MBN The Monte Bubbles Network

 Mar 23

 President Bush promised to veto an
emergency supplemental war spending bill passed by the House of
Representatives today because it sets a date for the return of combat forces from
Iraq and includes spending unrelated to the war.

The Defense Department's emergency fiscal 2007 supplemental request
includes $93.4 billion to help fund U.S. forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and
elsewhere in the global war on terror. The House bill requires that U.S.
combat troops be out of Iraq by Aug. 31, 2008, and includes some
domestic spending measures.

The Bush administration repeatedly has rejected establishing a deadline
for troop withdrawals, insisting that such decisions must be based on
conditions in the war zone.

"The purpose of war spending bill I requested was to provide troops
with vital funding," he said, adding that the House bill only delays the
delivery of resources for troops stationed in Iraq.

"A narrow majority has decided to take this course just as (Army)
Genral (David H.) Petraeus and his troops are carrying out a new strategy to
help Iraqis secure their capital city," he said.

The president said the military needs the emergency funds right away,
as the effort in Iraq shows signs of progress.

"The secretary of defense has warned that if Congress doesn't approve
funding for troops ... by April 15, our men and women in uniform will
face significant disruptions, and so will their families," he said.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates yesterday told reporters at the
Pentagon that the Army will be forced to consider curtailing and suspending
home-station training of Reserve and National Guard forces, and reduce
funding for the repair of buildings and equipment if supplemental
funding was not passed by Congress.

"I expect Congress to do its duty and fund our troops," Bush said, "and
so do the American people."

Mar 22

A majority of U.S. adults are pessimistic that "the surge", i.e., the addition of more than 20,000 U.S. troops, will be successful, with only about one quarter of all adults (26%) believing that this will improve security and reduce the killings in Iraq. A similar 29 percent of adults think that sending the additional troops is the right thing to do.

President George W. Bush has spoken of the strong evidence that Iran is helping the Shiites in Iraq by providing them with weapons. A 59 percent to 10 percent majority of adults (with 31 percent undecided) think this is true. However, only a third of adults (32%) would favor bombing Iran even if this is proven to be true.

These are some of the results of a new Harris Poll of 2,223 U.S. adults surveyed online between March 6 and 14, 2007. The survey also includes several questions tracking long term attitudes about the war in Iraq. In general, these show very few changes since January, except for small drop in those who think that invading Iraq was the "right thing to do" to 34 percent, its lowest point yet.

This new poll provides fresh evidence of the strong polarization of public opinion on Iraq, with Republicans and Democrats holding very different opinions. For example:

-- A 52 percent majority of Republicans believe the additional troops will

help improve security in Iraq. Only nine percent of Democrats feel this

way;

-- A 58 percent majority of Republicans think sending more troops is the

right thing to do, but only 10 percent of Democrats say the same;

-- A 54 percent majority of Republicans support bombing Iran if it is

proved that Iraq is providing weapons to the Shiites. Only 19 percent

of Democrats agree.

It is clear from this new Harris Poll that "the surge" of new U.S. troops has not changed the very pessimistic attitudes of most people on Iraq. This gloomy assessment is likely to continue unless the surge turns out to be successful. If violence in Iraq declines sharply, public support for the surge and for U.S. policy in Iraq would probably grow.

TABLE 1

LIKELY IMPACT OF SENDING MORE TROOPS TO IRAQ

"The United States is sending about 20,000 troops to Iraq to fight the

insurgents there. Do you think ... ?"

Base: All Adults

Total Party ID

Republican Democrat Independent

% % % %

This will improve security and

reduce killings 26 52 9 24

This will not improve security and

reduce killings 54 27 78 56

Not sure 19 21 13 20

Note: Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% due to rounding.

TABLE 2

IS SENDING MORE TROOPS TO IRAQ RIGHT OR WRONG THING TO DO

"Still thinking about the 20,000 additional troops, do you believe this is the

right thing or the wrong thing for the United States to do?"

Base: All Adults

Total Party ID

Republican Democrat Independent

% % % %

Right thing 29 58 10 25

Wrong thing 49 18 73 55

Not sure 21 23 16 20

Note: Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% due to rounding.

TABLE 3

IS IRAN PROVIDING WEAPONS TO SHIITES IN IRAQ

"Do you believe that Iran is helping the Shiites in Iraq by providing weapons

to them?"

Base: All Adults

Total Party ID

Republican Democrat Independent

% % % %

Yes 59 76 54 57

No 10 4 16 10

Not sure 31 20 30 33

TABLE 4

IF PROVEN THAT IRAN IS HELPING SHIITES, FAVOR/OPPOSE BOMBING IRAN

"If it is proven that Iran is helping the Shiites in Iraq, would you favor or

oppose bombing Iran because of this?"

Base: All Adults

Total Party ID

Republican Democrat Independent

% % % %

FAVOR (NET) 32 54 19 26

Strongly favor bombing Iran 14 22 8 13

Somewhat favor bombing Iran 18 31 12 13

OPPOSE (NET) 50 31 64 60

Somewhat oppose bombing Iran 19 16 21 23

Strongly oppose bombing Iran 31 15 44 37

Not sure 18 16 16 14

TABLE 5

RATING OF PRESIDENT BUSH - HANDLING OF IRAQ

"Overall, how would you rate the job President Bush has done in handling the

issue of Iraq over the last several months?"

Base: All Adults

2003

March April May July Sept Nov

% % % % % %

Positive (NET) 56 67 63 49 47 41

Excellent 29 38 34 21 16 15

Pretty good 27 29 28 29 31 26

Negative (NET) 43 32 36 50 51 58

Only fair 16 15 18 22 19 19

Poor 27 17 18 28 32 38

Not sure 1 1 1 1 2 1

2004

Jan March April May June July Sept Dec

% % % % % % % %

Positive (NET) 51 49 43 42 41 39 41 42

Excellent 20 18 15 13 13 15 14 12

Pretty good 31 31 29 29 27 24 27 30

Negative (NET) 46 49 55 56 58 58 58 57

Only fair 20 19 18 18 19 17 17 19

Poor 26 30 37 39 39 40 41 37

Not sure 2 2 2 2 1 3 2 2

2005

Jan March May July Sept Dec

% % % % % %

Positive (NET) 39 42 37 34 34 29

Excellent 13 18 13 11 10 9

Pretty good 26 24 24 23 24 20

Negative (NET) 59 56 61 64 65 68

Only fair 17 20 19 20 18 17

Poor 42 36 42 44 46 52

Not sure 2 2 2 2 2 2

2006

Jan March May Sept Nov

% % % % %

Positive (NET) 36 30 29 32 26

Excellent 12 8 9 9 7

Pretty good 25 21 20 23 20

Negative (NET) 61 68 68 64 71

Only fair 20 20 21 22 21

Poor 41 48 47 42 50

Not sure 3 3 3 4 2

2007

Jan March

% %

Positive (NET) 26 27

Excellent 7 7

Pretty good 19 20

Negative (NET) 70 71

Only fair 22 21

Poor 49 49

Not sure 3 3

Note: Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% due to rounding.

