Tammy Bruce: Good News Archives

Good News Archives

Filling In For Laura Ingraham on Monday

**Program Note: If you don't get Laura's show, or if your local affiliate isn't carrying my fill-in, you can hear the show at Talk Stream Live. KRLA in Los Angeles, as an example, doesn't carry my fill-in because I'm talent at a competing station, so choose the other available Laura link. Thanks :)

Once again, I have the honor of filling in for Laura tomorrow, Monday, May 5, 6am-9am PT. Yes, it is Cinco de Mayo. As most of you can imagine, I wouldn't necessarily suggest we all celebrate a Mexican holiday but in this instance it's special. Many think Cindo de Mayo is the Mexican Independence Day. That's not true--it's even better! The 5th of May is the day the Mexican defeated the French who were attempted to invade them. Oh sure, the French eventually occupied Mexico City, but the Mexicans eventually won.

Yes, even the Mexicans have defeated the French, and it is a holiday worth celebrating. So, have a Margarita, and perhaps some delicious Mexican food and offer a toast to the Mexicans who knew Mexico was worth fighting for. Those of us fighting for the border wall still believe that.

Posted by Tammy · May 4, 2008 09:03 PM · Permalink · Comments (10)
Food/Drink | Good News | History | Radio

New York Times Reports Staggering Revenue Loss

NYT Hdqtrs in New York. Would make some nice loft space, no?

Yes, today's Shock and Awe, with an emphasis on the 'awe' part. Congratulations everyone. For the first time the propaganda rag for the worldwide Left may lay off reporters because of its biggest ad revenue loss in its history. While the economy is shrinking somewhat, there is no doubt the tripe the NYT tries to spin off as objective "news" reporting is being rejected by consumers everywhere. There could be no better news than the failure of the New York Times in its current incarnation. Some reports have ad revenue falling by 9.2 percent, while others note an astronomical drop of 11.1 percent. Either way, it's a disaster for a newspaper whose current owners thought it was a good idea to make the newspaper into a leftist pamphlet. Our response? From newspaper to toilet paper. Keep it up my friends.

New York Times Swings To Loss

New York Times Co. said Thursday it swung to a first- quarter loss, hurt by a charge and a steep decline in advertising revenue at its newspapers... New York Times Co. (NYT) lost $335,000, equivalent to breakeven on a per-share basis. In the same quarter a year earlier, the company earned $23.9 million, or 17 cents a share...

The company said in February that the New York Times would need to cut its newsroom staff by about 100 positions. Late Tuesday, employees were notified that the paper would fall short in its goal to have most of those jobs eliminated by voluntary buyouts, meaning that there will probably be layoffs.

First-quarter revenue at the company's newspaper properties fell 5.7%, to $ 719.7 million. Ad revenue fell 9.2%...

The New York Times Co also owns the Boston Globe, the Little Leftist Sister of the NYT, and an even bigger failure.

Boston Globe March ad revenue plunges

The New England Media Group, the bulk of which is made up of the Globe, saw a 25.9 decrease in ad revenue in March compared to the same period last year. The New York Times Co. (NYSE: NYT) said the freefall was mainly due to decreases in the travel, automotive, banking, telecommunications and financial services categories.

For the first quarter, the New England Media Group, which also contains the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, posted a 9.3 percent loss in revenue compared to first quarter of 2007.

The Times Co. reported a companywide drop of 6.4 percent in March. Ad revenue dropped 11.1 percent...

The American Thinker has more thinking on the more-than-welcomes freefall. Remember, just because something seems to have always been here, like the NYT or the IRS, doesn't mean it deserves to continue to exist. The truth is, when something has become not only useless, but a scourge to the American way, like both of those entities, it's time for them to go quietly into the night. And if they won't let's drag them, shall we?

Posted by Tammy · April 17, 2008 04:16 PM · Permalink · Comments (9)
Good News | Mainstream Media

The Brits Want Thatcher Back

So, the Germans elect conservative, pro-America Merkel, the French elect conservative, pro-America Sarkozy and now the English want Margaret Thatcher back.

And the Left wants you to think the world hates us, as Obama and Clinton keep talking about 'repairing our image with the world.' I like it the way it is, thank you very much.

Margaret Thatcher 'would win election today'

Margaret Thatcher at her peak would sweep to power in a general election held today, according to an opinion poll for The Daily Telegraph.

The YouGov survey emphatically confirms the enduring political appeal of the country's first woman prime minister, who left office undefeated 18 years ago.

Baroness Thatcher comfortably surpassed Tony Blair when people were asked who they would pick to lead the country at the height of their powers if they had the choice. David Cameron, the Conservative leader, trailed far behind both - but was still ahead of Gordon Brown.

Almost two thirds of Tory voters said they would prefer Lady Thatcher to the current party leader...the Thatcherite legacy continues to shape Britain. It shifted the political axis from state-centred collectivism to private enterprise and the free market, forcing Labour to abandon old-style socialism.

Brava. And the world thanks and owes you a debt of gratitude, Lady Thatcher.

