Here's One Explanation As To Why Public Education Is So Bad

Apparently they'll give a teacher's license to anyone these days.

Venezuela Cuts Off Exxon Supply

Well we knew this would be coming sooner or later. Especially with Exxon kicking the crap out of Hugo Chavez in courts around the globe.

Old Hugo has now made his next move.

Venezuela's state oil company said Tuesday that it has stopped selling crude to Exxon Mobil Corp. in response to the U.S. oil company's drive to use the courts to seize billions of dollars in Venezuelan assets.

Exxon Mobil is locked in a dispute over the nationalization of its oil ventures in Venezuela that has led President Hugo Chavez to threaten to cut off all Venezuelan oil supplies to the United States. Venezuela is the United States' fourth largest oil supplier.

In other words, prepare for gas prices to go up. Then prepare for the BDS idiots to blame Bush for it, and somehow tie it to Iraq.

The Lost Art Of Punching Hippies

Try to deny your desire to punch this freak ... I dare you.

I rarely find editorials on other blogs that I will repost here, but this was too damn good, and too damn true to let go.

Frank J at IMAO:

One day when I was but a young boy, I was walking down the street with my dad to the hardware store. He suddenly stopped, crossed the street and punched a man. When he returned, I ask, "Father, why did you punch that man?"

He turned to me and said, "That's a stupid question." Then he punched me.

It was a stupid question, because who my dad punched was a hippie. Back then, everyone knew that you punched hippies, but I've noticed that this knowledge may not be being passed on to the next generation. If there's one thing I've realized over the past few years is that hippies are not being punched quite enough, and I think the recent incident with Berkeley and the Marines shows the problem of not enough hippie punching. If hippies aren't punched on a consistent basis, they get cocky and will try all sorts of crazy thing. I mean, really, hippies insulting Marines and not expecting a punching? That's a major breakdown in our societal structure.

Read the rest here ...

The Obligatory "Police Officer Beats Up Skateboarder" Post

Bottom line is this officer was WAY out of line, and broke the law. Where's HIS respect for his badge and department?

The officer is in trouble, but is claiming that he didn't know he was being recorded. Because his actions would somehow be justified if he weren't recorded. He's also lying. He knew damn well he was being recorded by the kid. At the end of the video he asks if he's being recorded, and says he "better not see himself on You ..." I'm assuming You ... is YouTube.

Hotair has more.

Then there is the police officer who dumped a quadriplegic on the floor out of his wheelchair. Bad day for cops I guess.

NAACP Says Republicans Hate Black People

This story brings up the same warm and fuzzy feelings I got when Kanye West famously spewed butt vomit from his mouth about Katrina.

Here in Vegas we have a free "paper" called the CityLife. It's a typical free city paper ... full of liberals who don't think things through all the time, and advertisements for illegal sexual activity that the police never follow up on. I would like to point out that they have defended me in the past ... so they aren't all bad.

In their current addition there is a story titled "Why are you such a hater? NAACP ranks Nevada lawmakers' voting records. Guess who fails to make the grade?" The article deals with Republican lawmakers in Nevada, and how the NAACP rates their voting records. From the title you can easily see how this is going to play out.

This is how the article starts off:

REPUBLICANS USED TO like black people.

Emphasis NOT MINE.

It then goes on to lie about President Bush, and compare current Republicans with the Jim Crow Democrats. It's a very fun read if you like uneducated race baiting.

I decided that since the CityLife was quoting the NAACP's report, I should probably take a look at it myself. Even though I already knew what it said ... call it white man's intuition. You can find the report here.

It uses a standard grading system employed by most of our schools ... A-F. In the interest of time I will only address the Senate in this post. If you want to do further research on the members of congress you can start here.

Once I opened my list of members in the 110th Senate I began the slightly tedious task of seeing who failed according to the NAACP, and what their party affiliation was. To my utter lack of surprise the NAACP rated all but one Democrat (Johnson) with a passing grade, and all but two Republicans (Snowe, Specter) with failing grades. It should be noted that Snowe and Specter are what you would call faux Republicans. In other words they are mistakes that don't stand up for Republican issues. I would also like to point out the Senator Byrd was given a B by the NAACP, and he is a former klansman who still uses racial epithets.

