TresSugar

Obama In Talks to Keep on Bush's Defense Secretary Gates

CitizenSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:30:00 -0800

Not everyone in the Bush Administration will be out on their behinds on Jan. 20. Barack Obama is considering keeping on Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Gates, a former CIA head, has received widespread praise for his work as defense secretary since replacing Donald Rumsfeld.

Since he has led the Pentagon since 2006, Gates could be the person best situated to coordinate Obama's plan to withdraw from Iraq and increase troops in Afghanistan. Even so, keeping a Republican who has been leading Bush's war policy may take the team of rivals idea a bit too far.

Is Obama responsible and wise to keep on Gates in order to make the transition of power and situation in the Middle East run smoothly, or does a new direction require a new person in such an important cabinet position?

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Front Page: Ted Kennedy In Surgery, Mugabe at UN Food Summit, Gates to Myanmar "Criminal Neglect"

CitizenSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:00:04 -0700

Ted Kennedy In Surgery: Ted Kennedy is at the Duke University Medical Center this morning undergoing surgery for his cancerous brain tumor. The surgery comes after the 76-year-old senator was diagnosed last month with a malignant glioma, an especially lethal type of brain tumor. He's being operated on this morning by one of the nation's top neurosurgeons, Dr. Allan Friedman, and the surgery will be followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Kennedy will recuperate in NC for a week, before moving to Massachusetts General for the rest of his treatment. Kennedy said of the support he's received, ''I am deeply grateful to the people of Massachusetts and to my friends, colleagues and so many others across the country and around the world who have expressed their support and good wishes as I tackle this new and unexpected health challenge. I am humbled by the outpouring and am strengthened by your prayers and kindness.''

Mugabe at UN Food Summit: Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe presence at a United Nations food summit has raised eyebrows and hackles and is being called "obscene". Australia's foreign minister said of the embattled leader's arrival, "this is the person who has presided over the starvation of his people." It's Mugabe's first visit to Europe since the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) won a majority in parliamentary elections in March. He still faces a presidential run-off on June 27 against opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
Gates to Myanmar, "Criminal Neglect": US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said yesterday that Myanmar was guilty of “criminal neglect” for blocking international aid to cyclone victims, and warned that more civilians would perish unless the military regime reversed its policy. Because of the stonewalling, he said it was probably a matter of days before the Pentagon withdrew four Navy ships carrying supplies that have been “steaming in circles” for days in the waters off Myanmar’s coast, waiting for permission to unload their cargo of aid. Gates said, “it’s becoming pretty clear that the regime there is not going to let us help. I’d say that unless the regime changes its approach, changes its policy, more people will die.”

Pentagon Denied Gay Rep's Request to Travel with Partner

LibertySugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:00:53 -0700

The Pentagon initially denied Representative Tammy Baldwin's request to bring her domestic partner with her on a fact-finding trip to Europe over the Easter recess. As usual, the delegation traveled on a military flight. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi petitioned Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, before the trip was approved.

At the center of the story is the definition of "spouse." According to the House guidelines, members of Congress can travel with spouses so long as there is room, and protocol requires it. The same goes for an adult child; however, Congress must be reimbursed for the second guest. Baldwin and her partner have exchanged vows, but her home state of Wisconsin does not recognize same-sex marriage.

Apparently Secretary Gates told Speaker Pelosi that it was up to her to make an exception. To see what happened, read more.

Once Gates received a formal request for an exception, he approved the flight. Pelosi insisted that she was simply following the precedent set by her predecessor Dennis Hassert. But, Hassert's former aides said he was unaware that Baldwin's domestic partner flew with her, until the trips already were underway.

While we can all argue about tax money being used to transport guests, it does seem unfair to make a gay congresswoman jump through extra hoops, involving the Speaker of the House and the Secretary of Defense, for a routine trip. Perhaps spouses shouldn't be allowed on these vacations, uh, I mean fact-finding trips. But since they are, should unrecognized spouses be allowed, too?

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Front Page: Death Toll Rises After Italian Earthquake

CitizenSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 08:15:58 -0700

Italy's prime minister announced that 207 people have been confirmed dead and 15 are still missing, after a 6.3 earthquake hit the city of L'Aquila yesterday. About 100,000 have been left homeless. - Wall Street Journal
The University of North Carolina defeated Michigan State last night to win the national college basketball title. - ESPN
Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced sweeping reforms at the Pentagon yesterday, including weapons cuts and the replacement of private contractors with full-time civil servants. - Washington Post
Texas billionaire "Sir" Allen Stanford gave a tearful and sometimes aggressive interview to ABC News, during which he discussed his impending federal fraud charges and flying coach. - ABC News
The jail term for the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at George W. Bush has been cut from three years to only one after his appeal. - BBC News

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Obama Introduces National Security Team Starring Hillary!

LibertySugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:30:57 -0800

This morning President-elect Obama rolled out his national security team, proving that you don't have to be an Obama loyalist to get a plumb role in his administration. Hillary Clinton appeared as the next US secretary of state, delivering a moving acceptance speech.

Joining Hillary was Vice President-elect Joe Biden, Robert M. Gates, the current defense secretary, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano who will be secretary of Homeland Security, Gen. James L. Jones, the former NATO commander who will be a national security adviser, Eric Holder who will serve as attorney general, and Susan Rice, the next UN ambassador.

While Obama made it obvious that he wasn't going to outline his entire plan to keep the nation secure, the press conference did have some insightful moments. They include:

Obama on what made him tap Hillary: "She possesses an extraordinary intelligence and toughness, and a remarkable work ethic. . . . She is an American of tremendous stature who will have my complete confidence, who knows many of the world's leaders, who will command respect in every capital, and who will clearly have the ability to advance our interests around the world."
On how he reconciled with former rival Hillary: "I extended her the offer and she accepted. I know that’s not as juicy a story as you were hoping for, but that’s all you’re going to get.”
On his role as leader of the team of rivals: "I will be setting policy as president. The buck will stop with me.”
After thanking her fellow New Yorkers, Hillary said: "Mr. President-elect, I am proud to join you on what will be a difficult and exciting adventure in this new century."

