Guest posted by Nonny Mouse

(Nicole: Our apologies to those with delicate sensibilities. I am personally sending my therapy bills to Nonny for these images.)

Last week, Bush told reporters at a White House Press conference that not only is the country not in trouble now, it’s not heading for a recession any time in the near future. Everything in Bush World is still hunky-dory.

“I believe that our economy has got the fundamentals in place for us to ... grow and continue growing, more robustly hopefully than we're growing now.”

But he’s standing up on that podium stark naked, and it’s glaringly obvious – if not to him, or to a few blinded-by-desperate-hope diehards in his base – to those around the rest of the world that the Emperor has no clothes. Not so much as a patriotic flag pin to hide his State of The Undress.

In his article, ‘Housing Market Horrors’, David Stevenson, a columnist for the British on-line financial blog, The Motley Fool, is one of an increasing number of people around the world standing on the sidelines of the Emperor’s last grand parade, and pointing his finger at the Decider’s… um… Disrobement.

American new home sales in January shrank to a 13-year low, while home foreclosures jumped 8% in January and by 57% from a year earlier. Bank repossessions soared 90% from a year earlier, with Nevada, California and Florida having the highest foreclosure rates. House prices tumbled almost 9% in the final quarter of 2007 from a year ago in the biggest depreciation since comparative records began in 1987.

US consumer confidence has dropped to its lowest level in five years, with the latest Conference Board index now pointing to the worst outlook for 17 years. The proportion of respondents believing jobs are plentiful waned to 20.6% from 23.8% last month. Consumer spending stalled for a second month, increasing concerns that the part of the economy that accounts for two-thirds of annual output is faltering. Meaning, the average American's outlay on debt service, housing, medical care, food and energy now accounts for over two-thirds of his total spending, the highest since record-keeping began in 1980, according to Bloomberg.

Stagflation has arrived. And it’s getting worse… fast…

It takes a clever man to make money, it takes a genius to stay alive.

The Counterfeiters is the powerful Oscar-nominated feature selected as part of this year’s Best Foreign Language Film category from Austria. Directed and co-written (with Adolph Burger) by Stefan Ruzowitsky, the picture is the dramatized account of Operation Bernard, the Nazis secret plan to destabilize the United Kingdom by flooding its economy with forged Bank of England currency. The protagonist is a Berlin-based Jewish counterfeiter named Salomon Sorowitsch.

Sorowitsch, a petty criminal, womanizer and a lush, is determined to survive the war at all costs. Based on the memoirs of professional printer Adolph Burger, (portrayed by the rising young actor, August Diehl) who himself imprisoned by the Nazis for political dissent, the film takes us into 1936 Berlin where we meet Sorowitsch, a successful forger of currency and passports. In Berlin he is well known as The King of the Counterfeiters.

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Terror’s Advocate: "A documentary directed by Barbet Schroeder French w/ English subtitles
140 minutes."

When I saw The Last King of Scotland, Forest Whitaker seemed almost cartoonish to me. Not that it was a bad performance. It wasn’t. There were problems with the film for sure, but there was a different reason. Thirty years prior I had seen another film, General Idi Amin Dada, the groundbreaking documentary from French director Barbet Schroeder. It successfully captured the personification of evil on celluloid. For years I was haunted by its stark brutal revelations.

Barbet Schroeder can do that to the viewer. Born in Teheran, Iran in 1946 to a Swiss geologist father, he spent time in Central Africa and Columbia as a child but was raised in France where he has done the bulk of his work. American viewers probably know him for his feature films, Barfly (1987), Reversal of Fortune (1990), and Single White Female (1992), but these are just three small windows to his overall worldview.

Schroeder’s feature films have always had a documentary feel to them while his documentaries more often feel like fictional cinema. This is not accidental. His feature films often have their roots in non-fiction events while his documentaries are so fantastical in their narrative that they feel like works of dramatic fiction.

Terror’s Advocate, Schroeder’s latest adventure, has themes similar to those found in his Oscar nominated, Reversal of Fortune. In the latter, Claus von Bulow, a lawyer of European descent who comes from a family which had close ties to the Nazis finds himself embroiled in a sensational court case. The lawyer featured in Terror’s Advocate is of European descent, has close ties to a Nazi and finds himself embroiled in numerous sensational court cases.

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Today some righties are hyperventilating about a story in the Daily Mail — “Father delivered baby after partner was turned away from NHS hospital - TWICE.” A laboring woman in the UK was sent home because, she was told, there were no beds available in the hospital. Eventually her husband delivered the baby at home.

The British National Health Service has big problems that, as I understand it, stem less from the system itself than from massive underfunding of the system. Brits have been trying to get by on the cheap, and it shows. To illustrate, here is Figure One from the University of Maine’s “The U.S. Health Care System: The Best in the World, or Just the Most Expensive?” (PDF).

