Sunday, January 6
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Christopher Lempa is the guest editor today. |
Ex-Bush Lawyer Sued Over Torture Memos
“The lawsuit, filed by Padilla and his mother, Estela Lebron, asks only $1 in damages, seeking mainly a judgment declaring that the policies violated the Constitution.”
“The
claim that the assassination was an attack on democracy and freedom is dubious
because Bhutto’s two spells as prime minister of Pakistan were not notable
for either one. Whether it was an attack on the United States depends on what
that means. It certainly was not an attack on the American people. How could
it be construed that way, unless one has such an imperialist notion of 'our
interests' that nothing can happen in the world without impinging on them?”
Al-Qaeda Offers Cellphone Video Downloads
“Video messages of al-Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahri can now be downloaded to cellphones, the terror network announced as part of its attempts to extend its influence.” The market at work?
Iraqi Soldier 'Killed US Troops'
“An Iraqi soldier has opened fire on American troops, killing two and wounding three others, US and Iraqi officials have said.”
The Surge and American Military Triumphalism
“Right-wing pundit Michael Barone has published a column on the surge in Iraq that may be the clearest expression so far of the American triumphalism over the U.S. military and Iraq that emerged in 2007. The current popularity of that idea reflects the degree to which the apologists for war, having been discredited earlier on Iraq, are now on the offensive.”
China Is Our E-Waste Dumping Ground
“The highway of poisoned products that runs from China to the United States is not a one-way street. America ships China up to 80 percent of U.S. electronic waste -- discarded computers, cell phones, TVs, etc. Last year alone, the United States exported enough e-waste to cover a football field and rise a mile into the sky.”
Hillary Booed at NH Democratic Party Dinner
This is a great start, but we really need to boo them all!
“Investigative reporter Seymour Hersh recently said that Barack Obama is our 'only hope' to 'lead a reconciliation between the Muslim countries and the US.' Why? Because Obama's father was a Muslim.”
Olbermann Slams New York Times
(video)
Scratching By: How Government Creates Poverty As We Know It
“Governments—local, state, and federal—spend a lot of time wringing their hands about the plight of the urban poor. Look around any government agency and you’ll never fail to find some know-it-all with a suit and a nameplate on his desk who has just the right government program to eliminate or ameliorate, or at least contain, the worst aspects of grinding poverty in American cities—especially as experienced by black people, immigrants, people with disabilities, and everyone else marked for the special observation and solicitude of the state bureaucracy. Depending on the bureaucrat’s frame of mind, his pet programs might focus on doling out conditional charity to 'deserving' poor people, or putting more 'at-risk' poor people under the surveillance of social workers and medical experts, or beating up recalcitrant poor people and locking them in cages for several years.”
Moth Spray Sickened More Than 300
“Hundreds of people reported feeling sick last year after the state began spraying communities along the central coast to halt the spread of a crop-eating moth, agriculture authorities said Friday.”
Nevada Levee Breaks; 3,500 Being Rescued
“Helicopters
were rescuing Nevada residents from rooftops on Saturday after a levee broke,
sending 3 feet of frigid water into hundreds of homes and endangering
thousands.”
Naples Mayor Pleads For Calm Over Trash Crisis
“Naples' mayor appealed to residents Saturday to stay calm over stinking mountains of trash in the city that have gone uncollected for more than two weeks.” The government can't even be trusted with your garbage.
Court Shuts Top Amsterdam Brothel
“A Dutch judge has ordered a leading Amsterdam brothel to close, as part of a campaign to cut links between the sex trade and organised crime.”
Wally Conger's classic. Print and post.
Barack Obama Tiger Beat Cover Clinches Slumber Party Vote
A photo blog.