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Senior Qaeda military commander killed in Predator strike
Today's Headlines

Headline Comments [Views] Page 6: Politix Rahm Emanuel - Presidential Savior 0 [7]  Unfortunately Alan, Not Homer, Simpson 6 00:00 DMFD [4]  Pulitzer Prize Committee Will Consider National Enquirer for Breaking John Edwards Scandal 7 00:00 Frank G [3]  Michele Bachmann brings 'miss me yet' billboard to CPAC 6 00:00 trailing wife [8]  Black, 26-year-old, Republican Princella Smith to run for Congress in Arkansas's 1st District 10 00:00 Halliburton - Mysterious Conspiracy Division [3]  Muni Threat: Cities Weigh Chapter 9 2 00:00 Besoeker [3]  Pawlenty courts conservatives for likely 2012 bid 0 [1]  Holder admits nine Obama Dept. of Justice officials worked for terrorist detainees, offers no details 1 00:00 Rex Mundi [8]  States short $1 trillion to fund retiree benefits 1 00:00 Anguper Hupomosing9418 [4]  Obama to Announce $1.5 Billion boodle in TARP funds for HFAs 5 00:00 Abu Uluque [1]  ABC's Claire Shipman Worries About 'Republican-edgy' Tone of CPAC, GOP's 'Big Tent Problem' 7 00:00 49 Pan [1]  Study examines decades of Cook County corruption 1 00:00 JohnQC [2]  Florida State Rep. Eyes Grayson's Seat 2 00:00 Tom-Pa [1]  Issa Report finds ACORN Fraud, SEIU Connections 5 00:00 Frank G [2]  Sestak says federal job was offered to quit race 0 [2]  Biden wants US warheads with worldwide reach 4 00:00 BernardZ [7]  Page 1: WoT Operations Senior al Qaeda Canuck military commander killed in Predator strike 6 00:00 Frank G [19] Corps to use more lethal ammo in Afghanistan 4 00:00 gorb [12] Hamas defends Fatah over Mabhouh assassination charges 2 00:00 Thing From Snowy Mountain [4] Pune blast: 2 more succumb, toll 13 2 00:00 john frum [11] Good morning 10 00:00 JohnQC [6] Pakistan air strike kills 30 militants 9 00:00 g(r)omgoru [8] FBI Closes 2001 Anthrax Case 1 00:00 Besoeker [4] Hamas frees 22 Fatah prisoners in goodwill gesture 2 00:00 Last Breath Farm Resident [1] Two dead in ambush on govt vehicle in S. Yemen 0 [6] Mabhouh suspects include Fatah men: Hamas 8 00:00 trailing wife [14] 11 Hamas slaying suspects on Interpol wanted list 5 00:00 Alaska Paul [6] Talafar police detains Abu Omar aide in Mosul 1 00:00 Whiskey Mike [6] Delta base rocketed in Kut 0 [6] US Marines seize Taliban headquarters, IDs, photos 10 00:00 SteveS [3] US-led offensives strike terror among local Afghans 4 00:00 g(r)omgoru [2] Two Israeli spies sentenced to death in Lebanon 4 00:00 Besoeker [4] Al-Qaeda deadline looms for French hostage in Mali 0 [4] Suspected Abu Sayyaf bad boy nabbed 0 [5] Four Mercy Corps employees kidnapped in Balochistan 3 00:00 Last Breath Farm Resident [10] Two killed, two injured in Peshawar blast 0 [8] Indian-made IEDs recovered in South Waziristan 8 00:00 Last Breath Farm Resident [14] Sirajuddin Haqqani's son killed in Waziristan drone strike 2 00:00 Last Breath Farm Resident [8] South Korean police arrest alleged Taliban 5 00:00 Besoeker [5] Two killed, 28 injured in Russia blasts 0 [5] Egyptian security destroys two Gaza tunnels 1 00:00 Last Breath Farm Resident [4] Militants taste their own medicine 1 00:00 BlackBart [8] Iran Tops Terror Financing Watch List 0 [10] Page 2: WoT Background Dallas CAIR Board Member Deported for Terrorism Link 0 [4] A (Soviet) Soldier's Guide to Afghanistan 1 00:00 Procopius2k [2] ‘Ill Conceived': Obama's Muslim Envoy Admits Defending Terror Suspect 5 00:00 lord garth [6] Dutch government falls over Afghan mission 6 00:00 OldSpook [1] CAIR declares Texas plane attack "an act of terror" 10 00:00 Ptah [5] Torture memo authors cleared 5 00:00 Pappy [1] Kim Kardashian nails on-duty Air Marshal on plane flight 15 00:00 lotp [8] Top terrorism prosecutor critic of civilian trials 0 [2] Islam envoy retreats on terror talk 2 00:00 Uncle Phester [4] “Unofficial' CPAC event takes on Islam 0 [3] Trial of top Syrian political prisoner begins 0 [10] Lockerbie payment 'diplomatic' 2 00:00 Skunky Glins**** [12] Possible successors to captured Taliban's No. 2 0 [3] Russia very alarmed at Iranian nuclear stance 2 00:00 746 [8] Israel shrugs off calls for arrest of top spy 2 00:00 BernardZ [5] Shalits father: US jinxed prisoner swap 0 [2] Saudi mufti condemns attempts to smear Muslims 2 00:00 Dave UK [5] 'UK knew about Mossad assassination plot' 10 00:00 lotp [3] Iran's science progress fastest in world: Canadian report 7 00:00 BernardZ [13] Russia accuses Iran of nuclear non-cooperation 0 [5] Sex tape source cancels scheduled public appearance 1 00:00 BlackBart [1] Aafia trial in US against international law: Malik 0 [7] Page 3: Non-WoT Finally...a possible Nobel Prize in Literature for the Huff-Po! 2 00:00 Uncle Phester [8] Fire Arms Allowed in National Parks 0 [5] Citigroup Warns Customers It May Refuse To Allow Withdrawals 9 00:00 swksvolFF [5] Major Brain Trauma Medical Breakthrough 8 00:00 badanov [4] Alexander Haig, former secretary of state, dies 6 00:00 trailing wife [10] Long Lost Nazi Nuke Project Uranium Found In Netherlands 3 00:00 phil_b [3] U.S. Muslims debate over holding services in English 2 00:00 Frank G [3] Online fee plan for NY Times discussed 6 00:00 DMFD [5] Frustrated Owner Bulldozes Home Ahead Of Foreclosure 11 00:00 Anguper Hupomosing9418 [5] Program targeted in Fort Jackson probe moved 1 00:00 Besoeker [3] Lawyer: Prof. accused in slayings is remorseful 29 00:00 lotp [2] NATO allies urge US nukes removal from Europe 10 00:00 Nimble Spemble [2] Eleven killed in Moroccan minaret collapse 5 00:00 Alaska Paul [3] AU suspends Niger membership after coup 1 00:00 Frank G [3] 7 protestors killed, dozens injured in Ivory Coast 0 [1] Page 4: Opinion Real men find Church too girly 5 00:00 Frank G [14] Three Huge Ways Pakistan Still Isn't Cooperating 0 [7] Here comes the next bubble – carbon trading 4 00:00 phil_b [3] Linking America's anger to a suicidal madman: Now that's madness 2 00:00 Uncle Phester [1] How Al Gore Wrecked Planet Earth 4 00:00 phil_b [4] Yoo and Bybee Cleared, Justice Department's Shoddy Investigation Exposed 0 [2] Former Muslims United panel tells America to wake up 0 [4] Twilight of the Arabs 0 [5] U.S. stepping up engagement with Syria 0 [1] HAITI: Private Contractors 'Like Vultures Coming to Grab the Loot' 6 00:00 newc [12] Indonesia Cuts Terror 3 00:00 tu3031 [2] -Lurid Crime Tales- Study examines decades of Cook County corruption Sure, the lineup of Illinois governors and Chicago alderman marched off to prison is infamous, but a new study shines a light on Cook County government corruption. Consider: Nearly 150 elected leaders, high-ranking officials and people doing business with the county have been convicted in corruption cases ranging from bribery to ghost-payrolling dating back to 1957, a study released Thursday by the University of Illinois at Chicago and Better Government Association found. Well gosh, that's only about three per year, if I got the sign right on my mental calculator. They have a quorum in Stateville ... "The pervasive pattern of corruption must be changed if county government is to provide honest, effective, efficient and transparent government at a cost the taxpayers can afford," said Dick Simpson, a study co-author and the head of UIC's political science department. He introduced the study just outside the office of Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, ousted by voters in this month's primary after championing an unpopular sales tax hike and hiring a steakhouse busboy who was quickly promoted to a $61,000-a-year highway department job. When news broke that Stroger's chief financial officer and cousin Donna Dunnings bailed Cole out