Suggested Reading -- 8/24/07

Morons.org: Superspy says "U.S. Constitution Deadly"
From the story: "'Q. So you're saying that the reporting and the debate in Congress means that some Americans are going to die?

"'A. That's what I mean. Because we have made it so public.'

"The answer was given by current NSA head, Michael McConnell, in reference to his recent testimony before Congress. The part where he testified about that now-legal wiretapping program. (Thanks, Harry & Nancy ;/ )

"And to this I say......

"So F@¢*ing What."

OK, it's not super-newsy, but the post is a good take.

New York Times: More Iraqis Said to Flee Since Troop Increase
From the story: "The number of Iraqis fleeing their homes has soared since the American troop increase began in February, according to data from two humanitarian groups, accelerating the partition of the country into sectarian enclaves.

"Despite some evidence that the troop buildup has improved security in certain areas, sectarian violence continues and American-led operations have brought new fighting, driving fearful Iraqis from their homes at much higher rates than before the tens of thousands of additional troops arrived, the studies show."

Making progress...

New York Times: Mine Owner Has History of Run-Ins on Work Issues
From the story: "If Robert E. Murray accepts a Senate subcommittee’s invitation to testify next month about what went wrong at the Crandall Canyon Mine, he is likely to be questioned about, among other things, adopting a new and riskier mining plan when his company took over the operation last year...

"Although most other industry executives have recognized the threat of climate change and the need for energy conservation, he has been among the few to question the concept of global warming and to openly criticize environmental regulations."

He's also been accused of assaulting an environmentalist and violating federal labor laws.

Raw Story: CIA said to step up operations in Iran as hawks seek to tie Iraq bombs to Tehran
From the story: "In an effort to build congressional and Pentagon support for military options against Iran, the Bush administration has shifted from its earlier strategy of building a case based on an alleged Iranian nuclear weapons program to one invoking improvised explosive devices (IEDs) purportedly manufactured in Iran that are killing US soldiers in Iraq."

As with most fuckwitted, maniacal ideas coming out of the White House, this "go to war with Iran" one comes from Cheney.

ABC News: Congress: For Plane That Won't Fly, $63 Mil Is Enough
From the story: " Millions of dollars later, Congress has effectively killed a military plane program the Pentagon repeatedly rejected, and which never had a successful flight.

"The $63 million Congress poured into the DP2 program over 20 years was not requested by the Department of Defense. Instead, it was mandated through obscure provisions in bills known as "earmarks." Most of those earmarks for the DP2 were inserted by Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., in whose district the plane was designed and built, in prototype."

Corruption, thy name is Duncan Hunter.

CQPolitics.com: Embattled GOP Rep. Renzi to Retire From Arizona Seat
From the story: "...Renzi’s announcement ended months of speculation about his status, sparked by a pending federal investigation into his family’s business practices. Though Renzi has denied wrongdoing, an FBI raid in April on a business owned by his wife cast a cloud over his political future and prompted him to surrender his committee assignments ahead of what would have been strong pressure from House Republican leaders to do so"

He won't be missed.