CLG's BREAKING NEWS and COMMENTARY

U.S. Planning Big New Prison in Afghanistan --Pentagon is planning to use $60 million in emergency construction funds this fiscal year 17 May 2008 The Pentagon is moving forward with plans to build a new, 40-acre detention complex on the main American military base in Afghanistan, officials said, in a stark acknowledgment that the United States is likely to continue to hold prisoners overseas for years to come. The proposed detention center would replace the cavernous, makeshift American prison on the Bagram military base north of Kabul, which is now typically packed with about 630 prisoners, compared with the 270 held at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

U.S. Has Detained 2,500 Juveniles as Enemy Combatants 16 May 2008 The United States has imprisoned approximately 2,500 people younger than 18 as illegal enemy combatants in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay since 2002, according to a report filed by the Bush regime with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. 2,400 of the juveniles were captured in Iraq after the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003; 500 are still held in detention facilities in that country. As of last month, 10 juveniles were still being held in Bagram, Afghanistan.

Iraqi police beat photographer, officials say --Reuters photographer in stable condition after Iraqi police beat him with rifles 16 May 2008 An Iraqi photographer working for Reuters was hospitalized Friday after police beat him at the scene of a bombing, officials told CNN. The unnamed still photographer was in stable condition after five Iraqi policemen struck him on the head with AK-47 rifles, an Iraqi Interior Ministry official said. A police official said the photographer was filming the aftermath of a 'suicide' bombing in Fallujah when police approached him and asked him to stay back for his own safety.

US soldier refuses to serve in 'illegal Iraq war' 16 May 2008 Sergeant Matthis Chiroux... has served in Afghanistan, Germany, Japan, and the Philippines before he was honorably discharged and placed in the reserves. As a reservist, he was due to be deployed next month in Iraq. On Thursday, he refused to go. "I stand before you today with the strength and clarity and resolve to declare to the military, my government and the world that this soldier will not be deploying to Iraq," Chiroux said in the sun-filled rotunda of a congressional building in Washington. "My decision is based on my desire to no longer continue violating my core values to support an illegal and unconstitutional occupation... I refuse to participate in the Iraq occupation," he said, as a dozen veterans of the five-year-old Iraq war looked on.

Tucson soldier has been killed in Iraq 15 May 2008 The Department of Defense has announced the death of an Arizona soldier. Army Sgt. Victor M. Cota, 33, of Tucson died Wednesday in Baghdad of wounds suffered Tuesday when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device in Kadamiyah, Iraq.

U.S. cuts off Chalabi for fourth time 15 May 2008 U.S. military and diplomatic officials in Baghdad have cut off contact with controversial Iraqi politician Ahmad Chalabi, a former Pentagon favorite, because of his increasingly strained relationship with U.S.-backed Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki, U.S. officials in Baghdad and Washington told McClatchy. "That's it. He's out," one senior military official said. The U.S. decision is the fourth time that the U.S. has ended an alliance with Chalabi, whom officials in the Pentagon and Vice President [sic] Dick Cheney's office once touted as a successor to [former CIA asset] Saddam Hussein. [I think Chalabi is paid either way, whether Bush is f*cking him at the time or not. --LRP]

U.S. House sets Iraq troop pullout goal for end 2009 15 May 2008 The U.S. House of Representatives defied President [sic] George W. Bush by passing legislation on Thursday that would set the end of 2009 as the goal for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq. By a vote of 227-196, the Democrat-controlled House approved the measure that would start the pullout of U.S. combat troops from Iraq within 30 days of enactment.

U.S. sees need for "tangible action" on Iran: Israel 15 May 2008 The United States and Israel agree on the need for "tangible action" to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's spokesman said after a visit by U.S. President [sic] George W. Bush. "We are on the same page. We both see the threat ... And we both understand that tangible action is required to prevent the Iranians from moving forward on a nuclear weapon," Olmert spokesman Mark Regev said on Friday. Asked about the option of using military force, Regev said: "Leaders of many countries have talked about many options being on the table and, of course, Israel agrees with that."

Tehran accuses West of waging war on its turf 16 May 2008 Iran is stepping up its own allegations that the U.S. and Britain were behind a recent attack on a mosque in southern Iran. This week judiciary spokesman Ali-Reza Jamshidi announced that Iran planned to file international lawsuits against the U.S. and Britain for backing insurgents terrorists allegedly involved in the bombing of the mosque that killed 13 people during a religious ceremony. So far authorities have arrested 15 people allegedly involved in the plot.

'Shiraz bombers were promised $100,000' --Iran has accused the US, UK, and Israel of funding suspects and providing them with necessary expertise to make bombs 15 May 2008 Six suspects among the 15 people detained over the explosion in Shiraz are linked to a German-based monarchist weblog, a report says. The six agents, two of them chemistry students, were in contact with a blogger, belonging to the German-based Rahe Azadi (Way of Freedom) weblog, via email, JAHAN reported. Earlier, they had detonated bombs in Fars Province sabotaging the Sivand and another Dam in return for a sum of over $20,000 from the blogger. The blogger then requested the 'facilitators' to target two public places, promising each bomber a $100,000 reward. A crowded mosque in Shiraz was the site of the first blast, which left 14 people killed and some 200 others injured on April 12.

