One reason Bush likes Iraq: Bullseyes on reporters

We all know the high esteem with which President Malaprop views the press. If he had his druthers, failing to echo the party line would be a capital offense for all in the Fourth Estate.

And that's a big part of the appeal of the Quagmire Formerly Known as Iraq. Fourteen journalists have been killed there just in 2005 (48 in all) -- at least some of whom were killed by US forces. I expect few tears were shed in the White House on their behalf.

But we do have other ways of dealing with the press there: remember Abu Ghraib?

Groups Demand Release of Reuters Cameraman in Iraq

Media rights groups demanded on Thursday that U.S. forces immediately release a Reuters journalist held in Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq unless they could explain why he is being held without charge.

Reporters Without Borders, a Paris-based organisation that campaigns to protect journalists detained or threatened because of their work, said it had written to top U.S. Middle East commander General John Abizaid to demand the release of 36-year-old Ali Omar Abrahem al-Mashhadani.

It also accused U.S. forces of carrying out summary arrests of journalists in Iraq without providing any justification.

Which must sound like a little slice of heaven to the Rove machine right about now.