Given that virtually all Democrats received passing grades, and virtually all Republicans received failing grades ... we must deduce that the NAACP is saying that virtually all Democrats like black people, and virtually all Republicans hate black people. It was also astounding how there were virtually no C average grades.

The NAACP's love 'em or hate 'em report falls well short of reason, and truthfulness. this is also a clear example of intentionally creating a biased "report" in order to fuel racism and hate. The issues the NAACP says they graded the politicians on were nearly all monetary in nature ... not racial. Some have said the hate crimes legislation is racial, but that is only partly true. Quite frankly, if you support hate crimes legislation you are more apt to be racist than those who oppose it. Why are the lives of certain races more valuable than the lives of others? If fact, the hate crimes legislation is in direct conflict with the principals the NAACP was founded upon. It only serves to divide the races ... not bring them together on a level playing field. On top of that, why would you want a third party deciding what is, and is not, a hate crime. Aren't all violent crimes hate crimes?

The truly sad part of the NAACP's arguments is that they seem to say that black people can't succeed without government help. Hardly empowering, or a vote of confidence on behalf of the black community in the United States. Just take a few minutes to read their report on the issues they wanted all members of congress to support, and then research those issues via a third party website like Gov Track or Vote Smart so you don't get biased interpretation of the legislation.

You'll notice that the legislation the NAACP supports suggests that you black folks out there can't succeed unless the government has some special program the help you out. In other words the NAACP thinks you are not self-sufficient, educated, or hard working. They don't seem the think you can't be successful unless you play sports. Republican lawmakers and myself give you far more credit. We also understand that the average black person doesn't walk around believing that all Republicans hate them, and all Democrats love them. Since we understand that, and you understand that ... maybe it's time to make the NAACP understand the same truth.

China Is Forcing Olympic Athletes To Promise They Won't Criticize Chinese Government

Well, technically it's the Olympics themselves, but China is a-o-k with it.

England is caving to the demands. I wonder who is next.

British Olympic chiefs are to force athletes to sign a contract promising not to speak out about China's appalling human rights record – or face being banned from travelling to Beijing.

The move – which raises the spectre of the order given to the England football team to give a Nazi salute in Berlin in 1938 – immediately provoked a storm of protest.

The controversial clause has been inserted into athletes' contracts for the first time and forbids them from making any political comment about countries staging the Olympic Games.

It is contained in a 32-page document that will be presented to all those who reach the qualifying standard and are chosen for the team.

From the moment they sign up, the competitors – likely to include the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips and world record holder Paula Radcliffe – will be effectively gagged from commenting on China's politics, human rights abuses or illegal occupation of Tibet.

Prince Charles has already let it be known that he will not be going to China, even if he is invited by Games organisers.

It's pretty sad when Prince Charles is the moral compass, and pillar of strength in England. At least it looks like England is backing off on the gag order.

Exit question: If you are a guest of China ... should you insult your host? Why not just withdraw from the Olympics if you are so opposed to the hosting country?

Hardest Hits In NFL History!

In honor of Pro Bowl weekend I figured I would add some vids to the site to bid farewell to football until next year. While it is nearly impossible to put something together with all of the great NFL hits ... this guy did a great job.

NFL's Greatest Hits

Also, in honor of the Redskins' Sean Taylor I figured I would post the official tribute the Redskins did for him. I felt this was important since the Redskins are all honoring him today by wearing his jersey number.



However, I will honor Taylor as a football player by posting his stellar Pro Bowl hit last year.

Sean Taylor Pro Bowl Hit

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Terrorists Make Threats At US Air Force Academy ... Media Chastised For Misreporting

Some former terrorists were speaking at the academy to give insights on the life and thoughts of Muslim terrorists so the cadets can better understand the enemy. Well, it turns out that some real terrorists showed up.

MMD:

Former terrorists Walid Shoebat, Kamal Saleem and Zak Anani addressed cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, during their annual political forum. They shared their experiences as terrorists and helped cadets understand the Islamic fundamentalist mind set.

