Your Click and Print NewspaperLibertyNewsprint.com OC Edition27/02/08 - 28/02/08
Bush to Congress: Get a Move On
By Liza Porteus Viana (Political Machine)
Submitted at 2/28/2008 3:28:00 AM
Filed under: President Bush, Senate, House,Democrats, Republicans, Iraq, Economy,TerrorPresident Bush this morning calledon Congress to put some grease to thewheels and get moving on several keylegislative items, including: funding thewar in Iraq, passing a bill that would helphomeowners avoid foreclosure amid thesubprime fallout and passing a surveillancebill shielding telecommunicationscompanies from class-action lawsuitsstemming from post-Sept. 11, 2001,eavesdropping."Allowing these lawsuits to proceed wouldbe unfair," Bush said. "If any of thesecompanies helped us, they did so afterbeing told by our government" theirassistance was legal. Allowing these firmsto be sued could "aid our enemies" and leadto disclosure of surveillance methods "andwould give Al Qaeda and others a roadmapas to how to avoid surveillance," thepresident continued, periodically jabbinghis finger for emphasis.This "is not a partisan issue," he stressed,later saying that the trial lawyers suing thecompanies, who would benefit fromDemocrats' opposition from a liabilityshield, are on a "financial gravy train."There's a wiretapping showdown going onnow. A temporary Foreign IntelligenceSurveillance Act recently expired. Bushand the GOP want it swiftly renewed withtelecom protections but House leadershipisn't too keen on that provision."If House leaders would only stop blockingan up or down vote and let the majority inthe House prevail," Bush said, noting thatthere are enough House votes to pass thebill. "The law expired, the threat toAmerica has not expired ... How can youlisten to the enemy if the phone companiesaren't going to participate with you?"The Washington Post reported today thatRepublicans are hoping the surveillanceissue will be a good one to hammerDemocrats on this election year, and arehoning in on the message that Americansare more at risk because of the standoff.Bush also talked about how he liked to hug.Yes, hug. Other issues after the jump...OnIraq:The Senate Wednesday continued todebate a bill that would begin pulling outtroops from Iraq within 120 days. Bushspanked war opponents on Capital Hill whohe said are trying to "cut off funding" and"tie the hands of our commanders in Iraq,"particularly when signs show the surge isworking.Bush: "See, no matter what happens inIraq, our oppoents have one answer:Retreat." If we folllowed their advise, we'dbe more at risk at home and Iraq would bemore dangerous.On home owners:Congress also needs to help homeownerswho can't pay their mortgages avoidforeclosure. The Senate is debatinglegislation now, some of which wouldchange the U.S. bankruptcy code, that thepresident says would prolong market'srecovery, lead to higher interest rates. It's"unfair" to home owners and future buyers.On the economy:With GDP barely growing in 2007, Bushsaid: "There's no question the economyslowed down ... I don't think we're headedtoward a recession." Some experts say arecession is in fact in our future, if it's nothere already. The economic stimuluspackage Bush signed into law month offersrebates and tax incentives to businesses,which should be going out the second week of May. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke toldCongress today he doesn't expect dreadedstagflation.On Russia:Russian President Vladimir Putin'sassumed successor, Dmitry Medvedev(election is Sunday), is largely an unknown.Bush was asked what he knew aboutMedvedev, particularly given the fact hemay have misjudged what kind of allyPutin would be. Bush acknowledged he andPutin had some "diplomatic head butts,"and said he doesn't know much at all aboutMedvedev. Let's see who represents Russiaat the G8 summit in Japan later this year.On NAFTA:"This agreement has meant prosperity onboth sides of our borders - north andsouth." Bush said of NAFTA, adding thatmore markets are needed to exportAmerican goods. He also warned Congressto carefully the consequences of rejectingColombia free trade agreement. Rejecting itwould, among other things, encourage"false populism" and "undermine thestanding of courageous leaders likePresident Uribe," Bush said. (You can readmore info on this agreement fro the WhiteHouse here.)On energy:"We need to be finding more oil and gas athome" before becoming more dependent onoverseas energy sources. Bush also saidAmerica needs to build more oil refineries.Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs |Comments
