interpreting the constitution
number 123 10.07.07
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Shortly after becoming Attorney General
in early 2005, Alberto Gonzales signed a
secret Justice Department document
approving a range of extreme tactics for
use by CIA interrogators on terrorist
suspects, overriding a previous legal
finding that had called torture
"abhorrent" and placed restrictions on
the Bush administration's treatment of
detainees. The Departmental
memorandum explicitly authorized the
physical and psychological abuse of
so-called "enemy combatants," including
simulated drowning, also known as
"waterboarding," at a time when the
White House was publicly softening its
stance on detainees' rights. Details of the
secret memo were revealed last week
in early 2005, Alberto Gonzales signed a
secret Justice Department document
approving a range of extreme tactics for
use by CIA interrogators on terrorist
suspects, overriding a previous legal
finding that had called torture
"abhorrent" and placed restrictions on
the Bush administration's treatment of
detainees. The Departmental
memorandum explicitly authorized the
physical and psychological abuse of
so-called "enemy combatants," including
simulated drowning, also known as
"waterboarding," at a time when the
White House was publicly softening its
stance on detainees' rights. Details of the
secret memo were revealed last week
in a report by the New York Times.
The disclosure of the memo, and of
another Justice Department finding
secretly issued later in 2005 which
declared that none of the CIA practices
were illegal under US law or
international treaties, outraged
Democratic Congressional leaders who
demanded information about the way
the administration obtained legal
approval for its policies. In a statement,
Senate Intelligence Committee
Chairman John D. Rockefeller (D-WV)
said, "The administration can't have it
both ways. I'm tired of these games.
They can't say that Congress has been
fully briefed while refusing to turn
The disclosure of the memo, and of
another Justice Department finding
secretly issued later in 2005 which
declared that none of the CIA practices
were illegal under US law or
international treaties, outraged
Democratic Congressional leaders who
demanded information about the way
the administration obtained legal
approval for its policies. In a statement,
Senate Intelligence Committee
Chairman John D. Rockefeller (D-WV)
said, "The administration can't have it
both ways. I'm tired of these games.
They can't say that Congress has been
fully briefed while refusing to turn
over key documents used to justify
the legality of the program."
President Bush defended the
administration's treatment of
detainees in an unusual press briefing
last Friday, reiterating his past
assurances that the US "doesn't
torture," and saying, "We stick to US
law and international obligations."
Bush took no questions from
reporters at the Oval Office
appearance, but told them, "And by
the way, we have gotten information
from these high-value detainees that
have helped protect you." The
Times reported that the 2005
memos remain in effect it's all true
the legality of the program."
President Bush defended the
administration's treatment of
detainees in an unusual press briefing
last Friday, reiterating his past
assurances that the US "doesn't
torture," and saying, "We stick to US
law and international obligations."
Bush took no questions from
reporters at the Oval Office
appearance, but told them, "And by
the way, we have gotten information
from these high-value detainees that
have helped protect you." The
Times reported that the 2005
memos remain in effect it's all true
verbatim number 24.2
"And one of the
reasons it is hard work
is because on our TV
screens are these
violent killings...
reasons it is hard work
is because on our TV
screens are these
violent killings...
...and that ought to
be a lesson for the
American people."
Washington DC 07.12.07
be a lesson for the
American people."
Washington DC 07.12.07
...perpetuated by
people who have
done us harm in
the past...
people who have
done us harm in
the past...
The Bush administration has
moved to rewrite environmental
regulations to allow the mining
technique known as mountaintop
removal. The technique is used
widely in the Appalachian
Mountains but has been
challenged in federal court by
environmental advocacy groups.
The Department of the Interior
has proposed new language that
would amend a provision of
federal mining law that prohibits
mining activities within 100 feet
of a stream. The department said
that its revision is intended to
eliminate “confusion regarding the
requirements pertinent to mining
in and around streams.”
Environmental groups say that the
clarification would enshrine the
technique of mountaintop
removal by modifying rules that
protect streams.
