The U.S. Air Force major who vanished in Kyrgyzstan then reappeared three days later is being debriefed at a military hospital in Germany, but is looking forward to getting home soon, officials said Wednesday. Maj. Jill Metzger was flown out of the former Soviet republic within a few hours of her reappearance and was admitted Sunday to the U.S. military's Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.
"Right now I'm trying to focus on healing myself mentally and physically," Metzger said Wednesday, according to comments released by the Air Force. "I'm healthy and recovering, and looking very forward to heading back to the (United) States to see my family. I appreciate everyone's understanding in respecting my privacy while I rest and try to get through this," she said in the released remarks.
The officer was stationed at the U.S. base in Manas outside the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek when she disappeared Sept. 5 while on a shopping excursion in the city. She resurfaced Sept. 8 when she knocked on the door of a house in Kant, about 15 miles outside Bishkek, and claimed she had been kidnapped.
Kyrgyz authorities have said her swift departure could impede their investigation, because they wanted to question her further to clarify her account because of contradictions in her story. According to investigators, Metzger said an object with a note saying it was a bomb was placed in her pocket in a Bishkek department store and that she was kidnapped after following the note's instructions on where to go.
Col. John Collins, Landstuhl's chief of staff, said Metzger has been undergoing medical evaluations and tests during her stay and is in good condition. "We will continue to care for Maj. Metzger for as long as the debriefing process takes," he said in remarks also released by the Air Force. "She has been through a lot, and we hope she will be able to fly back to the States in the next day or so."
#2
I am going to go out on a limb here and predict she will become the next IVAW President and tour the country with Cindy Sheehan. Something just doesnt sound right here.
#7
Its actually a wise and healthy thing (for the woman and her children) for a woman to have her children at that age (early 20's). And she got married. This all is what passes for a good example these days.
Would that more intelligent, educated women follow her example. We would all be better off.
#9
In my early twenties I was barely able to take care of myself and Mr. Wife; there is no way I could have done right by offspring. My mother-in-law had two toddlers by her nineteenth birthday, and strongly advised me to wait considerably longer if I wanted to be happily married. At the advanced age of 45, now with two apparently well-adjusted teenagers (who both adore Rantburg and plan to vote Republican as soon as they are able), I quite agree with her. What may be best physically for the mother is only one part of the equation; for that matter, according to the early child development people it's best for each child's development as well as the health of the mother that siblings be born five years apart, but again that is less than ideal for the entire family. It isn't until about age 25 that the human brain achieves adult function, finally figuring out how to circumvent the hormone-soaked impulsiveness that causes so much trouble in adolescent circles. I was at least clever enough then to realize my children deserved better than that.
It may be the right thing biologically (even that is questionable). But for most people, emotionally and financially, not at all.
My mother was 37 when I was born, and my dad 48. My brother followed two years later. Unlike the neighborhood kids, our parents never ever said stuff like "thank God summer vacation is almost over!" in front of our faces, no matter how, um, "spirited" we behaved during our time off of school. They had incredible patience with us, took us on trips (they had the time and money to do it by then), and managed to pay for our college educations in full. The younger parents in the neighborhood couldn't offer all of that to their kids, especially the patience part.
Both me and my brother learned from their example and waited until we were well into our thirties before starting our own families. We got a lot of the crazy, self-centered behavior out of our systems and now actually look forward to seeing what kind of bizarre things our offspring are going to pull....you know, things like trying to parachute out of the backyard tree with an umbrella like Wile E. Coyote, catching lizards and losing them in the house, clogging the toilets with heaven-knows-what, that kind of thing.
We think we're prepared for it, anyway....at least now we've got decently paid jobs with health insurance, stable households, and good marriage partners to help us with the job. We didn't have any of that ten years ago.
#12
Good points Swamp Blonde. I'm at the Advanced age of 46 and my wife is 36. We have most of the 'ME!' out of our systems and can concentrate on 'them' first. And plus we have the financial security (not to mention the emotional balance .. at least for me :) to give them a good home.
Not that there's anything wrong with having kids in your 20's.
