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Castro's Critics Ask Bush to Lift Embargo For Hurricane Relief

LibertySugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:45:00 -0700

Two prominent Communist dissidents in Cuba delivered a letter to the US Interests Section in Havana yesterday, addressed to President Bush. Marta Beatriz Roque and Vladimiro Roca pleaded with Bush to ease the American ban on travel and money transfers to Cuba, after Hurricane Gustav left the country's buildings and electricity infrastructure damaged and many people homeless.

The letter explained:

Knowing how intransigent the Cuban government is about accepting help from your country . . . we ask that you permit American non-governmental organizations to help the region so as to soothe the suffering of its inhabitants.

Russia has already sent aid, welcomed by Cuban officials, hinting at a revival of traditional Cold War relations. Perhaps lifting the ban, an act of placing humanitarian over political interests, could also give the US a geopolitical advantage. After all, it would be a PR blow to the Communist regime when people in the US have to step in to help its own people.

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Front Page: US to Send $1 Billion to Georgia, New Orleans Residents to Return, North Korea Reassembling Nukes

CitizenSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:01:11 -0700

US to Send $1 Billion to Georgia:
The Bush administration is set to announce $1 billion in aid to help Georgia rebuild after its conflict with Russia last month. The package reflects an increase of support from the administration. In addition, Vice President Cheney has visited the region, and the aid and visit will probably increase tension with Russia.

New Orleans Residents to Return:
Mayor Ray Nagin has given New Orleans residents the go-ahead to return to their homes tomorrow — at their own risk. A curfew will still be in effect, and many homes are without electricity or working toilets. Nagin said, "It's my humble opinion that the city is still in a very, very vulnerable state." 800,000 people are still without power in the state.

North Korea Reassembling Nukes:
North Korea has begun to reassemble its main nuclear facility saying the US has delayed its removal from the list of terror sponsors. In response, Washington has reiterated its condition that North Korea commit to a plan verifying the accounting of the nuclear program submitted in June. The US is talking to North Korean officials to "look for solutions."

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Front Page: Gustav Spares New Orleans, Thailand Declares Emergency, McCain Raises $47 Million

CitizenSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 06:56:08 -0700

Gustav Spares New Orleans:
Hurricane Gustav, thought Sunday to exceed the strength of Katrina, largely spared New Orleans. The city's improved levee system and mandatory evacuation order and curfew helped keep damages low. The storm was responsible for eight deaths in the US and 94 people in the Caribbean. Residents are expected to be able to return in the next few days.

Thailand Declares Emergency:
Thailand's Prime Minister has declared a state of emergency today to try to restore order after overnight clashes between protesters and government supporters left one dead and 43 injured. Though the prime minister wants to end the violence "softly," the military has power to suspend civil liberties, ban public gathering, and bar the media from reporting news that "causes panic."
McCain Raises $47 Million:
John McCain raised $47 million in the month of August, more than double his previous best month. $10 million in donations have come in since he announced Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. The amount comes close to Barack Obama's take for July at $51 million. At the end of the convention, the Republican campaign will get $84 million in public financing.

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Obama To Mobilize Supporters For Hurricane Aid

CitizenSugar — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:00:15 -0700

Obama To Mobilize Supporters For Hurricane Aid Obama said Sunday that his campaign would mobilize its giant email list of supporters — to volunteer or send contributions — as soon as the impact of Hurricane Gustav becomes known in the Gulf Coast. Obama said, "We can activate an e-mail list of a couple million people who want to give back." Obama has made no plans to travel to the Gulf Coast, saying he does not want to get in the way of emergency efforts there.

Front Page: Hurricane Gustav Makes Landfall, Japan's PM Resigns, Italy Agrees to Reparations

CitizenSugar — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 06:34:20 -0700

Hurricane Gustav Makes Landfall: The storm, varying in reports between a Category 2 and Category 3, made landfall in the area of Port Fourchon, Louisiana around 9 a.m. ET. Grand Isle, directly in the storm's path is covered in water. Between preparations and a smaller storm than expected, the fallout in terms of property damage is estimated to be a quarter of what was expected yesterday.

Japan's PM Resigns:
Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has announced his surprise resignation at a news conference after serving less than a year. His government has been plagued by unpopularity. He said, "If we are to prioritize the people's livelihoods, there cannot be a political vacuum from political bargaining, or a lapse in policies. We need a new team to carry out policies."

