She has chosen to play, or more accurately, the media has fitted her out for the part of the spoiled, obnoxious, rich brat, only interested in parties and clothes and headlines.

These processes are complex and don’t work themselves out as the result of any pre-arranged plan, but it’s worth noting that Hilton’s time in the limelight has coincided with the deepening of popular discontent with the war in Iraq, corporate corruption, official moves toward a police state and the destruction of secure jobs on a mass scale.

To help retard the development of a rational opposition to the current political and social state of affairs, the media cultivates an artificial hostility toward much easier targets.

A seething but politically confused population is fed victims, sacrificial lambs, so to speak, while the real criminals go about their business.   more »

"Hey, 'B,' it's me," a woman who calls herself "Obamagirl" murmurs amorously into a phone at the beginning of the slow jam.

"If you're there, pick up. I was just watching you on C-SPAN."

The song and video goes on to poke racy fun at the way some voters have responded viscerally to both Obama's charisma and the personal nature of his political appeal.

"You seemed to float onto the floor/Democratic convention 2004/I never wanted anybody more/than I want you," Obamagirl coos.

"Baby, I cannot wait/til 2008/Baby, you're the best candidate," she continues as she walks around New York City in various stages of undress, occasionally posing near life-size pictures of the lanky senator from Illinois.   more »

Hamas fighters hunted down key loyalists

of the Western-backed Palestinian president

in the Gaza Strip on Thursday

after seizing most of the final strongholds

of his secular Fatah movement in the enclave

Predictably, Bush accused Hamas of "acts of terror"

   more »

Keywords: palestinians, hamas, gaza, fatah

Bush's procession through Europe was a pageant of contempt, disdain, delusion, provocation and vanity masquerading as a welcome respite from his troubles at home.

In Albania he landed at last in a place where he was hailed as a conquering hero.

His demolition derby of US influence was presented as a series of bold moves, but it confirmed the fears of the other world leaders at the G8 summit (and elsewhere) that the rest of Bush's presidency will be an erratic series of crashes.

His performance ranged from King Nod, issuing proclamations he was oblivious to, and even proud of their negative effect, to King Zog (the last king of Albania).   more »

You think you've reached bottom, then you hear knocking from underneath. As I follow the news from Iraq, and the American debate about it, I fear that the worst is still to come.

Here's the latest twist. In desperation, and since the surge is not having the desired effect, the US military is now arming and funding Sunni gangs to help them fight other Sunni gangs linked to al-Qaida.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend - even if, until only yesterday, he was the enemy I had claimed to be defeating.

But how will the US military know they are not supporting killers who have the blood of American soldiers on their hands?   more »