12 Sep 2008
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Rule Changes Would Give FBI Agents Extensive New Powers --Overhaul to rewrite 1976 guidelines established after Nixon-era abuses that restrict FBI authority to intervene in times of civil disorder and to infiltrate opposition groups --AG Michael Mukasey signaled changes will take effect Oct. 1 [in time for a 'Bush October (Martial Law) Surprise'] 12 Sep 2008 The Justice Department will unveil changes to FBI ground rules today that would put much more power into the hands of line agents pursuing leads on national security, foreign intelligence and even ordinary criminal cases... The changes would give the FBI's more than 12,000 agents the ability at a much earlier stage to conduct physical surveillance, solicit informants and interview friends of people they are investigating without the approval of a bureau supervisor.
New FBI Guidelines Open Door to Further Abuse --ACLU, Other Advocacy Groups Express Concern After Meeting With DOJ 12 Sep 2008 Following a briefing today at the Department of Justice (DOJ), the American Civil Liberties Union reiterated its deep concern over new guidelines that would govern FBI investigations. The new guidelines would lower standards for beginning "assessments" (precursors to investigations), conducting surveillance and gathering evidence, and would replace existing guidelines for five types of existing guidelines: general criminal, national security, foreign intelligence, civil disorders and demonstrations.
Advisers: Consolidate Air Force nuke command 12 Sep 2008 The Task Force on Nuclear Weapons Management recommended the Air Force put all its nuclear missions under Air Force Space Command and call the whole thing Air Force Strategic Command. Defense Secretary Robert Gates organized the task force -- which was headed by former Defense Secretary James Schlesinger -- after axing the Air Force’s top two leaders last June due to its nuclear problems. The recommendations Schlesinger announced Friday at the Pentagon also would mean that Air Combat Command would lose its nuclear bomber mission.
Air Force officers sanctioned after sleeping on nuke job 29 Aug 2008 Three ballistic missile crew members have been punished for sleeping during a sensitive task, the Air Force reported Thursday. Two first lieutenants and a captain fell asleep on July 12 while in control of a classified electronic part that contained old launch codes for intercontinental nuclear missiles. It happened during the changing out of electronic parts used to communicate with Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. Two officers are under investigation for lying about destroying classified missile components, and another for alleged sexual misconduct, the military reported.
Iraq ditches plans for no-bid oil contracts 12 Sep 2008 An Iraqi plan to award six no-bid contracts to Western oil companies [Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Shell, Total, BP and other smaller businesses] has been withdrawn, those involved in the negotiations say. Iraq's Oil Minister, Hussain al-Shahristani, told reporters at an OPEC summit meeting in Vienna on Tuesday that talks for one-year deals, which were announced in June and subsequently delayed, had dragged on for so long that the companies could not now fulfill the work within that time frame.
Mission accomplished! Shell back in Iraq after 35-year absence 09 Sep 2008 Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Europe's largest oil company, is set to start operations in Iraq after a 35-year absence when it signs an agreement with the Iraqi Oil Ministry to capture gas outside the southern city of Basra.
Shell agrees landmark 4.0 bln-dlr gas deal with Iraq 09 Sep 2008 Royal Dutch Shell will form a gas venture with energy-rich Iraq worth up to four billion dollars, the oil ministry said Tuesday of the first Western oil major to do a deal with the central government since the 2003 invasion.
Car bomb in Iraq kills at least 32, wounds 43 12 Sep 2008 A car bomb ripped through a crowded commercial district in a mainly Shiite town north of Baghdad on Friday, killing at least 32 people and wounding 43, Iraqi officials said. The explosion in Dujail was apparently targeting a police station but instead it badly damaged a nearby medical clinic, according to police.
Thanks to Bush: UN: 4 new cholera cases confirmed in Iraq 12 Sep 2008 Iraqi and U.N. officials say four cholera cases have been confirmed in Karbala, a holy Shiite city south of Baghdad. The new cases come in addition to 36 previously announced by the Iraqi Health Ministry, and show that the latest outbreak of the gastrointestinal disease has spread to a new area.
US a step closer to Iran blockade By Kaveh L Afrasiabi 13 Sep 2008 The United States government has imposed new sanctions on Iran, this time targeting its shipping industry, by blacklisting the main shipping line and 18 subsidiaries, accusing the maritime carrier of being engaged in contraband nuclear material, a charge vehemently denied by Iran.
