STUPID Americans and Russian procreation....

From American Progress:

Think Fast...

"Six years after the 9/11 terror attacks on the U.S., it seems the media still have some educational work to do. A new CBS/New York Times poll reveals that even today, 1 in 3 Americans believe that 'Saddam Hussein was personally involved in the September 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.'"

The Bush administration's top intelligence officials have notified a federal appeals court that "a July ruling requiring the government to disclose virtually all its information on Guantanamo detainees could cause 'exceptionally grave damage to the national security.'" The ruling was a victory for detainee lawyers, piercing the government's shield of secrecy.

57: Percentage New Orleans's black population dropped after Hurricane Katrina, while the city's white population declined by 36 percent, according to a new analysis of U.S. census data.

An economic forecast by UCLA predicts "the nation's economy will be so sluggish well into next year that any major hiccup could tip it into recession. ... The forecast presents a gloomier outlook for jobs and the housing market."

A U.S. military official reported that Israel conducted an airstrike "deep into Syria" yesterday. Military officials said Israel is "keeping troops along the Syrian border on high alert. The officials said there have been no signs that Syria is preparing for war after the alleged incident," though Syria did complain to the U.N. about Israeli "aggression and violation of sovereignty."

ABC's Brian Ross reports that wealthy Saudi Arabians are "filling al Qaeda's coffers." "If I could somehow snap my fingers and cut off the funding from one country, it would be Saudi Arabia," said Stuart Levey, the under secretary of the Treasury in charge of tracking terror financing.

According to a poll of Pakistanis, al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is more popular in Pakistan than President Pervez Musharraf, a key U.S. ally." According to poll results, "bin Laden has a 46 percent approval rating. Musharraf's support is 38 percent. U.S. President George W. Bush's approval: 9 percent."

And finally: Happy Day of Conception! Gov. Sergei Morozov, head of the central Russian region Ulyanovsk, has given couples the day off to procreate. "Couples who give birth nine months later on Russia's national day - June 12 - receive money, cars, refrigerators and other prizes."

Wrap...