Iranian embassy employees shot in Baghdad 15 May 2008 Three employees of the Iranian embassy and their Iraqi driver were shot and wounded as they traveled Thursday to the Shiite Kadhemiyah Shrine in northern Baghdad. As the Iranian men pulled into a Shiite area in Baghdad on the way to the shrine, two men on a motorbike pulled up to the vehicle and riddled their car with bullets, Iranian and Iraqi officials said. "We don't know who did this," said the spokesman, Manoucher Taslimi. [You don't? I do - Blackwater.]

Obama says Bush policies strengthened Iran, Hamas 16 May 2008 Democratic presidential front-runner Barack Obama said on Friday President [sic] George W. Bush's "failed policies" had strengthened U.S. enemies like Iran and Hamas. Responding to Bush's comment on Thursday that those who want to talk to Iran were like Nazi [aka Bush] appeasers before the Second World War, Obama accused Bush of "exactly the kind of appalling attack that's divided the country and that alienates us from the world."

How Bush's grandfather helped Hitler's rise to power --Rumours of a link between the US first family and the Nazi war machine have circulated for decades. Now the Guardian can reveal how repercussions of events that culminated in action under the Trading with the Enemy Act are still being felt by today's president [sic]. 25 May 2004 George Bush's grandfather, the late US senator Prescott Bush, was a director and shareholder of companies that profited from their involvement with the financial backers of Nazi Germany. The Guardian has obtained confirmation from newly discovered files in the US National Archives that a firm of which Prescott Bush was a director was involved with the financial architects of Nazism. His business dealings, which continued until his company's assets were seized in 1942 under the Trading with the Enemy Act, has led more than 60 years later to a civil action for damages being brought in Germany against the Bush family by two former slave labourers at Auschwitz and to a hum of pre-election controversy. The evidence has also prompted one former US Nazi war crimes prosecutor to argue that the late senator's action should have been grounds for prosecution for giving aid and comfort to the enemy.

Bush bin Laden visits Saudi Arabia and Exxon Mobil makes a killing: Oil sets record near $128; pump price at high, too 16 May 2008 Oil prices shot to new highs again Friday as traders, unimpressed by U.S. and Saudi efforts to boost supply, kept buying on the belief that prices had more room to rise. Light, sweet crude for June delivery jumped $2.17 to settle at record close of $126.29 on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Earlier in the session, prices surged to $127.82 a barrel, also a new high.

Saudis see no reason to raise oil production now 16 May 2008 Saudi Arabia's leaders made clear Friday they see no reason to increase oil production until customers demand it, apparently rebuffing President [sic] Bush amid soaring U.S. gasoline prices. It was Bush's second personal appeal [Yeah, right!] this year to King Abdullah, head of the monarchy that rules this desert kingdom that is a longtime prime U.S. ally and home to the world's largest oil reserves.

Pakistan protests suspected U.S. missile strike on border village 16 May 2008 Pakistan is lodging a formal protest with "allied forces" in neighbouring Afghanistan over a suspected U.S. missile strike this week. Army spokesman Maj.-Gen. Athar Abbas says Pakistan has concluded that Wednesday's attack on a house in Pakistan's border region was launched by drones from Afghanistan. The missile destroyed a house in Damadola, killing 14 people.

Pakistan says coalition missile struck inside borders 17 May 2008 Pakistan says 'coalition' forces in Afghanistan had earlier this week launched a missile strike into its tribal region, killing 14 people. Chief military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas says Islamabad has conveyed its protest and is awaiting a response from the coalition forces.

Huckabee quips about gun aimed at Obama 16 May 2008 Republican Mike Huckabee responded to an offstage noise during his speech Friday to the National Rifle Association by suggesting it was Barack Obama diving to the floor because someone had aimed a gun at him. Hearing a loud noise and interrupting his speech, Huckabee said: "That was Barack Obama. He just tripped off a chair. He's getting ready to speak and somebody aimed a gun at him and he -- he dove for the floor."

Edwards rules out vice presidential run with Obama 16 May 2008 Former presidential contender John Edwards said on Friday he would not be Democratic front-runner Barack Obama's running mate, but did not rule out taking a role in an Obama administration.

Conyers: 'We're closing in on Rove' 15 May 2008 Just off the House floor today, the Crypt overheard House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers tell two other people: "We're closing in on Rove. Someone's got to kick his ass." Asked a few minutes later for a more official explanation, Conyers told us that Rove has a week to appear before his committee. If he doesn’t, said Conyers, "We'll do what any self-respecting committee would do. We'd hold him in contempt. Either that or go and have him arrested." Conyers said the committee wants Rove to testify about his role in the imprisonment of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, among other things. "We want him for so many things, it's hard to keep track," Conyers said.

