Mini-Fire

• Nedra Pickler from AP - "Those missteps (in Iraq) include the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib, though Bush said those responsible have been jailed." That's right Nedra, those on top got off scot free in an elaborate cover-up... (jape)
• The Senate has passed an Immigration bill and the two houses of Congress will now have to negotiate a compromise between House and Senate versions. This is the tricky part. Here's a reminder to hardliners: Amnesty, n. a period during which offenders are EXEMPT from punishment
• Corporate scandal rocked America following the Dot.Com bubble burst; this was somehow associated with lax oversight by Mr. Bush's government. Last July, Bernard Ebbers, the former head of WorldCom, was convicted of fraud and conspiracy. Yesterday, Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling of Enron were both convicted; Lay on 10 counts and Skilling on 19, including fraud, conspiracy, bank fraud, making false statements to banks, and insider trading. I won't hold my breath waiting to hear praise for Mr. Bush's Justice Department.
• Iran staged an elaborate public event involving about 100 men and women who pledged to become suicide bombers if America attacks Iran. Suicide bomber, kamikaze, whatever you call it, it's a sign of desperation.
• George Galloway, a British politician and vocal Iraq War opponent (he said British troops should "refuse to obey illegal orders"), asserted in a GQ interview that an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Tony Blair would be "morally justified". He made clear he would give no direct support for such action. "No politician, ever, by act, word, or deed, either expressly or by implication, should give any support to the notion that violence might be justified," said Menzies Campbell, the leader of the Liberal Democrats. George Galloway is a radical crackpot. He shouldn't be taken seriously and he wouldn't be if the matters he spoke of weren't about life and death.
• Last week Democrats said the confirmation of Air Force General Michael Hayden as CIA head would endanger America because the military would be taking control of a civilian defense organization. Everyone ignored them because, aside from impeccable credentials, Gen. Hayden stated his willingness to resign his commission. Confirmation Vote Result: 78-15. I can almost hear the air rushing by from the Democrats political swings and misses.