Wonkette

This is Brenda Paz. She was 17 years old when MS-13 brutally murdered her in Virginia for agreeing to testify against the gang in a federal capital murder case. You probably don’t recognize her, which is fine, unless you watched really closely at about second 16 in that repulsive Tancredo ad when they showed this exact picture of her (courtesy of the Shenandoah Police Department) while the scary-voiced narrator says “pushing drugs, raping kids, destroying lives” about illegal immigrants. The fact that they used this picture of Brenda is not only sorta sick, since I know they didn’t have her family’s permission, but also rich with irony because Brenda was probably not a legal immigrant herself.

MORE »

• Bush still kicking himself for not standing in the Katrina rubble with a bullhorn. [NYT]

• On anniversary of Katrina, Gulf Coast to receive massive influx of administration officials touting successful reconstruction efforts, “despite visual evidence suggesting otherwise.” [NYT]
• Plane crash in Kentucky is first domestic jet accident since November 2001, kills 49. [NYT, USAT]
• Abortion ban showdown comes to South Dakota, November vote could institute strictest laws in country. [WP]
• Osama bin Laden never actually charged with 9/11 crimes because of, “the need to be fair to any defendant.” [WP]
• Baghdad morgue only received 450 bodies this month, down from 1800 last month, Iraqi Prime Minister: ” What you see is an atmosphere of reconciliation.” [LAT]
• Spending on campaign ads up 45% from 2004 level as candidates and consultants discover cable TV. [W$J]
• “Ernesto” is first hurricane of the season, batters impoverished Caribbean nations on way to Florida. [USAT]
• Sad schism between real and fantasy worlds highlighted as “24″ and “The Office” take top Emmy awards. [LAT]

When we last checked in on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s ad, it was to note that, “The DCCC is so committed to the environment they’re recycling stock photos and a Bill Clinton quote for America’s ‘new direction.’” Since then, the National Republican Congressional Committee has branded the unmemorable piece of filmmaking “despicable” and is spamming inboxes around the country with daily updated lists of Dems who have and have not “repudiated DCCC fundraising ad that dishonored fallen heroes.” MORE »