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Declassified Docs Reveal Pentagon Ignored FBI’s Warnings on Abusive Interrogations

The Justice Department released more documents — or, at least, less-redacted documents — late Friday to the American Civil Liberties Union as part of the government’s obligation in a pending Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.

These latest documents provide a glimpse of the early struggles between the FBI and the Pentagon over just how to conduct the “war on terror” and how to interrogate and treat that war’s detainees. Sadly, they reveal that the FBI knew perfectly well — and repeatedly warned Defense Department officials, as well as Justice Department lawyers — that the abusive interrogation techniques being used on detainees at Guantanamo Bay were likely to be ineffective and make subsequent prosecutions impossible.

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Democratic Congressman Demands Apology from Bachmann

Flush off of the upset Democratic victory in NY-23, which he had a big hand in, Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), who is Jewish, is demanding that Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) apologize for sponsoring Thursday’s anti-health care reform rally, which brought to the hill signs comparing health reform to the Holocaust.

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Gary Bauer: Ft. Hood Suspect Was ‘Sleeper’ Agent

Add another conservative activist to the ranks of people blaming the Ft. Hood massacre on Islam. Here’s Gary Bauer, in his end-of-day email sent to supporters, arguing that while some Muslims are all well and good, “there are also ’sleeper cells’ or ’sleeper individuals’ who are jihadist ticking time bombs inside our own ranks.”

Whole letter after the jump.

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The Final Stages of Afghanistan-Pakistan Deliberation?

Josh Rogin at Foreign Policy thinks he sees light at the end of the Obama administration’s strategy and resource review tunnel:

Reliable sources tell The Cable that the review has entered its final stages, with Defense Secretary Robert Gates and National Security Advisor Jim Jones now taking the lead and putting on the final touches.

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Steve King to Lead Another March on Congress

Erick Erickson of RedState, whose stature in the conservative movement has risen with the Doug Hoffman insurrection, blasts out an announcement of a second anti-health care bill protest on the steps of Congress. Whole e-mail after the jump:

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Obama Signs Proclamation Honoring Ft. Hood Victims

Just released from the White House press office:

Our Nation’s thoughts and prayers are with the service members, civilians, and families affected by the tragic events at Fort Hood, Texas. The brave victims, who risked their lives to protect their fellow countrymen, serve as a constant source of strength and inspiration to all Americans. We ask God to watch over the fallen, the wounded, and all those who are suffering at this difficult hour.

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More About Allen West

Spencer blogged about Florida congressional candidate Allen West’s eye-popping statement on the Ft. Hood tragedy; I spoke to West for a story about black Republicans running for Congress in 2010. West is well liked and well known in the Tea Party movement, and described himself, to me, as the “worst nightmare” of black liberals in Congress.

Who’s backing West? He has received $5,000 from the notorious National Republican Trust PAC, the PAC that ran the only national ads about Jeremiah Wright in 2008, and the one that’s run grueling negative ads in the NY-20 and NY-23 special elections. He’s gotten $1,500 from the Freedom’s Defense Fund and another $1,500 from Veterans for Victory. Other donors: Radio host Tammy Bruce ($1,000) and former Bush economic adviser Larry Lindsey ($250).

So don’t make the assumption that West is some fringe candidate with no chance. He’s also on the NRCC’s “Young Guns” list.


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In House Health Bill, Kids Play ‘Lottery of Geography’

Children's Health Advocates Fear Repercussions From Ending CHIP

How effectively will the House health care bill cover children? Turns out, it depends on where they live.

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Iranian-American Group Urges Diplomacy Despite Violence

“Political isolation is something the Iranians are very much concerned about,” said Thomas Pickering, who served as undersecretary of state in the Clinton administration, arguing that continued diplomacy gave the U.S. the leverage of presenting Iran with a united coalition.


Conservatives Rework Rhetoric After NY-23 Loss

“People are fed up,” said Saranac Lake activist Russ Finley. “The Tea Party people are serious. The 9/12 people are serious. I’d hate to say that a loss is a good thing, but this is a good thing.”


Former Bush DOJer ‘Not Opposed’ to Criminal Investigation

Recent statements show broad support for inquiry into White House decisions.


CHIP on Chopping Block in House Health Reform Bill

Nine months ago, Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill were all celebration as they hailed the renewal of the program. Last week, they called for its demise.


A New Conservative Star Wrestles With the Spotlight

WATERTOWN, NY — The walls of the small event hall were festooned with “Don’t Tread On Me” and “Liberty or Death” signs; supporters waved placards that read “Save Our Country, Vote Hoffman” and “THANK YOU: John Rich, Fred Thompson, Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck.”


Proposal Circulates on New Civilian-Military Agency

A draft report proposes fundamental changes to military-civilian relationships during complex wars.


Ties Run Deep Between Subprime Lenders, Financial Literacy Groups

In response to a recent TWI report, the nation’s leading financial literacy group has launched an investigation into its conflict-of-interest policies.


Conservatives Ready to Claim Election Day Victory

“This is a state that Democrats said was going blue, or least purple,” said Grover Norquist, the president of Americans for Tax Reform, on Virginia. “How do they explain it if they lose?”


Band of Dems Blasts Geithner Plan

“Mr. Secretary, I’m not a man that fears this administration or you,” Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.) told Geithner. “But I do fear the accumulation of power exercised by someone in the future that can be extraordinary.”


Washington Times Reaches Out to Tea Partiers

“We’re not trying to supplant or replace RedState or Townhall,” John Solomon said. “We love those sites.”


Rep: Finance Safeguards Just ‘TARP on Steroids’

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), a vocal critic of exorbitant executive pay, fears new legislation will give competitive advantage to the biggest banks.


Jones Signals White House Support for J-Street Cause

Obama seeks to cultivate ties with groups within the American Jewish and Arab-American communities to support a two-state solution.


Report: ICE at Odds With Labor

Recent policies put both illegal and legal works at risk.


Public Option Scoreboard

Obama Legacy: A Parallel Justice System?

President Obama confirmed Wednesday that he plans to keep the controversial military commissions alive.


Are We Facing a Jobless Recovery?

Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke announced last month that the recession was “likely over” and that the economy was in the early stages of a recovery. The problem is, many Americans don’t look around and see a recovery.


Sen. Ted Kennedy, 1932-2009

In memory of Sen. Ted Kennedy, TWI has compiled its recent coverage of the senator and the effect his passing will have on the country.


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