Top Items:
Lisa Rein / Washington Post:
Down on the Ranch, President Wages War on the Underbrush — Bush Conscripts Aides in Tireless Pursuit of Clearing Ground — CRAWFORD, Tex., Dec. 30 — On most of the 365 days he has enjoyed at his secluded ranch here, President Bush's idea of paradise is to hop in his white Ford pickup truck …
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The Talking Dog / The American Street:
The New Frontiersman — There is a fascinating piece in the WaPo profiling the President's favorite activity, brush clearing. Buried in there is a fascinating milestone that, as of this day, New Year's Eve of 2005, less than five years into the presidency, the President has spent an inconceivable 365 days …
Discussion:
the talking dog
David E. Sanger / New York Times:
President Uses a Quiet Vacation to Prepare His Agenda for 2006 — CRAWFORD, Tex., Dec. 31 - For six days, President Bush has stayed in nearly complete isolation on his ranch here - just mountain-biking and brush-clearing, the White House insisted daily, with only one guest, his mother-in-law, Jenna Welch.
Steve Bainbridge / ProfessorBainbridge.com:
Mitt Romney for President? — In an extended analysis of Mitt Romney's prospects, James Taranto observes: … I don't find Romney's religion disqualifying, but I can't help being skeptical of any politician who would abjure all of my favorite vices. — "I never can understand how anyone …
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James Taranto / Opinion Journal:Latter-day President? — A Mitt Romney candidacy would test the religious right.
Discussion:
James Wolcott
Washington Post:
Chalabi Named Iraq Oil Minister — Fuel Crisis Spurs Mandatory Leave For Incumbent — BAGHDAD, Dec. 30 — As a fuel crisis deepened in Iraq, the government replaced its oil minister with controversial Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Chalabi, whose poor performance in the Dec. 15 elections …
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thedenverchannel.com:
GOP Lobbyist May Deal With Prosecutors — WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors and lawyers for lobbyist Jack Abramoff are putting the finishing touches on a plea deal that could be announced early next week, according to people familiar with the negotiations. — The plea agreement would secure …
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Anick Jesdanun / Associated Press:
White House Says Web Site Counts Visitors — NEW YORK - The White House said Friday its Web tracking technology is consistent with federal rules because it only counts the number of visitors anonymously and doesn't record personal information. — The White House's site uses what's known as a Web bug …
Washington Post:
Alito, In and Out of the Mainstream — In Analysis, Nominee Defies Portrayals by Left and Right — During 15 years as an appeals court judge, Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr. has been highly sympathetic to prosecutors, skeptical of immigrants trying to avoid deportation …
Jeff Goldstein / protein wisdom:
"Report: U.S. preparing NATO for possible attack on Iran" — From Ynet News: … Seems unlikely on it's face, but at the same time, President Bush has been adamant that he will not allow Iran nuclear weapons, and it seems plausible that even our NATO allies see limited military action …
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Martin Walker / UPI:SECURITY & TERRORISM — German media: U.S. prepares Iran strike
Discussion:
The Early Days …
Courier-Mail:
White House denies calling for probe — THE White House said overnight it had no role in the Justice Department's decision to investigate the leaking of classified information indicating that President George W. Bush authorised a secret government wiretap program.
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Mike Luckovich / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Response to "Why?" — on 10-26, i did an illustration depicting the word "why" using the names of the 2,000 troops who had, at that time, died in iraq. here on this blog, the feedback from readers, both pro and con was enormous. in response, a young woman, an 11th grader, has created the response above.
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Bill Maher / The Huffington Post:
Thoughts on 2005 — To me, the big event of '05 was George Bush demonstrating that the Era of Small Lies is over. — But not small thinking. Isn't it stupid that he always has to try to appoint a Texan to everything? Attorney General, Supreme Court, education...is Texas where the great minds all are now and I missed it?
Alec Baldwin / The Huffington Post:
Predictions for 2006 — My prediction for 2006 is a multiple, all connected politically. I predict that another barrage of fierce storms and hurricanes will so disturb the American people, that the Democrats will take the Senate in the '06 election and whittle away at the House in those races as well.
Discussion:
Rook's Rant
BBC:
Indonesia bomb leaves eight dead — At least eight people have been killed and 45 hurt by a bomb blast at a market in Indonesia's Central Sulawesi province, police say. — Witnesses in the town of Palu reported seeing bodies lying on the ground after hearing a deafening blast.
Discussion:
The Jawa Report v3.0 Beta
T. A. Frank / The New Republic:
Brutal Honesty — Since inaugurating the "Today in Despotism" series earlier this year, TNR ONLINE has chronicled the activities of a number of strongmen. Some are old, some are young; some are religious, some are atheist; some are called "Guide of the First of September Great Revolution …
Roger L. Simon / Mystery Novelist and Screenwriter:
Naming names (yourself) — Neo-neocon has written again (and eloquently, as usual) of her favorite topic, political change - who makes it, why and what happens. This time (in response to an essay by "Bookworm") she is dealing with the unease many feel (especially blue staters) …
New York Times:
U.S. Women Accuse a Coach of Harassment — SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 30 - Some members of the United States women's skeleton team, including the 2002 Olympic gold medalist Tristan Gale, have accused Coach Tim Nardiello of a pattern of sexual harassment dating to 2002.
Glenn Greenwald / Unclaimed Territory:
Threatening Administration critics with criminal prosecution — Yesterday's report that the Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the disclosure of the Administration's illegal surveillance program should come as no surprise. Wielding threats of criminal prosecution …
Discussion:
The Sideshow
Crooks and Liars:
Bill Bennett signs with CNN: TV Newser — Bill Bennett signs with CNN: TV Newser — TV Newser: Controversial conservative talk show host Bill Bennett will become a CNN political analyst early in 2006, TVNewser has learned....read on — Talking about scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Discussion:
The Moderate Voice
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