Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Dr. Williams:  We’re Failing to Stop Encroachment on Liberty
Coulter:  Kwanzaa:  A Holiday From the FBI
Jeffrey:  Football, Like the Free Economy, Rewards Creativity and Courage
SBA:  Many That Got 9/11 Loans Weren’t Hurt

I hope everybody had a Merry Christmas.  Have a happy and safe New Year!

A good deal for Mercer--Goodbye GBC!

Mercer, Georgia Baptists reach deal on split

GOP Fights Back, Still Eunuchs; Bowl Picks

Ferrara:  Snowe Monsters
GOP to Launch ‘White Flag’ Dem Attack
Milloy:  Politically Incorrect Plastic
North:  Defeatist Dean Spouts Dim-Witted, Dangerous Ideas
Hanson:  Democratic Implosion
Iraqis Hand Over ‘The Butcher,’ High-Ranking Al Qaeda Member

New Orleans:  Southern Miss vs. Arkansas State
GMAC:  UTEP vs. Toledo
Las Vegas:  BYU vs. California
Poinsettia:  Colorado State vs. Navy
Fort Worth:  Kansas vs. Houston
Hawaii:  Nevada vs. UCF
Motor City:  Memphis vs. Akron
Champs Sports:  Clemson vs. Colorado
Insight:  Arizona State vs. Rutgers
MPC Computers:  Boise State vs. Boston College
Alamo:  Michigan vs. Nebraska
Emerald:  Georgia Tech vs. Utah
Holiday:  Oregon vs. Oklahoma
Music City:  Minnesota vs. Virginia
Sun:  Northwestern vs. UCLA
Independence:  South Carolina vs. Missouri
Peach:  Miami vs. LSU
Car Care:  South Florida vs. N.C. State
Liberty:  Tulsa vs. Fresno State
Houston:  TCU vs. Iowa State
Cotton:  Texas Tech vs. Alabama
Outback:  Iowa vs. Florida
Gator:  Louisville vs. Virginia Tech
Capital One:  Wisconsin vs. Auburn
Fiesta:  Notre Dame vs. Ohio State
Sugar:  West Virginia vs. Georgia
Orange:  Penn State vs. Florida State
Rose:  USC vs. Texas          

More "Tax Cuts for the Rich"

House Passes 3 Tax Cuts, Plans a 4th
Sen. Crapo:  We Need a Simpler Tax System
Hanna:  Immigration Bill Has a Hole in It
Elder:  Hatred of Bush is the Real Pandemic
Manzi:  Is the U.S. Casualty Rate Higher Because of the AP?
Victoria’s Dirty Secret

A Date Which Will Live in Infamy

FDR’s Pearl Harbor Speech:  December 8, 1941
Naval Historical Center:  Pearl Harbor
FReeper Canteen—Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Administration objects to story describing Alito as conservative
Jeffrey:  Tell Harvard:  A Deal’s a Deal
Absent Saddam defies court with empty chair
SITYS:  Al-Zawahri calls on Iraqi insurgents to unite
Man reportedly killed at Miami airport
Shots Fired on Flight That Landed at Miami Airport

Dean Predicts American Defeat

Dean:  US Won’t Win in Iraq
Kerry: American soldiers "terrorizing" women and children
Buchanan:  We Have Ourselves to Blame for Education Problems
Bartlett:  The Left Plays Games With Taxes on Rich
Lowry:  Fear and Loathing Wal-Mart
Postal Service Surplus Doesn’t Stop Rate Hike

Congress is meddling; Republicans declining

Congress to look into ‘deeply flawed’ BCS system
‘Lewd rubbing’ shuts Paris statue
Snow:  Republicanism in decline
Underwood named president of Mercer University
Mercer’s new president will face familiar themes
Aronoff:  Saddam’s Links to Al Qaeda
Saddam trial hears of horror in Room 63 (Warning: Graphic)
Court told of Saddam horrors (Warning: Graphic)
Al-Qaeda number three ‘killed by CIA spy plane’ in Pakistan
Robbins:  Bad Terrorism

My football picks this week went 5-3, bringing me to a season total of 206-70.  I will make my bowl predictions before the first bowl game starts.

President Godsey's E-Mail

 

Mercer Trustees Elect Underwood as New President MACON - The Board of Trustees of Mercer University today unanimously elected law scholar William D. Underwood as the University's 18th president. Underwood, who currently serves as interim president of Baylor University in Waco, Texas, will take office on July 1, upon the retirement of Dr. R. Kirby Godsey, who has been the University's chief executive officer for an unprecedented 27 years.

"The Presidential Search Committee was very deliberate in its national search for the next president of Mercer," said David Hudson, chairman of Mercer's Board of Trustees and chairman of the Presidential Search Committee. "Kirby Godsey has left an indelible mark on this university, and we knew the next president would have to be someone who could continue to chart a strong course for the institution. We have found that leadership in Bill Underwood." Hudson continued, "Bill is a strong academician, committed to excellence in both the classroom and scholarly research. He has powerful communication skills that enable him to build bridges and break down barriers between different constituents. His understanding of what it means to be a faith-based institution allows him to appreciate the importance of the University's Baptist heritage in the context of academic and intellectual freedom. We have found the right leader for Mercer in Bill Underwood." Underwood would follow in the academic tradition of Mercer's 16th president, Dr. Rufus C. Harris, who also was a nationally noted law scholar and who had served as a law school dean before beginning his 19-year presidency at the University. Mercer President Kirby Godsey strongly supports the Board's selection of Underwood. "I believe that Bill Underwood is among the most prominent new leaders in higher education in America," he said. "The University is extraordinarily fortunate to have attracted him to Mercer." Underwood has served as interim president of Baylor since June 1, when the President Robert B. Sloan, Jr. transitioned to chancellor. Considered a "serious candidate" for Baylor's chief executive post according to The Baptist Standard, Underwood asked the Presidential Search Committee in September to remove his name from consideration so he could continue the work he planned to do as the interim president. Baylor's Board of Regents Chairman Will Davis expressed disappointment of Underwood's decision at the time of his request. During his term at the helm of Baylor, he has been credited for bringing unity back among the faculty, staff, students and alumni, which had become fractured during the previous administration over the future direction of the university. During his six-month presidency, Underwood has received a vote of affirmation as well as a standing ovation from the Faculty Senate and strong support from the alumni association. In the Nov. 29 edition of the Baylor student newspaper, The Lariat, the editorial staff thanked Underwood for the "positive work he's done during his presidency." Attributing the interim president's policy of openness and transparency for the re-building of the Baylor community, the students stated, Underwood was leaving "the university in much better shape than when he started, which is the mark of a good leader," for Baylor's new president, who takes office in January. Prior to his appointment to interim president, Underwood had been a member of the faculty of the Baylor Law School since 1990. He holds The Leon Jaworski Chair in Practice and Procedure and directed the rigorous Practice Court program, which has received high marks from the Princeton Review and Litigation News. In 2004, Baylor awarded Underwood the prestigious designation of Master Teacher for his commitment to teaching and scholarly research. Only nine of Baylor's current 800 faculty members have received the Master Teacher designation. In 1997-1998, Underwood temporarily left the classroom to serve as Baylor's General Counsel. He also represented the university in proceedings before the NCAA Committee on Infractions and was a member of and spokesperson for a committee that recently headed an investigation into allegations of misconduct arising out of the death of men's basketball player Patrick Dennehy. Underwood, the son of a Baptist preacher, earned his undergraduate degree at Oklahoma Baptist University. A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law, he was a member of the Board of Editors of the University of Illinois Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif. After law school, he completed a federal judicial clerkship with the Honorable Sam D. Johnson of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Court. He became a high-profile attorney practicing civil trial law with Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal, a prominent litigation firm based in Dallas. Underwood has published extensively in the field of civil practice and procedure, including articles that have led to significant changes in federal and state procedural law. After joining the faculty of Baylor's College of Law, he continued to successfully represent clients in a variety of civil and criminal cases. An elected member of the American Law Institute, the American Bar Foundation, and the Texas Bar Foundation, Underwood has served as Reporter to the Civil Justice Reform Act Advisory Group to the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. He is married to the former Lesli Pearson, a third-grade teacher at an inner-city public school in Waco, who serves as president of the Waco Chapter of Parents for Public Schools and director of National Parents for Public Schools organization. They are the parents of two children, Jessica, 16, and William, 11, and members of Seventh and James Baptist Church in Waco.    ####

