From the NH Union Leader
If Iowans request New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner's help in saving their caucuses from political obscurity, he should tell them to take a hike.
Thanks to a primary calendar devised with Iowan help in the proverbial smoke-filled rooms of the Democratic National Committee, the 2008 presidential nominating contests are absurdly front-loaded. The DNC stuck Nevada's caucus between the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, and put the South Carolina primary one week later. That prompted a jockeying forward of other states.
Florida moved its primary up, triggering South Carolina Republicans to move theirs to Jan. 19, three days before the date the DNC set aside for New Hampshire's primary.
South Carolina's move will push our primary to no later than Jan. 12, a Saturday, which could push Iowa's caucuses to probably Tuesday, Jan. 3. Iowa law requires the caucuses to be held eight days before another nominating contest.
No doubt Iowa officials would rather New Hampshire's primary be on Saturday, Jan. 12 than Tuesay the 8th. But Secretary of State Gardner loves the traditional Tuesday election. He is not inclined to hold the primary on any other day. If he picks Tuesday, Jan. 8, that would bump Iowa's caucuses to New Year's Day, a Sunday, or into December.
If he has not already, Gardner soon will feel the pressure from Iowa officials who want New Hampshire's primary to happen no earlier than the 12th. That's ironic because when Iowa had the chance to save New Hampshire's primary, it threw us under the bus.
In March of 2006, the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee voted to insert a caucus between the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. Iowa's representative on the committee voted against New Hampshire and for the new early caucus. Only after it was clear that the new calendar would not be defeated did Iowa Democrats later vote with New Hampshire.
Now the very calendar that Iowa Democrats helped create threatens to push their caucus into December and possible political irrelevance. So the Iowans are learning the hard way about unintended consequences and the value of friendship. Gardner should let them learn their lesson.
Monday, August 20
No More "Fresh" Troops
Sapped by nearly six years of war, the Army has nearly exhausted its fighting force and its options if the Bush administration decides to extend the Iraq buildup beyond next spring.
The Army's 38 available combat units are deployed, just returning home or already tapped to go to Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere, leaving no fresh troops to replace five extra brigades that President Bush sent to Baghdad this year, according to interviews and military documents reviewed by The Associated Press.
That presents the Pentagon with several painful choices if the U.S. wants to maintain higher troop levels beyond the spring of 2008:
Using National Guard units on an accelerated schedule.
Breaking the military's pledge to keep soldiers in Iraq for no longer than 15 months.
Breaching a commitment to give soldiers a full year at home before sending them back to war.
For a war-fatigued nation and a Congress bent on bringing troops home, none of those is desirable. More
The Army's 38 available combat units are deployed, just returning home or already tapped to go to Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere, leaving no fresh troops to replace five extra brigades that President Bush sent to Baghdad this year, according to interviews and military documents reviewed by The Associated Press.
That presents the Pentagon with several painful choices if the U.S. wants to maintain higher troop levels beyond the spring of 2008:
Using National Guard units on an accelerated schedule.
Breaking the military's pledge to keep soldiers in Iraq for no longer than 15 months.
Breaching a commitment to give soldiers a full year at home before sending them back to war.
For a war-fatigued nation and a Congress bent on bringing troops home, none of those is desirable. More
Sunday, August 19
Darfuri Crisis World's Conscience Crisis
While the U.S. has nothing to be exceptionally proud of when it comes to the plight of the immigrants from Sudan, some of our "allies" have some explaining to do too when it comes to the plight. CNN reports today that immigrants from the war torn Sudan have been turned away by Israel and have been reportedly bludgeoned to death by Egyptian authorities.
The atrocities committed against these world citizens both by their own people and by the nations they seek refuge in is nothing short of unconscionable. Coupling this with the humanitarian crisis around famine in that region, it will be a huge problem for years to come.
Take a look at this trailer from a new documentary film by former U.S. Marine, Brian Steidle, called "The Devil Came on Horseback."
Where things are in Darfur
Info from the GAO about accounting for the causes of death in Darfur.
The atrocities committed against these world citizens both by their own people and by the nations they seek refuge in is nothing short of unconscionable. Coupling this with the humanitarian crisis around famine in that region, it will be a huge problem for years to come.
Take a look at this trailer from a new documentary film by former U.S. Marine, Brian Steidle, called "The Devil Came on Horseback."
Where things are in Darfur
Info from the GAO about accounting for the causes of death in Darfur.
Saturday, August 18
Tony Snow Needs Universal Health Care
White House spokesman Tony Snow has announced that he is resigning from the job early for financial reasons.
According to the BBC, Presidential mouthpiece, Tony Snow, is in dire need of better health care coverage. Due to his pay cut from going to work at the White House, apparently Mr. Snow can't cover his chemotherapy for colon cancer with the meager wages of a public servant.
Mr Snow did not give the date he would leave but said he had taken a pay cut since he joined President George Bush's team from Fox News TV in April 2006.
"I've already made it clear I'm not going to be able to go the distance, but that's primarily for financial reasons," he said.
"I've told people when my money runs out, then I've got to go."
