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The Hardball Briefing On MSNBC
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Hardball airs tonight on MSNBC at 7p, 11p & 4a ET & 4p, 8p & 1a PT Find MSNBC on your
TV http://www.msnbc.com/CableOperator.asp
Before we get to tonight's Hardball lineup, here's a reminder:
Tonight on Dateline NBC at 8 p.m.: Ron Reagan will speak for the first time since his
father's funeral in an interview with NBC's Chris Matthews about what is was like
growing up as the youngest son of one of America's most popular leaders surrounded by
power, wealth and celebrity. In addition, he will share private family pictures and
memories never before made public. Reagan will also talk about the last years of his
father's life and how his mother is coping with her recent loss.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032600/
Now, tonight's Hardball, once again expertly navigated by Pete Williams.
We'll open live with the terrible breaking news out of Saudi Arabia, the beheading of
hostage Paul Johnson by Al Qaeda terrorists. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula said
this: "The infidel got his fair treatment." Johnson's body was found in Riyadh. Gen.
Wayne Downing, U.S. Army (Retired) will explain the Al Qaeda cells and the Saudi
regime. We'll also hear from Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT), chairman of the House
Government Reform subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and
International Relations. He's visited Iraq five times.
Meanwhile, USA Today's swashbuckling correspondent Tom Squitieri and equally worldly
John Fund from the Wall Street Journal break down how the White House is dealing with
Abu Ghraib and 9/11. We'll also play chunks from Chris' Ron Reagan interview, dissect
those, then mull over the two John's -- McCain and Kerry -- and veepstakes.
We'll also get a report from Chris Jansing on Battleground Ohio.
Alas, no Shuster package tonight. But the Briefing still proudly presents today's
installment of Shuster Corner. He e-mails this to the Briefing: "Spending a 'well
deserved day off' (Shuster's words) with his Indiana kin folk. However, Shuster is
not "breaking away," "shooting basketballs," or "back home again." He is at an
"undisclosed location" (and probably eating lasagna.) What location? Hmmm... here's
a clue... the neighborhood has two syllables: First is 'blank' W. Bush... 2nd rhymes
with 'frown.'"
Next week, Dominic Bellone returns from his super secret vacation. Shhhhh -- don't
tell him we put out a Briefing in his absence. Everyone loves to feel indispensable.
Here's today's background reading:
"American hostage's headless body found; Discovery follows claim that terrorists
beheaded aviation worker" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5196406/
"An attack on small town U.S.A. New Jersey residents had united in prayer for Paul
Johnson" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5239536/
Our friends and colleagues at CNBC's "Capital Report" scored big with this one:
"Cheney blames media for blurring Saddam, 9/11; 'We have never been able to prove that
there was a connection,' VP says" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5233810/
"Prison guards dispirited by scandal; MPs in Iraq angry over abuse by their
predecessors" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5227395/
"Bin Laden portrayed as hands-on leader; Al Qaeda chief appears audacious, but not
reckless" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5227389/
John Fund: "No Need to Hunt for Him; Bill Clinton is everywhere--including promoting a
new movie." http://opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110005231
Chris Shays letter to President Bush on oil-for-food:
http://www.house.gov/shays/news/2004/may/wolf.pdf
"McCain joins Bush; in Western swing" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5239434/
"Bush campaign receipts hit $218 million; With 2 months to go, he has $63 million in
bank and more coming in" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5239228/
"Kerry proposes $7 minimum wage" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5239288/
"English vote may hurt Vilsack" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5234853/
Finally, today's bizarre entertainment news item: "Britney reportedly to say 'I do'
again." http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5239445/
That's right, Ms. Spears is headed down the aisle again, the news coming half a year
after her first marriage, which lasted 36 hours, was annulled. You know, when Britney
drives away from her weddings, the sign on the back of the car doesn't say "Just
Married." It says, "Just Kidding."
I'm Howard Mortman and I approve this Briefing. So there.
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