Time for the sequel.

As I mentioned last week, this debate, live from Washington University in St. Louis, will be in a "town hall" format, with questions from a live audience. The audience is made up of undecided voters (as if I completely believe that).

Charles Gibson, anchor of ABC's Good Morning America will moderate this evening's debate.

As with last week's debate, live streaming coverage can be found from C-Span (RP) or BBC World (WMP) online.

Live blogging has commenced all over the place -- check the blogroll at the right; most folks are offering some form of live, running commentary. In addition, Free Republic has a live message thread running with ongoing conversation.

Post-game analysis will run pretty much all weekend long in the usual places.

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Sad word in this morning that 62 year-old British hostage Ken Bigley, kidnapped with murdered Americans Jack Hensley and Eugene Armstrong three weeks ago, has been murdered in Iraq.

Militants in the Iraqi city of Fallujah say they believe Mr Bigley was killed on Thursday in the town of Latifiyah, 22 miles south-west of Baghdad.

A news presenter in Abu Dhabi said on television: "We have learned from informed sources in the Iraqi capital that the kidnappers of Kenneth Bigley have killed him."

The horrific alert comes just 24 hours after Iraq's interim prime minister, Ayad Allawi, said there were promising behind-the-scenes to secure Mr Bigley's release.

U.S. military sources told NBC News that they have reports from Iraq that Bigley might have been killed while trying to escape. The reports indicate that a number of "others" who might have been trying to help Bigley escape were also killed, the sources said.

UPDATE - 12:30P ET:Reuters confirms that a videotape of Bigley's beheading exists, and they have seen it. It will be available on the web soon. I'll have links to it once it becomes available.

Bigley's brother has been quoted as saying that Prime Minister Tony Blair has his brother's "blood on his hands."

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When you think you've heard everything about the sliminess of the attitudes of some doctors, something else comes along to blanch your skin and drop the pit of your stomach even further.

Leading doctors today called for a major overhaul to avoid babies being born alive after abortions.

Professor Campbell said that all abortions carried out after 18 weeks of pregnancy should include an injection, followed by drugs, to induce labour and a stillborn child.

Next week a motion is being tabled at the British Medical Association conference that babies should be entitled to all the intensive care that babies born prematurely receive. Consultant obstetrician-Jim Thornton said in the past babies were born alive after abortion more regularly but "people didn't make a fuss and pretended not to realise the baby was born alive".

Professor Thornton, of City Hospital, Nottingham, said: "Once it is born, you can't kill the baby but the law doesn't say anything about to what degree you resuscitate it.

"The way it is dealt with is by sensible doctors and sensible nurses keeping it under their hat and allowing the baby to pass away peacefully."

Professor Campbell does not believe that a baby born in this way should be kept alive at all costs.

"What paediatricians do is spend resources keeping a baby that is going to die, alive. It is absolute nonsense. It does show that is up to us (obstetricians) to make sure the baby is not moving."

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CBS has sent it's first statement to the founder of BoycottCBS.com, in the form of a snarky e-mail from CBS executive Ted Data to BoycottCBS.com founder Michael Paranzino.

Addressed to BoycottCBS.com founder Michael Paranzino, the email from the CBS’ “Black Rock” headquarters in New York City was brief and to the point:

“PARANZINO..YOU'RE A PUTZ!

“GET A LIFE PARANZINO!!!!”

“I’m flattered that CBS News executives read our web site, because we certainly don’t watch their news programs. CBS News debate ratings last night ranked fourth behind NBC, ABC, and Fox, which was showing baseball. It’s time for CBS executives to stop sending silly emails and start cleaning house at their troubled news department.

“And I’d like to thank Mr. Data for his email, which made me feel young again. I haven’t been called that since junior high.”

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Jib Jab, the outfit that gave you "This Land," the satirical flash animation of George Bush and John Kerry going at each other to the tune of "This Land is Your Land," are at it again.

From the creators of the political satire sensation "This Land" comes a sequel set to the tune of "Dixie."

The online animation "Good To Be in DC!" features the presidential and vice presidential candidates along with Attorney General John Ashcroft, CBS News anchor Dan Rather, filmmaker Michael Moore, talk show host Rush Limbaugh and Jane Fonda.

"In `This Land,' you had basically (President) Bush and (John) Kerry," said Evan Spiridellis, who co-produced the cartoons with his brother, Gregg. "This piece is more about the whole town, the whole system."

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From Dennis Miller's Tonight Show apparance the other night:

That's why I like Bush. He doesn't over-think it. He wakes up every morning, jumps out of bed, lands on his two feet, scratches his balls, and says, "Let's kill some f@#@$ing terrorists!"