During the event a Jordanian college student, identified as Omar Khalifa of Metro International, approached Kamal Saleem and spoke to him in Arabic, "you are an enemy of Islam and you must die." The incident was reported to Military Police, who investigated Khalifa's threat.

"The men receive threats of this nature all of time and we take each one very seriously," said Keith Davies, Executive Director of the Shoebat Foundation. "That is why each of the men live in seclusion."

As if the story wasn't juicy enough, this next little tidbit makes it swim in gravy. Not only is the article critical of the MSM's lack of accurate reporting on the matter, but it flat out accuses them of taking marching orders from unindicted co-conspirators CAIR.

Numerous media outlets (New York Times, the Associated Press, The Colorado Springs Gazette, the Rocky Mountain News) did not report on the former terrorists' message, but instead focused on the [inaccurate] media statements distributed by CAIR (Council for American Islamic Relations), in an all-out campaign to discredit the speakers credentials and background.

"We have all been told that Islam has been hijacked by extremists,” said Walid Shoebat. "Yet CAIR, who professes to be ‘Moderate Muslims’ are the Three Ex Terrorists biggest critics, and pull out all stops to try and keep out voices from being heard. I beg to ask the question; if CAIR is indeed moderate as they claim, then WHY are they not supporting our campaign against 'extremists? If they are sincerely against the Fundamentalist Muslim agenda why do they appose us?"

According to the Air Force Academy's public affairs office CAIR spokesman, Ibrahim Hooper, contacted them numerous times criticizing the scheduling of the three men, and requesting an opportunity to have a CAIR representative share with cadets information about the Islamic faith. The Academy informed Hooper that the event was not about religion, but about terrorism, and he denied CAIR's request.

Wait a minute. Did I just read that the Air Force Academy has a CAIR spokesman in their public affairs office? WHAT THE HELL!

For a group that professes to be vehemently anti-terrorist, CAIR sure does put a lot of effort into defending terrorists.

Hugo Chavez Accuses Exxon Of Terrorism

BWAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

This is too funny! Hugo "The Human Cannonball" Chavez doesn't think fair play is well ... fair.

Venezuela accused Exxon Mobil of legal "terrorism" on Friday after the giant oil company won court orders freezing $12 billion of the major crude supplier's assets in a dispute at the heart of a worldwide fight for control of natural resources.

Venezuela's oil minister Rafael Ramirez vowed to overturn the rulings, reassuring investors they had little impact on the supplies, operations or cash flow of the state oil company, PDVSA, which has close to $100 billion in assets.

He said Exxon hoped to destabilize the government of anti-American President Hugo Chavez by using the legal battle over the nationalization of an Exxon project to create panic about the OPEC nation's finances.

Yeah, Exxon Mobil is the terrorists. Venezuela is a-o-k with seizing Exxon's assets, but heaven forbid you seize theirs.

It wasn't too long ago that Hugo took control of the last private oil fields in Venezuela. I remember Hugo relishing in his accomplishment. Not once did he ever call himself a terrorist. Hell, he wouldn't even admit he is a communist.

Good for Exxon Mobile for fighting back. Turnabout is fair play.

Hillary Pimp Slaps MSNBC For Saying She's A Pimp

If it looks like a duck, and sounds like a duck ...

Yahoo:

A distasteful comment about Chelsea Clinton by an MSNBC anchor could imperil Hillary Rodham Clinton's participation in future presidential debates on the network, a Clinton spokesman said.

In a conference call with reporters, Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson on Friday excoriated MSNBC's David Shuster for suggesting the Clinton campaign had "pimped out" 27-year old Chelsea by having her place phone calls to celebrities and Democratic Party "superdelegates" on her mother's behalf.

Wolfson called Shuster's comment "beneath contempt" and disgusting.

Now Shuster did apologize, but has still been suspended. What about freedom of speech, and freedom of the press? Frankly I don't know why MSNBC is so upset at Shuster's comments. They've been in the tank for Obama for some time now.

