It appears that the number of wounded soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan is much higher than reported by the U.S. military. The official toll is 30,327. Continue reading “Military Failed to Disclose 20,000 Wounded”
Category: Congress
In a vintage moment for the Bush Administration, controversial U.S. Attorney Rachel Paulose was promoted to a position in Washington in the wake of widespread allegations of abuse and incompetence. The move is expected to assist GOP Sen. Norm Coleman who was behind the nomination of Paulose despite her lack of experience. Continue reading “Controversial U.S. Attorney Rachel Paulose Removed From Minnesota Post — Promoted in the Wake of Alleged Incompetence and Abuses”
John Ashcroft’s former aide has stated that he just doesn’t see what all the fuss is about after the U.S. Attorney gave Ashcroft’s firm a grotesque $52 Million contract to monitor a settlement. Continue reading “Former Ashcroft Aide: “Just Doesn’t See the Issue” in His Giving Ashcroft’s Firm a $52 Million Contract”
As U.S. Parks face cut back and no significant expansion of forested areas, Canada has set aside 25.5 million acres of land in the north for use as two new conservation areas — the equivalent to 11 Yellowstone National Parks. Continue reading “Canada Adds “11 Yellowstones” to its Park System as Over-Taxed U.S. Parks Face Cuts”
Despite the right of media access to commission proceedings under the Military Commissions Act, the Administration has barred press from the current trials in Cuba. Continue reading “The Bush Administration Shuts Out the Public From Seeing “Justice” Being Done in Cuba”
In the expanding wreck called the Jefferson prosecution, the Justice Department is still reeling from its loss before the D.C. Circuit over its 2005 raid on the congressional office of Rep. William Jefferson. Continue reading “Justice May Appeal Jefferson Ruling to Supreme Court: Ruling Could Undermine Other Corruption Cases”
In what should be viewed as an open outrage, U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie has announced that his office had awarded a windfall contract of $52 million to the firm of his former boss, John Ashcroft. The contract is highly unusual on a number of points — and should be the subject of a congressional investigation. Continue reading “John Ashcroft’s Firm Given $52 Million Contract for 18 Months of Work — By His Former Subordinate”
When Megan Meier logged on to MySpace a little over a year ago, she was seeking a new start with new friends. She’d had some hard times: She considered herself overweight, had been bullied in school and had low self-esteem. Continue reading “How To Punish A Cyber Bully”
The use of dormant memories in the Blackmon case has prompted links to Elizabeth Morgan controversy, below is a prior column on the issue. There are some significant differences however, particularly given the intervention of Congress into the family dispute. Continue reading “Elizabeth Morgan Act and Legislating Family Values”
The use of a fake MySpace identity by adult neighbors to trick and then crush a young girl (who later committed suicide) has outraged Americans. One possible charge would involve a controversial new law barring internet abuse — a law that is ripe for challenge. Continue reading “Megan Meier Case: A Test Case for the Crime of Internet Annoyance?”
The government has detailed two new corruption allegations against Rep. William J. Jefferson. Continue reading “New Allegations Surface Against Rep. William J. Jefferson”
A nobel-winning panel issued a report that global change is now so “severe and so sweeping that only urgent, global action” can prevent global disaster. Continue reading “Nobel-Winning Panel Calls for Urgent Action on Global Warming to Avoid Disaster”
President Bush’s nominee for the Fourth Circuit is in trouble. E. Duncan Getchell, Jr. is being sued for defamation stemming from an appeal dismissed for malpractice. Continue reading “Bush Nominee for the Fourth Circuit — Duncan Getchell, Jr. — Sued for Defamation”
In yet another failure of an appellate court to check the excessive use of the military and state secrets privilege, the Ninth Circuit has ruled that Al-Haramain cannot use a critical piece of evidence that was inadvertently disclosed to it — evidence showing potentially serious violations by the government. Continue reading “Ninth Circuit Rules Against the Plaintiffs in Al-Haramain Case”
The Democratic plan for improving civil liberties protections in national security surveillance programs has been criticized as facially weak, but it appears too much protection for Michael Mukasey. Continue reading “Mukasey Starts Service as AG By Opposing Civil Liberties Reforms in Surveillance”