House panel rejects Rove's offer on Siegelman case 14 May 2008 Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have rejected Karl Rove's offer to provide written responses to questions about the federal prosecution of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman. In a letter to the former White House adviser's attorney, Committee Chairman John Conyers and several other Democrats said Rove's written responses would not allow for 'give-and-take' questioning. They asked Rove to reconsider his refusal to testify in person and under oath, asking him to respond by May 21.

Biden: Bush's comments were 'bullshit' 15 May 2008 Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.), piling on to Democratic complaints about President [sic] Bush’s speech in Israel today: "This is bullshit, this is malarkey. This is outrageous, for the president of the United States to go to a foreign country, to sit in the Knesset ... and make this kind of ridiculous statement."

Texas officials sue US over border fence 16 May 2008 Texas mayors and business leaders filed a class-action lawsuit Friday alleging Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff hoodwinked landowners into waiving their property rights for construction of a fence along the Mexican border. Members of the Texas Border Coalition said Chertoff did not fairly negotiate compensation with landowners for access to their land for six-month surveys to choose fence sites.

Airline fuel cuts concern pilots 16 May 2008 Airlines have reduced the amount of spare fuel on airplanes in a money-saving effort that is raising concerns among some pilots and a government watchdog. Less fuel on planes increases the likelihood of diverted flights because planes can't circle for as long over airports when a landing is delayed, according to more than 20 pilots who filed complaints in the past year with NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System.

An epidemic of extinctions: Decimation of life on earth 16 May 2008 The world's species are declining at a rate "unprecedented since the extinction of the dinosaurs", a census of the animal kingdom has revealed. The Living Planet Index out today shows the devastating impact of humanity as biodiversity has plummeted by almost a third in the 35 years to 2005.

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What Did Obama Promise Edwards? --The Rec Report By Michael Rectenwald 15 May 2008 John Edwards's endorsement of Obama seems par for the course for Hillary. As soon as she wins, superdelegates endorse the other guy. As soon as she wins, backers endorse her opponent. The more she wins, the more media decry her staying in the race. The better she does, the worse she's made out to be. It's quite a staggering and stunning beating that she's been taking from the liberal elite. [Note: This essay does not reflect the views of CLG Editor, Lori Price.]

Big Bear and Little Bear

U.S.-trained forces reportedly helping Mexican cartels --U.S.-trained Mexican security personnel have 'became assassins and recruiters for the Mexican drug cartels.' 14 May 2008 As many as 200 U.S.-trained Mexican security personnel have defected to drug cartels to carry out killings on both sides of the border and as far north as Dallas, Rep. Ted Poe, R-Humble, told Congress on Wednesday. The renegade members of Mexico's elite 'counter'-narcotics teams trained at Fort Benning, Ga., have switched sides, contributing to a wave of violence that has claimed some 6,000 victims over the past 30 months, including prominent law enforcement leaders, the Houston-area Republican told the House Foreign Affairs Committee... George Bush's blueprint calls for $1.4 billion in training, equipment and 'law enforcement' assistance to Mexico and Central America over three years. Bush also is seeking $500 million in emergency assistance for Mexico this year as part of the supplemental war spending measure.

Peace Group Sues Bush Administration, Charging Iraq War Is Unconstitutional (New Jersey Law Journal) 14 May 2008 An anti-war activist group sued President [sic] Bush in U.S. District Court in Newark on Tuesday, seeking a declaratory judgment that the war in Iraq is illegal and unconstitutional. The suit, New Jersey Peace Action et al. v. Bush, represented by the Constitutional Law Clinic at Rutgers University Law School-Newark, alleges that the war violates article I, section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, which assigns to Congress the authority to declare war.

U.S. House Blocks $163 Billion for War in Iraq 15 May 2008 The U.S. House of Representatives rejected a plan to spend $163 billion to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan after anti-war Democrats and Republicans who objected to Democratic tactics refused to support the measure. Lawmakers defeated the measure by a 149 to 141 vote with more than 130 members voting "present."

House Progressives STOP $163B for Iraq Occupation! By Bob Fertik 15 May 2008 We won!! 149 Members (147 Democrats and 2 Republicans) voted against $163B in Iraq occupation funds, and only 141 Members voted for it. Those 149 no votes were the result of your protests, emails, and calls - congratulations!! [Click here for Roll Call.]

McCain: I will win Iraq, kill bin Laden and start President's Question Time 16 May 2008 John McCain declared yesterday that within four years of being elected president he would have won the Iraq war, killed or captured Osama bin Laden, halted the nuclear ambitions of Iran and North Korea and introduced British-style Prime Minister’s Questions in Congress.

