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10/15/2007 | Economy, Iran
Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Bill Directing Divestment from Iran
CA.GOV
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed AB 221 by Assemblymember Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) which prohibits the state’s pension funds from investing in companies with active business in Iran. “I couldn’t be more proud to sign this bill,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “Last year I signed legislation to show our defiance against the inhumane murder and genocide in Sudan. This year I am pleased to support additional efforts to further prevent terrorism by doing what’s right with our investment portfolio and signing this legislation to divest from Iran.” “As we all know, money is the mother’s milk of terrorism. I was never more proud of our Governor then when he announced at the United Nations that he would sign this anti-terror bill. At a time when the world is desperate for leadership, the Governor has proven that courageous leaders can make a difference in fighting evil,” said Assemblymember Anderson. AB 221 by Assemblymember Anderson creates the California Public Divest from Iran Act which prohibits CalPERS and CalSTRS from investing public employee retirement funds in a company with business operations in Iran. CalPERS, the state’s employee retirement fund, is the largest pension fund in the nation and CalSTRS, the state’s public education retirement fund, is the second largest pension fund in the nation.
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10/15/2007 | Iraq, Terrorism
Al Qaeda Dealt Devastating Blow in Iraq
FoxNews.com
The U.S. military says it has dealt devastating and potentially irreversible blows to Al Qaeda in Iraq in recent months, leading some generals to advocate a declaration of victory over the group, which the Bush administration has long described as the most lethal U.S. adversary in Iraq, the Washington Post reported Monday. But as the White House and its military commanders plan the next phase of the war, other officials have cautioned against taking what they see as a premature step that could create strategic and political difficulties for the United States, the newspaper said. Such a declaration could fuel criticism that the Iraq conflict has become a civil war in which U.S. combat forces should not be involved. Simultaneously, the intelligence community, and some military members, worry about underestimating an enemy that has shown surprising resilience in the past. "I think it would be premature at this point," a senior intelligence official said to the Washington Post of a victory declaration over AQI, as the group is known. Despite recent U.S. gains, he said, AQI retains "the ability for surprise and for catastrophic attacks." Earlier periods of optimism, such as immediately following the June 2006 death of AQI founder Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi in a U.S. air raid, not only proved unfounded but were followed by expanded operations by the militant organization, the Post reported.
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10/12/2007 | Iraq
Pentagon supports British troop cuts
USA Today
LONDON — Britain's plan to halve its troop levels in Iraq was based on improved security in southern Iraq and was "closely coordinated" with U.S. commanders, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday. Gates' comments after meeting with British officials were another element in the Bush administration's attempts to blunt criticism that the United Kingdom has been distancing itself from U.S. policy in Iraq. Britain, long the United States' strongest ally in Iraq, announced this week that it expected to reduce its troop presence there by half. The British have about 5,000 troops there and expect to make the withdrawals by next spring. Gates met with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Britain's defense secretary, Des Browne. Under Tony Blair, Brown's predecessor, Britain closely aligned itself with the United States in pursuing the war in Iraq. Browne said the plans to reduce forces were based largely on progress in the Basra area, where most British forces are based.
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10/12/2007 | Illegal Immigration
Calif. Law Forbids Landlords From Asking Tenants' Immigration Status
FoxNews.com
SAN FRANCISCO — California is again forging its own path on immigration reform by becoming the first state to prohibit landlords from asking tenants' immigration status. Amid frustration over the federal government's failure to reform immigration laws, cities across the country have taken their own action to keep out illegal immigrants, including barring property from being rented to undocumented tenants. The law signed this week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger elicited a sigh of relief among landlord associations concerned that without it, they'd be forced to take on the cost and the liability of enforcing federal laws as "de-facto immigration cops," said Nancy Ahlswede, executive director of the Apartment Association, California Southern Cities. "We have huge anti-discrimination obligations," said Ahlswede, whose organization was among the legislation's sponsors. "We understand the frustration, but that burden shouldn't be placed on landlords."
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10/12/2007 | Governmental Control
Mexico's Fox openly calls for North American Union
WorldNetDaily
WASHINGTON – Mexico's former President Vicente Fox is making no secret of his desire to promote a "North American Union" to compete economically with Europe and the Far East. In a promotional tour for his new book, "Revolution of Hope," Fox told NPR's "Talk of the Nation" audience: "That's part of my Americas dream, that we can build our future together. We are partners with United States and Canada through NAFTA. There are other blocs in Latin America, but at the very end a continental trade agreement and union on the long term would be a way to develop ourselves and to be able to have the standards and level of living that we all need." Fox shocked many in the U.S. earlier in the week when he told CNN's Larry King that he and President Bush had agreed to work toward a common currency not only for North America but for Latin America as well. It was possibly the first time a top official of Mexico, Canada or the U.S. openly confirmed a plan for a regional currency. Fox explained the current regional trade agreement that encompasses the Western Hemisphere is intended to evolve into other previously hidden aspects of integration.
