News – Cindy Sheehan Wins this Round

North America

Cindy Sheehan is arrested in the Capital building just before Bush’s speech because she refused to cover up the anti-war slogan on her shirt. As little regard as I have for Sheehan, this sort of response to something as powerless as a shirt slogan, amid a crowd of hundreds, is a sad commentary on our response to the right to protest. Of course, her ejection will cause more coverage for said shirt than it would have gotten had she been left to sit quiet and forgotten. That much is clear as she left without resistance and smiling, knowing that she had won, in a small way. They never learn, do they?

Bush states the friggin obvious. We need to kick oil. Of course, his actions work in contrast to his words, with as much as he’s pushed for more oil use, rather than pimping out alternatives for the people. He talked a lot of smack in his speech about what he might do, but I don’t think he’ll do it.

The main theme of the speech was surprisingly partisan. Again, he took great pains to raise his own direction on high and portray any opposing direction as an exact, wrong opposite. The same anti-intellectual dumbing down that I particularly hate about his speeches. As much as some of the things he suggested are interesting, I have little confidence he’ll get any of it done. Just like with his Social Security plan, his administration will spin wheels and make minimal progress.

The scary aspect of Presidential Signing Statements. Summed up here: First, consider the substance of Bush’s statements. Of the 505 constitutional objections he has raised over the years, Cooper found the most frequent to be the 82 instances in which Bush disputed the bill’s constitutionality because Article II of the Constitution does not permit any interference with his “power to supervise the unitary executive.” That’s not an objection to some act of Congress. That’s an objection to Congressional authority itself. Similarly, Cooper counted 77 claims that as president, Bush has “exclusive power over foreign affairs” and 48 claims of “authority to determine and impose national security classification and withhold information.” Bush consistently uses these statements to prune back congressional authority and even—as he does in the McCain statement—to limit judicial review.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation is suing AT&T, accusing them of violating federal laws by collaborating with the government’s secret, warrantless wiretapping of American citizens’ phone and internet usage. This might be the first legal challenge, even if it’s sort of a glancing hit, against Bush’s secret eavesdropping program. And it could have all been avoided had he tried to reform FISA rather than go about this clandestine crap. He should know, no secret remains a secret for long.

Connecticut says no to Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act, saying it would dumb down testing. They’re trying to block the program in response.

The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York and the 9th Circuit in San Francisco rule against the federal ban on ‘partial birth abortions’, saying that the new legislation makes no exception for the health of the woman. By that, it’s unconstitutional.

Middle East

Israeli forces and settlers clash in an altercation over the demolition of an unauthorized settlement. That such violence comes of their settling activities just shows how unhealthy it and aspects of Zionism are for the Israeli people.

Saddam and his defense team boycott his trial. Can it be a fare trial if the defendant isn’t present?

The Canadian envoy’s car is fired upon in Iraq. Two separate stories are given as to precisely what happened, hearkening back to the fatal accident with the Italian secret agent.

General

Scientists claim to have a new electroshock therapy that is softer and more effective than the past that could gently stimulate one out of depression. I wonder how good it is.

Explainer notes who will take care of Bob Woodruff’s medical costs.

The Blogs look at China and Russia positive on referring UN to the Security Council, The confirmation of Alito and the passing of Coretta Scott King.

Today’s Papers has a leaked preview of the UN nuclear inspectors’ report on Iran, issues not mentioned in Bush’s speech(like New Orleans), wide coverage of Bush’s speech and more in the one page news.

Amusements

If you’re going to smoke crack with your pants off, do it at home, not in a parked car

Washington lawmakers finally discuss law banning bestiality, but at this point it’s really just closing the barn door after some guy snuck in and humped all your livestock

Bulldozer thieves caught. Large bulldozer in one’s front yard possibly a clue leading to arrests

If you get pulled over for DUI, pretending to be somebody else who has a glass eye isn’t your best defense

Britney Spears to appear on “Will & Grace.” Black hole of suck expected to form, consume NBC’s entire Thursday lineup

In hindsight, operating that brothel right across the street from the police station may not have been the brightest idea

Dumb: calling the cops to report someone stole a quarter-pound of marijuana from you. Dumber: going to the station to identify the pot as yours

Onetime American Pie star is facing a number of charges, including alleged threat to sexually molest former neighbor’s dog during a 2004 altercation. Get this. It’s not Stiffler

Now that the State of the Union Address is outta the way, time for something important: The history & Legends of Pizza

Ozzy’s fat daughter says Paris Hilton is a bad influence on young girls because of the way she dresses. Apparently she finds no fault in being a drunk, stoned, abrasive brat

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this stuntman about to squash a volunteer from the audience

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this soon-to-be-wet wharf walker

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these tagger toddlers