The Political Chase

The right to peaceful expression

White House Press Secretary Scott McLellan in today’s press briefing:

"It’s the right of the American people to peacefully express their views, and that’s what you’re seeing here in Washington, D.C."

So, that’s why Cindy Sheehan was arrested today; peacefully expressing her views. 

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Roving Karl Rove

Karl Rove, for all your reconstruction needs.

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Hundreds Released from Abu Ghraib - Why?

USA Today reports that 500 prisoners were released from Abu Ghraib today as "a goodwill gesture" and that 500 more will be released later this week.

This doesn’t add up properly to me.  Prison by definition is: a place for the confinement of persons in lawful detention, especially persons convicted of crimes.  So, why are criminals released in mass for good will?  Ramadan was stated as the reason for the prisoners release.  All of a sudden 1,000 people do not meet the requirement for detention?

Either this large group of people did not warrant being there to begin with or 1,000 lawless people have been released which may add to the already dangerous environment of the Iraqi streets.  Which one is it?

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War protester arrested at White House

Earlier today, Cindy Sheehan was arrested at the White House for protesting the Iraq war.

Now that’s great PR for the White House.  Mission Accomplished banner to follow? 

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Human Rights Watch Report

The Human Rights Watch report that is associated with Capt. Fishback’s allegations can be found here.

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Lynndie England Guilty

Lynndie England who was involved in the Abu Ghraib abuse scandal, has been found guilty on six of seven charges.  She faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.

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New Category for Capt. Fishback

There seems to be a lot of interest about Capt. Fishback and his recent
revelations, therefore I have added a Fishback category to make things
easier to find.  Also, I will put more focus on digging into the
subject.

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Hundreds Released from Abu Ghraib - Why?

USA Today reports that 500 prisoners were released from Abu Ghraib today as “a goodwill gesture” and that 500 more will be released later this week.

This doesn’t add up properly to me.  Prison by definition is: a place for the confinement of persons in lawful detention, especially persons convicted of crimes.  So, why are criminals released in mass for good will?  Ramadan was stated as the reason for the prisoners release.  All of a sudden 1,000 people do not meet the requirement for detention?

Either this large group of people did not warrant being there to begin with or 1,000 lawless people have been released which may add to the already dangerous environment of the Iraqi streets.  Which one is it?

McCain bill requiring adherence to Geneva Convention

Finally, somebody is breaking ranks from the President’s influence. And, of course the President is against any bill that lessens his control.

[Sen. John McCain (R-Az.)] said he and Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.), chairman of the Armed Services Committee, along with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), another committee member, were proposing an amendment to a defense bill requiring the military to abide by the Geneva dictates.

Who is Bush’s adviser?

Per the Times, "President Bush has designated his domestic security adviser to deliver the supposedly no-holds-barred investigation he promised…"  Who is Bush’s domestic security adviser?

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Cha-ching at the gas pump

The governor of Texas said yesterday that the state’s oil refineries had suffered a glancing blow, at worst from Hurricane Rita.   Anyone believe that we will see just a "glancing bow" at the gas pump?

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Personal Investments of Members of Congress

The New York Times cites the following information about personal investments of those in Congress:

 In the highly regulated health care industry, for example, 32 senators have disclosed stakes in pharmaceutical or medical device companies, 24 in companies that sell malpractice insurance and 27 in hospital companies or health care providers, according to a recent survey by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.

I would like to know what the percentage of ownership is by party.  For example, what is the percentage of Republicans  invested in the companies that sell malpractice insurance.  If anyone has a breakdown of that information, I would appreciate it being passed along.

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