mourning news

First off, note that I'm going to Miami to visit the grandparents from tomorrow morning until Monday night, so the site will be offline between this afternoon and Tuesday morning. Please bookmark and check back in a few days, and try not to miss me too much while I'm gone. There are plenty of other good things in your life, and I'll be back in just a few days. I promise.

Anyway...

In the New York Times, Eric Lichtblau reports that a Republican House Rep wants a wiretapping investigation.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/08/politics/08nsa.html?hp&ex=1139461200&en=cabc2935edc1c5a4&ei=5094&partner=homepage

Representative Heather A. Wilson of New Mexico...

...who was a National Security Council aide in the administration of President Bush's father, is the first Republican on either the House's Intelligence Committee or the Senate's to call for a full Congressional investigation into the program.

It's hard to see this story really going anywhere, because people who vote Republican will probably see this as another example of Bush doing what it takes to protect America from the bad guys. On the other hand, who knows what the committee investigation will turn up--and even Bush might have a hard time evading what is clearly (at least, to everyone outside of the administration) a breach of the law.

Ah, but don't worry, Republicans. The Democrats are poised to screw up this opening, too.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/08/politics/08dems.html?hp&ex=1139461200&en=6f7047657decb0fc&ei=5094&partner=homepage

As Adam Nagourney and Sheryl Gay Stolberg write in the N.Y. Times:

...while there is a surfeit of issues for Democrats to use against Republicans — including corruption, the war in Iraq, energy prices and health care — party leaders are divided about what Democrats should be talking about and about how soon they should engage in the debate.

Doesn't that just say it all? Only the Democrats could make a problem out of having too many ways to criticize the other party. Maybe this was Bush's plan all along! "Heh heh, we've got 'em where we want 'em now, Dick. One or two more major blunders and we'll have this year's Congressional races locked up."

But don't fear, true believers. There were plenty of people publicly criticizing the President yesterday--just a few feet away from The Man himself! Curious that they chose to do so at a funeral, but still.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-coretta8feb08,0,7796896.story?coll=la-home-headlines

From the L.A. Times coverage of Coretta Scott King's funeral comes these quotes by Jimmy Carter:

"We only have to recall the color of the faces of those in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, those who were most devastated by Katrina, to know that there are not yet equal opportunities for all Americans."

Carter said: "It was difficult for them personally — with the civil liberties of both husband and wife violated as they became the target of secret government wiretapping, other surveillance, and as you know, harassment from the FBI."

Hmm... finally, a Democrat who can stand up and get tough! Maybe we can get this Carter guy to run in '08.

More from the festivities:

The spectacle included humor, interpretive dance, gospel and classical music, shouting and testifying, and a list of dignitaries that made room for three former presidents, poet Maya Angelou and singer Michael Bolton.

Which of these doesn't belong? In all seriousness, how the hell does Michael Bolton get invited to perform? Did his agent lobby for this? Who else did they consider, Meatloaf?

There's your news for today... if you don't hear from me again today, check back in a few days. Have a great weekend.