While the comments about Chelsea may not be entirely fair (one must question why she is involved in mommy's campaign all of a sudden) ... clearly Hillary is the pimp of the Democrat party. I've never seen so many people get pimp slapped for falling out of line.

Teacher Molests Three Girls ... Only Gets 90 Days

I have long been saying that our children will rebel against us one day because we have flat out refused to protect them. Why would they take care of us when we are old and decrepit if we didn't take care of them? The biggest failure of society to protect our children is to allow sexual predators to go free with little to no punishment.

I have lost all faith in judges to adequately punish child predators. Many have said that judges refuse to punish these predators because the judges themselves are predators. Perhaps these people are right. Maybe NAMBLA membership is chalk full of judges, and they are looking out for their own. After all, that is what secret societies do.

Nevada is widely recognized as having a horrific judicial system ... especially when it comes to protecting kids. Frankly, it would take too long to explain, but you locals know what I'm talking about.

A couple of days ago Don Smith, a former music teacher at Tate Elementary, was sentenced to 90 days behind bars for touching the breasts of a little girl in his class who was under 14 years old. Now I should preface this by saying that this comes from Channel 13 News' website, and they are notorious for not giving you details.

A former Clark County school teacher will spend 90 days behind bars for touching a student's breasts.

A judge also sentenced Don Smith to up to four years probation and extensive counseling.

The sentence is part of a plea deal Smith agreed to in December.

Smith was teaching music at Tate Elementary School.

His attorney said he was just counseling the girl, but the prosecutors say he touched her inappropriately and on purpose.

Smith was warned several times over the years by the Clark County School District not to hug students.

They also have a video on their website.

You'll notice that the school district had to "warn" Smith several times over the YEARS to not touch the children. Just so you know ... the Clark County School District is one of the worst in the country. No that's not opinion ... it's a proven fact year after year.

If you have to warn a teacher to stop hugging children several times over the years, but he continues to do it, why wasn't he removed from the classroom. Clearly, if you are repeatedly told to not touch children yet you continue to do so ... you have a compulsion. It is blatantly obvious that Smith could not control his actions, but the district and school didn't act to remove him from the classroom. Therefore, I hold them responsible, and I hope the victim's family does as well.

Remember, Channel 13 doesn't give good details on their website. So I went back to the local newspaper to review the case, and found extremely disturbing information. Smith didn't accept a plea for touching one student's breasts ... it was three students he violated.

Review Journal:

A Tate Elementary School music teacher accused of molesting three students told a judge Tuesday that he intends to accept a plea deal in District Court.

Don Kevin Smith is expected to make an Alford plea to one count of attempted lewdness with a minor under 14, which carries a potential prison sentence of two to 20 years.

An Alford plea does not involve an admission of guilt but acknowledges that prosecutors could prove their case if it went to trial.

So the plea deal he received holds a sentence of 2-20 years. Why did he get only 90 days? Even if the charge is probational as expressed by the paper ... the judge has an obligation to give a sexual predator more than 90 days for violating 3 girls.

It gets better:

According to his arrest report, Smith admitted to investigators that he touched the breasts of three students.

He originally was charged with two counts of lewdness with a minor under 14.

Prosecutor Lisa Luzaich said she agreed to drop the other charges in exchange for his plea to attempted lewdness because it keeps open the possibility of Smith receiving as much as two decades in prison and it also would ensure that Smith receives a felony on his record and never teaches again.

"If I can do all that without making three young girls testify than that's a good thing," she said.

This is when I got really pissed talking about this on my show.

The prosecutor did the right thing by guaranteeing a felony charge while not requiring the three victims to relive the assaults. The reason the prosecutor even accepted the plea is because Smith would face a tougher sentence than with the other charges. So the prosecutor positioned herself to get a guaranteed conviction with a stiffer sentence for the child predator than she may have gotten with a trial. That's good lawyering, and she should be commended with her efforts.

Unfortunately, her plan backfired on her when Justice of the Peace Tony Abbatangelo decided that the 2 year minimum for Smith's plea deal was too harsh, and only sentenced him to 90 days behind bars.

