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?

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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?

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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

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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?

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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

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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.

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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?

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Front Page: India Nuclear Deal Approved, Suicide Bombers Strike End of Ramadan, Vice Presidential Debate Tonight

CitizenSugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 06:56:41 -0700

India Nuclear Deal Approved:
In addition to passing the Bailout Bill last night which caused the European markets to rise, the US Senate voted 86-13 to approve a nuclear deal with India. The vote moves to end a 30-year ban on nuclear trade with India. The deal gives India access to civilian nuclear technology which critics say will expand its nuclear industry without having to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Suicide Bombers Strike End of Ramadan:
In Baghdad as Muslims marked the close of Ramadan, suicide bombers attacked two Shi'ite mosques during morning prayers, killing at least 20 people. The attacks were part of a second wave of violence this week culminating in the Id al-Fitr feast. No one has claimed responsibility but some in the crowd believe Sunni extremists were to blame.

Vice Presidential Debate Tonight:
Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. Joe Biden face off in their only debate tonight in St. Louis, MO. The event starts at 9 p.m. ET and will be moderated by PBS's Gwen Ifill. The debate has been much anticipated and we'll be gearing up for it today, as well as here tonight live-commenting during the debate.

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Sunni Volunteers to Start Getting Paycheck Next Month

CitizenSugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:48 -0700

The Iraqi government is set to start paying nearly 54,000 Sunni soldiers in their fight against al-Qaeda. However, this shift doesn’t mean the US is ready to leave anytime soon according to Lt. General Lloyd Austin, the No. 2 US commander in Iraq.

The transfer is however, a continuation of the trend marking progress in Iraq as more and more of the Iraqi military take over the reigns in regions like Anbar and Baghdad. In the case of Anbar, the US transferred control three weeks ago, he says, "for the foreseeable future, I am not forecasting a further drawdown of capability in Anbar." He still anticipates careful monitoring of Iraq as they take over payments for the Sons of Iraq — previously being funded by the US government.

The Sons of Iraq are a force made mainly of ex-Saddam loyalists who decided to fight al-Qaeda and are believed to be a key group in the decline of sectarian violence in Iraq. According to Austin the region has seen less than 200 attacks a week in 16 of the 17 weeks and four or fewer attacks in the capital for most of the past three months. He says of the force, "We will continue to follow up in the future to ensure that they get paid and that they do, in fact, transition to meaningful employment."

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Lighten Up! Tony Blair on Inexplicable Friendship With Bush

LibertySugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:45:00 -0700

Last night on the Daily Show Jon Stewart quipped with Tony Blair, the man who ran Britain for 10 years. With a veil of comedy, Jon could ask the ex-prime minister provocative questions such as "How did (Bush) bring (Iraq) up?. . . Did he say: 'Hey man, you know who we should invade?'" The answers provided insight as to why Blair got on board for Iraq and how he assesses his legacy. Blair said that although he stands by Bush and the Iraq invasion, he never "took the view that people who disagree with it were stupid or misguided or had bad intentions."

Jon and Tony also chatted about the role of religion in politics, international relations, and their personal lives. The former leader discussed his recent conversion to Catholicism along with how UK politicians consider their religious lives distinct from their public persona, a privacy British voters are happy to oblige. To see the clip on religion and globalization,

General Petraeus: Iraq Doesn't Lend Itself to Victory Slogan

LibertySugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:45:00 -0700

General David Petraeus will leave his post as commander of US troops in Iraq, taking over US Central Command. As the chief of Central Command, the four-star general will oversee the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This week, General Petraeus discussed progress in Iraq and the possibility of victory. Check out these highlights from his interview with BBC, which airs tonight.

On whether US troops could withdraw from Iraq by the middle of next year: It's "doable."
On whether he will ever declare victory in Iraq: "This is not the sort of struggle where you take a hill, plant the flag, and go home to a victory parade . . . it's not war with a simple slogan."
On his new role of overseeing Afghanistan at US Central Command: "The trends in Afghanistan have not gone in the right direction . . . and that had to be addressed." Afghanistan remains a "hugely important endeavor."
On progress made by the surge: Petraeus said that recent security gains were "not irreversible" and that the US still faced a "long struggle."

Provincial elections supposed to take place this year, but still waiting on parliamentary approval, will test stability in Iraq. If the Iraq war doesn't lend itself to the traditional notion of victory, how will the US know when it's time to leave?

