Bush Warns Iran Against Action in Iraq
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070129/D8MV6D9G1.htmlBy TERENCE HUNT
(WASHINGTON (AP) - Deeply distrustful of Iran, President Bush said Monday "we will respond firmly" if Tehran escalates its military actions in Iraq and threatens American forces or Iraqi citizens.
Bush's warning was the latest move in a bitter and more public standoff between the United States and Iran. The White House expressed skepticism about Iran's plans to greatly expand its economic and military ties with Iraq. The United States has accused Iran of supporting terrorism in Iraq and supplying weapons to kill American forces.
"If Iran escalates its military actions in Iraq to the detriment of our troops and - or innocent Iraqi people, we will respond firmly," Bush said in an interview with National Public Radio.
Carter Facing Heat Over Book
Carter backlash: Fourteen members of an advisory board to Jimmy Carter's human rights organization resigned yesterday to protest his new book, which criticizes Israeli policy in the Palestinian territories. The resignations from the Carter Center board are the latest backlash against the former president's book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid," which has drawn fire from Jewish groups, been attacked by fellow Democrats and led to the resignation last month of Kenneth Stein, a center fellow and a longtime Carter adviser. "You have clearly abandoned your historic role of broker in favor of becoming an advocate for one side," the departing members of the center's Board of Councilors told Mr. Carter in their letter of resignation. The 200-member board is responsible for building public support for the Carter Center. It is not the organization's governing board. The board's members "are not engaged in implementing work of the center," Carter Center Executive Director John Hardman said. Steve Berman, an Atlanta real estate developer and one of those who resigned, said members have "watched with great dismay" as Mr. Carter defended the book, especially as he implied that Americans might be afraid to discuss the conflict in fear of a powerful Jewish lobby. Mr. Berman said the religious affiliation of the resigning members, which include some prominent Jewish leaders in the Atlanta area, didn't influence their decision.
US defense official shocked by law firms defending Guantanamo detainees
http://www.breitbart.com/news/na/070113000943.sipzg9ao.html
Breaking News: Miracle In Missouri
Missing Boys William 'Ben' Ownby, Shawn Hornbeck Found Alive in Missouri
BEAUFORT, Mo. — A 13-year-old boy missing since the beginning of the week was found alive in a suburban St. Louis home, along with a 15-year-old boy missing since 2002, authorities said Friday.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,243479,00.html
News Alert: Mike Nifong Wants Off Rape Case
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Facing ethics charges that could lead to his disbarment, the embattled district attorney in the Duke lacrosse sexual assault case has asked the state attorney general's office to appoint a special prosecutor to take over the case.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DUKE_LACROSSE?SITE=7219&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-01-12-18-13-22
Speech To The Nation Iraq Moving Forward
WASHINGTON — Transcript of President Bush's speech to the nation on a change of course in Iraq:
Bush: Good evening. Tonight in Iraq, the Armed Forces of the United States are engaged in a struggle that will determine the direction of the global War on Terror — and our safety here at home. The new strategy I outline tonight will change America's course in Iraq, and help us succeed in the fight against terror.
When I addressed you just over a year ago, nearly 12 million Iraqis had cast their ballots for a unified and democratic nation. The elections of 2005 were a stunning achievement. We thought that these elections would bring the Iraqis together — and that as we trained Iraqi security forces, we could accomplish our mission with fewer American troops.
But in 2006, the opposite happened. The violence in Iraq - particularly in Baghdad — overwhelmed the political gains the Iraqis had made. Al Qaeda terrorists and Sunni insurgents recognized the mortal danger that Iraq's elections posed for their cause. And they responded with outrageous acts of murder aimed at innocent Iraqis. They blew up one of the holiest shrines in Shia Islam — the Golden Mosque of Samarra — in a calculated effort to provoke Iraq's Shia population to retaliate. Their strategy worked. Radical Shia elements, some supported by Iran, formed death squads. And the result was a vicious cycle of sectarian violence that continues today.
**/
The situation in Iraq is unacceptable to the American people — and it is unacceptable to me. Our troops in Iraq have fought bravely. They have done everything we have asked them to do. Where mistakes have been made, the responsibility rests with me.