McCain believes Iraq war can be won by 2013 15 May 2008 Republican Insane McCain declared for the first time Thursday he believes the Iraq war can be won by 2013, although he rejected suggestions that his talk of a timetable put him on the same side as Democrats clamoring for full-scale troop withdrawals. "It's not a timetable; it's victory. It's victory, which I have always predicted. I didn't know when we were going to win World War II; I just knew we were going to win," McLunatic said.

Iraq army rounds up suspects in assault on Al-Qaeda 15 May 2008 Iraqi security forces carried out mass arrests in the main northern city of Mosul on Thursday as a major crackdown against Al-Qaeda [al-CIAduh] entered its second day, officials said. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who travelled to Mosul on Wednesday to spearhead Operation Mother of Two Springs [LOL!], spent the night there and vowed to rid the province of Al-Qaeda operatives, the interior ministry said.

Olbermann: Bush interview unforgiveable 14 May 2008 Countdown’s Keith Olbermann gives a Special Comment on President [sic] Bush’s recent Politico interview. Pres. Bush suggested that electing a Democrat as president means "another attack on the United States." He also shows his empathy for the death of U.S. soldiers… by giving up golf.

Reagan, strike group preparing to deploy 15 May 2008 More than 7,000 sailors will leave home next week when the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group deploys from San Diego for a scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf regions. The seven-ship naval force, led by Rear Adm. James Wisecup, commander of Carrier Strike Group 7 in San Diego, will leave next Monday, Navy officials announced.

Aircraft carrier Reagan to start 6-month deployment May 19 12 May 2008 The aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan will leave May 19 for a six-month deployment with its air wing and five San Diego-based escort ships. More than 7,000 sailors are scheduled to deploy. While the Navy typically doesn't reveal the destinations of its carrier strike groups, the deployments usually include time in the Persian Gulf.

Obama blasts Bush over 'Nazi' comments 15 May 2008 Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama accused President [sic] Bush on Thursday of launching a "false political attack" with a comment about appeasing terrorists and radicals. The Illinois senator interpreted the remark as a slam against him but the White House denied that Bush's words were in any way directed at Obama, who has said as president he would be willing to personally meet with Iran's leaders and those of other governments the United States has deemed rogue.

In Speech Before Knesset, Bush Compares Democrats to Nazi Appeasers 15 May 2008 While delivering an address before the Israeli parliament commemorating the 60th anniversary of Israel, President [sic] Bush said that Sen. Barack Obama and Democrats favor a policy of appeasement toward terrorists. CNN reports that Bush was comparing Obama to "other U.S. leaders back in the run-up to World War II who appeased the Nazis." In his speech, Bush said, "As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939 [much like shock & awe in Iraq in 2003], an American senator declared: 'Lord, if I could only have talked to Hitler, all this might have been avoided.' We have an obligation to call this what it is – the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history." [Speaking of appeasing Hitler, are the DemocRATs giving more money to Bush for the Iraq occupation this week?]

Bush suggests Obama wants 'appeasement' of terrorists 15 May 2008 In a particularly sharp blast from halfway around the world, President [sic] Bush suggested Thursday that Sen. Barack Obama and other Democrats are in favor of "appeasement" of terrorists in the same way U.S. leaders appeased Nazis in the run-up to World War II. "Some seem to believe we should negotiate with terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along," said Bush, in what White House aides privately acknowledged was a reference to calls by Obama and other Democrats for the U.S. president to sit down for talks with leaders like Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Bush says world must not allow Iran to have nuclear weapon 15 May 2008 Visiting U.S. President [sic] George W.Bush on Thursday said in an address delivered to Israeli Knesset (parliament) that the world must not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. "Permitting the world's leading sponsor of terror to possess the world's deadliest weapon would be an unforgivable betrayal of future generations," the U.S. dictator said, adding that for the sake of peace, the world must not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. ['The world's leading sponsor of terror...' That would be Bush.]

UN special rapporteur expresses concern over civilians' killing in Afghanistan 15 May 2008 The United Nations Special Rapporteuron extra judicial executions Philip Alston on Thursday expressed concern over civilians' killing in Afghanistan and urged all warring sides in the country to respect human rights. "In the past four months, hundreds of civilians have been killed. They have died from bombs, missiles, explosive devices, police fire, beheadings and domestic violence," Alston said in a statement handed out at a news briefing here.

Suicide bomber kills 16 in Afghanistan: local governor 15 May 2008 A suicide bomber apparently wearing a burqa blew up in a busy bazaar in southwestern Afghanistan Thursday, killing 16 people, officials said, as eight rebels died elsewhere in the country.

New bin Laden message coming on Israel: monitor 15 May 2008 A pending new message from al Qaeda [al-CIAduh] leader Osama bin Laden has been announced on Islamist message boards and addresses the 60th anniversary of the state of Israel, an Internet terrorism monitor said on Thursday.