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Bush's Iraq Plan Gets the Candidates Talking About Theirs

LibertySugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:00:58 -0700

President Bush announced plans yesterday to bring home 8,000 combat and support troops from Iraq by February, and send a battalion of 4,500 Marines headed to Iraq in November to Afghanistan instead.

The announcement gives voters an insight into Barack Obama's and John McCain's stances regarding how and when to withdraw American forces from Iraq. The presidential candidates came out with two very different reactions.

Obama sharply criticized Bush and McCain as being in denial of the reality:

What President Bush and Senator McCain don't understand is that the central front in the war on terror is not in Iraq, and it never was — the central front is in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the terrorists who hit us on 9/11 are still plotting attacks seven years later. Now, the choice for the American people could not be clearer. John McCain has been talking a lot about change, but he's running for four more years of the same foreign policy that we've had under George Bush.

McCain on the other hand avoided timelines, instead talking about withdrawals based on success. To see his take on Bush's modest withdrawal plan,

Chicago's Murder Rate Double American Soldiers Killed in Iraq

LibertySugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:00:43 -0700

Chicago residents have faced an exceptionally deadly Summer this year — 123 people were shot and killed, twice the amount of US soldier casualties in Iraq over the same period.

Throughout 2008, murder rates in Chicago have risen. In July Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich said he was prepared to call in the National Guard to help restore order to the "out of control" city.

Police officials note that the pace still keeps the rate at historical lows; however, there's a real possibility that Chicago could finish the year with more than 500 murders, for the first time since 2003. Most murders are related to gang activity, and a high number of offenders and victims have a criminal history.

While some compare the American soldier casualties in Iraq and Chicago to depict the dire condition of Chicago, ignoring civilian and Iraqi deaths in Iraq could paint an inaccurate picture.

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US Hands Back Security of Anbar Province

CitizenSugar — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:59:30 -0700

US Hands Back Security of Anbar Province On Monday, US commanders formally returned responsibility for keeping order in Anbar Province, once the heartland of the Sunni insurgency, to the Iraqi Army and police. The ceremony, including a parade on a freshly paved street, capped one of the most significant turnabouts in the country since the war began five and a half years ago. Over the past two years, the number of insurgent attacks against Iraqis and Americans has dropped by more than 90 percent.

Front Page: McCain Set to Announce Palin as VP, Iraq Signs $3 Billion Oil Deal, Mexico's Court Upholds Abortion

CitizenSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:05:56 -0700

McCain Set to Pick Palin as VP: According to sources close to the campaign, John McCain has picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate. A formal announcement is expected shortly at a campaign rally in Ohio. A 44-year-old mom, Palin flew overnight to an airport in Ohio near Dayton, thought to be awaiting her formal introduction.

Mexico's Court Upholds Abortion:
Mexico's Supreme Court has voted to uphold legal abortion in Mexico City, keeping the city one of only a few places in Latin America that allow abortion without limitations in the first trimester. The Roman Catholic church blasted the 8-3 decision announcing that they will redouble their fight against it.

Iraq Signs $3 Billion Oil Deal:
Iraq has signed a $3 billion oil deal with China, its first oil deal with a foreign country since 2003. The contract is pending approval by the Iraqi cabinet, but if passed work could begin on the oil field in a few months. The 22-year contract is a new version of a 1997 contract with China began under Saddam Hussein.

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War Is Hell: US Soldiers Killed Iraqi Prisoners For Revenge?

CitizenSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:00:10 -0700

It's a story that shocks a civilian frame of mind and raises so many questions about the effect of war on mankind: Three US Army soldiers murdered four Iraqi prisoners by firing shots to the backs of their heads, execution-style, in the spring of 2007.

The story has surfaced from a source close to one of the soldiers who says after they committed these murders, the US Army officers then dumped the corpses into a Baghdad canal. The killings were meant to avenge the deaths of two of their army comrades, and to this point, all members of Company D, First Battalion, Second Infantry, 172nd Infantry Brigade have not been charged with a crime.

Lawyers representing other members of the platoon who witnessed the slayings, believe the Army officers involved will probably be charged with murder. One of the soldiers involved described in great detail how and why the killings took place.

To see the story,

Front Page: Spanish Plane Crash Possible Cause, Pakistan Suicide Attack Kills 60, Rice Surprise Visit to Iraq

CitizenSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:56:58 -0700

Spanish Plane Crash Possible Cause:
The plane that crashed in Madrid yesterday and killed 153 people, including two babies and 20 children, had reported an overheated air intake valve before the first attempt at takeoff. The problem was reported and the equipment turned off to fix it. It's not known if this is the only factor in Spain's worst air disaster in almost 25 years.

Pakistan Suicide Attack Kills 60:
Killing 60 and wounding dozens more, a suicide bomber attacked Pakistan's largest military munitions plant. The Pakistan Taliban has claimed responsibility. The violence comes amid political uncertainty in the country following the resignation of President Pervez Musharraf earlier this week.

Rice Surprise Visit to Iraq:
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice surprised Baghdad with a visit to discuss the future of US forces in Iraq. Amid negotiations over the timing of the final withdrawal of US forces, reports suggest that a compromise draft agreement of the plan is being considered by both governments. RIce will meet with Prime Minister Nouri Maliki during her visit.

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Iraqi Hit Squads to Target Officials and Troops Training in Iran

CitizenSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:00:52 -0700

Iraqi Shi'ite assassination teams are being readied in four locations in Iran, with the mission to return to Iraq and kill specific Iraqi officials before targeting US and Iraqi troops. The info comes from captured militia fighters and sources within Iraq. A senior US military intelligence officer confirmed the story under the condition of anonymity, acknowledging that disclosing the info is an attempt to pressure Iran to suspend the training and prevent militia fighters from returning to Iraq. To this end, "Wanted" posters picturing the men thought to be involved.

The fighters are expected to return to Iraq between now and October, and the US is encouraging the Iraqi government to confront Iran on the issue. It's thought that part of the reason violence has declined is that the militants have moved from Basra and Sadr City to Iran. The fighters are thought to be offshoots of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's militia having made their own groups after al-Sadr declared a cease-fire with the Iraqi government in August 2007.

Are the training pockets small and isolated incidents, or does it put the notion that the surge has worked to quell violence into question?

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Iraqi Rebuilding — Starting With the Rock Hard Bodies

CitizenSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:00:43 -0700

Moving around a lot, the gym has always been my center — my home sweat home. In conflicted Iraq finding a place to work out can be a challenge and safety is an issue. That hasn't stopped these Iraqi bodybuilders in Sadr City preparing for a muscleman competition at the end of this week.

The workout scene in Iraq is decidedly different from the 24-hour Fitness you may be used to — according to this description in the Washington Post, steroids are sometimes vended openly in gyms (sometimes animal steroids), sweat is a good thing — towels are few and far between — and no one bats an eye if someone does a set, lights up a cigarette out the window, and continues his workout.

In a country where skin is mostly kept under wraps, these posing hulks stand out — and not just for their muscles. Despite the healthy competition, breaking a sweat also breaks some of the tension of living in the precarious region. It's an outer strength to match the inner fortitude required by their environment.

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Iraqi Shi'ite Cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr To Disarm If US Withdraws On Timetable

CitizenSugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:10:59 -0700

Iraqi Shi'ite Cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr To Disarm If US Withdraws On Timetable Influential Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr would dissolve his Mehdi Army militia if the United States starts withdrawing troops according to a set timetable, a spokesman said. The statement comes at a crucial point in talks between Baghdad and Washington over a new security pact that will provide a legal basis for U.S. troops to operate in Iraq

Iraq Has $79 Billion Surplus — What's the US Deficit Again?

LibertySugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:15:00 -0700

Thanks to rising oil prices, Iraq will enjoy a $79 billion surplus by the end of the year, according to a report requested by a bipartisan group of senators. While the US has spent $48 billion in American taxpayer money on Iraq's reconstruction since 2005, Iraq has spent only a fraction of its oil revenue on reconstruction projects. And, Iraq spent only 1 percent of its 2005-2007 budget to maintain existing projects already funded by Americans or Iraqis. Thus, preinvasion promises that Iraqi oil money would finance the rebuilding of Iraq have gone unfulfilled.

The Central Bank of Iraq cites a lack of expertise in Iraqi ministries along with security problems as reasons for the lack of spending. There seems to be a vicious cycle: Iraq can't use its money to increase security because there's not enough security.

