Harriet Miers: Bush’s Supreme Court nominee

President Bush turned in another political “doosra” by naming another virtual unknown to the Supreme court. He has probably pissed off his base by not naming a hard core right wing element. But he is in “sh**” himself and care less about what he believes in and more about making peace (!!) and having less headaches to deal with.

Anyway, another farcial confirmation hearing will soon begin. The candidate won’t tell us “chicken sh**” about what she thinks on any critical issues. Finally, all Senators will vote along party lines and she will be confirmed…oh well.. …

The Indian Cricket Committee Meeting: What Really happened?

Jaggu (Dalmiya): Namaste, hello everybody.

Mahendra: Dalmiya-ji! Kya karen itna controversy….

Jaggu interrupting: Mahendra aap zara chup rahiye!….

Venkat: But Dalmiya-Sir Mr. Mahendra is correct, we need to do…..

Shastri: Its a controversy no doubt but……

Jaggu: Ravi, your commentary contract is ok? Sunny, appka PMG, commentary contract vagaira sub teek tak? Any problem?

Sunny: Yes. All fine.

Jaggu: Venkat, aap itna juldi kyoon retire hogaya? Aur do teen saal umpiring karna tha…anyway koi baat nahin. Selection committee ko dissolve kar degene. Phir 3 member selection committe banatein. Venkat upko hum zaroor selector banayenge.

Ok, hum abhi Chappell ko bulayenge. Sunny aur Ravi, tum log usko bol dena ki India me ye email-shemail chalta nahin hai. Aisa bukwas hum ko nahin pasand hai. Kuch bolna hai tho meeting me karna chahiye.

Aur uske baad hum Ganguly ko bulayenge. Mahendra tum chup raina. Kuch bolne ka nahin hai.
Venkat, please tell Ganguly that he needs to perform better and learn to work with Chappell. Tell the same thing to Chappell.

Both are brought in one after another and asked to spill their guts. Dalmiya interrupts both with abrupt Thank yous.

Jaggu then turns to Mahendra and hands him a small sheet of paper, “Please read this. Jo isme likha hai, seedha press ko bol dena”. Aur Sunny, Ravi, ek, do din ke baad tum log bhi press ko yehi baat bol de na, which I know you will do very well. But please, please train this guy Mahendra.. before he talks to the press about this issue……aur Venkat, don’t worry, aap ka selector post guranteed.

Then Jaggu says “Ok Meeting over. Thank you everybody”.

Ganguly-Chappell saga continues

As the battle unfolds, Dungarpur, Bhajji, Pawar, Bindra and others have thrown their views into the muddle. In short, it stinks.

As media reports continue to trickle in, it has becoming increasingly clear that it was a case of plain battle for control. Ganguly is used to his Dada status while Greg Chappell considers himself a Daad in his own right. But the fact is that a Daad doesn’t make a Dada! And so the clash. Oh well..

Here is my list of top 10 things the special committee should do:

10. Scream at Ganguly for discussing the issue in public.
09. Give both Ganguly and Chappell a chance to comment and respond.
08. Ask Ganguly to take a break.
07. Inform Chappell that his performance and his rapport with the team will be reviewed in six months time with the same committee.
06. Name a new captain: Rahul Dravid, Kumble, or Kaif (wild card).
05. Warn Bhajji and ask him to shut up.
04. Investigate and nail the guy who leaked the email to the press.
03. Invite Chappell to the selection meeting and ask him for his choice of captain and his 18 best players.
02. Talk to the team about the issue to gauge where each of them stands on the issue. (will come in handy when its time to fire Dada’s chelas).
01. Ask Jaggu-bhai (Dalmiya) what he is doing in the meeting!

Ganguly-Chappell saga

Enough is enough! I think Saurav Ganguly should go. The performance of the team has been on a sharp decline for the last few years now and someone has to be held accountable. Indian sportsmen with all their sponsorship and media glare, never want to leave the limelight. So chances are Ganguly will never leave until he’s replaced. Its sad to see that Indian cricketers have to be dragged off the stage. Just look at the Australians. Damian Martyn is a classic example. One series slump and he is out the door, possibly never to return and just look at how gracious the guy is. He says he’s hurt and that’s about it, no name calling, no nothing. That’s class. That’s why the Aussies have been consistently good for so long. Having Chappell around will help Indian players imbibe some of that class and professionalism, hopefully.

Ganguly’s time has come in my opinion to take a break from the game and try and fight his way back if he so desires. A professional coach like Chappell has made his comments as an intimate observer of the team over the last few months and its critical that the powers that be (whoever they might be) take his advice seriously. I hope Dalmiya (Jaggubhai) doesn’t play his magic and dump Chappell in favor of Dada (his Calcutta bandhu!). But the party ain’t over yet, wonder whose email is next….

Flintoff’s claim

Flintoff claims that he was shot at while playing a ODI in Delhi. What a completely ridiculous claim! I am glad the Delhi cricket officials trashed the claim right away. I am sure he lost a few million fans in India with that one claim of his! I guess “Being Freddie” means making ridiculous claims, sometimes!

Arlen Spector brings up a good point

With Judge Roberts confirmation a given, the Democrats worst nightmare is just round the corner. In this juncture, Sen Arlen Spector’s suggestion today with regard to naming Jude O’Connor’s replacement was a pretty good one, I think…

Specter suggested that the president wait awhile, and said he had talked to O’Connor about staying on through the full 2005-06 term.

“It would be quite a sacrifice for her, but she’s prepared to do it if she is asked,” Specter said. “By next June we’ll know a lot more about Judge Roberts … than we do today.”

see full report

Sachin to miss super series

Its sad that Sachin will miss the exciting Super series that is just round the corner. On the one hand I am glad that he is taking his time to return. On the other hand I have a suspicion that this injury is mighty serious and the master batsman Sachin that we all know off might be a thing of the past (like some of his critics claim).

Whatever be the case, I hope Sachin bids his goodbye when the time comes on his own terms. It will be awful to see Sachin quit all of a sudden without a flourish or be dragged out of the team like Kapil (Ganguly?) and so many others in Indian cricket.

Pathan strikes, again

Irfan Pathan grabbed 7 wickets immediately after a fine all rounder show in the first test against Zimbabwe. I can’t remember the last time (since Kapil Dev?) that an Indian player scored over fifty runs and took so many wickets in two successive tests. I just hope he can maintain his good form. He is clearly the best of the current lot of bowlers.

Arnie vs. Bill Clinton for California?

Arnie announced last Fri that “he’ll be back” running for re-election in 2006. The Democrats have a battle on their hands. I think, despite his low ratings, Arnie will come back to power unless Democrats field a very strong visible candidate. At present neither State Controller Steve Westly or State Treasurer Phil Angelides meet this requirement in my opinion.

There are rumors that another movie star (Warren Beatty) or maybe even Bill Clinton might run for Governor of California. Frankly, I think it will be a great match up if Bill Clinton took on the challenge (I sure hope he does). With Hillary planning for White House bid in 2008, having hubby Bill in-charge of California might not be a bad after all?