Ex-aides say Bush never recovered from Katrina (Associated Press)

Bush never recovered from Katrina? Bush? What is this, a sick joke? -BV

December 29, 2008

"Hurricane Katrina not only pulverized the Gulf Coast in 2005, it knocked the bully pulpit out from under President George W. Bush, according to two former advisers who spoke candidly about the political impact of the government's poor handling of the natural disaster."

Read the entire article in the Associated Press at Yahoo!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081230/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_advisers_speak_out;_ylt=AldWJkGgCt27uqUelre8Ckys0NUE

Virginity Pledge Doesn’t Stop Teen Sex (WebMD)

And in the "Does This Actually Surprise Anyone?" Department... -BV

Dec. 29, 2008

"Teenagers who take virginity pledges are no less sexually active than other teens, according to a new study. But the results, published in the journal Pediatrics, suggest that virginity pledgers are less likely to protect themselves against pregnancy or disease when they do have sex."

Read the entire article at WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20081229/virginity-pledge-doesnt-stop-teen-sex

Judge Delays Ruling on Blocking Release of ‘Watchmen’ Film (New York Times)

If, like me, you've been eagerly awaiting the release of The Watchmen, it looks like you may have to wait a while longer than expected. Like forever. -BV

Published: December 29, 2008

"A federal judge, having ruled last week that 20th Century Fox has distribution rights to 'Watchmen,' an eagerly anticipated superhero movie shot by Warner Brothers, said he was inclined to decide after a hearing scheduled for Jan. 20 whether the release of the film should be blocked"

Read the entire article at the New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/business/media/30watchmen.html

Senate recount stalls on rejected ballots (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

The Neverending Recount -BV

Last update: December 29, 2008 - 3:34 PM

"With a Minnesota Supreme Court-imposed deadline approaching and sniping among lawyers increasing, the U.S. Senate recount stalled today as the campaigns for Sen. Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken remained far apart on an agreement for improperly rejected absentee ballots."

Read the entire article at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/36833124.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUvDE7aL_V_BD77:DiiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

Microsoft Seeks Pay-As-You-Go Computing Patent (InformationWeek)

That cold chill at the base of your spine turns out to be Microsoft trying to grab your credit cards. Again. Under this model, they would own the software...on your computer (and you might not even own the computer). You would only rent it. Am I the only one frightened of Microsoft having my credit card number? -BV

While such patent applications do not always lead to products, they do give some inkling as to what Microsoft is considering.
December 29, 2008 07:03 PM

"Microsoft has applied for a patent on a pay-as-you-go computing model that would charge people only for the hardware, software, and services used...The application is for a method of operating a computer that present to the user a catalog of options with a price associated with each...The charge for operating the computer could be a fixed rate for a specific time period, a onetime charge, or an hourly rate..."

Read the entire article at InformationWeek
http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/web2.0/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212700131&subSection=E-Business

Managing nonprofits in an “age of hope” (Reuters)

December 29th, 2008

Prof. James Post, an authority on corporate governance, teaches “Strategies for Nonprofits” at the Boston University School of Management. The views expressed are his own.

"I am inclined to think the Bernard Madoff affair has blown the lid off the financial madness of this decade. We have been living in an age of fraud, and now must rethink the way we do business. As John Kennedy once appealed to the nation’s better angels to call us into public service, Barack Obama’s inaugural address should instruct us on our obligation to serve the greater good. It’s not just a moral concept; it’s good business. I offer a corollary as well: Without good business, how far will a moral concept take you?"

Read the entire commentary at Reuters
http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2008/12/29/managing-nonprofits-in-an-age-of-hope/

Senate race in Minnesota remains undecided (Reuters)

This is starting to feel like an episode of Lost; an unending series of cliffhangers with no sign of a definite conclusion anywhere on the horizon. -BV

Fri Dec 26, 2008 1:43am EST

"Officials trying to determine who won the November 4 U.S. Senate race in Minnesota recessed their deliberations on Tuesday until the end of the year without reaching a decision."

Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE4BM51Q20081226

Gov's lawyer asks panel to subpoena Obama staff (Associated Press)

This is the legal profession at its sleaziest. If his requests to interview any of Obama's people are refused, and without any cause to conduct such interviews they probably will be, he starts screaming "Cover -up!" loud enough to (he hopes) create "reasonable doubt". If he's granted his interviews he tries to do the same thing using the tried-and-true method of throwing wild accusations and innuendo around. IMHO. -BV

December 25, 2008

"In a move intended to force public testimony from President-elect Barack Obama's inner circle, a lawyer for Gov. Rod Blagojevich has asked the legislative panel considering impeachment of the governor to subpoena more than a dozen witnesses, including Obama's incoming chief of staff."

Read the entire article at the Associated Press at Yahoo!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081225/ap_on_re_us/illinois_governor;_ylt=A0wNdOYABFRJbTkAtkus0NUE

Medvedev: we will fight to defend interests (Reuters UK)

Is it just me, or is Medvedev sounding a lot like GWB? -BV

Wed Dec 24, 2008 7:20pm GMT

"In an end-of-year interview that signaled an uncompromising stance toward U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's incoming administration, Medvedev said Russia's war with Georgia in August showed that tough action was sometimes unavoidable."

Read the entire article at Reuters UK
http://uk.reuters.com/article/burningIssues/idUKTRE4BN3JK20081224

Franken opens first lead in Minn. Senate race (Associated Press)

Do you believe that the election is still not over? Not in Minnesota, where Al Franken has taken the lead. Barely. -BV

December 19, 2008

"Democrat Al Franken has edged ahead of Republican incumbent Norm Coleman for the first time in Minnesota's long-running U.S. Senate recount."

Read the entire article at the Associated Press at Google
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gMpTmr96V5hKIfyHT4Av4jsVQgrQD955RO000

Health providers' 'conscience' rule to take effect (Los Angeles Times)

This bill is frightening. It could lead to hospitals refusing care to a wide variety of patients for an almost endless variety of reasons. My feeling is that it can't stand up in court...but there's going to be a lot of misery before it gets there. -BV

The last-minute Bush administration declaration lets doctors, clinics, receptionists and others refuse to give care they find morally objectionable.
8:13 PM PST, December 18, 2008

"The Bush administration announced its 'conscience protection' rule for the healthcare industry Thursday, giving doctors, hospitals, and even receptionists and volunteers in medical experiments the right to refuse to participate in medical care they find morally objectionable."

Read the entire article at the Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-conscience19-2008dec19,0,6352558.story

Commentary: Choosing Rick Warren was a mistake (CNN)

Although I understand why Barack Obama did this, I can't agree with him. I think this was the first mistake of his Presidency...and he's not even President yet. Not off to a great start, but oddly enough the situation could be saved by Warren himself, depending on what he actually says on the day. -BV

December 19, 2008

Kathryn Kolbert is president of People for the American Way, a nonprofit advocacy group that supports equality and freedom of speech and religion...

"Many people who know Warren as the affable megachurch pastor and best-selling author may be confused about the anger and disappointment that his selection has generated among progressive activists who worked so hard to help elect Obama."

Read the entire commentary at CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/18/kolbert.warren/?iref=mpstoryview

'Deep Throat' Mark Felt Dies at 95 (Washington Post)

Though none of us knew who he really was or what he looked like, he was an iconic figure through the '70s and his effect on a generation can scarcely be overstated. -BV

Friday, December 19, 2008; 3:05 AM

"W. Mark Felt Sr., the associate director of the FBI during the Watergate scandal who, better known as 'Deep Throat,' became the most famous anonymous source in American history, died yesterday. He was 95."

Read the entire article at the Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/19/AR2008121900228.html?hpid=topnews

Automakers to get $17.4 billion in government aid (Reuters)

Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:11am EST

"The government will offer up to $17.4 billion in loans to the ailing U.S. automakers and expects General Motors and Chrysler LLC to access the money immediately, a senior administration official said on Friday."

Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-autos/idUSTRE4BI34F20081219

Court sides with ACLU, strikes down Patriot Act gag provision (the raw story)

Thanks to starglider for sending me this. -BV

ACLU victorious as federal court declares Patriot Act provision a violation of the First Amendment
Tuesday December 16, 2008

"A federal appeals court ruling late Monday is the cause célèbre of the American Civil Liberties Union, as another provision of the Bush administration's Patriot Act falls to the judicial system."

