Tuesday edition - February 12, 2007

I wonder what Bush and Cheney will do after January 2009?

"Fashion Week this week. Hillary Clinton was wearing her strapless pantsuit." --David Letterman

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

• US military deaths in Iraq at 3,960 AP

• CBS: 2 journalists missing in Basra AP

• Sadrists condemn journalists kidnapping AP

• U.S., Iran to meet in days for Iraq security talks Reuters

• Israel: Iran seeking nuclear weapons AP

• Red Cross appealing for $19M for Iraq AP

• Bush to welcome UN's Ban on Friday AFP

• Mubarak says US troop presence in Iraq 'attracts terrorists' AFP

• Australia to Increase Troop Numbers in East Timor Voice of America

• Al-Qaida regaining some footing AP

• NKorea increases military manoeuvres: report AFP

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!

 U.S. fighter planes intercepted two Russian bombers, including one that buzzed an American aircraft carrier in the western Pacific during the weekend, The Associated Press has learned.

A U.S. military official says that one Russian Tupolev 95 flew directly over the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz twice, at a low altitude of about 2,000 feet, while another bomber circled about 58 miles out. The official was speaking on condition of anonymity because the reports on the flights were classified as secret.

 

"Mitt Romney threw in the monogrammed towel. That leaves McCain and Huckabee. The old guy and the preacher. Which brings up the philosophical question: Which one is closer to God?" --Jay Leno

Disturbing News

• Insect Invasion Possible as Climate Warms LiveScience.com

• King penguins could be wiped out by climate change: study AFP

"Rudy Giuliani is announcing his own line of clothing. It comes apart at the seams." --David Letterman

Hillary and Obama Agree

Democratic White House rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton Monday rejected the notion of pausing US troop drawdowns in Iraq, floated earlier in Baghdad by Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

Republican Shenanigans News

• Obama to Republicans: “Let ‘em bring it on.” FOXNews

• Evangelical Leader Bauer Endorses McCain The Associated Press

• Huckabee Seeks His Miracle TIME

• Huckabee Brushes Off Calls to Bow Out The Associated Press 

• Huckabee protests Washington caucus results Seattle Post Intelligencer

"It looks like John McCain has gotten the nod. Of course, McCain getting a nomination, this is Rush Limbaugh's worst nightmare since the pharmacist said, "We're out of OxyContin." --Jay Leno
 

Al Franken

In the 1980s, Al Franken was cracking jokes on "Saturday Night Live." Mike Ciresi, his chief rival for the Democratic nomination for the Senate this year, was serving as general counsel to the government of India in a landmark lawsuit over a catastrophic industrial accident...Despite his impressive resume, Ciresi finds himself trailing Franken in the Democratic contest. The comedian-turned-candidate has raised millions more, lined up the most important labor endorsements and dominated news coverage.

The Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with the International Space Station Friday and delivered the Columbus science lab. It's an important project. If Mike Huckabee becomes president, outer space will be the only place it's safe for scientists to work. - Argus Hamilton

Rock-The-Voter News

• Obama looks to sweep Maryland, Virginia, Washington, DC primaries Hindu, India 

• Turnout low as Huckabee, Obama win in Louisiana Reuters

• Obama's Students, Independents Erode Clinton's Wisconsin Base Bloomberg

• Clinton Accuses Obama of Cutting Deals Behind Closed Doors ABC News

• Hillary Clinton Says Derogatory Comments Reporter Made About ... MTV.com

• Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton agree to Debate #19 Baltimore Sun

Will Bush Cough Up The Missing E-mails?

A federal judge agreed Monday to allow a private group to delve into the operations of an office at the White House as part of a controversy over whether large amounts of e-mail have disappeared.

"President Bush says during his last year in office, he will visit more countries than in any other year of his presidency. He says he will accomplish all of this in one weekend by going to EPCOT Center." --Conan O'Brien
 

Biz/Tech News

• Oil falls to $93 after spike on Venezuela threat Reuters South Africa

• US gasoline price cheapest since late Oct -govt Guardian Unlimited, UK 

• Feds, lenders to offer broader plan to help with foreclosures CNN

• GM offers buyouts to all US hourly workers CNNMoney.com

• Microsoft buying Danger Inc. of Palo Alto San Jose Mercury News

• Yahoo Takeover Defense May Fail to Repel Hostile Microsoft Bid Bloomberg

• BlackBerry Service Resumes After North America Outage (Update2) Bloomberg

• Israeli town suing Google over origin AP 

"Democrats are split pretty evenly between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. I say, when in doubt let your favorite celebrity decide for you. I usually vote for whomever Cher is voting for." --Jimmy Kimmel

Bush-Prison-Torture News

• CIA Alters Guantanamo Videotape Policy U.S. News & World Report, DC 

• Abu Ghraib documentary awaited at Berlin film festival AFP

"Last week, prison guards had to use tear gas to break up prison riots in New Jersey. When the tear gas didn't work, the guards sprayed the prisoners with New Jersey air." --Conan O'Brien
 

Go-F**k-Yourself News

• Vice President Dick Cheney Signs Congressional Amicus Curiae Brief ... Hawaii Reporter, HI

• Boulder City Council ponders resolution on calling to impeach Bush/Cheney Daily Camera, CO