of jail, both lost their jobs. Stroger's office issued a statement calling the study a "publicity stunt" and noted "no indictment related to any actions of this administration has occurred during President Stroger's term." But the study does look back at decades of corruption cases, including Operation Greylord -- a federal probe of the Cook County Court system that ended with 15 judges, 47 lawyers and 24 police officers and court personnel convicted of crimes. The most notorious was Judge Thomas J. Maloney, convicted of taking bribes to fix felony cases, including murder. The study calls for a number of reforms, including more ethics training for employees, stricter rules limiting the hiring of family members, and capping individual and group donations to campaigns at $1,500 in an election cycle. Posted by: Fred || 02/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under: #1  Nearly 150 elected leaders, high-ranking officials and people doing business with the county have been convicted in corruption cases ranging from bribery to ghost-payrolling dating back to 1957 How many of the others (beyond the 150) are still running around who were not convicted? Posted by: JohnQC || 02/20/2010 19:25 Comments || Top|| Issa Report finds ACORN Fraud, SEIU Connections Republicans on the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee have released a new report leveling fresh allegations and evidence of corruption against the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN. Entitled "Follow the Money: ACORN, SEIU and their Political Allies," the report presents information gleaned from committee investigations into hundreds of bank accounts, shell organizations incorporated under myriad sections of the internal revenue code, even an ACORN-directed accounting firm, Citizens Consulting Inc., charged with obscuring the trail and use of funding streams pouring into ACORN from taxpayers and charitable contributions alike. The report includes a blistering executive summary of four crucial findings: 1. ACORN and SEIU entered into illegal agreements that constitute a criminal conspiracy. Investigators found that ACORN CEO Bertha Lewis, Executive Director Steven Kest, and Political Operations Director Zach Polett have actual or apparent authority over ACORN's activities and then identified a pattern of alleged criminal acts. 2. ACORN and SEIU are substantially intertwined using a "Muscle for the Money" component According to the new report, a combination of electioneering, intimidation and threats of litigation have been refined into an art form to force private corporations and government officials alike into deals and political compromises at the expense of taxpayers. Documents produced new revelations including: * receipt by ACORN of $5,609,338.00 dollars from the Service Employees International Union, the same union that used violence to intimidate townhall activists protesting Obamacare last summer; * Florida state senator Anthony Hill was simultaneously employed by SEIU and ACORN; Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), former Governor Rod Blagojevich (D-Ill.), and Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) have received the support of SEIU's ACORN affiliates. 3. ACORN, as a corporation, is responsible for submitting thousands of fraudulent U.S. voter registrations Examinations of documentation from state election offices reveals late filing dumps of volumes of fraudulent voter registration cards the report found were intended to overwhelm the system in an effort compromise free and fair elections promised in the Constitution of the United States. 4. ACORN contributed to the risky sub-prime lending that led to the U.S. housing bubble financial collapse. No doubt Attorney General Holder will turn it over to his best prosecuting team on Monday morning.

