6/6 News

McCain compounds wiretapping problem

A recent statement from the McCain campaign asserted McCain’s often-criticized view that Bush’s warrantless-wiretapping was lawful, bringing the hopeful President even closer to Bush’s executive power grabs.

The advisor, Douglas Holtz-Eakin, posted in the National Review that Bush’s authorization of NSA international and email monitoring was within the bounds of the Constitution. “Neither the administration nor the telecoms need apologize for actions that most people, except for the A.C.L.U. and trial lawyers, understand were constitutional and appropriate in the wake of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.”

The criticism has compounded because in a Boston Globe interview six months ago, McCain stated he would obey the 1978 statute requiring a warrant for spying.

NY Times

Democrats may back down on FISA

House Democrats may be ready to compromise on last year’s controversial FISA bill. A version including retroactive immunity for telecom companies managed to pass in the Senate but was stalled until winter recess by the House.

Recently House Intelligence Committee chair Silvestre Reyes said he was “fine” with the wording proposed by Senate Republicans that allows immunity.

The ACLU has responded quickly, stating “Congress should remember that the majority of Americans are against unwarranted and warrantless surveillance.”

Raw Story

Congress passed $3 trillion budget

Congress passed a $3 trillion budget yesterday, which included modest increases in domestic programs but was criticized for piling on the national debt. It’s the first budget passed in an election year since 2000, Democrat Steny Hower proclaims the first budget passed in an election year since 2000 “a demonstration of our ability to govern effectively.”

Republicans attacked the Democrats for loading onto Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. “We shouldn’t be doing this to our children” says Rep. Paul Ryan.

Budget Committee Chairman John M. Spratt defended the budget. “President Bush told the country we could have it all: guns, butter and tax cuts, too, and never mind the deficits. It takes a long time to turn this battleship around, but that’s what we do in this budget.”

Washington Post

New poll reveals Iran diplomacy is favorable

A recent Public Agenda poll reports that nearly 50% of Americans say diplomacy with Iran is the best solution to the “current situation.” That’s a nearly 15% increase since last fall. The poll also reports that a mere 7% favor military action.

Think Progress

6/5 News

Obama takes control of DNC fundraising

Barack Obama has been the presumptive Democratic nominee for two days but is already changing the party from within. He has instructed the committee to accept his proposal of denying funds from PACs and lobbyists, among growing insider concern about the DNC’s lackluster fundraising. The move not only unifies Obama’s policy with the party but stabs at McCain’s lobbyist ties.

The Republican National Committee has raised twice as the DNC’s 77.6 million this year, and has ten times more than the DNC’s 4.4 million on-hand cash. Leaders hope Obama’s fundraising knack will translate for more funds for the Convention in August.

News Observer

Obama prepared to help Clinton with debt

Barack Obama and second-place finisher Hillary Clinton appear to be reconciling after a bloody 16-month primary season. An Obama campaign advisor says Obama will help Clinton pay back the $20 million dollar campaign debt, including 11.4 million she owes herself.

According to the 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign finance law, Clinton must pay the loan back by the Democratic Convention or she’ll only be able to repay a fraction. Though Obama can’t directly donate from his fund experts predict they will both reach out to Obama’s maxed out donors.

Bloomberg news

Clinton to end her bid

At the same time, a Clinton campaign issued a statement last night announcing that Hillary will voice her support for Obama and end her bid on Saturday. Aides say she originally wanted to wait but by Thursday had been convinced to back down.

“Senator Clinton will be hosting an event in Washington, D.C., to thank her supporters and express her support for Senator Obama and party unity,” said a chief strategist.

The tide turned as Obama declared himself the nominee Tuesday night and soon created a three person vice-president selection group, including longtime supporter Caroline Kennedy. Many Clinton supporters like former Vice President Walter Mondale expressed support for Obama after Tuesdays primaries, which may have prompted her exit.

NY Times

6/4 News

Obama makes history

Barack Obama addressed a roaring crowd yesterday as he declared himself the Democratic presidential candidate after passing the 2,118 delegate threshold. Obama weathered an improbable 17-month long campaign against once likely nominee Hillary Clinton. He praised the New York senator for her hard work and tenacity, as she pledged to unify the party without actually stating she was dropping out.

Obama’s delegate total kicked off the general election, as Republican presumptive nominee John McCain admitted either candidate would bring change. “But the choice is between the right change and the wrong change, between going forward and going backward.”

Obama responded quickly with a similar tone, attacking McCain for supporting Bush’s policies.

“It’s not change when John McCain decided to stand with George Bush 95 percent of the time, as he did in the Senate last year. It’s not change when he offers four more years of Bush economic policies that have failed to create well-paying jobs. … And it’s not change when he promises to continue a policy in Iraq that asks everything of our brave young men and women in uniform and nothing of Iraqi politicians.”

