[Daily Brief]

Good Monday

MSM
On Saturday, Cindy Sheehan rallied 100,000 antiwar protesters. Yesterday, the pro-war faction mustered but 400. (The NRO calls it an undisciplined, anti-Bush snit; maybe, but I hardly see how that's good for the GOP. Worse, Bob Novak writes that Republicans are slagging him, too.) A Gallup poll verifies that sentiment has turned: only 43% think the US will win the war.

It seems like each day brings more news of fraud or corruption, so I'm considering opening a new crime beat here at Hog HQ. Today's examples include a WaPo editorial wherein Jack Abramoff wrote in an email that the reason now-indicted OMB head was put there by the administration was his a "total business angle." Ouch. The Times, meanwhile, call out Bush for "faking the Katrina inquiry." (But badly, obviously.) Human Rights Watch has published a new report accusing the US of more Iraqi prisoner abuse. And the Times has a report on those no-bid contracts, even as more bay in the offing following Rita.

Also: new studies (not shockingly) back evolution. This news coincides with a trial in Pennsylvania on intelligent design. In other science news, the snowmelt is coming earlier and earlier in Alaska. The rich are getting richer, which is perhaps why Bush keeps talking about the "healthy economy."

Last, perhaps least to most of you (but not Badger fans!): on Saturday, Wisconsin edged the once-mighty Wolverines to leap into the top 25. As you all know, the Badgers were expected to have a poor year in this, Barry Alvarez's final season coaching.

Blogosphere
Josh reports on more corrupt cronies and their placement within the national government in the ever-widening political payola scandal. TalkLeft hints that Frist may be in big trouble for the stock dump. No, not for dumping stock--that's always hard to prove. It's the lies that get you. Tom Maguire bothers to defend Frist, but barely. Apparently he's no more popular across the aisle.

It's actually pretty quiet in the blogosphere today, so I'll leave it there.

Which concludes today's briefing.