For the time being, it looks as if Charlie Rangel will dodge any type of severe punishment for ethics violations but calls for his resignation are beginning to grow louder. Even President Obama was discreetly nudging Mr. Rangel to opt for retirement. Obama said on CBS:

“He’s somebody who’s at the end of his career,” Obama said in a CBS Evening News interview. “I’m sure that what he wants is to be able to end his career with dignity. And my hope is that happens.”

A relationship with Rangel in a tough election season is toxic, this fact isn’t being lost on democrats who know that being re-elected isn’t going to be such an easy task this November. But hey, let’s throw Charlie Rangel’s birthday party at the Plaza in Manhattan.

Let’s have Schumer and Hildebrand, Governor Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg. Let’s ask people to give tons of money to Rangel’s victory fund. That ethics trial? Oh, that’s nothing. Hey, isn’t that Aretha Franklin? Only in D.C.

Charlie Rangel’s birthday party is basically a “Hey Charlie, you’ve given us a lot over the years, but you’re out because we politically can’t afford to be associated with you. We appreciate the corruption for the last few decades.”

Only a small portion of the store had the nasty little buggers present and all the clothing in that area was destroyed. Victoria Secret is the latest in a line of trendy department stores infested with bed bugs in New York. Hollister and Abercrombie preceded the Victoria Secret bed bug infestation.

Unlike the other locations, Victoria Secret addressed the problem rather quickly. The bed bugs were found and the store closed on Wednesday for extermination. The store was reopened later that same day. Most people have a certain things they think about when you mention Victoria Secret. Bed bugs don’t generally come to mind.

If you’re inclined to watch the Kagan hearings, live feed will be provided beginning on Monday. Most of the first day will be taken up with opening statements from Kagan herself and posturing politicians who feel it necessary to say nothing while using a whole lot of words.

Not a lot is known about Elena Kagan; she’s never served as a Judge so she essentially has no judicial style. What’s unknown is her philosophy on a whole range of issues. As you watch the Kagan confirmation hearings live stream below, you should be able to get a good feel for how this woman will come down on most issues.

Speculation of course is that she’s just a liberal replacing a liberal. Justice John Paul Stevens is retiring and Kagan will replace him. The makeup of the Supreme Court won’t change except for adding another woman. Watch the Kagan live stream below.

Says Bork, Kagan has inflated dreams of what Constitutional Law and courts can do. Originally poised to support her, Bork changed his mind after finding out more about Kagan. Specifically her admiration for Judge Aharon Barak who served as Chief Judge for Israel’s Supreme Court; Bork views Barak as a very activist judge.

Bork was not confirmed in his 1987 hearings, one of the most contentious Supreme Court confirmation hearings to date. So much so that when a nominee is perceived to receive a hard time from the Senate they are said to have been “Borked.” Clarence Thomas was almost “Borked” when he went through the confirmation process.

Robert Bork feels that the Republicans would do well to make hay during the confirmation hearings about certain hot button issues. He feels that they would help their reputation for simply rolling over when a woman or liberal is nominated.

Regardless of the feelings of Judge Bork, Kagan should skate through the process without much trouble despite her lack of experience from the bench. Kagan has never attained a judgeship before. She served under Bill Clinton and Barack Obama as Solicitor General.

The USA, Algeria match may not be very competitive if it were played on paper. The US has gained 2 pts. so far in their first two matches. They nearly defeated Slovenia a few days ago.

You can see USA vs. Algeria live streaming video below at 9:30 am EDT. The US appears to have an advantage; you can go here to predict upcoming matches. The Soccer Power Index gives team the US a 50% to 20% advantage, but then again that’s why they play the matches.

Once again watch USA, Algeria live feed below as World Cup 2010 action continues. You can enjoy key matches here on this site if live streaming video is available. For more on the 2010 World Cup Matches; complete schedules and in depth analysis go here.