Thursday, May 22:
House Auditors Report Possible Second Case of Skimming
Inspector General of US House offices recommends better rules for Congresspersons to share employees. Typically they work in accounting and computer websites and may be there through temporary worker services. One embezzler pleaded guilty. Another case is being investigated. IG recommends that House member come up with better controls.
Melinda Pillsbury-Foster:
Murder for Hire In Santa Cruz – The Curious Career of Irwin Joseph
We know that the Greed People are growing daily more desperate; it was not their original plans that are tripping them up but the cover ups that followed. Watch Santa Cruz and the unfolding story of Clive Boustred. It matters to all of us.
Torture Turf Wars
The DOJ report details the "trench warfare" between the FBI and the military over harsh interrogations, which FBI agents objected to, going "so far as to collect allegations of abuse in what they labeled a 'war crimes file.'" "The report says that the F.B.I. agents took their concerns to higher-ups, but that their concerns often fell on deaf ears...
Interactive Map: Where Is Our Oil Coming From?
Over Half of Crude Oil Imports Come from Unstable or Unfriendly Countries
-- U.S. oil consumption remains high even as the price of oil skyrockets, and the US is forced to funnel money directly into unstable and hostile regimes to fund its habit.
Boehner And Buddies Hope The Public Forgets Whose Energy Policy This Is - REPUBLICANS!
In one of the most laughable stunts ever to come out of the House Republican leadership, Minority Leader John Boehner and his minions are labeling the recent stratospheric rise in gasoline prices "the Pelosi premium." The fumes from their oil company friends have finally gotten to them. MORE SPECIFICALLY, IT IS DICK CHENEY'S AND HIS STILL SECRET ENERGY ADVISORY PANEL.
Big Brother is "Watchin", er, 'Listening'
Customers in shopping centres are having their every move tracked by a new type of surveillance that listens in on the whisperings of their mobile phones.
The technology can tell when people enter a shopping centre, what stores they visit, how long they remain there, and what route they take as they walked around. If the Brits are using it abroad, Bush is using it here.
Gas Prices Rise, Execs Face Congress - VIDEO
(1 comments) Senator Leahy grills Big Oil CEOs about their generous millions of dollars salary and benefits and their companies record profits in the billions.
Edwin Rutsch:
Failed Conservative Values: Norman Solomon on Dog Eat Dog Greed
I interviewed Norman Solomon at the 2008 Democratic Party Convention in San Jose, California. Norman is a columnist and his book "War Made Easy" was recently made into a movie. He talked about how he sees 'dog eat dog greed' as a Failed Conservative Value.
Israel Sets Demands For Syria
Tzipi Livni, the Israeli foreign minister, says that Syria must stop supporting Hamas and Hezbollah for peace talks to resume.
France Hit By National Strike
Tens of thousands of French workers have taken to the streets as unions mounted a one-day show of force against government pension reforms.
Rail workers led the national stoppage, with only half of trains running across France, as public sector workers joined around 80 protest rallies planned across the country.
Un: Food Costs Hitting World's Poor
Food import costs to the world's poorest nations are set to rise by 40 per cent in 2008 on the previous year, a report by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) says.
Energy Watchdog Warns Of Oil-Production Crunch
The world's premier energy monitor is preparing a sharp downward revision of its oil-supply forecast, a shift that reflects deepening pessimism over whether oil companies can keep abreast of booming demand.
Gov't home price index posts largest drop in 17-year history
Prices fell in 43 states, with California and Nevada showing the biggest declines. Home prices dropped by more than 8 percent in those states.
Leaky New Orleans levee alarms experts
Despite more than $22 million in repairs, a levee that broke with catastrophic effect during Hurricane Katrina is leaking again because of the mushy ground on which New Orleans was built, raising serious questions about the reliability of the city's flood defenses.
Oil Hits $135 - Skyrocketing Oil Prices Stump Experts
Whatever the causes, one of the most dizzying runs in the history of oil prices picks up pace.
Chertoff, DHS Will Face Questions on Care of Detained Immigrants Before Congress
Top lawmakers in Congress criticized the Department of Homeland Security yesterday for failing to provide adequate medical care to detained immigrants, and said they plan to demand explanations today from Secretary Michael Chertoff and Julie L. Myers, assistant secretary for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
|What's Behind the Battle Over the New GI Bill?
McClatchy reports that Sen. Webb's GI bill on education is receiving opposition from Republicans as too costly. Another issue is whether recruitment would be affected, as those offered reenlishmtment decline. McCain and Dole are two Senators working on alternative law.
