Thursday, December 27, 2007

Huck Apologizes for Bhutto's Assassination

At a campaign stop in Florida today, Mike Huckabee expressed "our sincere concern and apologies for what has happened in Pakistan."

Oh, and apparently he doesn't know that martial law has ended (for the time being) in Pakistan.

via HotAir

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Arson Hits India's Churches

At least 10 Christian churches have been attacked in India since Christmas Eve. One man has been killed and dozens have been injured. Six churches have reportedly been burned. Police blame protesters backed by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
The "well-planned attacks on innocent Christians and their leaders have completely shocked us," the Catholic Bishops Conference of India said in a statement.

JAG Accused of Witholding Evidence

From the Air Force Times:
The former staff judge advocate at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., is being investigated on allegations that he behaved unethically by attempting to withhold evidence earlier this year in a sexual assault case involving four airmen at Pope, sources close to the case said.

Turkey Bombs Iraq

The U.S. approved Turkish missions against the PKK haven't gotten much press since they began a couple weeks ago. The Turkish government is claiming its latest attack has killed more than 150 Kurds.
Rear Adm. Greg Smith, director of communications for the American-led forces in Iraq, said Turkey had notified American officials in advance of the latest raid, as is customary, telling them it was a reconnaissance flight, not a strike mission.

"They tell us where they are going and what their mission is," he said. "The first three missions were all identified as strike missions. They said their intentions were to go and drop ordnance and they told us that at the time."

via tpm

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Beating Kids in Toy Stores

I didn't realize it was a rich white folk thing.

Friday, December 21, 2007

"He or She Has to Respect the Pizza"

Apparently how comfortable a presidential candidate is when eating pizza is very important.
I just can't imagine the American people electing as president someone who does that to pizza. I'm not saying a president has to have a special knack for eating pizza - what you call "pizza talent" - but he or she has to respect the pizza, and look comfortable with it.

via atrios

What Burned in Cheney's Office?

Al Kamen is holding a contest. And it has to do with the fire in Vice President Cheney's office earlier this week.
Yes, it's the final In the Loop Contest for 2007. Simply guess what documents or other materials the arsonists were trying to destroy. Could it have been a secret legal opinion from Cheney Chief of Staff David Addington, giving the vice president the inherent authority to set the fire?

Thursday, December 20, 2007

China's Anti-Corruption Site Crashes

China's National Bureau of Corruption Prevention web site, meant to collect information on corrupt activities, crashed the day after it opened because it was overloaded with visitors.
"The enthusiasm that greeted the launch of the website reflects the growing frustration felt by the general public towards corruption at government level," Xinhua news agency said.

EPA Denies Calif Waiver Request

It would have allowed the state to put limits on greenhouse gas for cars, trucks and SUVs. Arnold isn't pleased with the decision, which is the first time the EPA has fully denied California a Clean Air Act waiver.
"It is disappointing that the federal government is standing in our way and ignoring the will of tens of millions of people across the nation," said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. "California sued to compel the agency to act on our waiver, and now we will sue to overturn today's decision and allow Californians to protect our environment."

Violence in New Orleans

Police have used pepper spray and were "engaging in fistfights" with protesters in New Orleans today. The issue was the possible the demolition of 4500 units of public housing.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Sen. Graham Blocks Anti-Torture Bill

A fine example of his Christian values.

Thompson's Most "Prized Possession"

Is his "Trophy Wife".

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Contempt!

The Senate Judiciary has approved criminal contempt resolutions against Karl Rove and Josh Bolten by a vote of 12-8. The resolutions will move to the Senate floor, but no action there is expected until next year.
"The White House counsel asserts that executive privilege covers all documents and information in the possession of the White House," Leahy said, referring to White House counsel Fred Fielding. "They have further and claimed immunity even to have to appear and respond to this committee's subpoeas for Mr. Rove and Mr. Bolten. And they contend that their blanket claim of executive privilege cannot be tested but must be accepted by the Congress as the last word."

Democrats Cave In, Again and Again

And again.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Gonzo Named "Lawyer of the Year"

You read that right. The former AG has been named "2007 Lawyer of the Year" by the American Bar Association Journal. But it may not be such a compliment.
"Think about Time magazine's Person of the Year," Adams said in an interview. "In years past they've named people like Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin. So we're not suggesting by these awards that these are the best lawyers in any sense of the word."

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

FISA Court Rejects Info Request

U.S. District Judge John D. Bates, who sits on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, has rejected the ACLU's request for documents related to standards the court has set regarding government wiretapping. Even though he admitted that the public would benefit from increased oversight and knowledge regarding the program, Judge Bates felt it was too much of a risk to national security.
"Without access to those judicial rulings, the public has no idea what government's surveillance powers are," ACLU lawyer Jameel Jaffer said. "It shouldn't be a controversial proposition that the public has a right to know what the court believes the scope of FISA is."

Monday, December 10, 2007

Mr. Giggles

Rudy pulls a Hillary.

Shotgun Fired Tasers

The new wireless Taser XREP will be fired from a shotgun at someone up to 30 meters away, and will zap them four times as long as the current hand held models.

Taser International is also developing the Shockwave device, an "area denial" weapon which can be chained together to "drop everyone in a given area to the ground with the simple push of a button", according to a promotional video.

via BoingBoing

Democratic Complicity in Torture

Pathetic.

Friday, December 07, 2007

Icelandic Teen Calls W's Private Line

A teenager in Iceland recently called President Bush's private phone, and he's not telling how he got the number.

Romney: "Freedom requires religion"

He's lying.

Cookie Resigns

It's about time.

via tpm

Monday, December 03, 2007

Senator Craig: Still Not Gay!!

And this time he really means it!