Here’s a really nice profile of Barack Obama from the DNC 2008

Today, the U.S. Senate cast the vote for and ultimately passed a wiretapping program initiated by President George W. Bush that gives more power to the government to spy on it’s citizens, and gives participating telephone companies legal protection. Government agencies no longer need to obtain warrants to tap into telephone calls. The vote passed 68 to 29.

The United States government has decided to pursue the death penalty for 6 prisoners currently being held in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. They are to be charged with having central roles in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. War charges against the men appear likely.

Included with these men is former al-Qaeda chief operative Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, who admitted to being the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks.

Also to be charged are Mohammed al-Qahtani, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, Ammar al-Baluchi, Mustafa Ahmed al-Hawsawi, and Walid bin Attash. All of these men have been accused of playing key roles in the September 11 terrorist attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people.

Here’s a reminder for those of you living in a closet: President George W. Bush is set to deliver the final State of the Union address of his presidency, in just a few hours!

You can bet on him discussing the receding economy as a major topic, as well as progress with the Iraq war. We might even get a nice farewell!

It should start at around 9:00 PM Eastern time, 6:00 Pacific time.

(This better be a good one, because they canceled Prison Break for this!)

U.S. President George W. Bush arrived in Israel on Jan. 9, for his first trip during his presidency. The reason for the trip is to promote peace talks he initiated for the region late last year. During their discussion, Israeli Prime Minister Olmert mentioned that Israel does will tolerate attacks on it’s civilians. “And we made it clear to everyone that we’ll take all the necessary measures in order to reach out for those who are responsible for these attacks, and we will not hesitate to take all the necessary measures in order to stop them.” Olmert stated that if the attacks continue, Israel will not be able to reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians. “As long as there will be terror from Gaza it will be very, very hard to reach any peaceful understanding between us and the Palestinians.” President Bush said that the new talks presented an “opportunity to spread freedom as a great alternative to their ideology,” referring to terrorism by extremists and radicals, and to build “a society based upon human rights and human dignity, a society in which every man, woman and child is free.”

Bush stated:
I believe that two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace is in the best interests of America and the world. I believe it’s in the long-term security interests of Israel, and I know, to provide a more hopeful society for the Palestinians. And that’s why I articulated this vision early in my presidency. And that’s why I’m so pleased to have — to watch two leaders, you and President Abbas, work hard to achieve that vision.

The leaders also discussed the Iranian threat, with Bush saying that “Iran is a threat to world peace…and Iran will be a threat if the international community does not come together and prevent that nation from the development of the know-how to build a nuclear weapon. A country which once had a secret program can easily restart a secret program.

The White House released the following statement on the Omaha tragedy which occurred yesterday:

The President is deeply saddened by the shootings in Omaha, Nebraska earlier today. His thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families this evening. Having just visited with so many members of the community in Omaha today, the President is confident that they will pull together to comfort one another as they deal with this terrible tragedy

A press release from the White House sates that Bush is pleased with and supports alternative approaches to stem cell research within ethical boundaries. Here’s the release:

Statement by the Press Secretary

President Bush is very pleased to see the important advances in ethical stem cell research reported in scientific journals today. By avoiding techniques that destroy life, while vigorously supporting alternative approaches, President Bush is encouraging scientific advancement within ethical boundaries.

President Bush was the first president to make federal funds available for human embryonic stem cell research — and his policy did this in ways that would not encourage the destruction of embryos. In July 2006, the President highlighted research into the possibility of reprogramming adult skin cells into pluripotent stem cells without intruding on human embryos or eggs. The President’s Executive Order issued in June 2007 was intended to accelerate precisely the kind of research being reported today. One of the studies announced today was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health operating under the President’s stem cell policy.

The President believes medical problems can be solved without compromising either the high aims of science or the sanctity of human life. We will continue to encourage scientists to expand the frontiers of stem cell research and continue to advance the understanding of human biology in an ethically responsible way.

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White House Press Release / Source >

President Bush invited Israel and the Palestinian leaders to a meeting on November 27 in an attempt to launch peace talks for the creation of a Palestinian state. Although Bush is set to leave office in just 14 months, he obviously still feels obligated to see that this issue reaches a resolution. Dozens of countries, particularly those neighboring Israel, are to send over 100 delegates and representatives to the meeting to provide political leverage to both sides. Saudi Arabia was also asked to attend. The meeting will take place in Annapolis, Maryland. This is the first new series of negotiations to take place since the year 2000.

Fran Townsend, President Bush’s top Homeland Security Adviser, turned in her letter of resignation to President Bush on November 6. Townsend was mostly responsible for determining the seriousness of threats such as terrorism and natural disasters, and how to respond to them. The reason for her resignation was not clear, but White House spokeswoman Dana Perino stated that she [Townsend] will “pursue some private-sector options.” In a press release statement, President George W. Bush and the White House press secretary said that “Fran has ably guided the Homeland Security Council. She has played an integral role in the formation of the key strategies and policies my Administration has used to combat terror and protect Americans…We are safer today because of her leadership.” She has served as adviser for more than 4 years. Townsend has been quoted saying that her resignation has been in discussion for several months prior to this November. This is just one of many recent administration resignations. Karl Rove, Bush’s senior adviser, left in August, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, also in August, press secretary Tony Snow in September, communications and White House counselor Dan Bartlett in June, as well as a recent resignation by communications adviser Karen Hughes.

The United States government has announced that it will provide relief aid to disaster areas affected by the cyclone in Bangladesh, which has claimed a confirmed 2300 lives so far. The U.S. has provided an initial $2.1 million of support. Two American relief ships are currently on their way to Bangladesh, and 35 tons of supplies scheduled are to be airlifted. The Department of Defense currently has an 8 person medical team stationed in Bangladesh, and they are providing assistance. “President and Mrs. Bush offer condolences to the victims of Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh, especially those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods in this tragedy…The United States is committed to helping the people of Bangladesh and their government as they face the many challenges of rebuilding and recovering,” a press statement from the White House said.

Reuters video on tradgedy:

Link to White House Press Release >
AP / Yahoo News story >
Reuters article on Tragedy >