Fwd: Taliban Extorting ?Protection Payments? From Taxpayer-Funded Private Security Contract

Today's Headlines Friday, June 25, 2010

Taliban Extorting 'Protection Payments' From Taxpayer-Funded Private Security Contract (CNSNews.com) - U.S. taxpayer money spent on a Defense Department contract for the private security of "vital" U.S. military supplies in Afghanistan may be making its way to the Taliban as "protection payments for safe passage," a House investigative report found. Jewish Clergy Group: Elena Kagan Isn't 'Kosher' to Serve on Supreme Court (CNSNews.com) - The Rabbinical Alliance of America says the Supreme Court nominee will function "as a flame-throwing radical, hastening society's already steep decline into Sodom and Gommorah," if approved by the Senate. Kagan's 'Judicial Hero': An Israeli Justice Who Said Judges 'Create New Understanding of Law' (CNSNews.com) – Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan in 2006 named as her 'judicial hero' an Israeli Supreme Court Justice, Aharon Barak, who said the role of a judge is to 'create [a] new understanding of law.'Former federal judge and Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork called Kagan's admiration of Barak "disqualifying in and of itself," in a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. Six-Month 'Doc Fix' Slows Medicare Meltdown -- for Now, Doctors Warn (CNSNews.com) - The House on Thursday joined the Senate in passing a six-month Medicare "fix," giving a temporary reprieve to senior citizens who rely on government-run health care coverage. The fix is good as far as it goes, but it doesn't go far enough, said critics, including the American Medical Association. As Lawmakers Pass 'Powerful' Iran Sanctions Bill, Some Worry Presidential Waivers Will Weaken It (CNSNews.com) – The U.S. House and Senate gave final, overwhelming approval Thursday to what some lawmakers described as the toughest Iran sanctions legislation ever, although others regretted the inclusion of waivers that could allow the president to water down the punitive measures. They predicted that, in particular, Russian and Chinese energy companies doing business with Iran may benefit as a result." North Korea Threatens Harsher Punishment Against Jailed American Unless U.S. Drops Ship-Sinking Issue (CNSNews.com) – A threat by North Korea to apply "wartime law" in the case of an imprisoned American citizen is the latest attempt by the communist regime to use a captured foreigner as a political pawn in its recurrent disputes with the outside world. Pyongyang is fending off a U.S.-backed bid to get the U.N. Security Council to condemn it for the sinking last March of a South Korean warship. Congressmen Seek to Halt Deportation Hamas Founder's Son Washington (CNSNews.com) – Eight members of the House of Representatives are urging Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano not to deport the son of the founder of the terrorist group Hamas. Mosab Hassan Yousef became a spy for the Israeli government in the late 1990s and reportedly stopped several terrorist attacks. In 2009, the United States rejected Yousef's petition for asylum. CNSNEWS.COM VIDEO Pelosi: Climate Change Legislation is a 'Moral Issue'--'We Have a Moral Responsibility' to Preserve 'God's Beautiful Creation' (CNSNews.com) – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said last week that passing energy and climate change legislation is a "moral issue" -- although, at the same time, she indicated that she is "agnostic" about what means should be used in legislation to reduce dependence on foreign oil and consumption of fossil fuels. OTHER CNSNEWS.COM HEADLINES Government Lowers Its Growth Estimate for First Quarter Porn Sites Closer to .xxx Web Address Pakistan Watches Google, Other Web Sites for Blasphemy Obama Stresses 'Unity of Purpose' With Petraeus in Charge House, Senate Negotiators Finalize Deal on Bank Bill Democrats Settle for Medicare Fix As Jobs Bill Falters 'Devastated' Congresswoman Balances Son's Troubles, Her Own Campaign Human Rights Group (Finally) Criticizes Hamas' Treatment of Israeli Group Will Sue McDonald's Over Happy Meal Toys Donate Today! Please help CNSNews.com keep bringing you 'The Right News - Right Now!' Make a contribution to CNSNews.com today. It's fast, simple and secure. Help CNSNews.com and Donate Today!  NEWSPAPER ROUNDUP White House picks 'sanctuary city' supporter for key job at ICE Federal agencies joining boycott of Arizona by canceling conferences there Employee killed during robbery attempt at medical marijuana dispensary Florida closes its first beach as oil washes in Germans question their involvement in Afghanistan Gates: Petraeus will have 'flexibility' to recommend changes in Afghanistan strategy Airline passenger arrested after fight over carry-on bag 10-year-old grand marshal at gay rights parade sparks controversy across U.S. Democrat called on carpet for racially insensitive remarks Witness: Blagojevich given list of Obama favorites for Senate seat L.A.'s red-light camera program exempted from Arizona boycott Legal immigrants in Mass. could lose out on health care Virgin Atlantic blames Customs officials for tarmac delay COMMENTARY The U.S. Department of Illegal Alien Labor By Michelle Malkin President Obama's Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, the woman in charge of enforcing our employment laws, doesn't give a hoot about our immigration laws. Solis, a longtime open-borders sympathizer, has caused a Capitol Hill firestorm over her new taxpayer-funded advertising and outreach campaign to illegal aliens regarding fair wages. Another Failed President? By Patrick J. Buchanan A new Wall Street Journal/NBC Poll confirms that the nation that entertained such high hopes for Barack Obama has lost confidence in his capacity to lead. Sixty-two percent of all Americans believe the nation is headed in the wrong direction. For the first time, more Americans disapprove of Obama than approve. Fifty-seven percent would prefer someone else, rather than the member of Congress they now have. Americans have been through periods of malaise before. But where FDR raised spirits after Herbert Hoover, and Reagan did after Jimmy Carter, the optimism about an Age of Obama is vanishing like the morning mist. Bigotry Central By L. Brent Bozell III It's been two months since Comedy Central censored Mohammed out of their cartoon "South Park." Even the utterance of the name was bleeped. But there has been no ceasefire in Comedy Central's war on Christianity. The attacks on Catholic Americans just keep coming. Trouble Among the Allies By Rich Galen The firing of Gen. Stanley McChrystal shone the global spotlight on Afghanistan when most of the world was pretty happy ignoring what has, or has not, been going on there. The nations contributing to the Afghanistan war effort are having severe budget issues, and there is no single bigger expense than keeping a soldier in a war zone. Look for the team of David Petraeus and Hillary Clinton to start an international road show to major capitals to try to shore up our allies' wilting support for what has become Obama's war.