The Week Ahead

A few things to keep an eye on as this week gets underway.

• This cannot be good… Japan is considering military action against North Korea. I really don’t think anything else needs to be said… except that I have got to finish that damn bomb shelter…
• Could North Korea’s missile tests be traced back to jealousy? That’s what Jerrold Post, formerly the CIA's top expert on Kim Jong Il, has said. Believing that Jong test-fired the missiles due to resentment over the attention that Iran's nuclear program is receiving from the U.S., he thinks the dictators actions are out of an interest to be the most feared person in the world. Nice… let’s keep an uneasy eye on this, as it’s only going to get more and more interesting…
• Keep an eye on Texas… no wait, keep an eye on Virginia… no, Texas… no, Virginia… Screw it; just keep an eye on Tom DeLay (R-TX). A source close to the ex-Congressman told Time Magazine that DeLay is thinking about launching an aggressive campaign with an aim to retake the House seat he gave up in June. This is only if an appeals court refuses to change a ruling by a federal judge that mandated his name stay on this November's ballot. Wait a minute… I thought he moved to Virginia? That was the Texas GOP’s main argument to get him off the ballot, that he moved to Virginia… so now he’s not a “Virginiain” like he’s claimed, but still a Texan who may want to run to reclaim his seat?? This whole thing is getting me confused…
• Rick Santorum is trying to “reintroducing himself” to Pennsylvania voters… so far it’s not working. This is a race to keep an eye on as the less popular he gets, the more desperate he’ll get… and who knows what he’s liable, and capable, to do then…
• Two words: Iran. Nukes. Nothing more needs to be said.
• Bad news for the White House as it turns out that lobbyist Jack Abramoff had a half-dozen White House appointments during the first months of the Bush administration, even though they had constantly said otherwise. Isn’t that special?
• Keep an eye to DC as Congress returns from a long break this week (about time). Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX), stated earlie that he’s “…not sure what this Congress has accomplished.” I think the vast majority of the American public would agree with you Mr. Armey.
• In concert with their return, or maybe despite the aforementioned return, it seems that a legislative agenda that at one point in the last 12 months was THE most important subject in Washington is stalled and a few public interest groups believe that may be a good thing, considering that every “reform” piece appers to be nothing more than a PR stunt. Couldn’t agree more… we’ve been keeping our eyes on this, and it still evaporates before our eyes and we allow it…
• Keep an eye on "Democrat" William Jefferson as the “cooling off period” for all materials that were confiscated in a raid of his Capitol Hill office has expired. There’s still no resolution on the table, so it should be interesting to see what the next step is for all involved parties. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; the man should resign.
• Pay attention to Adam Carolla. He picked up a plethora of new fans this week the instant he hung up on Ann Coulter. See the video HERE via Crooks and Liars and laugh your ass off with the rest of us.
• Keep an eye on MySpace and Facebook as politician portfolios on each site are close to becoming a reality? Starting this September, Facebook will allow politicians to buy profiles that will have a potential audience of 8 million members. It’s seen as an attempt to court a group of voters who normally are hard to reach. MySpace plans a similar initiative later this year. What’s next? Youtube being used as…oh, never mind.

Take 'em as you will...