Related Link:

Margaret Thatcher Foundation

Posted by Tammy · April 6, 2008 11:12 PM · Permalink · Comments (10)
Good News | Hero | History | Politics

Finally--Faster Iphone Data Rates

The only thing that has frustrated me about Snarky my iPhone, is the impossibly slow :AT&T "edge" date stream network. You especially felt the dial-up speed when you were hooked up to a wifi and were reminded of the real world. Well, it look like all that may be changing. let's hope so.

iPhone Users May Benefit From AT&T's Purchase Of 700 MHz Spectrum

Apple iPhone users struggling with the relatively slow speeds of AT&T's EDGE network now have something fast to look forward to: faster data rates to download data and video.

AT&T (NYSE: T) won approval this week from the FCC to purchase 12 MHz of spectrum in the 700-MHz band in markets that cover 196 million potential subscribers across the United States. AT&T, which has an exclusive agreement to market the iPhone, paid $2.5 billion to Aloha Partners for the spectrum.

"I expect AT&T to use UMTS/HSUPA as an interim technology," Joe Nordgaard, managing director of Spectral Advantage, told InformationWeek. "HSUPA is a huge increase in overall throughput over EDGE."

IPhone users would find many advantages if AT&T introduces high-speed technologies for the popular phone, Nordgaard said. He notes that iPhone users are often limited to speeds of 50 to 110 Kbps, while HSUPA can typically provide downlink speeds of 3 Mbps and uplink speeds of 1.5 Mbps...The 700-MHz spectrum, which can easily pass through walls and requires relatively few base stations, also lends itself to efficient delivery of video.

Woo hoo!

Posted by Tammy · April 4, 2008 11:28 PM · Permalink · Comments (2)
Gadgets/Toys | Good News

The Best Thing About John McCain?

Cindy. Beautiful. Smart. Fabulously wealthy. Heiress to a beer empire. Part owner of a baseball team. Successful and respected businesswoman. Loves the country. I'm beginning to think the wrong McCain is running.

Posted by Tammy · April 3, 2008 09:35 PM · Permalink · Comments (7)
Authentic Feminism | Good News | Money/Capitalism | Politics

Great News: CBS News Forced to Make Cuts

One of the best examples of an American media institution devolving into a Leftist Propaganda machine, CBS News is finding out what happens when you abandon journalistic principles and alienate the American public--first you you lose audience, then you lose money, then, and we can only hope, your "news" operation collapses completely.

CBS Corp. makes cuts

CBS Corp. is doing some belt-tightening at its TV news and TV stations businesses.

Anchors and reporters are among the employees who have been laid off at such CBS stations as WCBS New York, KCBS Los Angeles, WBZ Boston, KYW Philadelphia, KPIX San Francisco, WBBM Chicago and KVOR Sacramento.

Great work everyone. Let's hope this is just the beginning. The Dan Rather fake National Guard memos, meant to smear President Bush and alter a presidential election, alone are enough to root for the collapse of CBS News. And And while local stations are the focus of this news, with genius decisions like bring on Katie Couric for the national news, more meltdown at that level can't be far behind.

Posted by Tammy · April 2, 2008 12:15 AM · Permalink · Comments (1)
Good News | Mainstream Media

Charges Dropped Against Another Haditha Marine

The fact that charges were ever brought against any of our Marines in this instance is a crime in itself.

Charges against Marine in Haditha case dropped

Military prosecutors dropped all charges on Friday against a U.S. Marine accused of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault in the 2005 shooting deaths of two dozen unarmed Iraqi civilians at Haditha.

The charges against Lance Cpl. Stephen B. Tatum, 26, were dismissed "in order to continue to pursue the truth seeking process into the Haditha incident," the Marines said in a statement. Word of the development came as jury selection was about to begin in Tatum's court-martial on charges of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and aggravated assault at the Camp Pendleton Marine base in California...Prosecutors have dropped charges against four other Marines in the case

Here's a reminder of what one of the military's investigating officers, Marine Lt. Col. Paul Ware, reported last year about one of the Marines accused in the Haditha case and the so-called evidence against our troops. His rebuke of the charges makes clear the Haditha prosecutions are nothing more than a politically correct witch hunt.

Investigator Urges Clearing of Marine in Killings at Haditha Home

An investigating officer in the case against a U.S. Marine accused of murdering civilians in Haditha, Iraq, has recommended that charges against him be dropped, concluding that the government's allegations that the Marine executed a group of men are "unsupported and incredible." [...] "To believe the government version of facts is to disregard clear and convincing evidence to the contrary and sets a dangerous precedent that . . . may encourage others to bear false witness against Marines as a tactic to erode public support of the Marine Corps and mission in Iraq," Ware wrote.

Posted by Tammy · March 28, 2008 01:46 PM · Permalink · Comments (1)
Corruption | Good News | Military

Now To What's Really Important: Coffee

Yeah, I get it.

Woman crashes into water, saves coffee

A woman is safe after losing control of her car and accidently driving into the waters of the Oakland Estuary. But on the upside, she saved her morning coffee.

