@Randem

Since Tuesday, fighting in Afghanistan [via] has killed 114 people. Remember that other country we were supposed to be bringing democracy to? They're still fighting in Afghanistan, what are we doing in Iraq?

For the first time, the US has acknowledged torture [via] in detention centers in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The acknowledgement was made in a report submitted to the UN Committee against Torture, said a member of the ten-person panel, speaking on on condition of anonymity. Apparently it's getting easier to tell the truth... though it's still not safe.

The White House is frantically trying to regain the slipping public opinion. Scott Reed, a Republican consultant close to the White House, says "I think you're seeing the White House recognize that an offensive strategy is needed in light of these sinking polls." He then admits to a "secret weapon called the bully pulpit", capable of resetting the terms of the debate. No doubt Karl Rove was speaking from the bully pulpit Wednesday night.

And finally, in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the government can sieze private property [via] and turn it over to developers under the auspices of eminent domain. This is my favorite bit of news, because it is fucking scary. Anyone who works their entire life to own their own home and a little bit of land must now constantly look over their shoulder in fear that the government is going to give away their one safe haven. It doesn't matter if you're a Democrat or a Republican, a conservative or a liberal. I wonder what effect this will have on Bush's banter about "the American dream of home ownership." And what effect will it have on the housing bubble?