Monday Roundup

1. A decent bit has been made in the national media-naturally-about the 'revelation' that Bush 'authorized' the 'leak' of certain information regarding Joe Wilson's Niger mis-daventure. A good, concise argument about the tempest in a teacup here:

Yes, the president authorized a top aide to leak portions of the National Intelligence Estimate, which was classified, although it would later be de-classified. But what is wrong with that? When the president decides to make something public, it can be made public.

Note this is about material relating to an NIE, not Valerie Plame.

2. Trenchant piece about what France, GM and upstate NY have in common. Unions.

3. France surrenders. Why does this surprise anyone? Just another step towards irrelevancy for the French economy. The silver lining here is that this is a stinging defeat for PM Dominque de Villepin. The de Villepin who did his level best to personally fracture the Atlantic alliance.

4. Paul Rusesabagina (Hotel Rwanda) castigates the UN and the world for ignoring Darfur. And rightly so.

5. Saddam planned to strike at the U.S.????