Mercer's New President: Bill Underwood

Underwood chosen as Mercer president
Likely Mercer pick ‘bold,’ ‘charismatic’
The Clinton Monument—in Argentina?
WHO puts a stop to the hiring of smokers
Stevens:  WHO’s in Charge?
Franc:  New Drug Benefit Has Socialist Downside
Ferrara:  Bring Medicaid Spending Under Control
Carpenter:  GOP Congress Earmarks $4 Million for Leftist Pro-Illegal Alien Group

Top 25
#11 UCLA at #1 USC
#2 Texas at Colorado
#12 West Virginia at South Florida
#16 Louisville at Connecticut
Louisiana Tech at #23 Fresno State

SEC
#13 Georgia at #3 LSU

ACC
#5 Virginia Tech at Florida State

Bonus Pick
Navy at Army

Philly Loves Army-Navy
Operation Gratitude

Republicans Fail Again

Edwards:  Bush Talks Tougher on Immigration, but It’s Still Amnesty
Coulter:  Murtha Proves It:  Republican Party Is Non-Functional
Spirit:  Sister Sense
NR Editors:  Battle, Joined
Connerly:  The Q-Word & American Realities
de Rugy:  Savings.  What Savings?
Sowell:  ‘Merry Christmas’ Shouldn’t Be Controversial

SITYS: "Global warming" NOT responsible for hurricanes!

Caffeine perks up brain’s memory centers:  study
Cindy Sheehan Claims Photos Falsely Implied Her Book Signing was a Flop
Tour de Georgia returning to Macon!
Mercer may pick new president Friday
Hastert Wants ‘Christmas,’ Tree Together
’06 forecast:  More stormy weather
SITYS:  Record year for hurricanes part of a natural cycle
Lieberman:  Our Troops Must Stay
Smith:  For women, Saudi Arabia reality harsh
Lopez:  Meet Jane
France plans tighter immigration controls

Bush Talks the Talk on Immigration

Woolseys:  Al Qaeda Killed Kenny!
President Discusses Border Security and Immigration Reform in Arizona
Bush’s Immigration Plan Called ‘Massive Amnesty’
Rep. Tancredo:  Can We Trust Bush’s New Rhetoric on Immigration?
Lowry:  Bush’s Bait
NR Editors:  “A Lot of Noise”
Sen. Lieberman:  Our Troops Must Stay

MP3 file of “I’m So Ronery”

Socialism Fails, Leftists Miss Point

Lawmakers Reject Immediate Iraq Withdrawal
Marshall:  Put doubts on hold and commit to Iraq
Sheehan book signing empty!
Sklar:  Economic pie gives too many slices to the rich
The “Success” of socialism:  Dead homeless in Paris
Gratzer:  The “Choo Choo Man” Party On the Outs
Darda:  The Hazards to Good Fortune
Bluey:  Give ‘Em Hell Harry:  Bush Needs to Stand Up to Right Wing on Immigration
Bush plans anti-illegals campaign
Officials wary of border uniforms made in Mexico
O’Reilly:  San Francisco Blues
Marble chunk falls from top of Supreme Court
Goldberg:  Bland Old Party

My football picks were 12-2 this week, bringing me to a season total of 201-67 (75%).    

Have a good Thanksgiving!

SITYS:  Lopez:  Death of a Funeral
Spruiell:  Hey PETA, Eat This!
Jeffrey:  More Children (and Tax Dollars) Left Behind
Weinstein:  Why Is No One Blaming Bill Clinton for Understating Terror Threat?
Oil Companies Hope to Ward Off Windfall Tax
Spero:  Once Upon a Time When America Had Christmas
Carpenter:  Southerners Warmer to Charitable Giving Than New Englanders
Johnson:  Withdrawal Is Not an Option

Top 25
#2 Texas at Texas A&M
#6 Notre Dame at Stanford
Pittsburgh at #12 West Virginia
#16 Fresno State at Nevada
Syracuse at #17 Louisville
#24 Wisconsin at Hawaii

SEC
Tennessee at Kentucky
Mississippi at Mississippi State
Arkansas at #3 LSU

ACC
Maryland at N.C. State
North Carolina at #5 Virginia Tech
Virginia at #10 Miami

ACC-SEC
#13 Georgia at #20 Georgia Tech
#23 Florida State at #19 Florida

Links on a week off

No show this week, but I will update from time to time with some links.  Have a good Thanksgiving.