The first-term Illinois senator addressed 17,000 fans in a St. Paul stadium, where the GOP convention will be held in September. The historic campaign kicked off with a surprising Iowa victory on January 3. That began a firefight between the two popular candidates, Obama standing for change and Clinton standing for experience. Obama attracted the support of blacks, younger voters, more liberals and more well-off voters while Clinton was popular among Hispanics, working-class and women.

Clinton stopped shorting of formally ending her campaign as she spoke in New York. She admitted she was open to vice-president during a conference call with a New Mexico representative.

There are mixed numbers about the strength of this “dream ticket.” Critics said he needs Hispanic, southern and female support and point to candidates like New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, Nebraskan Republican Senator Chuck Hagel, Virginia Senator Jim Webb and Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano.

Huffington Post
Yahoo

6/3 News

Senator Clinton to concede tonight

Senator Hillary Clinton will concede tonight that her rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Senator Barack Obama, has enough delegates to secure the nomination according to some anonymous senior campaign officials. Obama is currently about 40 delegates short of the nomination but is expected to secure the 2,118 delegates needed through the South Dakota and Montana primaries today in addition to superdelegates, which have been flocking to the Illinois senator.

However, the campaign officials said she will stop short of formally ending her campaign, in order to leverage other options for Clinton like the vice-presidential nod. She also wants to pressure him to polish his platform, especially when it comes to her signature issue, healthcare.

Huffington Post

Phoenix Probe stumbles across ice

NASA scientists say the Phoenix Probe has discovered a small ice patch on Mars. The discovery is a big step for the mission, which is to find ice that can be tested for organic compounds, or “life on Mars.”

When the probe landed last week, its thrusters may have blown away some surface dirt. Scientists just discovered the picture of one of the legs resting on what appears to be ice.

The scientists are confident about bringing the ice back. “We were worried that it may be 30-, 40-, 50-centimeters deep, which would be a lot of work. Now we are fairly certain that we can easily get down to the ice table,” said project chief Peter Smith. A robotic arm will scoop ice samples and deposit it in ovens, where the samples will turn into gases to be tested upon return.

Daily Mail

6/2 News

Clinton pledges to continue after Puerto Rico victory

Hopeful Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton bounced back into the political spotlight yesterday with an overwhelming victory over Barack Obama. With that victory she repeated her claim of holding the most popular votes and called for undecided superdelegates to commit.

“So, when the voting concludes on Tuesday, neither Sen. Obama nor I will have the number of delegates to be the nominee. I will lead the popular vote, he will maintain a slight lead in the delegate count. The decision will fall on the shoulders of those leaders in our party, empowered by the rules, to vote at the Democratic convention.”

Clinton demonstrated her Hispanic and Catholic strength by beating Obama almost 2-1.

ABC News

US detains prisoners overseas

The United States has covered up its overseas “floating prisons” housing its war on terror detainees, according to human rights lawyers. Information about the practice has emerged through testimonies, US military statements and European parliamentary bodies.

The human rights group, Reprieve, says the US both practices rendition, a process President Bush claimed to have stopped in 2006, and operates 17 “floating prisons” where detainees are interrogated and then rendered to other locations.

Guardian

Guantanamo Bay protestors outside Supreme Court convicted

Protestors of the Guantanamo Bay prison were convicted for demonstrating outside the US Supreme Court on January 11, the six year anniversary of the prison. The protestors appeared in a DC circuit court as detainees, complete with their outfit and biographies. They were convicted for misdemeanor charges and will return soon for sentencing.

The protestors can be convicted because they were protesting on the plaza of the court, which is illegal. Legal experts say most convicted will face up to 60 days in jail.

Washington Post

Australia ends Iraq operations

Australia ended its combat operations in Australia yesterday, fulfilling newly elected Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s promise to bring the 550 remaining troops home. Australia, under former Prime Minister John Howard, was one of the first countries to pledge US support. Australian operations centered around Camp Tarendak in Talil, where Aussie soldiers trained the Iraq security forces.

Australia

6/1 News

Obama leaves church

After months of criticism regarding his fiery pastor Reverend Wright, likely Democratic nominee Barack Obama has left his Chicago church, Trinity United Church of Christ. The issue arose when tapes where discovered of the residing pastor Jeremiah Wright calling the AIDS virus a government attack on African-American people and exclaiming “God damn America.”

The Senator sought to distance himself even more from the pastor after rejecting his endorsement and denouncing his remarks soon after they surfaced. The issue may have resurfaced after a visiting Catholic priest mocked Obama’s opponent Hillary Clinton, accusing her of “white entitlement.” Obama has called the church his own for 16 years and Rev. Wright baptized both his daughters.

Obama has tried to put the remarks behind him, but falling short of disowning his pastor. The pastor’s remarks contradict Obama’s theme of transcending race, and Obama responded with a praised speech on race in America.

