On tap for today:  We'll talk about tonight's Oscars, and the increasing numbers of Black actors being recognized for their work -- at the same time a new study says AIDS is rising in the Black community at twice the rate of Whites.  What's causing this?  And -- why did a DC agency spend nearly half a million bucks on World AIDS Day events?  Plus -- is it time for everyone to just let Terry Schiavo die?  Is Social Security reform dead on arrival?  Where's the outrage on Jeff Gannon's admission to the White House?  And more, in a quick two hours . . .

Note:  I'm on an hour early again today, Noon-3pm, substituting that first hour for Tony Penny.

On this President's Day weekend, we'll delve into a range of issues, including whether or not Virginia needs a constitutional amendment to allow prayer in public places -- including schools and government buildings; why a lesbian pastor scolded the Virginia House of Delegates during her opening prayer; why we're apparently conducting secret negotiations with the Iraqi insurgents; and whether or not it's time to accept the fact that we've got millions of illegal immigrants in this country, and should stop our hypocrisy about them.

We'll get an early start today, as I'll be filling in for Tony Penny at Noon -- so join me from Noon to 3pm.  We'll talk about the Shiite victory in Iraq's elections; Parade Magazine's list of the Top 10 Worst Dictators in the world today; whether some rural Virginia schools should still be letting students out during the school day to go to Bible classes; and whether a man should be charged with conspiracy to commit murder because he talked about committing suicide over the Internet.  Plus:  The fact that conservative talker / candidate Alan Keye's daughter is . . . . a lesbian!  Oh, and one more thing:  Should we be just an "opportunity and ownership society," as President Bush says -- or a "responsibility society?"  I'll explain . . .