Iraq Violence Continues with 2 More U.S. Soldiers Killed

Two more U.S. soldiers were killed in Iraq as the year wound down Friday, putting the American military death toll at 841 so far -- just five short of 2004's lost lives despite political progress and dogged efforts to quash the insurgency.

Morning Sedition: Sammy the Stem Cell Dies

From Morning Sedition, it's the last episode of Sammy the Stem Cell!
Click title to listen or here.

German papers: US set to strike Iran

Airstrikes predicted in early '06; Anti-Israel rants by the President blamed for escalation. It's hardly news that US President George Bush refuses to rule out possible military action against Iran if Tehran continues to pursue its controversial nuclear ambitions.

Reporters at Beijing Paper Go on Strike

Reporters at a Beijing newspaper known for covering sensitive topics walked off the job after an editor was removed this week amid efforts to tighten press controls, employees said Friday.

Egyptian soldiers kill 10 refugees

Secretary General Kofi Annan has condemned as unjustified the killings by Egyptian soldiers of between 10 and 20 Sudanese refugees in a wealthy Cairo neighborhood.

Calling All Bloggers: These Documents need publishing

The UK government has been quick to deny that we practice, or tolerate the practice of Torture. So it is perhaps not suprising that they are determined that you should not see the following documents.
http://users.pandora.be/quarsan/craig/telegrams.pdf
http://users.pandora.be/quarsan/craig/npaper.jpg
http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/715
http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/714

Dr. Germ and Mrs. Anthrax Set Free

Why is it not bigger news that those infamous Iraqi female scientists once routinely referred to in the media as "Dr. Germ" and "Mrs. Anthrax" have been quietly released from imprisonment in Iraq without any charges being brought by their US captors?

US Reports Surge in Guantanamo Hunger Strike

The number of Guantanamo Bay prisoners taking part in a hunger strike that began nearly five months ago has surged to 84 since Christmas Day, the U.S. military said on Thursday.

The Shadow Government pt. 1

Another funny clip from the brilliant show Morning Sedition. This is episode # 1 of The Shadow Government. Click on title to listen...

Army can't account for $68 million

The Army can’t account for $68 million in parts and tools shipped to contractors for repairs in 2004 because it doesn’t demand receipts, congressional auditors said Wednesday.

I'm feeling silly

Not long ago, I walked by the desk of software engineer JJ Furman, and saw that he had made an interesting addition to his desk: a large blob of Silly Putty, about the size of a grapefruit. Intrigued, I asked how he'd gotten so much of the stuff. The answer?

Death threats cut Iraq oil flow

Iraq's largest oil refinery has been shut down following death threats to tanker drivers, jeopardising supplies of electricity across northern Iraq. The threats followed a steep rise in the price of petrol earlier this month, ordered by the government.

A Bio-Friendly Highwayman

Willie Nelson drives a Mercedes. But do not lose faith, true believers. The exhaust from Mr. Nelson's diesel-powered Mercedes smells like peanuts, or French fries, or whatever alternative fuel happens to be in his tank.

Welcome to Bush's Vision! Shias abducted and killed

The victims were reported to be members of the same extended family, living in the mainly Sunni town of Latifiya, about 30km (20 miles) south of Baghdad.

The Jets, War and Lessons Still Unlearned

By Bob Herbert from The New York TimesThe more things change ...
Emerson said: "There are people who have an appetite for grief. Pleasure is not strong enough and they crave pain."

Pentagon Calls Its Pro-U.S. Websites Legal

U.S. military websites that pay journalists to write articles and commentary supporting military activities in Europe and Africa do not violate U.S. law or Pentagon policies, a review by the Pentagon's chief investigator has concluded.

US to deport alleged Nazi guard

An 85-year-old man accused of having been a guard at a Nazi death camp is to be deported from the US to his native Ukraine, an immigration judge has said.

Radio Haliburton With Marc the Shark Maron!

Good Morning Neocons! It's Right and Early with Marc the Shark Maron! Click title to listen.

Klansman to organize protest of same-sex marriage in Iowa

A Charles City, Iowa, man who said he's a member of the Ku Klux Klan is trying to organize a rally next month to protest attempts to legalize same-sex marriage in that state.

New Law Limits Family Housing

The inspector slid into his Crown Victoria, a police radio on his belt, addresses in hand. It was after 5 p.m., and he and his interpreter rolled into Manassas, down a street of benign ranch houses strung with lights. They parked, walked to a door and knocked.

Pilots Approve Double-Digit Pay Cuts

Delta Air Lines Inc. pilots voted on Wednesday to approve a 14 percent pay cut in a deal their union worked out with management to help the bankrupt carrier cope with an expected cash crunch.
Question: What about the pilots that aren't "Rank and File?"

Welcome to Bush's Theocratic Democracy!

Iraqi police shot dead several prisoners in a shootout on Wednesday at a Baghdad military base after one prisoner grabbed a weapon from a guard, Interior Ministry officials and police sources said.

Morning Sedition AARP AD "Swift Boat Parody"

Click here to listen to another hilarious clip from Morning Sedition, the show that has now been idiotically canceled. This is a parody of the Swift Boat ads.

Israeli aircraft attack base south of Beirut

Israeli aircraft attacked a militant training base south of Beirut early on Wednesday in response to rocket attacks on Israel, an army spokeswoman said. She said the attack targeted a training base used by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). There was no immediate information on casualties or damage.

Slavery still OK for U.S. contractors

Three years after a 2002 Presidential Directive demanding an end to trafficking in humans for forced labor and prostitution by U.S. contractors, the Pentagon is still yet to actually bar the practice, The Chicago Tribune reports.

"You Forgot Poland."

Poland's government said on Tuesday it would keep a reduced military force in Iraq until the end of 2006, reversing a plan to complete the pullout of the 1,500-member contingent early in the year.

The War on Brains: The Last Dispatch

The Last Dispatch from The War on Brains: Click title to listen. I'm still mourning Morning Sedition. Thanks to morningseditionists for a wonderful blog for us seditionists to keep in touch. And thanks to thesnotgreensea for archiving this brilliant show.

Veteran's Iraq Message Upsets Army Recruiters

As those thinking of becoming soldiers arrive on the slushy doorstep of the Army recruiting station here, they cannot miss the message posted in bold black letters on the storefront right next door.

Few On Board Georgia's ID Plan

On a cold, clear winter morning, a red-and-white school bus negotiated the winding road into this city of 6,700, tucked in the hills along the Tennessee border. Kenneth Sherman pulled into a parking lot across from the county courthouse and prepared for another long, slow day.

Is Bush Drinking Again?

From the late late Show with Graig Ferguson...
Click here to view video...

Political Debate On Stress Disorder

The spiraling cost of post-traumatic stress disorder among war veterans has triggered a politically charged debate and ignited fears that the government is trying to limit expensive benefits for emotionally scarred troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bush Presses Editors To Kill WaPo And NYT Stories!

President Bush has been summoning newspaper editors lately in an effort to prevent publication of stories he considers damaging to national security.The efforts have failed.

Actor Vincent Schiavelli Dies

Character actor Vincent Schiavelli, who appeared in scores of movies, including ''One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' and ''Ghost,'' died Monday at his home in Sicily. He was 57.

Medicine: Who Decides? By Paul Krugman

Health care seems to be heading back to the top of the political agenda, and not a moment too soon. Employer-based health insurance is unraveling, Medicaid is under severe pressure, and vast Medicare costs loom on the horizon. Something must be done.
Courtesy of True Blue Liberal

A New Civil Rights Movement, By Bob Herbert

One of the cruelest aspects of slavery was the way it wrenched apart black families, separating husbands from wives and children from their parents.
Courtesy of True Blue Liberal

Cell Phones Future: "You've Been Indicted!"