But I can't think its healty for the mother to rapid-fire kids out at this rate - 2 births within a year of each other.
#13
I think it is right, biologically. Women in their twenties don't have much to worry about with respect to Downs syndrome, Spina Bifida, and, apparently, Autism, which seems to have been traced to older fathers! We vividly remember worrying ourselves sick over a false positive Downs result in the blood test. This is not good.
Maturity seems to be more an issue of acculturation than biology, though of course age calms everyone down. If you want a villain here I would say that it is contemporary culture that is full of negative and selfish messages.
Women, and apparently men also, were meant by nature to have children younger, not older. Income arguments seem a little exaggerated. Poeple can and do have children young, and raise them perfectly well, if not perfectly.
#14
If you want a villain here I would say that it is contemporary culture that is full of negative and selfish messages.
How true. My Grandmother had my Mother when she was 15, but back then, marrying very young was not unusual. I think 15 year olds back then were probably more selfless, hard working and mature than most of today's 25 year olds. Here in the instant gratification era, nobody, much less teenagers, wants to have any demands placed on them. One of the things we immediately learned when we had our first child was 'It's no longer about me. It's about the child.' My Grandmother seemed to know this at a very early age. Today? Good luck.
#15
There is probably no one on the 'burg who knows this, but I became the proud aunt of a little girl born on 6 September. Her mother is only 19, and the little girl has Downs Syndrome. It was completely unexpected, and not determined at all until she was born and her condition was obvious. She is currently in the hospital for cardiac surgery to repair a commonly seen heart defect in Downs babies. Hopefully she will go home by the end of the month. She has had a rough time of it in her short life so far. Fortunately the doctors at Phoenix Children's Hospital are top notch and doing an excellent job for her. Her future is much brighter than it would have been even five years ago.
I've learned far too much about Downs over the past week, unfortunately. One thing that was surprising is that over 80 percent of Downs babies are now born to women under the age of 35, like my sister in law. Medicine has done such a careful job of screening older women for it that they now account for a smaller share of Downs mothers than ever before. (They used to be a little over 1/3 of the total.) Whether it is because some older women may have decided against having one more kid, or they are aborting the babies, they're not exactly sure. No one is keeping stats on this so its all guesses.
I know what you mean about the blood screening test, though, buwaya. One of the nurses who didn't know how to read the results incorrectly told me that my little boy definitely had Downs. Thank God my doctor called back and told me the real story, but it was still the worst 15 minutes of my life. Unfortunately my brother and sister in law won't get that reprieve.
Everyone thought that if one of us was more likely to have a child with a severe defect it would be me. I've had so many tests that I thought for a moment I was turning into a big ol' pincushion, while my sister in law was assured that because of her age she had nothing to worry about. Unless I happened to get the one amnio in a million that is incorrect, my little boy should be perfectly fine.
Age is becoming less and less of a factor in birth defects, especially since older mommies tend to take better care of themselves than the younger ones. I sometimes participate on an expectant mothers' board, and it's frightening to me the risks that some of the younger (under 25 or so) moms take that I would never ever consider. I'm talking drinking and drugs during pregnancy, living on junk food (missing out on folic acid, a deficiency that contributes to spina bifida and other neural defects) and cigarettes, refusing to give up active sports and risking getting in an accident, you name it. I remember thinking I was damn near bulletproof when I was that age, and I was guilty of some of the same things, but dammit, I wasn't pregnant at the time, either. A lot of them just aren't getting the message that they need to knock that crap off for about nine months, or maybe it's that selfish thing mcsegeek1 mentioned. Who knows?
A younger woman may start out with a biological advantage, but if she acts like a moron at the wrong time in the baby's development, that pretty much wipes it all out. And if what I read on those boards is any indication, there's a significant group who do just that. The defects may be more subtle than Downs or autism, and not noticeable at birth, but learning disabilities and persistent health problems can also be devastating to the child's future. And unfortunately, I think I've been talking to some future mothers of learning disabled kids over the past few months.....
#16
Congratulations on your niece SB - and sorry to hear about the Downs. Downs isn't something to joke about. My nephew has downs - he's about 35 now. Lovable guy but I've heard he's been regressing lately - real sad.
