News you can use:
—- General Petraeus wrote a letter to the troops [1], which is likely a preview of what we’ll see from him on Monday when he gives his surge report to House and Senate committees.
—- Big news out of Nebraska: The Omaha World-Herald reports [2] that Senator Chuck Hagel will announce Monday that he will not run for reelection, nor president. The Politico has the details [3] on Republicans and Democrats who are are potential contenders for Hagel’s Senate seat.
—- Dem hopeful for president Bill Richardson writes a piece printed in the Washington Post titled “Why We Should Exit Iraq Now [4]” – I’m really surprised that with Richardson’s consistent calls for us to cut and run from Iraq he’s not getting more traction in Dem polls [5], since that issue is Priority One to the far left.
—- Related to that, Dan Riehl blogs about [6] news from the Daily Kos on Hillary’s call [7] for an “immediate redeployment” of troops from Iraq. Apparently she’s decided that she’d be ok with the genocide in Iraq [8] happening before the next president (which she obviously hopes will be her) takes office.
—- Tom Maguire [9] tackles a recent Paul Krugman opinion piece [10] and finds it lacking.
—- This story is sure to get a lot of talk in the conservative blogosphere: In an interview Friday [11] with radio-talk show host Glenn Beck, Rudy argued with Beck on whether or not illegal immigration was a crime, and whether or not it should be a crime. The complete interview can be read here [12].
—- Fred Thompson is taking heat [13] from some GOP presidential candidates on his claim that Osama Bin Laden is a “symbolic” figure more than anything else. Romney and McCain were the two quoted as being critical of Thompson’s comments.
—- Speaking of Thompson, Ryan Sager at the NY Sun’s “Latest Politics” blog wasn’t impressed [14] with Thompson’s first official campaign event. Hotline On Call gave it mixed reviews [15].
—- Read more thoughts on Fred, via Jonah Goldberg [16].
—- Disgraced former DA Mike Nifong reported to jail yesterday for to serve his one day sentence [17] for lying to a judge (one day??). The Smoking Gun has a picture [18] of his mug shot.
—- Meanwhile, the three Duke lacrosse players whose lives were ruined by Nifong’s overzealousness are seeking a $30 million settlement [19], or they will file a civil suit against the city of Durham next month.
— Subtropical Storm Gabrielle, with winds of 45 mph, is headed for the Carolinas [20]. Here’s here latest projected path [21].
—- Dumb criminal news: Dealer Calls Cops After Pot Stash Stolen [22].
I’ll be away for most of the day. Will check back in tomorrow. Hope you all have a great Saturday … and don’t forget to stock up on hot wings and other assorted good treats for tomorrow’s the first full day of the NFL 2007 football season 🙂