TABLE 6

MILITARY ACTION - RIGHT OR WRONG THING TO DO

"Thinking about everything that has happened, do you think that taking

military action against Iraq was the right or wrong thing to do?"

Base: All Adults

2003 2004

Sept Nov Jan Feb March April May June July Sept Dec

% % % % % % % % % % %

Right thing 55 49 55 52 51 49 47 44 43 43 43

Wrong thing 32 37 31 34 33 37 38 42 42 43 43

Not sure 13 13 15 14 16 14 14 14 15 13 14

2005

Jan March May July Oct Dec

% % % % % %

Right thing 39 41 39 38 34 35

Wrong thing 46 45 48 49 53 53

Not sure 15 15 13 14 13 12

2006

Jan March May Sept Nov

% % % % %

Right thing 40 37 38 39 36

Wrong thing 46 48 47 44 46

Not sure 13 15 15 17 18

2007

Jan March

% %

Right thing 37 34

Wrong thing 46 46

Not sure 17 19

Note: Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% due to rounding

TABLE 7

SITUATION FOR U.S. TROOPS - GETTING BETTER OR WORSE

"Do you think that the situation for U.S. troops in Iraq is ... ?"

Base: All Adults

2004

Jan Feb March April May June July Sept Dec

% % % % % % % % %

Getting better 24 22 24 9 11 19 18 15 18

Getting worse 36 38 38 64 65 49 45 54 50

No real change 31 31 30 20 19 26 30 26 25

Not sure 8 9 8 6 5 6 7 6 6

2005

Jan March May July Sept Dec

% % % % % %

Getting better 13 21 21 17 19 20

Getting worse 53 41 39 44 43 43

No real change 28 33 34 35 33 32

Not sure 6 6 6 4 5 5

2006

Jan March May Sept Nov

% % % % %

Getting better 22 17 20 17 9

Getting worse 36 46 43 45 58

No real change 35 32 31 31 27

Not sure 7 6 5 7 6

2007

Jan March

% %

Getting better 13 13

Getting worse 55 51

No real change 26 28

Not sure 7 8

Note: Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% due to rounding.

TABLE 8

ACTIONS U.S. SHOULD TAKE CONCERNING TROOPS

"Which of the following possible scenarios would you like to see the US

government undertake with regard to Iraq?"

Base: All Adults

2006 2007

Nov Jan March

% % %

Withdraw all troops now 18 20 20

Set a timetable for withdrawal 51 44 44

Send more troops to Iraq for a few months to stabilize

the situation 19 27 25

Not sure 12 9 11

TABLE 9

ATTITUDES TOWARD TAKING MILITARY ACTION IN IRAQ

"Which of the following is closest to your opinion?"

Base: All Adults

2006 2007

Nov Jan March

% % %

It was a mistake to take military action against

Iraq in the first place 42 40 42

Taking military action against Iraq was the

right thing to do, but things have gotten

off course there 40 41 38

Taking military action against Iraq was the

right thing to do and things are going

reasonably well 13 12 12

Not sure 5 7 8

Methodology

This Harris Poll(R) was conducted online within the United States between March 6 and 14, 2007, among 2,223 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All surveys are subject to several sources of error. These include: sampling error (because only a sample of a population is interviewed); measurement error due to question wording and/or question order, deliberately or unintentionally inaccurate responses, nonresponse (including refusals), interviewer effects (when live interviewers are used) and weighting.

With one exception (sampling error) the magnitude of the errors that result cannot be estimated. There is, therefore, no way to calculate a finite "margin of error" for any survey and the use of these words should be avoided.

With pure probability samples, with 100 percent response rates, it is possible to calculate the probability that the sampling error (but not other sources of error) is not greater than some number. With a pure probability sample of 2,223, one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/-2 percentage points. However that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

J 29950

Q 501, 505, 510, 525, 530, 535, 540, 545, 550

The Harris Poll #26, March 22, 2007

By Humphrey Taylor, Chairman of The Harris Poll

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is the 12th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world. The company provides innovative research, insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what it believes to be the world's largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in France and through a global network of independent market research firms. The service bureau, HISB, provides its market research industry clients with mixed-mode data collection, panel development services as well as syndicated and tracking research consultation. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at http://www.harrisinteractive.com/.

To become a member of the Harris Poll Online and be invited to participate in online surveys, register at http://www.harrispollonline.com/.

Web site: http://www.harrisinteractive.com/
http://www.harrispollonline.com/

-- WakeUpWalMart.com, America's Campaign to Change Wal-Mart, launched a new nationwide media and grassroots initiative to pressure Wal-Mart, America's #1 importer of port containers, to "help stop the next 9/11" and reverse its lobbying efforts against 100% scanning of port containers, leaving America's ports and cities vulnerable to a terrorist nuclear attack.

The new campaign, entitled "Wal-Mart, Put America's Security First," is in response to Wal-Mart's aggressive lobbying campaign, led by Wal-Mart and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), and its repeated failure to respond to requests by the public and 30 elected leaders to end its opposition to 100% scanning of port containers. Among the leaders calling on Wal-Mart to support 100% scanning and help prevent another 9/11 were 21 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including Rep. Jerrod Nadler and Rep. Rosa DeLauro, and 9 U.S. Senators, including Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton.

"As the leading opponent of 100% scanning and as the nation's largest importer of containers, Wal-Mart has a moral responsibility to stop its lobbying campaign and join with us, the American people, and our elected leaders to help stop the next 9/11," said Paul Blank, campaign director for WakeUpWalMart.com.

As part of the new campaign, WakeUpWalMart.com also launched a powerful new ad, entitled "America's risk." The new 30-second spot, which will begin airing this week, includes stirring images of America's greatest terrorist threat, Osama Bin Laden, and the catastrophic consequences should our nation's port security fail -- a nuclear explosion. The ad begins by stating that "one of the greatest threats we face since 9/11" is terrorists, like Osama Bin Laden, acquiring nuclear weapons and using the profound vulnerabilities in our port security to attack the United States.

The first phase of the national ad campaign will begin by airing in 16 cities and 14 states, including the key port cities of Baltimore MD, Charleston SC, Houston TX, Philadelphia PA, Savannah GA, and New York City, NY. To help build public and political awareness around this critical issue, the ad campaign will also air in the key presidential battleground states of Iowa and New Hampshire.

The 30-second spot can be now viewed at WakeUpWalMart.com and Youtube.com.

In addition, as part of the grassroots effort to pressure Wal-Mart to reverse its opposition to 100% scanning, WakeUpWalMart.com also held "Wal- Mart, Put America's Security First," press conferences in 15 cities and 14 states. At the press conferences, speakers also discussed a new security memo, entitled "America's Risk, Wal-Mart's Reward," that highlights critical facts and expert testimony as to why Wal-Mart's opposition to port security poses a serious and grave risk to America's national security.

To highlight the serious threat posed to cities and towns that border U.S. seaports, press conferences were held in a number of at-risk port cities, including Baltimore, MD and Philadelphia, PA. At the press conferences prominent local community and civic leaders echoed the statements of national elected leaders by calling on Wal-Mart to end its opposition to 100% scanning legislation and lobby for stronger port security.

"Over 2 weeks ago, when we first called on Wal-Mart to openly support 100% scanning of port containers, we had hoped that Wal-Mart would publicly state it was ending its lobbying efforts against stronger port security measures. Unfortunately, once again, Wal-Mart's words and deeds prove that Wal-Mart puts profits first, and America's security second," added Blank.

As part of the grassroots effort to pressure Wal-Mart to change its opposition to port security, WakeUpWalMart.com will also call on its 345,000 supporters to contact their elected officials to support 100% scanning legislation in the hope that our elected leaders will ignore Wal-Mart's lobbying efforts and will work together to do what is right and help stop the next 9/11 from ever happening.

A script of the ad, "America's Risk," and a list of cities for the press conference and ad campaign are attached.

"America's Risk," Script

Since 9/11 it is one of the greatest threats we face ...

A nuclear weapon in the hands of Osama bin Laden shipped through an American Port.

But, even though a Wal-Mart container arrives in the U.S. every 45 seconds

Containers that could carry the weapons used in the next terrorist attack.

Wal-Mart opposes scanning 100% of port containers.

Leaving America vulnerable to protect their profits.

Wal-Mart. Profits first. America's security second.

Ad Campaign:

Baltimore, MD

Charleston, SC

Houston, TX

Philadelphia, PA

Kansas City, MO

St. Louis, MO

New York City, NY

Savannah, GA

Des Moines, IA

Manchester, NH

Mobile, AL

Carson City, NV

Detroit, MI

San Jose, CA

Niagara Falls/Buffalo, NY

Tulsa, OK

Dayton, OH

Cincinnati, OH

"Wal-Mart, Put America's Security First" Press Conferences:

San Jose, CA

Livonia, MI

Carson City, NV

Baltimore, MD

Hammonton, NJ

Kittery, ME

Niagara Falls, NY

Atlanta, GA

Landover, MD

Philadelphia, PA

Kansas City, MO

Dayton, OH

Mobile, AL

Tulsa, OK

Newark, NJ

Source: WakeUpWalMart.com

Web site: http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/

AARP, una de las organizaciones con mayor cantidad de afiliados en el mundo, anunció hoy que presentará el primer evento nacional hispano de la historia, la Feria de la Segunda Juventud, los días 5 y 6 de mayo de 2007, en el Centro de Convenciones de Puerto Rico, en San Juan. Con una expectativa de más de 8.000 concurrentes, la Feria de la Segunda Juventud ofrecerá la oportunidad de acercarse a oradores y artistas famosos, y de disfrutar de exhibiciones interactivas.

"Este festival de dos días celebra mucho más que a la comunidad de los boomers (nacidos durante la explosión de nacimientos, entre 1946 y 1964) y de las personas mayores de 50 años: es un evento acerca de la familia, las relaciones intergeneracionales, y para ayudar a nuestros miembros a vivir una vida plena y saludable-anunció el presidente de AARP, Erik Olsen. Nos enorgullece ofrecer un evento dirigido específicamente a nuestros miembros hispanos -- 1,2 millones de ellos -- y a toda la familia puertorriqueña, y no podríamos haber elegido un mejor lugar para lanzarlo que la isla de Puerto Rico."

En la Feria de la Segunda Juventud podrá disfrutar de la presencia de celebridades como Gloria Estefan, Don Francisco, la Dra. Nancy Álvarez, Chi Chi Rodríguez, Don Miguel Ruiz y Giovanna Huyke; conciertos y entretenimiento; paneles de discusión sobre asuntos que preocupan a la comunidad hispana, como el cuidado de la salud, acondicionamiento físico y mucho más. Además, habrá seminarios educativos, exhibiciones interactivas, paseos y excursiones personalizadas y mucho más, y todos los programas serán presentados en español, con subtítulos en inglés.

Y como si fuera poco un fin de semana lleno de diversión para toda la familia, se espera que la Feria de la Segunda Juventud genere más de $800.000 dólares en ingresos para la industria del turismo de la isla, según el Buró de Convenciones de Puerto Rico. Como se espera que, aproximadamente, un diez por ciento de los concurrentes viaje desde Estados Unidos y las Islas Vírgenes, se observará un impacto notable en la economía de Puerto Rico.

"A través de la Feria, estaremos brindando la esencia de AARP a la comunidad y creando una experiencia interactiva para nuestros miembros-destacó Emilio Pardo, Ejecutivo Principal de Marca de AARP. Estamos orgullosos de traer algunos de los mejores programas y servicios a Puerto Rico en las áreas de salud, finanzas y entretenimiento. Este evento es otro ejemplo más del compromiso de la Organización con su audiencia hispana."

Eventos programados

La Feria de la Segunda Juventud comenzará con un espectáculo de apertura a cargo de Don Francisco, y continuará con una variedad de sesiones divertidas, informativas y educativas. Además, no se pierda, a la experta culinaria bilingüe más aclamada de Puerto Rico, Giovanna Huyke, "Retribuyéndole a la comunidad" con el legendario golfista Chi Chi Rodríguez, y una sesión de actividad física matutina con Silverio Pérez, de Los Rayos Gamma. Entre los eventos programados, también podemos citar los seminarios "Descubra su intimidad", con Nancy Álvarez; y "Autores latinos favoritos recuerdan a sus madres", con Esmeralda Santiago, María Escandón, Francisco Goldman y Jaime Manrique. Puede encontrar el programa de eventos completo en http://www.aarp.org/events.

Inscripción

Los concurrentes a la Feria de la Segunda Juventud, pueden inscribirse previamente en línea, en http://www.aarp.org/events, o por teléfono, al 1-800-931- 9574 ó 1-972-349-5554 (fuera de Estados Unidos). La entrada a la Feria para familias de cuatro integrantes cuesta $10, si se inscriben antes del 28 de abril de 2007.

Inscripción en el lugar

Después del 28 de abril de 2007, sólo podrá inscribirse en el Centro de Convenciones de Puerto Rico. La inscripción en el lugar estará disponible a partir del 4 de mayo de 2007, de 1 p.m. a 5 p.m., y el 5 de mayo de 2007, a partir de las 6 a.m. La inscripción para familias de cuatro integrantes costará $20.

Las pautas seguidas para establecer los precios para el evento de AARP, cumplen con la regulación de Puerto Rico respecto de los descuentos y beneficios para personas de edad avanzada.

Paquete especial para miembros

Si decide afiliarse a AARP ahora o renovar su membresía por $12,50, recibirá cuatro entradas gratis a la Feria de la Segunda Juventud. Para recibir este beneficio, debe comprar o renovar su membresía cuando se inscriba para la Feria de la Segunda Juventud en línea, llamando al número mencionado anteriormente, o por FAX o correo postal. Los miembros de AARP pueden renovar su membresía en el Centro de Convenciones.

Los miembros de AARP califican para recibir un descuento del siete por ciento si reservan su viaje a la Feria de la Segunda Juventud en American Airlines. Para obtener información sobre cómo recibir el descuento, visite http://www.aarp.org/events.

Inscripción de los medios de comunicación

Los medios de comunicación deben inscribirse previamente en línea, en http://www.aarp.org/events, para obtener sus credenciales de prensa, las que podrán retirar en el centro de prensa del Centro de Convenciones, en Puerto Rico, el fin de semana del evento.

