Links of the Day

Stories of interest to start the week...

-Sen. Obama criticizes the "me first!" style of conservatism Republicans practice:
Obama says Republicans practice "Social Darwinism"

Republicans controlling the federal government practice Social Darwinism, a discredited philosophy that in economics and politics calls for survival of the fittest, according to a Democratic U.S. senator.

Sen. Barak Obama of Illinois, a fast-rising Democratic star, told Florida party members that only a philosophy among Republicans of sink or swim explains why some Hurricane Katrina victims in New Orleans still live in cars while Republicans in Washington prepare next week to enact $70 billion in tax breaks...

-Nora Ephron looks at how the media failed prior to the war in Iraq:
A Great Story

Bottom line- War sells.

-On the subject of press, James Wolcott rants on the recent mea culpas of Plamegate reporters:
Circle Jerks

I don't want to hear another "name" journalist defend a colleague based upon friendship. I'm sick of journalists vouching for each other's sterling character and unimpeachable integrity based upon social contacts and shared histories...

-Finally, George Clooney once agains defends American liberalism:
Interview: Tony Allen-Mills talks to George Clooney