Medvedev "would attack Georgia even if on NATO track" 12 Sep 2008 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday that even if Georgia were on a firm path to NATO membership, he would not hesitate to attack it under circumstances similar to last month's conflict. Speaking to the annual meeting of the Valdai Club, a group of Russia experts, Medvedev also said he believed that Georgia's August 8 attack on the pro-Russian breakaway region of South Ossetia was Russia's equivalent of the September 11 attacks on the United States.
Palin leaves open option of war with Russia 11 Sep 2008 Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin left open the option Thursday of waging war with Russia if it were to invade neighboring Georgia and the former Soviet republic were a NATO ally. "We will not repeat a Cold War," Palin said in her first television interview since becoming Republican John McCain's vice presidential running mate [potential date] two weeks ago. [Yeah, Palin, except that the Russian bear could kick your ass from Washington to Wasilla. Instead of dragging the US into a(nother) war, withdraw now. Go back to Alaska, submit more per diems for watching the Great Alaska Shootout on Thanksgiving in Anchorage, fire more librarians and state troopers, have more quasi-satisfying one-night stands with foreign pipeline lobbyists (and your husband's former business partner), listen to more anti-Semitic hate speech at your church, collect your wolf paw bounties and then go f*ck yourself. --LRP]
Chavez Orders U.S. Ambassador to Leave Venezuela Within 72 Hours 11 Sep 2008 Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ordered the U.S. ambassador to leave within 72 hours, in a show of support for Bolivian President Evo Morales, who also expelled the top U.S. diplomat from his country. Chavez recalled his ambassador to the U.S. and said he won't send another envoy to Washington until after the U.S. presidential 'elections' in November. Both Chavez and Morales have accused the U.S. of backing opposition movements in their countries. "The U.S. is behind the plan against Bolivia, behind the terrorism," Chavez said at a political rally for candidates of his United Socialist Party of Venezuela. "We're committed to being free. Enough crap from you Yankees." [
Venezuela Tells U.S. to Fight Drugs at Home and Respect Its Sovereignty 07 Sep 2008 In an official statement Sunday, the Venezuelan Foreign Relations Ministry said that a meeting with the director of the United States Office of National Drug Control Policy, John Walters, would be "useless and inopportune," and suggested that the United States concentrate on stopping drug production and consumption on its own soil before coming to Venezuela.
West 'makes terror fight harder' 11 Sep 2008 Indonesia's head of counter-terrorism says Western governments have made it harder for moderate Muslims to tackle terror in their own countries. Ansyaad Mbai told the BBC that Indonesia's own fight against terrorism relied on a much softer approach.
Pakistan to protest new U.S. missile strike --U.S. drone kills 14 civilians; PM condemns attack 12 Sep 2008 Missiles fired by a U.S. drone aircraft killed 14 people in northwest Pakistan on Friday, security officials said, in a strike against 'suspected militants' that drew condemnation from Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
Military Judge In Guantanamo Bay Postpones Omar Khadr's Trial 11 Sep 2008 The U.S. military judge in Guantanamo Bay postponed the Oct. 8 trial of half-Canadian, half-Afghan youth Omar Khadr. An earlier hearing slated Wednesday was also canceled because the flight of Khadr's lawyers, prosecutors and military judge did not push through due to Hurricane Ike.
Canadian officials frustrated in efforts to ensure care for Omar Khadr 11 Sep 2008 A Canadian government representative complained as recently as a few months ago that her efforts to ensure proper medical and other care for Omar Khadr in Guantanamo Bay were being stymied by his American captors, newly released documents reveal. The classified accounts of welfare visits by an official from Foreign Affairs show even simple requests to provide Khadr with a pillow, blanket or sunglasses to protect his shrapnel-damaged eyes and body foundering on apparent security concerns.
Feds Set to Take Over Airline Watch List Checking, Again By Ryan Singel 09 Sep 2008 In January 2003, the federal government proposed taking over the matching of airline passenger names against the government's list of suspected terrorists, since too many innocent people were being caught up in bad matches by the airlines. In January 2009, the government plans to do just that, the Department of Homeland Security told Congress Tuesday -- saying that Secretary Michael Chertoff had just certified that the program works and protects people's privacy.
Teacher Used Muslim Student As Terrorist Example 11 Sep 2008 A Chicago teacher is under fire for singling out the only Muslim student [Saleh Choudhary, 13] in her class while talking about the Middle East. The teacher has now been reassigned to another school. However, the young boy's family is demanding answers.
Sarah Palin stumbles in TV interview 12 Sep 2008 Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, in her first interview since becoming the Republican vice-presidential candidate, has not been able to respond to a question about the Bush Doctrine. Speaking at length with ABC interviewer, Charles Gibson, Palin was visibly stumped when she was asked by Gibson if she agreed with the Bush Doctrine. Palin did not seem to know what Gibson was talking about.
