In the News: Dec-05

Bush: Iraq war longer, more costly than expected - 5 Dec 2008 at 9:59am - WASHINGTON -- President Bush says the fight in Iraq has been longer and more costly than expected.

If, like Rumsfeld, he expected it to last weeks, possibly months, then yes, it's obviously longer than expected. But since he cannot articulate any concrete goal as the hopeful outcome of the war, how can he expect any particular duration or cost?

New regulation eases ban on guns in national parks - 5 Dec 2008 at 1:37pm - WASHINGTON -- People will now be able to carry concealed weapons in some national parks and wildlife refuges.

Supreme Court agrees to hear enemy combatant case - 5 Dec 2008 at 2:28pm - WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide whether the president may order that people picked up in the United States be detained indefinitely and without criminal charges. The court is undertaking a fresh review of the Bush administration's aggressive use of preventive detention for suspected terrorists. The administration asserts that the president has the authority to order the military to detain anyone suspected of being an al-Qaida member.

US preparing for troop buildup in Afghanistan - 5 Dec 2008 at 12:13pm - WASHINGTON -- The military is beginning a big building effort in Afghanistan to house the roughly 20,000 additional troops who are expected to begin pouring in early next year, a top military officer said Friday.

Bush: Any aid to automakers must be paid back - 5 Dec 2008 at 12:00pm - WASHINGTON -- President George W. Bush on Friday demanded that any auto bailout measure passed by Congress require car companies to pay back taxpayers.

Thought for the day:
It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it. -Steven Wright (1955 - )