732. Excuse me, Mr. Gonzales

Article 1, Section 9, United States Constitution:

The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

At the U.S. Senate, today:

Specter: Now wait a minute, wait a minute. The Constitution says you can't take it away except in the case of invasion or rebellion. Doesn't that mean you have the right of habeas corpus?

Gonzales: I meant by that comment that the Constitution doesn't say that every individual in the United States or every citizen has or is assured the right of habeas corpus. It doesn't say that. It simply says that the right of habeas corpus shall not be suspended.

733. Season premiere

734. The deciderer decides to decide (once again)

In his "60 Minutes" interview, Dubya used the word "decision" 24 times in less than 9 minutes. (Nick Douglas @ The Huffington Post)

738. Four, four, four wars in one

TPM:

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, like his infamously inconstant predecessor, still won't admit that Iraq is in a state of civil war, but that non-civil war is apparently, one of four ongoing wars in Iraq.

From today's testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee:

There are four wars going on in Iraq right now, simultaneously: Shia on Shia conflict in the south; sectarian violence, particularly in Baghdad, but also in Diyala and a couple of other provinces; an insurgency; and Al Qaeda.

739. Duet

I had a dream, a dream about you, baby.
It's gonna come true, baby.
They think that we're through, but baby,

You'll be swell! You'll be great!
Gonna have the whole world on the plate!
Starting here, starting now,
Honey, everything's coming up roses!

Clear the decks! Clear the tracks!
You've got nothing to do but relax.
Blow a kiss. Take a bow.
Honey, everything's coming up roses!

Now's your inning. Stand the world on it's ear!
Set it spinning! That'll be just the beginning!
Curtain up! Light the lights!
You got nothing to hit but the heights!
You'll be swell. You'll be great.
I can tell. Just you wait.
That lucky star I talk about is due!
Honey, everything's coming up roses for me and for you!

You can do it, all you need is a hand.
We can do it, Dubya is gonna see to it!
Curtain up! Light the lights!
We got nothing to hit but the heights!
I can tell, wait and see.
There's the bell! Follow me!
And nothing's gonna stop us 'til we're through!
Honey, everything's coming up roses and daffodils!
Everything's coming up sunshine and Santa Claus!
Everything's gonna be bright lights and lollipops!
Everything's coming up roses for me and for you!

740. N'est-ce pas?

Magritte: The Treachery of Images (1929)
Exhibition at Los Angeles County Museum of Art, thru 3/7/2007.

741. Jack and George went up the gorge to fetch...

Inquiring minds want to know: Does Abramoff have a small head or does Dubya have a big head?

AP authenticated photo proving that they met in December, 2003 is from CREW blog. (Oh yeah, Bush claimed for some time that they never met.)

742. Change of heart

Bush speaks to nation: "I was wrong, oh, so wrong"
President sings his heart out

So Wrong
(Danny Dill, Carl Perkins and Mel Tillis)

I've been so wrong, for so long
Thought I could live without the love that you give
I was wrong, oh, so wrong

I've been so wrong, for so long
I didn't know that I loved you so
I was wrong

CHORUS:
Well, I never knew I could want you darlin
Oh, so much
Now that you're gone, I dream of you
And your sweet touch

I was so wrong, for so long
But I've seen the light, darlin, I'll make it right
I was wrong

745. Klaatu barada nikto Iraqto

KLAATU

I can judge only by what I see.

HARLEY

Your impatience is quite understandable.

KLAATU

I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it.

HARLEY

I'm afraid my people haven't.


... or should that be HADLEY?

(Never thought about it before in all the times that I've seen the film, but what's with Gort the robot wearing briefs?)

748. I love a parade

Aha! I didn't imagine seeing this: a good close-up of the IMPEACH sign at the Rose Parade that was visible intermittently in the background for at least 30 minutes. (Source LA Indymedia)