FYI - I've heard that if you are trying you should be taking folic acid *now* - its critical in the very early stages of development particulary before the spinal closes - before you may even know... (and no, I am not a Doctor, dont even play one on TV... - this is just hersay)
I think it is screening plus selective abortions that have kept the actual rates down among older women, from what I have heard. This in itself is a widespread tragedy.
As for clueless and irresponsible pregnant girls, well, its that culture business.
And so also for clueless fathers to be, like Mr. Federline. A father should be an example, a respectable, responsible grown man, no matter what age he is. That man, in spite of being grown, dresses like a boy, and probably behaves like one.
#18
I'm turning 46 in a couple of months and my wife is 34. We have 2 wonderful, healthy daughters (6 & 3) and were thinking about a third. I just couldn't do it. Too old. Not that I'm old now (in my mind at least) but I don't want to be that close to 70 when my youngest is 20. Understanding the teenage years is going to be hard enough. I was also worried about complications since my wife had pre-term labor with both girls. Anyway, I'm torn that I waited, but I had no choice since my wife had to get older, I had to meet her, etc.
Swamp, so sorry about your niece's complications. I hope she becomes a wellspring of love in your family.
Note that breastfeeding tends to be a natural form of birth control. In many traditional societies children are breast fed until they are 2 1/2 or 3 precisely to space out children.
The hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and delivery take at least 2 - 3 months to even out. (Hence, postpartum depression, which is directly tied to fluxuating hormonal levels.)
For those reasons, conceiving just 3 months after delivery doesn't sound wise to me. Add in the fact that they conceived the second baby BEFORE their first one became demanding to raise (at 3 months the first baby is not yet mobile, for instance, and sleeps much of the day). Just about the time the first baby will be crawling, learning to walk and needing to move to solid foods, Mom will be in her later months of pregnancy. When the first baby is a toddler, Mom will be consumed with the demands of the second baby who is starting to crawl and sit up. When the first is in the terrible twos (and just needing to learn lots and lots about the world), the second is now walking about. And both will still be in diapers.
#20
Not that I give a rat's ass in hell about celebrities and their self-centered insanity quirks, but it's not like she's going to be taking care of the kids anyway, no matter when or how often she has them.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
09/14/2006 19:36 Comments ||
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#21
I (and my ex, obviously) too, got false indications of Downs on my youngest. They recommended we abort. We are Catholics, and decided to do what we had to do - Stephen's 17 now, plays football and basketball, and a handsome healthy boy. Medicine is wonderful, but makes mistakes, and their consequences can be horrendous. My hopes and prayers go out to your niece, SB, she has a tough road ahead, but if she's anything like you, she'll handle it
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/14/2006 21:24 Comments ||
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#22
Thanks for all the kind comments about little Alena Joyce, guys. It looks like the third operation she had is the last one she's going to need for about another six months (her heart defect can be fixed, but not without a series of operations that will end when she is about 2). She's already her daddy's little princess, and pretty much has her aunt wrapped around her little finger, too.
If I had any talent whatsoever with HTML, I'd post her picture. She really is a pretty little thing, and we're blessed to have her in the family.
#23
sometimes a difficult road gives you a higher purpose, if you choose to take it. Give her my best. I hope she's well-grounded, and religious. Good starting points
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/14/2006 22:18 Comments ||
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#3
Sniff, sniff, and to think it only took thirty-plus years to do so. WHITNEY vs MADONNA - draw the line in the sand, let the armies form, becuz THE BABES OF HEAVEN ARE GONNA RUUUUUMMMMMBBLEEEE
> TWO OF THEM ANYWAYS??? Meanwhile, Daddy eats a hoagie and burps like nuthins a'happening.
#8
Not wicked, flyover. It's a legit question. Apparently 3 of Whitney's crack pipes are diamond encrusted, and two of Bobby's have 'where's my bitches' inscribed in 24K gold. It's all about division of assets, man. Division of assets.
HARARE - Riot police quashed labour union protests across Zimbabwe on Wednesday, beating and arresting union leaders and dozens of other protesters in a show of force by President Robert Mugabes government.
