I scratch my head daily at things that defy common sense.

The Republicans might actually have a viable candidate in Fred Thompson.  Seriously.  He's commanding, has great charisma and he's a TV and movie star.  He's the kind of candidate that appeals to people.  Putting him up against Barach Obama would make for a fascinating Presidential campaign as it would be more of a popularity contest than a referendum on public policy. 

Instead of rejoicing that there is a candidate that might be able to keep the White House for the GOP, the Christian right is demanding that Thompson come clean with his views on faith.  And this is a big problem in America now.  It used to be that we elected Presidents who espoused our political beliefs not our religious beliefs.  And I, for one, am far more interested in what my tax liability will be and if we'll be invading Iran than I am with whether or not the President goes to church.  We're not electing a Preacher in Chief. 

For James Dobson to come out and declare that Thompson "isn't a Christian" shows how narrow minded and judgemental these people really are. They so desperately want to have a pipeline to the White House to further their own self-serving and intolerant agenda that they are willing to derail the candidacy of the guy who may actually give the GOP the best chance to win.

I am not against people of faith.  Quite the contrary, I respect and admire people's faith.  But religion is a deeply personal choice and the choices that you make may not be the choices that I make.  So, to Dr. Dobson and others of his ilk, go back to your 12,000 seat churches, collect your "offerings" and sit down because you are rocking the boat.

Lighting Round:

• A little league in Cincinnati has banned all negative chatter by opposing teams.  Says Knothole President Dave Epplen ""If you're saying, 'Swing, batter,' and this poor little kid is swinging at everything, he feels bad and maybe he turns to the catcher and gets mad."   If your child's self esteem and self control are so out out whack that he can't handle "batter batter swing batter" without having to go to therapy, then buy your kid a game boy, plant his ass on the couch and keep him away from other kids.  If we continue to make rules and laws to hide negativity, our children will never be able to deal with adversity.  And as much as you'd like to think that doesn't exist in the world, it does.
• Hey! The White Sox beat a real team!  And we've had a Mark Burhle sighting.  Looks like the aliens have returned the White Sox.
• Ozzie says anyone can win the central this year.  We'll check back with you in July, Oz.
• If a guy where you worked pouted and called in sick because he didn't get the raise he thought he deserved, would you defend him? Probably not.  But athletes aren't working people like you and me.
• In sports, talent and potential rule and the Cubs will put up with the whiny Mark Prior because at this point he has no trade value.  
  
• My championship pairing was UCLA and Georgetown.  I think UCLA can win.  I'm not so sure about Georgetown. 
  
• New hotness in MLB: Have the union file a complaint when you get cut.  The entitlement continues.
• I know Kentucky is going to throw Fort Knox (which, ironically, is located in Kentucky) at Billy Donovan.  But I get the sense Billy likes being king of his own empire and will stay, with a healthy raise and "loyalty bonus" at Florida. 
  
• Memo to Duke women's coach Gail Goestenkors:  At Duke, you may not have the amenities of the men's program, but at least more people are interested in your team than the football team.  In Austin, you are third.  Leverage Duke and stay where you are.
• Almost Heaven, West Virgina
• Coaching and programing radio stations are similarly addictive.
• This story was sad 52 years ago and it is still sad now.
• Scotty gets beamed up for the final time.
• Sherlock Holmes, Miss. Marple, Hurcule Poirot, James Bond, Columbo, Nero Wolfe and Ellery Queen all dispatched to assist in the Bob Woolmer investigation.
• Elvis has left the top spot.
  

• This cute kid is  no longer a kid and apparently no longer cute.