In the News: Feb-12

First 9/11 defendant gets military lawyer - 12 Feb 2008 at 3:02pm - The Pentagon's chief defense counsel chose an Army lawyer on Tuesday to defend one of the ''Sept. 11 Six,'' a Saudi man who was held at Guant?mo for years and subjected to days of harsh military interrogation.

Senate panel backs crack sentences - 12 Feb 2008 at 2:51pm - WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats are rejecting Attorney General Michael Mukasey's request to change new sentencing guidelines for crimes involving crack cocaine.

Senate OKs immunity for telecoms - 12 Feb 2008 at 11:28am - Washington -- The Senate has voted to shield from lawsuits telecommunications companies that helped the government eavesdrop on their customers without court permission after the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Suicide by Guard, Reserve troops studied - 12 Feb 2008 at 10:51am - WASHINGTON -- National Guard and Reserve troops who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan make up more than half of veterans who committed suicide after returning home from those wars, according to new government data obtained by The Associated Press.

Is violence on the rise again in Iraq? - 12 Feb 2008 at 10:43am - BAGHDAD — Violence is increasing in Iraq, raising questions about whether the security improvements credited to the increase in U.S. troops may be short-lived.

9/11 Guantanamo trials unlikely before Bush leaves office - 12 Feb 2008 at 10:39am - WASHINGTON — The U.S. military is scrambling to assemble defense teams for six Guantanamo detainees who are facing the death penalty for their alleged roles in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.

Thought for the day:
Rogues are preferable to imbeciles because they sometimes take a rest. -Alexandre Dumas (1802 - 1870)