Weekend Links

• The Senate this week passed a bipartisan measure that eases limits on the federal financing of embryonic stem cell research, which Bush has of course threatened to veto.

• Roughly half of Arkansas's National Guard has been called to duty in Iraq. Now, 2,800 Arkansas troops are on alert for possible redeployment by October, in what would be their second tour of duty in less than two years.

• Bush is threatening to veto a Senate intelligence bill that would force the White House and spy agencies to be (gasp!) more responsive to Congress. Doing anything out in the open, with any chance of oversight, is anathema to Bush and his incompetent crew.

• As many as 6 million prepared meals stockpiled near potential victims of the 2006 hurricane season spoiled in the Gulf Coast heat last summer when FEMA ran short of warehouse and refrigeration space. The heckuva job continues.

• The White House has withdrawan its choice to head the EPA's air pollution office. William Wehrum, a former lawyer for chemical and utility companies, was nominated after having been the architect of rules to regulate harmful power plant emissions that environmental groups and many Democrats (and anyone who doesn't hate the environment) blasted as too lenient. This is a great example of what Democrats in charge in Congress can do to stem the tide of Bush destruction in a way that even Bush's veto pen can't stop.

• And, of course, the U.S. Attorney scandal has continued to grow more and more disturbing this week. We encourage all Angry Progressive readers to check ThinkProgress.org daily for updates.