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Anheuser-Busch is introducing a sweetened, caffeinated beer, targeted at twenty-somethings that regularly guzzle vodka-based drinks like they're going out of style.

The new beer B(E) -- read as "B to the E power" -- will roll out in several phases starting in November.

Advertising will focus on in-store merchandising and promotions at bars and nightclubs, with some local print work and online marketing, Anheuser-Busch officials said.

B(E) infuses beer with caffeine, guarana and ginseng, along with berry aromas for a sweeter, yet more tart taste at 6.6 percent alcohol by volume, said company brewmaster Nathaniel Davis.

Anheuser-Busch designed the new brew for 21- to 27-year-old drinkers who seek novel beverages and switch drinks more frequently according to mood and occasion, the company said.

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My new Project 21 piece was published this week.

So what's a conservative - especially a black conservative - to do about it?

For one thing, stop allowing this dominance to occur by default, because it's falsely defining black America as less conservative than it really is.

In a October/November 2003 Gallup poll, more blacks identified themselves as conservative (30 percent) than liberal (22 percent). A 1996 Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies poll similarly found a nearly equal distribution among blacks who defined themselves as conservative, liberal and moderate. School choice and gay marriage are just two of the recent high-profile splits between black America and the liberal establishment.

It's obvious there's a diversity of political opinion in the African-American community, but what about the seemingly monolithically liberal black media?

In most major radio markets, black radio dominates the dial. In black radio, Tom Joyner rules the roost. His ABC-distributed program is among the top draws not only in black radio but in urban and suburban radio, period. A long-time radio veteran with extensive local-market experience in Chicago and Dallas, Joyner holds court over a cornucopia of topics. He and his cohorts are frequently visited by phone or in person by newsmakers and commentators who maintain a definite sway among black Americans. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and Julian Bond are among Joyner's semi-regular guests. NPR and PBS talk show host Tavis Smiley is a regular weekly contributor.

Joyner additionally hosts gatherings at Disney World, festivals around the nation and even an annual ocean cruise. He holds fundraisers for historically black colleges and is an outspoken advocate of "giving back" to the community.

Tom Joyner is an opinion leader in the black media establishment.

His mantra nowadays is getting President George W. Bush out of office. Joyner's program hosted several of the Democratic presidential candidates, but he hasn't had on anyone from the GOP. While part of this can be attributed to the current anti-Bush, anti-Republican bias of Joyner and his compatriots, just as much blame lies with the Republicans themselves.

The visible communication sources in black America - from Joyner and Smiley on the radio to BET to TV One on television as well as publications ranging from Johnson Publishing's Jet and Ebony to Earl Graves' Black Enterprise and the local black press - are a virtual wasteland when it comes to conservative ideas.

Conservative blacks from Project 21 often are represented in press reports and with New Visions Commentaries, but why isn't the President there? Why aren't Condoleezza Rice or Colin Powell there? Why aren't John Ashcroft or Donald Rumsfeld there?

Why was Trent Lott only on BET to apologize for putting his foot in his mouth regarding the late Strom Thurmond and not to discuss conservative proposals to reform Social Security, how tougher standards and choice can improve education and how tax cuts don't just help the rich?

All those individuals will readily show up at Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh's bully pulpits. That's not a bad thing. It's always good to preach to the choir.

But always rallying the faithful doesn't expand one's presence. One cannot expand their message unless and until they step outside their comfort zone.

Going on black radio may not be easy or comfortable for conservatives at first. A wariness exists on both sides. As the ice is broken - and as black America recognizes that this is not a matter or a means of being used or pandered to simply for votes or support - both sides will begin to open up and to discover that a common ground truly exists.

Even Tom Joyner may discover there is not only room but a necessity for a vigorous political debate among black Americans. To deny it is to deprive black America of something it truly deserves. But it is something that both he needs to be open to as well as those pushing conservative policies.

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I didn't get a chance to award the "No-Prize" yesterday; it got a bit on the busy side here (plus I was out for a good chunk of the day).

Anyway, the best caption for Ketchup Boy's attempt at playing football has to go to Songstress7 for here entry, "Senator Kerry attempts to find his head in the last place he left it...

I don't know when I'll do another one -- although doing one weekly sounds like it might be a fun thing to do.

I want to thank all you folks who participated though! Thanks!

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1 "You see, when I was in Vietnam, we had this 'all nads on deck thing' that we did....." Sorry - had to be said

Posted by: Joel (No Pundit Intended) at October 08, 2004 11:32 AM (iGAEH)

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Nip/Tuck's season finale was last night on FX.

The "out of left field" revelations kept coming hot and heavy.

First we find out that Ava's a man (ok, transgendered).

