What a gawd awful outfit on W.

“It is so cold back East, even some of the red states are turning blue.”  -- Jay Leno

www.mystolennation.com

The-World-Is-A-Safer-Place-Without-Saddam News

• Iraq horror on tape New York Daily News

• Video: Two Turks kidnapped in Iraq Aljazeera.com

• Suicide Car Bomb Targets Iraqi Shi'ite Leader Reuters

• Sunni party boycotts Iraqi polls BBC News

• A Look at U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq AP

• Rumsfeld Gets Friendly Questions in Iraq AP

• Pre-Christmas violence occurs soon after Rumsfeld's surprise visit People's Daily Online, China

• Lost in Translation: Iraq Interpreters Live in Fear Reuters

• Former U.S. security advisor rebukes administration over Iraq invasion AFP

You might be a rightwing Republican if … you think there should be a constitutional amendment banning gay men from getting abortions.
– AHNC Viewer, The Pilgrim

Walking Eagle

By HUBERT WILSON

Cockamamy Texas strut so immature.
Observed by others as the sign of a boor.
Ridiculed even in far aWay Kuala Lumpur.
Pathetic attempt at macho allure.
Undeniably insecure.
Lunacy in need of a cure.
Extensive mental help needed for sure.
No John Wayne lure.
Taste he Will absolutely obscure!

Prancing like a midnight drunk on a moor.
Offensive as bad couture.
Swaggering like a pimp to procure.
Totally not demure - more like a drag Dorothy Lamour.
Excess Would fill many a comic brochure.
Rudeness by this fool We endure.
Idiocy on a World tour.
Obviously all must inure.
Resplendent in his verbal manure!

Disturbing News

• Asia Officials Failed to Issue Warnings AP

• 20,000 dead, and tidal wave death toll mounts by the minute Ireland Online, Ireland

• Prisoners Flee After Tsunami Hits Indonesia Jail  Reuters

• 50,000 riot in China after police beat man to death Borneo Bulletin

• Physician apparently takes own life Arkansas Democrat Gazette

The Potomac Polar Bear Club

"I think Rumsfeld may be not too long for this world. . . . Let's dump him." -- President Richard Nixon on April 7, 1971, talking about his young White House aide whom Nixon said was too critical of the Vietnam War

Republican Shenanigans

• Bush asks Americans to help needy Boston Globe

• Details Of Rowland's Disgrace Shouldn't End In Secrecy TheDay 

• Bush Plan Could Imperil Tax Write-Off for New York New York Times

• Bush Faces GOP Fight Over Guest Workers AP

• Oil, Gas Bonds Leave Taxpayers Exposed AP

• College Republicans allegedly misled donors Kansas City Star (subscription), Mo.

• Tribal Money Linked to GOP Fundraising washingtonpost.com

• 'Vegetable' comment prompts call for lawmaker's resignation

Rock-The-Voter News

• Washington Governor's Race May Not Be Over AP

This day in history: On Dec. 27, 1979, Soviet forces seized control of Afghanistan. President Hafizullah Amin, who was overthrown and executed, was replaced by Babrak Karmal.

Good News

• Yushchenko Declares Victory in Ukraine Election Reuters

• Cargo Ship Brings Space Station Crew Belated Christmas Dinner New York Times

• Mystery benefactor gives $100 bills Denver Post

Biz-Tech News

• Dollar Falls to New Low Against Euro AP

• Ford to Recall More Compact SUVs Reuters

• Amazon Sets One-Day Sales Record Reuters

• Ultrafast Supercomputer to Simulate Nuke Explosion Reuters

• Three serious Windows flaws lack patches SearchSecurity.com

• Saudis To Keep Some Oil on the Side NewsFactor Network

Not All Rednecks Are Stupid

Bush-Prison-Torture News

• U.S. disclosures signal wider detainee abuse Boston Globe

• Jet Is an Open Secret in Terror War

You might be a rightwing Republican if … you can't enjoy your meal unless you know somebody else is hungry.
— AHNC Viewer Theoldyallerdawg

Graphic By Patricia Gerber -- San Francisco

Austrian Political Art

You might be a rightwing Republican if … you know there must be a similar web site bashing the dems, and you can't wait to find it.
-- anonymous AHNC viewer

Odd News

• Researchers find gay penguins in Japanese aquariums AFP

• Bush Gives Wife Dessert Plates for Christmas Reuters

• Man Walks Miles With Bullet Wound in Head

• Teachers' Christmas Gifts Can Be Strange

• Online casino strikes again, buying naughty kids' Christmas gifts

• Border Patrol Union Asks Jay Leno For Apology NBC Sandiego.com, Cal.

An emergency parachute system is deployed on a small private plane. The parachutes for are increasingly popular among private pilots. Manufacturer Ballistic Recovery System Inc. believes the parachutes can be used on some commercial passenger jets. (Ballistic Recovery System Inc.)

Peace.