To summarize:

• We have a teacher who admitted to molesting not one, not two, but three elementary school girls.
• The prosecutor only accepted the plea deal because the predator would receive a felony with 2-20 years in prison.
• The judge felt two years was too harsh for a child predator who assaulted a minimum of three young girls, and gave him a mere 90 days with probation and counseling.

Now that's justice.

Kick Ass Video!

I know it's been around for a while, but I just found it again and had to post it. This is one of the best animated shorts ever!

Code_Guardian
Uploaded by Cee-Gee-Productions

Live Super Tuesday Results As They Happen

A bunch of news outlets are continuing to make the mistake of calling states for candidates when only 12% of the precincts are reporting. I've had enough of that crap. You won't find us calling states for candidates early here. Only up to the minute live results of the Super Tuesday primaries/caucuses.

Hillary Says Buy Health Insurance Or I'll Garnish Your Wages

It's so nice to hear her admit it though, but remember she claims she doesn't support socialized health care. That's only a "right wing attack" on her. When she was confronted about how her socialized health care plan, and how it would harm minorities, she flat out denied this would be the case. However, with her most recent statements on garnishing your wages ... one can't help but imagine a poor black family that chooses to pay their rent over buying insurance having their pay suddenly taken away from them by Hillary. What's more important Hillary, a roof over your head or health care?

Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday she might be willing to have workers' wages garnisheed if they refuse to buy health insurance to achieve coverage for all Americans.

Remember, Hillary said she doesn't support socialized medicine. So why did she attack Obama for not requiring everyone to get health insurance?

The New York senator has criticized presidential rival Barack Obama for pushing a health plan that would not require universal coverage. Clinton has not always specified the enforcement measures she would embrace, but when pressed during a television interview, she said: "I think there are a number of mechanisms" that are possible, including "going after people's wages, automatic enrollment."

Hmmm, require everyone to get coverage, if they don't ... punish them by garnishing wages. Yeah, that's not socialized medicine.

Clearly Hillary is going after Edwards supporters, and Johnny's official endorsement. Remember Edwards wanted to garnish wages also, and there was a little scandal involving Hillary and Edwards teaming up a while back.

Remember Kids, Hillary Loves Black People

So I was stumbling the other day, and I came across a "race card." Yes, I literally ran across a race card. I told myself that I could use this repeatedly on my blog for the race baiting that is constantly going on in the world, or at least every time Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson open their mouths. It took two days before I had the opportunity to use it, and that's without me looking for anything. So without further ado ...



Why am I pulling the race card out? Good question. The race card is now in play because of a thoroughly disgusting and contrived piece in the NYT. What else is new right.

Here's the pic that the NYT leads off with:


Nice huh?

Growing up in the palest of Chicago suburbs, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton had some of her earliest exposures to African-Americans through field trips. She sat in the back of her father’s Cadillac as he detoured through the inner city, cautioning her about the fate of people who, in his conservative Republican view, lacked the self-discipline to succeed.

Nice! Not only do we get some race card playage, but we get an attack on heartless Republicans as well. It must be my birthday!

She took a sociology course at Wellesley College that included a trip through Boston’s poor areas. On Tuesdays, she went to a housing project in Cambridge to mentor “underprivileged Negroes,” as she wrote to Don Jones, her minister back home, who had taken her to hear the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak in Chicago four years earlier.

Wait, wait, wait. Did the NYT say that Hillary called black people "Negroes?" This hasn't been a campaign issue yet? None of my black friends would respond well to me calling them Negroes ... would yours? Mitt Romney has been attacked for being a racist simply because he's Morman. I don't recall anyone attacking Romney for actually making a racist statement. So Romney gets attacked, but Hillary gets a pass on this one incident? I'm surprised Obama supporters haven't gobbled this up yet.

Before I forget ... Hillary supporters can not use the argument that it was politically correct to say Negro back then. Why? Because you wouldn't accept anyone using the other n-word when they were young and living in a time when that was the societal norm. Remember, George Allen was accused of using the n-word (amongst other things) in the early 70's. Allen was attacked non stop in the press and by Democrats for these unfounded allegations that were denied by several black people who went to school with him. No double standards you kids!