Then not only do we get to see the slimy Alec Baldwin as the doctor....

...we find out that HE'S AVA'S HUSBAND!

And if you think I'm revealing everything, just wait until the last five minutes (after all, The Carver is still out there and gunning for Sean)!

And after the teardrop in the final scene, we're left hanging until next June!

Both The Shield and Nip/Tuck are starting late next season, due to Michael Chiklis and Julian McMahon both appearing in Fantastic Four, shooting now for a July release (as Ben Grimm and Victor Von Doom respectively).

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Quote of the night that sums up the entire debate from Vice President Cheney:

"Now, in my capacity as vice president, I am the president of Senate, the presiding officer. I'm up in the Senate most Tuesdays when they're in session. The first time I ever met you was when you walked on the stage tonight. "

John "Breck Girl" Edwards fidgeted, hemmed, hawed, and did his level best to try to deflect, defend and otherwise protect the man at the head of the Democratic ticket, John Kerry.

Edwards insisted that he and Senator Kerry were not guilty of the flip-flops that their record strongly indicates, while Cheney went on the offensive, attacking the dismal voting and attendance records of both Kerry and Edwards.

Edwards tried to link Cheney's personal association with defense contrator Halliburton with failed companies like Enron, and the criminal activities of that company's head, Ken Lay. Cheney countered by challenging Edwards' lack of experience on the Hill (Edwards has only been in the Senate since 1999; Cheney has served in four presidential administrations, and has also been a part of the leadership of the US House).

Unlike last week's tie, I've gotta give this one to Cheney.

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Dick "Lord Vader" Cheney is set to take on John "Breck Girl" Edwards this evening.

As with last week's debate, live streaming coverage can be found from C-Span (RP) or BBC World (WMP) online.

The post-game analysis will be all over the place; stay tuned for our own post-game wrap.

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1921 - 2004

Bye, Rodney. We'll miss you.

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A new eruption of steam is coming from Mt. St. Helens in Washington state. But as we watch the live shots this morning, the clouds are much darker, which may or may not indicate the presence of magma or lava as opposed to only steam, which has gone up over the past three days.

NorthWest Cable News and their affiliates KGW-TV/DT Portland & KING-TV/DT Seattle are providing live streaming coverage (WMP).

The USGS has maintained their Level 3 alert, which is the highest volcano alert level. The USGS has said that there is at least a 70% chance of a "major" eruption over the near term, ranging from the immediate timeframe to as far out as two to three weeks from now.

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Burt Rutan's Ansari X Prize entry, SpaceShip One, is set to make it second qualifying flight in order to win the 10 million dollar prize this morning.

NASA-TV is set to stream the flight live beginning at 9:30A ET.

The ship, piloted by 51 year-old Brian Binnie, will be ferried aloft by a Rutan-designed plane called the White Knight to 50,000 feet, where it will be released. SpaceShip One's engine will ignite, thrusting the ship upward to an altitude of more than 60 miles above the surface of the earth. The ship will glide back to a landing in the Mojave desert about an hour and a half after the initial take off of the tandem White Knight/SpaceShip One pair.

UPDATE: The Virgin Galactic/SpaceShip One team is also streaming live video now.

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I tend to purposefully keep away from abortion conversations as a general rule; I've never had one, and don't plan on it, either.

In any event, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Dr. Alveda King, is appearing in a new public service announcement, entitled "Restore the Dream," for BlackGenocide.org, a website that discusses abortion and the negative effect it has on black America.

VirtueMedia's newest film commercial, starring Dr. Alveda King, outspoken pro-life advocate and niece of the legendary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The commercial   reveals the Black Genocide of abortion, that is plaguing African American Communities in America.

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When John Kerry does stuff like this, he just begs for really bad captions. I could say something really bad here, but I'll leave it to you to caption this one. I'll award a "No-Prize" (back from when Marvel really was Marvel) on Tuesday. Excelsior!

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Nafi'a Daoud Ibrahim is the victim this time; he's an Iraqi citizen who, according to an AQ-affiliated Iraqi terrorist group, was a contractor working for United States forces.

The footage from the group, Ansar al-Sunna, showed a militant beheading the man, identified as Iraqi national Barea Nafea Dawoud Ibrahim.

The group said in a statement accompanying the video that Ibrahim was an "apostate" (a person who abandons their faith). It was dated Oct. 2.

"I have set up three telecommunications networks for the Iraqi National Guard. I have been working in Taji since June 2004," a frightened-looking Ibrahim told the camera. He was wearing an access badge issued by the U.S. forces around his neck.

Two men later held him down and one proceeded to behead him, before placing his severed head on top of his body.

"We say to all those who even consider working with the crusader forces that they should repent," the group warned.