Read the entire article at the raw story
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Court_sides_with_ACLU_strikes_down_1216.html

Rumsfeld vs. the Detainees (two stories)

Here are two reports on what a Senate report had to say about Donald Rumsfeld and the responsibility he bears (along with others) for the abuses of those held in contravention of the Constitution. One is a news report from the LA Times, the other a press release from Senator Carl Levin (D-MI).

1. Rumsfeld blamed in detainee abuse scandals (Los Angeles Times)
A bipartisan Senate report calls decisions made by the former Defense secretary a 'direct cause' of inhumane treatment of prisoners of war. Other Bush officials also are faulted.

December 12, 2008

"A bipartisan Senate report released Thursday concludes that decisions made by former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld were a "direct cause" of widespread detainee abuses, and that other Bush administration officials were to blame for creating a legal and moral climate that contributed to inhumane treatment."

Read the entire article at the Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-interrogate-abuse12-2008dec12,0,5978752.story

And for more on just what that report said:

2. Levin, McCain Release Executive Summary and Conclusions of Report on Treatment of Detainees in U.S. Custody (Press Release from Carl Levin)

December 11, 2008

"Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and Ranking Member John McCain (R-Ariz.) today released the executive summary and conclusions of the Committee’s report of its inquiry into the treatment of detainees in U.S. custody. "

Read the entire press release at Carl Levin's website
http://levin.senate.gov/newsroom/release.cfm?id=305735

Automakers fail to cash in on big GOP donations (Los Angeles Times)

Since 1990, the auto industry has cut $100 million in checks to the GOP, compared with $34 million to Democrats. But the Big Three is snubbed on bailout.
December 12, 2008

"By standing in the way of an auto industry bailout, GOP senators appear to have bitten the hand that fed them."

Read the entire article at the Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-fi-gopcars12-2008dec12,0,7571261.story

Senate to Middle Class: Drop Dead ...a message from Michael Moore (MichaelMoore.com)

Friday, December 12th, 2008

"...to lose our manufacturing infrastructure and throw 3 million people out of work would be a catastrophe."

Read the entire commentary at MichaelMoore.com
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?id=243

Ex-chairman urges Intel to make car batteries

(ALERT: To foil a nasty 'bot that inserts links to advertizing into my text without my knowledge or permission, where you see the letters "xxx" please read the word spelled "see-ay-arr." If the links are still there they're not mine, and please ignore them. They're just ads. The ad-placement service has a web site with an "opt out" procedure if you don't want them messing with your content, but it doesn't actually work. Damn them to hell.)

So, does this mean that my xxx will crash as often as my computer? That it will stall several times a day? How long can these jokes keep writing themselves? -BV

Fri Dec 12, 2008 4:00am EST

"Andrew Grove, the former chairman of Intel Corp, is pushing the chipmaker to make advanced batteries for plug-in electric xxxs, the Wall Street Journal said."

Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-BusinessofGreen/idUSTRE4BB20C20081212

1950s pin-up queen Bettie Page dies (Reuters)

Before she left the scene in the late '50s, she had fueled a generation's worth of male sexual fantasies. That deserves a mention, at the very least. -BV

Fri Dec 12, 2008 7:30pm EST

"Bettie Page, one of America's most photographed pin-up girls during the 1950s, died in Los Angeles on Thursday from pneumonia, her agent said. She was 85."

Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE4BB0XP20081213

Senate report ties Rumsfeld to Abu Ghraib abuse (Reuters)

Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:47pm EST

"Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other senior U.S. officials share much of the blame for detainee abuse at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, according to portions of a report released on Thursday by the Senate Armed Services Committee."

Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE4BA7JV20081211

For Bush's staff, upbeat talking points on his tenure (Los Angeles Times)

Well, this could work...On Mythbusters they proved you can polish a turd. -BV

December 9, 2008

"In case any Bush administration officials have trouble summing up the boss' record, the White House is providing a few helpful suggestions.A two-page memo that has been sent to Cabinet members and other high-ranking officials offers a guide for discussing Bush's eight-year tenure during their public speeches."

