1/5/06 Newsletter: Re-working the War?

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Tonight on Countdown
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President Bush promised to "take to heart" suggestions on Iraq he heard Thursday from former secretaries of defense and state who have disagreed with his approach there. But Bush offered no evidence he plans any significant changes in strategy. The president joined Gen. George Casey, the top American commander in Iraq, and Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad, to give a detailed briefing on Iraq to more than a dozen foreign policy leaders from previous administrations, split nearly evenly between Democrat and Republican. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10723052/

Countdown w/ Keith Olbermann broadcasts LIVE at 8 pm et, and the count is never complete without you. Join us.

In the country's deadliest day in months, bombs killed at least 120 Iraqis and seven U.S. soldiers on Thursday - shattering hopes that last month's election and the new year would usher in a more peaceful era. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10703607/

Some of the 12 coal miners who died following an explosion left notes behind assuring family members that their final hours trapped underground were not spent in agony, a relative said Thursday. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10723450/

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon fought for his life Thursday following seven hours of emergency surgery to stop widespread bleeding in his brain. The massive stroke made it unlikely that he would return to power. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10709976/

Hold off on buying that first edition of "Dianetics" as a wedding present for Tom Cruise and his pregnant fiancée, Katie Holmes. The buzz is that the engagement of the happy couple has hit a few bumps and, after reportedly tense holidays spent at Holmes' house, wedding plans may have been put on hold. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10696085/

Is Gwyneth Paltrow enlisting the Kabbalah version of a ghostbuster? The "Proof" star has called in a rabbi from the trendy Kabbalah Centre after becoming convinced that her London home is haunted, according to London's Daily Mail. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10696084/

That's some of what we're planning for tonight's show.

Finally,
You can build up quite an appetite breaking-and-entering. James Michael Fowler, 26, was arrested and charged with burglary Tuesday after a neighbor watching the house found a pan of cocktail franks cooking on the stove and some freshly made orange juice nearby. Anderson Police Lt. Layton Creamer says when the neighbor went to check on the home, she saw the food cooking and a black stocking cap on the kitchen counter. Police saw Fowler coiled up on the deck floor. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/H/HUNGRY_BURGLAR?SITE=NWCN&TEMPLATE=STRANGEHEADS.html&SECTION=HOME
Yeah, buddy, just make yourself at home.

-- Carey Fox

Countdown Home: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/

More:
A building used as a hostel by pilgrims in Islam's holiest city collapsed Thursday as millions of Muslims converged for the annual hajj, and Al-Arabiya TV said at least 15 people were killed. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10718763/

A suicide attacker set off explosives strapped to his body in a central Afghan town Thursday during a visit by the U.S. ambassador, killing 10 Afghans and wounding 50, Afghan officials said. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10718508/

China is closing 5,290 coal mines in a safety crackdown on the world's deadliest mining industry, the government announced Thursday. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10722717/from/RS.4/

Jon Stewart has been tapped to host this year's Oscars, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced Thursday. The Academy Awards show's producer said Stewart has many of the qualities of previous masters of ceremonies. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10721450/

And, WHAT? Now that Katie's preggers and getting closer to having the baby, the wedding is being put on hold. If they break up, it will be the best thing that's ever happened to her, in spite of the fact that she'll be having Tom's baby. I can just see Tom spending a few days in lovely Toledo, Ohio. Her parents haven't been happy about this from the beginning -- I wonder if they made life miserable for him and made him have second thoughts.

Because we ARE going to hear those words, "another story my producers are forcing me to do." I guarantee it.

to do these stories? :rofl:

The only Q now is, will this be tonight's #1 story?

or do they have gluten-free anchorman-treats that they toss to him as he goes against his better judgement, point by point?

Somehow, I have trouble picturing Keith as anyone's lap dog. He really seems more feline - in snark, appearance, and not giving a damn. :P

although I'm sure you'd be willing to try... but yes, he's very cat-like.

bitch-fests one day to get his genuine reaction, and then broadcast it, that would be sooooo funny. 'Course, it might need as much bleeping as The Daily Show...

Can you see him wince? Would he pout? Throw something?

I'm betting its something along the lines of "jeez, not that shit again" with a tone of voice strangely reminiscient of "aw, Mom, do I hafta?"

story to report today? Because there are going to be plenty in the days to come, and if you keep re-hashing the same stuff again and again without adding anything new, people are going to tune you out. Witness blivet**'s brazillionth "important" speech on Iraq.

on edit: maybe Katie's figured out that silent natural childbirth is :crazy:?

:rofl:

when I was nursing... deflation, you know. :evilgrin:

It's suitable for framing. :7

I still laugh everytime I hear this. It's sad that it sounds so plausible.

I think he added all 1,000 points of light. :7

suitable for Chanukah. You couldn't find one with a menorah or Jewish star?

He's probably like the Fristian Painter Laureate, or somethin.'

(Actually, I photoshopped this as a gift for Rabrrrrrr. :evilgrin:)

Find me a photo, and I'll add the text for ya.

No need. I could Photoshop something myself if I wanted to. It's the thought that counts -- thanks!

:rofl: Paging Michael Musto!

I gotta miss tonight (church meeting), but I'll try to catch the re-air.

Someone, please post snarky stuff, so I know what's going on! :)