Odds and Ends

A lot of Iraq news this week, which I will tackle tomorrow. Until then, here's other news...

Tomorrow is a "major Mideast peace conference in Annapolis, Md. ... to launch the first direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians of Bush's nearly seven years in office, and has attracted Arab and other outside backing." The Washington Note's Steve Clemons looks at the stakes.

Is the military asking wounded soldiers unable to complete their tours to return their signing bonuses? It seems so, but the army is backtracking. OmgZ, support the troops!1!

As the U.S. dollars hits record lows, former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers warns of a 'deepening crisis' and potential recession. Meanwhile, the issue(s) of wealth and class is becoming a big one for the Democrats.

The AP reports that FEMA was not the first Bush agency to hold a staged press conference.

Scientists warn that the poor will get hit the worst as everything "from meat, poultry and milk to potatoes, onions and leafy greens, everything consumed on the world's dining tables is feeling the heat from climate change." Yay!

The NY Post dismisses reality as a 'conspiracy theory'.

Finally, Karl Rove has advice for Republicans... run away from President Bush!