Advances in industrial mining over
the past ten years have led to
wide use of mountaintop removal
techniques by coal mining
companies. Companies that use
the technique dynamite hundreds
of feet off the tops of mountains
to expose coal seams. Tons of
rock and soil are processed
through huge machines, some
twenty stories tall, called
draglines. The mining companies
dispose of the tons of rock and
soil that is left as waste in
mountain valleys, filling them in
and burying streams. Mountain
top removal mining has buried
over 1200 streams throughout
Appalachia and more than
387,000 acres of land has been
deforested by companies that
use the technique. it's all true
moved to rewrite environmental
regulations to allow the mining
technique known as mountaintop
removal. The technique is used
widely in the Appalachian
Mountains but has been
challenged in federal court by
environmental advocacy groups.
The Department of the Interior
has proposed new language that
would amend a provision of
federal mining law that prohibits
mining activities within 100 feet
of a stream. The department said
that its revision is intended to
eliminate “confusion regarding the
requirements pertinent to mining
in and around streams.”
Environmental groups say that the
clarification would enshrine the
technique of mountaintop
removal by modifying rules that
protect streams.
Advances in industrial mining over
the past ten years have led to
wide use of mountaintop removal
techniques by coal mining
companies. Companies that use
the technique dynamite hundreds
of feet off the tops of mountains
to expose coal seams. Tons of
rock and soil are processed
through huge machines, some
twenty stories tall, called
draglines. The mining companies
dispose of the tons of rock and
soil that is left as waste in
mountain valleys, filling them in
and burying streams. Mountain
top removal mining has buried
over 1200 streams throughout
Appalachia and more than
387,000 acres of land has been
deforested by companies that
use the technique. it's all true
The House has passed a law that would
allow private contractors that are
employed by the US State Department
who break the law in war zones to be
prosecuted in US Courts. The bill has
yet to be debated by the Senate, but the
White House and intelligence officials
have expressed their fears that bringing
private contractors under US law would
constrain US intelligence agencies and
undermine intelligence operations.
The Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction
Act Expansion and Enforcement Act
authorizes the Justice Department to
prosecute crimes committed by US
employed contractors in war zones,
requires the FBI to set up investigation
units in war zones where contractors are
operating and inform Congress about
on-going inquiries. The House passed
the proposal in the same week that
allow private contractors that are
employed by the US State Department
who break the law in war zones to be
prosecuted in US Courts. The bill has
yet to be debated by the Senate, but the
White House and intelligence officials
have expressed their fears that bringing
private contractors under US law would
constrain US intelligence agencies and
undermine intelligence operations.
The Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction
Act Expansion and Enforcement Act
authorizes the Justice Department to
prosecute crimes committed by US
employed contractors in war zones,
requires the FBI to set up investigation
units in war zones where contractors are
operating and inform Congress about
on-going inquiries. The House passed
the proposal in the same week that
Congress held hearings investigating
crimes committed by the private
mercenary army Blackwater USA in
occupied Iraq. Private contractors who
are employed by the State Department
in Iraq are immune from Iraqi law
because of a provision enacted by the
now defunct Coalition Provisional
Authority that the US established after
invading the country, and as civilians,
private contractors cannot be
prosecuted in military courts.
The Bush administration sent Congress
an official Statement of Policy regarding
the proposed law that expresses “grave
concerns” about the “jurisdictional
scope” of the bill. Of greatest concern
to the administration is that the new law
would create federal jurisdiction in
“situations where it would be impossible
or unwise to extend it,” as in cases
crimes committed by the private
mercenary army Blackwater USA in
occupied Iraq. Private contractors who
are employed by the State Department
in Iraq are immune from Iraqi law
because of a provision enacted by the
now defunct Coalition Provisional
Authority that the US established after
invading the country, and as civilians,
private contractors cannot be
prosecuted in military courts.
The Bush administration sent Congress
an official Statement of Policy regarding
the proposed law that expresses “grave
concerns” about the “jurisdictional
scope” of the bill. Of greatest concern
to the administration is that the new law
would create federal jurisdiction in
“situations where it would be impossible
or unwise to extend it,” as in cases
where private contractors are
employed supporting a covert
or clandestine operation being
performed by US government
agents. The policy statement said
that the “bill would have unintended
and intolerable consequences for
crucial and necessary national security
activities.”
These concerns were echoed by
members of the house who amended
the proposal to exempt private
contractors who are performing
“intelligence activities that are
otherwise permissible.” The author
of the bill, Rep. David Price (D-NC)
said, “If there are private, for-profit
contractors tasked with duties that
require them to commit felony
offenses, Congress needs to know
about it.” it's all true
employed supporting a covert
or clandestine operation being
performed by US government
agents. The policy statement said
that the “bill would have unintended
and intolerable consequences for
crucial and necessary national security
activities.”