South Koreans may look at their mobile phones with some trepidation in the new year because prosecutors will start telling people they have been indicted via text messages, an official said Monday. "Most people in South Korea have mobile phones and since the notices don't reach them immediately by regular mail.

Powell Agrees With Domestic Spy Program

Former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said on Sunday that it would not have been "that hard" for President Bush to obtain warrants for eavesdropping on domestic telephone and Internet activity, but that he saw "nothing wrong" with the decision not to do so.

Iraqis want US out as soon as possible: US commander

The top US military commander admitted Sunday that Iraqis wanted US and other foreign troops to leave the country "as soon as possible," and said US troop levels in Iraq were now being re-assessed.

I Saw Jackie Mason Kissing Santa Claus, By Frank Rich

The good news today is that the great 2005 war on Christmas, the conflagration that launched a thousand op-ed pieces and nearly as many battles on Fox News, is now officially over. Courtesy of fbihop

Just Another Day for U.S. Military in Iraq

U.S. Army soldiers carried out raids in dusty Iraqi towns. Military doctors treated soldiers wounded by roadside bombs. Christmas in Iraq was just another day on the front lines for the U.S. military.

How about some AP propaganda! Fun! Russia's Putin Shows Off Judo Prowess

Putin's accomplishments in judo and downhill skiing have helped his wide popularity among Russians who like having a physically fit, energetic leader -- a sharp contrast to his feeble-looking, frequently ailing predecessor, Boris Yeltsin.

President is Amateurish: Lawrence B. Wilkerson

It was in early 2004, the beginning of President Bush's re-election campaign, that Lawrence B. Wilkerson first printed out a letter saying he wanted to quit as chief of staff for Secretary of State Colin L. Powell. But the letter remained in a desk drawer for the rest of Mr. Bush's first term.

Chad in 'state of war' with Sudan

It accuses Sudan of being the "common enemy of the nation" after a Chadian rebel attack on a town last week. In a statement, the government calls on Chadians to mobilise themselves against Sudanese aggression.

Japan backs joint US missile plan

The project aims to produce an advanced version of the US system, which seeks to destroy incoming missiles before they reach their targets. The decision is seen by many Japanese as being made in breach of the so-called peace clause of the constitution, which specifically renounces the country's capacity to make war.

U.S. Airstrikes Take Toll on Civilians

U.S. Marine airstrikes targeting insurgents sheltering in Iraqi residential neighborhoods are killing civilians as well as guerrillas along the Euphrates River in far western Iraq, according to Iraqi townspeople and officials and the U.S. military.

Mosques monitored for radiation

U.S. officials have secretly monitored radiation levels at Muslim sites, including mosques and private homes, since September 11, 2001 as part of a top secret program searching for nuclear bombs, U.S. News and World Report said on Friday.

Post Your Hate Elsewhere

An Era Opinion By Jason Kinney: I woke up today and started my morning routine.
Turned on the heater and computer, and then into the kichen for my morning coffee. I plopped my self down in front of the computer and started reading the news.

Iraqi troops killed, Rumsfeld eyes US pullback

Guerrillas stormed an Iraqi army post on Friday, killing 10 soldiers and wounding 20, as Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told U.S. combat troops their numbers would fall as Iraqi forces were trained to take over.

The Tax Cut Zombies, By Paul Krugman

If you want someone to play Scrooge just before Christmas, Dick Cheney is your man. On Wednesday Mr. Cheney, acting as president of the Senate, cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of legislation that increases the fees charged to Medicaid recipients, lets states cut Medicaid benefits, reduces enforcement funds for child support, and more.

Wal-Mart must pay employees $172m

A California jury on Thursday awarded $172 million to thousands of employees at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. who claimed they were illegally denied lunch breaks. The world's largest retailer was ordered to pay $57 million in general damages and $115 million in punitive damages.

Fox News quietly promotes white supremacist website!

A South Carolina Fox affiliate ran a story appearing to cheer a white supremacist website -- and the leader of the group says that Fox news staff are members of his white supremacy forum, RAW STORY can reveal. The video can be found here.

BAH HUMBUG The so-called War on Christmas

Chestnuts are roasting on an open fire, wit Jack Frost nipping at your nose and folk dressed up like Eskimos—or, to update the lin for political correctness, with tots in boots jus like Aleuts. It’s that magical season when light twinkle and good will abounds.

Katrina euthanasia allegations 'credible'

"This is on the second floor in the lobby. And across that walkway there is a group of patients and Anna standing there with a handful of syringes talking to patients," he said. 'I'm going to give you something to make you feel better."

Democrats kill Alaska oil drilling bill

Senate Democrats succeeded on Wednesday in killing a Republican plan to allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge that was part of a massive $453 billion wartime military spending bill that later passed.

Blowing The Whistle on Gangsta Culture, By Bob Herbert

Edwin "E. J." Duncan was a young man from a decent family who spent a great deal of time with his friends in an amateur recording studio his parents had set up for him in the basement of their home in the Dorchester neighborhood.
Courtesy of fbihop

Insanity prevails:Merry Christmas America! Senate passes spending cuts

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday passed a $602 billion bill that cuts funds for health, education and labor programs on the same day the Senate approved two separate rounds of cuts to health care programs for the poor.
Whatever happened to that 8 BILLION dollars that went "missing" in Iraq?

Court Rejects U.S. Bid to Transfer Terror Suspect

A federal appeals court delivered a stunning rebuke to the Bush administration today, refusing to allow the transfer of Jose Padilla from military custody to civilian law enforcement authorities to face terrorism charges in criminal court.

Stalin's half-man, half-ape super-warriors

The Soviet dictator Josef Stalin ordered the creation of Planet of the Apes-style warriors by crossing humans with apes, according to recently uncovered secret documents.

Senate Leaders Agree to Extend Anti - Terror Act

U.S. Senate leaders reached a bipartisan agreement on Wednesday to extend for six months key provisions of the anti-terrorism USA Patriot Act set to expire in 10 days.

The Squires of Surveillance, By Maureen Dowd

Dick and Rummy are holed up in the den of Rummy’s Chesapeake Bay retreat, Mount Misery, pawing through sheafs of transcripts of wiretapped telephone conversations, hunting for inside dope. courtesy of True Blue Liberal

Chikan is pervert in Japanese. Japan 'groper' dies after beating

The man fled the train at a station in the city of Osaka after a 20-year-old student accused him of groping her. Women-only carriages run on some trains in Japan because of groping complaints.

Explosives Heist! Is this real? Seems to me this missing material always comes from a lab in New Mexico

According to federal officials, the theft of 400 pounds of high-powered plastic explosives in New Mexico is one of the largest high explosives heists in recent history.

Iraq Secular No More After Vote

Sunni and secular political groups angrily claimed Tuesday that last week's Iraqi national election was rigged, demanded a new vote and threatened to leave a shambles the delicate plan to bring the country's wary factions together in a new government.

Bill O'Reilly Responds to Kristof

From fbihop:Bill O'Reilly has responded to Nicholas Kristof's column on his show. He referred to Media Matters as a left-wing smear site. He used a clip from over a year ago to show his commitment to Darfur. Bill O'Reilly, again proving himself an idiot.

'Intelligent design' teaching ban

A court in the US has ruled against the teaching in schools of the theory of "intelligent design" alongside Darwinian evolution. The authorities wanted to introduce the theory that Earth's life was too complicated to have evolved on its own.

