Libertynewsprint 8-26-09 Evening Edition

Internet News RecordLibertyNewsprint.com U.S. Edition25/08/09 - 26/08/09

Obama’s summer holiday no walk onthe beach

By Patricia Zengerle (Front Row Washington)

Submitted at 8/26/2009 11:30:14 AM

President Barack Obama beganhis summer vacation by sending aspecific message to the WhiteHouse press corps.”He wants you to relax and havea good time,” Deputy PressSecretary Bill Burton said as AirForce One carried the first familyto the Massachusetts island wherethey are spending a week-longholiday. “Take some walks on thebeaches. Nobody is looking tomake any news, so he’s hopingthat you guys can enjoy Martha’sVineyard while we’re there.”“I asked him if he had a messagefor the press corps, and that’swhat it is,” Burton said.Right.No president really leaves thenews behind when he takes timeoff, but Obama’s 7-day break would be a busy news week, evenif it ended now — justhalfwaythrough.On Monday, the Obamaadministration said it was settingup a new group to interrogateterrorism suspects in accordancewith established rules, to beoverseen by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, rather than theCentral Intelligence Agency. Hisattorney general, Eric Holder,named a special prosecutor toprobe CIA prisoner abuse cases.On Tuesday, Obama broke thenews perhaps most keenlyawaited by financial markets. Heannounced that he wouldnominate Ben Bernanke to asecond term as chairman of theFederal Reserve. The decision onwhether Obama would retain thecentral banker as the economystruggles to recover fromrecession had been widelyexpected, but not until later in theyear.And on Wednesday, Obamafaced the news of the death of hisfriend and former U.S. Senatecolleague, Ted Kennedy, issuingan overnight statement andmaking brief remarks at the farmwhere he is spending his vacation.The president has squeezed insome relaxation in between hisnews events. He has played golf twice, gone out to dinner, visitedwith friends and hit the beach atleast once. And his five-book reading list totals more than 2,300pages.And at least Obama has an easyanswer for critics who said heshouldn’t be taking a break withhis healthcare reform planstruggling, a stumbling economyand violence up in Iraq andAfghanistan.He hasn’t.Photo credits: U.S. PresidentBarack Obama watches his teeshot (Brian Snyder/Reuters)Obama watches as Bernankespeaks (Jason Reed/Reuters)Obama leaves the podium aftermaking a statement to the pressfollowing the death of U.S.Senator Ted Kennedy (JasonReed/Reuters)

Cash for Clunkers: the dayafter

By Ed Stoddard (Front Row Washington)

Submitted at 8/25/2009 2:37:25 PM

One of the most popularprograms brought in by theadministration of PresidentBarack Obama, “cash forclunkers”, which offered rebatesof up to $4,500 to trade in oldergas guzzlers, wrapped up onMonday.Some auto dealers areconcerned about the slow pace of reimbursements under theprogram and the low inventoriesthat have followed in its wake.(PHOTO: A clunker vehicle sitsin a parking lot during the last dayof the “Cash For Clunkers” autorebate program at CourtesyChevrolet dealership in Phoenix,Arizona, August 24, 2009.REUTERS/Joshua Lott)See the two video clips below.The first is of Cliff Johnson,president of Texas Motors Ford inFort Worth, talking about hisconcerns. The other is from hisnew vehicle director, JeremyPirotte, who talksaboutinventories.Government and industryofficials say they do not expectthe auto rebate programto berenewed in the immediate future,even though it has been popularwith consumers and is considereda genuine economic stimulus at atime when the nation is inrecession.

Calif. teen charged as adult in school bomb attack (AP)

(Yahoo! News: U.S. News)

Submitted at 8/26/2009 12:43:25 PM

Juliette buzzed up: Police:Brown's community service beingdetermined (AP)6 seconds ago 2009-08-26T12:55:47-07:00

2Internet News Record

How much power should the CIAhave?

