source: Viroqua Institute
interpreting the constitution
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Weather
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spread of the red
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News
red state rebate
redstateupdate.net
2006 Winter Solstice Edition
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source: American Bankruptcy Institute
verbatim number 16.2
“Some reports are issued and
just gather dust. And the truth
of the matter is, a lot of
reports in Washington are
never read by anybody...
just gather dust. And the truth
of the matter is, a lot of
reports in Washington are
never read by anybody...
...to show you how
important this one
is, I read it."
Washington DC 12.07.06
important this one
is, I read it."
Washington DC 12.07.06
Lawyers for the Bush administration are
seeking to block the release of visitor
logs to Vice-president Dick Cheney’s
residence in federal court arguing that
the information is protected by
executive privilege and must remain
secret. The Justice Department has
previously argued that public disclosure
of the names of the visitors to the vice-
president's residence would infringe on
Cheney’s ability to seek advice on policy
matters.
Government attorneys argued in a court
brief that the release of the visitor logs is
an “unprecedented intrusion into the
daily operations of the vice-presidency.”
The Justice Department was responding
a federal court order that mandated that
the Secret Service provide the records of
everyone who visited the vice-president,
seeking to block the release of visitor
logs to Vice-president Dick Cheney’s
residence in federal court arguing that
the information is protected by
executive privilege and must remain
secret. The Justice Department has
previously argued that public disclosure
of the names of the visitors to the vice-
president's residence would infringe on
Cheney’s ability to seek advice on policy
matters.
Government attorneys argued in a court
brief that the release of the visitor logs is
an “unprecedented intrusion into the
daily operations of the vice-presidency.”
The Justice Department was responding
a federal court order that mandated that
the Secret Service provide the records of
everyone who visited the vice-president,
his top aides and advisors, his
spokesperson or his lawyers.
The Washington Post requested the
visitor records earlier this year but the
Secret Service refused to provide the
documents. At the time, spokespersons
for the administration characterized the
request for documents as a “fishing
expedition” that infringed on “the most
sensitive details of the vice-presidency.”
Justice Department attorneys have
argued in court that releasing the visitor
logs would harm the “effective
functioning of the vice-presidency." The
government’s court filing also argued
that because the visitor logs fall under
the control of the office vice-president,
the Secret Service had no authority to
release the records. it's all true
spokesperson or his lawyers.
The Washington Post requested the
visitor records earlier this year but the
Secret Service refused to provide the
documents. At the time, spokespersons
for the administration characterized the
request for documents as a “fishing
expedition” that infringed on “the most
sensitive details of the vice-presidency.”
Justice Department attorneys have
argued in court that releasing the visitor
logs would harm the “effective
functioning of the vice-presidency." The
government’s court filing also argued
that because the visitor logs fall under
the control of the office vice-president,
the Secret Service had no authority to
release the records. it's all true
Scientists recently reported that a
small-scale nuclear war or the use
of so-called tactical nuclear
weapons could initially kill millions
but would also have catastrophic
effects on the environment that
could lead to deaths worldwide in
the tens of millions.
The study found that, although
the US and USSR have reduced
their stock-piles of nuclear
weapons,many countries have
gained the weapons and many
more have the capability to
develop them. 40 countries
currently have the fissile material
required to develop nuclear
weapons.
The study also said that if
“megacities” that are home to
tens of millions of residents are
targeted in even a small-scale
nuclear conflict, the direct
casualties of the bombing and
ensuing firestorm would be
significant. The study said that
the energy released in the fires
that followed a small-scale nuclear
event could be even greater than
the energy released by the
weapons themselves.
The amount of debris and other
pollutants that would be
propelled into the stratosphere
would block sunlight and shorten
growing seasons around the
planet. The study’s authors said
that worldwide population could
drop by 10 percent. An author of
the study said,“Nuclear
proliferation and political
instability form the greatest
danger to human society since the
dawn of mankind.” it's all true
small-scale nuclear war or the use
of so-called tactical nuclear
weapons could initially kill millions
but would also have catastrophic
effects on the environment that
could lead to deaths worldwide in
the tens of millions.
The study found that, although
the US and USSR have reduced
their stock-piles of nuclear
weapons,many countries have
gained the weapons and many
more have the capability to
develop them. 40 countries
currently have the fissile material
required to develop nuclear
weapons.
The study also said that if
“megacities” that are home to
tens of millions of residents are
targeted in even a small-scale
nuclear conflict, the direct
casualties of the bombing and
ensuing firestorm would be
significant. The study said that
the energy released in the fires
that followed a small-scale nuclear
event could be even greater than
the energy released by the
weapons themselves.
The amount of debris and other
pollutants that would be
propelled into the stratosphere
would block sunlight and shorten
growing seasons around the
planet. The study’s authors said
that worldwide population could
drop by 10 percent. An author of
the study said,“Nuclear
proliferation and political
instability form the greatest
danger to human society since the
dawn of mankind.” it's all true
The Federal Reserve recently reported
the largest drop in consumer borrowing
in 14 years. Borrowing declined at an
annual rate of 0.6 percent in October,
which marks the largest drop since
October 1992 when consumer
borrowing fell by one percent.
The drop was the first since March 2006
when borrowing fell by 0.2 percent.
This follows a 2 percent increase in
borrowing the previous month. Figures
show that the drop reflects a decrease
the largest drop in consumer borrowing
in 14 years. Borrowing declined at an
annual rate of 0.6 percent in October,
which marks the largest drop since
October 1992 when consumer
borrowing fell by one percent.
The drop was the first since March 2006
when borrowing fell by 0.2 percent.
This follows a 2 percent increase in
borrowing the previous month. Figures
show that the drop reflects a decrease
in non-revolving credit, which fell by
3.3 percent in October. A decline in
auto loans made up the largest part
of the decline. Overall, the drop in
non-revolving credit was the largest
decline since May 2003.
While fewer Americans took out
auto loans in October, the Fed
reported a 4 percent increase in
credit card borrowing . its all true
3.3 percent in October. A decline in
auto loans made up the largest part
of the decline. Overall, the drop in
non-revolving credit was the largest
decline since May 2003.
While fewer Americans took out
auto loans in October, the Fed
reported a 4 percent increase in
credit card borrowing . its all true
verbatim number 16.3
"A lot of times, off years
are decided by the
economy...the good
news in the economy
was overwhelmed by
the toughness of this
fight and toughness of
the war."
Washington DC 11.08.06
are decided by the
economy...the good
news in the economy
was overwhelmed by
the toughness of this
fight and toughness of
the war."
Washington DC 11.08.06
Many Americans feel that the wide and
growing wealth gap is becoming a serious
problem, according to a recent
Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times poll.
More than 70 percent of the poll’s
respondents said that inequality is an
important concern in the US today.
The poll revealed that 84 percent those
who made incomes of less than $40,000
per year thought that income disparity is
a significant concern. The same was true
for nearly as many wage earners who
made between $40, 000 and $60,000.
growing wealth gap is becoming a serious
problem, according to a recent
Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times poll.
More than 70 percent of the poll’s
respondents said that inequality is an
important concern in the US today.
The poll revealed that 84 percent those
who made incomes of less than $40,000
per year thought that income disparity is
a significant concern. The same was true
for nearly as many wage earners who
made between $40, 000 and $60,000.
The poll found that even high income
earning individuals considered the
wealth gap to be a serious problem.
Three in five high earning respondents
said that inequality was a national
problem.
The IRS reported that the lowest
earning 60 percent of Americans
experienced a drop in wages of 5
percent over the past 30 years.
During the same period, the top 1
percent of wage earners saw an
increase of 248 percent. its all true
earning individuals considered the
wealth gap to be a serious problem.