Officers equipped with batons and teargas canisters swooped on central Harare, grabbing 15 protesters, including leaders of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), witnesses said. We have been arrested. There are about 15 of us. We are now at Matapi police station, ZCTU President Lovemore Matombo told Reuters by telephone, adding that ZCTU Secretary-General Wellington Chibebe had also been arrested.
The ZCTU said the protesters were beaten and that numerous others were picked up while attempting to march in six other towns around the country. It said preliminary reports showed more than 180 people were under arrest, although this number could not be independently verified.
A heavy police presence kept onlookers well away from the Harare march, which the ZCTU said was aimed at highlighting poor wages, high taxes and lack of access to anti-retroviral drugs to fight HIV/AIDS.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/14/2006 00:00 ||
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Son of fever is off to a screening of a Zimbabwe movie this evening, uk-side, said the scenery sounds great, but the story-line is weak.
A deputy chairman of Russia's central bank was seriously wounded in an assassination attempt in the Russian capital on Wednesday, officials said. Andrei Kozlov was hospitalized in critical condition with gunshot wounds after the attack in northeastern Moscow late Wednesday, said Svetlana Petrenko, a spokeswoman for the Moscow prosecutor's office.
The Interfax news agency said Kozlov's driver was killed by the two attackers, who then fled. The attack occurred at a sports arena where bank workers were having a soccer game, it said. While on a lesser scale than in the turbulent 1990s, contract killings of businessmen and bankers still regularly occur in Russia, where business conflicts often turn violent.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/14/2006 00:00 ||
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Bankers should always be very wary of those who seek to deposit lead.
..bad news: they're only gonna buy 4 of 'em. H/T to Austin Bay.
NATO wants to have its own strategic lift capacity at least a small one for multi-naitonal efforts. The USAF provides the bulk of airlift assets for NATO, and given that NATO is considering buying only three or four C-17s, the USAF would still do the heavy-lifting. Key excerpt:
the 13 nations have developed a plan to create NATO Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) based at Ramstein Air Force Base. Initially comprised of 3 to 4 C-17s, the SAC will be flown by multinational aircrews (pilots and loadmasters) and a multinational military structure will be created to command and control the aircraft. Discussions are underway with NATOs NAEW&C Force Command, the unit which flies the NATO AWACS, to determine the appropriate military organizational structure.
Because of the urgent operational need for strategic airlift, the SAC nations intend to conclude contract negotiations this year, and have the goal of receiving the first C-17 by the middle or end of next year. Plans are already underway to identify pilots for training at US Air Force facilities. Additional planes are called for to be delivered every six months. Thus the initial operating capability is planned for 3rd Quarter, 2007 with full operating capability in 2009. ...I'm really sorry to keep harping on this,but the numbers alone would seem to put the kibosh on this deal before it ever gets out the door, IMHO. But ASSUMING that the European NATO partners actually fund four birds at $195,000,000 USD EACH, are they going to fund the spare parts? Are they going to fund the constant training? Are they going to fund the maintenance? All of that has to be considered - and so far, the continental nations have shown NO desire whatsoever to do those sort of things. The RAF, which owns IIRC about 10 of them has done what it takes to keep them up and running. I just cannot see NATO doing the same.
THEN of course, we can discuss NATO's willingness to put $200 million dollar assets in harm's way...
Boeing has said that it will have to shutdown the C-17 manufacturing line unless it receives three new aircraft orders. The press release doesnt specifically say NATO intends to buy new aircraft but since NATO is negotiating with Boeing, thats a reasonable assumption. This contract may keep the line open.
And thats good. The C-17 is an absolutely essential airplane for military operations and large-scale humanitarian relief operations. The C-17 is expensive, but it can carry large payloads, has a long range, and can operate from short, relatively unimproved runways. The initial four-plane squadron would be very useful in a Darfur-type operation.
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
09/14/2006 09:36 ||
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#1
are they going to fund the spare parts? Are they going to fund the constant training?
