• Mark Hosenball writes about a trip from hell.

The only problem is that the airline he complains about is the one that saved my return trip from Puerto Rico. I found American Airlines to be courteous and helpful. They went out of their way to help us, and did not try to rack up a bunch of extra fees on us. Another airline had condescending employees and charged us expensive fees. I will fly American whenever possible. The other airline I will avoid. I don't want to name the airline, but you can read about them in my story Delta Sucks!

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• We could be in serious trouble if urban warfare is needed in Iraq.

Our guys are getting killed in urban warfare drills. Add enemy soldiers and live ammunition, and I think the body count is going up a tad.

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• A video clip of Fox News anchor slipping up.

That's "block party" not "blow job." I guess Republicans have a hard job telling the difference. I bet J-Lo can!

Okay, okay, I'll say it. That was certainly a mouthful!

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• TalkLeft discusses Intapundit's constructive ideas about citizens responding to and preventing terrorist attacks

Educating people about what to be alert for, using first aid, and documenting moments following an attack are good. Training and arming citizens to me seems like a bad thing. Imagine setting down your briefcase to pay for your latte, and being shot as somebody thinks you are trying to leave a bomb.

I think we can all be better prepared if we just watch lots of old McGuyver episodes.

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• Columnist Jay Bookman on the flag flap.

It is obvious that Barnes was defeated by the confederate flag wavers, also known as rubes, or rednecks. Perdue has been backing away from his promised referendum, and the flag wavers. While thanking the teachers and Northern Arc opponents, he has not mentioned confederate flag supporters. Don't look for him to schedule meetings with the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

The truth is -- and Perdue knows it -- putting the racially inflammatory flag question to a vote would inflict enormous damage on Georgia, both at home and beyond its borders.

Taking such a step would be irresponsible. But Perdue also knows that breaking his promise would be political suicide, ensuring defeat in 2006. He knows the numbers, and he knows those people won't forget. If they haven't gotten over it in 137 years, they won't forget in another four.

Perdue's only hope is to ask for the referendum in the Republican Senate, and hope it gets stuck in the Democratic House, so he can blame the Democrats. Don't look for that to happen, however.

House Democrats may not be willing to rescue Perdue. State Rep. Tom Bordeaux, a Savannah Democrat, expressed that sentiment perfectly when he said he would make sure the new governor got the referendum he claimed to want.

"I'd stick it down their throat," Bordeaux said. ". . . He ran on giving people a right to vote. If Perdue doesn't file it, I will."

Bookman sums it up nicely:

Under different circumstances, it might be possible to sympathize with Perdue's plight, but not this time. He made a deal with the devil to get elected, and the devil wants his due.

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• Max Cleland losses Senate seat and gains wife.

Yes, Max Cleland has popped the question to long time companion Nancy Ross. While it was obvious the two had grown close over the last year, they would evade questions on their relatioship. Now they won't.

There is no date set, and no word what type of affair. I am thinking that Saxby Chambliss will not be on the guest list.

• The hell with the lawsuit, has the tip of Michael Jackson's nose completely fallen off?

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