Three in five high earning respondents
said that inequality was a national
problem.
The IRS reported that the lowest
earning 60 percent of Americans
experienced a drop in wages of 5
percent over the past 30 years.
During the same period, the top 1
percent of wage earners saw an
increase of 248 percent. its all true
Justice Department lawyers have asked a
federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit alleging
that outgoing Defense Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld personally authorized torture
and other illegal abuse of detainees held
by the US military in Iraq and
Afghanistan. The suit, which was filed in
the US District Court in Washington by
the American Civil Liberties Union and
human rights advocates on behalf of nine
foreign nationals formerly held by US
forces, also claims that Rumsfeld and his
senior staff ignored warnings about
abuses occurring in military detention
facilities, including the Abu Ghraib
prison.
The government has argued that the
federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit alleging
that outgoing Defense Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld personally authorized torture
and other illegal abuse of detainees held
by the US military in Iraq and
Afghanistan. The suit, which was filed in
the US District Court in Washington by
the American Civil Liberties Union and
human rights advocates on behalf of nine
foreign nationals formerly held by US
forces, also claims that Rumsfeld and his
senior staff ignored warnings about
abuses occurring in military detention
facilities, including the Abu Ghraib
prison.
The government has argued that the
Defense Secretary is immune from
prosecution because he was executing
his official duties. Deputy Assistant
Attorney General C. Frederick Beckner
III questioned the propriety of the
lawsuit in a preliminary hearing earlier
this month, saying, “We cannot have
courts interfering with core military
functions.” The Justice Department
maintained that claims of detainee abuse
should be handled by internal military
investigations.
Lawyers for the former detainees
pointed out that so far those
investigations have targeted low-level
personnel involved in specific instances
of abuse, not the authors of the policy
prosecution because he was executing
his official duties. Deputy Assistant
Attorney General C. Frederick Beckner
III questioned the propriety of the
lawsuit in a preliminary hearing earlier
this month, saying, “We cannot have
courts interfering with core military
functions.” The Justice Department
maintained that claims of detainee abuse
should be handled by internal military
investigations.
Lawyers for the former detainees
pointed out that so far those
investigations have targeted low-level
personnel involved in specific instances
of abuse, not the authors of the policy
that led to those abuses. They
accused the Pentagon of operating
“rights-free zones” in countries
occupied by US forces. “The
Secretary of Defense personally
issued orders and authorized illegal
interrogation techniques and caused
torture,” said ACLU attorney Lucas
Guttentag.
Former Brigadier General Janis
Karpinski, who was in charge of Abu
Ghraib at the time the abuses
occurred, is a co-defendant in the
suit. Last month Karpinski told a
Spanish newspaper that she had seen
a letter from Rumsfeld authorizing
the illegal interrogations. it's all true
accused the Pentagon of operating
“rights-free zones” in countries
occupied by US forces. “The
Secretary of Defense personally
issued orders and authorized illegal
interrogation techniques and caused
torture,” said ACLU attorney Lucas
Guttentag.
Former Brigadier General Janis
Karpinski, who was in charge of Abu
Ghraib at the time the abuses
occurred, is a co-defendant in the
suit. Last month Karpinski told a
Spanish newspaper that she had seen
a letter from Rumsfeld authorizing
the illegal interrogations. it's all true
In an unusual last-minute maneuver,
outgoing Republican Speaker of the
House Dennis Hastert of Illinois
inserted a provision into an
appropriations bill that will benefit a
small sector of the insurance
industry, including a major company
headquartered in Chicago. Lobbyists
and congressional staffers confirmed
that the provision was strongly
supported by the multinational Aon
Corporation. Senators from both
parties were critical of the move
after learning of the changes in the
last hours of the 109th Congress.
According to a report in the New
York Times, “Mr. Hastert’s
provision showed up mysteriously
after House and Senate negotiators
had finished writing the bill. The
provision was added by the House
Rules Committee, just a few hours
before the bill went to the House
floor last week.”
