T-Faz
RETIRED MOD
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2010
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A resurgent Iraqi Taliban is neutering the American effort to win over militants and would-be fighters in Marja, where money meant to win over residents is ending up in the hands of anti-Western forces, The Timess Richard Oppel reported from Baghdad.
Assassins wearing uniforms and brandishing weapons similar to those used by American troops killed 25 people Friday in a village south of Baghdad. The Timess Muhammed Al-Obaidi and Timothy Williams reported that most of the 19 male victims were members of Iraqi security forces or of Awakening Councils, which now partner with American forces and are employed by the Iraqi government to protect Sunni neighborhoods but which Al Qaeda labels as traitors.
Strike Two The Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, lashed out for the second time in three days against the United States, accusing the Obama administration of meddling in his countrys affairs and handing the Taliban legitimacy, The Wall Street Journal reported.
People in the meeting with Mr. Karzai, who spoke privately with Afghan lawmakers, said the remarks came as Mr. Karzai was rebuking lawmakers for overruling his decree to take over the Electoral Complaints Commission from the United Nations.
Mr. Karzai had sought to wrest control of the commission from foreign governments ahead of Afghanistans September parliamentary elections. The upper house of the Afghan parliament backed the decree Saturday, according to The Washington Post, which also tallied the foreign troop count at 120,000.
The Timess Janie Lorber examined a new federal program that allows prison inmates to train service dogs for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. At $20,000 a dog, the program is a rare experimental endeavor by the military. However, the veterans involved and their doctors reported drastic reductions in P.T.S.D. symptoms and in reliance on medication after receiving a service dog.
Chinas Money Lawmakers hoping the White House would soon denounce China for devaluing the countrys money have to wait a little longer for a decision from the Obama administration, The Timess Sewell Chan reported. Timothy Geithner, the Treasury secretary, delayed a report due to Congress on April 15, apparently to show that the administration prefers to resolve the dispute diplomatically, rather than force a showdown, and to press China to change its monetary policy.
Mr. Geithner, who made clear that the administration believed China was intentionally undervaluing its yuan, promised to bring up the issues at a series of meetings throughout the spring and early summer.
The Chinese premier, Hu Jintao, is expected to attend a nuclear security summit later this month in Washington.
Three Days Notice An anti-government group sent around 30 governors something akin to pink slips last week. According to The Washington Post, the group, Guardians of the Free Republic, demanded that the governors resign within three days or face removal from office.
Although the group has not threatened to use violence its stated goal is the peaceful dismantling of parts of government some states stepped up security after governors received the letters.
Law enforcement officials said they expect all 50 governors to receive the letters.
Salazars Old Seat The Washington Post describes how a decision to challenge Michael Bennett for the Senate seat vacated by Ken Salazar, now the interior secretary, has turned Andrew Romanoff from a rising star among Democrats into an unwelcome party guest.
Outward Bound Retirement is heavy on the mind of Justice John Paul Stevens, who is considering leaving the Supreme Court after almost 35 years, The Timess Adam Liptak wrote in a profile of the justice. Justice Stevens set off speculation about a possible retirement when he hired one law clerk instead of the usual four last September for this falls term. He said hes weighing the pros and cons of his possible departure, and hell announce his decision very soon.
A vacancy on the Supreme Court could lead to another summer confirmation battle between the administration and Republicans, who have let nary an Obama nominee through with ease. Last summer, it was Justice Sonia Sotomayors nomination.
The Sunday Word: Resurgent Taliban - The Caucus Blog - NYTimes.com
Just read the first two paragraphs and you will either cry or laugh. Also read the comments from people who are amazed at the level of expertise shown by Ashley Southall.
Assassins wearing uniforms and brandishing weapons similar to those used by American troops killed 25 people Friday in a village south of Baghdad. The Timess Muhammed Al-Obaidi and Timothy Williams reported that most of the 19 male victims were members of Iraqi security forces or of Awakening Councils, which now partner with American forces and are employed by the Iraqi government to protect Sunni neighborhoods but which Al Qaeda labels as traitors.
Strike Two The Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, lashed out for the second time in three days against the United States, accusing the Obama administration of meddling in his countrys affairs and handing the Taliban legitimacy, The Wall Street Journal reported.
People in the meeting with Mr. Karzai, who spoke privately with Afghan lawmakers, said the remarks came as Mr. Karzai was rebuking lawmakers for overruling his decree to take over the Electoral Complaints Commission from the United Nations.
Mr. Karzai had sought to wrest control of the commission from foreign governments ahead of Afghanistans September parliamentary elections. The upper house of the Afghan parliament backed the decree Saturday, according to The Washington Post, which also tallied the foreign troop count at 120,000.
The Timess Janie Lorber examined a new federal program that allows prison inmates to train service dogs for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. At $20,000 a dog, the program is a rare experimental endeavor by the military. However, the veterans involved and their doctors reported drastic reductions in P.T.S.D. symptoms and in reliance on medication after receiving a service dog.
Chinas Money Lawmakers hoping the White House would soon denounce China for devaluing the countrys money have to wait a little longer for a decision from the Obama administration, The Timess Sewell Chan reported. Timothy Geithner, the Treasury secretary, delayed a report due to Congress on April 15, apparently to show that the administration prefers to resolve the dispute diplomatically, rather than force a showdown, and to press China to change its monetary policy.
Mr. Geithner, who made clear that the administration believed China was intentionally undervaluing its yuan, promised to bring up the issues at a series of meetings throughout the spring and early summer.
The Chinese premier, Hu Jintao, is expected to attend a nuclear security summit later this month in Washington.
Three Days Notice An anti-government group sent around 30 governors something akin to pink slips last week. According to The Washington Post, the group, Guardians of the Free Republic, demanded that the governors resign within three days or face removal from office.
Although the group has not threatened to use violence its stated goal is the peaceful dismantling of parts of government some states stepped up security after governors received the letters.
Law enforcement officials said they expect all 50 governors to receive the letters.
Salazars Old Seat The Washington Post describes how a decision to challenge Michael Bennett for the Senate seat vacated by Ken Salazar, now the interior secretary, has turned Andrew Romanoff from a rising star among Democrats into an unwelcome party guest.
Outward Bound Retirement is heavy on the mind of Justice John Paul Stevens, who is considering leaving the Supreme Court after almost 35 years, The Timess Adam Liptak wrote in a profile of the justice. Justice Stevens set off speculation about a possible retirement when he hired one law clerk instead of the usual four last September for this falls term. He said hes weighing the pros and cons of his possible departure, and hell announce his decision very soon.
A vacancy on the Supreme Court could lead to another summer confirmation battle between the administration and Republicans, who have let nary an Obama nominee through with ease. Last summer, it was Justice Sonia Sotomayors nomination.
The Sunday Word: Resurgent Taliban - The Caucus Blog - NYTimes.com
Just read the first two paragraphs and you will either cry or laugh. Also read the comments from people who are amazed at the level of expertise shown by Ashley Southall.
