CitizenSugar -- Breaking News, Together.

Front Page: Thousands Gather in Baghdad to Protest US Pact

CitizenSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:11:39 -0800

Supporters of radical Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr gathered in Baghdad today to protest the security agreement that gives the US authority to remain in Iraq. More than 10,000 protesters attended, and some burned an effigy of President Bush. — New York Times
US Attorney General Michael Mukasey collapsed on stage Thursday while giving a speech. Officials say he is feeling better and never transferred his power as attorney general. — AP

Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have decided to suspend home foreclosures until Jan. 9. The companies seized by the federal government do not want to bring more turmoil to struggling US families during the holidays. — Blooomberg
After another day of recounting, 46 percent of Minnesota's ballots have been counted, and the gap between Democrat Al Franken and Senator Norm Coleman has narrowed. Coleman is now leading by 136 votes, down from his unofficial lead of 215. — Minnesota Star

Obama In Talks to Keep on Bush's Defense Secretary Gates

CitizenSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:30:00 -0800

Not everyone in the Bush Administration will be out on their behinds on Jan. 20. Barack Obama is considering keeping on Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Gates, a former CIA head, has received widespread praise for his work as defense secretary since replacing Donald Rumsfeld.

Since he has led the Pentagon since 2006, Gates could be the person best situated to coordinate Obama's plan to withdraw from Iraq and increase troops in Afghanistan. Even so, keeping a Republican who has been leading Bush's war policy may take the team of rivals idea a bit too far.

Is Obama responsible and wise to keep on Gates in order to make the transition of power and situation in the Middle East run smoothly, or does a new direction require a new person in such an important cabinet position?

Source

Iraq's government approves security pact with US

LibertySugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:39:12 -0800

Iraq's government approves security pact with US Iraq's Cabinet overwhelmingly approved a security pact with the United States on Sunday, ending prolonged negotiations to allow American forces to remain for three more years in the country they first occupied in 2003. The deal detailing the conditions of the US presence still needs parliamentary approval, and lawmakers could vote as soon as Nov. 24. For Iraqis, the breakthrough was bittersweet because they won concessions from the Americans but must accept the presence of US troops until 2012.

Bush Admits Mistakes, Regrets Mission Accomplished Banner

LibertySugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:00:32 -0800

Perhaps determined to work on his legacy before he leaves office, President Bush has identified episodes from the last eight years he has come to regret. They include:

Announcing that he wanted Osama bin Laden "dead or alive" right after Sept. 11.
Declaring "bring 'em on" when discussing Iraqi insurgents in 2003.
Speaking in front of a "Mission Accomplished" banner on May 1, 2003, to declare major combat operations were complete.

Bush credits his wife for opening his mind to the importance of being careful with his words as President.

If you're not a fan of Bush, will you be more willing to forgive and forget once he leaves office, or must Americans hold a grudge if they don't want history to repeat itself? Is self-reflection from Bush enough, or should there be some other sort of accountability?

Source

Front Page: Secret Order Let US Attack al Qaeda Anywhere

CitizenSugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0800

A classified US order from 2004 authorized the US military to attack al Qaeda anywhere in the world. The order has allowed the US to secretly attack militants in Syria, Pakistan, and other places. — New York Times
President-elect Barack Obama will meet President Bush in the Oval Office today, to begin the transition of power. The two are expected to discuss the economy, the war in Iraq, and national security. Laura Bush will give Michelle Obama a tour of the White House. — CNN
Three bombs that exploded moments apart in Baghdad, Iraq yesterday left at least 28 people dead. Two of the explosions were car bombs and the third was a suicide bomber who blew himself up in the crowd trying to rescue people. — BBC News
An argument over Sunday's Alabama-LSU overtime football game ended with an Alabama couple shot to death. — Alabama Press-Register
A backlash against California's Proposition 8 has erupted. This weekend, same-sex marriage supporters protested the new law outside churches around the state, including a Mormon tabernacle. — San Francisco Chronicle

Source

Obama's Pledge For Iraq Timetable Now Army Recruiting Tool?