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10/11/2007 | Terrorism
Al-Qaeda: Still Number One Threat to U.S.
CBN
CBNNews.com - A new White House report says that al-Qaeda poses the number one terrorist threat to the American homeland. The report comes as Congress is considering expanding the government's powers to spy on suspected terrorist at home. The United States has not been the target of a terrorist attack since September 11, 2001. However, the report reveals al-Qaeda is still trying for another major attack on American soil. The White House says the group is stepping up its efforts to place agents within the United States -- and calls it the "most serious and dangerous" terrorism threat. The report comes on the heels of a recent warning by U.S. intelligence agencies that attacks by al-Qaeda against European cities may be imminent. A common problem facing both the U.S. and Europe is al-Qaeda's establishment of a safe haven in Pakistan's tribal areas. It is in that lawless region, the White House says, that al-Qaeda is able to plan and train freely for attacks against the West.
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10/11/2007 | Gun Control
Ohio Gunman Had Mental Problems
Time
(CLEVELAND) — A 14-year-old student who opened fire at his high school, wounding four people before killing himself, had a history of mental problems and was known for cussing at teachers and bickering with students. Asa H. Coon, who had been suspended for fighting, warned classmates of an attack — but none took him seriously. "When he got suspended, he was like 'I got something for you all,'" said student Frances Henderson, who said she often got into arguments with Coon. "I guess this is what he had." Police believe Coon targeted the two teachers he shot Wednesday. He also shot two students while others hid in closets and bathrooms or ran out of SuccessTech Academy alternative school. Students gathered outside, many in tears, hugging one another and talking on cell phones. Parents were angry that firearms got into a school equipped with metal detectors that students said were intermittently used.
10/11/2007 | Education
Supreme Court Upholds Tuition Ruling
New York Times
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 — The Supreme Court on Wednesday let stand a ruling that the New York City school system must pay private school tuition for disabled children, even if the parents refuse to try public school programs first. But the justices are likely to take up the issue again soon, with nationwide implications. The justices split, 4 to 4, in the case of Tom Freston, the former chief executive for Viacom, and his son Gilbert, with Justice Anthony M. Kennedy taking no part. The tie meant that a 2006 ruling in Mr. Freston’s favor by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, in Manhattan, stands for now. But it has no effect outside the circuit, which covers New York State, Connecticut and Vermont. The case has been closely watched by educators. Almost seven million students nationwide receive special-education services, with 71,000 educated in private schools at public expense, according to the federal Education Department. Usually, districts agree to pay for those services after conceding that they cannot provide suitable ones.
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10/10/2007 | Terrorism
Qaeda Goes Dark After a U.S. Slip
New York Sun
WASHINGTON — Al Qaeda's Internet communications system has suddenly gone dark to American intelligence after the leak of Osama bin Laden's September 11 speech inadvertently disclosed the fact that we had penetrated the enemy's system. The intelligence blunder started with what appeared at the time as an American intelligence victory, namely that the federal government had intercepted, a full four days before it was to be aired, a video of Osama bin Laden's first appearance in three years in a video address marking the sixth anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001. On the morning of September 7, the Web site of ABC News posted excerpts from the speech. But the disclosure from ABC and later other news organizations tipped off Qaeda's internal security division that the organization's Internet communications system, known among American intelligence analysts as Obelisk, was compromised. This network of Web sites serves not only as the distribution system for the videos produced by Al Qaeda's production company, As-Sahab, but also as the equivalent of a corporate intranet, dealing with such mundane matters as expense reporting and clerical memos to mid- and lower-level Qaeda operatives throughout the world.
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10/10/2007 | Freedom of Religion
Man Jailed for Trying to Pass $1M Bill
Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Change for a million? That's what a man was seeking Saturday when he handed a $1 million bill to a cashier at a Pittsburgh supermarket. But when the Giant Eagle employee refused and a manager confiscated the bogus bill, the man flew into a rage, police said. The man slammed an electronic funds-transfer machine into the counter and reached for a scanner gun, police said. Police arrested the man, who was not carrying identification and has refused to give his name to authorities. He is being held in the Allegheny County Jail. Since 1969, the $100 bill is the largest note in circulation. Police believe the $1 million note seized at the supermarket may have originated at a Dallas-based ministry. Last year, the ministry distributed thousands of religious pamphlets with a picture of President Grover Cleveland on a $1 million bill.