According to the BBC, Presidential mouthpiece, Tony Snow, is in dire need of better health care coverage. Due to his pay cut from going to work at the White House, apparently Mr. Snow can't cover his chemotherapy for colon cancer with the meager wages of a public servant.
Mr Snow did not give the date he would leave but said he had taken a pay cut since he joined President George Bush's team from Fox News TV in April 2006.
"I've already made it clear I'm not going to be able to go the distance, but that's primarily for financial reasons," he said.
"I've told people when my money runs out, then I've got to go."
Friday, August 17
Edwards Draws 'Em at the Fair and Iowa City
John Edwards and his One America Bus (playing the Stones' "Start Me Up")attracted a large crowd in front of the Hamburg Inn at 8:30 on Friday night. Standing in front of the Iowa City landmark, Edwards struck familiar campaign themes like self-imposed election campaign reform, ending the war, and working to restore the United State's place on the world stage with former State Rep. Ed Fallon and a couple hundred others cheering him.
In the crowd, were a handful of Hillary Clinton supporters who attempted to suss out the Edwards issues that resonated for potential caucus-goers.
Earlier in the evening, at the Pappajohn Business Building at the University of Iowa, Elizabeth Edwards read selections to a near capacity crowd from her book "Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers" and answered a number of questions from the audience including a telling question of what she felt the role of the first "mate" was and what she would do as the next First Lady.
She said that her chief role would be as a sounding board to John because he trusts her to not have an agenda in giving him advice. She also mentioned how she felt that current First Lady, Laura Bush, was squandering the role of first lady by not addressing issues that are of importance and that she would work on funding after school programs like the one that was set up after her son Wade that provides access to computers to children in low socio-economic areas. She also said she would make funding cancer research a priority. At the conclusion of her talk, she was given a standing ovation by a mostly non-partisan crowd.
Earlier in the day, according to the Des Moines Register, Sen. John Edwards gave a vigorous speech Thursday at The Des Moines Register's Soapbox, focusing on fighting the entrenched powers he contends are holding America back.
THE RACE: Edwards, who finished second in the 2004 Iowa caucuses, held sizable leads among Iowa Democrats until recent months. His main rivals, Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, have closed the gap and turned the race into a three-way competition for the top spot.
KEY MESSAGE: Edwards has stepped up the passion with which he urges working Americans to stand together against the big-money powers that he says have "rigged" the system against them. "Do you want to know why you don't have universal health care? I have a very simple answer: The insurance companies, the drug companies, and the lobbyists who represent them - that's why you don't have universal health care."
CROWD: The audience grew to several hundred as Edwards spoke in the afternoon sunshine. Organizers said it appeared to be the largest crowd so far at the Soapbox. Some audience members were strong Edwards supporters. Some others identified themselves as Republicans who happened to be passing by and were curious to see the candidate in person.
ISSUES: Edwards, a former trial lawyer, is positioning himself as the candidate with the most specific plans to help average Americans. He cites his health care plan, his fair-trade proposals and his ideas to prevent corporations from taking over agriculture.
QUOTE: "We need a president of the United States who will take these people on and beat them. I've been doing it my whole life. For 20 years, I've done it in courtrooms. I've taken them on, and I've beat 'em. I've taken them on, and I've beat 'em. And I've taken them on, and I've beat 'em. And that's exactly what I'm going to do as the president of the United States."
In the crowd, were a handful of Hillary Clinton supporters who attempted to suss out the Edwards issues that resonated for potential caucus-goers.
Earlier in the evening, at the Pappajohn Business Building at the University of Iowa, Elizabeth Edwards read selections to a near capacity crowd from her book "Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers" and answered a number of questions from the audience including a telling question of what she felt the role of the first "mate" was and what she would do as the next First Lady.
She said that her chief role would be as a sounding board to John because he trusts her to not have an agenda in giving him advice. She also mentioned how she felt that current First Lady, Laura Bush, was squandering the role of first lady by not addressing issues that are of importance and that she would work on funding after school programs like the one that was set up after her son Wade that provides access to computers to children in low socio-economic areas. She also said she would make funding cancer research a priority. At the conclusion of her talk, she was given a standing ovation by a mostly non-partisan crowd.
Earlier in the day, according to the Des Moines Register, Sen. John Edwards gave a vigorous speech Thursday at The Des Moines Register's Soapbox, focusing on fighting the entrenched powers he contends are holding America back.
THE RACE: Edwards, who finished second in the 2004 Iowa caucuses, held sizable leads among Iowa Democrats until recent months. His main rivals, Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, have closed the gap and turned the race into a three-way competition for the top spot.
KEY MESSAGE: Edwards has stepped up the passion with which he urges working Americans to stand together against the big-money powers that he says have "rigged" the system against them. "Do you want to know why you don't have universal health care? I have a very simple answer: The insurance companies, the drug companies, and the lobbyists who represent them - that's why you don't have universal health care."