Acerca de AARP

AARP es una organización sin fines de lucro, no partidaria y de sus miembros, que ayuda a las personas de 50 o más años de edad a mantener su independencia, sus opciones y el control sobre sus vidas, de manera que sean beneficiosas y económicamente viables para ellas y para la sociedad en su conjunto. Publicamos AARP The Magazine, cada dos meses; AARP Bulletin, informativo mensual; AARP Segunda Juventud, revista bimestral en español e inglés; NRTA Live and Learn, informativo trimestral para educadores mayores de 50 años; y nuestro sitio en internet: http://www.aarp.org/. Afiliada nuestra, AARP Foundation es una entidad de beneficio público que proporciona seguridad, protección y poderes adicionales a personas mayores necesitadas, con el apoyo de miles de voluntarios, donantes y patrocinadores. Tenemos oficinas y funcionarios en los 50 estados del país, en la capital, en Puerto Rico y en las Islas Vírgenes de Estados Unidos.

Source: AARP

Mar 15

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

Suspected al Qaeda operative Khalid Sheikh Muhammad has admitted masterminding the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks as well as the World Trade Center bombing in 1993.

“I was responsible for the 9/11 operation, from A to Z,” an interpreter read from Muhammad’s statement to the Combatant Status Review Tribunal on March 10 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The tribunal was an administrative trial to determine only whether Muhammad could be designated as an enemy combatant. Muhammad used the opportunity to submit, through an interpreter, a two-part personal statement with 38 terrorism-related admissions.

He led the list by pledging his jihad allegiance to Osama bin Laden and finished with an admission to trying to destroy the American oil company in Indonesia owned by former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

Muhammad claimed responsibility for the 2001 attempted shoe bombing of American Airlines Flight 63 from Paris.

He offered a chilling confession to “managing and following up on the Cell for the Production of Biological Weapons, such as anthrax and others, and following up on Dirty Bomb Operations on American soil.”

He also named four other skyscrapers that were supposed to be destroyed in a “second wave” of attacks after 9/11. They were the Library Tower in Los Angeles, the Sears Tower in Chicago, the Plaza Bank in Seattle and the Empire State Building in New York City.

“I shared responsibility for the assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II while he was visiting the Philippines,” Muhammad also admitted.

Muhammad’s lengthy closing oral statement began with a pledge to Allah in Arabic followed by a refusal to take an oath as part of the tribunal. He explained that he was not lying, but that his religious beliefs prevented him taking the oath and thereby accepting, at least in part, American law and its constitution.

Muhammad went on to say that he was not trying to make himself out to be a hero, but an enemy of America.

He drew a comparison between bin Laden and George Washington, both fighting for independence, and said that the term terrorist is “deceiving.” He said that during the Revolutionary War, Washington would have been considered a terrorist by the British.

Muhammad said he did not like to kill people, especially children.

“I don’t like to kill people. I feel very sorry they been killed kids in 9/11,” Muhammad said in broken English. But, he said, their deaths are part of the “language” of war.

He closed by stating that war is part of life and that it will never stop.

Unclassified transcripts of the tribunal are online at: www.defenselink.mil/news/Combatant_Tribunals.html at the bottom of the page.

Muhammad’s tribunal was one of three for the 14 high-value detainees who were transferred Sept. 6 to Guantanamo Bay from CIA custody.

Proceedings were March 9 for Abu Faraj al-Libi, an alleged senior member of al Qaeda, and Ramzi bin al-Shibh, who is said to have helped Muhammad plan the Sept. 11 attacks.

Shibh also elected to not participate in the tribunal. His personal representative said that Shibh was “uncooperative and unresponsive.”

Evidence submitted by the U.S. government against Shibh included a diary recovered in a 2004 raid detailing his involvement in the Sept. 11 attacks. He was also identified on a videotape of potential suicide operatives, the evidence cited. Shibh attempted to obtain a U.S. visa four times in 2000 for the purpose of attending flight school here, the evidence states. All applications were rejected.

Many other connections to pre-9/11 terrorist activities were cited in the evidence, including wiring money to the actual terrorist hijackers

Libi elected to not participate in the tribunal, citing through his personal representative that his freedom “far too important to be decided by an administrative process” and that he is awaiting legal proceedings.

Evidence submitted against Libi included sources who stated that Libi was the supervisor of an al Qaeda training camp in Afghanistan. Computer and other documentation were seized during his capture that contained manuals for explosives, detonators, chemicals, military tactics, missiles and tanks.

CSRTs are a one-time administrative process used to determine whether detainees at Guantanamo Bay can be designated as enemy combatants. No decisions have been made about the detainees’ status.

Not all of the three detainees chose to participate in the CSRT proceedings. It was not released which detainees did or did not participate. The detainees have a right to personal representation and to receive an unclassified summary of evidence in advance of the hearing.

The CSRTs for the detainees were not open to media because of national security concerns.

The U.S. government established the CSRT process at Guantanamo Bay as a result of a June 2004 Supreme Court decision in the case of Salim Ahmed Hamdan, a former driver for bin Laden who challenged his detention at Guantanamo Bay. Between July 2004 and March 2005, DoD held 558 CSRTs at Guantanamo Bay. At the time, 38 detainees were determined to no longer meet the definition of enemy combatant, and 520 detainees were found to be enemy combatants.

Libi elected to not participate in the tribunal, citing through his personal representative that his freedom “far too important to be decided by an administrative process” and that he is awaiting

The U.S. government established the CSRT process at Guantanamo Bay as a result of a June 2004 Supreme Court decision in the case of Salim Ahmed Hamdan, a former driver for bin Laden who challenged his detention at Guantanamo Bay. Between July 2004 and March 2005, DoD held 558 CSRTs at Guantanamo Bay. At the time, 38 detainees were determined to no longer meet the definition of enemy combatant, and 520 detainees were found to be enemy combatants.

 Support for Barack Obama Surges, According to The Harris Poll

A new Harris Poll finds that Senator Barack Obama has increased his support substantially since a previous poll in early February, and his support is now almost as strong as that for Senator Hillary Clinton.

The new Harris Poll asks the public questions about current and potential presidential candidates that are slightly different from those asked in most other polls. First, people are asked who, on a long list of 26 political leaders, they would "consider voting for." Then they are asked who, of all the listed leaders, "they would most likely vote for." Unlike some other polls, all adults regardless of their party affiliation are asked about all candidates.

This is a Harris Poll of 2,776 U.S. adults surveyed online by Harris Interactive(R) between March 1 and 12, 2007. Respondents were able to review the list of all 26 potential candidates to say whom they would consider and prefer. Like all polls conducted well before an election, it should not be read as a prediction. Rather, it is a snap shot of the presidential "horse race," at a very early stage in the race. We will review the data on the Republican candidates in an upcoming column.

