Remember school bonfires? Skyler went to one at school last night. Good to see that it's still a part of the middle school atmosphere. I wonder if she knows that these are some of the best years of her life? The eighth grade was a wonderful time in my life. I sure hope she's having a blast, too.

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Helen Thomas KO's Ari


The superb Helen Thomas is already an esteemed member of the Media in Exile roster, but her work at the Friday, May 17th press briefing by Ari Fleischer was especially noteworthy. Ari was dripping with patronizing slime as he attempted to put Thomas "in her place" with several pointed remarks. Each time, Thomas shot right back at him, besting him spectacularly. Ari was displaying an insulting, smiling, head-patting attitude as he dismissed Helen's excellent questions about Cheney pressuring Daschle to not investigate 9-11. Helen really had him on the ropes. Ari practically sneered as he made remarks to the effect that "everyone knows what you think" or "we all know you have an opinion on these matters."



Thomas fired back that we all know his opinion, too.



Ari replied that he is entitled to an opinion. Thomas went for the kill and said, "So am I." It was a tense exchange and did not deter Helen from her mission. Later, as Ari began another non-answer to another journalist, you could hear Helen interject, "Do you know what he thinks, too?" -- a remark left off the official transcripts of the briefing.

I really admire Helen Thomas and have watched her for decades now. It's refreshing to see someone put that smug little troll, Ari Fleischer, in his place.

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USATODAY.com - Ground zero workers planning final day at site.


"USA Today"


On New York

I don't know that other people around the world actually know the enormity of the task of removing all the Ground Zero debris. Less than 90,000 tons of debris remains at the bottom of the giant crater in lower Manhattan after nearly nine months of round-the-clock toil since Sept. 11, when the twin towers were reduced to 1.7 million tons of burning rubble 10 stories high.

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$20 Bill Remembrance of 9/11
This page gives detailed instructions on how to fold a dollar bill to honor September 11th.

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Police: Suspect planned smiley face bomb pattern


On CNN - US
Do I really believe this story? Nah...It probably just sounded good at the time, so that's what he went with. I don't think this poor guy knows how serious his offense is yet. Luke, my boy, it's not like getting caught for rolling somebody's yard on Halloween. I don't know how to break it to ya, but you're probably going to J-A-I-L.

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