You're a wonder, Wonder Woman.

Congratulations to Lynda Carter, the Queen of the 80's Crush Tournament. Blondes may have more fun, but this brunette garnered the most admirers by nearly a two to one margin.

The Championship title couldn't have gone to a classier lady. Once when asked about the popularity of her Wonder Woman character she said "I'd like to think I had something to do with it, but it's a phenomenon unto itself. And it's not too bad to be a sort of pop icon, you know? It's not too tough to handle."

A pop icon indeed. And one who ushered in the era of puberty for many a young lad in the late seventies. As I mentioned in her first post, a crush on Lynda Carter transcended the seventies and carried over well in the eighties.

But what exactly is it about her that puts her at the head of the line? Lynda combines the perfect combination of sexy and sweet - the goddess and the girl next door.

It's a shame she didn't have more media exposure over the last twenty years. Lynda has the enduring kind of classic beauty that many associate with such screen legends as Rita Hayworth, who Lynda portrayed in a TV biopic.

I'll let you guys in on a bit of little-known trivia. In 1976, Lynda appeared in a relatively unknown film called "Bobby Jo And The Outlaw". In the film she did some topless scenes where she was skinny-dipping. There are screen captures out there if you want to do a Google image search.

Thanks to all who participated. To view the final Tournament bracket, click HERE.

Posted by: Gary at 12:05 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 294 words, total size 3 kb.

The editors at National Review Online cheer the Tony Snow appointment as WH Press Secretary. And they give Conservatives another reason to be up about this move by the White House:

"As former editorial editor of the Detroit News and the Washington Times, he is well versed in policy and understands his fellow conservatives. He wouldn't have been blindsided by the outcry against Harriet Miers or the Hill revolt over the Dubai ports deal. He shares conservatives' frustration with expansions in the government's size and scope. And he will bring important perspective to Bush aides, who at times appear out of touch with their supporters' sentiments, and have been unable to tell which criticisms of the president would have resonance and which wouldn't."

Posted by: Gary at 11:25 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 161 words, total size 1 kb.

A news release at scifi.com is announcing that there is a new series in the works to leech off the success of the current "Battlestar Galactica":

"Caprica would take place more than half a century before the events that play out in Battlestar Galactica. The people of the Twelve Colonies are at peace and living in a society not unlike our own, but where high-technology has changed the lives of virtually everyone for the better.

But a startling breakthrough in robotics is about to occur, one that will bring to life the age-old dream of marrying artificial intelligence with a mechanical body to create the first living robot: a Cylon. Following the lives of two families, the Graystones and the Adamas (the family of William Adama, who will one day become the commander of the Battlestar Galactica), Caprica will weave together corporate intrigue, techno-action and sexual politics into television's first science fiction family saga, the channel announced."

Look, I love "Battlestar Galactica" but this idea doesn't impress me at all. A prequel about "corporate intrigue, techno-action and sexual politics"? Sounds like a bad John Grisham novel with robots. There is only one event of the show's past that I could see creating a new series around and that's the first Cylon war. Short of that, why would anyone be interested? The popularity of the current show is based on the struggle for human survival. That's what keeps the viewers interested.

It's possible that this "idea" is only a trial balloon designed to gauge whether or not there would be any interest from the fans.

I'm hoping it goes away.

Posted by: Gary at 10:21 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 281 words, total size 2 kb.

1 Go away, idea. Quickly. We don't need no stinkin' prequel.

Posted by: Starbuck at April 28, 2006 09:27 AM (ZMwFa)

2 This "prequel" is as bad an idea as breaking up the Lee & Kara dynamic on the current series. Let's hope TPTB reconsider this "prequel" into the nearest trash bin or airlock.

Posted by: Skye at April 28, 2006 09:34 PM (CyqMo)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

And this one is a doozy. A family in Quebec is distraught over their deceased mother, but moreso than normal. It seems her head is missing.

"The family was preparing to bury the 68-year-old woman when they got a call from the funeral home in Boucherville.

Someone had broken in and mutilated the body, leaving it behind with no head."

