Here's the problem with twelve hour work days

I get home, and so much has happened in the world that by the time I am done catching up, I'm ready for bed. So for now, some quick hits...

-Every one and their brother probably knows by now that Bush has decided to lawyer up in anticipation of being called in the Plume case. Remember that thing?

Plame's undercover status was revealed when her name appeared in a newspaper column by Robert D. Novak last July 14 that attributed the information to "two senior administration officials." In February 2002, the CIA sent Plame's husband, former ambassador Joseph C. Wilson, to investigate assertions that Iraq had attempted to buy nuclear material in Niger, claims that he discredited. Wilson later became a leading critic of the White House's case for invading Iraq and has suggested that his wife's identity was leaked to discourage others from questioning the administration.

At one point Wilson blamed Karl Rove, but has since said only that Rove "pushed it hard." I'm sure there is more to come.

-I was going to link to Atrios regarding the forgetful nature of President Bush regarding Chalabi. But I have a feeling if you read me, you've already been there. Ah, who am I kidding. It's good stuff. Go read it. But I'll also point on Juan Cole, who deflates the Bush got duped by Iranian spy idea.

-Finally Kevin Drum at the Washington Monthly points out how slight Brahimi's rule really was in the selection of the new Iraq government. Oddly enough, he also has the same quotes by Bush on Chalabi.

*UPDATE* Soon after this post, I came across the Center for American Progress and it's take on the new Iraqi government and Brahimi's roll. I must say it doesn't look like a "non-partisan" group to me:

But the Bush administration's unwillingness to relinquish control of the process to U.N. special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi as promised by President Bush for weeks could undermine the interim government's authority and credibility with Iraqis.

-The Bush administration broke its promise to the U.N. and Iraq. After promising for weeks that Brahimi would retain "full control" over the selection process, the U.S. railroaded the U.N. and Brahimi into accepting Alawi as PM and tried to block the appointment of Yawar in favor of Adnan Pachachi, the handpicked choice for president who eventually turned down the job.

-The new Iraqi government risks looking like a puppet U.S. regime with little credibility and insufficient authority to lead Iraq to full elections. Brahimi specifically warned that Iraqi politicians like Alawi and Yawar should stay out of the interim process in favor of more independent technocrats who could take care of the government until elections. By ignoring Brahimi, and orchestrating the appointment of an interim government mostly to its liking, the Bush administration sent a potentially dangerous and counterproductive signal to Iraqis.