The Times continues to glorify Hillary's contribution to black folks everywhere in the piece, but I won't bore you with it. If you really are into self torture you can go to the link and read it yourself.

After finishing the piece I got a very different view than that of which the NYT was trying to paint. Hillary would only go into black neighborhoods because she was forced to on field trips, or her dad. Then when she did go their on her own she called them all "underprivileged Negroes." You can paint a picture with poo and garbage you know. It may not be a masterpiece, but it is still considered "art." That's what the NYT has done here ... given you a piece of art that clearly isn't news, but is only usable as a decorative piece.

I'm more "picky" about my art ...

Mir Submits Lesnar At UFC 81!

A huge congrats goes to Frank Mir who fights out of my gym, Striking Unlimited. Frank is also a coach at Striking Unlimited, and SU owner/head trainer Ken Hahn really got Mir ready for the fight. Mir submitted Brock Lesnar in the first round as Brock made his debut in the UFC. No doubt things will be great at SU next week. It's always good when your fighters, who happen to be your coaches, come home with a win.

Everyone who has been talking trash about Mir owes him a big apology. He clearly proved his naysayers wrong tonight.

Brock came out with the intent of bullying Mir with his strength, and for a time it appeared that he may be able to pull off the upset over Mir. However, Lesnar left his leg open as he was looking for an opening to drop punches down upon Mir, and Frank took Brock down. It wasn't long before Lesnar had to tap, or lose the use of his leg.

I often refer to Frank Mir as the former and future heavyweight champion of the UFC, and he showed that he is more than capable of being just that tonight.

Although Lesnar lost the fight he did show that he can be a force in the UFC heavyweight ranks. Brock came close to pulling off a victory, but ultimately fell victim to his own lack of experience. Had Lesnar been in the octagon with the average UFC heavyweight ... he most likely would have pulled off the win. Lesnar may not be ready for world class Jiu Jitsu fighters yet, but there aren't many of them to worry about in the heavyweight division as he learns and improves in his craft.

With Nogueira defeating Sylvia to win the interim heavyweight title the stage is set for a Mir Nogueira title fight, and a grudge match between Lesnar and Sylvia. Brock has been talking a lot of trash about Sylvia for losing to Couture, and I doubt Sylvia will let that go. This would be two great fights! On one hand you have two masters of Jiu Jitsu with Mir and Nogueira ... on the other you have two brawlers in Sylvia and Lesnar.

All in all, UFC 81 was a good PPV. My only complaint is that Mir was introduced before Lesnar. This is a breach of etiquette in the fight world. Traditionally the fighter who is, or has been, champion is introduced second. It was completely disrespectful in my opinion.

Definitive Proof PC Is Superior To Mac!

PWNED!

BREAKING NEWS: Three Alarm Fire Is Destroying Monte Carlo Casino In Las Vegas. (I'm Live Blogging The Story Now)

Courtesy of AP
Great slide show of images from the fire ...

It is VERY bad, and it looks like the casino may be destroyed. The fire is burning in 3 sections of the hotel/casino, and it's burning both horizontally and vertically. There is also lots of reports that the building is falling apart, and there is debris falling off of the building. The authorities aren't saying much, but the fire is reportedly out of control. You can't access any of the news sites here in Vegas because of the traffic. You can go to KXNT.COM to listen to a live broadcast of what's happening right now.


UPDATE:

Fire spread to a 4th section of the Monte Carlo.

UPDATE:

It looks like the fire department is starting to win the battle against the fire. It is much better than it was even 10 minutes ago.


UPDATE:

So far, no injuries. We can't confirm if there are workers trapped on the roof, but it seems unlikely now. There are firefighters on the roof of the Monte Carlo right now.

UPDATE:

Only the Monte Carlo is being evacuated ... no other hotels have been evacuated as has been reported nationally.

The fire in the west wing is contained, and the fire department is reporting that the south wing is nearly contained.

There were welders on the roof of the Monte Carlo before the fire broke out. We don't know if they are responsible for the fire yet.