Authorities say the car went into the water a little after 6 a.m. Thursday after its 22-year-old driver apparently lost control of her car while reaching for a cell phone.

After the car became lodged in stilts under a home on the water, the driver was able to get out of the car and make it back to shore.

Onlookers say she came ashore still cradling her coffee cup.

Speaking of coffee, Time Magazine has a big feature on Starbucks. Yes, I know they're a blue company, but I'm hooked and have decided not to get over it.

Meanwhile, in Amsterdam an obviously loopy 'health minister' decided that marijuana smoking will be exempt from their coffee shop smoking ban. You know, the thing you do to allegedly protect the health of citizens by removing second hand smoke from the environment. So not only will there be second-hand cancer-causing smoke blowing into your face, it now will have the added benefit of making you stupid, too. Actually, this could be a stroke of brilliance on the part of the coffee shop owners. After all, who would benefit most from a bunch of people who are high when they get the munchies?

Posted by Tammy · March 27, 2008 05:08 PM · Permalink · Comments (4)
Food/Drink | Good News

Happy Easter Weekend Everyone

Gethsemane

Jesus praying at the Garden of Gethsemane the night before his crucifixion. (Beautiful image courtesy of Peep Ashley).

Happy Easter everyone. Literally, thank God for Jesus, who made a sacrifice which to this day we all strive to be worthy of and honor.

And for those of you who note the beginning of Spring and The Bunny helping with celebrations, here's the Easter Bunny and his valet wishing you a very Happy and Gigantic Spring and Easter. Look at those toes! Woo hoo!!!

A real big rabbit

Yes, it's a real rabbit

And lastly, here is the now classic Hip-Hop Easter Bunny video to enhance your special weekend. Enjoy. Oh, yeah...

(Or click here to see the video in glorious full screen)

Posted by Tammy · March 22, 2008 01:48 PM · Permalink · Comments (7)
Faith/The Divine | Good News | Open Thread

Texas Teen Second Woman To Receive Silver Star

Army Spc. Monica Lin Brown is the second woman since World War II to be awarded the Silver Star.

And for some reason, the out-of-touch, some in uniform some not, still argue women shouldn't be in combat. In this instance, a woman in combat saved the lives of five fellow troops. Now tell me again what the problems are with women on the front lines?

Woman Earns Silver Star in Afghan War

CAMP SALERNO, Afghanistan (AP) — A 19-year-old medic from Texas will become the first woman in Afghanistan and only the second female soldier since World War II to receive the Silver Star, the nation's third-highest medal for valor.

Army Spc. Monica Lin Brown saved the lives of fellow soldiers after a roadside bomb tore through a convoy of Humvees in the eastern Paktia province in April 2007, the military said. After the explosion, which wounded five soldiers in her unit, Brown ran through insurgent gunfire and used her body to shield wounded comrades as mortars fell less than 100 yards away, the military said.

Pentagon policy prohibits women from serving in front-line combat roles — in the infantry, armor or artillery, for example. But the nature of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, with no real front lines, has seen women soldiers take part in close-quarters combat more than previous conflicts.

The military said Brown's "bravery, unselfish actions and medical aid rendered under fire saved the lives of her comrades and represents the finest traditions of heroism in combat."

Brava Monica. Brava. And a heartfelt thanks to the Brown family for raising such a remarkable young woman.

Posted by Tammy · March 9, 2008 11:09 PM · Permalink · Comments (18)
Good News | Hero | Military | War on Radical Islam

A Father's Instinct

I declare this man Father of the Year.

Sheriff: Man killed motorcyclist who followed daughters

A man is facing a murder charge after authorities say he shot and killed a motorcyclist who followed his daughters home from a department store.

Richard Harold Gear, 45, claimed he was acting in self-defense when he shot Bryan Joseph Mough around 6:45 p.m. Monday as Mough drove his motorcycle past Gear's house, Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry said.

The daughters, ages 17 and 19, had called their father on a cell phone to tell him they were being followed, Berry said. As they arrived home, Gear was waiting at the end of his driveway with a pistol, Berry said.

Mough, 21, drove past the house, turned around and made another pass. Gear fired his .40-caliber semiautomatic gun two or three times, hitting Mough once in the back, Berry said...Gear's daughters and Mough apparently left the parking lot of a Target in nearby Athens around the same time Monday evening, Berry said. Tempers flared as the drivers headed west toward Bogart.

Gear's daughters told investigators Mough cut them off, they made obscene gestures at him and Mough ran into their car at one point, Sheriff Berry said. "There is evidence of a collision between Mough's motorcycle and the vehicle operated by Gear's daughters," Berry said, adding authorities do not yet know who initiated contact.

UPDATE:

Ironically, this thread has generated a lot of comments from newbies who condemn me for supporting a man who in this initial story seems to be defending his daughters. These same people who decry my lack of sensitivity then threaten to kill me, wish someone would kill me, or at the very least, rape me. Impressive. Obviously all of those people are banned. This blog is a place for opinion, and the Comments section is the perfect place for people to challenge that opinion and post their own. Threatening to kill me does not constitute having an 'opinion.' It just makes you a shallow, reactionary hypocrite. You do lose just a tad of credibility when you issue threats of violence because I lauded a father apparently defending his daughters. If the story ends up being different, we'll have it here.

