January 2, 2007

THE THINKING SPOT

America's Red Ink *** To put the figures in perspective, $50 trillion is $440,000 per American household and is more than nine times as much as the median household income.
http://tinyurl.com/yjqm7p

ALERT

Security Firms Granted Full Police Power
http://tinyurl.com/yyrug9

DUMB BUSHISM

"Those weapons of mass destruction have got to be somewhere!" -President George W. Bush, as he narrated a comic slideshow during the Radio & TV Correspondents' Association dinner, Washington, D.C., March 24, 2004

PONDER THIS

Life is sexually transmitted.

WAR
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"In order that all men might be taught to speak truth, it is necessary that all likewise should learn to hear it." Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) - Source: The Rambler, 1750-52
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Bush May Oust Top Commander for Backing Troop Withdrawal
http://tinyurl.com/ygrn2f

Iraq War Lie Detector Test - "There has been no shortage of deceptions surrounding the prosecution of the Iraq war, beginning with the original justification - Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Unfortunately, supporters of the war continue to use deception to advance their agenda. The latest lie is that Congress doesn't have the ability to end the war, because if they cut off funding they would jeopardize the safety of our troops."
http://tinyurl.com/upaf4

A Third of US Troop Deaths Caused by Roadside Bombs
http://tinyurl.com/vuk7s

Sunni Grief, Anger Flow at Funeral
http://tinyurl.com/yenjtu

THE WHITE HOUSE

Bush Photo Op Snubbed by Ford Children
http://tinyurl.com/y3rdau

POLITICS

Self-Described Economic Hit Man John Perkins: “We Have Created the World’s First Truly Global Empire”: Most of the people in the United States have no idea that we've created this empire and, in fact, throughout the world it's been done very quietly, unlike old empires, where the army marched in.
http://tinyurl.com/y6j25j

DID YOU KNOW

-the U.S. has placed strict limits on the number of Iraqi refugees allowed to settle in America."

-Even those who helped during the war are rarely allowed sanctuary

-the U.S. Help Saddam Acquire Biological Weapons
in 1980 - Cong. Record 2002

-Tylenol is the most common cause of liver failure (not hepatitis C)

-About one million die in car accidents every year

-Philadephia Inquirer cutting back 16% of editorial staff

-Spinal-fusion surgery is one of the most lucrative areas of medicine.

-Poll shows support for Democrats' goals

LEGAL ITEMS

Ten Journalists May Be Called to Testify in Libby Trial - Some journalists who made careers out of questioning government officials and bearing witness to history may soon find themselves answering questions from prosecutors as key witnesses in the CIA leak case.
http://tinyurl.com/y7z3ad

Donald Rumsfeld Tops List Accused of War Crimes ** A complaint filed in Germany last month has asked a federal prosecutor to begin an investigation, and ultimately a criminal prosecution, of former secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, former CIA director George Tenet, and other senior civilian and military officials for their roles in the authorization of policies leading to the torture of prisoners at US detention facilities in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
http://tinyurl.com/ygmrx2

Next big test of power to seize property? Next big test of power to seize property? The US Supreme Court will examine whether a private company can demand payment in exchange for not seizing private property.
http://tinyurl.com/yk2z83

ELECTION ITEMS

Edwards Pushing Universal Health Care - Democratic presidential contender John Edwards says it is more important to invest in universal health care and lifting people out of poverty than to reduce the budget deficit.
http://tinyurl.com/ym53lx

ECONOMY

Dollar Dethroned By Red Ink - During 2006 while the US government focused on the deteriorating situation in Iraq, the US dollar declined sharply against many currencies. By December China’s central bank was expressing its concern that the massive US trade deficit could lead to a run on the dollar and to an international financial crisis.
http://tinyurl.com/y6yrop

Massachusetts' Minimum Wage Hike Kicks In
http://tinyurl.com/tpcf3

CONGRESS

As they prepare to take control of Congress this week and face up to campaign pledges to restore bipartisanship and openness, Democrats are planning to largely sideline Republicans from the first burst of lawmaking. Bully for the Dems!
http://tinyurl.com/yc4uhk

Shift in Congress Revives Health Debate
http://tinyurl.com/y7u284

DOMESTIC

U.S. cities, states linking intelligence 'fusion' sites - The new "fusion centers" are now operating in 37 states and another covers the Washington area,
http://tinyurl.com/skr45

HEALTH

Compounds From Household Products Found in Human Blood
http://tinyurl.com/yyv3qm

Scientists Find Way to Slash Cost of Drugs
http://tinyurl.com/yxaufs