The LAT says on Page One, "VISIT BY RUMSFELD, RICE SETS OFF CRITICISM IN IRAQ." That's interesting, but the piece buries a crucial and fascinating bit of nuance: It was Shiite politicians who were complaining. The Sunni politicians who were quoted welcomed the swing-by.--today's papers
Everybody notes inside that E.U. investigators have concluded that the CIA has had about 1,000 undeclared flights in European airspace since 2001. Nobody, except of course the CIA, is sure how many of the flights were used to transport "ghost prisoners."--story
The Wall Street Journal's world-wide newsbox leads with an in-house poll in which 77 percent of respondents called themselves "uneasy about the state of the economy."--source
He has taken no disciplinary action against CIA personnel identified by his inspector general as having played a part in the failure to prevent the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He has taken no action against CIA interrogators known to have participated in the torture and killing of foreign detainees, or against those who knowingly violated the Geneva Conventions in Iraq.but he wants to stop leakers cold. dictators do things that way.
"Crude oil supplies are at an almost eight-year high. The price is obviously not reflecting that. It's reflecting the worries about the future."attribution
-- John Kilduff, a senior vice president at commodities firm Fimat USA Inc. in New York.
WASHINGTON, April 21 (Reuters) - Nearly 30 percent of the Guantanamo detainees have been cleared to leave the prison but remain jailed because the U.S. government has been unable to arrange for their return to their home countries, the Pentagon said on Friday.--source
The Pentagon refused to identify these 141 men despite having released on Wednesday its first comprehensive list of detainees held at the prison for foreign terrorism suspects at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Of these 141 detainees among the 490 still at Guantanamo, various military reviews have cleared 22 to be freed in their home countries and the remaining 119 for transfer to the control of their home governments.
"It's just an outrageous situation where people have gone through this system that has been established, such as it is, and the (U.S.) government itself has found there's no reason for them to be held any longer, and yet they continue to be held," said Curt Goering, a senior Amnesty International USA official.
MASON CITY — A Mason City man has been arrested by the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force and charged in a three- count federal indictment.i remember first meeting jim in 2003 when he was a close friend to one of my employees. i remember his stunning handsome good looks and how i fell head over heels for him. then there was the time i went to his house and spent some time fixing his computer. we came this close to actually getting it on, but it never happened. i had since then tried to see him several times, but never could find him home. now he'll never be home. and i'm really saddened by this development.
James Mariner, 38, is charged with conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and a mixture of cocaine; and money laundering.
If convicted, according to a news release from the drug task force, Mariner faces 40 years in prison and $12.5 million in fines.
The investigation has been ongoing since 2003, according to authorities.
In addition to the task force, the case was investigated by the Mason City Police Department, Mason City Drug Enforcement Unit, Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Department, Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Clear Lake Police Department and Iowa Army National Guard.
Mariner was held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail and taken to Cedar Rapids for his initial appearance in federal court.
--link
HARTFORD, Conn. --A Hartford Courant/Connecticut poll shows that President Bush's job approval rating has dropped to 24 percent among Connecticut residents.-source
Brokerages and fund managers for the first time since 1994, helped by support from hedge funds and companies such as Merrill Lynch & Co.--story
Democrats got $13.6 million, or 52 percent of the financial industry's $26.3 million in political donations in 2005, said the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan Washington group that researches the influence of money on elections and public policy. In the two years leading up to the 2004 presidential election, Republicans received 52 percent of the $91.6 million given by the industry.
``Wall Street wants change'' on issues such as the Iraq war and the budget deficit, said James Torrey, chairman of the Torrey Funds, which manages about $1 billion. `∏`I'm finding people who are registered Republicans who are saying to me, `what can I do to help?''' The securities and investment industry is among the biggest sources of campaign cash in U.S. politics. The industry's 2004 contribution total to candidates and parties was higher than any group except lawyers, health professionals and the real estate industry, according to the center, which studied Federal Election Commission records.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush, his popularity sinking while gas prices soar, hopes to stave off a potential election-year problem for fellow Republicans with a drive to stop price gouging and push alternative fuels.
--story
The NYT's off-lead looks at a key oil pipeline in Iraq that was supposed to be rebuilt as part of a Halliburton no-bid contract. The method planned was just a touch short of insane. "No driller in his right mind would have gone ahead," said one Army geologist who inspected the site. Halliburton didn't give the government a clear heads-up about the concerns, and the Army didn't seem to care much anyway. So, project went ahead ... and failed.