Senator Obama's gains since the February poll include:

-- Among all adults, 41 percent would now consider voting for him; the

same number as would consider voting for Senator Clinton. In February,

Clinton led Obama by 45 percent to 37 percent on this question;

-- Among Democrats, 59 percent would consider voting for Obama, up from 53

percent in February. This is still below the number of Democrats who

would consider voting for Senator Clinton (68%), but her support is

down from 74 percent in February;

-- Among Independents, people are slightly more likely to consider voting

for Obama (42%) than for Clinton (36%). In February Clinton led Obama

by 40 percent to 35 percent;

-- When it comes to the public's first choice for president, Clinton still

leads Obama by 15 percent to 12 percent among all adults. However, this

is down from a 20 percent to 10 percent lead in February;

-- Among Democrats, Senator Clinton still has a clear (27% to 21%) lead

over Obama as first choice, but this is down from 36 percent to 18

percent in February;

-- Among Independents, almost equal numbers prefer Clinton (10%) and

Obama (9%). In February Clinton had a two-to-one (16% to 8%) lead.

Other Democratic Candidates

Senators Clinton and Obama are not, of course, the only Democratic contenders for the presidency. Former Senator John Edwards and former Vice President Al Gore still have many supporters, and they are the only other two candidates to have the support of more than 15 percent.

The levels of support for Edwards and Gore are similar, but Gore has picked up a little support since February, helped perhaps by his Oscar. Equal percentages of all adults (29%) say they would consider voting for Edwards and Gore, whose support is up slightly since February (26%).

Democrats are slightly more likely to consider voting for Gore (49%) than for Edwards (45%). In February, they were tied at 44 percent.

When it comes to their support as the first choice, six percent of all adults pick Gore and five percent prefer Edwards. Among Democrats, 11 percent prefer Gore (up from 7% in February) and eight percent choose Edwards (down from 9% in February).

TABLE 1

DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ADULTS "WOULD CONSIDER VOTING FOR" FOR PRESIDENT

"Although the U.S. presidential election is not until November, 2008, there are a number of people who may run for president. If you were to vote and had

to select from the following candidates, for which of the following people

would you consider voting?"

Base: All adults

Total Party ID

Republican Democrat Independent

Feb Mar Feb Mar Feb Mar Feb Mar

% % % % % % % %

Hillary Clinton 45 41 10 7 74 68 40 36

Barack Obama 37 41 15 16 53 59 35 42

John Edwards 28 29 10 8 44 45 27 29

Al Gore 26 29 5 4 44 49 23 26

John Kerry 12 14 2 3 23 22 9 12

Joe Lieberman 12 10 14 11 12 10 10 9

Wesley Clark 8 9 3 2 12 13 8 9

Howard Dean 8 8 2 2 13 13 8 8

Bill Richardson 8 8 3 2 12 13 6 7

Joe Biden 7 7 2 1 12 12 6 6

Dennis Kucinich 4 5 * * 8 8 4 4

Christopher Dodd 4 3 1 * 7 7 3 2

Mike Gravel 1 2 - * 2 3 1 1

Note: Multiple-response question

*Less than .5%; "-"No response

TABLE 2

DEMOCRATIC LEADERS WHO WOULD BE FIRST CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT

"If you could vote for one candidate, who would you most likely vote for?"

Base: All adults

Total Party ID

Republican Democrat Independent

Feb Mar Feb Mar Feb Mar Feb Mar

% % % % % % % %

Hillary Clinton 20 15 4 3 36 27 16 10

Barack Obama 10 12 3 2 18 21 8 9

John Edwards 5 5 1 1 9 8 4 4

Al Gore 4 6 1 * 7 11 4 5

John Kerry 1 1 * * 2 1 1 1

Bill Richardson 1 1 * * 1 2 1 1

Joe Biden 1 * * * 1 1 1 -

Joe Lieberman 1 1 * * * 1 1 1

Dennis Kucinich * 1 * - * 1 * 1

Wesley Clark * 1 * * * 1 * 1

Note: Howard Dean, Chris Dodd and Mike Gravel were chosen by less

than 0.5%.

Note: Columns do not add to 100% because this table does not include

Republicans who were chosen, and those who chose Republicans or who

did not choose any of the listed candidates or who said a third

party candidate or that they would not vote.

*Less than .5%; "-"No response

Methodology

This Harris Poll(R) was conducted online within the United States between March 1 and 12, 2007 among 2,776 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All surveys are subject to several sources of error. These include: sampling error (because only a sample of a population is interviewed); measurement error due to question wording and/or question order, deliberately or unintentionally inaccurate responses, nonresponse (including refusals), interviewer effects (when live interviewers are used) and weighting.

With one exception (sampling error) the magnitude of the errors that result cannot be estimated. There is, therefore, no way to calculate a finite "margin of error" for any survey and the use of these words should be avoided.

With pure probability samples, with 100 percent response rates, it is possible to calculate the probability that the sampling error (but not other sources of error) is not greater than some number. With a pure probability sample of 2,776 adults one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/- two percentage points. However that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

J30279A (March)

Q 492, 494

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is the 12th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world. The company provides innovative research, insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what it believes to be the world's largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in France and through a global network of independent market research firms. The service bureau, HISB, provides its market research industry clients with mixed-mode data collection, panel development services as well as syndicated and tracking research consultation. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at www.harrisinteractive.com.

To become a member of the Harris Poll Online and be invited to participate in online surveys, register at www.harrispollonline.com.

Mar 14

Suspected al Qaeda operative Khalid Sheikh
Muhammad has admitted masterminding the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks as well
as the World Trade Center bombing in 1993.

"I was responsible for the 9/11 operation, from A to Z," an interpreter
read from Muhammad's statement to the Combatant Status Review Tribunal
on March 10 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The tribunal was an administrative trial to determine only whether
Muhammad could be designated as an enemy combatant. Muhammad used the
opportunity to submit, through an interpreter, a two-part personal statement
with 38 terrorism-related admissions.

He led the list by pledging his jihad allegiance to Osama bin Laden and
finished with an admission to trying to destroy the American oil
company in Indonesia owned by former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

Muhammad claimed responsibility for the 2001 attempted shoe bombing of
American Airlines Flight 63 from Paris.

He offered a chilling confession to "managing and following up on the
Cell for the Production of Biological Weapons, such as anthrax and
others, and following up on Dirty Bomb Operations on American soil."

He also named four other skyscrapers that were supposed to be destroyed
in a "second wave" of attacks after 9/11. They were the Library Tower
in Los Angeles, the Sears Tower in Chicago, the Plaza Bank in Seattle
and the Empire State Building in New York City.

"I shared responsibility for the assassination attempt against Pope
John Paul II while he was visiting the Philippines," Muhammad also
admitted.

Muhammad's lengthy closing oral statement began with a pledge to Allah
in Arabic followed by a refusal to take an oath as part of the
tribunal. He explained that he was not lying, but that his religious beliefs
prevented him taking the oath and thereby accepting, at least in part,
American law and its constitution.

Muhammad went on to say that he was not trying to make himself out to
be a hero, but an enemy of America.

He drew a comparison between bin Laden and George Washington, both
fighting for independence, and said that the term terrorist is "deceiving."
He said that during the Revolutionary War, Washington would have been
considered a terrorist by the British.

Muhammad said he did not like to kill people, especially children.

"I don't like to kill people. I feel very sorry they been killed kids
in 9/11," Muhammad said in broken English. But, he said, their deaths
are part of the "language" of war.