Reuters

Gates warns China of hogging resources

Defense Secretary Robert Gates addressed China’s economic policy on Saturday, calling on China to fairly and diplomatically address the natural resources of that region. Gates struck a more cautious note than former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who criticized China’s military buildup. Last year Gates called for the two countries to “build trust over time.”

He asserted the benefits of openness, whether in regard to trade, resources or the internet. “We should not forget that globalization has permitted our shared rise in wealth over recent decades.” Gates also thanked for China’s cooperation for cooling North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.

Asia Times

Islamic women demand Al-Qaeda admittance

Al-Qaeda was brought to light in a new way when the group’s decision to exclude women was brought to light Saturday. In April Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahri responded to a female’s question of admittance that Al-Qaeda did not allow women. The response has prompted online postings and a petition, called Rabeebat al-Silah or Arabic for “Companion of Weapons.”

“How many times have I wished I were a man … When Sheikh Ayman al-Zawahri said there are no women in al Qaeda, he saddened and hurt me,” the essay reflects.

CBS News

5/31 News

US absent from conference banning cluster bombs

The United States was absent at a Friday conference of 111 countries agreed to ban the use of cluster bombs. The summit in Dublin, Ireland expressed concern about the civilian effects of cluster bombs, which are unreliable and inaccurate.

The signed document expresses concern “that cluster munition remnants kill or maim civilians, including women and children, obstruct economic and social development, including through the loss of livelihood, impede post-conflict rehabilitation and reconstruction, delay or prevent the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, can negatively impact on national and international peace-building and humanitarian assistance efforts, and have other severe consequences that can persist for many years after use.”

According to human rights groups, countries with the most frequent cluster bomb use such as the USA, China, Russia and Israel all were absent from the conference.

CNN

Algerian student interviewed after detained for possessing Al-Qaeda training material

An Algerian grad student at Nottingham University and his friend were detained under the Terrorism Act for six days last week, and gave an interview to The Guardian yesterday. His friend was researching Al-Qaeda training techniques for his MA and gave a copy to Hichem Yezza. A colleague noticed the documents on his computer and alerted authorities. Yezza is currently being held at the immigration center near Heathrow.

“This is not the way I should have been treated. It is hurtful to see myself being treated this way in a country I love, would protect and where I’ve done everything I can to engage with and be a good citizen.”

Guardian

Iraqis protest security agreement

Thousands of Iraqis hit the street Friday to protest the proposed US-Iraq security agreement. Many are suspicious of how long the US government will keep troops and permanent bases in their country.

“We denounce the government’s intentions to sign a long-term agreement with the occupying forces,” said Asaad al-Nassiri, a sheik loyal to anti-American leader Muqtada al-Sadr.

President Bush signed a statement with Iraq prime minister Nouri al-Maliki pledging to sign an agreement by July 31.

Huffington Post

Obama and McCain battle over misstatements, Iraq knowledge

Presumptive nominees John McCain and Barack Obama exchanged blows over McCain’s Thursday claim that “We have drawn down to pre-surge levels. Basra, Mosul and now Sadr City are quiet.”

Obama responded with “That’s not true and anyone running for commander in chief should know better.” Troop levels haven’t returned to the pre-surge level.

There are currently around 155,000 troops in Iraq, compared with approximately 135,000 before the surge.

McCain’s campaign blamed the misstatement on verb tenses, while McCain insisted that he didn’t misspeak. “Of course not. I said we’ve drawn down. The rest of them will be home at the end of July.”

Yahoo!

5/30 News

CIA says Al-Qaeda in trouble

Al-Qaeda is near defeat, according to CIA director Michael Hayden. He said the organization collapsing in its strongest areas, Saudia Arabia and Iraq. He also cited global advances as the religion of Islam distances itself from its extremists.

“Near strategic defeat of al Qaeda in Iraq. Near strategic defeat for al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia. Significant setbacks for al Qaeda globally — and here I’m going to use the word ‘ideologically,’ as a lot of the Islamic world pushes back on their form of Islam,” Hayden said this morning in a Washington Post interview.

Reuters

Bush releases climate change report

The White House bowed in to a court decision and released a climate change report online yesterday. The report reiterates much evidence like the spread of heat-loving pests and the effect of rising sea levels. It also projects the health effects of a warmer global climate.

The Scientific Assessment of the Effects of Global Change on the United States predicts heat waves will pose a threat to children and elderly adults. It estimates the spread of the spread of food and water-borne diseases plus animal-spread viruses like West Nile.

A 1990 law requires the president to submit to Congress a report on global climate and the environment every four years. The last report was released by the Clinton Administration. Bush releases a series of reports in 2003 but a circuit judge decided that didn’t fit the requirements.

