Sunday, November 30, 2008

Was Robert Gates Involved in the Iran-Contra Scandal?

The current Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, had a very long career in government. He served as Director of the CIA, and had a tricky confirmation hearing in 1991, because of serious allegations of involvement in the Iran-Contra affair. Is it a wise choice for President-elect Obama to keep him as Secretary of Defense?

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AP/NPR: India Claims Mumbai Gunman tied to Pakistani Group.

India just claims that a Mumbai's gunman had tied to a Pakistani group. The rhetoric is going to get ugly between India & Pakistan. Could some " rogue" elements of the Pakistani intelligence ISI be somehow involved?

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Saxby Chambliss Shows His Feelings on Press Freedom

Woodstock, GA Sheriff Instructs Deputies To Remove Tracker (merely videotaping for the Democratic Party) From Public Saxby Chambliss Rally

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Reuters: Iraqi Court Orders U.S. to Free Journalist.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - An Iraqi court on Sunday ordered the release of a freelance photographer working for Reuters news agency who has been held by U.S. forces since early September. The Iraqi Central Criminal Court ruled there was no evidence against...

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Liberals & Progressives to Keep Pressure on Obama:

Progressives & Liberals Democrats are not very happy with some of Obama's Cabinet decisions. Mainly on the issues of foreign policies and defense, with Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State and of course the decision to keep Bush's appointee Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense. Is Obama alienating the left by wanting to govern in the center?

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AP/NPR-Official: Obama set to introduce Clinton Monday

Clinton lawyers are vetting her for secretary of state.President-elect Obama is scheduled to make the official announcement on Monday

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India and Pakistan and the aftermath of Mumbai.

If India & Pakistan do not investigate together the tragedy of the Mumbai attacks, it could damage the recent progress made in the relationship between the two former enemies. Re-starting an open conflict between India & Pakistan was likely the motivation of the terrorist attack.

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Saturday, November 29, 2008

The Right Brain vs Left Brain Test

Do you see the dancer turning clockwise or anti-clockwise? If clockwise, then you use more of the right side of the brain and vice versa. Most would see the dancer turning anti-clockwise though you can try to focus and change the direction; see if you can do it.

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Mumbai Attacks:India's 9/11?

The attacks left more than 200 people dead. In India, a lot of fingers are pointing at Pakistan. Could this tragedy re-triggered an open conflict between India & Pakistan?

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Bush's "Crystal Night":How Bush Hijacked Our Democracy.

This is how he did it, this executive order was signed on March 25, 2003. It concerned the matter of " classified information " and its definition. It basically, gave the Bush administration complete control on what level of secrecy they could apply to any information pertaining to " National Security". Secrecy became Bush's trade mark.

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Few Options For Obama In War On Al-Qaida

President-elect Barack Obama has charged that the Bush administration "took its eyes off the ball," allowing Osama bin Laden to escape and al-Qaida to regroup. But recently, the Bush administration has intensified its efforts to go after al-Qaida.

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Friday, November 28, 2008

Robert Scheer & Jon Alpert - The Price of Truth

Jon Alpert traveled to Iraq in 1991 to document the war. Hours before his footage was to air on NBC, the network canceled its broadcast and fired him. In this Link TV interview, Robert Scheer discusses the firing and we air the controversial film.

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Robert Scheer:Bush's Legacy of Failure

Robert Scheer is an author,a journalist and the co-host ( with Ariana Huffington) of the radio show" Left, Right & Center" on KCRW in Los Angeles. This is one of the best piece of intense and astute dissections of the " Decider"'s deeds. George W.Bush is so delusional that he is absolutely convinced that, eventually, history will prove him right.

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THE GREAT SHAME: Bush's legacy is our failure

FTA: I, too, am glad—elated, really—that Bush’s absurd, colossally tragic reign is nearing an end. But that doesn’t change the fact that we failed. We all failed. Congress failed, the courts failed, and the American people failed.

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Economy Meltdown-Paul Krugman:" Lest we forget".

Paul Krugman was at a meeting with other economists a while back, and one of them asked: " Why didn't we see this coming?" ( talking about the financial meltdown). Well Paul Krugman saw it coming a long time ago...and this why.

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Thousands of Iraqis Protest U.S. Security Pact

By Wisam Mohammed BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A suicide bomber killed 12 people in an Iraqi mosque on Friday while thousands of followers of anti-American Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr demonstrated in Baghdad after parliament passed a pact allowing U.S....

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AP/NPR: Taliban could clear $500M from 2008 drug trade

The UN reports that the Taliban could clear $500M in 2008 from the opium drug trade.

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Thursday, November 27, 2008

The New-Yorker-A visual Tribute: " Visions of Obama".

" Obama made his biracial ancestry a metaphor for his ambition to create a broad coalition of support to rally Americans behind a narrative of moral and political progress" writes The New-Yorker contributor David Remnick.

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Thanksgiving Musings

This is my 57th Thanksgiving, born as I was in April, 1951. I remember so many, as a child in the ’50’s, going to the hilarious annual feast at Grandma’s house, through now, when it’s just me and my darling husband, picking up...

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Medvedev and Chavez Sign Nuclear Deal in Show of Defiance.

Russia's president Medvedev and Venezuela's Hugo Chavez just signed a nuclear development deal to help Venezuela set up a civilian nuclear energy program.

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What The Bushes Will Miss About The White House

As part of StoryCorps' National Day of Listening project, Dorothy Bush Koch talks with her brother President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush. The project encourages people to sit down with a loved one on Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving, and record a meaningful conversation.

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Iraq Parliament Passes U.S. Security Pact.

By Ahmed Rasheed BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's parliament approved a landmark security pact with the United States Thursday that paves the way for U.S. forces to withdraw by the end of 2011. The deal, which parliament linked after days of fractious...

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Mumbai Attack:India's Singh Blames Pakistan as Battle Rages.

By Charlotte Cooper MUMBAI (Reuters) - Elite Indian commandos fought room-to-room battles with Islamist militants inside two luxury hotels to save scores of people trapped or taken hostage, as the country's prime minister blamed neighboring...

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Iraq Approves U.S. Security Pact

The Iraqi parliament passes a security pact that allows American troops to stay in the region for an additional three years. The accord was endorsed after the ruling coalition reached an understanding on a separate measure with opposition lawmakers.Cleric Al-Sadr is opposed to the pact, what will be Al-Sadr reaction remain a big question.

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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Reuters: Suicide Attack near U.S. Embassy in Kabul .

KABUL (Reuters) - A suicide car bomber struck a convoy of foreign troops near the U.S. embassy in Kabul on Thursday, witnesses said. There was no immediate information on casualties.

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The Difference

between the current inhabitant and the future inhabitant of a certain house, with gratuitous pictures, links, and quotes for those, if any, who need proof. January 20 cannot come soon enough. These pictures will prove it.

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AP/NPR- Raul Castro to Sean Penn: He'd Meet Obama at Gitmo

Raul Castro told actor Sean Penn that he would be willing to meet President-elect Obama at Guantanamo.

