For the last couple of days, I was in a pretty major funk. What set it off was Wednesday at school, when [content removed]. Until today, then, everything just bugged the crap out of me. I couldn't stand to do or be around anything. Then, today, it just sort of lifted. I think the weather is involved. Also, my friends rock, and DLF is a superlady. Thanks to you all.

Pic from here.

Newsweek Was Right

Okay, so no one flushed an actual book. But as CNN reports, abuse of the Quran is apparently commonplace.

The International Committee of the Red Cross gathered "credible" reports about U.S. personnel at the Guantanamo Bay naval base disrespecting the Quran and raised the issue with the Pentagon several times, a group spokesman said Thursday.

Simon Schorno said the allegations were made by detainees to Red Cross representatives who visited the detention facility throughout 2002 and 2003.

Meantime, the International Herald Tribune has a great article today about the absurdity of blaming Newsweek for the violent protests in muslim countries.

It's the Bush administration, not Newsweek, that bears responsibility for policies that have sullied the reputation of United States in the Muslim world and beyond. It is difficult to imagine that the anti-U.S. riots that took place last week would have been so virulent if the Newsweek article hadn't appeared against a backdrop of abuses in U.S.-run detention sites. Outrage about American abuses was and remains a tinderbox.

Hundreds of allegations have been made about abuses of detainees by U.S. forces, including more than 40 deaths in detention facilities. But so far the United States has not permitted a serious independent and credible investigation of abuses at its detention facilities. The real source of outrage is the United States' failure to properly investigate, much less address, such claims after years of consistent reports.

Eat that, Bush and Rumsfeld. Meantime, we harbor a Cuban exile terrorist.

And Paul, you can just go [expletive] yourself. We know exactly what kind of "economic development" you have in mind.

Street Soldiers

You should all check out Joe Marshall and the Street Soldiers. Read the book, then give them some cash.

TimeWaster™

Check out TBS' promo-pathetic Gilligan's Island Mini Golf. It's kinda fun.

Today I'm listening to: Public Enemy! (Word.)

PS: Happy Independence Day, East Timor! Let's have some justice! Cut off military ties!