Is NBC's Ann Curry siding with terrorists?

I woke up this morning to NBC's Ann Curry interviewing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on the Today Show. I'm wondering if NBC or Curry will come under similar fire for meeting with al-Assad like Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi did just over a month ago. Of course, Curry should not take heat for her lengthy interview with the Syrian president (nor will she), just like Pelosi should not have. But, the right-wing hate mongers won't come after Curry, because she's not the first female speaker of the house - Pelosi is.

What's more, word out of Washington is that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice may soon be meeting with Syrian and Iranian officials to discuss peace in the Middle East. I don't know if the rumors will prove to be true, but perhaps the Bush administration is finally learning a lesson they should have realized four or five years ago - to talk to your enemy isn't a weakness, and it's not making concessions - it's trying to resolve disputes, avert further violence, and maybe even (GASP!) realize peace in the world's most violent meat grinder known as the Middle East.

DeLay's book promos not going well

I've got plenty to say about Tom DeLay, but I've been busy getting our desktop computer back to health after the hard drive died (literally). Anyway, I'm almost done with a piece about DeLay, including his appearance on Meet the Press this past Sunday.

Anyway, the clip above is a pretty good clip of DeLay appearing on Hardball with Chris Matthews. Here's a tip to the disgraced, indicted former House Majority Leader - before you go on a talk show to plug your stupid book, you might want to know what's in it. (Which raises the question, did he write it?) Anyway, Matthews makes him look like the perfect ass that he is. Good stuff.



The one above isn't quite as good as the Hardball footage, but it's still pretty good. NBC Today cohost Meredith Vieira doesn't let DeLay get off the hook too easily and actually has a halfway decent interview. Matt Lauer might want to study this tape for pointers on how to interview a controversial figure or celebrity. When you get verbally slapped around by the likes of Tom Cruise, you've got some work to do. Lauer is getting better, though.

Crazy weather, crazier reporting

Okay, I'm in the mood to laugh after all of the serious stuff I've been posting, so I thought I'd take a quick time out. Since today was yet another crazy weather day in Philadelphia, I thought I'd to some weather-related funny vids.

I remember watching the one above live on the Today show. It's hilarious - a reporter being a total fake and the guys walking right in front. I know the Jersey attitude, and I can guarantee you that was done on purpose. I wish the video rolled longer though, because they went back to her later on in the show for another live shot, and she got frustrated and paddled out into the fast water, and the water swept her away and she went off camera. Bottom line - it just wasn't her day. I don't think the Weather Channel will be calling any time soon.



Check this one out (above). They are nuts in Cleveland! The guy trying to do the interview keeps his composure pretty well, though. Too funny!



Check out the weatherman above who has a meltdown while Katrina is blowing ashore. Maybe that could be a new reality series, in the spirit of the old Crossfire. It could be an anchor and a meteorologist trying to shout over one another to get their lines out.

**Warning: The following two video clips aren't for the kids!



The guy above has got to be unemployed by this outburst. I love how he winds it up, too - a fake smile and his hands in his pockets.



I don't know if the clips above are live or if they are on tape delay, but they are hilarious nonetheless. Watch 'em and watch 'em again.