Congress Helps Self to $3,100 Pay Raise
Lawmakers Reject Immediate Iraq Withdrawal
Zarqawi’s ‘days are numbered’ says US as hunt goes on
Robbins:  Judgment Day?
McCain, Graham Warn GOP May Be in Trouble
Rosenberg:  Likud You?
Bluey:  First Senator to Support Miers Says Conservative Taught Him Lesson
Sellers:  If It Isn’t in the Constitution, Cut It
Berthoud:  Don’t Revive Jimmy Carter’s Energy Policy
Tabor:  Conservatives Need to Fix GOP’s Integrity

For those of you who could not make the Town Hall meeting with President Kirby Godsey this morning, he did an excellent job showing the confidence and strength of this University.  He assured us that Mercer, and all students, will be just fine.  Don’t worry!

Also, my football picks went 13-5 this week, bringing me to a season total of 189-65 (74%).  This week’s picks will come before the first game on Thursday night.

Senators' Shameless Self-Promotion

Senators fail to get buildings named after selves
Lowry:  Grand Old Ground Game
FLASHBACK:  Duquesne Student Sanctioned for Comments on Homosexuality
Villines:  Good decision to sever ties with Mercer
North:  How to lose a war—the sequel


Top 25
#16 Fresno State at #1 USC
#5 Penn State at Michigan State
Syracuse at #6 Notre Dame
#9 Ohio State at #17 Michigan
Oregon State at #10 Oregon
Oklahoma at #21 Texas Tech
UAB at #24 UTEP

SEC
Vanderbilt at Tennessee
Mississippi State at Arkansas
#4 LSU at Mississippi
#8 Alabama at #11 Auburn
Kentucky at #14 Georgia

ACC
Middle Tennessee State at N.C. State
Duke at North Carolina
Georgia Tech at #3 Miami
#7 Virginia Tech at Virginia
#23 Boston College at Maryland

ACC-SEC
Clemson at #19 South Carolina

Close the borders!

Suspected Illegal Immigrant Raid in Schuylkill County
Momentum builds for fence along U.S.-Mexican border
Illegal immigrants to cross border in specialty sneaks
Cornelius:  Inde-fence-ible?
McLagan:  Incentives give states a competitive edge
Lastrapes and Lee:  Keep politicians’ hands off gas prices
Ponnuru:  The Alito Precedent

Republicans Blow It Again

Georgia Baptist Convention votes to cut ties with Mercer
Georgia Baptists on Mercer:  ‘a growing incompatibility’
Baptists vote to slash Mercer ties
Graves pleads guilty to DUI
Barr:  Aw, shoot…Brazil wiser than San Fran
Senate votes to ban torture of terrorism detainees
McCarthy:  Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory
Haynes:  California’s Stupidest Exercises of Power
Bethell:  Pandemic jitters

The University Reacts

The following news release is from President Godsey and  is being distributed to all Mercer University students.
Further information will be forthcoming.

Mercer President Disappointed by GBC Proposal

MACON – The Executive Committee of the Georgia Baptist Convention (GBC) voted today to propose to the delegates of the annual meeting of the Convention to break ties with Mercer University, the state’s largest and oldest Baptist institution of higher education. According to the bylaws of the GBC, this action must be voted on by the delegates at two consecutive annual meetings of the Convention. The first vote will occur on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at the Convention’s annual meeting being held in Columbus, Ga.

“I am very disappointed by this action,” said Mercer University President R. Kirby Godsey. “Mercer represents the very best of Baptist higher education. The University is educating students to become better citizens, to discern more clearly the difference between truth and error, and to sharpen their capacity to make discriminating moral choices. This was what the founding fathers envisioned when they established Mercer, and this is what the University is today.”

President Godsey continued: “The partnership between the Baptists of Georgia and Mercer University has existed for almost 175 years. The proposal, which must be voted on in November 2006, to disengage the work of the Convention represents, if approved, a strategic loss for both the Convention and the University.

“All of the monies given to Mercer by the Georgia Baptist Convention have been used exclusively to underwrite scholarships for Georgia Baptist students. Some of the best and brightest young people among Georgia Baptists have been able to attend Mercer University because Baptist people and Baptist churches have given to support their college education through the Georgia Baptist Convention.

“While disappointing for the University, I believe that this unilateral action by the Convention would be a tragic mistake because this action is entirely contrary to the founding purpose of the Convention and severely diminishes the noble work of Georgia Baptists in higher education. Mercer is the only Baptist university is the nation that offers degrees in liberal arts, law, business, engineering, education, medicine, pharmacy, nursing and theology.”

Mercer University’s leadership had worked to avoid severing its relationship with the GBC. Several Baptist universities across the nation have severed ties with their state Baptist conventions, including Wake Forest University, Furman University, University of Richmond, Stetson University and, most recently, Belmont University.
 
More than 80 percent of Mercer’s students are from Georgia, and more than 53 percent are Baptists. All of the $3.5 million that the University receives from the GBC’s Cooperative Programs provide scholarships to Baptist students. The University adds another $8.1 million in scholarships to Georgia Baptist students.

The University was founded on January 14, 1833, by Jesse Mercer, Adiel Sherwood and Billington Sanders, the same group of prominent Baptists leaders who were at the forefront of the establishment of the Georgia Baptist Convention.  Through the vision of these Baptist leaders, Mercer began in the Georgia wilderness of Greene County as a manual labor school for young men. 

Today, Mercer has a national reputation of scholastic excellence, with rigorous academic programs, innovative teaching and time-honored values that embrace reason, responsibility, compassion and character. With 7,300 students, the University is attracting some of the most academically talented young men and women in the nation. The 2005 freshman class had an average SAT over 1200 and an average academic grade point average of 3.63.
 
Overview of the University
 
Location
•           Macon campus
•           Atlanta campus
•           Regional Academic Centers in Henry County, Douglas County, Eastman and Macon
 
Colleges and Schools
•           College of Liberal Arts
•           Walter F. George School of Law
•           Southern School of Pharmacy
•           School of Medicine
•           Stetson School of Business and Economics
•           School of Engineering
•           Tift College of Education
•           McAfee School of Theology
•           Georgia Baptist College of Nursing
•           College of Continuing and Professional Studies
 
Teaching Hospitals
•           Medical Center of Central Georgia – Macon
•           Memorial Health University Medical Center – Savannah
 
Educational Partnerships
•           Center for Health and Learning - Piedmont Healthcare – Atlanta
•           Robins Air Logistics Center – Warner Robins
 
Other University Units
•           Mercer University Press – Macon
•           Mercer Engineering Research Center – Warner Robins
•           The Grand Opera House – Macon
•           The Executive Forum – Atlanta, Macon
 
                                                            ### 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Georgia Baptist Convention at its annual meeting this week voted to disengage from Mercer University. The delegates will have to approve the motion again at the 2006 meeting for the vote to become a formal action.