In the meantime, we have have the initial coverage above, and we have the following story in Comments from MobileData. I'm sure we'll hear more depending on what the sheriff does.

Sheriff: Man allegedly shot at teens in 2006

Oconee County investigators are taking a fresh look at 2-year-old allegations a Bogart man fired a gun at a group of teens, after he shot and killed a motorcyclist in front of his house this week.

Authorities didn't charge Richard "Ricky" Harold Gear at the time because they couldn't prove he fired a gun, and witnesses were "less than truthful" about what happened, Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry said Wednesday.

The sheriff's office will reinvestigate that shooting in light of Gear's claim that he acted in self-defense when he shot 21-year-old Bryan Joseph "B.J." Mough on Monday after Mough argued with Gear's daughters in traffic and followed them home...

"This case, like most cases, generates a lot of comments from the public," the sheriff said. "We're still working hard on it, and we're going to follow all leads to their logical conclusion."

Gear's daughters, 17 and 19, called their father Monday night to tell him that someone was following them; when they arrived home, Gear was waiting at the end of the driveway with a .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol, Berry said.

Mough drove by the house, turned around, and Gear shot two or three times as the motorcycle made a second pass, according to Berry.

Posted by Tammy · February 27, 2008 07:16 PM · Permalink · Comments (11)
Children | Cultural Commentary | Good News | Hero

Castro Is Out

The mass murdering freak hands power over to his mass murderding freakish brother. Cybansa deserve to be free. This disgusting tyrannical reign needs to end. Now.

Fidel Castro Resigns Cuban Presidency After Half-Century in Power

HAVANA — An ailing, 81-year-old Fidel Castro resigned as Cuba's president Tuesday after foiling U.S. attempts to topple him for nearly half a century — leaving on his own terms by clearing the way for his brother Raul to take power.

The end of Castro's rule — the longest in the world for a head of government — frees 76-year-old Raul to implement reforms he has hinted at since taking over as acting president when Fidel Castro fell ill in July 2006. U.S. President George W. Bush rejected any Castro in power, hoping for what he called a democratic transition.

Castro remains a member of parliament and is likely to be elected to the 31-member Council of State on Sunday, though he will no longer be its president. Raul Castro's wife, Vilma Espin, maintained her council seat until her death last year even though she was too sick to attend meetings for many months.

Castro also retains his powerful post as first secretary of Cuba's Communist Party. The party leadership posts generally are renewed at party congresses, the last of which was held in 1997.

Posted by Tammy · February 19, 2008 08:00 AM · Permalink · Comments (6)
Good News | Internationalism

Burglar, Meet Window

Window justice. It's a sweet thing.

Twin Brothers Push Intruder Out Second-Story Window

Twin brothers Clay and Christopher Parkman, 17, arrived at their home near Olympia, Wash., Monday to discover a back door window shattered. They assumed someone had broken in, but did not know the intruder was still in the house, kirotv.com reports.

The Parkmans chased the burglar into a bedroom and to a window, and then "acted on instinct," Clay Parkman told kirotv.com. Clay jumped over the bed and pushed the man out a second-story window. The suspect fell 20 feet to the ground, landing on his back on the concrete, kirotv.com reports.

"He didn't scream or anything," Clay Parkman told kirotv.com. "He was just looking at me the whole way down."

The brothers ran to their car and followed the burglar as he ran away on foot into nearby woods. The police arrived shortly thereafter and the suspect was arrested, kirotv.com reports.

And twins no less. Gotta love it.

Posted by Tammy · February 16, 2008 04:37 PM · Permalink · Comments (9)
Crime | Good News

A Beagle Wins 'Best in Show'

Snoopy, er, Uno

Uno the Beagle made history today as he became the first Beagle to win the coveted "Best in Show" prize at the Westminster Dog Show. All Hail Uno!

Beagle named Best in Show at Westminster

Snoopy fans, rejoice.

At Madison Square Garden last night, Westminster Best in Show judge J. Donald Jones made history by giving the gargantuan purple-and-gold ribbon to a beagle called Uno (Champion K-Run's Park Me In First to you).

"We just knew he was going to be number one," said handler Aaron Wilkerson about Uno's prescient name, and as he remarked that the dog's favorite toy is a stuffed yellow duck.

The feisty hound's singular names are fitting, as this was the first time a beagle has won top honors in the Westminster show's 132-year history.

snoopy 01.jpg

Posted by Tammy · February 12, 2008 11:21 PM · Permalink · Comments (4)
Animal Issues | Good News

How Hot Are We?

Very. Ask al-Qaida.

U.S. Military Says Seized Docs Show Al Qaeda in Iraq Is Weakened

BAGHDAD — A diary and another document seized during U.S. raids show some Al Qaeda in Iraq leaders fear the terror group is crumbling, with many fighters defecting to American-backed neighborhood groups, the U.S. military said Sunday.