In a similar move last December,
Hastert and Senate Majority Leader
Bill Frist of Tennessee arranged for
broad immunity from product liability
lawsuits for a small group of major
drug manufacturers. it's all true
outgoing Republican Speaker of the
House Dennis Hastert of Illinois
inserted a provision into an
appropriations bill that will benefit a
small sector of the insurance
industry, including a major company
headquartered in Chicago. Lobbyists
and congressional staffers confirmed
that the provision was strongly
supported by the multinational Aon
Corporation. Senators from both
parties were critical of the move
after learning of the changes in the
last hours of the 109th Congress.
According to a report in the New
York Times, “Mr. Hastert’s
provision showed up mysteriously
after House and Senate negotiators
had finished writing the bill. The
provision was added by the House
Rules Committee, just a few hours
before the bill went to the House
floor last week.”
In a similar move last December,
Hastert and Senate Majority Leader
Bill Frist of Tennessee arranged for
broad immunity from product liability
lawsuits for a small group of major
drug manufacturers. it's all true
Just two percent of adults own
more than half of the world’s
wealth, according to a study
published this month by a
research group affiliated with the
United Nations. The study shows
that the bottom 50 percent of
the world’s adult population owns
just over one percent of global
wealth, which was defined by the
researchers as the value of
tangible and financial assets minus
debt. The data also reveal that
the richest 10 percent control
about 85 percent of total global
assets.
The report, which was released
by the Helsinki-based World
Institute for Development
Economics Research of the UN
University, is believed to be the
first comprehensive study of
more than half of the world’s
wealth, according to a study
published this month by a
research group affiliated with the
United Nations. The study shows
that the bottom 50 percent of
the world’s adult population owns
just over one percent of global
wealth, which was defined by the
researchers as the value of
tangible and financial assets minus
debt. The data also reveal that
the richest 10 percent control
about 85 percent of total global
assets.
The report, which was released
by the Helsinki-based World
Institute for Development
Economics Research of the UN
University, is believed to be the
first comprehensive study of
worldwide wealth distribution. Localized
data about income and earnings
distribution are widely available. The
study concludes that wealth is distributed
even more unequally than income.
According to the report, “Wealth is
heavily concentrated in North America,
Europe, and high-income Asia-Pacific
countries. People in these countries
collectively hold almost 90 percent of
total world wealth.” For the year 2000,
an individual with $500, 000 in assets
would be in the top one percent in the
world. The study found that more than
one in two of those people lived in the
US or Japan. The study also reveals sharp
contrasts in wealth distribution among
the high-income countries. In the US,
the top 10 percent hold more than 70
percent of the nation’s wealth,
compared with 56 percent in the UK,
and 39 percent in Japan. it's all true
data about income and earnings
distribution are widely available. The
study concludes that wealth is distributed
even more unequally than income.
According to the report, “Wealth is
heavily concentrated in North America,
Europe, and high-income Asia-Pacific
countries. People in these countries
collectively hold almost 90 percent of
total world wealth.” For the year 2000,
an individual with $500, 000 in assets
would be in the top one percent in the
world. The study found that more than
one in two of those people lived in the
US or Japan. The study also reveals sharp
contrasts in wealth distribution among
the high-income countries. In the US,
the top 10 percent hold more than 70
percent of the nation’s wealth,
compared with 56 percent in the UK,
and 39 percent in Japan. it's all true
As the occupation in Iraq continues, and
violence in the increasingly anarchic state
grows, thousands of Iraqis flee the war
torn country everyday. The UN
estimates that 100,000 Iraqis are leaving
their country every month and more
than one tenth of Iraq’s population has
become refugees.