Verizon Wins $678.5 Million Pact From US Homeland Security 14 May 2008 Verizon Communications Inc. said on Wednesday that it will be the primary supplier of network equipment and services [illegal surveillance] for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in a contract worth $678.5 million over the next two years. AT&T was named as the secondary provider for the Homeland Security Department.

New blow to detention plan 15 May 2008 Gordon Brown's efforts to persuade Labour MPs to back the 42-day detention of terrorist suspects without charge suffered a fresh blow after the plan was condemned as "fundamentally flawed" by a parliamentary committee. Mr Brown appears to be heading for a humiliating Commons defeat on the issue next month.

Accused September 11 planners set for court on June 5 15 May 2008 Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, accused of masterminding the September 11 attacks, is tentatively due to appear before a U.S. war [kangaroo] court judge at Guantanamo Bay for the first time on June 5, a military official said on Wednesday.

Oil cos. expect battles over polar bear listing 15 May 2008 The lawyers aren't clearing their calendars just yet, but the oil industry is bracing for some courtroom battles to maintain its stake in Alaska's oil-rich fields now that the Interior Department has listed polar bears as a threatened species. [We'll be ready to fight Bush's corpora-terrorists.]

U.S. Trusting Oil Companies to Safeguard Arctic Wildlife --Industry Permit Plans Not Subjected to Required Peer-Review or Monitoring 15 May 2008 Federal agencies issued permits for oil exploration in vast areas of the Arctic Ocean without verifying industry claims or imposing required safeguards against damage to wildlife, according to agency e-mails released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). Intense political pressure to speed Arctic leasing coupled with tardy industry submission of any data resulted in official rubber-stamping of permit applications without review or plans for follow-up.

U.S. Using Food Crisis to Boost Bio-Engineered Crops 15 May 2008 The Bush regime has slipped a controversial ingredient into the $770 million 'aid' package it recently proposed to ease the world food crisis, adding language that would promote the use of genetically modified crops in food-deprived countries. The value of genetically modified, or bio-engineered, food is an intensely disputed issue in the U.S. and in Europe, where many countries have banned foods made from genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.

Government's bird flu drugs strategy is 'flawed' 15 May 2008 The Government's strategy to defend the nation against a bird flu pandemic has been called into question. The Department of Health has built up millions of doses of Tamiflu, an antiviral drug, in preparation for a [US Army-engendered] pandemic of the kind that killed 50 million people in 1918. However, a team at the Medical Research Council's National Institute for Medical Research in London warned that a mutation in the H5N1 strain of the virus could make it resistant to the vaccine. The researchers found that when mutation occurred in the H5N1 virus it became resistant to Tamiflu. [See: Bird Flu Medicine Toxic for Teens 13 May 2008 Concerns are rising over side effect of bird flu drug Tamiflu on teenagers. See: Rumsfeld's growing stake in Tamiflu --Defense Secretary, ex-chairman of flu treatment rights holder, sees portfolio value growing. 31 Oct 2005 Rumsfeld still holds a Gilead stake valued at between $5 million and $25 million, according to federal financial disclosures filed by Rumsfeld.]

Arizona State University Decision Theater Tests Pandemic Flu Plans 14 May 2008 This year, the pandemic flu committee created what is known to be the only tabletop exercise of its kind in the nation, says Allan Markus, ASU’s director of campus health services and co-chair of the pandemic flu committee. The exercise, which took place April 10 in ASU’s Decision Theater, involved the university’s pandemic flu planning committee and several senior administrators. Mary Tyszkiewicz, a senior analyst at the Homeland Security Institute, a think tank that supports the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, seconded Markus’ observation.

Ex-Rival Edwards Throws His Support to Obama 15 May 2008 John Edwards gave his long-awaited endorsement to Senator Barack Obama on Wednesday, bolstering Mr. Obama’s efforts to rally the Democratic Party around his candidacy and offering potential help in his efforts to win over working class white voters in the general election.

IRS cites 'error' as 350,000 households missing out on tax rebate 15 May 2008 As many as 350,000 households are not getting the $300 per child refund owed as part of economic stimulus rebate payments, the Internal Revenue Service said Thursday.

General Electric to Shed Appliance Unit, People Say 15 May 2008 General Electric Co. may sell or seek a partner for the unit that makes refrigerators and washers, ending more than a century in an industry that helped make GE a household name, people familiar with the situation said.

Maine power company sends disconnect notice to nearly 39 percent of customers 14 May 2008 The disconnection notice is just one of approximately 46,000 the electric company has issued this year to its 118,000 customers, Kim Wadleigh, senior director of customer operations at Bangor Hydro-Electric Co., said Wednesday. Most of the disconnection notices were sent to residential purchasers, she said.

California Supreme Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban 16 May 2008 Same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry, the California Supreme Court ruled Thursday. The court’s 4-to-3 decision striking down state laws that had limited marriages to unions between a man and a woman makes California only the second state, after Massachusetts, to allow same-sex marriages.

