Buffoon of the Month

Al Sharpton.

Well done, Whoopi

Via Bryan.

The Sharpton primary

This automatically eliminates the possibility that I'd vote for any of the major Democratic candidates in 2008.

Democratic presidential contenders are scrambling for support in what's being dubbed the Al Sharpton primary. The civil rights leader livened up the 2004 Democratic primary with his pompadour hairdo and sharp, witty oratory. This election, the high-profile Sharpton, fresh from the fight over Don Imus' derogatory remarks, is attracting all the party's major candidates this week for his annual National Action Network convention.

The solid attendance - starting with John Edwards on Wednesday and continuing with Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama later this week - reflects Sharpton's prominence in the party, concern that he might run again and the Democrats' effort to appeal to the base, particularly black voters.

Thanks SMP.

The Imus flap

Imus said something tasteless and offensive. How novel. He's been unapologetically saying tasteless and offensive things for decades. Why start apologizing now?

I'm not condoning Imus's remark, but his apology led directly to his appearance on Al Sharpton's radio show. The apology gave Sharpton and the other racial hucksters their wedge. Why, Imus, why? Are you that afraid of losing your job? I thought shock jocks were supposed to shock. And when you do step over the line, you're supposed to defend your right to be offensive.

Instead Imus's idiotic banter has become the latest chapter in our American version of the auto de fe. Now, instead of performing an act of contrition in the public square, one must kowtow to self-appointed spokespeople for the offended group for forgiveness. And possibly enter rehab.

I find these displays to be far more offensive than Imus.