Over 1.5 million Iraqi refugees, Muslims
and Christians, have fled to neighboring
countries such as Jordan and Syria since
2003. The humanitarian group Refugees
International released a report last week
that said that although Iraq’s neighbors
have been generous up to this point,
they are having difficulty dealing with the
influx of Iraqis and are quickly reaching a
point where they can simply accept no
more refugees. Public resources are
running out and tensions between
refugees and the citizens of host
violence in the increasingly anarchic state
grows, thousands of Iraqis flee the war
torn country everyday. The UN
estimates that 100,000 Iraqis are leaving
their country every month and more
than one tenth of Iraq’s population has
become refugees.
Over 1.5 million Iraqi refugees, Muslims
and Christians, have fled to neighboring
countries such as Jordan and Syria since
2003. The humanitarian group Refugees
International released a report last week
that said that although Iraq’s neighbors
have been generous up to this point,
they are having difficulty dealing with the
influx of Iraqis and are quickly reaching a
point where they can simply accept no
more refugees. Public resources are
running out and tensions between
refugees and the citizens of host
countries are increasing. Lebanon
recently closed its borders to Iraqis.
The group called for a greater
international response to the growing
crisis.
The Bush Administration originally
planned that the US would absorb 500
refugees over the course of its
occupation of Iraq. Last year 200 Iraqis
permanently resettled in the US. While
the stance of the administration has
been that Iraqi refugees will eventually
return to their country, the majority of
Iraqis who have fled expect to never
return due to the breakdown of civil
society and level of violence in their
former country. The Iraq Study Group
acknowledged that the situation in Iraq
was “grave and deteriorating.”
Accepting an influx of Iraqi refugees
recently closed its borders to Iraqis.
The group called for a greater
international response to the growing
crisis.
The Bush Administration originally
planned that the US would absorb 500
refugees over the course of its
occupation of Iraq. Last year 200 Iraqis
permanently resettled in the US. While
the stance of the administration has
been that Iraqi refugees will eventually
return to their country, the majority of
Iraqis who have fled expect to never
return due to the breakdown of civil
society and level of violence in their
former country. The Iraq Study Group
acknowledged that the situation in Iraq
was “grave and deteriorating.”
Accepting an influx of Iraqi refugees
would, however, signify that America
first destabilized Iraq and then failed
to restore stability in the country.
Former Assistant Secretary of State
Arthur Dewey recently told the
Boston Globe that the Bush
administration “for political reasons”
wants to discourage permanent
resettlement of refugees of the Iraq
war in the US because that would
suggest that the occupation is a
“losing cause.”
A great many of Iraq’s refugees wish
to resettle in the West, particularly in
America. After the Gulf War,
approximately 12,000 Iraqi refugees
permanently resettled in the US.
Experts estimate that 100,000
Christian and more than a million
Muslim Iraqi refuges desire to
resettle in the US. it's all true
first destabilized Iraq and then failed
to restore stability in the country.
Former Assistant Secretary of State
Arthur Dewey recently told the
Boston Globe that the Bush
administration “for political reasons”
wants to discourage permanent
resettlement of refugees of the Iraq
war in the US because that would
suggest that the occupation is a
“losing cause.”
A great many of Iraq’s refugees wish
to resettle in the West, particularly in
America. After the Gulf War,
approximately 12,000 Iraqi refugees
permanently resettled in the US.
Experts estimate that 100,000
Christian and more than a million
Muslim Iraqi refuges desire to
resettle in the US. it's all true
spread of the red : numbers crunch
Since 2002, an estimated 360 military
detainees have been transferred from
the US prison facility at Guantanamo
Bay, Cuba to other countries, many for
what the Pentagon calls “continued
detention.” In fact, most have promptly
been released from custody. An
investigation by the Associated Press
reveals that the majority of former
Guantanamo detainees released to other
countries were freed without charge or
actually cleared of charges relating to
their detention. The report could
identify only 40 former prisoners that
currently stand charged with a crime or
remain incarcerated.
