[Daily Brief]

The Brief, Briefly

MSM
The MSM blundered when it reported unverified Katrina rumors. True, but these blunders were microscopic compared to FEMA's, which, it turns out, continues to employ Mike Brown. Other Katrina news: churches are getting federal reimubursement for offering aid to Katrina refugees, mainly at the behest of Tom DeLay. The GOP, meanwhile, is suffering blowback from conservatives for their gross financial management of the country (woulda been helpful for that blowback to have come a year ago, but hey).

And how about this: eight months before Katrina, an internal Homeland Security review warned that the country was unprepared for a mass disaster.

On that Sheehan business, the Globe reports that the Dems are still too frightened to speak up about Iraq. Yesterday I wrote that Cindy may be the problem, but reading an article like this reminds me that the reason she's taken the point is because Democratic leaders refuse to.

Blogosphere
Speaking of Iraq, Juan Cole says it's time to get out. Pithy quote: "Basically, if all the US military in Iraq is capable of is operations like Fallujah and Tal Afar, then they really need to get out of the country quick before they drive the whole country, and the region, into chaos."

Brad DeLong has discovered the stupidest people alive: editors of the National Review. (Satisfyingly snarky.) Nathan Newman has a take on yesterday's antiwar march I haven't considered: it was a huge waste of money. When ideology and politics collide: Billmon has funny quotes. eRobin adds analysis. Finally, if the Jack Abramoff story has you spellbound (as it does me), Josh has a must-read post.

And that's today's briefing.