Look Over There!

This is crap. I've noticed a trend of inexplicably well timed press releases, often spectacular, but just as often disappearing into the vapor a few days later. Today was no different: one more set of back to back, self nullifying press releases. "National Guard file missing? Uuuh...OH! We caught a guy!"
These three headlines are back to back this morning:

Former Saddam Deputy Arrested in Iraq

Bush's National Guard File Missing Records

U.S. Official Says Close to Catching Bin Laden

Just an update on that. The Bush/National Guard story was bracketed by two pieces: "We're close to capturing Osama," and "We captured Saddam's number 1 aide." The first story wasn't a story, simply speculation. Now, it seems, the guy they captured in Iraq wasn't Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri ('the DNA tests are 60% complete'), but in fact a relative of his. Again, 12 hours later, no story here. I was wondering why they put that DNA clause in the lead story. The retraction has been *somewhat* buried.

And then there was last week's overlooked whammy, the Government dropping charges against *already convicted* terrorists, in a press release two hours before Bush took the stage in New York. It seems that prosecuters made some shit up, and go caught. Ashcroft himself is cited for contempt, and the judge advises, "I'd think about damage control."

U.S. Admits Terror Case Blunders

That would leave us with eactly...zero, convictions on domestic terrorism. Am I wrong?

And finally, another...a WTC securities firm sues Saudi Arabia for $7 billion. What do you bet the Saudi's settle out of court?

Cantor Fitzgerald Sues Saudis for Losses