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Air Force Aims for 'Full Control' of 'Any and All' Computers By Noah Shachtman 13 May 2008 The Air Force wants a suite of hacker tools, to give it "access" to -- and "full control" of -- any kind of computer there is. And once the info warriors are in, the Air Force wants them to keep tabs on their "adversaries' information infrastructure completely undetected." The government is growing increasingly interested in waging war online. The Air Force recently put together a "Cyberspace Command," with a charter to rule networks the way its fighter jets rule the skies. The Department of Homeland Security, Darpa, and other agencies are teaming up for a five-year, $30 billion "national cybersecurity initiative."

Air Force Colonel Wants to Build a Military Botnet By Kevin Poulsen 12 May 2008 ...Col. Charles W. Williamson III is proposing that the Air Force build its own zombie network, so it can launch distributed denial of service attacks on foreign enemies. In the most lunatic idea to come out of the military since the gay bomb, Williamson writes in the Armed Force Journal that the Air Force should deliberately install DDoS code on its unclassified computers, as well as civilian government machines. He even wants to rescue old machines from the junk bin to enlist in the .mil botnet army.

U.S. Forcibly Drugs Detainees --Sedation of deportees is far more common than federal immigration officials have admitted. 14 May 2008 The U.S. government has injected hundreds of foreigners it has deported with dangerous psychotropic drugs against their will to keep them sedated during the trip back to their home country, according to medical records, internal documents and interviews with people who have been drugged. The government's forced use of antipsychotic drugs, in people who have no history of mental illness, includes dozens of cases in which the "pre-flight cocktail," as a document calls it, had such a potent effect that federal guards needed a wheelchair to move the slumped deportee onto an airplane.

Italian Trial of CIA Operatives Begins With Torture Testimony 15 May 2008 (Milan) A long-delayed trial of C.I.A. operatives and former top Italian intelligence officials moved forward here on Wednesday, as a judge ruled that Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi could be called to testify about the abduction of a Muslim cleric here in 2003. Testimony also began Wednesday. The cleric’s wife, Ghali Nabila, said her husband, Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr, known as Abu Omar, was taken from Italy and transferred to a prison in Egypt, where, she said, he was repeatedly tortured. "He was tied up like he was being crucified. He was beat up, especially around his ears. He was subjected to electroshocks to many body parts." "To his genitals?" the prosecutors asked. "Yes," she replied.

Italian PM may be drawn into CIA abduction case 13 May 2008 An Italian judge could decide on Wednesday to make Silvio Berlusconi the first head of a government to testify in criminal proceedings over secret CIA transfers of terrorism suspects. Prosecutors say a CIA-led team kidnapped a Muslim cleric off the streets of Milan and secretly flew him to Egypt. There, the terrorism suspect, Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr, says he was tortured under questioning and held for years without charge before being released in 2007.

Bush: Democratic presidency could lead to another terror attack on U.S. 13 May 2008 President [sic] Bush said on Tuesday he was disappointed in "flawed intelligence" before the Iraq war and was concerned that if a Democrat wins the presidency in November and withdrew troops prematurely it could "eventually lead to another attack on the United States." He acknowledged concerns about leaving the unfinished [lost] Iraq war to a Democratic successor. Bush said his "doomsday scenario of course is that extremists throughout the Middle East would be emboldened, which would eventually lead to another attack on the United States."

US Listed Palestine Hotel as Target Prior to Killing of Two Journalists: Fmr. Military Intelligence Sgt. (Democracy Now!) 13 May 2008 Last month marked the fifth anniversary of the US military shelling of the Palestine Hotel in Baghdad. The attack killed two journalists: Reuters cameraman Taras Protsyuk and Jose Couso, a cameraman for the Spanish television network Telecinco. The Pentagon has called the killings accidental, but in this broadcast exclusive Army Sgt. Adrienne Kinne (Ret.) reveals she saw secret US military documents that listed the hotel as a possible target. Kinne also discloses that she was personally ordered to eavesdrop on Americans working for news organizations and NGOs in Iraq.

Military analysts named in Times exposé appeared or were quoted more than 4,500 times on broadcast nets, cables, NPR 13 May 2008 A New York Times article detailed the connection between numerous media military analysts and the Pentagon and defense industries, reporting that "the Bush administration has used its control over access and information in an effort to transform" media military analysts "into a kind of media Trojan horse -- an instrument intended to shape terrorism coverage from inside the major TV and radio networks." A Media Matters review found that since January 1, 2002, the analysts named in the Times article -- many identified as having ties to the defense industry -- collectively appeared or were quoted as experts more than 4,500 times on various media outlets.

Two suicide bombings kill over 20 Iraqis 15 May 2008 Two suicide bombings left more than 50 people killed or injured on Wednesday in Iraq. A suicide bomber blew himself up in a tent on a funeral site at the Zaidan village of Abu Ghraib area, some 15 km west of Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source said. The blast killed at least 20 mourners and wounded about 30 others at the funeral, the source said.

