Mike Argento, a York native and graduate of York Suburban Area High School and Penn State, first came to the York Daily Record in 1983. He even had gray hair back then. After stints covering everything from cops to city hall to state government to the environment, he began writing a column for the paper, three times a week, in 1989. His column can be about anything and so is his blog, which encompasses life in York County and beyond. And, for the record, as he told his wife the other night, he wishes people would stop asking him, 'What's wrong with you?' He really doesn't know. U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, R-Third Stall on the Right, has actually sent out a press release that begins:
"Idaho Senator Larry Craig is currently seeking intern applications for the summer term, which runs from May to August."
Yikes.
Craig is quoted in the press release as saying the internship provides "an incredible opportunity" to any college student interested in, well, whatever.
Something tells me "intern in Larry Craig's office" isn't something you'd really want on your resume.
So the New York Times is reporting that John McCain once may have had an alleged affair with a female lobbyist who's 30 years younger than him. The story seems kind of thin and the New York Times, despite its lofty reputation, has had some clunkers. It blew Whitewater way out of proportion, starting a runaway train that led to everybody in America becoming obsessed with a stained blue dress. It's reporting leading up to the Iraq war was, well, shameful.
Of course, this is a matter of public interest because McCain decries the influence of lobbyists and the young female lobbyists had representing corporations that had business before committees McCain serves on.
What am I thinking?
Nobody cares about that. They only want to know whether McCain was having an affair with the young lobbyist.
When you think about it, though, this is refreshing for a Republican sex scandal in that it involves an alleged heterosexual affair involving adults and doesn't involve, say, creepy guys from Idaho soliciting sex in airport men's rooms.
Forget about Iraq and the economy and all of that. This is what it'll take to get people interested in politics again.
This just in: McCain denies he had an affair with the woman, causing 70-year-old men all around the country to lose hope that they'll ever be able to get their own 40-year-old woman.
On his radio show, bloviator Bill O'Reilly was discussing Michelle Obama's recent comments, which included her assertion that "[f]or the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country."
OK, an unfortunate choice of words.
And O'Reilly was ready to give her the benefit of the doubt. He said, "I don't want to go on a lynching party against Michelle Obama unless there's evidence, hard facts, that say this is how the woman really feels."
So what Bill-O's saying is if there is "evdidence, hard facts" then it's time for him to break out the white sheet and pointy hat.
This week, the House Committee on Government Oversight and Reform held a hearing. You might have heard about it. Pitcher Roger Clemens was summoned to discuss whether his former trainer, a sleaze named Brian McNamee, had ever injected human growth hormone in his ample backside.
At one point, Clemens read a statement from his wife, describing how McNamee injected her butt with human growth hormone.
One thing has to be said: Don't ever let that guy near your butt.
Anyway, the sports commentariat was all atwitter over this. They repeatedly intoned, breathlessly, that if Clemens lied to Congress, he could go to jail. Look guys, if lying to Congress got a person thrown in jail, 90 percent of the Bush Administration would be locked up.
Another thing this week, U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Comcast, pledged to get to the bottom on the New England Patriots' "spygate" scandal.
Baseball players being shot in the butt and cheating football teams?
All I have to say is I'm sure glad we are in the middle of a pointless, wasteful war where billions of dollars have simply disappeared. And I'm sure glad that the Bush Administration hasn't destroyed evidence that it violated the law by torturing people. And I'm sure glad they finally got that whole health care thing fixed. And I'm sure glad...
Oh, never mind.
The Pentagon announced that it will use a special missile to shoot down a 5,000-pound, bus-sized spy satellite that has careened out of orbit and will crash to earth in early March. The satellite contains about half-a-ton of very toxic fuel.
What could possibly go wrong?
Oh.
Never mind.
U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., was all over the airwaves Sunday, demanding an investigation into allegations that the New England Patriot cheated by videotaping opposing teams to steal signals and such.
Arlen wanted to know why the NFL destroyed the materials handed over by the Patriots when the league investigating what's been dubbed "Spygate."
Glad to hear it, Arlen.
But as a big wig on the Senate Judiciary Committee, wouldn't it a little more important to get to the bottom of the CIA destroying tapes of torture. Or perhaps investigating the Bush Administration's spy program, that may have violated the law, if not the Constitution. Or perhaps his committee should be figuring out what's going on the Justice Department and the administration's efforts to turn it into a faith-based arm of the Republican party.
You know, Arlen, it's all well and good that you want to delve into this area. But hey, there are some other things that may be a bit more important that whether the New England Patriots are a bunch of cheaters.
Should have seen it coming.
When Patriots coach Bill Belichick came out wearing the red hoodie -- instead of his ratty old gray one -- you had to know that the football gods would frown.
