Odds and Ends

The morning papers are filled with interesting stories, the cumulative effect of which could give the heading of this "Can Things Really Get Worse?"

First is a story regarding how the Administration, in an effort to show how we've captured important Al Qaeda intelligence, has managed to put instructions on how to make an atomic bomb on it's internet web site. No additional comment needed.

Second, is the story of how a member of Duncan Hunter's staff (Republican Congressman from California who recently announced his bid for the 2008 GOP Presidential nomination) managed to insert a provision no one apparently knew about into a Conference bill abolishing the Special Inspector General's Office for Iraq Reconstruction; an on-the-ground audit group, which has effectively been uncovering both Pentagon goofs (the lack of weapon accountability) and private contractor corruption (e.g. Halliburton, Parsons, et al) in Iraq. The bill passed and was signed by the President, now Congress is running around trying to figure a way to reinstate money for the audit group.

Third, is a story regarding a lobbying group called the "Alexander Strategy," which was fronting as a non-profit organization, but actually funneling foreign interest money to pay for plush Congressional junkets to the far east (both Democrats and Republicans).

And, fourth is the story about the gay sex and drug escapades of Reverand Haggard, head of some National Evangelical Church Association, representing some 30 million Christian Conservatives. Although, that doesn't surprise me much, I'm cautious on this one...it smells of the Dan Rather story regarding the forged letter on Bush's military service. Sort of "falsifying the truth," and then using the falsification to deny the truth. IOW, before I start rolling on the floor in hysterical laughter over the hypocrasy, I am willing to give Haggard the "presumption of innocence." And, the national media would be wise to do the same. Maybe I've become paranoid, but this story smells of the expected "Karl Rove October Surprise," a couple of days late...i.e. an effort to mobilize the base, by uncovering some liberal plot to discredit Reverand Haggard.

But, if all of the above stories hold up, in fact, perhaps a better heading for this blog would be "Cause and Effect: Sick Societies Produce Sick Leaders." Hmmm? Maybe I'll just stop reading the NYT and Washington Post and stick to the National Inquirer.