I am writing about the continued revelations that the Bush administration is torturing prisoners and not complying with the Constitution and the law. However, I would also like to touch on the fact that prisoners in the United States are in some cases abused in a similar manner to that of foreign detainees.

Today I came across an article that stated that a new caucus had been formed in the US congress. The new caucus will focus on advancing equal rights for the LGBT community. More below:

An important story just came over the wire regarding abortion pills. If you all can remember the Bush administration held up FDA approval of the RU486 morning after pill for political reasons suggesting some sort of health concern. The drug finally did get clearance and now we have a study assessing the health risks of the pill and it is positive news for women.

Check it out below the fold:

Iraq was probably the biggest issue in the 2004 elections and it almost assuredly was the biggest issue in the 2006 elections. The American public wants us out of Iraq and the troops want us out of Iraq and the Iraqis want us out of Iraq, however the one problem is that the President, Vice President and many many people in congress want us to stay in Iraq.

Energy issues are probably the main reason why we are staying, but in any case I thought we could at least take a look at what is going on in Iraq.

I found an interesting op-ed posted at the drudge retort and thought I would share it with the community. The op-ed was written by the father of a slain soldier and he essentially questions the war and the current "stay the course" strategy.

More below the fold:

I listed the Senate races and ordered them based on the current poll data. The December state by state SUSA Bush ratings give us an insight into how much Bush will help or hurt a candidate.

Looking at the races what is important to note is that of the 8 repug seats being challenged in 6 of those races current data puts either the Dem ahead or within at least 9% points. However, of the 7 Dem seats being challenged only 3 races are within at least 9%. Furthermore, of the 9 most close races Bush has a negative approval rating in each state.

More below the fold:

The torture amendment that was agreed upon today by the White House does nothing to stop torture and abuse in US prisons.

Hopefully, everyone knows by now that torture and abuse is authorized and the troops are being trained how to committ war crimes and torture and abuse prisoners in violation of the Geneva Conventions, long-standing army regulations and International law.

The McCain amendement does nothing to stop the abuse and torture as it leaves the enforcement of the bill up to the White House and denies prisoners judical review (habeas corpus rights). More below the fold:

I am writing a diary to hopefully, get the debate started on the recent tax cut bills that were passed by the Senate and House.

The House passed a bill with capital gain and dividend tax cuts cutting the cap gains rate from 20% to 15% and the dividend rate from the ordinary income rate to 15%.

These cuts are a continuation of the Bush tax cuts from a few years ago and basically amount to extensions.

More below the fold:

Yesterday, Condi Rice defended US interrogation practices that continue to give the US a black eye.

For me I consider this to be one of the most if not the most important current issue, because it amounts to a golden opportunity to bring people together and fix some of our own problems and at the same time strengthen the ability of all peaceful countries to confront international law breaking.

More below the fold:

I listed the Senate races and re-ordered them based on the current poll data. The December state by state SUSA Bush ratings give us an insight into how much Bush will help or hurt a candidate.

More below the fold:

As many of you are aware at Gitmo as well as elsewhere prisoners are subjected to cruel and degrading treatment on a regular basis in direct violation of the Geneva Conventions, long-standing army regulations as well as other international treaties that prohibit clear Geneva violations ("grave war crimes") as well.

At Gitmo prisoners have been on a hunger strike to protest the cruel and degrading treatment that they are systematically subjected to because they can no longer stand the mental torture. So what do the medical personel at Gitmo do about this - not what you might expect. They are in fact further torturing prisoners. More below the fold.

The AP has released the latest and 5th version of the Iraqi Constitution that will be voted on this month.
Surprisingly, the constitution has included in it mandated national healthcare. There are a number of new provisions as well: check it out.

More below the fold:

I listed the Senate races and re-ordered them based on current data. The September state by state SUSA Bush ratings give us an insight into how much Bush will help or hurt a candidate.

I also included other race by race poll data as well. I did not list the Lieberman race as a competitive race, however it would be if progressive candidate Lowell Wieker were to challenge Lieberman.

Schumer has done a great job recruiting candidates and I think Virginia is the only state where we do not have a viable announced candidate; with North Dakota and West Virginia now safe the party can concentrate its resurces on less races.

More below the fold:

Ok folks, we know that the Gitmo torture tactics migrated from Gitmo to Bagram to Abu Ghraib and are still in use in many detention facilities, but now they have apparently migrated to a Florida middle school.

More below the fold:

Alright the President is still calling for staying the course, but what does that mean exactly?

Below I will give you a better picture of what is going on in Iraq since the media is useless and will point out that the administration may be moving to a better more pragmatic strategy.

It is also important to note that it has been reported that Sistani has approved the new Constitution, however since there are about three different versions floating around it is unclear what version he approved.

More below the fold:

Alright the President is still calling for staying the course, but what does that mean exactly?

Below I will give you a better picture of what is going on in Iraq since the media is useless and will point out that the administration may be moving to a better more pragmatic strategy.

More below the fold:

Ok, now I try not to take myself too seriously, but it really looks like Prager is answering my attacks on the Bush administrations torture policies.

More below the fold:

Texas (R) Ron Paul delivered a tremendous speach yesterday where he tore into the Republican leadership regarding the Iraq War and the party's "guns and butter" approach to government.

Ron Paul is being a leader and telling it like it is. Chuck Hagel is a leader and has been honestly speaking out about the Iraq War; Russ Fiengold is a leader and is speaking out against the Iraq war.

My question - where are the rest of the Democrats; does this party have any congressional leadership outside of Feingold and Joe Biden that can talk about foreign policy?

More below the fold: