If Barack Obama is not a Trojan Horse, given the keys to power in order to smash every progressive hope alive in these years, then what is he?
US Drone Attacks Killed 123 Civilians in January
The US is being accused of killing dozens of civilians in a record twelve drone attacks last month. The Pakistani newspaper The News is reporting the US botched ten of the attacks, killing 123 civilians and just three al-Qaeda leaders—a ratio of forty-one to one.
Huge Deficits May Alter U.S. Politics and Global Power
By President Obama’s own optimistic projections, American deficits will not return to what are widely considered sustainable levels over the next 10 years. In fact, in 2019 and 2020 — years after Mr. Obama has left the political scene, even if he serves two terms — they start rising again sharply, to more than 5 percent of gross domestic product. His budget draws a picture of a nation that like many American homeowners simply cannot get above water. For Mr. Obama and his successors, the effect of those projections is clear: Unless miraculous growth, or miraculous political compromises, creates some unforeseen change over the next decade, there is virtually no room for new domestic initiatives for Mr. Obama or his successors.
Jailed US Citizens Allege Torture in Pakistan
In Pakistan, five jailed US citizens say they’ve been tortured since their arrest on terror charges nearly two months ago. The five young men are accused of seeking to join militant groups to fight US troops in Afghanistan. They were arrested after their families reported them missing in northern Virginia. Earlier today, one of the five handed a note to reporters at a Pakistani court room. The note read, “Since our arrest, the US FBI and Pakistani police have tortured us. They are trying to set us up… Help us.” One defense lawyer said one of the prisoners had been given electric shocks and was told to keep silent about the abuse.
More on the torture of US citizens by US intelligence agents.
Backtracking on Earlier Findings, Justice Dept. Clears Bush Attorneys of Authorizing Torture
Newsweek has revealed that the Justice Department will soon issue a report clearing John Yoo and Jay Bybee of professional misconduct for crafting memos that justified waterboarding and other forms of torture. Senior Justice Department official David Margolis reportedly softened an earlier finding from the Office of Professional Responsibility. Previously, the report concluded that Jay Bybee and John Yoo had violated their professional obligations as lawyers when they wrote a crucial 2002 memo approving so-called enhanced interrogation techniques.
More on the Justice Department sell-out with Scott Horton.
