Also, happy today birthday to BadHand!
"Most animals do not make resolutions, as far as we know. The dog isn't planning to do less dinner-table begging this year, nor is the cat going to try to take fewer catnaps."
-NYTimes editorial
Must read analysis: lowering the bar for government ethics? Watchdog groups are not happy.
Tsunami aftermath: 100 miles crossed, and not a single living soul seen.
Administration releases a new memo, redefining their opinion on torture. And then, coincidentally, the Justice Dept. notes it has widened its definition of torture.
Arkansas judge shoots down anti-gay statewide adoption rule. And Montana must extend public university's insurance coverage to gay domestic partners. Colbert King on the upcoming battle to ban gay marriage in DC.
Iraq 2004: what went wrong.
So. Do we have a cohesive policy on Iran?
MORNING NEWS:
* Jim Hoagland has big questions for the world stage for 2005.
* Ted Rall sees comparisons between Bush and FDR.
* The Tamil Tigers try to deal with the disaster recovery.
* Not much for Iraqi civilians to celebrate in 2004.
* Rehnquist again expresses a need for judicial independence.
* Ah, committees. Congress resists an important 9/11 panel recommendation.
* BBC analysis: Bush will need to turn his focus on domestic issues this year.
* What's wrong with requiring students to learn about the Constitution?
* Oregon's vote-by-mail system solves a lot of problems.
* Killings in DC hit a low, while they reach new highs in PG county.
* Conservative students suing schools over perceived liberal bias.
* More unseen costs of the war: 21% divorce rate in the military where one spouse is sent off to war.
* Man, only rich people will be able to afford the Bush inauguration. Oh, wait.
* The uphill battle of female rappers. (Courtesy Operative X.)
* New York, the French-Indian War state. (Bonus: contains the word "bicenquinquagenary.")
* AOL releases the top ten spam terms. What do they say about us?
* Looking into the near future for technology to improve travel.
* "In 2004, pop looked bad."
A photojournalist presents pictures of hope in Chechnya.
The 2005 box office banks on sequels.
What's in and what's out for 2005.