LibertySugar — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0800

An Army career counselor appears to have used Barack Obama's election as tool to persuade former soldiers to rejoin. In an alleged email to an Iraq veteran (with the subject line "New Commander in Chief") the recruiter wrote: "A President Elect who says he'll get us out of Iraq. What are you waiting for?"

The appeal, made while Bush remains commander-in-chief, could be seen as a confession of disapproval for the Bush Administration's war policy.

Even if this isn't official US Army policy to use the exit of George W. Bush as an enlisting device, do you think a new president with a drastically different military policy could help boost recruitment?

Source

Good News From Iraq

LibertySugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:50:00 -0700

Good News From Iraq October is on track to be the first month in which no US troops have died in combat in Baghdad. But that's not all. According to USA Today, things are improving overall. As of Thursday, the Pentagon had reported 13 US troops killed in combat and non-combat incidents this month in Iraq. If the number holds, it would tie July for the lowest monthly US death toll of the five-year-old war.

Front Page: Less Likely US Will Have Authority To Stay in Iraq

CitizenSugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 07:30:00 -0700

The Bush administration's hopes for sealing a security deal with Iraq, to keep US troops in Iraq past December 31, are fading as Iraqis demand changes to a draft that some US officials consider unacceptable. If no deal is reached, the US must seek a new UN mandate, or leave. — Associated Press
Fierce fighting between the government and rebels in DR Congo is causing a humanitarian catastrophe. A tense ceasefire is holding in the eastern city of Goma, while the security situation still makes it difficult to deliver aid. — BBC News

The US Navy Blue Angels say the stunt-flying team will be down one jet the rest of its season after removing two members from duty for having an inappropriate relationship. The relationship was between a man and a woman. — CNN
The death toll from over a dozen blasts that hit India's northeastern state of Assam on Thursday rose to 77 today. Eleven more people succumbed to injuries overnight. — Guardian

Source

Iraq to Try US Troops in Court, But Wants More Concessions

LibertySugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:01 -0700

After months of back-and-forth between Baghdad and the Bush Administration, the Iraqi government has demanded a reworking of the security agreement. A pact must be forged before the end of the year, when Bush leaves office, but more importantly when the UN mandate authorizing the US mission ends.

The draft, which has now been rejected, would have required the US out of Iraq by 2011, unless invited to stay by Iraq. The general idea of an agreement does not appear threatened, but influential Iraqi leaders have not accepted specific provisions. The draft permits the trial in Iraqi court of US troops, accused of serious crimes while off duty. But the nature of that concession is not satisfactory, such as the legal mechanism for trying US troops. Last weekend, Shiite demonstrators protested the proposal to give the US long-term authority to stay in Iraq.

As for getting the US on board, President Bush won't seek Congress's legal approval, but has briefed members, including John McCain and Barack Obama, in hopes of garnering political support.

Source

Charity Helps Customize Homes For Injured Troops

LibertySugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Today's New York Times discussed a different sort of housing crisis that US troops returning from the battle field severely injured face. Service members with permanent disabilities struggle to live independent and dignified lives with the constraints of typical homes.

I checked out Homes For Our Troops, a group mentioned in the article. The nonprofit provides specially adapted homes for those wounded in combat, free of charge. For a quadriplegic vet, the group built a home that provides maximum independence, with a computer that adjusts lights, temperature, and doors. For one army specialist who lost both his legs in Iraq after a rocket blast, Homes For Our Troops is working to raise money, materials, and labor to build him a home with a kitchen that allows him to cook without burning his arms.

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers permanent and disabled veterans up to $60,000 to renovate their homes. Home For Our Troops spends an average of $250,000 on each project. Five hundred vets from Iraq and Afghanistan qualify for the public grant, and so far 95 have been approved for some or all of the money, while 350 have not yet applied. Should the basic quality of life for disabled veterans be left to private charities, or covered by the government?

Source