the rude pundit edition

* "In a sharp rebuke, a federal appeals court denied Wednesday a Bush administration request to transfer terrorism suspect Jose Padilla from military to civilian law enforcement custody." (link)
wow. that's michael luttig. he was equal favourite to get alito's scotus seat. talkleft has more.

* washingtontimes oped: "President Bush presents a clear and present danger to the rule of law." (link)

* arthur is leaving us again. good luck arthur.

* "Tuesday night on MSNBC's Countdown show, Keith Olbermann's substitute host Alison Stewart featured an interview with Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer discussing the possibility of impeaching President Bush over the current NSA spying controversy." (link)

* "As it launched the dramatic change in domestic surveillance policy, the administration chose to secretly brief only the presiding FISA court judges about it. Officials first advised U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth, the head of FISA in the fall of 2001, and then Kollar-Kotelly, who replaced him in that position in May 2002. U.S. District Judge George Kazen of the Southern District of Texas said in an interview yesterday that his information about the program has been largely limited to press accounts over the past several days." (link)

* on the floor, frist said " A vote for cloture (on ANWR) is, indeed, a vote for our troops".

* "At the same time, prosecutors in Washington have been sifting through evidence of what they believe is a corruption scheme involving at least a dozen lawmakers and their former staff members, many of whom worked closely on legislation with Mr. Abramoff and accepted gifts and favors from him." (link)
imagine trying to negotiate abramoff's plea deal! there are half a dozen cases that he hasnt even been charged in yet.

* i dont think ive mentioned the IDiot decision in Dover - but i liked this from rudepundit: "Dover, PA (new motto: "Please, everyone, leave us alone")". i must say that im excited about the decision, in a way, but im sadder that there is even an issue.

* speaking of stories i havent mentioned - big ups to the gays in the UK who can now get nearly-married. pat robertson has probably alreay warned them that gods wrath is on its merry way - and brits had better not to turn god for support when london drowns becuase of global warming. in any case, may gays around england, and around the world rejoice. eat, drink, and be marry.

* rude pundit also has a new Contract for America. i suggest you read it.

* more rudepundit. this time he's vodkablogging Blinky's speech:
"10:53 - Why is he licking the inside of his mouth? Did this become a Jane Goodall special?"
lol