Politics

Abramoff Ties to Russians Probed

Staff / Truthdig Feb 24, 2006 The federal government is examining lobbyist Jack Abramoff's dealings with Russian energy executives, reports the Boston Globe. This is a scandal that could involve billions (not millions) of dollars. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

It’s the Corporation, Stupid

Molly Ivins / Truthdig Feb 23, 2006 Regarding the UAE port deal: The people running this country are perfectly willing to outsource American jobs, wages, and health and safety standards for the sake of free trade. Why would it surprise us that national security is ditto? Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Report: Secret Service Agents Say Cheney Was Drunk While Hunting

Staff / Truthdig Feb 23, 2006 Capitol Hill Blue, which bills itself as the world's first political Internet news site, claims that Secret Service agents say Cheney was "clearly inebriated" at the time of his hunting accident. Truthdig says: The sourcing on this is sort of vague, but the reporter has good credentials. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Alternative Perspectives on the Port Deal

Staff / Truthdig Feb 23, 2006 With both Republicans and Democrats attacking the White House over its proposed port deal with the United Arab Emirates, it's worth noting that many people feel that the issue of port ownership is either irrelevant to national security (in the New York Times), symptomatic of xenophobic rage (Andrew Sullivan) or just plain opportunistic politics (Think Progress). Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Rumsfeld’s ‘Golly Gee’ Stance on Port Sale Draws Skepticism

Staff / Truthdig Feb 22, 2006 The secretary of defense claims he didn't know about the pending sale of six major U.S. ports to a United Arab Emirates company, even though, as ThinkProgress points out, he sat on a board that approved the sale. Meanwhile, the president vows to veto any blockage of the sale, setting up a showdown with Republicans and Democrats. Confused about the issue? The Moderate Voice has a good primer. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Prison Death Tally

Staff / Truthdig Feb 22, 2006 Almost 100 prisoners have died in U.S. custody in Iraq and Afghanistan since August 2000, with homicide suspected or confirmed in 34 deaths, concludes a report fom Human Rights First. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

A Coverup Under Two Presidents: The Unsolved Mystery of the Oklahoma City Bombing

Andrew Gumbel / Truthdig Feb 22, 2006 One hundred sixty-eight died -- but we still don't know for certain the identities of their killers. A look at the striking parallels between the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center, and how the FBI resisted, and is still resisting, giving full accounts of each. Dig deeper ( 13 Min. Read )

Santorum’s Finances Draw Questions

Staff / Truthdig Feb 21, 2006 The American Prospect digs into the finances of Pennsylvania Sen Rick Santorum and finds that his "lifestyle is financed in ways [that] are at best unconventional, and at worst a possible violation of Senate rules". Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Chertoff Goes Mum on Portgate

Blair Golson / Truthdig Feb 21, 2006 Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff on the proposed deal to cede control of six US ports to the United Arab Emirates: "The discussions are classified" Truthdig doesn't pretend to understand the ins and outs of port ownership logistics, but we are troubled by Think Progress' revelation that a country linked with international terrorism is going to have dominion over 40% of the U cargo bound for Iraq . Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )