Intel Czar Claim That New Surveillance Law Foiled Terror Plot is False – Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell has withdrawn his claim that Congress’s recent authorization of expanded electronic surveillance had helped foil a terror plot in Germany. McConnell testified that the new law “helped ‘facilitate’ the arrest of three suspects believed to be planning massive car bombings against American targets in Germany.” Intelligence officials quickly raised questions about McConnell’s testimony, indicating that the US military had provided the information to the Germans 10 months ago, long before the new law was passed. Democrats then challenged McConnell’s statement, with House Judiciary Chair John Conyers requesting a clarification and House Intelligence Committee Chair Silvestre Reyes sending McConnell a letter asking for a public correction.
Another Republican Gay Scandal Brews in Murder-Suicide Case? – A Republican political consultant killed in an apparent double murder-suicide in in an Orlando, Florida, residence owned by the former Executive Director of the Georgia Republican Party. He had worked extensively in Alabama politics including a controversial “Adam and Steve” campaign leaflet against gay marriage. Ralph Gonzalez, 39, president of The Strategum Group, was found dead Thursday along with his roommate, David Abrami, 36, and a friend, Robert Drake, 30. Drake, a former marine, also is alleged to have a strong relationship– both intimate and business/political– with right-wing Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC). 3 Found Dead
Republican House Leader Boehner Says, If We Defeat Al Qaeda, We Will Have Paid A Small Price In Iraq – Note that Boehner is specifically answering a question about troop deaths here — which he calls a “small price,” should we win the war. It’s really uncanny how often those who aren’t sacrificing anything for the Iraq war, aside for perhaps their health in the polls, are willing to sacrifice others.
Teacher Who Told Students “I honk for peace” Fired – Deborah Mayer said her troubles started Jan. 10, 2003 — the eve of the Iraq war — during a weekly current-events discussion in her Grades 4-6 class at Clear Creek Elementary School in Bloomington, Ind. A pupil asked if she would participate in a peace rally. “I honk for peace,” Mayer, a veteran teacher in her first year at Bloomington, said she told them. She said she also told the students, “People ought to seek out peaceful solutions before going to war.” She said several parents subsequently complained about her comments, leading to the non-renewal of her contract at the end of the year. Hope Ellington, whose daughter was in Mayer’s class, called Mayer a “really great” teacher with good rapport with pupils. She said said her daughter was upset that Mayer was “bashing” President Bush in class. Needing work, Mayer moved to Boca Grande in Florida, where her new principal said, “She was a great teacher, she cared about the students.” The School Board attorney, said it’s clear public-school teachers have no free-speech rights. “We need to keep control of the classroom that’s taught in our name,” he said. “If they disagree with the curriculum, they can go somewhere else.”
Regards,
Jim
Andy Hailey