Habib's claims backed by FBI agent
AN FBI agent has described how she watched Australian detainee Mamdouh Habib vomit repeatedly during a lengthy interrogation session at Guantanamo Bay.
In a report prepared by the US Justice Department, the agent said that Mr Habib was interrogated in two 15-hour sessions with only a short break between them.
Waxman Laughs Off Boehner's Demand for Apology
(1 comments) After House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) called Rep. Henry Waxman's gavel-banging outburst "outrageous threats and intimidation" and demanded an apology, the diminutive Waxman laughed and had this to say: "Just look at me," he said. "How can you not quake in my presence?"
Soldiers Describe Misconduct | May 21, 2008 PBS
The News Hour's response to "Winter Soldier" snubs. A hearing is held with video to show for it.
Evelyn Pringle:
Final Chapter - Curtain Time for Barack Obama
(2 comments) Judging from the indictments in Board Games unsealed so far, Obama's legal culpability at this point anyways, stems from his involvement in setting up and receiving money from the pay-to-play schemes.
Obama Prepares to Take Over DNC -- Political Wire
Tewes is the name of he Obama man. This must be in the planning stage only, considering that DNC rules committee isn't meeting until the 31st concerning FL/MI.
New Scrutiny For "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", Federal Appeals Court Rejects Automatic Dismissal Of Openly Gay Service Member
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled yesterday that the military cannot automatically discharge people because they're gay. The court did not strike down the military's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy but reinstated a lawsuit from a "decorated flight nurse who sued the Air Force over her dismissal."
Spanish firm offers $12.8 billion to lease Pa. Turnpike
A Spanish toll-road operator won the bidding war to operate the Pennsylvania Turnpike, offering $12.8 billion for a 75-year lease, Gov. Rendell said today.
Is the U.S. falling behind in broadband?
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development came out with its latest figures on broadband penetration and the situation appears to be getting worse for the U.S.
According to the study, the U.S. has slipped to 15th in the world at the end of last year, with a penetration rate of 23.3 percent among the OECD member nations. That's down from 12th in 2006 and 4th in 2001.
nation of gandhis:
*Expand The Dann Investigation Press Conference, Your 2008 Ohio Elections At Stake
Video and written statement from Paddy Shaffer of the Ohio Election Justice Campaign press conference at www.progressohio.org requesting a further investigation into the former AG, Marc Dann office for a cover up of the 2004 election fraud.
There have been copious amounts of information discovered by volunteer investigators in all aspects of the election from ballot stuffing to electronic manipulation of realtime statistics
David Bloys:
County Official Resigns, Takes Federal Plea Deal
Cuyahoga County Recorder Patrick O'Malley has a problem with women. He says they ruined his life and destroyed his career. He also had a problem with Web sites - those he visited and the one he maintained for the county. O'Malley's guilty plea last Thursday is shedding light on the arrogant official's 20-year career and how problems with women, web sites and patronage brought it all to an abrupt end.
Wednesday, May 21:
Audit Finds FBI Reports Of Detainee Abuse Ignored
Complaints by FBI agents about abusive interrogation tactics at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and other U.S. military sites reached the National Security Council but prompted no effort to curb questioning that the agents considered ineffective and possibly illegal, according to an internal audit released yesterday.
Fossella Decides Not to Run for Reelection
Rep. Vito J. Fossella (R-N.Y.) announced yesterday that he will not seek reelection in November, the fallout of a drunken-driving arrest in Alexandria earlier this month that revealed he has a child through a long-standing extramarital affair.
Jerry Frey:
George Bush Is Not A Leader
(3 comments) Driven by his simplistic beliefs and callow intellect, George W. Bush's policies have produced disastrous consequences that have established a legacy whereby our nation may not long exist as we have known it. He will not be impeached by a legislative body but history has begun condemning him as a flaming failure. The magnitude of the Bush administration's incompetence is unprecedented. In sum, Dubya lacks common sense.
Obama, Clinton chart an endgame
AP once again listed delegates, pledged & moveableSupers, in the Democratic showdown. Since both Clinton & Obama were in Florida today, how they carried out their plans revealed plans. Patti Solis signing on with Obama mentioned again. Obama hired Linda Douglass (ABC) to shore up his female contingent. But both will know more after May 31 when DNC rules committee makes a statement about the Florida/Michigan question.
Amy Fried:
Reporting on Senator Biden at the Center for American Progress
Reporting from Sen. Biden's recent talk at the Center for American Progress
US Fed cuts growth estimate by 1%
The Fed cut its growth forecast for this year by to a new range of between 0.3% and 1.2%, down from the 1.3% to 2% predicted in February.
The US central bank also said the jobless rate could reach 5.7%. Thank you Bushonomics.
