Absolute power corrupted Bush and Rumsfeld absolutely.

"At his annual physical last week, the president found out he has gained six pounds over the last year, and he has pledged to loose the weight as soon as possible. So, finding Osama bin Laden gets pushed even further down the to-do list."
-- Tina Fey, Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update"

Wizard of Whimsy

The-World-Is-A-Safer-Place-Without-Saddam News

• A Daily Look at U.S. Iraq Military Deaths AP

• Attack on U.S. Base in Iraq Kills 22 AP

• U.S. Jets Bomb Rebel Target; Insurgents Strike Oil Pipeline Washington Post

• Bush: Iraq Bombers 'Are Having an Effect' AP

• Tribunal Vows Fair Trial for Saddam, Aides AP

• Persian Gulf Leaders OK Iraq Election Date AP

• Attack Is Part of Increasing Violence as Election Nears New York Times 

• Last Hungarian Soldiers Leave Iraq AP

• Much Work Remains in Rebuilding Fallujah AP

• Tony Blair Pays Surprise Visit to Baghdad AP

• Apathy Marks First Saudi Voter Registration AP

• Arab Gulf States Clash on Trade With U.S. AP

"The Bush administration is now sponsoring a two-day economic summit in D.C. One of the panels is focusing on jobs in the 21st century. Of course, that panel is in India." -- Jay Leno

Dick Cheney’s New Year’s Resolutions click here

Disturbing News

• Medicare's Troubles May Be Sleeping Giant Los Angeles Times

• Peterson Attorney Seeks Donations on Web AP

• Report: U.S. Rentals Unaffordable to Poor AP

• Prosecutor: Woman tried to poison husband, son with milkshakes Detroit Free Press 

• Tanker Blast Would Impact Mile Radius AP

• Shot through wall kills Ranger The Olympian

"It was reported that while at the White House Christmas party, first daughter Barbara Bush smashed her head on the dance floor when a friend she was dancing with dipped her to low. That friend -- Captain Morgan." -- Amy Poehler, "Weekend Update"

Republican Shenanigans

• Bush May Take Tougher Line With Putin AP

• Feds Say Investigators Knew of Kerik Flaws AP

• Ten Commandments Judge May Run for Governor AP

• Governor changes strategy on lunch law San Francisco Chronicle

• Airlines Protest Hike in Agriculture Fee AP

• Paper Shows Cheating by Texas Schools

Rock-The-Voter News

• Is the U.S. Meddling in Ukraine's Election? Washington Post

• Some counties already added ballots in recount The Olympian, Wash.

"Various anti-Bush groups plan to protest his inauguration by lining the streets and turning their backs to his motorcade. You know it's not going to work though because he's going to get out to see what they're all looking at." -- Amy Poehler

Good News

• Supporters urge tenure for professor Daily Review Online, Cal.

Merry Christmas and Bah Humbug! Click here for Bob Witkowski’s Commentary

Biz-Tech News

• World celebrates made-in-China Christmas AFP

• Aleve Latest Drug to Draw Scrutiny AP

• Analysts Bet Celebrex Won't Be Withdrawn Reuters

• Shift to Foreign Stocks Sapping the Dollar Los Angeles Times

• Washington Post to Buy Web Magazine Slate Reuters 

• Court Grants Bail to EBay's Indian Exec AP

• Japan may lift ban on data communications via power lines AFP

• Movable Type Fixing Bug as Spam Clogs Blogs Ziff Davis

• Weak Holiday Sales Prompt More Discounts AP

• Google: Desktop Search flaw fixed CNN/Money

"The first lady has had her staff put up 41 Christmas trees. Or, as President Bush said, one for each state." -- Conan O'Brien

Bush-Prison-Torture News

• Group Says FBI Ruse Used at Guantanamo AP

"I will try to explain how without negotiating with myself. It's a very tricky way to get me to play my cards. I understand that."
– President Bush responding to a reporter’s question about his Social Security plan

Go-F***-Yourself News

• Cheney hunts quail in county; few other details released Hilton Head Island Packet, S.C.

• U.S. confirms it is posting military officers to Taiwan mission AFP

• Rumsfeld addresses fears over vehicle armor AFP

• Bush Defends Rumsfeld As 'A Caring Fellow' AP

Odd News

• Suit: Heating pad injured man's ability to provide wife with love CourtTV

• Seven Arrested in Hog and Dog Competitions Los Angeles Times

• Baby believed to be world's smallest at birth ready to leave Chicago hospital Canadian Press

• Woman Pleads Guilty to Threatening Bush AP

• Times scribe has no room for Jenna

“ ‘The Apprentice’ is really more than a reality show. It's like an extended job interview … where the prospective employer carefully examines each candidate's background and ability, picks the one most qualified, after much scrutiny and deliberation. Too bad we can't do that when picking a new director for Homeland Security.”  -- Jay Leno

Have yourself a merry little holiday.

Peace.