Congressional Democrats have already called for Iraq to spend its own money on reconstruction. Since the US just predicted a record $489 billion deficit for 2009, hopefully Iraq's windfall surplus will be put to use soon. Should Americans struggling with rising oil prices be frustrated that Iraq is sitting on oil profits while America pays for the reconstruction?

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Iraqi and Iranian Olympic Athletes Showcase Talent and Culture

LibertySugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:00:44 -0700

If you love following individual athletes during the Olympics, two women from the Middle East can offer you a personal and historical perspective.

Since the International Olympic Committee decided to make an exception and lift its ban on the Iraqi team, improbable sprinter Dana Abdul-Razzaq can now compete in Beijing. Iraq's top female athlete, 21-year-old Dana began running after the US invasion of Iraq five years ago. Dana's pretty dedicated to her sport — she survived being shot by a sniper while training. Demonstrating the cultural and religious realities of her country, a modest Dana runs with leggings under her shorts. And as a Shi'ite, she trains with a Sunni coach.

Over in Tehran, Homa Hosseini trained for only two years to become Iran's first female Olympic rower. Two years ago, Iran gathered 300 young women and brought them to a course, left vacant since the Islamic Revolution, to test their abilities. Homa stood out, and now she will compete in Beijing. Homa rows in her headscarf, and unlike Western rowers, she wears loose-fitting clothes instead of a tight-fitting uniform. Good luck to both ladies!

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HBO's Baghdad High Airs Tonight With A Major in Realism

CitizenSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:30:27 -0700

Tonight on HBO, the next offering in their summer-doc series puts My Super Sweet 16 to shame. Chronicling the senior years of four Iraqi high schoolers, Baghdad High might not be the first do-it-yourself documentary by teens, but the constant threat surrounding the kids on a daily basis adds a layer of heartbreaking realism and a grim dose of perspective.

The kids are all from different backgrounds: a Sunni, a Shiite, a Kurd, and a Christian who document their senior year of 2006-07 while getting ready to take the big exams that will determine who gets into college, and grappling with the decision of whether they'll stay. It's like a typical senior year with the very bitter exception that the boys are able to peg what kind of helicopter is overhead and that the curtains are always drawn, a sign of a shuttered society braced against what could be horror at any moment.

To see how their lives are the same yet wildly different,

Veterans to Steer MTV's Choose or Lose This Election

LibertySugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 03:00:40 -0700

Using a different lens for its Choose or Lose programming this year, MTV will cover the election through the eyes of Americans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In that spirit, last night Choose or Lose and Kanye West teamed up for the special Homecoming. Kanye surprised three Americans (out of the 1.6 million) who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Kanye and Sway Calloway from MTV News listen to the vets discuss concerns like post-traumatic stress disorder and offered them opportunities like internships or debt repayment. The piece is an interesting bookend to HBO's documentary The Recruiter, which also aired last night but introduced us to would-be-vets just signing up and undergoing basic training.

According to an MTV survey, 80 percent of respondents 18 to 29 are closely following the election, which is double the number in 2004. The network has identified the wars in the Middle East as a crucial issue to these young voters, and thus its viewers. Do you agree?

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Front Page: Suicide Blasts Rip Iraq, Olympics Sold Out, Arrest in Tennessee Church Shooting

CitizenSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:03:57 -0700

Suicide Blasts Rip Iraq:
Suicide Bombers struck twice in Iraq, leaving 47 dead and 240 injured. In Baghdad as Shia pilgrims paraded through on their way to a shrine, female bombers detonated leaving 25 dead. The pilgrimage will bring more than 1 million worshippers. In Kirkuk, a suicide bomber hit a crowd of Kurdish protesters, killing 22. Iraqi security forces have been deployed.

Olympics Sold Out:
Despite continuing problems with pollution, the events for the Olympics events in Beijing are all sold out. This could be the earliest the Games have reached capacity. Some tickets for events in other cities are still available. 6.8 million tickets have been sold so far — in Athens in 2004, only two-thirds of the tickets sold.

Arrest in Tennessee Church Shooting:
A man who opened fire with a shotgun in a Knoxville, TN, church during a children's performance of Annie, has been captured. The attack left two dead and seven wounded. Police have charged Jim Adkisson with first-degree murder. The performance had just begun when he opened fire. One witness said she thought, "oh, my God, that’s not part of the play."

