Sam Rivers 1923 - 2011

Musician and composer Sam Rivers died Monday at his home in Orlando, Florida.

Merry Christmas, Everybody

This is the original recording of the classic Christmas Song by the Nat Cole Trio in 1946.

Caving In

Last night House Republicans, who usually demonstrate steely resolve in opposing anything remotely advantageous to President Obama, caved on the extension of the payroll tax cut.

Misdirection

Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wisconsin) was overheard unflatteringly remarking on Michelle Obama's derriere. According to the congressman, the First Lady is a hypocrite in her campaign for childhood nutrition and physical fitness given what Sensenbrenner considers her ample posterior. Sensenbrenner's apparent preoccupation with Obama's backside is a subject for another day but judging from Sensenbrenner's portliness, he would do well to heed her message.

Crocodile Tears

There is something irresistibly comical about North Koreans en masse, publicly mourning the death of the Dear Leader Kim Jong Il. It is almost as if there is competition on who can wail the longest and most uncontrollably while the cameras are rolling. Or, is there a penalty for displaying insufficient grief or stopping prematurely?

Romney Strikes Back

Faced with the rising poll numbers of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney has jettisoned the strategy of being above the fray and has sharpened his attacks on his opponent.

The Tebow Effect

Tim Tebow, the Denver Broncos quarterback, has captured the imagination of the general public in leading his team to six straight victories and first place in the American Football Conference West division, despite lacking the skill set one typically associates with NFL quarterbacking. Tebow is that rare commodity whose intangibles - bold leadership, passion, and competitiveness - far outstrip his mechanics and mastery of the technical side of the game. How long this phenomenon lasts is anybody's guess.

A Strange Defense

Joe Amendola, former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky's lawyer in the child sex abuse scandal, has mounted an unconventional, and some would say an ill-advised, defense strategy, allowing his client to be interviewed by NBC's Bob Costas and the New York Times and yesterday forgoing the preliminary hearing in the more than 50 counts leveled against him. Either Amendola is uncannily shrewd or frightfully inept. There is no middle ground.

You're Fired

Donald Trump, the carnival barker and shameless self-promoter, has decided to pull the plug on the scheduled Republican presidential debate, due largely to lack of interest - only Gingrich and Rick Santorum committed to what promised to be a sideshow with the Donald serving as moderator.

The Ringmaster and The Candidate

The former House Speaker and current flavor of the week cavorts with the Donald whose apparent influence in the Republican party is curious and bizarre.