McCain'sTennesseeWaltz
By Faye Anderson (Political Machine)
Submitted at 2/27/2008 2:58:00 PM
Filed under: RepublicansThere they goagain. A day after John McCain rebukedconservative radio talk show host BillCunningham for using Barack Obama's fullname, McCain is taking the TennesseeRepublican Party to the woodshed. Theparty issued a press release that includedthe photo of Obama dressed in traditionalAfrican garb and used his full name underthe headline "Anti-Semites for Obama."Tennessee GOP chairman Robin Smithclaims he merely wants to "set the recordstraight about Barack Obama and where hereally stands on vital issues such as nationalsecurity and the security of Israel."WhileCunningham told McCain to stick it, therenewed call for civility wasn't totallyignored.The Tennessee GOP has since deleted thephoto and Obama's full name from therelease saying: "Also, in order to diffuseattempts by Democrats and the Left todivert attention from the main point of thisrelease - that Sen. Obama has surroundedhimself with advisers and receivedendorsements from people who are anti-Semitic and anti-Israel - we have deletedthe use of Barack Obama's middle name."Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs |Comments
Philips and Lite-On push out external Blu-ray drive
By Ryan Block (Engadget)
Submitted at 2/28/2008 12:24:00 AM
Yeah, just another Blu-ray drive for yourperusal: this one, called the DX-4O1S,reads at 4x, and will be the first by Philipsand Lite-On Digital Solutions, that jointventure formed formed about a year ago.Exciting stuff, this; due out next quarter.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Bloomberg Closes the Door on Indy Run
By Tommy Christopher (Political Machine)
Submitted at 2/27/2008 3:16:00 PM
Filed under: Republicans, Breaking News,2008 President, Michael BloombergIn aNew York Times op-ed piece running intomorrow's paper, but online now, popularNew York Mayor Michael Bloombergannounces he will not run for President in2008:I believe that an independentapproach to these issues is essential togoverning our nation - and that anindependent can win the presidency. Ilistened carefully to those who encouragedme to run, but I am not - and will not be - acandidate for president. I have watched thiscampaign unfold, and I am hopeful that thecurrent campaigns can rise to the challengeby offering truly independent leadership.The most productive role that I can serve isto push them forward, by using the meansat my disposal to promote a real and honestdebate. Bloomberg goes on to hint at whomhe might endorse:If a candidate takes anindependent, nonpartisan approach - andembraces practical solutions that challengeparty orthodoxy - I'll join others in helpingthat candidate win the White House. Of thethree remaining candidates, John McCainand Barack Obama enjoy the widestsupport across the political spectrum, but itseems unlikely that McCain will buck "party orthodoxy" after he's spent thisentire primary campaign trying to convincevoters that he is a "true conservative."A Bloomberg endorsement would be agreat feather for Barack or McCain, as bothare courting the same independents andparty moderates in their respective bids forthe White House. It will be interesting ti seeif a "Bloomberg Effect" emerges in the waythat the "Edwards Effext" did following hisexit from the Democratic Primary race.Bloomberg lays out his recipe for non-partisan success: WATCHING the 2008presidential campaign, you sometimes getthe feeling that the candidates - smart, all of them - must know better. They must knowwe can't fix our economy and create jobs byisolating America from global trade. Theymust know that we can't fix ourimmigration problems with border securityalone. They must know that we can't fix ourschools without holding teachers, principalsand parents accountable for results. Theymust know that fighting global warming isnot a costless challenge. And they mustknow that we can't keep illegal guns out of the hands of criminals unless we crack down on the black market for them. Whilehe throws a little boilerplate from eachparty in there, I think he "must knowbetter." His own poll, released today, showsthat McCain's party is starving for some redmeat, while Obama already has moderatepositions on trade and education. I don't seeMcCain contorting himself too much tograb the brass Bloomberg ring, shaking hisparty's base off of the carousel in theprocess.Tommy LinksTommy Christopher Uncut l TomMySpacel TommYoutubePermalink | Email this | Linking Blogs |Comments
Agreement on AIDS Program Renewal Reached
By Mark Impomeni (Political Machine)
Submitted at 2/28/2008 12:00:00 AM
Filed under: President Bush, BushAdministrationThe Bush Administrationand the Democratic leadership in Congressreached agreement yesterday on an renewaland expansion of the President'sEmergency Program for AIDS Relief, orPEPFAR. In his State of the Union Addresslast month, the president called for theprogram's funding level to be doubled fromthe $15 billion provided to AIDS relief programs in sub-Saharan Africa to $30billion.Democrats in Congress had pushed forchanges to the program, specifically itsrequirements that one-third of the money isspent on abstinence programs and that allorganizations receiving funding under theprogram adopt policies against "prostitutionand human trafficking." Democrats also feltthat the proposed $30 billion funding levelwas too low. On his African trip last week,the president called on Congress to renewthe program with no changes. "I would ask Congress to listen to leaders on thecontinent of Africa, analyze what works,stop the squabbling and get the programreauthorized," he said. The agreement willmore than triple the size of the program, to$50 billion, and will make slight changes inemphasis on abstinence programs, butcontains no other major changes.In addition to the funding increase, therenewed PEPFAR will include $9 billionfor fighting malaria and tuberculosis,supplement food purchases for victims of AIDS, and provide support for womenvictims and widows of the disease. Inexchange for the increase in funding,Democrats backed off demands that therenewed program allow funding for"reproductive health" programs, a termusually applied to programs that provideabortions. The program will allow fundingfor AIDS testing and treatment atreproductive health centers, but prohibitsPEPFAR monies from being used forcontraception or abortions.In the area of abstinence, a controversialmethod of AIDS prevention, the newprogram allows countries and organizationsreceiving PEPFAR funds to spend less than50% of the funds on abstinence education,however, that must be justified to Congressby the director of the program.The PEPFAR program is considered by theBush Administration as one of its signatureaccomplishments. Tanzania PresidentJakaya Kikwete praised the president forthe program and the Administration'sefforts in Africa saying, "we know for surethat you, Mr. President, and youradministration, have been good friends of our country and have been good friends of Africa." The agreement on renewing theprogram is the first major legacy item thatthe Bush Administration has been able topush through Congress. Others, like arenewal of the Foreign IntelligenceSurveillance Act, are now up for debate.Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs |Comments
Leave MikeHuckabee Alone!
By Denise Williams (Political Machine)
Submitted at 2/27/2008 12:37:00 PM
Filed under: Mike Huckabee, Humor, ViralVideoLewis Black has new 1/2 hour showstarting on Comedy Central starting March12 (10:30 pm ET) which will absolutelygive me a reason to turn off AndersonCooper a 1/2 hour earlier, thank you verymuch!CC has released this little tidbit teaser forthe show which you may have seen already.I wanted to get it up sooner, but I was tiedup with all that primary and debate crap. If you're not familiar with Black's work,here's a little taste. And it very muchreflects the way I feel.Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs |Comments
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Ann Richards' Family Split Over ClintonAd
By Denise Williams (Political Machine)
Submitted at 2/28/2008 12:31:00 AM
Filed under: Hillary Clinton, Endorsements,Ads, Featured Stories, 2008 PresidentFormer Texas Governor Ann Richards'family is not in full agreement with thepremise of a Clinton internet ad. The spothypothetically assumes the late Governor'sendorsement and, in the process, targetsClinton's core constituency in the Lone Starstate. Richards, who died in 2006, isfeatured prominently in the ad. It is, in away, a moving tribute to one of the womenthat inspired me in my life.Richards' youngest daughter Ellenapproved the ad saying, "I believe that if my mom were alive today that she wouldbe stumping across Texas and around thecountry supporting Hillary for president".However, the late Richards' sons, Dan andClark, disagree.From the Associated Pressreport:As her children, we never presumed toknow her mind when alive and we are notprepared to make a