Eight Belles: RIP in Horse Heaven

Today I watched the KY Derby and was happy my horse won. But in the midst of looking for my copy of Dan Fogelberg's "Run of the Roses", I wasn't cognizant that Eight Belles, who came in second, suddenly collapsed as she had broken her front ankles. She had to be put down immediately. That may explain why she didn't win, but she at least finished second and did so with grace and honor.

I cannot celebrate Big Brown's win as I would imagine Larry Jones who trained this high spirited filly, is heartbroken over this tragedy.

Here's a mint julip and a dozen roses for Eight Belles.

JRE Buzz: Vacation Edition

Greetings BW readers! It's been awhile since I've penned a JRE Buzz post, but then again, there hasn't been as much news until the last couple of weeks. I'm certain the upcoming NC primary on Tuesday (May 6th) is some of the impetus.

Speaking of the primary, last night was NC's J-J dinner. I watched a little of it on Blue NC, but I didn't see the two candidates, other than Obama being introduced. But I read in both the News-Observer and the LAT blog that Clinton and Obama praised John and Elizabeth. From the LAT blog:

But whatever recreation he and his wife, Elizabeth, were engaged in Friday night, their ears must have been burning -- in a good way. At a state party dinner in Raleigh, N.C., Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama sang the praises of the Tar Heel native son they vanquished earlier this year, as well his high-profile spouse.

And what did they say?

"Let me say what a great fighter North Carolina and working Americans everywhere had in John Edwards," Clinton said as the crowd cheered. "His courageous fight to end poverty is a fight I will see to the finish." "I want to thank Elizabeth Edwards for her passion."

Amid more applause, she lauded the erstwhile first lady contender as "a true champion for universal healthcare."

Then Obama had this to say, according to the News-Observer:

"I want to make sure that I say a special thanks to John and Elizabeth Edwards, because they really set the tone for this presidential race with their courage, with their ideas, with their passion and their commitment for working people, and making sure that we focus our attention on not just the haves, not even the have-a-littles-and-want-mores, but on the have-nots in America."

As the LAT blog entitled the event, John and Elizabeth are stars at an event they didn't attend. They were on vacation, well at least part of the time.

Otherwise, Elizabeth Edwards was in Atlanta speaking at a women's conference. Instead of talking about politics, she spoke about her own mortality. From the Atlanta Constitution-Journal's website:

“The only thing we are promised is the moment,” Edwards said, adding that women should always look for “do-overs” in life.

But then she poignantly added: “I may have run out of time for my own do-overs.”

Edwards also urged women attending the 11th annual Possible Woman Leadership Conference to not focus on material success. Instead, the real pleasure in life is reaching out to others.

And before taking questions, she told the crowd there was one she could answer right away: she was not endorsing anyone. Apparently, long time Edwards strategist Harrison Hickman verified that John and Elizabeth were not sharing their thoughts about the candidates in a CBS interview as well.

While Elizabeth Edwards was speaking at the Women's conference, another famous person met JRE, Cate, Emma Claire, and Jack: Miley Cyrus. According to People magazine (but posted at HuffPo),

On Thursday, Cyrus and her brother Braison rode the rides at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. While in line for the Test Track ride, Cyrus ran into Edwards and his three children. (The senator's youngest two children, Emma Claire and Jack, are Hannah Montana fans who were super eager to meet the star.)

"She chatted with them about all the rides and attractions they saw at Walt Disney World," a source close to the singer tells PEOPLE. "It was a sweet moment."

Lastly, Elizabeth Edwards wrote a poignant essay about Lance Armstrong, who was among Time Magazine's 100 Influential People List.

He inspired all of us who face a cancer diagnosis to search out the doctors who believe that we can live, to hold on to those friends and family who stand beside our bed—and then to fight to prove the faith of those friends and the beliefs of those doctors well founded. After Lance, no one of us could ever again say it was too hard, the odds stacked against us were too high, the fight already lost. The fight I fight is for me and my family, but the power to fight belongs in good measure to Lance.

Elizabeth was on that list last year. How fitting she was happy to honor Lance with her words.

More buzz l8tr...

David Cook: Missed this in March

Is this the American Idol? I think so, but the judges are on another David. He's OK, he's brave for 17, but Cook's it for me.

Elizabeth Edwards Slams McCain's Health Insurance Plan

Great interview of EE on MSNBC.



Here's a link to a NYT article about the McSame plan. Someone on CNN thought McCain was trying to distinguish himself from Bush on this one, but essentially, it's similar to the President's.

I do not know how anyone thinks that $5000 tax credit (and essentially, still means you have to wait until the spring or summer to buy health care coverage since the credits are on the tax return and are sort of like rebates, and yet those could be taxed the following year too ?Hard to say) is going to work without getting rid of pre-existing conditions is beyond me. And I don't see how $5000 will help when insurance companies continue to charge whatever they want on life saving prescription drugs. I understand what McCain is trying to do with the market approach, but that hasn't been working either. And I don't understand why government run insurance is good enough for him and his family, but not for the regular taxpayer who is paying his insurance.

And as usual, Elizabeth was asked about endorsements. No, the Edwardses are not endorsing anyone. EJ Dionne appeared on Keith Olbermann's show last night, and lended some observations that supported Elizabeth's reasons why it is wise for them to keep their own counsel, mainly as an endorsement right now isn't likely to change the outcome of the race at present.

Cracks me up that at the Daily Kobama there isn't one day whereby the Kossacks don't demand an endorsement from the Edwardes for Obama. Why does it matter so much?

31 delegates.

Video courtesy of NcDem Amy.

Elizabeth Edwards Scores 300, Press, Zippo

Elizabeth went bowling on the NYT and scored a perfect frame.

Bowling 1, Health Care 0

FOR the last month, news media attention was focused on Pennsylvania and its Democratic primary. Given the gargantuan effort, what did we learn?

Well, the rancor of the campaign was covered. The amount of money spent was covered. But in Pennsylvania, as in the rest of the country this political season, the information about the candidates’ priorities, policies and principles — information that voters will need to choose the next president — too often did not make the cut. After having spent more than a year on the campaign trail with my husband, John Edwards, I’m not surprised.

Why? Here’s my guess: The vigorous press that was deemed an essential part of democracy at our country’s inception is now consigned to smaller venues, to the Internet and, in the mainstream media, to occasional articles. I am not suggesting that every journalist for a mainstream media outlet is neglecting his or her duties to the public. And I know that serious newspapers and magazines run analytical articles, and public television broadcasts longer, more probing segments.

Read the rest here.

I love that woman. Listen to the interview with EE: http://graphics8.nytimes.com/audiosrc/opinion/27edwards.mp3