Executive Run Amok

As reported by the New York Times on Friday, "Months after the September 11 attacks, President Bush secretly authorized the National Security Agency (NSA) to eavesdrop on Americans and others inside the United States to search for evidence of terrorist activity without the court-approved warrants ordinarily required for domestic spying."

New York City Stands Still

New York transit workers walked off the job for the first time in 25 years on Tuesday after contract talks failed, stranding millions of people who rely on the bus and subway system each day.

F.B.I. Watched Activist Groups

Counterterrorism agents have conducted numerous surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations that involved, at least indirectly, groups active in causes as diverse as the environment, animal cruelty and poverty relief, newly disclosed agency records show.

Tokyo Quake Scandal!

Japanese police raided offices and homes on Tuesday looking for clues in a growing scandal centered on an architect who ignored safety standards for apartments and hotels, leaving them vulnerable to even moderate earthquakes.

Robertson: Evolutionary Theory a "cultish religion"

On CBN's The 700 Club, host Pat Robertson claimed that "the evolutionists worship atheism" and that because "evolution becomes their religion" it is "an establishment of religion contrary to the First Amendment."

US votes against anti-Nazi resolution

The UN General Assembly has adopted an anti-Nazi resolution, initiated by Russia. Some 114 countries supported the document, with 4 states against and 57 abstentions.

New Bolivia president to legalize coca

FIVE centuries of white rule in Bolivia have ended with the election of the country’s first indigenous head of state.

Bush: spying program to continue

U.S. President George W. Bush said on Monday he broke no laws in authorizing spying on Americans with suspected ties to terrorism and declared he would continue the practice despite concern that it infringes on civil liberties.

US freeing 'Dr. Germ' and 'Mrs. Anthrax'

U.S. forces in Iraq are freeing "Dr Germ and "Mrs. Anthrax", two of Saddam Hussein's leading biological warfare experts, following the failure to find weapons of mass destruction, lawyers said on Monday.

Travis Dem To Have Surgery Tomorrow!

My friend from Morning Sedition is to have surgery on his ears tomorrow at noon Alaskan time . Show your support at morningseditionists.com or here. Good luck Travis!

Tankers on the Take, By Paul Krugman

Not long ago Peter Ferrara, a senior policy adviser at the Institute for Policy Innovation, seemed on the verge of becoming a conservative icon. Before the Bush administration's sales pitch for Social Security privatization fell flat, admiring articles about the Bush plan's genesis often gave Mr. Ferrara credit for starting the privatization movement back in 1979.

Dangerous Territory, By Bob Herbert

There has been some encouraging news lately for those who cherish freedom, democracy and the rule of law. No, I'm not talking about last week's election in Iraq. I mean the recent developments here at home, in the United States.

Reid calls US Congress 'most corrupt in history'

U.S. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid called the Republican-led Congress "the most corrupt in history" on Sunday, and distanced himself from lobbyist Jack Abramoff, at the center of an escalating probe.

Leftist claims victory in Bolivia

A leftist candidate from one of Bolivia's Indian peoples who wants to legalise coca-growing has claimed victory in the presidential election. "We have won," Evo Morales told thousands of cheering supporters.

Bush to Americans: 'Do not give in to despair'

U.S. President George W. Bush made an unusually direct personal appeal to Americans on Sunday night not to give in to despair over Iraq, insisting "We are winning" despite a tougher-than-expected war.

A Challenge for Bill O'Reilly : By Nicholas Kristof

Let us pray that Mr. O'Reilly will understand that the Christmas spirit isn't about hectoring people to say "Merry Christmas," rather than "Happy Holidays," but about helping the needy.

VP Cheney Makes Surprise Visit to Iraq

Vice President Dick Cheney made a surprise visit to Iraq Sunday under heavy security, touring the country after parliamentary elections that he suggested were a major step toward drawing down U.S. forces.

Something Strange Here: An ERA Observation By Jason Kinney

There was something very odd about the article printed by the Associated Press today about Dick Cheney's surprise visit to Iraq. Why such secrecy? The Prime Minister of Iraq didn't even know about it. Let the Propaganda Fun Begin!

Racism Spares The Killers Of Blacks

The shameful truth is that had Williams' four victims been black, the overwhelming likelihood is that he would still be alive today, one of the many anonymous convicted murderers who occupy our state prisons.

America's Anti-Torture Tradition by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

It is nice that the Bush administration has finally been pressured into backing a ban on cruel and inhumane treatment of prisoners. But what remains shocking about this embarrassing and distasteful national debate is that we had to have it at all.

Iraq Vets Run for Congress

Democrats see hopes in GOP strongholds. In little more than a year, Tammy Duckworth has gone from a casualty in Iraq to a congressional candidate at home, her campaign a symbol of the partisan battle being waged at the highest reaches of the U.S. House.

Rendition is not new: Powell. Oh I See, that Makes it Completely Acceptable

Rendition, the controversial practice of moving terrorism suspects from one country to another, is not new and European governments should not be surprised by it, Colin Powell said on Saturday.

Screw You Fox News! Santa Has Declared War on Us!

About 40 men in ill-fitting Father Christmas costumes ran around Auckland vandalising or stealing property, and throwing bottles, police say. A police spokesman described it as "fairly average behaviour" from "an organised group of idiots".

Christian group threatens to boycott Ford over ads

DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. is again facing a boycott threat from a conservative Christian group over the automaker's decision to run corporate advertisements in gay publications.

Bolivia's Hero Vows to Break U.S. Shackles

On the eve of polls that could give South America its first indigenous head of state, Evo Morales talks about his gas nationalisation plans. 'We're desperate. He's the only one who can change this terrible economic model,' says miner Juan Mamani, 45.

President Acknowledged Approving Spying

In his statement, delivered during a live and unusually long radio address, the president assailed the news media for disclosing the eavesdropping program, and rebuked Senate Democrats for blocking renewal of the USA Patriot Act, which gave the FBI greater surveillance power after 9/11 and which expires Dec. 31.

Mourning Morning Sedition

By Jason Kinney : An ERA Editorial December 12th, 2005: Air America Radio began on March 31st, 2004. I was very interested in this new network's possibilities in changing what was going on in the political atmosphere. I listened the very first day. I was amused to hear Al Franken and disgusted with Randi Rhodes treatment of Ralph Nader.

China's Shocking Dog and Cat Fur Trade

"Man's best friend" killed for fur? It's not just a bad dream. PETA recently conducted an undercover investigation into the Chinese dog and cat fur trade to show you what the industry is so desperate to hide.

Bush Defends Spying Policy After Report

President George W. Bush on Friday refused to discuss a report that he secretly authorized a U.S. agency to eavesdrop on people in America but said everything he does to protect the public against terrorism is within the law.

Chinese Pressing to Keep Village Silent

Ten days ago, the sleepy fishing village of Dongzhou was the scene of a deadly face-off, with protesters hurling homemade bombs and the police gunning them down in the streets.

Columnist Resigns, Admitting Abramoff Paid Him

A senior scholar at the Cato Institute, the respected libertarian research organization, has resigned after revelations that he took payments from the lobbyist Jack Abramoff in exchange for writing columns favorable to his clients.

Red Card for Arnie

Furious politicians from Arnold's home city have turned on him over his refusal to stop the execution of a reformed gangster. Councillors in the Austrian city of Graz yesterday voted to remove the California governor's name from the local football stadium.

Malkin Unhinged Over Drudge Headline!

This morning, the Drudge Report--HUGE RED FONT and all--chose to aid and abet the civil liberties Chicken Littles at the N.Y. Times. That's a shame. The real headline news is not that President Bush took extraordinary measures to protect Americans in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but that the blabbermouths at the Times chose to disclose classified information.