Kitty Hawk air wing commander removed for 'loss of confidence' [?] 11 May 2008 The U.S. Navy air wing commander for the USS Kitty Hawk’s strike group was relieved of duty Friday after an admiral said he lost confidence in the commander’s ability, according to a Navy spokeswoman. Capt. Michael P. McNellis was relieved as commander of Carrier Air Wing 5 by Rear Adm. Richard B. Wren, commander of Commander Task Force 70, the Navy said in a news release.

MI6 chief visits Mossad for talks on Iran's nuclear threat 04 May 2008 The head of MI6, Sir John Scarlett, is to visit Israel later this month as Britain forges closer links with Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service. Iran’s nuclear programme is expected to be high on the agenda in an intelligence-sharing process described by Israeli officials as a "strategic dialogue". It is building on long-standing cooperation between MI6 and Mossad, both of which have extensive spy networks in the Middle East.

Afghanistan seeks $50 billion in aid 14 May 2008 Afghanistan will ask international donors next month for $50 billion to fund a five-year development plan, a presidential aide said, despite growing criticism that aid money is being wasted. [Thanks to Bush,] Afghanistan produces about 93 percent of the world's opium, the raw material of heroin.

13 Taliban, 2 police killed in Afghanistan 14 May 2008 Clashes in southern Afghanistan have left 13 Taliban militants and two policemen dead, while a teacher was shot to death in the north after giving a speech condemning suicide bombings, officials said Wednesday.

Generals dismissed over Afghan assassination bid 13 May 2008 Eight senior generals have been suspended from Afghanistan's armed forces and are being questioned over last month's failed assassination bid on President Hamad Karzai. Mr Karzai survived the April 27 'Taliban' attack on a military parade, which left three other people dead including an Afghan MP.

Jordan convicts 3 of plotting to kill Bush 14 May 2008 Jordan's military court convicted three militants Wednesday of plotting to assassinate President [sic] Bush during a 2006 visit to the kingdom and sentenced them to 15 years in jail. The Jordanian men -- Nidhal Musleh al-Momani, Sattam al-Zawahrah and Tharwat Darajs -- were arrested Nov. 28, 2006, the day before Bush landed in the Jordanian capital Amman. [They couldn't get bail?]

Why has the US dropped 9/11 charges? [Because Bush did it.] 13 May 2008 The American government has given no reason why charges against the man it has alleged was the "20th hijacker" in the 11 September 2001 attacks on the US have been dropped... The CCR said in a statement it believed the charges against him had been dropped because Mohammad al-Qahtani had been tortured. "The government's claims against our client were based on unreliable evidence obtained through torture at Guantanamo," it said.

Police warn editors on terrorism article 14 May 2008 (AU) Police have issued formal warnings to six editors and an investigative reporter over coverage of the Operation Eight terrorism investigation. In what is believed to be a legal first, a police investigation found that the seven journalists had a case to answer over an alleged breach of Section 312K of the Crimes Act. The section limits publication of information gathered using an interception warrant. The Police investigation related to news reports published in Fairfax Media newspapers and the Stuff website last November.

John Edwards endorses Barack Obama for president 14 May 2008 John Edwards endorsed Barack Obama for president today, dealing a major blow to Hillary Clinton's hopes for prolonging the Democratic race into next month. Both Obama and Clinton had courted the 2004 vice-presidential nominee, paying personal visits to Edwards's North Carolina home and vowing to carry on his agenda to end poverty in the US.

NARAL Pro-Choice America endorses Obama 14 May 2008 The group NARAL Pro-Choice America just announced it has endorsed Democratic Sen. Barack Obama's bid for the White House. "Sen. Obama has been a strong advocate for a woman's right to choose throughout his career in public office," NARAL President Nancy Keenan says in a prepared statement.

Tennessee superdelegate endorses Clinton for president 14 May 2008 Tennessee superdelegate Vicky Harwell has decided to endorse Hillary Clinton's bid for the Democratic nomination for president. Harwell, the president of the Tennessee Federation of Democratic Women, says in a statement that Clinton's overwhelming win in West Virginia shows she is the best candidate to take on Republican nominee John McCain in November.

W.Va. blowout bolsters Clinton's resolve 13 May 2008 Hillary Clinton crushed Barack Obama by more than 2-1 in the West Virginia primary Tuesday -- a victory that was surely personally satisfying but came as the Democratic presidential nomination is nearly in the grasp of her rival. "There are some who have wanted to cut this race short," Clinton told raucous, cheering supporters in Charleston, but she left no doubt she plans to stay in the race through the final contests.

Clinton cruises to easy West Virginia win 13 May 2008 Hillary Clinton scored a big victory over front-runner Barack Obama in West Virginia on Tuesday, but it could be too little and too late to stop his march to the Democratic presidential nomination.