claim as to who shewould endorse or what she would do if shewere still with us," they wrote in an e-maillast week. "We are not granting permissionfor her name to be used in advertisementson behalf of either candidate."The e-mail, provided to The AssociatedPress by Dan Richards, was sent to CathyBonner, a friend of their mother's andmember of Richards' administration.Bonner is working with Clinton's campaignand sent Dan and Clark Richards an earlycopy of the video on Feb. 19 "to make sureyou are okay with it.Dan Richards said in an interview Tuesdaythat they denied permission and he's angrythe campaign published the video anyway.He said the campaign contacted him againlast Friday to ask him to reconsider, and herepeated his objections."They asked me if I would sue thecampaign, and I said no, I wasn't in thebusiness of suing the campaign, but I didn'tthink they should do it," he said in atelephone interview. "To try to present whoshe would endorse a year and a half aftershe died is offensive to me."A fourth child, Cecile, had not responded toa request for comment as of Tuesday. In apartial response to the Richards' son'sobjections, the Clinton campaign didremove any images of the family.I wonder what Molly Ivins would think...Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs |Comments
White House E-Mails Gonefor Good
By Mark Impomeni (Political Machine)
Submitted at 2/27/2008 12:30:00 PM
Filed under: Bush Administration,InvestigationsThe Republican NationalCommittee informed a House investigativecommittee yesterday that it not longerplanned to retrieve lost White House e-mails. The RNC had previously told theHouse Committee on Government Reformand Oversight that it was attempting tolocate e-mail records from the 2001-2003time period by restoring computer backuptapes. Prior to 2004, the RNC had a policyof deleting e-mails from all of its accountsafter 30 days. This policy extended toWhite House officials who held RNC e-mail accounts.Democrats have been investigating whetherBush Administration officials compliedwith Federal record keeping requirements.They allege that top White House officials,like former political director Karl Rove,used the RNC e-mail accounts to sendsensitive communications that theAdministration did not want preserved. TheWhite House has admitted that Rove andothers used the RNC accounts to conductroutine government business, but contendsthat the missing communications containnothing improper.Committee Chairman Rep. Henry Waxman(D-CA) said that the reversal of course bythe RNC could have serious consequences."The result is a potentially enormous gap inthe historical record," he said. The rankingRepublican on the committee, Rep. TomDavis (R-VA), dismissed the controversyas a partisan fishing expedition. He saidthat the committee's hearing into the matterwas "less about preserving records andmore about resurrecting the spurious claimthat the White House 'lost millions of official e-mails.'" Meanwhile, the WhiteHouse said that despite the RNC's decision,it is still trying to get to the bottom of themissing communications. ""We are veryenergized about getting to the bottom of this," said Theresa Payton, chief information officer at the Office of Administration.The issue of missing White House e-mailsfirst came to light during the CIA leak investigation. Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald revealed in 2006 that someinformation relevant to the investigationmight not be available because of an"archiving problem" at the White House.Missing e-mails were also an issue duringthe investigation of the firing of eight U.S.Attorneys last spring. That investigationrevealed the existence of the separate non-government e-mail accounts that were usedby White House officials.Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs |Comments
Anti-Hillary Media Bias Proven!
By Denise Williams (Political Machine)
Submitted at 2/28/2008 3:21:00 AM
Filed under: Hillary Clinton, 2008President, Humor, Viral VideoIn case there was any doubt, the media biasagainst Hillary Clinton is in full gear andhas been for some time. Rather thanspending time researching boring and drymedia think tanks like I should have, Ifound my answer on my late-night tvscreen. Hillary fans, please now accept myformal apology for doubting you all theseweeks.Reporting from the Anti-Hillary War Roomat the Paul Jones Convention Center is TheDaily Show's own Samantha Bee:Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs |Comments
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