Palin Links Iraq War to Sept. 11 Attacks 11 Sep 2008 Gov. Sarah Palin linked the war in Iraq with the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, telling an Iraq-bound brigade of soldiers that included her son that they would "defend the innocent from the enemies who planned and carried out and rejoiced in the death of thousands of Americans."
Palin describes Iraq war as "righteous cause" 11 Sep 2008 Gov. Sarah Palin, Republican nominee for vice president, described the Iraq war as a "righteous cause" and created a media sensation at Forth Wainwright as she spoke at the combat deployment ceremony for her son's Army unit.
Alaska Lawmakers Subpoena Palin's Husband, Her Aides 12 Sep 2008 Alaska lawmakers issued subpoenas to the husband of Governor Sarah Palin and her aides who have refused to cooperate in a probe of whether she improperly fired the head of the state police. The Alaska State Senate Judiciary Committee, meeting in Anchorage, voted 3-2 to demand the testimony of 13 people, including Todd Palin, aides to the governor and heads of state departments.
'Troopergate' Inquiry Reaches Palin Husband --State Legislators Approve Subpoena of Todd Palin 12 Sep 2008 Alaska state legislators approved subpoenas for the husband [Todd] of GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and 12 others, as part of an ongoing investigation into whether Palin abused her power as state governor.
Sarah Palin's Record on Alaska Native and Tribal Issues By PDXSerric 09 Sep 2008 It may be hard for those who are not native Alaskan, or even Alaskan for that matter, to understand the issues I am about to note and why Sarah Palin's stance on them is wholly detrimental. I would expect that those who are of native American heritage may have a firmer grasp on these issues than the rest of us, but having grown up in Alaska this is an issue that is close to my heart... Palin has attacked Alaska Native Subsistence Fishing...
Pamela Anderson tells Sarah Palin to suck it 12 Sep 2008 Pamela Anderson was recently in Toronto speaking out against the abuse of animals in Hollywood. When asked by E! News Weekend Canada about Palin, she has some choice words for the Republican hopeful. The reporter asked Pam if she saw a recent Newsweek article, which showed a gigantic bear hide in the office of Palin’s house. "I can’t stand her," Pam blurted out. "She can suck it!"
Chafee stands by calling Palin 'cocky whacko' 11 Sep 2008 Former U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee this morning stood by his comments that Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is a "cocky whacko" and "dangerous for the country." Chafee, a former Republican turned independent, did not back down when reporters questioned him across from Brown University's Watson Institute for International Studies, where he is a visiting fellow.
Blizzard of Lies By Paul Krugman 12 Sep 2008 I’m talking, instead, about the relationship between the character of a campaign and that of the administration that follows. Thus, the deceptive and dishonest 2000 Bush-Cheney campaign provided an all-too-revealing preview of things to come. In fact, my early suspicion that we were being misled about the threat from Iraq came from the way the political tactics being used to sell the war resembled the tactics that had earlier been used to sell the Bush tax cuts. And now the team that hopes to form the next administration is running a campaign that makes Bush-Cheney 2000 look like something out of a civics class.
ABC News Poll: Number One Issue Facing Americans Is Lipstick By R J Shulman 11 Sep 2008 Win the lipstick wars and win the Presidency - that seems to be what the latest polls are indicating. A new ABC TV poll shows that Americans are so concerned with this issue, that whichever Presidential ticket has the best solution to the lipstick crisis will win in November... Meanwhile, vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is trying to overcome rumors that she attempted to get her former brother-in-law, Scott Wooten fired from the State Police because he had criticized Palin’s sister’s use of lipstick. (Satire!)
Obama house in Africa under police protection 12 Sep 2008 The Kenyan rural home of US presidential hopeful Barack Obama has been put under police protection. This follows an attempted robbery at the Siaya homestead this week by four people who have been arrested by police. A patrol base has been set up at the homestead after Kenyan police decided the Obama family could be in danger.
Obama Steps Up Tough Language on McCain, Runs New Ads 12 Sep 2008 Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama stepped up his attacks on rival John McCain's record and promised supporters he would be "hitting back hard" at the Republicans during the campaign. In two speeches today, Obama tied McCain to the unpopular policies of President [sic] George W. Bush.
McCain Taps Lobbyist for Transition 12 Sep 2008 A prominent Washington lobbyist [William E. Timmons] who has worked for every Republican President since Richard Nixon has been tapped by the McCain campaign to conduct a study in preparation for the presidential transition should when John McCain win steals the election, according to sources familiar with the process.