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Digg's Top 1,000 Active Users

The SocialBlade site that tracks the top diggers has two new tabs -- Top 100 Active Diggers and Top 1,000 Active Diggers. Active Criteria: at least five frontpages total, last front page within the last ninety days.

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Charlie Rose: My Conversation with Paul Volcker.

Obama has just picked Paul Volcker to head his economy advisory committee. Find out more about Volcker in this interview withe Rose.

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Gates Expected To Stay On At Pentagon

The new Obama administration is taking shape, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates is expected to stay on at the Pentagon. Gates would be part of a national security and foreign policy team that's also expected to include Sen. Hillary Clinton as secretary of state.

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Obama's Cabinet: Paul Volcker To Head Obama Advisory Panel.

President-elect Obama names former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker to head a new White House panel to help the new administration create jobs and bring stability to the ailing financial system. Obama's announcement Wednesday came during his third news conference on the economy in as many days.

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Iraq May Hold Referendum on U.S. Troop Pact.

By Ahmed Rasheed BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's parliament was likely to approve on Wednesday a pact that sets a date for U.S. military forces to withdraw, but could make the agreement dependent on a public referendum next year, lawmakers said. The...

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Robert Reich:General Motors should get bailout, too.

Former Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration, Robert Reich, says it doesn't make any sense to bailout Citygroup and other banking institutions and not General Motors.

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Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Opinion: Gates out of touch on Afghanistan.

An opinion piece from the Toronto Star, making the case that Gates and his Canadian counterpart do not understand the situation in Afghanistan. Good read, considering that Gates will be stay as Secretary of Defense in Obama's Cabinet.

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American Sea Change

I just got off the phone with my 90-year-old Grandma in Illinois. It’s November 19, 2008, and I haven’t spoken to her in almost 3 months. Over the summer, she was moved from her home to an assisted living facility. The food is different, the people are different, everything is different.

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AP/NPR:Official- Obama Asks Gates to Stay at the Pentagon.

Obama asks Gates to stay at Pentagon. This poor decision will alienate Obama's core supporters: The progressives and Liberal Democrats.

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Obama Intends to Ask Gates to Stay: Bad Decision?

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama intends to ask Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to remain at the Pentagon when his new administration takes office, a senior Democratic source said on Tuesday. ''He intends to ask Gates to...

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"Charactor":Film Character Actors in Photographs.

Photographer/ Director Richard Wright presents a photo book that took 13 years in the making. The book has 80 great portraits of character Actors, each of the photographs has an hand written caption from the actors.

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Great gallery of dead ships

Rusted wreck

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Fed announces new plan to support mortgages

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve, in another massive life-support intervention for the U.S. financial system, on Tuesday announced a $600 billion program to buy mortgage-related debt and securities and a $200 billion facility to support...

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Fed To Buy Up To $600 Billion In Mortgage Assets

The Fed said it will purchase up to $100 billion in direct obligations from mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as well as the Federal Home Loan Banks. It also will purchase another $500 billion in mortgage-backed securities, pools of mortgages that are bundled together and sold to investors.

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Pakistan Can Stop Drone Raids: Air force Chief

By Zeeshan Haider ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's air force is fully capable of stopping missile strikes by pilotless U.S. drones but it is up to the government to decide whether to do that, the air force chief said on Tuesday. U.S. forces in...

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Monday, November 24, 2008

Spike of Hate Crimes in LA: Skinheads are on the Rise.

In 2007, the number of reported hate crimes in Los Angeles County jumped 28 percent. Some say this is partly due to the fact that more people now know what a hate crime is. Others say an increase in white supremacist groups and the Internet's ability to spread hateful messages and music have also contributed.

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Surge and Destroy

Empire Burlesque - High Crimes and Low Comedy in the American Imperium - Chris Floyd

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Jimmy Carter Says Suffering In Zimbabwe Widespread.

A group of world leaders, including Jimmy Carter and Kofi Annan, tried to enter Zimbabwe over the weekend to assess the growing food and humanitarian crisis. They were barred, but reports coming from the country indicate the situation is "much worse than anything that we had imagined," Carter said.

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The Countdown Clock

A brief discourse on the nature and the humanity -- or lack thereof -- of someone who can say they're pleased with a war that has probably killed over 1,000,000 so far, nearly 5,000 of them his fellow-citizens, and left countless others maimed, mutilated, homeless, suicidal, and otherwise suffering.

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From Rag-to-Riches: "Towers of Gold"-LA in the XIX Century.

Author Frances Dinkelspiel captures the fascinating story of her ancestor, Isais Hellman. Hellman came to Los Angeles in 1849 with almost nothing, and went on to build a financial empire with 3 banks:The Farmers & Merchants bank, the Nevada Bank in SF and Wells Fargo. At the peak of his wealth, Hellman controlled a fortune of more than 100 million.

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Citigroup Gets $20 Billion Bailout from Bush & Paulson.

The Bush administration come to the rescue of Citigroup, throwing the banking giant an additional $20 billion lifeline to help it clear a mountain of bad debt and boost confidence amid a sagging share price( $4.00 today).Congressman Frank expressed his outrage over the refusal from Paulson to help Americans affected by the foreclosure crisis.

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Baghdad bomb attacks kill 19, mostly women

By Aseel Kami BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A bomb blast killed 13 female government employees on a bus on their way to work in eastern Baghdad on Monday, and a female suicide bomber killed five people outside Baghdad's Green Zone compound, police said. A...

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Obama News Conference Focus On Economy

President-Elect Obama is set to introduce his new economic leadership team at a Chicago press conference at noon EST Monday, a key step toward enacting a huge new economic recovery plan that aims to save or create 2.5 million jobs over the next two years.

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Iraq: The (Bombing) Surge is Working.

AP/NPR reports that two suicide bombers exploded their devises killing more than 20 people. This is link to the vote by the Iraqi Congress of the US/Iraqi pact that would let, if passed, US troops stay in Iraq until 2011.

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Russia Says U.S. Mercenaries, others Fought for Georgia

ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - Russia has evidence that citizens from NATO member states including the United States and Turkey fought for Georgia in the five-day August war, Russia's top investigator said on Monday. A senior security official in...

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Undisclosed Location: 57 Days is a Long Time for W & Dick.

In their twilight, the lame duck administration did the unthinkable: They started World War III by a nuclear attack on Iran.....

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Sunday, November 23, 2008

Disgraced pastor Haggard returns, as Christian businessman

Ted Haggard was involved,two years ago in a drug and sex scandal. Yet, the bible snake oil salesman is back peddling the " good word " again.

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Obama tells Karzai Afghan Security will be Priority.

KABUL (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama told Afghan President Hamid Karzai he would make it a priority to fight terrorism and bring security to Afghanistan and the region, the Afghan presidential palace said Sunday. Obama has pledged a...

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Blackwater In New Orleans, Post Katrina

A repost, the original had a description of a different vid. Check out Scahill interviewed by Bill Moyers, discussing the rise of this mercenary army, and how it got sent to New Orleans to maintain 'order". Your tax dollars paying for thugs, as opposed to our own National Guard.Which do you trust?

