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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A distraught, sobbing Afghan Taliban member begged the court for mercy, but got none as an unmoved federal judge here Monday handed down maximum life sentences for convictions on drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges. A guard watches over a pile of burning drugs in Kabul, Afghanistan, on June 25, 2008. Khan Mohammed, 38, of Nangarhar Province became the first person convicted and sentenced in the United States under a 2006 law that increased the penalty for a defendant found to be involved with terrorism and distributing illegal drugs. Mohammed, who had been extradited from Afghanistan, was convicted by a jury in May of plotting a rocket attack on U.S. military forces and Afghan civilians at Jalalabad Airfield. He also was found guilty of distributing between $1 million and $3 million worth of heroin into the United States "to kill Americans as part of a jihad." Mohammed's court-appointed lawyer, conceding that "what he did was wrong," urged U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly to be lenient and sentence his client to only 20 years in prison. Then the full-bearded Mohammed, dressed in an orange jailhouse jumpsuit, addressed the judge. With tears streaming down his face, and choking back his words, he begged for only one or two years. "I have little children and a woman. They depend on me," Mohammed began. "I'm so worried about them." His lengthy emotional appeal went on to include his reason for selling opium. "In my village that's how you have to make a living. There is no house there without opium," he said. Justice Department prosecutor Matthew Stiglitz, however, urged the court to "send a message of deterrence," and warned against "the confluence of drug trafficking and terrorism." "No, he's not the Osama bin Laden of terrorism. No, he's not the Pablo Escobar of the drug world," Stiglitz told the judge. "But this is where the rubber meets the road." Bin Laden is the head of al Qaeda, while Escobar, who died in 1993, was the most powerful of Colombian drug lords. "Afghanistan is ground zero for opium, and an almost limitless source of funds to the Taliban," he argued. Kollar-Kotelly agreed fully with the prosecutors, and strongly admonished the Taliban defendant. "You were convicted 99 percent by your own words," the judge declared, as she recalled how a "courageous" Afghan police chief wore an undercover wire to record Mohammed's plotting. "The fact that no one died is only because you didn't get the missiles you wanted," she said. "In 2006, you celebrated the Americans' use of the opium. It was a jihad. You knew the damage it could cause," the judge continued. "Because of your undiluted hatred for the United States, you might well have launched other attacks had you not been arrested." She added, "Terrorists stand unique among criminals. Deterrence is very important here." Then, concluding dramatically, the judge turned directly to the defendant. "I heard your concerns for your family but no acceptance of responsibility for your action," the judge said. "Defendants often express worry for their families, but if they considered the consequences of their actions beforehand, maybe they would have acted differently."	[ "What was Mohammed convicted of?", "Judge said what?", "What is he the first of?", "Who did he cite?", "Who is convicted?", "Mohammed pleads to who?", "What did the judge say Mohammed had?", "What was convicted?", "What did Mohammed plead with the judge for?", "what jugde says?", "What did the judge say?", "What did he do?", "Who was convicted?" ]	[ [ "plotting a rocket attack on U.S. military forces and Afghan civilians at Jalalabad Airfield." ], [ "\"You were convicted 99 percent by your own words,\"" ], [ "convicted and sentenced in the United States under a 2006 law that increased the penalty for a defendant found to be involved" ], [ "Khan Mohammed," ], [ "Khan Mohammed," ], [ "the court" ], [ "\"You were convicted 99 percent by your own words,\"" ], [ "Khan Mohammed," ], [ "to be lenient" ], [ "\"You were convicted 99 percent by your own words,\"" ], [ "\"You were convicted 99 percent by your own words,\"" ], [ "begged the court for mercy," ], [ "Khan Mohammed," ] ]	Khan Mohammed convicted of plotting rocket attack, selling heroin . Mohammed the first convicted under law increasing penalties for "narco-terrorists" Citing his family, Mohammed cries and pleads with judge to have mercy . Judge says Mohammed had "undiluted hatred for the United States"
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A federal judge has ordered the immediate release into the United States of 17 Chinese Muslims who have been held for several years in the U.S. military facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. A guard tower is visible behind razor wire at the military facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. U.S. District Judge Ricardo Urbina on Tuesday ordered the 17 detainees to appear in his Washington courtroom at 10 a.m. Friday and said he would hold a hearing next week to determine under what conditions they will be settled in the United States. The government late Tuesday afternoon announced it would file papers shortly with an appeals court seeking an emergency stay to stop the judge's order in its tracks. The detainees are ethnic Uighurs, from a mostly Muslim autonomous region in western China. They have been in government custody for seven years and have been cleared for release for the past four years to any country willing to take them. No countries have volunteered. The judge, visibly impatient, told government lawyers he wants no delays. "There is a pressing need for them to be released," Urbina declared. When a government lawyer requested one week for authorities to determine how immigration authorities would handle a court-ordered arrival of individuals with no status, Urbina summarily rejected the request. He angrily demanded Immigration and Customs officials not even consider arresting the Uighurs upon arrival. "I have issued an order. I do not want these people interfered with in any way," the judge said. Justice Department lawyers told the judge they will immediately appeal the ruling and seek a stay of the order with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The Justice Department released a statement late Tuesday afternoon protesting Urbina's order. "Today's ruling presents serious national security and separation of powers concerns and raises unprecedented legal issues," said Justice Department chief spokesman Brian Roehrkasse. At the White House, Press Secretary Dana Perino warned the ruling represents a dangerous precedent. "The district court's ruling, if allowed to stand, could be used as precedent for other detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, including sworn enemies of the United States suspected of planning the attacks of 9/11 who may also seek release into our country," she said. Dozens of colorfully dressed members of the Uighur community from the Washington area beamed as they left the courtroom and began embracing. "We welcome this. It has been a very long time," said Amy Reger of the Uyghur Human Rights Project. The United States determined in 2004 the 17 Uighurs are not enemy combatants, but has kept them at Guantanamo while trying to persuade other countries to resettle them. Officials said they were not returned to China because of credible fears they could be mistreated if returned. The Uighurs fled Afghanistan shortly after the U.S.-led bombing campaign began in 2001. They were turned over to U.S. military officials by Pakistani authorities. U.S. intelligence officials alleged the Uighur detainees are associated with the East Turkmenistan Islamist Movement, which the administration designated a terrorist organization in 2002. Lawyers for the Uighurs dispute any terrorist connections. Attorneys for the 17 detainees promised the court that if the judge's ruling stands, a Lutheran church group in Maryland and other service groups are prepared to provide both short-term and long-term care and support for the freed prisoners. Seventeen Uighur homes have been identified to initially house the detainees. Urbina scheduled an October 16 hearing for immigration officials and other government agencies to discuss conditions for the 17 men.	[ "What wil the federal government do?", "A judge ruled that how many Chinese Muslims must be released?", "What is the federal government going to do?", "What part of China are the detainees mostly from?", "Who ruled they must be released?", "What action did the Federal government take?", "What is the ethnicity of the 17 detainees?" ]	[ [ "file papers shortly with an appeals court seeking an emergency stay to stop the judge's order in its tracks." ], [ "17" ], [ "immediate release" ], [ "western" ], [ "A federal judge" ], [ "immediate release into the United States of 17 Chinese" ], [ "Chinese" ] ]	Group of 17 Chinese Muslims must be released into United States, judge rules . Federal government says it will appeal ruling, seek emergency stay of the order . Detainees are ethnic Uighurs, from mostly Muslim region in China . Prisoners have been cleared for release, but no country will take them .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A former CIA station chief in Algeria is under investigation by the State and Justice departments after being accused of raping at least two women while he held the post, a source confirmed to CNN on Wednesday. Two Algerian women allege that the CIA's former Algeria station chief raped them at his home, a source says. The women told investigators that they think date-rape drugs were used in the assaults, which are said to have occurred at the officer's official residence, according to the source. The story was first reported by ABC News. The allegations were made in the fall, when the unidentified officer was still serving as station chief. In October, soon after the allegations were made, the man returned to the United States for a previously scheduled trip and was ordered not to return to his post, the source said. A senior U.S. official confirmed that the case is under investigation but refused to comment on the details. State Department spokesman Robert Wood issued a brief statement in response to a CNN inquiry, saying that "the individual in question has returned to Washington and the U.S. government is looking into the matter," and referring reporters to the Justice Department. The women, who are Algerian citizens, brought their allegations to a U.S. government official, and federal authorities then launched an investigation. A search of the station chief's residence in Algeria was approved by a U.S. District Court judge after a request from the Justice Department. The search found pills believed to be of a type commonly used in date rape, the source said. In that search, authorities also found about a dozen tapes that are thought to show the officer engaged in sexual acts, the source said, including some in which women are believed to be in a semiconscious state. CNN's source had not seen the tapes but had been briefed on their content. Some of the tapes include date stamps indicating that the recordings happened when he would have been serving in Cairo, Egypt, before his tenure in Algeria. The investigation includes his time in both posts as well as other locations where he traveled. The identity of the officer could not be learned, and CNN was unable to reach a representative of the officer. It is against the law to reveal identities of covert officers. When the allegations surfaced in the fall, they were viewed as "tremendously explosive, no doubt about that," the source said, especially because Algeria is a Muslim country. The Justice Department and the CIA would not comment on the allegations or any investigation. "I can assure you that the agency would take seriously and follow up any allegations of impropriety," CIA spokesman Mark Mansfield said. The officer has not been charged, the source said. The source would not speak for attribution because the investigation is ongoing and the source was not authorized to speak publicly. One federal law enforcement source said that no developments or activities relating to the case are "imminent." A station chief heads the CIA's office in a foreign country, establishing a relationship with its host intelligence service and overseeing agency activities in the country. CNN producers Jim Barnett, Pam Benson, Carol Cratty and Elise Labott contributed to this story.	[ "What drugs were used?", "What did the tapes apparently show?", "Can they identify their rapist?", "Where were the women raped?", "Who was relieved of their job?", "What was used in the assault?", "Who was raped in Algeria?" ]	[ [ "date-rape" ], [ "the officer engaged in sexual acts," ], [ "CIA's former Algeria station chief" ], [ "at his home," ], [ "station chief's" ], [ "date-rape drugs" ], [ "Two Algerian women" ] ]	Source: Two Algerian woman say CIA officer raped them in Algeria . Women say date-rape drugs were used in assaults . Source: Man was relieved of job as CIA's Algeria station chief after allegations . Tapes showing apparently semiconscious women, sex acts found, source says .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A former U.S. government scientist who served in sensitive positions on classified aerospace projects was willing to sell "some of our most guarded secrets" a prosecutor alleged Tuesday. Stewart David Nozette of Chevy Chase, Maryland, was taken into custody Monday by FBI agents. Stewart David Nozette, 52, who is charged with attempted espionage, appeared in U.S. District Court Tuesday afternoon. Authorities said in a criminal complaint that Nozette, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, tried to deliver classified information to someone he thought was an Israeli intelligence official, but who was actually an FBI undercover agent. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Asuncion said Tuesday that evidence will show Nozette disclosed to investigators information that was "top secret, related to our national defense, that would cause exceptionally grave damage to national security" if revealed to a foreign country. He said the FBI made videotapes of Nozette indicating he was "willing to sell some of our most guarded secrets." The prosecutor noted that the charges carry a possible life sentence. Nozette answered in the affirmative when Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson asked him whether he understood the seriousness of the charges against him. Other than that, Nozette, who was arrested Monday, made no statements at his initial court appearance. Defense attorney John Kiyonaga did not immediately oppose the government's request to hold his client without bond, and said his client agreed to waive a deadline for a formal detention hearing. Nozette, who remains in custody, will appear in court again on October 29 for detention and preliminary hearings. In an affidavit, the FBI sets out the case against Nozette, who received a doctorate in planetary sciences from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The FBI document, signed by Special Agent Leslie G. Martell, says that Nozette in January 2009 told a colleague "that if the United States government tried to put him in jail" on an unrelated matter, Nozette would move to Israel or another unidentified foreign country and "tell them everything" he knows. Nozette had a "top secret" clearance, and served at the White House on the National Space Council for President George H.W. Bush, the affidavit says. Later, from early 2000 to early 2006, he did research and development for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Naval Research Laboratory, and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, it says. The document says Nozette also acted as a technical consultant from 1998 until early 2008 "for an aerospace company that was wholly owned by the government of the state of Israel." The company consulted with Nozette monthly, getting answers to questions, and he received total payments of $225,000, Martell's affidavit says. In early September, Nozette was contacted by phone by an individual purporting to be an Israeli intelligence officer, but who really was an FBI undercover agent, the document says. They met in downtown Washington in front of a hotel, and over lunch, Nozette "demonstrated his willingness to work for Israeli intelligence," it says. The undercover agent engaged in a series of meetings with Nozette, and eventually Nozette allegedly provided "secret" information in a "dead drop" post office box. Some of the information, the affidavit says, was classified as secret. The criminal complaint does not accuse the government of Israel of any violations of U.S. law.	[ "Who appeared in court?", "What did authorities say he tried to give away", "What did the complaint state Nozetta showed", "What sentence might he receive?", "What is Nozette's age?", "What did he try to do?", "Where did Mr Nozette appear on Tuesday", "What kind of sentence is he looking at?" ]	[ [ "Stewart David Nozette," ], [ "classified information" ], [ "tried to deliver classified information to someone he thought was an Israeli intelligence official, but who was actually an FBI undercover agent." ], [ "life" ], [ "52," ], [ "sell some of our most guarded secrets.\"" ], [ "U.S. District Court" ], [ "possible life" ] ]	Sewart David Nozette, 52, appeared in U.S. District Court on Tuesday . Authorities said he tried to give classified info to FBI undercover agent . Charges carry a possible life sentence, prosecutor said . Nozetta showed "willingness to work for Israeli intelligence," complaint states .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A former death row inmate in Tennessee has been cleared of murder, three years after the Supreme Court raised repeated questions about his conviction. After 22 years on death row, Paul House was released on bail and has now been cleared of murder charges. State prosecutors on Tuesday asked a judge to drop all charges against Paul House, who was convicted of murder and sentenced to die in 1986. Special Judge Jon Blackwood accepted the request. House had been scheduled to be retried next month for the 1985 murder of Carolyn Muncey. He had been on death row for 22 years but was released on bail last year. He has multiple sclerosis and must use a wheelchair. The high court ruled in June 2006 that House was entitled to a new hearing. "Although the issue is closed, we conclude that this is the rare case where -- had the jury heard all the conflicting testimony -- it is more likely than not that no reasonable juror viewing the record as a whole would lack reasonable doubt," wrote Justice Anthony Kennedy for the 5-3 majority. House's appeal was championed by the Innocence Project, affiliated with the Cardozo School of Law in New York. "In the three years since the U.S. Supreme Court stepped into this case and sent it back to the trial court, substantial additional DNA testing and further investigation have shown that he is innocent," said Peter Neufeld, the group's co-director. "Each time a layer of this case was peeled away, it revealed more evidence of Paul House's innocence." Muncey disappeared from her rural Luttrell, Tennessee, home on July 13, 1985. Her body was found a day later, badly beaten and showing signs of a struggle. She had been raped. House, who was on parole at the time as a sex offender, was questioned by police. He denied any involvement in the crime. He was a friend of Muncey's husband, but claimed he was in his own house several miles away the evening of the murder. But prosecutors found a hole in his alibi, discovering that he had left his home the night of the murder and returned about an hour later with unexplained cuts and bruises. Forensic evidence found Muncey's blood on House's jeans, but questions were later raised whether the samples were contaminated en route to an FBI lab for analysis. Subsequent state-of-the art DNA testing conducted after the conviction showed that semen on the victim belonged to her husband, not House. Blood under her fingernails and cigarette butts discovered near the wooded crime scene also did not match the accused. But prosecutors maintain that other evidence points to his guilt. Muncey's family has also continued to believe that House was involved in the crime. In 2005, House told CNN he did not rape or kill Muncey, and he wondered why he was still on death row. "I guess that's the million-dollar question," he said. While maintaining his innocence, he said that lying to police about his whereabouts that night was a big mistake. Kennedy, in his 2006 high court ruling, offered an extensive summary of the facts of the investigation, especially the DNA evidence, which he said might point to "a different suspect." Kennedy said jurors might conclude that Muncey's blood found on House's pants may have inadvertently spilled there during the autopsy or through mishandling by police at the crime scene. District Attorney Paul Phillips wrote in his petition this week that he still believes House could have been convicted again in a new trial, "but the new evidence (including the forensic examinations) raises a reasonable doubt that he acted alone and the possibility that others were involved in the crime." But Phillips noted the "substantial sentence" House has served as another reason for the charges being dropped now.	[ "Who spent 22 years on death row?", "When was House released on bail?", "What did the new evidence do?", "What made the judge drop murder charges?", "Who was released on bail?", "Who was murdered?" ]	[ [ "Paul House" ], [ "After 22 years" ], [ "raises a reasonable doubt that he acted alone and the possibility that others were involved in the crime.\"" ], [ "State prosecutors" ], [ "Paul House" ], [ "Carolyn Muncey." ] ]	New evidence prompts judge to drop murder charges against Paul House . House, of Tennessee, spent 22 years on death row for murder of Carolyn Muncey . House, who uses a wheelchair, was released on bail in 2007 . New DNA testing helped raise doubts .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A former middle-school student who was strip-searched by school officials looking for ibuprofen pain medication won a partial victory of her Supreme Court appeal Thursday in a case testing the discretion of officials to ensure classroom safety. Savana Redding leaves the U.S Supreme Court in April. She was 13 when she was strip-searched. Savana Redding was 13 when administrators suspected that she was carrying banned drugs. No medication was found, and she later sued. The justices concluded that the search was unreasonable but that individual school administrators could not be sued. The larger issue of whether a campus setting traditionally gives schools greater authority over students suspected of illegal activity than police are allowed was not addressed fully by the divided court. "Savana's subjective expectation of privacy against such a search is inherent in her account of it as embarrassing, frightening and humiliating," wrote Justice David Souter for the majority, likely his last opinion before he steps down from the bench next week. But reflecting the divisiveness over the issue, Souter said, "We think these differences of opinion from our own are substantial enough to require immunity for the school officials in this case." Whether the school district would be liable was not an issue before the high court. "I'm pretty excited that they agreed with me, they see that it was wrong for the school to do that," Redding said from her Hobbs, New Mexico, home after the ruling was announced. "I'm pretty certain that it's so far less likely to happen again" to other students. Redding was an eighth-grade honor student in 2003, with no history of disciplinary problems at Safford Middle School, about 127 miles from Tucson, Arizona. During an investigation into pills found at the school, a student told the vice principal that Redding had given her prescription-strength 400-milligram ibuprofen pills. The school had a near-zero-tolerance policy for all prescription and over-the-counter medication, including the ibuprofen, without prior written permission. Redding was pulled from class by Vice Principal Kerry Wilson, escorted to an office and confronted with the evidence. The girl denied the accusations. A search of Redding's backpack found nothing. A strip search was conducted by Wilson's assistant and a school nurse, both females. Redding was ordered to strip to her underwear and to pull on the elastic of the underwear, so any hidden pills might fall out, according to court records. No drugs were found. "The strip search was the most humiliating experience I have ever had," Redding said in an affidavit. "I held my head down so that they could not see that I was about to cry." Souter said Wilson initially had "sufficient suspicion" to justify searching the girl's backpack and outer clothing. But when no contraband was found, the officials went too far by continuing the search of her underwear. With the help of the American Civil Liberties Union, Redding and her family sued, and a federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled against the school, calling the search "traumatizing" and illegal. That court said the school went too far in its effort to create a drug- and crime-free classroom. The Supreme Court found little agreement on key issues. Justices John Paul Stevens and Ruth Bader Ginsburg agreed that the search was illegal but would have also made individual officials liable for damages by Redding. "Wilson's treatment of Redding was abusive, and it was not reasonable for him to believe that the law permitted it," said Ginsburg, who was especially forceful during oral arguments in April, criticizing the school's actions. But Justice Clarence Thomas took the opposite view: that administrators deserved immunity and that the search was permissible. "Preservation of order, discipline and safety in public schools is simply not the domain of the Constitution," he said. "And, common sense is not a judicial monopoly or a constitutional imperative." In 1985, the high court allowed the search of a student's purse after she	[ "What age was Savana Redding when she was suspected of carrying drugs?", "Can the individual school official's be sued?", "What does Redding say?", "What was the judge's ruling on suing?", "She later sued because what was not found?", "Savana Redding was how old when administrators suspected she was carrying drugs?", "At what age was Redding caught?", "What did justices say?", "Who was carrying drugs?" ]	[ [ "13" ], [ "could not" ], [ "\"I'm pretty excited that they agreed with me, they see that it was wrong for the school to do that,\"" ], [ "unreasonable but that individual school administrators could not be sued." ], [ "medication" ], [ "13" ], [ "13" ], [ "the search was unreasonable but that individual school administrators could not be sued." ], [ "Savana Redding" ] ]	Savana Redding was 13 when administrators suspected she was carrying drugs . No medication was found, and she later sued . Justices: Search was unreasonable, but individual school officials can't be sued . Redding, now 19, has said she has never gotten over her experience .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A group of student protesters were arrested Sunday after they called on President Bush to end the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan, and refused to leave the front gates of the White House. The protesters shouted, "Hey Bush, you can't hide! Help us end this genocide!" and "President Bush! No more excuses!" Federal police arrested 18 of them after they marched to the White House. Sunday's protest was one of many scheduled around the world for "Global Day for Darfur" to mark five years of ethnic cleansing in Sudan. The conflict has killed more than 200,000 people, and it has made refugees of more than 2 million others. In London 3,000 protesters gathered at the Sudanese Embassy. Also, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called for Darfur peace talks. Watch a report from the protest in London » In the U.S., Scott Warren, national student director of the Student Anti-Genocide Coalition, said the students were bringing specific demands to the president, including bolstering the United Nations peacekeeping force in Sudan and stepping up pressure on China, Sudan's trading partner. "In your last seven months, you can make peace in Sudan, and this is how you can do it," he said. Warren said the students knew the president wasn't home, but still hoped their message was heard. Bush was on his way back to Washington from his ranch in Crawford, Texas. "It's not something we take lightly, and we do understand the implications of it. But we also understand that genocide is not just a casual issue," said student activist Ashley Kroetsch, who was among the 18 arrested. "It is one of the worst crimes against humanity, and it requires a very severe response to end it." The Bush administration supports economic sanctions and implementation of existing agreements for peace and security in Darfur. Bush traveled recently to Africa, and spoke about genocide on several stops. "We're trying to help them, but the truth of the matter is there are obstacles to peace in Darfur," he said at a stop in Tanzania. "And that is one of the reasons we've imposed tough sanctions -- real, meaningful sanctions against those who are stopping progress toward alleviating the human suffering in Darfur." E-mail to a friend	[ "How many protesters gathered at the Sudanese Embassy?", "how many killed in conflict?", "What did protesters shout?" ]	[ [ "3,000" ], [ "more than 200,000 people," ], [ "\"Hey Bush, you can't hide! Help us end this genocide!\" and \"President Bush! No more excuses!\"" ] ]	Protesters shouted, "Hey Bush, you can't hide! Help us end this genocide!" Saturday was "Global Day for Darfur" marking five years of ethnic cleansing in Sudan . Conflict has killed more than 200,000 people, and created two million refugees . In London 3,000 protesters gathered at the Sudanese Embassy .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A handful of people rallied outside the Japanese Embassy on Saturday to show support for an American man who is jailed in Japan, accused of trying to kidnap his own children. Amy Savoie calls on Japan to release her husband during a rally outside the Japanese Embassy in Washington. During the demonstration, Christopher Savoie's wife, Amy, along with others from the Children's Rights Council of Japan -- a group that advocates visitation for both parents in divorce cases, and which organized Saturday's event -- called for Savoie's release. "It makes me feel wonderful to know that these people are calling him a hero, saying he's brave, and I just hope he can come home and say thank you to all these people who've supported him," Amy Savoie told CNN. Christopher Savoie, 38, a Tennessee native and naturalized Japanese citizen, allegedly abducted his two children -- 8-year-old Isaac and 6-year-old Rebecca -- as his ex-wife walked them to school Monday in a rural town in southern Japan, police in Japan said. With the children, Savoie headed for the nearest U.S. consulate in the city of Fukuoka to try to obtain passports for them, screaming at guards to let him in the compound. Savoie was steps away from the front gate but still standing on Japanese soil when Japanese police arrested him. Amy Savoie said the separation is taking a toll on her. "I just wish I could talk to him, but I am forced to live with the fact that I can't talk to him. So I have to soothe myself and comfort myself with what he would say right now, and I just hope he's doing well," she said. Christopher Savoie and his first wife, Noriko Savoie, were married for 14 years before their divorce in January. The couple, both citizens of the United States and Japan, had lived in Japan but moved to the United States before the divorce. Noriko Savoie was given custody of the children and agreed to remain in the United States. Christopher Savoie had visitation rights. During the summer, she fled with the children to Japan, according to court documents. A U.S. court than granted Christopher Savoie sole custody. Japanese law, however, recognizes Noriko Savoie as the primary custodian. The law there also follows a tradition of sole-custody divorces. When the couple splits, one parent typically makes a complete and lifelong break from the children. Complicating the matter further is the fact that the couple still are considered married in Japan because they never divorced there, police said Wednesday. And, police said, the children are Japanese and have Japanese passports. A 1980 Hague Convention standardized laws on international child abduction, but Japan is not a party to that agreement. If a child in Japan is taken against the wishes of the recognized Japanese parent, Japanese law considers the person who took the child an abductor. Christopher Savoie will be jailed for at least 10 days while Japanese prosecutors sort out details of the case.	[ "What did Savoie do to land him in jail?", "How long will Savoie be in jail?", "Whose wife is Amy?", "In what country is Savoie in jail?" ]	[ [ "allegedly abducted his two children" ], [ "for at least 10 days" ], [ "Christopher Savoie's" ], [ "Japan" ] ]	Christopher Savoie's wife, Amy: "I just wish I could talk to him" Savoie in jail in Japan after trying to get kids back from his ex-wife . Japanese custom, law on custody differ sharply from those in U.S.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A key House committee passed comprehensive health care reform legislation Friday, moving President Obama's domestic priority one step closer to congressional approval. Speaker Nancy Pelosi says House Democrats will return to their districts ready to defend the bill. The vote occurred as the House of Representatives adjourned for its August recess. The 31-28 vote in the House Energy and Commerce Committee came after several days of intense and often contentious negotiations between Democratic House leaders and an influential group of fiscal conservatives in the party. Three members of the Democrats' conservative Blue Dog caucus -- John Barrow of Georgia, Jim Matheson of Utah and Charlie Melancon of Louisiana -- voted against the bill, along with two other Democrats, Bart Stupak of Michigan and Rick Boucher of Virginia. The committee's bill will now be merged with two separate versions passed by other House panels before being considered by the full chamber in September. The prospects for health care reform in the full House, however, remain unclear. Democrats remain deeply divided, with a number of liberals expressing strong opposition to concessions made to the party's so-called Blue Dog conservatives on the Energy and Commerce Committee. The fate of health care reform also remains uncertain in the Senate, where the Finance Committee recently postponed its long-awaited vote on a bipartisan compromise plan until after the August recess. The coming fights in both chambers serve as a backdrop for what is expected to be a month of furious campaigning for and against the bill as members of Congress meet with constituents back home over the break. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday that House Democrats will return to their districts with talking points and memos to help them rebut opponents running "a shock and awe campaign ... to perpetuate the status quo." "Facts mean nothing" to insurance industry executives and others opposed to change, she said. "Misrepresentation is the currency of their realm." Pelosi did not indicate, however, how Democratic divisions in the House might be overcome when Congress returns in the fall. On Thursday, 57 members of the House Progressive Caucus sent a letter to Pelosi and others complaining that the agreement with the Blue Dogs weakened language creating a government-funded health insurance option. "Any bill that does not provide, at a minimum, for a public option with reimbursement rates based on Medicare rates -- not negotiated rates -- is unacceptable," the letter said. The revised bill calls for the government-run public insurance option to be reimbursed on rates determined by negotiations with the insurance industry. The original version called for the same reimbursement rates as in the government's Medicare program for senior citizens. The progressive Democrats also argued that cuts to the bill's overall price would shortchange subsidies meant to help low- and moderate-income Americans buy health insurance. Some of those concerns were addressed Friday when the Energy and Commerce committee boosted funding for subsidies and added a provision empowering the federal government to directly negotiate prescription drug rates in the public plan. The agreement with the Blue Dogs, estimated to lower the cost of the House plan by $100 billion over a decade, would also exempt businesses with payrolls below $500,000 from having to provide health coverage to employees. "We can compromise no more," warned Rep. Lynn Woolsey, co-chair of the 81-member Progressive Caucus. "When leaders of the House meet ... to consider the three bills and produce a final one, we expect that it will retain a robust public option. If it doesn't, we will vote against it." Opposition from progressive Democrats and some conservative House Democrats who want additional cost cuts could defeat the bill. Pelosi admitted that she preferred the original bill, but noted that much of the new language matched a proposal supported by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, a longtime champion of health care reform who is revered by liberal Democrats. She also pointed out that the bill could change when the House and Senate negotiate a final measure in coming months. On the Senate side, key Republicans in the Finance Committee negotiations said Wednesday that they were unlikely to	[ "Who has complained about the concessions?", "What will happen to the bill before it goes to the chamber?", "what does the bill call for", "What passed 31-28?" ]	[ [ "57 members of the House Progressive Caucus" ], [ "be merged with two separate versions" ], [ "the same reimbursement rates as in the government's Medicare program" ], [ "comprehensive health care reform legislation" ] ]	Bill passes 31-28 in House Energy and Commerce Committee before recess . Bill calls for public reimbursement rates to be negotiated with insurance industry . Some complain that concessions to conservative Blue Dogs weaken public option . Bill will be merged with versions from two other panels before going to chamber .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A key Senate negotiator said Sunday that President Obama should drop his push for a government-funded public health insurance option because the Senate will never pass it. President Obama at a town hall meeting earlier this week pushing his health care reform plan. Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota said it was futile to continue to "chase that rabbit" due to the lack of 60 Senate votes needed to overcome a filibuster. "The fact of the matter is there are not the votes in the United States Senate for a public option. There never have been," Conrad said on "Fox News Sunday." His comment signaled a shift in the health care debate, with Obama and senior advisers softening their support for a public option by saying final form of the legislation is less important than the principle of affordable coverage available to all. At a town hall meeting Saturday in Colorado, Obama said the public option is just one of many issues critical to successfully overhauling the ailing health care system. "All I'm saying is ... that the public option, whether we have it or we don't have it, is not the entirety of health care reform. This is just one sliver of it," the president said. Asked Sunday if Obama would accept a bill lacking a public option, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the president insists on more competition in the health insurance marketplace to offer consumers better choices. "The bottom line ... is: Do individuals looking for health insurance in the private market have choice and competition?" Gibbs said on the CBS program "Face the Nation." "If we have that, the president will be satisfied." Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius echoed Gibbs, telling CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday that a final health care bill will include competitive choices for consumers in one form or another. "There will be a competitor to private insurers," she said. "You don't turn over the whole new marketplace to private insurance companies and trust them to do the right thing. We need some choices and we need some competition." Opponents of overhauling the health care system argue the Democratic proposals under consideration by Congress go too far and will lead to a government takeover of the health care system. "We have the best health care system in the world," Republican Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama told "Fox News Sunday." "We need to expand it. We do not need to destroy it." At issue is how to provide coverage for an estimated 46 million uninsured people while reversing a climb in health care costs. Democratic proposals passed so far by House and Senate committees include a public insurance option, mandates for people to be insured and employers to provide coverage, and an end to insurance companies refusing to cover pre-existing conditions. Most Republicans oppose the public option and requirements for employers to provide coverage. They also call for limits on medical malpractice lawsuits -- something Democrats generally don't favor. However, the two parties generally agree on a number of provisions contained in the Democratic bills, including increased efficiency in Medicare and Medicaid and focusing on preventive health programs. Conrad is one of six Senate Finance Committee members -- three Democrats and three Republicans -- who are negotiating a compromise health care bill that would be the only bipartisan proposal so far. Instead of a public option, the negotiators are considering a plan proposed by Conrad to create nonprofit health insurance cooperatives that could negotiate coverage as a collective for their members. Conrad said such cooperatives would provide the competition sought by Obama and Democratic leaders to force private insurers to hold down costs and improve practices. The government would put up initial funding to provide required reserves but would have no other role, he said. "It's not a public plan at all in terms of government running it," Conrad said. Shelby called the cooperative idea a "step in the right direction" and "a far cry" from other proposals, adding that Obama and Democratic leaders have "read the tea leaves	[ "There were not enough votes for what?", "how many votes were needed", "What did the senator say?", "What did Kent Conrad say?", "What is he working on?", "Obama has been campaigning for what?" ]	[ [ "a public option." ], [ "60" ], [ "it was futile to continue to \"chase that rabbit\"" ], [ "it was futile to continue to \"chase that rabbit\"" ], [ "health care reform" ], [ "government-funded public health insurance option" ] ]	Democratic senator from North Dakota: Not enough votes to filibuster . Sen. Kent Conrad: President Obama should not "chase that rabbit" Conrad, working on bipartisan proposal, suggests nonprofit insurance co-ops . Obama has been campaigning for a government-backed health care option .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A lawsuit alleging that civilian American interrogators subjected Iraqis to torture and severe mistreatment at the notorious Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad can move forward, a federal judge ruled Thursday. Detainees leave Baghdad Central Prison -- also known as Abu Ghraib -- in 2006. U.S. District Court Judge Gerald Bruce Lee rejected claims by defense contractor CACI that the company was immune from accountability over claims of physical abuse, war crimes and civil conspiracy. Reports of torture and humiliation by soldiers and civilian contractors against Iraqi detainees created a political, diplomatic and public relations nightmare for the Bush administration in the months and years after the 2003 Iraq invasion. Four Iraqi detainees have sued in U.S. federal courts, alleging contract interrogators assigned to the Baghdad Central Prison -- known as Abu Ghraib -- subjected them to beatings and mental abuse, then destroyed documents and video evidence and later misled officials about what was happening inside the facility. Eleven U.S. soldiers who also worked at the prison were court-martialed under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for prisoner abuse, and several implicated company workers in similar crimes. No contractors have yet faced criminal charges in the wake of the scandal, however. Arlington, Virginia-based CACI said it was merely providing contracting services the government required, and that sensitive political and policy questions could not be brought up in any civilian trial. The judge disagreed. "While it is true that the events at Abu Ghraib pose an embarrassment to this country, it is the misconduct alleged and not the litigation surrounding that misconduct that creates the embarrassment," Lee wrote. "This court finds that the only potential for embarrassment would be if the court declined to hear these claims on political questions grounds. Consequently, the court holds that plaintiffs' claims pose no political question and are therefore justiciable." The four Abu Ghraib detainees, led by Suhail Najim Abdullah Al Shimari, were released between 2004 and 2008, and were never charged with a crime, said their attorneys. They were represented in their civil suit by the Center for Constitutional Rights and other individual lawyers. Other Iraqi civilian lawsuits are pending. "Private military contractors like CACI cannot act with impunity," said the center's Katherine Gallagher. "They must act within the bounds of law and must be held accountable for their participation in the atrocities at Abu Ghraib and the other facilities in Iraq. We believe their actions and the acts of torture of their employees clearly violated the Geneva Conventions, the Army Field Manual and the laws of the United States." The case is Al Shimari v. CACI Premier Technology Inc., 1:08cv827. There is no word on when the case might go to trial; it could also be settled out of court.	[ "Who rejects immunity claims?", "Who rejected claims?", "Who is the defense contractor?", "How many Iraqi detainees were accused interrogators?", "Did the judge reject immunity claims?", "Are the contractors facing criminal charges?", "Who was accused of destroying evidence?", "Who accused interrogators?" ]	[ [ "U.S. District Court Judge Gerald Bruce Lee" ], [ "U.S. District Court Judge Gerald Bruce Lee" ], [ "CACI" ], [ "Four" ], [ "rejected" ], [ "No" ], [ "contract interrogators assigned to the Baghdad Central Prison -- known as Abu Ghraib" ], [ "Four Iraqi detainees" ] ]	Judge rejects immunity claims from defense contractor CACI . In lawsuit, four Iraqi detainees accuse interrogators of physical, mental abuse . Interrogators also accused of destroying evidence, misleading officials . Contractors not facing criminal charges stemming from scandal .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A man at the center of a mysterious case of exposure to the deadly biological agent ricin has been arrested, FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said Wednesday. Ricin was found in a room in this Las Vegas, Nevada, extended-stay hotel in February, police say. Roger Bergendorff was taken into custody Wednesday morning in Las Vegas, Nevada, Kolko said. Bergendorff, 57, was hospitalized with what was diagnosed as ricin exposure after the agent was discovered in his hotel room off the Las Vegas Strip. Tests conducted by the FBI determined that the substance contained 2.9 percent active ricin. Its preparation was characterized as "crude," according to the U.S. attorney's office in Las Vegas. According to a press release from the Department of Justice office, a search of Bergendorff's hotel room turned up "an 'Anarchist's Cookbook,' a collection of instructions on poisons and other dangerous recipes, including instructions on the preparation of ricin," two semiautomatic pistols, a rifle and a pistol with a silencer. "FBI searches of Salt Lake City [Utah] storage units rented by Von Bergendorff resulted in the discovery of castor beans, various chemicals used in the production of ricin, a respirator, filters, painter's mask, laboratory glassware, syringes and a notebook on ricin production," the Justice Department release said. Bergendorff is charged with possession of a biological toxin, possession of unregistered firearms and possession of firearms not identified by serial number, according to the U.S. attorney's office. If convicted of all charges, he would face a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $750,000. Bergendorff is scheduled for an initial court appearance at 3 p.m. Wednesday. It is illegal under federal law to possess a biological agent and toxin unless it is used for bona fide research or other peaceful purpose, U.S. Attorney Gregory Bower said in a written statement. Bergendorff's cousin, Thomas Tholen of Riverton, Utah, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City this month, accused of failing to report production and possession of ricin. Ricin is a poison that can be made from the waste of castor bean processing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It can come in the form of a mist or pellet and can be dissolved in water or weak acid, the agency said. Bergendorff was hospitalized February 14 in Las Vegas after he complained of difficulty breathing. He slipped into a coma and awoke March 14. Bergendorff, 57, is an artist who neighbors said had lived in his cousin's basement before moving to Las Vegas. E-mail to a friend CNN's Kevin Bohn, Karan Olson and Carol Cratty contributed to this report.	[ "who was is charged with possession of toxin, firearms?", "Who is charged?", "what ist he Bergendorff charged of?", "What was he hospitalized with?", "who was is charged with failing to report production and possession?", "what was he hospitalized for?", "What is his cousin charged with?", "Where was ricin found?", "what the reason he was hospitalized?", "what is his cousin charged of?", "Who is charged with possession of toxin, firearms?" ]	[ [ "Roger Bergendorff" ], [ "Roger Bergendorff" ], [ "possession of a biological toxin, possession of unregistered firearms and possession of firearms" ], [ "ricin exposure" ], [ "Thomas Tholen" ], [ "exposure to the deadly biological agent" ], [ "failing to report production and possession of ricin." ], [ "Las Vegas," ], [ "ricin exposure" ], [ "failing to report production and possession of ricin." ], [ "Roger Bergendorff" ] ]	Roger Bergendorff is charged with possession of toxin, firearms . He was hospitalized for ricin exposure after it was found in hotel room . His cousin is charged with failing to report production and possession .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A man dubbed "the Field Marshal" by one advocacy group for alleged third-world arms dealing has been arrested on charges that he conspired to illegally export U.S. F-5 fighter jet engines and parts to Iran. An Iranian F-5 fighter jet lands in southern Iran during a military exercise on June 23, 2009. Jacques Monsieur, 56, a Belgium native who currently lives in France, was arrested Friday in New York, officials said. An indictment also charges Dara Fotouhi, 54, an Iranian living in France, with participating in the alleged crime. Fotouhi remains at large, official said. Monsieur pleaded not guilty at an arraignment Wednesday in Mobile, Alabama, where he is being held. He and Fotouhi are charged with conspiracy, money laundering and smuggling, as well as violations of the Arms Export Control Act and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. According to the indictment and an affidavit filed in the case, both are experienced arms dealers who have been actively working with the Iranian government to procure military items. The F-5 Freedom Fighter, also called the Tiger, is built by Northrop and is used by the U.S. military for training. It is also sold overseas as a combat aircraft. The F-5 engine and parts are listed on the U.S. Munitions List and may not be exported from the United States without a license from the State Department, said John Morton, head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and they can not be exported to Iran without a license from the Treasury Department. In a 2002 report by the Center for Public Integrity, a citizen advocacy group, Monsieur was nicknamed "the Field Marshal" for allegedly acting as a middle-man in numerous arms deals with war-torn countries. The center's report said Monsieur is "believed to be among the biggest arms traffickers in Europe" and said he "violated a United Nations embargo by shipping arms to Bosnia and Croatia during the long, bloody conflict in those countries, with the approval, he later claimed, of both the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency and the ... French domestic intelligence service." Morton said his agency launched an investigation in February when Monsieur contacted an undercover federal agent and indicated he wanted to buy engines for F-5 or C-130 aircraft for export to Iran. In subsequent e-mails to the agent, Monsieur requested engines for F-5 jet fighters. Officials said the engines could be used as replacements in fighters sold to Iran by the United States before the imposition of sanctions in 1995. In March, Monsieur met with the undercover agent in Paris and again requested engines and parts, the indictment alleges. They met again in May in London, where Monsieur introduced Fotouhi as a business associate and again discussed the export of F-5 engines to Iran, according to the indictment. During this negotiation, it says, Monsieur and Fotouhi asked the agent if he could use U.S. shipping or export authorization documents that falsely indicated the items were going to Colombia. In July, Monsieur and Fotouhi wired about $110,000 from a bank in the United Arab Emirates to one in Mobile, Alabama, the indictment says. "The two believed the funds would be used for the purchase of F-5 aircraft parts," Morton said. Monsieur indicated he would deposit an additional $300,000 as a down payment for the purchase of two jet engines. "This is part of our long-standing efforts to ensure that sensitive military equipment is not exported in violation of U.S. law and against the international interests of the United States," Morton said.	