 

There was no vote to escrow Mercer’s funds; therefore, the University’s current operating budget remains unchanged. We anticipate working with the current Baptist leadership to develop a plan that will allow the funding to the University to be reduced over a period of years.

 

Due to the media coverage of the vote at the Convention’s annual meeting, we are beginning to receive specific questions. Below are answers to these questions.

 

Will Mercer students receive a larger-than-usual tuition increase next year?

No. The Administration will also protect the scholarships of current students.

Will staff positions be cut and will salaries for staff be decreased?

We will do everything we can to protect our employees. We will carefully review vacant positions.

Will academic programs be affected?

 

No. We will try to identify areas where savings can occur.

Mercer no longer a Baptist University?

Mercer students:  Go check on how losing GBC money may affect your scholarship.  I hope none of you are detrimentally affected.

Baptist Convention mulls severing Mercer ties
Georgia Baptist Convention panel votes to sever ties with Mercer
Georgia Baptist Convention votes to sever Mercer ties
Gay organization at Mercer disbands
McCarthy:  Say “No” to the McCain Amendment
Lowry:  American Grandstand
Senate Republicans Pushing for a Plan on Ending the War in Iraq
Senate Republicans Block Iraq Timetable

Links

No show today, but I’ll still give you some links.

O’Beirne:  Sisterhood vs. Sauerbrey
Leo:  Poor babies:  The top victims of 2005
Robbins:  Zarqawi’s Big Mistake
Gessing:  Is Reconciliation the GOP’s Waterloo?
Johnson:  How Dan Rather Helped Create Conservative Radio

My football picks were abysmal this week, my second worst of the season at 16-9.  This puts me at 176-60 (75%) for the season.

THANK YOU to all of our Veterans!

From everybody at the Jeff Scott Show, thank you to our veterans who have honorably and bravely served the United States of America.  You are all heroes.

China jails three for illegally printing Bibles
What’s up with the Mercer Triangle Symposium?

Top 25
#1 USC at California
Kansas at #2 Texas
Navy at #7 Notre Dame
#25 Northwestern at #10 Ohio State
#11 Oregon at Washington State
#13 Texas Tech at Oklahoma State
Arizona State at #14 UCLA
#16 West Virginia at Cincinnati
UNLV at #18 TCU
Iowa at #19 Wisconsin
Boise State at #20 Fresno State
Indiana at #21 Michigan
#22 Colorado at Iowa State
Rutgers at #23 Louisville

SEC
Arkansas at Mississippi
Kentucky at Vanderbilt
Memphis at Tennessee
#12 Florida at South Carolina
#15 Auburn at #9 Georgia
#5 LSU at #4 Alabama

ACC
Maryland at North Carolina
N.C. State at Boston College
#3 Miami at Wake Forest
#17 Florida State at Clemson
#24 Georgia Tech at Virginia

Yes, it hurts me to pick against Georgia Tech.  But Virginia is a good team, and Georgia Tech has not won in Charlottesville in 15 years.  I am hopeful but skeptical for the Yellow Jackets this weekend.    

Happy Birthday to the Marine Corps

Terror attacks spark fury in Jordan
Robbins:  Why Jordan?
Arctic drilling dropped from House bill
House Drops Arctic Drilling From Bill
FTC subpoenas Big Oil firms in U.S. gasoline probe
RCP Blog:  Bush’s “Disaster”
California State Ballot Measures Election Results
Election Day Highlights (AJC)

Happy 230th birthday to the United States Marine Corps!  Hoorah!
Owens:  The Marines@230

We're Winning the War On Terror!

GOP Leaders to Launch New ‘Leak’ Probe:  Info to Wash Post ‘Damaged National Security’
Derbyshire:  The Iron House
Pipes:  French Riots Could Be European Turning Point
Spencer:  It’s Jihad, Not Joblessness Causing Rioting
Bartlett:  Senate Republicans Take Cues From Dems
Solenni:  Calif. Holds Tanning Salons to Higher Standards Than Abortionists
Top-end hotel fills gap in Kabul
Australian Terror Plot Foiled
Zimbabwe President Tells U.S. Diplomat to ‘Go to Hell’

Sorry folks, but I will not be able to be on the air tomorrow (Wednesday, Nov. 9).  I will post some links here, but I have an important meeting that will prevent me from being on the air.

Also remember that course registration will prevent me from being on the air Monday (November 14).

Wednesday night’s game:  #16 West Virginia at Cincinnati
Thursday night’s game:  Boise State at #20 Fresno State
Friday night’s game:  Rutgers at #23 Louisville

Rioting in France: Think they'll get it yet?

Rioting in France Spreads to 300 Towns
Rage on Rue Picasso
French Youths Say They’re Marginalized
Turkish PM links head scarf law to French riots
Johnson:  As France Burns, Immigration Rears Its Ugly Head
Buchanan:  Paris Burning:  How Empires End
Steyn:  Wake up, Europe, you’ve a war on your hands
Cunliffe:  Cut power of eminent domain
Advise Reed not to keep hope alive

My football picks went 20-4 this weekend, despite only being 3-3 in the ACC.  This brings my season total up to 160-51 (76%).

Is Satan drinking ice water? Because Carter gets it...

GOP mulls ending birthright citizenship
Carter condemns abortion culture
Macon Tele-laugh:  It’s time to decide if torture is the U.S. way


Top 25
Stanford at #1 USC
#2 Texas at Baylor
#7 UCLA at Arizona
#14 Wisconsin at #10 Penn State
Illinois at #12 Ohio State
#23 California at #15 Oregon
Texas A&M at #16 Texas Tech
Connecticut at #18 West Virginia
Colorado State at #20 TCU
San Jose State at #21 Fresno State
Pittsburgh at #24 Louisville
Missouri at #25 Colorado

SEC
South Carolina at Arkansas
#4 Alabama at Mississippi State
Appalachian State at #6 LSU
Tennessee at #8 Notre Dame
Vanderbilt at #13 Florida
#17 Auburn at Kentucky

ACC
Duke at Clemson
Wake Forest at Georgia Tech
Temple at Virginia
#5 Miami at #3 Virginia Tech
N.C. State at #9 Florida State
#19 Boston College at North Carolina

CIA Secret Prisons--Thank God!

