That egg must be good it's all over your face...

"The report has had serious consequences," McClellan said. "People have lost their lives. The image of the United States abroad has been damaged."

-White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, with a straight face earlier this month in response to a Newsweek column with allegations of mistreatment of the Koran that sparked violence in Afghanistan.

Pentagon officials said yesterday that investigators have identified five incidents of military guards and an interrogator "mishandling" the Koran at the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, but characterized the episodes as minor and said most occurred before specific rules on the treatment of Muslim holy items were issued.

-From Today's Washington Post

I don't know how the administration let their mouthpiece ever make a statement that would so obviously come back to bite them. While the confirmed mishandling of the Koran are not the same ones that Newsweek reported I love the sanctimonious attitude that the administration can condemn the reporting of such events, however when it is indeed proven that these things went on they can turn around and say they were "minor". If the reporting of things can lead to violence then surely confirmation of even "minor" infractions will have some effect. Again that's logic though, Bush supporters are probably baffled by this right now.

To be honest though that's not even the most hilarious/horrifying part of the article, personally I like this gem:

Hood played down the mistreatment as a vestige of Guantanamo Bay's early days and said it occurred without any systemic frequency.

Ahh, yes the good old days when we could really do whatever the crap we wanted to people. It just struck me that in my mind the Guantanamo prison camp should be a short lived thing, eventually these people should be put on trial and sentenced or released, clearly however that is just a crazy notion, and probably means I hate freedom.

The fact is, not being a Muslim, the treatment or mistreatment of the Koran is not the main issue here to me, other than as a clear example of the Conservative's double standard. These are the people that call President Clinton "Slick Willy" because of his supposed ability to wriggle through any loop-hole, and says things like "It depends on what the definition of is is". The issue is the mindset of these people that detaining anyone indefinately is ok, because we're "respecting their cultural traditions". Regardless of their designation as "enemy combatant" or any justifications or loopholes in domestic or international law that they use to rationalize what goes on at Guantanamo as anything but immoral, it still is. I thought due process was an important part of American "cultural traditions" but I guess I wasn't paying close enough attention that day in ELP.

Apparently you will indeed never walk alone

Last night I was fortunate enough to watch one of the most incredible sports comebacks ever. The Champions final was absolutley amazing to watch (except when I was ready to doze during the first half). I think Benitez switched out his team members with a completely different one in costume at halftime. If you missed it and its coming on back home, check it out although its not quite the same. It was interesting to see how many Liverpool fans had sprung up over night. There was a girl at the bar wearing an Everton shirt, which led to some interesting exchanges. Anyways yeah, wow, Liverpool Champions of Europe that's pretty frickin' awesome. Really can't wait for World Cup next year.

Sorry

So I was going to do my Revenge of the Sith Review as my celebration of the new design launch, however thanks to the fact that it hasn't rained in a couple days I don't feel much up to (stupid pollen). The short version is: it was awesome. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get chance to write the review I want to after making moving arrangements and getting my passport sorted.

Oh...and why can't you find good old fashioned drowsy decongestant in the country!?!? I need some nyquil stat!

Now with new sport's top!

Man I hate those stupid sports tops on drink bottles. Partially it's just because I'm a gulper and don't need anything slowing down my drink consumption. Maybe its also partially the fact that it seems to be trying to make people think that the drink is somehow healthier because it comes with a sports top. And I definately don't understand what is more convenient or desirable about sports tops.

Mainly though, I think it's the fact that I feel like someone's pet gerbil when I drink through one.

Restless

I don't know what it is but I've been increadibly restless this week. I just seem to have nervous energy though I'm not nervous about anything (generally I'm pretty honest about if things are making me nervous). The only thing I can think of that would be making me nervous or anxious is coming home and/or moving, but I think its more that I'm just ready to move on. I seem to have an outpouring of creative energy but not enough things to pour it into or not enough in one direction at one time to actually accomplish anything, its really frustrating. I also can't seem to direct my energy at completing any of my reading for my last paper before I come home. I also have four books on my bedside table each of which I'm probably within an hours worth of reading from finishing. I think it's the pollen, maybe something I ate. Guess I need to suck it up and slog through my paper and get some boxes ready for packing.I should at least be outside reading because its a beautiful day. The post was mainly because I thought I had been posting fairly consistently lately then realized it was the end of last month that I posted.