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Bush To APEC Leaders: Don't Abandon Free Trade

Bush told leaders gathered in Peru for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum that the global financial crisis should not cause the nations to become protectionist. He urged the 21 nations not to impose regulations that would "stifle innovation and choke off growth."

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Obama Outlines his Plan To Revive the Economy.

President-elect Barack Obama put forward an economic stimulus plan on Saturday that calls for the creation of 2 million new jobs through expanded highway construction programs and development of solar energy use. Is this the new " New Deal"?

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Redrawn Theoretical's Neocon Map makes Pakistan Uneasy

The " map " has being circulating in some Army and Intelligence circles in Pakistan. The map shows a smaller Pakistan to the benefit of India and Afghanistan. It confirms that the " project " of the Neocons was really to re-design the complete geopolitical picture of the world in their lunatic desire of an American empire.

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Saturday, November 22, 2008

Oh Please….

Give it up, sore losers! Great essay on the non-issue of Obama's birth certificate, and an excellent new blog. Digg it!

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Obama's Cabinet: Robert Gibbs as Press Secretary,

CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama announced on Saturday that close aide Robert Gibbs would be White House press secretary and Ellen Moran of women's organization Emily's List would be director of communications. Obama said Dan...

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NYTimes: Inept Bush/Cheney Should Resign NOW, Let Obama In

Can I see a show of hands? How many people want George W. Bush out and Barack Obama in right now?

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Can You Say Nuclear? 60 Days Left Is a Long Time for W.

Picture this: The " Decider ", VP Dick and Rummy are in an atomic shelter. They didn't like loosing the elections to Obama and felt that they could still apply some good old " shock doctrine"....in an even more drastic way than two wars and crashing the global economy.

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Bush Is In Peru Talking about " Free Market": Who Cares?

By Doug Palmer LIMA (Reuters) - The United States will work hard in coming weeks to forge a breakthrough that sets the stage for a successful conclusion of the 7-year-old Doha round of world trade talks, U.S. President George W. Bush said on...

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Five Million Dead and Counting

An analysis of all the dirty hands in the Congo tragedy.

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Obama's Treasury Nominee Geithner.

The Economist reports on Obama's pick for Treasury Secretary. Meet Tim Geithner.

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Obama says drafting bold economic stimulus

By Caren Bohan and Jeff Mason CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama said on Saturday that he was crafting an aggressive, two-year stimulus plan to revive the troubled economy, warning that swift action was needed to prevent a deep...

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Obama Has to Give Up his Blackberry.

For security reasons, President-elect Obama will have to give up using the devise that he likes so much. The reason why: Some of his emails were leaked, The Economist is publishing in this article one of the emails that Obama received concerning Guantanamo.

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Friday, November 21, 2008

Another Bush War: U.S. Missile Strike Kills 4 in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A suspected U.S. drone aircraft fired a missile in the North Waziristan tribal region of Pakistan killing at least four people, according to Pakistani intelligence officials. The attack on a house near the town of Mir Ali came...

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Obama's Cabinet: H. Clinton for State, Geithner for Treasury

New York Sen. Hillary Clinton has accepted an offer to become secretary of state. Obama tapped New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson for U.S. secretary of commerce, and New York Federal Reserve President Timothy Geithner has been asked to serve as Treasury secretary.

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What Happens When America's Airwaves Fill with Hate?

Bill Moyers takes a tough look at the hostile industry of Shock Jock media with a hard-hitting examination of its effects. Bill traveled to Knoxville where a recent shooting at a Unitarian Universalist Church left the pastor asking what role hate speech from popular rightwing media personalities may have played in the tragedy.

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The Debate about the Iraq-U.S. Security Pact.

Public Radio International reports on the deal. The agreement ( approved by the Iraqi Cabinet) makes the US invasion legal until 2011. It would put American troops and US contractors under Iraqi laws, and the US couldn't attack Syria or Iran from Iraq. Bush is secretive,with Congress, about the deal. More importantly,Al-Sadr do not want the pact.

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Bush Hits Deadline For 'Midnight Regulations'

There are now 60 days left until President Bush leaves office and President-elect Barack Obama is sworn in. By law, there is a 60-day waiting period before any big, new federal regulations take effect. That means Friday is the deadline set by the Bush administration to get rules onto the books before the Democrats arrive.

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Baghdad locked down for U.S. troop pact protest

By Aws Qusay BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi forces shut streets in Baghdad and placed snipers on rooftops on Friday before a protest by followers of cleric Moqtada al-Sadr against a pact allowing U.S. troops to remain for three more years. Scores of...

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National Intelligence Council: American Leading Role Fading.

The unclassified version of the NIC report that you can access from this article will tell you what most of us already know. The predominant role played by America will have decreased by 2025. The power on the rise will be China & India. This report was probably written before the global economic meltdown, this factor will speed up the process.

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Thursday, November 20, 2008

Reuters:Obama on track to name Clinton as top diplomat.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is on track to nominate his former rival, New York Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton as secretary of state after the November 27 Thanksgiving holiday, a Democratic official said. Progressive and liberal Democrats have being voicing opposition to this choice because of her position on the Iraq war.

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Are We Witnessing the End of American Empire?

This article was written by Andrew M. Lindner for Thickculture.All Empires have a " life expectancy", some for hundreds of years( like Rome) others do not last that long(14 years for Napoleon). In 1945,the US & the USSR took over the roles that France & England had played for 300 years. Could the global economy crash bring the US empire to an end?

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Human Rights Group Blasts Israel for Blockade of Gaza.

However, Israel allowed 30 truckloads of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip on November 17.The UN human rights Chief, Pillay, has voiced her concerns for the grave situation of 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza.

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Bush's Legacy:Will the Recession become a global Depression?

By Jackie Frank WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Fears of a deep, long global recession intensified on Thursday as stock markets hit new lows on reports of more U.S. job losses and oil prices below $50 a barrel, as prospects dimmed for a bailout of U.S....

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Waxman beats Dingell to chair energy committee

By Tom Ferraro WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Rep. Henry Waxman unseated fellow veteran Democratic lawmaker John Dingell on Thursday to become chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives' powerful Energy and Commerce Committee. The 255-House Democratic...

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Pakistan summons US ambassador over drone attacks.

The attacks ordered by the Bush administration using drone aircrafts are almost a daily event since the last 8 weeks. It is not only counterproductive, but also in clear violation of Pakistan's sovereignty. Pakistan will not tolerate it for much longer.

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Obama taps Arizona governor for homeland security: report

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's top choice to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing multiple sources. The Democratic governor, a supporter and...

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Obama's Cabinet:Napolitano emerges for Homeland Security job

President-Elect Barak Obama has settled on his pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security. He has chosen Arizona governor Janet Napolitano.

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Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Robert Reich:Congress needs to take bailout back.

Reich thinks that Congress shouldn't release the rest of the bailout money( 350 billion), but hold on to it until the Obama administration takes office.Reich attacks the Paulson plan as a " trickle down bailout" and endorses the ideas of the FDIC Chief.