He closed by stating that war is part of life and that it will never
stop.

Unclassified transcripts of the tribunal are online at:
www.defenselink.mil/news/Combatant_Tribunals.html at the bottom of the page.

Muhammad's tribunal was one of three for the 14 high-value detainees
who were transferred Sept. 6 to Guantanamo Bay from CIA custody.

Proceedings were March 9 for Abu Faraj al-Libi, an alleged senior
member of al Qaeda, and Ramzi bin al-Shibh, who is said to have helped
Muhammad plan the Sept. 11 attacks.

Shibh also elected to not participate in the tribunal. His personal
representative said that Shibh was "uncooperative and unresponsive."

Evidence submitted by the U.S. government against Shibh included a
diary recovered in a 2004 raid detailing his involvement in the Sept. 11
attacks. He was also identified on a videotape of potential suicide
operatives, the evidence cited. Shibh attempted to obtain a U.S. visa four
times in 2000 for the purpose of attending flight school here, the
evidence states. All applications were rejected.

Many other connections to pre-9/11 terrorist activities were cited in
the evidence, including wiring money to the actual terrorist hijackers.

Libi elected to not participate in the tribunal, citing through his
personal representative that his freedom "far too important to be decided
by an administrative process" and that he is awaiting legal
proceedings.

Evidence submitted against Libi included sources who stated that Libi
was the supervisor of an al Qaeda training camp in Afghanistan. Computer
and other documentation were seized during his capture that contained
manuals for explosives, detonators, chemicals, military tactics,
missiles and tanks.

CSRTs are a one-time administrative process used to determine whether
detainees at Guantanamo Bay can be designated as enemy combatants. No
decisions have been made about the detainees' status.

Not all of the three detainees chose to participate in the CSRT
proceedings. It was not released which detainees did or did not participate.
The detainees have a right to personal representation and to receive an
unclassified summary of evidence in advance of the hearing.

The CSRTs for the detainees were not open to media because of national
security concerns.

The U.S. government established the CSRT process at Guantanamo Bay as a
result of a June 2004 Supreme Court decision in the case of Salim Ahmed
Hamdan, a former driver for bin Laden who challenged his detention at
Guantanamo Bay. Between July 2004 and March 2005, DoD held 558 CSRTs at
Guantanamo Bay. At the time, 38 detainees were determined to no longer
meet the definition of enemy combatant, and 520 detainees were found to
be enemy combatants. 
 

Celebre la primavera en el parque Keukenhof

- El parque de primavera más animado del mundo abrirá sus puertas próximamente

Sólo faltan unos días para que el parque de primavera más animado del mundo abra sus puertas. El tema de Keukenhof de este año es "Linnaeus, 300 años del Rey de las Flores".

Linnaeus, el famoso botánico sueco, con un doctorado en los Países Bajos en la universidad holandesa de Harderwijk, predecesor de lo que ahora es la Universidad Wageningen de ciencias de la vida.

La atracción principal será la exposición fotográfica Herbarium Amoris. Los organizadores de Keukenhof eligieron este tema para destacar la enorme importancia de Linnaeus para la industria de los bulbos y lo han vinculado a las relaciones holandesas-suecas. Estamos orgullosos de que la Princesa Victoria de Suecia haya dado su consentimiento para llevar a cabo la ceremonia de inauguración.

El tema de las relaciones entre Holanda y Suecia será desarrollado además con un maravilloso mosaico de flores de Pippi Longstocking, que mide 11 x 16 metros, así como una serie de jardines inspiradores diseñados para revistas suecas. Unos conocidos almacenes suecos de mobiliario para el hogar han financiado el trazado de estos jardines y de los 'espacios de época' en asociación con el International Bulb Centre.

Los entusiastas de la jardinería y amantes de la naturaleza pueden celebrar la primavera en Keukenhof desde el 22 de marzo hasta el 20 de mayo, cuando el parque de 32 hectáreas se convierta en una alegría para la vista con 7 millones de asombrosos bulbos y arbustos en flor, árboles centenarios y lagos ornamentales con fuentes. De nuevo, cada sendero lleva a un escenario espectacular.

Keukenhof ofrece fabulosas oportunidades para fotógrafos aficionados y profesionales, y los devotos del arte quedarán fascinados por las obras de los conocidos artistas holandeses y extranjeros estratégicamente colocados en todo el parque. La parte más antigua del parque es el escenario para "De Stoel" (la silla), un proyecto de unos 25 artistas, cada uno/a con su propia interpretación del mismo tema. También hay esculturas de Carl Milles, uno de los mejores artistas suecos, expuestas en este paisaje primaveral.

Hay un montón de diversión para los niños en la zona de juego y el zoo de mascotas, por no mencionar el puzzle 'brainbox'. Los más pequeños quedarán cautivados por el jardín de los Teletubbies. Los seguidores de la realeza pueden deleitarse con la exposición de sombreros reales, que han adornado las cabezas reales. Los principales diseñadores de sombreros internacionales han sido invitados a ver las creaciones inspiradas por el tema de Sombreros Reales. Un jurado internacional anunciará al ganador durante el tradicional desfile de Lunes de Pascua (9 de abril).

Keukenhof también es un destino idóneo para los turistas con escala en los Países Bajos; autobuses directos desde Schiphol y Leiden puede llevarles al gran espectáculo de la primavera de Lisse en menos de treinta minutos. No hay mejor forma de empezar la estación...

www.keukenhof.nl

Source: Keukenhof

Mar 13

A Statement From Gen. Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

"Yesterday, during a wide ranging interview with the Chicago Tribune
Editorial Board, I was asked if I think the current policy as codified in
U.S. Code, generally referred to as "Don't Ask Don't Tell," should
still hold.

"People have a wide range of opinions on this sensitive subject.The
important thing to remember is that we have a policy in effect, and the
Department of Defense has a statutory responsibility to implement that
policy.

"I made two points in support of the policy during the interview.One,
"Don't Ask Don't Tell" allows individuals to serve this nation; and two,
it does not make a judgment about the morality of individual acts.

"In expressing my support for the current policy, I also offered some
personal opinions about moral conduct.

"I should have focused more on my support of the policy and less on my
personal moral views."
 

Viacom sues Youtube

Suit Seeks Court Ruling to Require YouTube and Google to Comply With

Copyright Laws and Pay $1 Billion in Damages

 Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and

VIA.B) today announced that it has sued YouTube and Google in U.S. District

Court for the Southern District of New York for massive intentional

copyright infringement of Viacom's entertainment properties. The suit seeks

more than $1 billion in damages, as well as an injunction prohibiting

Google and YouTube from further copyright infringement. The complaint

contends that almost 160,000 unauthorized clips of Viacom's programming

have been available on YouTube and that these clips had been viewed more

than 1.5 billion times.

In connection with the filing, Viacom released the following statement:

"YouTube is a significant, for-profit organization that has built a

lucrative business out of exploiting the devotion of fans to others'

creative works in order to enrich itself and its corporate parent

Google. Their business model, which is based on building traffic and

selling advertising off of unlicensed content, is clearly illegal and is

in obvious conflict with copyright laws. In fact, YouTube's strategy

has been to avoid taking proactive steps to curtail the infringement on

its site, thus generating significant traffic and revenues for itself

while shifting the entire burden - and high cost - of monitoring YouTube

onto the victims of its infringement.