Posted by: Gary at 09:10 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 114 words, total size 1 kb.

The largest number of scumbags ever rounded-up in a single effort was announced today by AG Alberto Gonzalez.

"The 'priority targets' arrested were fugitives wanted for committing sexual offenses and crimes of violence against women, children and the elderly, as well as unregistered convicted sex offenders, according to Justice Department officials."

Posted by: Gary at 03:01 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 95 words, total size 1 kb.

David Beamer, father of United Airlines passenger Todd Beamer who lost his life on that fateful flight, says the filmmakers "got it right". He wrote an Op-Ed in the WSJ Online today. He calls the film a wake-up call to a nation coming perilously close to forgetting the events of that day and enemy that we now face.

"There are those who would hope to escape the pain of war. Can't we just live and let live and pretend every thing is OK? Let's discuss, negotiate, reason together. The film accurately shows an enemy who will stop at nothing in a quest for control. This enemy does not seek our resources, our land or our materials, but rather to alter our very way of life.

I encourage my fellow Americans and free people everywhere to see 'United 93.'

Be reminded of our very real enemy. Be inspired by a true story of heroic actions taken by ordinary people with victorious consequences. Be thankful for each precious day of life with a loved one and make the most of it. Resolve to take the right action in the situations of life, whatever they may be. Resolve to give thanks and support to those men, women, leaders and commanders who to this day (1,687 days since Sept. 11, 2001) continue the counterattacks on our enemy and in so doing keep us safe and our freedoms intact.

May the taste of freedom for people of the Middle East hasten victory. The enemy we face does not have the word 'surrender' in their dictionary. We must not have the word 'retreat' in ours. We surely want our troops home as soon as possible. That said, they cannot come home in retreat. They must come home victoriously. Pray for them."

Hat tip: Libertas

Posted by: Gary at 02:31 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 336 words, total size 2 kb.

Drudge is reporting two pieces of information that have to make Liberals glum. First, the recent book release "Crashing The Gates" by Markos Moulitsas Zuniga (the force behind DailyKos) has sold...ahem...3,630 copies. Now you can argue that a book about blogging doesn't really have a market, but if you look at the success of Instapundit's Glenn Reynolds and his bestselling "An Army Of Davids" (both books were released in March), that won't fly. And with 3 million hits a day, you'd think at least some of his audience would pony up to pick up a copy, no?

Next we have radio. Air America continues to tank in the ratings, losing more than a third of its audience in the last year. Where's the market for gob-smacking Bush hatred? Even in NYC where Air America is broadcast from its flagship station WLIB, the best that afternoon drive time host Randi Rhodes can pull in is 27,000 listeners, down from 60,000 last fall.

I have some thoughts about these items. But first, a little Shadenfreude... more...

Posted by: Gary at 02:45 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 461 words, total size 3 kb.

I've read a lot of reax to Tony Snow's new gig. Hugh Hewitt gives a good assessment of what he brings to the job (calling it a great "free agency" signing):

"Including especially good humor and sharp intelligence. Perhaps the best thing about this appointment is the very hostile WH press corps is suddenly confronted by an individual who has already out achieved them in the world of media, which means he knows their tricks and he knows their vanities. There are some smart folks in the WH press room, but there are plenty of pretty faces as well, and they know that Snow is a whole lot smarter than they are."

Posted by: Gary at 01:53 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 158 words, total size 1 kb.

Human Events has ranked the Top 10 Most Liberal in the United States. Very few surprises other than some of the ranking. For example, Seattle was number ten but I would have figured it to be higher.

Go check out the list and rationale for the ranking. See if you can guess which was number one. Here's a hint: peace, love, dope.

Posted by: Gary at 08:52 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 74 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Notice how CA owned 1/5th of that list. No surprise. Interesting to see how the "Left Coast" had 4 cities which tied the East Coast's 4.

Posted by: .....Dan at April 26, 2006 06:22 PM (4hwtR)

2 "peace, love, dope." Isn't it a bit early to be posting your Christmas list?