Posted by: Fred || 02/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

Economy

Muni Threat: Cities Weigh Chapter 9

Just days after becoming controller of financially strapped Harrisburg, Pa., in January, Daniel Miller began uttering an obscure term that baffled most people who had never heard it and chilled those who had: Chapter 9. The seldom-used part of U.S. bankruptcy law gives municipalities protection from creditors while developing a plan to pay off debts. Created in the wake of the Great Depression, Chapter 9 is widely considered a last resort and filings under it are more taboo than other parts of bankruptcy code because of the resulting uncertainty for everyone from municipal employees to bondholders. The economic slump, however, is forcing debt-laden cities, towns and smaller taxing districts throughout the U.S. to consider using Chapter 9. As their revenue declines faster than expenses, some public entities are scrambling to keep making payments on municipal bonds. And that is causing experts to worry about the safety of securities traditionally considered low risk. Continued on Page 49

Posted by: Fred || 02/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

States short $1 trillion to fund retiree benefits

(CNNMoney.com) -- Just as they are contending with massive gaps in their operating budgets, states and localities must also deal with a $1 trillion deficit in public employees' retirement benefits' funds, a new report found. The shortfall amounts to more than $8,800 for every household in the nation, according to the Pew Center on the States, which published its findings Thursday. States largely got themselves into this mess by failing to make annual contributions while also enhancing benefits, the study found. Now, they are behind by a total $452 billion in their pension accounts and $555 billion in their retiree health funds, as of the end of fiscal 2008, which ended June 30 for most states. The deficit is likely even more severe because the report did not take into account the crumbling of the stock market in the latter half of 2008. The typical pension plan lost 25% of its value in 2008.

Posted by: Fred || 02/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

Obama to Announce $1.5 Billion boodle in TARP funds for HFAs

Later today, the President will announce administration plans to allocate $1.5 billion of TARP money toward funding state Housing Finance Authorities (HFAs) in the five states hardest hit by the housing crisis. President Obama will focus on the issue of housing at two events in Las Vegas, where he will be joined by Senator Harry Reid (D-NV). HFAs in California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan will have access to new money. Each of those states has seen home values decline by 20% or more, according a senior administration official, who spoke about the President's announcement on background. The funds will not be allocated equally, but given out based on which states have the biggest need and whose HFAs can demonstrate they can use the money most effectively. "Primary criteria will be price declines and unemployment," the senior administration official said. The White House believes HFAs are the best way to distribute the money, because unlike the federal government, the local agencies understand the specific needs of each community. Spreads the graft around to the "community organizations" much more efficiently that way ... "They're doing lots of different things, they're deeply knowledge of the local markets," the official explained, "And they're up and running." Because the money is funded out of TARP, the White House says there will be great attention to accountability and transparency. All programs that benefit will be posted online, and the administration is encouraging HFAs to "go out and innovate." Oh sure, we can all see how the TARP money has been used ...

Posted by: Fred || 02/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

Home Front: Politix

Rahm Emanuel - Presidential Savior

Dana Milbank gives Rahm a tongue-bath. Everything that's happened badly, Rahm advocated against. Everything good, Rahm was for. Wonder who Miltool's source was on the article? He doesn't say....HT tp Hotair

Posted by: Frank G || 02/20/2010 19:45 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under:

Unfortunately Alan, Not Homer, Simpson

The same day President Obama called for another $50 billion to $100 billion stimulus plan (and concomitant increase in the deficit), he also appointed the chairmen of his Deficit Reduction Commission. It says a lot about Washington that almost no one got the irony of those paired announcements. The two cochairmen will be Democrat Erskine Bowles, President Bill Clinton's former White House chief of staff, and Republican Alan Simpson, the former Wyoming Senator. Mr. Simpson was best known for being a thorn in the side of conservatives and supply-siders when he was in the Senate. "He is a tax increaser and he's anti-immigrant," says Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform. Larry Kudlow of CNBC's Kudlow Report is even more critical. "Simpson's to the left of Erskine Bowles," Mr. Kudlow scoffs. "This thing [the bipartisan deficit panel] needs to be blown up. It's an excuse to raise taxes -- when we need to be cutting tax rates." But for Mr. Obama's purposes, Alan Simpson is a master stroke since he's likely to commit Republicans to being the tax collectors for Obamanomics. Some are even calling it the "VAT Commission," because liberals want a bipartisan agreement to implement a European-style value-added tax that will raise federal revenues by about five percentage points of GDP. That's the amount federal spending has risen under President Obama. Since 2007 federal spending is up by nearly 25%. If we decide to solve our fiscal problem by raising taxes instead of cutting spending, i.e. entitlements, i.e. Social Security and Medicare, we are choosing the way of Europe. And it won't be long before were in Greece's shoes. But the Chinese will be calling the tune, not the EU. And we will have sold out our children and grandchildren. For this we sell our birthright of freedom?

Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 02/20/2010 03:11 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

Michele Bachmann brings 'miss me yet' billboard to CPAC

George W. Bush is back -- at CPAC, at least. Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann (R) got a big cheer Friday for putting up a picture of the former president with the caption "Miss me yet?" "I like it too," she proclaimed. The image first appeared mysteriously on a billboard in her state earlier this month. It turned out to be the work of a group of small business owners. Shirts bearing the Bush image are also selling well online, according to the New York Daily News.

Posted by: Fred || 02/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [8 views] Top|| File under:

Black, 26-year-old, Republican Princella Smith to run for Congress in Arkansas's 1st District

Princella Smith, 26, will announce on Saturday that she is running for Congress in Arkansas's 1st District. Some would say she is too young. Others might point to other potential hurdles: She's running in eastern Arkansas, a district that hasn't elected a Republican since 1872 in a Southern state that has never elected a black person to a congressional or state-wide office. "I think I'm the person to do this," Smith said. "I'm going to tell people to come on board with me, listen to these ideas, and that we can get people excited again about the Republican Party." If Smith wins, she will be the first black Republican female in Congress. Democratic Rep. Marion Berry, a Blue Dog, has held the seat since 1997. Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln previously represented the mostly rural district. In January, Berry announced that he would not seek re-election. Three Democrats have thrown their hats into the primary ring. Republican Rick Crawford, who runs a radio station, is running against Smith. Crawford has garnered the endorsements of former governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee and Asa Hutchinson, who served three times in Congress, worked as director for the Drug Enforcement Agency and served as the first under secretary for border and transportation security at the Department of Homeland Security during the Bush administration. But Smith has her own high-profile network. In her first Washington job, she worked for RNC chairman's Michael Steele's failed 2005 Senate campaign. Steele introduced her to Newt Gingrich, who hired her to work in the communications department for his American Solutions. More recently, she has worked as an aide to freshman Louisiana Republican Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao. Smith even spent a summer bunking at the house of former RNC chair Ed Gillespie and his wife, Cathy, when Smith worked at the Department of Labor. Smith calls Mary Matalin her "big sister." Matalin calls her "little sister."

Posted by: Fred || 02/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

Pawlenty courts conservatives for likely 2012 bid

Tim Pawlenty, the Minnesota governor seeking to raise his profile for a likely presidential run, laid out a vision of smaller government and a strong defense before a crucial conservative constituency Friday. The other principle he said guides him: "God's in charge." "If it's good enough for the Founding Fathers it should be good enough for each and every one of us," said Pawlenty, noting that God is enshrined in the country's founding documents. The Republican governor, who was raised Catholic but now attends an evangelical church, is not known for wearing religion on his sleeve. He noted that some people said it would be "politically incorrect" to bring up God. "Hogwash," Pawlenty said, drawing applause. It was a fitting pitch for his audience. In the speech to thousands of activists and leaders gathered at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, Pawlenty sought to introduce himself, outline an agenda, and show he's a credible challenger to other Republicans considered more formidable in the hunt for the GOP presidential nomination, particularly Mitt Romney.