The figure shows spending for health care per capita in various nations, in 1998. I added “USA” and “UK.” In 1998, the U.S. was spending $4,178 per capita and the UK was spending $1,461 per capita. I understand that in recent years the Brits have been increasing their spending on NHS, but it takes a long time to make up for years of underfunding.

I bring this up because one cannot fairly compare the U.S. and U.K. systems without considering the funding issue. This does not, of course, stop righties from comparing them.

Click here for more.

-by special guest Ken Furie, a former opera critic for the NY Times

Can you imagine a ruler capable of feeling guilt for his actions?

[7:55] "With my family I hoped to find solace. For my daughter I prepared a splendid wedding feast-- for my tsarevna, my Pure Little Dove. [7:15] Like a storm, death carries off the bridegroom." --Tsar Boris, soliloquizing in the imperial apartments of the Kremlin in Act II of Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov

I'm inclined to think of Russian history and politics as more of a "heightened" version of ours rather than a thing apart. Living with Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov over a lifetime, I find myself more and more riveted by this moment in the tsar's Act II reflections when we see that he seems to believe his family's recent catastrophe--the sudden death of his beloved daughter Xenia's fiance--was somehow caused by the heavy burden of his own guilt. Imagine that: a ruler with a working conscience, actually capable of feeling guilt for his actions.

(You'll find more video clips along with lots more blather in "Was Mussorgsky just romancing, suggesting that put-upon Russian peasants expected higher-quality lies (and liars) from their authoritarian rulers?" on Down With Tyranny

(guest blogged by Bill W.)

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This is perhaps the most shameless hit piece I've seen on CNN since...well, I can't seem to remember ever seeing such a thing on CNN.

Apparently the news is that Sandy Berger, a favorite topic of Republican smear merchants, is NOT part of the HRC campaign. Did I just miss the disclaimer 'this ad paid for by 'swiftboat vets for smearjobs'? I really thought MSNBC was bad yesterday when they let a pundit call Hillary "shrill and fishwife-y," but this wasn't just some bobblehead talking, it was apparently supposed to be an actual honest-to-God news story.

How exactly?

I'm sorry, but everyone and anyone not officially connected to any campaign can offer advice and that isn't a scandal.

From what I gather, CNN apparently got the story hitpiece from the Examiner, a publication whose "right-wing slant" has been well-documented. Beyond their questionable sourcing, if, as CNN reports, that Berger has "no official role" in Hillary's campaign, then CNN knew before they even began shooting that Examiner story was tripe.

What's more, Blitzer then segues into a story that VP Cheney's daughter is now a co-chair to Fred Thompson's campaign. Well, ok, that MIGHT be newsworthy on a slow day, I suppose. At least she is 'officially connected' to the campaign. But if you're going to run with that, wouldn't it have been MUCH more newsworthy to at least mention that another Thompson co-chair is former Sen George Felix 'Macaca' Allen? I'm just askin'.

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the Blogging Banquet Hall. Your waiter today is once again Steven at The Opinion Mill, and he's ready with a list of today's specials:

The thick redneck line: Rick Perlstein traces the racist strain from today's conservatives to their allegedly enlightened forebears.

Wanna read about the Iraq movie that's gonna have the wingers and warwhores in full-froth mode later this month? Get your preview right here .

Who would you support: snakes or real estate developers? You need time to think about it? Joey Novick understands .

What becomes a legend most? When you're talking about the Divine Mr. R. it's the GOP presidential nomination, of course. Saucy thing!

Watch what you say, or AT&T will take away your Internets.

Family values versus valuing families: which president stacks up the best? Like we need to ask?

James Fallows says what needed to be said: Frog really don't sit still while the water around them gets heated to boiling. Several decades of political arguments and analogies have now been rendered inoperable. If you have any (scientifically accurate) replacement metaphors, send them to Mr. Fallows here.

BOOK NOOK: Trey Ellis offers whiny-ass memoir author Clarence Thomas some job advice. As a public service, the author of 211 Things a Bright Boy Can Do demonstrates the proper technique for removing one's underwear without taking off one's pants -- Justice Thomas will no doubt want to try this when things get slow during those Supreme Court sessions. And American master Louis Auchincloss shows why he's considered the literary heir of Henry James and Edith Wharton: "I just think the Bushes are a big family of shits." 

(guest blogged by Bill W.)

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How much money does Bush think a US soldier's life is worth? How much money does Bush think the lives of our allies' soldiers or innocent Iraqis are worth?

