:: Fox News uses a fake expert on terrorism to slam a Muslim rep's visit to Mecca.
Fox News continues to destroy what there is of it's rep as a news org.
“Fox News published a report Thursday slamming Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison by featuring a discredited “terrorism expert.” Ellison’s hajj pilgrimage to Mecca last month, an important part of his Muslim faith, was paid for by the Muslim America Society of Minnesota, an organization that has earned the respect of the Minnesota Council of Churches, the St. Paul Police Department and former Vice President Walter Mondale, but also has been a target by mainly right-wing blogs and think tanks.
Steven Emerson called the Minnesota nonprofit “the Muslim equivalent of the neo-Nazi party.” Of Ellison he said, “It’s very troubling that he is trying to project an image of moderation, but he is tied to these radical groups.” Fox News did not disclose Emerson’s ample volume of false reports, anti-Muslim diatribes, frivolous lawsuits and discredited statements.”Source: The Minnesota Independent
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:: Obama vows that his administration will not allow torture.
This is great, but I would like to know if he intends to appoint a special investigator.
I am torn as to whether Bush and company should be prosecuted. They certainly deserve to be, but I can not think that it would be good for this country if they are.
“"I was clear throughout this campaign and was clear throughout this transition that under my administration the United States does not torture," Obama said, when asked at the news conference whether he would continue the Bush administration's policy of harsh interrogation. "We will abide by the Geneva Conventions. We will uphold our highest ideals."”Source: MSNBC
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:: The Illinois House impeaches Blagojevich.
The vote was nearly unanimous. Am I the only person who thinks that Blagojevich might be truly insane? The guy is really quite pathetic.
“The governor responded with what has become trademark defiance since he [sic] arrested on federal charges a month ago. He accused the House of retaliating against him for trying to help the people of Illinois and said he's confident he'll be "properly exonerated" at a Senate trial.”Source: MSNBC
Image via MSNBC.
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:: More Burris - Durbin says that Burris will not be seated without the Illinois SOS's signature. And the SOS continues to refuse to sign.
Yesterday, it seemed that Reid, and other Dems had come around re Burris. Then, late in the day, we learned that Burris, in his testimony before the Illinois House in the Blagojevich trial, had admitted to a contact with the Blagojevich office that might be considered inappropriate.Burris apparently reached out to the Gov's office to make his interest in Obama's senate seat known.
“Senate Democratic leaders cited the absence of the Secretary of State's signature on Burris' appointment as the main reason for turning him away from the Senate earlier this week. The state court ruling held that while a U.S. Senate rule "recommends" the Secretary's signature on an appointment, it is not required to validate it.”Source: HUFFPOST
UPDATE - 5:00PM: Illinois SOS has signed a separate statement, which will suffice for the senate purposes.
“The Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White signed a separate document this afternoon with the state seal that should assuage Senate concerns over its rules requiring additional certification to seat Mr. Burris. Mr. White’s apparent compromise — he had refused earlier to add his stamp of approval to the appointment papers signed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich because of the corruption scandal — most likely will lead to a swift resolution for Mr. Burris here on Capitol Hill.
Senate Democratic officials indicated this afternoon that Mr. White’s decision would most likely result in recognition of Mr. Burris as the state’s junior senator, although the documents still had to be inspected by the Secretary of the Senate.”Source: NYT
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:: Confirmed: Michelle's Mom, Marian, to take up residence in the White House.
I suspect that she will be a huge comfort and help to Michelle and the girls, and will become a permanent fixture there during the Obama presidency.
““She is here to help them get up and running,’’ said Katie McCormick Lelyveld, a spokeswoman for Mrs. Obama. “She will determine in the coming months whether or not she wants to stay in D.C. permanently.”
In some ways, Mrs. Robinson’s decision to move – at least temporarily — is no real surprise. During the presidential campaign, Mrs. Robinson was a family mainstay, caring for the Obama girls, Sasha and Malia, while their parents were on the road.”Source: NYT
