Plans for African American Museum

Almost a century after an African-American memorial was first proposed for the U.S. capital, a grand vision for a museum encompassing black life in the United States is moving toward realization. Backed by $2 million in federal funds, a special commission appointed by Congress and President Bush started work this summer on a feasibility study for a national museum of African-American history and culture.

"I think it goes without saying that African-Americans have been the major backbone in building and developing America into the country that it is today," said Robert Wright, the chairman of the commission. "Unfortunately ... African-American history, like African-American life in America, was very suppressed. That needs to be told. I think that time has come."

He invoked religion for sexual acts

The Boston Globe has this story.

The documents are among the most remarkable in the 2,200 pages of once-secret church files released yesterday: allegations that a priest had initiated sexual acts with teenagers preparing to become nuns by encouraging them to believe they were making love to Jesus Christ himself.

the Rev. Robert V. Meffan [73] admitted it was true, and said he still believes his sexual relationships with teenage girls were ''beautiful, spiritual'' experiences intended to bring young people closer to God.

But Meffan said he put limits on the physical nature of the relationships. He touched the girls' breasts, for example, but stopped short of intercourse to protect his celibacy vow. ''I don't think that was destroyed,'' Meffan said, ''because I always felt that to destroy celibacy you really had to have intercourse.''

Reminds me of the Clinton defense .... "I did not have sexual relations with that woman"

Bush: I got the hook up.

Bush Restoring Cash Bonuses for Political Appointees

"The White House has decided that several thousand political appointees across the federal government will be eligible for cash bonuses, abandoning a Clinton-era prohibition that grew out of questionable practices in the first Bush administration."

The policy is causing rumblings of discontent from some career officials. They say the policy threatens to reward employees for political loyalty and could force career civil servants to compete against well-connected political appointees.

Why of course, a little greasing of the palm goes a long way.

Letter to Santa

William Repsher of the NY press says in this article

It’s that time of year again: ... New York Press has caught wind of a special letter, actually an audiotape, from Osama bin Laden sent to Santa via the Al Jazeera Network. Below please find the translated transcript:

Excerpt:

[Dear Santa]

If by some chance Allah decrees your soul to be true, I would like 200 virgins, an olive orchard, a five kilogram hunk of plutonium and the new Justin Timberlake CD. I have been nice this year. Any naughtiness was the result of American cultural and political imperialism for which I am simply repaying the favor on behalf of all Muslim people. Think of Rudolph and his shiny red nose, and all those who would make him an outcast for this. His red nose was the light that guided the way, as am I.

Your Teacher was right

Tom Tomorrow makes a point about what your teacher used to always tell you.

Don't go down without it

With America’s attentions focused on the UN weapons inspectors in Iraq, the holiday season here at home, and the numerological revelation that Bush’s smallpox vaccination plan represents the Mark of the Beast, it’s easy to overlook the important inventions like this .

Around The Blogosphere

West Coast power blogger and inspiration to many (including yours truly) Tony Pierce says he's a big fan of Ray Garraud. I'm an even bigger fan of the Busblog, and I highly recommend Tony's upcoming book as a nice addition to your Christmas list.

Speaking of Christmas , have you you made your list and checked it twice? ... There's one list at Buzzmachine called The Blogger's Christmas Shopping Catalogue that you should take a look at. I've already placed my order for this .


John Hiler has started Cityblogs.com which I think is an excellent addition to the NYC blogging community, more details here.

Go Knicks!

The Knicks are 5-10 overall, but 4-3 with Sprewell back in the lineup after his suspension and rehabilitation for his injured hand.

The Knicks are starting to look more cohesive and potent. Allan Houston, Kurt Thomas and Latrell Sprewell all scored 20 or more points on Monday, as the Knicks crushed the Cavs 125-93 at home.

Houston led the offense with 29 points on 9-of-15 shooting, and Sprewell added 11 assists to his 20-point night. The knicks will go for another win tonight against Orlando.

Iran-Contra Reunion?

Scandals and convictions couldn't hold these men back from high-paying, influential positions in government and the media.

While we're still debating Poindexter's latest brain child ... Now this:

In the latest installment, The Washington Post reports that yet another member of the Iran-Contra gang returns to a prominent post in the Bush administration.

Iran-contra figure Elliott Abrams, who has served in the White House for more than a year, has been promoted to a key post among President Bush's national security aides.

Abrams was appointed to lead the National Security Council's office for Near East and North African affairs. The senior director job oversees Arab-Israeli relations and U.S. efforts to promote peace in the troubled region.

His appointment, which does not require Senate confirmation, was announced yesterday by Bush's national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice.

Abrams pleaded guilty in 1991 to two misdemeanor counts of withholding information from Congress. Abrams received a Christmas Eve pardon from President George H.W. Bush in 1992.

(A Summary of what the Iran-Contra affair was all about is here)

It's all a big game and you're not going to win unless you know all the rules.

New Study Reveals . . . Cheating Makes Your Marriage Stronger

Dr. Lucielle Ostertag from the Italian Institute of Social Sciences conducted the controversial research.

"I started the analysis project to discover how damaging infidelity was to marriages," says Dr. Ostertag. "I was as surprised as everyone when the numbers proved that cheating on your spouse is actually good for your marriage."

I don't make the news, um, I just observe and report .