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Iraq Banned From Olympics: Government Broke IOC Rule

LibertySugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:14 -0700

Iraq has been banned from participating in the Beijing Olympics because the government replaced the country's Olympic committee originally elected in 2004. The Olympic Charter states that all nations must have committees free from political influence. Now, Iraq's seven qualifying athletes — two rowers, two sprinters, an archer, a weightlifter, and a judo competitor — cannot fulfill their Olympic dreams because of their government's quarrel with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The dispute began in May when Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government disbanded the Iraqi Olympic Committee, maintaining that the members were corrupt and won their spots through phony elections. The action broke IOC rules, and prompted the banning. Following the decision, the general secretary of the current Iraqi Olympic Committee said, "it is a blow to Iraq and its international reputation, its athletes, and its youth."

Although Iraq faces problems much more urgent than exclusion from the Olympics, watching fellow citizens compete with the rest of the world could have raised Iraqis' spirits and potentially inspired further reconciliation. Should the Olympics make an exception for Iraq, or stick by its standard of not mixing politics with sports?

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CBS News Edits Out McCain's Misunderstanding of Iraq

LibertySugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:30:40 -0700

John McCain may mock the media's love affair with Barack Obama, but CBS attempted to give him a generous pass by editing out McCain's incorrect account of crucial events in Iraq. Last night CBS replaced the plainly wrong assertion that the "surge" prompted the Sunni (Anbar) Awakening, which happened before the idea of a surge even existed, with a completely different answer.

Get Flash to see this player.

Here's how it actually went down:

Katie Couric: Senator Obama says, while the increased number of US troops contributed to increased security in Iraq, he also credits the Sunni awakening and the Shiite government going after militias. And says that there might have been improved security even without the surge. What's your response to that?

McCain: I don't know how you respond to something that is as — such a false depiction of what actually happened. Colonel MacFarland was contacted by one of the major Sunni sheiks. Because of the surge we were able to go out and protect that sheik and others. And it began the Anbar Awakening. I mean, that's just a matter of history.

The record overwhelmingly shows that McCain was wrong. For example, the military official cited by McCain actually discussed the Anbar Awakening four months before the surge was even announced. To see how McCain's camp responded,

Front Page: Cyclone Recovery to Top $1 Billion, Obama in Iraq, Zimbabwe Rivals Near Deal

CitizenSugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:01:34 -0700

Cyclone Recovery to Top $1 Billion:
Cyclone recovery efforts in Myanmar are expected to top $1 billion according to a report released this morning by the UN and ASEAN. The aid will cover the still pressing needs for food, agriculture, and housing, and the country still needs everything from clean water to fishing nets and buffaloes. $178 million has been given already. The May cyclone left at least 138,000 dead or missing.

Obama Arrives in Iraq:
Barack Obama met today with Iraqi officials and military commanders about the conflict in Iraq — the ending of which he's made a feature of his campaign. In Basra, Obama met with US, UK, and Iraqi military leaders before traveling to Baghdad, where he is to meet Gen. David Petraeus and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

Zimbabwe Rivals to Meet:
The ruling party of Robert Mugabe who won last month's contested and violent election, and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai are expected to sign a deal planning talks to end the political crisis in Zimbabwe. The deal, mediated by South African President Thabo Mbeki includes the formation of a unity government and election reforms. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe has just introduced a $100 billion dollar bill, as the official inflation rate surpasses 2.2 million percent.

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Shocking: Bad Electrical Work Killing Troops in Iraq

LibertySugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0700

The death of a Green Beret in Iraq, electrocuted while showering this past January, finally attracted the attention of the Pentagon and US lawmakers to the issue of shoddy and dangerous electrical work on US bases in Iraq. At one building complex, soldiers have complained of electrical shocks in their living quarters daily.

For millions of dollars, private contractors have upgraded Iraqi buildings, including the electrical systems, that house American troops. The New York Times got its hands on internal Army documents that show the electrical work done by private contractors has caused more deaths and injuries than the Pentagon has acknowledged.

Critics accuse these companies of overbiling, failing to protect female employees from sexual assault, and providing unsafe water to soldiers. Electricians working for KBR, a former subsidiary of Haliburton receiving a bulk of the work, say they warned the company about the danger the unsafe work posed to soldiers; but, their complaints fell on deaf ears. While allegations of overbilling and corruption concern me, it's even worse when the subsequent work puts soldiers in harm's way.