The wall burning on the roof is a protective wall that prevents people from jumping off the building. Several of the suites below that wall have been destroyed.


UPDATE:

There is an iconic image on the TV right now. A firefighter is standing on a balcony breaking the door in from the outside while he is completely surrounded by flames on both sides and above him. Part of the frame of the suite collapsed around him, but he is ok. I'll try to find the image to post it.

UPDATE:

The fire is under control right now. The local CBS station (lasvegasnow.com) is ripping our local Fox affiliate (fox5vegas.com) for spreading doomsday rumors about mass evacuations at other casinos that was picked up nationally.

This was a bad fire that spread quickly in less than an hour, but Vegas has the nation's toughest fire codes. Fire walls are built in between floors to prevent fires from spreading, and our fire department deserves great praise for their reaction to the fire. It is a real testament to their professionalism, courage, and ability.

UPDATE:

Local CBS is citing an AP report that the rumors of the trapped employees was false.

The fire department will hold a press conference in a few minutes.

UPDATE:

Reports are coming in that the firefighters were focussed on battling the blaze on the 29th floor.

UPDATE:

Earlier I told you that local CBS ripped local Fox affiliate for false reporting. Local CBS then read an AP article that their were NO WORKERS trapped on the roof. However, the local Fox channel is saying they were rescued. We'll find out which is true when the fire department gives its press conference.

UPDATE:

Reporters are able to interview witnesses now on the ground, and they are stunned that the fire department was able to put the fire out. The pictures you see above and that you'll see in the next couple of days will not do the fire justice. Everything that is black in the pictures was at one point completely engulfed in flames. This fire burned very hot.

UPDATE:

Experts are saying that the fire looks worse than it actually ended up being, and that most of the damage is on the exterior of the building. I'm not so sure of that. I saw several suites burning on the inside of the building.

UPDATE:

One man hid inside a freezer for a couple of hours until the fire was under control.

UPDATE:

Fire Chief Steve Smith has given his press conference and he went over how many fire fighters responded (25 apparatuses), the evacuation, fire on upper floors, it was an exterior fire ... the fire did not penetrate far into the building, no rooms were completely destroyed (guess I was wrong), fire not completely out ... in a state of "knockdown", no injuries or casualties at all, was not an easy fire to deal with (they just made it look that way), stay off the strip, still investigating cause.

No word yet on whether workers were rescued or if it was false report.

UPDATE:

We have 4 local news channels here - 3, 5, 8, and 13. All are still reporting on the fire except for channel 3 who has gone back to running Days of Our Lives ... too funny.

UPDATE:

Oh great, the reporters are starting in with the 9/11 comparisons. They are saying that the firefighters "no doubt" thought about 9/11 as they were rushing up the stairs of the Monte Carlo. Give me a break.

UPDATE:

When the flames first started the patrons were not told to evacuate even though everyone heard fire alarms. The saw their resort on fire on the TVs and decided to evacuate on their own. The casino workers said they were investigating why the alarms were going off, but that everyone was safe. As the fire spread an official evacuation was ordered for the whole resort, and there was a problem with getting some gamblers away from their machines.

Everything is in mop up right now, and appears to be over. I'll continue to look for that image I told you about earlier, and confirmation on if anyone was ever trapped.

Paulbots Want Fredheads To Join Them

NEVER!!!!!!

UPDATE: Heath Ledger Funeral To Be Protested, NOT A Suicide

As I suspected yesterday, Heath did not commit suicide. At least according to the police and his family. I'm surprised everyone jumped all over that theory anyway. Whenever I hear of an overdose or suicide in which the pills were strewn all around the body I'm skeptical.

We were hoping to get more with the autopsy. As a side note, did you notice how quick we had an autopsy on Ledger as compared to Anna Nicole? Too bad the autopsy came back inconclusive, and more tests need to be done.

The most disturbing of the developments today is that the Westboro Baptist Church (known for protesting the funerals of US troops) will protest Ledger's funeral because of his role in Brokeback Mountain. Below is the flier from the "church."