CROWD: The audience grew to several hundred as Edwards spoke in the afternoon sunshine. Organizers said it appeared to be the largest crowd so far at the Soapbox. Some audience members were strong Edwards supporters. Some others identified themselves as Republicans who happened to be passing by and were curious to see the candidate in person.
ISSUES: Edwards, a former trial lawyer, is positioning himself as the candidate with the most specific plans to help average Americans. He cites his health care plan, his fair-trade proposals and his ideas to prevent corporations from taking over agriculture.
QUOTE: "We need a president of the United States who will take these people on and beat them. I've been doing it my whole life. For 20 years, I've done it in courtrooms. I've taken them on, and I've beat 'em. I've taken them on, and I've beat 'em. And I've taken them on, and I've beat 'em. And that's exactly what I'm going to do as the president of the United States."
Who to Believe:The Report V. The Testimony?
It has widely been bandied about that the Iraq War benchmark report, which will be delivered to Congress in mid-September, will come from an assortment of sources, not just the top commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus. It will be authored, as Congress dictates, by the White House and will likely include the assessments of Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, Ambassador Ryan Crocker, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and many others.
Additionally the White House has fought off suggestions that it will not allow General Petraeus to answer questions from Congress in open hearings. According to the Congressional Quarterly, Petraeus's "testimony will be his word coming out of his mouth. Nobody is going to be telling him what to say or how to say it,” according to a senior official.
The key issue will be how much weight Congress will place on the benchmark report versus the weight placed on the sworn testimony of key military staff. In other words, does Congress trust what is published from the White House or what they hear from the field commander in Iraq? This situation places General Petraeus in a lose/lose situation. If he reports things are going well, he is likely to be seen as a Bush toadie. If he reports that things are going poorly, it may be spun that he is an ineffectual leader.
At the end of the day, Congress will have to decide if it has sufficient votes to press for an end to the war or to continue in a divided fashion to stay the course. At stake is the sense of the American people that Congress is acting with due dilligence on the information they have, as opposed to seemingly uphold each party's line.
Additionally the White House has fought off suggestions that it will not allow General Petraeus to answer questions from Congress in open hearings. According to the Congressional Quarterly, Petraeus's "testimony will be his word coming out of his mouth. Nobody is going to be telling him what to say or how to say it,” according to a senior official.
The key issue will be how much weight Congress will place on the benchmark report versus the weight placed on the sworn testimony of key military staff. In other words, does Congress trust what is published from the White House or what they hear from the field commander in Iraq? This situation places General Petraeus in a lose/lose situation. If he reports things are going well, he is likely to be seen as a Bush toadie. If he reports that things are going poorly, it may be spun that he is an ineffectual leader.
At the end of the day, Congress will have to decide if it has sufficient votes to press for an end to the war or to continue in a divided fashion to stay the course. At stake is the sense of the American people that Congress is acting with due dilligence on the information they have, as opposed to seemingly uphold each party's line.
The Media Disaster of the Utah Mining Disaster
From Why Are the New York Times and So Much of the Traditional* Media Neglecting a Vital Part of the Utah Mine Collapse Story?by Arianna Huffington
Yesterday, while speaking at the Aspen Institute’s Forum on Communications and Society, I commented on how the mainstream media have, with a few exceptions, been focusing on only one aspect of the Crandall Canyon Mine tragedy — the desperate attempt to rescue the trapped miners — while paying scant attention to investigating the reasons why these miners were trapped in the first place.
I specifically mentioned Sunday’s New York Times piece by Martin Stolz, who had been dispatched to Huntington to cover the story. Stolz’s report was filled with details about the progress rescuers had made through the collapsed mine (650 ft), and the capabilities of the hi-res camera being lowered into the mine (can pick up images from 100 ft away) — but not one word about what led to the collapse, including the role retreat mining might have played in it, or the 324 safety violations federal inspectors have issued for the mine since 2004.
The story, like most of the TV coverage, featured Bob Murray, the colorful co-owner of the mine. Stolz painted a picture of Murray emerging from the mine “with a coal-blackened face and in miner’s coveralls to discuss the latest finding with the families of the missing miners.”
Cue the swelling music and start the casting session. Your mind reflexively begins to wonder who would play Murray in the Crandall Canyon TV movie. Wilfred Brimley? Robert Duvall? Paul Newman?
Of course, Murray’s role in all this is much darker than that of the compassionate boss given to delivering script-ready lines like, “Conditions are the most difficult I have seen in my 50 years of mining” and “There are many reasons to have hope still” (as he has been quoted saying in two other Times stories).
He is a politically-connected Big Energy player whose company, Murray Energy Corp., has 19 mines in five states, which have incurred millions of dollars in fines for safety violations over the last 18 months.
Probably won’t see that in the TV movie.
Murray has also continued to insist that the mine collapse was the result of an earthquake — a claim disputed by seismologists.
So why has so much of the coverage focused on folksy Bob Murray, the stalwart and kindly mine owner, instead of mining mogul Robert Murray, who may have been at least partly responsible for decisions that led to the disaster?
