WELL, THAT'S ONE WAY TO GET OUT OF IT

Some parents refuse to pay for their son or daughter's fraternity or sorority fees. Of course, they cannot employ the alternate solution of outlawing Greek organizations at colleges in America.

But Dick Cheney, in a similar bind, has a way to avoid paying for his daughter's wedding.

Vice President Dick Cheney, who has said states should handle the issue of gay marriage, now says he would support President Bush if he proposes a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

Cheney, whose daughter is a lesbian, told The Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News in interviews published Saturday that he still believes states should handle the issue, but that he would support Bush's decision.

The Bushies seem to think opposing gay marriage is a winning issue this November, so they are solidifying their position with both members of the ticket coming out on the same side here. Good luck, I say.

THAT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE DEFINITION OF "IS AS IT WAS" IS

You know that supposed Papal endorsement of Mel Gibson's The Passion?

Didn't happen.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although Pope John Paul II watched at least part of Mel Gibson's film, "The Passion of the Christ," he made no comment about the film, said a senior Vatican official close to the pope.

"The Holy Father saw it, but he made no comment. He watched in silence," the official told Catholic News Service Dec. 24.

"The Holy Father does not comment, does not give judgments on art," the official said. "I repeat: There was no declaration, no judgment from the pope."

The official was replying to a request for clarification after numerous newspapers reported that the pope had watched the film and said, "It is as it was."

The purported quote was interpreted as papal praise for the movie.

That's an "ouch!" for Peggy Noonan.

(link via pandagon)

What the heck?

(via kos)

HIATUS, WITH A TOUCH OF HORN-TOOTING

I'm not a big fan of going on hiatus, but you should probably consider me on some degree of hiatus, probably until next week. I'll post from time to time I think, but things are pretty hectic at the moment.

In the meantime, two quick Marshall posts you should look at...

--He observes, in FauxNews host Chris Wallace, precisely what I noticed about a month ago. Great minds... (:

--He alerts us on Bush's 2005 budget priorities.

Other things... I went a perfect 4-for-4 on my NFL wild card picks.

Oh and over at If Six Was Nine, you can check out our composite lists for best song and album of 2003.

See you... out there...