Daily Dish

Forty-six members of the Palestinian Authority Central Election Committee resigned en masse saying they had been subjected to a campaign of intimidation by PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's top aides and Palestinian security forces. Even though election observer and former President Jimmy Carter praised the election, describing it as "free, honest, open and without any violence of any kind," Palestinian human rights groups and some local election observers complained that the Central Election Committee had come under heavy pressure from Abbas's staff to extend the vote by an additional two hours and to allow non-registered voters to cast their ballots. I guess Carter missed all that. After six Israeli civilians were murdered in an attack that was based from a PA post, Israel cut off contact with Abbas and his crew until they take steps to crack down on terrorists. Egyptian President Honsi Mubarak criticized Israel for cutting off contact with the Palestinian Authority, saying terrorist attacks are just an excuse. Yeah, but they're a damn good excuse considering. While the PLO Executive Committee called on Palestinian militants to halt attacks against Israel, it will take more than and that's the point. The way it works is that if you want to be considered a government, then you must actively pursue, capture, and prosecute those engaging in criminal activity. If you don't, you will rightly be considered to be condoning that activity. And it is quite reasonable for Israel to not negotiate with governments that are opposed to their very existence. So it is no surprise when the US government also demands that it see some evidence that Abbas and his government are working hard to be an honest participant in negotiations. And so far there is no such evidence.

Iraq unveils its security plan for the elections.

Spc. Charles Graner Jr. was sentenced to 10 years in prison after a jury of his peers in the military found him guilty of being a sadistic and morally corrupt ringleader of the Abu Ghraib debacle. Higher-ups on the chain of command should suffer (non judicial) consequences as well, but it seems pretty clear that these people were not ordered to engage in this behavior. We are, of course, still waiting for the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators of the beheadings of Nick Berg, Kenneth Bigley and others. But it looks like it will be left up to the US to mete out justice for this. Same ol' same ol' while everyone else stands around carping and criticizing. Strangely, it seems the French press has been unusually kind to American efforts around the world, if not in Iraq. But what the hell, I'll take it.

Arthur Chrenkoff comments on the recently released National Intelligence Council's report.

Indonesia again claims that they have set no deadline for foreign troops helping tsunami victims to leave the country. And India is leading the effort for installing a tsunami warning system for the Indian Ocean.

Iranian Nobel Prize winner Shirin Ebadi says she's ready for jail rather than comply with an order to appear before the Revolutionary Council. Tough lady.

China and Taiwan have worked out the details and it seems flights between the two countries will commence.

Inauguration week begins today and thousands are heading for the nation's capitol. Parties and parades will be the order of the day culminating with the inaugural event itself of Friday and the subsequent inaugural balls. The President's approval ratings are up, the most voters since 1968 turned out on election day (which, BTW, was also the last time Democratic President won a majority of the vote), so there's a lot for he, and us, to celebrate.

Democrats, on the other hand, discuss the possibility of embracing a broader message. I would advise just having a message first.

Michael Moore's high school has rejected for the fourth time his entrance into its Hall of Fame. Maybe he'll have better luck with his University. Oh, that's right, he didn't attend University. Oh well, maybe next year.

How to rid your establishment of cocaine users.

Drivers Ed classes get realistic simulations of life on the road. "some 15-year olds are going to start learning to drive in cars with loud music, talking friends, and of course, a constantly ringing cell phone." Of course.

Hot sex. I mean really hot. I mean burning send-you-to-the-hospital hot.