Yesterday, while speaking at the Aspen Institute’s Forum on Communications and Society, I commented on how the mainstream media have, with a few exceptions, been focusing on only one aspect of the Crandall Canyon Mine tragedy — the desperate attempt to rescue the trapped miners — while paying scant attention to investigating the reasons why these miners were trapped in the first place.
I specifically mentioned Sunday’s New York Times piece by Martin Stolz, who had been dispatched to Huntington to cover the story. Stolz’s report was filled with details about the progress rescuers had made through the collapsed mine (650 ft), and the capabilities of the hi-res camera being lowered into the mine (can pick up images from 100 ft away) — but not one word about what led to the collapse, including the role retreat mining might have played in it, or the 324 safety violations federal inspectors have issued for the mine since 2004.
The story, like most of the TV coverage, featured Bob Murray, the colorful co-owner of the mine. Stolz painted a picture of Murray emerging from the mine “with a coal-blackened face and in miner’s coveralls to discuss the latest finding with the families of the missing miners.”
Cue the swelling music and start the casting session. Your mind reflexively begins to wonder who would play Murray in the Crandall Canyon TV movie. Wilfred Brimley? Robert Duvall? Paul Newman?
Of course, Murray’s role in all this is much darker than that of the compassionate boss given to delivering script-ready lines like, “Conditions are the most difficult I have seen in my 50 years of mining” and “There are many reasons to have hope still” (as he has been quoted saying in two other Times stories).
He is a politically-connected Big Energy player whose company, Murray Energy Corp., has 19 mines in five states, which have incurred millions of dollars in fines for safety violations over the last 18 months.
Probably won’t see that in the TV movie.
Murray has also continued to insist that the mine collapse was the result of an earthquake — a claim disputed by seismologists.
So why has so much of the coverage focused on folksy Bob Murray, the stalwart and kindly mine owner, instead of mining mogul Robert Murray, who may have been at least partly responsible for decisions that led to the disaster?
"End the War" Signs at Friday Night Concert in Iowa City Tonight
From Americans Against Escalation in Iraq
The "Support the Troops, End the War" yard sign drive sponsored by Americans Against Escalation in Iraq's 'Iraq Summer' Campaign will come to Iowa City on Friday and Fort Dodge, Mason City, and Marshalltown on Saturday as part an ongoing effort to convince Senator Chuck Grassley and U.S. Representative Tom Latham to change course and vote for the safe and responsible redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq. With the goal of planting over 6,000 yard signs throughout Iowa, 'Iraq Summer' officially launched the effort in Altoona last month in the yard of Dr. Larry Koenig, a lifelong Republican who served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and whose daughter and son joined the United States Army.
"Iraq Summer" is a nationwide, 10-week long campaign with nearly 100 organizers in 15 states and 40 congressional districts to turn up the heat on Members of Congress who have opposed setting a timeline to bring a safe and responsible end to the war in Iraq. The effort will culminate with a national "Take a Stand" day on August 28th, when Members of Congress will have the opportunity to explain their stance on the war to their constituents in a town hall setting.
WHO: Americans Against Escalation in Iraq's 'Iraq Summer' Campaign
WHAT: "Support the Troops, End the War" Yard Sign Drive Comes to a Town Near You
WHERE/WHEN:
1) Friday, August 17: 6 -9 pm
Iowa City - Ped Mall at the Friday Night Concert Series (Corner of Dubuque and Washington Streets) 1000 signs expected to be distributed at this event
2) Saturday, August 18: 11AM – 2PM
Fort Dodge: City Square, 424 Central Avenue, Fort Dodge, IA
John Slaight 202-423-5693
3) Saturday, August 18: 11 am – 1 pm
Mason City: Labor Temple, 510 South Pennsylvania Avenue, Mason City, IA
Liam Gallagher 202-904-7212
4) Saturday, August 18: 10 am – Noon
Anson Park, 301 E. Anson, Marshalltown, IA
Amethyst Polk, 202-423-3542
5) Every day, August 15 - 19 4-8 pm
3214 University, Des Moines, Iowa
Across from the State Fairgrounds
The "Support the Troops, End the War" yard sign drive sponsored by Americans Against Escalation in Iraq's 'Iraq Summer' Campaign will come to Iowa City on Friday and Fort Dodge, Mason City, and Marshalltown on Saturday as part an ongoing effort to convince Senator Chuck Grassley and U.S. Representative Tom Latham to change course and vote for the safe and responsible redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq. With the goal of planting over 6,000 yard signs throughout Iowa, 'Iraq Summer' officially launched the effort in Altoona last month in the yard of Dr. Larry Koenig, a lifelong Republican who served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and whose daughter and son joined the United States Army.
"Iraq Summer" is a nationwide, 10-week long campaign with nearly 100 organizers in 15 states and 40 congressional districts to turn up the heat on Members of Congress who have opposed setting a timeline to bring a safe and responsible end to the war in Iraq. The effort will culminate with a national "Take a Stand" day on August 28th, when Members of Congress will have the opportunity to explain their stance on the war to their constituents in a town hall setting.
