $15.2 million invested with Madoff, released a statement that it was completely wiped out.

"This represented substantially all of the foundation's assets," the organization dedicated to fighting anti-Semitism said.

Wiesel himself lost a substantial amount of his personal wealth with Madoff, who targeted wealthy Jews and Jewish organizations for investments.

The largest political recipient of Madoff's dirty money, Charles Schumer (D-NY), is still mysteriously unavailable for comment

Update: Doug Ross reports Schumer himself, while receiving hundreds of thousands from Madoff, may have also been fleeced. That may be more amusing that the ACLU taking a hit.

No-Bama! Board Rejects Renaming School After Messiah

Maybe in its place they can rename the school gym after him. After all, that seems lately to be where he spends most of his time. In the meantime, sanity has prevailed in Valley Stream, Long Island.

They said NO-bama.

A proposal to change the name of a Long Island public school to Barack Obama Elementary was scrapped this week after running into fierce public opposition.

Cristobal Stewart, a trustee of the school district in Valley Stream, first broached the idea of renaming the Clear Stream Avenue Elementary School in November to commemorate Obama's electoral triumph.

But the plan was met with loud resistance at a Nov. 24 hearing. Town residents and parents argued that the existing name, in place since 1924, represented a long and proud tradition that shouldn't be tinkered with.

Stewart argued with several people during the heated gathering and insisted that many parents in the ethnically diverse school supported the plan.

But he abandoned the campaign Monday during another public hearing that drew 70 people.

"We listened, we discussed it, we decided against it," said board member Elise Antonelli. "It's not happening.

"Clear Stream Avenue School has a strong history and tradition."

Oh well.

Good News: CNN Now Polling On How Wonderful the Obama Transition Is

I'm not joking. They took a f---ing poll on his transition. I think I'm going to be ill. Naturally, America is head over heels in love. It must be the abs.

Hawaii's always been a great spot for honeymoons — and Barack Obama, who's spending the holiday season there on the beach at Kailua, is unquestionably having one of the best in modern presidential history.

Eighty-two percent of those questioned in a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released Wednesday morning approve of the way the Obama is handling his presidential transition. That's up 3 points from when we asked this question at the beginning of December. Fifteen percent of those surveyed disapprove of the way Obama's handling his transition, down 3 points from our last poll.

The 82 percent approval is higher than then President-elect George W. Bush 8 years ago, who had a 65 percent transition approval rating, and Bill Clinton, at 67 percent in 1992.

I honestly had no idea they polled the transition of previous presidents. I would surmise in Bush's case that relatively low number compared with Obama had a little something to do with that messy recount in Florida after Gore tried to steal the election.

Somehow I doubt the messy Blagojevich scandal was mentioned to those polled. Just a hunch.

Meanwhile, here's your obligatory Obama workout story of the day. Word has it he broke a sweat. Sorry, ladies, no fresh shots of Buff Barry.

Bush Rescinds Pardon to NY Developer

Oh snap. Imagine two days before Christmas you get a pardon from the President of the United States. Then he takes it back the next day.

Ouch.

President George W. Bush took the very rare step Wednesday of revoking a pardon he had granted only a day before, after learning of political contributions to Republicans by the man's father and other information.

Bush pardoned 19 people on Tuesday, including Isaac Robert Toussie of Brooklyn, N.Y., who had been convicted of making false statements to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and of mail fraud. On Wednesday, the White House issued an extraordinary statement saying the president was reversing his decision in Toussie's case.

White House press secretary Dana Perino said the new decision was "based on information that has subsequently come to light," including on the extent and nature of Toussie's prior criminal offenses. She also said that neither the White House counsel's office nor the president had been aware of a political contribution by Toussie's father that "might create an appearance of impropriety."

"Given that, this was the prudent thing to do," she said.

I'm not sure pardoning this scam artist was a good idea to begin with.

Michelle Malkin links. Thanks!

Brimming With Christmas Sneer: Scientist Whines About Decorative Lights Harming the Planet

Can't people just STFU for five minutes about everything supposedly harming the planet? Is it possible we can get through a Christmas season without people projecting their junk science upon us? Of course not. They can't help themselves.

SCIENTISTS have warned that Christmas lights are bad for the planet due to huge electricity waste and urged people to get energy efficient festive bulbs.

CSIRO researchers said householders should know that each bulb turned on in the name of Christmas will increase emissions of greenhouse gases.

Dr Glenn Platt, who leads research on energy demand, said Australia got 80 per cent of its electricity by burning coal which pumps harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

He said: "Energy efficient bulbs, such as LEDs, and putting your Christmas lights on a timer are two very easy ways to minimise the amount of electricity you use to power your lights."

Rick Warren Derangement Syndrome Now Infecting Birth Certificate Troofers

I really could care less that Rick Warren is giving the invocation at Barack Obama's inauguration. When news first came out last week, the meltdown by the left was entirely predictable. After all, some people are never happy unless they're consumed with rage.

Now, however, we've got some Southern Baptist crackpot having a hissy fit and making ridiculous statements.

Southern Baptist Pastor Wiley Drake bashed Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren this week, saying "God will punish" Warren for agreeing to give the invocation at President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration next month.

"I pray He is kind to you in this punishment that is coming," Drake wrote in a widely-released e-mail. In it, the First Southern Baptist Church of Buena Park pastor criticizes Warren's "recent plan to invoke the presence of almighty God on this evil illegal alien," a reference to Obama.

Drake is--you guessed it--a birth certificate Troofer, a/k/a Nirthers.

Drake, who made last November's ballot as a vice-presidential candidate for the American Independent party, is a party to a lawsuit claiming Obama was born outside of the U.S., and is therefore ineligible to serve as president. Obama has a Hawaiian birth certificate, which Hawaiian officials have said is genuine.

As I noted, I really just don't care about Warren or Obama's inaugural. It's his party, let him have his fun. He could have Snoop Dogg give the invocation and it wouldn't bother me.

Move on, people. Get over it. As for this clown Drake, I suggest some psychiatric help is in order.

Instapundit links. Thanks!