CIA Holds Terror Suspects in Secret Prisons
Johnson:  When Will CIA Leave Al Qaeda Alone and Get Back To Hunting the President?
USA Today:  Big Oil hits a gusher, but new tax not the answer
Dorgan:  Oil’s gain is consumers’ pain
Senate Backs Drilling in Alaska Refuge
Murdock:  Missing Parks
Lawmaker found guilty of DUI
Coulter:  Alito Nominated—Democrats Hide from Base
Bork:  A Narrowed Rift

Democrat Racism Emerges in Maryland

‘Party trumps race’ for Steele foes
Editorial:  A nomination that will divide
Sowell:  Civil Rights Rites
Manzi:  Are Reid and Other Democratic Demagogues Lying or Stupid?
Bozell:  Left Suddenly Concerned about National Security
Chavez:  Liberals Have Nothing to Offer but More Abortions
Williams:  The Coming Mess of Social Security & Medicare:  Do We Really Care About the Children?

Early games this week:
Tonight:  Connecticut at #18 West Virginia
Thursday:  Pittsburgh at #24 Louisville

Prepare for the Alito fight

Pruden:  The left gets what it asked for
Frum:  Battle Stations?
Both parties prepared for ‘Armageddon’ fight
Opinion Journal:  A Fight Worth Having
Democrats Force Senate Into Iraq Meeting
Senate Goes Into Rare Closed Session
Average U.S. gas price tumbles to $2.48 a gallon    

(Sc)Alito!

CBS Reporter to White House:  Alito ‘Sloppy Seconds?’
Reaction to Alito Nomination
NR Editors:  A Good Choice
Clancy:  Che Guevara should be scorned—not worn
Prince Charles voices fears on warming

My football picks this week went 19-3, despite being 15-0 as of 10pm Saturday.  This includes being 6-0 in the ACC.  My season total is now 140-47 (75%).

Libby indicted; diaper change needed on left side of aisle

Goldberg:  The Secret Files of the Anti-Hypocrite Squad
Olasky:  Reigniting the Fight Against Malaria:  Bring Back DDT and Save Lives

Hank’s Military Update:
Kerry Wants 20,000 Troops Home for Christmas Holidays
Navy again sued over sonar and whales
House Approves Base-Closing Recommendations

Top 25
Washington State at #1 USC
#2 Texas at Oklahoma State
#8 UCLA at Stanford
Purdue at #11 Penn State
#12 Ohio State at Minnesota
#15 Wisconsin at Illinois
#17 Texas Tech at Baylor
#20 TCU at San Diego State
#25 Michigan at #21 Northwestern
#22 Fresno State at Hawaii

SEC
Mississippi State at Kentucky
#4 Georgia at #16 Florida
Utah State at #5 Alabama
North Texas at #7 LSU
Mississippi at #19 Auburn
South Carolina at #23 Tennessee

ACC
Wake Forest at Duke
Southern Mississippi at N.C. State
Clemson at Georgia Tech
#13 Boston College at #3 Virginia Tech
North Carolina at #6 Miami
Maryland at #10 Florida State

It's Morning In America!

Expulsion for Gay Comments?  Duquesne Student Resists Punishment
Iran Leader Calls for Israel’s Destruction
Bush Abandons Push for Miers Nomination (Miers’ Withdrawal Letter [pdf])
Muth:  Bring on the Mother of all Judicial Battles
NR Editors:  After Miers
Reid on Miers Withdrawal
Coulter:  It’s Morning In America!

Tonight’s Game:  #13 Boston College at #3 Virginia Tech

The Brazilians get it

Reynolds:  The Next International Right
Brazilian voters strongly reject gun ban
Tabor:  Incentive Programs Gone Wild
Manzi:  GOP Senators Brag about Gorging on Pork, Ignore Conservative Demands to Cut Spending
Kelley:  Cindy Sheehan Indulges in Happy Fantasies of Perpetual Safety
Jeffrey:  Bust This State, Mr. President

Huge victory for the Iraqi people!

AJC:  The poor must do more for selves (a reader who gets it!)
Iraq Constitution Passes in Referendum (Text of Iraqi Constitution)
AJC:  A bullet in our hearts
AJC:  Equal Time:  Legislation weakens gun rights
Sowell:  ‘Us’ or ‘Them’:  Leftist True Believers’ Worldview
Schlafly:  Despite Left’s Jubilation, Bush Hasn’t Destroyed Conservative Movement
Brooks:  The Savior of the Right
Rewind:  Bartlett:  Bush and Conservative Movement Headed for Divorce

"Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm -- but the harm does not interest them. Or they do not see it, or they justify it because they are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves."—T.S. Eliot, from the Sowell column posted above.

Never trust the left with national defense

Dean calls for end to 'culture of corruption'
Average retail gas prices drop 25 cents nationwide
Tokyo show proves hydrogen is popular
Schumer:  Miers Lacks Confirmation Votes
Insiders see hint of Miers pullout
Iraq war foes ready for 2,000th military death

My football picks this week were a very impressive 19-4, bringing me to a season total of 121-44 (73%).    

Have a good weekend!

DeLay Smile May Foil Democrat Campaign Ads
Senate comes to halt in battle of bridges
Schultz:  Mazzone’s role overstated


Top 25
#1 USC at Washington
#10 Texas Tech at #2 Texas
Oregon State at #8 UCLA
BYU at #9 Notre Dame
#12 Penn State at Illinois
#14 Ohio State at Indiana
#15 Oregon at Arizona
Purdue at #19 Wisconsin
#21 TCU at Air Force
Northwestern at #22 Michigan State
#24 Fresno State at Idaho
Washington State at #25 California

SEC
Kentucky at Mississippi
Houston at Mississippi State
Vanderbilt at South Carolina
Arkansas at #4 Georgia
#17 Tennessee at #5 Alabama
#16 Auburn at #7 LSU

ACC
Temple at Clemson
N.C. State at Wake Forest
#3 Virginia Tech at Maryland
#11 Florida State at Duke
#23 Virginia at North Carolina

World Series:  Chicago White Sox in 6 games.

Check out DeLay's mug shot!

Minimum Wage:  Senate rejects increase to $6.25
Senate Defeats Proposal to Raise Minimum Wage
Congress Cuts Funding for Viagra in Favor of Funding Katrina Relief
Pacers’ Jackson leads chorus of players against dress code
Moore:  NBA dress code restores sanity to ludicrous image
DeLay Booked on Conspiracy, Money Laundering Charges
DeLay Mug Shot

Tomorrow will largely be a sports day (unless something big happens):  World Series preview and, obviously, college football!

The World is a great place, thanks to America!

