For the last few weeks, Republicans have been attacking Nancy Pelosi for criticizing the CIA’s congressional disclosure. Now comes the news that Leon Panetta, CIA director, has launched an internal probe of a “highly classified intelligence program” that was never properly disclosed to Congress. The move by Panetta appears to be an implicit acknowledgment by the agency that it should have disclosed information about the post-9/11 secret program to Congress much earlier than it did.  When

“Today, we’re launching a new resource to help you learn more about how to report the news,” writes Olivia Ma, YouTube news manager, on the video sharing site’s blog. “It’s called The YouTube Reporters’ Center, and it features some of the nation’s top journalists sharing instructional videos with tips and advice for better reporting. Learn how to prepare for an interview from CBS News’ Katie Couric; how to be an investigative reporter from the legendary Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward, or why it’s important for citizens to participate in the news-gathering process from Arianna Huffington.

Thousands of Iranian protesters marched toward Tehran University today, both to commemorate the 1999 student uprising and to continue their opposition toward the recently stolen presidential election. Once again, the Iranian regime has responded with violence, as Basij militia members dispersed demonstrators with live fire, tear gas, and other brutal measures. It’s clear though that Iran’s reform movement is still alive and strong, despite the regime’s best efforts to thwart protesters and the fact that the US media have largely buried this story beneath coverage of Michael Jackson’s death.

(This piece was originally posted on The Huffington Post) I’m sad about Michael Jackson’s death. But there is a bright side, this guy.You know you know him. He is the dude we keep seeing over and over and over again in the front row screaming like crazy at Michael’s last press conference in London. Just watch his gorgeous enthusiasm around minute 1:18 in the video below: Oh you International fans, you. The first time I saw this footage on the news I must have hit rewind on my TiVo at least a dozen times.

President Barack Obama continues a trend, we have more documented instances below, is Obama’s roving eye followed up by action, we have read the internet rumors, you can’t blame Obama, heck, would James Bond be satisfied be with that woman, anyway here is the President, President Obama ogling or looking or checking a woman’s back side or rear end at the Italy G-8 Summit with French President Nicholas Sarkozy: As Michael Savage noted, the good thing is this hopefully proves that those other internet rumors are not true.

Below is an excerpt of NASA scientist James Hansen’s critique of the President Obama supported Waxman-Markey global warming cap-and-trade bill that passed the House and is now under consideration in the U.S. Senate. Hansen’s full critique appeared on July 9, 2009 in The Huffington Post. Hansen is director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, but he writes on this policy-related topic as a private citizen. Jim Hansen Excerpt:

Thursday Evening Starting Five: The Leave Emmett Till’s Grave Alone Edition – thestartingfive.net 07/09/2009 Because my comp was on the blink, Ed Hill’s conversation about McNair’s Alcorn State days, a McNair column and a Michael Jackson piece to be posted tomorrow. Have a peace Thursday evening. Wake up nice and chill on Friday. It’s the weekend baby! 4 charged after bodies dug up at Ill. cemetery. Hundreds of graves disturbed at final resting site for many famous Blacks…including Emmett Till.

msnbc.com The Health Care Follies CBS News Two weeks ago, President Obama offered to cut several hundred billion more dollars out of the Medicare and Medicaid budget to help make room for health care … Big changes in Medicare pay key to health reforms Reuters The Case for Broad-based Health Care Funding Huffington Post In Retooled Health -Care System, Who Will Say No?

On August 18th Third Eye Blind comes out with their 4th album, Ursa Major . They just wrapped up their tour (I caught their last show at the Palladium), and now thanks to the Huffington Post and Sneak Attack, we’ve got their first music video from the album for “Don’t Believe A Word”. Stephan Jenkins actually directed it, and it uses a cool staggered photo trick creating a stop-motion effect. My one complaint? The song is the censored version. Fuckin’ censors.

Rachel Maddow interviews Nathaniel Frank last March (video: The Rachel Maddow Show at YouTube ) Nathaniel Frank , writing at The Huffington Post , claims the death of Seaman August Provost is “Exhibit A” for why Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell must end now: Will We Wait Until Another Gay Sailor Is Murdered? By Nathaniel Frank Last week a 29-year-old gay sailor was found shot to death at a guard shack at Camp Pendleton.