Top Items:
ABCNEWS:
Poll: Broad Optimism in Iraq, But Also Deep Divisions Among Groups — On the Eve of the Elections, Most Iraqis Want Iraq To Stay Unified — Dec. 12, 2005 — Surprising levels of optimism prevail in Iraq with living conditions improved, security more a national worry than a local one, and expectations for the future high.
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Ceci Connolly / Washington Post:
Frist Cautions Senators Against Stalling Alito Vote — Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) threatened yesterday to strip Democrats of the power to filibuster if they block the vote on Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr. — "It would be against the intent of the Founding Fathers …
Discussion:
Wonkette, The Heretik, AMERICAblog, Bark Bark Woof Woof, Brilliant at Breakfast and Prometheus 6
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Will Lester / Associated Press:
Poll: Most Iraqis Oppose Troops' Presence — WASHINGTON - Most Iraqis disapprove of the presence of U.S. forces in their country, yet they are optimistic about Iraq's future and their own personal lives, according to a new poll. — More than two-thirds of those surveyed oppose the presence …
Discussion:
Dohiyi Mir
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Dan Balz / Washington Post:
Hillary Clinton Crafts Centrist Stance on War — At a time when politicians in both parties have eagerly sought public forums to debate the war in Iraq, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) has kept in the shadows. — Clinton has stayed steadfastly on a centrist path …
Ellen Knickmeyer / Washington Post:
Abuse Cited In 2nd Jail Operated by Iraqi Ministry — Official Says 12 Prisoners Subjected to 'Severe Torture' — BAGHDAD, Dec. 11 — An Iraqi government search of a detention center in Baghdad operated by Interior Ministry special commandos found 13 prisoners who had suffered abuse serious enough …
Discussion:
Informed Comment
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Scott Shiloh / Arutz Sheva:
Abbas Approves Monthly Grant To Families of Suicide Bombers — The head of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, has approved a new law, providing monetary grants to the families of suicide bombers. — Abbas gave his approval just six days ago, a day before a suicide bomber struck …
New York Times:
AOL Co-Founder Calls for Split of Time Warner — As Time Warner nears a decision on a big alliance with Google or Microsoft for its America Online unit, Stephen M. Case, the co-founder of AOL, has spoken out against the plan, aligning himself with the thinking of the financier Carl C. Icahn, who has pushed for a breakup of Time Warner.
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The State:
Sanford rules out bid for presidency in 2008 — Governor says he'll serve 4 years if re-elected — Gov. Mark Sanford "absolutely" will not run for president in 2008. — In a wide-ranging interview with The State newspaper in his State House office last week, Sanford said he would not be a candidate …
Sydney Morning Herald:
Race riots spread to suburbs — Riotous assembly ... a mob assaults a man with beer bottles at North Cronulla yesterday. By last night, youths of Middle Eastern background were out for revenge, which included vandalising more than 100 cars at Maroubra. — RACIAL violence erupted …
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Gina Holland / Associated Press:
Court Agrees to Review Texas Redistricting — Supreme Court Agrees to Review GOP-Friendly Redistricting in Texas Engineered by Rep. Tom DeLay — WASHINGTON Dec 12, 2005 — The Supreme Court said Monday it would consider the constitutionality of a Texas congressional map engineered …
Countertop / The Countertop Chronicles:
The Rino Rodeo — Well, its 1:00 am on Monday. I've had a hellacious week (topped off with a visit to Hell this afternoon), so while I planned something good and great and in the Christmas Spirit for this weeks Rhino Rodeo, alas, you will have to suffer through something perhaps not as worthy of the honor.
Discussion:
Argghhh!
Joseph Kahn / New York Times:
Military Officer Tied to Killings Is Held by China — BEIJING, Monday, Dec. 12 - The commander of paramilitary forces who opened fire on villagers protesting land seizures has been detained by the authorities in connection with the shootings, an extraordinary response that suggested high-level concern …
BBC:
Beirut bomb kills anti-Syria MP — A prominent Lebanese anti-Syrian member of parliament and journalist has been killed in a car bomb attack in Beirut. — Gibran Tueni's convoy was targeted as it travelled in the Christian-dominated eastern suburb of Mekallis.
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Omar / IRAQ THE MODEL:
The voting has begun! (updated) — Voting in Iraq's second parliamentary elections has begun this morning; this coincides with the deadline for all campaigning activities by all lists and parties who are required now to enter "electoral silence". — The first votes are coming from army bases, detention centers and hospitals.
Russ Feingold / tpmcafe.com:
TPMCafe Special Guests — Fixing The Patriot Act — Fighting Terrorism While Protecting Our Freedoms — Thanks to Josh and the crew here at TPM Café for inviting me this week. I have posted diaries on blogs in the past and have always enjoyed the immediate and thoughtful feedback I get.