It is clear that we need to change our strategy in Iraq. So my national security team, military commanders, and diplomats conducted a comprehensive review. We consulted Members of Congress from both parties, allies abroad, and distinguished outside experts. We benefited from the thoughtful recommendations of the Iraq Study Group — a bipartisan panel led by former Secretary of State James Baker and former Congressman Lee Hamilton. In our discussions, we all agreed that there is no magic formula for success in Iraq. And one message came through loud and clear: Failure in Iraq would be a disaster for the United States.
The consequences of failure are clear: Radical Islamic extremists would grow in strength and gain new recruits. They would be in a better position to topple moderate governments, create chaos in the region, and use oil revenues to fund their ambitions. Iran would be emboldened in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Our enemies would have a safe haven from which to plan and launch attacks on the American people. On September the 11th, 2001, we saw what a refuge for extremists on the other side of the world could bring to the streets of our own cities. For the safety of our people, America must succeed in Iraq.
The most urgent priority for success in Iraq is security, especially in Baghdad. Eighty percent of Iraq's sectarian violence occurs within 30 miles of the capital. This violence is splitting Baghdad into sectarian enclaves, and shaking the confidence of all Iraqis. Only the Iraqis can end the sectarian violence and secure their people. And their government has put forward an aggressive plan to do it.
Our past efforts to secure Baghdad failed for two principal reasons: There were not enough Iraqi and American troops to secure neighborhoods that had been cleared of terrorists and insurgents. And there were too many restrictions on the troops we did have. Our military commanders reviewed the new Iraqi plan to ensure that it addressed these mistakes. They report that it does. They also report that this plan can work.
Let me explain the main elements of this effort: The Iraqi government will appoint a military commander and two deputy commanders for their capital. The Iraqi government will deploy Iraqi Army and National Police brigades across Baghdad's nine districts. When these forces are fully deployed, there will be 18 Iraqi Army and National Police brigades committed to this effort — along with local police. These Iraqi forces will operate from local police stations — conducting patrols, setting up checkpoints, and going door-to-door to gain the trust of Baghdad residents.
This is a strong commitment. But for it to succeed, our commanders say the Iraqis will need our help. So America will change our strategy to help the Iraqis carry out their campaign to put down sectarian violence - and bring security to the people of Baghdad. This will require increasing American force levels. So I have committed more than 20,000 additional American troops to Iraq. The vast majority of them — five brigades — will be deployed to Baghdad. These troops will work alongside Iraqi units and be embedded in their formations. Our troops will have a well-defined mission: to help Iraqis clear and secure neighborhoods, to help them protect the local population, and to help ensure that the Iraqi forces left behind are capable of providing the security that Baghdad needs.
Many listening tonight will ask why this effort will succeed when previous operations to secure Baghdad did not. Here are the differences: In earlier operations, Iraqi and American forces cleared many neighborhoods of terrorists and insurgents — but when our forces moved on to other targets, the killers returned. This time, we will have the force levels we need to hold the areas that have been cleared. In earlier operations, political and sectarian interference prevented Iraqi and American forces from going into neighborhoods that are home to those fueling the sectarian violence. This time, Iraqi and American forces will have a green light to enter these neighborhoods — and Prime Minister Maliki has pledged that political or sectarian interference will not be tolerated.
I have made it clear to the Prime Minister and Iraq's other leaders that America's commitment is not open-ended. If the Iraqi government does not follow through on its promises, it will lose the support of the American people — and it will lose the support of the Iraqi people. Now is the time to act. The Prime Minister understands this. Here is what he told his people just last week: "The Baghdad security plan will not provide a safe haven for any outlaws, regardless of [their] sectarian or political affiliation."
This new strategy will not yield an immediate end to suicide bombings, assassinations, or IED attacks. Our enemies in Iraq will make every effort to ensure that our television screens are filled with images of death and suffering. Yet over time, we can expect to see Iraqi troops chasing down murderers, fewer brazen acts of terror, and growing trust and cooperation from Baghdad's residents. When this happens, daily life will improve, Iraqis will gain confidence in their leaders, and the government will have the breathing space it needs to make progress in other critical areas. Most of Iraq's Sunni and Shia want to live together in peace — and reducing the violence in Baghdad will help make reconciliation possible.
A successful strategy for Iraq goes beyond military operations. Ordinary Iraqi citizens must see that military operations are accompanied by visible improvements in their neighborhoods and communities. So America will hold the Iraqi government to the benchmarks it has announced.
To establish its authority, the Iraqi government plans to take responsibility for security in all of Iraq's provinces by November. To give every Iraqi citizen a stake in the country's economy, Iraq will pass legislation to share oil revenues among all Iraqis. To show that it is committed to delivering a better life, the Iraqi government will spend 10 billion dollars of its own money on reconstruction and infrastructure projects that will create new jobs. To empower local leaders, Iraqis plan to hold provincial elections later this year. And to allow more Iraqis to re-enter their nation's political life, the government will reform de-Baathification laws — and establish a fair process for considering amendments to Iraq's constitution.
America will change our approach to help the Iraqi government as it works to meet these benchmarks. In keeping with the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, we will increase the embedding of American advisers in Iraqi Army units — and partner a Coalition brigade with every Iraqi Army division. We will help the Iraqis build a larger and better-equipped Army — and we will accelerate the training of Iraqi forces, which remains the essential U.S. security mission in Iraq. We will give our commanders and civilians greater flexibility to spend funds for economic assistance. We will double the number of Provincial Reconstruction Teams. These teams bring together military and civilian experts to help local Iraqi communities pursue reconciliation, strengthen moderates, and speed the transition to Iraqi self reliance. And Secretary Rice will soon appoint a reconstruction coordinator in Baghdad to ensure better results for economic assistance being spent in Iraq.
As we make these changes, we will continue to pursue Al Qaeda and foreign fighters. Al Qaeda is still active in Iraq. Its home base is Anbar Province. Al Qaeda has helped make Anbar the most violent area of Iraq outside the capital. A captured Al Qaeda document describes the terrorists' plan to infiltrate and seize control of the province. This would bring al Qaeda closer to its goals of taking down Iraq's democracy, building a radical Islamic empire, and launching new attacks on the United States at home and abroad.
Our military forces in Anbar are killing and capturing Al Qaeda leaders — and protecting the local population. Recently, local tribal leaders have begun to show their willingness to take on Al Qaeda. As a result, our commanders believe we have an opportunity to deal a serious blow to the terrorists. So I have given orders to increase American forces in Anbar Province by 4,000 troops. These troops will work with Iraqi and tribal forces to step up the pressure on the terrorists. America's men and women in uniform took away Al Qaeda's safe haven in Afghanistan — and we will not allow them to re-establish it in Iraq.
Succeeding in Iraq also requires defending its territorial integrity — and stabilizing the region in the face of the extremist challenge. This begins with addressing Iran and Syria. These two regimes are allowing terrorists and insurgents to use their territory to move in and out of Iraq. Iran is providing material support for attacks on American troops. We will disrupt the attacks on our forces. We will interrupt the flow of support from Iran and Syria. And we will seek out and destroy the networks providing advanced weaponry and training to our enemies in Iraq.
We are also taking other steps to bolster the security of Iraq and protect American interests in the Middle East. I recently ordered the deployment of an additional carrier strike group to the region. We will expand intelligence sharing — and deploy Patriot air defense systems to reassure our friends and allies. We will work with the governments of Turkey and Iraq to help them resolve problems along their border. And we will work with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating the region.
We will use America's full diplomatic resources to rally support for Iraq from nations throughout the Middle East. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the Gulf States need to understand that an American defeat in Iraq would create a new sanctuary for extremists — and a strategic threat to their survival. These nations have a stake in a successful Iraq that is at peace with its neighbors — and they must step up their support for Iraq's unity government. We endorse the Iraqi government's call to finalize an International Compact that will bring new economic assistance in exchange for greater economic reform. And on Friday, Secretary Rice will leave for the region — to build support for Iraq, and continue the urgent diplomacy required to help bring peace to the Middle East.
The challenge playing out across the broader Middle East is more than a military conflict. It is the decisive ideological struggle of our time. On one side are those who believe in freedom and moderation. On the other side are extremists who kill the innocent, and have declared their intention to destroy our way of life. In the long run, the most realistic way to protect the American people is to provide a hopeful alternative to the hateful ideology of the enemy — by advancing liberty across a troubled region. It is in the interests of the United States to stand with the brave men and women who are risking their lives to claim their freedom - and help them as they work to raise up just and hopeful societies across the Middle East.