Read the entire article at the Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-bush9-2008dec09,0,3318358.story

Einstein, insanity and the war on drugs (Reuters)

Bernd Debusmann is a Reuters columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.

December 3rd, 2008

"Albert Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results. His definition fits America’s war on drugs, a multi-billion dollar, four-decade exercise in futility."

Read the entire column at Reuters
http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2008/12/03/einstein-insanity-and-the-war-on-drugs/

Illinois Gov. arrested on corruption charges (Reuters)

Wow.
While there's absolutly no reason to conclude that Barack Obama is tanted by any of this, that won't keep the paranoia-pandering right from jumping all over this. IMHO. -BV

Tue Dec 9, 2008 1:01pm EST

"Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on corruption charges on Tuesday, including trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by fellow Democrat President-elect Barack Obama, federal prosecutors said."

Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/wtMostRead/idUSWAT01061220081209

Whew… Obama can still be President - Supreme Court declines case (Christian Science Monitor)

12.08.08

"Good news for Barack Obama fans. It turns out that the $750 million he raised to become President paid off. He can still be President of the United States (even if he does smoke a cigarette now and then)...The Supreme Court has decided not to hear a lawsuit challenging Barack Obama’s citizenship."

Read the entire article at the Christian Science Monitor
http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2008/12/08/whew-obama-can-still-be-president-supreme-court-declines-case/

Wikipedia Censorship Sparks Free Speech Debate (PC World at the Washington Post)

Monday, December 8, 2008; 7:19 PM

"The banning of a Wikipedia page by a U.K. Internet watchdog is raising tough questions over how far online censorship should go -- and the decisions made in the coming days could prove crucial to how we balance free speech with content regulation in the future. "

Read the entire article at PC World at the Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/08/AR2008120803188.html

September 11 suspects seek guilty pleas at Guantanamo (Reuters)

Confused? Don't feel bad...so is everyone else. -BV

Mon Dec 8, 2008 5:56pm EST

"The self-styled mastermind of the September 11 attacks and four co-defendants told a military judge at Guantanamo on Monday that they wanted to confess and plead guilty."

Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE4B743720081208

White House reviews final Democrat auto bailout plan (Reuters)

Mon Dec 8, 2008 6:07pm EST

"The White House and Democrats edged toward agreement on Monday to rescue U.S. automakers by extending emergency loans but their plan leaves key restructuring decisions to the incoming Obama administration."

Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-autos/idUSTRE4B50CL20081208

Obama Asks Nation for Input On Reforming Health System (Washington Post)

'We Want Your Exact Ideas,' Daschle Says
Saturday, December 6, 2008

"As he gears up for major health reform legislation next year, Obama is encouraging average Americans to host informal gatherings to brainstorm about how to improve the U.S. system."

Read the entire article at the Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/05/AR2008120503322.html

Supreme Court next battleground in Obama birth certificate battle (Chicago Tribune)

I can't beleive that this has raised its head again. -BV

10:00 PM CST, December 7, 2008

"This is a story that won't go away. Five weeks after the state of Hawaii vouched for the authenticity of President-elect Barack Obama's birth certificate, the controversy over allegations that Obama is not eligible to take office next month has reached the Supreme Court, which is expected to announce Monday whether it will consider the matter...This is a different army at work, in an environment increasingly influenced by the Internet."

Read the entire article at the Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-obama-birth-certificate1dec08,0,7258812.story

Iowa high court to hear gay-marriage case (USA Today)

December 7, 2008

"The Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Tuesday in a pivotal same-sex marriage case that could echo throughout the nation and be far more difficult to challenge at the ballot box than a high-profile ruling in California, legal experts say."

Read the entire article at USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-12-07-iowagaymarriage_N.htm

At Pearl Harbor, US response to raid is acclaimed (Associated Press at Google)

This is the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. As improtant as this day is in history, it should not go without commemoration. -BV

December 7, 2008

"Usually, the commemoration focuses on the attack on the USS Arizona, Pearl Harbor and several other installations on Oahu. But Sunday's remembrance centered more on the months following the raid and on an American response that helped defeat the Japanese and render the U.S. a military superpower."

