Edward Copeland's Institute of Lower Learning - 03-09-06

Institue Of Lower Learning: News & Topics

Usually, I prefer to lead off with news stories, but Richard Cohen has a column on The Washington Post Web site today that is so on the money, I feel it's only appropriate to lead off with that. There is still plenty of news out there, but it's worth reading this column first and then reflecting on it when you move on to the other stories involving this ridiculous president.

Now the index:

Intellectual corruption: Richard Cohen expounds on another, potentially more serious corruption afflicting the Bush Administration -- its lack of thought and its blind embrace of religion over reason.

Dubya vs. Congress: Bush blames Congress for the slow pace of Gulf Coast rebuilding while more Republicans jump ship, trying to get away from the ever-toxic president.

Lessons from their liberators: The Iraqi government is taking cues from the way the Bush Administration acts, trying to hide, subvert and spin the growing body count from sectarian violence. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department admits that human rights in the new Iraq leave a lot to be desired.

Views of Muslim: A new poll shows the unsurprising result that most Americans have a negative view of Islam.

Patriot Act: As Bush prepares to sign the act's renewal, a new FBI report shows more than 100 violations in using the law's powers over the past two years -- and this is with their LEGAL spying.

NSA: A former Justice Department lawyer releases a lengthy critique of the warrantless wiretapping program's legality and usefullness.

Santorum subterfuge: Little Ricky promised to stop meeting with lobbyists as he leads the lobbying "reform" effort, but guess what -- he hasn't.

Harm and pain: Iran ups the rhetoric in its war of words with Washington.

Israel boycott: Saudi Arabia will host a meeting of all the countries that boycott Israel -- even though it promised the U.S. it would end its role in the boycott.

China P.R.: The communist regime is working to reenergize support of the party amid lagging interesting and loyalty.

Enron trial: Fastow withstands cross-examination.

Sudan bends -- a little: The country expresses more willingness to let the U.N. monitor the Darfur situation -- after a political deal is reached there

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