What?

I can't believe the news today . . . an EPA cap on mercury emissions from power plants that's not really a cap (New Jersey state mercury emissions regulations are tougher and allows fewer emissions in a shorter amount of time), Bush pushing for a "Clear Skies" air quality bill that's as ironically named as the People's Republic of China . . .

Meanwhile, Italy announced it is going to start withdrawing its troops in Iraq by September, the aftereffect of this month's checkpoint debacle. Although Italy has been a staunch ally in the Iraq War and its withdrawal makes the United States all the more vulnerable and isolated there, the story appeared in my local paper on page eight - as a three-paragraph item. Further evidence that American journalism is turning into a Mickey Mouse medium.