Guilty

Five men were found guilty of plotting to use fertilizer to cause a series of explosions in Britain. Telegraph One of the men had links to the 7/7 bombers who killed 52 people in 2005. That link was known before those attacks. ITV

Former spy chief George Tenet defends his role in the lead up to 9/11 and the Iraq invasion. He also chats about enhanced interrogation techniques (um.. Torture?) and the “slam dunk” remark. 60 Minutes (video) Six former CIA officials say Tenet was ”the Alberto Gonzales of the intelligence community.” As head of the CIA they say Tenet was “a grotesque mixture of incompetence and sycophancy shielded by a genial personality." Ouch! CNN

Protesters rally for secularism in Turkey as the military hints at a coup if an candidate with an Islamist past is elected president. (London) Times

Iran will attend a regional meeting this week on creating stability in Iraq. It could lead to a high level one-on-one chit-chat between the U.S. and Iran. Reuters

Still doing a heckuva job. $854 million in foreign assistance was offered to the U.S. after Katrina. Twenty months later, only $40 million has been used. MSNBC (video)

Celebrities come out to raise awareness about the genocide Darfur. AFP/France 24

Hate tying that half-Windsor every morning? A frou-frou group in Hong Kong is promoting the Mandarin collar that doesn’t need a tie. Reuters (video)

Here’s what happens when a Gap parody for Mom and Dad goes wrong. What the hell is a “boyfriend trouser” anyway?

It's A Date

The House of Representatives passes $124 billion spending bill for Iraq. It says U.S. troops must begin to withdraw by October 1. Washington Post

Testify! A House panel votes to subpoena Condoleezza Rice over pre-war intelligence. She and the White House are reluctant to accept the invitation. Reuters

An obit on “Tsar” Boris Yeltsin: Russia’s first democratically elected leader who died on Monday. The Australian He had some memorable moments including dancing and making Bill Clinton howl with laughter. Here’s a list - including video - of his not-so-greatest hits: Guardian

Alberto Gonzales gets the “Brownie, you’re doing a heckuva job,” type of support from Bush. Which means he doesn’t have a lot of job security. Bloomberg

Is the BlackBerry software sweeter than the device? Washington Post

Ever fearful you’re on next Oceanic flight #815? Statistically, air accidents are more or less likely depending on where you go. Economist

He cuts taxes and cuts a rug. Bush boogies at a White House event. Brace yourself. It’s as bad as you think.

After The VA Tech Massacre..

The issue isn’t better campus security. It’s gun control, and that’s the debate that’s not happening. Economist Americans are divided by race, gender and political party over gun control according to a new poll. AP/MSNBC Vigil bulimics: The Daily Truth/(Melbourne) Age

The Food and Drug Administration knew about problems at the places where the recent peanut butter and spinach contaminations occurred. Critics say those problems show “the agency is incapable of adequately protecting the safety of the food supply.” Washington Post

A major breach in security at the Los Alamos nuclear lab by someone who had a history of drug use and a meth lab in their trailer. Time

Why do straight people “hate gay people so much?” Los Angeles Times

Fruit is good. If you add alcohol, it’s better. Reuters

You ever noticed it’s hard being Harrison Ford’s wife and family in his movies?

There Is Other News

A series of bombings killed at least 158 people and possibly close to 200 in Baghdad on Wednesday. The largest explosion was in a market, which one witness said turned into “a swimming pool of blood.” BBC

The Supreme Court upholds a ban on partial birth abortions. The ruling doesn’t overturn Roe v. Wade, but it could “encourage antiabortion state legislatures to pass laws not only adding new restrictions but looking to challenge Roe itself.” Washington Post

Even after 32 people murdered at VA Tech, Congress isn’t likely to make any big moves on gun control any time soon. MSNBC

UK pound pounded through the $2 mark on Tuesday for the first time since 1992. It stayed over $2 on Wednesday. BBC

Did you think you were “suffering alone?” Or was it a blessing when CrackBerry service went down on Tuesday night? New York Times

Do-over! Some people want to scrap the Internet and start it up again from scratch. (Melbourne) Age

Timing is everything, and the White Sox’s Mark Buehrle pitched his no-hitter at a lucrative time. Fox Sports

You’re supposed to look both ways before crossing the street AND the train tracks.

Now That It's Finally Over..

Here’s a look at why Imus’s comments became a big story. New York Times Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are leaders - and even that’s in doubt - “through self-appointment and self-promotion.” Washington Post

Why those missing White House e-mails are important. Time

It took until 1961 for Washington, D.C. residents to get the right to vote in presidential elections. Now, it looks like they may finally get a vote in Congress, too. Reuters

The Fortune 500 is out. Here’s the list: Fortune

$12 flights between the U.K. and the U.S.? Maybe, but it will be a long, uncomfortable 7-hour ride. Baltimore Sun

This sobriety test ends with a painful thud. It’s nice how the police officer rushes over to help.

