News Round-Up

Foreign Policy: Iraq's oil-rich south is considering breaking away. Security is deteriorating in Baghdad as more proof that war in Iraq was pre-planned surfaces. Salon talks about the report CBS killed. And warlords pose the greatest threat to Afghan elections which are analyzed in this Chicago Tribune article.

Domestic Issues: The economy grows at its weakest rate in over a year. The Patriot Act raises privacy fears in Canada, as a judge rules a provision unconstitutional. The NY Times sues John Ashcroft in leak probe. And David S. Broder goes after the media on their political coverage. A poll finds most Americans largely don't know the candidates' positions on issues, especially Bush supporters. And Comedy Central refutes the asshole's claim that "The Daily Show" viewers are "stoned slackers" revealing they are actually more educated and informed than "The O'Reilly Factor" viewers. He's just mad they won a Peabody for real.

Finally, the son of President Eisenhower lays out his case, as a Republican, against Bush.

UPDATED: A senior Pentagon intelligence official details how Guantanamo prison has failed to prevent terror attacks.