From Afghanistan to Lebanon to the Palestinian Territories, millions of ordinary people are sick of the violence, and want a future of peace and opportunity for their children. And they are looking at Iraq. They want to know: Will America withdraw and yield the future of that country to the extremists — or will we stand with the Iraqis who have made the choice for freedom?
The changes I have outlined tonight are aimed at ensuring the survival of a young democracy that is fighting for its life in a part of the world of enormous importance to American security. Let me be clear: The terrorists and insurgents in Iraq are without conscience, and they will make the year ahead bloody and violent. Even if our new strategy works exactly as planned, deadly acts of violence will continue — and we must expect more Iraqi and American casualties. The question is whether our new strategy will bring us closer to success. I believe that it will.
Victory will not look like the ones our fathers and grandfathers achieved. There will be no surrender ceremony on the deck of a battleship. But victory in Iraq will bring something new in the Arab world — a functioning democracy that polices its territory, upholds the rule of law, respects fundamental human liberties, and answers to its people. A democratic Iraq will not be perfect. But it will be a country that fights terrorists instead of harboring them — and it will help bring a future of peace and security for our children and grandchildren.
Our new approach comes after consultations with Congress about the different courses we could take in Iraq. Many are concerned that the Iraqis are becoming too dependent on the United States — and therefore, our policy should focus on protecting Iraq's borders and hunting down Al Qaeda. Their solution is to scale back America's efforts in Baghdad — or announce the phased withdrawal of our combat forces. We carefully considered these proposals. And we concluded that to step back now would force a collapse of the Iraqi government, tear that country apart, and result in mass killings on an unimaginable scale. Such a scenario would result in our troops being forced to stay in Iraq even longer, and confront an enemy that is even more lethal. If we increase our support at this crucial moment, and help the Iraqis break the current cycle of violence, we can hasten the day our troops begin coming home.
In the days ahead, my national security team will fully brief Congress on our new strategy. If Members have improvements that can be made, we will make them. If circumstances change, we will adjust. Honorable people have different views, and they will voice their criticisms. It is fair to hold our views up to scrutiny. And all involved have a responsibility to explain how the path they propose would be more likely to succeed.
Acting on the good advice of Senator Joe Lieberman and other key members of Congress, we will form a new, bipartisan working group that will help us come together across party lines to win the war on terror. This group will meet regularly with me and my Administration, and it will help strengthen our relationship with Congress. We can begin by working together to increase the size of the active Army and Marine Corps, so that America has the Armed Forces we need for the 21st century. We also need to examine ways to mobilize talented American civilians to deploy overseas — where they can help build democratic institutions in communities and nations recovering from war and tyranny.
In these dangerous times, the United States is blessed to have extraordinary and selfless men and women willing to step forward and defend us. These young Americans understand that our cause in Iraq is noble and necessary - and that the advance of freedom is the calling of our time. They serve far from their families, who make the quiet sacrifices of lonely holidays and empty chairs at the dinner table. They have watched their comrades give their lives to ensure our liberty. We mourn the loss of every fallen American - and we owe it to them to build a future worthy of their sacrifice.
Fellow citizens: The year ahead will demand more patience, sacrifice, and resolve. It can be tempting to think that America can put aside the burdens of freedom. Yet times of testing reveal the character of a Nation. And throughout our history, Americans have always defied the pessimists and seen our faith in freedom redeemed. Now America is engaged in a new struggle that will set the course for a new century. We can and we will prevail.
We go forward with trust that the Author of Liberty will guide us through these trying hours. Thank you and good night.
This is Outrageous!!!
http://kstptv5.com/article/stories/S21143.html?cat=1Imagine sending your kids off to school, but when they get to the bus they are told they can't get on because they speak English.
Troops depart for third Iraq tour
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/news/breaking_news/16428694.htmHours before President Bush was to announce his plan Wednesday to increase U.S. forces in Iraq, soldiers of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division said goodbye to their families as they deployed on their third tour.
The 19,000-troop 3rd Infantry, which helped lead the 2003 charge to Baghdad, is the first Army division to be tapped for a third deployment to the war. Barely a year has passed since its soldiers returned from their last yearlong rotation.
