BREAKING NEWS

[SpiritMan]

 Senate Rejects Extension of Patriot Act

By JESSE J. HOLLAND, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - The Senate on Friday rejected attempts to reauthorize several provisions of the USA Patriot Act as infringing too much on Americans' privacy and liberty, dealing a huge defeat to the Bush administration and Republican leaders.

In a crucial vote early Friday, the bill's Senate supporters were not able to get the 60 votes needed to overcome a threatened filibuster by Sens. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., and Larry Craig, R-Idaho, and their allies. The final vote was 52-47.

President Bush, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Republicans congressional leaders had lobbied fiercely to make most of the expiring Patriot Act provisions permanent, and add new safeguards and expiration dates to the two most controversial parts: roving wiretaps and secret warrants for books, records and other items from businesses, hospitals and organizations such as libraries.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051216/ap_on_go_co/patriot_act

[pesoto74]

That is good news.  I hope the Senators that are in opposition stick to their guns until they get the changes that they are asking for.  Myself I don't think it would be any great loss if the legislation was allowed to expire, however I imagine that it will be passed in some form.

[Guardian Angel]

Wooo Hooo, that's the best news I've had all week.......

[pesoto74]

Crusading journalist Jack Anderson dies
Anderson is considered one of the major figures in modern investigative journalism, fearless in pursuit of a story. He won his Pulitzer for reporting on secret American policy decision-making that implied the United States leaned toward Pakistan in its 1971 war with India.
Story

[SpiritMan]

Supreme Court Jumps Into the Political Fray
New Members of the Court May Tip the Scales

By MANNY MEDRANO

Dec. 15, 2005 — With the case of Bush vs. Gore in 2000, the Supreme Court made it abundantly clear it was willing, when appropriate, to delve into the political thicket. Now the court again has jumped into the fray, this time involving the controversial 2003 Texas redistricting plan that culminated in Republicans garnering more congressional seats.

 But the gains at the ballot box have not come without a price. Rep. Tom Delay, R-Texas, was chastised by the House Ethics Committee for using a federal government agency to track down a private aircraft carrying Democratic legislators, and he has been indicted by a Texas grand jury on state money laundering charges.

 Democrats vehemently opposed the plan engineered by DeLay in an unusual mid-decade reapportionment that resulted in Republicans capturing 21 of the state's 32 congressional seats. Democrats argued that the plan was partisan-motivated and diluted the voting rights of Latinos and blacks. Interestingly, career Department of Justice lawyers agreed, but they were overruled by Bush political appointees, allowing the DeLay-backed redistricting map to proceed.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=1409326

[pesoto74]

Judge bans teaching intelligent design
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - A federal judge on Tuesday banned the teaching of intelligent design as an alternative to evolution by Pennsylvania's Dover Area School District, saying the practice violated the constitutional ban on teaching religion in public schools.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge John Jones dealt a blow to U.S. Christian conservatives who have been pressing for the teaching of creationism in schools and who played a significant role in the re-election of
President George W. Bush

"Our conclusion today is that it is unconstitutional to teach intelligent design as an alternative to evolution in a public school classroom," Jones wrote in a 139-page opinion.
Story

[SpiritMan]

President Bush may be the first president to admit to an impeachable offense on live television. Could this be the moment his Texas cowboy arrogance hangs him?

Boxer Asks Presidential Scholars About Former White House Counsel's Statement that Bush Admitted to an 'Impeachable Offense'

 December 19, 2005
 Washington, D.C.– U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today asked four presidential scholars for their opinion on former White House Counsel John Dean’s statement that President Bush admitted to an “impeachable offense” when he said he authorized the National Security Agency to spy on Americans without getting a warrant from a judge.

 Boxer said, “I take very seriously Mr. Dean’s comments, as I view him to be an expert on Presidential abuse of power. I am expecting a full airing of this matter by the Senate in the very near future.”

 Boxer’s letter is as follows:
 
On December 16, along with the rest of America, I learned that President Bush authorized the National Security Agency to spy on Americans without getting a warrant from a judge. President Bush underscored his support for this action in his press conference today.

 On Sunday, December 18, former White House Counsel John Dean and I participated in a public discussion that covered many issues, including this surveillance. Mr. Dean, who was President Nixon’s counsel at the time of Watergate, said that President Bush is “the first President to admit to an impeachable offense.” Today, Mr. Dean confirmed his statement.

 This startling assertion by Mr. Dean is especially poignant because he experienced first hand the executive abuse of power and a presidential scandal arising from the surveillance of American citizens.

 Given your constitutional expertise, particularly in the area of presidential impeachment, I am writing to ask for your comments and thoughts on Mr. Dean’s statement.

 Unchecked surveillance of American citizens is troubling to both me and many of my constituents. I would appreciate your thoughts on this matter as soon as possible.

 Sincerely,
 Barbara Boxer
 United States Senator

[Guardian Angel]

There has been an explosion at a mine in West Virginia that has 13 miners trapped......

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/01/02/national/main1173104.shtml

[pesoto74]

Breaking News: 12 miners found alive - CNN

I just saw this headlines and there aren't any details yet.  This is especially good news since the earlier reports didn't seem to be good.

[nancyo]

That's marvelous news about the miners.  Prayers do work and we know the whole nation was praying for those men

[Ray Nolan]

AMEN!

[Ray Nolan]

This is unbelievable.  The families of the Mine workers were told hours ago that there are 12 survivors from the Mine disaster.  The towns people ring the church bell in celebration and the towns people woke their children to go to the church and celebrate.  The families were cheering and talking with CNN about sadness in the loss of one life but happy about the 12 survivors.

I was watching the event unfold live on CNN when there became a ruckus at the church when the families were told that the wrong information was communicated and in fact........there was only one survivor and he is in critical condition. Twelve miners perished in the mine disaster.

This is so sad and I will say a prayer for all those families who had hope....received confirmation of life.....only to have their hearts wrenched and mind turned upside down by being told it was a communication error. 

[Guardian Angel]

Oh my, what a sad turn of events.......

[pesoto74]

That is the first thing I heard on the news this morning.  I went to bed last night thinking that 12 had lived and now find it was the other way.  I can't remember anything like this. 

[Bingo]

same here. i was stunned when I heard the 12 were found alive and was thanking God for them and their families.  When I turned on the Today show this morning I was shaken to hear that actually 12 had died. The child's game of gossip was cruelly used as whoever called back from inside was either misunderstood or news went out before it was ready.  Three hours the families said they believed their loved ones were ok. I pray the young man found alive will survive his ordeal.