wake up with fleas. The US raided the compound of Ahmed Chalabi this morning, who up until this week was receiving $340,000 a month in taxpayer funds for spouting exactly the lies the Bushies wanted most to hear. In fact, Chalabi has been the Dubya gang’s favorite Iraqi for years now, but “U.S. disenchantment with Chalabi has been growing since it dawned on the White House and the Pentagon that everything he had told them about Iraq — from Saddam Hussein’s fiendish weapons arsenal to the crowds who would toss flowers at the invaders to Chalabi’s own popularity in Iraq — had been completely false.” Is Wolfowitz’s house next?
Author: KcM
Digging in the Dirt.
By way of my friend Mark, The Atlantic Monthly delves into the sordid world of oppo research, including the role notorious Gore/Clark flunky Chris Lehane played in taking down Howard Dean, and the early Republican line on John Kerry.
Spring into Summer.
Well, my recent injury has prevented me from seeing Gill tonight in La Bayadere as planned, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go. Tickets for ABT’s spring season at the Met are on sale now through July 3rd.
Falling from the Faith.
As Dubya tries to rally the worried Republican troops, Speaker Hastert questions John McCain’s GOP cred. Hey, if you don’t want him, we’ll take him. Didn’t you guys learn anything from the Jim Jeffords defection?
California Scheming.
Transcripts emerge of Enron officials bragging about “stealing money from California…to the tune of a million bucks or two a day.” Whatsmore, it appears that former chairman and Bush buddy Ken Lay, who has not yet been charged with any Enrongate malfeasance, knew full well that his company was extorting millions from the likes of “Grandma Millie from California.” Shady.
(Unfortunately Not) Left Behind.
“The problem is not that George W. Bush is discussing policy with people who press right-wing solutions to achieve peace in the Middle East, or with devout Christians. It is that he is discussing policy with Christians who might not care about peace at all – at least until the rapture.” Rick Perlstein uncovers the Bush administration’s recent meetings with Apocalyptic Christian zealots to discuss shifts in Israel policy.
Requiem for Felix.
“Politically outspoken against Republicans, he joked that although he hoped his funeral would be attended by far-flung dignitaries that his friends should bar President Bush and Vice President Cheney from entrance ‘because everyone knew how much I hated them.’” R.I.P. Tony Randall 1920-2004. He was one of those guys who seemed like he’d be around forever. Man, that’s just depressing.
Ankles Away.
Bleah. So I spent the first day of summer here (well, the first day after completing spring grades) turning over my left ankle during our twice-weekly basketball game, and then enjoying the hospitality of the St. Luke’s Hospital waiting room all morning. The upshot: At least a week on crutches, 2-3 weeks of limping around thereafter, and another first-step faded away. Thirty-something, thy name is Ankle Sprain.
Bowling for Dubya.
So the word emerging from Cannes on Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 is very positive so far. I’m very curious to see what kind of reaction this film will get stateside, once the distribution situation has been resolved. Hopefully, it’ll end up doing more than just preaching to the converted in arthouses across America, as it sounds like it has the potential to be very big.
Horse of a Different Color.
Fanboys, fangirls, and toy collectors: Just when you think you’ve seen it all, here come the DeMatteis and Maguire-era Justice League My Little Ponies. Shouldn’t everyone have a Martian Ponyhunter lying around? (By way of Do You Feel Loved?)