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Waxman, Dingell Face Off Over Key House Panel

On Thursday, Democrats in the House will vote on whom they want to lead the Energy and Commerce Committee. The face-off is a battle between two legislative titans in Congress: current Chairman John Dingell, from Michigan, and California Rep. Henry Waxman.

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Iraq No Pact Yet:Fight Breaks Out As Lawmakers Debate Pact

Tempers flared in Iraq's parliament hall Wednesday as lawmakers debated whether to ratify a new security agreement with the United States — one that calls for the withdrawal of American forces by the end of 2011. The Bush administration has they own problems with the pact, they refuse to disclose part of it to the US Senate.

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Robert Reich:Obama Can't Change Washington Alone.

"He needs the help of his grass roots organization that made his campaign such a success" said Robert Reich on Market Place. As usual, the former Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration, is right. This is something that Obama should keep in mind, if he doesn't want to lock himself up in the " power bubble" that is Washington.

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Lawmaker Accuses Bush of Secrecy over Iraq Deal

By Ross Colvin WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government is refusing to make public the security pact it has signed with Iraq, even though it has already been published in full in an Iraqi newspaper, a congressional hearing was told on...

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Obama's Cabinet:Obama Adviser Axelrod to go to White House

CHICAGO (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama has tapped David Axelrod, a senior aide and one of his most trusted confidants, to become a senior White House adviser, his transition team said on Wednesday. Axelrod was Obama's key strategist during the campaign. On the front of the Secretary of State position, it will likely be Hillary Clinton.

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Marking the French Social Revolution of '68

Forty years ago, millions of French workers joined protesting students in a general strike that paralyzed the country and nearly brought down the government. A few weeks later, the May 1968 protests fizzled out, but French society was radically changed.

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The UN Calls for End to Israeli Blockade of Gaza.

" By function of this blockade, 1.5 million Palestinian men, women and children have been forcibly deprived of their basic human rights for months. It must end now." said Navi Pillay the UN Chief for human rights. Can President-elect Obama re-think the one sided and disastrous US policy in the region and finally put some real pressure on Israel?

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Qaeda's Zawahri urges attacks on ''criminal'' America

DUBAI (Reuters) - Al Qaeda's second-in-command urged Muslims to continue attacks against ''criminal'' America and slammed U.S. president-elect Barack Obama for vowing to back Israel during his campaign. Ayman al-Zawahri warned Obama that he would fail...

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Al-Qaida No. 2 insults Obama in new audio message

Al-Zawahri, in Al-Qaida first reaction after the US elections, insulted President-elect Obama in a new audio message by calling him a " house slave".

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U.S. commander in Afghanistan has reconciliation plan

By David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan on Tuesday recommended a plan to stem growing violence by empowering local Afghan leaders, including former Taliban members. ''That is the local...

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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

AP/NPR:Ted Stevens loses Alaska Senate race.

Associated Press confirms that Stevens narrowly lost his Senate seat, giving yet one more Senate vote for the Democrats.

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Politics: Satan Indicted

Yes, that's right, a South Texas grand jury has just indicted none other than Dick "Satan" Cheney and his hunchman Alberto Gonezales. It's all tied up with the outsourcing of the prison-industrial complex to private corporations in which Dick "Dick" owns a stake. And Berto? He was preventing the investigation. YES!!

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New Details Surface About Georgia-Russia War

In the three months since the conflict between Georgia and Russia over the breakaway province of South Ossetia, details have come to light about how and why Georgia ended up going head-to-head against the much larger Russian army.

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Global Food Crisis: The Looming Threat.

The food crisis was in the news 6 months ago with food shortages and rioting all over the world from Africa to Haiti. Needless to say, the global recession will not help. The IMF stated recently that they need an extra 200 billion within 6 months. With a global financial crisis, rich countries are less likely to open their valets.

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AP/NPR: Obama's Cabinet- Holder Tapped For Attorney General

President-elect Barack Obama has decided to nominate Eric Holder as attorney general, according to a source close to the Obama-Biden transition team. If confirmed, Holder would be the country's first African-American to lead the Justice Department.

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Obama's Cabinet: Peter Orszag As Budget Director.

President-elect Obama is keeping a steady pace in selecting his team. Today, he picked the new Attorney General and Peter Orszag to serve as Budget Director.

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AP/NPR:Showdown looming in Congress over automaker rescue.

Pelosi supports automakers help, Paulson refuses to give in as far as helping automakers and Americans facing foreclosures. It is time for the Democrats in Congress and President-elect Obama to put their foot down with Paulson and the Bush administration.

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LA Times:Holbrooke Lobbying to be Secretary of State

Despite Washington's insiders " noise " and most major media outlets making Hillary Clinton a shoe in for Secretary of State.Holbrooke explains why he would be a good option for the job. The prospect of having Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State is pleasing moderate Democrats. However, the Liberal Democrats are not happy with the Clinton option.

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Charlie Rose Interviews Head of IMF Strauss-Kahn.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn is a French politician and economist. He is a French Socialist and is currently heading the IMF.This interview took place in early October, since then the world wide economic crisis has taken a dangerous momentum. The recession is now worldwide. Can we avoid a global depression? Strauss-Kahn makes some great points.

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Is Hillary Clinton The Next Secretary Of State?

Sen. Hillary Clinton met last week with President-elect Barack Obama. Her name is among those being mentioned as a possible secretary of state nominee. Peter Baker, a New York Times reporter who covered the White House during the Clinton administration, tells Renee Montagne that Clinton appears to be a serious contender.

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Saudi Supertanker Hijacked By Somali Pirates

Somali pirates have hijacked a supertanker loaded with crude hundreds of miles off the coast of East Africa. The Saudi ship is the largest vessel pirates have seized that far from shore. The hijacking occurred despite the fact that foreign navies patrol the region.

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Monday, November 17, 2008

Paul Krugman: After the stimulus

For the coming year, and probably well beyond, the economy will be on life support — sustained by massive fiscal stimulus. (Either that, or we’ll be in a very deep slump.) But eventually the economy will have to come off life support. What will take the place of the stimulus?I don’t really know the answer, [...]

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Bad Economy's Silver Lining: Focus on the Family's Lay-Offs

Because of a weak economy and cash-strapped donors, Focus on the Family said it is eliminating 202 jobs, the deepest cuts in the 32-year history of the Colorado Springs-based Christian nonprofit. The ministry laid off 149 workers, and cut another 53 vacant positions.

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Robert Reich Should be on the List for Treasury Secretary.

Robert Reich was a Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration. He saw the current crisis coming before, just about everyone else(Except Paul Krugman). In his book: " Supercapitalism " he explains the great risks of a de-regulated " free market" and explores the irrational exuberance of Wall Street.He would be great in the Cabinet for Treasury.

Note: Sorry about the link error, to read more click on the post title. It will take you to Robert Reich's blog main address. Thanks.


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Obama on Foreign Affairs:"Renewing American Leadership".

President-elect Obama wrote this in Foreign Affairs; this is the summary: " After Iraq, we may be tempted to turn inward.That would be a mistake.The American moment is not over, but it must be seized anew.We must bring the war to a responsible end and then renew ourleadership(military,diplomatic & moral).America can't meet the challenges alone".