By Tabassum Zakaria (Front Row Washington)

Submitted at 8/25/2009 2:33:38 PM

In the alphabet soupofgovernment national securityagencies,theletters CIA seem tobe sinking.The latest blow to the spyagency was the attorney generallaunching an investigationintointerrogation abuses andPresident Barack Obamahasdecided that the interrogation of terrorism suspects will betakenout of the hands of the CIA andput into the control of a newly-created group that will be housedat the FBI and report to the WhiteHouse.Some intelligence experts saythe CIA didn’t want to do the high-value detainee interrogationsanyway.Since the 9-11 attacks eightyears ago, the United States is stilltrying to figure out what balanceof power itwants inintelligence.The CIA is supposed to dig outsecrets to save the United Statesfrom national security disasters.In years past it was criticized forbeing too risk-averseand criticsof the investigation intointerrogation abuses sayitwillmake the spy agency too risk-averse again.The DNI (Director of NationalIntelligence), created after theSept. 11 attacks, tookover the jobof overseeing all the intelligenceagencies from the CIA director.This year there was abureaucratic skirmish between theDNI and the CIA director after theDNI put in writing that therecould be times when the DNI’srepresentative in foreign countrieswould be someone other than theCIA station chief.That dispute went to the WhiteHouse for mediation.ABCNews reported this week speculation that CIA DirectorLeon Panetta had threatened toquit,which the agencyvigorouslydenied. “The ABC story iswrong, inaccurate, bogus, andfalse,” CIA spokesman GeorgeLittle says.Some CIA watchers are bettingon a Panetta exit early next year.But then President Barack Obamawould have to convince someoneto take a job that seems to end upbeinga political punching bag.Should the CIA havemoreoversight, more control overits operations, or is the balance just right?Photo credit: Reuters/JasonReed (Obama and Panettawalking out of CIA headquarters)

Lionizing the Lion: tributes to Kennedy

By Tabassum Zakaria (Front Row Washington)

Submitted at 8/26/2009 11:26:55 AM

Tributes to Senator EdwardKennedy are pouring in after the77-year-old pillar of theDemocratic Party lost his battlewith brain cancer. A schedule of events to remember the “Lion” of the Senate will be posted onwww.tedkennedy.org asarrangements are finalized.Here are some of the tributesand lessons learned fromKennedy’s statesmanship.Crossing party lines: “TheKennedy name is synonymouswith the Democratic Party. Andat times, Ted was the target of partisan campaign attacks. But inthe United States Senate, I canthink of no one who engenderedgreater respect or affection frommembers of both sides of theaisle,” President Barack Obamasaid. “He could passionatelybattle others and do so peerlesslyon the Senate floor for the causethat he held dear, and yet stillmaintain warm friendships acrossparty lines.”Staying idealistic: “He and Iwere talking after his diagnosis.And I said, I think you’re the onlyother person I’ve met, who likeme, is more optimistic, moreenthusiastic, more idealistic, seesgreater possibilities after 36 yearsthan when we were elected. Hewas 30 years-old when he waselected; I was 29 years-old,” VicePresident Joe Biden said of hisformer Senate colleague.Inspiring others: “Every day Ilook at the portrait of his brotherRobert that hangs in my officeand I am reminded that theKennedy family has shown toAmerica, through its actions, theimportance of fighting for what isright even in the face of difficultodds,” Attorney General EricHolder said. “I would not be inthe office I now hold were it notfor their contributions andcommitment to our nation.”Keeping promises: “Many willrecall his convivial nature, hishumor, his thoughtfulness. Wewill praise as his greatest strengththe integrity of his word. When hemade a promise to you, he kept it,no matter what,” RepublicanSenator John McCain said.Click here for more Reuterspolitical coverage.Photo credit: Reuters/KevinLamarque (flag over U.S. Capitolflies at half staff for Kennedy)

Tropical Storm Danny FormsEast of Ba... - Voice of America

(Most Popular - Google News)

Submitted at 8/26/2009 11:52:37 AM

U.S. weather forecasters say anew tropical storm, named Danny,has formed in the Atlantic Oceaneast of the Bahamas and couldbecome stronger in the comingdays.The National Hurricane Centerin Miami said in a report issuedWednesday mid-day that Dannywas about 715 kilometers east of Nassau and 1,250 kilometerssouth-southeast of Cape Hatteras,North Carolina.The storm was moving towardthe northwest. It was expected todump as much as 10 centimetersof rain over the central andnorthwestern Bahamas. Heavyrains also were expected in theTurks and Caicos Islands.Danny is the fourth namedstorm of this year's Atlantichurricane season, which runs fromJune 1 through November 30.Separately, forecasters sayTropical Storm Ignacio hasweakened as it moves northwestfar out in the Pacific Ocean.Some information for this reportwas provided by AFP, AP andReuters.