Read the entire article at the Associated Press at Google
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gNLCVQewpSs7OTuIRFMOmQxQ3VEgD94U83K00

Obama vows strong new financial regulations (Reuters)

Sun Dec 7, 2008 11:08am EST

"President-elect Barack Obama said on Sunday he would put strong new financial regulation at the center of his economic recovery program to force more accountability on the banking industry."

Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN0545867820081207

Obama says auto makers' collapse not an option (Reuters)

Sun Dec 7, 2008 9:30am EST

"President-elect Barack Obama said on Sunday that the struggling U.S. auto industry could not be allowed to collapse, but that any bailout would require a complete restructuring."

Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE4B612R20081207

Bush, Democrats seek to finalize auto bailout (Reuters)

Sun Dec 7, 2008 7:27pm EST

"White House and congressional negotiators sought on Sunday to resolve remaining differences over an emergency rescue for the struggling auto industry, a stark symbol of the deepening U.S. economic crisis."

Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE4B50CL20081208

White House, Democrats Near Short-Term Deal For Automakers (Washington Post)

Saturday, December 6, 2008

"Jolted by news of the worst job losses in more than 30 years, congressional Democrats were near an agreement with the White House yesterday on a plan to speed at least $15 billion to the faltering Detroit automakers in hopes of averting the collapse of an industry that supports millions of U.S. jobs."

Read the entire article at the Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/05/AR2008120501029.html?hpid=topnews

Saving the Big 3 for You and Me ...a message from Michael Moore (MichaelMoore.com)

I can't say I entirely agree with Mr. Moore's proposal...but it's worth a read. So read it. -BV

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

"Congress must save the industrial infrastructure that these companies control and the jobs they create. And it must save the world from the internal combustion engine. This great, vast manufacturing network can redeem itself by building mass transit and electric/hybrid cars, and the kind of transportation we need for the 21st century."

Read Michael Moore's entire letter at MichaelMoore.com
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?id=242

Obama Plans Largest Building Program Since 1950s (Bloomberg.com)

Didn't they call this the WPA back in the 1930's? -BV

Dec. 6

"President-elect Barack Obama said he’ll make the 'single largest new investment' in roads, bridges and public buildings since the Eisenhower Administration to lift the sagging economy and create jobs."

Read the entire article at Bloomberg.com
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aBcPiaRqqffg&refer=home

Angry laid-off workers occupy factory in Chicago (Associated Press at Google)

I'm confused...if they're going to be closing the factory anyway, what the hell do they hope to gain by occupying it? Are they threatening to go on making windows unless their demands are met? -BV

December 6, 2008

"Workers who got three days' notice that their factory was shutting its doors have occupied the building and say they won't go home without assurances they'll get severance and vacation pay."

Read the entire article in the Associated Press at Google
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ildwrFjwHYjvJPX2edZgBnNb8EEQD94TID980

Obama campaign mulls what to do with $30M surplus (Associated Press at Yahoo!)

This gives me a bit of hope for the future. I don't recall a Presidential campaign turning a profit before... -BV

Friday December 5 2008

"Obama's organization retains some $30 million after his successful presidential bid, but it's unclear how the Democratic president-in-waiting might use the money. Members of his party are doing their best to appeal for the funds without appearing greedy, ungrateful or hostile to their new leader."

Read the entire article at the Associated Press at Yahoo!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081206/ap_on_el_pr/obama_democrats;_ylt=A0wNdO0F8TlJpyYBzVms0NUE

Supreme Court case: Can terror suspect in US be held indefinitely? (Christian Science Monitor)

posted December 05, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. EST

"At issue is whether the president has the power to order someone who is legally present in the United States to be held in indefinite military detention as an 'enemy combatant.'"

Read the entire article at the Christian Science Monitor
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1205/p25s20-usju.html

White House, Democrats reach deal on $15 billion auto aid (Reuters)

Fri Dec 5, 2008 10:00pm EST

"Democratic leaders and the White House reached a deal to provide billions of dollars in relief to the ailing U.S. auto industry, a senior congressional aide told Reuters on Friday."

Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSWEN145820081206

O.J. Simpson sentenced to lengthy prison term (Reuters)

I'm not sure I really care about this one, but in case it still matters to anyone here's the story. -BV

3:01 PM PST, December 5, 2008

"Brushing aside a tearful apology from O.J. Simpson, a Las Vegas judge today sentenced the former football star to at least nine years in prison for the kidnapping and robbery last year of two sports memorabilia dealers in a casino hotel room."

Read the entire article at the Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-na-oj-sentencing6-2008dec06,0,6759445.story

Sci-Fi promoter Forrest Ackerman dies (Reuters)

This isn't going to mean much to anyone but a Science Fiction fan. (Or maybe a former Science Fiction fan like myself.) But I can tell you all that his loss within the genre will be mourned. Me, I'm among those who never forgave him for the term "Sci-Fi" but aside from that I had to respect the man for who he was and for his steadfast devotion to Science Fiction. -BV

"Forrest Ackerman, a writer and editor who coined the term 'Sci-Fi' and helped inspire the likes of author Ray Bradbury and film maker George Lucas, has died. He was 92."

Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE4B506V20081206

Banking spins destruction myth: Hoocoodanode? (Reuters)

If you're wondering what "hoocoodanode" is, join the club; these's an explanatory link provided, but it crashed mu computer. -BV

James Saft is a Reuters columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.


December 5th, 2008


"Just as every society has a creation myth, banking is now busily writing a destruction myth that seeks to explain and soothe in a world torn to its foundations."


Read the entire commentaty on Reuters
http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2008/12/05/banking-spins-destruction-myth-hoocoodanode/

Cheap oil: short-term good, long-term dangerous (Reuters)

You knew there'd be a catch, right? -BV

Wed Dec 3, 2008 5:55am EST

"Low energy prices squeeze investment in the oil industry, reducing future supplies. They discourage energy saving and they destabilize countries dependent on oil exports, making oil in the future more likely to be expensive and even more volatile."

Read the entire articole at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE4B22QM20081203

Detainees at Gitmo a Power Strategy (Washington Independent)

12/1/08 1:19 PM

"The Bush administration has acknowledged that it no longer considers the Uighurs “enemy combatants” subject to detention. Yet on Nov. 24, it vigorously fought a court’s order to release them in the United States...

"The case has become such a global embarrassment for the U.S. that a group of 10 distinguished conservatives recently wrote to the administration appealing for the Uighurs’ release, saying their continued detention without cause 'undermines our standing in the world.'"

Read thye entire article at the Washington Independent
http://washingtonindependent.com/20414/gitmo

Midnight Regs Update: Pollution in National Parks And More! (Pro Publica)

December 2, 2008 4:50 pm EST

"Today’s additions to our Midnight Regulations chart include rules that affect our national parks, the approval and labeling of genetically-modified food, and public access to information from the Department of Housing and Urban Development."

Read the entire article at Pro Publica
http://www.propublica.org/article/midnight-regs-update-pollution-in-national-parks-and-more-1202/

Canada government may seek to suspend Parliament (Reuters)

While we've been so preoccupied with the U.S. election, did anyone notice a constitutional crisis happening in Canada? -BV

Tue Dec 2, 2008 3:08pm EST

"Canada's minority Conservative government may seek the temporary suspension of Parliament to stop opposition parties from voting it out and taking power, an aide to Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Tuesday."

Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE4AR6ZQ20081202

Ex-prosecutor says Guantanamo is "stain on America" (Reuters)

Tue Dec 2, 2008 2:58pm EST

"U.S. military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay are a 'stain on America' that risk convicting innocent people because judicial standards are so low, a former senior prosecutor at the prison said on Tuesday."

Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE4B17NX20081202

Georgia votes in key Senate run-off election (reuters)

Tue Dec 2, 2008 1:07pm EST

"The state of Georgia voted in a run-off election for U.S. Senate on Tuesday that will help decide whether Democrats gain a big enough majority in the chamber to more easily pass their legislation agenda."

Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE4B11I120081202