WHO: Americans Against Escalation in Iraq's 'Iraq Summer' Campaign
WHAT: "Support the Troops, End the War" Yard Sign Drive Comes to a Town Near You
WHERE/WHEN:
1) Friday, August 17: 6 -9 pm
Iowa City - Ped Mall at the Friday Night Concert Series (Corner of Dubuque and Washington Streets) 1000 signs expected to be distributed at this event
2) Saturday, August 18: 11AM – 2PM
Fort Dodge: City Square, 424 Central Avenue, Fort Dodge, IA
John Slaight 202-423-5693
3) Saturday, August 18: 11 am – 1 pm
Mason City: Labor Temple, 510 South Pennsylvania Avenue, Mason City, IA
Liam Gallagher 202-904-7212
4) Saturday, August 18: 10 am – Noon
Anson Park, 301 E. Anson, Marshalltown, IA
Amethyst Polk, 202-423-3542
5) Every day, August 15 - 19 4-8 pm
3214 University, Des Moines, Iowa
Across from the State Fairgrounds
Edwards Says "Just Say No" to Lobbyist $$$
Former Senator John Edwards is ratcheting up the pressure on his Democratic rivals on the issue of accepting campaign contributions from lobbyists, as he seeks to highlight a distinction between himself and several other candidates in advance of ABC's Democratic debate Sunday in Iowa.
Edwards, D-N.C., on Thursday sent a letter to Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., to join him in calling on the Democratic Party to stop accepting lobbyists' contributions. Both Edwards and Obama have refused to accept money from federally registered lobbyists during their campaigns for the presidency -- a position that puts them at odds with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.
"Lobbyists are at the core of the way the system is rigged against regular folks," Jonathan Prince, Edwards' deputy campaign manager, said in a conference call with reporters. "Let's take that money out of the process."
Edwards wants Obama to join him in calling for the Democratic National Committee as well as the party's House and Senate fundraising arms to reject lobbyists donations going forward.
Edwards, D-N.C., on Thursday sent a letter to Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., to join him in calling on the Democratic Party to stop accepting lobbyists' contributions. Both Edwards and Obama have refused to accept money from federally registered lobbyists during their campaigns for the presidency -- a position that puts them at odds with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.
"Lobbyists are at the core of the way the system is rigged against regular folks," Jonathan Prince, Edwards' deputy campaign manager, said in a conference call with reporters. "Let's take that money out of the process."
Edwards wants Obama to join him in calling for the Democratic National Committee as well as the party's House and Senate fundraising arms to reject lobbyists donations going forward.
Dems to Debate from Des Moines Early Sunday
This Sunday morning bright and early at 8:00 am (check here for your area), the Iowa Democratic Party will co-sponsor a live debate featuring all the Democratic presidential candidates with ABC News and ABC5/WOI-TV. The debate will be held at Drake University and broadcast live on a special edition of This Week with George Stephanopoulos.
The 90 minute debate will also feature questioning from David Yepsen of the Des Moines Register.This will be one of six debates sanctioned by the Democratic National Committee and all eight Democratic presidential candidates have confirmed their attendance. Senator Joe Biden, Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Chris Dodd, Former Senator John Edwards, Former Senator Mike Gravel, Representative Dennis Kucinich, Senator Barack Obama and Governor Bill Richardson will all be participating.
“The Iowa Democratic Party is proud to co-sponsor this debate with ABC News and ABC5/WOI-TV,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Scott Brennan. “We are looking forward to welcoming all of the candidates to Iowa. Iowans take their role as first-in-the-nation caucus-goers very seriously and this debate is a great opportunity to hear all the candidates share their vision for our country with Iowans and Americans.”
The 90 minute debate will also feature questioning from David Yepsen of the Des Moines Register.This will be one of six debates sanctioned by the Democratic National Committee and all eight Democratic presidential candidates have confirmed their attendance. Senator Joe Biden, Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Chris Dodd, Former Senator John Edwards, Former Senator Mike Gravel, Representative Dennis Kucinich, Senator Barack Obama and Governor Bill Richardson will all be participating.
“The Iowa Democratic Party is proud to co-sponsor this debate with ABC News and ABC5/WOI-TV,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Scott Brennan. “We are looking forward to welcoming all of the candidates to Iowa. Iowans take their role as first-in-the-nation caucus-goers very seriously and this debate is a great opportunity to hear all the candidates share their vision for our country with Iowans and Americans.”
Jail Consultant to Johnson County: 92 to 450 by 2030
Study predicts Johnson will need bigger jail from the Gazette
IOWA CITY - Johnson County, which is considering building a new jail, eventually may need nearly five times the number of beds its current jail has, a consultant said Thursday.
Based on demographic projections, the county might require a jail with about 250 beds by the year 2020 and a 450-bed facility by 2030, Michael Lewis of Durrant Group Inc. told the county Board of Supervisors at its informal meeting.
The Johnson County Jail has 92 beds.``The 250 number, I wasn't surprised,'' Supervisor Rod Sullivan said. ``The 450, I definitely swallowed hard.''
Gark comment: I find it interesting that a consultant can predict crime rates based on the general population. I have significant doubt that Johnson County voters are going to pony up for a 250-450 bed jail when even privately we can't get a 75 bed homeless shelter built.