These concerns were echoed by
members of the house who amended
the proposal to exempt private
contractors who are performing
“intelligence activities that are
otherwise permissible.” The author
of the bill, Rep. David Price (D-NC)
said, “If there are private, for-profit
contractors tasked with duties that
require them to commit felony
offenses, Congress needs to know
about it.” it's all true
2000
source: World Resources Institute
| Forest and wildlife protected areas selected countries |
Russia Germany Ukraine Canada
| 10000 |
| 6000 |
The sheriff’s department in suburban Los
Angeles was discovered to have
employed arrest contests to boost the
numbers of persons detained and
automobiles impounded and as a way to
“motivate” department officers.
The tally of the arrests made by local
officers was posted on the wall of a
police station in Lakewood, CA, which is
the base for a force of more than 200
sheriff’s deputies. The contests were
referred to by code words developed by
a lieutenant who devised the arrest
sweepstakes including, “Operation
Vehicle Impound” and “Operation Any
Booking”. The Lakewood sheriff’s
department patrols several suburban
communities south of Los Angeles.
The county’s sheriff said that he first
became aware of the contests when the
Angeles was discovered to have
employed arrest contests to boost the
numbers of persons detained and
automobiles impounded and as a way to
“motivate” department officers.
The tally of the arrests made by local
officers was posted on the wall of a
police station in Lakewood, CA, which is
the base for a force of more than 200
sheriff’s deputies. The contests were
referred to by code words developed by
a lieutenant who devised the arrest
sweepstakes including, “Operation
Vehicle Impound” and “Operation Any
Booking”. The Lakewood sheriff’s
department patrols several suburban
communities south of Los Angeles.
The county’s sheriff said that he first
became aware of the contests when the
Los Angeles Times reported the arrest
sweepstakes last week. Sheriff Lee Baca
told the Times that the contests were
“not what I consider a management
tactic in line with best practices.”
Baca said that he discontinued the
contests which were, he commented,
devised of by a “well intentioned
lieutenant,” and that arrests and
automobile impoundments did not
significantly increase during the time that
sheriff’s deputies were involved in the
arrest sweepstakes.
Records from the department, however,
show that deputies seized 18 vehicles on
a single day during the "Operation Any
Booking" contest. That daily total is
more than half the amount of vehicles
that the department would seize during
a typical month. it's all true
sweepstakes last week. Sheriff Lee Baca
told the Times that the contests were
“not what I consider a management
tactic in line with best practices.”
Baca said that he discontinued the
contests which were, he commented,
devised of by a “well intentioned
lieutenant,” and that arrests and
automobile impoundments did not
significantly increase during the time that
sheriff’s deputies were involved in the
arrest sweepstakes.
Records from the department, however,
show that deputies seized 18 vehicles on
a single day during the "Operation Any
Booking" contest. That daily total is
more than half the amount of vehicles
that the department would seize during
a typical month. it's all true
The United States was once again the
largest supplier of weapons to the
developing world in 2006, with total
sales of over $10 billion, representing
35.8 percent of global arms transfers
to developing nations. The US was
also the leader in overall arms sales,
accounting for 42 percent of the
world market, followed by Russia and
the UK. The statistics were published
last week in a report by the
Congressional Research Service.
Arms transfers to developing
countries constitute more than 80
percent of the global market,
according to the report, which notes
that high energy costs impacted the
international arms market in 2006,
with total revenues dipping o $40
billion from $46 billion the previous
year. The biggest buyers among these
nations were Pakistan, India, and
Saudi Arabia.
China occupies a unique position in
the global weapons marketplace
because it is both an importer of
sophisticated weaponry and a
substantial supplier of conventional
arms to the world's developing
countries. it's all true
largest supplier of weapons to the
developing world in 2006, with total
sales of over $10 billion, representing
35.8 percent of global arms transfers
to developing nations. The US was
also the leader in overall arms sales,
accounting for 42 percent of the
world market, followed by Russia and
the UK. The statistics were published
last week in a report by the
Congressional Research Service.
Arms transfers to developing
countries constitute more than 80
percent of the global market,
according to the report, which notes
that high energy costs impacted the
international arms market in 2006,
with total revenues dipping o $40
billion from $46 billion the previous
year. The biggest buyers among these
nations were Pakistan, India, and
Saudi Arabia.