[ "Who is the F-5 built by?", "Who launched investigation?", "What was the man dubbed that tried to get engine parts for Iran?", "Who launched the investigation?", "What was the F-5 used for thst was built by Northrop?", "What agencies launched the investigation?", "The man was dubbed what?", "The F-5 is built by what company?", "Who initiated an investigation?", "Who tried to get F-5 engine parts for Iran?", "Where was the F-5 used for combat?", "What is special about the F-5?", "Who launched the investigation?", "For that are used the f-5?" ]	[ [ "Northrop" ], [ "Immigration and Customs Enforcement," ], [ "\"the Field Marshal\"" ], [ "his agency" ], [ "training." ], [ "U.S. Central Intelligence Agency" ], [ "\"the Field Marshal\"" ], [ "Northrop" ], [ "Immigration and Customs Enforcement," ], [ "Jacques Monsieur," ], [ "overseas" ], [ "engine and parts are listed on the U.S. Munitions List and may not be exported from the United States without a license from the State Department," ], [ "Immigration and Customs Enforcement," ], [ "training. It is also sold overseas as a combat aircraft." ] ]	A man dubbed "the Field Marshal" allegedly tried to get F-5 engine parts for Iran . F-5 built by Northrop; used by U.S. military for training; used overseas for combat . Immigration and Customs Enforcement launched investigation . Arrest part efforts to stop improper export of sensitive military equipment .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A man has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly displaying hangman's nooses from the back of a pickup truck during a civil rights march last year in Jena, Louisiana. A photo taken by I-Reporter Casanova Love shows a noose hanging from a pickup in Alexandria, Louisiana. Jeremiah Munsen, 18, of Grant Parish, repeatedly drove slowly past a group of marchers gathered at a bus depot in Alexandria, which is near Jena, as they awaited buses to return them to Tennessee, federal authorities said Thursday. As many as 20,000 marchers had taken part in the huge protests in Jena. Authorities there had been accused of injustice in the handling of racially charged cases, including the hanging of nooses in a tree after a group of black high school students sat in an area where traditionally only white students sat. The noose incident at Jena was the beginning of months of racial tension that included the beating of a white student, allegedly by six black classmates. The black students were prosecuted, but the three white students responsible for the nooses in the tree were not. Munsen and an unnamed conspirator had attached nooses to their pickup on September 20 and driven to Alexandria specifically to threaten and intimidate the marchers, the authorities said. View a series of photos of the truck » A juvenile passenger was apprehended with Munsen, according to the arresting officer's report. The juvenile told police he and his family are in the Ku Klux Klan and that he had "KKK" tattooed on his chest, the police report said. He also said that he tied the nooses and that brass knuckles found in the truck belonged to him, the report said. "This indictment accuses the defendant [Munsen] of conduct that constitutes a federal civil rights conspiracy violation and a federal hate crime," said U.S. Attorney Donald Washington. Washington and Grace Chung Becker, acting head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, announced the indictment, issued by a grand jury in Shreveport, Louisiana. A photograph of the truck was sent to CNN by I-Reporter Casanova Love, 26, who said he is in the U.S. military. He was visiting his family in Louisiana and said he witnessed the event. Love added, "If the police had not stepped in, I fear what might have happened." E-mail to a friend	[ "What did the driver do?", "Where does the driver live", "what is the tool used to taunt people", "did something happen to the driver?", "what was the reason for protesting", "What did the driver use against the marchers?", "What is faced by louisiana?", "What was the reason for the march?", "what is the age of the resident", "Where was the 18 year old resident from?", "what is the name of felon?", "What did the marchers protest", "in that place was the manifestation?", "what were the marchers protesting about?", "which are the charges that accused the offender?", "What was the resident charged with?", "what racial incidents happened?", "What did the driver have on his pickup truck", "What is the age of the suspect", "What were the marchers protesting during the incident?", "what did the louisiana resident do?", "What is the driver charged for", "What did the driver taunt civil rights marchers with?", "what is the age of the Louisiana resident?" ]	[ [ "displaying hangman's nooses" ], [ "Grant Parish," ], [ "hangman's nooses" ], [ "indicted on federal charges" ], [ "civil rights" ], [ "hangman's nooses" ], [ "racial tension" ], [ "civil rights" ], [ "18," ], [ "Grant Parish," ], [ "Jeremiah Munsen," ], [ "injustice in the handling of racially charged cases," ], [ "Jena, Louisiana." ], [ "injustice in the handling of racially charged cases," ], [ "allegedly displaying hangman's nooses" ], [ "allegedly displaying hangman's nooses" ], [ "the hanging of nooses in a tree after a group of black high school students sat in an area where traditionally only white students sat." ], [ "hangman's nooses" ], [ "18," ], [ "Authorities there had been accused of injustice in the handling of racially charged cases," ], [ "displaying hangman's nooses" ], [ "allegedly displaying hangman's nooses" ], [ "hangman's nooses" ], [ "18," ] ]	Louisiana resident, 18, faces federal hate-crime, conspiracy charges . Driver allegedly taunted civil rights marchers with nooses on pickup truck . Marchers were protesting handling of several racially charged incidents .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A member of the royal family of Abu Dhabi who was captured on videotape torturing an Afghan grain dealer has reportedly been detained, a senior U.S. State Department official told CNN Saturday. Sheikh Issa bin Zayed al Nahyan, pictured here, allegedly tortured a business associate on videotape. The official said the government of the United Arab Emirates, which includes Abu Dhabi as one of its seven emirates, told the State Department that Sheikh Issa bin Zayed al Nahyan is under house arrest pending an investigation, but that the United States has not independently confirmed the development. The videotape emerged last month in a federal civil lawsuit filed in Houston, Texas, by Bassam Nabulsi, a U.S. citizen, against the sheikh. Former business partners, the men had a falling out, in part over the tape. In a statement to CNN, the sheikh's U.S. attorney said Nabulsi is using the videotape to influence the court over a business dispute. The tape of the heinous torture session is delaying the ratification of a civil nuclear deal between the United Arab Emirates and the United States, senior U.S. officials familiar with the case have said. The senior U.S. officials said the administration has held off on the ratification process because it believes sensitivities over the story can hurt its passage. On Saturday, Human Rights Watch called the sheikh's reported detention "a significant development" but said the UAE government needs to do more to restore confidence in its judicial system. "The videotape of this episode shocked the world," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "The report of the arrest was reassuring, but now the government needs to make the details public. Secretive prosecutions will not deter further abuses and torture." On the tape, Sheikh Issa appears to burn with rage. Apparently believing he was cheated in a business deal, the sheikh was trying to extract a confession from the Afghan grain dealer. With a private security officer assisting, Sheikh Issa is seen stuffing sand in the Afghan's mouth. As the grain dealer pleads and whimpers, he is beaten with a nailed board, burned in the genitals with a cigarette lighter, shocked with a cattle prod and led to believe he would be shot. Salt is literally poured on his wounds. The 45 minutes of torture appears on a nearly three-hour-long videotape shot in late 2004 in the desert outside Abu Dhabi. It was made at the direction of the sheikh himself. The tape has been viewed by CNN. Watch portions of the tape and Nabulsi tell his story » After international concerns over the tape mounted in late April, Abu Dhabi's government issued a statement saying it deplored the contents of the video and planned an immediate and comprehensive review of it. The sheikh, who holds no official government position, is the half-brother of the UAE's ruler, President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Human Rights Watch sent a April 28 letter to the president imploring him to form "an independent body" to probe both the torture and and the "failure" of the UAE's Interior Ministry "to bring those involved to justice." The group reiterated that call Saturday. As for the grain dealer, UAE officials say he survived the ordeal, and said the sheikh and the grain dealer settled the matter privately by agreeing not to bring formal charges against each other. However, Nabulsi's attorney, Anthony Buzbee, said the grain dealer can't be located and it is not known whether he is alive.	[ "What does the State Department say?", "What did a videotape show a sheikh doing?", "Who did a state department official say was reportedly detained?", "When did the videotape emerge?", "What does videeotape show", "who was detained", "who reportedly detained?", "Who was reported detained?", "Who was detained?", "What did the U.S. senior say?", "what emerged last month in federal civil lawsuit?", "When did the videotape emerge?" ]	[ [ "an Afghan grain dealer has reportedly been detained, a senior U.S. State Department" ], [ "tortured a business associate" ], [ "Sheikh Issa bin Zayed al Nahyan," ], [ "emerged last month in a federal civil lawsuit filed in Houston, Texas, by Bassam Nabulsi, a U.S. citizen, against the sheikh." ], [ "an Afghan grain dealer" ], [ "A member of the royal family of Abu Dhabi" ], [ "A member of the royal family of Abu Dhabi" ], [ "A member of the royal family of Abu Dhabi" ], [ "Sheikh Issa bin Zayed al Nahyan" ], [ "an Afghan grain dealer has reportedly been detained," ], [ "The videotape" ], [ "last month" ] ]	State Department official says member of Abu Dhabi royal family reportedly detained . Investigation continuing after videotape shows sheikh torturing grain merchant . Videotape emerged last month in federal civil lawsuit filed in the United States . U.S. senior officials say case is holding up a U.S. nuclear deal with the UAE .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A mother suspected of killing her four children, whose decomposing bodies were found in her home, told police they were possessed by demons, according to court records. Banita Jacks, 33, is charged with three counts of felony murder and one count of first-degree murder while armed. The victims, who range in age from 5 to 17 years, are thought to be her daughters. Their bodies were found when U.S. marshals served an eviction notice at Jacks' apartment in southeast Washington, D.C. Court documents say Jacks identified the victims as her daughters Brittany Jacks, 17; Tatianna Jacks, 11; N'kiah Fogle, 6; and Aja Fogle, 5. Earlier Thursday, Mayor Adrian Fenty said the bodies' decomposition has hindered their identification, although they were believed to be Jacks' children. Marie Pierre-Louis, Washington's chief medical examiner, said all four of the girls had been dead for at least 15 days. Jacks is being held without bail. Her next court appearance is scheduled for February 11. If convicted, she could receive a maximum sentence of life in prison. Jacks told police that her daughters were possessed by demons and that each died in her sleep during a seven- to 10-day period, court documents said. Aja died first, she told police, then N'kiah, Tatianna and Brittany. "She said that as the first three younger children died, she placed them side by side in the room in which they died," according to court documents. She reported that all the deaths occurred sometime before the electricity in her house was disconnected, which records show was September 5, 2007, documents said. Jacks said she never tried to call authorities to remove the bodies "because she didn't trust either agency and because she thought if she notified emergency personnel, that would cause her more problems," the documents said. She also said she had not fed her daughters food "for a substantial period of time prior to their deaths." No one besides herself or the children had been in the home since May 2007, Jacks said. Pierre-Louis ruled the deaths homicides, according to a court document. Watch Pierre-Louis describe the condition of the bodies » Preliminary findings are that Brittany was stabbed to death and that Aja died from blunt-force impact to the back of her head and possible ligature strangulation. Both Tatianna and N'kiah also had "apparent ligature evidence" on their necks that was "somewhat more defined than that noted on Aja Fogle's neck," court documents said. However, the documents said, further tests are needed to confirm the causes of the deaths. All four children were wearing white T-shirts and were discovered in unfurnished bedrooms -- three in one and a fourth in another, the documents said. "What appeared to be a metal steak knife" was found next to the fourth. Also, the fourth body was found in a bedroom with hardwood floors, and a T-shirt with duct tape was found at the bottom of the bedroom door, filling the gap between the floor and the bottom of the door when it was closed. A witness told police they saw Jacks treat Brittany differently from her other children, sometimes withholding food from her while feeding the others, court documents said. In addition, the witness said Jacks once drove Brittany to Jacks' mother's home in Waldorf, Maryland, and left her there. Jacks' mother was not home, the witness said, and Brittany was left on the porch unattended for more than 10 hours. City officials are trying to determine how the children could have been dead for at least two weeks without anyone noticing their absence. Fenty said the city had determined that Jacks' children were "in and out of the public school system" and that the child welfare caseworkers and the metropolitan police had each had at least "one contact" with the family. Watch Fenty explain how a "routine" eviction became a death investigation » "There may be other contacts with the government ... in	[ "How many counts of felony murder does Jacks face?", "How old is Jacks?", "What is the number of counts of felony murder Jacks faces?", "What are the counts facing the mother?", "What are officials trying to determine?", "What did Mother Banita Jacks tell police?", "Who is the mother?", "What is the name of the mother who told police her children died in their sleep?", "What is the age of the mother?", "Who told police that children died in their sleep?", "How many children were stabbed to death?" ]	[ [ "three" ], [ "33," ], [ "three" ], [ "first-degree murder while armed." ], [ "how the children could have been dead for at least two weeks without anyone noticing their absence." ], [ "they were possessed by demons," ], [ "Banita Jacks," ], [ "Banita Jacks," ], [ "33," ], [ "Banita Jacks," ], [ "four" ] ]	NEW: One child appeared to be stabbed to death, another strangled . Mother Banita Jacks, 33, told police her children died in their sleep . Jacks faces 3 counts of felony murder, 1 count of first-degree murder while armed . Officials trying to determine how kids' deaths, absences went unnoticed .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A new policy sets guidelines for how long U.S. border officials can hold computers and downloaded information seized at checkpoints, and with whom they can share that information. New rules announced Thursday specify border searches to be conducted "as expeditiously as possible." The policy, announced Thursday by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, continues to give border officials the authority to search files in travelers' laptop computers, mobile phones, Blackberrys and similar devices with or without suspicion that a crime has occurred. That is in keeping with long-standing court rulings that say the federal government's powers of search and seizure are greatest at the border to protect the country. But the new policy also attempts to address complaints from travelers that border officials are needlessly perusing confidential information, downloading it and keeping devices and information indefinitely without any explanation. The policy gives travelers the right to be "present in the room" during searches, although they are "not necessarily ... permitted to witness the search itself." It says searches should be conducted "as expeditiously as possible." And Customs and Border Protection officers should keep devices no longer than five days unless there are "extenuating circumstances." Officers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the investigative branch of the Homeland Security Department, can keep devices up to 30 days. It also requires border officers to document searches and conduct them in the presence of a supervisor. And it says they should take steps to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of information and share it only with federal agencies "that have mechanisms in place to protect" the data. Border officers have long had to deal with issues pitting privacy versus security. But with the proliferation of laptop computers, travelers increasingly are traveling with sensitive information, including confidential legal documents, medical records, credit card and bank information and trade secrets. "Keeping Americans safe in an increasingly digital world depends on our ability to lawfully screen materials entering the United States," Napolitano said in a written statement. "The new directives ... strike the balance between respecting the civil liberties and privacy of all travelers while ensuring DHS can take the lawful actions necessary to secure our borders." The American Civil Liberties Union said the new rules are a "welcome first step," but said they do not go far enough. "There are two key aspects of this new policy worth applauding -- the limitations on the time that electronic devices can be held by customs officers and requirements that information from electronic devices only be retained if there is probable cause that a crime has been committed," said ACLU attorney Christopher Calabrese. "These procedural safeguards recognize that the old system was invasive and harmed many innocent travelers." "But unless and until the government requires agents to have individualized suspicion before reviewing such sensitive information as medical records, legal papers and financial information, even the most elaborate procedural safeguards will be insufficient," he said. The ACLU this week filed suit seeking records about the Customs and Border Protection's policy of searching travelers' laptops. The Homeland Security Department's statement said its new policies "enhance transparency, accountability and oversight of electronic media searches at U.S. ports of entry." "Searches of electronic media ... are vital to detecting information that poses serious harm to the United States, including terrorist plans, or constitutes criminal activity -- such as possession of child pornography and trademark or copyright infringement," the statement said. The department said it searches electronic media "on a small percentage of international travelers." The border protection agency said that between October 1, 2008, and August 11, it conducted about 1,000 laptop searches while processing more than 221 million travelers at U.S. ports of entry. Just 46 searches were in depth, it said.	[ "What do the rules enhance?", "what its the new rules?", "What right have travelers been given?", "What have travelers given right to?", "What have travelers complained about?", "What do the new rules say?", "What has attempted to address travelers' complaints?" ]	[ [ "The policy," ], [ "specify border searches to be conducted \"as expeditiously as possible.\"" ], [ "\"present in the room\" during searches, although they are \"not necessarily ... permitted to witness the search itself.\"" ], [ "be \"present in the room\" during searches," ], [ "that border officials are needlessly perusing confidential information, downloading it and keeping devices and information indefinitely without any explanation." ], [ "how long U.S. border officials can hold computers" ], [ "new policy" ] ]	New policy attempts to address travelers' complaints about privacy at borders . Travelers given right to be "present in room," but not necessarily view searches . Homeland Security: New rules "enhance transparency, accountability"
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A pair of Republican congressmen ripped Congressional Black Caucus members for ignoring Cuba's "myriad gross human rights abuses" Thursday, saying this week's caucus trip to the island nation ignored the plight of political prisoners under the Castro regime. Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, blasts members of the Black Caucus on Thursday for their trip to Cuba. They also urged the Obama administration to refrain from easing trade embargo or travel restrictions until the Cuban government releases all "prisoners of conscience," shows greater respect for freedom of religion and speech, and holds "free and fair" elections. The call from Reps. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, and Frank Wolf, R-Virginia, came three days after the administration signaled that new rules on family travel and remittances to Cuba may be announced before President Obama goes to the Summit of the Americas on April 17. It also followed statements from several Black Caucus members Tuesday arguing for consideration of an end to the trade embargo and other diplomatic restrictions placed on Cuba for five decades. Watch CNN's Ed Hornick discuss the story » "Yes, we have history -- we have good history and not-so-good history," said Rep. Laura Richardson, D-California. "But the point is it's history, and we need to move forward." Three members of the caucus were visiting the Latin American School of Medicine, where students from nations including the United States study, when they received an invitation to Fidel Castro's home for a meeting. "Former President Fidel Castro is very engaging, very energetic," said CBC Chairwoman Barbara Lee, also a from California Democrat. "Our conclusion is, given the new direction in our foreign policy, that it's time to look at a new direction in our policy toward Cuba. Watch Lee discuss her visit to Cuba » "The 50-year embargo just hasn't worked," she said. The caucus members, who also visited current Cuban President Raul Castro, "did nothing to publicly show any concern for the myriad gross human rights abuses perpetrated by the Cuban government or the tragic fate of hundreds of Cuban democracy and human rights activists," Smith said. "Yet they held press conferences at which they heaped and lavished praise and affection for a government the United States Department of State only six weeks ago called 'totalitarian.' " A 2008 State Department human rights report cited, among other things, numerous accounts of beatings of Cuban political prisoners, harsh and life- threatening conditions for dissidents, and severe restrictions on freedom of movement and religion, Smith said. "Over the past 50 years, the Castros and their secret police have been directly responsible for killing thousands of nonviolent, courageous pro-democracy activists and for jailing and torturing tens of thousands of others. And they continue to this day to perpetrate their brutal crimes," he said. "Before the Obama administration even thinks about permitting further travel to Cuba, or altering the trade embargo on Cuba, both the White House and Congress have a moral obligation, a duty, to ensure that the Cuban dictatorship releases all prisoners of conscience, makes substantial progress in respecting freedom of religion, speech and, press and assembly, and holds free and fair elections." Lee responded Thursday that it made no sense to continue what she characterized as a failed policy. "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but by any objective standard our current policy toward Cuba just hasn't worked. Simply put, it's time to open dialogue and discussion with Cuba," she said in a statement. "I am convinced, based on the meetings which were held, that the Cubans do want dialogue, they do want talks, and they do want normal relations with the United States of America. And I believe that it's in the United States' best interest to do that." On Monday, the White House adviser for the Summit of the Americas, Jeffrey Davidow, refused to be pinned down about when the administration might announce its easing of the restrictions on	[ "till when should trade restrictions continue", "what did GOP reps do", "who did members visit?", "by whom was Cuba visited", "who did reps blast?" ]	[ [ "until the Cuban government releases all \"prisoners of conscience,\" shows greater respect for freedom of religion and speech, and holds \"free and fair\" elections." ], [ "ignored the plight of political prisoners under the Castro regime." ], [ "Latin American School of Medicine," ], [ "Black Caucus" ], [ "members of the Black Caucus" ] ]	NEW: Black Caucus Chairwoman responds to GOP criticism on Thursday . Members of the CBC recently visited Cuba, met with Fidel and Raul Castro . GOP reps blast trip, citing Havana's "myriad gross human rights violations" N.J. congressman: Travel, trade restrictions should continue until Cuba reforms .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A proposed health-care compromise by the powerful chairman of the Senate Finance Committee lacks a government-run insurance option favored by Democrats and would tax the most expensive health insurance plans, a source close to the discussions told CNN Monday. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Montana, is the powerful chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. As expected, the proposal from Sen. Max Baucus, D-Montana, excludes the public insurance option to compete with private insurers. However, it would allow for the creation of nonprofit health care cooperatives -- an idea that some moderate Democrats and Republicans have expressed possible interest in supporting. The potential compromise proposal was sent to key Finance Committee negotiators Saturday night. It is considered a last-ditch effort to secure Republican votes for a health-care bill as President Obama pushes the issue with a planned speech to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night. So far, none of the three Republican senators involved in talks with Baucus on the compromise have indicated whether they support the version he is proposing. Congressional liberals are pushing strongly for inclusion of a public option; conservatives are sharply opposed. Obama has said he supports a public option but has not clearly indicated he will veto a bill that fails to include it. On Monday, Obama reiterated his support for a public option in a Labor Day speech to a union gathering in Cincinnati. He outlined Democratic health-care proposals that include a public option as part of a menu of insurance choices, including private health-care plans, that the legislation would create. "I continue to believe that a public option within that basket of insurance choices would help improve quality and bring down costs," Obama said to loud cheers. The president also indicated he would push hard for the House and Senate to move forward on passing health-care legislation in his upcoming address to Congress. "The Congress and the country have been engaged in a vigorous debate for many months," Obama said. "And the debate has been good, and that's important because we have to get this right. "But every debate at some point comes to an end," he continued, to growing applause. "At some point, it's time to decide. At some point, it's time to act. And Ohio, it's time to act to get this done." Baucus' bill would cost less than $900 billion over 10 years, according to the source who spoke to CNN. The price tag is at least $100 billion less than any other health-care reform bill under consideration by Congress, the source said. As with other reform proposals, the bill would bar insurance companies from dropping a policyholder in the event of illness as long as that person has paid his or her premium in full. It adds new protections for people with pre-existing conditions and establishes tax credits to help low and middle-income families purchase insurance coverage, the source noted. It creates health insurance exchanges to make it easier for small groups and individuals to buy insurance. The bill would be paid for, in part, by a new tax on health insurance companies that provide high-end "Cadillac" insurance plans, the source added. Supporters of such a tax -- initially proposed by Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and other Democrats several weeks ago -- say will it help curb the cost of health care by discouraging employers from offering such plans. They also argue that consumers, in turn, will be discouraged from overusing the health care system. Watch senators discuss health care talks » Critics claim the new tax will cause insurance companies to raise rates on all of their customers, even those without more expensive plans. The so-called "Gang of Six" Senate negotiators -- a group of three Democrats and three Republicans on the Finance Committee -- is scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss the proposal. The source, while stressing that the proposed bill is not a final product, said it closely reflects the group's work and areas of agreement. Obama's planned speech to	[ "Who's proposal to negotiators would allow nonprofit cooperatives instead?", "what is favored by some Democrats?", "Where would the funding come from?", "where would some funding come from?", "how much would the bill cost?", "How much would the bill cost over 10 years?", "Where would some of the funding come from?" ]	[ [ "Sen. Max Baucus," ], [ "government-run insurance option" ], [ "new tax on health insurance companies" ], [ "new tax on health insurance companies" ], [ "less than $900 billion over 10 years," ], [ "less than $900 billion" ], [ "new tax on health insurance companies" ] ]	Compromise lacks a government-run insurance option favored by some Democrats . Max Baucus' proposal to negotiators would allow nonprofit cooperatives instead . Source says bill would cost less than $900 billion over 10 years . Some funding would come from new tax on companies with high-end plans .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A retired U.S. Army colonel pleaded guilty Tuesday to awarding contracts in Iraq to a Kuwait-based firm in exchange for gifts. Levonda Selph of Virginia admitted accepting $4,000 in cash and a $5,000 vacation to Thailand from the unidentified contractor, which was awarded $12 million in contracts to operate Defense Department warehouses in Iraq. She pleaded guilty to charges of bribery and conspiracy. She was secretly indicted on those charges in October; the charges weren't disclosed until her court appearance Tuesday. Under terms of a plea agreement, Selph could receive up to 33 months in jail. She promised to repay the government $9,000 and to cooperate in an ongoing investigation. Prosecutors said Selph was a lieutenant colonel at Camp Victory in Iraq in 2004 and 2005 when she led a committee that awarded the warehouse contracts. The Justice Department said she will be free until her sentencing October 14 but will not be allowed to leave the country.	[ "what did selph exchange for gifts?", "What did he plead guilty to?", "What did he accept to steer contracts?", "Where are the Defense Department warehouses?", "Who pleads guilty?", "who admits accepting cash and vacation?", "who pleads guilty to bribery and conspiracy?", "Who has pleaded guilty?" ]	[ [ "contracts in Iraq" ], [ "awarding contracts in Iraq" ], [ "Thailand" ], [ "Iraq." ], [ "Levonda Selph" ], [ "Levonda Selph" ], [ "Levonda Selph" ], [ "A retired U.S. Army colonel" ] ]	Former U.S. Army colonel pleads guilty to bribery and conspiracy . Levonda Selph admits accepting cash, vacation from contractor . Prosecutors: In exchange for gifts, Selph steered contracts to firm . Contracts let company operate Defense Department warehouses in Iraq .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A rush-hour collision Monday between two Metro trains north of downtown Washington, D.C., killed at least six people and injured scores, Mayor Adrian Fenty said. One train was stationary when the crash happened, according to Metro General Manager John Catoe. He called it the deadliest crash in the history of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, known as Metro. One of the dead was the female operator of one of the trains, Metro officials said. "The scene is as horrific as you can imagine," Fenty said in a news conference. "One car was almost squeezed completely together." Seventy-six people were treated for injuries, including two with life-threatening injuries, said Chief Dennis Rubin of Washington's Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. Two of the injured were emergency responders, Rubin said. See location of crash » The crash happened just before 5 p.m. on an above-ground track on the Red Line in the District of Columbia near the border with Takoma Park, Maryland. Both trains were on the same track, and one of them was stationary when the crash happened, said John Catoe, Metro general manager. Watch woman say she, fellow passengers "went flying" » Video footage of the scene showed two cars of one train lying atop the cars of the other train. Emergency personnel carried injured passengers, some on stretchers, from the wreckage. Watch injured passengers limp from the scene » "Metro officials do not know the cause of the collision and are not likely to know the cause for several days as the investigation unfolds," a Metro statement said. Fire department personnel cut through the trains to help people from the wreckage, officials said at a press briefing. Some three hours after the accident, fire department sources said rescue operations had ceased, with ongoing work focusing on recovery. See pictures of crash site » President Obama issued a statement saying he and his wife Michelle were "saddened by the terrible accident," and thanking the first responders to the scene "who arrived immediately to save lives." A survivor, Jodie Wickett, described feeling a bump on the track, and then being flung forward when the train suddenly halted a few seconds later. She said she hit her head, but managed to get out and go to where the collision occurred a few cars up, where one subway car lay atop another. "There was debris, and people pinned under in-between the two cars," Wickett said. "We were just trying to get them out and help them as much as possible, pulling back the metal." People were badly injured, she said. "Ones that could speak were calling back as we called out to them." One car was "about 75 percent compressed," and recovery workers aren't sure if any more bodies are inside, Fenty told CNN's "Larry King Live" on Monday night. "We just haven't been able to cut through it to see if there's bodies in there," Fenty said. A certified nursing assistant who was on one of the trains told CNN affiliate WUSA she was trying to help those in severe condition after the crash, including a lady who appeared to be in her 20s. "She is very, very torn in her legs -- the muscles and everything are torn, ripped through. She had metal pieces in her face," said the nursing assistant, who said her name was Jeanie. Other witnesses described seeing more blood than they had seen before. Tom Baker, who was in the train that hit the stationary train, told WUSA that after the collision, he looked toward the front of the car, and when the smoke cleared, "all you could see was sky." Jasmine Gars, who also was on the moving train, told CNN's "Larry King Live" that the collision "was like nothing I've ever felt before." "It was like we hit a concrete wall," Gars said. "Almost immediately	[ "What time did the crash happen?", "who was the fire chief?", "was anybody killed?", "Where did the trains collide?", "How many people were treated for injuries?", "How many trains collided?", "How many trains were stationary when the crash happened?" ]	[ [ "just before 5 p.m." ], [ "Dennis Rubin" ], [ "at least six people" ], [ "north of downtown Washington," ], [ "Seventy-six" ], [ "two" ], [ "One" ] ]	One train was stationary when crash happened, Metro official says . 76 people treated for injuries, fire chief says . Two Metro trains collide north of downtown Washington . Crash happened just before 5 p.m. on above-ground track .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A senior administration official said Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Sgt. James Crowley of the Cambridge, Massachusetts, Police Department will be visiting the White House Thursday. President Obama will meet Thursday with a Harvard professor and the officer who arrested him. The meeting among the three men will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday. Last week, Obama said he called Crowley and "there was a discussion about he and I and Professor Gates having a beer here in the White House." Gibbs said: "I think it was Sgt. Crowley's suggestion about the beer, and I think the president thought it was a good idea." Obama said he hoped the incident in Cambridge, which quickly spiraled into a national and racially charged controversy, "ends up being what's called a teachable moment" for the country. The president acknowledged that he had contributed to "ratcheting it up" by declaring the Police Department had "acted stupidly" even though he didn't know all the facts of the case and is a personal friend of Gates. Cambridge police called on Obama to apologize for the remark. Obama did not apologize, but in the phone call with Crowley he said his choice of words was "unfortunate." Gates, a top African-American scholar, was arrested July 16 for disorderly conduct outside his home after police responded to a report of a possible burglary. The charge was later dropped. Gates called himself the victim of a "rogue" officer. But he said Friday he looks forward to meeting with Obama and Crowley, and to making the experience "a teaching moment to improve racial relations in America." Crowley said Gates accused him of racism when he was at the home simply trying to do his job and assuring that Gates was safe and alone in the home. Cambridge police officials have praised Crowley, who in recent years had been selected by a black police officer to teach a police academy course on how to avoid racial profiling. Officials said they take pride in their relationship with the diverse community in the area. Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert Haas said he "deeply regrets" the arrest, but stands by the procedures his department followed. iReport.com: Share stories, concerns on racial profiling Meanwhile, authorities in Cambridge announced Monday that they have created a panel to advise police on racial issues. "Today is the day to move forward," City Manager Robert Healy said at a news conference. The committee, led by "nationally recognized experts," will not investigate the arrest of Gates, nor will it "make any judgments" on the officers involved, Healy said. The committee "will identify lessons to be taken from the circumstances surrounding the incident" and will advise the police department on how "those lessons can be applied" to its policies and practices. CNN's Dan Lothian contributed to this report.	[ "What issues are the police advised of?", "Who create panel to advise police on racial issues?", "Officials of which city create panel to advise police on racial issues?", "Who said the police acted \"stupidly\"?", "Who said police acted stupidly?", "Who was arrested?", "Who poured fuel on fire by saying police acted \"stupidly\"?", "What turned into a racial incident?", "What was the race of the arrested professor?" ]	[ [ "racial" ], [ "authorities in Cambridge" ], [ "Cambridge, Massachusetts," ], [ "The president" ], [ "The president" ], [ "Harvard professor" ], [ "The president" ], [ "Gates, a top African-American scholar, was arrested July 16 for disorderly conduct outside his home after police responded to a report of a possible burglary." ], [ "African-American" ] ]	Arrest of black professor by white officer turned into racial incident . President Obama poured fuel on fire by saying police acted "stupidly" Cambridge officials create panel to advise police on racial issues .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A sharply divided House of Representatives narrowly passed a White House-backed climate change bill Friday after hours of cajoling and arm-twisting by Democratic leaders among members worried about the legislation's potential economic and political fallout. The House of Representatives passes an energy bill that includes a "cap-and-trade" program on emissions. The bill passed 219-212, with virtually no Republican support. The bill would reduce nationwide greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050 through a so-called "cap-and-trade" program under which companies would buy and sell emissions credits. Among other things, the bill would also require utilities to generate an increasing amount of power from renewable sources. Even before daybreak Friday, consternation over the bill brewed anew. The Democrats released a 301-page amendment to the bill at 3:09 a.m. Friday, drawing protest from Republican Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio. "This is the biggest job-killing bill that has ever been on the floor of the House of Representatives. Right here. This bill," Boehner said. The leaders of the House are customarily granted unlimited speaking time, but when the Boehner's speech went more than 2½ hours, Democrats objected. "Is this an attempt to try to get some people to leave on a close vote?" asked Rep Henry Waxman, D-California, the bill's lead sponsor. Also Friday, the House of Representatives phone switchboard went down as conservative radio hosts and congressmen made direct pleas for voters to dial the Capitol to voice their opposition to the bill. "Phone traffic has increased to a level where some callers are receiving an 'all circuits are busy now, please try back again later' message," communications director Jeff Ventura said via e-mail. Congressional sources said Democrats were hoping their constituents would also attempt to match phone calls opposed to the bill with phone calls for the bill. "Call your congressman, right now!" urged Rep. Mike Pence, R-Indiana, from the House floor as the chamber seemed near a vote. Ventura said the bill was likely behind the phone-line crash. "The suspected cause ... is believed to be interest and inquiries regarding the expected vote on the climate bill," he wrote. The House vote came one day after President Obama made an urgent plea for congressional approval in what could be an early make-or-break test of his young administration. "Now is the time for us to lead," Obama said during an appearance Thursday in the White House Rose Garden. "We cannot be afraid of the future. We cannot be prisoners to the past." The president said the bill will spark a "clean energy transformation" of the U.S. economy and "make possible the creation of millions of new jobs." "Make no mistake," he emphasized. "This is a jobs bill." Several moderate and conservative Democrats indicated that they received heavy constituent pressure in the final hours to buck their party leadership and vote against the bill. "I can't begin to tell you how many calls we've received," said Rep. Charles Gonzalez, D-Texas. "And it's disproportionately vote 'no.'" Gonzalez, who voted "yes," believes special interest groups generated many of the calls on both sides, including the late surge of negative feedback. However, Gonzalez also said Obama tried to counter much of that pressure by personally reaching out to swing members since Thursday night. Republicans have argued the bill would have the unintended consequence of devastating the country's battered industrial base while pushing polluting industries to countries with lower environmental standards. Having cleared the House, the bill now faces an unclear future in the Senate, where Democratic leaders have held off on introducing their own version of the legislation. CNN's Evan Glass contributed to this report.	[ "which has not been introduced?", "What got passed?", "What faces unclear future in the Senate?", "What would reduce nationwide greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent by 2020?" ]	[ [ "climate change bill" ], [ "climate change bill" ], [ "an energy bill" ], [ "The bill" ] ]	Democratic leaders, Obama twist arms to get politically dicey bill passed . Bill would reduce nationwide greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent by 2020 . GOP says bill would drive polluting companies to less-regulated countries . Bill faces unclear future in Senate, where it has not been introduced .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A slim majority of Americans think churches should stay out of politics, according to a new survey. John McCain, the Rev. Rick Warren and Barack Obama together for a CNN broadcast forum on faith. The survey suggests that for the first time in more than a decade, there has been a shift away from the view that religious groups should influence social and political issues. Fifty-two percent of poll respondents said churches should stay quiet, while 46 percent said churches should express political views. The biggest shift has come among Republicans, one of the authors of the poll said. "Overall, the number of people who say churches should not endorse political candidates is up slightly, but among Republicans it is up 11 points, and among white evangelical Republicans it is up 19 points," said Greg Smith, a research fellow at the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. "There is a slight uptick, from 40 percent to 46 percent, among people who are uncomfortable to have politicians talking about religion, but it is up 10 points among Republicans," he added. Four years ago, seven out of 10 conservatives approved of religious institutions expressing political views. But five out of 10 conservatives in Thursday's poll said it was appropriate. It seems that the more important social issues are to conservatives, the more likely they were to say that religion and politics should not mix. Among people who said gay marriage was a very important issue, the number saying houses of worship should keep out of politics doubled, from 25 percent to 50 percent. Among those who said it was not important, the number was essentially unchanged. Respondents were also more likely to say houses of worship should not meddle in politics if they considered the major political parties to be hostile to religion. The new figures bring Republican views into line with those of Democrats and independents. A 14-point gap between Republican and Democratic views on the subject in August 2004 fell to one point in the new survey. But Smith cautioned against reading the survey to mean basic conservative philosophy was changing. "It appears to be frustration with the contemporary political landscape more than an underlying philosophical shift," he said. "It is not the case the conservatives are uncomfortable with a political role for religion, but we do see increasing discomfort with churches getting involved with politics." "Voting intentions among white evangelicals have not changed at all," Smith added. Republican candidate Sen. John McCain "has a huge lead even among younger evangelicals." But social conservatives are lukewarm about McCain as compared to President Bush. Nearly seven out of 10 white evangelical Protestants and conservatives said they supported McCain; the number was slightly higher for Bush in August 2004. But four years ago, 57 percent of them said they backed Bush strongly. The number is 28 percent for McCain this year, with 40 percent saying they backed him, but not strongly. The number of people who think religious groups have too much influence over political parties grew -- for both Republicans and Democrats -- as did the percentage of people who are uncomfortable hearing politicians talk about how religious they are. Americans continue to see the Republican Party as more friendly to religion than the Democrats, although the Democrats closed the gap somewhat since reaching a low point in 2006. Other survey results showed little change from the past. Two out of three Americans continue to say churches should not endorse candidates for president, and most still feel a president should have strong religious beliefs. The survey was conducted by the Pew Research Center for People & the Press and the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life by interviewing 2,905 adults nationwide by phone between July 31 and August 10. On Saturday, Obama and McCain answered questions that had religious overtones at a forum hosted by the Rev. Rick Warren. The pastor of Southern California's Saddleback Church is author of the best-selling book "The Purpose-Driven Life." Asked when life begins, McCain was quick to say "at the moment of conception." McCain's response was met with huge	[ "Who thinks Survey doesn't mean basic conservative philosophy is changing?", "what did the researcher SAY", "What do they change views on?", "what does the Small majority of Americans think", "What do the small majority believe?", "What does the survey mean?" ]	[ [ "Smith" ], [ "\"Overall, the number of people who" ], [ "that religious groups should influence social and political issues." ], [ "churches should stay out of politics," ], [ "Americans think churches should stay out of politics," ], [ "A slim majority of Americans think churches should stay out of politics," ] ]	Survey: Republicans change view more than others on church and politics . Small majority of Americans think churches shouldn't endorse candidates . Researcher: Survey doesn't mean basic conservative philosophy is changing .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A smiling Pope Benedict XVI arrived in the United States on Tuesday afternoon to start the six-day, two-city journey that will take him from the White House to the halls of the United Nations. The papal plane, Shepherd 1, touched down at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland to cheers from a crowd of invited guests gathered for the event. After he stepped off the plane, Benedict did not kiss the ground, as his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, often did during visits. The pontiff was greeted by President Bush, first lady Laura Bush and their daughter Jenna, each of whom shook his hand. Watch the arrival » It was believed to be the first time an American president has greeted a world dignitary on arrival at Andrews. "It had the look and feel of a monumental and historic event," CNN's Brian Todd reported. This is the first U.S. papal visit since the attacks of September 11 and Benedict's first visit to the United States. There will be a welcoming ceremony for the pope on the South Lawn of the White House on Wednesday. Benedict is to speak before meeting with U.S. cardinals and bishops. Where will the pope be? » One of the stated goals of the pope's visit is to energize the U.S. Catholic community, which has an estimated 70 million members. Three years after succeeding Pope John Paul II, Benedict is likely to address the sex scandal within the Catholic Church, the church's relationship with other faiths, the U.S.