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Researchers: New Explanation For Alzheimer's

Researchers think they've discovered precisely what damages brain cells and causes memory loss in people who have Alzheimer's disease. Brain scientists present the latest evidence at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience this week in Washington, D.C.

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Obama close to Clinton on foreign policy issues.

They had clashes during the Democrats' primaries on issues such as Iran and Iraq, but in reality President-elect Obama and Senator Clinton have very similar views on foreign policies. Hillary Clinton will be Obama's choice for Secretary of State. She is more than qualified for the job and she already knows most of the world leaders.

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Sunday, November 16, 2008

The U.S. is in a Recession;Jobless to peak at 7.5 %.

By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economy is in recession and will contract at a faster pace in the fourth quarter, extending the decline into early 2009 as high unemployment crimps consumer spending, a survey showed. The National...

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BBC News: IMF head calls for extra funding

In a BBC interview, the head of the IMF stated that, in order to be helpful in a solution for the global economic crisis, they would need at least another 200 billion in funding within 6 months.

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NPR Reports:Violence Rises In Iraq.

There's been a recent upsurge of bombing attacks on police patrols and civilians. But it's difficult to gauge how serious the upsurge may be, because U.S. and Iraqi sources give widely differing reports of the casualties. It is likely to be linked to the pact between the US & Iraq.The pact was just approved today by Iraq's Cabinet.

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Obama backs global response to crisis.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama supports a coordinated response to the global financial crisis and is ready to work with Group of 20 countries on improving the financial system when he takes office. ''The president-elect believes...

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Reuters:Iraq's cabinet approves troops pact with U.S.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's cabinet approved a pact on Sunday that will let U.S. troops stay in the country until 2011, setting a final date to end a military presence that began with the 2003 invasion that toppled.The Iraqi Congress has to approve the pact, and the US has to pledge not to attack Syria or Iran from within Iraq's borders.

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Saturday, November 15, 2008

The Economist:Is Sarkosy a Closet Socialist?

Is the conservative, yet smart, UK magazine The Economist trying to pull a McCain on French president Sarkozy? Of course Sarkosy is not a socialist, he is just critical of the American ( and English) hyper-capitalism model and its tendency to trust the " virtues" of the " free market". He wants world wide regulations and some accountability.

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What does the Congo Crisis Should Mean For Obama?

The Economist thinks that President-elect Obama should revisit humanitarian interventions abroad. They are making an excellent point.However the US military is over stretched, as it is,between Iraq and Afghanistan, and should not be expected to carry alone the burden of policing the planet. The job should be done by the UN.

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FDIC, Treasury At Odds Over Use Of Bailout Money

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has laid out the details of its $25 billion plan to fight foreclosures. The Treasury Department is still opposed, however, to using the bailout funds for the plan. It's not clear that Congress is ready to force Treasury's hand.

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Kept America Safe From What?

How many times can the same retarded and logically flawed argument be offered up as a defense of George W. Bush and his administration over the last seven years?

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NY state could block Bloomberg path to third term

By Edith Honan NEW YORK (Reuters) - A new law allowing Michael Bloomberg to seek a third term as mayor of New York City could be undone by the state legislature, which is considering a bill to require a voter referendum on the issue. Arguing his...

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G-20 Summit Puts France's Sarkozy Center Stage

The summit was the brainchild of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has gained new respect for his handling of the worldwide financial crisis. But in the European quest to ensure such a crisis never repeats itself, Sarkozy may risk butting heads with President Bush.

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Friday, November 14, 2008

Blackwater’s Terrifying Reach

Blackwater doesn’t need Iraq anymore. It got what it needed from Iraq—a bad-ass reputation and a billion dollars in government contracts.” The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army

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Blackwater: Bush's Shadow Army.

This is the web site of author Jeremy Scahill. You can find out everything about Blackwater: The biggest private army in the world. An estimated 130,000 of Blackwater's "contractors" (mercenaries) are currently in Iraq. There were also " dispatched" by the Bush administration to New-Orleans post Katrina. Scahill calls them Bush's Praetorian Guard.

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US missile system wouldn’t help security: Sarkozy

NICE, France: France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy says putting a missile defense system in Europe would do nothing to help European security.Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev is arguing against any unilateral moves such as the U.S. plan to put missile defense facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic.

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World leaders head for summit, euro zone in recession

By Elizabeth Piper LONDON (Reuters) - World leaders headed to Washington on Friday to seek ways to tackle a global economic crisis that has plunged much of Europe into its first recession since the euro currency was formed. The worst financial...

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Obama and McCain to Meet on Monday.

This shows the desire of President-elect Obama to heal the divide between Blue & Red America.

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Liberals clinically mad, concludes top psychiatrist

"Based on strikingly irrational beliefs and emotions, modern liberals relentlessly undermine the most important principles on which our freedoms were founded," says Dr. Lyle Rossiter, author of the new book, "The Liberal Mind: The Psychological Causes of Political Madness." "Like spoiled, angry children, they rebel against the normal ...

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Thursday, November 13, 2008

On ABC Radar: Secretary of State H.R Clinton in the Cabinet?

She has being on the short list with John Kerry, and even Former Secretary of State in the Clinton administration Madeleine Albright.

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Treasury Secretary Paulson Defends Shift In Bailout Tactics

Henry Paulson tells NPR the government is focused on getting "lending going again." He says the new strategy of infusing money directly into banks is a "more powerful and quicker way to deal with the problem" than buying toxic mortgage-backed securities.

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Albright Has Advice For Obama:Could she be in the Cabinet?

When he takes office, Obama will face leadership challenges few would envy: a crippled economy, the Iraq war, rising gas prices and the threat of terrorism. Madeleine Albright offers advice on how he should confront the challenges ahead. Albright will represent Obama at the G20 summit, does it mean a Cabinet position for Treasury or State?

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Will McCain Be The Republican in Obama's Cabinet?

Toby Harnden, the US editor of Britain's Telegraph, thinks it could be the case. Let's just hope it isn't the decision made by President-elect Obama. It would be a big mistake, just like keeping Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense. The 3 key Cabinet positions( State, Treasury and Defense) are supposed to be announced by the end of the week.

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GOP's " Soul Searching": Permanent Minority Party?

Gathering in Miami a week after their party's worst election defeat in decades, Republican governors are trying to figure out what went wrong and how their party can regain its footing. Louisiana's Bobby Jindal says the GOP needs to get back to the basics of fiscal conservatism.Let see what Sarah Palin has to say....

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Global Recession:Global stocks tumble as bad news stacks up

Today, Germany announced that they were officially in a recession. China is putting together a huge stimulus package. The G20 summit starting in Washington on Friday has to address global solutions for the growing crisis before the global recession turns into a global depression on a bigger scale than the Great Depression of the 30's.

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Treasury Secretary Paulson is resisting aid to automakers.

Meanwhile Paulson has no problem pouring tax payers' money into AIG. President-elect Obama and Congress have expressed their intention to help General Motors, yet Paulson and the rest of the lame duck administration are not listening. This is a transfer of wealth from the public to the private sector on a massive scale.The Congress needs to act.