Posted by: Fred || 02/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

ABC's Claire Shipman Worries About 'Republican-edgy' Tone of CPAC, GOP's 'Big Tent Problem'

Good Morning America's Claire Shipman on Friday highlighted the upbeat mood of the 2010 Conservative Political Action Conference, but also fretted about the "Republican-edgy" tone. This came after she mentioned unidentified conference promises of a "Nancy Pelosi pinata and a Harry Reid punching bag." Former Democratic operative turned journalist George Stephanopoulos lectured that for Republicans to retake the White House, "...They're also going to have to reach out to the center. That's the big challenge." As usual the Publicans have to move to the center, the Sinners are fine where they are. Shipman agreed and derided this as a "big tent problem." She added, "This gathering pulls together so many different kinds of Republicans. A lot of enthusiasm here, George. Can they get their message and agenda together?"

Posted by: Fred || 02/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

Florida State Rep. Eyes Grayson's Seat

Ever since Alan Grayson took to the House floor last fall and declared that the Republican health care plan was to have people "die quickly," he's been a darling of liberals who regularly doles out red meat as a guest on MSNBC. It's good making connections, congressman. Might wanna drop off a resume next time ya visit. Use Olbermann as a reference... The problem for Democrats, however, is that Grayson represents a Congressional district in Florida that has traditionally voted Republican, and his new found fame as a liberal bomb thrower puts him at odds with people back home. Cook Political Report now rates the race as a "toss-up." Earlier this afternoon, I had a chance to speak with Kurt Kelly, a state representative from Ocala, Florida who is one of the Republicans hoping to take advantage of Grayson's full-throated embrace of the left. The owner of an employment background search firm who entered politics when former Gov. Jeb Bush appointed him to the county school board in 2001, Kelly was elected to the state House in a 2007 special election. "If we can't take this seat, we can't take back the House," Kelly said of the bellwether tendencies of the district. (Bush carried it twice and Obama took it in 2008). Kelly blasted Grayson as an "extreme leftist" who lacked dignity and decorum. "He makes Obama and Pelosi look conservative," Kelly said of Grayson. He added that Grayson had devolved into a "potty mouthed shock jock" who had "brought embarrassment to the district.

Posted by: Fred || 02/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

Sestak says federal job was offered to quit race

Rep. Joe Sestak (D., Pa.) said yesterday that the White House offered him a federal job in an effort to dissuade him from challenging Sen. Arlen Specter in the state's Democratic primary. The disclosure came during an afternoon taping of Larry Kane: Voice of Reason, a Sunday news-analysis show on the Comcast Network. Sestak would not elaborate on the circumstances and seemed chagrined after blurting out "yes" to veteran news anchor Kane's direct question. "Was it secretary of the Navy?" Kane asked. "No comment," Sestak said. "Was it [the job] high-ranking?" Kane asked. Sestak said yes, but added that he would "never leave" the Senate race for a deal. Imagine if Dubya had done a thing like this ... A White House spokesman this morning strongly denied an offer had been made to Sestak. Before the spokesman issued the denial, a senior Pennsylvania Democrat said Sestak's account was met with anger by White House officials yesterday. After yesterday's taping, Sestak said he recalled the White House offer coming in July, as he was preparing to formally announce his Senate candidacy in August. He declined to identify who spoke to him or the job under discussion. Sestak also would not say whether the person who approached him worked for the administration or was an intermediary for the offer. "I'm not going to say who or how and what was offered," Sestak said in an interview. "I don't feel it's appropriate to go beyond what I said," because the conversation was confidential. Sestak, 58, a retired Navy admiral, has said that some Pennsylvania Democratic leaders have tried to entice him to drop his campaign with promises of support for other offices in the future. He also has said that Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, urged him to run when Specter was still a Republican, then tried to force him out after Specter switched parties. But Sestak has brushed aside talk of White House pressure. "He asked me the question, and I had to answer it honestly," Sestak said of his exchange with Kane. Sestak said he had declined the job offer immediately and added, "The person said, 'I knew you'd say that.' " It's no secret that leading Democrats are backing Specter, a five-term incumbent who switched from the GOP last spring, soon after providing the critical vote for President Obama's $787 billion stimulus program. Obama endorsed Specter at the White House and has raised money for him. Gov. Rendell has been vocal in calling Sestak's challenge harmful to the party, as has state chairman T.J. Rooney.

