Halliburton Contract Yanked
Wed Jul 12, 2006 at 07:08:05 AM PDT
The
Washington Post reports this morning that the US Army is ending it's sweetheart deal with Halliburton. Apparently the wasted (and misplaced) money combined with criticisms of war profiteering, non-competitive contracts and inept management have taken their toll.
It brings tears to my eyes...how about you?:
The Army is discontinuing a controversial multibillion-dollar deal with oil services giant Halliburton Co. to provide logistical support to U.S. troops worldwide, a decision that could cut deeply into the firm's dominance of government contracting in Iraq.
NYT: Avian flu may be spreading among humans
Fri Jun 16, 2006 at 04:12:04 AM PDT
Some disturbing news in an itty-bitty
York Times article today. Follow me to the other side for some key points:
Stock Market Tanking: DJIA down 214 points
Wed May 17, 2006 at 02:24:08 PM PDT
The administration's sole remaining claim to competence - that the economy is booming, as evidenced by stock market performance - was blown out the window today.
I'm not an economist or a financial guru, but I know there are lots of you out there who can add some words of wisdom. Apparently a sharp rise in this month's Consumer Price Index is responsible for today's tumble. In other words, inflation.
What are the factors that contributed to the, um, unexpected rise in the CPI?
Half of the increase in the core price index was because of rising shelter costs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said, with increases in the cost of apparel, medical care and education also contributing.
In words that are so very familiar, "who could ever have anticipated that??"
Big Tampa News: Sami Al-Arian Acquitted on 8 of 17 Counts
Tue Dec 06, 2005 at 01:36:35 PM PDT
And the jury deadlocked on the remaining counts.
This is big news.
Please see my earlier diary for the saga of Al-Arian's harrassment by the FBI and Justice Department.
It is significant that he was acquitted on the KEY CHARGE that he helped lead a Palestinian terrorist group. Al-Arian was supposed to be the poster boy for how the USA Patriot Act will help nail terrorists. Even with the latitude provided, and a crazy trial, the prosecution wasn't able to make the case. As the AP reports, "His indictment in 2003 was hailed by then-Attorney General John Ashcroft as one of the first triumphs of the Patriot Act, which was enacted in the weeks after Sept. 11."
Justice Denied in Tampa: Trial of Dr. Sami Al-Arian
Sun Nov 06, 2005 at 05:10:53 AM PDT
Human rights and legal precedent are at stake this week in Tampa.
Monday marks the beginning of the end of the Dr. Sami Al-Arian trial, described by human rights activists as a travesty. That's when closing arguments will begin in the trial of Dr. Al-Arian, former University of South Florida professor, and three co-defendants, accused of conspiring to raise money for Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Defense attorneys say the funds went for charity in the occupied territories.
Meet me on the other side.
St Pete Times: "The American people have been had"
Sun Jun 12, 2005 at 05:00:09 AM PDT
This gives me hope - maybe the tide is turning, the tipping point is upon us, corporate media are re-thinking their complicit role in the whole mess.
Granted, the SPTimes has a liberal reputation, but even the so-called "liberal" print media have buried or ignored this story as old news.
Philip Gailey, Editor of Editorials, sticks it squarely to the Bush administration in his weekly column.
No equivocating here:
Seven months before the "shock and awe" bombing began in Baghdad, the Bush administration was bending intelligence to suit its purpose, which was to go to war come hell or high water.
Who says so? The head of British foreign intelligence, that's who.
Here's the kicker:
Some will ask: What's the point of bringing up the Downing Street memo now, two years after the invasion and at a time when terrorist suicide bombers are making life hell not only for U.S. troops but the Iraqi people? The point is this: President Bush didn't level with the American people before going to war. And he still hasn't.
Read the entire column.
And send him an attaboy.
A challenge from a Republican Congressman (Texas!)
Wed Jan 26, 2005 at 12:01:42 PM PDT
I just finished listening to Ron Paul (R-TX) on CSPAN. He was on the floor of Congress challenging this administration's foreign policies.
Here's a sample: "The arrogance of some politicians, regulators, and diplomats actually causes them to become even more aggressive and more determined to prove themselves right, to prove their power is not to be messed with by never admitting a mistake. Truly, power corrupts!"
Here is a link. to a provocative - and damning - critique of Bushco's policy decisions and actions.
I know nothing about this guy - maybe he's a crackpot! - but a lot of this sure made sense.
Could the tide be turning?
