Hotline’s Last call notices this from Rep. Zack Space (D-OH): “The issues that concern Greece are of enormous importance to me.”

Zack is a word.  Space is a word.  But Greece, well, Greece is the word.

An alert Extreme reader sends us this irresistible headline and story from the Times:

Looted marbles recovered — Marble reliefs looted from ancient tombs have been found buried in a [Rome] garden. The 12 panels, which date from the 1st century BC, depict gladiators locked in combat and have been hailed as some of the finest of their period.

The Washington Post reports today on the newest hybrid Democrat sighting: John Dingell and Nancy Pelosi at the Washington Auto Show.  Here’s the Bloomberg/Post photo:

Turns out, Pelosi is on to something by going to the auto show with Dingell — and it’s not just good politics.

A study by Auto Retailing Today, a coalition of all major automobile manufacturers and dealer organizations, shows that women bring their spouses or partners to shop with them “because it is a family investment requiring serious deliberation.”  Acording to the research, women rate the purchase experience highly and exhibit confidence in buying vehicles.

Assuming their outing went just as well, wonder what else Pelosi and Dingell will go shopping for.

First, the answer to last week’s question.  How many nude-dancing licenses does the Washington, DC government issue?

Following a spirited debate between Richarda and Peter Roff over present and past issuances, the answer remains 20.

Now, the next Extreme Trivia question.  Inspired by John Kerry’s decision against running for president in 2008. Name the last Democratic nominee for president who was also the losing Democratic nominee for president in the immediate prior cycle?

Turns out Congress can do all it wants with binding and non-binding resolutions on Iraq.  Won’t matter.  One essential fact remains, as Vice President Cheney made clear today on CNN:

The Congress has control over the purse strings. They have the right, obviously, if they want, to cut off funding. But, in terms of this effort, the president has made his decision.

In other words, Congress is welcome to debate.  Won’t change the fact that the troops are already headed over there.

We learn from White House spokesperson Dana Perino “that the federal government is the single largest purchaser and user of energy in the world.”

If we downsize the government, could that be considered going green?

Daily Kos noticed this from CNN’s coverage of Jim Webb last night:

Vietnam, Iraq — hey, at least Jim Webb got noticed, right?  Right up there with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

There was a long ago time — a real, real long ago time — when we cared what John Kerry had to say.

Seems like C-SPAN is becoming an all-purpose punch line.  President Bush from the State of the Union address last night:

These special-interest items are often slipped into bills at the last hour — when not even C-SPAN is watching

And we already mentioned this exchange:

“Senator,” Patraeus answered, “I seriously doubt that our troops are sitting watching C-SPAN III in Iraq right now.”
“Further testimony to the intelligence of our military men and women!” declared Bayh.

Could be worse, though.  At least C-SPAN isn’t eating its own, like the Washington Post.  From Paul Farhi’s story on Tony Kornheiser headed to the Post’s radio station WTWP:

Based on his track record at WTEM, Kornheiser could provide a major boost to WTWP, which has had anemic ratings since its debut in March. During the most recent Arbitron ratings period, WTWP was tied for No. 23 among local stations, averaging 0.7 percent of the audience.

For me, the wow moment of the State of the Union address wasn’t seeing Barack Obama sit next to Tom Harkin (take that Tom Vilsack!)

It was far more monumental than that. This part of President Bush’s speech got me:

After her daughter was born, Julie Aigner-Clark searched for ways to share her love of music and art with her child. So she borrowed some equipment and began filming children’s videos in her basement. The Baby Einstein Co. was born, and in just five years her business grew to more than $20 million in sales. November 2001, Julie sold Baby Einstein to Walt Disney Co., and with her help, Baby Einstein has grown into a $200 million business. …

I think I speak for every parent out there who’s ever watched Baby Einstein in saying, “Good lord, Baby Einstein?!”

Every mommy and daddy goes through the same moment of self-realization and eventual depression when he or she first watches a Baby Einstein video and says, “Wait a minute. Let me get this straight. All they did was take a camera and film toys playing by themselves. And then they popped on a Mozart CD. I’m not angry — I’m jealous! Why didn’t I think of think of that first. Hand me that remote control — and that sock puppet!”

Baby Einstein is typical of all great ideas premised on the urgent need for kids to watch television more and talk to people less. Whoever does it first makes $200 million and ends up next to the First Lady during the State of the Union address. Just in time for February’s big New York City Toy Fair.

Hotline’s Last Call spotted this tragic moment in the global war on terrorism, from the Wall Street Journal’s Washington Wire:

“I’d like to ask you very plainly, does a hearing like this, with the diversity of opinion that’s been expressed here, undermine the morale of our troops?” asked Sen. Evan Bayh.
“Senator,” Patraeus answered, “I seriously doubt that our troops are sitting watching C-SPAN III in Iraq right now.”
“Further testimony to the intelligence of our military men and women!” declared Bayh.

I proudly rise in C-SPAN III’s defense against those Senate evil doers who mean harm to our way of life — as represented by second tier basic cable.  Have you no shame, Sen. Bayh!