News

Small Miracle: House Votes Against Oil Subsidy

Staff / Truthdig May 19, 2006 In this time of record profits for oil companies, the House approved a measure to withdraw a $7-billion subsidy over the next five years. Unbelievably, 165 Republicans wanted to let the oil companies keep the public's money. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Reporter Spars With Bush Over Ratings

Staff / Truthdig May 19, 2006 Bush, laughing, says that his ratings are in the toilet because people are "unsettled" during war, but NBC's David Gregory fires back: "They?re not just unsettled, sir. They disapprove of the job you?re doing." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

A Brit Ponders America’s Love Affair With Cars

Staff / Truthdig May 19, 2006 Next time you're stuck in gridlock, keep in mind that many American cities had fantastic public rail systems until Big Auto bought up all the tracks and scrapped them to make way for cars. The Observer reminds us that "it did not have to be like this." Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

World’s Largest Airliner Has Bar, Lounge, Shopping Area

Staff / Truthdig May 19, 2006 The Airbus A380, the world's largest airliner, touched down for the first time at London's Heathrow Airport on May 18. It can carry 800 passengers, nearly 400 more than the Boeing 747. It has a lounge, fully reclining bed-chairs, a shopping area and a bar. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Hayden ‘Wasn’t Comfortable’ Over Iraq Intel? What a Catharsis!

Staff / Truthdig May 19, 2006 It was the worst intelligence failure since Pearl Harbor, but all we get is a measly "no sir, I wasn't comfortable" from the would-be CIA chief about the White House's trumping up of intelligence to sell the Iraq war Yeah, that ought to about heal all our nation's wounds . Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Hayden Denounces Media Coverage of CIA Activities

Staff / Truthdig May 18, 2006 Gen. Michael Hayden bemoaned the "endless picking apart" of CIA operations in the news media during today's confirmation hearing on his nomination to head the intelligence agency. If the architect of the NSA domestic wiretapping program gets this promotion, it will be like a Jon Stewart joke gone horribly wrong. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Shouting Match Over Gay Marriage Amendment

Staff / Truthdig May 18, 2006 After a Senate committee approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., strode out of the room, and Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., bid him "good riddance." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Ex-Bush Official Sentenced For Vote Suppression

Staff / Truthdig May 18, 2006 The senior official in Bush's reelection campaign got 10 months for his part in a phone-jamming scheme to keep New Hampshire Democrats from voting in a 2002 election. Dig deeper

Dean Misstates Party’s Platform on Gays

Staff / Truthdig May 18, 2006 The Democratic chairman, speaking on Pat Robertson's network, said that the Dems' platform declares "marriage is between a man and a woman"--when, in fact, it doesn't. Gay rights groups are angry. Update: Pat Robertson, by the say, said that God told him that America would be hit by tsunamis in 2006. OK, Dean misspoke, but what a sad commentary that he was having a serious conversation with a delusional hate-monger like Robertson, anyway. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Missouri Town May Evict Unwed Couples With Kids

Staff / Truthdig May 18, 2006 Current law in Black Jack, Mo., prohibits more than three people from living together unless they are related by "blood, marriage or adoption." The City Council rejected amending that law to include unmarried couples with children. We're speechless. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Teen Sex Less Risky in Europe Than U.S.

Staff / Truthdig May 18, 2006 Western European teens have fewer pregnancies, and lower levels of STDs, than their American counterparts. Why? Because teens in Europe have easy access to contraceptives, confidential healthcare and comprehensive sex education. Teen sex is seen as a healthy thing. (Compare that to America's puritanical, ineffective abstinence programs.) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Senate Backs Fence, Access to Citizenship

Staff / Truthdig May 18, 2006 The Senate has voted to build 370 miles of triple-layer fencing along the Mexico border, but also has endorsed a chance at citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants. Interesting mixed message, but perhaps the best that could be hoped for, given the political climate. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )