US general: In a year, only 50,000 troops in Iraq [And seven million mercenaries.] The U.S. Army chief of staff says he expects the number of American troops in Iraq to go 'down' to around 50,000 by this time next year. Gen. George Casey spoke during a brief visit Friday to Kuwait's Shuaiba port which will be playing a key role in the withdrawal of American forces from neighboring Iraq.
'The big prize:' Iraq violence threatens oil deals 27 Aug 2009 Recent events in Iraq have cast a pall over the government's plans to have a November auction for potentially lucrative oil contracts. The surge in violence of the last few weeks, political uncertainty caused by this week's breakup of the ruling Shiite coalition and Iraqis' refusal to give Big Oil the terms it wants are likely to drive off the international companies that see the country's untapped reserves as the big prize.
Military Reporter Profiles 'Like Perusing the Diary of Your Stalker' By David Axe 28 Aug 2009 On Monday, Stars & Stripes broke the news that U.S. military media handlers in Afghanistan have been rating embedded reporters according to their sympathy towards U.S. war aims. Turns out this was an open secret among veterans of the Kabul beat. P.J. Tobia got his hands on his profile months ago, according to his piece in True/Slant. "Rating the coverage that reporters give the military... seems a bit silly and slightly Orwellian, but if thousands of reporters were covering my organization, I would want a simple shorthand to identify them as well," Tobia wrote. "I do think the reports are creepy though. These guys have read almost everything I’ve written in the last few years, even interviews I’ve given to local news blogs. Reading this report is like perusing the diary of your stalker."
CBS radio correspondent is wounded in Afghanistan 28 Aug 2009 A CBS spokeswoman says a CBS Radio News correspondent has been seriously injured by a bomb in Afghanistan. Cami McCormick was wounded when the Army vehicle she was riding in struck a bomb south of Kabul on Friday. She was treated at a field hospital, where she was in stable condition after surgery.
Afghanistan: Seven years after CIA abduction, prisoner still held without charge 28 Aug 2009 Seven years after being abducted from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, by the CIA and shipped to the U.S. air base in Bagram, Afghanistan, Haji Pacha Wazir was hoping he would finally be free. The Afghan government had cleared him for release, and a recent court ruling allowed him to petition his case in a U.S. federal court. But Wazir's petition was dismissed based on "lack of jurisdiction," despite the fact that Wazir, an Afghan national, has been in the sole custody of the U.S. government since his arrest, according to the nonprofit organization representing him.
CIA Will Cover Legal Fees --Policy [US Taxpayers] Will Help Officers Ensnared in Interrogation Probe 28 Aug 2009 CIA Director Leon Panetta decided Thursday that the agency will ensure legal representation for case officers who become caught up in investigations of alleged interrogation abuses torture of detainees prisoners at overseas locations, a senior intelligence official said. Panetta's decision follows Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr.'s appointment of a special prosecutor earlier this week to conduct a preliminary review of whether federal laws were violated during the interrogations.
Cheney condemns Obama's probe of CIA interrogations 28 Aug 2009 CIA interrogators were justified in exceeding even the broad authorizations the Justice Department gave them to handle terrorist suspects, former Vice President [sic] Dick Cheney said in an interview for broadcast Sunday, suggesting that any aggressive tactic was justified in the goal of 'preventing' another terrorist attack. A CIA inspector general's report released Monday documented how interrogators menaced "high-value" detainees with a gun and a power drill, threatened their families and used other methods that went beyond even the permissive interrogation rules set by the Bush regime's Justice Department.
Cindy Sheehan Protests Obama's Vacation 28 Aug 2009 Anti-War protestor Cindy Sheehan, the so-called "Peace Mom" who rose to fame several years ago when she protested against the Iraq War outside former President [sic] Bush's Crawford, Texas ranch, was back at it again this week. But this time she was protesting President Obama's vacation in Martha's Vineyard.
Bill Would Give President Emergency Control of Internet By Declan McCullagh 28 Aug 2009 Internet companies and civil liberties groups were alarmed this spring when a U.S. Senate bill proposed handing the White House the power to disconnect private-sector computers from the Internet. They're not much happier about a revised version that aides to Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) have spent months drafting behind closed doors. CNET News has obtained a copy of the 55-page draft of S.773 (excerpt), which still appears to permit the president to seize temporary control of private-sector networks during a so-called cybersecurity emergency.
Like Bush, Obama to search laptops 28 Aug 2009 Obama follows Bush's footsteps by upholding a controversial law that allows the government to examine the contents of digital devices travelers carry, crossing the US border. According to the law that was first devised by the former US president [sic] George W. Bush, government authorities can search and even seize travelers' laptops, iPods, cameras and other digital devices, something that civil liberty advocates oppose.
