Do I Have The Adenovirus?

This story in the WaPo has aroused my Kausian fears:

At least 1,035 Americans in four states have been infected so far this year by the virus, known as an adenovirus. Dozens have been hospitalized, many requiring intensive care, and at least 10 have died.

Health officials say the virus does not seem to be causing life-threatening illness on a wide scale, and most people who develop colds or flulike symptoms are at little or no risk. Likewise, most people infected by the suspect adenovirus do not appear to become seriously ill. But the germ appears to be spreading, and investigators are unsure how much of a threat it poses.

I’m still not recovered from this flu. Every time I think it may be abating, it kicks back in. My lungs rattle, my sinuses are plugged, fever comes back and forth. Today, I had three bouts of insane breathless coughing. A round of anti-biotics – to deal with my usual bronchitis/asthma – didn’t help; and I’ve spent much of the week resting physically – if not mentally. I’m going in to the doc as soon as I can get an appointment. I’m not anywhere near as sick as some of the people in the article, but I’ve rarely felt a virus refuse to give up like this one. Except, of course, you-know-what.

Bush vs The Constitution

"The executive action we have here originates in the will of the President and represents an exercise of authority without law. No penance would ever expiate the sin against free government of holding that a President can escape control of executive powers by law through assuming his military role," – Justice Robert Jackson in his concurring opinion, Youngstown Sheet and Tube Co. v. Sawyer, 1952.

Lost

An artefact of how the Bush administration has eviscerated the rule of law:

Q But when you have a former CIA officer, John Kiriakou, now saying that waterboarding was used — since you’re saying the interrogations were legal; he’s saying on the record now, waterboarding was used in at least one case. You’re saying waterboarding is legal?

MS. PERINO: Ed, I’m saying I’m not commenting on any specific technique. I’m not commenting on that gentleman’s characteristics of any possible technique. I’ve given you a very general statement about interrogations being legal, limited and –

Q You just said it was legal.

MS. PERINO: I’m sorry?

Q You said it was within the legal framework.

MS. PERINO: Yes.

Q Everything that was done.

MS. PERINO: Yes.

Q So waterboarding is legal.

MS. PERINO: I’m not commenting on any specific techniques.

Just weep, ok?

Soyster Speaks

The former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, Lieutenant General Harry Soyster pushes back against the torture-advocates:

"Experienced military and intelligence professionals know that torture, in addition to being illegal and immoral, is an unreliable means of extracting information from prisoners.  Much is being made of former CIA official John Kiriakou’s statement that waterboarding "broke" a high-value terrorist involved in the 9/11 plot.  There are always those who, whether out of fear or inexperience, rush to push the panic button instead of relying on what we know works best and most reliably in these situations. I would caution those who would rely on this example. It is far from clear that the information obtained from this prisoner through illegal means could not have been obtained through lawful methods. The FBI was getting good intelligence from this prisoner before the CIA took over.

And there are numerous examples of cases where relying on information obtained through torture has disastrous consequences.  The reality is that use of torture produces inconsistent results that are an unreliable basis for action and policy.  The overwhelming consensus of intelligence professionals is that torture produces unreliable information.  And the overwhelming consensus of senior military leaders is that resort to torture is dishonorable.  Use of such primitive methods actually put our own troops and our nation at risk."

Face Of The Day

Palestinianabidkatibgetty

Palestinian medics treat a seriously wounded man, brought to hospital by stretcher during an Israeli army raid on December 11, 2007 in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Gaza. At least 8 Palestinians, most of them fighters, were killed and 16 were wounded, when tens of Israeli tanks and armored bulldozers backed by attack aircraft moved into the east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning, in the widest operation in the territory since Islamic Hamas forces controlled the area in June. By Abid Katib/Getty Images.

Huckabee’s Rancid Homophobia

Now we find out his previous views on gay servicemembers:

"I believe to try to legitimize that which is inherently illegitimate would be a disgraceful act of government. I feel homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural and sinful lifestyle, and we now know it can pose a dangerous public health risk."

Inherently illegitimate: the person I am; the people I love; the man I married.

From One Balcony To Another

"[Rudy’s] hope: That Huckabee wins Iowa, McCain wins New Hampshire, Romney wins Michigan, and Thompson or McCain wins South Carolina. Then, after four defeats, he comes roaring back in Florida, grabs the headlines going into Feb. 5, when half the primaries are held, and marches forward to the nomination.

Whoever thought up this strategy is the kind of guy who plays Russian roulette with four bullets in the chamber," – Pat Buchanan on the electoral plans of Rudy Giuliani.