JGideon:
'Daily Voting News' For May 21, 2008
a collection of local, state, national and international articles on electronic voting and election issues
Portland elects its first openly gay mayor
Sam Adams easily won Portland's mayoral race yesterday, becoming the first openly gay mayor of any major US city. With a population of more than 500K, Portland is the largest city in a state that in 2004 voted to amend its constitution to declare that marriage is only legal when it's between a man and a woman. Asked if it was odd that he can be mayor -- but not married -- in Oregon, Adams said it was "surreal."
Portland elects its first openly gay mayor
Sam Adams easily won Portland's mayoral race yesterday, becoming the first openly gay mayor of any major US city. With a population of more than 500K, Portland is the largest city in a state that in 2004 voted to amend its constitution to declare that marriage is only legal when it's between a man and a woman. Asked if it was odd that he can be mayor -- but not married -- in Oregon, Adams said it was "surreal."
Portland elects its first openly gay mayor
Sam Adams easily won Portland's mayoral race yesterday, becoming the first openly gay mayor of any major US city. With a population of more than 500K, Portland is the largest city in a state that in 2004 voted to amend its constitution to declare that marriage is only legal when it's between a man and a woman. Asked if it was odd that he can be mayor -- but not married -- in Oregon, Adams said it was "surreal."
38 whales die after stranding on Senegal coast
Sonar-deafening may be the cause of whale beaching that occurred today. Over 60 whales swam in close to the shore after 3 dozen whales beached themselves. Pregnant calf gave birth on beach and both were safely towed back into the water. Also see http://snipurl.com/2a00y
Budget Hero - setting federal budget priorities (video)
If you ever wanted to control where your tax dollars go, here's your chance to decide.
Somalia violence flares in the wake of U.S. airstrike
First President Bush handed Somalia unrest to Clinton who handed it back to Second President Bush. Currently, US takes out "terrorists" and things flare up. The author "Blackhawk Down" is cited as one source by the Monitor.
Feds offer help to student loan industry - not students
Are you seeing a pattern here?
DoJ Torture Report: Paints a picture of ghastly treatment of detainees by US
As you dig down into the 370-page report (.pdf), it's most revealing for what it shows the U.S. government was actually doing to detainees. Because of the limited jurisdiction of the DOJ inspector general, the report was focused on the FBI. But in establishing the environment in which the FBI was operating, the report paints a picture of ghastly treatment of detainees by the United States on a consistent long-term basis.
Report: U.S. Soldiers Did 'Dirty Work' for Chinese Interrogators
(5 comments) Alleges Guantanamo Personnel Softened Up Detainees at Request of Chinese Intelligence
Dave Lindorff:
For His Treatment of Children in the 'War on Terror' Bush is a War Criminal
(2 comments) Bush, as commander in chief, has presided over the war crime of imprisoning over 2500 children as "enemy combatants," some of them at Guantanamo.
Homeland Security's Emerging Immigration Police State
This article is the 1st of 2. There is also a link for newsletter on Immigration coverage. Details in this report are gruesome. Be brave! See if subscribing is important. Among info: Through private correction facilities, we may be facing something akin to Blackwater, in my opinion.
Did George Bush Break the Clean Air Act?
The law is very clear that EPA may not consider costs in setting a national air quality standard to protect the environment. The Supreme Court specifically addressed the issue in 2001, the court wrote that if EPA established a standard by 'secretly considering the costs without telling anyone' it would be grounds for throwing out the standard, because the administrator did not follow the law...
McCain adviser: Sometimes it's "˜accurate' to describe a woman as a "˜bitch.'
"What's amusing about this is that Castellanos actually argued that it's sometimes accurate to call a woman a "bitch" as a way of making the claim that Hillary was wrong to argue that there's sexism in our political coverage. Pretty twisted stuff."
Govt. May Have Massive Surveillance Program For Use In "˜National Emergency,' 8 Million "˜Potential Suspects'
According to a senior government official..."There exists a database of Americans, who, often for the slightest and most trivial reason, are considered unfriendly, and who, in a time of panic, might be incarcerated. The database can identify and locate perceived 'enemies of the state' almost instantaneously." ... One knowledgeable source claims that 8 million Americans are now listed in Main Core as potentially suspect.
Mary Ann Gould:
"The Paradox of Fair Elections: Private Votes, Public Counting" Tonight 5/21, 8-9pm ET
Tonight Ellen Theisen of VotersUnite and Susan Pynchon of Florida Fair Elections Coalition offer a compelling analysis of the critical components/issues surrounding our election process in ensuring (or limiting) a Vibrant Democracy.Call in with your questions and comments.Call in with your questions and comments.
