People Who Refer to "Osama" and Other Miscellany

1. It irritates me no end when some American "expert" on TV, in order to show how well he is acquainted with the subject of the Middle East or of terrorism, refers to Osama Bin Laden as "Osama." Are they trying to give the impression that they've met him at a cocktail party or that they're alumni of the same madrassa?

It grates on the ear to hear the cold-blooded murderer of over 3,ooo Americans referred to familiarly by his first name. "Well I expect Osama will do this," or "When Osama has wanted to terrorize people," etc. I think most people reserve first names for those they know and/or admire, like a "Tiger" or a "Phil."

2. I think the best correspondents, day in and day out, during the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict were Janet Griffin, the head Fox News Middle East bureau, based in Beirut, and Ben Wedeman, the CNN correspondent in Lebanon. Both showed great knowledge of the people and their cultures. Both knew where to go to find the best stories. Not coincidentally they both live there everyday. No one from MSNBC stands out in memory, just like their ratings.

Each of the cable news anchors, Cooper, Blitzer, and Shephard Smith did their mandatory week of service there and then came back to the studio. Brian Williams went but I can't think of anyone from MSNBC itself.

3. I see Raul Castro has called up the reserves in Cuba in anticipation of the latest imminent U.S. invasion. This is probably the 40th time in 50 years the Castros have wasted eveyone in the country's time. It just shows that in Cuba you gotta keep 'em scared and distracted, or they might think their country's a little behind the times and needs a change.

See you on the beach, Raul. Which way is the Bay of Pigs?