The Fraud Of GOP Tax And School Choice Policy Shown In Arizona
Here I want to draw attention to the August winner of Hillman Foundation's "The Sidney", an investigative series by Ryan Gabrielson and Michelle Reese in the East Valley Tribune Newspaper, from metropolitan Phoenix, about taxpayer subsidized school tuition credit abuse in Arizona. One of the constant refrains emanating from the conservative right is "school choice" and, of course, their standard claim on tax policy. Both areas are nothing but flimsy fronts for class warfare and further unjust enrichment of the already privileged.
The Lead Up to Bybee
A timeline of the documentation leading up to the completion of the Bybee Memo.
Law & Order v. John Yoo
As we've been discussing the threads, Law and Order last night took on torture and, specifically, the role of John Yoo and others in justifying torture. I'm particularly interested in the way they left the episode unresolved--just as we are now on torture.
Found: The OGC Review. Still Missing: Legal Plausibility.
The CIA"s description of the OGC review it conducted in December 2002 to make sure the interrogation of Abu Zubdaydah didn't break the law dances carefully around whether or not this was a "review" or an investigation.
Rahm's Placeholder, Forrest Claypool?
There are a few reasons why Blago's claim that Rahm tried to get Blago to appoint Forrest Claypool are interesting.
Trash Talk - Crazy Pete's Miranda Edition
Hello Americans, it's Friday! Since that no longer means Paul Harvey is coming on the radio, it means it is time for Trash. Speaking of trash, we have the garbage from Crazy Pete Hoekstra and J-John Shaddegg (article with quote in it here). So, what is it with these wild 'n crazy conservatives?
Crazy Pete Hoekstra: Obama Must Torture
Crazy Pete Hoekstra lives up to his nick-name with this op-ed today in the right wing Washington Times.
Further Comments from Jerrold Nadler on the "New" State Secrets Policy
A bit on where the state secrets legislation will go from here.
State Secrets: Holder's Game
The Obama Administration appears to have issued its "new" state secrets policy in an effort to pre-empt both legislation and court rulings implementing a CIPA-like process in state secrets.
Vote Fraud in Clay County and the Hanged Census Worker
By now, you've probably heard the horrible story about the census worker and teacher found hanged in Clay County, KY with the word "fed" written on his chest.
Before we assume that this apparent homicide was a response solely to the attacks Michelle Bachmann and others have made on the census, it's worth recalling how Clay County made news earlier this year, when a bunch of local officials were indicted for vote
"New" State Secrets Policy "Smoke and Mirrors"
Some comments on Holder's new state secrets policy.
More on Holder's "New" State Secrets Policy
A quick look at Holder's "new" policy on state secrets.
Obama's New State Secrets Policy Is Reaffirmation Of Bush's Policy
Back in mid June, testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the Obama Administration's long promised new policy on state secrets use would be revealed "within days". Over three months later, and on the eve of oral argument in the most critical case, and most dangerous to the government unfettered use of state secrets, the Administration has conveniently leaked word that its new policy will be released.
JPRA's Advice Has Gone Missing
One of the key documents showing the appropriation of DOD's SERE techniques at CIA appears to have gone missing.
CIA's Latest Vaughn Declarations, Working Thread
The CIA has released some new Vaughn Declaration documents in the ACLU's torture FOIA. These documents relate to its communication with the OLC;David Barron declarationWendy Hilton declarationVaughn Index
I'm keeping half an ear on HJC's PATRIOT Act hearing at the moment, then will need to head to the CGI event. So I won't be able to look at them until later.
Bill Clinton on Student Loans and Health Care
Bill Clinton says we need to take the private profit out of student loans. But he doesn't see the importance of doing so with health care.
Torture Is Counterproductive To Interrogation Results!
As Fatster noted, there is a new report out from Pamela Hess of the AP relating the conclusions of a paper, published in the scientific journal Trends in Cognitive Science: Science and Society, by Irish professor and researcher Shane O'Mara, on the deleterious effects of the procedures employed by the Bush Administration torture program:The CIA's harsh interrogation program likely damaged the brain and memory functions of terrorist suspects, diminishing their physical
Travel Week
I'm off to the big city this week. As I previously noted, on Wednesday I will do a Nation event with Dan Rather and Jane Mayer.
The Nation presents a conversation on the future of news, featuring legendary newscaster Dan Rather, investigative reporter and best-selling author Jane Mayer, pioneering blogger Marcy Wheeler, and longtime editor and publisher--now publisher emeritus--of The Nation, Victor Navasky.
Mowhoush and al-Jamadi
A short look at some of the CIA's discussions of the Mowhoush and al-Janabi killings.
Obama (and John Boehner) on Al Punto
Obama on Al Punto.