Media May Have Caused Katrina Aid Delay

The same media that was patting itself on the back for its Hurricane Katrina coverage may have actually caused a delay in delivery of some of the aid because of the false stories that were aired about violence in New Orleans.

Last Night's Movie: Executive Suite (1954)

This was an absorbing film about corporate wheelings and dealings that take place when a company president dies unexpectedly, leaving no designated successor. The business themes were surprisingly undated a half century later, though of course the technology of business has changed (i.e., emails have replaced telegrams). One of the striking things about the film was the lack of background music; instead city sounds, notably a clanging bell, were used to good effect. The film also has some interesting set designs, particularly William Holden and June Allyson's home.

Besides Holden and Allyson, the all-star cast includes Walter Pidgeon, Fredric March, Paul Douglas, and Barbara Stanwyck. Directed by Robert Wise from an Ernest Lehman screenplay; Wise and Lehman later teamed up on West Side Story and The Sound of Music. Wise, sadly, passed away just a couple weeks ago; Lehman preceded Wise in death by just a little over two months.

The film is not yet out on DVD but is available on video as well as on Turner Classic Movies.

July 2007 Update: This movie will be out on DVD October 30, 2007.

2014 Update: This film has been reissued on DVD by the Warner Archive.

2025 Update: EXECUTIVE SUITE is now available on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive. My review of the Blu-ray, which is much more detailed than this brief write-up, may be read here.

"She Knows His Expectations"

The Washington Post quotes a "senior official" suggesting Harriet Miers' ethics are such she would never allow herself to be considered if she knew she couldn't meet the President's expectations for the Supreme Court.

(Hat tip: Betsy's Page.)

Hugh Hewitt ends this post with a reader email sharing the same thought.

Hugh's site also recommended this interesting piece by Thomas Lifson at American Thinker.

I'll take what encouragement I can get :).

And To Cap the Day Off...

William J. Bennett has resigned from the board of K12, Inc. K12 is an outstanding homeschooling curriculum which I'm now in my third year with. It first came to my attention thanks to Dr. Bennett, and I'm sad he is cutting ties with the company in the wake of the flap over his radio remarks.

Update: Dennis Prager weighs in on "The Bennett Libel."

A Bad Day Heading Downhill Fast: Dodgers Fire Tracy

The Los Angeles Dodgers have capped one of the worst seasons in their L.A. history by firing manager Jim Tracy (unless you want to charitably call it "a parting of the ways" as it's being cast in the media). The person they should be firing is General Manager Paul DePodesta, the man who saddled Tracy with a bunch of malcontents and minor leaguers. Tracy has been a miracle worker given what he's had to work with since mid '04 in particular.

Chocolate, Anyone?

I'm feeling the need for a chocolate fix tonight :). Lick the Spoon provides a photographic taste of a Nigella (Lawson, I assume) brownie recipe. It looks fabulous (but SIX eggs?!).

Another Reason Judy Miller Stayed in Jail?

If true, that's quite a payday for a three-month stay.

If You're In Need of Cheer Today...

...you can now mail your letters with Muppets postage stamps!

Governors Reject Disaster Relief Takeover By Feds

U.S. governors have soundly rejected a proposal by the President that the military take charge of responses to natural disasters.

Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi said of the federal government, "We don't need them coming in and running things," while Gov. Joe Manchin of West Virginia said "I would never abdicate...the responsibility to protect the people of my state."

All of which serves to underscore the point which was perhaps deliberately ignored by the media and the left in their rush to politicize the response to Hurricane Katrina: the pre-hurricane planning and immediate relief response was not the chief responsibility of the federal government or FEMA, but was the responsibility of state and local officials, who sadly botched the job in Louisiana.

Miers an Evangelical Originalist?

We shall see. Fred Barnes at The Weekly Standard attempts to reassure the base with the news that the President became convinced of Miers' beliefs on the Constitution and judicial restraint through the vetting process she's been managing for Roberts and the current opening.

The White House surely realizes conservatives are, at best, puzzled. Vice President Cheney called in to Rush Limbaugh's second hour to make the case for Miers and assure Rush's listeners that we can trust Miers to practice judicial restraint.

From World Magazine, quoted by Rush today, comes the news that Miers is an evangelical Christian.

The Love of Books and Learning

A great story from the L.A. Times about an illiterate Brazilian who has collected thousands of books and opened a private library in his home to serve his community.

Disappointed and Discouraged

Rather than choosing a known "originalist" for the Supreme Court, the President has selected a big question mark with zero judicial experience...who has, in the past, donated to Democrats.

Reaction above at Confirm Them, and also at Bench Memos -- be sure to check out Mark Levin's posts at the latter site.

SCOTUSBlog has more.

Hugh Hewitt is keeping the faith.

Power Line is also disappointed.

This may turn out okay in the end, but in the meantime I find this perhaps the single most disappointing decision in the career of President Bush, a man I otherwise admire considerably. He had a chance to make a big difference in the life of this country with a nomination of a quality candidate with sterling credentials, such as a Luttig, Jones, or Alito, and he went instead for a friend about whom very little is known.

Congratulations to Dale Jarrett

Jarrett broke a winless streak of over 2 and a half years when he won a wild race today at Talladega. Jarrett became the fifth-oldest winner in NASCAR history.

A Touching Salute to a Hero

Read this one...lovely.

"New Car Smell" Kills?

Or maybe not...if you read way down in the article it says that there is no evidence the chemicals that cause "new car smell" are toxic in the concentrations found in cars. Nonetheless, auto makers are going to be working to reduce the chemicals that lead cars to smell factory fresh.

Many thanks to one of my readers for sharing this story :).

A Return to Sunday Dinner

Russell Cronkhite's A RETURN TO SUNDAY DINNER is a beautiful coffee table book of menus to make Sunday meals extra-special. It has high-quality color photos and enjoyable "Sunday" family anecdotes spread throughout. I highly recommend it for both reading and cooking pleasure.

Cronkhite has written a sequel of sorts, the colorful A RETURN TO FAMILY PICNICS.

Babies Thrive When Raised By Their Mothers

A British study has found that babies fare better developmentally when cared for by their mothers. One of the study authors says: "The social and emotional development of children cared for by someone other than their mother 'is definitely less good.'"

It's kind of interesting to me that this might be viewed as surprising news in some quarters...it's such fundamental common sense.

Thinking along parenting lines, Maggie Gallagher had a fun column last week about parenting differences between men and women. Another surprise: women love to care for their babies! :)

L.A. Times to Tilt Back to Center?

So rumors Media Bistro's Fish Bowl L.A.

As for me, I'll believe it when I see it, or should I say read it.

Madame Alexander Dolls at McDonald's

My younger daughter and I are always happy when McDonald's gives away miniature Madame Alexander dolls in Happy Meals. The "Setting Sail" doll, in sailor dress, is adorable.

Just a note for those of you with little girls. :)

Alito in the Running?

The ongoing Supreme Court speculation for a Saturday morning, courtesy once more of Confirm Them.