China outraged over `Geisha

Despite billions of dollars in economic ties between China and Japan, both governments have turned to nationalism in recent years as a valve for social and political discontent.

Patriot Act Blocked

A group of U.S. senators, demanding increased protection of civil liberties, defied President George W. Bush on Friday by blocking renewal of the USA Patriot Act, a centerpiece of his war on terrorism.

Novak Leaves CNN For Fox: Big Surprise

Conservative columnist Robert Novak, a key figure in the CIA leak case that shook the Bush administration, said on Friday that he was leaving Cable News Network and would work as a contributor to its rival Fox.

Drama Continues! Morning Sedition's Last Day!

The drama continues involving Morning Sedition. Click on the audio to hear what the controversy is all about. Tune in to the final day of Morning Sedition on Air America Radio at 6 Am US Eastern time.

The Man Who Said No to War

Former Senator Eugene McCarthy, who died last Saturday at the age of 89, was an unusually thoughtful politician whose flaky behavior too often got in the way of the important things he had to say.

Oldest Known Maya Mural Revealed

Archaeologists today revealed the final section of the earliest known Maya mural ever found, saying that the find upends everything they thought they knew about the origins of Maya art, writing, and rule.

Dems Challenge Murtha Billboard

The Democratic National Committee today opened fire on Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH) for her attacks on Rep. John Murtha (D-PA), the House Democrat and ex-marine who called for the beginning of an immediate withdrawal from Iraq.

Bush Secretly Lifted Limits on Spying in U.S.

Months after the Sept. 11 attacks, President Bush secretly authorized the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on Americans and others inside the United States to search for evidence of terrorist activity without the court-approved warrants ordinarily required for domestic spying, according to government officials.

Big turnout in Iraq

Undeterred by scattered violence, Iraqis voted in overwhelming numbers in an election on Thursday, with minority Sunni Arabs who boycotted the last poll determined not to miss out on power again.

Turning point at last?

It, too, had what was regarded as a successful election in 1982, when people queued up for hours to vote and guerrillas failed to stop them. A guerrilla attack on the capital San Salvador from a nearby volcano was beaten back and a guerrilla ambush on fuel tankers on the Pan American highway was seen off.

U.S. Says Cuba Not Allowed to Play

Cuba won't be allowed to send a team to next year's inaugural World Baseball Classic, the U.S. government told event organizers Wednesday.

A New Execution Dilemma for Governor

Clarence Ray Allen, the next inmate scheduled to die in San Quentin State Prison's execution chamber, may pose a quandary as vexing for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as Stanley Tookie Williams. Allen, who turns 76 on Jan. 16, uses a wheelchair. An advanced case of diabetes has left him legally blind. He suffered a heart attack Sept. 2.

W. Won't Read This

By Maureen Dowd : Never ask a guy who's in a bubble if he's in a bubble. He can't answer. 'Cause he's in a bubble.
But the NBC anchor Brian Williams gamely gave it a shot, showing the president the Newsweek cover picturing him trapped in a bubble.

Does 30,000 Mean Anything to Bush?

On Monday, for the first time, Bush acknowledged that his Iraq War has taken a large toll on the Iraqi people. But he fobbed it off as if it were nothing. Taking questions after his speech at the Philadelphia World Affairs Council, Bush was asked right out of the chute how many Iraqis have died.

Bush backs Rumsfeld, Cheney, Rove

President George W. Bush offered strong endorsements on Wednesday to two architects of the Iraq war, Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney, and said he was as close as ever to top political adviser Karl Rove despite his role in the CIA leak case.

Holocaust A Myth!

International condemnation has greeted comments by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that the Nazi Holocaust was "a myth". Mr Ahmadinejad said he did not believe six million Jews had died at the hands of the Nazis last century.

Novak Says President Knows Leak Source

Columnist Bob Novak, who first published the identity of covert CIA officer Valerie Plame, says he is confident that President Bush knows who leaked Plame's name.

House Approves Renewal of Patriot Act

Renewal of the anti-terrorism law known as the USA Patriot Act was approved overwhelmingly by the House of Representatives today, but the measure's prospects in the Senate remained uncertain.

Morning Sedition: And Then There Were 3

There is only 3 days to go for this fantastic show! Make your views known over on the blog and have a listen to the incredible 'funny'. Grab a mug of coffee or in my case a can of beer, sit down and enjoy the show. FIRETRUCK! "John Kerry stole my shoe." Laughs begin at 6 AM eastern U.S. time

Is the Pentagon Spying on Americans?

A year ago, at a Quaker Meeting House in Lake Worth, Fla., a small group of activists met to plan a protest of military recruiting at local high schools. What they didn't know was that their meeting had come to the attention of the U.S. military.

Katrina victims: 'Living in barns'

More than three months after thousands of people lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina, local and federal officials are trading blame over the slow delivery of trailer housing.

Why Arnold Killed Tookie

In the end, we can only assume the decision wasn't so "agonizing" after all. Last night Stan Tookie Williams was legally lynched by the state of California, at the behest of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who denied Williams' appeal for clemency.

Same-Sex Couples Sue for Marriage in Iowa

The gay advocacy group Lambda Legal on Tuesday announced that it is suing the state of Iowa on behalf of six same-sex couples seeking the right to marry across the state.

The RNC's Fraudulent New Ad

The RNC's new Web video "Retreat and Defeat" starts with a flat-screen TV playing clips from Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, Sen. Barbara Boxer, and Sen. John Kerry. As they speak, a white flag waves over their faces while ominous music moans.

Rice Says World Not Helping in Saddam Trial

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday accused the international community of shirking its obligation to help prosecute ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein by effectively boycotting his trial.

Quake survivor amazes doctors

Doctors say it is a miracle. Naqsha Bibi, 40, was recovered alive from the debris of a collapsed house in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on 10 December.

Morning Sedition: Only 4 Days Left!

Only four days left for this truly great show! Come listen and blog. If you don't know about or haven't heard this show you're missing out!

Stanley Tookie Williams Executed

California prison officials executed Stanley Tookie Williams, 51, the ex-leader of the Crips gang who brutally killed four people in 1979, early on Tuesday after top courts and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger rejected final appeals to spare his life.

Federal judge clears way for construction of border fence

A federal judge on Monday lifted the final legal barrier to building a triple fence in the southwestern corner of the United States. In September, Chertoff waived all laws and legal challenges to building the final 3 1/2-mile leg through coastal wetlands to the Pacific Ocean.

Bush says 30,000 Iraqi civilians killed: Iraq Vote Begins

Voting started on a day that U.S. President George W. Bush gave a rare estimate of the number of civilians killed since U.S. troops invaded in 2003, acknowledging that 30,000 civilians had died in the violence. Iraq's election for its first full-term parliament since Saddam Hussein's fall began on Monday with Iraqis in hospitals, barracks and prisons voting in a ballot Islamist militants branded as ungodly.

Saudi Businessman Donates Millions to Georgetown and Harvard for Study of Islam

An internationally prominent Saudi businessman said today that he is donating $20 million each to Georgetown and Harvard universities to expand the study of Islam and the Muslim world as part of his philanthropic efforts aimed at promoting interreligious understanding.

Schwarzenegger Denies Clemency

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday refused to spare the life of Stanley Tookie Williams, the founder of the murderous Crips gang who awaited execution after midnight in a case that set off a debate over the possibility of redemption on death row.

Second night of riots hits Sydney

Violence triggered by race tensions has hit Sydney for a second night, with youths damaging cars and shops. A reporter in the suburb of Cronulla, where dozens were arrested after riots on Sunday, described scenes of "chaos".

