Fwd: Almost Half of U.S. Fatalities in Afghan War Took Place Since Obama Took Office

Today's Headlines Thursday, August 5, 2010

Almost Half of U.S. Fatalities in Afghan War Took Place Since Obama Took Office (CNSNews.com) – As of July 31, almost half of all U.S. fatalities in Afghanistan have happened on President Barack Obama's watch. Since Obama took office in January 2009, 558 U.S. troops have died in Afghanistan, out of 1,127 since the war began nine years ago, according to CNSNews.com's tally. And the violence is escalating. White House Doesn't Know, DOJ Mum on Whether Kagan Received Full Salary Since She 'Ceased' Full Duties as Solicitor General Washington (CNSNews.com) – Neither the White House nor the Justice Department are saying whether Elena Kagan has been collecting her full government salary since she "ceased" performing her full duties as solicitor general after May 10 when President Barack Obama nominated her to serve on the Supreme Court. "I'd point you over to the Department of Justice on that. I don't know what the pay records are," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told CNSNews.com. However, the Justice Department public affairs office has not responded to numerous inquiries from CNSNews.com on the matter. 1.2 Million Who Signed Obama's 'Birthday Card' Asked to Send Fundraising Chain Letter to 'Five Friends' (CNSNews.com) – Michelle Obama's e-mail campaign to "Wish Barack a Happy Birthday," a fundraiser sent out by the Democratic National Committee, has generated over 1.2 million signatures, according to a new e-mail from BarackObama.com. But organizers want even more names and email addresses. Obama, Speaking to AFL-CIO, Calls for Dumping Secret Ballots in Union Elections Washington (CNSNews.com) – President Barack Obama, seeking to rally support for embattled Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections, on Wednesday pledged his support for a card check bill, which would eliminate secret ballots in elections to unionize workplaces. "And we are going to keep on fighting to pass the Employee Free Choice Act," Obama told the AFL-CIO Executive Council. Black Conservatives Say Black Liberals Are Using Race to Discredit the Tea Party Movement Washington (CNSNews.com) – Black conservative leaders from around the country gathered in Washington on Wednesday to denounce the NAACP for its resolution charging that elements of the Tea Party movement are racist. Speakers at the event also blamed the Black Congressional Congress for injecting racism into politics and using it as a weapon against the Tea Party movement. Alan Keyes: Under Obama 'We Shall All Become Slaves on the Government's Plantation' Washington (CNSNews.com) – Alan Keyes, a conservative activist and former diplomat, said Wednesday that President Barack Obama and liberals in Congress are promoting a dependence on government that mirrors slavery. Keyes said real racism occurs when race is connected to ideology -- as was the case, he said, when Obama was campaigning for president. Bipartisan Bill to Permanently End Taxpayer-Funded Abortions Introduced in House (CNSNews.com) – A bipartisan bill meant to permanently prohibit taxpayer-funded abortions in every federal program has been introduced in the House, with over 150 original cosponsors, including 16 Democrats. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.), a cosponsor of the bill, said the health-care reform legislation that passed Congress this year showed that the current system of preventing taxpayer funded abortions is "dangerously fragile." Republican Senator Isakson Refuses to Say When Jesus Got Right to Life (CNSNews.com) – Republican Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia declined to say whether Jesus Christ got the right to life at the moment of conception, although he did say that Jesus is his savior and he believes in him. CNSNews.com asked Sen. Isakson about the issue because House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) had said in May that she must pursue policies "in keeping with the values" of Jesus, the "Word made flesh," but had declined, last week, to say when "the Word" received the right to life. China Holds More Military Exercises Amid Tensions With U.S. (CNSNews.com) – Chinese armed forces on Thursday continued a second set of back-to-back exercises, underscoring expanding capabilities and ambitions that have prompted unease among top U.S. military officers. Relations between China and U.S. have taken several hits in recent weeks. U.N. Backs Israel's Position on Border Clash, But Israel's Arab-Islamic Critics Are Not Backing Down (CNSNews.com) – Arab and Muslim governments that accused Israel of aggression against Lebanon this week did not withdraw their accusations Wednesday, despite confirmation from U.N. peacekeepers that Lebanese troops opened fire on Israeli soldiers who were on the Israeli side of the international border. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon affirmed Wednesday that the incident happen in Israeli territory, prompting the U.S. State Department to denounce the firing by the Lebanese Armed Forces as "wholly unjustified and unwarranted." CNSNEWS.COM VIDEO Rep. Gutierrez Sees A 'Fundamental Contradiction' Among Pro-Lifers Who Back Changing 'Birthright Citizenship' (CNSNews.com) - Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) said there "seems to be a fundamental contradiction" between being "pro-life," "pro-family," and being in favor of denying citizenship to children of illegal immigrants born on U.S. soil. At a press conference on Capitol Hill, Gutierrez was asked about an idea recently floated by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to introduce an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would change the rules for citizenship as defined in the 14th Amendment. OTHER CNSNEWS.COM HEADLINES U.S. Army Begins Relief Missions in Flooded Pakistan Russia Bans Grain Exports Amid Drought, Sending Wheat Prices Higher Mexico Says Cartels Are Moving Beyond Drugs in Quest for Domination Obama Administration Hails Kenya's Move Toward American-Style Democracy Appeal of Wednesday's Marriage Ruling Could Delay Same-Sex Weddings in California Obama Celebrates 49th Birthday With Friends, Including Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King Giuliani's Daughter Arrested for Alleged Shoplifting Wisconsin Candidate Wants to Use Racially Charged Phrase to Describe Herself on Ballot Group Sues to Stop Mosque Near NYC's Ground Zero Judge Blocks Firefighter Hiring in NYC, Saying Entry Exam Is Discriminatory Google, Verizon Reportedly Nearing A Net Neutrality Plan 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 Senate Majority Leader Reid plans September showdown on extension of tax cuts Geithner: Let Bush tax cuts expire Environmental groups, coastal residents skeptical of government's oil dissipation claims San Francisco considers fee on alcoholic beverages Pelosi's interruption of August recess is unwelcome news for vulnerable lawmakers Federal judge hears arguments in lawsuit over crisis pregnancy centers Archdiocese claims Baltimore is restricting protected speech, singling out facilities Waxman sees bright side to midterm election: 'Difficult' Dems won't be back Illegal drug cargoes turning up more often on Texas beaches Obama's birthday dinner with Oprah Report: 'Stigma' at State Department for those seeking mental health treatment After flood of outrage, police will investigate shooting of dog in dog park On Facebook, wife learns of husband's second wedding N.J. appeals court rules 911 operators can be sued for mistakes COMMENTARY Is Profiling Racist? By Walter E. Williams Not every choice based on race represents racism, and if you think so, you risk misidentifying and confusing human behavior. In many cases, an individual's race or sex is useful for guessing about other unseen characteristics. Let's look at it. Oh, No! They're Coming Back! By Rich Galen House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is calling the Members of the House of Representatives back from their Summer District Work Period early next week to vote on a Senate bill that will help the states keep teachers on the payroll. You and I will not only foot the bill to keep the public employees' unions happy, but to fly all those Members of Congress to Washington from where ever they are, and then back from Washington to where ever they were.