Cursor's Media Patrol - 01/03/06

Jack Abramoff has pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy, tax evasion and mail fraud. On Saturday, the Washington Post fronted a report on the 'DeLay-Abramoff Money Trail.' Plus: After lobbyist Michael Scanlon 'broke off engagement, ex-fiance told of illicit dealings to FBI.'

A New York Times article headlined 'Bush defends spy program and denies misleading public,' contains an example of Bush misleading the public, which resulted in the White House "clarifying the president's remarks..."

As 'The book behind the bombshell' is released, co-author James Risen tells the "Today Show" that the whistleblowers who disclosed Bush's warrantless domestic spying program were "motivated ... by the purest reasons."

The New York Times' public editor writes that the paper's "explanation of its decision to report, after what it said was a one-year delay, that the [NSA] is eavesdropping domestically without court-approved warrants was woefully inadequate."

As the U.S. military 'curbs soldiers' blogs,' a Military Times poll finds that support among the U.S. armed forces for President Bush's Iraq policy, as well as his overall policies, has dropped nine percent over the last year.

With "Presidents' Month" underway, Slate's Bruce Reed observes that, thanks to the State of the Union and "his other command performance, the federal budget," the occupant of the White House "always owns the stage from Christmas until the Super Bowl," a "looming anniversary" notwithstanding.

Israeli Prime Minister Sharon reportedly "plans eventually to scrap a U.S.-led 'road map' to peace with the Palestinians," and the Jerusalem Post amplifies German media reports that the U.S. "began coordinating with NATO its plans for a possible military attack against Iran." Plus: 'No buses roll from Gaza to West Bank, despite deal.'

A male spokesperson for Concerned Women for America has reportedly discovered that Barbie has "become another tool for promoting gender confusion."