Post-Holiday Odds and Ends

Here's a quick roundup of some news we missed while we were waiting for Baby Santa...

Fiscal conservative George W. Bush adds to his legacy of debt, signing the $555 billion spending bill he demanded (look for more tax cuts in '08!). He complained about the $10 billion in earmarks, but also grumbled that Congress gave him only $70 billion for the war(s). He's a serious leader.

Did the CIA lie to the Sept. 11 commission in regards to the Al Qaeda interrogation tapes (you know, the ones which were quietly destroyed)? It looks more and more likely.

Turkish warplanes bomb northern Iraq in search of Kurdish rebels. Isn't war fun?!

Meanwhile, Iran asks to "renew high-level talks with U.S. officials on security in Iraq, insisting that discussions take place between ambassadors and not lower-level functionaries". George, this would be a great opportunity to capitalize on that NIE before we/you/they forget about it.

More exciting news: U.S. Officials See Waste in Billions Sent to Pakistan

Moving back to domestic news, Mark Kleiman explores the way that George Bush and Alan Greenspan undermined the economy saved us all from the threat of that deadly surplus.

There is a weird little feud going on between NY Times columnist Paul Krugman and Barack Obama (over Social Security and health-care). On Social Security, I fully agree with Krugman (there is no crisis; it's a myth hyped by conservatives). But on health-care, I think he is wrong. I don't see the Edwards/Clinton mandate plan as helpful on the road to universal care. This week, for what it's worth, Krugman defended his case.

Finally, the more we learn about J. Edgar Hoover, the more despicable he looks.