-led war in Iraq and the upcoming U.S. presidential election, said John Allen, a CNN Vatican analyst. The fallout from the sex scandal has had a serious impact on the U.S. Catholic Church in terms of its finances, its moral authority and the demoralization of Catholics. During the flight from Rome to Washington, the pope told reporters aboard that he was ashamed of the problem. Watch the pope express his shame about the scandal » 'Intense' security Meanwhile, security preparations were under way in the air, on land and in the water. Twenty-seven state, local and federal agencies will protect the pope as he meets with religious leaders, celebrates Mass at a baseball stadium and makes his way around the capital in his distinctive "popemobile." There are no specific threats against Benedict, according to the FBI, but a March audio message from Osama Bin Laden mentioned the pontiff. The centerpiece of the Washington leg of the U.S. visit will be Thursday's Mass at Nationals Park, a new baseball stadium where 46,000 people will gather to watch the pope. Everyone will go through metal detectors on their way in, and nearby roads and bridges will be closed. Temporary flight restrictions will be in place over the stadium. Watch how Washington is preparing for papal visit » A 1½-mile section of the adjacent Anacostia River will be closed during the Mass. The Coast Guard will patrol the river in boats with machine guns mounted on their bows. "I am worried about a terrorist attack," said Lt. Lynda LeCrone of the Coast Guard. "We are here to detect, deter and defend against waterborne attack on this highly publicized event. ... We can use force." The pope will be making his way around parts of Washington in the popemobile, a Mercedes Benz modified with bulletproof glass surrounding a seating area from which the pope can wave to bystanders along his route. The vehicle, one of three popemobiles in the Vatican motor pool, arrived in the United States last week. It will be driven by a Secret Service agent. The agents have been training with the vehicle. "We try best-case scenarios and also try worst-case scenarios so our staff will know how to react," said Secret Service Special Agent Renee Triplett, who oversees Secret Service training. Benedict will travel to New York on Friday and address the U.N. General Assembly, linking the visit to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He'll celebrate Mass Sunday morning at Yankee Stadium. Still a mystery Despite three	[ "Who visits U.S. for six days?", "Who greeted the pontiff?", "Who greets the pontiff?", "What is this the first papal visit since?", "What else will he visit?", "Where did Pope Benedict XVI arrive?", "Who greets the pope?", "Who arrives in washington?" ]	[ [ "Pope Benedict XVI" ], [ "President Bush, first lady Laura Bush and their daughter Jenna," ], [ "President Bush," ], [ "the attacks of September 11" ], [ "White House to the halls of the United Nations." ], [ "in the United States" ], [ "President Bush, first lady Laura Bush and their daughter Jenna," ], [ "Pope Benedict XVI" ] ]	NEW: Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Washington for six-day U.S. visit . NEW: President Bush, first lady Laura Bush and daughter Jenna greet pontiff . Security tight for first papal visit since September 11 attacks . Benedict will also visit New York; will celebrate Mass in both cities .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A soldier who reported for duty with her children in tow has been granted her request for a discharge, her lawyer said Monday. Lisa Pagan was recalled to the Army after being honorably discharged four years ago. Lisa Pagan, of Davidson, North Carolina, reported for duty Monday morning at Fort Benning, Georgia, with her two preschool children. She had been honorably discharged from active duty at the rank of specialist nearly four years ago but was recalled as part of the Individual Ready Reserve program. The former Army truck driver asked for a reprieve from deployment because her husband travels for business and they would have no one to care for their children if she was sent overseas. Until Monday, her request had been denied. Late Monday afternoon, Pagan's lawyer told CNN the Army would grant her request and begin the process of discharge again, this time for good. "We are definitely heading in the right direction for Lisa and her family and her children," said Mark Waple, Pagan's attorney. "She has been told by her chain of command they plan on doing everything they can within reason to do this as expeditiously as possible." Pagan enlisted in 2002 and was honorably discharged from active duty in June 2005. She was never deployed. Before she left for Fort Benning, Pagan, 27, told CNN affiliate WCNC that her relatives weren't able to care for her children for various reasons, including her relatives' health. She said her family couldn't afford having her husband give up his job. They would lose their house, she told the Charlotte, North Carolina-TV station. "I'm a human being. I need to take care of my children. They don't have anybody else," Pagan told WCNC. Since September 11, 2001, the Army has recalled about 25,000 soldiers. Nearly half requested a delay or a full exemption. Some just wanted to finish their school semester before reporting. Others had financial or medical problems that made it difficult to report for duty. The Army says it granted nearly nine out of 10 delay requests and six out of 10 requests for exemption.	[ "Who else could have cared for the kids?", "what did the soldier report", "When did she leave?", "What did the soldier say?", "Where does the woman live?" ]	[ [ "no one" ], [ "reported for duty" ], [ "June 2005." ], [ "\"I'm a human being. I need to take care of my children. They don't have anybody else,\"" ], [ "Davidson, North Carolina," ] ]	Soldier reported for duty in Georgia on Monday with her two preschool children . She had been discharged four years ago, but was recalled . Lisa Pagan argued no one would be able to care for kids if she was sent overseas . Lawyer: Army granted request for reprieve, and she will be discharged for good .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A soldier who survived a Taliban attack that killed nine U.S. troops in Afghanistan last month described a scene of "pure chaos" in which he watched buddies die. Army Spc. Tyler Stafford is recovering from wounds he suffered in the July 13 attack. Army Spc. Tyler Stafford and fellow soldiers in the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team were establishing an outpost near the village of Wanat when about 200 Taliban militants attacked July 13. "They had 200-plus guys all shooting at us -- I mean, pure chaos," Stafford said. "You could hear guys screaming." Nine Americans were killed and 12 -- including Stafford -- were wounded in the deadliest attack on U.S. forces in Afghanistan in three years. Afghan sources said that up to 100 militants were killed in the attack. Stafford, who is recovering at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, said he and his fellow soldiers were facing Taliban fighters on three sides when the attack began. The Americans were outmanned and outgunned. A NATO spokesman said the defense of the outpost was "heroic." Once he was wounded, Stafford called out to his friend, Cpl. Matthew Phillips. "I yelled to him, I was like, 'Phillips, man I need help. I'm hit.' ... I looked at him and I called him about four or five times. I was like, 'Phillips. Phillips. Are you all right, Phillips?' And he never moved. "That's the first one of my buddies I've ever seen die." A short distance away was Cpl. Jonathan Ayers. "He never once stopped shooting," Stafford said. "I thought that was completely amazing. He never, I mean, he finally was killed by [rocket-propelled grenades] and gunfire, but he never once stopped shooting back at them." Lt. Jonathan Brostrom and Cpl. Jason Hovater were killed when they ran through a hail of Taliban gunfire in an attempt to carry more ammunition to their fellow soldiers, Stafford said. "They knew our guys were in trouble, and when the Airborne's in trouble, you don't leave them to die; you go help them," Stafford said. "They brought what they could." The Americans were running low on ammunition, and some of them were so badly wounded they were unable to move, Stafford said. Help did not come for an hour, he said. Stafford eventually was helicoptered to safety. He said he looked back at the scene below while aboard the chopper. "It's like one of the those movies out of like Vietnam that you see with all these special effects and everything's on fire," he recalled. "Smoke in the air, and that's all you see is tracer rounds going back and forth ... just, 'boom, boom, boom.' " The other Americans who died were Sgt. Israel Garcia, Cpl. Gunnar Zwilling, Spc. Sergio Abad, Cpl. Pruitt Rainey and Cpl. Jason Bogar. "The way they served each other -- you're fighting for the guy on your back, the guy that's in the foxhole next to you, when that kind of stuff happens. We all love each other very much," Stafford said.	[ "How many solders died in the attack?", "In what country were they killed?", "What is the survivor quoted as saying?", "The attack was the deadliest on U.S. forces in how many years?", "What is the number of soldiers dead?" ]	[ [ "nine" ], [ "Afghanistan" ], [ "\"They had 200-plus guys all shooting at us -- I mean, pure chaos,\"" ], [ "three" ], [ "Nine" ] ]	Survivor of attack that killed nine U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan recalls "chaos" Army Spc. Tyler Stafford, wounded in July 13 attack, says he watched buddies die . Soldier recalls calling out to friend during battle, not knowing friend had died . Incident was deadliest attack on U.S. forces in Afghanistan in three years .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A top congressional Republican on Sunday criticized President Barack Obama's expected decision to reverse the Bush administration's limits on embryonic stem-cell research, calling it a distraction from the country's economic slump. U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor also says the policy reversal could lead to embryo harvesting, which "shouldn't be done." "Why are we going and distracting ourselves from the economy? This is job No. 1. Let's focus on what needs to be done," Rep. Eric Cantor, the Republican whip in the House of Representatives, told CNN's "State of the Union." Obama's move, scheduled for Monday morning, is part of a broader effort to separate science and politics and "restore scientific integrity in governmental decision-making," White House domestic policy adviser Melody Barnes said Sunday. The Bush administration's 2001 policy bars federal funding for research on embryonic stem cells beyond the cell lines that existed at the time. Cantor, R-Virginia, has been among the leaders of GOP opposition to Obama's economic policies. In a conference call with reporters, Barnes said funding research is also part of the administration's plan to boost the plunging U.S. economy. "Advances with regard to science and technology help advance our overall national goals around economic growth and job creation," she said, adding, "I think anytime you make an effort to try and separate these pieces of the puzzle, you're missing the entire picture." Because stem cells have the potential to turn into any organ or tissue cell in the body, research advocates say they could yield cures to debilitating conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease and spinal injuries. But because work on embryonic stem cells involves the destruction of human embryos, many conservatives supported the limits former President George Bush imposed by executive order in 2001. "Frankly, federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research can bring on embryo harvesting, perhaps even human cloning that occurs," Cantor said. "We don't want that. That shouldn't be done. That's wrong." The Bush policy limited federal funding to work on 60 existing stem-cell lines, but only 21 of those have proven useful to researchers. Congress voted to roll back those limits in 2006 and 2007, but Bush vetoed the legislation both times, leading to Democratic charges that he had put politics over science. Dr. Harold Varmus, president of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and co-chairman of Obama's science advisory council, said Sunday that Obama will "endorse the notion that public policy must be guided by sound, scientific advice." Obama's order will direct the National Institutes of Health to develop revised guidelines on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research within 120 days, said Varmus, who joined Barnes in the conference call with reporters. "The president is, in effect, allowing federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research to the extent that it's permitted by law -- that is, work with stem cells themselves, not the derivation of stem cells," he said. Supporters of the ban said researchers could still obtain private funding or explore alternatives such as adult stem cells. Opponents said the research could be carried out using embryos left over in fertility clinics, which otherwise would be discarded. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, told reporters that reversing the Bush ban would "once again say to the rest of the world that we will be the beacon for cures and for hope." She credited her support for federal funding in part for her 2006 election. "I think it's a great moment, and I'm proud of [Obama] for reversing that executive order," McCaskill said. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, said the Bush policy imposed ethical limits on science. "My basic tenet here is I don't think we should create life to enhance life and to do research and so forth," Shelby said. "I know that people argue there are other ways. I think we should continue our biomedical research everywhere we can, but	[ "Who says a policy reversal could lead to embryo harvesting?", "What does Cantor think the policy reversal can lead to?", "What is distracting from the economy?", "What does Rep. Cantor say the reversal could lead to?", "What is going to be reversed?", "Which Bush-era policy is being reversed?", "What policy topic should be reversed?", "Which president issued a policy on embryonic stem cell research?" ]	[ [ "U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor" ], [ "embryo harvesting," ], [ "embryonic stem-cell research," ], [ "embryo harvesting," ], [ "the Bush administration's limits on embryonic stem-cell research," ], [ "limits on embryonic stem-cell research," ], [ "the Bush administration's limits on embryonic stem-cell research," ], [ "Bush" ] ]	NEW: White House adviser: Move part of effort to separate politics, science . Bush-era policy on embryonic stem cell research to be reversed, officials say . President's expected decision on stem cells distracting from economy, Cantor says . Rep. Cantor, R-Virginia, also says policy reversal could lead to embryo harvesting .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A watchdog group critical of pork barrel spending released its latest findings Wednesday targeting the top Congressional "porkers." Some of the pork projects, according to the group, include a Lobster Institute; the Rocky Flats, Colorado, Cold War Museum; and the First Tee, a program to build young people's character through golf. Members of Congress requested funds for all these pet projects and thousands of others last year, according to the latest copy of the annual "Pig Book" released by Citizens Against Government Waste. "Congress stuffed 11,610 projects" worth $17.2 billion into a dozen spending bills, the group said in the report released Wednesday. The "Pig Book" names dozens of what the citizens group considers the most egregious porkers, the lawmakers who funnel money to projects on their home turf. Interactive: Pork barrel spending » Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi, the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, requested the most money, $892.2 million, according to the group. In a statement to CNN, Cochran said he doesn't "accept the premise" of the group's claim that "any and all federal spending not specifically requested by the Executive Branch is wasteful and irresponsible." "The Congress is vested with the power to appropriate funds to be spent by the federal government by the U. S. Constitution. We will continue to carry out that responsibility with care and a commitment to serve the public interest," he said. "There were several candidates for the Narcissist Award," Tom Schatz, the president of the group said. Read the group's 2008 report "But this one went to House Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel for the Charles Rangel Public Service Center at the City College of New York -- $1,950,000 [for a project] that he named after himself." Rangel, a Democrat from New York, said last summer he was "honored that City College chose to have my name attached to what is an important project, not just for the residents of my congressional district, but for New York City and this nation." Some lawmakers defended their earmarks, such as Rep. Mike Thompson, D-California, who channeled $742,764 to olive fruit fly research. "The olive fruit fly has infested thousands of California olive groves and is the single largest threat to the U.S. olive and olive oil industries," he said. Schatz responded that his organization is criticizing the way lawmakers direct money to specific projects, not the projects themselves. "There are existing programs for virtually everything in the 'Pig Book.' If members [of Congress] believe they should be given additional funding, give them to the agencies rather than to specific projects," he said. The problem with earmarks, he said, is that "we don't know if [the projects] are valuable or not." Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-South Carolina, the third ranking Democrat in the House, defended his earmark for a program that funds a youth golf program for children on U.S. military bases. "It's a character building program, that seems to be working well for low income kids and that's why we do it throughout the United States of America. I just feel that children living on military installations ought to have this program as well," Clyburn told CNN. Clyburn also defended the practice of earmarking federal funds. "I can name earmark after earmark, there's absolutely nothing wrong with congresspeople responding to their constituents and funding programs that they feel are necessary to improve the quality of life of the people who live in their districts." Clyburn also raised questions about the group releasing the "Pig Book" saying, "they're not telling the truth about this earmark no more than them telling the truth about where they get their money from. The committee against government waste isn't against government waste." He cited press reports from the St. Petersburg Times that the Committee Against Government Waste received money from the tobacco industry and other private groups to lobby Congress. Both parties came	[ "Which government group releases the annual pork spending report?", "who releases report", "What is one of the biggest pork projects?", "Citizens against Who?", "who responds to report" ]	[ [ "Waste." ], [ "A watchdog group critical of pork barrel spending" ], [ "include a Lobster Institute; the Rocky Flats, Colorado, Cold War Museum; and the First Tee, a program to build young people's character through golf." ], [ "Government Waste." ], [ "Rep. Jim Clyburn," ] ]	NEW: GOP Sen. Thad Cochran, Democrat Rep. Jim Clyburn respond to report . Citizens Against Government Waste releases annual pork spending report . Some of the biggest pork projects, according to the group, include a Lobster Institute . Democrats were behind 5,199 projects, while Republicans were behind 3,408 .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A weekend incident with racial overtones at a high school for deaf students could result in criminal charges with "enhanced penalties for a hate crime," Metro Police Chief Cathy Lanier said Wednesday. A black student was held against his will and then released with "KKK" and swastikas drawn on him in marker at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf on Sunday, she said. No charges have been filed, and no names have been released, Lanier said. The incident began when a group of black students and a group of white students were in a dorm. "My understanding is the two groups engaged in friendly horseplay," she said. But, she said, the groups got "angry with each other." The two groups separated, she said, but later, six white students and one black student -- all between the ages of 15 and 19 -- took one of the black students into a dorm room and "held him there against his will." "They used markers to write 'KKK' and draw swastikas on the student," Lanier said. The student was released after about 45 minutes. He notified dorm and school authorities, who called police. Lanier said police have identified and interviewed the students involved and the "investigation is ongoing." "The support we've received from the campus and from the school employees has been tremendous," Lanier said. "And I think they're supporting us in making a very strong statement that this investigation may lead to charges that could have enhanced penalties for a hate crime." The school is a residential high school on the campus of Gallaudet University, a higher education facility for deaf and hard of hearing people. The high school is administered as a division of the university's Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center. Dean of Clerc Center Katherine A. Jankowski said the seven students who participated in the incident were sent home. Gallaudet provost Stephen Weiner said the school does "not tolerate any action, behavior of this type." "We are taking action," he said. "We are looking at programs to help students understand we are a school with a diverse population." "This incident is intolerable," he said. "That's why the Metro police are involved. That's how serious we are about this incident." Jankowski said the school has also hired a consultant to work with the school and its students on diversity issues. On Monday, teachers and staff hosted a school-wide assembly with students related to the incident, said Jankowski. Individual and group counseling services were also available to students, teachers and staff. "We are committed to ensuring MSSD is a safe and supportive learning environment," she said. E-mail to a friend	[ "What charges could teens face?", "How many have been charged so far?", "where was the argument", "What charges could the student face?", "Have the police not charged anyone?", "Where did students argue?", "what did the police say" ]	[ [ "criminal" ], [ "No charges" ], [ "Model Secondary School for the Deaf" ], [ "criminal" ], [ "No charges" ], [ "in a dorm." ], [ "result in criminal charges with \"enhanced penalties for a hate crime,\"" ] ]	Groups of white, black students argued on Gallaudet University campus . Police: White students and one black student later assaulted black student . Teens could face criminal charges, including hate crimes, police said . None have been charged yet, said police .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A wide-open presidential race and a willingness by candidates, interest groups, unions and corporations to buy TV time will lead to historic spending for political and issue-advocacy advertising in the 2008 election cycle, an analysis shows. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has spent the most on TV advertising so far among presidential contenders. The cost to try to influence the 2008 election could exceed $3 billion, according to TNS Media Intelligence/Campaign Media Analysis Group, CNN's consultant on political television advertising. This is nearly twice as much than what was spent in 2004 when political and issue-advocacy television advertising rang in at $1.7 billion. In 2006, $2.3 billion was spent on political and issue-advocacy TV commercials. Just about every candidate running for an office from dogcatcher to president is spending the money, said Evan Tracey, CMAG's chief operating officer. The costs to produce a TV commercial are no longer prohibitive for local and state candidates, who are turning more and more to the airwaves to reach voters. See how spending breaks down for this year » And interest groups have spent $6.2 million on TV ads so far this year for state and local ballot measures. On the national level, the cost of issue-advocacy television ad spending was $270 million in the first nine months of this year. Subjects ranged from the Iraq war to telecommunications reform. Television ads on health care alone total $60 million. CMAG estimates more than $3 million of the $270 million spent to air issue-advocacy ads this year has gone for commercials in states and districts that are likely to have competitive House and Senate races in 2008. Tracey said he thinks this is just the beginning of interest groups "pivoting from legislative advocacy mode to political mode." "What we expect to see between now and the end of the primaries, and through the general election, is groups will take a more aggressive stance on their advertising and actually target candidates," he said. With 17 Democratic and Republican candidates running for president, CMAG predicts that more than $800 million will be spent on TV ads in the battle for the White House. Up to now, the political commercials have been largely focused on the early states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Voters in some of the 20-plus states holding nominating contests on February 5 will start seeing ads in the coming months. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney leads all candidates in TV spending, having aired his commercials more than 11,000 times this year at a cost of nearly $8.6 million. This is a record for the number of airings at this point in a presidential election cycle. Watch how Romney is way ahead in ad spending » In contrast, one of Romney's chief rivals for the GOP nomination, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, has spent nothing on television ads, but Giuliani leads in the national polls and is within striking distance of the lead in several state surveys. Giuliani enjoys widespread national name recognition, while Romney does not. In the race for the Democratic nomination, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has spent more than $2.3 million on television commercials, while New York Sen. Hillary Clinton has spent $1 million less and leads in both national and early state polls. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has probably benefited the most in the Democratic contest from the $2 million he has invested in his television commercials. Richardson's humorous TV ads effectively stated his experience as a lawmaker, diplomat and executive, and positioned him as a solid second-tier candidate. Romney used his $8.6 million in television ads to introduce himself as a social and fiscal conservative to Republican voters. These voters might otherwise not know much about him other than that he was the governor of the traditionally liberal Massachusetts. Romney is leading polls in the early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire. Further evidence of how Romney's television commercials have helped is in South Carolina. An American Research Group poll of South Carolina Republicans in August showed Romney registering at 9 percent with	[ "Who leads the TV spending?", "What did the analyst say?", "Which year is the amount spent double of?", "Whom are helping them advertise", "What % more was spent on this election compared in 2004", "What helps candidates advertise?", "What can be done to help more candidates advertise?", "What can help help more candidates advertise?", "What was doubled from the 2004 election cycle?", "Which helps more candidates advertise?", "Who is the leading presidential candidate in TV spending?", "Who leads presidential candidates in TV spending?" ]	[ [ "Mitt Romney" ], [ "groups will take a more aggressive stance" ], [ "2004" ], [ "interest groups" ], [ "nearly twice as much" ], [ "unions and corporations" ], [ "buy TV time" ], [ "to the airwaves to reach voters." ], [ "political television advertising." ], [ "TV" ], [ "Mitt Romney" ], [ "Mitt Romney" ] ]	Amount almost double what was spent in 2004 election cycle . Lower TV production costs help more candidates advertise . Mitt Romney leads presidential candidates in TV spending . Advertisers face challenge of cutting through clutter of ads, analyst says .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A woman asked Rep. Allen Boyd at a town hall meeting the other day if health care reform proposals would force people to let the government access their bank accounts. False rumors about health care have been aired at town hall meetings, like this one in Maryland last week. "That's not true," the Florida Democrat responded. "When someone sends you something on the Internet that sounds crazy, how about just checking it a little bit?" The CNN Truth Squad, which fact-checks political claims, has debunked the bank-access rumor as false. Yet that claim, and others that have been disproved, keep coming up in the national debate on health care reform, inflaming an already emotional issue. Heated protests have disrupted town hall meetings nationwide, with people shouting at legislators and venting anger at President Obama. While the anger is genuine, some of it is based on misunderstandings of the actual proposals, said Kenneth Thorpe, a health policy expert at Emory University. "People are freaked out because there's a lot of bad information and misinformation being ... put out there by opponents of health care reform," Thorpe told CNN. Obama and the Democrats say misleading information sows fear and anger, particularly among senior citizens who are worried about how changes in health care could affect Medicare. The White House and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have set up Web campaigns to refute what they describe as provably false information. "It is now evident that an ugly campaign is under way not merely to misrepresent the health insurance reform legislation, but to disrupt public meetings and prevent members of Congress and constituents from conducting a civil dialogue," Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer wrote in a recent commentary. Republican opponents respond that the emotional reaction is due to Democratic efforts to rush through legislation that amounts to a government takeover of the health care system. They say the proposals eventually will lead to a system that rations treatment based on an individual's ability to contribute to society. "We've actually started a national debate about exactly what is at stake here," Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said Wednesday. Speaking on MSNBC, Steele said the town hall meetings across the country are reflecting that debate. However, when asked directly about one of the most controversial statements by some Republicans -- that a House bill would create "death panels" to decide who gets treatment -- Steele refused to acknowledge that such language was misinformation. The CNN Truth Squad determined the "death panel" claim was false, along with others spread by conservative commentators and activist groups who say Democratic proposals would promote euthanizing elderly Americans and mandate free health insurance for illegal immigrants. One of the most disputed provisions, contained in a House health care proposal, would pay doctors for consultations with patients on end-of-life issues, such as living wills. The proposal is similar to one originally written by Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson of Georgia. Opponents have implied or said outright that consultations would be required -- even though the proposal says they would be voluntary. Some Republicans and Democrats have rejected the "death panel" language, but the issue keeps coming up. At a town hall meeting Tuesday night in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, powerful House Democrat Rep. Barney Frank called the notion that health care legislation required killing elderly people "the single stupidest thing I've heard." Obama says the misinformation confuses people over an already complex issue that requires public understanding. "The notion that somehow I ran for public office or members of Congress are in this so that they can go around pulling the plug on grandma ... when you start making arguments like that, it's simply dishonest," the president recently said. Wendell Potter, a former insurance company communications executive, told CNN that the insurance industry deliberately spreads false information with the goal of disrupting the debate. The insurance industry hires public relations firms that create front groups to try to "destroy health care reform by using terms like 'government takeover of the health care system' or we are heading down a 'slippery slope toward socialism' or	[ "What continue to pop up at town hall meetings?", "What has been debunked?", "What do the Dems say?" ]	[ [ "False rumors about health care" ], [ "False rumors about health care" ], [ "\"When someone sends you something on the Internet that sounds crazy, how about just checking it a little bit?\"" ] ]	Claims that have been debunked continue to pop up in town hall meetings, protests . Dems say "ugly campaign" under way to misrepresent proposals, disrupt debate . GOP says Dems trying to rush through a bill that eventually would lead to rationing . End-of-life provision that sparked "death panel" rumor dropped from Senate version .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A woman who helped raise a child with her female partner in Vermont before the pair split can visit the girl in Virginia even though that state doesn't recognize same-sex unions, a court ruled Friday. Janet Jenkins with Isabella, the daughter she helped raise with former partner Lisa Miller. Virginia's Supreme Court ruled that Janet Jenkins and Lisa Miller's civil union in 2000 gave Vermont, and its law on same-sex unions, jurisdiction over their subsequent custody and visitation disputes. Miller moved to Virginia with the child in 2003, and a Vermont court granted Jenkins visitation rights. But Miller took the case to a Virginia court, which ruled that Jenkins had no such rights there. The case was considered by legal experts to be the first conflict between two state courts over a major legal question arising from same-sex unions. Jenkins' attorney, Joseph Price of the Washington law firm Arent Fox, said Friday's ruling "just affirms the old principle that when these kinds of custody and visitation disputes begin in one state, that's where they should remain." "You can't shop them around to another state," Price said. "Virginia really had no choice but to enforce judgments and judicial orders from Vermont." Vermont is one of the few states that allow same-sex partners to enter into a civil union. Two years after Vermont recognized Miller and Jenkins' relationship, Miller gave birth to a daughter, Isabella, conceived through artificial insemination. The relationship deteriorated, and Miller and the baby moved to Virginia. A Vermont court later granted Miller a dissolution of the civil union and granted custody of the child to her and visitation rights to Jenkins. Miller then asked the courts in Virginia -- which does not recognize same-sex unions or marriages -- to take jurisdiction of the dispute. A Virginia state judge eventually ruled that Jenkins had no "parentage or visitation rights." The Virginia high court ruling Friday returned the case to Vermont's control, meaning Jenkins can visit the girl, who is now 6. Miller's attorney, Mathew Staver, said he was "disappointed the state sidestepped the larger legal questions." "This case shows that one state is not an island in the same-sex marriage dispute, and underscores having state laws that protect traditional one-man, one-woman marriages," said Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel, a law firm that fights on behalf of what it calls "traditional families." Miller said in 2005 that she was doing what was best for her daughter and was no longer a lesbian. "I am Isabella's mom. I did conceive her; I birthed her," she said. "I'm raising her. And in my opinion, Isabella needs to stay with me 100 percent of the time, because I am the only person that she identifies as a mom." Miller lives with Isabella in Winchester, Virginia. Jenkins did not offer an immediate reaction to the ruling but said in 2005 that she was only fighting for her rights as a parent. "Justice will be served for Isabella," she said. "I believe that. And I'll do whatever it takes. I'll be with her for as long as I can, or I'll be without her for as long as I have to, but I'm her mom. "She's born here [in Vermont]. She's always here." Price said Jenkins, who lives in Fair Haven, Vermont, was supposed to visit Isabella last weekend, but Miller didn't appear with the girl. Friday's ruling comes a week after the California Supreme Court's refusal to delay its recent decision legalizing same-sex marriage in the state. Massachusetts also allows same-sex marriages; Vermont and three other states permit civil unions, and 12 other states give gay and lesbian couples some legal rights. Virginia amended its constitution in 2007 to decree that marriage is defined as a union between one man and one woman.	[ "Who allowed visitation?", "What was the relationship between Janet Jenkins and Lisa Miller?", "Where did Miller move to?", "what did virginia ruling give vermon court?", "What did Miller get Virginia court to do?", "where did miller and vermont move?", "Who was allowed visitation of child?", "Who was involved in the case?", "Which state got jurisdiction over the case?", "Whit did the Vermont court allow Jenkins?", "Where did Jenkins and Miller live?", "Who did Virginia ruling give jurisdiction over case?" ]	[ [ "Vermont court" ], [ "female partner" ], [ "Virginia" ], [ "jurisdiction over their subsequent custody and visitation disputes." ], [ "take jurisdiction of the dispute." ], [ "Virginia" ], [ "Janet Jenkins" ], [ "Janet Jenkins" ], [ "Vermont," ], [ "visitation rights." ], [ "Vermont" ], [ "Vermont," ] ]	Virginia ruling gives Vermont court jurisdiction over case . Janet Jenkins and Lisa Miller were in civil union in Vermont but later split . Miller moved to Virginia with child; Vermont court allowed Jenkins visitation . Miller got Virginia court to block visitation; Friday's ruling overturns that .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Accidents happen, said the Supreme Court, but the criminal penalties can still be tough, at least for one "bungling bank robber." The case involved Christopher Michael Dean, arrested after he and a partner robbed a bank five years ago. By a 7-2 vote, the justices ruled Wednesday that the sentencing for a felon who accidentally fired a gun during a crime should be the same as if he had fired intentionally. The case involved Christopher Michael Dean, arrested after he and a partner robbed a Rome, Georgia, bank five years ago. The masked Dean had waved a gun and ordered patrons and staff to get down. While grabbing bills in one hand, the gun he was carrying in his other hand went off. The bullet hit a partition, and no one was injured. After the shot, Dean cursed and immediately ran out of the bank. Witnesses later testified he seemed surprised the weapon had gone off. Dean was charged in federal court and admitted committing the robbery. His sentence included a mandatory 10-year prison term for "discharging" a weapon during a crime. He appealed, saying the sentencing enhancement required proof that he intended to discharge the firearm, and his actions were accidental. But in his majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts said federal law "does not require that the discharge be done knowingly or intentionally." In what has become a regular feature of his writing, the 54-year-old chief justice displayed a sense of creativity and sly humor in his conclusions. He openly called Dean the "bungling bank robber" and quoted one patron's reaction to the bank gunshot: "Melissa in the lobby popped up and said, 'Oh, my God, has he shot Nora?' " Nora turned out to be all right. Justice John Paul Stevens dissented in the case, noting, "Accidents happen, but they seldom give rise to criminal liability. Indeed, if they cause no harm they seldom give rise to any liability. The court nevertheless holds that petitioner is subject to a mandatory additional sentence -- a species of criminal liability -- for an accident that caused no harm." He was supported by Justice Stephen Breyer. Roberts, however, saved the best for last in his bench remarks, when summarizing the ruling. "An individual who brings a loaded weapon to commit a crime runs the risk that the gun will discharge accidentally," he said. "Those criminals wishing to avoid the penalty for an inadvertent discharge can lock or unload the firearm, handle it with care during the underlying violent or drug trafficking crime, leave the gun at home, or -- best yet -- avoid committing the felony in the first place," Roberts wrote That brought barely contained laughter in the audience of several hundred gathered in the courtroom.	[ "Who appealed the 10 year sentence?", "What did the robber appeal?", "What did he appeal?", "What did dean say?", "What did the Chief Justice call him?", "What is the best way to avoid a gun discharge sentence?", "What did he say happened?" ]	[ [ "Christopher Michael Dean," ], [ "mandatory 10-year prison term for \"discharging\" a weapon during a crime." ], [ "a mandatory 10-year prison term for \"discharging\" a weapon during a crime." ], [ "cursed and immediately ran out of the bank." ], [ "\"bungling bank robber\"" ], [ "committing the felony in the first place,\"" ], [ "\"An individual who brings a loaded weapon to commit a crime runs the risk that the gun will discharge accidentally,\"" ] ]	Robber appealed 10-year sentence for discharging a gun in a bank . Weapon went off accidentally, say attorneys for Christopher Michael Dean . Chief Justice John Roberts called Dean 'the bunging bank robber' Roberts: Best way to avoid sentence for gun discharge is to leave gun behind .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Activists say the U.S. is handing the enemy a victory the longer it allows the detention of enemy combatants at the U.S Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. "When we leave them at Guantanamo, in a military prison, we give them a status they don't deserve," said John Hutson, a former U.S. Navy judge advocate general. "We make them heroes and martyrs to their friends and colleagues back in terrorist camps," he said. Ten years after the first detainees were brought to Guantanamo from what was considered the battlefield in Afghanistan after 9/11, constitutional and judicial experts held a news conference Wednesday to say the Obama administration needs to restore American values of human rights and the rule of law. Hundreds of protesters rallied later outside the White House as part of the event, with organizers saying the rally was to "call on President Obama to keep his promise and shutter Guantanamo Bay now." Under the Bush administration, the United States claimed that Guantanamo Bay detainees are not on U.S. soil and therefore not covered by the U.S. Constitution, and that "enemy combatant" status means they can be denied some legal protections. President Barack Obama in January 2009 ordered the camp to be closed within a year, citing security concerns. But as of July of last year, 171 detainees remained at Guantanamo. Their prolonged and murky circumstances were the focus of the Wednesday event. "There is no case that is so important that we should sacrifice our dedication to human rights and rule of law," Hutson said. "It's not a rule of law unless it applies all the time, and it's not a human right unless it applies to all people." Morris Davis, a former chief prosecutor for the military commissions at Guantanamo, said political interference from back home during the Bush administration blocked any basis for a fair trial. "Initially I was probably the leading proponent for Guantanamo, and for military commissions," Davis, a retired Air Force colonel, said Wednesday. But he eventually resigned after he said the Bush administration pressured him to use evidence he felt was obtained through torture. "I believed at the time that we were committed to having full, fair and open trials," Davis said. "I resigned when I lost confidence that that was our commitment." Obama, in a 2009 speech delivered in Cairo, Egypt, acknowledged that the U.S. had acted "contrary to our ideals" in the time that followed the 9/11 attacks. After telling his Middle East audience he had "unequivocally prohibited the use of torture," Obama then said he had "ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed," on a timetable that would have ended about a year ago. "If we roll up the Constitution every time that there's a difficult factual situation, we might as well roll up the entire democracy," said Vincent Warren, executive director of the Center for Constitutional Rights. Talat Hamdani, a Muslim American whose son died in the attacks on World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, spoke at the rally in front of the White House. "We say we are not at war with Islam, yet actions do speak louder than words," Hamdani said. "Guantanamo is a shame -- a disgrace for our nation and we need to set the record straight by leading by example." Despite a steady downpour of rain, the large group of protesters -- including some in orange jumpsuits symbolizing the Guantanamo Bay detainee uniforms, marched past the White House and on to the Supreme Court following the rally. CNN's Lindy Royce-Bartlett contributed to this report.	[ "What former military JAG says detainees become heroes in terrorist camps/", "Who questions a decade of detentions at Guantanamo?", "The demonstration urged Obama to do what?", "What demonstration outside White House urges Obama to make good on the shutdown?", "Where did the demonstrations take place?", "Who said detainees became heroes and martyrs in terrorist camps?" ]	[ [ "John Hutson," ], [ "Activists" ], [ "keep his promise and shutter Guantanamo Bay now.\"" ], [ "large group of protesters" ], [ "outside the White House" ], [ "John Hutson," ] ]	Legal activists question a decade of detentions at Guantanamo . Former military JAG says detainees become "heroes and martyrs" in terrorist camps . Demonstration outside White House urges Obama to make good on shutdown promise .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Actor Dennis Quaid told lawmakers Wednesday how his newborn twins came close to death after an overdose of blood-thinning medication, the fault of a drug company that did not recall easily confused bottles despite previous problems, he said. Actor Dennis Quaid says that what is happening in the nation's courts "is no fiction." The incident occurred last year at a Los Angeles, California, hospital, Quaid told members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. In The actor also said the "infants nearly died because of a drug company's failure to put safety first." The panel's hearing focused on the issue of "pre-emption," under which FDA approval guarantees immunity for drug companies against state lawsuits, because federal law supersedes state law. The Supreme Court is mulling the issue in a Vermont case. Oral arguments are expected in early October. "I am in the entertainment industry, but what happened to us, and what is happening in the courts of our country, is no fiction," Quaid said in a statement prepared for members of the House panel. "It is all too real. That is why I have decided to speak out and do something." Watch Quaid say "Baxter's negligence was an accident waiting to happen" » The actor's actual statement was abridged, as he and other witnesses were given a five-minute time limit on remarks. Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-California, said, "This is exactly the wrong time for the FDA to say, 'Trust us.' As a result of chronic underfunding and weak leadership, FDA's ability to protect the public is plummeting." He said the agency has believed that state liability helped the agency regulate drugs and devices but has changed its stance under the Bush administration. In response to Quaid's testimony, the company that made the drugs involved -- Baxter Healthcare -- issued a statement saying human error was to blame, noting that the finding was supported by the California Department of Public Health. In November, Quaid's 12-day-old twins, Thomas Boone and Zoe Grace, were undergoing intravenous antibiotic treatment for a staph infection at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Hospital. According to standard procedure, nurses were supposed to clean the infants' IV lines with Hep-Lock, a drug containing a very small dose of the blood thinner heparin, to allow the lines to flow freely. However, instead of the 10 units of heparin they were supposed to receive, the twins received 10,000 units, 1,000 times the prescribed amount. The babies survived, apparently with no permanent injury, Quaid told members of Congress, although no one knows whether they will show any long-term effects. The actor grew emotional as he recalled a 41-hour ordeal in which his infants' blood was the consistency of water and their bodies bore bruises from internal bleeding. "It made me feel that they had survived for a reason ... that maybe they were going to change the world in a little way," he said. In researching the incident, Quaid told lawmakers he found that the bottles of 10-unit Hep-Lock and 10,000-unit heparin were "virtually indistinguishable." Both drugs are manufactured by Baxter Healthcare. He also learned that the labels' similarity led to an overdose of infants at an Indianapolis, Indiana, hospital in 2006. Three babies died and three were injured. Four months after that incident, he said, Baxter sent a warning to hospitals regarding the potential for mistakes. Seven months after that, Baxter received permission to change the labels. However, Quaid said, Baxter failed to recall the previous bottles that were in hospitals. "They recall automobiles; they recall toasters; they even recall dog food," Quaid said. "Although mistakes did occur at Cedars, the overdosing of our twins was a chain of events of human error -- and the first link in that chain was Baxter." Baxter, meanwhile, said in its statement that its heparin vials "have been used safely more than 100,000 times a day, a fact	[ "What were newborns given?", "What is Baxter Healthcare saying?", "Baxter Healthcare said what?", "What was the newborns given?", "What caused the newborn twins to have a brush with death?", "Who testified before the house committee?", "Who said the incident resulted from humor error?" ]	[ [ "blood-thinning medication," ], [ "human error was to blame," ], [ "human error was to blame," ], [ "blood-thinning medication," ], [ "an overdose of blood-thinning medication," ], [ "Dennis Quaid" ], [ "Baxter Healthcare" ] ]	Actor testifies before House committee on newborn twins' brush with death . The newborns were given 1,000 times the normal dose of a blood thinner . Quaid says pharmaceutical companies must be held accountable through lawsuits . Baxter Healthcare said the incident resulted from human error .