The Los Angeles Times leads with an official at Guantanamo Bay saying the Pentagon is planning to "release" 141 prisoners from there and bring charges against only about a dozen more. That would leave about 300 prisoners who "face neither imminent freedom nor a day in court." Reuters has a slightly different take, saying the military has suggested most of those being "released" will be transferred to prisons back in their home country—an issue this TPer raised in the Wash Post last month. Meanwhile, the LAT could have benefited from flagging a few recent studies and reports that strongly suggest, as Slate's Dahlia Lithwick put it, "most of the prisoners are guilty only of bad luck."
--today's papers
On April 11 [the day of President Bush’s visit to Iowa], I walked on the sidewalk on Grand Avenue across the street from Wesley Acres carrying an “Impeach Bush” sign.
After the president arrived, Polk County officers told the spectators that the Secret Service wanted us to move east, away from the corner. We did.
A few minutes later the officers told us that the Secret Service wanted us to move back from the curb to the sidewalk. We did.
A few minutes later the officers told us that the Secret Service wanted us to move east to the next block. Some of us argued that this was the third contradictory instruction in five minutes.
Immediately the sergeant called for help on his radio. In moments an SUV arrived and four SWAT officers got out to confront us. They were wearing body armor and carrying assault weapons, although they did not point the weapons at the crowd. We were told “move or we will move you.” An 80-year-old man sitting in a lawn chair in his own front yard was told to move to the next block or go inside his house.
The president’s visit had been carefully planned, and it would have been simple for authorities to string yellow tape in advance, clearly marking areas where spectators were allowed.
— John Ousterhout, Windsor Heights.
The Central Intelligence Agency tried to warn the Bush administration on the eve of the 2003 invasion of Iraq that Saddam Hussein did not appear to have weapons of mass destruction but the warning was dismissed because the US political leadership was not interested in what the intelligence showed, according to a retired senior CIA operative.
The WP fronts the news that six joint U.S.-Iraqi inspections of Iraqi detention centers between November and February found abuse of prisoners at all of them. In the past, detainees have been removed from abusive sites, but this time, the detainees have remained in place, prompting concerns that they could be victims again. Two of the sites showed signs of "severe abuse," including "broken bones, indications that they had been beaten with hoses and wires, signs that they had been hung from the ceiling, and cigarette burns" at one and "scars, missing toenails, dislocated shoulders, severe bruising, and cigarette burns" at the other.--story
Richard Doak was spot-on in his criticism of massive CEO salaries when he suggests it has a negative effect on American morale ("CIETC Director and Most CEOs Have Quite a Bit in Common," April 16 column). The free-market economy is often used as a justification tactic by the rich to acquire more wealth at the expense of the poor.attribution
It is terribly unjust that CEOs make 431 times the salary of their employees (in addition to lucrative benefit packages and golden parachutes when they retire), while many of these workers are paying more for health benefits and losing pension plans.
Is it ethical for CEOs and entertainers to bring in dazzling salaries while many toil for the absurdly inadequate $5.15-an-hour minimum wage?
Has George Bush's corporate America lost all compassion for the have-nots? FDR twirls in his grave.
Sadly, many Americans — and most of the rest of the world — perceive the U.S. as the Land of Greed and Home of Excess.
- Rick Burns, Pella.
REPUBLICANS are urging President George W Bush to dump Dick Cheney as vice-president and replace him with Condoleezza Rice if he is serious about presenting a new face to the jaded American public.--source
The Vatican has signaled that it is willing to break its ties with Taiwan in order to set up an official diplomatic relationship with China.
--source
(Angus Reid Global Scan) – The outcome of the 2004 United States presidential election would be different if a new ballot took place this year, according to a poll by Bloomberg and the Los Angeles Times. 47 per cent of respondents would vote for Democrat John Kerry, while 40 per cent would support Republican George W. Bush.
John Kerry (D) 47%
George W. Bush (R) 40%
Someone else 6%
Would not vote 4%
Don’t know 3%
-source
You have to wonder why President Bush allowed millions of dollars to be spent investigating leaks that, he now admits, came from him. Every time Bush was asked about White House leaks, he said that he knew nothing about it, he would get to the bottom of it and would punish whomever did it.and
Does it mean nothing to him to waste millions of taxpayer dollars on a needless investigation? Why didn't he come forward sooner and just say "Yes, I declassified it"?
What's even more galling is that the information Bush leaked in order to supposedly "spread the truth" was in fact information that had already been proven wrong months before he authorized it to be leaked. Bush didn't want people to see the truth so he intentionally leaked false information in order to trick Americans into supporting the war in Iraq.
Bush has repeatedly abused power, lied to Congress and the American people, lied to the military, started war on false pretenses, demonstrated the most egregious incompetence and placed the nation in a precarious economic and diplomatic condition.
At least he didn't lie about sex or we'd have to impeach him.
— Alan L. Light, Iowa City.
