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News International rushes to settle
phone-hacking claims ahead of hearing

Guardian (UK), by Lisa O´Carroll Original Article

Posted By: drive- 2/6/2013 2:31:04 PM Post Reply

Rupert Murdoch´s News International is making a concerted effort to close down the News of the World phone-hacking saga, agreeing out-of-court settlements on 143 of 165 outstanding civil damages cases it is facing in the high court ahead of a key hearing before a judge on Friday. However, lawyers acting for alleged phone-hacking victims say News International will be unable to finally draw a line under the scandal, as police are still in the process of informing victims. At least eight new claims are being prepared for Mr Justice Vos´s court hearing on Friday, including cases brought by former Crystal Palace

Moynihan’s Moment: New Book Traces
Late Senator’s Great Zionist Romance

New York Observer, by Marty Peretz Original Article

Posted By: drive- 2/6/2013 2:28:27 PM Post Reply

Not all of America’s most eminent public personae are memorialized in public places. But when Pennsylvania Station is finally brought into the contemporary age, Daniel Patrick Moynihan will be, having been so honored in at least two other locations. Pat was still alive but barely out of office when the first of these buildings, the 27-story Moynihan Courthouse at Foley Square (which was named for “Big Tom” Foley, a Tammany Hall pol), was dedicated in his name. (Senior citizens among The Observer’s readers may recall that this is where the Smith Act prosecution of the Communist

The inside story of how Julian
Assange alienated his allies

New Statesman, by Jemima Khan Original Article

Posted By: drive- 2/6/2013 2:26:01 PM Post Reply

I passed through Los Angeles recently on my way to the Sundance Film Festival. I don’t know the place well, but it always feels to me as if it is in limbo and has never grown into a proper city: a municipal playground, populated by restless kidults. Here, people dine at seven and sleep by nine, ferried around in cars, sipping sodas, suspended in a make-believe world, poised in that fake calm between a toddler’s fall and ensuing screams. Its transient, unevolved quality may have something to do with it being a temporary home

Long Engagements

New Yorker, by George Packer Original Article

Posted By: Drive- 2/6/2013 2:24:46 PM Post Reply

After four exhausting years, Hillary Clinton leaves the State Department with an impressive record of air miles logged, town-hall meetings held, important but neglected issues highlighted, international crises defused, gaffes avoided, citizens of the United States and the world wowed, and White House policies capably carried out. When Clinton and President Obama recently sat down for an interview on “60 Minutes,” they all but held hands, swearing deathless affection and respect, and they seemed to mean it.

Panetta to propose military
pay cut after Obama raised
federal officials pay

Washington Examiner, by Joel Gehrke Original Article

Posted By: draggingtree- 2/6/2013 2:20:54 PM Post Reply

Outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta reportedly believes the military should receive a pay cut in order to respond to the budget cuts facing the Pentagon — a position that might strengthen the Republican push to reverse President Obama’s executive order raising the salary of Vice President Joe Biden and other federal officials. “Panetta will recommend to Congress that military salaries be limited to a one percent increase in 2014,” CNN reports, explaining that Panetta is “effectively decreasing troop salaries next year . . . The decision comes as the secretary is stepping up the rhetoric about dire cuts at the Pentagon if sequestration goes into effect.”
Headline split and Content added by staff.

Democrat husband of
multimillionaire Facebook
co-founder Chris Hughes to
run for Congress aged 26

Daily Mail (UK), by Staff Original Article

Posted By: JoniTx- 2/6/2013 2:07:51 PM Post Reply

The 26-year-old husband of Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes is to run for Congress, it was revealed today. Sean Eldridge, a Democrat activist who heads an investment firm, filed the papers on Tuesday to challenge the Republican seat in New York´s Hudson Valley. The district is currently held by Representative Chris Gibson - a two-term Republican and decorated war hero. Gibson was re-elected at the November elections winning 53 per cent of the vote. Eldridge and Hughes, who has a fortune of an estimated $500million, have positioned themselves as something of a gay power couple since tying the knot last year.

Texas Lawmakers Blast ‘Anti-American’,
‘Anti-Christian’ Curriculum

Fox News, by Todd Starnes Original Article

Posted By: KarenJ1- 2/6/2013 1:56:14 PM Post Reply

Texas lawmakers are putting educators on the hot seat after public school curriculum surfaced that promoted Islam and socialism while deconstructing American values and patriotism. (Snip) School children were exposed to lessons that labeled the Boston Tea Party an act of terrorism. They were also instructed to create flags for socialist and communist countries. And they were also given in-depth lessons in the Islamic faith that included classroom readings from the Koran. “They are indoctrinating our children to hate America,” said Janice VanCleave, of Texas Education Patriots.