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Media Stars Flood Obama Iraq Trip: Wildly Unfair Reporting?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:00:35 -0700

Though only 36 percent of you said Obama should pack his bags and head off to Iraq ASAP, he's going — and along with him, a bevy of high-profile journalists, to cover the trip from stem to stern. Who's hopping on board? All three major network news anchors for starters, meaning that evening newscasts will be broadcast from Obama's Middle Eastern vacation, undoubtedly giving it huge play. And about 200 other journalists for good measure.Who went with McCain on his last trip to Iraq? Only a handful of reporters, plus NBC's Brian Williams (who's actually going on the Obama trip) reported on McCain's from the comfort of New York, in the "other political news" segment. Hmm. That scale seems a little out of balance. In fact, McCain has taken three foreign trips in the past four months, and not one network anchor has accompanied him. And it's not just trips, the arguably smaller stories swirling around Obama, Jackson's nuts-gate for one, have all but eclipsed coverage of McCain, even though he is indeed still campaigning, and making policy declarations — like the fact that he thinks the Social Security system is an "absolute disgrace." The story disparity between Jackson and Social Security? 126 to 20. Is it becoming clear that mainstream news has tipped the balance to focusing on all-Obama, all the time? Is the Fairness Doctrine looking more and more necessary? Source

Media Stars Flood Obama Iraq Trip: Wildly Unfair Reporting?

Yes! The inequity is ridiculous and doesn't service anyone. He's a candidate, not a star.

There's just coverage of what gets attention and people want. It seems that's Obama.

No way. Obama only gets the attention he earns. If McCain wants attention, do more!

Other. I'll give you my coverage in the comments.

Obama's Major Policy Address Mirrors Times Op-Ed on Iraq

LibertySugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:11:53 -0700

Moments ago, Barack Obama reinforced his plan for Iraq. In the major policy speech Obama said:

As president, I will pursue a tough, smart, and principled national security strategy. . . . I will focus this strategy on five goals essential to making America safer: ending the war in Iraq responsibly; finishing the fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban; securing all nuclear weapons and materials from terrorists and rogue states; achieving true energy security; and rebuilding our alliances to meet the challenges of the 21st century. . . It is unacceptable that almost seven years after nearly 3,000 Americans were killed on our soil, the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 are still at large.

McCain is set to answer the speech at a New Mexico town hall meeting at noon EDT.

The speech echoed Obama's op-ed in the New York Times yesterday. There, he repeated his belief that "we must be as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless getting in." In case you missed the piece, for some of the highlights,

Front Page: Guantanamo Secret Footage, Suicide Attack Kills Iraqi Recruits, Bush Press Conference

CitizenSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:06:43 -0700

Guantanamo Secret Footage:
A secretly filmed tape of a detainee being questioned at the US prison camp in Guantanamo Bay has just been released. The video shows 16-year-old detainee, Omar Khadr, being questioned by Canadian officials about events that led to his capture by US forces. The Canadian detainee is accused of throwing a grenade resulting in a US soldier's death in Afghanistan in 2002. In the video, he can be heard repeatedly chanting, "help me". The tape was released by Khadr's lawyers after a Supreme Court ruling that key evidence be released that would allow a full defense of the charges he's facing, and they're hoping the tape will cause PM Harper to demand that the US not prosecute Khadr.

Suicide Attack Kills Iraqi Recruits:
Two suicide bombers dressed as army recruits detonated at an Iraqi base this morning killing at least 35 Iraqi recruits and wounding 63. The bombers were wearing belts packed with explosives as they infiltrated a crowd of more than 200 recruits and exploded about 30 seconds apart in front of the headquarters of an Iraqi brigade where the recruits had gathered.
Bush Press Conference:
US President George W. Bush is set to speak in moments (10:20 a.m. ET) with an opening statement on steps he has taken to fix the economy. The White House said, "he will talk about the overall state of the economy," and, "the president will talk about steps his administration has taken to stabilize the housing and financial markets." The news conference is expected to overlap Barack Obama's proclaimed major policy address on Iraq, scheduled for 10:45 a.m.