World is a safer place despite people’s fears
Australian study finds alcohol linked to croc attacks
Saddam Pleads Not Guilty to Murder Charges
N.J. Umbilical Cord Blood Bank to Aid Stem Cell Research
Text of the Draft Iraqi Constitution (pdf)

I have been informed that there are no crocodiles in America.  I apologize for my error, but crocodiles and alligators are all the same to me, and I know I’ve seen something like that swimming in the Ocmulgee.

Thursday night’s game:  #3 Virginia Tech at Maryland

Today's links

Vranich:  Absurd Generosity
Bartlett:  Bush and Conservative Movement Headed For Divorce
US security chief strives to expel all illegal immigrants
Federal judge grants voter ID injunction
Panel Backs Simplified Income Tax System
Illegal immigration opponents rally at Capitol

First Full Hour!

Sen. Edward Kennedy Helps Rescue Fishermen
MSNBC:  Harriet’s Hail Mary
Limbaugh:  Holding Court
“Your Say” in Macon Telegraph
USA Today:  Debate brews:  Has oil production peaked?

My football picks this week went 14-6, putting me to a season total of 102-40 (72%).

THANK YOU!!!

…to everybody who made the Cody tribute show a huge success!

If you want a copy of the show, then e-mail me using the link to the left and I will make sure you get a copy.

This Week's Picks

Top 25
#1 USC at #9 Notre Dame
#24 Colorado at #2 Texas
#8 Penn State at Michigan
#12 UCLA at Washington State
Kansas State at #13 Texas Tech
#16 Michigan State at #15 Ohio State
Oregon State at #18 California
#19 Louisville at West Virginia
Washington at #20 Oregon
#23 Wisconsin at #22 Minnesota
Army at #25 TCU

SEC
#5 Georgia at Vanderbilt
#6 Alabama at Mississippi
#11 Florida at #10 LSU
#21 Auburn at Arkansas

ACC
Clemson at N.C. State
Georgia Tech at Duke
#4 Florida State at Virginia
#7 Miami at Temple
Wake Forest at #14 Boston College

More on Miers

Here are the Miers articles from today:

Buchanan:  ‘Sexism and the Bush Family’
Drudge:  Hidden Testimony Reignites Miers Fires
Lowry:  Miers Mess

Be sure to listen to the Cody Pilkington tribute show tomorrow.  We’ll honor Cody’s memory with calls from NCSSM classmates and friends.

Show Update

I am back, and will be broadcasting again tomorrow night.  Sorry for missing a few days.  We’ll go to an hour with your phone calls on Monday.

Last week’s football picks were 15-6, putting me to a total of 88-34 (72%) on the year.

Tomorrow night’s game:Clemson at N.C. State

Show Update

I just wanted to let everybody know that I will not be on the air Monday or Tuesday of this week.  As a result, we will not be going to a full hour for your phone calls until next Monday, October 17.  A friend of mine from high school died on Friday and I will be attending his funeral.  My apologies to all of you.

More Conservative Opposition to Miers

Krauthammer:  Withdraw This Nominee
Miranda:  Who Harriet Miers Is Not
Sowell:  Harriet Who?
Buchanan:  Republican Senators Should Not Rally Around Their President
Levin:  McCain’s Blunder

Top 25
Arizona at #1 USC
Oklahoma at #2 Texas
#6 Ohio State at #16 Penn State
#10 California at #20 UCLA
#14 Wisconsin at Northwestern
#15 Texas Tech at Nebraska
#25 Oregon at #17 Arizona State
Minnesota at #21 Michigan

SEC
Kentucky at South Carolina
The Citadel at Mississippi
Louisiana Monroe at Arkansas
#5 Georgia at #8 Tennessee
#11 LSU at Vanderbilt
Mississippi State at #13 Florida

ACC
Maryland at Temple
N.C. State at #24 Georgia Tech
Marshall at #3 Virginia Tech
Wake Forest at #4 Florida State
Duke at #9 Miami
Virginia at #18 Boston College
North Carolina at #23 Louisville

Criticism of Bush for Miers

Tons of articles today:  much of the right (including myself) is unhappy with this pick.  I oppose the Miers nomination.

CNN:  Bush:  Abortion not discussed with nominee
Barnett:  Cronyism
Bolton:  Soothing the seething right wing
Flynn:  An open letter to all conservatives
Bush Defends Supreme Court Pick
Malkin:  The Coffee-and-Donuts Supreme Court Nominee
George’s Friend Harriet:  What Supreme Court Politics of the 21st Century Have Come To
Jeffrey:  Why Should Conservative Senators Support Miers?
Goldberg:  SCOTUS Rumble
Will:  Miers is the wrong pick
Buchanan:  Miers’ Qualifications Are ‘Non-Existent’
Frum:  Oct 3, 2005:  Madame Justice
NR Editors:  The Miers Pick
AJC:  Bush base rattled by court pick

Also, let me clarify about the DeLay issue:  I was wrong, DeLay is not in trouble.  I was, however, correct in stating the reason for concern over DeLay.  DeLay has been indicted for violations of McCain-Feingold (as I said).  I was not aware that McCain-Feingold was not in effect during the 2002 election cycle, when DeLay participated in the activities that have led to his indictment.  The charges will be thrown out of court.

My pick for Thursday night’s game:

N.C. State at #24 Georgia Tech    

Bush Picks Harriet Miers

I’m sure it will be no surprise to any of you to know that on Wednesday I will be talking about Harriet Miers’ nomination to the Supreme Court.  Here are some articles to hold you over:

Buchanan:  Miers’ Qualifications Are ‘Non-Existent’
Frum:  Oct 3, 2005:  Madame Justice
NR Editors:  The Miers Pick

My football picks this week went a very disappointing 15-9.  Fortunately, I did get the Alabama-Florida game right, even more so than I thought I would!  Roll Tide!

I’ll be back Wednesday—tune in!

This week's picks

Everybody have a good fall break!  I’ll be back on Wednesday!

Top 25
#1 USC at #14 Arizona State
#2 Texas at Missouri
Michigan at #11 Michigan State
Arizona at #12 California
#13 Notre Dame at #22 Purdue
Kansas at #16 Texas Tech
Indiana at #17 Wisconsin
#18 Minnesota at Penn State
Washington at #20 UCLA
#23 Iowa State at Nebraska
Florida Atlantic at #24 Louisville

SEC
South Carolina at Auburn
Middle Tennessee State at Vanderbilt
#4 LSU at Mississippi State
#5 Florida at #12 Alabama
Mississippi at #10 Tennessee

ACC
Navy at Duke
Utah at North Carolina
Clemson at Wake Forest
#3 Virginia Tech at West Virginia
Syracuse at #6 Florida State
South Florida at #9 Miami
#19 Virginia at Maryland
Ball State at #21 Boston College

Fall Break Looms...

