Picture of the Day

I'm not sure there's ever been an image that's more flawlessly summed up everything that is Glenn Greenwald.

The choice of writing only from among his stable of four or five rotating topics. The indignant defense of Julian Assange. The involuntary lashing out at the evil, imperial U.S. for its unlawful and immoral persecution of the world's most saintly individual. The implication that everyone should agree with him and let Assange off the hook for trying to run off to a South American country -- sound familiar? -- and the almost certain implication that those who disagree and think that Assange is a coward who's evading the justice system because he arrogantly doesn't think he should have to face its potential judgment are jingoistic barbarians. The four -- four -- Aspergerian updates.

It's just all so -- Glenny.

I realize I'm violating my current policy of not even bothering to click the link whenever I see a Greenwald byline, but I'm glad I did this time. This kind of comedy gold is priceless.

Forrest Rumsfeld

Asking for Donald Rumsfeld's opinion on the best way to handle the current crisis in the Middle East is like asking me for my secret to making a marriage last. The man fucked up literally everything he touched during his tenure as Secretary of Defense -- presiding over and playing architect of one of the most shameful, even criminal follies in American foreign policy history -- and yet because he's hawking a book right now, the TV news talking heads are treating his thoughts on the recent turmoil overseas as if they have even an ounce of credibility behind them.

Now comes this little revelation: A memo gleaned from Rumsfeld's own archives, written in 2003 to then Under Secretary of Defense Douglas Feith, that provides a window into the kind of breathtaking incompetence Rumsfeld's name would ultimately become synonymous with.

Seriously, read this and try to convince yourself it wasn't written by an 8th grader barely passing social studies.


Explain to me again why this asshole isn't right this very second being violated by the Sisters in a prison laundry room somewhere.

(via Andrew Sullivan & Benoit)