Wednesday edition - August 15, 2007

Bush still has Barney, Uncle Dick and Condi, too!

This Iraqi Army, the not ready for primetime fighters, they're never going to stand up because they don't care about Iraq. They care about Sunnis and Shiites. Iraq has only been a country since 1932. Paul Newman is seven years older than Iraq. - Bill Maher
 

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

• U.S. military deaths in Iraq at 3,700 AP

• www.iraqbodycount.org

• Frantic hunt in Iraq bomb rubble BBC News

• General says 15-month Army rotations to continue into next summer Houston Chronicle

• US designates Fatah al-Islam "terrorist" group Washington Post 

Rumsfeld Update

Donald Rumsfeld, architect of the unpopular Iraq war, resigned as defense secretary before last year's November election but his decision was not announced until after the voting, according to his resignation letter obtained by Reuters on Wednesday.

Disturbing News

• US tumbles down the world ratings list for life expectancy Guardian Unlimited

• Dean heads to Caribbean, new storm system in Gulf Reuters.uk

The 12 million people here illegally, they are going to have to go back home to their home countries, touch base, pay a $5,000 fine and then reapply. Also, you have to prove you've never broken the law here or you can't get back in. So Alberto Gonzales is really screwed. - Bill Maher

Republican Shenanigans

• Karl who? White House downplays Rove's role Los Angeles Times

• GOP rivals spar on immigration Boston Globe

• White House criticizes Clinton ad AP

War Czar Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute suggested Friday that the military draft be reinstated to solve U.S. troop shortages. Network news executives are all in favor of this idea. They know what makes the young male demographic tune in to watch the news.- Argus Hamilton

Rock-The-Voter News

• Elizabeth Edwards assails Obama, Clinton AP
   

Biz-Tech News

• Oil prices rise to mid-US$72 a barrel on storm worries International Herald Tribune

• Venezuela setting up 'our own Halliburton' Bizjournals.com, NC

• Storm fears force Shell to evacuate Gulf of Mexico Times Online

• China's lead problems go beyond toys AP
  Rutgers player sues Imus, CBS Radio AP

• Fox Internet group to manage TV station sites Reuters

Wal*Mart tries to ease consumer fears about tainted Chinese products: "Do you want safe products or always low prices?" - Grant Gerver, www.seriouskidding.com

Bush-Prison-Torture News

• Bell ready for Guantanamo cases Florida Times-Union, FL