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In addition to the aforementioned constitutional crisis, there are plenty of other stories in the news worth watching. And perhaps unsurprisingly, many of them fit into the much broader story of corruption and greed that I've been discussing far too often these past few years. So... time for some micro-blogging!

First up, a story that is directly related. Via RawStory, here's one that's directly related to domestic surveillance. Apparently the Dept. of Homeland Security is investigating college students who request copies of Mao Tse-Tung's "Little Red book" through interlibrary loan. Maybe the DHS guys didn't get the memo, but last time I check the Commies weren't the enemy anymore. Leaving aside the civil liberty implications for a moment, this is so brain dead stupid its almost hard to comprehend. But wait, no, let's not leave that aside:

The eavesdropping was apparently done without warrants[...] Dr. Williams said he had been planning to offer a course on terrorism next semester, but is reconsidering, because it might put his students at risk. "I shudder to think of all the students I've had monitoring al-Qaeda Web sites, what the government must think of that," he said. "Mao Tse-Tung is completely harmless."

Why? How? This is what we have let them do to our nation. A professor at UMass is now reconsidering a class that will encourage students to research and study our enemy because of the well-founded fear that the government might end up investigating his students for pro-terror activities. How can this possibly make sense to anyone? Do you want to understand why true conservatives distrust government authority? THIS is why they mistrust government authority.

Next up we get one from DC, and from the non-partisan Congressional Research Service in particular. You know those claims by the president about how "Congressional Democrats saw the same intelligence as me"? Sure, we all knew they were ridiculous. But now we have proof:

Some of the most irresponsible comments - about manipulating intelligence - have come from politicians who saw the same intelligence I saw and then voted to authorize the use of force against Saddam Hussein," Bush said on Wednesday in his most recent speech. "These charges are pure politics." The Congressional Research Service, by contrast, said: "The president, and a small number of presidentially designated Cabinet-level officials, including the vice president ... have access to a far greater overall volume of intelligence and to more sensitive intelligence information, including information regarding intelligence sources and methods."

As I've said before on numerous occasions, the president's claim was just plain silly. If the President of the United States doesn't have significantly better intelligence than members of Congress, something is very very wrong with this country. Of course, I don't expect a little thing like the truth to make any difference to Bush, but nevertheless, there the truth is.

Next up, looks like we've got our next pay-for-play victim in the growing Abramoff lobbying scandal - Republican Senator Conrad Burns of Montana. And for those of you not paying close attention this week (I may not be posting much, but I am still reading!), another one of Abramoff's pals has agreed to plead guilty and testify against Jack in their upcoming Florida SunCruz trial. The pressure was already growing on Abramoff to flip. My guess is that this will virtually guarantee it. And if he slips, well.... That's one to watch after the New Year.

In the meantime, the story expanded to a new front this week - apparently its not just elected officials that were on the take. Its was conservative think tanks too. Via The New Republic, I came across the news that Abramoff had been paying conservative think tankers big bucks to write op-ed's on behalf of his issues. I'm continually amazed at just how far the conservative movement has fallen from its once principled heights. It might be hard to see from here, but Reagan, Goldwater, and other really did stand on principles. It wasn't about money or power, at least not primarily. But these guys? With these guys its ONLY about money and power. It isn't just a few apples that have gone bad - it's the entire orchard.

And while we're on the subject of corruption, check this story out: Not only has Bush nominated a man to the FEC who challenged the constitutionality of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law, he also happens to be the husband of Plamegate's Viveca Novak, the one on whom most of Rove's defense now hinges. Oh, and in case you were wondering, he is a Democrat. Odd time for him to get all bipartisan, no?

Honestly, as bad as that the other nominee is worse. Hans von Spakovsky, also a lawyer at the FEC, helped Georgia win approval of its disgusting voter identification law a few months back. Take a look:

Career Justice Department lawyers involved in a Georgia case said von Spakovsky pushed strongly for approval of a state program requiring voters to have photo identification. A team of staff lawyers that examined the case recommended 4 to 1 that the Georgia plan should be rejected because it would harm black voters; the recommendation was overruled by von Spakovsky and other senior officials in the Civil Rights Division.

Once again, its amazing how people who claim to distrust government so much love people who use government authority to block the very people they supposedly represent from doing what is perhaps the most sacred act in a democracy - voting. By 4 to 1 career lawyers in the department rule that the new system would discriminate on the basis of race, but this man breaks with both tradition and stated policy and overrules the decision. And for that? For that he gets a promotion.

Just because its a cliche doesn't mean its not also true: It you're not outraged yet you're just not paying attention.

And last but not least, your moment of zen:

"There was no evidence that Saddam Hussein was involved with the attack of 9/11," Bush said. "I've never said that and never made that case prior to going into Iraq."

Riiiiiiiiiiiggghht.......

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