THE PRESIDENT AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE! A PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP! NOTHING MORE, RIGHT?

It is the rumor that won't go away. The rumor that mainstream media won't touch.

But it is a rumor (stated as fact) in a number of tabloids. That President Bush and his Secretary of State have a relationship that goes beyond that of what would be described as a basic working relationship.

As we've all learned, we don't know what goes on behind closed doors, but if there's anything to this rumor, this will end up being a "behind closed doors" story for the ages.

A STORY ABOUT GM ISN'T A RUMOR:

The United Automobile Workers union has gone on strike against General Motors. Yi, yi, yi!!! Serious business, folks. And the main issue is?!? HEALTH INSURANCE!!!

We know that almost 50 million Americans don't have health insurance because they can't afford it. Published reports indicate that number sometimes reaches 80 million. Or more! Health insurance is something that Democratic presidential candidates have been talking about. Republican presidential candidates? They've been talking about who's the toughest in the war on terror and gay marriage. And for those of you reading this blog for the first time, let me say/write something again! I'm a lifetime Republican who doesn't "get" this group we now have in the White House. At all! And the only way a Republican will become our next President is if that Republican addresses issues that most of us care about. Like health insurance and economic policies that are (now) designed to benefit (only) the rich.

And what are these Republican candidates proving by deciding to boycott a televised debate at Morgan State University in Baltimore day after tomorrow on minority issues? Here's what it looks like they're proving! That they don't have anything positive to say about minority issues! The Democrats' minority issues debate at Howard University in June was attended by all the major contenders.

Would we all agree that Newt Gingrich is a bona fide Republican? When he was told that invitations to the Republican candidates were sent in February for this debate and that they've all come up with the "scheduling issues" excuse, Gingrich responded to that excuse with one word; "BALONEY!!!"

FROM BALONEY TO MILK:

Have you bought milk lately? Like in the last week or so? To avoid "sticker shock", when you approach the milk area in your supermarket, close your eyes, pick up your milk, put it into your cart and walk away quickly.

NEW AND RETURNING TELEVISION SHOWS:

This is debut week for most of the new and returning television shows airing on stations that aren't cable stations.

Tonight at 10 on CBS, we'll be able to see the new show,"Cane", starring Jimmy Smits. Smits was recently terrific on "The West Wing" and before that, he was terrific on "NYPD Blue". But there's another good reason to check out "Cane". The always very good Hector Elizondo will be a regular on this show. I think it was an outrage that Elizondo wasn't even nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his work as the hotel executive in "Pretty Woman".

Two of my favorite shows will begin new seasons on Fox tonight. "Bones" at 8 and "House" at 9. There's a weird deal goin' on regarding that "House" show. Those three other doctors all left the show at the end of last season, but somehow, as this season progresses, they'll supposedly be brought back. Something else happened after last season ended that might result in on the set "awkwardness". The beautiful young woman doctor was (in real life) engaged to the young doctor with the accent. Sometime after last season ended, those two split up.

RADIO PROGRAM REMINDER:

I'll be on KLAC, 570 on your AM dial between a little after 9:30 until a little before 10 on "The Joe McDonnell Experience". Joe has the day off, so I think I'll be on with another Joe. Joe Grande. Tim Cates, as usual, will also be there. We talk mostly about sports, but no topic is taboo.

EDITOR'S NOTE: IF YOU READ THIS BEFORE PICTURES HAVE BEEN ADDED, COME BACK! OUR PICTURE GUY HAS RETURNED AND PICTURES WILL BE UP SOON!

A new blog is written every morning, Monday through Friday and is posted between 7 and 7:15, Pacific Time. Sometimes earlier. Questions and comments can be sent to scottstjames@sbcglobal.net. I do write back.

TOMORROW: A look at the baseball season as it heads toward the playoffs and anything else that makes me say, "Whaaaat?!?"