Apparently, my old home town TV station--WMAZ in Macon, GA--broadcast the penultimate Ken Jennings episode on "Jeopardy!" last week. A station engineer accidentally played one of the show's tapes out of order. He'll take game show records for $2.5 million

By the way, the call letters "WMAZ" originally stood for "Watch Macon Achieve Zenith".

A story that won't make the front page of any newspaper in America. Mount St. Helens is [Washington] State's Top Polluter

The Unnecessary Nuisance on the Hudson begins to take steps toward reform of the Security Council.The New York Times: U.N. Calls for an Updated Council

Old Europe discovers that China wants their lunch money, and every other meal as well. Telegraph: EU spells out trade threat from China

Throwing pickled animals at police in a police station(!) in order to recover other pickled animals confiscated during a domestic disturbance call that included the discovery of Cannabis plants on the premises. Wrong on so many levels, in so many ways. STUFF from New Zealand

A Maureen Dowd column that I can finally support--at least, her brother Kevin's contribution. The New York Times> Maureen Dowd: Blood Is Thicker Than Gravy

The Democrats are leaving no knives in the drawer in their post-election navel-gazing. In this column, Susan Estrich leaves no ketchup unspilled. Creators.com: Rehabilitation for Teresa Heinz Kerry

Poor Babs. She's still in denial, still believes that "Bush Knew!" What's worse, she still thinks that Richard Clarke is a credible source. Sad Babs; Babs sad... Barbra Streisand

Americans have many things to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving day. Unfortunately, the United Nations is not one of them. Belmont Club: The United Nations

Update: more details on UN crimes in the name of peacekeeping in the Christian Science Monitor, courtesy of Betsy's Page.

How brave those Pilgrims truly were, and how lucky we are that they successfully overcame their fears and a host of obstacles that opposed them. Here is a short recap of the events of 1620 AD. OpinionJournal - Featured Article

More Presidential proclamations of the National Day of Thanksgiving: Washington, Lincoln, and Bush. New York Post Online Edition

Capitalism triumphs early as the Pilgrims progress towards the republic we love today. A Holiday Tradition: The Real Story of Thanksgiving

I heard this read on the radio today, and I thought it would be useful to publish for anyone interested in knowing how Thanksgiving became a national holiday.

George Washington's first Thanksgiving Proclamation: General Thanksgiving

By the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

(signed) G. Washington

Source: The Massachusetts Centinel, Wednesday, October 14, 1789

No governor yet, but we have a two-time winner. Apparently the Democrats will force a hand recount of their stronghold, King County (Seattle). If enough votes are found to change the winner, then the state would be forced to hand recount the entire state result. Thus, Washington could have no governor until after Christmas. Perhaps the anthem for this mess should be "No Sleep 'till Brooklyn!" The Seattle Times: Local News: Rossi wins in recount of governor's race

Dave Niehaus needs your support to win the Ford Frick award and join the Baseball Hall of Fame as a broadcaster. Read the nice tribute to Dave that follows. ESPN.com: Page 2 - Seattle's grand slam voice



Now, click here to vote for Dave.

Thankfully, more new technology is coming on line to save lives in Iraq from IEDs detonated by remote control. The terrorists use garage door openers, car alarms and even cell phones as remote detonators. Defense Tech: MORE ON WARLOCK'S TRICKS

Perhaps Walter Cronkite will cite this study in his NIMBY defense of his coastal view from his seafront property. Windmills may cause meteorological changes

A great ship named for a very great man, and a personal hero of mine. USS Winston S. Churchill

This policy shift makes sense. Someone finally realized that procurement simply takes too long, and that soldiers and commanders in the field should have the ability to act and ask for forgiveness later, or in the case of body armor, act and be repaid later. Defense Tech: PAYBACK, FINALLY, FOR ARMOR BUYS

I'm no fan of slow play, but a four hour round might be a world's record at this course. Yahoo! News: Distance no handicap for Aussie plan to build world's largest golf course



The Yahoo! News caption for the photo above reads, "In this handout photo taken 12 November 2004 shows the white sand dunes of Nullarbor National Park that will soon be the backdrop to the world's largest golf course spanning 1,400 kms along the desert highway. Authorities have unveiled plans to build one hole at each of the 18 towns and petrol stations dotted along the Eyre Highway, to be collectively known as Nullarbor Links. Motorists will stop at each petrol station, play a hole, then drive some 100kms to the next teeing off point.(AFP/Goldfields Tourism-HO/File)"