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10/10/2007 | Presidential Issues
Giuliani Clashes With Romney Over Taxes and Spending
The New York Times
Rudolph W. Giuliani of New York and Mitt Romney of Massachusetts tangled over taxes and government spending as the Republican presidential candidates debated today in Michigan, highlighting the way in which their increasingly fierce confrontation is starting to dominate the race for their party’s nomination. The debate also marked the debut of Fred D. Thompson of Tennessee alongside his Republican rivals. Mr. Thompson often appeared unsmiling and less practiced than the eight others onstage with him, who had already met five times before today, but avoided any notable missteps and held his own on substantive exchanges over the economy and foreign policy. Mr. Thompson often found himself a bystander as Mr. Giuliani and Mr. Romney attacked one another — or, just as frequently, went after Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, reflecting the eagerness of Republicans for a general election matchup against Mrs. Clinton, the New York Democrat who is leading in national polls. Mr. Giuliani, the former New York City mayor, and Mr. Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, employed a blizzard of often-conflicting statistics as they sought to undercut each other’s record on cutting taxes or spending. But most of all, they clashed over a line-item veto that Mr. Romney said was essential to reducing spending in Washington and that Mr. Giuliani, as mayor, challenged successfully in the United States Supreme Court.
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10/9/2007 | Terrorism
It's official: Terrorists endorse Hillary in '08
WorldNetDaily - On the record, Mideast jihadi leaders say she's best hope for their victory in Iraq
WASHINGTON – With presidential primaries approaching and the race for the White House heating up, Muslim terrorist leaders in the Middle East have offered their endorsement for America's highest office, stating in a new book they hope Sen. Hillary Clinton is victorious in 2008. "I hope Hillary is elected in order to have the occasion to carry out all the promises she is giving regarding Iraq," stated Ala Senakreh, West Bank chief of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terrorist group.
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10/9/2007 | Governmental Control, Terrorism
Democrats to Unveil Wiretap Bill, Would Force Justice Dept. to Reveal Surveillance
FoxNews.com
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department would have to reveal to Congress the details of all electronic surveillance conducted without court orders since Sept. 11, 2001, including the so-called Terrorist Surveillance Program, if a new Democratic wiretapping bill is approved. The draft bill, scheduled to be introduced to Congress Tuesday, would also require the Justice Department to maintain a database of all Americans subjected to government eavesdropping without a court order, including whether their names have been revealed to other government agencies. The Bush administration has refused to share that information with Congress so far. The Terrorist Surveillance Program was a secret eavesdropping program undertaken after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks without the approval of an intelligence court created 30 years ago to monitor such programs. The Democratic legislation is certain to draw sharp objections and possibly a veto threat because it lacks at least one feature the White House demands: it does not grant retroactive legal immunity to telecommunications companies that cooperated with government surveillance between 2001 and 2007 without the court orders. Around 40 lawsuits name telecommunications companies for alleged violations of wiretapping laws, according to administration officials.
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10/9/2007 | Freedom of Religion
Camp: Allow God in flag certificates
OurMidland
Midland Republican U.S. Rep. Dave Camp is among lawmakers objecting because the U.S. Capitol's architect won't allow God to be mentioned in certificates of authenticity accompanying flags flown over the Capitol and bought by constitutents. "This is as insulting as it is absurd," Camp said in a prepared statement. "The architect has gone way too far. If we can put 'in God we trust' on our money, then we can certainly put it on a flag certificate when a citizen wants it there." Camp and dozens of other lawmakers are sending a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi calling for "an immediate review of the authority under which the architect is making these rules, as well as the reversal of this policy which censors our citizens' right to expressions of their faith." A 17-year-old Eagle Scout from Ohio reportedly was denied the request to have a certificate read, "This flag was flown in honor of Marcel Larochelle, my grandfather, for his dedication and love of God, country and family."
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10/8/2007 | Iran, Terrorism
Iran envoy is denounced for ‘terrorist’ links
Times Online
The US military commander in Iraq has claimed Tehran's ambassador to Baghdad is part of al-Quds force, an elite wing of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards which Washington wants to designate as "terrorist". General David Petraeus implicated the Tehran government in the assassination of provincial Iraqi governors while adding that Hassan Kabuki-Qomi, Iran's envoy to Baghdad, "is an Quads force member". Speaking over the weekend at a base near the Iranian border, he said Revolutionary Guards had been "responsible for providing the weapons, the training, the funding and in some cases the direction for operations that have killed US soldiers". Ryan Crocker, the US ambassador in Baghdad, has this year met Mr Kazemi-Qomi twice to discuss ways to stabilise Iraq. But the talks made little headway and President Bush has since said he is ready to "confront Tehran's murderous activities".
