Wednesday, August 4 Issue #42

TODAY'S ACTION ALERTS
Pledge to protect the oceans.

Arizona residents: check Southpaw for info on Prop 106.

FEATURED ARTICLES
We already had the rape at Abu Ghraib, I think its safe to say I've found the pillage.

Bush will gut the courts, says American Prospect.

Democrats in NC ensure military education breaks.

Sibel Edmonds, the translating whistleblower, penned an open letter to the 9-11 Commission.

Barbara Ehrenreich stresses the need to listen to a feminine perspective to fight terrorists.

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES
Take one Paul Krugman article and call me in the morning.

Muslim photographer harassed by Secret Service.

Missouri votes to amend state constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

You don't need to see the movie to see a Manchurian Candidate in the act.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
"The world will change for the better when people decide they are sick and tired of being sick and tired of the way the world is, and decide to change themselves."
-Sidney Madwed

TODAY'S BUSHISM
"We want people owning something in America. That's what we want. The great dream about America is, I can own my own home, people say."
-March 26, 2004

BLOG OF THE DAY
Jay Rosen's Press Think is one of the top blogs for looking into the culture that is our media.

BLOGWORTHY
Are the Republican strategists wagging the dog, Homeland Security-style? Attaturk's tinfoil hat is rattling again.

This week's Battle over at Iron Blog deals with Islam. Iron Blogger Republican Dan Champion has a keen take on the religion in his opening argument.

Mick is on top of worker exploitation, this time paid for by taxpayers.

Intel Dump looks at the spiraling Abu Ghraib abuse scandal, which may go much higher up the chain of command.

Flip-floppers offended by Bush, decide on Kerry.

Greg at The Talent Show takes on Bush's insane ideas about tax cuts.

DRUG WAR UPDATE
Missouri city will vote on marijuana decriminalization in November.

Sadistic Irony: Drug dog dies from overdose.

The Supreme Court will take up federal sentencing guidelines.

LINK OF THE DAY
Are you a neo-con? Take the CSM's quiz.

SITE OF THE DAY
The American Prospect Online remains one of the most intelligent progressive magazine sites you can visit.

COOL SITE OF THE DAY
You don't need me to tell you what is housed at Prank Place. Make sure you check out this offering.

ONLINE VIDEO OF THE DAY
Terror Alert!!!! from Jon Stewart.

CLAPS, SLAPS, AND THE MIDDLE FINGER

Claps to Dick Cheney for blaming Kerry and Edwards for high gas prices. Huh?!?! you say? Has the CEM gone neo-con? Not at all. Cheney, who lacks any credibility with most of the nation, will convince many swing voters to vote for Kerry instead. Since Cheney's approval rating is bottoming out, and a corresponding lack of trust in the Vice-President is obvious, voters who actually bothered to listen to him, and who have not already sipped the Kool-Aid, will surely get a chuckle out of the VP's moronic statement. Next plan from Bush-Cheney is to blame Kerry and Edwards for the decision to invade Iraq.

Slaps to Tom Ridge for once again proving his lack of a soul, or for that matter, any free will. For those who think Bush is Cheney's puppet, you might want to look for Dick's other hand. When its not coping a feel from Condi, his hand is usually directing every movement of Ridge's body. After raising the terror alert in an obvious effort to distract the public from the Democratic Convention, new reports show the documents used as reason to do so are three to four years old. Some may date prior to 9-11. So the August 6, 2001 PDB "Bin Ladin Determined to Strike Inside U.S." was too historical to get worked up on, but a three year old collection of maps and drawings indicates an immediate need to scare up some fear? Damn I wish Dick would go back to handling Condi and leave Ridge in the drawer where he belongs.

My Middle Finger smirks at Dubya for creating another senseless bureaucracy for dealing with intelligence. There are already over fifteen overt intelligence agencies operating, supposedly, to channel information to the National Security Advisor Condi Rice. Democrats and 9-11 Commission members balk at Bush's "toothless" post which will not have enough power to provide a boost to security efficiency. Instead of merging and aligning existing posts, or at least creating a full cabinet level position, Bush has chosen to place another spaniel in a bulldog position. Yet one more little puppy for Bush to pat on the head and then send away until desired.

ANIMAL RIGHTS WATCH
PetFinder service looks to match animals with human slaves companions.

Bowling Green will reclassify owners of two or more unadulterated pets as kennel owners to stem overbreeding.

CANDIDATE OF THE DAY
John Barrow is seeking a U.S. House seat in Georgia against Republican incumbent Max Burns. An attorney by way of Harvard, Barrow won his primary last week, and has had strong fundraising abilities so far. Barrow, who has a track record of populist votes, especially in support of families, is married to a veterinarian.

DAILY PHOTO
Time to cut this card


TODAY'S POLITICAL CARTOON



HISTORY LESSON
At Net Politik, Nick Lewis has put together a superior selection of clips from George Orwell's writings. It is amazing just how well Orwell understood the power that corrupts good societies.

STRANGE HAPPENINGS
Bush Twins: You been Punk*d!

Look, I like Al Franken, and even better, I respect him. But: Radio does not belong on TV.

Mad Cow Disease, indeed. Talk about sweet irony.