Tuesday, May 20:
Egyptian leader walks out after Bush misses his keynote
(3 comments) Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak inaugurated the meeting with a keynote speech, attended by some 14 heads of state and government, but not U.S. President George W. Bush. As Mubarak spoke, the seats of the American delegation remained empty. Laura Bush's seat, next to that of Mubarak's wife, also remained unoccupied.
Top Military officer: Iran jeopardizing peace in Iraq
Mullen can't seem to make up his mind about Iran...ed.
Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that "irresponsible actions" by Iran's Revolutionary Guard "directly jeopardize" peace in Iraq.
House passes bill to sue OPEC over oil prices
(2 comments) The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation on Tuesday allowing the Justice Department to sue OPEC members for limiting oil supplies and working together to set crude prices, but the White House threatened to veto the measure.
Why 'Vote-by-Mail' Elections are a Terrible Idea for Democracy
Voters believe such systems offer a "paper trail" not available to voters using touch-screen systems at the polling place.Many are unaware that their mailed-in ballots will be scanned by the same error-prone, easily manipulated optical-scan machines which handle paper ballots for precinct-based voting.But even worse, ballots mailed in,if they arrive safely,and are counted at all, are usually counted "in the dark" or
Cuba fights homophobia
(1 comments) On Saturday May 17, Cuba celebrated International Day Against Homophobia by holding a conference featuring shows, lectures, discussions and books. Mariela Castro, Director of Center for Sexual Education, defended "equal rights for all Cubans, of all sexual orientations... The freedom of sexual choice and gender identity are exercises in equality and social justice." Related article on proposed Bill in comments below.
Tuesday, May 13:
Gene Cappa:
What Really Happened to WTC 7?
(12 comments) WTC 7 was not hit by an aircraft on 9-11 but the 47 story tall concrete and steel skyscraper "buckled" at the top, penthouse first, then came straight down into it's own footprints at free fall in a mere 6.5 seconds. This buidling was never even mentioned in the 9-11 Commission Report, and neither NIST nor FIMA have officially explained the collapse itself. So what really happened to WTC 7?
Sunday, May 11:
ALONE:
Concepts of Sovereignty in 2008 and questioning how to aid the Burmese
"France has suggested invoking a U.N. 'responsibility to protect' clause and delivering aid directly to cyclone-hit Myanmar without waiting for approval from the [Myanmar] military."
Do you agree with France on its call that the UN bypass the traditional constraints of sovereignty in order to protect millions of Burmese?
Rob Kall:
UFO and Exterrestrial Articles on OpEdNews?
(84 comments) The original vision for OpEdNews was to create an online site that covered the wide range of topics daily newspapers and weekly newsmagazines cover. Lately, we've had some of our members comment on our publishing articles on UFOs and extraterrestrials, suggesting they diminish our credibility. OTOH, some of the articles have brought thousands of readers to the site. What do you think? Please leave your comments on this.
Saturday, May 10:
Richard McGinn:
White House Fire in Dick Cheney's Office
(1 comments) Poll question: Why has there been no investigative reports, or even news items, discussing what was destroyed in the Dec. 20, 2007 fire in Dick Cheney's White House Office?
Wednesday, May 7:
Gene Cappa:
What Really Happened on 9-11?
(37 comments) Lacking an official scientific investigation of 9-11, serious doubts remain about the official story stating that the planes, fires, and hijackers caused all 3 world trade center buildings to collapse straight down at free fall.
Frank J. Ranelli:
Should Hillary drop out of the race?
(19 comments) Hillary Clinton took a drubbing in North Carolina's primary – losing by virtually 15 points – and escaped with a disappointing win of less than two-percent in Indiana. Barack Obama erased any momentum Hillary gained from Pennsylvania and Barack is now considered by some to be the presumptive nominee. Now, with no plausible path to the nomination, should Hillary drop out of the race and help unite a fractured Democratic Party?
Monday, May 5:
Michael McCoy:
Bush/Cheney Impeachment Charges
(17 comments) Were impeachment proceedings to be initiated against George Bush and Richard Cheney, which central charge would you endorse?
Sunday, May 4:
Mark E. Smith:
Will you continue to vote in rigged elections?
(9 comments) Knowing that the last two presidential elections were stolen, that more than 80% of U.S. votes, whether cast on voting machines or on paper ballots, are counted secretly by central tabulating computers, that even if it is possible to prove that an election was stolen, the unelected president cannot be removed from office, and that only corporate candidates can "win," -- will you still vote in elections you know are rigged?
