the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

* newsweek via froomkin:

""Bush's goals -- while entirely laudable -- are undercut not just by the poisonous claims of the jihadi movement. They are undercut by his own record. . . .

"And when he appealed for agreement on 'a world beyond terror,' he reached for a landmark U.N. document: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 'This document declares that the "equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom and justice and peace in the world,"' Bush said.

"That's the same Universal Declaration that prohibits torture or 'cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.' It's the same Universal Declaration that promises everyone 'a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.' And it's the same Universal Declaration that promises everyone charged with a penal offence 'a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defense.'""

* billmon:

"Under the circumstances, nation building in the Middle East might best be compared to sand castle building -- on the beach in the face of a rising tide. We'd probably all be better off if our imperial strategists could come up with a strategy for managing the transition to a more decentralized, fragmented and at times chaotic world, instead of trying to turn back the clock to a earlier day. But, of course, if they were comfortable doing that they probably wouldn't be imperial strategists."

* billmon is confused about thailand.

* jen nix:

"People, this is exactly why we need your help to publish Marcy Wheeler’s book, 16 Words. Conventional wisdom and access-oriented journalism too often result in complex stories being dumbed down and sometimes ignored altogether, as we’ve seen on this story since the supposed Armitage bomb was dropped by Isikoff and Corn. Of course, Marcy Wheeler’s readers know she had that so-called revelation three months before those reporters. Marcy is a citizen journalist who has followed this story, and often led the reporting, which has kept the crimes committed against Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson from being swept under the rug of convenience and ease. "

you can donate here.

* rimone:

latest proof there’s no god: the preznit hasn’t appeared with any new wounds or bruises or whatever lately. for fuck’s sake, the least he can do is fall off his bike again, goddammit. or at the very least, say something incredibly stupid about which he’s all proudtard."

* glenn:

"one thing is beyond dispute at this point: the White House's plan to resolve the NSA scandal by obtaining amnesty for past lawbreaking and future legislative blessing for its warrantless eavesdropping program has veered far off course and, at least for now, appears genuinely imperiled."