This behavior stands in stark contrast to the actions of other

significant distributors, who have recognized the fair value of

entertainment content and have concluded agreements to make content

legally available to their customers around the world.

There is no question that YouTube and Google are continuing to take the

fruit of our efforts without permission and destroying enormous value in

the process. This is value that rightfully belongs to the writers,

directors and talent who create it and companies like Viacom that have

invested to make possible this innovation and creativity.

After a great deal of unproductive negotiation, and remedial efforts by

ourselves and other copyright holders, YouTube continues in its unlawful

business model. Therefore, we must turn to the courts to prevent Google

and YouTube from continuing to steal value from artists and to obtain

compensation for the significant damage they have caused."

About Viacom

Viacom is a leading global entertainment content company, with

prominent and respected brands. Engaging its audiences through television,

motion pictures and digital platforms, Viacom seeks to reach its audiences

however they consume content. Viacom's leading brands include the

multiplatform properties of MTV Networks, including MTV: Music Television,

VH1, CMT: Country Music Television, Logo, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, COMEDY

CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, and more than 130 networks around the world, as

well as digital assets such as MTV.com, comedycentral.com, VSPOT,

TurboNick, Neopets, Xfire and iFilm; BET Networks; Paramount Pictures;

DreamWorks; and Famous Music. More information about Viacom and its

Mar 12

More Than 143 Million Americans Are Concerned That Personal and Financial Information Will Not Be Kept Private and Secure on the Internet

More than 143 million Americans -- or two thirds of all adults 18 years or older -- are concerned that their personal and financial information would not be kept private and secure if they prepared state and federal tax returns on the Internet, according to a new national poll. A poll ten years ago found that 83 percent of Americans had similar concerns.

Both surveys were commissioned by Taxsoftware.com, the only Web site that provides both personal and business tax preparation services online, and which developed the first guaranteed secure Internet-based income tax preparation service.

  In the latest poll:              -- 66 percent said they were "very" or "somewhat" concerned                 about the safety of their information              -- Those most likely to be "very concerned" about the privacy                 and security of their information included individuals with                 less than a high school education (47 percent), are retired                 (41 percent), are not employed (44 percent), and have annual                  household incomes under $25,000 (48 percent)              -- Individuals with a post graduate education were most likely                 to be "not concerned at all" (41 percent)  

The poll of 1,000 adults was conducted March 2 -- 4, 2007 by Synovate, and has a margin of error of plus or minus four percent.

In 1997, a similar Taxsoftware.com poll found that less than 15 percent of adults "had no concerns at all" versus 32 percent in 2007. Taxsoftware.com spokesperson Mickey Macedo said he was surprised by the increased complacency.

"Despite recent high profile media reports about identity theft and the tampering or stealing of government and corporate computer files, a greater percentage of Americans apparently think it won't happen to them if they prepare their taxes online. This increased complacency applies to both men and women, all age groups and income categories, and almost all education levels," Macedo said.

"People should not assume the best, but the worst. When it comes to protecting the privacy and security of your financial and personal records, it is better to be safe than sorry. You should only deal with online companies or use Web sites that can guarantee the safety of your information," he said.

Macedo observed that "what we said ten years ago when we released our first Internet security survey still holds true today: Based on the Internet's proven and continued vulnerability to vandalism, tampering and break-ins, the American people have good reason to be worried and skeptical about cyber- security. Until adequate and fool-proof protective measures are in place, it's doubtful that the Internet will ever be able to achieve its full potential or be completely trusted by those who use it."

Source: Taxsoftware.com

Web site: http://www.taxsoftware.com/

Mar 10

 -- The following is a statement from Justice Department Spokesman Dean Boyd regarding Office of Inspector General report on FBI's use of Section 215 orders:

"We are pleased with the Office of Inspector General's (OIG) report that demonstrates that the Department of Justice, including the FBI, have been responsible in using the authority granted by Congress to obtain business records under Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act. We are also pleased that the OIG found it unnecessary to make any recommendations for changes to Justice Department or FBI procedures and practices for use of this authority.

"Section 215 is an important tool that provides the FBI and the Justice Department with the authority to seek approval from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (or FISA Court) to compel the production of business records and other tangible things if the items relate to an authorized ongoing national security investigation -- which, in the case of a U.S. person, cannot be based solely upon activities protected by the First Amendment. Consistent with the findings of the OIG, the Justice Department believes that the initial delays in using this investigative tool, though unfortunate, have largely been resolved and that no harm to national security or adverse impacts resulted from those delays.

"In reviewing all the Section 215 orders issued in the years 2002 through 2005, the OIG found only two instances of "improper use" of this authority, a characterization that the Justice Department believes is not apt. The OIG noted that in both cases, the errors were "inadvertent," resulting in the FBI mistakenly receiving information not authorized by the terms of the relevant FISA Court order. The OIG found that, in each instance, the FBI identified the error on its own; sequestered or destroyed the collected data; and promptly reported the mistake to the President's Intelligence Oversight Board, as required, and to the Court. These examples demonstrate that the oversight process is working as it should to identify and address inadvertent mistakes when they occur.

"It is also noteworthy that the OIG found that the FBI did not obtain Section 215 orders for any library records during the years 2002 through 2005. The Justice Department appreciates the diligent work of the OIG in completing this review and looks forward to working with the OIG on the review of Section 215 orders issued in 2006. The Justice Department continually strives to improve its use of these specialized investigative tools."

Source: U.S. Department of Justice

Web site: http://www.usdoj.gov/

-- The Attorney General commends the work of the Inspector General (IG) in uncovering serious problems in the FBI's use of National Security Letters (NSLs). The Attorney General has told the Director of the FBI that such mistakes will not be tolerated and has ordered the FBI and the Department to restore accountability and to put in place safeguards to ensure greater oversight and controls over the use of national security letters. The following are some of the actions directed by the Attorney General:

-- The FBI Inspection Division will investigate the FBI's use of NSLs to

determine management accountability.

-- Although there has been no allegation of misconduct by FBI lawyers, the

Attorney General asked the Associate Deputy Attorney General and the

Office of Professional Responsibility to review the Inspector General's

report and examine the role that the FBI lawyers played in the FBI's

use of NSLs and exigent letters.

-- The FBI has instituted new procedures to improve the handling of NSL

records and increase training on the proper use of these letters.

-- The Attorney General has directed the Justice Department's National

Security Division (NSD) and Privacy and Civil Liberties Office to work

with the FBI in implementing corrective actions, consider any further

review and reforms that are needed, and to report to the Attorney

General regularly on the process.

-- The Attorney General has directed the NSD to begin oversight and

auditing of the FBI's use of NSLs. The NSD, in conjunction with the

FBI's inspection division, will conduct reviews of the use of NSLs in

FBI headquarters and field offices. Any identified violations of law

or guidelines will be reported to appropriate oversight authorities.

This is a new level of oversight by Department of Justice lawyers with

years of experience in intelligence and law enforcement.