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10/8/2007 | Israel
Israel Might OK Jerusalem Division
Time
(JERUSALEM) — A confidant of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Monday that his government would support a division of Jerusalem, which is reportedly a key component of an Israeli-Palestinian declaration to be made at a U.S.-sponsored Mideast peace conference next month. As part of recent negotiations between the sides, Deputy Vice Premier Haim Ramon has proposed turning over many of the Arab neighborhoods of east Jerusalem to the Palestinians. Ramon said the Palestinians could establish the capital of a future state in the sector of the city, which Israel captured from Jordan in the 1967 Mideast war. In return, Israel would receive the recognition of the international community, including Arab states, of its sovereignty over Jewish neighborhoods and the existence of its capital there, Ramon said. On Monday Ramon said even hawkish elements of Olmert's coalition, like Cabinet Minister Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu Party, would back such an Israeli concession. The centrist Labor Party would also support the proposal, Ramon said.
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10/8/2007 | Economy
Medicaid spending jumps sharply
USA Today
Medicaid spending has started to soar again, a sharp reversal from last year when costs unexpectedly fell for the first time since the program began in 1965. The state-federal health care program for the poor experienced a 10.7% jump in costs during the first six months of the year, according to a USA TODAY analysis of Bureau of Economic Analysis data. That's the biggest increase since 2001 and puts Medicaid on pace to spend a record $330 billion in 2007. "States are going to have to make some tough decisions on who receives care, what care they get and what the limitations are," says Robert Campbell, vice chairman of Deloitte & Touche USA, an accounting and consulting firm that works with state and local governments. He expects costs to continue to rise for the foreseeable future as states try to reduce the number of the uninsured amid rising medical costs. Higher Medicaid spending could squeeze state finances at a time when revenue growth in many states is being slowed by the slumping housing market. State tax collections have grown about 5% this year, down from 9% growth in 2005, according to Bureau of Economic Analysis data. Medicaid recently surpassed education as the biggest item in state budgets.
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10/5/2007 | Terrorism
U.S. pulls plug on 6 al-Qaeda media outlets
USA Today
WASHINGTON — The U.S. military says it has captured at least six al-Qaeda media centers in Iraq and arrested 20 suspected propaganda leaders since June. The seizures of the centers underscore the importance al-Qaeda has placed on media, primarily the Internet, as a tool to communicate to its members and use against U.S. forces in Iraq. The group's media emphasis continues to increase, intelligence analysts say. Al-Qaeda is keenly aware that the battle is ultimately for the "hearts and minds of the ummah," the community of Muslim believers, says Gordon Woo, catastrophe analyst for RMS, a London-based firm that consults private companies on terrorism risks. Woo notes that Ayman al-Zawahri, Osama bin Laden's deputy, said in 2005 that most "of this battle is taking place in the battlefield of the media." The progress against al-Qaeda's media operations stems from new offensives aimed at al-Qaeda sanctuaries and an emphasis on blunting the terrorist group's extensive propaganda operations, U.S. officers say. "One of our goals is to target these propaganda networks, and we've had more success over the past three months," says Air Force Col. Donald Bacon, a staff officer at Multi-National Force-Iraq.
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10/5/2007 | Governmental Control
'Amero coming within decade'
WorldNetDaily - Strategist expects currency changes as Canadian dollar matches greenback
BankIntroductions.com, a Canadian company that specializes in global banking strategies and currency consulting, is advising clients that the amero may be the currency of North America within the next 10 years. "The amero would compete against other regional currency blocks," BankIntroductions.com says. "At present, with the Canadian dollar approaching par, more talk for an amero currency unit will become popular in Canada." The company says that with the successful implementation of NAFTA, "the one dragging component for the amero will be Mexico, but in time this will change." "Implementation of the amero currency may actually give Mexico an economic boost, thus helping to alleviate Mexican immigration pressures into the United States for those Mexicans seeking financial gain," BankIntroductions.com advises.
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10/5/2007 | Illegal Immigration
Unguarded paths challenge Border Patrol
USA Today
ALBURGH, Vt. — The United States ends where Blair Road becomes "Chemin 4eme Concession," Noyan, Quebec, but for someone headed north on the gravel road there is nothing to mark the divide other than two unobtrusive signs and a broken down border marker hidden in a ditch. There are cameras and sensors to alert the Border Patrol when southbound people enter the United States, but nothing to stop them physically from making the two or three mile dash onto U.S. Route 2 and disappearing. Most of the traffic is local and legal. But smugglers — going north and south — know the roads are unguarded. In August, a Border Patrol agent had to fire his weapon at a car he had stopped not far from Blair Road that had tried to run him down before fleeing back into Quebec. "There's a lot more going on out here than people realize," said U.S. Border Patrol Supervisor Bradley Curtis. There are about a dozen similar unmarked back roads between Vermont and Quebec and many more across the 3,987-mile U.S.-Canadian border. In the age when the United States is trying to secure it's borders against illegal immigrants and potential terrorists, some see the challenges as a direct threat to national security.
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