According to the Defense Department,
which does not publish the names of
detainees being transferred abroad, the
released prisoners have been sent to 26
countries. The AP was able to identify
and track 245 former Guantanamo
detainees in 17 countries. The
investigation found that 205 were either
quickly freed without being charged or
were cleared. Only 14 of the cases
resulted in trials, with eight former
detainees acquitted and six awaiting
verdicts.
The report reveals that 67 of 70
Pakistani citizens sent home have been
freed. Government investigators in
detainees have been transferred from
the US prison facility at Guantanamo
Bay, Cuba to other countries, many for
what the Pentagon calls “continued
detention.” In fact, most have promptly
been released from custody. An
investigation by the Associated Press
reveals that the majority of former
Guantanamo detainees released to other
countries were freed without charge or
actually cleared of charges relating to
their detention. The report could
identify only 40 former prisoners that
currently stand charged with a crime or
remain incarcerated.
According to the Defense Department,
which does not publish the names of
detainees being transferred abroad, the
released prisoners have been sent to 26
countries. The AP was able to identify
and track 245 former Guantanamo
detainees in 17 countries. The
investigation found that 205 were either
quickly freed without being charged or
were cleared. Only 14 of the cases
resulted in trials, with eight former
detainees acquitted and six awaiting
verdicts.
The report reveals that 67 of 70
Pakistani citizens sent home have been
freed. Government investigators in
Pakistan concluded that most were
innocent and had originally been “sold” to
US forces for cash bounties. The
investigation also found that Afghanistan
has released all of the 83 Afghan
detainees transferred from US custody at
Guantanamo Bay. In addition to these
detainees, at least 462 Afghans have been
released from a US military prison at
Bagram. All of the detainees sent to the
UK, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Russia,
Turkey, and Australia were freed.
Pentagon spokesmen dispute the notion
that the releases indicate that the
prisoners were never a threat to US
national security. “They were part of
Taliban, al-Qaida, or associated forces
that are engaged in hostilities against the
United States or its coalition partners,”
Navy Commander Jeffrey Gordon told
the AP. A senior US State Department
official confirmed that there is no legal
requirement for other nations to
continue to hold the transferred
detainees.
Six former detainees are currently on trial
in France for alleged terrorist links. The
prosecutor in the case has requested light
sentences if they are convicted, taking
into account the defendants' "arbitrary
detention... at a facility outside all legal
frameworks." it's all true
innocent and had originally been “sold” to
US forces for cash bounties. The
investigation also found that Afghanistan
has released all of the 83 Afghan
detainees transferred from US custody at
Guantanamo Bay. In addition to these
detainees, at least 462 Afghans have been
released from a US military prison at
Bagram. All of the detainees sent to the
UK, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Russia,
Turkey, and Australia were freed.
Pentagon spokesmen dispute the notion
that the releases indicate that the
prisoners were never a threat to US
national security. “They were part of
Taliban, al-Qaida, or associated forces
that are engaged in hostilities against the
United States or its coalition partners,”
Navy Commander Jeffrey Gordon told
the AP. A senior US State Department
official confirmed that there is no legal
requirement for other nations to
continue to hold the transferred
detainees.
Six former detainees are currently on trial
in France for alleged terrorist links. The
prosecutor in the case has requested light
sentences if they are convicted, taking
into account the defendants' "arbitrary
detention... at a facility outside all legal
frameworks." it's all true
Lawsuit Alleges Torturers Took Dictation From Secretary
Continued Detention Strikingly Similar to Exoneration
Hastert Acts As
Insurance Agent
Insurance Agent
Lack of Concentration Not a Problem for Wealthy
Increasing Disparity Fuels Increasing Despair
Iraqi Citizens Finally Free to Flee Liberated Homeland
Chilling Summary
Sees Nuclear Winter
Sees Nuclear Winter
Consumers Lose Interest in Borrowing
Cheney Guest List a State Secret