Thursday, August 16
Skeptical Judges Question Government NSA Claims
From the NY Times
Three federal appeals court judges hearing challenges to the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs appeared skeptical of and sometimes hostile to the Bush administration’s central argument Wednesday: that national security concerns require that the lawsuits be dismissed.
“Is it the government’s position that when our country is engaged in a war that the power of the executive when it comes to wiretapping is unchecked?” Judge Harry Pregerson asked a government lawyer. His tone was one of incredulity and frustration.
Gregory G. Garre, a deputy solicitor general representing the administration, replied that the courts had a role, though a limited one, in assessing the government’s assertion of the so-called state secrets privilege, which can require the dismissal of suits that could endanger national security. Judges, he said, must give executive branch determinations “utmost deference.”
“Litigating this action could result in exceptionally grave harm to the national security of the United States,” Mr. Garre said, referring to the assessment of intelligence officials.
More
Three federal appeals court judges hearing challenges to the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs appeared skeptical of and sometimes hostile to the Bush administration’s central argument Wednesday: that national security concerns require that the lawsuits be dismissed.
“Is it the government’s position that when our country is engaged in a war that the power of the executive when it comes to wiretapping is unchecked?” Judge Harry Pregerson asked a government lawyer. His tone was one of incredulity and frustration.
Gregory G. Garre, a deputy solicitor general representing the administration, replied that the courts had a role, though a limited one, in assessing the government’s assertion of the so-called state secrets privilege, which can require the dismissal of suits that could endanger national security. Judges, he said, must give executive branch determinations “utmost deference.”
“Litigating this action could result in exceptionally grave harm to the national security of the United States,” Mr. Garre said, referring to the assessment of intelligence officials.
More
Biden's Son in Line to Go to Iraq
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden told a crowd at the Iowa State Fair Wednesday that his son will be deployed to Iraq.
Beau Biden, Delaware’s attorney general, is a captain in the Army National Guard. His unit has been notified that it will be deployed in January 2008.
“He’ll go…I don’t want him going,” the Delaware senator told the crowd. “But I don’t want my grandsons or granddaughters going back in 15 years. So how we leave makes a big difference.”
The Delaware senator’s son was in attendance as Biden addressed the crowd in Des Moines.
Republican presidential candidates John McCain and Duncan Hunter also have sons who have either served or have been called for duty in Iraq.
Beau Biden, Delaware’s attorney general, is a captain in the Army National Guard. His unit has been notified that it will be deployed in January 2008.
“He’ll go…I don’t want him going,” the Delaware senator told the crowd. “But I don’t want my grandsons or granddaughters going back in 15 years. So how we leave makes a big difference.”
The Delaware senator’s son was in attendance as Biden addressed the crowd in Des Moines.
Republican presidential candidates John McCain and Duncan Hunter also have sons who have either served or have been called for duty in Iraq.
Sen. Ron Wyden Says "No" to Torture Lawyer
From Talking Points Memo
A Democratic senator says he will block President Bush's nominee to become the CIA's top lawyer indefinitely over concerns that the agency's interrogation techniques may not be legal.
"I'm going to keep the hold until the detention and interrogation program is on firm footing, both in terms of effectiveness and legality," Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said Wednesday.
Wyden said he was troubled that John Rizzo _ who is serving as the CIA's interim general counsel _ did not object to a 2002 memo authorizing interrogation techniques that stop just short of inflicting pain equal to that accompanying organ failure or even death.
Wyden also said he was concerned that an executive order Bush issued last month did not clarify legal guidelines regarding CIA detentions and interrogations.
"I am not at all convinced that the techniques outlined in these guidelines are effective, nor am I convinced that they stay within the law," said Wyden, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
"The last thing that I want to see is hardworking, well-intentioned CIA officers breaking the law because they have been given shaky legal guidance," he said.
Spokesman Mark Mansfield said CIA Director Michael Hayden strongly supports Rizzo's nomination, noting that Rizzo would be the first general counsel to come up through the ranks of the CIA. Rizzo has been with the agency for more than three decades and served as acting general counsel from 2001 to 2002 and again since August 2004.
"Mr. Rizzo's objective has been and continues to be to give the CIA the legal framework it needs to help protect our country in full and strict accord with the laws and treaty obligation of the United States," Mansfield said.
The agency's terrorist interrogation and detention program has been implemented lawfully and with great care, Mansfield said: "It has produced vital information that has helped our country disrupt terrorist plots and save innocent lives. The United States does not conduct or condone torture."
At a public hearing in June, Rizzo said he did not object to the 2002 memo that said for an interrogation technique to considered torture, it must inflict pain "equivalent in intensity to the pain accompanying serious physical injury, such as organ failure, impairment of bodily function, or even death." He said he later found the document to be an "aggressive, expansive" reading of U.S. law.
Under Senate rules, a single senator, sometimes anonymously, can put a hold on legislative action for months. Wyden makes a practice of announcing his holds.