The Countdown Begins: Morning Sedition Begins Last 5 Days on Air

Come join in on the fun with this very smart progressive morning talk show. Blog or just listen. I've always felt that it was the BEST show on Air America Radio. It's a real shame it's going away. I call for the Blog Filibuster!! Show begins at 6 AM Eastern Time.

IRONY? U.S. Invited to Bid on Iranian Nuclear Plant

Iran opened the door for U.S. help in building a nuclear power plant, a move designed to ease American fears that Tehran is using its nuclear program as a cover for building atomic arms.

Killer whale is most toxic mammal in Arctic

Killer whales are the most toxic mammals in the Arctic, riddled with household chemicals from around the world, the environmental pressure group WWF said on Monday.

Home Schools Are Becoming More Popular Among Blacks

When Denise Armstrong decided to teach her daughter and two sons at home instead of sending them to public school, she said she did so thinking she would do a better job than the school of instilling her values in her children.

The ERA Opinion Poll

Is South Park Bent to the Right? It is my opinion that, yes, South Park does attack nearly everyone and everything, but what about the Bush Administration? They tend to attack liberals and liberal activist groups much more than anything else. What's your opinion? Leave a comment.

Weaselly Rice Tortures Facts

by Maureen Dowd : Does the secretary of state think anyone is buying her spiel? Our secretary of state's tortuous defence of supposedly non-existent CIA torture chambers in Eastern Europe was an acid flashback to Clintonian parsing.

The Death of an American City

We are about to lose New Orleans. Whether it is a conscious plan to let the city rot until no one is willing to move back or honest paralysis over difficult questions, the moment is upon us when a major American city will die, leaving nothing but a few shells for tourists to visit like a museum.

Warning Label on Darwin Sows Division in Suburbia

The evolution controversy in this comfortable Atlanta suburb began with one boy's fascination with dinosaurs. "He was really into 'Jurassic Park,' " his mother recalled. The trouble was, "we kept reading over and over that 'millions and millions of years ago, dinosaurs roamed the earth.'

Outrageous! Murtha Swiftboated in Atlanta

a billboard on I-85 South in North East Atlanta between Shallowford and Clairmont Roads. It says: Rep Murtha: Democrats may cut and run . . .Marines NEVER will!

Family Upset Over Marine's Body Arriving As Freight

SAN DIEGO -- There's controversy over how the military is transporting the bodies of service members killed overseas, 10News reported.

Sydney Race Riots! Pathetic Behavior Follows

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - Racially motivated rioting spread through Sydney beachside suburbs through Sunday night after thousands of drunken white youths attacked police and people of Middle Eastern appearance at one beach, police said Monday.

Hospital Cost-Cutting Outweighs Safety

A growing number of U.S. hospitals, including at least eight in the Washington area, are saving money by reusing medical devices designated for one-time use, ignoring the warnings of manufacturers, which will not vouch for the safety of their reconditioned products.

Large explosions at UK fuel depot an "accident"

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD (Reuters) - A series of explosions tore through a fuel depot north of London before dawn on Sunday, spewing flames and a column of black smoke high into the sky in what police said was probably an accident.

4 U.S. Troops Die in Separate Iraq Attacks

Insurgents killed four American soldiers in separate attacks Saturday as violence mounted five days ahead of national elections.

It Takes a Potemkin Village

By Frank Rich: The New York Times
WHEN a government substitutes propaganda for governing, the Potemkin village is all. Since we don't get honest information from this White House, we must instead, as the Soviets once did, decode our rulers' fictions to discern what's really happening.

Wikipedia Prankster Confesses

It started as a joke and ended up as a shot heard round the Internet, with the joker quitting his job and Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, suffering a blow to its credibility.

Can Mommy Know Best?

By Maureen Dowd: The New York Times
Will Americans ever trust a petite, pretty woman in jewel tones to deliver the news as much as they trusted tall men with dark suits and deep voices, like Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite and Tom Brokaw? Can high heels match the venerable trench coat?

The Taliban Steps Up Attacks

Foreign soldiers in desert fatigues and helmets sealed off the main road of this southern city last Sunday to inspect the site where a suicide bomber, wrapped in a blanket, had thrown himself at a convoy of military jeeps, killing himself and an Afghan civilian.

China Confirms it Shot Protesters

Local residents have alleged that up to 20 people were killed.
If that is true, these killings could represent the deadliest use of force by security personnel against protesters in China since Tiananmen Square.

Comedian Richard Pryor dead at 65

Groundbreaking black US comedian Richard Pryor has died after almost 20 years with multiple sclerosis. A series of hit comedies in the 1970s and 1980s - including Stir Crazy and Silver Streak - helped make him one of Hollywood's highest-paid stars.

HERE'S MY SONG FOR MORNING SEDITION!

Bush administration has "right" to buy media coverage

KURTZ: "Is this something that you worry about?" WILLIAMS: "Well, this is all part of the -- they have the right to do this on their team, I think."
click post to see video

GOP Wants to Change 'Birthright Citizenship' Policy

For nearly 140 years, any child born on U.S. soil, even to an illegal immigrant, has been given American citizenship. Now, some conservatives in Congress are determined to change that.

Lieberman : The New Bush Loyalist

Lieberman has argued that Bush has a strategy for victory in Iraq, has dismissed calls for the president to set a timetable for troop withdrawal, and has warned that it would be a "colossal mistake" for the Democratic leadership to "lose its will" at this critical point in the war.

'Tookie Must Die' Campaign Draws Outrage

Tune in to the afternoon "John and Ken Show" on talk radio's KFI-AM (640) and you get a highly personalized take on Stanley Tookie Williams and those who are lobbying for the commutation of his death sentence. NAACP President Bruce S. Gordon is "a lunatic."

Clinton Says Bush '"Flat Wrong!"

With a "serious disciplined effort" to develop energy-saving technology, he said, "we could meet and surpass the Kyoto targets in a way that would strengthen and not weaken our economies."

US Under Fire And Alone Over Kyoto Protocol

The United States stood alone in resisting a new agreement to combat climate change on Friday as most industrialized and developing nations moved closer to extending the Kyoto Protocol to curb global warming past 2012.

Corruption on Increase Worldwide

Corruption is on the increase in most countries and poor people are often the hardest hit, according to a global survey released on Friday. Overall, people rated political parties as the most corrupt institutions.

Whose Accountable? "Nobody Will Observe"

Who is responsible? The Press? The Source? The Story? A British reservist who was investigated in connection with faked photos purporting to show British soldiers abusing Iraqi detainees will not face charges, prosecutors said Friday.

Open and Shut? 10 Questions Remain

On Monday, December 5, the 9-11 Public Discourse Project—a private group formed by 9-11 Commission members after their official mandate lapsed in 2004—held a wrap-up press briefing in Washington.

Does Best Buy Prefer White Men?

Citing what they called a "corporate culture of discrimination," six current and former employees sued Best Buy Co. on Thursday, claiming that the retailer violated civil rights laws by discriminating against female and minority workers.

Poland Main CIA Detention Base in Europe

WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland was the heart of the CIA's secret detention network in Europe, with bases there until recently holding a quarter of the 100 detainees estimated held in such camps worldwide, a human rights group said.

US Admits Blocking Red Cross Access to Suspects

The US has admitted for the first time that it has not given the Red Cross access to all detainees in its custody. The state department's top legal adviser, John Bellinger, made the admission but gave no details about where such prisoners were held.

Art, Truth and Politics

By Harold Pinter
'There are no hard distinctions between what is real and what is unreal, nor between what is true and what is false. A thing is not necessarily either true or false; it can be both true and false.'