The First 100 Hours: The Clock Is Ticking
http://www.nytimes.com/ref/washington/100HOURS_GRAPHIC.htmlHey Congress How About Do Something About The IllegalsTHE HOUSE PROPOSAL
THE SCHEDULE
THE SENATE'S VIEW
THE ADMINISTRATION'S VIEW
Sept. 11Commission
Would enact various recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission, including initiatives intended to disrupt global black markets for nuclear weapons technology and to enhance cargo inspection. One of the more controversial provisions of the bill mandates comprehensive cargo screening of airplanes and ships entering the United States.
PASSEDDate: Jan. 9Hour: 6Vote: 299-128Republicans in Favor: 68•
Related ArticleSome Senate Leaders, including Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, who leads the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, have expressed concern that the bill's requirement that shipping containers be inspected may be unreasonable.
The Bush administration opposes the bill, citing practicality concerns about the screening mandate.
Minimum Wage
Would raise the federal minimum wage from the current level of $5.15 per hour to $7.25 per hour over the course of two years.
Scheduled for consideration and a vote on Wednesday, January 10•
Related ArticleThe bill may have a difficult time, as Senate Republicans are pushing to include tax breaks for small business in it. Senate Republicans have hinted that without such tax cuts they may filibuster the measure.
President Bush has said he supports the proposed increase but wants to pair it with tax cuts to assist the small businesses that he contends will be hurt by having to pay higher wages.
Stem Cell Research
Would overturn President Bush's restrictions on embryonic stem cell research.
Scheduled for consideration and a vote on Thursday, January 11
In July 2006, the Republican-controlled Senate approved similar legislation by a vote of 63 to 37.
President Bush, in the only veto of his presidency, struck down the 2006 legislation.
Prescription Drug Costs
Would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate with drug manufacturers on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries. Under the current law, insurers and their agents negotiate the prices.
Scheduled for consideration and a vote on Friday, January 12
On his Web site, the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, says that he is committed to "allowing Medicare to use the power of its 42 million beneficiaries to negotiate bulk discounts." Mr. Reid was previously a cosponsor of similar legislation in the Senate.
President Bush opposes the requirement for Medicare to negotiate prices.
Student Loans
Would cut the interest rate on federally subsidized student loans to 3.4 percent from 6.8 percent.
Scheduled for consideration and a vote on Wednesday, January 17
Although the rate cut has support, Senate Democrats may be interested in adding provisions regarding the federal Pell grant program and other need-based aid.
President Bush has not spoken directly about whether he would support the proposal.
Energy Policy
Would seek to ensure that oil companies pay adequate royalties on disputed leases, roll back some industry subsidies from a recent energy bill and create a renewable energy reserve to spur investment in new technologies and conservation.
Scheduled for consideration and a vote on Thursday, January 18
The bill may have a difficult time as Senator Jeff Bingaman, the Democratic chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has expressed skepticism about the bill and has scheduled competing hearings on "the geopolitics of oil and its implications for U.S. economic and national security."
President Bush has not spoken directly about whether he would support the proposal, but members of the administration have argued in the past that increasing taxes on oil companies would hurt the economy. President Bush has spoken about the need to step up research for new energy technologies.
The Government Is Watching You
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=technologyNews&storyid=2007-01-09T224911Z_01_N08385080_RTRUKOC_0_US-USA-DRONES.xml&src=rss&rpc=22By Laura Zuckerman
SALMON, Idaho (Reuters) - A U.S. government agency is considering using unmanned surveillance planes, or drones, to help oversee remote areas of eastern Idaho, raising concerns in a region deeply wary of outside interference.
Officials the Bureau of Land Management office responsible for most of eastern Idaho may initially buy one hand-launched drone for an estimated $15,000 to help keep track of the vast, thinly populated area.
More Troops IN Iraq
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070110/D8MIJN900.htmlWASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush will tell a nation weary of war Wednesday night that he is sending 21,500 more Americans to Iraq, arguing it has been a mistake not to commit larger numbers of U.S and Iraqi troops to stabilize the increasingly violent, shattered country. Democrats pledged to confront Bush over the troop escalation set to begin next week.
