This is neither the time, nor the place.

Most of us are still reeling from the tragic mass murder at Virginia Tech. It is impossible to comprehend the range of emotions students, faculty, staff, and most importantly, family and friends of the victims are feeling. The thoughts and prayers of a nation go out to them.

That said, some on both sides of the gun issue are using this tragedy as a vehicle to advance their agendas.

Even as someone who loves a good debate, I can't help but feel that this is sick opportunism.

The the first, and sharpest criticism simply must be heaped at the Bush Administration. In one of the first things uttered by the White House after the tragedy, spokeswoman Dana Perino said,

"The president believes that there is a right for people to bear arms."

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?

George W. Bush is, if nothing else, a doctrinaire conservative. His Second Amendment credentials don't need bolstering. Why, why, why on earth, when you are supposed to be the rational voice of comfort and leadership, do you feel the need to PREFACE your remarks with a shoutout to, not simply the gun owning crowd, but to the irrationally paranoid "cold dead hands" crowd.

Shame too on the GOP presidential contender herd, who also seemed content to fall over themselves to affirm their support for the Second Amendment.

Little tip: This ain't their day. Fellate them next week. Comfort VT families now.

The First Lady got it right:

"We understand that there's going to be, and there has been, an ongoing national discussion, conversation and debate about gun control policy. Of course we are going to be participants in that conversation," she said. "Today, however, is a day that is time to focus on the families, the school, the community."

Well said, Mrs. Bush. At least someone in the White House doesn't have their head up their posterior. Credit too to the NRA, who know their politics and struck a similar tone, and the Democratic presidential contenders, who offered only condolences.

Both sides of the gun debate make valid points, and there will be plenty of time for debate. But not now.

Testing New Blogger

Testing the new format...not the biggest no brainer in the history of earth.

Stupid Fox

This isn't a rant about the Fox News Channel, or Newscorp, or any of the other propaganda machines. That's for another day.

This is a rant about WFLD, the Chicago affiliate.

For years now, 10 PM has been Simpsons time. Period.

As each passing new Simpsons episode dissappointingly comes and goes on Sundays, the 10 PM rerun broadcasts provide a welcome respite and a reminder of when the show was in its prime.

And now, in some lame effort to challenge the old school networks (CBS, NBC, ABC), Fox has added an ADDITIONAL half hour of news on top of their 9 PM broadcast, called "The Ten."

Seriously, don't we already have enough cross-promotion of American Idol and stories about how many pills Anna Nicole Smith took?

Bad idea. Thumbs down, Fox.


Yeah yeah yeah, of course the Simpson's is still going to be on at 10:35. But that isn't the point.