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It's Official! Hillary Clinton To Be Secretary of State

CitizenSugar — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:15:00 -0800

After "much will she or won't she?" speculation, Hillary Clinton has accepted the job of secretary of state offered by Barack Obama. After the news broke a couple weeks back, 75 percent of you said they thought Clinton should take the position because she and Obama would make a great team.

Secretary of state is the highest-ranking cabinet secretary and head of the Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. President-elect Obama will appear tomorrow with Hillary Clinton and current Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who will remain head of the Pentagon under Obama, at a press conference in Chicago at 10:40 a.m. (EST).

Do you think Hillary will make a capable secretary of state?

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Front Page: Fed Pumps in Money, Petraeus Leaves Iraq, Rivals Sign Power Sharing Agreement

CitizenSugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 07:00:17 -0700

Fed Pumps in Money:
The Federal Reserve has added $70 billion of reserves into banks, the largest cash infusion since the attacks of 9/11. They're hoping to reverse a surge in borrowing costs caused by the collapse of Lehman Brothers. Meanwhile, stocks in Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong all fell sharply.

Petraeus Leaves Iraq:
Gen. David Petraeus has handed over command of the US military in Iraq to Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno amid praise from Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Upon leaving, Petraeus said, ". . . the reality is that there has been significant progress but there are still serious challenges.” His successor Odierno warned of the progress saying, "gains are fragile and reversible."

Rivals Sign Power Sharing Agreement:
And end to 28 years of uninterrupted power, Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has signed an agreement with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai to divide the responsibilities for the troubled country. Mugabe said of the plan, “we are committed to the deal. We will do our best, and Tsvangirai said it means he, “sees the return of hope to all our lives.” Among the audience watching the signing were many opposition workers who had been in hiding after government sponsored violence forced them to flee.

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Front Page: Bush Defends Economic Measures, China's Media Freedoms to End, US Pushes for Iraq Security Deal

CitizenSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 07:00:41 -0700

Bush Defends Measures:
In a speech at the US Chamber of Commerce moments ago, President Bush defended the government's recent intervention in the financial crisis as measures of "last resort," saying that it will "take a while" for the credit system to thaw and that Americans can be confident it will. He said of the intervention, "Had the government not acted. . . We would have been forced to respond with even more drastic and costly measures later on."

China's Media Freedoms to End:
The rules that allowed greater freedom for foreign reporters during the Olympics are set to expire. There has been no word yet whether they will be extended, tossed, or traded for a new set of rules. The rules that allowed journalists to travel around China without applying for permission did not apply to Chinese journalists. Many hope the freedom will expand as a legacy of the Games.
US Pushes for Iraq Security Deal:
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is seeking to extend the US mandate in Iraq which is set to expire later this year. The details of the planned draft would have US troops withdraw from Iraq by 2011. Official approval by Congress isn't required though approval from Iraq, is. The current mandate expires on Dec. 31.

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Front Page: Rep. Tom Lantos Dies, Microsoft, Troop Withdrawals

CitizenSugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 06:53:19 -0800

Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA) has died. Lantos was a Holocaust survivor and currently finishing what he'd called his last term after being diagnosed with cancer of the esophogas. He was 80 years old. Lantos often called himself, "an American by choice." He was born to Jewish parents in Hungary and was 16 when Hitler occupied his country. He survived by escaping labor camps twice, before receiving protection from Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg.
Yahoo rejected Microsoft's $44.6 billion offer, saying that it "substantially undervalues" the company. The offer, $31 per share, was a 62 percent higher price than the trading price when the offer was made. Since making the offer, Microsoft's shares have devalued quickly. A combined Microsoft and Yahoo would equal one of the world's biggest technology firms.
The US may halt troop withdrawals from Iraq this summer, for what Defense Secretary Robert Gates is calling a "pause" for evaluation. In what basically amounts to a reversal of the "surge" 30,000 troops are scheduled to leave Iraq by July. All five brigades scheduled to leave will do so, after which time Gates wants a "period of evaluation". The situation in Baghdad has improved recently, but peace remains fragile. Gates said, "a brief period of consolidation and evaluation probably does make sense," and that he hopes that the drawdown can continue until only ten brigades remain by the end of 2008.

Front Page: Microsoft Fine, Turkey Must Leave, China Talks

CitizenSugar — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 07:04:27 -0800

The European Union has fined Microsoft a record $1.4 billion for defying sanctions imposed on it for anti-competitive behavior. The fine ruling goes back to a 2004 decision that says Microsoft is guilty of not providing key code to rival software makers. Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said, "Microsoft was the first company in 50 years of EU competition policy that the Commission has had to fine for failure to comply with an antitrust decision."
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is set to tell Turkish leaders that they must conclude their current invasion of Iraq, and leave in no longer than two weeks. Turkey began this invasion into northern Iraq last week against separatist rebels from the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or the PKK. The U.S. provides Turkey with intelligence and surveillance assistance. Gates said, "It's very important that the Turks make this operation as short as possible and then leave. They have to be mindful of Iraqi sovereignty."
China has said that it will resume human rights talks with the U.S. This agreement appears to be aimed at countering potential criticism from activists ahead of the Olympic Games to be held in China this summer. The talks stalled in 2004 after the Bush administration sponsored an unsuccessful resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Commission rebuking China’s human rights record. China has warned that attempts to link Darfur with the Olympics will not help resolve the issue.