Blackwater Stole Aircraft from Iraqi Government?
The House Oversight Committee received reports that contractors working for Blackwater USA tried to remove Iraqi military planes from Iraq despite Iraqi officials' objections (BN-Politics and Committee letter).
Bush & Some Senators Push for Telecom Amnesty
The Senate Intelligence Committee approved a bill to update the Foreign
Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which includes immunity for telecommunications companies, which would keep lawsuits out of court -- along with evidence of what the Administration has done. (BN-Politics)
Dow Dropped, Oil Prices Rose
Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial average closed at 13,522.02, down 366.94, or 2.6 percent. (New York Times). Oil prices briefly surpassed $90 per barrel -- the highest price ever -- before going back down into the high 80s. (CNN)
Politics Played Part in Pentagon Prosecutions
Similar to the alleged Justice Department's politicization (see scandal overview), a former Pentagon prosecutor says that politics played a part in prosecution of Guantanamo detainees. (Washington Post and BN-Politics)
House Failed to Override Bush's SCHIP Veto
The U.S. House failed to get the votes needed to override President Bush's veto of the SCHIP bill, which would have added $35 billion to a program that provides healthcare to children whose parents work but cannot afford health insurance. (The Hill)
Congress Bluntly Berates Bush & Others
Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) was displeased with President Bush for vetoing SCHIP and with some House Republicans for refusing to help override the veto. Though they reflected what many Americans think, Stark's blunt remarks stirred up controversy among Bush supporters. (BN-Politics and Crooks & Liars) CNN took a poll, asking "Should Stark apologize?" More than 90% of the 9,000+ participants said No.
Brownback Backed out of Presidential Race
Senator Sam Brownback dropped out of the presidential race for 2008, blaming a campaign-funding shortage and the media's pessimism about his chances of actually winning the Republican primary. (ABC)
Rush Limbaugh Sold Democrats' Letter for $2.1 million
Rush Limbaugh got $2.1 million for charity by auctioning the complaint letter that 41 Democrats signed and sent to Clear Channel after Limbaugh called soldiers who oppose the Iraq war "phony soldiers." (Washington Post, NY Times, & USA Today)
Harry Potter's Dumbledore Forced out of Closet
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling announced that Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore is, as many readers suspected, a homosexual (BN-Politics).
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