I totally agree that weather teasers by local TV networks are annoying. (That link is worth it for the Fozzie the Bear image alone.) So is the introductory weather brief on many newscasts. That’s the one at the very beginning when the meterologist says “Are we in for a blizzard? Your full forecast is just ahead,” and then makes you wait until 12 to 15 minutes into the newscast to tell you what’s going to happen.

I opt for the Weather Channel instead, as I think any Jeep Wrangler owner is wise to do. (It’s bailed me out of many a messy day with the top down.) Plus, is it just me, or is the Weather Channel forecast generally more accurate than the local news? Why is that? You would think it would be just the opposite.

Someone in the adminstration has finally admitted that the emperor has no clothes. Alberto Fernandez, director of public diplomacy in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the State Department, made the following remarks late yesterday:

“We tried to do our best but I think there is much room for criticism because, undoubtedly, there was arrogance and there was stupidity from the United States in Iraq,” he said.

“We are witnessing failure in Iraq and that’s not the failure of the United States alone but it is a disaster for the region. Failure in Iraq will be a failure for the United States but a disaster for the region.”

Naturally, someone else in the administration soon refuted these comments, but at least it’s a start. I strongly believe that honesty, courage and diplomacy are all needed to begin to unravel the Iraq disaster and to start to restore our broken relationships with other nations.

You can’t win them all, but I see some concerns emerging for the Preds after last night’s loss to the Canucks. Some of these concerns have been lingering despite the recent win streak.

Vokoun is facing too many shots. He saw more than 45 last night, and though he’s still playing outstanding right now, he can’t expected to perform miracles and bail this team out every night. It wasn’t all late in the game while holding the lead, either. The Preds were heavily outshot in the first period before they leveled things out in the second.

The Preds are surrendering late leads, too. It happened during the recent road trip, but the Preds eked out a win in New Jersey anyway. Last night, Vancouver scored with 1:40 left in the third before winning the game in overtime. On the heels of allowing two goals in the final two minutes against New Jersey Thursday night, this is a pattern. It’s a bad one.

Alexander Radulov’s debut, according to The Tennessean, met with mixed reviews. He didn’t record a point in limited ice time, and he took a bad penalty in the third that shifted momentum. I wasn’t expecting an all-star night on the very first try, though, and I am sure Radulov will settle in over the next few games.

On a positive note, Martin Erat scored again for the Preds. He’s averaging a point per game so far this season and looks strong on the ice. Erat and the rest of the Preds now have until Thursday to enjoy their road trip success and recover from Saturday’s defeat. They take on last years playoff foe, the San Jose Sharks, at home next.

I’m still thinking about the Scene article on the gay marriage amendment. Seriously, how does thinking like what is described below help anyone?

“An enormous American flag drapes the back of the stage, flanked by big-screen monitors on each side, a trademark of Dobson events everywhere. The crowd stands and erupts into applause when asked, ‘How many of you love America?’ Many raise their arms above theirs heads and begin to sway as the blaring music resumes.”

I wrote in my earlier post about how much humility and respect are lacking on the American public stage, and this quote is good evidence. I respect, yet disagree, with the opinions of people who support this amendment, but I don’t think anyone involved “hates America.” It’s blatantly implied in the actions above that anyone who disagrees with banning gay marriage loathes this country.

I think that’s a silly and disrespectful notion, and it’s a big part of what bothers me about public debate on both sides of the political aisle. All this kind of activity is doing is preaching to the converted on either side, and it is stifling, if not destroying, constructive debate and discussion.

This quote from the article strikes me as ridiculous, too: “Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, informs the audience he has no intention of telling them how to vote, but urges them to keep their Christian values in mind when they go to the polls.” Yeah, right.

I’m not naive enough to think that the amendment will fail, but I don’t think any of the rest of this is doing anyone around here any good.