Today’s edition of quick hits.
* Something to consider before Bush and the GOP declare “mission accomplished” again in Iraq: “Three powerful car bombs exploded one after the other in a southern provincial capital on Wednesday, killing at least 46 and injuring 149, the most devastating attack in the nation since August, police said. The attack in Amarah, in Maysan province, was believed to be its first mass bombing since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. The area is considered one of the country’s safest, and the bombings shattered a hopeful, if brittle, lull in Iraq’s violence.”
* AP: “The Bush administration was under court order not to discard evidence of detainee torture and abuse months before the CIA destroyed videotapes that revealed some of its harshest interrogation tactics. Normally, that would force the government to defend itself against obstruction allegations. But the CIA may have an out: its clandestine network of overseas prisons. While judges focused on the detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and tried to guarantee that any evidence of detainee abuse would be preserved, the CIA was performing its toughest questioning half a world away. And by the time President Bush publicly acknowledged the secret prison system, interrogation videotapes of two terrorism suspects had been destroyed.”
* Speaking of the CIA torture-tape scandal, some want to see John Kiriakou prosecuted for publicly discussing waterboarding. It’s not going to happen — the Justice Department has said it will not launch an investigation.
* Lee Stranahan is a genius, Part I: Mitt Romney’s attack ad you won’t see on TV (parody).
* Lee Stranahan is a genius, Part II: The Huckabee ad that actually sells his campaign in an honest way (also a parody).
* Another veto for a bipartisan children’s health bill? Yep.
* The Senate Intelligence Committee passed a FISA bill with telecom immunity. The Senate Judiciary Committee passed a FISA bill without telecom immunity. Which one will Harry Reid bring to the floor? Fourteen senators, including all four Democratic presidential candidates in the chamber, urged the Majority Leader to pick the latter.
* In the light of the CIA’s games with the torture tapes, the ACLU filed a motion asking a federal judge to hold the agency in contempt. Sounds reasonable enough.
* AP: “The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee asked the Justice Department on Tuesday to give a full account of its investigation into the alleged rape of a female contract worker in Iraq two years ago…. In a letter dated Tuesday, Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., asked Attorney General Michael Mukasey if his office had investigated Jones’ claims and whether the Justice Department has jurisdiction to prosecute under military provisions of the USA Patriot Act.”
* AP: “The nation’s spy court said yesterday that it will not release its documents regarding the Bush administration’s warrantless wiretapping program. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, in a rare on-the-record opinion, said the public has no right to view the documents because they deal with the clandestine workings of national security agencies. The American Civil Liberties Union asked the court to release the records in August.”
* I’m disappointed that Journeyman was cancelled. There’s just not enough well-written sci-fi on the major networks’ prime-time line-ups.
* NASA: 2007 Second Warmest Year Ever, with Record Warmth Likely by 2010. (thanks to R.K.)
* Bush drives young people into the Democratic Party in droves. Thanks, George.
* And speaking of the president, he came in a close second in this year’s “Foot in Mouth” award, presented by the Plain English campaign. Former England football (soccer) manager Steve McClaren came out on top for describing one of his star players this way: “He is inexperienced but he’s experienced in terms of what he’s been through.” Bush came second for, “All I can tell you is that when the governor calls, I answer his phone.” (thanks to V.S.)
* And finally, the White House has come up with yet another new excuse to not answer questions about the Plame leak scandal. Pushed by reporters yesterday, Dana Perino said, “I did talk to our counsel’s office because I forgot that there is a civil case that is pending on this issue. I did forget. The Wilsons have filed a case in civil court, it was dismissed, and they are on appeal.” I should probably just accept it — we’re never going to get any answers from these guys.
Anything to add? Consider this an end-of-the-day open thread.