Inside the Beltway

NEWS AND OPINION:

NO DRONES YET

Inquiring minds want to know. Has the White House responded to any requests made by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer to help secure her state’s border against illegal immigration and narco-terrorism, like with a couple more OH-58 helicopters or a few unmanned aerial vehicles, more affectionately known in some circles as Predator UAVs? Well, no.

“We have had no specific response from the administration on any of our proposals. We know President Obama is supportive of up to 1,200 additional National Guard troops for border-related work, but we have no details on the work or who would get what. We are aware he is supporting $500 million in additional spending, but again, we have no details. We have had no response to our aviation support or UAV ideas,” spokeswoman Tasya C. Peterson tells Inside the Beltway.

THE MEDIA GOAL

We get our kicks elsewhere. Less than a quarter of Americans say they’ll watch the politically charged World Cup soccer matches, and just 38 percent say it’s likely the game will ever supplant football, baseball, basketball and hockey in the U.S. - this according to a new Zogby poll. Some celebrities are soccer-centric, though, like “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart. But shame upon the soccer-shunning general public, says the liberal press. How un-global of us, how xenophobic, they grumble. Some journalists are troubled that Americans don’t slaver over soccer like the rest of the planet.

“Something about the soccer World Cup brings out the missionary in the mainstream media, and every four years they strive to bring the good news of ’the beautiful game’ to the ignorant American masses. The most compelling argument many media outlets can muster is, ’The rest of the world loves it. We should too.’ ” say Sarah Knoploh and Matt Philbin, analysts with the Culture and Media Institute.

“The liberal media have always been uncomfortable with ’American exceptionalism’ - the belief that the U.S. is unique among nations, a leader and a force for good. And they are no happier with America’s rejection of soccer than with its rejection of socialism,” the pair continue. “But, they are confident, as America becomes more Hispanic, the nation will have to give in and adopt the immigrants’ game.”

GORE-LISCIOUS

“Now that you’re single again and presumably considering dating, you may also be looking for a way to slim down. May we recommend kicking the meat and milk habit entirely and going vegan, which is not only one of the best ways to fight climate change but is also one of the best ways to shed unwanted pounds? If you would like, we will send you a gift basket full of delicious vegan foods to help you on the road to a healthier planet and a rekindled love life.”

The preceding passage is from a June 9 letter to former Vice President Al Gore, from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals President Ingrid Newkirk. Incidentally, the group greeted Mr. Gore during his recent appearance at a climate change conference in the Philippines with protest signs reading, “You can’t be a meat-eating environmentalist” and “An Inconvenient Toot: Cow gas is killing the planet.”

YOUR WEEKEND READING

If it’s Friday, it must be Kagan time. Just like clockwork, the William J. Clinton Presidential Library is again in “dump” mode and will make available an additional 41,759 pages “of materials relating to Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan” at 1 p.m. The records will be posted here: www.clintonlibrary.gov. And the first analyses of the wonky fare will probably show up around 1:03 p.m.

HE SAID SHE SAID

Signature grimace in place, former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer could surface on CNN as the host of a “Crossfire”-style talk show. Rumors of his pundit prowess have persisted for months, and a contract may be imminent, sources say. But Kristin Davis, the former “Mayflower Madam” who once supplied Mr. Spitzer with call girls, will have none of it. Now running for governor of the Empire State as a Libertarian, she has her own commentary.

“Should CNN now be called the ’Criminal News Network’? Let’s remember that Spitzer violated the Mann Act, which prohibits transporting a woman across state lines for the purposes of prostitution - a crime for which a Republican New York State Supreme Court justice, Ronald Tills, was charged, convicted and jailed in 2009,” Miss Davis says.

Maybe CNN should hire both of them, though. “Davis & Spitzer” has a certain ring to it. But Miss Davis is already asking viewers to boycott CNN. She’ll have to go after MSNBC, too, however, also said to be curious about Mr. Spitzer.

“Spitzer has yet to acknowledge or apologize for his crimes. Everyone deserves a second chance. But not everyone deserves a cable news show,” Miss Davis observes.

DON’T FORGET

Father’s Day. It’s June 19. There is still time to procure a classy black coffee mug emblazoned with President Reagan’s signature and the words, “Trust but verify,” a motto very much a part of the Reagan era. Consult the huge selection of dad-friendly gifts at www.reaganfoundation.org.

And for the man who has everything, or a reasonable facsimile thereof, Manhattan-based Partner’s & Spade offers a five-piece, 24-karat gold limited-edition toy soldier set, in an “incandescent” gold box. Inquiries to 646/861-2827.

POLL DU JOUR

• 85 percent of Americans believe that maintaining freedom of the press is more important than “supporting the newspaper industry.”
• 71 percent oppose a “government bailout” of the newspaper industry.
• 69 percent say it’s likely journalists would not criticize officials and policies if their newspaper received government funding.
• 64 percent say it’s likely the government would place limits on coverage if it provided funding to newspapers.
• 60 percent oppose government involvement to “save” newspapers and other traditional media in some form.
• Source: A Rasmussen Reports survey of 1,000 adults conducted June 6 and 7.

The tip line is always open at jharper@washington times.com.