It is amazing how this administration rewrites the rules to the game as it goes along. President Bush stated that he would fire whomever was responsible for outing CIA agent Valerie Plame to the press.attribution
Of course, those of us who were following this media story suspected it would be Vice President Dick Cheney and perhaps Bush himself who authorized Lewis Libby to squawk. Now that the jury will be hearing the details, we hear the defense, "We have the right to declassify information... ."
Talk about flip-flopping nonsense. To put our nation's national security at risk by outing an agent considered to be an expert on weapons of mass destruction and putting people under her at risk also — that should be an impeachable offense. What kind of government condones these tactics?
It appears the Bushies are more dangerous and closer to fascism than some of the regimes they condemn. Who is part of the axis of evil now?
— Lisa Honnold, Ankeny.
WASHINGTON - A Senate measure to fund the war in Iraq would chop money for troops' night vision equipment and new battle vehicles but add $230 million for a tilt-rotor aircraft that has already cost $18 billion and is still facing safety questions.support for the troops must be only lip service for these guys.
--story
Sec. of State Condoleezza Rice says Americans should be prepared for more violence in Iraq -- even after a government forms there.--source
BAGHDAD, April 19 (Reuters) - Separate groups of gunmen entered two primary schools in Baghdad on Wednesday and beheaded two teachers in front of their students, the Ministry of State for National Security said.
--story
NEW YORK — More Americans disapprove than approve of how George W. Bush, Donald Rumsfeld and Congress are doing their jobs, while a majority approves of Condoleezza Rice. President Bush’s approval hits a record low of 33 percent this week, clearly damaged by sinking support among Republicans.--foxnews
USAT notices one U.S. construction effort in Iraq that's right on schedule: the $600 million, 104 acre U.S. embassy. As for other projects, a recent Senate report concluded, "No large-scale, U.S.-funded construction program in Iraq has yet met its schedule or budget."
The WP goes inside with a government watchdog report concluding that federal agencies still aren't doing a good job of sharing counterterrorism info.
"I don't think we should create a longer wait in line for the majority of people to provide a shorter line for a few people"attribution
--Randy Walker, director of Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport,
In a constitutional democracy with a civilian commander in chief, it would be considered borderline treason for generals to call for a president’s resignation.attribution
Generals rebel against presidents in banana republics and military dictatorships. In the United States, the generals, outraged by the incompetence and arrogance of their commander-in-chief, with thousands of troops either killed or maimed due to bad planning under their watch, call for the resignation of the secretary of defense. It’s the American and courteous way of calling out the man in the White House without actually calling out the man in the White House.
But we should see through this smokescreen. The generals who have called for the removal of Donald H. Rumsfeld are really talking about his boss and their commander-in-chief, George W. Bush. The media side-step this obvious point. But it’s obvious to the White House, and its only rebuttal, which assumes we’re idiots, is to challenge these generals and question why they didn’t speak up before they “retired.” This comes from an administration that labels journalists, members of Congress and other public figures who challenge White House policy in Iraq as unpatriotic Americans who are aiding and abetting the enemy.
And so the White House defends Rumsfeld. It must. The growing Rumsfeld scandal is a thin veil that barely masks the truth. With Rumsfeld gone, who would be left to blame?
— William Stosine, Iowa City.
SANTA ANA, Calif. - A homeless man searching through garbage bins for recyclable cans found a missing wallet and had it returned to its owner.
Kim Bogue, who works as a janitor in the city's government buildings, realized that her wallet was missing last week and doubted she'd ever get back the $900 and credit cards inside, she said.
"I prayed that night and asked God to help me," said Bogue, who was saving the money for a trip to her native Thailand.
Days later, a homeless man found the wallet wrapped in a plastic bag in a trash bin, where Bogue had accidentally thrown it away with her lunch. He gave it to Sherry Wesley, who works in a nearby building.
"He came to me with the wad of money and said, 'This probably belongs to someone that you work with, can you return it,'" Wesley said.
Workers at a nearby relief kitchen said the man, who didn't want to be identified, insists on paying for his food.
"He has a very good heart," said Bogue, who gave the man a $100 reward. "If someone else found it, the money would be gone."
"Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved through understanding."
--Albert Einstein
Private Christian colleges would be excepted from local and state non-discrimination laws under a proposed amendment to the Higher Education Act - a move that would allow the schools to legally reject LGBT students.
The amendment, proposed by Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah), would prevent accrediting boards from making adherence to non-discrimination laws a requirement.
The measure passed the House last week and is currently before the Senate.