82 Percent of Displaced Iraqis Are Women and Kids, Like These

CitizenSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:00:07 -0700

I brake for pictures of children in the throes of chaos created by adults. It's a heartbreaking perspective to the headlines so often consumed by verbs: bombings, attacks, sanctions — it's the ongoing situations, those interminable realities that get forgotten. Like these children in Iraq. They're part of a growing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who've been driven from their homes. These children are part of Shia families displaced due to Shia-Sunni warring sparked in 2006 when a famous Shia shrine was bombed north of Baghdad.

Though wars are most often fought in the headlines through the eyes of the warriors, like the news 650 cadets have graduated from Iraq's military academies, the seeming progress of that headline is lost when you consider that 82 percent of the displaced are women and children. I don't often wax emotional, but the idea of growing up like this, surrounded by chaos and devastation and powerless to change it — it's the definition of tragedy.

To see how many are affected, and how you can help,

More Money, Less Problems? Iraqi Officials Hand Out Cash

LibertySugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 03:00:41 -0700

Money can't buy me love, but can it buy peace? Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki wants to find out — he's passing out cash on the streets of Iraq. Iraqi officials can dole out up to $8,000, to each person only once, as a way to improve the national economy and morale. I guess your $600 surplus check isn't looking so generous now!

Usually getting smaller sums, under $1,000, most Iraqi recipients use the money to get medical care, or cope after a death in the family or job loss. American and Iraqi officials believe money and better conditions will ease extremism; but concerns about favoritism and corruption still remain.

Governments love giving out money these days! While American lawmakers reach for consumer spending (and their own approval) with stimulus cash (and $42 million of taxpayer money used to notify every American that the government might send them money), Iraq wants these funds to spark confidence, and signal upcoming massive oil-revenue investments in Iraq's basic services. Are you buying it?

Source

Give War Powers Back by Asking For Congress's Opinion?

LibertySugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0700

Adopting some wisdom from America's founding fathers, a bipartisan panel of former US officials concluded that the president should consult Congress before going to war. Congress last officially declared war, as called for in Article I of the Constitution, during World War II.

The National War Powers Commission, led by former secretaries of states James Baker III and Warren Christopher, proposed a law to require a congressional vote of approval or disapproval before the US engages in significant armed conflict for more than a week, except in cases of emergencies. The proposal pushes for cooperation and dialogue between the White House and Congress and imagines a Senate-House group that would assess the president's justification for war along with sensitive intelligence.

The Commission says it doesn't want to solve constitutional complexities; the Constitution holds that Congress declares war and controls funding, while the president is commander-in-chief. But the new law could reaffirm the notion that Congress is the president's war consultant, and not the other way around. Do you think this proposed revamping of war powers goes too far in tying the hands of the president? Or should Congress's unique ability to declare war be completely reasserted?

Source

Iraq: Electricity Production Up Over 10 Percent

CitizenSugar — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 09:55:59 -0700

Iraq: Electricity Production Up Over 10 Percent
Iraq's electricity production jumped more than 10 percent in roughly the first six months of 2008 compared to the same period a year ago, the director of energy operations for coalition forces said Sunday. Iraqi authorities have taken advantage of the recent decline in violence to repair damaged power stations and begin building new infrastructure, Brig. Carew Wilks said at a news conference in Baghdad's Green Zone.

What Motivates Female Suicide Bombers?

LibertySugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:00:13 -0700

Last week's terrorist bombing in Iraq, carried out by a woman, made many of you question the logic behind suicide bombings. While men are still far more likely to be suicide bombers than women, more and more women are ready to die and ready to kill. Male or female, the endgame is always the same, but what leads them to a crowded square with a bomb strapped on is not.

Time magazine tells the story of Hasna Maryi, a suicide bomber who found her calling after her brother died en route to his mission when a fellow jihadis's belt prematurely exploded. She was devastated: he would never be a martyr. His only path to salvation, she decided, was for her to complete his mission. Religion was not her motive (she hardly cracked the Koran growing up), but redemption was.

Hasna's story is not an anomaly. Research findings reported in Studies in Conflict and Terrorism found female suicide terrorists were more motivated by personal reasons and more likely to be recruited through peer influence, exploitation, and self-promotion than men, who found their fury in religion and nationalism and were recruited through religious persuasion.

In eJournal USA (as in paid for by the US government, just a disclosure . . .) the article "Women As Victims and Victimizers" examines the complicated question of why? To find out,