The Daily Muck

Twenty-four intelligence officials are looking for a clarification of Mike Mukasey’s definition of definition; they’ve asked that the Senate Judiciary Committee put a hold on the nomination until the nominee is given an a chance to be appropriately briefed on the classified program. Of course, it doesn’t seem like Democrats will continue to take much of a stand on this issue. Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Diane Feinsten (D-CA) sat on their decisions to support Mukasey last week in order to try to avoid too much flack from supporters. (Think Progress, Huffington Post)

Still going nowhere. Hans A. von Spakovsky, Bush’s nominee for a Federal Election Commission post, continues his uphill battle for confirmation. His resume of voter suppression and politicization of the Justice Department made him a star candidate for a recess appointment, but is stalling his nomination. As one former Justice Department attorney said of von Spakovsky, “You can leave the swamp, but you can’t get the mud off you until you take a bath.” (Politico)

Pakistan’s burgeoning dictatorship has done what every good failing state does when worried about America’s response: it has targeted the lobbyists. With close to $900 million in foreign aid potentially under review, Pakistan wants to make sure that those pesky American lawmakers don’t try to hold it accountable for it’s recent hiatus from democracy. (Politico)

Parsons Corporation puts the waste – human that is – in wasteful. The American contracting firm responsible for the $72 million Baghdad Police Academy Barracks has had more than one year to correct its disastrous plumbing and workmanship, yet the ceilings are still stained with excrement and human waste drips from the ceilings. (NY Times)

Salon’s interviews with victims of rendition, CIA pilots, case officers who have actually carried out renditions, senior CIA officers who directed such operations and officials at the White House who were involved in authorizing such measures, all point to one conclusion – repeated claims by the White House that we “don’t send people to countries where they will be tortured” are plain lies. The Bush administration acknowledges its rendition program and black sites, but few details of torture are confirmed on the record because victims have been denied their day in court. (Salon)

Now we know who helped quash the nascent Colbert campaign. Two prominent Obama supporters called South Carolina Dems urging them to keep the talk show host off the ballot. (Huffington Post)