Apologies and Updates

Yes, I know, I know, there hasn't been anything up for the last week, and the top of the blog has been an unabashed plug for Looney Tunes: Back in Action, not exactly a fate-of-the-world topic. Still, it's not always easy to keep up with the constant outrages of the administration, especially when it is at the same time a recursive loop: rampant cronyism, creeping fascism, and sheer incompetence.

The energy bill, of course, gets top marks for all of the above. If you're an outrageous polluter, system-gaming corporation, or just plain gouger, this bill's for you. For the rest of us, as always, Molly Ivins has the scoop:

This is an amazing energy bill because it does not: A) reduce our dependence on foreign oil, B) provide significant new energy sources, C) create many jobs, D) improve the grid system so we won't have more blackouts, E) promote energy efficiency or conservation or F) do anything about global warming.

BUT, it will cost at least $20 billion in subsides to fossil fuel companies. Those poor li'l oil, gas, coal and nuclear companies like Exxon/Mobil and General Electric need our help -- this is compassionate conservatism.

Then, of course, there's Medicare "reform." Of course, by reform, they mean "ways to bilk taxpayers, cheat the needy, and feed bloated megacorps." And by "they," of course, I mean Republicans. But you knew that.

From the very same article by Ms. Ivins:

The Health Reform Program of Boston University estimates that of the bill's $400 billion price tag, $139 billion will go to increase drug-company profits over eight years, a 38 percent increase in what is already the world's most profitable industry.

Personally, I find the revolt among AARP rank-and-file members over this behemoth the most interesting aspect of the Medicare controversy. Officially, the AARP backs this bill. Thousands of members are leaving the group, however, and many more are expressing their outrage. This may even result in a widespread power struggle within the enormous organization:

Card-burnings and protests were also reported in such places as Washington, D.C., Webster Groves, Mo., and San Francisco.

"We don't think AARP in the least represents seniors on this issue," said Bruce Livingston, executive director of Senior Action Network in the San Francisco area. "We're going to encourage people to quit. This is just the beginning."

Oh, and November has been the bloodiest month of the Iraq war, with Italy and Spain both taking significant casualties and reconsidering their participation. And the long, ugly stream of dead among Americans and Iraqis continues.

But who cares? Michael Jackson's been arrested! Bush spent two hours in Baghdad in absolute secrecy! Now that's news!

As an aside, I feel compelled to note that child molestation is a horrific crime, and if Jackson is in fact guilty he should spend a long time in a small cage, preferably with a big hairy cellmate. Oh, and unlike many of my fellow bloggers, I feel no particular need to excoriate Dubya for sane security precautions taken while actually doing something decent, even if it was a naked ploy to film a campaign commercial.

Fact, however, is a far more stubborn thing than mere news. If we don't convince the latter to cover the former, the facts are going to become unpleasant indeed. We had better start dealing with these facts soon, since our Dear Leaders seem so unwilling to do so.

(/) Roland X
Perhaps Dubya thinks that the facts are just "testing our will."