Democrats capture GOP seat in special Mississippi election --Loss in solidly Republican area may spell trouble for party in fall 13 May 2008 Travis Childers, a Democrat, won a special election for a House seat in Mississippi on Tuesday night, defeating Republican opponent Greg Davis and lengthening a string of Democratic victories in solidly Republican congressional areas. The win by Childers adds to potential trouble for the Republican party in the fall.

Democrats win again in a Republican stronghold 13 May 2008 Both parties watched a special House election in Mississippi -- and the results could not be worse for the GOP. For the third time during the last few months, a Democrat triumphed in a House district that long had been solidly Republican. In this case -- Mississippi's 1st congressional district -- Travis Childers bucked last-minute intervention by Vice President [sic] Dick Cheney to win a seat that the GOP had held, easily, since 1994. Cheney personally stumped on behalf of the Republican candidate, Greg Davis, on Monday.

Polar Bears Listed as Threatened Species in U.S. 14 May 2008 After delaying a decision for several weeks, the U.S. government today listed the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), creating new protections for the bears in their Alaskan habitat. But officials emphasized that the decision will not be used to determine U.S. climate policy.

Polar Bear Is First Species Protected Because of Climate Change 14 May 2008 The U.S. declared the polar bear a threatened species, giving protected status for the first time to an animal because of global warming.

Polar bear listed as threatened but protection uncertain 14 May 2008 Defenders of Wildlife today welcomed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) decision to list the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This move officially recognizes that polar bears are threatened with extinction from global warming, which is melting the Arctic sea ice where polar bears hunt for ringed and bearded seals, their primary food source. Defenders cautioned, however, that the Bush administration continues to be unwilling to address global warming, which is the leading threat to the polar bear.

Bird Flu Medicine Toxic for Teens 13 May 2008 Concerns are rising over side effect of bird flu drug Tamiflu on teenagers. Tamiflu is Swiss-based Hoffman-La Roche's antiviral for general influenza A and B but is also used to combat bird flu. However, worries have surfaced about the possibility of the medicine causing mental disorders among teenagers. [See: Rumsfeld's growing stake in Tamiflu --Defense Secretary, ex-chairman of flu treatment rights holder, sees portfolio value growing. 31 Oct 2005 Rumsfeld still holds a Gilead stake valued at between $5 million and $25 million, according to federal financial disclosures filed by Rumsfeld.

House votes to stop adding to [Bush's insane] oil stockpile 14 May 2008 The House of Representatives on Tuesday followed the Senate in rejecting the Bush regime's policy of adding oil to the country's Strategic Petroleum Reserve while fuel prices are high. The Senate approved a similar measure earlier in the day. Like the Senate's legislation, the 385-to-25 vote in favor of the bill in the House was big enough to override a possible presidential veto of the measure.

Toll Hikes Used to Boost Foreign Company Profits --North American motorists pay extra to cover the losses at a Spanish toll road giant. 09 May 2008 Drivers in North America are paying higher fees to cover the red ink of a Spanish infrastructure firm. Global toll road giant Cintra announced yesterday that its first quarter revenue had jumped 15.3 percent thanks in part to toll hikes on roads in the US, Canada, Chile, Ireland and Spain... American motorists are now paying significantly more as a result. In 2005, Governor Mitch Daniels (R) leased the Chicago Skyway to Cintra and the Australian tolling firm Macquarie for the next 99 years. The consortium hiked tolls 20 percent earlier this year, charging motorists $3 each to drive the 7.8 mile route.

US foreclosure filings surge 65 percent in April 14 May 2008 More U.S. homeowners fell behind on mortgage payments last month, driving the number of homes facing foreclosure up 65 percent versus the same month last year and contributing to a deepening slide in home values, a research company said Tuesday.

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"Citizens for Legitimate Government, whenever they discuss the President, put in brackets the [P], so it is the resident. So I've adopted that as my own standard." --US Rep. Cynthia McKinney, (D-GA) 30 Sep 2006

"We want either a hammer or a fire, to break the spell or dissolve the ice." Artisan radical freethinker, George Jacob Holyoake, Reasoner V (1848): 2.

CLG's Michael Rectenwald, Ph.D. and Lori Price receive the Patrick Henry Think Tank's American Hero Award 02 Nov 2005 The Patrick Henry Democratic Club --A Think Tank working to give the government back to the people. "Give me liberty or give me death!"

Ready for Revolution? Join CLG's Revolution Tactics Group and get ready to overthrow the Establishment.

CLG: Was a "Bomber" Superimposed onto Metropolitan Police Surveillance Camera Photo? 24 Jul 2005

CLG Interview with Joseph Wilson: The Bush Crowd: "A Real Threat to Our Republic" Statement of Joseph Wilson on the sentencing of New York Times reporter Judith Miller 06 Jul 2005

Petition to Senate to Investigate Oddities of 9/11 -- Best comment on entire petition: "Muster a firing squad."