The military revealed two documents discovered by American troops in November: a 39-page memo written by a mid- to high-level Al Qaeda official with knowledge of the group's operations in Iraq's western Anbar province, and a 16-page diary written by another group leader north of Baghdad.

In the Anbar document, the author describes an Al Qaeda in crisis, with citizens growing weary of militants' presence and foreign fighters too eager to participate in suicide missions rather than continuing to fight, said Rear Adm. Gregory Smith, a U.S. military spokesman.

"We lost cities and afterward, villages... We find ourselves in a wasteland desert," Smith quoted the document as saying.

Or, as Cartman would say, Sweeeeeeeet!

And here now for your viewing pleasure is a completely unrelated video of a terrorist blowing himself up. And why not? Let's get the week started off right!

Posted by Tammy · February 10, 2008 09:08 PM · Permalink · Comments (10)
Good News | War on Radical Islam

When Homicide Bombers Get Sloppy

I love these Good News homicide bomber stories. It just confirms that God does indeed have a sense of humor. At some point even the Islamists freaks will have to admit that Allah isn't 'willing.'

Suicide bomber falls down stairs

A WOULD-be suicide bomber fell down a flight of stairs and blew himself up as he headed out for an attack in Afghanistan, police say.

It was the second such incident in two days, with another man killing himself and three others on Tuesday when his bomb-filled waistcoat exploded as he was putting it on in the southern town of Lashkar Gah...

The would-be attacker tripped as he was leaving a building apparently to target an opening ceremony for a mosque that was expected to be attended by Afghan and international military officials, said Sakhi Mir.

Oops.

Posted by Tammy · January 24, 2008 09:53 AM · Permalink · Comments (12)
Good News | Incompetence | War on Radical Islam

Wow--Look at What Apple Has Done Now

Must. Have. It.

Meet the world's thinnest notebook--the MacBook Air. I hesitated getting a new MacBook Pro, now I'm glad I did. This is making me hyperventilate almost as much as the Kimber .45 :) But will my iPhone be jealous?

Hooyah! We're Bombing, Big Time, al-Qaida in Iraq

This is a very big operation in Iraq. Operation Phantom Phoenix just this morning dropped 40,000 pounds of explosives on al-Qaida strongholds just outside of Baghdad. Send our troops your prayers as they continue to dispatch the Islamist Death Cult enemy.

U.S. bombs 'safe haven' for al Qaeda in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- American warplanes Thursday pounded a region of Iraq considered a "safe haven" for al Qaeda in Iraq, dropping 38 bombs in the first 10 minutes of the attack, the U.S. military said.

The bombardment near the Arab Jabour area on the southern outskirts of Baghdad is part of a new countrywide push against insurgents called Operation Phantom Phoenix, the military said.

Forty targets were hit simultaneously, with a total of 40,000 pounds of bombs dropped, according to a military news release. The attacks follow a series of "kinetic strikes" there since December 31, a military official said... "The Air Force provided two B-1 bombers and four F-16 fighter jets, aiming at three large target areas. Each bomber passed over twice and the F-16s followed to complete the set," the release said.

U.S. soldiers will work with the Iraqi security forces and anti-insurgents called Concerned Local Citizens "to continue these offensive operations to keep pressure on the enemy," the military release said.

Phantom Phoenix is a joint Iraqi and U.S. operation to "pursue and neutralize remaining al Qaeda in Iraq and other extremist elements," said Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of Multi-National Corps-Iraq, the formal name for the U.S.-led forces.

Posted by Tammy · January 10, 2008 11:19 AM · Permalink · Comments (8)
Good News | Military

Maldives Boy Scout Saves His President

Maldives Scout Badge

Boy Scouts everywhere rule.

Boy Scout saves Maldives president

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - A quick-thinking Boy Scout foiled an assassination attempt on the president of the Maldives on Tuesday, grabbing an attacker's knife as the man leapt from a crowd and lunged at the leader, an official said.

President Maumoon Gayoom was unhurt, but his shirt was ripped as the attacker tried a second time to stab him before being overpowered by security guards, government spokesman Mohammed Shareef said.

"One brave boy saved the president's life," he said.

Mohammed Jaisham Ibrahim, wearing his blue Maldives scout uniform with a blue kerchief, was standing in the crowd to greet Gayoom on Hoarafushi, one of the 1,190 coral islands in the Indian Ocean that make up the Maldives.

The attacker hid a knife in the Maldivian flag as he awaited Gayoom's arrival, then lunged at the president, Shareef said.

Ibrahim reached out and grabbed the blade, and he was cut on the hand, according to the government.

"There was blood on the president's shirt, but it was not his but the boy's," Shareef said.

Wow.

Posted by Tammy · January 8, 2008 02:32 PM · Permalink · Comments (1)
Children | Good News | Hero

Hot Dog Justice

Just a little something I think will make all of us sleep so much better tonight.

Child molester inmate dies after choking on hot dog

ATWATER, Calif. (AP) Prison officials say a convicted child molester and kidnapper died last month after choking on a hot dog.

Forty-five-year-old Frederick Fretz was serving a 20-year sentence at the federal penitentiary in Atwater.

