National news: 2011 Year in review
January 7th, 20120 • FBI documents show billions have been spent spying on Americans post 9/11• Indiana law makers met with strong disapproval for proposed “Shari’a law” bill.• Society of Professional Journalism Committee discusses removing Helen Thomas Award; Claiming they don't stand for “Anti-Semitic” remarks• Civil rights groups...
The contradictions of Obama’s outreach to American Muslims
December 25th, 20110 On the same day that Rep. Peter King held the fourth "homegrown terrorism" hearing focused exclusively on Muslims, the White House released its Strategic Implementation Plan for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States. Despite the White House's seemingly benign approach to counterterrorism, its...
A man in Tunisia, a movement on Wall Street, and the soldier who ignited the fuse
December 25th, 20110 One year ago on December 17th, Mohamed Bouazizi, a man who had a simple produce stand in Tunisia, set himself on fire to protest his government's repression. His singular sacrifice ignited a revolution that toppled Tunisia's dictator and launched revolts in regimes across the Middle East.Three months ago on December 17th, Occupy Wall...
Half of all Americans are officially poor
December 24th, 20110 WASHINGTON — While it's no surprise that nearly 50 million Americans live below the poverty line, new statistics from the U.S. Census show that almost 100 million others are counted as low-income citizens, making half of the population of America officially poor. The latest figures out of the U.S. Census Bureau show that in addition...
U.S. forces lower flag in Iraq as America ends one of its ‘dumb wars’
December 16th, 20110 Withdrawal will end costly war that left tens of thousands of Iraqis, nearly 4,500 American soldiers dead. BAGHDAD— U.S. forces held a formal ceremony to lower the flag in Iraq on Thursday, ahead of their withdrawal from the country nearly nine years after the controversial invasion to topple Saddam Hussein. U.S. soldiers carry an...
Indefinite military detention measure passes on Bill Of Rights Day
December 16th, 20110 Obama backs off veto plans, expected to sign massive defense bill soon WASHINGTON - The Senate passed a defense bill Thursday that authorizes indefinite detentions of American terrorism suspects, coincidentally acting on the controversial measure on the 220th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights.The bill, the...Levin, Stabenow issue statements on highly controversial National Defense Authorization Act, rights groups urge opposition
WASHINGTON — Michigan's two senators, Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, both Democrats, were among those who helped pass the National Defense Authorization Act (S. 1867) in the Senate last week. The bill contains two provisions, 1031 and 1032, which many civil rights advocates fear would allow U.S. citizens to be detained...Michigan Hutaree militia member pleads guilty; first conviction for U.S. in terror case
Blissfield Township, MI — The U.S. government secured its first guilty plea in the Hutaree case, in which nine accused militia members were charged with plotting a violent overthrow of the government.Defendant Joshua John Clough, 29, formerly of Blissfield Township, pleaded guilty to the use of a firearm during, and in relation to, a...Occupy L.A. raid results in almost 300 arrests, protesters vow return
LOS ANGELES – About 175 protesters returned to City Hall at 6 p.m. holding up signs saying, “It’s not over” following a raid on “Occupy LA” demonstrations overnight that netted 292 arrests. Protesters were planning their next moves after police had cleared out their long-time encampment downtown. ON Wednesday...
Senate bill passes, paves the way for indefinite military detention of U.S. citizens
December 4th, 20110 WASHINGTON - Senators compromised Thursday on a bill that attempts to spell out the military's right to detain Americans indefinitely, killing a bid to bar the practice but passing an amendment that says current laws on the matter stand. The provision in the National Defense Authorization Act aimed to codify a string of court cases and...
Drones cleared for domestic use across U.S.
December 4th, 20110 WASHINGTON - According to the Los Angeles Times in an article published Tuesday, new unmanned drone planes could be used domestically soon for both law enforcement and agricultural sector officials, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The drones are currently used to fire missiles by the American military in...Amendment to legalize torture appears to be defeated
WASHINGTON - On Wednesday afternoon, Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) took to the Senate floor to defend her amendment revoking President Obama's 2009 executive order restricting American interrogators to the techniques outlined in the Army Field Manual. "Our amendment in no way condones or authorizes torture," Ayotte said, insisting...
