Newshog 09-02-2005

It's Wednesday so here are your midweek dozen Newshog news briefs - the stories we think aren't getting enough attention or the facts behind the big headlines. Thanks as usual to Kat and Shadows, news-gatherers of the year.

• Bush's brain, Karl Rove, has a new job that will involve him in policy not just politics.
  
  
• Policy and politics mingle as the White House decides to keep the Social Security reform smokescreen going a while longer and refuses to present it's own reform plan.
  
  
• Meanwhile, healthcare has a real crisis and the myth that high drug costs fund drug research continues. Debunk the meme with the information here, here and here.
  
  
• In what looks like a pre-arranged fire sale, Iraq’s outgoing, unelected interim government may hand out lucrative petroleum deals to Western corporations before the new Assembly can sit.
  
  
• You may have been following the "Talongate" scandal on other blogs. Now the fake at the center of the scandal has resigned his position at Talon News. Although he may still appear before a Federal enquiry over the Plame affair. One of Karl's boys?
  
  
• Halliburton risks troops lives providing escort for empty convoy runs just to make a profit from US taxpayers. When will the right start saying something about this kind of corruption?
  
  
• The foreign policy segments of Bush’s SotU address spoke to concerns that resonate with the majority of Americans from across the political spectrum. Unfortunately, much of what was said during his speech was quite misleading.
  
  
• Back from Iraq - and suddenly out on the streets. Social service agencies say the number of homeless vets is rising, in part because of high housing costs and gaps in pay. Another one I don't see rightwingers complain about nearly enough (or at all).
  
  
• The jobs and wages picture remains bleak for millions in US - read the statistics here, including the fact that there are only four counties in the whole country where a person on minimum wage can afford a one-bedroom apartment on just one job with normal hours.
  
  
• In the UK, The creator of Dolly the sheep has been granted a licence to clone human embryos for medical research.
  
  
• In Mr. M's home state of Virginia, the House has voted to outlaw the trend of wearing trousers so low that underwear hangs over the top by a 60-34 margin. Will State Senators agree with this lunacy? (The bill was proposed by a Democrat??!!)
  
  
• You know how I love using the rightwing's own resources against them? Well, here is a clickable list of email addresses for radio, TV, newspaper and government movers and shakers. Make good use of it.
  

Quote of the Day:

Credit buying is much like being drunk. The buzz happens immediately, and it gives you a lift. The hangover comes the day after.
Dr Joyce Brothers.