Prison spokesman Jesse Gonzalez says medics tried to remove the hot dog from Fretz's throat before taking him to a Merced hospital. He was pronounced dead on Dec. 19.

According to The Orlando Sentinel, Fretz pleaded guilty in 2005 to kidnapping an 11-year-old boy from Marion County, Fla.

I haven't had one in years, but tomorrow I will enjoy a hot dog from the famous Pink's Hot Dogs. While we can't reverse the damage he did, I will salute the fact that God apparently believes, as do I, that child molesters deserve the death penalty.

Posted by Tammy · January 4, 2008 09:04 PM · Permalink · Comments (6)
Children | Crime | Good News | Not Losing Any Sleep

No Wonder the World Hates Us

Sometimes we must simply admit how evil we are. Running roughshod over the world, caring only about ourselves, not considering for one second the negative impact we have on the world, to say nothing of ruining the lives of little children. Yeah, with stories like this, isn't it about time we stop messing around with other peoples lives and retreat so the world can once again have a good time?

Five-Year-Old Boy Feels 'Very Well' After Having Peach-Sized Brain Tumor Removed

NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. — A 5-year-old Peruvian boy rushed to Long Island for surgery to remove a peach-sized brain tumor said he felt "very well" less than a week after the procedure.

Sebastian Jimenez Pina praised the doctors who treated him -- and the congressman who helped get him to them -- at a news conference Wednesday at Schneider Children's Hospital, where he underwent the operation Dec. 27.

"The hospital and the doctors were very good," the boy said in Spanish.

His physicians, Dr. Mark Mittler and Dr. Mark Atlas, said Sebastian would have died quickly without the surgery. It removed the tumor protruding from his right temple and two other, smaller ones on his head.

Yeah, and I bet you we waterboarded that little boy ahead of time to make sure he said nice things about the doctors.

Posted by Tammy · January 3, 2008 09:58 AM · Permalink · Comments (3)
Children | Good News | Good Samaritans | Health & Fitness

Maryland Police Lucky Double-Header

Kelvin Poke, one less loser to mess up 2008.

When it comes to finally stopping an escaped convict's rampage, here's to saving the state of Maryland both incarceration and transport costs.

Md. inmate who fled hospital killed

An inmate who escaped from a hospital Wednesday, briefly taking a worker hostage and stealing two getaway cars, was cornered hours later in a cemetery by police and killed in a shootout, authorities said.

Poke, btw, was serving life plus forty years at Jessup Correctional Institution for kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery. Between this story and our hero citizen who stopped the robber in an earlier, I'd say 2008 is off to a great start!

Posted by Tammy · January 2, 2008 05:49 PM · Permalink · Comments (4)
Crime | Good News

Happy New Year Open Thread

Invisible Champagne Cat courtesy of icanhascheezburger

I expect you to go forth and Comment about 2008, babes, kittehs, and whatever else is on your mind(s). I am especially interested in what your resolutions are. :)

I certainly expect to post a bit more, but after about 8pm PT I'll be out of the loop.

Have a great New Year's Eve everyone, and please be careful out there. See you, as they say, next year!

In the meantime, here are some links with which you can bid adieu to 2007:

WaPo: 2007 Idiot of the Year Awards

Miami Herald: Dave Barry's Year in Review

Reuters: "Holy smoke" in nunnery tops 2007 weird news

Posted by Tammy · December 31, 2007 02:21 PM · Permalink · Comments (22)
Good News | Open Thread

Good News: Robin Wright and Sean Penn Divorcing

His reputation regarding his treatment of women has never been good. I've watched that beautiful woman's face change through their marriage, and it wasn't a glow of happiness. Now their children are in their mid-teens, perhaps she finally felt she could get out with the least amount of harm to their children.

Good for her. At dinner tonight, have a toast to her future without that MalNar Ball-and-Chain Sean Penn.

Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn Divorcing

Sean Penn and wife Robin Wright Penn are divorcing, their rep, Mara Buxbaum, confirms to PEOPLE exclusively. No other details were immediately available. The couple, who've been married 11 years, have two children together, Hopper Jack, 14, and Dylan Frances, 16.

Oh, Defamer has what they say may be video of their break-up fight. Hmmm....

Soldier Surprises Daughters; Hides in Christmas Present

No doubt the best Christmas present ever.

This is the sacrifice we have given the rest of the world to liberate them from tyrants they've been incapable of booting. Think of this the next time some politician (like Billary or Barack Winfrey) whines that we have to 'restore our reputation' around the world.

Posted by Tammy · December 26, 2007 08:07 AM · Permalink · Comments (6)
Good News | Military

A Soldier and His Dog

How a troop and a dog named Cinnamon in Afghanistan personify the meaning of Christmas, the joy of love, the power of loyalty and the gift of grace and compassion. Get your tissues ready for those happiness tears, you're going to need them. I did. (HT Duchess)

I love us.

Posted by Tammy · December 24, 2007 12:32 PM · Permalink · Comments (2)
Animal Issues | Good News | Hero | Military

Congrats to SondraK-The Official (Again) Grandest Diva of All

Official Diva SondraK, with me on Some Beach.

