A bit of a catch-up post (mainly for personal note-taking purposes) on Dubya's speech from Sunday and his assertion on Monday that he would keep up with the spying on Americans because it could save millions and jillions of lives.

Whitehouse.gov: Transcript of Bush's speech

NYT: Asking for patience, Bush cites progress in Iraq

NYT: In Sunday speech, Bush is more humble but firm (analysis)

BBC: Bush defends phone-tapping

Somewhat bizarrely, from my perspective, is the fact that Globe and Mail columnist and editorial page editor Marcus Gee spanked Dubya over this one. It's in Wednesday's paper.

CIA Chief Admits To Torture After 6-hour Beating, Electrocution

Rove Implicated in Santa Identity Leak

I'm on a bit of a Christmas break -- one that will also be from blogging.  Not entirely, but I won't be posting very regularly from now until early next week.

So whether you're obsessively addicted to this blog (a small, elite few, I must say), a casual visitor or whether you tripped over it by accident while Googling various pejoratives, please have either a Merry Christmas, a holly, jolly Christmas, a white Christmas, a rainbow Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Festivus, happy holidays or simply enjoy some outstanding bargain-hunting and U.S. college football bowl games on Boxing Day.

Whatever. I don't judge at this blog.

Well, actually, I do, but I want to make a show of not doing so at this oh-so-special time of year.

Slate contributor Daniel Gross takes a less-than-sympathetic look at the economic plight of New York-area journalists (H/T to Kevin).

   more »