Yet another justification [sorry, paid registration required] for having gone to war in Iraq. Iran rejoices. Thanks to an alert reader -- no doubt monitoring the enemy (the WSJ editorial board) -- for the link.

"But fortunately for the survivors, the international community has put politics aside to rush aid to the victims. The U.S., using its new presence in Iraq as a staging point for disaster relief teams flown from America, was quickly on the scene to try to save some of the thousands buried in rubble. The death toll, including those buried in debris and beyond rescue, could run as high as 40,000, according to one estimate." I'm sure all of Iran rejoices. Well, maybe not.

But back to reality, just for a moment. Condi grows more uncomfortable. But while Keane promises "revalations," it's disturbing when he says, "the 9/11 attacks might have been prevented if mid-level [emphasis mine] government officials at various government agencies had done their jobs." "Mid-level government officials" take their cues from above. I don't hold Clinton and Sandy Berger blameless, but they took the threat seriously. Rice and Bush simply did not.

And in Iraq, five month old spin still smells fresh to the AP.

But the U.S. military is Time's "Person of the Year." Via, Atrios, conservatives are furious!

And in North America, it's Canada's fault (isn't it always the case?).

In entertainment news..."Ben Affleck, an actor whose calm exterior reflects an inability to project an inner life..." Elvis Mitchell writes a classic review of "Paycheck"