NY Times

Bush authorized Libby leak

Scott McClellan’s controversial memoir hasn’t even been published yet, and is already creating a stir. It not only criticizes the administration but brings to light new information regarding the Scooter Libby leak case. According to the book, President Bush personally authorized Scooter Libby to leak classified information, including the identity of Valerie Plame, to select media sources.

The AP provides this excerpt:

The president was leaving an event in North Carolina, McClellan recalled, and as they walked to Air Force One a reporter yelled out a question: Had the president, who had repeatedly condemned the selective release of secret intelligence information, enabled Scooter Libby to leak classified information to The New York Times to bolster the administration’s arguments for war?

McClellan took the question to the president, telling Bush: “He’s saying you yourself were the one that authorized the leaking of this information.”

“And he said, ‘Yeah, I did.’ And I was kind of taken aback,” McClellan said.

“For me I came to the decision that at that point I needed to look for a way to move on, because it had undermined, I think, a lot of what we had said.”

Huffington Post

5/29 News

McCain staff leave Vets for Freedom

Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) left the independent organization Vets for Freedom after yesterday’s story surfaced about the group’s anti-Obama ads. The group aims to promote victory in Iraq and Afghanistan but McCain’s “Relevant” policy prohibits his campaign staff from being involved in any independent organizations that comment on presidential candidates.

McCain started the policy after his Virginia leader Craig Shirley was discovered to be a paid advisor to a group that attacked Obama also.

NY Times

News Corp Chairman predicts Obama victory

Rupert Murdoch said at the Wall Street Journal’s All Things Digital conference last night that he thought Obama will win the election.

The Chairman of News Corps and the inventor of conservative media like Fox News called Obama a “rock star.” “I love what he is saying about education.” “He will win in Ohio and the election.” “I am anxious to meet him.”

Murdoch admitted he was a friend of McCain but cast doubt about his economic policy and long career in Congress.

Huffpo

DNC gives Florida and Michigan half of delegates

The Democratic National Committee’s legal team ruled yesterday that Florida and Michigan’s delegates can count for no more than half. The full count would’ve given Senator Clinton a huge boost in the delegate race. Both Clinton and Senator Obama pledged not to campaign in the states since they broke party rules and moved their primary too early. Obama had his name removed from the Michigan ballot.

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said “We don’t think it’s fair to seat them fully,” but “we’re willing to give some delegates here.”

Washington Post

DNC falling short of convention fundraising

The DNC is having trouble raising money for it’s August convention in Denver. It’s still $15 million short of the roughly $40 million needed for the convention. The party is planning to give corporations a way to underwrite the convention. Many insiders partially blame the prolonged primary race for stealing Democrat donors.

NY Times

New York to recognize gay marriages and unions from other states

New York Governor David Paterson pushed state agencies yesterday to recognize gay unions and marriages made in other states. Currently California and Massachusetts are the only states to allow gay marriage, while some states like New Jersey allow gay unions. Paterson called the measure “a strong step toward marriage equality.” Former governor Elliot Spitzer failed to get a gay-marriage bill passed last year.

Ny Times

5/28 News

Bush planning Iran attack by August

The Bush Administration is planning an Iran air strike within the next two months, according to an anonymous source who appears to have talked to several other media outlets as well. Two US senators were briefed on the matter and plan to go public with their opposition the source says.

The source is a retired US diplomat and a former assistant Secretary of State. It says that the US is planning to air strike the headquarters of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps’ elite forces, the Quds. Likely targets include garrisons near the Iran-Iraq border.

Last year the Senate passed a non-binding resolution classifying Qud as a terrorist organization. The Bush Administration has also accused Iran of helping Iraqi insurgents and still insists on the potency of their probably now-defunct nuclear weapons program.

The source claimed that Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) would write a op-ed in the New York Times “within days.”

Asia Times

Former Press Secretary attacks Bush Administration

Former White House Press Secretary attacks Bush’s misinformation and propaganda regarding the Iraq War, the CIA leak case and the “Scooter” Libby case in his memoir hitting bookstores next week. He also attacks the press corps for going to easy on the Administration in the days following up to the war.

The tone is harsher than expected. McClellan was one of Bush’s first and most loyal aides but wastes little space on nostalgia and praise. He also attacks the Administration for their denial and lack of action regarding Hurricane Katrina.

“I had allowed myself to be deceived into unknowingly passing along a falsehood,” McClellan writes. “It would ultimately prove fatal to my ability to serve the president effectively. I didn’t learn that what I’d said was untrue until the media began to figure it out almost two years later,” he remarked about the Libby case.

Politico

McCain’s voting record in line with Bush

John McCain and George Bush have strikingly similar voting records, according to a recent CQ report. The report tracked when McCain was present to vote and when President Bush stated an explicit opinion of a bill since 2001.

Though McCain has been busy campaigning, he voted 100% in line with President Bush. The rest of the time his support borders between 90%-95%.

Progressive Media USA