DRUDGE REPORT:Hillary Clinton plans to base her '08 campaign headquarters in or around Washington instead of NY.. MORE...
Honor the fallen: Remember those who have lost their life defending freedom
http://www.militarycity.com/valor/honor.htmlFrom time to time I will tell stories from the book" Home of the Brave" Honoring The Unsung Heroes In The War On Terror. I am just sick and tired of the media just reporting the bad . What is lost in all the debate on how we fight the war on terror is the men and women who have done extraordinary things the media forgets their stories of heorism. We must never forget !
" We Will Not Waiver; We Will Not Tire; We Will Not Falter; And We Will Not Fail. Peace and Freedom will prevail".President George W. Bush
MSNBC will carry the first televised presidential debate of the 2008 race when Democratic hopefuls square off in South Carolina on April 26.
Debate, scheduled nearly six months earlier than the first debate of the 2004 presidential race, stretches the campaign 18 months before Election Day in 2008.
FLORIDA GATORS WIN NATIONAL TITLE
The Florida Gators defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes to win the BCS National Championship. The Gator defense held Ohio State to 74 yards of total offense to win 41-14. Congrats Florida on a great season.
More Troops
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2007-01-08T235813Z_01_MAC638878_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ.xml&src=rss&rpc=22WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush told U.S. lawmakers on Monday he has decided to send about 20,000 more troops to Iraq in a plan to be announced on Wednesday that Democrats denounced as an escalation of the war.
Dallas-based food chain to accept Mexican pesos
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/010607dnbuspesos.31047f5.htmlI wonder if they take euros also?Dallas-based food chain to accept Mexican pesos
10:11 AM CST on Saturday, January 6, 2007
By KAREN ROBINSON-JACOBS / The Dallas Morning News
Starting Monday, patrons of the Dallas-based Pizza Patrón chain, which caters heavily to Latinos, will be able to purchase American pizzas with Mexican pesos.
Restaurant experts and economists said they knew of no other food chain with locations so far from the Mexican border offering such a service.
"We're trying to reach out to our core customer," Antonio Swad, president of Pizza Patrón Inc., said Friday.
"We know they come back [from Mexico] and have pesos left over. We want to be a convenient place for them to spend their pesos."
"
Guardsmen overrun at the Border
http://www.azcentral.com/12news/news/articles/borderstory0104-CR.htmlA U.S. Border Patrol entry Identification Team site was overrun Wednesday night along Arizona's border with Mexico.
Bad News For North American Auto Sales
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/01/04/D8ME90KG0.htmlDETROIT (AP) -- Auto executives worldwide expect slower North American sales growth and more parts supplier bankruptcies during the next five years, according to a survey taken by the auditing and consulting firm KPMG LLP.
Golfing In Chicago In The Middle Of Winter
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/01/03/D8ME29RO0.htmlCHICAGO (AP) -- Crocuses are pushing out of the ground in
New Jersey. Ice fishing tournaments in Minnesota are being canceled for lack of ice. And golfers are hitting the links in Chicago in January.
Covicted congressman collect public pensions
http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/anderson.cooper.360/blog/Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Convicted congressmen collect public pensions
The voice was unmistakable: Gruff, raspy, Rosty. And from his greeting, I knew this would be a story.
"Congressman Rostenkowski" is how the former chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means committee answered his cell phone. Not "ex-con Rostenkowski," not "Mr. Rostenkowski," not even "Hey, I've been pardoned by Bill Clinton, Rostenkowski".
Nope, it's "Congressman."
And with good reason. Congress is still paying the chairman. According to the National Taxpayers Union, an organization that advocates for lower taxes, Rosty is making $126,000 a year from his federal pension. Not bad for a guy that went to prison after being indicted on 17 counts of, among other charges, embezzling public funds.
Now those same public funds pay Rosty. And the National Taxpayers Union is sick of it. The union sent a letter to the new leaders in congress. This letter was signed by a couple of dozen watchdog groups, from the left and the right to the middle, and it asked, in effect, why are we paying the pensions of congressional felons?
According to the Taxpayers Union research, 20 lawmakers over the last 25 years have been found guilty of serious crimes while in office. All 20 received, or are still receiving, congressional retirement benefits.