Ann Coulter CUTS AND RUNS!

"Why is she speaking at Universities anyway?"
STORRS, Conn. -- Conservative columnist Ann Coulter cut short a speech at the University of Connecticut amid boos and jeers, and decided to hold a question-and-answer session instead.

N.Y. Appeals Court Rejects Gay Marriage

Once again the U.S. Refuses to Step Into the 21st Century
A state appeals court Thursday threw out a ruling that would have allowed gay couples to marry in New York City, saying it is not the role of judges to redefine the terms "husband" and "wife."

Police Open Fire on Rioting Farmers, Fishermen in China

DONGZHOU, China, Dec. 8 -- Paramilitary police and anti-riot units here have opened fire with pistols and automatic rifles for the past two nights on rioting farmers and fishermen who have attacked them with gasoline bombs and explosive charges, according to residents of this small coastal village.

Hand In Your Library Card: 4 MORE Years of the Patriot Act

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican congressional negotiators announced a White House-backed deal on Thursday to extend the USA Patriot Act, a centerpiece of President George W. Bush's war on terrorism, but opponents said it did not satisfy their civil liberties concerns.

Pat Robertson Group Accuses Walgreen of Religious Bias

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI -- Walgreen Co. engaged in religious discrimination by "effectively firing" three Illinois pharmacists who refused to fill prescriptions for emergency contraception, an advocacy group said Wednesday.

Support This CAUSE!! Sign the Petition

To: Brigades of the Swords of the Righteous, Iraq
We call for the immediate release of the four peaceworkers: Tom Fox, Harmeet Sooden, James Loney, and Norman Kember, taken captive in Iraq on November 26, 2005. These men are not spies, military contractors, or missionaries. They are unarmed persons of faith, who have worked in Iraq to end the US occupation, stop torture of detainees, and ease the suffering of persons injured in the war.

Suicide Bomber Kills 30 on Baghdad Bus

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A suicide bomber killed 30 people and wounded at least 18 in an attack on a bus in a busy Baghdad bus station on Thursday, police said.

The Day The Music Died December 8, 1980

The singer was shot outside a Manhattan apartment on 8 December 1980 by Mark Chapman, who is currently serving 20 years to life in a New York prison.

Total Surveillance

Imagine a future in which your every belonging is marked with a unique number identifiable with the swipe of a scanner.
New consumer-tracking technology threatens to make personal privacy a thing of the past.

Disabled Can't Escape Student Loans

America's seniors and disabled cannot escape debts from old student loans, the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday, freeing the government to pursue Social Security benefits as part of an effort to collect billions in delinquent loans.

The Silencing of Carlos Delgado

Sometimes sports mirrors politics with such morbid accuracy you don't know whether to laugh, cry or hide in the basement. The New York Mets have made it clear to new player Carlos Delgado that freedom of speech stops once the blue and orange uniform--their brand--is affixed to his body.

Playwright Rails Against US in Nobel Prize Speech

The playwright Harold Pinter turned his Nobel Prize acceptance speech on Wednesday into a furious howl of outrage against American foreign policy, saying that the United States had not only lied to justify waging war against Iraq but had also "supported and in many cases engendered every right-wing military dictatorship" in the last 50 years.

More Than 150 Bears Killed in N.J.

VERNON, N.J. - At least 167 bears have been killed in the first two days of New Jersey's black bear hunt, according to data released Tuesday, putting the hunt on pace to eclipse the number slain in a 2003 hunt.

Screw StarBucks!

ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) -- A judge has told Sam Buck that she can't call her coffee shop Sambuck's. The judge ruled the name violated the trademark of coffee giant Starbucks.

Where's Saddam?

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Saddam Hussein refused to attend his trial on Wednesday, bringing the often chaotic proceedings to a halt before the judge decided to press on with the televised hearings on crimes against humanity without him.

Bin Laden is "Alive and Fighting"

Osama Bin Laden is still alive and leading a "holy war" against the West, according to a statement by his right-hand man.

California court OKs health care discrimination against lesbian

A California appeals court ruled that two fertility doctors had the right to refuse to artificially inseminate a lesbian based on her marital status because it would have violated their religious beliefs.

Christian Conservatives Dump Bush's 'Holiday' Cards

Many people are thrilled to get a White House Christmas card, no matter what the greeting inside. But some conservative Christians are reacting as if Bush stuck coal in their stockings. "I threw out my White House card as soon as I got it."

Saddam Threatens Boycott!

The ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has threatened to stay away from his own trial, due to reconvene in Baghdad. Saddam told his judges to "go to Hell"

"Rendentions SAVE Lives"

We must track down terrorists who seek refuge in areas where governments cannot take effective action, including where the terrorists cannot in practice be reached by the ordinary processes of law.

Bell South Withdrew Katrina Donation

Hours after New Orleans officials announced Tuesday that they would deploy a city-owned, wireless Internet network in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, regional phone giant BellSouth Corp. withdrew an offer to donate one of its damaged buildings that would have housed new police headquarters, city officials said yesterday.

Little Drummer Boy

In this week's speech reminding the nation of the folly of early withdrawal from Iraq, Vice President Cheney--speaking at the aptly named location of Fort Drum, in upstate New York--again reminded us that any faltering in the US war effort will embolden the terrorist foe.

Hidden Witness Tells of Her Torture

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Waving a finger and pounding his desk, Saddam Hussein told the judges in his trial to ''go to hell'' and vowed not to return to court Wednesday.

Military plane carrying over 90 crashes in Tehran

TEHRAN (Reuters) - A military aircraft with more than 90 people on board crashed into a densely populated district of Tehran and exploded, setting a 10-storey building ablaze, police and local news agencies said.

Female Suicide Bombers Kill Scores in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Two women strapped with explosives blew themselves up at Baghdad's police academy on Tuesday, killing 27 people and wounding 32, the U.S. military said.

China Ventures to Vietnam for Cheap Labor

HANOI Before he left his native China two years ago, Li Shaoxing was losing money at his plastic-bag factory in the center of the country. Though his homeland had become synonymous with plentiful cheap labor and limitless manufacturing spoils, he was grappling with rising wages, energy shortages and flat prices for his goods.

Ads Portray Alito as Protector of Christmas

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 - It is the time of year when bedtime stories and television specials often recall the plucky reindeer and the little girl of Whoville who managed to save Christmas. This year, some conservative groups are hoping to add a new name to that pantheon of heroes.

Judge Upholds DeLay Money-Laundering Charges

WASHINGTON -- A Texas judge refused Monday to throw out money-laundering charges against Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, potentially derailing his effort to regain his House leadership post. The judge did dismiss one charge against DeLay, which alleged conspiracy to violate Texas election law.

A Black Hole

By Bob Herbert The New York Times
The news last week that 10 marines had been killed in Falluja in yet another improvised bomb attack sent a familiar feeling of dread surging through Paul Shroeder.Every morning, when Mr. Shroeder awakens, he feels normal for the first 5 or 10 seconds. And then it dawns on him that his son, Augie - Lance Cpl. Edward August Shroeder II - is no longer around.

The Joyless Economy

By Paul Krugman The New York Times
Falling gasoline prices have led to some improvement in consumer confidence over the past few weeks. But the public remains deeply unhappy about the state of the economy. According to the latest Gallup poll, 63 percent of Americans rate the economy as only fair or poor, and by 58 to 36 percent people say economic conditions are getting worse, not better.

Rice Defends US Terror Policies

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has denied that the US uses CIA flights to transport terror suspects to other countries for torture.

