There has certainly been good solid news reported lately in both the economy and with the war on terrorrism, and I believe this may well be an attempt from the Left to squelch those headlines for the purposes of political gain.
Besides, I'm sure these Judges are angry at the Military for showing those embarrassing and degrading photos of the former Iraqi President. The International Community hasn't come down hard enough on the US for this atrocity, and so the Ninth Circuit is doing its part.