Posted by: GroovyVic at April 28, 2006 05:32 AM (e7T9f)

3 I am in shock and awe that Philadelphia did NOT make this list!

Posted by: Skye at April 28, 2006 06:49 AM (CyqMo)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

UPDATE: 4/26/06 9:00am
It's all over but the official announcement, which comes this morning. Tony Snow is in as WH Press Secretary. This going to be fun.

Captain Ed makes an interesting observation:

"As other bloggers on the left have made clear, Tony has had his differences with this administration over the past five years. (Who hasn't?) Tony may have wanted to make sure that the next three years would bring policy efforts for which he could have great enthusiasm. I doubt Tony would have given up his lucrative positions at Fox and in syndication in order to represent policies in which he did not believe. His hiring may not have explicit policy implications, but it hints at some possible shifts."

It's looking more and more like this is going to happen. But then the story is from CNN, so you never know.

Here's my two cents (that nobody asked for). Generally, the White House Press Secretary is responsible for releasing information authorized by the Oval Office and to field questions from reporters. Now, having Tony Snow be that person may reinforce the idea to those on the Left that FoxNews belongs to the Bushies. Mark at Decision '08 has this exact reservation. Of course, that's unfair. Snow is a political analyst for FoxNews who makes no secret of his personal philosophy nor should he in his current capacity. He's supposed to offer opinion and take sides. If only the Liberal political commentators on cable news would be so honest.

But the bottom line is: who cares? Would the Left view ANY choice for this post as a "good choice"? I think not. They don't play nice. They don't think that they have to.

More and more, Liberal reporters are using press conferences to grandstand and couch their questions in such ridiculous ways. How many times has Scott McClellan had to deal with a "have you stopped beating your wife" type of question? And reporters like NBC's David Gregory won't accept answers that they don't like. Don't even get me started on Helen Thomas. White House press conferences have been a joke lately; simply opportunities for reporters to try to score points against the Administration and make unsubstantiate insinuations. Rush Limbaugh hasn't dubbed them the "drive-by media" for nothing.

Well, Tony Snow is not going to stand for that crap. He'll be composed. He'll be polite. He'll be professional.

But he also know how to make these assclowns look stupid when they ask stupid questions. If this pans out, I look forward to seeing clips from these press conferences instead of wincing while the White House Press Corps plays "beat up on the fat kid".

I think the Administration is finally learning that they can't win with these people. It's important to be civil but it's time they went on the offense.

Posted by: Gary at 10:30 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 507 words, total size 3 kb.

In what was the closest margin of any of these match-ups, Lynda Carter has triumphed over Elisabeth Shue by 2 votes. Now on to the Championship Round.

In this corner, wearing the blue shorts with white stars, we have:

And in this corner, sporting the leopard-skin one-piece bathing suit, we have:

Both of these lovely ladies are roughly of the same vintage, have baby blue eyes, hail from the Southwestern U.S and each found fame on television as opposed to the movies. This is as tough a match-up as you get. It's the blonde v. the brunette.

Let's get ready to...RUMBLE! Voting continues through noon on Friday.

View updated Tournament bracket HERE.

Posted by: Gary at 12:05 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 128 words, total size 1 kb.

Natan Sharansky, author of the excellent book "The Case For Democracy", penned an Op-Ed in the WSJ's OpinionJournal.com today. Sharansky, who spent nine years in a Soviet Gulag, calls President Bush a dissident.

"He is a man fired by a deep belief in the universal appeal of freedom, its transformative power, and its critical connection to international peace and stability. Even the fiercest critics of these ideas would surely admit that Mr. Bush has championed them both before and after his re-election, both when he was riding high in the polls and now that his popularity has plummeted, when criticism has come from longstanding opponents and from erstwhile supporters.

With a dogged determination that any dissident can appreciate, Mr. Bush, faced with overwhelming opposition, stands his ideological ground, motivated in large measure by what appears to be a refusal to countenance moral failure."

"Today, we are in the midst of a great struggle between the forces of terror and the forces of freedom. The greatest weapon that the free world possesses in this struggle is the awesome power of its ideas.