China occupies a unique position in
the global weapons marketplace
because it is both an importer of
sophisticated weaponry and a
substantial supplier of conventional
arms to the world's developing
countries. it's all true
Officials of the Federal Communications
Commission regularly leaked sensitive
information about confidential
deliberations and voting schedules to
selected media corporations, industry
trade groups and their lobbyists between
2002 and 2006, according to a scathingly
critical review of FCC procedures
released last week by the Government
Accountability Office. The investigation
found that the access afforded by the
agency to communications industry
representatives was not extended to
consumer organizations or public
broadcasting advocates, in a clear
violation of FCC rules. The report also
noted the increasing tendency for the
commission to rely on privately
conducted research studies, which
generally reflect well-positioned industry
interests, rather than undertaking
independent research.
"Situations where some, but not all,
stakeholders know what FCC is
considering for an upcoming vote
undermine the fairness and transparency
of the process and constitute a violation
of FCC's rules," according to the GAO
report, which was compiled at the
request of Rep. Edward J. Markey
(D-MA). Markey, who chairs the House
Subcommittee on Telecommunications
and the Internet, said that the practices
Commission regularly leaked sensitive
information about confidential
deliberations and voting schedules to
selected media corporations, industry
trade groups and their lobbyists between
2002 and 2006, according to a scathingly
critical review of FCC procedures
released last week by the Government
Accountability Office. The investigation
found that the access afforded by the
agency to communications industry
representatives was not extended to
consumer organizations or public
broadcasting advocates, in a clear
violation of FCC rules. The report also
noted the increasing tendency for the
commission to rely on privately
conducted research studies, which
generally reflect well-positioned industry
interests, rather than undertaking
independent research.
"Situations where some, but not all,
stakeholders know what FCC is
considering for an upcoming vote
undermine the fairness and transparency
of the process and constitute a violation
of FCC's rules," according to the GAO
report, which was compiled at the
request of Rep. Edward J. Markey
(D-MA). Markey, who chairs the House
Subcommittee on Telecommunications
and the Internet, said that the practices
detailed in the report create a situation
in which "the public and consumers are
at an inherent disadvantage," and called
on the FCC to "take immediate steps to
protect the integrity of its rulemaking
process."
The commission declined to comment
on a draft of the report that was made
available to senior FCC officials, and is
not taking any public position on the
GAO's recommendations that protocols
be established for the prevention and
investigation of leaks. The period
covered by the GAO study includes the
tenures of former FCC chairman Michael
Powell and current chair Kevin J. Martin.
Markey called the FCC's refusal to
respond to the reports major
recommendations "ironic," saying, "They
talk to large industry and lobbying groups
but won't talk about the GAO report.
We know they are capable of talking."
FCC chairman Martin formerly worked
for a Washington law firm that
specializes in representing telecom
interests. According to the Center for
Responsive Politics, the FCC trails only
the White House and the US House of
Representatives in the number of
employees who move from the
public sector into private lobbying
positions. it's all true
in which "the public and consumers are
at an inherent disadvantage," and called
on the FCC to "take immediate steps to
protect the integrity of its rulemaking
process."
The commission declined to comment
on a draft of the report that was made
available to senior FCC officials, and is
not taking any public position on the
GAO's recommendations that protocols
be established for the prevention and
investigation of leaks. The period
covered by the GAO study includes the
tenures of former FCC chairman Michael
Powell and current chair Kevin J. Martin.
Markey called the FCC's refusal to
respond to the reports major
recommendations "ironic," saying, "They
talk to large industry and lobbying groups
but won't talk about the GAO report.
We know they are capable of talking."
FCC chairman Martin formerly worked
for a Washington law firm that
specializes in representing telecom
interests. According to the Center for
Responsive Politics, the FCC trails only
the White House and the US House of
Representatives in the number of
employees who move from the
public sector into private lobbying
positions. it's all true
| Clarence Brown Tribute Page |
| verbatim archive |
| redstat archive |
Torture Memos Secretly Confined Within Justice Department
FCC Gave Industry Reps Sneak Previews
United States
Up in Arms
Up in Arms
EPA Makes
Mountains Into
Mole Hills
Mountains Into
Mole Hills
President Recognizes the Difference Between the Legal and the Permissible
Morale Boosting Contests Net Arrest Bonanza