Archive for June 24th, 2009
-
Obama administration rescinds July Fourth invite to Iranians
The Obama administration has decided to rescind invitations to Iranian diplomats for July Fourth celebrations overseas because of violent crackdowns against protesters in Iran, the White House said Wednesday.
-
Health care battle intensifies for Obama, Congress
The struggle over health care reform reached a fever pitch Wednesday as sharp partisan lines were drawn over the politically explosive question of a possible government-funded public plan competing with private insurers’ plans.
-
US discounts Iraq withdrawal risk despite attacks (AP)
AP – The Obama administration has concluded the risk of a security collapse in Iraq is too slight to slow plans for withdrawing U.S. troops. In the run-up to June 30, the deadline for U.S. combat troops to leave Iraqi cities, the nation has been rocked by big attacks, including a bombing Wednesday evening in the Sadr City district of Baghdad that killed more than 50. -
Lawmakers urge Obama to drop transportation plan (AP)
AP – Forty-three House Democrats urged President Barack Obama on Wednesday to drop a plan they say will delay an increase in aid to highway and transit projects.
-
Sanford saga adds to GOP woes (Politico)
Politico – Gov. Mark Sanford a week ago: an intelligent, handsome, well-spoken conservative who does not work in Washington, exactly the kind of politician who might have something interesting to add to a potential Republican revival.
-
US intel: Al-Qaida activity plunges in Iraq (AP)
AP – The number of al-Qaida extremists in Iraq has plummeted and their ability to maintain a high-level of attacks has been eroded, U.S. intelligence suggests. -
Attorney general wants review of cocaine sentences (AP)
AP – Attorney General Eric Holder sought support Wednesday for erasing the gap in prison sentences for crack and powder cocaine crimes, a disparity that hits black defendants the hardest. -
US safety board urges changes, can’t require them (AP)
AP – Has the National Transportation Safety Board become the government’s “I-told-you-so” agency? -
Obama signs bill funding wars (AP)
AP – President Barack Obama has signed into law a measure keeping the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan from running out of money. -
What was Gov. Sanford thinking?
To visit his lover in Argentina, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford slipped his security detail, lied to his staff about his whereabouts and neglected to transfer executive power to the lieutenant governor.
