thursday reads

Residents in five Southern states rose Wednesday to widespread clusters of destruction caused by an unusually ferocious winter tornado system. At least 55 people were killed, and scores more were injured.


White House Defends CIA's Use of 'Waterboarding' Interrogation Technique

US censured for waterboarding

The UN's chief torture investigator criticised the US government yesterday for defending the use of "waterboarding", an interrogation method often described as a form of torture.

Manfred Nowak, the special rapporteur on torture, said: "This is absolutely unacceptable under international human rights law. [The] time has come that the government will actually acknowledge that they did something wrong and not continue trying to justify what is unjustifiable."

Scott Horton: When is a Prosecution Political?


Attaturk: Bush League Justice


Even as a 75-person US military civil affairs team tries to mold a stable and functioning government in Kunar, the most violent province in the country, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has warned that the military's mission is not one of peacekeeping, but fighting extremists.


clammyc: Thanks for nothing, Harry and Nancy


Molly Ivors on the psychdrama that is MoDo.


Violet Blue: Dear San Francisco, I love you with or without pants.


Lykke Li - I'm Good, I'm Gone