From the progressive daily beacon

Bush's Post-Election Iraq 'Smoke and Mirrors' Scheme
A. Alexander, November 24th, 2006

In typical Bush fashion, the President and his administration have initiated an Iraq smoke-and-mirrors operation that is designed first, to muddy the waters and second, make it appear a new direction is being considered when in fact the only objective is to stay the course. Knowing that the Iraq Study Group was going to be coming forward with recommendations, Bush's entire cadre swung into overdrive and designed what are in reality fictitious "alternatives." The sole purpose of these "alternatives" is to create confusion among the public. By the time the administration gets round to ignoring Baker and Hamilton's recommendations, there will be so many options presented that the American people won't realize that Bush has summarily dismissed the most vital aspects of the Iraq Study Group's proposals.

The process has become so obvious and amateurish in nature that one fully expects, in the not too distant future, to learn that Rumsfeld will, in "Heckuva Job" Brownie fashion, remain on Bush's staff as a "special consultant" to the President. Indeed, the longer this absurdity plays on, the more likely it seems Rumsfeld's "resignation" was nothing more than a public relations ploy that was designed to distract the media and public, while Bush et al begin a new stanza in their ongoing, never-ending nightmarish tragedy being forcibly foisted upon Iraq and the American people. In this particular act, Bush and his comrades will perform several new self-deluded tricks of illusion. Watch as the Great Bushdini "stays the course" in Iraq, while using an avalanche of fake "studies" to make it appear he has altered the current failed path.

New York on edge as police kill unarmed man in hail of 50 bullets on his wedding day

Julian Borger in Washington
Monday November 27, 2006
The Guardian

The New York authorities were scrambling to contain an angry backlash yesterday after police shot a group of three unarmed black men, killing one of them on his wedding day.

The shooting took place after a stag party at a strip club in Queens, a few hours before Sean Bell, 23, was due to marry the mother of his two small daughters. He was struck in the neck and arm and was dead on arrival at hospital.

One of his friends, Joseph Guzman, was in a critical condition after being hit 11 times, and another, Trent Benefield, was in a stable condition with wounds to his leg and buttocks.

Outrage at the shooting was compounded when it emerged that Mr Guzman and Mr Benefield had been shackled to their beds. New Yorkers have also been startled at the apparent wildness of the fusillade.

It is known in police parlance as “contagious shooting” — gunfire that spreads among officers who believe that they, or their colleagues, are facing a threat. It spreads like germs, like laughter, or fear. An officer fires, so his colleagues do, too.

Iraqi leader's plea for calm met with jeers; attacks continue

By Louise Roug

Los Angeles Times

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Angry Shiite Muslims pelted Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's motorcade with stones Sunday after the Iraqi leader pleaded for national reconciliation at a memorial held in Sadr City for victims of a large-scale bombing attack.

Al-Maliki, a Shiite, left the scene after he tried without success to calm a crowd of mourners calling for revenge against Sunni Arabs. His pleas were met with shouts of "coward" and "collaborator."