South Bend, Indiana; June 10, 2008

Uncle Ron’s Ramblings

More Advice for Barack: Since Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg is on Barack Obama’s vice-presidential search committee, here’s a suggestion: Caroline’s cousin Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.

Kennedy Townsend has executive experience as lieutenant-governor of Maryland. She actually has more executive experience than her uncle, JFK and father, Bobby, when they ran for president. The only knock against her is that she lost her governor’s race but then so did future presidents Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon.

Tennessee Governor Sam Houston was obliged to quit his office in disgrace but was able to revive his political fortunes in Texas.

Davy Crockett might have been able to do the same in the Lone Star State even after telling his Tennessee constituents to go to hell if he hadn’t made that stop at the Alamo.

Kennedy Townsend actually has more executive experience than Hillary Clinton. Picking her could help heal the rift in the Democratic Party and in the Kennedy family. Uncle Ted (Senator Edward Kennedy), cousins Patrick; Ted, Jr.; Kara; and Caroline; brother Max; and mother Ethel supported Obama during the primaries while Kennedy Townsend campaigned for Hillary—including a couple of stops in South Bend.

The fact that she isn’t currently serving as governor could work to the Democrat’s advantage. They wouldn’t have to give up a senate seat or governorship. She could devote herself to the campaign without having to worry about governing a state.

The family rift is exaggerated anyway. Brother Max—during a stop in South Bend—said that Kathleen was being forced to sit at the kid’s table. If you want to look at the glass as half-full, at least she was still invited to family dinners.

This month also marks the 40^th anniversary of Kennedy Townsend’s father’s assassination while running for president. It would be fitting to let her help finish the work he started. She’s probably as much of a chip off the old block as any of Bobby’s kids.

Announcements

VA Hospital Van: To schedule a ride to the VA Hospital in Ft. Wayne, St. Joseph County veterans can call Doug Davis (USMC, retired) at (574) 243-VETS (8387) The van service also provides connecting rides to the VA hospitals in Marion and Indianapolis.

Homeless Veterans: If you are disabled and cannot work full-time (or are over 65), you may be entitled to a disability pension from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

For more information and complete eligibility requirements, call 1-800-827-1000.

You can also contact: Dianne W. Brown, Homeless Veterans Coordinator by calling 317-554-0000, extension 82589 or direct dial 317-988-2589 at Indianapolis VAMC, Room C-2065. Office Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday, 2-3:45 p.m.

Sports

Silver Hawks 11, Loons 7: The Silver Hawks (29-34) moved past Dayton and the Loons from the cellar into fourth place.

The Hawks and Loons meet tonight at the Cove; game time is 7 p.m..

NBA Finals: Celtics lead 2-0.Game 3 tonight, Celtics at Lakers, 9 p.m., ABC (57).

MLB National League: Pirates 5, Diamondbacks 3; Giants 3, Nationals 2; Reds 9, Marlins 4.

MLB American League: White Sox 7, Twins 5; Royals 3, Yankees 2; Indians 8, Tigers 2; Mariners 3, Blue Jays 2 (10); Rays 13, Angels 4.

Griffey, Jr., Hits 600^th: Ken Griffey, Jr., became the sixth major league player to hit 600 home runs in the first inning of yesterday’s Reds-Marlins game at Miami.

Griffey joins Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Sammy Sosa.

Bears Release Benson: The Chicago Bears released running back Cedric Benson after his second arrest in a month.

The move leaves Chicago with two experienced running backs: Adrian Peterson and second-year man Garrett Wolfe. They also drafted Tulane running back Matt Forte in the second round of this year’s draft.

Today’s Birthdays: Hattie McDaniel (1895-1952); Howlin’ Wolf (1910-76); Saul Bellow (1915-2005); Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (87); Judy Garland (1922-69); Mickey Jones (67); F. Lee Bailey (75); Tara Lipinski (26).

Deaths On This Date: Alexander the Great (356-323 BC); Frederick Barbarossa, Holy Roman Emperor (1122-90); Jack Johnson (1878-1946); Spencer Tracy (1900-67); Louis L’Amour (1908-88); John Gotti (1940-2002); Ray Charles (1930-2004).

.Weather

Today High 81 Low 58 Chance Storms

Wed High 85 Low 63 Partly Cloudy

Thu High 90 Low 65 Partly Cloudy

Fri High 81 Low 59 Chance Storms

Sat High 79 Low 58 Chance Storms

TV Schedule: 16—8-9 p.m., Most Outrageous Moments (two episodes); 9 p.m., Law and Order: SVU; 22—8 p.m., NCIS; 9 p.m., 48 Hours Mystery; 25—8 p.m., Beauty and the Geek; 9 p.m., Reaper; 28—8 p.m., Moment of Truth; 9 p.m., Hell’s Kitchen; 46—8 p.m., Lester Sumrall Teaching; 8:30 p.m., Paid programming; 9 p.m., Harvest; 57—8 p.m., Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night; 8:30 p.m., NBA Countdown; 9 p.m., NBA Finals: Celtics at Lakers; 69—8-9 p.m., Street Patrol (two episodes); 9-10 p.m., Jail (two episodes).