by Frank James
A quick guided tour of some of the morning's most important or interesting (or both) Washington-related stories.
Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers are increasingly concerned that the highly anticipated Iraq progress reports to be delivered in September by Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker won't clarify the situation but instead serve to reinforce existing positions on the war.
The death toll of about 500 from Tuesday's coordinated truck-bomb attacks in northern Iraq are the worst of the war.
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said he expected the turbulence in the capital markets to slow economic growth but added that the economy and markets were robust enough to fend off a recession.
The 2008 presidential race is witnessing the greatest degree of Internet experimentation yet with forums like the recent Democratic YouTube debate with "Billiam the Talking Snowman" and other attempts that increase the participation of voters in the process.
Mitt Romney said he would rejigger his investment portfolio after the Boston Herald reported that among the holdings in his blind trust were shares in a company that does embryonic stem cell research, the kind of science the Republican presidential candidate said he opposes because of his anti-abortion position.
The Food and Drug Administration warned parents against giving popular over-the-counter cold and cough medicines to children under two since the information on those medications' safety and effectiveness in young children is scant and the drugs are blamed for hundreds of bad side effects and some deaths.
CARE, the well-known charitable organization, has rejected $45 million in food aid from the U.S., saying that the food products offered by the U.S. are grown with farm subsidies that are actually hurting the poor Third World poor the U.S. aid is meant to help.
The Republican National Committee chairman criticized both Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney for their increasingly tougher-than-thou stances on the failed immigration reform legislation, suggesting they should lead on the issue instead of criticizing.
Democrats with presidential aspirations have received four times as much money this year from some of the U.S.'s wealthiest areas as Democratic candidates did in 2003.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is scrutinizing the National Science Foundation's awarding of $170 million in contracts to a company involved in the renovation of Alaskan Republican Sen. Ted Stevens home.
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Comments
Gee ... only 500 people killed in car bombs in Iraq yesterday. Cheneybush - Patreaus must be really proud of their progess. Surge on!
Posted by: snalg | August 16, 2007 8:29 AM
Mel Martinez was right to critize Rudy & Willard for their tougher than thou talk on immigration.
But then again that's what so many far-right-wingers do best.
Just like Dubya and Darth - nothing is impossible for the person who doesn't have to do it.
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 16, 2007 9:05 AM
Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers are increasingly concerned that the highly anticipated Iraq progress reports to be delivered in September by Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker won't clarify the situation but instead serve to reinforce existing positions on the war.
Yes. And these reports will be delivered with angels sounding trumpets and a heavenly chorus.
Posted by: Mrs. Jesus | August 16, 2007 9:40 AM
Now that we've learned that the White House will WRITE THE REPORT that General Petreaus will give to Congress next month, maybe Congress will grow a backbone and cancel the funds Bush is using to keep American soldiers occupying Iraq. It's beyond time to pull our people out of their civil war.
Posted by: BC | August 16, 2007 10:11 AM
Under the headline "Reign of Error", an article in the left-wing slate.com of today publicizes a study by U. of Oregon professor Scott R. Maier that shows that newspapers make FIFTY TIMES as many errors as those same newspapers acknowledge in their "corrections" columns.
This comes as no surprise to readers of the Tribune.
Posted by: Bruce | August 16, 2007 11:29 AM
U.S. and Afghan air and ground forces pounded al Qaeda militants for a second day today in the Tora Bora mountains close to the Pakistan border where Osama bin Laden once fled in the wake of the 2001 invasion.
So, it seems that all this talk Obama's been raging on about getting into Pakistan and getting bin Laden is finally making an impact. We are right on the Pakistani border and Pakistan has deployed a "limited number" of regular army troops in its side of the Tora Bora range. Could this be the week we finally make some real headway in this fight against global terrorism? Only time will tell.
Posted by: Bella | August 16, 2007 11:43 AM
Just so we're clear on this, the 500 killed in the al Qaeda bombings in norther Iraq were Yazidis. For those less informed, Yazidis are not Shiite, or Sunni, or even Muslim, for that matter. They are a religious minority in Iraq and are accused of being "devil worshippers" by many Muslims. They are not involved in Iraq's civil war. So why would al Qaeda target them? Here's a couple of thoughts:
1) al Qaeda needs a little sympathy from fellow Muslims these days. They've been rejected by Sunni tribal leaders, who do not share al Qaeda's overbearing Taliban-like approach to life. It's a supposition on my part, but IMO never did al Qaeda expect the Sunnis to turn on them. So, maybe by killing followers of Satan, al Qaeda can show just how devoted to Islam they are. Then, when Americans respond to defend the Yazidis, al Qaeda can paint the Sunni tribal leaders opposed to them as being in bed with devil worshipers, regaining some popularity in Sunni circles.
2) The bombings will serve to blunt the good news coming out of Iraq with respect to the troop surge. Then, Americans who have waned in recent days for their support for an immediate troop pullout can be reinforced in their original opinion and use this news as further evidence of the failure of the surge. That would, in turn, help al Qaeda heighten the war it wants with Iran and the Shiites for control of Iraq's oil and, thus, the ability to manipulate oil prices on the world market.
Posted by: JB | August 16, 2007 1:18 PM
Well said Bella. Its nice to see that Obama was able to finally light a fire under the sleepy Bush Administration.
So Obama-haters, are you going to light into Bush for being too aggressive with our "allies" in Pakistan? For perhaps helping to destabilize that "friendly" nation and as a result end up with nukes in the hands of terrorists? For FINALLY trying to get Bin Laden "dead or alive?"
No of course not. If Bush does it, its wise, patriotic and tough. If Obama suggests it, its irresponsible and reckless.
Posted by: Bryan | August 16, 2007 2:00 PM
The Rasmussen Poll out today has Republican frontrunner Rudy Giuliani up 7% (47% to 40%) over Dem frontrunner Clinton.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/in_surge_i_now_tops_clinton_by_seven_pointsgiulian
We'll wait to see if the usually poll-obsessed Swamp reporters try to bury the results of this poll, which shows a Republican doing so well.
Posted by: Bruce | August 16, 2007 2:51 PM
Is it just me, or is this lead paint/ toy problem looking more and more like a vicious plot to mentally retard the future of this country, so that in 30 years, when China starts invading the US, the new leaders are all too stupid to do anything about it?
Wait...do you think Bush/Cheney chewed on lead tainted toys when they were children? Hmmmmmm, I think I am on to something here!
Posted by: Bella | August 16, 2007 3:04 PM
Sorry Bruce, but your link doesn't work. Maybe you could tell us though. How are the results broken down state by state because the last time I checked you needed electoral votes to win the Presidency, not popular votes?
Posted by: jethro | August 16, 2007 3:36 PM