Ford to close more than 8 plants

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co (F.N: Quote, Profile, Research) plans to close more than eight North American assembly and parts plants in a drive to revive faltering operations on the continent, industry paper Automotive News reported on Monday.

An Anti-War Challenge to Hillary Clinton

Former National Writers Union president Jonathan Tasini, one of the most outspoken progressive activists in the U.S. labor movement, is expected this week to launch a Democratic primary challenge to New York Senator Hillary Clinton.

Theaters Agree to Help Blind, Deaf

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Did you catch the new movie that everyone's talking about at school and at work? If you're visually or hearing impaired, there's a good chance you couldn't. But that's slowly changing. Nationwide, more than 150 movie theaters have added special systems to help the deaf, hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired, according to the nonprofit National Center for Accessible Media.

Saddam's Defense Team Walks Out of Court!

Saddam Hussein's defense team walked out of the courtroom Monday shortly after the former leader's trial resumed because the judge refused to allow former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark to challenge the tribunal's legitimacy in an address to the court.

Suicide Bomber Hits Israeli Mall

JERUSALEM (AP) -- A suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance to a shopping mall in the northern Israeli town of Netanya, wounding 35 people, police said. ''The boom shook the entire courthouse!''

Weekend Propaganda

Watching the streamlined production processes equipped with ultra-modern technology, quality castings and the worksite kept neat and tidy, he expressed great satisfaction over the successful construction of the modern cast iron shop and highly praised the feats performed by the officials, workers and technicians of the complex. He set forth tasks to be fulfilled by the shop, underscoring the need to keep upholding and glorifying the proud tradition of the complex in which it has taken the lead in defending the party and the leader in each period and at each stage of the revolution.

Baltimore Schools Face Financial Struggles

BALTIMORE - David Guth was ready and eager for swim team practice until he learned that his high school's pool had been shut down by the state health department. That meant that every pool at the city's 15 high schools had been closed because of problems ranging from minor maintenance to major structural issues.

Gay Couples Prepare to Tie the Knot

BELFAST (Reuters) - Hundreds of gay couples in Britain are preparing to make it official on Monday when they can apply for legal status under a new law allowing same-sex civil partnerships. The law will give homosexual couples the same property and inheritance rights as married heterosexual couples and entitles them to the same pension, immigration and tax benefits.

They can't believe it's Buddha

Nepal's "Buddha boy" is under investigation by the authorities, who question his claim not to have eaten anything for six months and are examining his followers' finances. The government believes that Ram Bomjon, 15, may be breaking his fast to eat at night when his shrine is closed to visitors. Buddhism experts, the interior ministry and Nepal's leading scientific agency have all been called in to investigate the phenomenon, which has attracted thousands of pilgrims and excitement worldwide.

All the President's Flacks

By Frank Rich : The New York Times
When "all of the facts come out in this case," Bob Woodward told Terry Gross on NPR in July, "it's going to be laughable because the consequences are not that great." Who's laughing now? Why Mr. Woodward took more than two years to tell his editor that he had his own personal Deep Throat in the Wilson affair is a mystery best tackled by combatants in the Washington Post newsroom.

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Attacked

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- About a dozen people, some of them carrying clubs, tried to prevent former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi from entering a shrine Sunday in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, and his bodyguards fired shots in the air to disperse the crowd, police said.

Welcome To Sellout!

Funny names, fabulous publicity, free stuff--what's not to love about small-town America cashing in on corporate branding? Sure, by renaming themselves after pills and other products, the recent slew of burgs turned billboards may lose a little dignity, but sometimes it's only for a year, or one shameless day.

Pic For My Friend, Brian: "Love the Fetus, Hate the Child"

84 Alito Memo Backed Police Who Shot Unarmed Suspect. Alito wrote that he saw no constitutional problem with a police officer shooting and killing an unarmed teenager who was fleeing after a $10 home burglary.

Thousands march for HK democracy

Tens of thousands of people have joined a demonstration in Hong Kong calling for a fully-democratic political system in the Chinese autonomous territory. The turnout was bigger than had been predicted. Trade unions, activists and civic groups marched with ordinary citizens, some carrying banners denouncing China.

Most Americans doubt Bush has victory plan

It showed, however, that six in 10 Americans believe U.S. troops should not be withdrawn from Iraq until certain goals are achieved ........"makes complete sense to me"

Brazil Does It, Why Doesn't The U.S.?

A silent revolution is taking place at the Ale Jatinho petrol station on Avenida Brasil, on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. "I'll be honest with you - it doesn't feel like a revolution," said Flavio Soares de Oliveira, the station's 33-year-old manager. "But nobody's complained yet."

W.'s Head in the Sand

By Maureen Dowd : The New York Times
In the Christmas spirit, the time has come for the reality-based community to reach out to the White House. The Bush warriors are so deluded, they're even faking their fakery.

CIA flights 'landed in Germany'

The German government has a list of at least 437 flights suspected of being operated by the CIA in German airspace, according to a German magazine. Two planes alone accounted for 137 and 146 uses of airspace or landings in 2002 and 2003.

Rice to Warn Europe "BACK OFF!" Over Detainees

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is expected to give allies in Europe a response next week to their pressure over Washington's treatment of terrorism suspects: back off. For almost a month, the United States has been on the defensive, refusing to deny or confirm media reports the United States has held prisoners in secret...

U.S. to Release Colorful 10$ Bills in March

WASHINGTON -- The trees won't be the only thing sprouting new colors come springtime. Americans' wallets will have more red, yellow and orange as the first of 800 million redesigned $10 bills start showing up in cash registers and ATM machines on March 2.

84 Alito Memo Backed Police Who Shot Unarmed Suspect

The Supreme Court nominee wrote that killing the teen could be 'justified as reasonable.' It reinforces his image as pro-law enforcement. Alito wrote that he saw no constitutional problem with a police officer shooting and killing an unarmed teenager who was fleeing after a $10 home burglary.

How Bush Created a Theocracy in Iraq

By Juan Cole
The Bush administration naively believed that Iraq was a blank slate on which it could inscribe its vision for a remake of the Arab world. Iraq, however, was a witches' brew of dynamic social and religious movements, a veritable pressure cooker. When George W. Bush invaded, he blew off the lid.

Military Admits Planting FAKE News in Iraq

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 - The military acknowledged Friday in a briefing for a ranking Senate Republican that news articles written by American troops had been placed as paid advertisements in the Iraqi news media and not always properly identified.

The Man Who Sold the War

By JAMES BAMFORD:

Meet John Rendon, Bush's general in the propaganda war. The road to war in Iraq led through many unlikely places. One of them was a chic hotel nestled among the strip bars and brothels that cater to foreigners in the town of Pattaya, on the Gulf of Thailand.

Bullet Points over Baghdad

By Paul Krugman: The New York Times Friday 02 December 2005
The National Security Council document released this week under the grandiose title "National Strategy for Victory in Iraq" is neither an analytical report nor a policy statement. It's simply the same old talking points - "victory in Iraq is a vital U.S. interest"; "failure is not an option" - repackaged in the style of a slide presentation for a business meeting.

Fox Anchor: My Religion is Right, Yours is WRONG

Fox's Gibson: Christians tolerate those who are "following the wrong religion ... as long as they're civil and behave"
Thanks to media matters for the audio....

Roadside Bomb Kills 10 U.S. Marines in Falluja

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Dec. 2 - Ten marines were killed in a roadside bombing, the military said today, and 11 other marines were wounded outside the city of Falluja in one of the deadliest attacks on Americans since August.

