This is nothing unusual. It has helped us a lot, it has solved lots of our problems. We appreciate it. …This is cash. It is the choice of the U.S. government. If tomorrow the State Department decides to give us such cash, I’d welcome that, too.Afghan President Hamid Karzai • Responding to criticisms of cash payments (reportedly literal bags of cash), sent from the CIA directly to Karzai’s presidential palace in Kabul. Karzai suggested that the money was used for such diverse purposes as paying off warlords, funding scholarships and tending to wounded members of the presidential guard, though this explanation leaves unattended the main criticisms that have been waged at both his administration and the CIA over this — corruption, opacity, and accountability. Both present and former Afghan sources indicated in reports last week that the cash amount delivered in this manner, over the last decade or so, totaled tens of millions of dollars, while Karzai himself said they were “not allowed to disclose” the official figure. source
This is, of course, the second man charged over the ricin-laced letter sent to President Obama and Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, after the arrest of another Mississippi man, Elvis impersonator Kevin Curtis. Dutschke is alleged in the affidavit to have told a witness years ago that he could make a “poison.”
I’m going to go back at this. I’m going to reengage with Congress to try to make the case that [Guantanamo] is not something that’s in the best interests of the American people.President Obama • Restating, over four years after his initial promise as President, that he wants to close America’s detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. This is an issue which Obama gave a push early in his first term, but the effort fell apart in light of a politically reluctant congress, after which the question of how to deal with the now 166 detainees still housed at Guantanamo largely passed by the wayside. But now, Guantanamo detainees have taken matters into their own hands, with a majority of those 166 embarking on a grueling hunger strike, emaciating themselves to the extent that some have been force fed with tubes to keep them alive. Of all the possible outcomes at Guantanamo, a big chunk of those still there starving themselves to death is a macabre endgame that nobody wants to see. And as that risk has increased, so too has media attention to the situation. source
District residents and their elected representatives should not tolerate commercial or other use of derogatory terminology relating to any people’s racial identity, or which dishonors any person’s race, or which dishonors the name Washington. Washington’s name has been dishonored by association with the word ‘Redskins.’ Because it is well known in America and in nations afar that American Indians have experienced utmost suffering and disrespect over the years.A non-binding resolution by Washington D.C. Council member David Grosso • Arguing in favor of changing the name of the Washington D.C. NFL team, from the “Redskins,” to a less offensive one (Grosso himself suggests Redtails, a reference to the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II, which is undeniably pretty catchy). The controversy over the team’s name is not especially new, but as years continue to slide by, it is undeniably startling to see a professional sports team bearing such an overt racial slur as its name, as well as its merchandising brand. One person not so down for a change? Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III, who tweeted his displeasure at the discussion: “In a land of freedom we are held hostage by the tyranny of political correctness.” source
President Obama’s speech at the White House Correspondents Dinner. How do you think he did? The Mitch McConnell line was obviously a crowd favorite, but maybe that’s too insder-y for a broad audience? Then again, who are we kidding — the whole thing is pretty insider-y.
[We’re satisfied] in terms of the team that we’ve succeeded in putting together, for the willingness that we’ve encountered, for the talent that has put itself at the service of the country. [There’s] satisfaction [also] in terms of the female representation that this government today will be able to show.Incoming Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta • Speaking on his success in amassing a coalition government including his center-left Democratic Party, and the center-right People Of Freedom Party of disgraced former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. While Berlusconi will not be a member of the new coalition government, he figures to hold some sway over party politics, as Letta met with him for hours today ahead of this announcement. This may portend a new look ahead for the people of Italy and their government — while the right-wing will be on stable footing with the left, Letta himself has spoken on moving away from the financial austerity policies of recent years. source
Authorities have made an arrest in the ricin letter case, the man pictured above, 41-year-old Mississippian James Everett Dutschke. A martial arts instructor by trade, Dutschke was taken into custody by the FBI early this morning, after searches were conducted of his home and of a former business. Dutschke is charged with “acquiring, retaining and possessing a biological agent,” according to an FBI/U.S. Attorney joint announcement, and he may face life imprisonment if convicted. His lawyer, however, denies he had anything to do with the ricin-laced letters, sent to President Obama, among others. And considering the last guy the FBI charged turned out to be naught but a hapless Elvis impersonator, it’s worth keeping in mind that this guy remains, right now, just an alleged criminal — nothing more, nothing less. (Photo from Reuters) source
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Justice Breyer, the 74-year-old Clinton appointee, also suffered a broken collarbone after a bicycling accident in 2011, and in 1993 (prior to his appointment) fractured ribs and punctured a lung in yet another. The moral of the story? You’re not gonna get him off that bicycle, apparently. He reportedly underwent shoulder surgery this morning, and is resting comfortably, pending release.
To the best of our professional understanding, the regime used lethal chemical weapons against gunmen in a series of incidents in recent months.Brig. Gen. Itai Brun, research division chief for Israeli army intelligence • Claiming that Syria’s Assad government has used chemical weapons against it’s people (though offering no corroborating evidence), in remarks at the Institute for National Security Studies. of Tel Aviv University. Secretary of State John Kerry says he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this morning, and that the leader “was not in a position to confirm” his military’s assessment. This isn’t a new concern for the United States, which has been under some international pressure to address claims to the UN by France and Britain, both allies, also suggesting that pro-Assad forces have used chemical weaponry. This has major political and diplomatic implications for America, as the administration has engaged in “red line” rhetoric on the matter of chemical weapons. source
The AP’s erroneous tweet about explosions at the White House today, the consequence of their account being hacked, had more effect than simply fear going viral, as demonstrated above — it also caused the Dow Jone Industrial average to plummet over 100 points, only to right itself minutes later when the explanation came out. The Syrian Electronic Army, a group in favor of Syria’s ruling Assad government, has claimed responsibility for the hack via their own Twitter. (Image from Bloomberg) source
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