the big story (late edition)

Obama to reinstate Abu Ghraib MP unit to return to Iraq

The 372nd, the MP unit convicted of abusing Abu Ghraib prisoners, returns to action with the shadow of torture following it

HAGERSTOWN, Md. — The Army Reserve unit tarnished by the Abu Ghraib detainee-abuse scandal has been mobilized to return to Iraq in its first deployment since photographs of naked, humiliated prisoners surfaced more than six years ago, the Army said Friday.

The 372nd Military Police Company of Cresaptown will leave April 29 for one to three months of training at Fort Bliss, Texas, followed by a planned deployment to Iraq, said Sgt. Darius Kirkwood, a spokesman for the 200th Military Police Command at Fort Meade. Few members of the unit remain from when the detainee photographs were taken, due to normal turnover, he said.

Kirkwood said the group's final destination could change, depending on the military's needs.

The 130 to 170 MPs could be assigned to guard or transport prisoners, provide security for an installation or convoy, or perform general police functions, Kirkwood said.

Read more...

earlier:

Recovery?!? There's No Recovery! The U.S. Is Completely Screwed!

In Howard's view, nothing has changed. The US is still careening down the road toward fiscal instability, over-indebtedness, ballooning budget deficits and interest payments, and declining living standards

Retail analyst Howard Davidowitz of Davidowitz & Co. has always been one of our viewers' favorite guests. Howard's flamboyant bearishness won hearts and minds all through the financial crisis, and we--and you--never get tired of hearing from him.

But Howard has been bearish for a year now--all through one of the most amazing bull runs in history. Against all odds, the U.S. economy appears to be gathering steam by the day, charging out of the worst recession since the Great Depression and heading toward a strong recovery.

So what does Howard think about that? Has he changed his tune? Was he completely wrong?

NO WAY!!!

Read more...

*15 Mind-Blowing Facts About Wealth And Inequality In America

CoOlDiGgY news

Three American 'Hostages' in Iran Worked for Intelligence Services

The Iranian intelligence minister says Tehran has compelling evidence that three Americans arrested in Iran last year were cooperating with intelligence services.

In an exclusive interview with Press TV, Heydar Moslehi said Iran will present its evidence to the media soon.

Shane Michael Bauer, Joshua Felix Fattal, and Sarah Emily Shourd were arrested in the western Iranian district of Marivan, at Malakh-Khur border point on July 31.

In November, Tehran chief prosecutor Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi also said that the trio had entered the country to carry out acts of espionage.

But the United States says they are hikers and has called for their release.

Moslehi also warned neighboring countries against working with Israeli and US intelligence services, emphasizing it would destabilize the region.

Read more...


*Greenspan Knew Everything About Bubble, Did Nothing

*Ben Bernanke Stole All Our Money And Now Wants to Steal Our Paycheck, Too

*US developing new non-nuclear missiles, conventional warheads could strike anywhere in less than an hour

*Afghan Official Says U.S. Raiders Hid Killings

*Health care overhaul spawns mass confusion for public

*US initial jobless claims up 18,000 to 460,000

*An e-mail suggests Toyota delayed accelerator announcement

*Town's citizens allowed to pass out parking tickets

*Former Kyrgyz president: "current situation is because of his cooperation with the US driven by economic interests"

*UK troops trained by firing at 'replica mosques'

*Census Bureau concerned about head count problems

*Gases Lead to New Setback in Mine Rescue



*Qatari Diplomat Sneaking Smoke Sparks Bomb Scare

*American parents send adopted 8-year old back to Russia – by himself

CoOlDiGgY news (late edition)

The coming inflation wave

(Fortune) -- Whether the American economy is in an inflationary or deflationary environment sounds like it should be a fundamental and settled question. But due to the unprecedented financial crisis, the answer is actually subject to intense debate among economists.

Making economic projections is far from a scientific process, so it's not surprising to find valid arguments on both sides of the divide. The economists who are right will help investors drive returns over the next three years.

Inflation can be a positive or negative, depending on the level and duration of it in our economy. The main negative associated with inflation is a drop in purchasing power of money, and therefore, consumers. In extreme cases, consumers may actually start hoarding if they fear continued and aggressive price increases. The positive side of inflation is to decrease the real value of debt, or essentially provide debt relief.

Read more...

*Iran Nuclear Scientist Defects to U.S. In CIA 'Intelligence Coup'

*Obama wants U.N. sanctions on Iran in weeks

*Pharma Planning to Dump Experimental and Controversial Vaccines in Public Schools


*Health Reform Law to Spawn More Tax Men?

*Subway riders question NYPD’s ‘ridiculous’ show of force

*Iraq election challenged over 'banned' candidates

*WikiLeaks to release video of civilians, journalists being murdered in air strike

*Children WILL face 'naked' airport scans

*Report: California’s foreign-born population has peaked

*VIDEO: Ed Asner for 9/11 Truth



earlier:

Recession Leading to the End of Speeding 'Cushion'

The recession may be claiming a new victim: the 5-10-mph "cushion" police and state troopers across the USA have routinely given motorists exceeding the speed limit.

As cities and states scramble to fill budget gaps with revenue from traffic citations, "not only are the (speeding) tolerances much lower, but the frequency of a warning instead of a ticket is way down," says James Baxter, president of the National Motorists Association, a Wisconsin-based drivers' rights group that helps its members fight speeding tickets.

"Most people, if they're stopped now, are getting a ticket even if it's only a minor violation of a few miles per hour," Baxter says. He cites anecdotal evidence of drivers being pulled over at slower speeds.

Read more...

*4 dead in D.C. shooting


*US oil company donated millions to climate sceptic groups

*Two-Thirds of Boys in Afghan Jails Are Brutalized

*Time Magazine: E.U. Members Sell Weapons with Torture Potential

*Elizabeth Warren: Banks Fought For the Very Thing They Are Now Fighting Against

*Catholic League Defends Pope, Blames Homosexuality for Molestations

*Is America ‘Yearning for Fascism’?

*Double suicide bombings kill 12 in Russia's Dagestan

*Canada to pull out of Afghanistan in 2011