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Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Iraq: The Surge Is Not Working.

By Tim Cocks BAGHDAD (Reuters) - An Iraqi soldier went on the rampage at a joint security station in northern Iraq on Wednesday, shooting dead two U.S. soldiers and wounding six, the U.S. military said. The U.S. military said the soldier opened...

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AP/ NPR:Paulson says troubled assets will not be purchased.

Bush announces new step to steady banking industry. Despite the vote by Congress, Paulson said that the 700 billion bailout package will not be used to buy bad loans from banks.Meanwhile, the Feds keep pouring money into bottomless pits such as AIG. This is an outrage, Paulson should resigned.

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Amnesty International:Economic, social and cultural rights.

Amnesty International is one of the world wide leading organization fighting for human rights. With President-elect Obama they have great hope that some of the disastrous policies of the Bush administration will be reversed.

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PRI: Anti-terrorism strategy under Obama

Public Radio International speculates on what could be the policy changes from an Obama administration on dealing with terrorism,and perhaps re-thinking the Bush administration's failed strategy of the so called " war on terror".

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Tuesday, November 11, 2008

AP/NPR :Taliban urges Obama to end Bush's foreign policies

How should President-elect Obama deal with the Taliban? As the military options are getting trickier, it could be time to start some conversation.

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Now the Election Is Over, the Fight for Economic Justice

By Medea Benjamin and Arun Gupta, CODEPINK Women for Peace. We need to organize in the workplace. We need to organize in the schools. We need to organize in the streets, in our neighborhoods, in our communities. And we need to be clear about what we're for: A Just Economy for All Americans ...

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World War I: Experience Of An English Soldier.

90 years ago today, WWI ended. This blog is made up of transcripts of English soldier's Harry Lamin's letters.

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Verdun, France, saw a World War I battle of terrible loss -

Remembering the terrible human tragedy of WWI in France. More than 1.5 million were killed in France during WWI.

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Does America need a New " New Deal"?

The New Deal was put together and implemented by FDR in 1933, right in the middle of the Great Depression. Should President-elect Obama look into similar solutions to tackle our current economic turmoil?

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GOP: Is Newt Gingrich Due For a Come Back?

Former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, reflects on the elections results, the future of the GOP and of course....Sarah Palin.

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Vice President-elect Joe Biden On The Issues: From A to Z.

VP-elect Biden positions on all issues when he was candidate Senator Biden. Find his voting records in the Senate as well.

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G20 Summit: Grim Economy Data throws spotlight on Crisis.

Reuters - Weak economic readings from China, Japan and Britain and a grim corporate outlook worldwide reinforced fears on Tuesday of a prolonged recession, prompting investors to look to a world leaders' summit for solutions.Unfortunately, President-elect Obama will not be attending, the US will be represented by the lame duck Bush administration.

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Obama suggested more help for auto industry.

President-elect Obama, during his visit to the White House yesterday, recommended help for the troubled US car makers. GM is currently seeking help from the Fed for an amount of 25 billion to avoid a potential bankruptcy filling.

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Glenn Fine Praised As Model Inspector General

He has investigated waste, fraud and abuse — and a Justice Department scandal over political partisanship in hiring practices. That kind of investigation can make someone a bull's-eye for political arrows, but it hasn't happened with Fine.

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Monday, November 10, 2008

AIG Bailout: Is AIG American International Gangsters Inc, ?

By Daniel Trotta NEW YORK (Reuters) - The United States pledged more support for struggling insurer AIG on Monday as international action to halt the financial crisis failed to dent investor sentiment that the economy was in for a long and deep...

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Will Obama Sign Off On New Afghan Strategy?

President-elect Barack Obama will have to grapple with conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. He will have to decide whether to negotiate with members of the Taliban as a way of stemming the violence in Afghanistan. The idea is supported by the new chief of the U.S. Central Command, Gen. David Petraeus, who used a similar tactic in Iraq.

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U.S. Government Restructures AIG Bailout

The government is providing new financial assistance to troubled insurance giant American International Group. It includes pouring $40 billion into the company in return for partial ownership.

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Baghdad triple bomb kills 28: The Surge Is Not Working.

By Peter Graff BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Two car bombs exploded in central Baghdad on Monday and a suicide bomber blew himself up among police and civilians who rushed to help the wounded, a triple strike that killed 28 people and wounded 68. It is time for President-elect Obama to put together an orderly US troops exit strategy from Iraq.

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Sunday, November 9, 2008

R Reich: The Mini Depression and the Maximum-Strength Remedy

Robert Reich on shoring up the demand side of the economy. Government spending is the key, because none of the other components of demand - Consumers, Investments and Exports - can do the job right now.

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Ariana Huffington on KCRW/ LA: Left, Right & Center

The great political show Left, Right and Center with Ariana Huffington, Bob Sheer, Matt Miller special on the historical win of Barack Obama.

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President-elect Obama On The Issues: From A to Z.

This site will give you every single positions expressed by candidate Senator Obama. You can also find all of his voting records in the Senate.

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Monks brawl at Christian holy site in Jerusalem

Monks brawl at Christian holy site in Jerusalem, the fight occurred between Catholics and Orthodox monks. The Israeli police had to intervene.

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Obama's Cabinet: Sec. of State-Clinton, Kerry or Holbrooke?

Senator Clinton, Senator Kerry and Richard Holbrooke are the top contenders for the critical appointment of Secretary of State. Neither Clinton nor Kerry need an introduction, as far as Holbrooke find out more about his character and where he stands on policies.

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The Guardian: Obama is an intellectual.Is this a bad thing?

UK Newspaper, The Guardian comments on the great intellectual abilities of President-elect Obama. The new US president was called an " elitist" during the campaign because he is a brilliant man. The world is happy that Americans, as opposed to the last time, picked the smart one. The Commander in Chief shouldn't be like the average Joe The Plumber.

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Air strike killed 37 Afghan civilians: investigation

KABUL (Reuters) - A joint Afghan and U.S. military investigation has concluded an air strike last week killed 37 civilians and wounded 35 more after Taliban militants launched an ambush from the cover of a village, the U.S. military said. President...

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Saturday, November 8, 2008

Documentary-Barack & Curtis:Manhood, Power & Respect.

Watch the documentary from filmmaker Byron Hurt. It is a study of contrast between President-elect Obama and Curtis ( AKA 50 Cent).

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NPR's Memo To President- Elect Obama.

Dear President-elect Obama: As you and the new Congress prepare to take office, we here at NPR News wanted to outline the issues you face. From a broken military to a troubled economy to a National Park Service in need of a major overhaul — we'll provide the briefing paper, the options and the obstacles.

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Obama's Challenge: Ending Chaos in Afghanistan & Pakistan.

B. Rudin( Center of International Cooperation at NYU) & A. Rashid ( Pakistani journalist & writer) co-wrote this great piece for Foreign Affairs.The summary:" The crisis in Afghanistan & Pakistan is beyond the point where more troops will help. US strategy must be to seek compromise with insurgents." The new US administration should pay attention.