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Actor, author and Parkinson's disease activist Michael J. Fox spoke with CNN's "Larry King Live" to be aired Thursday. Michael J. Fox: "I still travel with my kids, and I'm with them part of the day, every day." In the interview, Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1991, talks about his new book, which he describes as "a memoir of the last 10 years." In it, he explores the nature of optimism. He also talked about his family, a new approach to acting and President Obama's lifting of a ban on stem cell research, among other things. Here are some excerpts from the show. Larry King: He's founder of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. He's a best-selling author -- the new book is "Always Looking Up." By the way, he has got an ABC special, "Michael J. Fox: Adventures of an Incurable Optimist." It airs on May 7. You remain -- is it easy to be an optimist? Michael J. Fox: Well, for me it's second nature. It's just the way I look at life. And it's certainly a challenge now for most people to be optimistic, obviously, with all of the troubles we have and the problems that the country is facing. But I think it's exactly in those times when our optimism kicks in highest gear. I think -- there's an expression that I like that I always use: "Don't wish for a lighter load, wish for broader shoulders." And I think that people are really -- I see a lot of broader shoulders these days, people are really working on the delts, you know? King: What was it like when you were diagnosed? Fox: Well, you know, it's hard to describe it, because I was so young, I was 29 years old. And so Parkinson's is not what you expect to hear. I had a twitch in my pinky and I figured it was some kind of nerve damage or I'd done something probably athletic. ... But then I got this diagnosis, and I thought the guy was kidding. And then it was shock, and then I had a certain amount of fear and I started to react to it in certain ways. I started drinking more heavily as a way of self-medicating it. And it took me -- you know, it's funny, because I sit and talk about "Always Looking Up" and being optimistic, and accept the losses and move on or find new gains, but it took me about seven years, I think, to really get to the point where I could tell people about it. ... I was diagnosed in '91, and it wasn't until '98 that I admitted publicly that it was a situation I was facing. King: It is not life-threatening, is it? Fox: No. And I would say you don't die from it, but you -- up to now, you'll definitely die with it if you have it. ... King: Why did you write the book? Fox: The book was -- I wrote the first book because I had to, I think I had to kind of tell that story just for myself, just kind of to acknowledge all of the work that I had done on getting through that journey. And then this book was -- I thought about writing another, and I thought about people responding so positively to the optimism in the first book. And so many people wanted to talk to me about that. So I thought, well, optimism: What is optimism? And so I started to think about it more kind of empirically, writing a book about optimism as a subject, and interviewing researchers about it and talking to people who are optimistic and traveling to places where people are optimistic and all of this stuff. ... So I had to kind of tell it -- I couldn't tell	[ "Who gratified Obama?", "What was Fox gratified with Obama for?", "Who did research?" ]	[ [ "Michael J. Fox" ], [ "lifting of a ban on stem cell research," ], [ "Michael J. Fox" ] ]	Fox gratified Obama lifted ban on federal money for embryonic stem cell research . He says the research doesn't guarantee a cure, but it can't hurt . Fox has some bad days, but he tries to separate the physical from the emotional .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- After Friday night's presidential debate, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger defended Sen. John McCain's attack against Sen. Barack Obama for Obama's willingness to meet with the Iranian president "without precondition." Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger says he is not in favor of negotiations with Iran at the presidential level. Immediately after the debate, the McCain campaign released a statement from Kissinger backing the Republican nominee's sentiments on structuring any talks with Iran. "Sen. McCain is right. I would not recommend the next president of the United States engage in talks with Iran at the presidential level," Kissinger said in the statement. "My views on this issue are entirely compatible with the views of my friend Sen. John McCain. We do not agree on everything, but we do agree that any negotiations with Iran must be geared to reality." McCain and Obama sparred during the debate over how to best handle relations with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has repeatedly threatened Israel. Both candidates referenced Kissinger's comments from a CNN forum last week in which former secretaries of state discussed several topics, including Iran, and the presidential candidates disagreed over what Kissinger had said. The exchange started with McCain criticizing Obama for stating in two previous debates that he would sit down with Ahmadinejad, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Cuban President Raúl Castro "without precondition." McCain, the Republican nominee, said that in the past, U.S. presidents such as Ronald Reagan refused to meet with adversaries until a Cabinet member, such as the secretary of state, had several talks. "Look, I'll sit down with anybody, but there's got to be preconditions," McCain said. Watch the candidates debate policy in Iran » Obama responded by claiming that Kissinger, "along with five recent secretaries of state, just said we should meet with Iran, guess what, without preconditions." McCain denied the claim: "Dr. Kissinger did not say that he would approve a face-to-face meeting" with Ahmadinejad. "He did say there could be secretary and lower-level meetings." Obama defended his stance, explaining, "Look, Sen. McCain keeps on using this example that suddenly the president would just meet with somebody without doing any preparation, without having low-level talks. Nobody's been talking about that. Sen. McCain knows it. That's a mischaracterization of my position." He also said, "I reserve the right as president of the United States to meet with anyone at the time and place of my choosing if I think it's going to keep the American people safe." He added that those talks would come after "preparations, starting with low-level diplomatic talks." The forum last week -- "The Next President: A World of Challenges" -- was co-sponsored by CNN and hosted former secretaries of state Warren Christopher, Kissinger, Madeleine Albright, James Baker and Colin Powell. During the forum, Albright, who served in the Clinton administration, said, "I believe we need to engage with Iran." Kissinger, who served in the Nixon and Ford administrations, echoed the sentiment. He said he is "in favor of negotiation with Iran" at the secretary of state level. "I always believed that the best way to begin a negotiation is to tell the other side exactly what you have in mind ... what the outcome is that you're trying to achieve so that they have something that they can react to," Kissinger said.	[ "When did Kissinger issue a statement siding with McCain?", "Which former secretaries of state provided commentary?", "What did Obama say about Kissinger?", "Who said U.S. should meet with Iran without preconditions?", "Who did Kissinger side with?", "What country should next president have talks with according to ex-secretaries?", "Kissinger thought the US should meet with Iran without what?" ]	[ [ "After Friday night's presidential debate," ], [ "Warren Christopher, Kissinger, Madeleine Albright, James Baker and Colin Powell." ], [ "\"along with five recent secretaries of state, just said we should meet with Iran," ], [ "Sen. Barack Obama" ], [ "Sen. John McCain's" ], [ "Iran.\"" ], [ "preconditions.\"" ] ]	Obama said Kissinger thought U.S. should meet with Iran without preconditions . McCain: "Kissinger did not say that he would approve a face-to-face meeting" Kissinger releases statement siding with McCain . Ex-secretaries of state: Next president should have some form of talks with Iran .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- After a losing presidential campaign, it became clear to Edward "Ted" Kennedy that his true calling was to help shape the country's political future from the U.S. Senate. The turning point came in 1980 when Kennedy unsuccessfully challenged President Carter in the Democratic primaries. But Kennedy's loss was not necessarily such a bad thing, a top political historian notes. "I think partly it related to that time when he, after 1980, he realized that he was not going to be president of the United States ... and that being a United States senator was a pretty important and powerful job in which he could do good," said Stephen Hess, author of "America's Political Dynasties." Kennedy, 77, had represented Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate since his 1962 election when he was chosen to finish the unexpired Senate term of his brother, John F. Kennedy, who was elected president in 1960. The Massachusetts governor appointed Democrat Benjamin A. Smith to the seat following John Kennedy's presidential win. Political observers have said that Smith was a mere seat warmer until Ted Kennedy turned 30 -- the required age to become a U.S. senator. Watch how the youngest Kennedy brother carried on the family torch » "It's quite remarkable for a person who got there in 1962 at age 30 with no greater qualification for the office than his brother was president of the United States and the voters of Massachusetts respected that name," Hess said. And after nearly 50 years, Hess said Kennedy -- the patriarch of the first family of U.S. Democratic politics -- has truly "made a substantial mark." Learn more about Kennedy's funeral arrangements » Deemed by many as the "Lion of the Senate," Kennedy was considered one of the most effective legislators of the past few decades, especially in his ability to cross party lines to get legislation passed. In 2001, Kennedy helped President Bush craft and pass education legislation with the No Child Left Behind Act. While facing some criticism from his party, Kennedy pushed ahead on an issue close to his heart. "Kennedy realized how much more you could do when you engaged the opposition party and wanted to make the compromises or the agreements that could keep the peace on legislation," Hess said. Kennedy, Hess added, was good at coalition building because he was an engaging person who "owned the Senate." Ted Sorensen, a speechwriter for President Kennedy, said that Ted Kennedy's legacy in the Senate "is comparable and consistent with the legacy of his entire family for generations." That legacy, in addition to popularity among fellow senators, might be the reason why he had major roles in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act, the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act and the Kennedy-Hatch law of 1997. In 1994, Kennedy was instrumental in helping the Clinton administration with its plan to overhaul health care. The legislation, maligned by Republicans and conservatives, later failed. Fifteen years later, he continued his fight for comprehensive health care alongside the nation's first black president, Barack Obama. Kennedy, an early supporter of Obama's presidential campaign, seemingly handed the torch down to Obama before the "Super Tuesday" Democratic primaries by likening the senator from Illinois to his brother, the late president. But the man who spent much of his career helping others to get better health care, civil rights and education, now faced his own personal medical struggle -- the Kennedy patriarch had brain cancer. As that news broke in 2008, his colleagues on both sides of the aisle not only prayed for his recovery but also honored Kennedy's legacy. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, released a statement saying, "Ted Kennedy has spent his life caring for those in need. Now it's time for those who love Ted and his family to care for them and join in prayer to give them strength." Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said that while he "sparred a lot"	[ "Who was a Massachusetts senator since 1962?", "Where was Kennedy senator for?", "What state is Senator Kennedy from?", "Who was considered one of the most effective legislators?", "What was one of the senator's hallmarks?", "What year has Kennedy been senator since?", "What year did Senator Kennedy become a senator?" ]	[ [ "Kennedy," ], [ "Massachusetts" ], [ "Massachusetts" ], [ "\"Ted\" Kennedy" ], [ "No Child Left Behind Act." ], [ "1962" ], [ "1962" ] ]	Edward "Ted" Kennedy had been U.S. senator from Massachusetts since 1962 . Kennedy was considered one of the most effective legislators . A hallmark was the senator's ability to work across party lines, colleagues say .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- After months of stalemate, the Senate late Tuesday passed a huge government spending bill that includes billions of dollars requested by President Bush to continue the war in Iraq. White House officials have said President Bush would sign off on the spending plan if the Iraq money was added. The roughly $555 billion bill -- which passed 76-17 -- also preserves thousands of earmarks for lawmakers who will deliver them to constituents just in time for the holidays. The final vote came at about 11 p.m. ET Tuesday -- after hours of debate that included two more attempts by Senate Democrats to tie war funding to a plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq. Those efforts failed, as have dozens of others in the House and Senate since Democrats took control of Congress last year. Earlier, members voted to add $40 billion for the war in Iraq that had been removed by the House -- which passed the spending bill on Monday. The plan also includes $30 billion for troops in Afghanistan. Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent from Connecticut who co-sponsored the push to reinstate the Iraq money, called its approval "a very powerful bipartisan message of support for our men and women serving in Iraq." White House officials have said Bush would sign the spending plan if the Iraq money was added. In the weeks leading up to the vote, Bush had repeatedly pushed members of Congress to approve a military spending bill that did not place troop-withdrawal requirements on the military in Iraq. The bill wraps together 11 of the 12 government spending bills for 2008 -- except for that of the Department of Defense, which was already funded. Facing a president determined to keep spending in check and a unified Republican minority in the House and Senate, Democrats have been stymied at nearly every turn in their attempts to increase spending on their domestic priorities. Fearing a politically dangerous government shutdown, Democratic leaders ultimately gave in to Bush's top line number and trimmed $22 billion from the measure. But Democrats stemmed their losses somewhat by shifting some funding from the president's priorities to their own. And they added billions more above Bush's top line in "emergency" funding for veterans health care, California fires, border security and more. The government spending watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense, which scrambled Monday to pore over the nearly 1,500-page bill that was made public late Sunday night, said it has identified almost 9,000 earmarks worth $7.4 billion. Many of the earmarks avoided normal congressional scrutiny and were "airdropped" -- or slipped in without going through normal committee consideration -- into the final bill, the group said. But Sen. Robert Byrd, D-West Virginia, chairman of the budget-writing appropriations committee, said the spending plan represents a dramatic decrease in pork-barrel projects from the one approved by Bush two years ago -- when Republicans controlled Congress. "The total dollars that are earmarked is reduced -- hear me now -- by 43 percent," Byrd said Tuesday from the Senate floor. "That ain't chicken feed." Arguing for a plan that would have begun pulling troops from Iraq within 90 days, Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, became emotional as he called the Bush administration's efforts in Iraq "a continuing quagmire." "The best way to end this charade and protect our troops and our national security is to put the Iraqis on notice that they need to take responsibility for their future," Kennedy said. "Unless there's a binding timeline for the redeployment of our troops, the Iraqis will not feel the need to make the compromises essential for a political solution." The measure now goes back to the House for approval in its revised form. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she expects the bill to pass the House, although she will vote against it because of the war funds added in the Senate version. E-mail to a friend CNN's Ted Barrett contributed to this report.	[ "What did Democrats fail to tie?", "What number roughly of dollars was the budget passed?", "What is the budget that passed 76-17?", "Who failed to tie war funding?", "What passed 76-17", "What number of votes were against budget?", "What number of dollars are the earmarks worth?" ]	[ [ "war funding" ], [ "$555 billion" ], [ "$555 billion" ], [ "Senate Democrats" ], [ "The roughly $555 billion bill" ], [ "76-17" ], [ "$7.4 billion." ] ]	NEW: The roughly $555 billion budget measure passed 76-17 . Democrats failed to tie war funding to plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq . Bill has nearly 9,000 earmarks worth $7.4 billion, watchdog group says . Measure now goes back to House for approval in its revised form .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- After touring the wreckage Tuesday of two Metro transit trains that crashed the day before, killing nine, Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty said it was a sight that "no one should have to see." Investigators work Tuesday at the site of a Metro train crash in Washington. Officials said that all the wreckage has been cleared and that no other bodies have been found in what was the worst subway train accident in the history of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Three bodies discovered Tuesday were lodged behind the driver's compartment of the rear train, an official said at the scene. The driver of that train, who was among the dead, was Jeanice McMillan, 42, of Springfield, Virginia, Metro spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said. McMillan had worked at Metro since January 2007. McMillan's aunt, Venice Foster, said her niece loved her job and "was just a joy to be around." Retired Maj. Gen. David F. Wherley Jr., former commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard, and his wife, Ann, also were killed in the collision. Both were 62. Names of the other casualties were released by authorities Tuesday afternoon: Mary Doolittle, 59; Lavanda King, 23; Veronica Dubose, 26; Cameron Williams, 36; and Dennis Hawkins, 64, all of Washington; and Ana Fernandez, 40, of Hyattsville, Maryland. Watch what officials know about the crash » The Metro's board approved a $250,000 hardship fund to assist the victims' families with funerals and other immediate expenses. According to Fenty, at least three bodies were trapped in a "very compressed area." It wasn't clear whether those were the bodies found behind the operator's station. "It just brings home what an awful tragedy this was," the mayor said. The crash occurred along the Red Line just before 5 p.m. Monday on an above-ground track in the District of Columbia near Takoma Park, Maryland. See location of crash » Both cars were on the same track, traveling in the same direction: southward from the Fort Totten Metrorail station to the Shady Grove station. The train in front had stopped behind another train undergoing service and awaited directions to move ahead. "We don't know at this point whether the operator could see the train in front of her in time to stop," said Deborah Hersman, who is leading the investigation for the National Transportation Safety Board. The weather at the time of the crash was good, she said. See pictures of crash site » "I did have the opportunity to walk the track with our investigators. I can tell you it is a scene of real devastation," Hersman said. Jamie Jiao was sitting in the front car of the second train. He said he suffered injuries to his feet and back. "I see the train in front a split second before we crashed. That's all. You don't have time to react or do anything," he told CNN's Jeanne Meserve. He said that after impact, "You just hear really loud noises, as if there was an explosion. I could see things falling apart, tearing apart." A pole fell on top of him, but he was able to throw it off. The car broke open, and he crawled outside, where he waited for firefighters. He said he didn't notice whether the driver tried to brake before hitting the other train. Many of the passengers in his car were injured, he said. "I'm lucky to be alive," Jiao said. "My injuries aren't too bad." iReport.com: Were you there? Share your photos, video Hersman said there was a telescoping effect when the second car slammed into the first and landed atop it. "The first car [of the second train] overrode the rear car [of the front train], and much of the survivable space on that first car of the striking train was compromised," she said. One of	[ "what caused the accident", "A former commanding general of what was among those killed?", "where was the killing" ]	[ [ "The train in front had stopped" ], [ "of Columbia National Guard," ], [ "Washington." ] ]	Former commanding general of the D.C. National Guard among those killed . Death toll in accident is 9, spokesman says; 76 people were injured . Official says driver of rear train may have employed brakes . Investigator says it's unclear whether train operator could see stopped train .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- After wrapping up the longest presidential primary campaign in modern history, Sen. Hillary Clinton said Tuesday that she is ready to turn her attention back to being the junior senator from New York. Sen. Hillary Clinton is greeted with cheers as she returns to the Senate after a two-week vacation. "I look forward to being back with this great team," she said as she returned to the Senate at the end of a two-week vacation, taken after she conceded the 17-month-long primary contest to Sen. Barack Obama. The second-term New York Democrat pledged to "immerse myself in there," pointing to the chamber. She had just emerged from the party's weekly luncheon, which Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called "one of the most emotional caucuses" he's ever attended on Capitol Hill. He said the New York senator entered the event to a sea of high fives, cheers and a standing ovation from her Democratic colleagues. Clinton said the opportunity to run for the Oval Office allowed her to "immerse myself in the extraordinary resilience and resourcefulness that is the American people." Watch Clinton being greeted with cheers » "I come back with an even greater depth of awareness about what we have to do here in Washington," she said. "So many of the concerns that people have expressed to me over the course of this campaign are ones that they can't individually solve. They can't even really take it on just at the state or local level." Clinton said that in addition to working "very hard to elect Sen. Obama our president," she plans to campaign on behalf of Democratic Senate candidates. "We have been unfortunately stymied by the stalling tactics" of Republicans, she said, noting the need for 60 votes to get any legislation passed in the Senate. "It's going to be up to the Democratic Party, and particularly the Democratic Senate, to make progress on everything from health care and the economy to ending the war in Iraq," she said. "I look forward to being back with this great team that we have here and doing everything I can to make that happen." Clinton said she is not spending time on the possibility that she may be asked to fill the No. 2 spot on Sen. Barack Obama's presidential ticket. "You know, it is not something that I think about," she said. "This is totally Sen. Obama's decision, and that's the way it should be." But she made clear, as she tried to do in her ultimate concession speech June 7, that her supporters should not stray toward John McCain, no matter any hard feelings left over from a bruising primary. "Anyone who voted for me has very little in common with the Republican Party," she said. Thursday night, Obama and Clinton are set to meet with key donors in Washington. The next day, the two will appear jointly in Unity, New Hampshire, a small town on that state's western border where the two candidates tied in the January primary. "This is going to be a symbolic event that I hope will rally the Democratic Party behind the nominee," she said. Obama said he looked forward to working with Clinton and her husband, former President Clinton, on his campaign for the White House. "Bill Clinton is one of the most intelligent, charismatic political leaders that we have seen in a generation, and he has got a lot of wisdom to impart," Obama said Tuesday. "We are going to be working very closely with him and Sen. Clinton to make sure that we not only win in November, but we actually govern in a way that delivers on the promise of universal health care, good jobs and good wages, clean energy, lower gas prices, the things that are really going to make an impact on people's lives," he said. Watch Obama discuss Clintons' role » Obama said the senator's presidential campaign had "enhanced" her stature in a	[ "What city are Clinton and Obama to campaign together in?", "what Junior senator returns after?", "What number of weeks was the junior senator's vacation?", "what clinton promises?" ]	[ [ "Unity," ], [ "Hillary Clinton" ], [ "two-week" ], [ "universal health care, good jobs and good wages, clean energy, lower gas prices, the things that are really going to make an impact on people's lives,\"" ] ]	NEW: Obama says he's looking forward to working with Clintons . Junior senator from New York returns after a two-week vacation . Clinton promises to "immerse myself" in the Senate chambers . Clinton, Obama to campaign together in Unity, New Hampshire, on Friday .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Airline passengers who were trapped on tarmacs "like sardines in a can" had their opportunity to air their grievances Tuesday at an unofficial Capitol Hill hearing that shared some of the characteristics of those flights. The hearing was sponsored by advocates of the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights. The hearing was overbooked: The room had more participants than seats. The take-off was slightly delayed: The hearings started five minutes late. And, appropriately, it lasted more than three hours, the maximum time passenger advocates say people should be confined on the ground. The hearing was sponsored by advocates of the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights, which would require airlines to give passengers the option of leaving a plane after it has sat on the ground for three hours. The proposal, which lacked adequate support in 2007 and 2008, has gained steam this year because of several highly publicized incidents, including a nearly six-hour overnight wait involving a regional jet in Rochester, Minnesota. "We were not offered food. We were not offered water," said Link Christin, one of 47 passengers on the Rochester plane. "The toilet broke at about 3 o'clock in the morning, and it was impossible to sleep. Either Baby One cried, or Baby Two cried, or my foot got stepped on by somebody going to the bathroom." "People have asked me, 'Why didn't you do something?' " he said. "As a practical matter, you're a little bit in shock; you're in survival mode. You're being told every hour that you're going to get off. ... There was always a carrot in front of us that we think is going to get us off the plane. And I suggest to you that that's why 47 people did not mutiny that evening." The star witness for the passenger advocates was Robert Crandall, former chairman and chief executive of American Airlines, who spoke in support of the three-hour limit. "We can and we should solve the problem of extraordinarily long tarmac delay by imposing reasonable obligations on the airlines and other agencies that make up our aviation system," Crandall said. But he added that he favors a looser four-hour limit until 2011 to give the industry time to adjust operating procedures. Crandall said the industry's resistance to the rule is rooted in its "preoccupation with safety." The industry resists any change "that is not fully understood and has not been thought through in every detail," he said. He said he believes that the rule can be made without affecting safety. While saying that lengthy tarmac delays can have significant impacts on individuals, he said the problem is statistically small. In the first seven months of this year, only 776 of 3.8 million flights -- or 0.02 percent -- experienced tarmac delays of more than three hours, he said. Sen. Barbara Boxer, sponsor of the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights, called her bill "extremely modest," saying many passenger advocates want even tighter time limits. The rule would give pilots discretion to keep passengers on board longer than three hours for safety reasons, such as lightning storms, or if the pilot believed that the plane would take off shortly. But two hearing participants testified that a three-hour rule could worsen the situation, increasing the number of canceled flights. "I don't believe the three-hour rule will actually change things very much at all, given the small number of affected flights," said Amy Cohn, an associate professor at the University of Michigan. "And when it does change things, I think some passengers may be helped, and others may be harmed." If one passenger insists on being released, Cohn said, the plane would return to the terminal, possibly delaying departure for everyone else on the plane. Cohn said the focus on extremely lengthy delays is also diverting attention from the more pressing problem of routine delays. If Congress fixed routine delays, it would help alleviate lengthy delays, she said. Tuesday's hearing was sponsored	[ "who was the bill sponsored by", "what is more pressing?", "What was more of an issue", "The hearing addressed concerns over what?", "Who was the Bill sponsered by?", "who is the former CEO", "What were the concerns" ]	[ [ "advocates of the Airline Passenger" ], [ "routine delays." ], [ "routine delays." ], [ "Airline passengers who were trapped on tarmacs \"like sardines in a can\"" ], [ "advocates of the Airline Passenger" ], [ "Robert Crandall," ], [ "others may be harmed.\"" ] ]	Unofficial Capitol Hill hearing addressed concerns over long tarmac delays . Bill sponsored by Sen. Barbara Boxer would allow fliers to deplane after three hours . Former American Airlines CEO spoke in support of three-hour limit . Another witness said routine delays are more pressing issue .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Al Qaeda is still operating within Pakistan's mountainous tribal region bordering Afghanistan, and the United States lacks a "comprehensive" plan for meeting its national security goals there, said a U.S. government study released Thursday. A Pakistani policeman watches over a border area in February 2008. Despite the United States providing $10.5 billion in military and economic aid to Pakistan, a key U.S. ally, the Government Accountability Office said it "found broad agreement ... that al Qaeda had regenerated its ability to attack the United States and had succeeded in establishing a safe haven" in Pakistan's Federally Administrated Tribal Areas. Of the $10.5 billion in U.S. aid, more than half -- $5.8 billion -- was specifically provided for the tribal region, the GAO said. Furthermore, the report said, "No comprehensive plan for meeting U.S. national security goals in FATA has been developed, as stipulated by the National Security Strategy for Combating Terrorism [in 2003], called for by an independent commission [in 2004] and mandated by congressional legislation [in 2007]." "Our report does not state that the U.S. lacks agency-specific plans; rather, we found that there was no comprehensive plan that integrated the combined capabilities of Defense, State, USAID [U.S. Agency for International Development], the intelligence community," GAO said. After the September 11 terrorist attacks, U.S. officials said intelligence indicated that Osama bin Laden and other senior al Qaeda leaders, who had been based in Afghanistan before the attacks on New York and Washington, were operating in the tribal region. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has denied that claim and has said that U.S. military missions there would violate Pakistan's sovereignty. So, since 2002, the United States has "relied principally on the Pakistan military to address U.S. national security goals" in that region, the GAO report said. Of the $5.8 billion the United States provided for aid in the tribal region, 96 percent of it reimbursed Pakistan for military operations there, the agency said. Two of the eight lawmakers who commissioned the GAO report, Democratic Sens. Tom Harkin of Iowa and Bob Menendez of New Jersey, said it indicated a failing on the part of the Bush administration. "The Bush administration has had six years to come up with a plan to get Osama bin Laden and his group, but it is still flying by the seat of its pants," Menendez said in a statement. "We've dumped 10 billion American taxpayer dollars into Pakistan with the expectation that the terrorists will be hunted down and smoked out, but al Qaeda has been allowed to rejuvenate in the area that is supposed to be locked down," he said. Harkin called the report's findings "appalling." "The White House must propose a strategic policy in this area and follow it, especially when we have this new opportunity to forge a fresh strategic relationship with the new civilian government in Pakistan," he said in a statement. The Defense Department said it agreed with the report's findings, according to letters attached at the end of the GAO report, but the State Department disagreed with them, saying there was a comprehensive plan in place. A letter from Kathleen Turner, a spokeswoman for the office of the Director of National Intelligence, said that office and the National Counterterrorism Center concurred with the report's assessment that the United States has not met its national security goals in the tribal region but maintained that there was a plan in place. USAID said that it generally agreed with the report's recommendation for a comprehensive plan but that work in the tribal areas should be guided by the Pakistani government's own FATA Sustainable Development Plan from 2006. E-mail to a friend	[ "What says there is no comprehensive U.S. plan for reaching security goals?", "what is a gao?", "What has \"succeeded in establishing a safe haven\"?", "what there is no comprehensive U.S. plan ?", "Who says report is \"appalling\"?", "what agency made this report?" ]	[ [ "government study" ], [ "Government Accountability Office" ], [ "al Qaeda" ], [ "for meeting its national security goals" ], [ "Harkin" ], [ "Government Accountability Office" ] ]	Al Qaeda has "succeeded in establishing a safe haven," GAO says . Report says there is no comprehensive U.S. plan for reaching security goals . Democratic critic says report is "appalling," blames administration .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- All 50 states plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., submitted applications to the Department of Transportation for grants to fund DOT projects, but -- in a sign of tough economic times coupled with a shortage of federal dollars -- not everyone is finding presents under the federal Christmas tree this year. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced Thursday that 46 transportation projects in 33 states and Puerto Rico will receive $511 million in the latest round of Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants. See the list of projects (PDF) The Transportation Department had received a total of 848 applications requesting $14.3 billion, exceeding the $511 million available under the TIGER program. The grants will fund a range of transportation work in urban and rural areas from light rail systems and ports to bridges, roadways, runways, pipelines, streetcars and bike-share projects. Among the biggest grants: $20 million for Chicago to complete 3.6 miles of track on the city's transit authority's Blue Line, serving millions of passengers, as well as expanding a bike-share program. The Missouri Department of Transportation also received $20 million for roadway improvements along the I-270 corridor in St. Louis. Three grants were directed to tribal governments to create jobs and provide transportation needs. A grant of $3.7 million was given to the Seminole Tribe of Florida to improve several miles of road on the Big Cypress Reservation. The existing road has two 10-foot lanes with worn, unpaved shoulders and substandard sidewalks, according to DOT. Officials say the improvements will enhance emergency hurricane evacuation routes and enhance access to commercial and tourist destinations. The smallest grant went to the Native Village of St. Michael, Alaska, which received a $1 million grant to resurface and re-contour roads to provide better access to schools and improve drainage issues that arise from seasonal flooding. Obama orders contracts be awarded by year's end LaHood, who was in Cincinnati, Ohio, Thursday to highlight a streetcar project, told reporters the allocation of funds is coming months ahead of schedule to allow communities to move forward with critical, job-creating infrastructure projects. "Our economic challenges have been decades in the making and won't be solved overnight," said LaHood. The city of Cincinnati was awarded a nearly $11 million grant to design and construct the Streetcar Riverfront Loop that the transportation department says "has the potential to revitalize" the city's urban core by providing a public transit alternative. Work has already begun on 33 planning projects while 58 capital projects are under way from the previous two rounds of grants. LaHood said an additional 13 projects are expected to break ground within the next six months. Of the $511 million in available funds, more than $150 million will go to projects in rural areas. Almost half of the funding will go to road and bridge projects. An additional $16 million will be used to pay for administrative costs to make sure the program is properly administered "by the book," said LaHood. DOT says grants are awarded to transportation projects that have a significant national or regional impact. the department gives priority to work expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.	[ "What was the total asked for from the application?", "Where did the applications come from?", "How many applications were submitted?", "what amount of money will go for the projects", "What number of applicants sought 14.3 billion?", "What does the projects range from?", "from where comes the applications", "How many projects will get funding?", "what is the total of the applications" ]	[ [ "$14.3 billion," ], [ "All 50 states plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.," ], [ "848" ], [ "$511 million" ], [ "848" ], [ "light rail systems and ports to bridges, roadways, runways, pipelines, streetcars and bike-share" ], [ "All 50 states plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.," ], [ "46" ], [ "848" ] ]	Projects range from roadways to light rail systems to bike-share programs . Applications came from all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. A total of 848 applications sought $14.3 billion . The $511 million available will go for 46 projects in 33 states and Puerto Rico .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Allegations that Blackwater USA -- whose operations were suspended after 20 Iraqi civilians were shot to death last weekend -- was "in any way associated or complicit in unlawful arms activities are baseless," the company asserted Saturday. Blackwater employees patrol Baghdad by air in a February 2005 photograph. Federal prosecutors are investigating allegations that employees of Blackwater illegally purchased weapons and sold them in Iraq, according to U.S. government sources. A U.S. government official has said the U.S. attorney's office in Raleigh, North Carolina, is in the early stages of an investigation that focuses on individual company employees, and not the firm. Blackwater, which is based in Moyock, North Carolina, is a security firm hired by the State Department to guard U.S. staff in Iraq. "The company has no knowledge of any employee improperly exporting weapons," the Blackwater statement said. "When it was uncovered internally that two employees were stealing from the company, Blackwater immediately fired them and invited the ATF to conduct a thorough investigation." Watch a report on Blackwater's response to the allegations » The first public hint that an investigation was under way came earlier this week in a statement from State Department Inspector General Howard Krongard after he was accused of blocking fraud investigations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Krongard said the State Department has been cooperating with the prosecutors in the Blackwater probe. "In particular, I made one of my best investigators available to help assistant U.S. attorneys in North Carolina in their investigation into alleged smuggling of weapons into Iraq by a contractor," Krongard's statement said. Blackwater resumed normal security operations in Iraq on Friday, the State Department said, after a brief hiatus following the lethal incident last Sunday. The Iraqi government was outraged by the shootings and disputes the U.S. and Blackwater's claim that the guards were responding to an attack. E-mail to a friend CNN's Elise Labott and Kelli Arena contributed to this report.	[ "Who investigated claims?", "whats the atf gonna do?", "Which company is under investigation?", "What did the company say?", "Who were the fired workers turned in to?", "Who investigated claims about illegal arms deals?", "Who says employees bought and sold weapons on their own?", "What did the company do to two employes?", "What were the Feds investigating?", "What employees made illegal arms deals?", "What are Feds investigating?", "What did employees buy and sell?", "Who bought and sold weapons on their own?", "who were the employees?", "What are the Feds investigating about Blackwater employees?", "What company was investigated by Feds?", "Which company is in spotlight over killing?", "when were the shootings?", "Who is investigating the claims?", "Who bought weapons?", "Who is investigating claims?", "Who made illegal arms deals?", "What was the number of Iraqis killed?" ]	[ [ "Federal prosecutors" ], [ "conduct a thorough investigation.\"" ], [ "Blackwater USA" ], [ "\"in any way associated or complicit in unlawful arms activities" ], [ "ATF" ], [ "Federal prosecutors" ], [ "A U.S. government official" ], [ "Blackwater immediately fired them" ], [ "allegations that employees of Blackwater illegally purchased weapons and sold them in Iraq," ], [ "Blackwater" ], [ "allegations that employees of Blackwater illegally purchased weapons and sold them in Iraq," ], [ "weapons" ], [ "employees of Blackwater" ], [ "of Blackwater" ], [ "illegally purchased weapons and sold them in Iraq," ], [ "Blackwater USA" ], [ "Blackwater USA" ], [ "last weekend" ], [ "Federal prosecutors" ], [ "Blackwater" ], [ "Federal prosecutors" ], [ "employees of Blackwater" ], [ "20" ] ]	Two employees bought, sold weapons on their own, company says . Company fired workers, turned them in to ATF, says source . Feds investigating claims Blackwater employees made illegal arms deals . Blackwater in spotlight after shootings last weekend that killed 20 Iraqis .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Although President-elect Barack Obama will become the next commander-in-chief in just two weeks, several key issues remain to be resolved regarding the drawdown of U.S. troops in Iraq and the buildup of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. A U.S. soldier patrols in a village north of Kabul, Afghanistan, last month. A closed-door meeting Monday at the Pentagon with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Gen. David Petraeus -- who is in charge of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars -- ended with no consensus on troop plans for either country, several top U.S. military officials told CNN. The officials, who did not want to be identified because the meeting was private, all offered CNN similar accounts of the discussions. In addition, a review of the Afghanistan war strategy being conducted by Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen is also incomplete and has not been approved by the Joint Chiefs. That review, according to one official, will not be finished until the Obama administration is in office. The Monday meeting was polite, one official said, but also interesting and intense. A second official described the discussion as lively and said it ranged further than originally anticipated. The session was held in the "tank," a secure meeting room inside the Pentagon reserved for some of the most sensitive and classified conversations by top officials. It was called to discuss yet again how the drawdown of troops in Iraq could be scheduled so that more troops could be sent to Afghanistan -- an issue that the chiefs have struggled to resolve for months. According to the officials, a 10-page plan from the U.S. Central Command calls for a very gradual drawdown between now and the end of 2011, when all U.S. troops are supposed to be out of Iraq under the terms of a recent agreement between the two countries. But Petraeus and other top U.S. commanders in Iraq are reluctant to agree to any specific drawdowns of units more than six months ahead of time because of the uncertain security situation and the upcoming elections in Iraq, according to a second official. "The real debate is over the timing and risk of drawing down troops in Iraq," the second official said. That decision is considered a vital first step. Military officials have long said the Pentagon needs to have some assurance of drawdowns over the next year in order to free up enough troops to send more units to Afghanistan, where commanders are asking for up to 30,000 additional troops. The Marine Corps is continuing to press its position that several thousand Marines could be withdrawn from Iraq in the coming months, with their replacements going to Afghanistan instead. The current calculation is that the full complement of troops for Afghanistan could not be completely sent until sometime next year or in 2011. Some commanders in Afghanistan say that's too late, given the deteriorating security situation there. Once in office, Obama is expected to ask commanders to develop a plan for a 16-month drawdown, as he promised during his campaign for the White House. It's not clear if the Joint Chiefs and Petraeus will recommend that there is unacceptable risk in the quicker drawdown option. The second official also emphasized that even though Washington and Baghdad have agreed that all U.S. troops would leave Iraq by 2011, there is a general private understanding by both sides that some U.S. troops could remain there or in neighboring Kuwait to provide help in key areas such as training, securing borders and providing airlift capabilities. Obama has also said he wants a residual force to remain in Iraq.	[ "What was Obama expected to do?", "What is Obama expected to ask for once he is in office?", "What type of meeting did Gen. David Petraeus hold?", "What did officials say about the meeting?", "Was there a consensus on troop plans at the end of the Joints Chiefs of Staff meeting?", "Who held a closed-door meting?" ]	[ [ "ask commanders" ], [ "a 16-month drawdown," ], [ "closed-door" ], [ "ended with no consensus on troop plans for either country," ], [ "ended with no" ], [ "Joint Chiefs of Staff and Gen. David Petraeus" ] ]	Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. David Petraeus hold closed-door meeting . Officials say meeting ended with no consensus on troop plans . Discussions deal with pulling troops out of Iraq, beefing up forces in Afghanistan . Obama, once in office, is expected to ask for plan on Iraq troop drawdown .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- America's first female four-star general has been nominated, the Pentagon announced Monday. Lt. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody was nominated to be America's first four-star female general. President Bush nominated Lt. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody to serve as head of the Army's supply arm. By law women are excluded from combat jobs, the typical path to four-star rank in the military. "This is an historic occasion for the Department of Defense and I am proud to nominate Lt. Gen. Ann Dunwoody for a fourth star," said Defense Secretary Robert Gates. "Her 33 years of service, highlighted by extraordinary leadership and devotion to duty, make her exceptionally qualified for this senior position." The Senate must approve the nomination. Dunwoody, a native of New York, was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1975 after her graduation from the State University of New York in Cortland. She also holds graduate degrees in national resource strategy and logistics management. She became the Army's top-ranking woman in 2005 when she received her third star and became deputy chief of staff for Army logistics. "I am very honored but also very humbled today with this announcement," said Dunwoody. "I grew up in a family that didn't know what glass ceilings were. This nomination only reaffirms what I have known to be true about the military throughout my career ... that the doors continue to open for men and women in uniform." The Army Materiel Command handles all material readiness for the Army. During her career, Dunwoody has been assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, 10th Mountain Division and the Defense Logistics Agency. She served with the 82nd Airborne in Saudi Arabia during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. She has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, Master Parachutist Badge and the Army Staff Identification Badge. The first woman to become a general officer in the U.S. armed services was Brig. Gen. Anna Mae Hays, chief of the Army Nurse Corps, who achieved the rank in 1970 and retired the following year. Elizabeth Hoisington, the director of the Women's Army Corps, was promoted to brigadier general immediately after Hays. She also retired the following year. Maj. Gen. Jeanne M. Holm, the first director of Women in the Air Force, was the first woman to wear two stars, attaining the rank in 1973 and retiring two years later. In 1996, Marine Lt. Gen. Carol A. Mutter became the first woman to wear three stars. Mutter retired in 1999. Currently, there are 57 active-duty women serving as generals or admirals, five of whom are lieutenant generals or vice admirals, the Navy's three-star rank, according to the Pentagon.	[ "Who did Bush name to lead an arm of the Army?", "What are women excluded from?", "How long has Dunwoody served?", "When did Dunwoody become the Army's top ranking woman?", "Who did Bush nominate?", "How long has Dunwoody served in the Army?", "When was Dunwoody named Army's top ranking woman?", "What is the standard route to four-star rank?", "How many women are serving as generals or admirals?", "How many active-duty female generals or admirals are there?", "How many years has Dunwoody served?", "Who was nominated to serve as head of Army's supply arm?" ]	[ [ "Lt. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody" ], [ "combat jobs," ], [ "33 years of service," ], [ "2005" ], [ "Lt. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody" ], [ "33 years of service," ], [ "Monday." ], [ "combat jobs," ], [ "57" ], [ "57" ], [ "33" ], [ "Lt. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody" ] ]	Bush nominated Lt. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody to be head of Army's supply arm . By law women are excluded from combat jobs, the typical path to four-star rank . Dunwoody has served 33 years, and became Army's top-ranking woman in 2005 . There are 57 active-duty women serving as generals or admirals .