Top Items:
Crooks and Liars:
Russert channels Hannity — Why is Russert asking this question to Obama at all? It's clearly an RNC talking point that the Sean Hannity's of the media thrive on to deflect any negative press away from Bush. As Digby notes: … Nope. Why would Russert ask something like that?
Discussion:
James Wolcott
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MSNBC:
Transcript for January 22 — Barack Obama, James Carville, Paul Begala & Mary Matalin — MR. TIM RUSSERT: Our issues this Sunday: This United States senator has just returned from a fact-finding mission to Iraq and the Middle East and has now become the Democrats' point man for lobbying reform.
Jane Hamsher / firedoglake:Why is Russert Asking Obama About Harry Belafonte?
Discussion:
The Political Teen
Philip Sherwell / Telegraph:
Iran extends nuclear plant in secret — Iran has secretly extended the uranium enrichment plant at the centre of the international controversy over its resumption of banned nuclear research earlier this month, satellite imagery has revealed. — Seven buildings have been erected around …
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David E. Sanger / New York Times:
Why Not a Strike on Iran? — DIPLOMATS around the world keep repeating the mantra: There is no military option when it comes to slowing, much less stopping, Iran's presumed ambitions to get the Bomb. The Europeans say so. The Chinese, who need Iran's oil, and the Russians …
Fareed Zakaria / Newsweek:
Time to Face Reality on Iran — At best, a military strike would set back Iran's program a few years, inflame public opinion there and unify the nation in its bid to go nuclear. — Jan. 30, 2006 issue - The huffing and puffing in Washington is so strong these days, it could start a gale.
Discussion:
Decision '08
Time:
When George Met Jack — White House aides deny the President knew lobbyist Abramoff, but unpublished photos shown to TIME suggest there's more to the story … As details poured out about the illegal and unseemly activities of Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, White House officials sought …
ThreatsWatch.Org:
Faultlines in Iraq's Islamist Insurgency — Groups vow to fight al-Qaeda, and Zarqawi's attempts to unite the insurgency — The location of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, al-Qaeda in Iraq's commander, and the state of the Islamist insurgency have been recent topics of conversation.
Discussion:
In the Bullpen
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Mohammed / IRAQ THE MODEL:
Iraq needs months to form the new government, Iraqi militants turn against al-Qaeda. — Reactions to the results announced yesterday varied from one party to another but in general it seems that the results were welcomed outside Iraq more than inside as politicians here re still have the task …
Newsweek:
The Other Big Brother — The Pentagon has its own domestic spying program. Even its leaders say the outfit may have gone too far. — Jan. 30, 2006 issue - The demonstration seemed harmless enough. Late on a June afternoon in 2004, a motley group of about 10 peace activists showed …
Discussion:
Power Line, The Heretik, Booman Tribune, TalkLeft, Shakespeare's Sister, Brilliant at Breakfast and The Left Coaster
Steven Erlanger / New York Times:
U.S. Spent $1.9 Million to Bolster Palestinian Faction's Image — JERUSALEM, Jan. 22 - The United States spent about $1.9 million of its yearly $400 million in aid to the Palestinians on dozens of quick projects before this week's elections to bolster the governing Fatah faction's image …
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George W. Bush / White House:
National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 2006 — A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America — Our Nation was founded on the belief that every human being has rights, dignity, and value. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, we underscore our commitment to building …
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John Cole / Balloon Juice:
Last Thoughts on Haleigh — In a long post/update on the sad case of Haleigh Poutre, Michelle Malkin laments the fact that no talk-show hosts or big media types have taken up the cause, and then dishonestly singles me out: … Some days, Michelle seems to exist only to make Bill O'Reilly look like a straight shooter.
Discussion:
Malkin(s)Watch
Steve Bainbridge / ProfessorBainbridge.com:
Does the Academy Police Itself? — The brouhaha last week at UCLA over the Bruin Alumni Association prompted the LA Times' to devote most of its editorial section today to the question of whether universities are biased ideologically. Granted, the BAA's UCLAProfs.com site undermined …
Los Angeles Times:
States Step Up Fight on Abortion — Anticipating a more conservative Supreme Court, lawmakers are proposing bans in hope of forcing the justices to revisit Roe vs. Wade. — INDIANAPOLIS — Taking direct aim at Roe vs. Wade, lawmakers from several states are proposing broad restrictions on abortion …
Kevin Drum / The Washington Monthly:
HOWELL AND ABRAMOFF....One of the least appealing aspects of the blogosphere is its obsession with "media criticism," most of which, upon examination, turns out to have about as much heft and substance as a Krispy Kreme donut. Just in the past day or two, for example, I've come across …
Discussion:
Brad DeLong's Semi …, TalkLeft, battlepanda.blogspot.com, Gateway Pundit and Kokonut Pundits
Bill Petti / The Duck of Minerva:
No Words — The United Nations has cancelled the speaking engagement of Pakistani human rights activist Mukhtaran Mai (a.k.a. Mukhtaran Bibi). For those that don't remember, Ms. Mai was sentenced to be gang-raped by a tribal court as punishment for misconduct by her brother.
Atrios / Eschaton:
Abramoff — I imagine that there are some out there who wonder why a factual error in an ombudsman's column combined with the dismissive attitude about complaints pisses people off so much. It's very simple. Time and time again those of us who pay attention see how right wing narratives grow to dominate ongoing news stories.
Bob Geiger / BobGeiger.com:
The Koufax Awards Are Here — The first round of nominations for Best New Blog in the Koufax Awards was just announced and, thanks to whoever nominated me, I'm there! (I nominated firedoglake, Pensito Review and Taylor Marsh.) — Why not myself? Because the Koufax Awards are the honor coveted …
John / AMERICAblog:
Tell NBC not to cave to the bigoted American Family Association — Gang, please do this action alert now. — NBC is under attack by the bigoted American Family Association for airing a new TV show that - God forbid - includes gay characters and Christian characters who aren't perfect in the eyes of the AFA.