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Obama's Cabinet: Paul Volcker for Secretary of Treasury?

Paul Volcker is on the top of the short list for Secretary of Treasury. Mr. Volcker gave this interview to Charlie Rose on March 18, 2008.

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Obama's Cabinet:On the list, Hagel for Secretary of Defense.

Find out about Chuck Hagel.He is at the top of the short list for Secretary of Defense. Hagel is a decorated Vietnam's veteran and is one of the only Republicans in the Senate in favor of getting out of Iraq sooner than later. He would be a fine choice because of his integrity and independence. Unfortunately, Robert Gates is also on the short list.

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Obama win triggers run on guns in many stores

By Tim Gaynor PHOENIX (Reuters) - Sales of rifles, pistols and ammo are surging in parts of the United States, as many gun owners fear President-elect Barack Obama's administration may seek to tighten ownership of certain weapons. Americans should relax, President elect Obama defends the 2nd amendment and is not planning to take away your guns.

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Obama calls for unity

By Deborah Charles CHICAGO (Reuters) - Barack Obama said on Saturday that now with the long presidential election season behind the nation, it is time for Americans to put aside political differences and work together to solve the economic crisis. Can President Elect Obama help America heal from its divisions?

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Friday, November 7, 2008

Economy Crisis: U.S. Jobless Rate Hits 14-Year High

The toll of lost jobs rose to 1.2 million for the year as 240,000 American jobs disappeared in October. With massive problems at GM & Ford it could get a lot worse quickly. President Elect Obama mentioned to day the idea of extending unemployment benefits. Can the global recession become a global depression?

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Palin denounces her critics as cowardly

Palin's aide says candidate's clothing to be donated to charity.

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The Ku Klux Klan: Still alive and Dangerous.

I am quoting:"Now in its 6th Year with Hosts Pastor Thomas Robb and Klan Spokeswoman Rachel Pendergraft.Source for News and Commentary about issues of concern to those of European descent." The FBI should keep a vigilant eye on the KKK.

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Obama says will confront economic woes head-on

By Deborah Charles and Caren Bohan CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama said on Friday the United States was facing one of its greatest economic challenges and vowed to confront the crisis head-on as soon as he takes office in...

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Iraqi forces kill senior al Qaeda leader

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi security forces supported by U.S. firepower killed a senior al Qaeda leader who made car bombs and ran Islamist militant cells throughout northern Iraq, the U.S. military said on Friday. A statement said the Iraqi army and...

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Can Palin resurrect the GOP? Does she want to?

This is the title of Alaska's newspaper Anchorage Daily News. This is just so surreal that I had to post it.

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From Russia with just a bit of " Love" for Pres. Elect Obama

Pravda's perspective on the US elections and what could be the implications for the relationship between the US and Russia under the Obama administration.

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Gobal Finance Crisis: EU holds financial reform summit.

French president Sarkosy is trying to get the other EU leaders to be on the same page and have a united platform proposal before the meeting in Washington in 10 days. It is likely that the EU main interlocutor will be President elect Obama as opposed to the out going US administration team.

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Convicted Stevens holds slim lead in Senate race

By Thomas Ferraro WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The fate of a convicted felon will help determine the size of the Democrats' expanded power in the U.S. Senate, and may provide a new job opportunity for failed vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin. After...

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Senior Iraqi backs Obama withdrawal plan

By Peter Graff and Mariam Karouny BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A senior Iraqi official on Thursday explicitly backed U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's plans to withdraw combat troops from the country by mid-2010, Baghdad's clearest endorsement yet of...

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Thursday, November 6, 2008

PRI: U.S. troop agreement with Iraq is drafted & Ready.

Public Radio International reports on the agreement that would extend the stay of US troops in Iraq until 2011. The Bush administration claims that the document is ready. Why should the Bush administration have the authority to lock the Obama administration into this deal?

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President 44: There is a New Sheriff In Town.

President elect Obama is putting his transition team together quietly, quickly & resolutely. The Democrats are drafting a list of " Bush rules " that will be changed.

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President Elect Obama:The Quiet Revolution.

The French News web site France24's perspective on what they call a " quiet revolution". It is indeed an historical chain of events that brought the first African-American to the highest office in the land. The image of America has already improved tremendously in Europe and elsewhere. Despite recent events, America remains the land of opportunity.

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Reuters:Iran President urges Obama to change U.S. Policies

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad congratulated U.S. President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday and called for ''fundamental and fair'' changes to U.S. policies in the region, Iran's official IRNA news agency said....

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The Economic Challenges Facing President Elect Obama:

The Economist reports on the incredible mess that President Obama will have to deal with. From the global financial meltdown to the early stage of a global recession. It will not be accomplished overnight. Can Americans be patient and understand that President Elect Obama doesn't have a magic wand to fix all the systemic problems in five minutes?

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Rahm Emanuel Will Be President Elect Obama Chief of Staff.

Find out more about Congressman Emanuel, soon to be Pres. Obama's Chief Of Staff. Emanuel is from Chicago, he is credited for his tremendous role in the Democrats victory in 2006. He also had a major part in patching the rift between Obama and Clinton at the end of the heated primary. He is tough, organized but can be abrasive at time.

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NPR:President Elect Obama Names Transition Team.

President-elect Barack Obama has named John Podesta, Valerie Jarrett and Pete Rauss co-chairs of his transition team. He has also named William Daley, Carol Browner, Federico Pena and Janet Napolitano to his advisory panel. Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel has been offered the job of White House chief of staff.

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Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Reuters: US Air Raid Kills 40 civilians in Afghanistan.

By Sharafuddin Sharafyar HERAT, Afghanistan (Reuters) - U.S.-led troops have killed at least seven civilians in an air strike in northwestern Afghanistan, officials said on Thursday, a day after the president said warplanes had killed 40 civilians. It sould be time for President Elect Obama to re-think the strategy of the war in Afghanistan.

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PRI Reports: The Foreign policy challenges for Obama

World leaders warmly congratulated President Elect Obama today. The challenges that are facing him are daunting both at home and abroad. He will have to deal with the global financial crisis, a recession and two wars. It is going to be a tough job.

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Obama Is Also A Small Town In Japan : It means Small Beach!

By Toshi Maeda OBAMA, Japan (Reuters) - Hundreds of residents in the sleepy Japanese fishing port of Obama sang and danced on Wednesday to try to cheer up Barack Obama after his winning steak in the U.S. presidential primaries stalled.

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Transcript Of Barack Obama's Victory Speech : NPR

In these prepared remarks, President-Elect Barack Obama calls himself the unlikeliest presidential candidate, and warns supporters about the enormous problems the country must now face.

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AP/NPR: President Elect Obama to begin intelligence briefing

President Obama will start holding 45 minutes daily intelligence briefings during the transition period.

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David Frum: Republicans face fraught choice between two road

The National Review contributor, Neocon and former speech writers for George W. Bush does some " Soul Searching " this morning after the historic debacle of the GOP.

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Kenya Erupts in Ecstasy at President Obama's Election.