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- America's most recent war dead lie in a quiet patch of ground at Arlington National Cemetery known as Section 60. A soldier places flags alongside tombstones at Arlington National Cemetery. In that parcel are 485 men and women who were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most tourists keep to other paths at the cemetery, visiting the Tomb of the Unknowns or President John F. Kennedy's gravesite. However, especially on Memorial Day weekend, relatives and friends pay their respects at the graves in Section 60. "I wish that everyone in their lifetime could come here at least once," said David Christoff of Rossford, Ohio, as he stood where his son is buried. Marine Sgt. David Christoff Jr. died in Iraq two years ago at age 25. As his father's arms swept toward the rows of white granite gravestones, he said, "You can see the cost of freedom. It's not free, by any means." "These are all heroes. This is why we're free today. This is why my son was there." According to the latest numbers from the Department of Defense, 4,080 U.S. troops have lost their lives in Iraq and 423 in Afghanistan. Arlington is one of more than 100 national cemeteries in the United States where there are military graves. Some families turn down the opportunity to have a loved one buried at Arlington, opting instead to have the grave closer to home. "It's a hard place to be -- very emotional," said Jerry Fowler of Los Altos, California, while visiting the grave of her nephew, Army Sgt. Dale Brehm. He died in Iraq two years ago. "All these people who lost their lives," Fowler said, "and we just walk by like it's nothing. They meant something." "When you walk down these rows," she added, "you learn to respect every single person in this row, not just the person you came to see -- every one." At least 4 million people visit the cemetery each year, according to its Web site, and officials say Arlington, sadly, is running out of space for graves. There are more than 290,000 bodies buried there. Plans to expand the cemetery include seven areas where urns can hold the ashes of more than 100,000 people. Stepping lightly with heavy boots along the row of graves, Army medic Andrew Harriman of the 82nd Airborne dropped to one knee at several. "We lost 22 guys from our unit," said the soldier, who was wounded in Iraq. He was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star for his valor. "Every time I come to town, I stop by." Four of Harriman's friends are buried in Section 60. "I don't think people realize how hard it is for the families and the co-workers or friends of these guys," he said. Also buried in Section 60 is Ross Andrew McGinnis of Knox, Pennsylvania. The 19-year-old Army specialist died in Baghdad when he threw himself on a grenade that had been tossed into his Humvee. He saved four fellow soldiers. Next month, McGinnis will be awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award, for his bravery. Not far from his resting place is the burial site of Capt. Maria Ines Ortiz, who became the first Army nurse killed in combat since Vietnam when she died in Iraq last year. Particularly touching are the mementos left at some of the graves -- photographs of wives and children, children's drawings, coins, greeting cards, notes, stones and even unopened beer bottles. Nino Livaudes was killed in Iraq in April 2003. At his grave is a multicolored, handmade card bearing the message: "You are my hero, Daddy. I am 4 years old, and I miss you and love you very much, Grant."	[ "What did one handmade card read?", "Where is Arlington?", "More than 290,000 veterans are buried?", "Section 60 is final resting place for?" ]	[ [ "bearing the message: \"You are my hero, Daddy. I am 4 years old, and I miss you and love you very much, Grant.\"" ], [ "in the United States" ], [ "Arlington," ], [ "America's most recent war dead" ] ]	More than 290,000 veterans are buried at Arlington National Cemetery . Section 60 is final resting place for troops killed most recently in Iraq, Afghanistan . Particularly touching are the mementos left at some of the graves . "You are my hero, Daddy. ... I miss you," reads one handmade card .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- American U2 reconnaissance planes have been flying over the Turkey-Iraq border to observe military movements, said three U.S. military sources Wednesday. A Turkish army convoy heads toward the Turkey-Iraq border on Monday. Word of the flights comes a day before top-level meetings between U.S. and Turkish government officials and prior to a regional conference aimed at easing tensions between Ankara and Kurdish rebels across Turkey's border with Iraq. Turkey -- which shares its Incirlik air base with U.S. forces -- is a key member of NATO and acts as a vital conduit for U.S. military supplies. Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell confirmed Wednesday that U.S. military and intelligence communities are sharing information with Turkey to help them fight members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, who have made cross-border attacks. See location of key U.S.-Turkish air base » "We are assisting by supplying them, the Turks, with intelligence, lots of intelligence," said Morrell. "There has been an increased level" of intelligence sharing. Turkey has urged Washington to offer more support against the rebels and Ankara has threatened to launch a full-scale offensive if Iraqi and Kurdish officials fail to neutralize the PKK. U.S. and Iraqi diplomats have been working to restrain Turkey from such a response. Recent limited fighting in southeastern Turkey has spilled into northern Iraq. During operations near the border on Monday, Turkish forces fired on suspected rebel positions. Watch Turkish helicopters fire on rebels » On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is set to meet with Turkish officials in Ankara and President Bush holds talks in Washington with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Also, a conference of regional officials, including Iraq, is scheduled Thursday and Friday in Istanbul. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has joined efforts to ease cross-border tensions. Mottaki met in Iraq Wednesday with his Iraqi counterpart, Hoshyar Zebari, and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. Mottaki's involvement prompted him to delay a scheduled visit to Lebanon, according to Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency, which quoted Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad Reza Sheibani. Iran's foreign minister is offering his "full support" to the regional conference in Istanbul, said a statement from al-Maliki's office. The statement also said Mottaki wants to help "solve the border crisis between Turkey and the PKK." Earlier this month, proposed legislation in the U.S. Congress prompted Turkey to threaten to restrict U.S. access to Turkish airspace or cut off access to the air base at Incirlik. Some lawmakers wanted a vote on legislation that would have officially declared that the killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in World War I was "genocide." Turkey recalled its ambassador to the United States and warned of repercussions in the growing dispute. Sponsors of the congressional resolution have asked for a delay in the vote. E-mail to a friend	[ "What has Turkey threatened?", "Who is observing military movements?", "What is there an increased level of?", "Who is meeting with Turk officials?", "Who has threatened full scale attack?" ]	[ [ "to launch a full-scale offensive if Iraqi and Kurdish officials fail to neutralize the PKK." ], [ "American U2 reconnaissance planes" ], [ "intelligence sharing." ], [ "Condoleezza Rice" ], [ "Ankara" ] ]	"Increased level" of intelligence sharing with Turkey, says Pentagon . U2s observing military movements amid tensions between Turks, Kurd rebels . Turkey has threatened full-scale attack on rebels; U.S. relies on Turk air base . Bush, Rice to meet with Turk officials; Iranian diplomat meets with Iraqi PM .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Americans have varied feelings about guns. In Focus: Guns in America is a series of stories by CNN photojournalists that looks at the complex views and emotions that surround this controversial subject. In a 5-4 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Washington, D.C.'s, ban on handgun ownership, saying it violates the constitutional right to "keep and bear arms" by preventing individuals from having guns in their homes. In this series, Americans tell their stories about guns on a first-hand basis, providing a more intimate look at a topic that is often ignored until gun violence erupts. In one video, 32-year-old Steve Ferguson talks about a shooting in Washington that left him paralyzed, his battle to recover and his views on guns. In another story, Scott Morris shares his passion for his shooting range on a road he named 2nd Amendment Drive. CNN photojournalists also traveled to Massachusetts to play paintball, rural Pennsylvania to hunt turkeys, and to Hollywood to hang out on a movie set. They also meet Dale Tate, who hand-makes guns that he considers works of art, and they learn about new technology for less lethal weapons.	[ "Who rejected the ban?", "What are individual Americans telling their stories about?", "What ban do they reject?", "What was Washington trying to ban?", "What did the Supreme Court reject?", "Who tell their stories?", "What do Individual Americans talk about?", "Which journalists take a look?" ]	[ [ "the U.S. Supreme Court" ], [ "guns on a first-hand basis," ], [ "handgun ownership," ], [ "handgun ownership," ], [ "Washington, D.C.'s, ban on handgun ownership," ], [ "CNN photojournalists" ], [ "guns on a first-hand basis," ], [ "CNN photojournalists" ] ]	The U.S. Supreme Court rejects Washington, D.C.'s, ban on handgun ownership . CNN photojournalists take a look at the views and feelings about guns in America . In this series, individual Americans tell their stories about guns .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- An Air Force F-22A fighter jet crashed Wednesday near Edwards Air Force Base in California, killing the test pilot, the Air Force said. An F-22A fighter jet similar to this one crashed Wednesday during a test mission in California. The single-seater crashed about 10:30 a.m. (1:30 p.m. ET) for unknown reasons, Air Force officials said. Lockheed Martin said the test pilot, David Cooley, 49, of Palmdale, California, joined the company in 2003 and was a 21-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force. The fighter was on a test mission when it crashed about 35 miles northeast of Edwards AFB, where it was stationed, the Air Force said in a news release. At $150 million apiece, the F-22A is the most expensive Air Force fighter. In 2004, an F-22 Raptor crashed on a training mission in the Nevada desert. The pilot ejected and was not hurt, though the jet was destroyed. The plane was designed in the 1980s to provide a stealthy method to enter Soviet air space and strike Soviet bombers if the USSR attempted a nuclear strike. Once the Cold War ended, the Air Force found a new mission for the F-22 as a long-range fighter with a sophisticated stealth design and state-of-the-art equipment that no other plane could rival. However, the rising cost of the plane and numerous design and software problems threatened the program, which was almost eliminated by Congress. In the end, the aircraft survived, and most of the problems were fixed -- except for the price tag, which forced the Air Force to buy fewer aircraft.	[ "What does one of the F-22A jets cost?", "What was the one-seater jet doing when it crashed?", "When did the plane crash?", "What crashed 35 miles northeast of Edwards AFB?", "What kind of plane crashed?", "What is the age of David Cooley?", "Who died in the crash?", "What age did the test pilot die at?" ]	[ [ "$150 million" ], [ "on a test mission" ], [ "Wednesday" ], [ "An Air Force F-22A fighter jet" ], [ "An Air Force F-22A fighter jet" ], [ "49," ], [ "David Cooley," ], [ "49," ] ]	NEW: Test pilot David Cooley, 49, of Palmdale, California, dies in crash . F-22A fighter jet crashes 35 miles northeast of Edwards AFB around 10:30 a.m. The one-seater jet was on a test mission when it crashed . At $150 million apiece, the F-22A is the most expensive Air Force fighter .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- An English-language immersion class failed Miriam Flores, her mother contended. A divided Supreme Court dismissed on Thursday a 17-year-old suit filed on behalf of English-deficient students. After two years of instruction in her native Spanish, Miriam entered the Nogales, Arizona schools' English Language Learner program as a third-grader. However, she continued to lag behind her classmates and was cited as a disruptive influence in the classroom because she often had to ask a fellow student for help. The girl's mother, also named Miram Flores, and other minority parents claimed school officials in Nogales, a border town about 70 miles south of Tucson, did not provide enough money to get English-deficient students up to speed in writing and reading comprehension. In 2000, a federal judge agreed, concluding Arizona violated the Equal Educational Opportunities Act, and ordering the state to rework its plan and increase funding. The English Language Learner (ELL) program was then placed under federal oversight. On Thursday, a divided Supreme Court dismissed the 17-year-old lawsuit, but ordered a federal judge to review whether Nogales officials are "providing equal opportunities" to mainly Spanish-speaking students in the community. Arizona maintained the federal court injunction delayed its plans to fix the system. It maintained it has provided enough resources to improve its ELL program, allowing it to end federal oversight. "Injunctions of this sort bind state and local officials to the policy preferences of their predecessors," wrote Justice Samuel Alito for the majority. Some legislators claim a 2006 state law essentially eliminated long-standing funding inequities. But parents say officials continue to drag their feet when it comes to complying with an appropriate classroom model for non-English-speaking students. Arizona says it increased more than twofold the amount of money it spends per non-English-speaking pupil, and that it has complied with the No Child Left Behind Act, the sweeping public classroom accountability act passed in 2002 that ties federal education funding to improvements in measurable student achievement. The current dispute has pitted the GOP-led state legislature and the school superintendent against the Democratic governor and attorney general, along with civil rights and teacher groups. Alito said a federal law guaranteeing equal opportunity in public schools "is a vitally important one, and our decision will not in any way undermine efforts to achieve that goal." He added that if state officials ultimately prevail in their reform efforts, "it will be because they have shown that the Nogales School District is doing exactly what this statute requires -- taking appropriate action to teach English to students who grew up speaking another language." Alito was backed by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy and Clarence Thomas. But in a lengthy dissent -- parts of which were read from the bench -- Justice Stephen Breyer said the ruling was "misguided," calling it "a mistaken effort to drive a wedge between review of funding plan changes and review of changes that would bring the state into compliance with federal law." He was backed by Justices John Paul Stevens, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and David Souter. The divided court seemed poised to issue a narrow ruling, fact-specific to the ELL plan in Nogales. But groups on both sides of the issue asked the high court for broader guidance on settling state-federal conflicts involving institutional reform mandates, especially those involving disadvantaged groups. Such political turf battles often end up in the courts, and can lead to decades of federal oversight, such as the fight over school desegregation beginning in the 1950s. Against that backdrop is the continuing fight over immigration and the responsibility of states to fund the education of illegal immigrants and their children. Miriam Flores is now an adult and a student at the University of Arizona. The cases are Horne v. Flores (08-289) and Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives v. Flores (08-294).	[ "When was the case originally dismissed?", "What case did the Supreme court dismiss?", "who are judged?", "What did a federal judge do after agreeing?", "what was failed?" ]	[ [ "Thursday" ], [ "Horne v. Flores" ], [ "Nogales officials" ], [ "ordering the state to rework its plan and increase funding." ], [ "English-language immersion class" ] ]	Supreme Court dismisses case that claimed schools failed English-deficient kids . The 17-year-old case began in Nogales, Arizona, a border town . A federal judge agreed and ordered increased funding and federal oversight . Both sides seek help from high court in resolving political turf wars over reforms .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- An Ethiopian immigrant with a history of mental health problems is in custody after being accused of mailing a letter with HIV-tainted blood to Barack Obama when he was president-elect, according to court records. Police say blood-stained letters were addressed to President Obama and top aide Rahm Emanuel. Saad Bedrie Hussein told investigators that he is an admirer of Obama and that the letter -- containing his photo, an admission ticket to Obama's election night victory party in Chicago's Grant Park and six index cards containing writing and reddish stains -- was his way of seeking government help and tickets to Obama's inauguration. Hussein, who has HIV, said he "purposely cut one of his fingers with a razor so he could bleed on the letter," according to an affidavit by Terry L. Cullivan, an investigator with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The letter, postmarked December 27 and written in an Ethiopian language, was addressed to Obama at the Illinois Department on Aging in Springfield, Illinois. When the letter was opened two days later, it was found to contain an orange powder, Cullivan said. A state employee then took the letter to another state office, resulting in a two-hour lockdown of the building, affecting more than 300 people, the affidavit says. During an interview, Hussein was unable to remember what the orange powder was, but tests revealed it to be a drink-mix powder, the affidavit says. According to the affidavit, during a December 29 interview, Hussein denied mailing any additional letters. But, the affidavit said, two days later, the Illinois Department of Revenue notified him it had received two similar letters, both with Hussein's return address. One was addressed to the Illinois Department on Aging, and the second to "Emanuel," which investigators believe was intended for Obama aide Rahm Emanuel. Both letters contained what appeared to be dried blood and an orange powder. The criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Illinois alleges that Hussein "knowingly mailed" the letters containing HIV-infected blood "with the intent to kill or injure another." In January, a federal judge ordered a mental evaluation of Hussein, saying "there is reasonable cause to believe [Hussein] may ... be suffering from a mental disease or defect rendering him mentally incompetent [and] unable to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him." According to court records, Hussein was arrested March 29, 2006, by Chicago police after setting a fire in the middle of a Chicago intersection, waving a Quran in the air and yelling "Allah[u] Akbar" -- Allah is great -- and other words. Hussein "created a standstill in the traffic and refused to comply" with police commands, Cullivan's affidavit says. Hussein's attorney, public defender Robert J. Scherschlight, could not immediately be reached for comment. U.S. Postal Service Inspector Peter Rendina said this is the second known case in which a person is alleged to have sent HIV-tainted blood through the mail for malicious reasons. In the other case, which is ongoing, a man sent blood to a person he thought was a business associate.	[ "Who was the note mailed to?", "What was mailed with orange powder?", "What did the judge order of the man?", "Who ordered a mental evaluation of the man?" ]	[ [ "Barack Obama" ], [ "HIV-tainted blood" ], [ "mental evaluation of Hussein," ], [ "federal judge" ] ]	Affidavit: HIV-positive man "cut one of his fingers ... so he could bleed on the letter" The note, mailed with orange powder, was sent to Obama at an Illinois state building . Investigators think another letter, to "Emanuel," was intended for Obama aide . Judge ordered mental evaluation of man, citing his history of instability .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- An Ohio death row inmate who says he is too overweight to be executed took his plea to the Supreme Court on Friday. Richard Cooey, 41, and an accomplice were convicted of the 1986 murders of two college students. Richard Cooey is scheduled to die by lethal injection Tuesday and has exhausted most of his state and federal appeals. Gov. Ted Strickland earlier Friday denied the 41-year-old prisoner's clemency petition. Cooey murdered two college students in 1986. The justices were expected to decide whether he should receive a stay of execution, and whether to address the larger constitutional claims over when a convicted person is medically unfit for capital punishment. His lawyers have argued that the inmate-- at 5-foot-7 and 267 pounds -- is "morbidly obese," and has gained about 70 pounds since his incarceration at age 19. Prison food and confinement in his cell for 23 hours a day, limiting his opportunities for exercise, contributed to his weight problem, his legal team said in recent court filings. Cooey also says regular medication he takes for migraines will weaken the effectiveness of an anesthetic used in the a three-drug cocktail administered during execution. He says his veins are weakened because of his health issues, and the lethal drugs would amount to cruel and unusual punishment. In 2003, one day before Cooey was scheduled to die, a judge stopped his execution on issues unrelated to his health claims. A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that Cooey waited too long to raise the medical issues, saying he "knew of and could have filed suit over vein access prior to July 2005." Cooey and a then-17-year-old accomplice were convicted of the brutal murders of Wendy Offredo and Dawn McCreery, students at the University of Akron. The men had been tossing concrete slabs onto Interstate 77, and one of them struck Offredo's car. Pretending to rescue the women, Cooey and Clinton Dickens took them to a remote field, according to prosecutors. There, the students were subjected to 3½ hours of rape, torture, stabbings and fatal bludgeonings. Cooey had carved an "X" into the stomachs of both women, prosecutors said. Each man blamed the other for delivering the fatal blows, but both were convicted of murder. Dickens received a life sentence because of his age. Cooey tried to escape from death row in 2005, when corrections officials said he constructed a ladder from magazines and bedsheets in an effort to scale the barrier around an outdoor recreation area. At an August clemency hearing, Jon Offredo, brother of one of the victims, said, "Our family has never gotten an apology from Richard Cooey. We've gotten blatant lies and excuses. Is an apology too much to ask? How could he commit such a heinous act and not feel regret?" But Cooey's lawyer, Dana Cole, said his client is sorry for his crimes. The high court has not offered clear guidelines on what medical standards need to be met before an inmate is eligible for death. But in a case five years ago, the justices allowed inmates to at least make a claim that their specific physical or medical issues could be cause to block an execution. The high court had sided with a convicted Alabama killer who claimed his veins were so damaged from years of drug abuse that executioners might have to cut deeply into his flesh to administer the deadly drugs. Writing for the unanimous court, then-Justice Sandra Day O'Connor said the court was not going to "open the floodgates to all manner of method-of-execution challenges," as Alabama feared. "Our holding is extremely limited." That inmate is still on death row. Richard Dieter of the Death Penalty Information Center, a data-resource group that opposes capital punishment, said the Supreme Court indicated that "how you're going to be executed is a civil rights matter, the same as if you were discriminated [against] on the basis of race or gender or something like that." A Washington state killer was given a reprieve in 1994 after claiming he was too obese to hang. Mitchell	[ "what did cooey say", "what are they going to address" ]	[ [ "he is too overweight to be executed" ], [ "the larger constitutional claims over when a convicted person is medically unfit for capital punishment." ] ]	Richard Cooey, set to die Tuesday, has exhausted most state, federal appeals . Justices are expected to decide whether he should receive stay of execution . They could also address constitutional claims about medical fitness for execution . Cooey: Drug interaction, weakened veins would make punishment cruel, unusual .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- An al Qaeda suspect alleged to have been involved in the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania that killed 11 people faces war crimes charges, the Pentagon announced Monday. Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani is shown in a photo posted by the FBI in 2004. The bombing in Dar es Salaam, which also wounded hundreds, was one of two carried out nearly simultaneously on August 7, 1998. One in Nairobi, Kenya, killed 213 people. Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani, from Tanzania, faces nine charges, six of them offenses that could carry the death penalty if he is convicted by a military tribunal. He was captured by Pakistan in 2004 and is being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In a written announcement, the Pentagon said Ghailani is "charged with the following substantive offenses: murder in violation of the Law of War, murder of protected persons, attacking civilians, attacking civilian objects, intentionally causing serious bodily injury, destruction of property in violation of the Law of War and terrorism. In addition, he is charged with conspiracy to commit all of the above offenses. "Ghailani is further charged with providing material support to terrorism. This charge alleges that after the bombing, Ghailani continued in his service to al Qaeda as a document forger, physical trainer at an al Qaeda training camp, and as a bodyguard for Osama bin Laden." The charges say he purchased bomb components, scouted the embassy with the suicide bomb driver, met with co-conspirators, and fled to Karachi, Pakistan, one day before the bombing. The convening authority for military commissions, Susan J. Crawford, will determine whether probable cause exists for a trial by military commission, said Brig. Gen. Thomas Hartman of the Office of Military Commissions. For Ghailani to ultimately be sentenced to death, the 12-member jury would have to unanimously find him guilty, determine that aggravating factors apply, and concur on the death sentence, Hartman told reporters at the Pentagon. "Everything has to be unanimous." "And then there are four levels of post-trial review, which is an extraordinary set of rights available," he said. In December, 1998 -- a few months after the embassy bombings -- Ghailani and three other fugitives were indicted in U.S. District Court in New York. It is not known whether he may ultimately face a federal trial. E-mail to a friend	[ "Where was the bomber from?", "Where did the bombing occur?", "Who faces nine charges?", "Was the Kenya bomber caught?" ]	[ [ "Tanzania," ], [ "Embassy in Tanzania" ], [ "Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani," ], [ "captured by Pakistan in 2004 and is being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba." ] ]	1998 bombing in Dar es Salaam killed 11, injured hundreds . Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani, a Tanzanian, faces nine charges . Al Qaeda-linked suspect could get death sentence from military tribunal . U.S. Embassy in Kenya bombed almost same time on August 7, 1998 .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- An extended trip to Ecuador by two Americans changed from a dream to a nightmare after a brutal attack last week, according the couple's blog and U.S. officials. State Department spokesman Robert Wood confirmed Tuesday that the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador had been told that two Americans from Bend, Oregon, were attacked in the city of Esmeraldas, on Ecuador's northern coast. But he said he could provide no further information because of privacy laws. Two State Department officials, however, said that the man was stabbed more than 24 times and that his fiancée was beaten and raped. CNN does not name the victims of sexual assault and has removed publication of the man's name to help protect the identity of the woman. The couple was evacuated to the United States on Tuesday for treatment, the officials said. The couple wrote a blog throughout their trip. In the most recent post on Monday, the woman wrote that her fiance was in intensive care after three surgeries. "I was informed by the head surgeon there is no certainty he will survive," she wrote. The earlier postings were happier reflections on their visit to Ecuador, a year-long trip they planned after getting engaged and selling all their belongings. In the blog, the couple seems unconcerned about safety, posting that they occasionally hitchhiked, visited the homes of strangers and posed for pictures with new friends they made on their travels. One senior official told CNN that the victims' parents complained to U.S. consular officers in Ecuador that the Embassy did not do enough to warn Americans that many people have been attacked in Esmeraldas. The State Department's Web site advises caution when traveling to the northern border region of Ecuador, including Esmeraldas. The travel advisory section notes that "U.S. government personnel are under limitations with respect to traveling alone and over-nighting in these areas due to the spread of organized crime, drug trafficking, small arms trafficking, and incursions by various Colombian terrorist organizations." The Web site says that since 1998, at least 10 U.S. citizens have been kidnapped and one killed near Ecuador's border with Colombia. Wood on Tuesday expressed the State Department's "deep sympathy" for the victims and said the department worked with the victims' families to provide assistance. "It's a horrible and shocking incident" he said.	[ "How many surgeries did the man have?", "Where should travelers exercise extreme caution?", "What happened to the man's fiance?", "Was the man or the woman raped?", "Where was the attack?", "What did the fiance write in her blog?", "How many surgeries has the man had?", "What happened to the man?", "In what country was the couple attacked?" ]	[ [ "three" ], [ "northern border region of Ecuador, including Esmeraldas." ], [ "beaten and raped." ], [ "his fiancée was beaten and raped." ], [ "Esmeraldas, on Ecuador's northern coast." ], [ "was in intensive care after three surgeries." ], [ "three" ], [ "was stabbed more than 24 times" ], [ "Ecuador" ] ]	U.S. officials say man was stabbed repeatedly, his fiancée raped and beaten . Relative tells media that couple was attacked on beach in northern Ecuador . Fiancée writes in blog that her companion may not survive despite three surgeries . State Department site advises caution when traveling to parts of northern Ecuador .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- An extensive federal report released Monday concludes that roughly one in four of the 697,000 U.S. veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf War suffer from Gulf War illness. A U.S. soldier wears protection against chemical weapons during the Gulf War in a February 1991 photo. That illness is a condition now identified as the likely consequence of exposure to toxic chemicals, including pesticides and a drug administered to protect troops against nerve gas. The 452-page report states that "scientific evidence leaves no question that Gulf War illness is a real condition with real causes and serious consequences for affected veterans." The report, compiled by a panel of scientific experts and veterans serving on the congressionally mandated Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses, fails to identify any cure for the malady. It also notes that few veterans afflicted with Gulf War illness have recovered over time. "Today's report brings to a close one of the darkest chapters in the legacy of the 1991 Gulf War," said Anthony Hardie, a member of the committee and a member of the advocacy group Veterans of Modern Warfare. "This is a bittersweet victory, [because] this is what Gulf War veterans have been saying all along," Hardie said at a news conference in Washington. "Years were squandered by the federal government ... trying to disprove that anything could be wrong with Gulf War veterans." The committee's report, titled "Gulf War Illness and the Health of Gulf War Veterans," was officially presented Monday to Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake. Noting that overall funding for research into Gulf War illness has declined dramatically since 2001, it calls for a "renewed federal research commitment" to "identify effective treatments for Gulf War illness and address other priority Gulf War health issues." Watch CNN's Elizabeth Cohen report more on Gulf War illness » According to the report, Gulf War illness is a "complex of multiple concurrent symptoms" that "typically includes persistent memory and concentration problems, chronic headaches, widespread pain, gastrointestinal problems, and other chronic abnormalities." The illness may also be potentially tied to higher rates of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) -- more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease -- among Gulf War veterans than veterans of other conflicts. The illness is identified as the consequence of multiple "biological alterations" affecting the brain and nervous system. iReport.com: Do you know someone affected by Gulf War illness? While it is sometimes difficult to issue a specific diagnosis of the disease, it is, according to the report, no longer difficult to identify a cause. The report identifies two Gulf War "neurotoxic" exposures that "are causally associated with Gulf War illness." The first is the ingestion of pyridostigmine bromide (PB) pills, given to protect troops from effects of nerve agents. The second is exposure to dangerous pesticides used during the conflict. The report does not rule out other possible contributors to Gulf War illness -- including low-level exposure to nerve agents and close proximity to oil well fires -- though it fails to establish any clear link. The report concludes there is no clear link between the illness and a veteran's exposure to factors such as depleted uranium or an anthrax vaccine administered at the time. "Gulf War illness isn't some imaginary syndrome," said Ken Robinson, the senior intelligence officer for the initial Department of Defense investigation into Gulf War illness in 1996-97. "This is real, and it has devastated families. Now is the time to restore the funding cuts that have been made in the Veterans Administration. Our mission has to be to ensure that these veterans get help and become whole again." Robinson noted that soldiers in the field today are not at risk for Gulf War illness, because the military is no longer using the PB pills or pesticides that led to the illness in 1990 and 1991. The report backs Robinson's conclusion, noting that no problem similar to Gulf War illness has been discovered among veterans from the conflict in Bosnia in the 1990s or in the current engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq.	[ "What did the officer say?", "which is the disease Gulf ?", "what are the consequences?", "What was the illness termed?", "One in four Gulf War veterans suffer from what?", "what illness befell them?", "who reported this illness" ]	[ [ "\"Gulf War illness isn't some imaginary syndrome,\"" ], [ "War illness." ], [ "Gulf War illness." ], [ "Gulf War" ], [ "illness." ], [ "\"complex of multiple concurrent symptoms\"" ], [ "Anthony Hardie," ] ]	NEW: Officer who investigated illness: "This is real, and it has devastated families" One in four Gulf War veterans suffer from Gulf War illness, report says . Pesticides, drug used to thwart effects of nerve gas called most likely to blame . Illness termed "a real condition with real causes and serious consequences"
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- An increase in the number of suicides among military personnel can be traced, in part, to a "stressed and tired force" made vulnerable by multiple deployments, a military leader said Wednesday. Long troop deployments in Iraq, above, and Afghanistan have been cited in the rise in military suicides. "We must find ways to relieve some of this stress," said Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, vice chief of staff of the Army, in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee. "I think it is the cumulative effect of deployments from 12 to 15 months," he said, adding that the longer deployments are scheduled to continue until June. He cited long deployments, lengthy separations from family and the perceived stigma associated with seeking help as factors contributing to the suicides. Adm. Patrick M. Walsh, vice chief of naval operations, said suicides are the third leading cause of death in the Navy. "We must eliminate the perceived stigma, shame and dishonor of asking for help," he said. Gen. James F. Amos, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, said his branch of the service has incorporated education and training about suicide prevention "at all levels." He said four of 55 mental health professionals deployed in the U.S. Central Command were recently embedded with Marines. He expressed optimism that that tactic would pay off, but he said he had no data to support his expectation. And Gen. William M. Fraser, vice chief of staff of the Air Force, said his branch, too, was taking steps "to ensure airmen are as mentally prepared for deployment and redeployment as they are physically and professionally." Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, said the efforts have not sufficed. He noted that last year, for the first time, the suicide rate among military personnel has exceeded that of the civilian population. "What's going on?" he asked rhetorically. The panel members made clear that, whatever is going on, it is complex. Chiarelli said the Army tallied 133 confirmed suicides last year and is still investigating another seven possible ones. At least 70 percent of the suicides had "some kind of relationship problem," he said. Often, the situation was worsened by something else, such as a financial or legal problem, he said. And it wasn't just the trauma of war that appears to heighten the risk. The suicides were about evenly divided among those who had returned from deployment, those who were still deployed -- some on a third or fourth tour -- and those who had never been deployed, Chiarelli said. All of the military leaders said they had too few mental health professionals in their ranks. But Walsh said professionals are not the only people who must be trained to intervene, noting that it is often the shipmate or the battle buddy who seeks assistance for someone in need. And Navy counselors are now asking family members for feedback that often proves more illuminating than what the sailors themselves are willing to impart, he said. "If I survey the family, I'm going to get a different set of answers." One reason some service personnel are reluctant to seek help from their chain of command is because they fear they will then be passed over for promotions, the panel members said. In some cases, they pay out of their own pockets to seek help privately, Rubenstein said. And others call civilian hotlines, one of which reported getting three calls per day this year from active-duty military personnel. Representatives of all of the branches of the military said they have seen recent increases in suicides. At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary William Gates said he believes the 15-month deployments "were a real strain" on many, but expressed optimism that beneficial changes are in the works. "All the services are are addressing this problem, but the Army in particular, I think, is really going after it in a very aggressive way," he said. But some suicides appear to defy all prevention efforts. Maj. Gen. David A. Rubenstein	[ "What is to blame for the suicides?", "What does the Admiral say about suicides?", "What are a third leading cause of death?", "What is the third leading cause of death in the Navy?", "Who said we must find ways to relieve stress?", "What is cited as part of the problem?", "What was said to contribute to the problem?" ]	[ [ "Long troop deployments" ], [ "\"stressed and tired force\"" ], [ "suicides" ], [ "suicides" ], [ "Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli," ], [ "Long troop deployments in Iraq," ], [ "seeking help" ] ]	Army Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli: "We must find ways to relieve some of this stress" Admiral says suicides are the third leading cause of death in the Navy . "Perceived stigma ... and dishonor of asking for help" is cited as part of problem . Also blamed: Long deployments and lengthy separations from family .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Army Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, has been chosen to become chief of U.S. Central Command, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday. Gen. David Petraeus has been the commander in Iraq for more than a year. Petraeus would replace Adm. William Fallon, who said last month that he was resigning. Fallon said widespread, but false, reports that he was at odds with the Bush administration over Iran had made his job impossible. In addition, Gates said, Army Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of the Multinational Corps-Iraq -- the No. 2 position in Iraq -- is being nominated to fill Petraeus' post. Odierno has been home from Iraq for only a couple of months but has agreed to return, Gates said. The plan is for Petraeus to leave Iraq in late summer or early fall, Gates said, to ensure a smooth transition and plenty of time for Odierno to prepare. "We expect to move the paperwork on these nominations to the White House and to the Senate very quickly," Gates said. "Because of the complexity of this series of moves, I respectfully ask the Senate to move on them expeditiously, hopefully by Memorial Day, so the families and we can plan appropriately." Odierno was in line for a Pentagon desk job as Army Vice Chief just over a year after helping Petraeus implement the "surge" in U.S. troops in Iraq. The Pentagon says Petraeus will stay in Iraq long enough to make the first recommendation on further troop cuts after the surge is over. Watch the challenges ahead of Petraeus » Gates said the generals' promotions reflected an endorsement of the current course in Iraq. "The course certainly that Gen. Petraeus has set has been a successful course. So, frankly, I think staying that course is not a bad idea. I would say it's a good idea," Gates said. Watch Gates nominate Petraeus » Central Command, which oversees U.S. forces in East Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia, has its headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. Gates said Odierno is well known to troops in Iraq, to military leadership and to Iraqis, and "I believe, in most parts of the world, especially in the Middle East, personal relationships make a difference." "I believe that this arrangement will probably preserve the likelihood of continued momentum and progress," Gates said. The defense secretary said he expects to easily win Senate approval for the nominations once they are made by President Bush. He said he had spoken with Sens. Carl Levin, D-Michigan; John McCain, R-Arizona; and John Warner, R-Virginia, and "I don't really anticipate any problems." In a press release Wednesday, McCain praised the move. "Both of these great generals have served our country with skill and distinction, and I am pleased that they will continue to do so in positions of high responsibility," McCain wrote. Gates acknowledged that Fallon's "decision to step down was unexpected." "I had intended that Adm. Fallon probably stay on for a third year. His second year would have ended in February," he said. "So I'm faced with a critical combatant command where a commander is needed -- and a commander who knows what's going on in the region." Asked whether he was using Petraeus "almost as a finger in the dike" because of the shortage of Army generals with expertise in counterinsurgency warfare, Gates admitted that there are few Army officers with experience in and knowledge of Iraq. Odierno served as commander of the 4th Infantry Division, the unit that captured former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Petraeus was picked in January 2007 to replace Gen. George Casey as the chief commander in Iraq and won Senate confirmation that month. He previously served as head of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and as a commander in Iraq, and he was one of the main writers of an Army manual on counterinsurgency efforts. He was seen as the logical	[ "Who would take over for Adm. William Fallon?", "what is patraeus?", "What would Petraeus oversee?", "what was fallon's position?", "what changes is gates referring to?", "Who would oversee all forces in Middle East?", "Who says changes \"will probably preserve ... momentum and progress\"?" ]	[ [ "Army Gen. David Petraeus," ], [ "the top U.S. commander in Iraq," ], [ "U.S. forces in East Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia," ], [ "chief of U.S. Central Command," ], [ "the generals' promotions" ], [ "Army Gen. David Petraeus," ], [ "Gates" ] ]	Gates says changes "will probably preserve ... momentum and progress" Petraeus would oversee all forces in Middle East, including Iraq and Afghanistan . Petraeus would take over for Adm. William Fallon, who resigned . Central Command position is subject to Senate confirmation .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As Democrats continue to splinter over President Obama's proposed health care reform plan, Republicans are taking the opportunity to home in on a key argument: A good bill deserves more time and deliberation. Sen. James Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, says his party may have enough votes to stall Democratic health care reform. Rep. Nathan Deal, R-Georgia, said Friday that Obama's rush to put a bill together is "totally irresponsible." "Most of us believe that the decision as to major reform of how Americans get their health care in this country deserves at least as much time and deliberation as it would take to select a puppy to live in the White House," he said. "It took the president six months to decide how long and which puppy he was going to have. ... To expect Congress to do something on major health care reform in six days is totally irresponsible." Sen. James Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, speaking on conservative Hugh Hewitt's radio show recently, was asked about whether his party had enough votes to block health care from going forward. His answer: "I think so. I really do." "If he is unsuccessful, which I anticipate and will predict he is, on getting a vote prior to the August recess, then I would say there's no way in the world they're going to get this done this year," he added. Obama's fight to get health care reform through Congress hit a major snag this week -- facing opposition from Republicans and fiscally conservative "Blue Dog" Democrats worried over the costs -- estimated to be around $1 trillion. On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, announced that the Senate would not take up a vote before August recess -- a deadline that Obama had originally wanted. Watch a GOP senator lash out at Obama's plan » Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas responded to Democratic criticism that the GOP has failed to present a viable plan. "When the Democrats say we don't have a plan ... where's their plan? If they can't get a bill out of committee, where's their plan?" he said. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, said it's hard to combat the Democrats' proposed legislation when it changes "by 100 pages every time you walk into the room." The GOP's fight is also getting political, namely looking ahead to the upcoming midterm election. "I just hope the president keeps talking about it, keeps trying to rush it through. We can stall it. And that's going to be a huge gain for those of us who want to turn this thing over in the 2010 election," Inhofe said. Last week, Sen. Jim DeMint, R-South Carolina, was quoted as telling the group Conservatives for Patients' Rights, which opposes Obama's health care plan, that "if we're able to stop Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo. It will break him." Obama debunked DeMint's claim during a live prime time news conference Wednesday night at the White House. "I've heard that one Republican strategist told his party that even though they may want to compromise, it's better politics to 'go for the kill.' Another Republican senator said that defeating health reform is about 'breaking' me," he said. "Let me be clear: This isn't about me," Obama said, noting that he and every member of Congress -- including those trying to scuttle health care reform legislation -- "have great health insurance." Obama's chief-of-staff, Rahm Emanuel, took a swipe at the GOP's political maneuvering. "At least they're honest about their motivation," Emanuel told National Public Radio Friday. "Their view about health care is about defeating President Obama. Politically, I actually appreciate what they said."	[ "Who is the U.S presindent?", "from where is Sen. Inhofe?", "What does the Sen. Inhofe said?" ]	[ [ "President Obama's" ], [ "R-Oklahoma," ], [ "says his party may have enough votes to stall Democratic health care reform." ] ]	GOP Rep. Deal: Obama spent more time picking a dog than health care plan . Obama's health care fight hit a major snag this week . Sen. Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, says it's unlikely the president will get a bill this year . Inhofe says stalling health care reform could be good for GOP in 2010 .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As President Obama approaches day 100 of his administration, some in Washington caution that the torture tug-of-war could be a costly distraction. Leg restraints await detainees at Guantanamo Bay in this 2006 photo. Earlier this month, the Obama administration released four Bush-era memos detailing "enhanced interrogations" of suspected al Qaeda members. Now, the White House is reviewing former Vice President Dick Cheney's request to make more memos public. Two weeks before Obama released any memos, Cheney submitted a request to the National Archives calling for the release of other documents. He says that what he requested will prove that the Bush interrogation tactics -- which critics have called a torture program -- worked. "I haven't talked about it, but I know specifically of reports that I read, that I saw, that lay out what we learned through the interrogation process and what the consequences were for the country," Cheney said in an interview with Fox News last week. The White House is signaling that not only is it considering honoring Cheney's request, it may go even further. "I think the president, as you know, is a big believer in transparency," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." "I think one of the things that will have to be examined is whether there are additional memos that have to be released that give a broader picture of what's gone on in enhanced interrogation techniques." The almost daily revelations are dividing Democrats between those calling for full disclosure and those urging caution. "We don't just turn the page without reading it. We want to make sure what the mistakes were so that the Obama administration doesn't make these mistakes," Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont. said Sunday. But Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, warned Sunday against moving to quickly. "We need to find these things out, and we need to do it in a way that's calm and deliberative and professional, because I think all of this, on the front burner, before the public, does harm our intelligence gathering, it does harm America's position in the world," she said on CNN's "State of the Union." Across the aisle, Republicans are insisting the Justice Department drop any investigation of Bush administration officials who authorized harsh interrogations. "I think that would be a stab in the back. I think he has already demoralized the CIA, put them in a CYA mode," Sen. Kit Bond, R-Missouri, said Sunday on Fox News. Arizona Sen. John McCain, the former Republican presidential candidate, said prosecuting those who gave legal advice is wrong. "I don't think those memos should have been released, but the fundamental point now is whether to prosecute people who gave the president, in my view, legitimate advice, even though it was wrong," he said. "We should not be prosecuting people who gave legal advice. It's wrong to do that to them, and it sets a terrible precedent for the future." Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Michigan, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, and House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio are calling on the White House to release a list of who was briefed about the interrogation programs. "Congress and the American people deserve a full and complete set of facts about what information was yielded by CIA's interrogation program, and they deserve to know which of their representatives in Congress were briefed about these techniques and the extent of those briefings," Boehner said in a statement Monday. "To date, the administration has fallen short in providing this information. ... The American people have been provided an incomplete picture of exactly what intelligence was made available by the interrogation program," he said. But Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, a Democrat-turned-independent, said the whole debate over the memos is "moot." "What do we gain, first, by releasing the memos; but, secondly, what	[ "what position did dick cheney hold?", "What does Dick Cheney want?", "What will the memos show?", "Cheney wanted what released?", "Who are calling for disclosure?", "What group opposed investigations?", "who opposes any investigation?" ]	[ [ "Vice President" ], [ "make more memos public." ], [ "\"enhanced interrogations\" of suspected al Qaeda members." ], [ "submitted a request to the National Archives calling for the release of other documents." ], [ "Democrats between those" ], [ "Republicans" ], [ "Republicans" ] ]	Former Vice President Dick Cheney wants more memos released . Cheney says memos will show what was learned through interrogation process . Some Democrats are calling for full disclosure; others are urging caution . GOP opposes any investigation of officials who authorized tactics .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As Supreme Court hopeful Sonia Sotomayor breaks ground for Hispanics, she is poised to add an exclamation point to another historic demographic shift: the move to a Catholic court. If confirmed, Sonia Sotomayor would be the sixth Catholic justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. Sotomayor was raised Catholic and if she is confirmed, six out of nine, or two-thirds of the justices on the court will be from the faith. Catholics make up about one-quarter of the U.S. population. "It's most unusual," said Barbara Perry, a government professor at Sweetbriar College who was already writing a book about Catholics on the Supreme Court when Sotomayor was named as the next nominee. "Presidents used to reserve a Catholic seat and a Jewish seat on the Supreme Court," Perry told CNN Radio. "Now we've moved from a Catholic seat on the court to a Catholic court." Of the 110 people who have served on the Supreme Court, 11 have been Catholic. Five of those justices -- Samuel Alito, Anthony Kennedy, Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Chief Justice John Roberts -- are currently on the court. "It is more than a random selection process that yielded the current five Catholics on the bench," Perry said. The five current Catholic justices were appointed by Republican presidents, which Perry notes may be a key reason why so many Catholics have joined the high court in recent years. "It's their tie to conservative Catholicism which made them agreeable to (Republican) presidents' ideology," she said. Perry sees Catholics as swing voters with a base of socially conservative principles, and therefore naturally attractive for Republican presidents. Catholic League President Bill Donohue goes further, hypothesizing that Catholics have conservative credentials on issues such as abortion, without the political baggage of terms such as the "religious right" or "evangelicals." "Is it safer to nominate a Catholic as opposed to an evangelical to get votes? I think the answer is decidedly yes," Donohue said. Donohue also suggests the vigorous education in Catholic schools during the 20th century produced sharp legal minds. "I think there might be a certain kind of Catholic edge, so to speak, as a residual property of a Catholic education," he said. Roberts, Scalia and Thomas attended Catholic school as children, as did Sotomayor. Watch more about Sotomayor's personal history » Underlying causes aside, Perry sees the fast shift as a sign that centuries of American concern about Catholics are over. In 1985, a lone Catholic justice, William J. Brennan, Jr., sat on the court. A generation later, that number is poised to become six. "What that tells is that in our politics, religion doesn't matter anymore," Perry said. Then she added: "I don't think our politics are ready for an Islamic justice at this point." The current court is composed of two Jewish members -- Justices Stephen Breyer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. If Sotomayor joins the bench, Justice John Paul Stevens would be the solitary Protestant on a court once dominated by white Protestant men. Learn about the other Supreme Court justices » Court observers wonder what, if anything, six Catholic justices would mean for Supreme Court decisions. The five Catholics currently on the bench concurred in a 2007 decision, Gonzales v. Carhart, which upheld a state ban on late-term abortions. Sotomayor has faced few abortion cases, and no tests on issues such gay rights or the death penalty. However, Donohue expects a Justice Sotomayor to lean more left than her fellow Catholics on the court. Read about Sotomayor's record » "I think she's more reliably liberal," Donohue said. Donohue said he still would like to see Sotomayor join the bench. "Even though I'm a conservative and she is not, there's still a certain way that you do root for the home team," he said.	[ "Who appointed the current Catholic justices?", "What religion is Sonia Sotomayor?", "Who, if confirmed would be the supreme court's sixth catholic?", "How many current Catholic justices were appointed by Republican presidents ?", "Who said Sotomayor would lean more left than other justices?", "How many current Catholic justices were appointed by Republican presidents?", "What directino was Sotomayor lean?", "Who says Sotomayor would lean more left than other justices ?" ]	[ [ "Republican presidents," ], [ "Catholic" ], [ "Sonia Sotomayor" ], [ "five" ], [ "Donohue" ], [ "five" ], [ "more left" ], [ "Donohue" ] ]	If confirmed, Judge Sonia Sotomayor would be Supreme Court's sixth Catholic . Five current Catholic justices were appointed by Republican presidents . Catholic League president says Sotomayor would lean more left than other justices .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As a bill that would expand education benefits for veterans has become a flash point in the early sparring between Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama, some Republicans admit that the Democrats may have outmaneuvered them on the issue. Sen. John McCain has sided with President Bush on opposing a popular GI Bill in Congress. McCain has defended his opposition to the bill that would expand education benefits for veterans, saying it would hurt the military that he hopes to lead. The bill, which passed the Senate last week 75-22, would expand education benefits for veterans who served at least three years in the military after the September 11, 2001, attacks. A former Navy officer and prisoner of war during Vietnam, McCain says the bill would hurt military retention by 16 percent and be a disincentive for service members to become noncommissioned officers, which he called "the backbone of all the services." Democrats cite the Congressional Budget Office, whose figures say the expanded benefits would boost enlistment by 16 percent. Watch more of McCain's comments » "I think John McCain has been outmaneuvered," said GOP strategist Ed Rollins, who had served as former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign chairman. "Sometimes in politics, there are intellectual issues and emotional issues." "John McCain is going against veterans groups; he is going against a constituency that should be his. ... But I think he is on the wrong side of this issue," Rollins said. "A lot of Republicans are voting for this, and I think to a certain extent as it moves forward there will be more and more. There will be tremendous pressure from veterans groups past and present and I think you will see a lot of bipartisan support for this as well." Over the weekend, Obama, who appears to be the likely Democratic nominee, again tried to tie McCain to Bush by noting that both of them oppose the GI Bill expansion. "I revere our soldiers and want to make sure they are being treated with honor and respect," Obama said Saturday in Puerto Rico. "I think the GI Bill is one way for us to do that, and I hope that John McCain and George Bush decide they believe the same thing." Watch more of Obama's comments » Obama hasn't served in the military. "It is really probably Barack Obama's shining moment in this campaign. The way he phrased this debate, the way he framed the issue," said Robert Zimmerman, a Democratic superdelegate who supports Sen. Hillary Clinton's run for president. Watch analysts weigh in on the issue » "Intellectually, John McCain may be right, the president may be right. Emotionally, you are on the wrong side, you can never win an emotional battle in an intellectual argument," Rollins added. Rollins also said that despite McCain's war hero status, history has shown veterans who run for president don't always capture the veteran vote. "I think the bottom line here in the statistic that was astonishing to me is George Bush's father was a war hero lost the veterans' vote to Bill Clinton who ... did not serve in a war," Rollins said. "Same way with Bob Dole, a war hero lost the vote." McCain, along with Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Richard Burr of North Carolina, has introduced an alternative bill that would increase education benefits on a sliding scale based on an individual's years of service. The GI Bill was created in June 1944, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. It was designed to help educate and train military veterans returning from WWII. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 7.8 million of 16 million troops who served in WWII received educational or vocational training from the GI Bill. Soldiers, Marines and airmen, speaking at a Capitol Hill rally on April 29, said they are not given enough funds from the bill to cover college expenses as they were promised. Todd Bowers, who served two tours in	[ "Who opposes the bill due to retention problems?", "What did the update extend?", "What did Rollins say about McCain?", "What did the senate pass?", "What benefits are extended by the updated bill?", "What did Sen. McCain oppose?", "Who said McCain was on the wrong side of the issue?", "What bill had an update?", "What benefits were extended?" ]	[ [ "McCain" ], [ "education benefits for veterans" ], [ "may be right, the president may be right. Emotionally, you are on the wrong side, you can never win an emotional battle in an intellectual argument,\"" ], [ "a bill that would expand education benefits for veterans" ], [ "education" ], [ "the bill that would expand education benefits for veterans," ], [ "Ed Rollins," ], [ "GI" ], [ "education" ] ]	Senate passes an update to the GI Bill, extending education benefits to veterans . Sen. McCain and President Bush oppose it, citing retention problems . Ed Rollins: McCain's "outmaneuvered" and "on the wrong side of this issue"
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As a career military officer, Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry is familiar with sacrifice for his country and long stretches away from home. Karl Eikenberry testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee March 26. But he apparently doesn't want any more separation from his wife, Ching Eikenberry. If he is approved as the next U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan he wants her to come with him. That could collide with State Department rules. Afghanistan is designated "an unaccompanied post" by the department because of the dangers of the war and terror attacks. That means family members are not allowed. Sen. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts, who as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee was running Eikenberry's confirmation hearing last week, was in favor of the idea. "I know you are hoping to take your wife there with you, and I think I certainly, and I think the committee is entirely supportive," Kerry said. "I think it would be a terrific message and a strong boost of morale for the Embassy, and obviously wherever possible we should try to encourage that. So I hope that will be facilitated." Said Eikenberry, "Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for that support." There was no immediate reaction from the State Department.	[ "For what country might Karl Eikenberry become the next ambassador", "what would collide with State Department rules?", "who is waiting to be next ambassador to Afghanistan?", "What happens if approved?", "The request may go against whose rules?", "If Karl Eikenberry becomes ambassador to Afghanistan who will go with him?" ]	[ [ "to Afghanistan" ], [ "family members are not allowed." ], [ "Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry" ], [ "he wants her to come with him." ], [ "State Department" ], [ "his wife, Ching" ] ]	Karl Eikenberry awaits Senate confirmation to be next ambassador to Afghanistan . If approved, Eikenberry wants to take his wife with him . But that request could collide with State Department rules .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As he awaits a crucial progress report on Iraq, President Bush will try to put a twist on comparisons of the war to Vietnam by invoking the historical lessons of that conflict to argue against pulling out. President Bush pauses Tuesday during a news conference at the North American Leaders summit in Canada. On Wednesday in Kansas City, Missouri, Bush will tell members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars that "then, as now, people argued that the real problem was America's presence and that if we would just withdraw, the killing would end," according to speech excerpts released Tuesday by the White House. "Three decades later, there is a legitimate debate about how we got into the Vietnam War and how we left," Bush will say. "Whatever your position in that debate, one unmistakable legacy of Vietnam is that the price of America's withdrawal was paid by millions of innocent citizens, whose agonies would add to our vocabulary new terms like 'boat people,' 're-education camps' and 'killing fields,' " the president will say. The president will also make the argument that withdrawing from Vietnam emboldened today's terrorists by compromising U.S. credibility, citing a quote from al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden that the American people would rise against the Iraq war the same way they rose against the war in Vietnam, according to the excerpts. "Here at home, some can argue our withdrawal from Vietnam carried no price to American credibility, but the terrorists see things differently," Bush will say. On Tuesday, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said, "President Bush's attempt to compare the war in Iraq to past military conflicts in East Asia ignores the fundamental difference between the two. Our nation was misled by the Bush Administration in an effort to gain support for the invasion of Iraq under false pretenses, leading to one of the worst foreign policy blunders in our history. "While the President continues to stay-the-course with his failed strategy in Iraq, paid for by the taxpayers, American lives are being lost and there is still no political solution within the Iraqi government. It is time to change direction in Iraq, and Congress will again work to do so in the fall." The White House is billing the speech, along with another address next week to the American Legion, as an effort to "provide broader context" for the debate over the upcoming Iraq progress report by Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. military commander, and Ryan Crocker, the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad. President Bush has frequently asked lawmakers -- and the American people -- to withhold judgment on his troop "surge" in Iraq until the report comes out in September. Watch Bush criticize the Iraqi government » It is being closely watched on Capitol Hill, particularly by Republicans nervous about the political fallout from an increasingly unpopular war. Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he would wait for the report before deciding when a drawdown of the 160,000 U.S. troops in Iraq might begin. Bush's speeches Wednesday and next week are the latest in a series of attempts by the White House to try to reframe the debate over Iraq, as public support for the war continues to sag. A recent CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll found that almost two-thirds of Americans -- 64 percent -- now oppose the Iraq war, and 72 percent say that even if Petraeus reports progress, it won't change their opinion. The poll also found a great deal of skepticism about the report; 53 percent said they do not trust Petraeus to give an accurate assessment of the situation in Iraq. In addition to his analogy to Vietnam, Bush in Wednesday's speech will invoke other historical comparisons from Asia, including the U.S. defeat and occupation of Japan after World War II and the Korean War in the 1950s, according to the excerpts. "In the aftermath of Japan's surrender, many thought it naive to help the Japanese transform themselves into a democracy. Then, as now, the critics argued that some people were simply not fit	[ "Who is President Bush going to address on Wednesday?", "Who will President Bush address on Wednesday?", "What did President Bush say?", "When will Bush address Veterans?", "Who will address the veterans on Wednesday?", "What is the topic of White House speech?", "Who is President Bush talking to on Wednesday?", "What will Bush say?", "Whose attempt will be to frame debate over Iraq?", "What did Bush say?", "What will the speech attempt to do?", "What emboldened today's terrorists?", "what is the speech about?", "Who will President Bush address?", "What will Bush do?", "What purpose does the speech serve?", "Who is addressing the VA?", "What day is the speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars?" ]	[ [ "members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars" ], [ "Veterans of Foreign Wars" ], [ "\"Three decades later, there is a legitimate debate about how we got into the Vietnam War and how we left,\"" ], [ "Wednesday" ], [ "Bush" ], [ "an effort to \"provide broader context\" for the debate over the upcoming Iraq progress report" ], [ "members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars" ], [ "\"Whatever your position in that debate, one unmistakable legacy of Vietnam is that the price of America's withdrawal was paid by millions of innocent citizens, whose agonies would add to our vocabulary new terms like 'boat people,' 're-education" ], [ "\"President Bush's" ], [ "\"Here at home, some can argue our withdrawal from Vietnam carried no price to American credibility, but the terrorists see things differently,\"" ], [ "argue against pulling out." ], [ "withdrawing from Vietnam" ], [ "Foreign Wars" ], [ "the Veterans of Foreign Wars" ], [ "twist on comparisons of the war to Vietnam" ], [ "\"provide broader context\" for the debate over the upcoming Iraq progress report" ], [ "President Bush" ], [ "Wednesday" ] ]	President Bush to address the Veterans of Foreign Wars on Wednesday . Bush to say that withdrawing from Vietnam emboldened today's terrorists . Speech will be latest White House attempt to try to reframe the debate over Iraq .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As he walks past the tiny, dingy waiting area into an equally cramped garage, Nui Srisook says business at his car repair shop is thriving. Drivers are choosing to keep their old cars longer, and they're turning to repair shops to make it so, observers say. Sales are up 20 percent this month and Srisook spends most nights working late, helping his customers to get extra mileage out of their old cars. "Most of the customers right now we see, they don't really have much extra money to ... buy a new car. So that's why they just do repair," Srisook said. "And now, people are willing to spend more money on maintaining the car, deciding what is broke, anything that needs to be maintained on the car." As more cash-strapped Americans turn to do-it-yourself projects and bargain shopping, car repair shops like Srisook's are feeling the boon. Drivers are choosing to keep their old cars longer, and often they're willing to put in the money to do so, observers say. The Automotive Service Association reports their members' sales were up 16 percent over last year. Watch Kate Bolduan's report on the thriving auto repair industry » "That indicated that people were coming in and putting the vehicle in the repair facilities' hands and saying, 'Look, I am going to be keeping this car. I want to be sure it runs well. I want to be sure that if there are any safety issues or any maintenance issues that I have overlooked, let's get those taken care of,' " said ASA President Ron Pyle. Pyle said that's a change from the past, when drivers would scrimp on the cost of maintenance and repair. "That was surprising news. We didn't expect that in the midst of the beginnings of the economic woes," Pyle said. "But they are looking at the cost of trying to purchase a new vehicle ... so I think that in relative terms that $1,000 repair to keep a $2,500 car running may be an attractive alternative." The economic slump has cut automakers deeply. Last month, sales of new cars were down more than 40 percent compared with the same time last year, according to sales tracker Autodata. The trend seems to have translated into increased traffic at auto parts stores. "We're doing way more business. The phones are ringing, you know, customers are walking in," said Darryl Wright, owner of D.C. Brake & Bearings Co. "Basically, if it's broke, they fix it." In the past, only savvy auto mechanics knew to shop at Wright's nondescript discount store. Now, he sees more car owners who are looking for a cheaper deal on parts. "[Customers will] find a guy on the street, you know -- Joe Shady Mechanics is what we call them -- to fix it at a deeper discount rate, labor-wise, and they'll send the customer in here to buy the parts on their own," Wright said. "So people are saving money that way too." Srisook said he keeps service prices low to appeal to those bargain shoppers, such as Esther White, a loyal customer. She brought in her daughter's 1996 Oldsmobile for new rotors and brakes, and said her daughter would be driving the car "until it drops dead." "Believe it or not, we were raised to fix things, and to hold on to things as long as we could," White said. "But it goes back to today's economy, and making the right financial decisions."	[ "Who said that people were willing to spend more?", "What has the trend created?", "What stores show increased traffic?", "What did the D.C. shop owner say?", "What percentage did member sales grow by?", "What did the D.C shop owner say?" ]	[ [ "Srisook" ], [ "increased traffic at auto parts stores." ], [ "auto parts" ], [ "\"We're doing way more business. The phones are ringing, you know, customers are walking in,\"" ], [ "16 percent" ], [ "\"Most of the customers right now we see, they don't really have much extra money to ... buy a new car. So that's why they just do repair,\"" ] ]	As more strapped Americans opt to fix their cars, repair shops are doing well . Automotive Service Association: Members' sales grew 16 percent over the last year . D.C. shop owner: "People are willing to spend more" to keep cars well-serviced . Trend seems to have translated into increased traffic at auto parts stores, as well .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As thousands gathered Sunday in Washington for a march and rally focused on gay rights issues, lawmakers showed that some of the demonstrators' key goals face major obstacles ahead. President Obama speaks to a major gay-rights group Saturday night in Washington. Even with President Obama pushing Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act -- a stance he highlighted to one of the nation's leading gay-rights groups Saturday night, to huge applause -- members of his own party told CNN they're not in lockstep. "I've said in the past I don't think that's the way to go," Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, told CNN's John King. He added, "We can move forward on a lot of measures, but I'm not sure there's the support yet for that." Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, noted that her state is one of many that has a law prohibiting same-sex marriage. "So I think, for a number of us, that becomes a challenge," she said. Stabenow would not say whether she would vote to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. The law, signed by President Clinton in 1996, defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, and ensures that states do not have to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. Clinton has since changed his mind, and said he no longer opposes same-sex marriage. Obama does not support same-sex marriage and has said he believes marriage is between a man and a woman. He does, however, support civil unions for same-sex couples that offer similar rights and protections. The two Democratic senators on Sunday expressed support for the president's stances on several other key issues regarding gay rights, including legislation expanding the definition of hate crimes to include attacks based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill passed the House last week. Both also expressed support for the president's efforts to end the military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. On NBC's "Meet the Press," Sen. Carl Levin, D-Michigan, said he thinks the president will succeed on that front. "I think he will and he can, but it has to be done in the right way, which is to get a buy-in from the military, which I think is now possible," Levin said. "Other militaries in the West -- the British and other Western armies -- have ended this discriminatory policy. We can do it successfully, but it ought to be done with thoughtfulness, with care and with a buy-in from the military." Retired Gen. Richard Myers, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said, "Gays can serve in the military; they just can't do so openly. And they do, and there are lots of them, and we're the beneficiary of all that." Myers did not weigh in on whether the change should happen, but said he agreed with Levin that the "senior military leadership needs to be part of this, the Pentagon needs to be part of this." But retired Army Gen. Barry McCaffrey disagreed. "There's no question that it's time to change the policy. The key to it isn't buy-in from the military; it's for Congress to change the law. They ought to do so, and I'm confident that the military will move ahead on it," he said. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, rejected McCaffrey's suggestion. "It's my belief that if you don't have buy-in from the military, that's a disservice to the people in the military. They should be included in this. I'm open-minded to what the military may suggest, but I can tell you I'm not going to make policy based on a campaign rally," Graham told NBC. "If this policy about 'Don't ask, don't tell' changes, it should be done based	[ "What reaction had Democrats to Obama's proposal?", "Where was the gay and lesbian rally held on Sunday?", "What do they think Obama will succeed in ending", "Which policy do some say he will succeed in ending?", "Who held a rally in Washington", "Which act are some demcrats cautious about?" ]	[ [ "support" ], [ "Washington" ], [ "the Defense of Marriage Act" ], [ "end the military's \"Don't ask, don't tell\"" ], [ "gay-rights groups" ], [ "Defense of Marriage" ] ]	Some Democrats cautious about Obama's pledge to end Defense of Marriage Act . Some say they think he'll succeed in ending military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy . Others debate whether military "buy-in" is necessary to end that policy . Thousands of gay and lesbian rights supporters hold rally in Washington on Sunday .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- At 33, Joe Sullivan is serving a life term without the possibility of parole in a Florida prison while confined to a wheelchair. Joe Sullivan, now 33, was convicted of burglary and rape when he was 13. He is serving a life sentence without parole. The crime for which he was convicted was brutal: burglary and the rape of a 72-year-old woman in Pensacola. The man's lawyers say the punishment was equally harsh, particularly for someone with Sullivan's circumstances. He was 13 at the time, and is one of only two people his age in the world, say his supporters, tried as an adult and sentenced to "die in prison" for a crime that wasn't a homicide. Now the Supreme Court is being asked to decide whether that sentence was cruel and unusual punishment for someone who was barely a teenager at the time of his crime. The justices are scheduled to announce Monday whether they will accept the case for review. If they do, oral arguments would be held in the fall. If the review is rejected, Sullivan would have few legal options remaining to reduce his sentence. His lawyers are also fighting to get him a new trial. Outside a death-penalty context, the high court has offered little recent guidance on how to treat the youngest of underage criminal defendants. The appellate record for rapists under age 15 is almost nonexistent, say legal experts consulted by CNN. Child legal advocates say many states lack adequate resources to handle young inmates given long sentences, including a lack of proper jailhouse counseling. Few studies have been conducted on the psychological effects on young defendants facing life in prison, said the Equal Justice Institute, which is representing Sullivan in the high court case. "We have created a forgotten population with a lot of needs," said Bryan Stevenson, Sullivan's lawyer. The crime happened in 1989, when Sullivan later admitted he and two friends ransacked a home in West Pensacola. But he denied the prosecutor's claim he returned with a knife and sexually assaulted the elderly homeowner. An older co-defendant claimed Sullivan was the rapist. According to the trial record, the victim testified the assailant was a youngster with "kinky hair and he was quite black and he was small." She could not recognize Sullivan by his facial features, but the defendant was made to repeat at trial what he allegedly told the woman: "If you can't identify me, I may not have to kill you." The victim testified, "It's been six months, it's hard, but it does sound similar." After a daylong trial, Escambia County circuit court Judge Nicholas Geeker sentenced Sullivan to life without parole. "I am going to try to send him away for as long as I can, he is beyond help," the judge told the boy. "The juvenile system has been utterly incapable of doing anything with Mr. Sullivan." Sullivan had a lengthy juvenile record, but continues to deny the attack. At the time, state prosecutor Larry Kaden, who retired last month, said, "It was a brutal crime and he had an extensive record. This was a bad, bad crime." The Florida Attorney General's office told the high court that prosecutors should have the discretion they have long been given to decide how harshly young criminal should be prosecuted. Sexual battery remains a crime punishable by life imprisonment in Florida. A study by the Equal Justice Institute found eight prisoners serving life terms for crimes committed at 13, all in the United States. Besides Sullivan, Florida inmate Ian Manuel is in a similar situation. He was 13 when convicted of attempted murder and robbery in 1990 and will not get out of prison. The Justice Department reports no 13-year-old has been given life without parole for crime that wasn't a homicide in a decade. And while about a thousand people every year under 15 are arrested for rape, none have been given life without parole since Sullivan. Only a handful of states -- including Alaska, Colorado, Kansas	[ "what is his sentance?", "What was his sentence for committing the crime?", "What crimes committed?", "What happened to Joe Sullivan?", "when will The Supreme Court decide?", "what age was the woman?", "At what age did Joe Sullivan commit a crime?", "What his lawyers said?" ]	[ [ "a life sentence without parole." ], [ "life term" ], [ "burglary and the rape of a 72-year-old woman" ], [ "convicted of burglary and rape" ], [ "Monday" ], [ "72-year-old" ], [ "convicted of burglary and rape when he was 13." ], [ "the punishment was equally harsh, particularly for someone with Sullivan's circumstances." ] ]	Convicted for a crime committed at 13, Joe Sullivan appeals to Supreme Court . He is serving life without parole for burglary and the rape of a 72-year-old woman . Defense attorneys say punishment for Sullivan, now 33, was too harsh . The Supreme Court is expected to decide Monday if it will hear the case .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Attacks are down 75 percent in recent months in a perilous stretch of neighborhoods in northeastern Baghdad, prompting a U.S. military officer to proclaim Monday that security there is "dramatically improving." Concerned citizens have helped troops improve security in parts of Baghdad, a military official says. People line the streets, cars congest them, trash collectors and other city workers have returned, local leaders are holding community meetings again and "markets have come back like gangbusters," said Army Col. Don Farris, commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. He added that the largely Sunni al Qaeda in Iraq presence has been "crushed" since the beginning of May. However, there are still dangers, most notably the threats posed by Iranian-backed Shiite militants, Farris said. Speaking to Pentagon reporters via video link from Baghdad, Farris cited several factors he said contributed to the improving security situation. Among them is the "surge," the additional U.S. troops deployed earlier this year. Watch how old rivalries have been posing problems » Also helping improve the security situation are the cease-fire by radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army and the development of a program that employs "concerned local citizens" to assist U.S. and Iraqi forces, Farris said. Some of those citizens are members of local Sunni "awakening councils," comprised of former militants -- often armed -- who create neighborhood watch groups to root out the insurgent elements in an area. Especially in the last six weeks, Farris said, civic and religious leaders have seen outsiders operating in the area and troops have made arrests, two Iranian operatives among them "From my foxhole, in our sector, it is working," he said of the improving security in the area. "I can only speak to what I see in my sector and I am encouraged." Farris' sector -- which includes the Sunni-dominated district of Adhamiya and Sadr City, the Shiite slum where militants have demonstrated a strong presence -- has seen a "remarkable turnaround," he said. Many of the communities in his area have been wracked with sectarian warfare and terrorized by insurgents and death squads. Despite improvements in the security situation, Farris warned that "we still have a lot of work to do" because there doesn't appear to be any sign that Shiite extremists with links to Iran are halting their activities. Farris said troops also are still finding explosively formed penetrators, which are often delivered or manufactured by Iran. Nine such bombs were found in late October, he said. There are intelligence reports indicating weapons and money are still flowing into Sadr City, he said. There are also problems returning refugees and displaced people to their homes in the area, Farris said, because "essential services" like water and electricity are not yet up to snuff. Though a "trickle" of families has returned home and many are asking when they can return, Farris said he believes residents will return en masse only when basic services are in better shape. Paul Folmsbee, a State Department provincial reconstruction team leader, said at the same news conference that his personnel was handling development issues involving law, governance, economic development and essential services. Farris' Monday remarks echo a string of similar assertions made by U.S. and Iraqi military officials over recent weeks. The military officials say they are seeing signs of Sunni-Shiite reconciliation. At a press conference earlier Monday in Baghdad, Brig. Gen. Ed Cardon, deputy commander for support of Multi-National Division-Center, discussed a "definite period of progress" in his region on the southern Baghdad outskirts. E-mail to a friend	[ "What is the current security situation?", "What are markets back like?", "When will more families return, according to the Commander?", "When will families return?", "What army has a cease-fire?", "What is still posing problems in northeastern Baghdad?", "is there a problem in Iran?", "What problems are the fighters posing?", "What helps security situation?", "What helped the security situation?", "What is everyone doing to help the security situation?", "Which army was part of the cease-fire?", "Which basic services haven't been restored?", "Who says when the families will return?", "Who is still posing problems in northeastern Baghdad?", "What is causing a problem in Northeastern Baghdad?", "Which weapons are posing problems in Baghdad?", "When will more families return?", "Have the markets returned to work?", "What did the official announce?", "Which weapons are they holding?", "What did the Commander say?" ]	[ [ "\"dramatically improving.\"" ], [ "gangbusters,\"" ], [ "only when basic services are in better shape." ], [ "basic services are in better shape." ], [ "Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi" ], [ "threats posed by Iranian-backed Shiite militants," ], [ "old rivalries" ], [ "old rivalries" ], [ "cease-fire by radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army and the development of a program that employs \"concerned local citizens\" to assist U.S. and Iraqi forces," ], [ "Concerned citizens" ], [ "create neighborhood watch groups" ], [ "Muqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi" ], [ "water and electricity" ], [ "Farris" ], [ "Iranian-backed Shiite militants," ], [ "threats posed by Iranian-backed Shiite militants," ], [ "bombs" ], [ "basic services are in better shape." ], [ "come back like gangbusters,\"" ], [ "Concerned citizens have helped troops improve security in parts of Baghdad," ], [ "explosively formed penetrators," ], [ "\"markets have come back like gangbusters,\"" ] ]	Official: Streets bustling, workers returning, markets "back like gangbusters" Troop surge, citizens groups, Mehdi Army cease-fire all help security situation . Iranian weapons, fighters still posing problems in northeastern Baghdad . Commander says more families will return when basic services fully restored .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Attorney General Eric Holder stepped up his call for the passage of federal hate crimes legislation Thursday, arguing that the federal government needs to take a stronger stand against criminal activity fueled by bias and bigotry. Attorney General Eric Holder has been a vocal proponent for tougher laws regarding hate crimes. He also sought to assure opponents that such a bill would not allow Christian clergy to be prosecuted for outspoken opposition to homosexuality. Holder made his remarks during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is currently considering the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The bill would allow the Justice Department to provide assistance to state and local authorities in the prosecution of hate crimes while also expanding federal protection against hate crimes to cover disability, gender and sexual orientation. "Hate crimes victimize not only individuals but entire communities," Holder said. "Perpetrators of hate crimes seek to deny the humanity that we all share, regardless of the color of our skin, the God to whom we pray or the person who we choose to love. ...," he said. "The time is now to provide justice to victims of bias-motivated violence and to redouble our efforts to protect our communities from violence based on bigotry and prejudice." The attorney general argued that recent numbers "suggest that hate crimes against certain groups are on the rise, such as individuals of Hispanic national origin." Specifically, he said, more than 77,000 hate crime incidents were reported by the FBI between 1998 and 2007, or "nearly one hate crime for every hour of every day over the span of a decade." In light of such statistics, he said, it was one of his "highest personal priorities ... is to do everything I can to ensure this critical legislation finally becomes law." Republicans on the Judiciary Committee disputed Holder's assertion that there has been a noticeable increase in the number of hate crimes. They also questioned the need for federal involvement in the prosecution of violent acts -- traditionally a function of state and local governments. They pointed to FBI figures showing a slight decline from 7,755 hate crimes reported in 1998 to 7,624 in 2007, the most recently compiled statistics. It is "important to know (if) we have a problem of significant numbers of (hate crime) cases ... not being prosecuted in state and local governments," said Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, the ranking Republican on the committee. "Murders occur all over America every day. Robberies, assaults, rapes, burglaries occur every day, and those are handled by our state and local jurisdictions. ... They do a pretty good job." When pressed, Holder acknowledged he had no hard evidence of trends showing the problem getting worse, nor that states are not prosecuting cases based on their own state hate crimes statutes. The attorney general insisted, however, that the issue should be viewed more broadly. "It seems to me this is a question of conscience," Holder argued. He emphasized that the bill is designed to give special protections to groups that historically have been victims solely based on who they are. Holder added that while state and local governments generally do a good job prosecuting violent crimes, there is nevertheless a need for the federal government to serve as a "backstop" on occasion, particularly if localities lack the resources for an effective investigation or prosecution. "There are instances where the (federal) government needs to come in," he said. He also asserted that any federal hate crimes law would be used only to prosecute violent acts based on bias, as opposed to the prosecution of speech based on controversial racial or religious beliefs. "It is the person who commits the actual act of violence, who would be subject to this legislation, not the person who is simply expressing an opinion," Holder said. Several religious groups have expressed concern that a hate crimes law could be used to criminalize speech relating to subjects such as abortion or homosexuality. The attorney general has been a vocal proponent of federal hate crimes legislation since his tenure in the Clinton Justice	[ "What do religious groups worry about the law?", "Who says that hate crimes against certain groups are on the rise?", "What kind of crime does Eric Holder say is on the rise?", "What would the bill expand the scope of?" ]	[ [ "would not allow Christian clergy to be prosecuted for outspoken opposition to homosexuality." ], [ "Attorney General Eric Holder" ], [ "hate" ], [ "federal protection against hate crimes to cover disability, gender and sexual orientation." ] ]	Bill would expand scope of federal protection against hate crimes . Eric Holder says hate crimes against certain groups, such as Hispanics, on the rise . Republicans on Senate panel dispute assertion of increase in hate crimes . Some religious groups worry law could be used to criminalize speech .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Attorneys for a "high-value" terror suspect who says he was tortured while being held at secret CIA prisons have requested that a judge bar the agency from destroying evidence of the alleged torture. One of 14 "high-value" detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, alleges he was tortured. The motion, filed by the Center for Constitutional Rights attorneys on behalf of Majid Khan -- who is being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba -- is dated November 29. That is a week before CIA Director Michael Hayden acknowledged the agency destroyed videotapes it made in 2002 of interrogations of al Qaeda suspects using newly approved "alternative" interrogation techniques. Khan -- a native of Pakistan who attended high school in Baltimore -- was held for more than three years at the secret CIA prisons and "subjected to an aggressive CIA detention and interrogation program notable for its elaborate planning and ruthless application of torture," attorney Gitanjali S. Gutierrez claims in the court documents. Details of Khan's torture claims are redacted in the filing -- a whole page is blacked out -- but Khan's attorneys say he suffers "severe physical and psychological trauma from which he is unlikely ever to recover fully" as a result of his ordeal. Asked about Khan's claims, CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano told CNN, "CIA's terrorist interrogation effort has always been small, carefully run, lawful and highly productive. Fewer than 100 hardened terrorists have gone through the program since it began in 2002, and of those, less than a third required any special methods of questioning. The United States does not conduct or condone torture." Khan's attorneys claim he was taken into custody in 2003 and "forcibly disappeared" before his transfer to Guantanamo, "where he remains imprisoned without charge or trial." He filed a legal challenge to his detention in September 2006 and appeared before a Combatant Status Review Tribunal in April, the court documents said. He was found to have been properly detained as an enemy combatant, but filed a challenge to that on August 14. He was not allowed to meet with an attorney, however, until October, the document said. The Bush administration contends Khan was an operative working for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, mastermind of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Khan researched how to blow up gas stations and poison reservoirs in the United States, the administration has said. He is among 14 "high-value" detainees held at Guantanamo. Gutierrez and another CCR attorney, Wells Dixon, also released declassified notes of their meetings with Khan, saying he has been on hunger strikes while in Guantanamo, is "painfully thin and pale" and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. In detention, he has been able to communicate with Abu Zubayda, an alleged lieutenant for Osama bin Laden, they said in the notes. A government official with knowledge of the destroyed CIA tapes has said that Zubayda was one of the two al Qaeda suspects whose interrogations were videotaped. While undergoing interrogation and torture by the CIA, "Khan admitted anything his interrogators demanded of him, regardless of the truth, in order to end his suffering," the documents said. Without a court order requiring the preservation of evidence, "there is substantial risk that the torture evidence will disappear" and that may affect the challenge to his detention, the attorneys claim. The motion was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Hayden has said the CIA stopped videotaping in 2002, while Khan was not taken into custody until the following year. "The careful, professional and lawful questioning of hardened terrorists has produced thousands of intelligence reports, revealed exceptionally valuable insights on al Qaeda's operations and organization, foiled terrorist plots and saved innocent lives," Gimigliano said. "The information developed by the detention and interrogation program has been irreplaceable, and the program has operated in strict accord with American law." E-mail to a friend CNN's Gary Nurenberg contributed to this report.	[ "According to the CIA, the United States does not what?", "What did he do in court", "What did he say", "what : The United States does?" ]	[ [ "conduct or condone torture.\"" ], [ "requested that a judge bar the agency from destroying evidence of the alleged torture." ], [ "was tortured while" ], [ "not conduct or condone torture.\"" ] ]	Majid Khan's attorneys say he endured an "aggressive" interrogation program . Khan's allegations of torture redacted in court documents . Bush administration: Khan worked for 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed . CIA: The United States does not conduct or condone torture .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Banana producer Chiquita will pay a $25 million fine and serve five years' probation for once paying millions of dollars to groups in Colombia considered by the U.S. to be terrorist organizations, a Department of Justice spokesman said Tuesday. A worker at a banana plantation in Santa Maria, Colombia, in December 2000. In so doing, the banana producer avoided prosecution for the company's now-defunct payoff of Colombian terrorists protecting its most profitable banana-growing operation, according to terms of a plea agreement with the U.S. Justice Department. If approved by U.S. courts, the $25 million fine would represent the largest U.S. criminal penalty ever imposed under federal global terrorism sanction regulations, said Justice spokesman Dean Boyd. The regulations prohibit transactions with people who commit, threaten to commit or support U.S.-designated terrorists and establish penalties for doing so. Attorneys from the Justice Department's National Security Division and federal prosecutors for the District of Columbia filed a joint sentencing motion Tuesday asking the court to accept the plea agreement, which was reached March 19, Boyd said. A hearing on the matter is set for Monday. In its motion, the government asked that Chiquita Brands International be fined and sentenced to probation, as well as being required to implement an effective ethics program in connection with the company's guilty plea, Boyd said. Federal prosecutors accused the Cincinnati-based company of paying more than $1.7 million to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, a right-wing paramilitary group, in two parts of Colombia where the company grew bananas. The payments to the group, known as the AUC, went through the company's Colombian subsidiary, Banadex, from 1997 to 2004, according to court documents filed in the case. Court papers also say Chiquita paid Colombia's two leftist guerrilla groups, the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) and ELN (National Liberation Army) from about 1989 to 1997. At the time, according to court documents, those groups controlled areas where the company grew bananas. The AUC, FARC and ELN are all combatants in Colombia's decade-long civil war, and all have been designated as terrorist organizations by the United States. In a written statement issued in March, Chiquita Brands International CEO Fernando Aguirre said the company viewed the plea agreement "as a reasoned solution to the dilemma the company faced several years ago." The company voluntarily disclosed the payments to the Justice Department in 2003, he said, adding the payments were made "to protect the lives of its employees." Court documents said the company began making the payments after a Banadex general manager met with the then-leader of the AUC, Carlos Castano. Castano told the manager that the AUC was preparing to drive FARC from Colombia's Uraba region and asked for payments to be made to the AUC through private security companies. "Castano sent an unspoken but clear message that failure to make the payments could result in physical harm to Banadex personnel and property," court documents said. Charges filed in the case said senior company executives knew about the payments to the AUC and, while checks were written to the security companies, the companies provided no actual services. In 2002, after the U.S. government designated the AUC as a terrorist organization, Chiquita began paying the organization in cash, according to court documents, and continued the payments even after being told by outside counsel that the payments were illegal and should be stopped. In the motion filed Tuesday, federal prosecutors noted Chiquita's cooperation in the investigation and its voluntary disclosure of its illegal activity, Boyd said. While the government considered filing additional charges in the matter, it decided not to "after an extensive investigation and after considering critical evidence and information that Chiquita provided through its post-plea cooperation," he said. Chiquita sold Banadex to another company more than two years ago but remains one of the largest purchasers of bananas in Colombia. E-mail to a friend CNN's Kevin Bohn contributed to this report.	