Another Abu Ghraib Howler... Just before her death, Susan Sontag wrote an essay titled "Regarding the Torture of Others" examining the "shock and awful" in the photos distributed worldwide from the Iraqi prison at Abu Ghraib. She cites the incredible analysis of Rush Limbaugh on the furor: "This is no different than what happens at the Skull and Bones initiation...we are going to really hammer [American soldiers] because they had a good time...You ever heard of emotional release?"

Another thought: since when is "just following orders" a defensible position? Or did I just misunderstand the trials in Germany after WWII?

Fundies lose one... The Illinois anti-discrimination law passes in the state House and Senate, with the Governor set to sign it. Adding sexual orientation as a protected class to the state law that prohibits discrimination in employment, housing and lending had to overcome the objections raised by opponents that it would mean "special rights" for homosexuals. This has never made any sense to me, since there is simply nothing special about being fair. Perhaps their objection to such a law should be viewed as "special discrimination". The opposition groups, for good measure, also threatened us with the spectre of "gay marriage" as a result of the new law, calculated to send shudders through the countryside, even though the prospect of such an event is nearly non-existent today. Fortunately, the tactic of using fear to direct lawmaking did not work this time in Illinois. Who'd have thunk it?

SCOTUS no help to kids... High Court Rejects Florida Gay Adoption Appeal

Lawyer's Howler...gimme a break, please!
Times Online - World

Sore winners...Why so touchy? Electoral Vote Challenge Meets Venomous Response in Congress