Randall "Duke" Cunningham and James Traficant are both in prison right now, and both collecting. "Duke" gets an estimated $64,000 a year. Traficant's estimated pension is $40,000.
The National Taxpayers Union is pushing Congress to stop this by adding simple provision to the law: If you are convicted of a serious crime while in Congress, you lose the taxpayer-funded portion of your congressional pension.
I wanted to ask Congressman Rostenkowski what he thought about this, so I got his cell phone number from a friend and called him. That's when he answered, "Congressman Rostenkowski." But the senior statesman apparently picks and chooses his topics these days carefully.
"What benefit is it to me?" he asked, before denying my request for an interview. For an ex-con who's getting an estimated 126,000 benefits a year from taxpayers, keeping quiet makes a whole lot of cents!
Covicted congressmen collect public pensions
http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/anderson.cooper.360/blog/Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Convicted congressmen collect public pensions
The voice was unmistakable: Gruff, raspy, Rosty. And from his greeting, I knew this would be a story.
"Congressman Rostenkowski" is how the former chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means committee answered his cell phone. Not "ex-con Rostenkowski," not "Mr. Rostenkowski," not even "Hey, I've been pardoned by Bill Clinton, Rostenkowski".
Nope, it's "Congressman."
And with good reason. Congress is still paying the chairman. According to the National Taxpayers Union, an organization that advocates for lower taxes, Rosty is making $126,000 a year from his federal pension. Not bad for a guy that went to prison after being indicted on 17 counts of, among other charges, embezzling public funds.
Now those same public funds pay Rosty. And the National Taxpayers Union is sick of it. The union sent a letter to the new leaders in congress. This letter was signed by a couple of dozen watchdog groups, from the left and the right to the middle, and it asked, in effect, why are we paying the pensions of congressional felons?
According to the Taxpayers Union research, 20 lawmakers over the last 25 years have been found guilty of serious crimes while in office. All 20 received, or are still receiving, congressional retirement benefits.
Randall "Duke" Cunningham and James Traficant are both in prison right now, and both collecting. "Duke" gets an estimated $64,000 a year. Traficant's estimated pension is $40,000.
The National Taxpayers Union is pushing Congress to stop this by adding simple provision to the law: If you are convicted of a serious crime while in Congress, you lose the taxpayer-funded portion of your congressional pension.
I wanted to ask Congressman Rostenkowski what he thought about this, so I got his cell phone number from a friend and called him. That's when he answered, "Congressman Rostenkowski." But the senior statesman apparently picks and chooses his topics these days carefully.
"What benefit is it to me?" he asked, before denying my request for an interview. For an ex-con who's getting an estimated 126,000 benefits a year from taxpayers, keeping quiet makes a whole lot of cents!
NY TIMES PUBLISHES: HILLARY SAYS OBAMA WILL FADE
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/03/washington/03cnd-clinton.html?ei=5090&en=a5e4af2d1dd070ff&ex=1325480400&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=printThe topic was the Democratic sweep in New Hampshire in November, and Senator
Hillary Rodham Clinton couldn’t get enough of it.
Dining in Washington recently with three allies from New Hampshire, which has the first-in-the-nation primary, Mrs. Clinton was by turns probing and absorbing and, a participant said, clearly informed. How did the
Democrats manage to unseat the state’s two Republican members of Congress? What were the key issues? And who were the new players to have emerged there in the 10 years since she last visited — and since her husband,
Bill Clinton, used a strong second-place finish in the New Hampshire primary to vault his way to the Democratic nomination and the White House 15 years ago?
Without mentioning Mr. Obama by name, Mrs. Clinton and her camp are already asserting that experience will be a key attribute for any successful candidate during difficult times — an argument that her team will no doubt make in a more aggressive way against Mr. Obama if they both jump into the race.
Pat Robertson warns of terror attacks in 2007
http://www.breitbart.com/news/na/070103143424.gbkvd26o.htmlUS Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson says
God has warned him of devastating terror attacks and "
mass killing" in the second half of 2007.
Iraq's PM longs to leave office
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6226953.stmIraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has made clear he dislikes being the country's leader and would prefer to leave the job before his term ends.
Official Held in Saddam Hanging Video
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/01/03/D8MDSA0G0.htmlThe person believed to have recorded
Saddam Hussein's raucous execution on a cell phone camera was arrested Wednesday, an adviser to Iraq's prime minister said.