[ "What did the court papers say?", "Which banana producer is this?", "To whom did Chiquita pay?", "What is the amount of fine Chiquita must pay?", "What Chiquita produces?", "Who paid groups controlling the land where bananas grew?", "What is the fine?", "Who will pay the 25 Million fine?", "What avoids the prosecution?" ]	[ [ "Chiquita paid Colombia's two leftist guerrilla groups," ], [ "Chiquita" ], [ "groups in Colombia" ], [ "$25 million" ], [ "Banana" ], [ "Chiquita" ], [ "$25 million" ], [ "Chiquita" ], [ "Chiquita" ] ]	Chiquita to pay $25M fine, serve probation, Justice Department says . Plea agreement avoids prosecution of the banana producer . Court papers: Chiquita paid groups that controlled lands where bananas grew .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton met privately Thursday night at the Washington home of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a key supporter of Clinton's presidential campaign, Feinstein said Friday. Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama speak Wednesday at the AIPAC meeting. She left them in her living room with nothing other than water and comfortable chairs for what she called a positive meeting. No one else was in the room, and no one is giving details of what was discussed. "They talked. I went upstairs and did my work," Feinstein said Friday. "They called me when it was over. I came down and said, 'Good night, everybody; I hope you had a good meeting.' "They were laughing, and that was it." The meeting began at 9 p.m. and lasted about an hour, Feinstein said. "I think the opportunity to sit down, just the two of them, was positive," she said. It was the two Democratic candidates' first meeting since Obama became the party's presumptive nominee Tuesday. "They talked about how to come together and how to unify this party and move forward because what we have at stake in November is so important," Robert Gibbs, the Obama campaign's communication director, said Friday on CNN's "American Morning." Watch Gibbs explain the secret meeting » "And what unites us as a party far exceeds what might divide either of these two candidates." A joint statement from the candidates said only, "Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama met tonight and had a productive discussion about the important work that needs to be done to succeed in November." Gibbs would not say whether the senators discussed the possibility of Clinton becoming Obama's running mate.Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democratic superdelegate from Nevada, said Friday that he told Clinton he intended to support Obama. But he didn't shed any light on whether Clinton would have a place on the ticket. "Hillary is going to endorse Barack [on Saturday]," Reid said on "American Morning." "She's a very good woman. She's been a great senator. And she's going to be a great help to us in this [election], no matter what role she has in the campaign." On Thursday, reporters on Obama's press plane learned that the candidate was not aboard when it departed Virginia, where he had been campaigning. Aides said staff members had "scheduled him some meetings" in Washington. The meeting originally was believed to be at Clinton's Washington home. "It wasn't at her house, and it was not at Dick Cheney's undisclosed location," Gibbs said jokingly. Also Thursday, Clinton thanked supporters in an e-mail and pledged to help Obama capture the White House after eight years of Republican control. Clinton also plans to thank supporters Saturday at a Washington event. "I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Sen. Obama if he were the Democratic Party's nominee, and I intend to deliver on that promise," the e-mail read. "This has been a long and hard-fought campaign, but as I have always said, my differences with Sen. Obama are small compared to the differences we have with Sen. [John] McCain and the Republicans." Read Clinton's message to supporters (PDF) Clinton plans to suspend her campaign within days, her campaign said. By suspending instead of dropping out, Clinton technically would remain a candidate, entitled to keep statewide pledged delegates and district-level delegates. Democrats nationwide have coalesced around Obama since he received enough delegates to win the nomination Tuesday evening. The New York Democratic congressional delegation embraced Obama's candidacy Thursday on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. iReport.com: Should Obama pick Clinton? On Friday, Democratic leaders in New York, including state legislators and City Council members, endorsed Obama at New York's City Hall, sources said. Obama earned enough delegates Tuesday to clinch the nomination, but Clinton	[ "Who will Sen. Hillary Clinton endorse?", "What were the talks about" ]	[ [ "Barack" ], [ "how to come together and how to unify this party and move forward" ] ]	NEW: Talks end with laughter, host Sen. Dianne Feinstein says . NEW: Aide to Sen. Barack Obama calls private meeting "cordial" NEW: Sen. Hillary Clinton to endorse Obama on Saturday, top Senate Democrat says .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Barack Obama's presidential transition, already disrupted by the sudden withdrawal of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, may face another challenge in the confirmation hearings of his pick for attorney general. Eric Holder likely will face a grueling round of questions from Republicans during his confirmation hearings. While the Senate is expected to easily confirm the majority of the president-elect's Cabinet appointments, it increasingly appears that attorney general designate Eric Holder could face a grueling round of questions next week from Senate Republicans who are already emboldened by charges of "pay-to-play" politics against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and a federal investigation into Richardson, who Obama picked as his commerce secretary. "Republicans are seeing enough different stories in the taints of possible corruption around Democratic politicians lately," said Alexander Keyssar, a professor of history and social policy at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. "Where they can score some political points around this corruption issue, they will try to do it." Holder has drawn heavy criticism from Republicans over his involvement in former President Bill Clinton's last-minute pardon of Mark Rich, a major Democratic donor and billionaire financier charged with federal tax evasion. Clinton pardoned Rich in the final hours of his administration on January 20, 2001. Holder was a deputy attorney general at the time. Senate Democrats have long braced for a tough committee hearing over Holder, especially after Republicans successfully delayed its start to obtain more time to review his lengthy record in both the public and private sector. But after Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter, the judiciary committee's ranking Republican, unexpectedly took to the Senate floor Tuesday to castigate Holder over a wide range of issues -- even comparing him to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales who was forced to resign -- Democrats may have to brace for a tougher fight than they expected. "President-elect Obama chose not to seek my advice or even to give me advance notice in my capacity as ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee," Specter said. "Had he done so, I could have given him some facts about Mr. Holder's background that he might not have known." Stephen Hess, a presidential scholar at the Brookings Institution, said it's not surprising Republicans are targeting a particular appointment. "There always seems to be one appointee where the Senate opposition directs its firepower," Hess said. "This year the designated fall guy seems to be Eric Holder. He's going to be made to grovel." Holder played a significant role in the heavily criticized Rich pardon, having communicated with Rich's lawyers frequently before it was issued, according to the New York Times. Critics have charged that the Justice Department should have blocked the pardon, and Holder later said he wished he had handled the matter differently. Supporters of Holder say his role in the pardon was limited, but Senate Republicans, seemingly eager for at least one high-profile fight with the incoming president, are set to put the Rich pardon front-and-center when his Judiciary Committee hearing kicks off next week. For a Republican Party still reeling from a demoralizing Election Day, Holder's hearing will likely be the GOP's first chance to put heat on the president-elect in a very public way, and in the process demonstrate that it intends to stand up to the new administration despite its minority status. "With Holder they are going to look to score some points on the evening news," Keyssar said. But the Rich matter is only one issue on which Republicans plan to grill Holder. Also at issue, according to Republicans, will be Holder's involvement with the Elian Gonzalez case and potential conflicts of interests with his work over the past eight years with a corporate law firm. "There are going to be some tough questions that Holder will have to answer," a Senate Republican aide said. "We want to have a fair, open discussion for his qualifications for the job." Republicans say they are not specifically looking to block Holder's nomination, and the GOP would be unable to do so even if it tried	[ "Whose confirmation hearings begin next week?", "Who is Eric Holder?", "What is the position of Eric Holder?", "Who is unlikely to block Holder from becoming Obama's AG?", "Whose attorney general is Holder likely to become?", "Who criticizes Holder for his role in the Marc Rich pardon?", "Who did Clinton pardon in 2001?" ]	[ [ "Eric Holder" ], [ "attorney general designate" ], [ "attorney general designate" ], [ "the Justice Department" ], [ "Barack Obama's" ], [ "Republicans" ], [ "Mark Rich, a major Democratic donor and billionaire financier charged with federal tax evasion." ] ]	Confirmation hearings for attorney general-designate Eric Holder begin next week . Republicans criticize Holder for his role in Clinton pardon of Marc Rich in 2001 . GOP unlikely to block Holder from becoming Obama's attorney general .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Before lighting up that patriotic sparkler this weekend, remember to play it safe. The Consumer Product Safety Commission uses mannequins to show the dangers of fireworks. That was the message from the Consumer Product Safety Commission Tuesday, which put out an early July Fourth holiday warning urging families to put safety first when celebrating with fireworks. "We know that 70 percent of all [fireworks-related] accidents occur between June 20 and July 20," commission head Inez Tenenbaum said during a demonstration of fireworks safety on the National Mall. "This is the time of year that people are using fireworks." Tenenbaum noted that the largest number of young people injured by fireworks are between the ages of 14 to 17. Learn more about fireworks-related injuries » According to the latest report from the CPSC, there were seven fireworks-related deaths and roughly 7,000 reported injuries in 2008. Tenenbaum stressed that parents should always supervise young people around fireworks and that consumers should only buy legal products. Watch the CPSC warnings about fireworks » "Never pick up a firework that is a dud [and] hasn't fired, because it might go off in your hand," she added. After Tenenbaum spoke, government lab technicians demonstrated some of the potentially deadly consequences that can result from a failure to observe basic firework safety. Using mannequins posed in typical outdoor settings, the technicians showed how a simple sparkler often used by children can easily cause clothing to catch fire. They also demonstrated the explosive power of cherry bombs, among other things, using them to blow up large watermelons. In another setting, they showed how professional-grade and illegal fireworks often use faster-burning fuses, which do not give the person lighting enough time to get away. "Parents need to exercise caution and make certain they're buying fireworks that comply with their state and local and county ordinances," Tenenbaum warned.	[ "What is the largest age group that gets injured?", "What age group are often the most injured?", "In what months do the most accidents occur?", "When does the most number of accidents occur?", "What needed a warning?", "Who put the warning out on fireworks?", "When do 70% of fireworks accidents occur?", "What percentage of fireworks accidents occur in June-July?", "What percentage of fireworks accidents happen between June 20 and July 20?" ]	[ [ "14 to 17." ], [ "14 to 17." ], [ "between June 20 and July 20,\"" ], [ "between June 20 and July 20,\"" ], [ "urging families to put safety first when celebrating with fireworks." ], [ "the Consumer Product Safety Commission" ], [ "between June 20 and July 20,\"" ], [ "70 percent" ], [ "70 percent" ] ]	Consumer Product Safety Commission put warning on fireworks out Friday . 70 percent of fireworks accidents occur between June 20 and July 20, says CPSC . Largest number of young people injured by fireworks are between 14 and 17 .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Bucking tradition, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will bypass Europe and travel to Asia on her maiden voyage overseas, diplomats familiar with the planning said Tuesday. Bill Clinton looks at his wife Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as she is sworn in on February 2. Clinton is expected to visit China, Japan and South Korea on her first trip overseas. The diplomats said she may also add other stops, including one in Southeast Asia. The diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity because Clinton's schedule was still being finalized. The State Department has not commented on her travel plans. Making Asia Clinton's first overseas destination illustrates the Obama administration's desire for a broader partnership with China and its commitment to resolving the North Korean nuclear issue, as well as strengthening ties with Tokyo and Seoul, the diplomats said. The White House said President Barack Obama told Chinese President Hu Jintao in a Friday phone call that he looked forward to "to early contacts and exchanges between senior officials of our two countries." Clinton told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last month she hoped to make an early trip to Southeast Asia, in particular Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation where Obama spent part of his childhood. Clinton said she wanted to restart Peace Corps programs there, which were suspended in the 1960s. Traditionally U.S. secretaries of state make Europe or the Middle East their first official trip overseas. But given that Vice President Joseph Biden is headed to Europe this week for a security conference in Germany, and special envoy George Mitchell is currently in the Middle East, Clinton is free to break with tradition. However British Foreign Secretary David Miliband and German Foreign Secretary Walter Steinmeier will be Clinton's first foreign guests to the State Department on Tuesday. Clinton was sworn in as America's 67th secretary of state on Monday -- for a second time. Watch Clinton being sworn in » Biden administered the oath to Clinton in a ceremonial star-studded gathering at the State Department, with actor Chevy Chase and designer Oscar de la Renta among those on hand. "It is an overwhelming honor ... to assume this position," Clinton said. "We have a lot of work to do [to ensure that] America's future can be even brighter than our storied past."	[ "Which countries does Clinton expect to visit?", "What does the Obama administration desire with China?", "Where will Clinton bypass on here voyage overseas?", "Who bypassed Europe and travelled to Asia?", "when U.S. Secretary of State Clinton expected to visit China?", "who desires to have broader partnership with China?" ]	[ [ "China, Japan" ], [ "and its commitment to resolving the North Korean nuclear issue," ], [ "Europe" ], [ "U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton" ], [ "on her first trip overseas." ], [ "Obama administration's" ] ]	Hillary Clinton will bypass Europe and travel to Asia on her maiden voyage overseas . U.S. Secretary of State Clinton expected to visit China, Japan and South Korea . Trip illustrates Obama administration's desire for a broader partnership with China . Trip also highlights commitment to resolving the North Korean nuclear issue .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- CIA interrogators used waterboarding at least 266 times on two top al Qaeda suspects, according to a Bush-era Justice Department memo released by the Obama administration. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, seen in a December sketch, was waterboarded 183 times in a month, a memo says. The controversial technique that simulates drowning -- and which President Obama calls torture -- was used at least 83 times in August 2002 on suspected al Qaeda leader Abu Zubaydah, according to the memo. Interrogators also waterboarded Khalid Sheikh Mohammed 183 times in March 2003. Mohammed is believed to be the mastermind behind the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. Obama released the memo Thursday, saying that "exceptional circumstances surround these memos and require their release." Watch other tactics outlined in memos » The memo, dated May 30, 2005, was from then-Deputy Assistant Attorney General Steven G. Bradbury to John Rizzo, who was acting general counsel for the CIA. It paints a different picture from the one described by former CIA officer John Kiriakou. In a December 2007 interview with CNN, Kiriakou said Zubaydah had been waterboarded for "about 30 seconds, 35 seconds" and agreed to cooperate with interrogators the following day. In an interview on "Fox News Sunday," Michael Hayden, who directed the CIA from 2006 to 2009, was asked about the number of times Mohammed was waterboarded. Hayden denounced the release of the memos and did not comment on the number, saying it was his understanding that the frequency of waterboarding was among the operational details that had not been declassified. Watch one expert say tactics 'worse than Abu Ghraib' » The 2005 memo refers to a letter that had contained the numbers as well. Part of the reference to the letter was redacted in the released memo. Waterboarding is among the interrogation tactics that Obama has prohibited through an executive order. The CIA also has admitted waterboarding Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, the first person charged in the United States for the 2000 attack on the USS Cole in Yemen that killed 17 U.S. sailors. Obama said last week he felt comfortable releasing the classified memos because the Bush administration acknowledged using some of the practices associated with the memos, and the interrogation techniques were widely reported and have since been banned. "Withholding these memos would only serve to deny facts that have been in the public domain for some time," Obama said in a statement. "This could contribute to an inaccurate accounting of the past, and fuel erroneous and inflammatory assumptions about actions taken by the United States." The president applauded the work of the U.S. intelligence community and said no one who "carried out their duties relying in good faith upon legal advice from the Department of Justice" would be prosecuted.	[ "who is Khalid Sheikh Mohammed ?", "What happened to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed?", "What did former CIA officer say?", "Who denounced the decision?", "who did denounces decision to release memos?" ]	[ [ "the mastermind behind the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States." ], [ "was waterboarded 183 times in a month," ], [ "Kiriakou said Zubaydah had been waterboarded for \"about 30 seconds, 35 seconds\" and agreed to cooperate with interrogators the following day." ], [ "Hayden" ], [ "Hayden" ] ]	Memo: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed waterboarded 183 times in one month . Former CIA officer said in 2007 that Mohammed waterboarded for 30-35 seconds . Obama: Memos released because methods were reported, are now banned . CIA's ex-chief denounces decision to release memos .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux has covered the Bush administration for six years. CNN's Suzanne Malveaux shares a light moment with President Bush during his final press conference Monday. As always, she was in the room Monday when Bush held his final press conference, an almost hourlong event in which the president answered questions about current issues and reflected on his eight years in office. Here Malveaux reflects on her time covering the Bush administration and on the final White House press conference, which she described as "raw," "fascinating" and "bizarre." Q: How do you compare this to previous briefings? Malveaux: This was an extraordinary press conference. It took the president a little time to warm up. He called on me third. About two questions after that, he embraced this different kind of mood and revealed things about himself that he didn't before. Watch Bush talk about his respect for the press » We'd heard a bit about his misgivings before, but we didn't expect to hear about his disappointments -- "Sometimes the biggest disappointments will come from your so-called friends." At times he looked directly at me, other times away, in flashes of rage. And occasionally he turned to all of us pleading with an expression for understanding, empathy. He raised his voice when it was suggested that he was alone, insisting that he never felt the burden of the office: "I believe this -- the phrase 'burdens of the office' is overstated," he said. But at other points he reflected on the weight of the job: "You never escape the presidency. It travels with you wherever you go." When he was discussing Iraq, he was almost yelling, defending his administration. He was using gestures, leaning forward on the podium, his finger raised in the air. It was dramatic. Q: What was it like in the room? A: You saw at times a defiant President Bush as well as ultimately reflective in some ways. We know he regretted the "Mission Accomplished" banner on the aircraft carrier. But we heard some new details about how he had some regrets that Air Force One flew over New Orleans at that critical time when the city was under water during Katrina, as opposed to landing. He said he was wary of taking away law enforcement and rescue resources on the ground. But later in the press conference he was defiant about Hurricane Katrina, telling us: "Don't tell me the federal response was slow when there was 30,000 people pulled off roofs right after the storm passed." Watch Bush defend the response to Katrina » It was from there the president shifted to the president-elect. He discussed the fact that many people never thought they'd see the day when a black man would become the president, and it spoke volumes about the progress the country's made with race. At that time, he seemed misty-eyed. Q: Were you surprised at how candid the president was? A: This is certainly the most open he has been about some of the failures of his administration. You know, what was interesting, he took us back to the time of September 11 in a very emotional and strident way. He said -- remember those times when they had those tough questions, why didn't you put the dots together? It was almost as if he felt like he couldn't win either way. But at the same time, he said self-pity was pathetic and it wasn't something he was going to engage in. It was a very interesting look at President Bush grappling with all of these different things -- the successes as well as the failures. You get a sense here that he is looking at his legacy, that he's trying to come to terms with some of the things he did, his role in all of this. Q: Was there any one moment that stood out to you? A: He was most defiant when he talked about what	[ "Who reflected on covering the president?", "Who revealed his feelings?", "Who is a CNN correspondent?", "What was the President most emotional about?", "Who revealed more of his feelings about his job?", "Who reveals his feelings?", "What is Suzanne Malveaux's job?", "Who was the President at this time?" ]	[ [ "Suzanne Malveaux" ], [ "Suzanne Malveaux" ], [ "Suzanne Malveaux" ], [ "time of September 11" ], [ "President Bush" ], [ "President Bush" ], [ "CNN White House correspondent" ], [ "Bush" ] ]	CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux reflects on covering president . President Bush reveals more of his feelings about job than ever before, she says . President most emotional over potential threats to United States, Malveaux says .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Canada geese got into both engines of US Airways Flight 1549 and forced the plane to ditch into the Hudson River last month, the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday. Surveillance video shows passengers of US Airways Flight 1549 hurrying onto the plane's wings. The flight crew of the Airbus A320 put the plane down gently on the river, which separates New York from New Jersey, after the bird ingestion caused both engines to lose power on January 15. All 155 people aboard survived. Adult Canada geese weigh between 5.8 and 10.7 pounds, although birds from resident populations rather than migratory populations can be heavier. The plane's CFM56-5B/P turbofan engines were certified in 1996 as being able to withstand bird ingestion of 4 pounds. The NTSB said last week that both engines contained the remains of birds, confirming the pilots' report that the engines shut down after colliding with birds less than two minutes after taking off from from New York's LaGuardia Airport. Material from both engines was sent to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington for identification of the bird species. Investigators have not yet determined how many birds hit the jet's engines. The plane's flight data recorder "revealed no anomalies or malfunctions in either engine up to the point where the captain reported a bird strike, after which there was an uncommanded loss of thrust in both engines," the NTSB said last week.	[ "How many passengers and crew members survived the landing?", "What are the investigators looking into?", "was anyone killed", "What caused US Airways flight to land in Hudson River?", "What problem did the Canadian geese bring about?", "where did the plane go down", "Where did flight 1549 land?", "What type of geese were they?", "what is a canada goose" ]	[ [ "All 155" ], [ "how many birds hit the jet's engines." ], [ "All 155 people aboard survived." ], [ "Canada geese got into both engines" ], [ "got into both engines of US Airways Flight 1549" ], [ "Hudson River" ], [ "Hudson River" ], [ "Canada" ], [ "bird species." ] ]	Investigators have yet to determine how many birds hit the plane's engines . Canada geese caused engines to lose power, NTSB says . Bird ingestion forced US Airways Flight 1549 to land in Hudson River last month . All 155 passengers and crew members on board survived the landing .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Capitol Police arrested a man Friday after an officer spotted a rifle in his car when he stopped the officer to ask for directions two blocks from the Capitol building. Police inspect the suspect's vehicle in Washington on Friday. Christopher Shelton Timmons, 27, has been charged with carrying a deadly weapon, having an unregistered firearm and having unregistered ammunition, Capitol Police spokeswoman Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said. In addition to the rifle -- an AK-47 -- police found a grenade, a pistol, ammunition, loaded magazines "and several other items of concern to the police" in the Jeep Cherokee he was driving. Authorities said Timmons was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon in March in Albemarle County, Virginia, and served a month in jail. In that incident, Timmons had two grenades in his car, said Albemarle Police Chief John Miller. The pins had been removed and the grenades were filled with powder, authorities said. They had an adhesive on top to close them and a firecracker for a fuse. Law enforcement sources said the grenades were similar to an item found in Timmons vehicle Friday. That device has been taken to the FBI facility in Quantico, Virginia. Members of the joint terrorism task force are involved in the investigation, sources said, but so far no one is suggesting Timmons was planning an attack of some kind. CNN Justice Correspondent Kelli Arena contributed to this report.	[ "Who was convicted on weapons charges?", "What kind of weapons did the suspect have?", "What equipment did police say the suspect had?", "Name of the suspect?", "What did the Timmons ask of the officer?", "Who had Timmons stop for directions?", "What did the suspect have?", "What did Timmons stop to do?", "Where was the suspect stopped?", "What is the suspect's name?", "What did the police officers do after they found the weapons?" ]	[ [ "Christopher Shelton Timmons," ], [ "grenade, a pistol, ammunition, loaded magazines" ], [ "grenade, a pistol, ammunition, loaded magazines \"and several other items of concern" ], [ "Christopher Shelton Timmons," ], [ "directions" ], [ "officer" ], [ "grenade, a pistol, ammunition, loaded magazines" ], [ "ask for directions two blocks from the Capitol building." ], [ "two blocks from the Capitol building." ], [ "Christopher Shelton Timmons," ], [ "arrested a man" ] ]	Police say suspect had AK-47, grenade, pistol, ammunition in car . Suspect Christopher S. Timmons was recently convicted on weapons charge . Timmons had stopped officer to ask directions .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger's run-in with a flock of Canada geese may be the most famous man-versus-nature story in recent months. But a federal database opened to the public Friday reveals just how commonplace airplanes' encounters with wildlife are. A feather found inside one of the engines of the plane that ditched in the Hudson River. At New York's LaGuardia Airport, where Sullenberger's US Airways flight originated, planes hit birds nearly once a week on average, according to the records. But the number has grown from 16 hits in 1990 to 86 in 2008, according to the database. Nationwide, there were 98,328 reports of aircraft striking birds or other wildlife since January of 1990, although the actual numbers probably are far higher. The Federal Aviation Administration said only 20 percent of incidents are reported under the voluntary system of data collection. The database shows strikes resulted in "substantial damage" to aircraft on about 3,000 occasions. Eleven people died in incidents relating to bird strikes. The FAA initially fought to keep its database closed, saying publication of the details might discourage the industry from reporting information. After it was made public, an airline industry organization was quick to say the data could wrongly lead some people to believe flying is unsafe. "While bird strikes have attracted a lot of attention, they are, of course, rare events. The vast majority of cases result in little or no aircraft damage," said the Air Transport Association of America. A top pilots union -- the Air Line Pilots Association -- also had argued to keep the database closed. But the National Transportation Safety Board recommended opening up the data to the public. It also says reporting wildlife strikes should be mandatory. "If you strike a bird you really don't have to report this to the FAA, which means we're really not getting the full picture," said Mark Rosenker, acting chairman of the safety board. The database includes information on more than 2,000 airports and 500 airlines and aircraft companies. When possible, it identifies the types of wildlife involved, chronicling the misadventures of 460 species. While bird strikes account for the majority of the mishaps, the database contains numerous aircraft encounters with deer, moose, caribou and even fish. According to the records, a fish hit a US Airways aircraft landing in Warwick, Rhode Island, in May of 2000. The fish had been dropped by an osprey. The FAA opted to make the database public after being pelted with criticism from passengers, media organizations and the National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates crashes. Interest in aviation bird strikes has been heightened by several recent incidents in addition to Sullenberger's flight -- the January 15 ditching of US Airways Flight 1549 in New York's Hudson River. All on board survived. The transportation safety board says a bird strike may have preceded the crash of a Sikorsky helicopter near Morgan City, Louisiana, just 11 days earlier. The crash killed eight of the nine people aboard.	[ "At which airport does this usually occur?", "At what rate are birds often hit?", "How many hits in 1990", "What do strikes result in?", "What do officials say?" ]	[ [ "New York's LaGuardia" ], [ "once a week" ], [ "16" ], [ "\"substantial damage\"" ], [ "data could wrongly lead some people to believe flying is unsafe." ] ]	Planes hit birds nearly once a week on average at LaGuardia Airport . Number has grown from 16 hits in 1990 to 86 in 2008, the database shows . Strikes resulted in "substantial damage" to aircraft on about 3,000 occasions . Officials say database likely only includes 20 percent of actual strikes .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Carrie Prejean, the Miss USA contestant from California who declared her opposition to same-sex marriage on the pageant stage, will star in a new $1.5 million ad campaign funded by the National Organization for Marriage. Miss California USA Carrie Prejean has gotten support from many same-sex marriage opponents. Prejean appeared Thursday at a news conference in Washington to unveil the ad, called "No Offense." Prejean was roasted by same-sex marriage advocates after she stood up for what she called "opposite marriage" (marriage between a man and a woman) when responding to a question from celebrity blogger Perez Hilton during the pageant. But she's also become a fresh-faced standard-bearer for same-sex marriage opponents, who have rallied to her defense. "Marriage is good," Prejean said at the news conference. "There is something special about unions of husband and wife. Unless we bring men and women together, children will not have mothers and fathers." "She is attacked viciously for having the courage to speak up for her truth and her values," the National Organization for Marriage said in a press release. "But Carrie's courage inspired a whole nation and a whole generation of young people because she chose to risk the Miss USA crown rather than be silent about her deepest moral values." "This vision of marriage is not hateful," Prejean said. "It's not discriminatory. It's good." Although she claimed that her view represents that of the majority of Americans, Prejean said she has no plan "on getting into politics anytime soon, that's for sure." According to the group, the ad will call "gay marriage advocates to account for their unwillingness to debate the real issue: gay marriage has consequences." The Miss California USA TV ad is the group's second. Its first, called "A Gathering Storm," ran in several states and featured actors issuing ominous warnings about the threats posed by same-sex marriage. Executive directors and producers of the Miss California USA pageant released a statement Wednesday lamenting that Prejean had taken on such a "polarizing" issue. "We are deeply saddened Carrie Prejean has forgotten her platform of the Special Olympics, her commitment to all Californians and solidified her legacy as one that goes beyond the rights to voice her beliefs and instead reveals her opportunistic agenda," the group said. CNN's Peter Hamby and Alan Duke contributed to this report.	[ "Where did Prejean publicly oppose same-sex marriage?", "What is the name of the pageant?", "What organization will she appear for?", "What was Prejean attacked for?", "What did Prejean publicly oppose?", "What is contestant opposed to?", "What will pageant contestant do?", "Who is opposed to same-sex marriage?" ]	[ [ "on the pageant stage," ], [ "Miss USA" ], [ "Marriage." ], [ "having the courage to speak up" ], [ "same-sex marriage" ], [ "same-sex marriage" ], [ "star in a new $1.5 million ad campaign" ], [ "Carrie Prejean, the Miss USA contestant from California" ] ]	Pageant contestant to appear in ad for National Organization for Marriage . Carrie Prejean publicly opposed same-sex marriage during Miss USA pageant . National Organization for Marriage: Prejean "attacked viciously" for speaking out .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Chevron Corp. CEO David O'Reilly says Big Oil is not to blame for skyrocketing gas prices. Chevron Corp. CEO David O'Reilly says world demand for crude oil has been growing, which is affecting gas prices. In an interview Tuesday with Wolf Blitzer on CNN's "The Situation Room," O'Reilly said high demand and a short supply of crude oil were key factors causing gas prices to spike. Despite reports of record profits among major oil companies, O'Reilly downplayed a recent poll in which Americans said corporate avarice played a role. O'Reilly also discussed President Bush's and GOP presumptive presidential nominee Sen. John McCain's proposal to lift the ban on new offshore drilling as well as presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama's call for taxing companies' windfall profits. The following is an edited version of the show's transcript: Blitzer: You know you have -- you and ExxonMobil, the Big Oil companies --have a huge public relations problem. In all the recent polls, when the American public is asked, who do you blame for these huge gas prices at the pump, they -- more than any other single source -- they blame Big Oil. They blame you. What's going on? Watch Blitzer grill O'Reilly » O'Reilly: Well, I don't think they blame us as much as you think. It looks to me like there's a lot of blame to go around. Blitzer: There's other blame, but more than any other single source, they blame Big Oil. O'Reilly: It depends on the poll you look at. Blitzer: The recent Gallup Poll. O'Reilly: Let me point out what we're trying to do about this because I think the issue here is one of supply. And prices are high today, but it's fundamentally a concern about oil supplies -- 75 percent of the price of gasoline is related to crude oil. We're very dependent on crude oil imports. The total world demand for crude oil has been growing steadily over the last decade. And that is affecting everybody's price. So it is a concern, but we need to work on the supply side, as well as the demand side, to bring change. Blitzer: Because you have had record profits, right? O'Reilly: We're investing those record profits. Blitzer: But billions and billions of dollars in profits, more than ever before. O'Reilly: Yes, but it's a big business. And on a return-on-sales business, we're right in there with the average of American business today. What we're doing is investing that money. For example, last year, we did make a lot of money, $18.7 billion. This year, our capital investment in new supplies is $22.9 billion, almost $23 billion. Blitzer: You know that Barack Obama says if he's president, he wants a windfall profits tax. He wants to take a chunk of your profits right now and give it back to the American people. John McCain opposes that, as you know. So I assume you would like to see John McCain elected president? Watch McCain explain his stance » O'Reilly: Well, I would like to see no windfall profit tax. And I will tell you why. First of all, we are already heavily taxed as an industry. Our tax rates last year were at 45 percent, compared with in the 30s for the average of all industry. Secondly, as I mentioned earlier, we're investing the money. If you take the money away, it will reduce investment, reduce supply and have exactly the opposite effect of helping the problem that you have referred to. And, thirdly, we have done it before. We have had windfall profit taxes. Congress has studied them about 30 years ago. And what happened under those circumstances is supplies dropped domestically, and we became even more dependent on imported oil. You don't want to do that today. Blitzer: Here's how Sen. Obama put it. Listen to this. Obama (in a video clip	[ "What did O'Reilly say?", "what company ceo is talking?", "who is reporting", "what caused the crisis", "What did O'Reilly say is the problem?" ]	[ [ "Big Oil is not to blame for skyrocketing gas" ], [ "Chevron Corp." ], [ "David O'Reilly" ], [ "high demand and a short supply of crude oil" ], [ "world demand for crude oil has been growing, which is affecting gas prices." ] ]	Chevron CEO says his company is investing windfall profits in supplies . David O'Reilly says he is opposed to windfall profits tax, favors offshore drilling . "I want someone to be elected who will help resolve our energy crisis," O'Reilly says . Citing report, O'Reilly says plenty of oil is in ground but access is the problem .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- China has canceled or postponed several military exchanges with the U.S. in reaction to last week's announcement that the U.S. is selling weapons to Taiwan, a Defense Department spokesman said Monday. Apache attack helicopters are part of the $6.4 billion weapons deal between the U.S. and Taiwan. Officials announced last week an intention to sell $6.4 billion in arms to Taiwan, though the deal still needs to be approved by Congress. Maj. Stewart Upton said the sale does not violate the Taiwan Relations Act, which allows the United States to provide Taiwan with items for self-defense Taiwan split from the Chinese mainland in 1949 and the United States has vowed to support them if China initiates an unprovoked attack. The arms deal comes at a time when the United States needs China in negotiations over Iran's and North Korea's nuclear programs. "The Chinese reaction is unfortunate and results in missed opportunities," Upton said. "We feel that the global security environment calls for U.S. and [Chinese] officials to maintain close relations to address common security challenges." The "bilateral events" China called off or postponed involve "senior level visits and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief exchanges" scheduled to happen by the end of November, he said. The Chinese ambassador was said to be on his way to the State Department Monday afternoon to protest the proposed weapons sale to Taiwan. One U.S. official said the tension with China will not affect the role China is playing in negotiations with Iran or North Korea over its nuclear program. The official declined to speak for attribution because of the sensitive diplomacy involved. The arms deal package includes a variety of U.S.-made weapons systems, including Patriot III anti-missile system, Apache attack helicopters, Harpoon missiles and Javelin anti-tank missiles.	[ "Who is expected to protest the sale?", "What is China protesting?", "What international agreement would potentially be violated?", "What kind of arms were sold?", "What deal is China protesting?", "What is the Chinese ambassador expected to protest?" ]	[ [ "The Chinese ambassador" ], [ "the proposed weapons sale to Taiwan." ], [ "the Taiwan Relations Act," ], [ "U.S.-made weapons systems, including Patriot III anti-missile system, Apache attack helicopters, Harpoon missiles and Javelin anti-tank missiles." ], [ "selling weapons to Taiwan," ], [ "proposed weapons sale" ] ]	China protesting U.S. deal to sell $6.4 billion in arms to Taiwan . Deal comes when the U.S. needs China in negotiations over Iran and N. Korea . Chinese ambassador expected to protest sale to the State Department . U.S. defended deal, saying it does not violate international agreement .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- China has refused nine U.S. Navy ships and one Air Force jet entry to Hong Kong in the past month, U.S. military officials said Friday. China has refused the USS Reuben James, seen in a 1989 photo, a Christmas port call in Hong Kong. Senior Navy officials said that Beijing denied permission for the USS Reuben James, a Navy frigate, to make a holiday port call for sailors at the end of December. The rejection occurred last week, at the same time China refused to allow the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier battle group into Hong Kong for a Thanksgiving holiday port call. A U.S. Air Force C-17 flight that had been scheduled for a routine resupply of the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong also was denied permission to enter, Navy officials said. The Kitty Hawk battle group was eventually granted permission to enter, but by then the ships were well on their way to port in Japan. Days earlier, China refused to give two U.S. Navy minesweepers safe harbor in Hong Kong during a storm on the high seas. The United States has filed a formal protest with China over the decisions. U.S. officials are baffled about the reason or reasons for the port call refusals. China recently has expressed concerns about U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and President Bush's October presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader. Watch China put the blame on the U.S. » There is speculation that the Chinese may have been conducting military exercises that they didn't want the U.S. Navy to see. Others think the refusals may have been the result of a misunderstanding. Officials could not explain why the rejection of the Reuben James had not been disclosed before, even though reporters had repeatedly asked if there were any other pending port calls. One senior Navy official expressed dismay that the information had not been made public by the Pentagon. White House deputy spokesman Scott Stanzel told reporters the White House is "aware" of the latest refusals and referred reporters to the Pentagon. Stanzel said a "clarification" on the matter was being sought from Beijing. White House and other Bush administration officials have sought to defuse tensions with China, saying the United States wants to move ahead on broader issues of military cooperation. Navy officials, meanwhile, say Japan is tightening approvals for Chinese navy visits into its ports. Crew members from a Chinese ship making a port call in Japan may not be allowed to tour a Japanese Aegis warship. The U.S.-designed Aegis weapons system enables coordinated operations against threats from aircraft and missiles, surface ships and submarines. It is not clear if the Japanese decision was made at the request of the United States. E-mail to a friend	[ "How many U.S. minesweepers were denied safe harbor during a storm?", "Which country wouldn't let US Air Force jet land?", "What else did China do?", "What won't China allow?", "Which frigate was not allowed to enter Hong Kong?" ]	[ [ "two" ], [ "China" ], [ "refused nine U.S. Navy ships and one Air Force jet entry to Hong Kong" ], [ "U.S. Navy ships and one Air Force jet entry to Hong Kong" ], [ "USS Reuben James," ] ]	NEW: China wouldn't let U.S. Air Force jet land to resupply Hong Kong consulate . Frigate USS Reuben James not allowed to enter Hong Kong for port call . China last week refused port call for USS Kitty Hawk battle group . Two U.S. minesweepers denied safe harbor during storm .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- China's military is developing longer-range ballistic and anti-ship missiles that are "shifting the balance of power in the region" and could help Beijing secure resources or settle territorial disputes, a report released by the Pentagon said Wednesday. U.S. and Chinese militaries need "resumption of dialogue," Adm. Timothy Keating told Congress. China also continues to build up short-range missiles and increase its "coercive capabilities" against Taiwan. The report suggests such moves constitute an effort to pressure Taiwan into settling the cross-strait dispute in favor of China, though tensions between the two countries have receded over the past year. The report, called the "Military Power of the People's Republic of China," is the Pentagon's annual briefing to Congress on the status of the communist country's military might. While China continues to proclaim that its military buildup is for defense purposes to protect its interests, the report says the country's lack of transparency is worrisome and could lead to an unintended conflict. "The limited transparency in China's military and security affairs poses risks to stability by creating uncertainty and increasing the potential for misunderstanding and miscalculation," according to the report. "Much uncertainty surrounds China's future course, particularly regarding how its expanding military power might be used." The lack of transparency causes Washington "to speculate to some degree on what their intentions are," Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell told reporters at a Wednesday briefing. According to Adm. Timothy Keating, the head of the U.S. Pacific Command, some of that uncertainty is due to the cessation of talks between the Chinese and U.S. militaries. In March of 2008, the United States and China installed a hot line between the two countries' militaries. But there have been no military-to-military talks since November 2008, when Washington announced it was selling weapons to Taiwan. "We are looking for the resumption of that dialogue so we can engage in discussion with our colleagues in the People's Republic of China and their Army, Navy and Air Force so we can have a sense of their way ahead," Keating told the House Armed Services committee on Tuesday. "We don't have a clear idea of their broad strategic way ahead." The Pentagon report comes after a recent incident in which Chinese ships, including a Chinese navy vessel, confronted an unarmed U.S. Navy surveillance ship in the South China Sea in international waters. The confrontation prompted the United States to move a destroyer ship to the area to protect the surveillance vessel. While the report does not discuss the incident, it notes the importance China puts on controlling its waterways and the surrounding territories because "China's economic and political power is contingent upon access to and use of the sea, and that a strong navy is required to safeguard such access." The analysis also said that while much of China's capability is more for regional disputes, it did send two destroyers and one supply ship off the coast of Africa to protect Chinese vessels from pirate attacks. That move was a sign of Chinese intent to expand its militaries to protect expanding economic and political interests around the world, according to a China analyst. "The Chinese military is being told to develop capabilities to deal with Chinese national interests beyond the pure defense of Chinese territory," said David Finklestein, the Director of China Studies for CNA, a nonprofit research group that does analysis for the U.S. military and other clients. "China, with a global economy, now obviously has global political interests and clearly has expanding global security interests." Though the Pentagon report concludes that "China's ability to sustain military power at a distance remains limited," it does have a growing space program, nuclear weapon system and cyber warfare capabilities, "the only aspects of China's armed forces that, today, have the potential to be truly global," the report explained. In citing China's cyber warfare, the report notes that U.S. government computers were the target of "intrusions that appear to have originated" from China, although they were not confirmed to be	[ "What is shifting the balance of power?", "The Pentagon report was about what country?", "What is partly to blame, according to U.S. admiral?", "The cessation talks were between who?", "What is shifting the balance of power in region?", "Who is accused of having a lack of transparency?", "What did the US admiral say is partly to blame?", "What area had a lack of transparency?", "What could Beijing's lack of transparency lead to?" ]	[ [ "developing longer-range ballistic and anti-ship missiles" ], [ "China's" ], [ "the cessation of talks between the Chinese and" ], [ "Chinese and U.S. militaries." ], [ "developing longer-range ballistic and anti-ship missiles" ], [ "China" ], [ "the cessation of talks between the Chinese and U.S. militaries." ], [ "China's military and security affairs" ], [ "unintended conflict." ] ]	Pentagon report: China's missile development "shifting balance of power in region" Beijing's lack of transparency could lead to unintended conflict, report says . Cessation of talks between nations' militaries partly to blame, U.S. admiral says . Report: Cyber warfare capability among the few areas of China's "truly global" reach .