You got you Nobel Peace Prize, Now Go Away

So this morning, I was pleasantly surprised by breakfast in bed and a dynamic politically charged Sunday morning. First up, Meet The Press now moderated by Tom Brokaw with former Vice-President Al Gore. Although Brokaw did a great job of hard hitting journalism, he does not seem fully comfortable in the chair once occupied by his great friend. In true form, Al Gore was unable to answer questions beyond the rhetoric that he must be practicing in the mirror each and every day. The best was when Mr. Brokaw asked Big Al what he and Tipper needed with 10,000 square feet for the two of them. Can you say Deer in Headlights?

The Irish are such clear thinkers:

"We, in Ireland, can't figure out why you are even bothering to hold an election in the United States.

On one side, you have a bitch who is a lawyer, married to a lawyer, running against a lawyer who is married to a bitch who is a lawyer.

On the other side, you have a war hero married to a good looking woman who owns a beer distributorship. That should be No Contest"

Tony Snow Passes

Former Press Secretary Tony Snow died at 2am this morning in Georgetown, Washington. He was only 54 years old and succumbed to colon cancer, leaving behind a wife and three children. He had a great sense of humor and took on the most rambuncious of reporter. I remember when he left the White House and the "scandel" that swirled around it. Fingers pointing at President Bush and the "devastation" within the White House staff with more resignations to come was the report on the news. The media would have done better to speak of this man's character and I hope in hindsight they regret the mistakes they made reporting on a crumbling administration. Rest In Peace Mr. Snow.

Timothy John Russert (May 7, 1950 – June 13, 2008)

It has been almost a month since this living legend has passed and I am no less somber about it than I was. I remember the Sundays in which I had my coffee, the tv turned to Meet the Press, and myself poised at the computer awaiting the one comment that would set my fingers blazing on the keyboard with an email addressed to the offender. I spent the last 6 months working on Sundays and missing the brilliance that was Tim Russert. I am grateful that G recorded the Tribute to Tim version of Meet the Press on Father's Day. How ironic and appropriate with his book about his own father, his relationship with Luke, and he as the Father of good political journalism. There is not enough I can say about Tim Russert except that the loss is immeasurable and Meet the Press will never be the same. The caliber of integrity, dedication, and genuine charm this man brought to the masses on Sunday mornings can never be replaced. And to you Tim Russert I say, If it is Sunday, it is Meet the Press and no matter what team is playing from Buffalo or Boston College - Go team Go!

The Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Or the Democratic National Convention, but what is the difference really? I obviously live in Denver and am less than thrilled about the DNC coming to town. I am supporting the fact that huge "tourist" dollars will be spent in our economy and that every news station in the world will be highlighting the city, but beyond that, this is a nightmare. The funds have not been raised, the hospital in which I work is now the facility of choice in the case of a disaster (and I guess they do not categorize the Dems coming to town as a disaster in their own right), and I am being held hostage as "essential personnel" and cannot take PTO during any portion of the convention. Which is exactly what I had planned on doing - Getting the hell out of dodge.

All in all, I am pretty pleased with the way the Democratic candidates have been duking it out against one another. They have made themselves out to look like childish bullies that cannot be trusted and John McCain is left smelling like a rose. I am not a McCain fan, but he is the GOP candidate and the lesser of all evils still standing in the election. August will be hot in Denver in more ways than one. I will have the opportunity to watch the fight to the death between bitter rivals. I hope that is all the excitement we see here in the Mile High City....I mean, who would want to actually hurt the first black presidential candidate or the first female presidential candidate with a philandering husband, both of which lie so easily, it looks effortless?

And No, I will not waste my time picketing!

Remember How Precious Life Is

I am so sad and confused by the recent violence that has taken place in Colorado. As many of you know, I am trying to discover my own spirituality and religious beliefs and feel a little more lost on this topic than I have in previous days. I saw Tom Johnson on the Today Show this morning and was extremely touched by his comments surrounding the way his daughter lived. It is ironic that her father begged her to get out of Africa and other dangerous countries and yet her life was taken on U.S. soil, where he felt her to be safest. I cannot bring myself to think about the Works' family in Colorado Springs who lost both of their daughters (18 & 16) on a beautiful Sunday morning simply attending church as a family. It is the type of event that snaps reality back at you and makes you realize how precious life, love, and your family can be. Take nothing for granted. My sympathies go out to the families involved with this tragedy. May you find peace.

60 Minutes of Dinosaurs

So I am totally psyched about turning on 60 Minutes tonight to find Anderson Cooper as a guest contributor. There are so many reasons to love Anderson Cooper - his mother is Gloria Vanderbilt and I am a child of the 70's, he has had his share of heartache with the death of his father and suicide of his brother, and he is unbelievably talented. I have seen him on Oprah a handful of times talking more about the state of America and third world countries than himself, but he seems intensely modest, sincere, and genuine. I am also psyched that 60 Minutes might be attempting to fight its way out of the prehistoric era that it has secured itself to for all of these years. Although Anderson is a man, he is an unlikely candidate for the old boy's club. So again, I am psyched about Anderson Cooper appearing as a guest and hope that he will become a more permanent fixture. That in itself would lend me the title of 60 Minutes fan!