Italy Agrees to Reparations:
Italy has agree to pay Libya $5 billion in reparations for its 32-year occupation of the country which ended in 1943. Silvio Berlusconi is set to sign the package which includes construction projects and pensions for Libyans who served with Italy in World War II. In return, Italy wants Libya to monitor illegal migrants turning up on Italy's shores.

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I'm Here! Republican Convention Hangs In Balance In St. Paul

CitizenSugar — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 13:37:21 -0700

With a Hurricane of a damper cast on the convention and the first day's schedule scrapped, the buzz here now is how the best way to handle the convention in the midst of a pending national disaster. Sounding awfully presidential, McCain said,

I pledge that tomorrow night and, if necessary, throughout our convention, we will act as Americans and not as Republicans, because America needs us now. No matter what we are — Republican or Democratic — America needs us to do what all Americans have always done in times of disaster and challenge.

President Bush and Vice President Cheney have already canceled their appearances, McCain has suspended most convention activities tomorrow, and solutions being floated include turning tomorrow's session into a fundraising telethon for hurricane victims. The McCain campaign is making a chartered jet available in St. Paul for any delegates from Louisiana and Mississippi who want to return home.

I'm heading out to pick up my pass now, and will let you know what else I hear about the fate of the convention as soon as I hear it!

Track Hurricane Gustav Live

CitizenSugar — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 13:30:56 -0700

Track Hurricane Gustav Live The Washington Post has an interactive map that let's you track the progress of Hurricane Gustav.

New Orleans Orders Mandatory Evacuation Ahead Of Gustav

CitizenSugar — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 09:46:57 -0700

New Orleans Orders Mandatory Evacuation Ahead Of Gustav Spooked by predictions that Hurricane Gustav could grow into a Category 5 monster, an estimated 1 million people fled the Gulf Coast Saturday — even before the official order came for New Orleans residents to get out of the way of a storm taking dead aim at Louisiana. Mayor Ray Nagin gave the mandatory order late Saturday, but all day residents took to buses, trains, planes and cars — clogging roadways leading away from New Orleans.

Lines For Evacuation Buses Grow in New Orleans

CitizenSugar — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:55:04 -0700

Lines For Evacuation Buses Grow in New Orleans Lines of people waiting for buses to take them out of the city grew longer Saturday and traffic grew heavier on main highways as Hurricane Gustav strengthened into a dangerous storm on track for the Gulf Coast. The city had yet to call for a mandatory evacuation, but began ushering out the sick, elderly and those without their own transportation on Saturday. The state has a $7 million contract for more than 700 buses to carry an estimated 30,000 people to shelters.

Briefing Book! Gas Prices Rise Thanks to Hurricane Gustav

LibertySugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:30:15 -0700

Gas: Did you fill up before? Gas prices rise as Gustav threatens Gulf refineries. — Huffington Post
War Crimes: Beard or no beard? Not guilty plea entered for Bosnia Serb leader charged with genocide. — Radar
Beijing vs. Denver: How do they tally up. Denver and Beijing hosted massive events, check out statistics. — newsblog
Sarah Palin: Does it count as foreign policy experience? Fox News points out that Alaska is next to Russia! — Talking Points Memo
DNC: Can MSNBC catch a break? CNN on the floor, while MSNBC was in the parking lot. — 23/6

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Front Page: Day Four of the Convention — Obama Speaks Tonight, New Orleans May Evacuate, EU Considers Sanctions

CitizenSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:01:31 -0700

Obama Speaks Tonight:
After his surprise appearance on stage with VP nominee Joe Biden last night, Obama is set to deliver his nomination acceptance speech at Invesco Field in front of 75,000 people tonight. On the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, it's scheduled to start at 8 p.m. EST. John McCain may announce his VP pick shortly after.

New Orleans May Evacuate:
City officials have begun preliminary measures to evacuate the city of New Orleans as Hurricane Gustav threatens the coast on the eve of Hurricane Katrina's third anniversary. Gov. Bobby Jindal has declared a state of emergency and has put 3,000 National Guard troops on standby.

EU Considers Sanctions:
The EU is considering sanctions and more against Russia over the crisis in Georgia. France has called an emergency summit on Monday to reassess relations with Russia after Moscow refused to pull out all of their troops. Meanwhile, Georgia's foreign minister says that ethnic cleansing in South Ossetia is nearly complete.

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