I want to thank all the Tammy Peeps for getting me into the Top 4 of Gay Patriot's Grande Conservative Blogress Diva 2008 competition. The official winner is SondraK, who has won before. Once a Grande Diva, always a Grande Diva. I am also honored that SondraK very generously announced that I am her honorary co-Diva. Cool. I'll take it. I am more than pleased to be with her on her Some Beach.

Yes, it's pretty cool to be nominated and be able to hold my head high, considering the boys at Gay Patriot have a Top 4 instead of a Top 3. I think that is very sweet of them and only matters to me, of course, considering I was #4. I did consider surrendering to SondraK when she was a good 1000 votes ahead of everyone, but that would have been way too French, so I decided to stay to the end, no matter what. What did it get me? It got me on a chick's lap on a beach. Not too bad.

If you are unfamiliar with SondraK, now is your chance to visit her site and see what all the fuss is about. While I'm happy for her, I probably won't help her with that damn dress she wears every year she wins...you know, the one where you have to carry the rest of the dress because there's a mile of fabric that trails behind? Yeah, like Princess Diana's wedding dress. I've suggested the simple tuxedo, with tails if that turns her on, but at least with a tux no one has to carry your clothes behind you.

Bottom line, she won. But only for 2008. Remember SondraK, 2009 is another year, and just one year away during which all the rest of us can practice being Diva-ish.

Posted by Tammy · December 20, 2007 12:00 AM · Permalink · Comments (5)
Cultural Commentary | Gadgets/Toys | Good News | Inspiration | Internet/Communication

Teddy Bear Teacher Finally Back Home

It's amazing what international pressure can bring about. Now if the normal Muslim world would join us in stopping to Islamic driven genocide in Darfur, we might actually save more lives.

Relieved and Apologetic 'Teddy' Teacher Back Home

Gillian Gibbons' terror disappeared as soon as she arrived at her son's house in Liverpool, England, Tuesday.

The grade-school teacher who was jailed in Sudan for allowing her students to name a teddy bear Muhammad was met at London's Heathrow Airport this morning by her son John and daughter Jessica...Gibbons, 54, called the eight days she spent in a Sudanese prison an ordeal.

"I'm just an ordinary middle-aged school teacher who went out to have a bit of an adventure, and got a bit more than I bargained for," Gibbons said at a brief press conference at the airport. "I don't think anyone could have imagined it would have snowballed like this." [...]

"It has been an ordeal but I'd like want you to know that I was well-treated in prison and everybody was very kind to me," she said. "I was very sorry to leave Sudan. I had a fabulous time there. It's a really lovely place, and I managed to see some of the beautiful countryside while I was there."

All of us are thrilled that Mrs. Gibbons is home and safe. And it's obvious she is an apolitical, naive woman. There she was in a nation which is carrying out one of the most active genocides in the last 50 years, and praises it for its 'lovely countryside.' I suppose I envy to some degree those who are not political and see things through a certain limited lens, but I don't.

The truth is, of course, Sudan's 'government' consists of Arab Islamist carpetbaggers in Khartoum, which is systematically murdering black Africans in Darfur. It's Islamic law oppresses and murders the spirit of women everywhere. The Teddy Bear madness was simply a microcosmic look at the cancer that lies beneath--a cancer which, on a dime, thirsts for the murder of virtually anyone, as it reaches for excuses for its murderous rage--in this instance it found a plushie and a naive woman, good enough for them to justify more murder, more rage, more death.

Gillian Gibbons may be out, but there are hundreds of thousands of black African women and their children facing that same insane rage, but instead of being greeted by Muslim members of the UK's parliament, they're greeted in the morning by Arab Islamists wielding machetes.

Posted by Tammy · December 4, 2007 09:43 AM · Permalink · Comments (8)
Good News | War on Radical Islam

Did She Run Out of Hijabs?

Trick or Treat!

Frances Townsend and Karen Hughes, both having since resigned their positions, defaming women by donning the hijab at a Washington event. The pandering of these powerful governmental women to the Stone Age misogyny of Islamists was insulting and nauseating. Disgusting, both of them and reflective of the cowardice of the entire Bush administration.

Finally, someone who really should resign from her job in the Bush admin, has. Adios Kathleen. Don't let that burqa hit you on the way out.

Bush Homeland Security Adviser Resigns

Fran Townsend, the leading White House-based terrorism adviser who gave public updates on the extent of the threat to U.S. security, is stepping down after 4 1/2 years.

President Bush said in a statement Monday morning that Townsend, 45, "has ably guided the Homeland Security Council. She has played an integral role in the formation of the key strategies and policies my administration has used to combat terror and protect Americans."

Her departure continues an exodus of key Bush aides and confidants, with his two-term presidency in the final 15 months. Top aide Karl Rove, along with press secretary Tony Snow, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and senior presidential adviser Dan Bartlett, have already left.

