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The Daily Muck
Earmarking is still alive despite reforms from the new Democratic majority the practice of anonymously slipping pet projects into legislation became a symbol of the GOP's time in the majority. Now, the new Republican minority is rolling up its sleeves and planning to block future earmarks by using parliamentary procedure. (McClatchy Newspapers, The Hill)
Just in time for the Senate’s no-confidence vote, the Washington Post reports that half of the immigration judges appointed since 2004 had no experience in immigration law, while one third of the appointees were Republicans or insiders with the current administration.
Via Think Progress: Former Justice official Daniel Metcalfe speaks about his resignation this past January, claiming Gonzales treated the Department as a “political arm of the White House.” (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
The CIA has secretly cooperated with Sudan to spy on insurgents in Iraq, despite the bristling public stance that includes new sanctions because of the ongoing Darfur genocide. (LA Times)
Responding to repeated complaints by Congress about the privatization of U.S. intelligence, the CIA is taking steps to limit the number of contractors it hires. Contractors currently make up one-third of the CIA workforce. (Washington Post)
Iraq veterans are struggling to find mental health treatment as cuts in military insurance payments compound the difficulties of a system already plagued with red tape and low reimbursement rates. (Associated Press)
Haven’t been keeping up with the Scooter Libby saga? Need a quick refresher? Here is a summary of the five biggest myths connected with the investigation and trial. (Washington Post)
The Senate is set to consider a vote of no confidence in Attorney General Gonzales this evening, but the Republican leadership intends to block the motion before it comes to vote. Regardless, Tony Snow has already announced that the White House will pay no attention to what will be a symbolic vote. (USA TODAY)
Comments (5)
ed pefferman wrote on June 11, 2007 9:49 AM:Scooter Libby should be shot as a traitor, not jailed as a liar.
His boss, ElDuce should be hung from a lamp post
Mrs Panstreppon wrote on June 11, 2007 10:08 AM:You seem to be overlooking some good stories about Italia Federici and her cohort, Jared Carpenter. According to Legal Times, Carpenter will plead guilty to tax evasion in July.
The LA Times reported that Federici won't vbe sentenced until November so she will have a lot of time to talk to investigators.
The Philadelphia Daily News ran a good story about Curt Weldon's firm, Defense Solutions, investigating corruption in Bangladesh.
NCBlueneck wrote on June 11, 2007 2:55 PM:I know you don't have total control with these syndicated adds, but the "Coultergeist" on this site? That's almost funny!
Mooser wrote on June 11, 2007 3:40 PM:You seem to be overlooking some good stories about Italia Federici
I had one of those once. Hard to start and the electrics were terrible, but what handling and brakes. Oh, I've got a Ducati now, but I still remember my old Italia Federici fondly. I think it was a 750cc sports model. What a bike!
Eric Ferguson wrote on June 11, 2007 4:16 PM:This earmark procedure looks bad and is handing the Republicans an issue that should be Democratic. 30,000 earmarks is insane. That's 69 earmarks apiece! And we can guess they're aren't evenly distributed, so how about this for way to hit back and keep the ethics issue. Reveal the number of earmarks from each member. We might find out some members have hundreds of earmarks, and if they're generally Republicans, we have the issue back.