Africa and especially Kenya,the birth place of President Obama's father, celebrates an extraordinary election.

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President Obama:The Reactions From Around The World.

The International Herald Tribune presents various reactions from across the world following Obama's historic election as the 44th US President. The World, just like the US, is ready and anxiously waiting for a change.

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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

The Huffington Post Speculates on President Obama's Cabinet

Mark Nickolas speculates on a President Obama's team.

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President Obama's transition team: Cabinet speculation

President Elect Obama and his campaign have being keeping the names of potential Cabinet members very quiet. We know that Rahm Emanuel will be his Chief of Staff. The Cabinet composition will likely includes Republicans and Independent in a much needed effort to unite the country.

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Obama takes commanding lead - Bill Nichols - Politico.com

After winning Pennsylvania, Ohio and New- Mexico Obama takes an overwhelming lead in his White House's bid.

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Senator Obama will be President Obama.

Latest election calls from AP and NPR. NPR predicts that Ohio wil go to Obama. It is over.

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Reuters: Obama beats McCain in Pennsylvania swing state.

By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain traded victories in several states they were expected to win on Tuesday, but Obama scored the first big win in their White House bid. This is confirmed by NPR.

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Emanuel said up for Obama post as Chief Of Staff.

Senator Obama is on his way to become President Obama in a landslide. The Democrats, at large, are doing even better than expected.

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Obama Defeats McCain in New-Jersey.

By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain began a nervous wait for results in their fight for the White House on Tuesday as the presidential rivals split the outcome in the...

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AP/ NPR Exit poll: Obama wins women, blacks, Hispanics

Survey: Economy top concern for US voters.

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Obama wins Vermont, McCain Kentucky

McCain struggles to gain ground on Obama in Ohio

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GOP strategist Rove sees Obama landslide.

Karl Rove predicts a large win for Obama. He will be right this time around.

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Clues to election result could come as early as 6:00 PM EST.

By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Some of the earliest returns in Tuesday's presidential election could provide big clues about the outcome. Trends in the race between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John...

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UPI Reports:Obama has many paths to win.

Mission (almost)accomplished for Senator Obama.Mission (almost) impossible for Senator McCain. UPI reports on the only way McCain could pull a very improbable upset.

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Howard Dean: "Don't Blow It"

Go Vote!

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Pakistan says next US leader must stop attacks

Pakistan orders troops to open fire if US raids. The President elect will have to put pressure on the Bush administration to stop the attacks conducted with drone aircraft. No less than 15 of such attacks took place in the last few weeks, causing many civilian casualties and making recruitment easier for the Taliban.

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Democrats head toward big congressional wins

By Thomas Ferraro WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Riding a wave of resentment against Republican President George W. Bush, Democrats headed toward winning possibly their biggest majorities in the U.S. Congress in decades in Tuesday's elections, polls...

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Monday, November 3, 2008

BBC News Reports:No apathy as US election day looms.

The world has being fascinated by the US elections since the last two years. The BBC recaps the historical race, that so much depends on.

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On Election Day, Play It Safe and Lose the Obama Shirt

What we’re talking about here is what the electoral intelligentsia have termed "passive electioneering," as opposed to more overt electioneering: passing out leaflets, speech-making or doing some serious arm-twisting to convince a voter to cast a ballot for a particular candidate or cause.

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Prediction from NPR: Obama Wins; Dems Gain In Congress

By Political Editor Ken Rudin's count, every state John Kerry carried four years ago is in Barack Obama's column today, and he is also ahead in several states that President Bush won. In addition, Rudin expects the Democrats to pick up seven seats in the Senate and 17 in the House.

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1.9%

According to the website 538.com there is now a 98.1% chance that Senator Barack Obama will become the next President of the United States of America as compared to a 1.9% chance that Senator John McCain will emerge victorious in tomorrow's national election. To put that into perspective, there is also a 1.9% chance that, tomorrow, you will...

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Obama set to win with big leads in swing states.

UPI reports a potential landslide victory for Senator Obama in swing states. The Democrats across board , in the House & the Senate, should also win by a margin of historical proportion.

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NY mayor signs law to allow a third term: Is this legal?

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed a term-limit extension law on Monday that will allow him to run for a third turn next year and earn a chance to guide New York City through the global financial crisis. Are we living in a Banana Republic?

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Early votes and election outcome.

Public Radio International reports on the record numbers of early voting in the US elections. Does it give an edge to Senator Obama?

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Obama Taking Nothing For Granted With 1 Day Left

Election Day is Tuesday. Over the weekend, Democrat Barack Obama kept up a frenetic pace to motivate voters to go to the polls. Obama is concentrating on states that previously voted for President Bush.

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Pakistan Tells Petraeus To Stop Missile Strikes.

By Augustine Anthony ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The U.S. commander running the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, held talks Monday with Pakistani defense officials who told him Pakistan was fighting a war for its survival against...

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Sunday, November 2, 2008

Iraq expects U.S. reply on troop pact within days

By Peter Graff BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq expects a reply from the United States within days to its proposal for changes to a pact requiring U.S. troops to leave by the end of 2011, Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said on Saturday. The Iraqis want to have the authority to prosecute American troops and contractors under Iraq's laws.

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The repudiation of Karl Rove

We don't know yet who will win or by what margin, but we know one thing for certain: This election represents the repudiation of Karl Rove and his play-to-the-base strategy.

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Elections 2008: All The Polls From All Polling Companies.

On Real Clear Politics.com you will get the latest polls from everyone with constant updates. From Gallup to Zogby. The lead given to Obama by all polls agencies today is between 6 % ( Reuters/CSpan/ Zogby) to 10% for Gallup. Good site to bookmark for political junkies.

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Judge tells White House to release wiretapping docs.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration must give to a federal court documents related to government wiretapping of domestic communications without a warrant after the September 11 attacks, according to a recent court order. We will soon find out if the Bush administration is still above the law in its twilight days.

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Better Move Inauguration Day Up: How about Nov. 10TH?

Hard to imagine, but in the horse-and-buggy days of our republic, the president was not inaugurated until March. In the 1930s, Congress advanced the inaugural date to Jan. 20. But is even this too long a wait in a world full of challenges to the new President?

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Undecideds still wrestle with vote decision:Why?

According to the last New-York Times / CBS News poll, 4 % of American voters remain undecided. Who are these people? International Herald Tribune finds out that a lot of them voted for Bush in the last election.

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Obama goes to GOP territory:Can he unite Red & Blue America?

Senator Obama in the last stretch of his nearly two years campaign goes back to his message of uniting America between the Red States and the Blue States. It won't be an easy task, especially after the divisive campaign of Sarah Palin. She has being on the trail calling her supporters " real Americans ". The healing process will take time.

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Saturday, November 1, 2008

A campaign for the ages, tilting toward Democrats

A campaign for the ages, tilting to the Democrats. Senator Obama on his way to become President Obama.

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Raid Syria and Pakistan? "No Comment."

Watch White House Press Secretary Dana Perino stonewall insistent reporters regarding recent reports of U.S. strikes in Syria.

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