Aug 25 2009
Prosecuting the CIA for Torture
The Justice Department has called for an investigation of the alleged torture of terrorism suspects by the CIA during the years of President Bush’s rule. The recommendation came from the department’s Office of Professional Responsibility, and includes appointing a special prosecutor to pursue the CIA in court for allegations that include reliable cases of torture and even death in US custody. …
The Justice Department has called for an investigation of the alleged torture of terrorism suspects by the CIA during the years of President Bush’s rule. The recommendation came from the department’s Office of Professional Responsibility, and includes appointing a special prosecutor to pursue the CIA in court for allegations that include reliable cases of torture and even death in US custody. …
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While the debate on health-care reform has centered on a publicly funded insurance option, the conversation most recently has shifted to healthcare for the elderly, particularly with GOP figures like Sarah Palin having invoked the specter of so-called death panels for the elderly as part of President Obama’s plan. Myths and threats abound over Medicare – the government-funded healthcare program …
On Friday, Native American activist and longtime political prisoner Leonard Peltier was denied parole. As a result of the decision by the Parole Commission, Peltier, imprisoned since 1977, will continue to serve two consecutive life sentences for his conviction of the murders of two FBI agents. Long considered a political prisoner, on July 28th of this year, the 64 …
Talented singer and songwriter Lila Downs returns to Los Angeles this week for a couple of performances. Born in Oaxaca, Downs is best known for her experimental blending of Mexican and Mixtec traditions with American folk music, her multi-lingual lyrics, and strong political statements. Her song Burn It Blue in Salma Hayak’s film Frida, was nominated for the Academy …
With the plunging economy resulting in high unemployment and job losses, the number of children forced into school lunch programs will result in a record 41-year high for this school year. That means that cash-strapped schools will have an even harder time preparing food. The government’s reimbursement rate for school lunches is already set so low – at only …
Violence in Iraq has spiked dangerously over the past week. Just today a small truck passed through an Iraqi police checkpoint and detonated an explosive outside a vegetable market in Baghdad killing two people. Yesterday in Baghdad explosives attached to a bicycle killed two more and a series of roadside bombs killed at least four people near the southern …
A coalition of advocacy groups is pressuring Congress to pass a bill that would help end so-called “Vulture Fund” profiteering at the expense of impoverished nations. Vulture Funds are a label for a specialized type of hedge funds or private investment companies that buy on-the-cheap the outstanding debts of poor nations owed to other governments or commercial enterprises. …
