Notes on a Zig Zag paper: News blackout in LA extends only as far as our local paper, the justifiably scorned Los Angeles Times. The Swiftboat story isn't there. This in spite of the fact that it the only topic of talk radio when I'm driving to work these past few mornings. I'd wax hot about this but Captain's Quarters has the best story and links I've seen. Go there if you didn't link from Reynolds. The fact that the London papers are doing a better job than any of ours makes me wonder if Bush has a chance. The liberal attack is nationwide and is done by blackout as much as attack journalism. I'd say if you aren't reading the web, you are misinformed.

Al Qaeda terror intel updated as early as this Spring, according to a White House link printed in the New York Times, the same rag that wrecked the intel sweep by publishing a deep background story from the moronic Bush White House. I think that they agreed to give this one some page time to make up for it. Just bullshit. The intel is solid. Were they going to act?

More Oil for Food, this time in MSM. When the report landed in the United Nations' Iraq sanctions committee, the clearinghouse for all contracts with Iraq, it caused only a few ripples of consternation. There was no action, diplomats said, not even a formal meeting on the allegations.

Since the fall of Mr. Hussein, the oil-for-food program has received far more scrutiny than it ever did during its six years of operation.

So starts the New York Times telling all of us what we have known for at least a year. Naturally they didn't credit Claudia Rosett, the only reporter who wrote on the story for more than a year. Next for The Times: "Russians to build wall between East and West Berlin."

More Swiftboat: many vets are rallying around Kerry

Kerry "always led from the front," Medeiros said. "He was always the first one off (the boat). He was just dedicated, and he wanted to accomplish something."

Good piece from the Oakland Tribune. In essence many of the crew are blasting the Swiftboat expose' as pure politics. The interviewee also clarifies the killing of the "VC teenager" thusly:

On the day of the now-famous incident, Medeiros said the swiftboat, PCF-94, was heading upriver when it ran into an ambush. Rockets were flying out of the jungle, and Kerry "made a decision to put the boats in and get these guys," Medeiros said. Kerry's boat happened to hit the shore right in front of an enemy soldier holding a grenade launcher. The soldier started running, maybe to get enough distance to be able to fire his weapon at the boat, Medeiros said.

Kerry's forward gunner managed to hit the guerrilla, who appeared to be a teenager, according to reports on the incident. Although he was hit in the leg, the guerrilla kept running with his weapon, which could have done serious damage to the boat and the sailors on board. Medeiros remembers Kerry jumping off the boat to give chase.

"I saw him running down this trail after this guy, and I followed him," Medeiros said. "Just as I rounded a corner behind him, (Kerry) shot the guy."

This ain't over by a long shot and we all have to hold judgment til all the info is in. But, this defense of Kerry's actions is damaging to him: You don't get a medal for shooting somebody in the back, and this is what is behind the controversy over this incident.

Revenge News Flash: Jilted boyfriend Paul Clarke took revenge on his ex-lover by posting a video of them having sex on the internet.

Business cards with the website address were handed out at Cara Whitehouse's 21st birthday party by an unknown man and put on the windscreens of all cars at the venue.

Her neighbours and work friends were also sent details.