Posted by: Fred || 02/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

Biden wants US warheads with worldwide reach

US Vice President Joe Biden says Washington should seek an "adaptive missile defense shield" and conventional warheads with global range. Biden, who spoke at the National Defense University on Thursday, added that development of programs such as the planned anti-missile in Europe would allow the United States to decrease its nuclear weaponry. "Capabilities like an adaptive missile defensive shield, conventional warheads with world-wide reach and others that are developing and being developed will enable us to reduce the role of nuclear weapons as other nuclear powers begin to draw down even further," the vice president said. Biden was also making the case for the big jump in spending so that scientists can make certain the aging US nuclear stockpile remains ready for use, if needed, without test explosions. The new administration budget allocates USD 7 billion for scientists and laboratories that maintain warhead readiness -- an increase of about 13.5 percent and one of the largest in the next spending plan. The 2011 budget also calls for spending an additional USD 5 billion on those projects over the next five years. Biden's comments come while US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev agreed in July to cut their respective number of nuclear warheads to between 1,500 and 1,675 under a new treaty.

Posted by: Fred || 02/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under:

Home Front: WoT

Holder admits nine Obama Dept. of Justice officials worked for terrorist detainees, offers no details

Attorney General Eric Holder says nine Obama appointees in the Justice Department have represented or advocated for terrorist detainees before joining the Justice Department. But he does not reveal any names beyond the two officials whose work has already been publicly reported. And all the lawyers, according to Holder, are eligible to work on general detainee matters, even if there are specific parts of some cases they cannot be involved in. Holder's admission comes in the form of an answer to a question posed last November by Republican Sen. Charles Grassley. Noting that one Obama appointee, Principal Deputy Solicitor General Neal Katyal, formerly represented Osama bin Laden's driver, and another appointee, Jennifer Daskal, previously advocated for detainees at Human Rights Watch, Grassley asked Holder to give the Senate Judiciary Committee "the names of political appointees in your department who represent detainees or who work for organizations advocating on their behalf...the cases or projects that these appointees work with respect to detainee prior to joining the Justice Department...and the cases or projects relating to detainees that have worked on since joining the Justice Department." In his response, Holder has given Grassley almost nothing. He says nine Obama political appointees at the Justice Department have advocated on behalf of detainees, but did not identify any of the nine other than the two, Katyal and Daskal, whose names Grassley already knew. "To the best of our knowledge," Holder writes, during their employment prior to joining the government, only five of the lawyers who serve as political appointees in those components represented detainees, and four others either contributed to amicus briefs in detainee-related cases or were otherwise involved in advocacy on behalf of detainees. Holder says other Obama appointees, like Holder himself, came from law firms which represented detainees but did no work on behalf of the terrorist prisoners. But other than Katyal and Daskal, Holder does not reveal any names of any Obama appointees, nor does he mention the cases they worked on.

Posted by: Fred || 02/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [8 views] Top|| File under:

Home Front: Culture Wars

Pulitzer Prize Committee Will Consider National Enquirer for Breaking John Edwards Scandal

The National Enquirer is now legit, according to the Pulitzer Prize Board. The body behind journalism's most prestigious award conceded Thursday that the self-proclaimed tabloid can compete with mainstream news outlets for its prizes. Because it broke the story about former presidential candidate John Edwards's mistress and love child, the Enquirer's staff is eligible for the Pulitzer in two categories: ''Investigative Reporting'' and ''National News Reporting.'' Why not? They gave one to Walter Duranty...

Posted by: Fred || 02/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

23:59 Frank G
23:22 gorb
23:21 gorb
23:20 tu3031
23:04 lotp
22:58 crosspatch
22:56 crosspatch
22:41 Frank G
22:40 newc
22:39 tu3031
22:39 newc
22:21 BernardZ
22:19 BernardZ
22:15 swksvolFF
22:13 BernardZ
22:12 trailing wife
22:12 Ptah
22:08 trailing wife
22:08 tipover
21:39 Uncle Phester
21:38 Goober Crealet3411
21:35 lord garth
21:29 trailing wife
21:29 rjschwarz