The Bush Doctrine, based on a recognition of the dangers posed by non-democratic regimes and on committing the United States to support the advance of democracy, offers hope to many dissident voices struggling to bring democracy to their own countries. The democratic earthquake it has helped unleash, even with all the dangers its tremors entail, offers the promise of a more peaceful world."

Posted by: Gary at 09:50 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 384 words, total size 3 kb.

This week's RINO Sightings over at the Strata-Sphere. Great stuff!

Posted by: Gary at 08:45 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 14 words, total size 1 kb.

For as long as I've been a member of Netflix, I haven't had many complaints. In fact, no real complaints. I was a little miffed when they jumped over the next title on my queue once and sent me the one after that. Hey, I understand. Distribution can be complicated.

But recently they did the unthinkable. On Wednesday I received notification that Disc Six of the season of "24" that I am watching was being sent with an anticipated arrival of Thursday. Well, it's Saturday and no disc. I can't even report it as "missing" until Monday. We're talking the last four episodes of an intense story arc.

Luckily, I have a Blockbuster down the road and I can go pick up a copy there. Tonight is "date night" with the wife so I won't be watching them until tomorrow.

But anyone who is a fan of the show understands how pissed off I am. Grrrrr.

UPDATE 4/24/06 9:15am:
Although, I'm still a little annoyed with both NetFlix and the USPS there is a silver lining: Blockbuster includes the bonus material disc with its Disc 6. So I got that going for me...which is nice.

And once again, "24" throws in more curveballs at the last minute than an MLB closer. I've heard a couple of people say the Second Season was their favorite. I can see why. Awesome. Queue up Season Three!

Posted by: Gary at 06:00 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 239 words, total size 1 kb.

The NY Times headline says it all: "Democrats Eager to Exploit Anger Over Gas Prices".

Fine, exploit anger. That's about all they're good at. But while voters are unhappy about gas prices, what reason exactly are Democrats going to give that having them in power makes any difference? They certainly have no track record to boast of.

"While Democrats are eagerly laying blame for the situation on the Republicans, they did little to advance energy measures in eight years under President Bill Clinton. Democrats remain split to some degree over how to proceed, but in general favor greater investment in "clean fuel" technologies, more incentives for driving fuel-efficient vehicles and stronger steps toward reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. Those positions were included in a measure sponsored last year by more than 30 Democratic House members who opposed the Republican version of the energy bill. Even so, 75 Democrats in the House and 25 in the Senate voted with the Republicans to pass Mr. Bush's bill.

The recommendations of the memorandum to Democratic candidates include holding a campaign event at a gas station "where you call for a real commitment to bringing down gas prices and pledge that, as a member of Congress, you will fight for families in your district, not the oil and gas executives for which the Republican Congress has fought so hard."

A survey by Public Agenda, a nonpartisan research organization, in the latest issue of Foreign Affairs magazine suggests that the message could not be more timely. The survey said voters now believed that fears over energy independence rivaled the Iraq war as the leading foreign policy issue for the nation.

Daniel Yankelovich, chairman of Public Agenda, said the survey found that 90 percent of Americans viewed the lack of energy independence as a risk to security, that 88 percent said problems abroad were endangering supplies and increasing prices and that 85 percent believed that the federal government could do something if it tried."

Sure Democrats (as noted above) are in favor of "'clean fuel' technologies, more incentives for driving fuel-efficient vehicles and stronger steps toward reducing emissions of greenhouse gases" but how exactly does that lower gas prices? It doesn't. And gas prices are what people are so upset about. You have only two ways to lower gas prices - increase the supply or cut gas taxes - and Democrats don't believe in either. Holding stunts like having campaign rallies at gas stations is about as lame as you can get.

If Republicans in Congress are smart (and there's no reason to assume that they are) they should 1) hammer the Dems over their hostility to ANWR drilling and 2) call for even a modest cut in Federal gas taxes. Both are do-able, practical solutions that would force Democrats to show voters that they are the real price gougers.

Posted by: Gary at 02:00 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 523 words, total size 3 kb.