Posted by Tammy · November 19, 2007 08:49 AM · Permalink · Comments (7)
Authentic Feminism | Good News | Politics

Spitzer Caves, Drops Plan for Illegal Alien Licenses

What an absolutely pathetic man. Having to manage politicians like they're children is getting old. I do wonder how much Hillary had to do with this. After her absurd debate performance on the issue, it's safe to say this is the last thing she wanted hanging around during her pseudo-campaign season.

Spitzer will drop license plan for illegal immigrants

A humbled Gov. Eliot Spitzer -- facing an insurrection from New York Democrats -- is ditching his controversial plan to grant driver's licenses to illegal immigrants that provoked a massive national backlash.

Spitzer will announce he's "scrapping the plan" after a meeting of the state's congressional delegation on Capitol Hill this morning, according to his spokeswoman, Christine Anderson. The license proposal had proven to be a political albatross for Democratic supporters, especially Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was grilled on the issue during a debate in Philadelphia late last month.

Spitzer is expected to tell the delegation that "immigration is a federal, not a state issue," said one congressional source familiar with the governor's thinking.

That explanation is virtually identical to Clinton's statements on the issue -- and gives the Democratic front-runner a ready-made answer when the topic is inevitably raised at tomorrow's Democratic debate in Las Vegas.

In other words, it's Hillary who will give all illegal aliens driver licenses, so don't you worry your pretty little Metro Sexual head Eliot. After all, Hillary now owes you--you've given her the perfect non-answer about this issue, too. "It's a federal issue." Okay, and so what re you going to do about it?

Wait, I suppose that depends on what the meaning of "illegal" is. Is.

UPDATE 11/14:

As expected, Spitzer had his press conference today, all the while complaining about how all us ignorant rubes ruined his plan to make the world better.

You want a textbook example of what "arrogant SOB" means? Listen to the news coverage is this man's press conference. Priceless.

Posted by Tammy · November 13, 2007 10:22 PM · Permalink · Comments (5)
Good News | Immigration | Incompetence

Happy Birthday Marines!

232 years old

We owe you everything. Literally. Thanks. Everyone please use this thread as your way to say thanks to all our troops and the Marines especially on their (our) special day.

Links:

Marines Homepage

USMC Press on the birthday

DOD: President Thanks Veterans for Service to Country

Posted by Tammy · November 10, 2007 03:56 PM · Permalink · Comments (8)
Good News | Hero | Military

Knut Still Cute, Learns to Stand on Hind Legs

Knut. A little dirty from playing, but still screamingly cute.

I'm shocked. I expected Knut to grow older and become an average looking bear. Instead, while he's very different looking than when he was a baby, he's still amazingly cute. The news today is Knut has finally learned to stand on his hind legs. Also, mark your calendars--Knut turns one on December 5, and the zoo will be having a big birthday party, so if you're traveling try to fit the Berlin Zoo into your adventure.

UPDATE:

Just a reminder of the mind-numbing cuteness of the Baby Knut.

Baby Knut at 7-weeks.

Posted by Tammy · October 16, 2007 11:29 AM · Permalink · Comments (8)
Animal Issues | Good News

Child Rapist Chester Stiles Caught

The Beast's booking photo.

I think he's going to have a very interesting time in prison, don't you?

Fugitive accused of raping child caught

LAS VEGAS - A fugitive accused in the videotaped molestation of a 3-year-old girl was arrested quietly during a traffic stop, telling the officer, "I'm tired of running," police said.

Chester "Chet" Arthur Stiles, 37, was scheduled for a hearing Wednesday. He was pulled over late Monday in Henderson for not having a license plate and admitted his identity after police said his license looked suspicious, authorities said..."This is an answer to our prayers, actually," Nye County Sheriff Tony DeMeo said. "He should be off the street. In our opinion, he is a predator."

Stiles, who had been portrayed by authorities as a dangerous, knife-wielding survivalist, provided an expired California drivers license with a photo that Dye said looked "suspicious."

"The picture on the license didn't quite match the gentleman in the vehicle," Dye said.

After further questioning, the officer said Stiles revealed his true name. Dye said Stiles cooperated and didn't resist...

Too bad.

Posted by Tammy · October 16, 2007 08:48 AM · Permalink · Comments (6)
Children | Crime | Death of Right and Wrong | Good News

Ted Olson on Short List for Attorney General

This is great news. President Bush's ridiculous Harriet Meirs nomination for the USSC is one of many events which make me question his judgment. But if this is true, nominating Ted Olson for the AG position would not only be genius, but he would be nominating a man who would be remarkable in the position. It would be, IMHO, the first nomination from the president for virtually any post, that makes 100% absolute sense.

Part of me still so distrusts his ability to do the right thing, I don't think he'll do it. I so hope I'm wrong.

Bush weighs Olson to replace Gonzales

President Bush has not yet chosen a new attorney general, but conservatives say they are ecstatic to learn that former Solicitor General Theodore B. (Ted) Olson is one of five finalists.
“Democrats have expressed reservations, but conservatives would be ecstatic,” said a Republican close to the White House. “The calculation is whether a hard confirmation fight is the right way to go at this point in the game. It’s a decisi

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