-- The Attorney General has ordered that briefings on the IG's report be

given to the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, the

Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, Congress, and key advocacy

groups. Many of these briefings have already occurred.

-- The Department and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence

have established the NSL Data Retention Working Group, which is looking

at how the Department retains the information it acquires.

-- The Attorney General has directed the Department's legislative staff to

review and revise as necessary the Department's responses to

Congressional inquiries.

-- The Attorney General has asked the Inspector General to report to him

in four months on the FBI's implementation of the report's

recommendations.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice

Web site: http://www.usdoj.gov/

Mar 9

Officials Concerned That Walter Reed Problems Could Damage Staff Morale

Top DoD and Army officials are concerned
that recent widely publicized problems in outpatient care at Walter Reed
Army Medical Center here might overshadow the quality of inpatient care
and lower staff morale.

It is critical that the military community remain confident in the
military health system, Assistant Defense Secretary for Health Affairs Dr.
William Winkenwerder Jr., told members of the House Armed Services
Committee today.

"I believe that it's very important at this time that we maintain the
morale of our medical professionals, of all those who serve our
warriors," Winkenwerder said.

"We need to maintain the confidence of our entire military in the
military health system. It's critically important," he said. "People should
not question, should not lose their confidence in the care that they
are going to received."

Walter Reed employs about 600 full-time physicians, about 600 military
and civilian registered nurses, and 550 licensed practical nurses and
other para-professionals, according to the center's Web site. It is the
Army's largest medical facility and one of the largest in DoD.

The Army's top officer expressed concerns that the widely reported
images of substandard housing and administrative at the center paint a
broad picture of poor care across the branch.

"Every day there are thousands of very dedicated medical professionals
that are tending to our soldiers and their families," said Army Gen.
Peter J. Schoomaker, Army chief of staff.

"I really am concerned that we paint broadly across this entire
professional community things that have been reported and fail to recognized
that there are real heroes on the battlefield and everywhere else in the
medical community that every day are working against great odds, great
obstacles, great bureaucracy to tend to our soldiers and their
families," he said. "I am very, very proud of these people."

The Army's top medical officer said soldiers don't go to war on the
battlefield without combat medics.

"It is said a soldier won't attack an objective out of the sight of a
medic. Our '68 Whiskey' medics are the best in the history of our Army,"
said Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley, Army surgeon general.

"Care for soldiers on the battlefield is second to none," he said.

Kiley conceded that the center needs to fix problems with the
outpatient managing of soldiers, their quality of life and the disability
system, but said that no one has complained about the quality of medical care
they have received at the top medical facility in the Army.

Dr. David S. C. Chu, defense undersecretary for personnel and
readiness, said the high standards of the military's medical services are
evident in their historic successes during this war.

"We have the lowest disease and non-battle injury rate in the history
of the republic and the highest rate of survival from wounds the
American military has ever sustained," he said.

Mar 8

 March 08, 2007 -- The popular, space-aged themed Encounter Restaurant at the top of Los Angeles International Airport's landmark Theme Building will be closed until further notice while renovation to the upper arches is performed. Ground-level offices, the City Deli cafeteria, and the airport's commissary that provides food to the rest of the airport's concessions will remain open. The renovation project is expected to last approximately six months. However, the restaurant is expected to open much sooner.

The renovation will be to the upper arches above the Encounter Restaurant and will include the stucco "skin" of the spider-like, futuristic structure. The upper arches are decorative and do not provide structural support for the glass-encased restaurant. The upper arches have not been renovated since they were erected in the late 1950s.

The renovation was scheduled after a 1,000-pound, 5-foot-by-10-foot piece of the stucco "skin" was discovered to have fallen off the underside of the east upper arch two Saturdays ago. Airport workers immediately installed protective, tunnel-like scaffolding over the entrances to the Theme Building while visual inspection from the restaurant's roof-top was conducted and while awaiting the arrival yesterday of a 100-foot-tall crane from which engineers could inspect more closely. After airport engineers and inspectors reported late yesterday afternoon that there was water seepage into the stucco on the topside of the arch and the possibility of other pieces of stucco falling onto the rooftop of the restaurant, airport officials decided to ask the Encounter Restaurant manager to close the restaurant early last night.

The last major renovation of the Theme Building was completed April 1999, when a $3-million, six-month project included renovating the underside of the cross bridge that forms the roof of the Encounter Restaurant and the bottom of the restaurant with new galvanized steel, stucco and painting. At that time, inspection of the upper arches revealed no problems.

The Theme Building was completed in August 1961 at a cost of $2.2 million. Architects Pereira & Luckman Associates, Welton Becket & Associates, and Paul R. Williams designed the building's 135-foot-high parabolic arches to symbolize the optimism of a futuristic Los Angeles in the space age. In 1992, the Los Angeles City Council designated the Theme Building a cultural and historical monument.

The landmark building is often shown in commercial films and television newscasts as an establishing scene for Los Angeles and the airport. During renovation, the nightly color lighting program will continue 

Mar 7

President Bush today promised the co-chairs
of the Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors that
they will have the full cooperation of all agencies of government.

The president yesterday named former Kansas Sen. Robert Dole and former
Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala co-chairs of the
nine-member commission to look into problems with care of servicemembers
wounded in the war on terror.

"I am concerned that soldiers and their families are not getting the
treatment that they deserve having volunteered to defend our country,"
Bush told reporters today after a meeting with Dole and Shalala. "Any
report of medical neglect will be taken seriously by this administration
and, I'm confident, by the Congress, and we will address problems
quickly."

The commission will look at the continuum of care from the battlefield
until wounded servicemembers return to the community. It will look at
both DoD and Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and outpatient
facilities, White House officials said.

Bush said he wants servicemembers and their families to have complete
confidence in the care they receive and that they believe the government
is upholding its responsibility to treat those who have been wounded.

Dole was wounded in Italy in 1945 while serving with the 10th Mountain
Division. He received care in military and VA hospitals and championed
veterans' issues in the Senate for many years. The former senator
"knows the kind of questions to ask," Bush said.

Shalala is currently president of the University of Miami, in Florida.
She served as HHS secretary for all eight years of the Clinton
administration and is an expert on health care and medical administration.

Bush established the commission March 3, following revelations of poor
outpatient care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here. It follows an
independent review group appointed by Defense Secretary Robert M.
Gates. That group, headed by former VA and Army Secretary Togo West and
former Army Secretary John O. Marsh, will focus on Walter Reed and the
National Naval Medical Center, in Bethesda, Md., and has 45 days to return
a report.

"I am as concerned as you are about the conditions at Walter Reed Army
Medical Center," Bush said in a speech to an American Legion meeting
here yesterday. "My decisions have put our kids in harm's way. And I'm
concerned about the fact that when they come back they don't get the full
treatment they deserve.

"Many people working at Walter Reed are fine people. If you've been out
there, you know what I'm talking about," he continued. "They're
dedicated, honorable healers who care deeply about our soldiers. ... Yet some
of our troops at Walter Reed have experienced bureaucratic delays and
living conditions that are less than they deserve. It's unacceptable to
me; it is unacceptable to you; it's unacceptable to our country; and
it's not going to continue."

The president said the commission will bring forth the truth and
promised a quick response to its findings. 

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