As we're finding out, not very much. On March 17, 2003 President Bush issued the warning: "Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours. Their refusal to do so will result in military conflict commenced at a time of our choosing ," yet now thanks to a transcript leaked to the Spanish newspaper El Pais, we learn that more than three weeks prior to that Bush had told former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar that "The Egyptians are speaking to Saddam Hussein. It seems he's indicated he would be prepared to go into exile if he's allowed to take $1 billion ..." When confronted about the leaked transcript yesterday, Whitehouse spokeswoman Dana Perino did not dispute its accuracy.

Just last week we learned from former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan that the real reason behind the war in Iraq was oil , and now we are finding out that the entire war could have been averted for letting him get away with $1 billion. That's just than one tenth of 1% of what this insane invasion and occupation of Iraq, that continues claim the lives of our country's bravest men and women, has now been forcast to cost. Think about that just for a second. Every single death, Iraqi and American coalition alike, could have been saved and Bush could have had Saddam's oil, but apparently he didn't even seriously consider it. Topping that, he then lied in public to the entire world about it just so he could have his war regardless. How's that for compassionate conservatism?

skippy says the Luddites are in charge, but the nerds are angry and may get their revenge yet.

Simply Left Behind analyzes the Bush Global Initiative, which sounds much better than that other one.

Jurassicpork at Welcome To Pottersville wants to draft progressive bloggers. To run for office, that is. Oh, please don't put that idea in their heads. I beg you.

Friday cat blogging: Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying on the battle over a cartoon cat.

Arrests for Marijuana were higher (heh-heh) last year than arrests for all violent crimes combined. The drug war surge is working!

Jason Chervokas and Lance Mannion type about the 50th anniversary of On the Road. Um, it's a book. You do read books, don't you? Neither do I.

This has been yet another Blog Round Up hosted by noted conservative blogger Jon Swift. Send your tips to me at modestjonswift [at] gmail [dot] com. You won't have me to kick around much longer.

Melissa McEwan at Shakesville thinks Rudy Giuliani is a weirdo. That's Miss Weirdo to you.

If Alexis Debat, the ABC terrorism analyst who made up interviews, had been a liberal, conservative blogs would be all over this scandal. Well, at least you have Media Bloodhound, who is still on the case.

Man Eegee tells us the good people of Virginia want to build brand new housing for illegal immigrants. By Neddie Jingo says it all sounds eerily familiar.

Ali Etarez reports on a group pursuing a superterrorist who is completely invisible. Terrifying.

Only Sayin' thinks that America is a little girl.

Mahablog and the Moderate Voice have extensive coverage of the violent crackdown on the monks' protest in Burma. The Osterley Times has some video of the protests. But I agree with the vast majority of liberal blogs (present company excepted), who have given this story a collective yawn and not bothered to cover it at all even though the rest of the world thinks it's pretty important. Burma Schmurma, I say.

This has been another Blog Round Up hosted by noted conservative blogger Jon Swift. Send your tips to me at modestjonswift [at] gmail [dot] com, but please stop flooding me with all those Burma stories.

The Quaker Agitator would like to be allowed to think for himself, which is odd considering there are so many people who are paid to think for him.

Instaputz asks the question, Whither the Left?

Fetch My Axe writes about a case that nobody has written about.

Newspapers don't seem particularly interested with the impact of the UAW strike on their readers.

Rubber Hose reveals that Germany has been moved to Africa. I did not know that.

Fannie's Room is calling for separation of Church and Military.

Graphictruth says the Left is humorless and irony-impaired. I know what you're thinking: Is that supposed to be funny?

Comments From Left Field and Conservative Thinking have joined to raise funds in honor of Sgt. Yance T. Gray, and Sgt. Omar Mora, two of the authors of the New York Times Op-Ed piece who died in Iraq. Who knew that liberal and conservative bloggers could work together? Newshoggers has joined their effort.

Today's Round Up has been guestblogged by noted conservative blogger Jon Swift, and I'm a proud wingbat, or moonut (I can never get them straight). Please send your tips to me at modestjonswift [at] gmail [dot] com and then drop by The Aristocrats and leave a note for Sandy Underpants, who is recovering from painful hernia surgery.

Like the naïve liberal patsies of Columbia University, the folks at C&L are apparently still letting me, noted conservative blogger Jon Swift, guest host this week's Blog Round Up, so here is another edition:

Republic of T has started a massive project to document hate crimes against gays, which is a problem they don't have in Iran.

dnA at Too Sense and Maru the Crankpot ponder the question, Is Barack Obama too lazy and shiftless to be President?

Scrutiny Hooligans informs us of Rep. Heath Shuler's important legislation to protect our children from the menace of Forest Whittaker.

David Ehrenstein fisks Frank Rich, which would be illegal if he did it in the Minneapolis airport.

Mad Kane has some etiquette advice for Rudy Giuliani, while the Rude Pundit is just plain rude to America's mayor.