Homeland Security Says Laptop Border Searches Will Continue By Declan McCullagh 28 Aug 2009 On Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced new guidelines for searching and seizing electronic devices at the border. In a press release, DHS claimed that they would "enhance and clarify oversight for searches of computers and other electronic media at U.S. ports of entry." Rhetoric aside, in reality, not much has changed. Laptops and electronic gear can still be seized and held indefinitely; there's no requirement that they be returned to their owners after even six months or a year has passed, though supervisory approval is required if they're held for more than 15 days. The complete contents of a hard drive or memory card can be perused at length for evidence of lawbreaking of any kind...
Michigan Security Network Formed to Accelerate Growth of Homeland Security Business In State 25 Aug 2009 Sixteen leading Michigan companies, universities and other groups have joined forces to create the Michigan Security Network as a platform to accelerate technology development, investment and jobs for the state in the fast-growing homeland security sector. The Michigan Security Network has identified three key areas offering the greatest potential within homeland security: cyber security, border security and biodefense.
Police may be issued with new high-power Taser 23 Aug 2009 A new Taser that fires wireless electric shock projectiles up to 30 metres is being considered for use by UK police forces, the Home Office has confirmed. The eXtended Range Electronic Projectile (XREP), which went on sale in the US last month, attaches itself to its target with a series of barbed electrodes and delivers a 20-second, 500 volt shock. If the subject tries to grab the device to pull it off, "reflex engagement electrodes" activate to complete a circuit that sends the shock through the subject's body out to their hand.
Tarrant County medical examiner rules young man's Taser death a homicide 27 Aug 2009 (TX) The Tarrant County medical examiner ruled Thursday that the death of a mentally ill man in April who was shocked twice by a Taser stun gun wielded by a Fort Worth police officer was a homicide. It was the fourth time that a person shocked by a Taser has died in Fort Worth police custody since the department started using the devices in 2001, according to the Police Department. But the death of Michael Patrick Jacobs Jr., 24, is the first that Medical Examiner Nizam Peerwani has ruled to be a homicide.
Utah Gets Tough With Texting Drivers 28 Aug 2009 After a crash here that killed two scientists -- and prompted a dogged investigation by a police officer and local victim’s advocate -- Utah passed the nation’s toughest law to crack down on texting behind the wheel. Offenders now face up to 15 years in prison. The new law, which took effect in May, penalizes a texting driver who causes a fatality as harshly as a drunken driver who kills someone.
UN warns over swine flu in birds 27 Aug 2009 The discovery of swine flu in birds in Chile raises concerns about the spread of the virus, the UN warns. Last week the H1N1 virus was found in turkeys on farms in Chile. The UN now says poultry farms elsewhere in the world could also become infected. Scientists are worried that the virus could theoretically mix with more dangerous strains.
Independent Investigation Into Pentagon Attack Yields Alarming Information 30 Aug 2009 A three year independent investigation into the September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon has yielded new eyewitness evidence [an 81-minute video presentation entitled National Security Alert] which, according to the Southern California-based researchers who conducted the investigation, "conclusively (and unfortunately) establishes as a historical fact that the violence which took place in Arlington that day was not the result of a surprise attack by suicide hijackers, but rather a military black operation involving a carefully planned and skillfully executed deception."
WHO warns of severe form of swine flu 28 Aug 2009 Doctors are reporting a severe form of swine flu that goes straight to the lungs, causing severe illness in otherwise healthy young people and requiring expensive hospital treatment, the World Health Organization said on Friday. WHO said it was advising countries in the Northern Hemisphere to prepare for a second wave of pandemic spread. [Well, knock me over with a feather! Due to the fact that health-care workers do not want mercury-laden, squalene-filled, Polysorbate 80 cancer sticks, manufactured (along with the pandemic itself) with legal immunity granted on 17 July, the World Homicide Organization and the White House are kicking the swine flu threat propaganda dissemination into high gear. --LRP]
H1N1 Vaccine to Be Offered At Airport Kiosks 28 Aug 2009 Atlanta-based AeroClinic announced it will start offering the H1N1 flu shot to travellers at a series of concourse based kiosks at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport. AeroClinic will have seven locations set-up to offer the vaccine as soon as it becomes available. Starting September 15, the privately held company will begin offering the seasonal flu vaccine.
Demonstration in Vancouver to Stop H1N1 vaccine --'WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT!' --The Vaccine Resistance Movement in Canada will hold a Nationwide Informational Demonstration and Political Protest, August 28th, 29th and 30th, 2009.
Vancouver: Friday Aug 28th 4 pm to 6 pm at the Art Gallery, Robson Square, and 7 to 9 pm at the VPL
Ottawa: Friday Aug 28th, 3 pm to 6 pm at Rideaux Centre (Rideaux and Sussex)
Toronto: Saturday, Aug 29th, 1pm to 9 pm at Dundas Square
Download a printable flier. [See also: CLG Pandemic Action Alerts.]
