The NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) today released its first overview from photographic take of the US KeyEye MS-11 satellite. I have included a digital copy of this for my devoted readers.

What would happen if you discovered a dirty little secret, a dirty little lie? Would you keep it? What if it involved an acquaintance of yours? Would you keep it?

What if it involved two nations in the northern hemisphere and would affect the overall economy of the world? Would you keep it?

As an aside, two interesting little bits I didn’t feel like publishing in a separate post:

— Usage of the internet per state.

— US concerns about identity theft over the internet.

I am so over Harriet Miers. I feel like the New York traffic cop: “Move on. Nothing to see here.”

Over at the NY Times today, Hugh Hewitt wrote “Why the Right Was Wrong,” indicating that “the Harriet Miers precedent cements an extraconstitutional new standard for nominees.”

Aw c’mon, Hugh. Let’s cut to the chase. I am a conservative first and foremost. I have certain views and beliefs that I am not willing to compromise; not for party, not for man or woman. George Bush is a nice guy I’m sure, but he’s less and less impressing me as a Republican. GWB is leaving in three years; Miers would have been in the Supreme Court for the rest of her life.

As a strategist, you couldn’t see that the Dems would demand internal White House papers written by Miers?

And as a conservative, I am approaching threshold for being demonized as disloyal, an elitist, snobbish, ultra-conservative (meant to be a pejorative) and a demolisher of the GOP. Jeez; just take a big drink of Get Over It. I am not responsible for the poor planning of an administration. I am not responsible for Miers pulling her name because I happen to have an opinion.

Who knows where this will go? Who knows what name Bush will submit next? I certainly don’t. But I know one thing: I reserve the right to disagree AGAIN if I believe the choice isn’t the best for the SCOTUS.

Well, it only took four tries via Blogger, but I finally got in — I suspect other thousands of bloggers were attempting the same thing: access for comment.

Harriet Miers has now officially withdrawn her name as a candidate for the US Supreme Court. Sorry Hugh. From the AP:

President Bush said he reluctantly accepted her decision to withdraw, after weeks of insisting that he did not want her to step down. He blamed her withdrawal on calls in the Senate for the release of internal White House documents that the administration has insisted were protected by executive
privilege.

The Blogosphere and various hundreds of pundits and political commentators will now speculate about the credibility of the Bush Administration, the future of the GOP, blah blah blah. “We’re plummeting down in flames,” some R-Wing wonks will wail. There will be much breast beating and self-flagellation. Bleeding for the sake of blood. This afternoon Hugh Hewitt will rail, bemoan, point fingers and say “We didn’t even hear from her!” All true; we didn’t.

Now, Mr. President. NOW is the time to suck it up, take a big breath, gird thy loins and put up your dukes. You’ve got three more years, Mr. President. What you do now will most DEFINITELY define those remaining years.

I predicted this outcome in my 10-13 post and posited that Mr. Bush should create a new Short List of nominees to the SCOTUS.

I repeat myself at the risk of being a member of the Department of Redundancy Department: Mr. Bush, you have been given a huge opportunity: the chance to appoint three members to the US Supreme Court. This an incredible, historic opportunity. You will potentially affect a full one-third of the court.

Go for a strict constitutional constructionist. A legal SCC scholar. A Brown. A Luttig. A McConnell. Take the fight right back to the L-Wing. Make calls. Lean on people. Go public. Communicate. Ask for help. Rally your GOP. But FIGHT. Make a STAND. Do NOT appease; the time for conciliation is OVER.

Earth to President Bush: you were delivered a message from your supporters. Did you receive it? In my opinion, Miers did what was right. Can you, sir?

This post will be all about the results in the comment section, and I anticipate them eagerly.

The Scenario:
You are now President of the United States, George W. Bush. It is Thursday, 10-27-2005. Current events are precisely as they appear today.

The Challenge:
List the top five line items that you would address, by priority, to repair whatever damage you may perceive has been inflicted to the Bush Presidency.

If you believe the President is on track, list five other issues or areas that you think should be addressed during the remainder of the Bush term.

Be professional, be positive. This is not an exercise in complaints but an exercise in solutions. It is easy to complain; it is much more difficult to provide viable and innovative answers to global and national issues.

The ball is now in your court, and the White House is now in your hands. Go.