Two of my favorite bloggers, Shaun Mullen and Robert Stein, review Ken Burns' documentary about World War II, which many believe was the best war until the war in Iraq. By the way, Stein actually was in World War II, when blogging hadn't even been invented yet, but he can still blog a lot of you young whippersnappers under the table.

Please send your tips to me at modestjonswift [at] gmail [dot] com. I've enjoyed reading all of your suggestions so far, even the liberal ones.

Before I begin today's blog round-up, guest-blogged by me, noted conservative blogger Jon Swift, I just want to offer my sincere thanks to C&L readers for the warm welcome that greeted me on my first day here. Like George Bush, I am a uniter not a divider and I hope your hospitality is a sign that the divisions that Democrats have created in this country will soon be healed.

Kevin Hayden at American Street wants us to listen, but I must say it is very difficult for me to do that when I have my hands over my ears and I'm singing, "La, la, la, la…"

Something seems to be happening in Burma or Myanmar or whatever, but it must not be very important because hardly anyone is blogging about it.

Lotus salutes the Boston police, who are working overtime to protect us from "hoax devices," the latest weapon in the terrorists' frightening arsenal.

Brilliant at Breakfast has some great news about our economy! Corporate streamlining has led to higher exports and productivity.

Talking Dog has a fascinating interview with Randall Larsen the Founding Director of The Institute for Homeland Security.

In memorium: Divided We Stand, United We Fall remembers Rick Rescorla, a Vietnam veteran who died in the World Trade Center on September 11; last year Pierre Tristam at Candide's Notebooks wrote about Jose Gutierrez, the first soldier to die in Iraq, and a criminal; and Tom Watson pays tribute to Courtney Hollinsworth, who died in Iraq just two weeks ago.

Please send your tips to modestjonswift [at] gmail [dot] com. I will consider any links you send me, especially from smaller blogs, though I may find it necessary to report you to the NSA.

I am very honored that Mike has asked me, noted conservative blogger Jon Swift, to fill his very big shoes and host this week's Blog Round Up. I'm not sure why he decided to reach across the aisle and choose a conservative like myself, though I imagine it must be extremely difficult to find liberals who are dependable enough to take on such a great responsibility. (If you are unfamiliar with my modest blog, here is a good place to start.)

But fear not, I am a very reasonable conservative, and instead of hitting you over the head with my ideology, I believe the subtle way I have arranged these links will convince you of the virtues of conservatism in the end.

One thing I have in common with many liberals is I just don't know what to say about this whole complicated Jena 6 situation so I would prefer to say nothing at all. But Kai at Zuky, Jill at Jack and Jill Politics, the Field Negro, the Thin Black Duke at Slant Truth and Elle seem to have plenty to say.

Dispatches from the Culture War tells you "How To Avoid Advancing the Gay Agenda." I plan to follow all of these recommendations.

Once you realize evolution is untrue, you start to doubt everything scientists tell us, such as whether the world is really round. Liberal Avenger finds some people who are keeping an open mind about the subject.

Electronic Village has posted a list of the "Top 10 Black Bloggers." Because I am completely colorblind I had no idea any of these bloggers were black.

Vidiot Speak concedes that Democrats will never beat Republicans. One reason might be, as Bark Bark Woof Woof points out, Republicans always stay one step ahead of Democrats in pioneering cutting-edge campaign tactics.

World-O-Crap introduces us to the work of Archibald P. Campbell, the genius behind the children's cartoon "Why Do the Terrorists Want To Hurt Me?" which I think every child should see.

Please send your tips to modestjonswift [at] gmail [dot] com. I will be using the very same stringent criteria used by the Bush Administration in hiring to decide what to link to, namely (in this order): 1) Nepotism (now is a good time to start that blog, Mom) 2) Cronyism 3) Bribery 4) Flattery and (in case of ties) 5) Quality of the candidate. And just as Fox News only features liberal pundits whom no one has ever heard of, I am going to try to link to smaller blogs rather than just to the usual suspects the way most liberal blogs do, with the notable exception of this blog, to which I am very grateful for inviting me to be a guest here this week.

(Guest Blogged by Michael Shaw, BAGnewsNotes.com)

Call it a classic test of scheduling -- and spine -- for our Congressional leadership.

Buried in Tuesday's NYT article in which Carl Levin and John Warner jointly blamed President Maliki for our screw up Iraq, the following nugget appeared regarding the potential schedule for BushCo.'s progress report/sales pitch for perpetuating the Iraq campaign. The line in question reads: A White House spokesman said Monday that the Capitol Hill testimony could be expected on Sept. 11 or 12.

Eleventh OR twelfth, huh?

If, among all its layers of meaning, Art Spiegelman's haunting New Yorker cover from September 24, 2001 could be seen to suggested the number 11, would the Democrats actually be so submissively lame as to actually allow BushCo. to start hearings on that particular date?