That's why they'll be parked next to an American base. Pardon me chaps, love to fly the boys down south for a mission, but seem to be a bit light on the left frame actuator, mind lending us one? And you don't mind if o'Helmut here flies along in the co-pilot seat on your next run to pick up dog sh!t out of Hong Kong would you?
And don't tell me you don't have anyone in your extended family who's like that :)
It is comical watching the phoney EU silliness regards military affairs, especially their hysterical "Rapid Reaction" thing.
Slogan: The EU. Thumbing a lift to the world's hotspots.
LOL. A joke only a Kool Aid Tranzi comedian could love. Seems they're only serious about being the UN's favorite money pump. Those "peacekeeping" missions are, apparently, pretty profitable affairs. Just another way to dip into the honeypot that the US and Japan keeps refilling.
Only the recently active hardball NATO combat troops in Afghanistan deter me from writing off the UK and Canada as military allies. Otherwise, I'd be happy to write them off for good.
NATO, as something worthy of the cash we pump into it, seems to me to be terminal, however. We could leverage our input far better with simple "Is you in or is you out?" bilateral agreements between democracies that actually want to survive. Germany? Belgium? France? Etc? Military allies? Puhleeze. If I'm off-base, then whack me appropriately. I'm not a NATO expert, or even a military expert, though I did hump it for a few years in the Green Machine. NATO just seems to be 20% real and 80% bullshit.
Didn't some ask today or yesterday if there were any "international" orgs that were worth a damn? Good on 'em - I echo the question and feel the same. God we waste money and resources on these things like it grew on trees...
Posted by: Rafael ||
09/14/2006 15:43 Comments ||
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#6
I agree too, NS, if it keeps the Boeing line open. However, it's time that Europe began kicking down substantially greater contributions to NATO. America shielded Europe from Soviet invasion throughout the Cold War and it's time for them to return the favor. Not that I expect these anti-American ingrates to do anything remotely approaching it, just saying ...
Spain will restart the repatriation to Dakar of illegal Senegalese migrants detained in the Spanish Canary Islands, a move which has sparked protests in the past. The operations centre at Dakar International Airport said an Air Europa charter was expected to arrive from Fuerteventura in the Spanish Canary Islands at just after 2.30am on Thursday.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/14/2006 00:00 ||
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What a masshole...link's slow due to a Drudge-lanche. Please, oh please, let him run again...and Gore too!
Keene, N.H. - Moments before Sen. John Kerry shows up to campaign for a local politician at a backyard rally here, voter Sue Borden wrinkles her nose at the mention of the man who lost to President Bush. You get one chance, the Democrat tells a reporter. If you cant win, then its time to let someone else try.
But less than an hour later, after she meets Kerry and listens to him deliver an impassioned speech from a wooden lurch-like posture deck, Borden softens and says she would consider voting again for the Massachusetts Democrat. I always liked what he stood for but felt that he was very snobbish and arrogant, she says. Hes not that way. People told me I would change my mind once I met him. And they were right.
It is not clear whether Kerry will have enough time to personally meet and convert every disaffected Democrat in the nation by the election of 2008. But he appears determined to at least counter the conventional wisdom that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., has all but locked up the Democratic presidential nomination.
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/14/2006 09:57 ||
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Potential campaign slogans for a Kerry-Gore '08 ticket:
Kerry-Gore '08 -- When mediocrity strikes back!
Kerry-Gore '08 -- Because comedians need new material!
Kerry-Gore '08 -- Now they can lose both Ohio and Florida!
Posted by: Jonathan ||
09/14/2006 10:11 Comments ||
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#2
Hahahahahahaahhaaa! Oh yes, please be your party's nominee again. Bring it on, Frenchie!
#5
I always liked what he stood for but felt that he was very snobbish and arrogant, she says. Hes not that way. People told me I would change my mind once I met him. And they were right.
There's one born every minute. In some places more than one.
#6
Kerry and Gore were not good candidates and showed the flaws in the primary system. A smoke-filled-room of Democrat apparaitchniks would never have chosen either one.
If the Dems had a brain they'd draft Mayor Koch. He's strong on Defense, pro-Israel, and otherwise a big-time liberal with somewhat national name recognition.
