Suggested Reading -- 8/27/07

ACLU: Gonzales Resignation Does Not Pardon President's Abuse of Power, ACLU Says
From the story (link mine): "The American Civil Liberties Union today said U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' resignation requires further congressional investigation into the Bush administration's systematic abuse of power.

"'Alberto Gonzales will follow Mitchell Palmer as one of the worst attorneys general in U.S. history,' said Anthony D. Romero, ACLU Executive Director. 'But Gonzales' resignation doesn't put an end to the widespread abuse of executive powers. The White House may claim that Gonzales' resignation restores the rule of law, but if anything, his departure highlights the need for increased scrutiny and accountability.'"

The piece includes a pretty exhaustive list of abuses by Bush and Gonzo. A very good recap on what all the fuss was about and why it shouldn't end with his resignation.

Reuters: Middle East turmoil could cause world war: U.S. envoy
From the story: "Upheaval in the Middle East and Islamic civilization could cause another world war, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations was quoted as saying in an Austrian newspaper interview published on Monday...

"'The (Middle East) is going through a very difficult transformation phase. That has strengthened extremism and creates a breeding ground for terrorism,' [Zalmay Khalilzad] said in remarks translated by Reuters into English from the published German.. 'Europe was just as dysfunctional for a while. And some of its wars became world wars. Now the problems of the Middle East and Islamic civilization have the same potential to engulf the world...'"

Neocons never tire of trying to start huge wars, apparently.

AlterNet: Edwards Goes After the 'Corporate Democrats' -- Is This a Turning Point for His Campaign?
From the story: "Last week, John Edwards fired a broadside against corporate America and, more significantly, 'corporate Democrats,' the likes of which hasn't been heard from a viable candidate with national appeal in decades.

"Edwards is en fuego right now, and if he keeps up the heat, his candidacy will either be widely embraced by the emerging progressive movement or utterly annihilated by an entrenched establishment that fears few things more than a telegenic populist with enough money to mount a credible campaign."

Edwards -- and other dem candidates -- really need to point out how DLCers have led them astray for years, turning them into Republican-Lite. Nice to see him doing it.

DefCon Blog: Texas School Board Rejects Creationism
From the story: "In a victory against the push to insert creationism into public education, last week the Texas State Board of Education said they were against the teaching of intelligent design...

"This is great news, but we will continue to monitor the status of things in Texas, as there remain some board members who, while in the minority, are expected to push for the inclusion of intelligent design in the state’s science curriculum."

So it may be a half-victory, but this is Texas and you take what you can get.

UN News Centre: Afghan opium trade soars to 'frightening' record levels, UN reports
From the story: "Opium production in Afghanistan, a $3-billion-a-year trade accounting for more than 90 per cent of the world's illegal output, soared to frightening record levels this year, concentrated mainly in the strife-torn south where the ousted Taliban, which once banned poppy cultivation, now profits from the drugs trade, the United Nations reported today."

Like any bunch of religious fundamentalists, the Taliban doesn't hesitate to embrace hypocrisy.