Fed urges secrecy on banks in bailout programs --Fed urges judge not to enforce order pending appeal --Banks say disclosure could cause loss of confidence 27 Aug 2009 The U.S. Federal Reserve asked a federal judge not to enforce her order that it reveal the names of the banks that have participated in its emergency lending programs and the sums they received, saying such disclosure would threaten the companies and the economy. The central bank filed its request on Wednesday, two days after Chief Judge Loretta Preska of the U.S. District Court in Manhattan ruled in favor of Bloomberg News, which had sought information under the federal Freedom of Information Act. Preska said the Fed failed to show that revealing the names would stigmatize the banks and result in "imminent competitive harm."
2009 bank-failure tally climbs to 84 --Three more banks were closed by regulators Friday, bringing the 2009 toll to 84. 28 Aug 2009 The largest of Friday's three closures announced by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. was Affinity Bank, based in Ventura, Calif. Affinity, which had total assets of $1 billion, deposits of $922 million and 10 branches in Northern and Southern California as of July 10, will be taken over by San Diego-based Pacific Western Bank, the FDIC announced. Earlier Friday, regulars closed Baltimore-based Bradford Bank and Forest Lake, Minn.-based Mainstreet Bank.
Fundraising letter hints GOP health care at risk 28 Aug 2009 The national Republican Party has mailed a fundraising appeal suggesting Democrats might use an overhaul of the health care system to deny medical treatment to Republicans. A questionnaire accompanying the appeal says the government could check voting registration records, "prompting fears that GOP voters might be discriminated against for medical treatment in a Democrat-imposed [?] health care rationing system." [Good idea, since the GOP apparently already suffers from a grammar rationing system.]
SarahPAC blames illegal political donations on software error 'We fouled up there.' 28 Aug 2009 Former Gov. Sarah Palin's political action committee gave excessive contributions to two well-known Republicans and also is facing demands from the federal government for more detailed financial information on a number of fronts. The deficiencies are highlighted in a five-page letter sent Aug. 19 by a Federal Elections Commission staffer to SarahPAC treasurer Tim Crawford. The FEC wants answers by Sept. 24.
Glenn Beckoming unhinged: Beck's "questions" about Obama spell "OLIGARH" [sic] 27 Aug 2009 From the August 27th edition of Fox News' 'Glenn Beck.' (Media Matters video)
In Boston, Bidding Kennedy Farewell --Mourners Reflect Senator's Legacy 29 Aug 2009 They came by the thousands and stood quietly and patiently in line. Young and old, every color and background and ethnic origin. And together they reflected the tapestry of modern America that Sen. Edward M. Kennedy touched during his half-century in public life.
American Civil Liberties Union Mourns Senator Edward Kennedy 26 Aug 2009 The American Civil Liberties Union today mourned the passing of Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) who succumbed to brain cancer Tuesday night. Senator Kennedy was a stalwart champion and defender of civil liberties with a record of public service marked by unending compassion and progress... Senator Kennedy’s leadership, courage, and compassion will echo throughout the halls of Congress for generations to come.
Previous lead stories: Memos: CIA pushed limits on sleep deprivation --Interrogators pressed to extend the treatment for another 24 hours, depriving the prisoner of sleep for six straight days. 26 Aug 2009 A year after the Bush regime 'abandoned' its harshest interrogation methods, CIA operatives used severe sleep deprivation tactics against a terror detainee in late 2007, keeping him awake for six straight days with permission from government lawyers. Interrogators kept the unidentified detainee prisoner awake by chaining him to the walls and floor of a cell, according to government officials and memos issued with an internal CIA report... The documents show that even as the Bush regime was scaling back its use of severe interrogation techniques torture, the CIA was still pushing the boundaries of what the administration's own legal counsel considered acceptable treatment. The documents describe two instances in 2007 in which the CIA was allowed to exceed the guidelines set by Bush administration lawyers allowing prisoners to be kept awake for up to four days.
CIA Releases Its Instructions For Breaking a Prisoner's Will --With the release late Monday of guidelines for interrogating high-value detainees, the agency has provided -- in its own words -- the first detailed description of the step-by-step procedures used to systematically crush a prisoner's will to resist by eliciting stress, exhaustion and fear. 26 Aug 2009 As the session begins, the prisoner stands naked, except for a hood covering his head. Guards shackle his arms and legs, then slip a small collar around his neck. The collar will be used later; according to CIA guidelines for interrogations, it will serve as a handle for slamming the detainee's head against a wall. After removing the hood, the interrogator opens with a slap across the face -- to get the prisoner's attention -- followed by other slaps, the guidelines state. Next comes the head-slamming, or "walling," which can be tried once "to make a point," or repeated again and again. "Twenty or thirty times consecutively" is permissible, the guidelines say, "if the interrogator requires a more significant response to a question." And if that fails, there are far harsher techniques to be tried...
Flu fascism in West Virginia: CAMC will require flu shots --Employees will be fired if they don't get vaccinated by Dec. 15 26 Aug 2009 (WV) Charleston Area Medical Center employees must get seasonal flu shots this year or risk losing their jobs. All CAMC Health System workers must get vaccinated by Dec. 15 or their employment will be terminated, CAMC said in its August newsletter Vital Signs.