Obama administration announces pilot deportation relief projects
November 18th, 20110 According to The New York Times, the Obama administration plans to begin the implementation of long-promised relief from deportation for some "low-priority" immigrants. The pilot projects will begin in early December in Baltimore and Denver, and will test the case-by-case review process outlined by Immigration and Customs...
Authorities foil NY protest bid to shut Wall Street
November 18th, 20110 Scuffles, nearly 200 arrests as Occupy protesters march on NYSE NEW YORK — New York police prevented protesters from shutting down Wall Street on Thursday, Novemeber 17, arresting at least 177 people in repeated clashes with an Occupy Wall Street rally that drew fewer demonstrators than expected. Occupy Wall street demonstrators...
Hypersonic bomb tested as Pentagon seeks ability to hit targets worldwide in one hour
November 18th, 20110 WASHINGTON - On Thursday, Nov. 17, the Pentagon reported that it held a successful test flight of a new flying bomb that travels faster than the speed of sound, giving commanders the ability to hit targets anywhere on the globe in less than an hour, AFP reported. The bomb was launched by rocket from Hawaii before landing on the......
Poll: Majority believes U.S. government has too many regulations
UTICA, NY — Just 13 percent of those surveyed think Americans need more government regulations, according to a recent IBOPE Zogby International survey. More than half of adults (55%) say that, in general, they feel the federal government already has too many regulations, while a quarter (25%) say there is just the right amount.The...
Oakland University hosts economy-focused Republican Presidential debate
November 11th, 20110 ROCHESTER — Oakland University had long dreamed of bringing in a national debate, and that dream became reality as the campus welcomed the 2011 Republican debate to its O-Rena complex on Wednesday, Nov. 9. Republican presidential candidates (L-R): former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), former House of...As 2012 polls loom, caution’s the word for Obama foreign policy
U.S. presidents seeking a second term are not known for taking risks in foreign policy in election years.WASHINGTON (IPS) - Ronald Reagan quickly withdrew U.S. troops from Lebanon in 1983, a year before he sought re-election, after the U.S. forces there became the target of bombings by Hizbullah. George W. Bush...
‘Occupy Wall Street’: An ‘American Fall’ follows ‘Arab Spring’
October 22nd, 20110 World intrigued by ‘Occupy Wall Street’ movementTahrir Square in Cairo, Green Square in Tripoli, Syntagma Square in Athens and now Zuccotti Park in New York -- popular anger against entrenching power elites is spreading around the world. A business man walks past Zuccatti Park during heavy rain where Occupy Wall Street protestors......
NATIONAL POLL: 9 of 10 voters concerned about another U.S. recession and foreclosures
UTICA, NY – Pessimism about the economy is almost a consensus among voters from both major parties as 95% say they are very or somewhat concerned the U.S. economy is slipping into another recession and 89% are similarly concerned there will be an increase in home foreclosures for the next two years, a new IBOPE Zogby interactive poll...Michigan poverty rate increased according to new data
WASHINGTON — Recent data released by the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau showed that the nation's official poverty rate in 2010 was 15.1 percent, an increase from 14.3 percent in 2009. There were 46.2 million people living in poverty in 2010 and the rate has increased annually for three years in a row. In Michigan, a substantial rate......
Barack Obama’s popularity plummets ahead of key speech
September 11th, 20110 WASHINGTON — Barack Obama's popularity has sunk to a new low, according to two new polls, adding to pressure on him to come up with a radical and workable jobs plan that might reverse his fortunes.Just 43% of people surveyed in a Washington Post/ABC opinion poll published on Tuesday approve of the job the president is doing overall –...U.S. Rep. Dingell receives National Distinguished Advocacy Award
SOUTHFIELD — U.S. Rep. John Dingell, the Dean of the House, has been awarded the National Distinguished Advocacy Award, the most prestigious honor bestowed by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), in gratitude for the Representative’s years of strong commitment to strong public health and cancer policies.......
