Monday's Notes

> As we celebrate the day to honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we can see how far we've come, and yet how far we still must go.

> I'm not a big fan of the NFL teams, but I think it is nice to see Eli Manning and the Giants make it to the Super Bowl.

> It appears that recent e-mails and calls to MSNBC about the rude behavior of Chris Matthews caused the pundit to apologize. He'll behave for a short time, but trust me, he will misbehave again.

> It looks like John Ashcroft has secured a good deal for himself.
Toledo Blade:
The award by a federal prosecutor of a no-bid contract that could run as high as $52 million to a consulting firm headed by former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft is outrageous but not, apparently, illegal. Zimmer Holdings, a large medical-supply firm based in Indiana, reached agreement with assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie of New Jersey for an out-of-court settlement of criminal charges based on the firm's alleged kickbacks to doctors for knee and hip implants. To monitor the agreement, Mr. Christie directed Zimmer to his former boss at the Justice Department, Mr. Ashcroft, who is now a consultant. Zimmer will pay the Ashcroft Group between $28 million and $52 million for the work.....

How nice for Ashcroft to get a no-bid contract!

> Chuck Norris, a Huckabee supporter, has announced that John McCain is too old to be President, according to MSNBC.

> Three more Americans have been killed in Iraq (ICasualties).