#8
He if Kerry wants to refute all the swift boat claims all he need to do is release his military records. I love the part where he ran out of money. I guess Thereza was holding the purse strings a little tight.
#9
Kerry wants to run for President again???? Good Lord, deliver us...
Of all the Democratic candidates I can remember-- Stevenson, Kennedy, Johnson, Humphrey, McGovern, Carter, Mondale, Dukakis, Clinton, and Gore-- Kerry stands head and shoulders below the rest when it comes to intelligence, character, and competence. When set against them, he is truly a pygmy among giants-- an utter, fucking DOLT.
God help us if he ever attains the White House.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
09/14/2006 13:00 Comments ||
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#10
Considering the rad left is working itself up into capping Bushie, 'second shot' may have a different meaning.
#13
I think you're right, wxjames. From that point on, the Dhimmicrats were saturated with their own bullshit and they began institutionalizing unreality. Today we see the terminal effects of the disease, where the nutroots and Loonies are the "base" - certainly they represent much of the soft money - and that's where the candidates must go to get MSM coverage and funding. The fact that many of them find that an easy and comfortable thing to do is what will doom them eventually... and it may have already happened, the Conventional Wisdom is beginning to swing away from a Dhimmicrat November Victory Lovefest. Let's make that certain by beating the living shit out of them.
#14
Because all the Left-Leaning, Lousy Liberal Leftist Louts will vote anti-Bush, it is extra important for everyone else to vote.
My university 'elected' a completly radical student senate in 1970. One rad candidate for each spot, five other amatuer politicians trying for the same spot.
2% voted for the radicals, and only about 5% or 6% of the rest of the student body cared enough to vote, but they split their vote among the five candidates, so the radicals swept the election.
Anybody that stays home on election day is supporting the LLLLLL.
Posted by: Bobby ||
09/14/2006 16:24 Comments ||
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"Anybody that stays home on election day is supporting the LLLLLL."
I'd go one step further. Anybody who stays home on election day is un-American, and is knowingly or unknowingly spitting on the Constitution as well as the memory of those who died to protect our freedom. There is NO excuse not to vote.
"But I don't think anybody's worth voting for". Bullshit. Get out and vote anyway.
"But they're all the same." No they're not. Get out and vote.
"My vote won't make a difference". How the hell do you know that?. Get out and vote.
"I'm staying home as a form of protest". What? Hey dumb ass, get out and vote.
#16
2 weeks ago I wrote that I emailed my congressman with the ultimatum that the southern border be closed by election day, or I stay home.
Well, today, they passed a resolution to build 700 miles of fence. I vote ! And I vote republican.
#17
I heard him he say he volunteered for Nam. Then come to find out, Larry Elder confirms Kerry had (4) student deferments before number five was denied.
#4
Clooney is a verified expert in all things moonbat. He is an inspiration to the other moonbats at the UN. He is also a great actor, just like all the diplomats at the UN.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
09/14/2006 1:26 Comments ||
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#5
Real life imitates "Team America"
Posted by: Joe of the Jungle ||
09/14/2006 2:54 Comments ||
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Well, if Iran can send an actor, so can the US. How does George Looney rate a chance to speak at the UN? I want a chance to speak at the UN. I'll bet I know 1000x what he knows. Which still isn't much. A nanoinkling maybe. But at least it's more.
#8
Well, they have to do SOMETHING to get Kofi's attention when it comes to Darfur. (Yeah, I know, it would be the first time he ever paid attention to slaughtered Africans on his watch if he did do that....)
#9
Well, it's not like Dafur is officially genocide or anything. /me wonders where exactly the setpoint on the Genocide Indicator is. Or is there some additional qualification beyond the systematic murder of thousands? Something like being really, really mad at them, too?
Here's hoping Clooney wears traditional Third World Dictator cammies to show his solidarity. And maybe an Arafatesque sidearm!
#12
I didn't even read the article, just the title - is it scrappleface? Sure sounds like it. If not, then I might as well speak to SAG about the nuiances of stage craft and thespian history.
