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29 Jul 2009 22:56

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U.S.: Eric Holder: U.S. citizens becoming radical, but not in that cool ’90s way

  • I mean, that’s one of the things that’s particularly troubling: This whole notion of radicalization of Americans. Leaving this country and going to different parts of the world and then coming back, all, again, in aim of doing harm to the American people, is a great concern.
  • Attorney General Eric Holder • Discussing what he feels is one of the biggest threats to the U.S., Americans who become a radical threat to other Americans. This is obviously a big deal in the news at the moment in the wake of the arrest of Daniel Boyd and his associates. • source

27 Jul 2009 09:19

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U.S., World: North Korea: OK, OK, we’ll talk with you Americans. But just you.

  • They’re up for bilateral talks. North Korea said they’d be willing to chat some more with the U.S. about the country’s nuclear weapons program today, which is a bit of a change from recent hard-line approaches. The North Korean Foreign Ministry emphasized that they weren’t interested in talking to a bunch of countries summit-style, though – just the U.S. However, the U.S. still wants to have six-nation talks they’ve been having. As it’s only a preference in approach, we’re sure common ground will me made and an awkward phone call that needs to happen will happen soon. source

24 Jul 2009 10:15

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Biz, U.S.: Today, the national minimum wage gets a kick in the pants

  • $7.25 the new ground floor of the minimum wage source

22 Jul 2009 11:03

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U.S., World: Pakistan doesn’t like the U.S.’ ideas about the war in Afghanistan

Citing a plan that will force Taliban forces into Pakistan and limited Pakistani troops, the country is pushing back against the U.S. source

16 Jul 2009 16:51

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U.S., World: Veterans are not handling the transition from Iraq, Afghanistan well

  • 37% of returning military have mental health problems source

15 Jul 2009 21:14

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U.S.: Never a dull moment in D.C.: Guy shot, killed near Capitol

  • Whew. Just another average day in the District. A block away from the Capitol, a dude gets stopped for a routine traffic stop. He flees in his getaway car of choice – a white Mercedes – and hits a cop in the process, injuring him. He then drives into a police cruiser, gets out, and is cornered by police, who tell him to put down his weapon. He doesn’t do it, and is shot and killed. Like we said. Just another average day in the District.source

15 Jul 2009 14:20

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U.S., World: Some foreign exchange students deal with nightmare conditions

  • They weren’t provided with food. In fact there is one incident with tape on food items in the refrigerator of the host family that says, ‘Do not touch. This is for the host family only.’ So basically they were neglected.
  • Lackawanna County, Pa. District Attorney Andrew Jarbola • Regarding the treatment of 12 foreign exchange students in Scranton, Pa. Many were underfed and lost lots of weight, housed with convicted felons and neglected. The students – from countries as far away as Norway, Colombia and Tanzania – were placed by the Aspect Foundation, some on State Department grants. By the end of the school year, five students were removed from awful host family situations. • source
 

13 Jul 2009 22:52

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U.S.: Cheney’s secret CIA operation was just like “Hot Shots! Part Deux”

  • To continue the trend of linking old movies to current events we started last week, here goes: Imagine Charlie Sheen as the U.S. military, fighting a war on terror, somewhat ineptly. Imagine Saddam Hussein to be all terrorists, especially the leaders of al-Qaeda. Imagine President Lloyd Bridges to be President Dick Cheney (’cause we all know who wore the pants in the White House). And imagine the fireplace as the drama that the CIA is facing right now because of the story we’re linking to.source

12 Jul 2009 12:03

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U.S., World: Iraq’s got it: The U.S. isn’t being asked for help in urban fighting

  • There are established protocols for how (Iraqi forces) might ask for that, but we have not been asked for combat forces.
  • Lieutenant-General Charles Jacoby Jr. • The man in charge of day-to-day operations in Iraq. Jacoby notes that while they’ve given plenty of pre-combat and post-combat support, Iraq has not asked for any help when it comes to the recent increase in insurgency in cities over the last few weeks. The numbers are still far down from their 2006-2007 peak. • source

12 Jul 2009 10:30

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U.S.: Should soldiers be allowed to smoke? The military’s debating it

  • When you’re tired and you’ve been going days on end with minimum sleep, and you are not getting the proper meals on time, that hit of tobacco can make a difference.
  • Retired Gen. Russel Honore • Arguing in favor of allowing soldiers to smoke. The military is discussing banning it, saying it has negative short-term and long-term effects. Honore, known for having a stogie wherever he went, says having tobacco is good for soldiers morale, especially in light of high suicide rates. • source