News Blurbs : Mar. 04, 2005

The danger of forest fires is greatly diminished when there are no trees. - California’s attorney general is suing the Bush administration over its management plan for the Giant Sequoia National Monument, home to two-thirds of the world’s largest trees. Destruction of “national monuments” eh?

Interrogators Wanted. - The American military’s major detention centers in Iraq have swelled to capacity and are holding more people than ever, senior military officials say. This is no joke, they’re hiring.

“Forceful” expansion of presidential secrecy. - State secrets privilege being invoked in an attempt to wipe out the heart of any lawsuit that seeks to examine rendition, et al. Looks like they’re trying to silence Sibel Edmonds, FBI whistleblower, with this, too.

Right Wing Nut Job. - O’Reilly on ACLU: “I think they’re a terrorist group. … I think they’re terrorists.” I don’t see the ACLU rounding up people and torturing them. That’s terrorism, Bill.

Around the World on One Tank of Fuel. - Steve Fossett covered about 23,000 miles and touched down in Salina, Kansas, about 67 hours after his plane took off. If only our cars got mileage like that.

Anti-Choice. - Jewish fetus’ ashes buried in Catholic cemetery in violation of mother’s rights and without her permission. Plenty of reasons here for not interfering in other peoples’ choices.