But then, most things stir anger, so we can ignore it.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/14/2006 00:00 ||
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What's the big problem? It's not like the Christian church wants to kill Muslims for converting. That would some other church whose name we shall not mention ...
#10
The drug-addled brains of middle-aged politically-correct hippies, have a fetish thing about burquas, it seems, so this kind of thing really upsets them. It is outside their small box, their circle of "enlightened" pacifist, quisling, appeasement-minded totalitarian friends, and they are getting frustrated trying to stop it... So they spew rabid vicous ad-hominems towards someone with the courage to put this up
Golly gee whillikers. You mean like how they get to publish horrid cartoons depicting America and Israel as pigs and monkeys but we can't dare touch pen to paper for a drawing of Mohammed?
Posted by: Fred ||
09/14/2006 00:00 ||
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If the objective, as Mickey Kaus says, was to screw NBC's 'Today Show', then it might have been worth the $15 million.
And if Perky can recreate the Today Show as an evening event (which is possible, given her recent hiring of her doctor-friend as medical correspondent), then CBS could make out on the deal.
#3
They should have employed a competent, drone like news reader in the Peter Jennings fashion, instead of a personality. Couric's shiny teeth are annoying to the highest degree.
#5
Knowing that you suck in third place, thinking outside the box, the exec's should have hired the anchor at Univision then could have done a first half hour in English and a second in Spanish. Probably would have double their market.
The federal budget deficit, helped by a surge in government revenue, is running 14.1 percent below the pace of last year, the government reported Wednesday. The Treasury Department said that with just one month to go in the budget year, the deficit totals $304.3 billion, down from $354.1 billion during the same period a year ago.
The Congressional Budget Office is forecasting that the deficit for the entire year will be $260 billion, which would mean that September will see a sizable surplus. The administration is somewhat less optimistic, forecasting a deficit of $295.8 billion for the current budget year, which ends Sept. 30.
However, both the CBO and the administration are expecting an improvement from last year's deficit of $319 billion, the third highest amount of red ink in history. The record deficit in dollar terms was $413 billion set in 2004.
Even with the improvement, Democrats point to CBO forecasts that the deficit over the next decade will total $1.76 trillion as evidence that President Bush's emphasis on tax cuts has put the country on an unsustainable fiscal path. The administration counters that Bush's first term tax cuts helped to lift the country out of the 2001 recession and provided support for a strong economic rebound that has resulted in the gusher of revenues this year.
For August, the deficit jumped to $64.6 billion, up from $51.3 billion in August 2005. The federal government has run a deficit in August every year since 1954.
Through the first 11 months of the current budget year, revenues have totaled a record $2.12 trillion, up 11.5 percent from the same period a year ago. Government spending is also at record levels so far this budget year, totaling $2.43 trillion, an increase of 7.6 percent from the same period a year ago. The faster growth in revenues than in spending has meant that the 11- month deficit of $304.3 billion is 14.1 percent below the red ink run up during the same period a year ago.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/14/2006 00:00 ||
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Congress will respond immediately by increasing spending by 14.1 pct. At least.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
HARARE - Riot police quashed labour union protests across Zimbabwe on Wednesday, beating and arresting union leaders and dozens of other protesters in a show of force by President Robert Mugabes government.
A deputy chairman of Russia's central bank was seriously wounded in an assassination attempt in the Russian capital on Wednesday, officials said. Andrei Kozlov was hospitalized in critical condition with gunshot wounds after the attack in northeastern Moscow late Wednesday, said Svetlana Petrenko, a spokeswoman for the Moscow prosecutor's office.
Spain will restart the repatriation to Dakar of illegal Senegalese migrants detained in the Spanish Canary Islands, a move which has sparked protests in the past. The operations centre at Dakar International Airport said an Air Europa charter was expected to arrive from Fuerteventura in the Spanish Canary Islands at just after 2.30am on Thursday.
The federal budget deficit, helped by a surge in government revenue, is running 14.1 percent below the pace of last year, the government reported Wednesday. The Treasury Department said that with just one month to go in the budget year, the deficit totals $304.3 billion, down from $354.1 billion during the same period a year ago.
