Odds and Ends

What's going in this old country of ours? Let's take a look...

The minimum wage increase approved in the House has finally passed in the Senate, but only after Republicans got the small business tax breaks they were demanding. This will have to be reconciled with the House version. Odd that when the GOP was doling out tax cuts galore in the past six years, they never threw in a wage increase for working Americans, but now apparently the latter cannot be approved without the former. Very odd.

Al Gore is nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, as calls grow for a 2008 presidential run.

The Scooter Libby trial continues to provide a much-appreciated window into the secret workings of the Bush administration. A handwritten note by Vice President Cheney admitted as evidence has people buzzing about the implications. As does the recent testimony of former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer.

Government scientists describe how the White House interfered to water down their work on climate change.

(UPDATE: Exxon-funded conservative thinktank offering $$ for scientists who will denounce climate report.)

Attorney General Gonzales doesn't know that habeas corpus is a guaranteed right by the U.S. Constitution. Meanwhile, Nat Hentoff wants to know if the White House is afraid of freedom.

Speaking of fear, an Aqua Teen publicity stunt brings out the inner chicken little in Boston.

Meanwhile, across the world, China blows up a satellite, shows us who's boss.

President Bush and the economy: A tale of two photo-ops.

Sen. Biden really needs to make sure his brain is in gear before engaging his mouth.

Henry Kissinger's revealing comments, however, got less media attention. Also odd.