Chris Rock: President Obama
´our boss,´ ´dad of the country´

Washington Times, by David Sherfinski Original Article

Posted By: KarenJ1- 2/6/2013 1:47:59 PM Post Reply

Actor and comedian Chris Rock called President Obama the "dad of the country" as he rallied on Capitol Hill to support his father figure´s call for new gun controls. "I am just here to support the president of the United States," said Mr. Rock, a former "Saturday Night Live" cast member whose most recent acting roles include a voice role in the animated feature "Madagascar 3," a spot in "What to Expect When You´re Expecting" and guest turns on the FX comedy "Louie." "The President of the United States is, you know, our boss.

Pentagon extending benefits for gays

Associated Press, by Lolita C. Baldor Original Article

Posted By: KarenJ1- 2/6/2013 1:42:52 PM Post Reply

WASHINGTON — The military is poised to extend some benefits to the same-sex partners of service members, U.S. officials said Tuesday, about 16 months after the Pentagon repealed its ban on openly gay service. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has not made a final decision on which benefits will be included, the officials said, but the Pentagon is likely to allow same-sex partners to have access to the on-base commissary and other military subsidized stores, as well as some health and welfare programs. Panetta must walk a fine, legal line.
Link repaired by staff

NBC´s Lauer Frets Over Obama Gun
Photo: ´Now the President Always Has
to Back Up His Words With Proof?´

NewsBusters, by Kyle Drennen Original Article

Posted By: KarenJ1- 2/6/2013 1:09:59 PM Post Reply

During a panel discussion on Tuesday´s NBC Today about the White House releasing a photo of President Obama skeet shooting to dispel doubt about his claim of doing it "all the time," co-host Matt Lauer worried about the precedent that had been set: "So like releasing the birth certificate a year or so ago, this is the next step, that now the President always has to back up his words with proof?" [Listen to the audio or watch the video after the jump] Lauer´s concern seemed to follow administration talking points perfectly. On Sunday´s Today, correspondent Peter Alexander reported:

Obama’s War on the Troops

Washington Free Beacon, by Staff Original Article

Posted By: KarenJ1- 2/6/2013 1:04:53 PM Post Reply

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta will recommend to Congress that military salaries be limited to a 1 percent increase next year due to “budget uncertainties” related to sequestration, CNN reports: Panetta will recommend to Congress that military salaries be limited to a 1 percent increase in 2014. The Pentagon has calculated that the Labor Department’s 2014 Employment Cost Index is expected to be above 1 percent but wants to still cut back on pay because of “budget uncertainties,” a department official told CNN. In 2013, a 1.7 percent increase was approved, based on the index, which has been the basis

Maryland Gov. Martin
O’Malley presses lawmakers
for handgun licenses for residents

Washington Times, by David Hill Original Article

Posted By: Judy W.- 2/6/2013 12:59:56 PM Post Reply

Maryland Gov. Martin O´Malley will urge state lawmakers on Wednesday to pass legislation requiring residents to obtain a license before purchasing a handgun, but Second Amendment advocates hope to drown out his message. Mr. O´Malley, a Democrat, will testify before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee in favor of his bill, which would also ban assault weapons, limit magazine capacities to 10 rounds and require prospective gun buyers to complete a safety course and pay a $100 application fee. However, gun-rights advocates will descend upon Annapolis to rally against a bill

David Corn: Justification
For Obama Drone Program
"Almost Orwellian"

Real Clear Politics, by Ian Schwartz Original Article

Posted By: KarenJ1- 2/6/2013 12:44:28 PM Post Reply

DAVID CORN: I think you just pointed out, as have others, that three major contentious points of this memo, the problems that are there, because I think -- I´m sympathetic to the argument that in some instances you´ve got to use drone strikes when there´s no other opportunity, but the definition of imminence is really stretched here. It´s almost Orwellian. And when you get to a high-level official, the memo seems to suggest that you can do this without anyone vetting the decision of a single person, and whether that´s the president or anybody else,

Dem Congressman Warns
Of "Mob Scenes" Without
"Equity" In Society"

Real Clear Politics, by Ian Schwartz Original Article

Posted By: KarenJ1- 2/6/2013 12:38:45 PM Post Reply

Congressman Jim McDermott (D-Washington) warns the U.S. could turn into a scene from Les Misérables without a ´we´ mentality in an interview with C-SPAN´s "Washington Journal" on Tuesday. McDERMOTT: This whole society is gradually changing in response to what’s going on. Now, we’re in a very difficult period right now, because we have a lot of people who suddenly think it’s all about me. And it isn’t about me; it’s about we. If we don’t take care of one another, and we say everybody’s on their own, then it will simply fall apart as a society:

Make room for Latinos
in the Cabinet

Miami Herald, by Hector Sanchez Original Article

Posted By: BuckeyeRon- 2/6/2013 12:37:04 PM Post Reply

The American Latino spirit ran full force throughout President Barack Obama’s recent inauguration.(Snip)We insist that, at the very least, two, preferably three, Latino members serve in Obama’s second term Cabinet. We recently sent the president a letter that named just some of the many talented individuals that could serve the nation well, including administration appointees Thomas Perez of the Justice Department and Francisco Sanchez of the Commerce Department, elected officials Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and U.S. Reps. Nydia Velazquez and Linda Sanchez, and other high profile Latino leaders such as former Surgeon General Richard Carmona and former AFL-CIO Vice President Linda

Mom whose baby was born
with cocaine in system wasn´t
neglectful, N.J. Supreme Court rules

Star - Ledger (Newark, NJ), by Susan K. Livio Original Article

Posted By: Scottyboy- 2/6/2013 12:34:47 PM Post Reply

TRENTON — The state Supreme Court ruled unanimously today that a Cape May County mother did not abuse her child by using cocaine two days before she gave birth since the infant was born unharmed. The decision by the justices underscored its belief that only a child that has been born — and not a fetus — can be protected by New Jersey´s child protection law. All child abuse cases weigh a parent´s right to "raise a child without undue interference by the state" and the state´s "responsibility to protect the welfare of children," Chief Justice Stuart Rabner wrote.

Sexual Harassment Investigation
May Delay Hagel Vote

Washington Free Beacon, by Staff Original Article

Posted By: KarenJ1- 2/6/2013 12:33:44 PM Post Reply

Former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel faces another obstacle in his already contentious fight for confirmation as the Obama administration’s next secretary of defense. According to Foreign Policy, the Senate Armed Services Committee is investigating a sexual harassment allegation by a former Hagel staffer. The unnamed staffer has been interviewed by the committee about an incident that took place in 2007. The staffer, whose allegation was found credible by committee staff, does not involve Hagel directly. Instead, the investigation appears to center on whether Hagel knew of the incident and whether it was handled appropriately.

The Mysterious Office on
Metrocentre Boulevard

Washington Free Beacon, by Mary Lou Byrd Original Article

Posted By: KarenJ1- 2/6/2013 12:30:11 PM Post Reply

The offices of Dr. Salomon Melgen raided by the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services last week served as the postal address of 11 mysterious companies linked to the ophthalmologist, who is now the subject of two federal investigations into allegations of Medicare fraud and public corruption. The wealthy donor to Sen. Bob Menendez (D., N.J.) runs his eye center from offices at 2521 Metrocentre Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida. That address is also listed in the Florida secretary of state records for seven active companies and four now-defunct businesses.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney: ´Lincoln´
historically inaccurate
regarding Connecticut

Associated Press, by Staff Original Article

Posted By: MissMolly- 2/6/2013 12:26:54 PM Post Reply

HARTFORD — As Rep. Joe Courtney watched the Oscar-nominated "Lincoln" over the weekend, something didn´t seem right to him. He said Tuesday he was shocked that the film, about President Abraham Lincoln´s political struggle to abolish slavery, includes a scene in which two Connecticut congressmen vote against the 13th amendment to the Constitution, outlawing slavery. "´Wow. Connecticut voted against abolishing slavery?´" Courtney recalled hearing audience members ask. "I obviously had the same reaction. It was really bugging me."

Joe Biden, Obama's "Mr Fix-it,"
extends his clout abroad

Reuters, by Steve Holland Original Article

Posted By: BuckeyeRon- 2/6/2013 12:25:32 PM Post Reply

Washington-U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, already deeply immersed in high-profile domestic policy, is finding that his clout extends to foreign affairs as well, as he plays a top surrogate role for President Barack Obama in the early days of their second term. Biden is now in many ways viewed as Obama´s "Mr. Fix-it," who struck a crucial budget deal in January and who is able to navigate his way comfortably through Washington´s complex power structure with a back-slapping joviality that Democrats find endearing despite the occasional verbal misstep. The 70-year-old former senator has often been viewed as gaffe-prone,
Headline updated by staff

Geithner heading to Council
on Foreign Relations

The Hill [Washington DC], by Peter Schroeder Original Article

Posted By: JoniTx- 2/6/2013 12:20:33 PM Post Reply

Former Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will join the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) as a distinguished fellow. Geithner left the Treasury at the end of January and will rejoin an organization where he previously served as a senior fellow in 2001. "We are thrilled to welcome Tim back to the Council on Foreign Relations," said CFR President Richard N. Haass. "Both at Treasury and at the New York Federal Reserve, Tim was a tireless, creative, and responsible custodian of the public trust. His coming to CFR only strengthens our capacity to produce thoughtful analysis of issues at the

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