Stingy? It's much worse than that.

How nice. The Bush Administration just announced that it will now pledge $350 million to the Asian disaster relief effort. This is an increase from the $35 million that was pledged a few days ago after being shamed by the world for their $15 million original offer. The arrogance the President displayed at his news conference three days into the aftermath was only a hint of this administration's disdain for any challenge to policy or display.

This stingy behavior, in the name of God actually, comes against the background of a $40 million inauguration ceremony that will resemble a coronation, followed by an $80 BILLION price tag for just the next 6 months in Iraq. And HALF the nation is ok with this?

Panthers Stay Alive with Resounding Win

Jake Delhomme and Muhsin Muhammad showed how badly they want to return to the postseason. Delhomme passed for a career-high four touchdowns, including a pair to Muhammad, to lead the Carolina Panthers to a 37-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a battle of NFC South rivals.

The Panthers (7-8) appeared to be on their way to becoming the fourth straight NFC champion to miss the playoffs the following year. But despite a plethora of injuries, they have won six of their last seven games and remain alive in the playoff race.

Next week, Carolina will host New Orleans (7-8) in a game which could determine a wild card berth. However, both teams will need help. If the St. Louis Rams win their final two games and the Seattle Seahawks , who have already clinched a playoff spot, lose next week, then the Rams win the NFC West and the Seahawks get the wild card. The Minnesota Vikings could clinch the other wild card spot with a win at Washington next week.

Panthers Lose in OT to Falcons

The Carolina Panthers fell to the Atlanta Falcons Saturday night in the Georgia Dome on Jay Feely's 38-yard field goal 2:25 into overtime. The NFC South champs defeated Carolina for the ninth time in 10 games in their building and dropped the Panthers to 6-8 on the season. The loss was a heartbreaker for a team vexed by Atlanta Quarterback Michael Vick, another horrible performance by Carolina's special teams on defending the kick, and consistent bad judgement on the part of the officals.

The Falcons led by 14 points in the fourth quarter, but the Panthers reeled off 21 straight points to take a 31-24 lead with 3:37 remaining in the game. But with 1:37 left, Michael Vick ran for a touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the 12-yard line, somehow keeping his knees from touching the ground as he extended to cross the goal line.

At 6-8, the Panthers are still mathematically alive for a wild-card berth, but their chances are severely dented. Their five-game winning streak snapped, the yeam will travel to Tampa Bay to play the Buccaneers next Sunday followed by the final game of the regular season at home against New Orleans.

Big Test on Saturday

The Carolina Panthers (6-7) have lost their NFC South crown to the Atlanta Falcons (10-3), but the two division rivals will not be short of incentives when they meet on Saturday night at the Georgia Dome. The Panthers, who lost seven of their first eight games, will try to win their sixth consecutive contest after defeating St. Louis, 20-7, last week. The Falcons, who clinched the NFC South with a 35-10 victory over Oakland last week, will try to earn a first-round bye for the playoffs.

The rare prime time game can be seen on the ESPN television network Saturday, December 18, 8:30 p.m. and heard on The Carolina Panthers Radio Network with pre-game reporting beginning at 7:30.

Panthers Continue to Roll

The Carolina Panthers continued their remarkable comeback today with a powerful win against last year's conference championship rivals, the St Louis Rams. Jumping to an early lead that built through the first half to 20-7, the Panthers turned it over to the defense in the second half and no more points were scored by either team.

Highlights included Nick Goings fourth 100 yd game in a row and Dan Morgan's two interceptions and nine tackles. Morgan's performance was particularily rewarding considering that he has missed the last three games due to a concussion.

Panthers vs Saints, 12/6/2004

The Carolina Panthers are clawing their way back into the playoff hunt with their convincing 32-21 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. The team played well in most aspects of the game with the woeful exception of Special Teams which fell flat on trying to stop kick returns. Highlights included forcing several turnovers and giving up none.

Nick Goings logged his 3rd straight 100 yard rushing performance and wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad is making a run at another Pro Bowl appearance. His numbers in the last six games have been astounding.

Next week, St Louis and a chance to tie them for the wild card spot with 3 games remaining, first against Atlanta and then Tampa Bay, then closing with New Orleans.