Salon ran an article featuring horrific scenes from the Iraq war that you won't be seeing at any of your major news outlets. It was very hard to look at, but then again -- that's kind of the point.

Meanwhile, the prez is blowing the 9/11 trumpet again to explain our involvement there. Well, you can't say he doesn't stay on message, as flawed as that message may be, at least in terms of truthfulness. Looks like it's going to be more of the same for the forseeable future, but the Bush cabal really better step up the inspirational messages about sacrifice, because the public ain't with them right now. Maybe if Bush attended a funeral or two for the war fallen, he'd gain a little sympathy, but, really it doesn't look like he cares too much. Maybe his crying on cue is not so good.

But at least there's Barbra Streisand to keep morale up with her new song and video about loved ones separated by war (available for free viewing at Amazon.com). It's hard to imagine any fighting men and women being pumped up by this treacly crap, with Barry Gibb singing saccharine back-up. Barbra really gets into it, moving her body around in this sort of herky jerky way and assuming a very serious look in those slightly-crossed eyes. Barbra for the most part sticks to the human element, not getting too political. Crap is crap, no matter how nice the intentions.