Scoot Free

After being convicted of lying to federal prosecutors, former Cheney chief-of-staff Scooter Libby’s 30-month jail sentence is commuted by President Bush. The Prez says Scooter’s prison sentence was “excessive.” Here’s the statement: AP/Washington Post Excessive??? Thirty months is consistent with other “excessive” sentences Bush and the Justice Department have pushed for in similar crimes. New York Times There’s hypocrisy on all sides of this. AP/MSNBC

Pakistani security forces warn of a “last chance” for students at the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) in Islamabad where 24 people have already died in clashes there. CNN What is so controversial about this mosque? BBC

Seven of the eight people arrested in connection with the London and Glasgow bombings are doctors. Newsweek

What’s in it for Hamas to secure the release of the BBC journalist? Time

Here’s an new way to protest land clearing laws: Cut down trees. (London) Times

Book your tickets. The Winter Olympics will be in Russia in 2014. Reuters With murder, carjackings and home robberies on the rise in South Africa, will the country be ready to host the World Cup in 2010? Guardian

Watch the concert. Save the planet. That’s what Al Gore and the organizers of Live Earth are hoping for. USA Today

Were you smart enough not to do any of these things with fireworks at your 4th of July BBQ?

Four Years And Counting

A comprehensive poll about Iraqi opinion four years after the Coalition invasion of the country. ABC Violence by the numbers. BBC Iraqis are turning against al-Qaeda and turning them in. Channel 4/Guardian (video)

Voluntarily or by subpoena, Karl Rove may testify in front of a Senate committee about those U.S. Attorney firings. Reuters

As Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe’s oppressive regime begins to break, here’s a look at how he stayed in power for 27 years by oppressing, starving and kicking Zimbabweans out of their homes. Telegraph

The U.N. is watching, but doing nothing, about the atrocities in Darfur. Economist

She speaks: Valerie Plame, whose outing as a CIA officer lead to former Cheney chief-of- staff Scooter Libby’s conviction of lying to the FBI and a grand jury, told a House committee her side of that long complicated story. Washington Post

Here’s why some conservative Republicans don’t like presidential candidates who are more concerned with the Second Commandment than the Second Amendment. Time

Take a look at what Fido and Whiskers are eating. There is a major pet food recall linked to 10 pet deaths. USA Today Here are the 50 brands of dog food and 40 brands of cat food being recalled.

Evander Holyfield is on the comeback trail and doing well, but maybe “The Real Deal” should throw in the towel while he’s ahead. Sports Illustrated

We wonder what these guns would sound like with silencers.

A Plan Of Their Own?

House Dems may agree on a plan for Iraq: $100 million in appropriation for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, then out of Iraq by the end of ‘07. AP/Yahoo Problem: A general on the ground says the Bush-proposed troop build-up will need to last to February ‘08. New York Times U.S. Commander in Iraq says there’s no “military solution” to Iraq. You gotta start talking. Reuters

Now that the Libby trial is over, the question is: Will Bush pardon him? Washington Post

Why do people who criticize the Russian government end up shot or dead? Telegraph And why is Russia a deadly place for journalists? Guardian

For all the trouble starting Daylight Saving Time this weekend could cause - hopefully we wont’ be calling it Y2K7 - will we be saving any energy the proponents claim? Time

By 2010, you could be one of 32 million paying more taxes because of the AMT. CNN Money

It’s Go Time! 91-year-old man challenges 92-year-old Jack Lalanne to a boxing match. Don King will be asked if he’s interested in promoting it. Only in America. AP/Yahoo

Did your furry friend suddenly died? Or maybe you’re pooch likes leaving deposits on your rug? Wouldn’t it be great if there were a pet service like NetFlix so you always had a cool pet?