I protest.

Interesting times.

Yesterday I attended a reunion of former employees of a now-defunct company, Locus Computing Corporation. Apart from the technology (which is still around), the best thing about Locus was probably the people. A bunch of us got together at Marina Park in Ventura (California) and generally chatted and had a good time. Some of us also got a bit sunburnt (curse this damned pale skin!). It was good to see folks whom I haven't seen in a while and to get some tech talk that I've been missing since being unemployed.

So I've been a bit out of the loop. Meanwhile, all hell breaks loose. Tenet "takes the fall" for Bush, Bush "considers the matter closed" and Rumsfeld stammers his way through some difficult questions on television. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this won't just go away, as I'm sure those in the White House are so fervently hoping. There is some reason to hope, as well, seeing as Time Magazine, that notable bastion of the SCLM, has as its cover story "Untruth and Consequences," subtitled "A Question of Trust," which brings Bush's credibility into serious question. Now, this is Time Magazine, the magazine for those with a sixth-grade reading level. If this doesn't bring the issue into the public consciousness, nothing will.

Even the heavily slanted CNN Online is getting into the act, with tonight's lead story "Iraq story falls short, Democrats say." Yeah, the Democrats are saying it, but the real news is that CNN is printing it.

Of course, ABC News online says nothing about the issue (their lead story is about the hurricane watch in South Texas, certainly of interest if one lives in Freeport but not otherwise). The propaganda arm of the Republican Party, Fox News, boldly cries "Bush Team Defends Statement," with Rumsfeld, Tenet and Rice all pictured in various poses that are meant to communicate that they are the grown-ups and know better than you or I. This is why I don't watch television news.

The SCLM notwithstanding, though, I don't think that the Bush puppet show can avoid this one. They have lied from the beginning; some have suggested and I agree that by now they may not even know when they are lying and when they are not. Their lies are beginning to catch up with them. If there is any justice, there will be impeachment proceedings before the end of the year. Unfortunately, the thousands of Iraqis and hundreds of American soldiers will still be dead. Including those soldiers who die between now and the time they are relieved.

In Iraq, the handpicked "Iraqi Governing Council" has decided to, um, rescind six holidays established by Saddam Hussein. Gee, that was controversial! Sure, it will take a while to get going, but how about getting the power back on, or something? While I hope that this council will make a real difference and will truly represent Iraqis, I'm afraid that it will be nothing but a front for the occupation, a front that will cease to exist the instant the occupation ends. Likely with the members of the council swinging from hastily-erected gallows.

I hope that that's not the case, but from the performance so far, that's what I'm afraid will happen.

In another part of the world, a real historical revisionist claims that the Rape of Nanjing was a lie: Senior Japanese lawmaker draws rebukes from China, South Korea for remarks on wartime record. To contrast with an event more familiar to Westerners, this would be very much like a senior member of the German Bundestag calling reports of the Holocaust a lie.

And around we go. I just want to know what will be the next idiocy from the mouth of the idiot in the White House. I guess we'll all find out tomorrow.