Hillary Clinton Predicts Obama Candidacy will Diminish
DRUDGE REPORT: Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton views Barack Obama as her biggest obstacle to nomination, the NEW YORK TIMES is planning to report, but she believes the threat of his candidacy will diminish -- as voters learn how inexperienced he is in government and foreign affairs.
Bush 'to reveal Iraq troop boost'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6223923.stmUS President George W Bush intends to reveal a new Iraq strategy within days, the BBC has learnt.
The speech will reveal a plan to send more US troops to Iraq to focus on ways of bringing greater security, rather than training Iraqi forces.
New U.N. Secretary-General in Early Flap
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/01/02/D8MDDTA84.htmlNew U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon ran into trouble on his first day of work Tuesday over Saddam Hussein's execution when he failed to state the
United Nations' opposition to the
death penalty and said capital punishment should be a decision of individual countries
Revealed: Rudy's '08 battle plans
http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/485008p-408347c.htmlIt's clearly laid out in 140 pages of printed text, handwriting and spreadsheets: The top-secret plan for Rudy Giuliani's bid for the White House.
Paying Final Respects to Gerald Ford
Mayor: Evacuees Increased Murders
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/01/01/D8MCSF1G0.htmlThe number of murders last year in Houston hit a 12-year high and increased by 13.5 percent over 2005, figures the mayor attributes in part to the arrival of evacuees from
Hurricane Katrina.
Power-Sipping Bulbs Get Backing From Wal-Mart
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/02/business/02bulb.html?hp&ex=1167714000&en=9409af1703f27e3b&ei=5059&partner=AOLMICHAEL BARBARO
Published: January 2, 2007
As a way to cut energy use, it could not be simpler. Unscrew a light bulb that uses a lot of electricity and replace it with one that uses much less.
Go to Energy Challenge Series » While it sounds like a promising idea, it turns out that the long-lasting, swirl-shaped light bulbs known as compact fluorescent lamps are to the nation’s energy problem what vegetables are to its obesity epidemic: a near perfect answer, if only Americans could be persuaded to swallow them.
Iraqi Officials Report 16,273 Deaths
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/01/01/D8MCQOF03.htmlGovernment officials on Monday reported that 16,273 Iraqi civilians, soldiers and police died violent
deaths in 2006, a figure larger than an independent Associated Press count for the year by more than 2,500.
The tabulation by the Iraqi ministries of Health, Defense and Interior, showed that 14,298 civilians, 1,348 police and 627 soldiers were killed in the violence that raged in the country last year.
Britney collapses at New Year's party
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Jan-01-Mon-2007/news/britney.htmlBritney Spears collapsed at Pure Nightclub early today, cutting short her New Year's Eve appearance at the Caesars Palace megaclub.
By Stephen Franklin and Darnell LittleTribune staff reportersPublished January 1, 2007
Missouri officials recently were preparing to send a letter to truck driver Hussein Osman, asking him to retake his commercial driver's license test.The reason: Missouri and federal agencies were investigating whether the driving school that Osman attended fraudulently helped provide licenses for several hundred truck drivers, many of them Somali and Bosnian immigrants.
Outlook 2007: Warmest on Record
http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article2116873.eceBy Cahal Milmo
Published: 01 January 2007
A combination of global warming and the El Niño weather system is set to make 2007 the warmest year on record with far-reaching consequences for the planet, one of Britain's leading climate experts has warned.
Romney to File Paperwork for 2008 Bid
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/01/01/D8MCK93O4.htmlBy GLEN JOHNSONAP Political Writer
BOSTON
Gov. Mitt
Romney will file paperwork forming a presidential exploratory committee on Wednesday, a delay of 24 hours out of respect for the funeral services scheduled Tuesday for former President Gerald R. Ford, according to a top aide familiar with his plans.
Winter Storm In the Plains Kill 12
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070101/D8MCIFP80.htmlBy JON SARCHE
(DENVER (AP) - The powerful winter storm that lingered over Colorado, punishing it with snowdrifts up to 10 feet high, had barreled out of the Plains states Monday, leaving thousands of homes and businesses without power. At least 12 deaths were blamed on the storm, most in accidents on icy roads.