'Jim Crawford' Republicans --The GOP is working to keep eligible African-Americans from voting in several states. By Jonathan Alter 11 Sep 2008 It was a mainstay of Jim Crow segregation: for 100 years after the Civil War, Southern white Democrats kept eligible blacks from voting with poll taxes, literacy tests and property requirements. ...[T]he U.S. Supreme Court declared these assaults on the heart of American democracy unconstitutional. Now, with the help of a 2008 Supreme Court decision, Crawford vs. Marion County (Indiana) Election Board, white Republicans in some areas will keep eligible blacks from voting by requiring driver's licenses. Not only is this new-fangled discrimination constitutional, it's spreading.
McDermott joins call to oust Bush --Impeachment group won't let even the election stop it 10 Sep 2008 Seattle Congressman Jim McDermott wants to see George Bush impeached, whether or not, he says, Bush is still in office. The long-serving Democrat made his displeasure with the president [sic] official Tuesday, joining a call from Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, to launch impeachment proceedings against Bush. Chiefly at issue, McDermott said, is Bush's decision to mislead the country to war with Iraq.
Kennedy introduces new national service bill 11 Sep 2008 Sen. Edward Kennedy is introducing a major new national service bill aimed at recruiting 175,000 Americans of all ages to tackle national problems such as health care, education, energy and the environment.
Hurricane Ike idles 21% of US refining capacity 12 Sep 2008 Even before its center made landfall on the Texas Gulf Coast, wide-bodied Hurricane Ike knocked out more of American refining capacity than did its predecessor less than 2 weeks earlier. As the Category 2 hurricane approached the coast... 13 refineries representing 3.6 million b/d of combined capacity shut down from Port Arthur to Corpus Christ, Tex.
Hurricane Ike could be "catastrophe" for Texas 12 Sep 2008 Massive Hurricane Ike bore down on the Texas coast on Friday, driving a wall of water into seaside communities and threatening catastrophic damage. Waters rose rapidly as Ike moved within hours of striking low-lying areas near Houston with a possible 20-foot (6-metre) storm surge in what may be the worst storm to hit Texas in nearly 50 years
Weather Officials Warn of 'Certain Death' --Storm Expected to Make Gulf Landfall This Weekend 11 Sep 2008 The National Weather Service said people in single-family one- or two-story homes in some parts of coastal Texas who do not heed evacuation orders will face certain death. The National Hurricane Center is forecasting a 20-foot surge for a large swath of Texas and the Louisiana coasts. Meteorologist Dennis Feltgen said some waves could be 50 feet tall.
Rise in illegal logging threatens butterflies --Deforestation on increase again at Mexican reserve 12 Sep 2008 The traditional wintering site for tens of millions of monarch butterflies in central Mexico is under continuing threat after conservationists failed to halt the onslaught of illegal logging in the area. The butterflies are in the middle of their annual journey of up to 2,800 miles from eastern Canada to the small area of evergreen fir forest that acts as their wintertime sanctuary. But, despite an unprecedented drive to protect it, deforestation is threatening the Monarch Biosphere Reserve and its visitors.
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Previous lead stories: Israel asks U.S. for arms, air corridor to attack Iran 11 Sep 2008 The security aid package the United States has refused to give Israel for the past few months out of concern that Israel would use it to attack nuclear facilities in Iran included a large number of "bunker-buster" bombs, permission to use an air corridor to Iran, an advanced technological system and refueling planes. Officials from both countries have been discussing the Israeli requests over the past few months.
Bush Secretly Approved Orders Allowing Raids in Pakistan 11 Sep 2008 President [sic] Bush secretly approved orders in July that for the first time allow American Special Operations forces to carry out ground assaults inside Pakistan without the prior approval of the Pakistani government, according to senior American officials. Pakistan’s top army officer said Wednesday that his forces would not tolerate American incursions like the one that took place last week and that the army would defend the country’s sovereignty "at all costs."
2008 marks deadliest year for U.S. troops in Afghanistan 11 Sep 2008 More U.S. troops have died in Afghanistan this year than in any year since the U.S. invaded the country following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. According to numbers CNN has compiled from military statements, 112 American troops have died in Afghanistan in 2008, compared with 111 in all of 2007.
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CLG Newsletter editor: Lori Price, Manager. Copyright © 2008, Citizens For Legitimate Government ® All rights reserved. CLG Founder and Chair is Michael Rectenwald, Ph.D.
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