We have out first contender for the 80's Crush Championship: Morgan Fairchild. After heavy voting, she was able to hold off a challenge from Lea Thompson despite an official endorsement of the dimpled beauty by the Llamas. Congrats to Lea for her strong showing since the Divisional Round.

Next up, we have Elisabeth Shue facing off against Lynda Carter. Voting will remain open through 12 noon on Monday and the winner will advance to the Championship match-up.

View updated Tournament brackett HERE.

Posted by: Gary at 12:30 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 90 words, total size 1 kb.

We keep hearing about the possibility of the Democrats taking the House in November. One of the big numbers being thrown around is how they "only" have to unseat fifteen Republican incumbents to take a tenuous one-seat majority of the lower chamber.

But what pundits are forgetting is that in addition to taking those seats, they would have to hold every single district currently held by a Democrat. And, as Nathan Gonzales points out in his column at TownHall.com, no party has managed to do that in the last fifty years. He explains:

"In 1958, Democrats took over 49 seats (defeating 35 Republican incumbents and winning 14 GOP open seats), while Republicans still defeated a single Democratic incumbent. Eight years later, Republicans took over 43 Democratic seats, but Democrats simultaneously took over four GOP-held seats.

In 1980, Republicans took over 37 Democratic seats, but Republicans managed to pick off four seats from the DemocratsÂ’ column. And in 1994, Republicans took over 56 Democratic seats (defeating 34 incumbents and winning 22 Democratic open seats), yet Democrats still won four Republican-held open seats."

Gonzales looks at eleven Democrat seats that are vulnerable to flipping Republican. And I can guaranty you that Karl Rove's recent reassignment to political matters will be focused on all of them. So before Dems start to get giddy about their prospects, they better be watching their backs or they're likely to find come November 8th that the make-up of the next Congress will be fairly status quo.

Posted by: Gary at 09:07 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 298 words, total size 2 kb.

You must go now to GOP And The City for the post behind this hilarious graphic:

Probably the funniest part is the reaction of some Libs over the "threat" to Helen Thomas.

Wish I could frequent "Blogs4Bauer" more often but I'm only just finishing up Season Two on dvd and the site is filled with plot spoilers.

h/t: Lorie Byrd

Posted by: Gary at 09:19 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 70 words, total size 1 kb.

Apparently, at least two women did. It seems 76-year old Philip Winikoff was going door-to-door offering free breast exams, posing as a doctor.

Now this is where the story stops being amusing. According to the police report, after Winikoff finished fondling these women's boobs he proceeded to put his hands down their pants and assault them digitally. Winikoff was arrested for sexual battery.

I mean, WTF ladies? Look at this guy? What are you thinking letting a stranger into your house to essentially feel you up?

Americans are by and large a fairly trusting people. Our culture, the most diverse in the world, is based on the idea of giving people the benefit of the doubt. Our legal system is founded on the principle of innocent until proven guilty. That's what makes it so hard for the U.S. to deal with terrorism, which uses our own trusting nature against us.

But this is just.plain.stupid. I feel badly for the victims but you really have to wonder what was going through their minds - if anything.

Posted by: Gary at 09:00 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 191 words, total size 1 kb.

This post by Mohammed at Iraq The Model should be required reading for all of those who can't put aside their hatred of the President to see the importance of his country's fight for their freedom and their future. He recently lost his brother-in-law to a terrorist attack. Please remember him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

"The terrorists and criminals are targeting all elements of life and they target anyone who wants to do something good for this countryÂ…They think by assassinating one of us they could deter us from going forward but will never succeed, they can delay us for years but we will never go back and abandon our dream.

We have vowed to follow the steps of our true martyrs and we will raise the new generation to continue the march, these children of today are the hope and the future.

What a difference between those who work to preserve life and those who work to end itÂ…it's terrorism and crime and there are no other words to describe these acts.

They will keep trying to steal life from us and we will keep fighting back and we will keep exposing them but not with bullets and swords, we never carried arms and we will never do because we are not afraid and because we are not weak unlike those cowards who know no language but that of treason.

April will always be there to remind us of the sacrifice and remind us of the dream we fight for."

Posted by: Gary at 04:15 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 260 words, total size 2 kb.