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1 I think it is so cruel, I hope this kind of action can never happen again!

Posted by: william at October 14, 2004 06:17 PM (V7BS9)

2 i think we should go paki huntin a bit of revenge

Posted by: jack and kyle at December 20, 2004 10:31 AM (iF0lc)

3 no no no

Posted by: doud rafia at April 17, 2005 12:17 AM (EhfLz)

4 i am still craying my brother till my dethe

Posted by: doud rafia at April 17, 2005 12:18 AM (EhfLz)

5 why??????????????????????????????????????????????

Posted by: doud rafia at April 17, 2005 12:19 AM (EhfLz)

6 killthe barstardand id gladly take an offer to do that

Posted by: abdul at August 17, 2005 07:21 AM (FvUGb)

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Dutch intelligence raided the home of the brother of British AQ hostage Ken Bigley in Amsterdam Friday night.

Apparently there have been claims made that Ken Bigley was able to roam about his captor's locale free, and was only caged for the purpose of the terrorist videos.

Dutch intelligence officers raided the home of Kenneth Bigley's brother last night. An intelligence officer from the Foreign Office is understood to have accompanied them to Paul Bigley's home in Amsterdam.

The raid came amid claims that the British hostage was free to roam his kidnappers' home in Iraq and was "caged" only for terrorist videos.

Paul Bigley's computer was seized and he was interrogated about his alleged contact with the Tawhid and Jihad group, which yesterday claimed responsibility for Thursday's killing of at least 35 children in Baghdad.

In Fallujah, Mohammed Kasim, an Iraqi-born gunman with a British passport, said the latest video of Mr Bigley showing him shackled in a cage had been staged to "terrify" the British public. There was no way of verifying the claim, particularly in a country awash with rumour and conspiracy theories.

Two of Mr Bigley's American colleagues were beheaded by the captors, believed to be the group led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Gruesome footage of the murders was transmitted on the internet.

Kasim says that he is not part of the Zarqawi-Al Qaeda-affiliated group that has been responsible for most of the terrorist beheadings in Iraq. He would not show a passport to confirm his claim of British citizenship, nor would he confirm his London address, citing a need to protect his family who still lives there.

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1 so he has links with them. if either of my sisters was in Ken bigleys position i would sponsor osama bin laden for british citizenship and immunity from extradition to the US to get her back.

Posted by: young-white-and-liberal at October 02, 2004 03:58 AM (E1ciy)

2 If any of my sisters were in Ken Bigley's position I would pray for the terrorists. The rest of the family would be in Iraq in a flash turning over every stone looking for her. Those of us not already in the military would probably join up with the grim determination to wipe out such vermin to spare other families our anguish. You don't negotiate with terrorists. You kill them otherwise other people's family members will end up in their clutches.

Posted by: Samantha at October 02, 2004 06:59 AM (sYFP3)

3 Well, it just shows to go ya. When it looks like a bad summer playhouse production - it is. Thanks, Michael, for sending the word out on this. I have been crazy busy and missed it completely.

Posted by: Joel (No Pundit Intended) at October 02, 2004 01:51 PM (OOB9J)

4 That these people do this in the name of their god is sick. They are just sick f|_|cks.

Posted by: Paul at October 09, 2004 01:06 AM (mIZjU)

5 some how i cant get it through my head how some human could kills its own kind in the name of god well im a christain and you dont see me going around killing people for the love and power of our father its just wrong and a really sick thing to do as far as im concerned they need a taste of ther own medician not saying that killing is right but then they need to know how the families feel and have to go through i understand that they want revenge but there is a beter way

Posted by: nicole at October 09, 2004 02:19 AM (v6JZ5)

6 its no problem,we'll just take these iraq idiots out one by one if we have to..its all gravy.. r.i.p ken bigley

Posted by: this guy kicks ass at October 09, 2004 06:42 AM (O6B/O)

7 What you have to remember, is that it is only a small minority of people doing these hideous things,all the others involved are just following orders,i have been researching obedience and conformaty recently, though it is wrong for these people to follow such immoral orders,they are killing to obey,and i don't think that this is looked into enough.

Posted by: katie at October 13, 2004 01:33 AM (bUwX2)

8 no no no no

Posted by: doud rafia at April 17, 2005 12:16 AM (EhfLz)

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Mt. St. Helens is currently erupting steam.

KGW-TV/DT Portland & KING-TV/DT Seattle are providing a live video stream (WMP).

Geologists are describing this as a "small eruption."

It was not immediately known if this is the event that scientists have been predicting for days, or if it is a precusor to a larger event.

UPDATE (4:25P ET):Forester lives near Mt. St. Helens, and is liveblogging it.

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