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Today’s complete daily news: http://media.progressnowaction.org/digest/050307.htm
TOP STORIES
Democrats Back Down On Iraq Timetable
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/02/AR2007050201517.html
President Bush and congressional leaders began negotiating a second war funding bill yesterday, with Democrats offering the first major concession: an agreement to drop their demand for a timeline to bring troops home from Iraq. Democrats backed off after the House failed, on a vote of 222 to 203, to override the president's veto of a $124 billion measure that would have required U.S. forces to begin withdrawing as early as July. But party leaders made it clear that the next bill will have to include language that influences war policy. Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) outlined a second measure that would step up Iraqi accountability, "transition" the U.S. military role and show "a reasonable way to end this war."
RELATED: Some Republicans split with Bush on the war
RELATED: Iraq veto stands; Dems vow new push to end war
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-05-02-bush-veto_N.htm
Karzai Says Civilian Toll Is No Longer Acceptable
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/02/AR2007050202757.html
Afghan President Hamid Karzai declared Wednesday that his government can "no longer accept" civilian casualties caused by U.S.-led operations, shortly before news spread that as many as 51 civilians may have died during clashes this week in far western Afghanistan. Civilian deaths are "becoming a heavy burden and we are not happy about it," Karzai told reporters here. His remarks came two days after rioting broke out following a protracted battle in western Herat province, where police said as many as 30 residents had been killed during three days of fighting between U.S.-led forces and Taliban insurgents. Several government buildings were stormed by demonstrators, some of whom were wounded by police in the incidents.
RELATED: Afghans Say U.S. Bombing Killed 42 Civilians
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/world/asia/03afghan.html?ref=world
Ex-Aide to Gonzales Accused Of Bias
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/02/AR2007050201569.html
The Justice Department has launched an internal investigation into whether Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales's former White House liaison illegally took party affiliation into account in hiring career federal prosecutors, officials said yesterday. The allegations against Monica M. Goodling represent a potential violation of federal law and signal that a joint probe begun in March by the department's inspector general and Office of Professional Responsibility has expanded beyond the controversial dismissal of eight U.S. attorneys last year. The revelations about Goodling were among several developments yesterday in connection with the firings, including a new subpoena seeking presidential adviser Karl Rove's e-mails and new accusations from two of the dismissed U.S. attorneys.
RELATED: Tester Calls on Montana U.S. Attorney to Resign
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/02/AR2007050202353.html
RELATED: Subpoena issued for e-mails
RELATED: Lam defends her performance as a U.S. attorney
RELATED: Justice Dept. Announces Inquiry Into Its Hiring
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/washington/03attorneys.html?ref=washington
Police action on journalists at melee is assailed
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-media3may03,0,6704192.story?coll=la-home-headlines
One day after several reporters and camera operators were injured while covering an altercation at an immigrant rights rally in MacArthur Park, news organizations condemned the Los Angeles Police Department for its use of batons and riot guns against members of the media, and some said they were considering legal options. "We are sorry for what happened to our employees and find it unacceptable that they would be abused in that way when they were doing their job," said Alfredo Richard, spokesman for the Spanish-language network Telemundo, of the anchor and the reporter who were hurt during the evening rally.
RELATED: Immigrant groups decry police tactics
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/05/03/immigrant_groups_decry_police_tactics/
Today’s complete national news
Colorado
Former Rep. Schaffer to run for Senate
http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/former-rep.-schaffer-to-run-for-senate-2007-05-02.html
Former Rep. Bob Schaffer (R-Colo.) said Saturday at a Lincoln Day Dinner that he would run for U.S. Senate in 2008, according to local sources. Speaking at a small dinner in Teller County, Schaffer told a crowd of about 100 that he had decided to run, according to two local party operatives who were there. “He announced that we were the first to know that he is a candidate,” said County Commissioner and former county Republican Party Chairman Bob Campbell. Campbell added that Schaffer said a formal announcement and release would be coming at a later date. Current Teller County Republican Party Chairman Mark Sievers also confirmed Schaffer’s announcement: “He did say that. He was unequivocal.”
Ritter signs budget - and does it his way
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0,2777,DRMN_23906_5518142,00.html
Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter signed the $17.8 billion state budget Wednesday, saying he put his own stamp on the spending plan he inherited from Republican Gov. Bill Owens and included a few course changes as well. However, Ritter followed Owens' lead by vetoing 88 budget notes containing instructions from lawmakers on how the money should be spent. Ritter told majority Democrats they can't tell him what to do. Ritter said he tried to give voters what they asked for during his campaign last year - responsible, conservative spending - although the budget was being worked on when he took office.
RELATED: Budget omits footnotes
http://www.gazette.com/articles/bill_21852___article.html/ritter_budget.html
RELATED: Ritter nixes budget items
http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/content/news/stories/2007/05/03/5_3_1B_Legislature.html
RELATED: Ritter signs state budget
Foreclosure battle advances
http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_5804652
Four bills seeking to stem foreclosures in the state moved closer to final approval Wednesday. A bill to regulate the conduct of mortgage brokers, House Bill 1322, was amended Wednesday in a conference committee to bring its language in line with another mortgage-broker reform bill, Senate Bill 216. HB 1322 initially required mortgage brokers to act for the "benefit of the borrower." That standard was stricter than SB 216's requirement that brokers act with "good faith and fair dealing." Critics, including the Colorado Mortgage Lenders Association, argued that "for the benefit of the borrower" created a fiduciary obligation that wasn't practical or enforceable. "Mortgage brokers don't represent consumers, they represent the source of the funds," said Chris Holbert, CMLA president.
Ritter set to sign Pinon Canyon bill
http://summitdaily.com/article/20070502/NEWS/105020069
Gov. Bill Ritter plans to sign a bill aimed at stopping the Army from using eminent domain to expand its troop training ground in southeastern Colorado. A bill signing was scheduled for Thursday. Ranchers around the Pinon Canyon maneuver site lobbied lawmakers to pass the bill, which withdraws Colorado's "consent" for the federal government to acquire more land for Pinon Canyon. The bill cites a provision of Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution that requires states to give permission before land can be purchased to build forts, arsenals and dockyards. It seeks to apply that to Pinon Canyon's proposed 654-square-mile expansion - about two-thirds the size of Delaware.
Today’s complete Colorado news
Today’s complete daily news: http://media.progressnowaction.org/digest/050307.htm
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