AJC:  Legislator’s DUI defense nonsense
AJC:  Equal Time:  Legislator protected from arrest
Alan Reynolds:  Hurricane Winds Bring Ineffective and Corrupt Government ‘Solutions’
Map of FEMA aid applicants
     AP:  300 Georgia businesses got Sept. 11 recovery loans (Sept. 8, 2005)
Vote on Roberts
Ann Coulter on John Roberts:  What Would Reagan Do?

Also be sure to read this column by Ann Coulter comparing Bush to Reagan:
Ann Coulter:  Bob Shrum with a Good Cause

I won’t be back until Wednesday.  Everybody have a good fall break!

DeLay is in trouble

USA Today:  Ex-FEMA chief blames locals
ABC News:  Congressman Used National Guard to Visit Home
AP:  DeLay Indicted in Campaign Finance Probe

Let's kick David Graves out in 2006!

AJC:  Judge rejects lawmaker’s immunity claim on DUI charge
In L.A., immigrants bypass English
AP:  Report:  Illegal Immigration Has Increased

My football picks went 19-6 this week, bringing my season record to 58-19 (75%).

Keep an eye on Purdue

AJC:  Shutdown aims to avert fuel shortage
AJC:  Political price for Purdue unclear
AJC:  Blowin’ in the wind

I will post the results of my football picks tomorrow, after tonight’s Tennessee-LSU game.

Tree Huggers and Football Picks

Jimmy Carter and the Rest of the Democrats Are Dead Wrong on ANWR

My college football picks are in bold:

Top 25
#13 California at New Mexico State
#22 Iowa State at Army
#1 USC at #24 Oregon
#21 Iowa at #8 Ohio State
#9 Louisville at South Florida
#11 Purdue at Minnesota
#14 Michigan at Wisconsin
#16 Notre Dame at Washington
#17 Michigan State at Illinois
#18 Arizona State at Oregon State
Indiana State at #19 Texas Tech

SEC
Western Kentucky at Auburn
Troy at South Carolina
Wyoming at Mississippi
Richmond at Vanderbilt
#5 Florida at Kentucky
#7 Georgia at Mississippi State
Arkansas at #20 Alabama
#10 Tennessee at #3 LSU

ACC
North Carolina at NC State
Boston College at Clemson
Maryland at Wake Forest
#15 Georgia Tech at #4 Virginia Tech
Colorado at #12 Miami
Duke at #23 Virginia

Defeat poverty through the free market!

Bill, Monica go down in history
Roberts Nomination Sent to Full Senate
Dr. Walter E. Williams:  Federal Role in Katrina Restoration:  Is It Permissible?    
Terence P. Jeffrey:  Poverty:  All in the Family

Watch for the Roberts vote in the Judiciary Committee

Senators offer suggestions for second Supreme Court vacancy
Politics, priorities stand in way of national war on poverty
Dr. Walter E. Williams:  Federal Role in Katrina Restoration:  Is It Permissible?

A great column!

Mike S. Adams On hippies and liberalism

Give us Justice Janice Rogers Brown--Constitutionalism and diversity!

AP:  Rita Prompts New Orleans to Close Again
Bloomberg:  OPEC Agrees to Offer Spare Oil Production Capacity
USA Today:  Diversity changes the way justices see the world

Der Schlickmeister

Clinton:  Bush should raise taxes to pay for recovery
Clinton launches withering attack on Bush on Iraq, Katrina, budget

My football picks went 22-8 this week, putting me to a total of 39-13 (75%).

Let me know what you thought of the Clinton impression!

Text of Bush’s Speech in New Orleans
Bluey:  Has Our President Gone Mad?
Field:  Socialism on the March
Johnson:  Big Government Is Not a Goal, It Is a Tactic—and Now It Is Republican Tactic
Sheehan attracts protestors, supporters


This is the e-mail from my friend Hank at NC State University (reprinted with his permission):

I wasn't there most of the time.  Class and Battalion lab cut into most of the time she was there.  From what I hear, she spoke to the crowd for less than 5 minutes, and spent an undetermined amount of time talking to reporters.

During the few minutes I witnessed the debacle, I'd say there was a max attendance of 150 people, contrary to what the Technician article says.  But even if the Technician article is accurate, State's enrollment is 30,000+, so turnout was extraordinarily low.

She was met by a group of less than 50 students and other students, mostly passers-by, eventually joined.  Most of Sheehan's statements were met with mixed applause and booing and bouts of silence.  I was never in earshot, so my fragile little mind wasn't poisoned by her anti-military rhetoric.

The battalion's standing orders were to avoid the area as much as possible, so everything I've said is based on talking with other members of the battalion who viewed this spectacle.  Most of the battalion disapprove of her being on campus, and loudly voiced their complaints to the higher-ups of our unit.

I believe she chose NC State to attempt to win more converts to her cause.  Despite the Technician, the counter-protest was extremely effective, perhaps more effective than Sheehan's visit.  I say she came here because NC State is relatively close to the I-95 corridor, and as Raleigh is the capital of NC, there are plenty of news stations, not only here, but in the Triangle Area.  She craves nothing more than the attention she's getting.  She is making a mockery of her son's death.  Her son volunteered, which means that he was well aware of the ramifications of joining the uniformed services.

A little line-by-line analysis:
"My son was killed in Iraq during a rescue mission that he volunteered for," Sheehan said, "He was a combat-certified lifesaver. He went out there to help his buddies, not to fight."
      You don't join the US Army, or any branch of the military, unless you're prepared to fight, kill, and perhaps give your life.
      United States Military Code of Conduct, Article I:  I am an American, fighting in the forces, which defend my country and our way of life.  I AM PREPARED TO GIVE MY LIFE IN THEIR DEFENSE (emphasis added).

Hank Swaim
Midshipman Third Class, USNR
NC State NROTC
Hoping for submarine warfare service selection.


