Time to take the pirates head on.
I can't help but think that we're doing ourselves a great disservice right now. As we speak we're involved in negotiations for the return of Captain Richard Phillips...negotiations with a group of Somali pirates carrying automatic weapons. We're very likely to get the captain back, and soon, because the steel lifeboat on which he's being held is out of fuel and adrift in the Indian Ocaen and is surrounded by U. S. warships. But the fact that negotiations are ongoing at all just bothers me. As much as I would hate to see a hair on Captain Phillips' head harmed I can't help but think that every minute that goes by before his eventual release is increasing the chances that there will be another American ship siezed from the Gulf of Aden.

For decades these pirates have terrorized the gulf, siezing unarmed, expensive, heavily-laden ships in the hopes of turning their booty into a fat ransom for the release of the ship and its crew. And for decades it's worked. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been paid in individual ransoms with no end in sight to the piracy and no hope of repercussions from a Somali government that is all but nonexistent. So now, for the first time, we're paying for years of inaction with the kidnapping of one of our own.

And this is precisely why we must act, and act quickly. In my opinion it's long past time to put a hole in that tiny boat that carries Captain Phillips and all the pirates. Let a Navy sharpshooter hit that thing below the waterline right now. If these jokers want to negotiate, let them do it while their boat is filling up with water. Faced with the prospect of drowning in the Indian Ocean, I have to believe they'll be less likely than ever to try to do harm to the good ship's captain. Then once they give up we rescue Captain Phillips, dig the rest of them out of the water, and let them rot in the brig of the USS Bainbridge while they await trial back in the States.  

Any other course of action, especially giving them the safe passage home they're asking for, is inviting disaster. The next time a Somali pirate approaches a ship with the Stars and Stripes on its stern I want him thinking long and hard about what he's getting himself into. If the only thing he thinks he has to lose is his ransom he's almost assured to strike. If he thinks he's risking prison? Drowning? Well then just maybe he'll head in the other direction and we'll stave off another round of tense days wondering whether our countrymen will be safely returned.

 

The Rolling Stone article that may cost Gen. McChrystal his job
Read it here.
READ MORE...

Summer Science Experiment
Looking for something fun, engaging and educational to do with your kids this summer?  Here's the recipe and instructions for the Sidewalk Chalk science experiment that our Tuesday morning guests referred to.  Have fun!
Read More...

Check out our new TV guy!
Always looking for new, talented people to add to the show, we've scored again.  Television critic Tom Jicha from the Sun-Sentinel newspapers will join us every friday to talk about the highlights and lowlights of this week in TV.  In between visits please follow Tom's blog online...
READ MORE...

Eco Car Challenge info
Right now 16 colleges from around the country are competing in a challenge issued by the US Department of Energy and sponsored by General Motors.  The teams are using existing technology to come up with implementable solutions to improve gas mileage and limit harmful emissions. 
READ MORE...

Help us help Brett Erlich
As you know if you caught the show this morning, our movie reviewer is up for a Webby Award!  Brett Erlich, co-host of the "Rotten Tomatoes Show" on Current TV has been nominated and is a finalist for the video that's currently our featured video on the homepage.  It's very funny, and Brett deserves a win.   
READ MORE...

Hotline numbers set up for fans of Super Bowl losers
No matter whether the Saints or Colts emerge victorious on Sunday, there's bound to be tens of thousands of disappointed fans of the loyal opposition.  Jeff Goldblatt, founder of the Rejection Hotline (www.humorhotlines.com) joined us Friday morning and said he's set up local "It Could Suck Worse" hotlines for fans of the losing side. 


Read More...

From Monday's show...
Learn more about LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) here:
www.copssaylegalizedrugs.com

And visit the personal page of our guest, Judge Jim Gray, here:
www.judgejimgray.com

The Ultimate Horror Movie List
Here they are...your picks for the must-see horror flicks for this Hallowe'en week.  So what are you waiting for?  Hit the video store!

1. SUSPIRA
2. DAWN OF THE DEAD
3. SCARECROWS
4. ZOMBIES ON AN AIRPLANE
5. MONSTER CLUB
6. PET SEMATARY
7. SLEEPY HOLLOW
8. IT
9. OMEN
10. MONSTER SQUAD
11. FRIGHT NIGHT
12. BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA
13. FORBIDDEN PLANET
14. THEM!
READ MORE...

The Incredible Overnight America Balancing Broom
Last night on the program a caller alerted us to a broom standing by itself on the floor of a convenience store.  We decided to try to replicate the experiment here in the studio and...voila!
READ MORE...

Misguided "Justice"
A grandmother from Rockville, IN, Sally Harpold, was recently arrested for violating the state's laws against the purchase of more than 3.0 grams of pseudoephedrine in less than 7 days.  That violation occurred because she purchased a box of 24 Zyrtec-D tablets for her sick daughter, then six days later purchased a 36-count box of Mucinex-D for her husband and herself.  
More...

"It Might Get Loud..."
Here's all the info you need about the new documentary film featuring Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White:
Read More...

It Might Get Loud...
Here's all the information you'll need about the new documentary film featuring Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White:
READ MORE...

Cool stuff from the show
Monday morning you heard us talking about statistical analysis of the red-shirted "expendable crew members" from Star Trek.  Here's the article:

http://www.sitelogicmarketing.com/blog/02-analytics-according-to-captain-kirk
READ MORE...

Now THIS is funny.
Best article I've seen in a long time...a series of pictures of the top 20 stupid protest signs.  Nice work, wordpress.

http://unreasonablysafe.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/bestprotestsign/

Now THIS is funny.
Best article I've seen in a long time...a series of pictures of the top 20 stupid protest signs.  Nice work, wordpress.

http://unreasonablysafe.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/bestprotestsign/

Les Paul gone but never forgotten...
Many thanks to our good friends Bob Heil of Heil Sound and Dave Hinson of Killer Vintage Guitars for joining us on this morning's program in tribute to the life, music, and legacy of Les Paul who died yesterday at age 94.  Bob and Dave were also kind enough to furninsh us with some pictures of their interactions with Les...
READ MORE...

Get your UCLA Slang Dictionary here...
Friday morning we talked with UCLA linguistics professor Pam Munro about the newly-released 20th anniversary UCLA Slang Dictionary.  If you want to order a copy online you can email Anya at anya@humnet.ucla.edu for information.  Enjoy!
© MMIX CBS Radio Stations Inc., All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Intertech Media, LLC		 Advertise | Privacy Policy / Your California Privacy Rights | Terms Of Use | EEO Report