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- College football's perennial armchair-quarterback argument over the need for a clear-cut national champion came to Capitol Hill Friday. College football teams play in the BCS for the national championship trophy. The House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection held a hearing to dissect the Bowl Championship Series, asking whether the model needs to be tweaked, overhauled or done away with altogether. Four witnesses testified at the morning hearing, including championship series coordinator John Swofford and Alamo Bowl President Derrick Fox; both of whom defended the current system, though Fox conceded that "no system is perfect and the Bowl Championship Series is not perfect." Mountain West Conference Commissioner Craig Thompson and Boise State Athletic Director Gene Bleymaier testified that they would like to see the system revamped. Many critics say they want college football to have a playoff system to ensure that a champion is clearly defined. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, called the Bowl Championship Series format unfair and perhaps took it one step further. "You should either change your name to BES for Bowl Exhibition System or just drop the C and call it the BS system, because it is not about determining the championship on the field." Both sides were cordial but opinionated. Fox said he would prefer Washington not get involved. "Those who don't like the current system will say that's the way of the world, but we don't believe that government should have any role in promoting a demise of the bowl games." Currently, 11 college conferences and three independents compete in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision -- formerly Division I-A. Six of those 11 conferences are guaranteed spots in the four Bowl Championship Series games. Schools from conferences that critics say are unfairly deemed as low profile are then left to fight their way into those prestige games. They share in significantly less of the series money and have less of an opportunity to challenge for the national title. President Obama is one of the proponents of a college football playoff. In an interview with ESPN in November, Obama said he's had just about enough of the Bowl Championship Series. "I'm fed up with these computer rankings and this, that and the other. Get eight teams -- the top eight teams right at the end. You got a playoff. Decide on a national champion," Obama said. Before heading out early to catch a flight, Barton made it clear that he expects to see college football change its ways or risk having lawmakers introduce legislation to impose change for them. "I think there is better than a 50 percent chance that if we don't see some action in the next two months on a voluntary switch to a playoff system that you will see this bill move," he said.	[ "Who hears testimony from officials, coaches on both sides?", "What does the Bowl Series decide?", "What is the perennial argurment?", "What would be a better way to decide?", "How long would a playoff system take?", "What did the house committee hear?" ]	[ [ "Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection" ], [ "the national championship trophy." ], [ "the need for a clear-cut" ], [ "a playoff system" ], [ "two months" ], [ "dissect the Bowl Championship Series," ] ]	Bowl Championship Series decides college football's national champ . Perennial argument is that a playoff system would be a better way to decide . House committee hears testimony from officials, coaches on both sides .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Computer hackers have embedded software in the United States' electricity grid and other infrastructure that could potentially disrupt service or damage equipment, two former federal officials told CNN. The ex-officials say code also has been found in computer systems of oil and gas distributors. The code in the power grid was discovered in 2006 or 2007, according to one of the officials, who called it "the 21st century version of Cold War spying." Department of Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano would not confirm such a breach, but said Wednesday that there has been no known damage caused by one. "There have been, to my knowledge, no disruptions of power on any grid caused by a deliberate cyberattack on our infrastructure -- on the grid," Napolitano said. "Nonetheless, we remain in constant protection, prevention, education, resiliency mode and we work with the utility sector particularly on that." Watch security officials explain threat » The U.S. power grid isn't the only system at risk. The former officials said malicious code has been found in the computer systems of oil and gas distributors, telecommunications companies and financial services industries. Napolitano said the vulnerability of the nation's power grid to cyberattacks "has been something that the Department of Homeland Security and the energy sector have known about for years," and that the department has programs in place to fight such attacks. Security experts say such computer hacking could be the work of a foreign government -- possibly Russia or China -- seeking to compromise U.S. security in the event of a future military conflict. Former CIA operative Robert Baer said he is not aware of a specific breach like the one the former officials describe. But he said people in the intelligence community assume that such attacks from countries like China go on all the time. "Their foreign intelligence service has been probing our computers, our defense computers, our defense contractors, our power grids, our telephone system. ... I just came from a speech at the national defense university and they were hit by the Chinese trying to get into their systems," Baer said. "They are testing and have gotten in portals. It's a serious threat." Baer said if the software was embedded by a foreign government, he doubts it would be used to launch a surprise attack. Instead, he said, that government likely would keep the bugs in place in case of a future conflict with the United States. "It's deterrence in the event of war," he said. "They will have another weapon at their disposal, which will be to turn off our power." When the coding is found, it can be destroyed. But experts said that's easier said than done. "If you have somebody who knows what they're doing writing that code and embedding it in a clever way, you can look right at it and not recognize it," said Scott Borg, director and chief economist at the U.S. Cyber Consequences Unit, an independent research institute. And even when it's found, Borg said, confirming the source of a cyberattack can be next to impossible. "Anonymity is a fact of life in the cyberworld," he said. "It's very easy to run an attack through somebody else's computer. It's very easy to embed code in Russian or Chinese when you're not Russian or Chinese. "So it's very difficult to be confident on where anything like this comes from." Critics of the utilities industry have accused it of not doing enough in the past to defend against cyberassaults. But Ed Legge, spokesman for the Edison Electric Institute, which represents shareholder-owned electric companies, said the industry takes the threat seriously and has made progress in closing some of the loopholes that would allow such attacks. President Obama has started a 60-day review of all the nation's efforts at cybersecurity that is expected to be completed by April 17, Napolitano said. While utility grids are owned by industries, not the government, Napolitano said her department will continue working with power companies and	[ "Is the code difficult to detect?", "Has damage been done?", "Was any damage caused?", "What is being targeted?", "What was targeted in the attacks?", "What doesn't Homeland security confirm?" ]	[ [ "you can look right at it and not recognize it,\"" ], [ "no known" ], [ "no known" ], [ "electricity grid" ], [ "infrastructure" ], [ "a breach," ] ]	2 ex-federal officials say U.S. electrical grid, other infrastructure targeted . Homeland Security doesn't confirm a breach, says no damage caused by one . Expert says this kind of code could be difficult to detect .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Congress enacted a $300 billion farm bill Thursday over President Bush's objections, but questions remain about whether a clerical error will keep the bill from going into effect. Congress voted to override President Bush's veto of a $300 billion farm bill. The Senate voted 82-13 to override the president's veto of the bill Thursday, a day after the House voted 316-108 to override the veto. Both override votes exceeded the two-thirds majority required by the Constitution. A portion of the bill, however, remains in legal limbo. Before the House override vote Wednesday night, lawmakers discovered that the version sent to the White House last week was missing a part. The discovery raises questions about whether that section of the bill, which dealt with authorized trade and food aid, would become law. The discovery of the missing section, "Title III," prompted concerns from House Republicans that the override vote was improper. Democrats said the matter stemmed from a clerical error. But Republicans pounced on the "fiasco," which they said would require a temporary extension of the current farm bill. "What's happened here raises serious constitutional questions -- very serious," said Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio. "I don't see how we can proceed with the override as it occurred." However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that the override votes in both chambers of Congress would allow the sections of the bill that were sent to the president to become law. "So, the farm bill minus Title III would be enacted" after the override votes, Pelosi said. "But I'm optimistic that we will be able to get Title III as well, either on its own or by sending the full bill again." "Obviously, we want the complete bill. But ... we have obviously consulted with those who are expert on the Constitution and congressional action and presidential signatures, vetoes and overrides." In order to start the process of Title III to become law, the House passed the entire farm bill again Thursday by a vote of 306-110. It is unclear what the Senate will do. It could pass the entire bill again, as the House did, or it could pass the portion not sent to the president as a free-standing bill. Two-thirds of the $300 billion in spending for the farm bill would go for nutrition programs such as food stamps. Another $40 billion would go toward farm subsidies, and $30 billion is allocated for payments to farms to keep land idle and other environmental programs. After vetoing the farm bill, Bush said it "continues subsidies for the wealthy and increases farm-bill spending by more than $20 billion, while using budget gimmicks to hide much of the increase." The president said it would hurt efforts to improve American farmers' access to overseas markets. Congress has passed one bill over Bush's objections: a $23 billion water-project legislation that the president vetoed in 2007. CNN's Deirdre Walsh and Ted Barrett contributed to this report.	[ "Who objected most of the farm bill?", "What did Pelosi say about the bill?", "What was left out in the version sent to Bush?", "Who objected to the farm bill?", "What was left out of bill sent to Bush?", "What did Congress enact?", "What bill did Congress enact?", "Who was objecting?", "Why did Bush veto the bill?" ]	[ [ "President Bush's" ], [ "\"But I'm optimistic that we will be able to get Title III as well," ], [ "that section of the bill, which dealt with authorized trade and food aid," ], [ "President Bush's objections," ], [ "which dealt with authorized trade and food aid," ], [ "a $300 billion farm bill" ], [ "$300 billion farm" ], [ "President Bush's" ], [ "it \"continues subsidies for the wealthy and increases farm-bill spending by more than $20 billion, while using budget gimmicks to hide much of the increase.\"" ] ]	NEW: Congress enacts most of farm bill over Bush's objections . NEW: Portions of bill sent to the president are now law, Pelosi says . Section of farm bill left out in version sent to President Bush . Bush vetoed bill because he says it's too generous to wealthy farmers .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Congress passed a $300 billion farm bill over President Bush's veto for a second time Wednesday, a step made necessary by a clerical error when the original bill passed. Congress overrode President Bush's second veto of a $300 billion farm bill. The Senate voted 80-14 to approve the measure over Bush's objections, following a 317-109 vote in the House of Representatives. Both votes were well above the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto, which Bush delivered Wednesday morning. Congress overrode an earlier veto of the farm bill last month, even though lawmakers had discovered that 34 pages were missing in the version originally sent to the White House. In spiking the latest version, Bush said he objected to its continued subsidies for the wealthy and its use of budget gimmicks to hide a $20 billion increase in spending. But Sen. Kent Conrad, the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said the measure actually saves the government $110 million. "This bill does not add to the deficit or debt, because this bill is paid for," he said. "That is not my claim. That is the finding of the Congressional Budget Office." The discovery of the missing section, Title III, prompted concerns from House Republicans that the override vote was improper. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the sections of the bill that were originally sent to the president had become law after Congress voted to override Bush's first veto. But to put Title III into effect, Congress re-passed the entire legislation, including the missing pages, and resent it to Bush. The House voted 306-110 at the end of May. The Senate voted 77-15 for the bill at the beginning of June. Two-thirds of the $300 billion in spending for the farm bill will go for nutrition programs such as food stamps. Another $40 billion will go toward farm subsidies, and $30 billion is allocated for payments to farms to keep land idle and other environmental programs. After vetoing the latest version of the farm bill, Bush scolded Congress on Wednesday for not "modifying certain objectionable, onerous and fiscally imprudent provisions. ... I am returning this bill for the same reasons as stated in my veto message." When he vetoed the first version of the farm bill, Bush said it "continues subsidies for the wealthy and increases farm bill spending by more than $20 billion, while using budget gimmicks to hide much of the increase." The president said it would hurt efforts to improve American farmers' access to overseas markets. Congress has passed one other bill over Bush's objections: legislation for a $23 billion water project that the president vetoed in 2007. CNN Capitol Hill producer Deirdre Walsh contributed to this report.	[ "Who vetoed the farm bill?", "What was wrong with the version sent to the White House?", "What did Bush veto?", "What was the Senate vote result?", "What was the outcome of the Senate vote?", "What is Bush's objection?" ]	[ [ "Bush" ], [ "34 pages were missing" ], [ "$300 billion farm bill." ], [ "80-14" ], [ "80-14 to approve the measure" ], [ "its continued subsidies for the wealthy and its use of budget gimmicks to hide a $20 billion increase in spending." ] ]	NEW: Senate votes 80-14 to approve measure over Bush's objections . President Bush vetoed $300 billion farm bill for second time . Bush says bill is too generous to wealthy farmers . Version originally sent to White House had 34 pages missing .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Congress voted to halt planned cuts in Medicare payments to doctors Tuesday, overriding President Bush's veto in a battle that pitted health insurers against physicians. President Bush says he objects to the bill because it takes choices "away from seniors to pay physicians." The new law stops a 10.6 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors, part of a scheduled cost-saving formula that went into effect July 1. The money for the doctors will be taken from the government-subsidized Medicare Advantage program, which the Bush administration strongly supports. Bush spiked the bill Tuesday, telling lawmakers they would be "taking choices away from seniors to pay physicians." "I urge the Congress to send me a bill that reduces the growth in Medicare spending, increases competition and efficiency, implements principles of value-driven health care and appropriately offsets increases in physician spending," he said in his veto message. The Senate voted 70-26 to enact the law over Bush's objections, the third time in his presidency that Congress has overridden his veto. The margin in the House of Representatives was a lopsided 383-41, well beyond the two-thirds majority needed. The American Medical Association lobbied heavily for the bill, warning that its members could be forced to curtail seeing Medicare patients if the cuts went into effect. But insurers, which receive government subsidies to offer Medicare Advantage plans, warned that 2 million seniors could lose health benefits if it passed. A total of 21 Senate Republicans joined 47 Democrats and two independents in the override vote. Supporters broke a GOP-led filibuster of the bill last week, aided by the dramatic return of Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts. Kennedy's vote came in his first appearance on the Senate floor since surgery to remove a brain tumor in early June. Though he did not vote Tuesday, Kennedy praised his colleagues for overriding the "misguided" veto. "It's a great vote, and a great day for America's seniors," he said in a written statement. Those Republicans who opposed the bill argued that it would roll back many of the changes made to Medicare in 2003, when Congress created privately run, government-subsidized prescription drug coverage and expanded the role of private insurers in other coverage. "These are not pro-patient policies," said Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Arizona. "Rather, the bill reduces access, benefits and choices for Medicare beneficiaries." But critics of the 2003 reforms say Medicare Advantage subsidies end up costing more than the government would pay to cover the same people through regular Medicare, the federal health insurance program for seniors. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill will reduce federal spending by $12.5 billion by 2013, largely by reducing Medicare Advantage enrollment. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, said the bill also made "vital improvements" by supporting rural health care and lowering fees for mental health care. "Today, we can stand up for Medicare," she said. "We did it last week, when we came together and voted for this measure by a veto-proof margin, and I believe we can do it today by overriding that veto." Congress had passed only two bills over Bush's objections: a $23 billion water-project legislation that the president vetoed in 2007 and a $300 billion farm bill he spiked in May. The Medicare system pays for the health care of roughly 40 million elderly Americans. Rising health care costs have made Medicare a growing part of the federal budget, and the stress on the system is increasing as more baby boomers reach retirement age. While the debate was raging over the bill, the AMA said the cuts could lead to a "meltdown" of the government's health care system for the elderly. A recent survey by the group found that 60 percent of physicians will be forced to limit the number of new Medicare patients they can take on if the cuts go into effect. "We stand at the brink of a Medicare meltdown. ... For doctors, this is not	[ "Who rejected the law", "What would the bill stop?", "What was the bill?", "what did senate do", "what did house do", "what is medicare" ]	[ [ "21 Senate Republicans joined 47 Democrats and two independents" ], [ "a 10.6 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors," ], [ "planned cuts in Medicare payments to doctors" ], [ "to enact the law over Bush's objections," ], [ "voted to halt planned cuts in Medicare payments to doctors" ], [ "the federal health insurance program for seniors." ] ]	NEW: House votes 383 to 41 to override President Bush's veto . NEW: Senate votes 70-26 to enact the law over Bush's objections . Medicare payment bill sent to Bush after Senate filibuster battle . Bill would stop 10.6 percent cut in what Medicare pays doctors .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Congressional Republicans offered what they call a "centrist, practical" plan to overhaul the U.S. health care system Tuesday, one they say would be the cheapest of any option proposed so far. House Republicans say their health care plan is a better package than the Senate version. Illinois Rep. Mark Kirk said the package put together by moderate Republicans in the House of Representatives would be far cheaper than a plan being drawn up in the Senate. A preliminary review of that plan by the Congressional Budget Office found it would cost about $1 trillion over 10 years to extend health insurance to 16 million people who otherwise would not be covered -- about a third of the roughly 45 million now uninsured. "I think this plan that we put forward is more centrist, more bipartisan and would be at significantly lower cost," Kirk said. He said no cost estimate had been prepared for the measures he put forth Tuesday, but asserted its elements would require less money from taxpayers than other proposals. The package announced by the GOP "Tuesday Group" includes some perennial Republican favorites such as regulatory relief, an individual tax break for purchasing health insurance and limits on malpractice lawsuits. It also would encourage insurers to pool their coverage to a greater extent than currently allowed, which Kirk and other supporters say has worked well in California. But it also emphasizes preventive care, computerizing patient records and reducing "defensive medicine" by promoting treatments proven effective -- all principles the White House has endorsed, as well. The centerpiece of the plan, Kirk said, is a "Medical Rights Act" that would keep government out of "decisions made by you and your doctor." He said the plans were drawn up during four months of talks with dozens of groups, including patient advocates, doctors, nurses, employers and "other interested groups." The proposal came as the conservative GOP leadership in the House stepped up attacks on the proposal being drafted by Senate Democrats. House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said Monday's budget office report showed "millions of Americans" would lose their current insurance. "President Obama says the problem with our health care is that we spend too much, and if you look at all the proposals, clearly they are going to spend trillions of dollars of additional money that we don't have -- that we're going to have to borrow -- in order to finance their scheme," Boehner told reporters. The report projected that the number of people covered by employer-based health care plans would fall by about 15 million by 2017. In the same year, about 39 million people would be covered by policies purchased through a health insurance "exchange" of the type Obama has proposed. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters Tuesday that a bill is still being drafted and "has many twists and turns to go." "One incomplete older proposal I don't think is indicative of where we are now," he said.	[ "What does Kirk say that the plan does?", "who is robert gibbs", "Preliminary review of Senate plan finds it would cost how much?", "what mark says", "What would be the cost over a 10 year period?", "Plan keeps government out of what, according to Kirk?", "who is mark kirk", "Rep. Mark Kirk says GOP proposal would be what?" ]	[ [ "overhaul the U.S. health care system" ], [ "White House spokesman" ], [ "$1 trillion" ], [ "package put together by moderate Republicans in the House of Representatives would be far cheaper than a plan being drawn up in the Senate." ], [ "$1 trillion" ], [ "\"decisions made by you and your doctor.\"" ], [ "Illinois Rep." ], [ "far cheaper than a plan being drawn up in the Senate." ] ]	Rep. Mark Kirk says GOP proposal would be far cheaper than Senate plan . Plan keeps government out of "decisions made by you and your doctor," Kirk said . Preliminary review of Senate plan finds it would cost about $1 trillion over 10 years . Robert Gibbs says bill still being drafted; "has many twists and turns to go"
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Creating and saving jobs while boosting investment in the future are among the top goals of the Obama administration's $787 billion economic stimulus plan. President Obama chats with students at a Silver Spring, Maryland, elementary school this week. And according to a preliminary report on stimulus funding for schools by the Department of Education and the Domestic Policy Council, the stimulus plan has created jobs. State governments have created and saved at least 250,000 education jobs -- and restored nearly all their projected education budget shortfalls for fiscal years 2009 and 2010 -- according to preliminary findings released Monday by the White House. But some states that used the funds to fill existing budget gaps could face a crisis when the money runs out after 2010. And the Department of Education has chastised certain states for their stimulus funding programs and warned them that they risk their chances at getting other DOE grants down the road. The stimulus funds appropriated $48.6 billion for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund to help keep and create jobs and advance education reforms over a period of two years, the report said. The program dedicates $39.8 billion for public elementary, secondary and higher education and other services. Another $8.8 billion will go for other activities such as public safety or government services. "To date, $35.5 billion of the SFSF allotment has been obligated and $13.2 [billion] is forthcoming," the report added. In a recent memo, the Department of Education's inspector general's office warned Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania about not following the rules. At issue is the government's "maintenance of effort" provision, which makes states receiving stimulus funds promise to maintain funding at fiscal year 2006 levels. The provision also requires states to pledge to use these funds to advance certain education reforms: increasing teacher effectiveness, implementing statewide data systems, and providing support for struggling schools. The September 30 memo pointed out states are using K-12 stimulus funds to fill gaps in their education budgets due to decreasing revenues and resources. Pennsylvania's actions led to a terse letter on June 18 from Education Secretary Arne Duncan to Gov. Ed Rendell. The letter said: "If a State has disproportionately reduced its education budget and/or if a State has done nothing more than backfill budget holes with these dollars when the State had other resources available to it, such as a rainy-day fund, the State's competitive position to receive ... competitive grants may be negatively impacted." Those states employing the practice, some argue, will face dire straits in fiscal year 2011 when the stimulus funding runs out. "States and districts were repeatedly warned about funding [problems]," said Chad Aldeman, a policy analyst with the nonpartisan think tank Education Sector. But Aldeman notes that there may have been a lack of communication between states and the federal government over how to spend the money. "They [states] were told to focus on one-time investments as much as possible," he said. "At the same time, the Department of Education sold this as a job and reform package. ... They say on one hand, preserve and create jobs. On the other hand, they talk about education reform." The Obama administration argues the early results from Monday's report show the money already is having an effect. "This is one more indication of how the Recovery Act is helping soften the blow of tough times, by keeping educators on the job and teachers in the classroom," Vice President Joe Biden said in a statement. But there has been criticism over the way the government is handling and tracking the Recovery Act. "If these issues and the stimulus money being made available ... are not handled carefully, conflict and even paralysis are likely to ensue," said Pedro A. Noguera, a professor at New York University and director of the Metropolitan Center for Urban Education, in a recent CNN.com commentary. "The president may even inadvertently alienate an important core constituency that he will surely need in the years ahead -- public school teachers." Aldeman points out that some of the	[ "What number of jobs were saved?", "What is the act called?", "What have they been doing?", "How many education jobs were saved?", "What did a report on the stimulus find?", "What caused some states to be in trouble?" ]	[ [ "250,000" ], [ "economic stimulus plan." ], [ "Creating and saving jobs while boosting investment in the future" ], [ "250,000" ], [ "plan has created jobs." ], [ "used the funds to fill existing budget gaps could face a crisis when the money runs out" ] ]	American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 signed in February . Preliminary report finds stimulus plan saved 250,000 education jobs . States have restored nearly all education budget shortfalls for 2009-10, report says . Some states in trouble with feds for using money to fill gaps, not on required goals .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates has asked Pentagon staff to draw up plans for shutting the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, a Pentagon spokesman said. A detainee is seen through a fence in July at the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The camp holds about 250 suspected terrorists, down from a peak of roughly 750 men from 40 countries. It houses several top al Qaeda figures, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed -- the confessed architect of the September 11, 2001, attacks. Gates "has asked his team for a proposal on how to shut it down, what would be required specifically to close it and move the detainees from that facility, while at the same time, of course, ensuring that we protect the American people [from] some very dangerous characters," Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said Thursday. Morrell described it as a contingency plan in case the new administration wants to take it up early in the new year. President-elect Barack Obama has pledged to close the camp at Guantanamo but hasn't set a specific timetable. Gates will continue as defense secretary when Obama takes office. "I would like to see it closed," Gates told Charlie Rose in a PBS interview. "And I think it will be a high priority for the new administration." Officials close to the Obama team said in November that the incoming administration is pondering options, including trying some of the Guantanamo Bay inmates in federal courts, setting up a special national security court to deal with cases involving the most sensitive intelligence information, and releasing some inmates. In an October 31 interview with CNN, Obama said only that he would close the facility "as quickly as we can do prudently." "I am not going to give a time certain because I think what we have to do is evaluate all those who are still being held in Gitmo," he said. "We have to put in place appropriate plans to make sure they are tried, convicted and punished to the full extent of the law, and that's going to require, I think, a review of the existing cases, which I have not had the opportunity to do." In May, Gates told a Senate committee that efforts to shut down the facility were "stuck" over what to do with the inmates.	[ "What has he pledged to do?", "What was drawn up?", "What is Gates anticipating?", "What is Obama expected to do?", "What did Robert Gates ask Pentagon staff to do?", "What does the camp hold?", "How many inmates are held in camp?", "What could be shut down?" ]	[ [ "close the camp at Guantanamo" ], [ "plans for shutting" ], [ "shutting" ], [ "close the camp at Guantanamo" ], [ "draw up plans for shutting" ], [ "about 250 suspected terrorists," ], [ "250" ], [ "U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba," ] ]	Camp holds about 250 inmates, down from peak of about 750 . Defense Secretary Robert Gates asks Pentagon staff to draw up closure plans . Gates anticipates possible move by Barack Obama to close camp . President-elect has pledged to shut down Guantanamo .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates is expected to approve sending thousands of additional forces to Afghanistan to deal with the growing threat from roadside bombs, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said Friday. Marines detonate a roadside bomb. Injuries from the bombs have increased 700 percent in two years. Over the past two weeks, Gates has concluded that there are not enough forces or equipment in Afghanistan to protect U.S. troops from the threat of roadside bombs, Morrell said. The secretary, he said, wants to send these forces "as soon as possible." Morrell said the deployment would be separate from any that might be requested by Gen. Stanley McChrystal. The plan could send nearly 3,000 troops, another U.S. military official familiar with the proposal said. He said Pentagon planners have already identified some of the units that would be sent. This official asked not to be identified because no final decision has been announced. Plans have been in place to set the U.S. troop level in Afghanistan at 68,000 since earlier this year, when President Obama approved an additional 21,000 troops. The decision comes at a sensitive time politically. In the last few days, two key Democrats have questioned sending additional troops. "I don't think there's a great deal of support for sending more troops to Afghanistan in the country or in Congress," Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-California, told reporters Thursday. On Friday, Sen. Carl Levin, the head of the Senate Armed Services Committee who has recently returned from Afghanistan, said the emphasis should be on training and increasing the size of the Afghanistan army before considering more U.S. forces. "Our primary goal should be to strengthen the Afghan army and the police, to provide the necessary training and equipment and also to see if we can't reintegrate some of the lower-level Taliban people, who are the young people who aren't the religious zealots but are being taken advantage of by the leaders," Levin, D-Michigan, told MSNBC. Gates himself has been a vocal opponent of expanding the U.S. presence for fear that the forces would be seen as occupiers by the Afghan population. But last week, he softened that position, saying McChrystal had made a persuasive argument that the concern should not be on the size of the forces but on their conduct. Morrell said the proposal may not raise total U.S. troop strength above 68,000, because some of the units already scheduled to go could be sent not fully staffed or others already there could be sent home. Still, "the secretary has already determined this is a requirement that needs to be fulfilled," Morrell said. "The forces there now require more IED protection." The troops would specialize in route clearance, explosive ordnance disposal, medical treatment and intelligence-gathering, Morrell said. "We owe this to the troops already committed to the fight," he said. Since 2007, the number of roadside bombs in Afghanistan has jumped 350 percent, according to the Defense Department. Though many are found before they detonate, the number of troops killed has increased by more than 400 percent and the number wounded is up more 700 percent over the last two years. One U.S. military source told CNN that the Taliban's capacity to manufacture bombs, train attackers and target U.S. troops has grown over the past year. On September 8 near Kandahar, troops seized five tons of ammonium nitrate, more than twice the amount used in the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1995. On August 27, C-4 plastic explosives were found in Herat by Afghan troops. Afghanistan's rugged terrain and dirt roads make it easy to quickly hide roadside bombs. "You have disturbed earth all the time," said Gen. Montgomery Meigs, former head of the Department of Defense's IED Task Force. "Especially close to villages and close to intersections -- that just makes the seeing and finding, even by soldiers' eyes, a lot more complicated." The Taliban have proven adept at adjusting their strategy as circumstances change. Seeing that troops were	[ "What have Congressional Democrats said about troop increases?", "Who is in support of the plan?", "Who found not enough forces in Afghanistan?", "Who is the defense secretary?", "According to sources, how many troops could the plan send?", "How many troops will be sent?", "What is the increasing in roadside bomb fatalities?" ]	[ [ "\"I don't think there's a great deal of support for sending more" ], [ "Defense Secretary Robert Gates" ], [ "Gates" ], [ "Robert Gates" ], [ "3,000" ], [ "3,000" ], [ "700 percent in two years." ] ]	Defense secretary finds not enough forces in Afghanistan to protect U.S. troops . Plan could send nearly 3,000 troops, source says . Congressional Democrats have spoken against troop increases . Troops killed by roadside bombs up more than 400 percent in 2 years .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Democratic presidential candidates on Wednesday criticized President Bush's plan to withdraw roughly 30,000 troops from Iraq by next summer, with Sen. Hillary Clinton labeling it "too little, too late." Sen. Hillary Clinton listens as Gen. David Petraeus testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee. In an open letter to Bush, Clinton said the troop withdrawal "is simply too little, too late, and unacceptable to this Congress, and to the American people who have made clear their strong desire to bring our troops home, and end this war." Bush on Thursday is expected to endorse the recommendations of Gen. David Petraeus that the troop levels in Iraq be lowered to 130,000 by July, down from the "surge" level of 160,000. "As commander in chief, you have the authority and ability to greatly accelerate the redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq, and to bring so many more troops home so much faster," the New York Democrat said. "I strongly urge you to choose this course of action." In an interview Wednesday with CNN, one of Clinton's chief rivals for the 2008 nomination, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, said the president is returning to an earlier, failed policy. "We now are still in the same position as we essentially were in June 2006," he said. "We are in the same levels of violence; we are at the same levels of dysfunctional when it comes to the government in Iraq, and the American people at some point have a right to ask from their leadership in Washington and from the president: When is enough enough?" Watch '08 Dems weigh in on war in Iraq » Obama presented a new plan for Iraq on Wednesday afternoon in Clinton, Iowa. It calls for an immediate drawdown of combat operations at a pace of one or two brigades every month, to be completed by the end of next year, according to excerpts released before his speech. A brigade comprises between 3,000 and 5,000 soldiers. Obama recommended a new constitutional convention for Iraq, a new regional diplomatic effort and steps to confront the country's humanitarian crisis. "Let me be clear: There is no military solution in Iraq, and there never was. The best way to protect our security and to pressure Iraq's leaders to resolve their civil war is to immediately begin to remove our combat troops," Obama said in his speech. Presidential candidate John Edwards, who has been pressing congressional Democrats to take a more confrontational stance against President Bush, called for an immediate withdrawal of 40,000 to 50,000 troops. In a prepared statement, Edwards, a Democrat from North Carolina, said Obama, Clinton and Republican Sen. John Warner of Virginia, who recently called for a withdrawal to begin by Christmas, have "a moral responsibility to use every tool available to them, including a filibuster, to force the president to change course." Edwards also called Obama's plan for troop withdrawal a copy of the president's plan "Sen. Obama would withdraw only one to two combat brigades a month between now and the end of next year," said Edwards, "which for the next several months could essentially mimic the president's own plans to withdraw 30,000 troops by next summer." In a statement, Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Connecticut, said Wednesday that it was useless to debate tactics when "the underlying policy is a complete failure." "I call on my colleagues to do what needs to be done to end our involvement in this civil war and help restore our national security by clearly and directly declaring that they will not support any Iraq measure without a firm, enforceable deadline tied to funding for the completion of redeployment of troops from Iraq," Dodd said. Democrats lack the votes in Congress to force the president to bring the troops home and are seeking a compromise position. Congressional Democratic leaders are meeting with Republican lawmakers, who want a change in war policy but are unwilling to cut funding or set a timeline for withdrawal. Privately, congressional Democrats concede that the next president probably will inherit at least a deployment	[ "what did hilary clinton say?", "What did John Edwards call for?", "What does clinton say about the withdrawal of troops?", "what did john edwars immediate withdrawal?", "What does Barack Obama have to say about this?", "What did John Edwards say?", "John Edwards is withdrawing how many troops?", "What did Hillary Clinton say about withdrawal?", "Who wants immediate withdrawal of 40,000 plus troops?", "Who is calling for troop withdrawal?", "What did John Edwards call for?", "What has edwards called for?", "What did Barack Obama call for?", "Who calls for immediate withdrawal of troops?", "What does Barack Obama call for?", "Does Hilary Clinton think enough is being done?", "What is John Edwards job?", "what did hillary clinton says?", "What did senator hillary Clinton say?", "Edwards calls for immediate withdrawal of how many troops?", "What did Clinton say?", "When will Obama begin troop withdrawal?", "what call made barack obama?" ]	[ [ "troop withdrawal \"is simply too little, too late, and unacceptable" ], [ "an immediate withdrawal of 40,000 to 50,000 troops." ], [ "\"is simply too little, too late, and unacceptable to this Congress," ], [ "of 40,000 to 50,000 troops." ], [ "an earlier, failed policy." ], [ "\"Sen. Obama would withdraw only one to two combat brigades a month between now and the end of next year,\"" ], [ "40,000 to 50,000" ], [ "\"is simply too little, too late, and unacceptable to this Congress, and to the American people who have made clear their strong desire to bring our troops home, and end this war.\"" ], [ "John Edwards," ], [ "Obama" ], [ "immediate withdrawal of 40,000 to 50,000 troops." ], [ "immediate withdrawal of 40,000 to 50,000 troops." ], [ "an immediate drawdown of combat operations at a pace of one or two brigades every month," ], [ "John Edwards," ], [ "immediate drawdown of combat operations at a pace of one or two brigades every month, to be completed by the end of next year," ], [ "\"too little, too late.\"" ], [ "Presidential candidate" ], [ "\"too little, too late.\"" ], [ "troop withdrawal \"is simply too little, too late, and unacceptable to this Congress, and to the American people who have made clear their strong desire to bring our troops home, and end this war.\"" ], [ "40,000 to 50,000" ], [ "\"too little, too late.\"" ], [ "immediately" ], [ "an immediate drawdown of combat operations at a pace of one or two brigades every month," ] ]	NEW: John Edwards calls for immediate withdrawal of 40,000-50,000 troops . Sen. Hillary Clinton says withdrawal of 30,000 troops by July "too little, too late" Sen. Barack Obama calls for an immediate start to troop withdrawals .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Democratic presidential front-runner Sen. Barack Obama is in excellent health, according to a statement from his doctor, released by the campaign. Besides being an "intermittent smoker," Sen. Barack Obama is in excellent health, his doctor says. Obama, 46, last saw Dr. David Scheiner in January 2007, shortly before he declared he was running for president. Scheiner, who has been Obama's primary doctor since 1987, observed that the Illinois senator's diet, weight, blood pressure and cholesterol were all healthy. "In short, his examination showed him to be in excellent health," Scheiner said. Obama "exercised regularly, often jogging three miles. His diet was balanced with good intake of roughage and fluids. ... On physical examination, his blood pressure was 90/60 and pulse 60/minute," Scheiner wrote. The Illinois senator has been an "intermittent" cigarette smoker who has "quit on several occasions and is currently using Nicorette gum with success." Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, released his health records last week. McCain's doctors also described him as being in "excellent health," despite a history of skin cancer, and said there appears to be no physical reason why the 71-year-old candidate could not carry out the duties of the office. Obama released a one-page statement from his primary care physician. He did not release any medical records or make his doctors available to the media. By contrast, McCain made more than 1,000 pages of medical documents available to journalists, including CNN's chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Four of McCain's doctors held a conference call with reporters after the records were made available. McCain has had four malignant melanomas removed. Three of them -- on his left shoulder, left arm and left nasal wall -- were limited to the top skin layer and were not invasive. They were removed in 1993, 2000 and 2002. But a fourth melanoma proved to be invasive and was removed from his left lower temple in 2000, said Dr. John D. Eckstein, an internist who has been overseeing McCain's treatment for 16 years at the Mayo Clinic's campus in Scottsdale, Arizona.	[ "What product is Obama using to quit smoking?", "What does the doctor say is healthy?", "Who is a smoker?", "Who is the GOP presumptive nominee?", "Who released his records last week?", "When were the records released?", "Which gum is Obama using?", "Who does the doctor say is an intermittent smoker?" ]	[ [ "Nicorette gum" ], [ "Sen. Barack Obama" ], [ "Obama" ], [ "Sen. John McCain," ], [ "Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for president," ], [ "last week." ], [ "Nicorette" ], [ "Barack Obama" ] ]	Senator's weight, blood pressure and cholesterol are all healthy, doctor says . Obama is an "intermittent smoker," doctor says . Obama has quit smoking several times, is currently using Nicorette gum . GOP presumptive nominee Sen. John McCain released records last week .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano apologized Friday for a department assessment that suggested returning combat veterans could be recruited by right-wing extremist groups. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says she offered her "sincere apologies for any offense." She met with American Legion National Commander David Rehbein at Homeland Security headquarters. "The secretary started the meeting with an apology to me personally, to the American Legion and to the entire veterans community," Rehbein told reporters after the meeting. In a statement issued by the department, Napolitano said, "We connected meaningfully about the important issues that have emerged over recent days, and I offered him my sincere apologies for any offense to our veterans caused by this report. ... I pledge that the department has fixed the internal process that allowed this document to be released before it was ready." The report was an unclassified assessment sent to law enforcement agencies. It was titled "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment." The mention of combat veterans surfaced on a conservative radio program earlier this month, and it drew the scorn of commentators and conservative members of Congress. Rep. John Carter, R -Texas, called on Napolitano to resign. Rehbein said Friday it is time to move forward. "In the mind of the American Legion, I think her apology was sufficient," he said. "The way the Vietnam veterans were treated once they came home, that's what drives the sensitivity to this, because those things start small and then grow from there, and we need to make sure anytime something like that happens we need to step on that and make sure it goes away very quickly."	[ "What did the report say?", "Who did the apologising?", "Who apologizes?", "Who apologies?", "Which document was released too early?", "Who said document was released?", "Who could be recruited by right-wing extremists?", "Wh says veterans could be recruited?" ]	[ [ "returning combat veterans could be recruited by right-wing extremist groups." ], [ "Janet Napolitano" ], [ "Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano" ], [ "Janet Napolitano" ], [ "\"Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment.\"" ], [ "Janet Napolitano" ], [ "returning combat veterans" ], [ "Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano" ] ]	Homeland Security report says veterans could be recruited by right-wing extremists . Homeland Security chief apologizes for "any offense caused by this report' Napolitano says document was released before it was ready . American Legion commander accepts apology, says it's time to move on .
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Despite a bleak economic environment featuring wide-ranging layoffs and rising unemployment, the nation's premier law enforcement agency is touting "one of the largest hiring blitzes in our 100-year history." The FBI is about to embark on its biggest hiring spree since immediately after the September 11, 2001. The FBI posted openings for 850 special agents and more than 2,100 professional support personnel. Officials say it's the largest FBI job posting since immediately after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The FBI's unexpectedly large number of job openings results more from attrition and a wave of retirements than from growing government appropriations, Bureau officials told CNN. The FBI routinely advertises openings for individuals with critical skills in computer science and language fluency. But John Raucci, assistant director of the FBI's Human Resources Division, says current needs are much more wide-ranging. "We're also looking for professionals in a wide variety of fields who have a deep desire to help protect our nation from terrorists, spies and others who wish us harm," Raucci said. The lengthy list of openings includes positions in finance and accounting, security, intelligence analysis, training and education, nursing and counseling, physical surveillance, electrical engineering, physical and social sciences, and auto mechanics. Procedures for applying and a full listing of available positions are posted on the Web site fbijobs.gov. "This is a great time to apply for a great job in the FBI," said the bureau's chief spokesman, Richard Kolko. Officials note at least a few jobs are currently available in every one of the FBI's 56 field offices across the nation. The FBI lists openings throughout the year, but seldom has anything close to the current number of available positions. The present job postings expire on January 16, but a new, possibly smaller set of openings will be posted shortly thereafter, the agency said.	[ "how many support staffers", "What was responsible for the openings?", "Where were the job notices posted?", "What numbers were posted on website?", "What was responsible for the job openings?", "What did FBI do after 9/11?", "How many agents is the FBI seeking to Hire?" ]	[ [ "2,100" ], [ "The FBI" ], [ "fbijobs.gov." ], [ "850 special agents" ], [ "FBI" ], [ "posted openings for 850 special agents and more than 2,100 professional support personnel. Officials say it's the largest" ], [ "850 special" ] ]	FBI goes on biggest hiring blitz since 9/11 . Postings on www.fbijobs.gov seek 850 agents, 2,100 support staffers . Retirements, attrition responsible for openings, FBI says .

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