Pitino: Sex scandal 'pure hell' for family (AP)

(Yahoo! News: U.S. News)

Submitted at 8/26/2009 12:41:08 PM

heidi1 buzzed up: HillaryClinton blubbers on about 'dearfriend' Kennedy1 second ago 2009-08-26T12:57:44-07:00

Politics/ Top News/

3Internet News Record

The First Draft: Kennedy dies ofcancer at 77

By Deborah Charles (Front Row Washington)

Submitted at 8/26/2009 5:00:57 AM

Focus in Washington turned tomemories of Edward Kennedy,the third longest serving U.S.senator, who died late Tuesdaynight after a 15-month battle withbrain cancer.Friends, former colleagues andpeople who never knew him wereoffering words of praise for themanwho took the helm of one of America’s most fabled politicalfamilies after two older brothers— President John Kennedy andSenator Robert Kennedy — wereassassinated.“An important chapter in ourhistory has come to an end,” saidPresident Barack Obama. “Ourcountry has lost a great leader,who picked up the torch of hisfallen brothers and became thegreatest United States senator of our time.”Kennedy was a staunchadvocate of healthcare reform —the signature issue of Obama’spresidency. His presenceonCapitol Hill, particularly overthe pastfew months during fiercedebate overObama’s costlyreform plan, was sorely missed.Kennedy was also a criticalsupporter of Obama’s during hispresidential candidacy and hisunexpected appearance at theDemocratic Convention last yearenergized the crowd even more ashe gave a rousing speech insupport of change and Obama.For the second day in a row,Obama is scheduled to interrupthis Martha’s Vineyard vacation tomake a statement to the media.This time, it’s expected to beabout Kennedy.For more Reuters political news,click here.Photo credit: REUTERS/JasonReed (Kennedy reacts afterObama signs Edward M. KennedyServe America Act in April)

Sen. Kennedy’s notable speeches

By Adam Pasick (Front Row Washington)

Submitted at 8/26/2009 5:46:19 AM

The death of Sen. EdwardKennedy prompted Politico tocompile a list of some of his bestand most notable speeches.Here is a selection, with videofound on YouTube:1968 Robert Kennedy eulogy:1980 concession speech at theDemocratic National Convention:1987 Robert Bork SupremeCourt confirmation hearing:2008 Endorsing Barack Obama:2008 Democratic Convention

Latam exports 'worst in 70 years'

(BBC News | Americas | World Edition)

Submitted at 8/26/2009 4:29:35 AM

Exports from Latin Americanand Caribbean nations are set toshow their steepest fall in morethan 70 years, the United Nationshas predicted.The region's exports areexpected to shrink in volume by11% in 2009, says the UNEconomic Commission for LatinAmerica and the Caribbean(Eclac).If the prediction provesaccurate, it will be the worst dropsince 1937."Policies to reactivate trade areurgently needed," said Eclacexecutive secretary AliciaBarcena.Imports are also expected to fallsharply, says Eclac. Thecommission predicts a decline of 14%, which would be the biggestreduction since 1982.Oil illsAccording to Eclac, LatinAmerica and the Caribbean arefeeling the impact of the globaleconomic crisis on four fronts:foreign direct investment,remittances from citizens abroad,commodity prices and trade.Worst hit have been countriesthat thrive on exportingcommodities, oil and minerals.Venezuela and Ecuador (whichare oil exporters), Colombia (oiland coal) and Bolivia (naturalgas) could see their exportsslashed by as much as 32.6% thisyear, Eclac says.In the first half of 2009, mineraland oil exports from the regionslumped by 50.7%, while exportsof manufactured and agriculturalproducts showed lesser falls of 23.9% and 17% respectively.The steepest fall was in exportsto the European Union (-36.3% intotal) and the US (-35.3%).Print Sponsor

Politics/ Top News/