A Democratic senator says he will block President Bush's nominee to become the CIA's top lawyer indefinitely over concerns that the agency's interrogation techniques may not be legal.
"I'm going to keep the hold until the detention and interrogation program is on firm footing, both in terms of effectiveness and legality," Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said Wednesday.
Wyden said he was troubled that John Rizzo _ who is serving as the CIA's interim general counsel _ did not object to a 2002 memo authorizing interrogation techniques that stop just short of inflicting pain equal to that accompanying organ failure or even death.
Wyden also said he was concerned that an executive order Bush issued last month did not clarify legal guidelines regarding CIA detentions and interrogations.
"I am not at all convinced that the techniques outlined in these guidelines are effective, nor am I convinced that they stay within the law," said Wyden, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
"The last thing that I want to see is hardworking, well-intentioned CIA officers breaking the law because they have been given shaky legal guidance," he said.
Spokesman Mark Mansfield said CIA Director Michael Hayden strongly supports Rizzo's nomination, noting that Rizzo would be the first general counsel to come up through the ranks of the CIA. Rizzo has been with the agency for more than three decades and served as acting general counsel from 2001 to 2002 and again since August 2004.
"Mr. Rizzo's objective has been and continues to be to give the CIA the legal framework it needs to help protect our country in full and strict accord with the laws and treaty obligation of the United States," Mansfield said.
The agency's terrorist interrogation and detention program has been implemented lawfully and with great care, Mansfield said: "It has produced vital information that has helped our country disrupt terrorist plots and save innocent lives. The United States does not conduct or condone torture."
At a public hearing in June, Rizzo said he did not object to the 2002 memo that said for an interrogation technique to considered torture, it must inflict pain "equivalent in intensity to the pain accompanying serious physical injury, such as organ failure, impairment of bodily function, or even death." He said he later found the document to be an "aggressive, expansive" reading of U.S. law.
Under Senate rules, a single senator, sometimes anonymously, can put a hold on legislative action for months. Wyden makes a practice of announcing his holds.
Army Suicides at 26 Year High
Army's suicide rate at 26-year high
Report says about a quarter occurred during war service
By Pauline Jelinek, Associated Press August 16, 2007
WASHINGTON -- Army soldiers committed suicide last year at the highest rate in 26 years, and more than a quarter did so while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a military report.
The report, obtained by the Associated Press ahead of its scheduled release today, found there were 99 confirmed suicides among active duty soldiers in 2006, up from 88 the previous year and the highest since 102 suicides in 1991.
In a service of more than a half million soldiers, the 99 suicides amounted to a rate of 17.3 per 100,000 -- the highest in the past 26 years, the report said. The average rate over those years has been 12.3 per 100,000.
The suicide rate for those serving in the wars stayed about the same, 19.4 per 100,000 in 2006, compared with 19.9 in 2005.
"Iraq was the most common deployment location for both [suicides] and attempts," the report said.
The 99 suicides included 28 soldiers deployed to the two wars and 71 who weren't. About twice as many women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan committed suicide as did women not sent to war, the report said.
Preliminary numbers for the first half of this year indicate the number of suicides could decline across the service this year but increase among troops serving in the wars, officials said.
The increases for 2006 occurred as Army officials worked to set up new and stronger programs for providing mental health care to a force strained by the prolonged war in Iraq and global counterterrorism war, which is entering its sixth year.
Failed personal relationships, legal and financial problems, and the stress of their jobs were factors motivating the soldiers to commit suicide, according to the report. Related Story
Report says about a quarter occurred during war service
By Pauline Jelinek, Associated Press August 16, 2007
WASHINGTON -- Army soldiers committed suicide last year at the highest rate in 26 years, and more than a quarter did so while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a military report.
The report, obtained by the Associated Press ahead of its scheduled release today, found there were 99 confirmed suicides among active duty soldiers in 2006, up from 88 the previous year and the highest since 102 suicides in 1991.
In a service of more than a half million soldiers, the 99 suicides amounted to a rate of 17.3 per 100,000 -- the highest in the past 26 years, the report said. The average rate over those years has been 12.3 per 100,000.
The suicide rate for those serving in the wars stayed about the same, 19.4 per 100,000 in 2006, compared with 19.9 in 2005.
"Iraq was the most common deployment location for both [suicides] and attempts," the report said.
The 99 suicides included 28 soldiers deployed to the two wars and 71 who weren't. About twice as many women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan committed suicide as did women not sent to war, the report said.
Preliminary numbers for the first half of this year indicate the number of suicides could decline across the service this year but increase among troops serving in the wars, officials said.
The increases for 2006 occurred as Army officials worked to set up new and stronger programs for providing mental health care to a force strained by the prolonged war in Iraq and global counterterrorism war, which is entering its sixth year.
Failed personal relationships, legal and financial problems, and the stress of their jobs were factors motivating the soldiers to commit suicide, according to the report. Related Story
John and Elizabeth in Iowa City This Friday
My favorite "power (to the people) couple", John and Elizabeth Edwards, will be in Iowa City on Friday night. John will be rolling in on the "Fighting for One America" bus and Elizabeth will be reading from her book "Saving Graces."