More Time

The Pentagon extends tours for active-duty soldiers from 12 to 15 months in Iraq and Afghanistan. New York Times

The attack on the Algerian prime minister’s office by a group recently affiliated with al-Qaeda brings renewed fear in that country. BBC What threat could this group cause to France and the rest of Europe? Time

More Power? The National Intelligence Director - America’s spy chief - wants to give intelligence agencies even more power. AP/MSNBC

Behind Iran’s announcement of an industrial-scale nuclear program. It’s not all it’s hyped up to be. Time Background Q&A on the Iran nuclear standoff and nuclear weapons around the world. BBC

Don’t understand the extent of the genocide in Darfur? See it on Google Earth. Reuters

First, Live Aid. Then, Live 8. This summer: Live Earth which intends to raise awareness about the environment. (London) Times

Writer Kurt Vonnegut has died at the age of 84. New York Times


These action figures are pretty realistic.. And gory: Jets, flamethrowers, and in the accessory kit, ground beef!

The Future Of Mother Nature

Another Climate Change report is out with a grim picture of the future. BBC Since countries like the U.S. and China refused to allow some portions not to be printed in the final report, here’s what didn’t get in. Washington Post How climate change will affect areas around the world. BBC Is nuclear energy the way to go? 60 Minutes (video)

Speaking of nuclear.. Iran is supposed to have “good nuclear news” today. Good for whom? AFP/France 24

The British sailors and marines who were held in Iran are allowed to sell their stories to the press. And a lot of people are pissed off about it. Telegraph After being held captive for 13 days, what do you get in an Iranian “goody bag?” Sky

What life will be like in 35 years.. And it’s not all the cool stuff you usually hear in stories like this. Guardian

Think there are lower airfares than the ones on Expedia and Orbitz? Or trying to find a flight that isn’t delayed all the time? Check this out: New York Times

What’s more painful? This guy being so broken up about his ex that he breaks glass on his back and chest? Or how supportive his current wife is?

Released, But..

What happened behind the scenes that led to the release of the 15 British held in Iran? There’s a lot of speculation, but here’s some of what went down. Guardian The “invisible men” who made it happen. Telegraph What the release indicates about the Iranian leadership. New York Times Here’s a timeline of the standoff: Financial Times

Why don’t they say anything? Why aren’t all of Zimbabwe’s neighbors shouting about the oppression happening in that country? Washington Post

It’s Ronald Reagan v. Bobby Kennedy in next year’s election. Time

DaimlerChrysler announces for the first time it is talking to buyers about selling off Chrysler. Reuters

It took Googlers more than a day to find a python at their New York office. It was there because of Google’s bring your pet to work policy. Sydney Morning Herald

Attending that morning meeting in San Antonio with that not-so-fresh-feeling because you don’t have miniature mouthwash, toothpaste or hair gel to bring on the flight? Here are some products that could help you out. New York Times

More than 400 victories, 200 players sent to the NFL.. But more than that, the legacy of Grambling State football coach Eddie Robinson. ESPN


Impressive. He has more balls than most bowlers.

Moving Toward Peace

Israeli PM calls for a regional summit after Saudi leaders urge Israel to accept a 2002 peace deal. BBC

The latest on the British sailors and marines held in Iran after two more captives are put on Iranian TV. Telegraph

Both sides of the Iraq debate got very heated when talking about the spending bill for the war. Take a look and see how much Pork was attached to it. New York Times Not only that, but the corporate drug lobby had a huge amount of influence on Congress when it crafted the Medicare prescription drug bill. Not only have the drug companies profited, but so have several former Congressmen and staffers. 60 Minutes (video)

Climate Change affects poorer countries hardest. New York Times The night the lights went out in Sydney. Sydney Morning Herald

Who are you betting on? It’s Antigua and Barbuda vs. the U.S. in the legality of online gambling. Washington Post

The U.S. “has proved to be the single greatest collective human achievement of the past four centuries.” But.. Guardian

A genetic link has been found to prostate cancer. Reuters

There is a plan in play to move some events in the 2012 Olympics from London to Paris. Telegraph

This isn’t one of those “aww, that’s so cute” animal stories. Check out these “freakishly large animals” including a pet roach. No kidding. His name is Cocky. Newsweek


If You See Something, Say Something. Thanks to Brendan for pointing out the article on Congressional Pork. If you see an article you think should be posted in The Morning Joe, or you know a publication that has great content, give us a shout and tell us about it.

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