--source
Yesterday's LAT noticed that a principal at an elementary school in Inglewood was so worried her students might attend pro-immigration rallies that she barred some from even going to the bathroom, forcing them to use buckets in class.--today's papers
Now the odd part: The school district defended the principal. They explained that the super-lockdown, bucket routine is indeed allowed, albeit only in a slightly more extreme scenario, namely nuclear Armageddon. "When there's a nuclear attack, that's when buckets are used," said a district official. "She made a decision to follow the handbook. She just misread it."
Mississippi's two U.S. senators included $700 million in an emergency war spending bill to relocate a Gulf Coast rail line that has already been rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina at a cost of at least $250 million.--source
I used to think Sen. John McCain was a cut above the ordinary. However, on a recent trip to Iowa, he promoted Rep. Jim Nussle for governor and supported President Bush’s “We have got to keep the military option on the table” against Iran. It is extraordinary how ordinary the senator has become.attribution
— The Rev. John M. Herzog, Ames.
(AP) Protection of marriage amendment? Check. Anti-flag burning legislation? Check. New abortion limits? Check.
Between now and the November elections, Republicans are penciling in plans to take action on social issues important to religious conservatives, the foundation of the GOP base, as they defend their congressional majority.
In a year where an unpopular war in Iraq has helped drive President Bush's approval ratings below 40 percent, core conservatives whose turnout in November is vital to the party want assurances that they are not being taken for granted.
"It seems like for only six months, every two years _ right around election time _ that we're even noticed," said Tom McClusky of the Family Research Council. "Some of these better pass," he added. "You notice when it's just lip service being paid."
--source
You probably remember that Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA) and his wife have a special arrangement, of dubious legality, in which they get to personally pocket 15% of the campaign contributions to John's reelection campaign and leadership committee. So far this political cycle the Doolittles have bagged just over $82,000 as their personal cut. Since some of the fattest months of the fundraising cycle are still to come, I guess it's conceiveable that the Doolittles could stash away more from this de facto bribe system than John's congressional salary.isn't anybody screaming about this yet? what a scam!
On Capitol Hill, there is widespread agreement that the annual congressional salary of $165,200 just does not go far enough on today's dollar. The clamor for ethics reform will likely make things tougher, forcing congressmen to pick up lunch and dinner tabs and pay their own way to Redskins games.--story
One enterprising member of the House, Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-Calif.), and his wife, Julie Doolittle, have found an innovative -- and apparently legal -- way to boost the family salary.
Julie Doolittle has set up a fundraising company, Sierra Dominion Financial Services. Two of her clients are John Doolittle's campaign committee and his leadership PAC, the Superior California Federal Leadership Fund. Julie Doolittle's company gets 15 cents of every dollar raised by her husband's political committees.
The United Parcel Service PAC, for example, has given $15,000 to the leadership PAC and $10,000 to the campaign committee, which, in turn, means a commission of $3,750 for Julie Doolittle's company.
SACRAMENTO — A television ad campaign portrayed as an independent effort to help Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been bankrolled partly by a group with deep ties to his political operation.--LATimes
An official with the New Majority, a Southern California Republican group at the core of Schwarzenegger's fundraising apparatus, said its members have given about $1 million to the Washington, D.C., business group that is the public face of the ads: the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
In a front-page story, the WP surmises that the videotaped rants and writings of Ayman al-Zawahiri, the deputy leader of al-Qaida, are an effort to maintain his grip over a radical Islamic movement that is increasingly out of his control. Many analysts believe that ideological and tactical disputes between al-Qaida's feuding factions have resurfaced since 9/11, allowing new leaders, such as Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, to emerge as potential rivals to Zawahiri.
The shenanigans of the Republican Party in Des Moines lately have been nothing short of amazing. Sometimes just one sentence from them can say volumes. In a story about the dumping of Stewart Iverson and the election of Mary Lundby as replacement Iowa Senate Republican leader, (GOP senators try out an urban, centrist view, Globe Gazette, 12 April) Sen. Dave Mulder, R-Sioux Center, was quoted as saying, “Everything you hear around here is we’re going in the tank.”attribution
That one sentence explains why the desperate Republicans would take such a drastic action. They are so afraid of losing their control in the Senate that they are paying far too little attention to the business of the people that must be done at the near-end of this year’s legislative session.
If those Republicans in the Senate were paying as much attention to wrapping up the session as they are worrying about next fall’s elections, we’d all be better off.
On a second front, you just gotta love the opportunism of a guy like Jim Nussle. The gross overpaying of a couple of so-called executives of a job training group in Des Moines is being investigated by “a myriad of agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa Department of Public Safety and the Polk County Attorney’s Office” (Globe Gazette, April 11).
Now Nussle says that isn’t enough; we need yet another state agency, the Office of the Inspector General. Apparently, five offices in three levels of government still need company. This from a guy who wants to be called a conservative and who wants to be governor? Give me a break.
--JOHN GRONINGA, Mason City