Ford likely to close five plants

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. is likely to close five plants that employ about 7,500 workers, or about 6 percent of the company's North American workforce, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

Lennon reveals all in new tapes

Singer John Lennon compared life in the Beatles with decadent ancient Rome in an interview to be broadcast in the UK for the first time. The interview for Rolling Stone magazine in December 1970, eight months after the band split, will be aired on BBC Radio 4 at 1900 GMT on 3 December.

Democratic Lawmakers Splinter on Iraq

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's embrace Wednesday of a rapid withdrawal from Iraq highlighted the Democratic Party's fissures on war policy, putting the House's top Democrat at odds with her second in command while upsetting a consensus developing in the Senate. Many Surprised as Pelosi Calls for a Fast Pullout

New US textbook aims to teach Bible as knowledge

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Since the U.S. Supreme Court banned the promotion of religion in public schools in 1963, the Bible has virtually disappeared from most American classrooms. But in recent years, as evangelical Christians have grown in numbers and gained political clout in the United States, Bible studies have been creeping back into schools.

Hannity To Be On Armed Forces Radio Network!

Another right wing conservative talk show host is rumored to be in negotiations with the Pentagon about being broadcasted on AFN. AFN already broadcasts conservative republicans Rush Limbaugh and Dr. Laura Shlessinger.

Thanks to crooksandliars.com for the link

Two U.S. Allies Leaving Iraq, More May Go

Two of America's allies in Iraq are withdrawing forces this month and a half-dozen others are debating possible pullouts or reductions, increasing pressure on Washington as calls mount to bring home U.S. troops.

Gay Marriage Wins In South Africa

South Africa's highest court ruled Thursday that same-sex marriages enjoyed the same legal status as those between men and women, effectively making the nation one of just five worldwide that have removed legal barriers to gay and lesbian unions.

Feds Search Office of Mich. Candidate

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (AP) -- Federal agents raided the office of Geoffrey Fieger, a prominent lawyer and Michigan attorney general candidate, as part of what Fieger said was an investigation into contributions to the 2004 Democratic presidential campaign.

Hanged for Drugs....sad

SYDNEY, Australia -- Singapore apparently hanged young Australian drug smuggler Tuong Van Nguyen at 6 a.m. Friday (2200 GMT Thursday), despite widespread condemnation in Australia.

Bush Hits Rewind

By Bob Herbert: The New York Times
Thursday 01 December 2005
It's weird. It's like watching a computerized model of a president. Somebody programs George W. Bush, carefully embedding the information to be dispensed over the next several hours, and then he goes out and addresses the nation - as a computerized bundle of administration talking points.

Right Winger Drudge Listens to Morning Sedition

So, why doesn't Danny Goldberg?
Big surprise Drudge....she's acting a bit like you
Drudge reports: Actor Tim Robbins Lashes Out: 'Hillary Clinton can kiss my butt... That ridiculous, ridiculous statement she's made on Iraq.' Comments made Thursday on AIR AMERICA'S 'Morning Sedition'...

The Propaganda Continues..."On the Art of Dance"

Pyongyang, November 30 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il authored a celebrated work "On the Art of Dance" on November 30, 1990. The work is a library and textbook of the socialist art of dance.Sometimes, he became a choreographer to awaken creators to the profound world of dance ensemble and to minor shortcomings in the formation, music and rhythm of dance works that even experts had missed.The work "On the Art of Dance" comprehends the successes made under his guidance and indicates the orientation and ways for the development of the Juche-oriented dance art.
Since the publication of the work, many dance masterpieces have been created. Among them are the folk dance suite "People in Walled City of Pyongyang", legendary dance drama "Garden Balsam", the solo dance "I foresee victory of revolution", the male quintet dance "We will never surrender even an inch of land" and group dance "Drum Dance".

Media Continues Misrepresentaion of Murtha Comments

From the New York Times: From Two weeks ago, Murtha created a storm of comment when he called for "U.S. troops to leave Iraq now."
This is not true. Here is his plan....(Washington D.C.)- Staying the course in Iraq is not an option or a policy. I believe we must begin discussions for an immediate re-deployment of U.S. forces from Iraq. I believe it can be accomplished in as little as six months but it must be consistent with the safety of U.S. troops. We must insist that the Iraqis step up and seize their own destiny. "Shame on you New York Times!"

Great new feature: Today's Pictures

Singapore leader: Execution to go ahead

Execution over drugs? The family of an Australian man convicted of drug trafficking visited him Thursday, hours before his scheduled execution, and Singapore's prime minister ruled out a reprieve.

Morning Sedition Classic!

Long live Morning Sedition! Great Marc Maron dream diary set to a wonderful animation made by the host of http://www.toostupidtobepresident.com

U.S. Is Said to Pay to Plant Articles in Iraq Papers

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 - Titled "The Sands Are Blowing Toward a Democratic Iraq," an article written this week for publication in the Iraqi press was scornful of outsiders' pessimism about the country's future.

Iraqi Insurgents Launch Assault in Ramadi

Residents in the western Iraqi city of Ramadi say insurgents have attacked a U.S. base and several government buildings.
Witnesses say scores of masked gunmen believed to be members of the terrorist group al-Qaida in Iraq ran into the city's streets Thursday, and launched mortar rounds and rockets.

World AIDS Day marked as disease grows

By Rahul Sharma
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Japanese health workers gave out free condoms and a software firm in India was due to launch mobile phone games on World AIDS Day to promote awareness of a disease that kills millions in rich and poor countries each year.

House minority leader backs quick Iraq pullout

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday backed a call by Democratic Rep. John Murtha to quickly start the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, and said she believed a majority of her caucus supported it as well.

Honest Cabbie Gets Generous Reward

Haider Sediqi fled the Russian invasion of his native Afghanistan 14 years ago, moved to Los Angeles, and began driving a taxicab and rebuilding his life. His greatest joy, he said today, is that he now lives in a nation of laws in which "people have respect for each other."

Astronomers in Chile discover new planet

SANTIAGO, Chile (Reuters) - A team of French and Swiss astronomers working at the La Silla observatory in Chile discovered a planet about the size of Neptune located some 20.5 light years from our solar system, the European Southern Observatory said on Wednesday.

UK airports 'are stop-offs in torture flights'

By Simon Freeman
Eleven police forces were today threatened with legal action if they fail to investigate allegations that UK airports are being used as secret stop-overs by CIA jets transferring terror suspects to torture camps.

Bush raises money for antigay lawmaker

His administration may be reeling from various scandals, but George W. Bush found time on Monday to praise Marilyn Musgrave, the antigay U.S. congresswoman from Colorado who has fought for a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

The Autumn of the Patriarchy

By Maureen Dowd
The New York Times
In the vice president's new, more fortified bunker, inside his old undisclosed secure location within the larger bunker that used to be called the West Wing of the White House, Dick Cheney was muttering and sputtering.

Bush Science Policies Hurt U.S.

Loss of top geneticists is latest toll from religious corruption
Editorial : Fallout from the corruption of secular science by the Bush administration and its religious allies continues to pile up.

Miller 'sorry' for false WMD stories

Judith Miller, the US journalist at the heart of the CIA leak probe, has apologised to her readers because her stories about WMD and Iraq turned out to be wrong.

Bush Releases Detailed Strategy Plan

Is it white men in black suits?
President Bush, facing increasing opposition to the war in Iraq, went on the offensive today, releasing a detailed plan for fighting the war and then delivering a major speech in an attempt to show the country that the administration has a clear vision for victory in Iraq.

J. Crew Stops Selling Fur

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Clothing retailer J. Crew Group Inc., which has been the target of an anti-fur campaign, will no longer sell products made with fur, a company spokesman said on Wednesday.