Big news day: the (possibly) good, the bad and the disturbing

Former Murdoch 'lieutenant' predicts that the media empire will crumble on the tycoon's death. Thought I'd start off an a hopeful note.

Bush to grant unpopular Bolton research appointment. Incredible. Over objections from Democrats and some principled Republicans, plus the opposition of the rest of the world and a large number of American citizens-- not to mention the fact that he's even been implicated in Rovegate-- it looks like Bush is going to promote another incompetent boob to a post he wants to destroy anyway.

King Fahd of Saudi Arabia dies, oil prices climb with uncertainty over the course of the nation.

Gitmo prosecutors claim in e-mails: trials unjust, unfair, even 'rigged.' This isn't defenders, but prosecutors who felt uncomfortable pursuing their cases for lack of evidence.

Uzbekistan demands closure of US air base. Administration officials whistle and look up at ceiling. Hard to believe that even the brutal rulers we prop up are turning against us.

After a relatively slow week, I really wasn't expecting to wake up to all of this. Things get worse around the world, and our government insists that we're still in wonderland.