Thursday, May 1:
Gene Cappa:
IF Attacked Iran Would
(6 comments) Never surrender, close the Straits of Hormutz, fight back with gusto and seek military help from Russia, China, and the Iraqi Shites, pull their oil off the US market, dump the dollar and attack Israel?
Kevin Gosztola:
Who Would You Like to Vote for in November?
(8 comments) Ballot access obstructionism, closed debates, and corporate media will essentially mean that the people's choice for president may not win. But before all that goes down and before the national conventions begin and end only to be followed by polarizing conversation, let's pretend November is here now. And let's pretend you can vote for any party and not just the two corporate war parties that reign over America.
Mystic Wizard:
Will Electing a Democrat President Get the Country Back On the Right Track?
Will the election of either Barack Obabma or Hillary Clinton as President of the United States result in a restoration of the rule of law, consumer and employee rights, environmental protections, corporate & media resposibility, election reform, our standing in the world, and a general resurgence of cultural vitality in this country?
ALONE:
Supreme Court's future in the USA
(5 comments) Do you think that if a progressive president is elected in 2008, he should (do as President FDR did 7 1/2 decades ago) threaten the Supreme Court with expansion of appointments as of 2009?
ALONE:
Using the phrase "pigeons coming home to roost"
Is using the phrase "pigeons coming home to roost" ever acceptable when referring to events such as those on 9-11 or in the death of John F. Kennedy?
ALONE:
Media Access for Americans of all classes and groups
Do you believe that the state, local and federal governments need to ensure more access time for you and your community than it currently does currently? This goes for all U.S. based radio, TV, Cable, Sattelite and internet.
ALONE:
Making it easier for alternative candidates and alternative parties to get on a ballot #1
(1 comments) Do you believe that your state needs to make it significantly easier for alternative parties and alternative candidates?
Rob Kall:
Will Cheney or Bush face impeachment hearings?
(15 comments) In the face of massive criminal actions, constitutional violations and war crimes, the Democrats in congress are taking the position that impeachment hearing swill take up too much time and distract from elections.
Wednesday, April 30:
Gary Skubal:
Texas FLDS Polygamy Raid
What do you think about the FLDS, the allegations of child/sexual abuse, and how Texas is handling the situation?
Sherwin Steffin:
Impeachment - probability and consequences
(3 comments) This poll asks whether Impeachment is a viable possibility and asks about the consequences were it to be undertaken.
Tuesday, April 29:
http://RoboEco.com/opednews:
When will the ROBOTIC WAGELESS ECONOMY kick in 100%
The masses have been working for the Elite for 1000's of years, and the degree of control over the masses is close to 100% reducing them to scripted robotic lives... Ironically, @ the same time, ROBOTS & Computers together are close to 100% capable of doing all labor for the 1rst time in history, freeing ALL HUMANS to join the elite ranks, where like them, all "income" will be passive and "money" and wages will disappear.
Monday, April 28:
Michael McCoy:
The 911 attacks on the US
(3 comments) Do you, or do you not believe, that key elements in the US government knew that the 911 attacks were imminent, and were able to circumvent either an intelligence or military response to prevent them?
Rob Kall:
Has Reverend Wright Helped or Hurt Obama with Talks and Interviews
(18 comments) Has Reverend Jeremiah Wright Helped or Hurt Barrack Obama with Talks in the last few days with his latest appearances, talks and his interview with Bill Moyers?
Friday, April 25:
Rob Kall:
Will Hillary Give Up When Barack Reaches the 50% Plus 1 Number of Delegates Needed?
(15 comments) When Barack Obama reaches the number of delegate votes needed to have the majority, will Hillary Clinton accept that accomplishment as a loss and withdraw from the primary race or will she continue to insist that this be decided in Denver, at the convention, even though party leaders pressure her to pull out?
Saturday, March 15:
Sponsored by www.worldproutassembly.org:
"Building a New World" Conference
The deep longing for positive, lasting change is the bedrock upon which this conference is based. How do we fix our country and our world? And how can we form one mass movement to address the crisis? (Event Date: May 22, 2008)
Sponsored by ourfuture.org:
Take Back America
a meeting of progressives (Event Date: Mar 17, 2008)
Wednesday, December 31:
Sponsored by Freedom Ambassadors:
Walk for Human Dignity
A national coalition of over 50 local, state and national organizations are participating in walk from Tucson to Phoenix beginning May 2 to call for an end to racially fomented hate crimes. The ten-day peaceful walk will end with a rally in downtown Phoenix on Mother's Day, May 11, honoring mothers for teaching children to treat all human beings with equal dignity. (Event Date: May 1, 2008)
(More...)
