Bush Given Iraq War Plan With a Steady Troop Level
Troop levels in Iraq would remain nearly the same through 2008 as at any time during five years of war, under plans presented to President [sic] Bush on Monday by the senior American commander and the top American diplomat in Iraq, senior administration and military officials said.

Passport case raises outsourcing concern
The practice of outsourcing by the State Department allowed hired hands to snoop around in presidential candidates’ files. And now it’s pointing to questions about whether outside contractors should have access to such sensitive information about any citizen. The government routinely relies on private firms to do sensitive work — from managing weapons systems to protecting traveling diplomats to helping maintain records that contain private information on U.S. citizens.

Rep. Frank says he’ll file bill to legalize marijuana
BOSTON—Rep. Barney Frank said he plans to file a bill to legalize “small amounts” of marijuana. Frank announced his plans late Friday on the HBO show “Real Time,” hosted by Bill Maher. “I’m going to file a bill as soon as we go back to remove all federal penalties for the possession or use of small amounts of marijuana,” Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat, told Maher.

Court backs Texas in dispute with Bush
WASHINGTON – President Bush overstepped his authority when he ordered a Texas court to reopen the case of a Mexican on death row for rape and murder, the Supreme Court said Tuesday.

High court rules in arbitration case
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court has limited the role of the courts in reviewing arbitration awards under federal law.

High court declines AARP appeal
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court on Monday let stand a federal policy that allows employers to reduce their health insurance expenses for retired workers once they turn 65 and qualify for Medicare.

McCain silent on reaching 4,000 U.S. deaths in Iraq. (Think Progress)
With the deaths of four more soldiers last night, the U.S. military reached the grim marker of 4,000 soldier fatalities in Iraq. Both Sens. Barack Obama (D-IL) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY) released statements recognizing the soldiers for their sacrifice and mourning their families’ loss. One campaign, however, has been silent… On his campaign website, McCain calls for “a greater military commitment” and says “more troops are necessary.”

US Republicans, in search of the weaker Democrat
WASHINGTON (AFP) – Buoyed by recent polls favoring John McCain to win the White House, Republicans are sharpening their knives while wondering which Democrat would be easier to beat in November.

Obama’s record in Senate is modest
WASHINGTON — Barack Obama says that if he were president, he’d take politically courageous stands while forging the consensus needed to enact universal health care, immigration revisions, global warming legislation and a withdrawal from Iraq.

Clinton calls for $30 billion in mortgage aid to homeowners
WASHINGTON — Sen. Hillary Clinton rolled out a series of proposals Monday to ease the nation’s housing and credit crises, including a $30 billion fund to help cities and states aid distressed homeowners, but some critics faulted it as insufficient.

Detroit mayor to be arraigned today
DETROIT – Six years after being sworn into office with hopes of revitalizing his troubled city, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is under increasing pressure to resign now that he’s been booked on charges of lying about steamy text messages with his former chief of staff.

Virginia Tech Offers Settlement to Families of Victims in 2007 Shooting (by Jonathan Turley)
Virginia Tech massacre is offering $100,000 to each of the 32 families of victims killed in the 2007 shooting rampage of Seung-Hui Cho. The offer is a relatively low given the strong case of negligence by the University and the higher averages for wrongful death awards. The university appears to premise the offer only on the acceptance of a significant number of families. Thus, if many decline, the offer could be taken off the table. There is ample reason to decline. The negligence of the University can be found on various levels from failing to properly deal with a clearly unstable student to failing to warn the campus of the first two shootings to a negligence in the response to the on-going massacre.