Football (my picks in bold)

Top 25
Rice at #2 Texas
San Diego State at #9 Ohio State
Michigan State at #10 Notre Dame
Oregon State at #11 Louisville
#12 Purdue at Arizona
Eastern Michigan at #14 Michigan
Illinois at #15 California
Northwestern at #18 Arizona State
Sam Houston State at #19 Texas Tech
#21 Oklahoma at UCLA
Northern Iowa at #22 Iowa
#23 Fresno State at Oregon

SEC
Mississippi at Vanderbilt
Ball State at Auburn
Alabama at South Carolina
Kentucky at Indiana
Mississippi State at Tulane
Arkansas at #1 USC
Louisiana Monroe at #7 Georgia
#5 Tennessee at #6 Florida

ACC
West Virginia at Maryland
VMI at Duke
Eastern Kentucky at N.C. State
East Carolina at Wake Forest
Wisconsin at North Carolina
Ohio at #4 Virginia Tech
#8 Florida State at #17 Boston College
#13 Miami at #20 Clemson
Connecticut at #16 Georgia Tech
#25 Virginia at Syracuse
    

"One Nation, Under God..."

Federal Judge Rules Reciting Pledge in Schools Unconstitutional
Sowell:  FEMA vs. Wal-Mart

How government spends your money!

Washington Times:  DeLay declares ‘victory’ in war on budget fat
AJC:  Inflation + Growth = Spending

These are some stories I didn’t get a chance to get to.  Especially read the excellent piece by Patrick Buchanan.
AJC:  GOP wants end of aid to illegals
Buchanan:  The Great Society:  Failure of an Idea, and a People

Proof that Bush broke his promise: Roberts is no Scalia

USA Today:  ‘I have no platform,’ Roberts professes
AP:  Roberts:  Precedent Settles Abortion Ruling
CNN.com:  Roberts avoids specifics on Roe

Israel, Katrina, Roberts

This week, my college football picks went 17-5.  I will update this as the season progresses.

Here are the stories I used today:
Los Angeles Times:  Gazans Burn Synagogues in Israeli Soldiers’ Wake
Jack Kelly:  No Shame
Sen. John Cornyn:  The Senate in Action

I didn’t use this story, but I recommend that you all read it anyway.  A brilliant (albeit sarcastic) analysis of the real federal responsibility in disaster relief:
Mac Johnson:  The True Failures of the Federal Response to Katrina

Have a good weekend!

‘The Big Boo’ Crowd Hisses Kanye West
Rich Lowry:  FEMA as DMV
Illegal Immigrants Afraid to Get Storm Aid

Sorry to everybody who tried to tune in tonight.  We had some technical difficulties that prevented the stream from starting, so my show was not aired.  Maybe at some point I can rebroadcast today’s show.  In the meantime, e-mail me if you would like the audio file of today’s show.  Everybody have a good weekend—I’ll see you Monday!

It might be a good sign...

...that I used the same story as Rush Limbaugh did today. Rush refers to the same Washington Post story to blast Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) (Washington Post Story). Also read this story by John Berlau on National Review Online.

AP: 300 Ga. Businesses Got 9/11 Loans
AJC:  KATRINA: THE AFTERMATH: FEDERAL AID: Displaced to receive emergency funds
The Peanut (for brains) President Jimmy Carter: Longstanding disaster threats can't be ignored    

First Show!

Thanks to everybody who tuned in to the first show.  I'd love to hear your feedback!  Normally, I will use this to post the articles I reference in my show.  This time, however, I used everything that I have gotten over the last week.  If you've watched or read the news in the last week, then you've seen what I talked about.   If you want to know what I've been reading, look at the links on the sidebar.  Be sure to tune in again tomorrow!          

Show Update

Folks, the Jeff Scott Show will air for the first time on Wednesday (September 7), from 5-5:30 pm Eastern.  I hope you can all tune in!  Also, I have not updated the blog because I do not want to spoil Wednesday's topics--the Supreme Court and Hurricane Katrina.  Be sure to tune in!    

Gas Prices

Go fill up NOW, folks.  I know I'm leaving right now to do just that.  We'll have $3-$3.50 gas prices for a couple of months, so go buy gas while it's still below $3 (according to WMAZ).  And for those of you who feel like reminiscing, does anybody else remember this?

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2001/11/16/gas.htm

So what is the difference in November 2001 and now?  First, OPEC has since cut production.  Second, the Chinese demand has increased by over 40% in the last 4 years, according to the Energy Information Administration (throw in the surge in Indian demand, and overall world demand has skyrocketed).  Third, political instability in some oil-producing regions (Venezuela) and anti-American sentiment in others (the Middle East) are leading to some disruptions in supply.  Fourth, Katrina is the fourth named tropical storm to pass through the Gulf region this hurricane season (weather.com), disrupting drilling and (much more importantly) refining capabilities.  You'll hear some on the left talking about the oil companies making huge profits and price gauging all of us.  Don't listen to them.  The oil companies make less than a 7% profit margin (American Petroleum Institute; http://api-ec.api.org/filelibrary/Third%20Quarter%202004%20Oil%20and%20Gas%20Profit%20Margins.pdf).   Add in the other factors present, and the oil companies are making much larger NET profits, but not because they're the ones raising the prices.  In fact, the government makes more money than the oil companies when you pay for gas.  Total (federal and state) gas taxes come up to about 44 cents per  gallon, which varies by state (this was the tax rate indicated on a few pumps in  my home county in North Carolina this summer).So what solutions  are there for the high gas prices?  Here's a hint:  They all involve smaller government!  First, cut government regulation on the oil market.  There are over 40 different blends of unleaded gasoline being sold in the United States.  Fortunately, the EPA today (and Sonny Perdue in Georgia) cut the volatility and sulfur regulations, effective until September 15.  This should be done permanently.  There is no reason why a gas station in Georgia should be selling unleaded fuel any different from that sold in Iowa, or California, or New York.  This will bring down the cost for the oil companies, and therefore the cost for us as consumers at the pump.   Second, allow the oil companies to drill for and refine more oil in America.  Under the Gulf of Mexico are oil reserves that dwarf those in the Middle East.  Let's start pumping oil out of there so we can increase worldwide supply and bring down costs in America.  Of course, we would have to refine the oil somewhere.  That somewhere is going to have to be in the United States.  As it stands now, the biggest problem with gasoline supplies is that we do not have enough refinery capacity.  A refinery has not been built in the United States in over 30 years.  Let's start building them now.  Third, allow for the production of nuclear energy in the free market.  Nuclear power is the cleanest and most efficient form of energy known to man, and the waste is much easier to dispose of than the radical left would have you believe.  Let's use that resource to decrease the overall oil demand.  Fourth, cut the gasoline tax.  It's just another way of Uncle Sam getting into our pockets.  Let's make him take his hands out of our pockets a little bit.  In other news, I should be on the air starting next week.  Keep watching to find out--I'll let you know before my first day on the air.