Friday, August 17th, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Location
Corner of Market and Capitol Streets,
Iowa City Iowa
52240
Details
Join John AND Elizabeth Edwards for two separate events Friday evening, August 17 in Iowa City.
AT 7:00 P.M.:
Elizabeth Edwards will read from her book "Saving Graces" on Live From Prairie Lights at 7:00 pm at Buchanan Auditorium at the Pappajohn School of Business on the UI campus (corner of Capitol and Market strets).
AT 8:30 P.M.:
John Edwards will meet with voters at the Hamburg Inn on Linn Street.
You will have plenty of time to see Elizabeth at 7:00 pm and then walk 3 blocks east to see John at 8:30 pm.
Pass the word to your neighbors and friends about this rare opportunity to hear both John and Elizabeth on the same night a few blocks away from each other.
Stop by the Edwards Campaign Office at 213 E. Burlington Street or call 319-338-7268 for more information about these events and for volunteer activities.
Friday, August 17th, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Location
Corner of Market and Capitol Streets,
Iowa City Iowa
52240
Details
Join John AND Elizabeth Edwards for two separate events Friday evening, August 17 in Iowa City.
AT 7:00 P.M.:
Elizabeth Edwards will read from her book "Saving Graces" on Live From Prairie Lights at 7:00 pm at Buchanan Auditorium at the Pappajohn School of Business on the UI campus (corner of Capitol and Market strets).
AT 8:30 P.M.:
John Edwards will meet with voters at the Hamburg Inn on Linn Street.
You will have plenty of time to see Elizabeth at 7:00 pm and then walk 3 blocks east to see John at 8:30 pm.
Pass the word to your neighbors and friends about this rare opportunity to hear both John and Elizabeth on the same night a few blocks away from each other.
Stop by the Edwards Campaign Office at 213 E. Burlington Street or call 319-338-7268 for more information about these events and for volunteer activities.
Wednesday, August 15
Official Iowa City Council Candidates: Who is In and Who is Officially In
Corruption Abounds North to Alaska
The entire delegation for the state of Alaska is likely to be under federal indictment; Watch for: Ted Stevens, Don Young, Lisa Murkowski
Alaska Lawmakers Losing Clout
Wednesday, August 15th, 2007 at 11:14am
AP Photo/AL Grillo
WASHINGTON
When he was a keeper of the federal purse strings, Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska told another Republican senator who opposed the infamous "bridge to nowhere," "I don't threaten people. I promise people."
His home-state GOP colleague, Rep. Don Young, was not to be outdone. Last month he told a fellow House member who opposed education money for native Alaskans: "There is always another day when those who bite will be killed, too, and I am very good at that. Those that bite me will be bitten back."
Stevens and Young may not be promising, threatening or biting anymore, now that both are under federal investigation.
The investigations _ and a questionable land deal that entangled the third member of Alaska's congressional delegation _ also may have ended a modern-day gold rush that sent billions of federal dollars to the state.
Alaska's entire delegation is under an ethical cloud, something congressional historians say is unprecedented:
_ Stevens is contending with an extraordinary FBI and IRS raid on his Girdwood, Alaska, home and a probe into his dealings with businessmen who oversaw remodeling of the house.
_ Young is the subject of a federal investigation that includes his campaign finance practices, and he has been chided by the leaders of his own party for his threatening comments. He was left off a House-Senate conference on an annual water resources bill that he had handled as a committee chairman.
More on Young
_ Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced that she and her husband will sell back an undeveloped piece of riverfront property after a complaint to the Senate's ethics committee alleged the purchase was a sweetheart deal.
Alaska Lawmakers Losing Clout
Wednesday, August 15th, 2007 at 11:14am
AP Photo/AL Grillo
WASHINGTON
When he was a keeper of the federal purse strings, Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska told another Republican senator who opposed the infamous "bridge to nowhere," "I don't threaten people. I promise people."
His home-state GOP colleague, Rep. Don Young, was not to be outdone. Last month he told a fellow House member who opposed education money for native Alaskans: "There is always another day when those who bite will be killed, too, and I am very good at that. Those that bite me will be bitten back."
Stevens and Young may not be promising, threatening or biting anymore, now that both are under federal investigation.
The investigations _ and a questionable land deal that entangled the third member of Alaska's congressional delegation _ also may have ended a modern-day gold rush that sent billions of federal dollars to the state.
Alaska's entire delegation is under an ethical cloud, something congressional historians say is unprecedented:
_ Stevens is contending with an extraordinary FBI and IRS raid on his Girdwood, Alaska, home and a probe into his dealings with businessmen who oversaw remodeling of the house.
_ Young is the subject of a federal investigation that includes his campaign finance practices, and he has been chided by the leaders of his own party for his threatening comments. He was left off a House-Senate conference on an annual water resources bill that he had handled as a committee chairman.
More on Young
_ Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced that she and her husband will sell back an undeveloped piece of riverfront property after a complaint to the Senate's ethics committee alleged the purchase was a sweetheart deal.
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