Saddam found guilty

This verdict while not surprising puts an end to a very murdurous regime that lasted for nearly 2 decades. Security has been tight in Baghdad enlight of a verdict negative or positive. Several senior leaders in the former regime were also found guilty of acts during that regime. Saddam is expected to appeal the verdict which could take sometime. When all of the appeals are exhausted he will be executed by hanging.

Political parties vying for control of Congress

The Democrat and Republican Parties are in an all out political war to control the majority in Congress. Republicans are trying to shore up their base which has been dismayed by rampant spending, the War in Iraq and Capitol Hill scandals. However the Democrats have not been able to effectively capitalize on the misfortunes of the republicans. Democrats have yet to offer a viable alternative which is why experts say that democrats are struggling to get traction against their republican opponents. More money has been spent on TV advertising than any other midterm in recent memory. While the democrats have a strong possibility of regaining control of congress that is less likely in the Senate. Consequently the ad wars have been the nastiest that we have seen in recent years. With so many races in a virtual dead and control of congress at stake experts say that candidates are likely to fight it out the end.

Races tighten as election nears

Campaigns have committed an all out blitz as the election comes to a close. Candidates are now using personal attacks to gain a political advantage. The air waves are expected to be he hit with a number of attack ads.

FL Congressman resigns over emails

Florida Congressman Mark Foley (R) resigned today amid allegations about sexually explicit emails to a former male congressional page. This comes as republicans battle to retain the majority in congress in the November election. The Florida Republican Party is scrambling to find a replacement candidate as lawyers try to find a way to get another candidate on the ballot.

RNC picks Twin Cities for 2008

The Republican National Commitee approved the Twin Cities to host its national convention. MN is also a swing state that borders on other swing states like Iowa and Wisconsin.

Rep. Bob Ney pleads guilty

Congressman Bob Ney (R-OH) pleaded guilty to charges related to the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal. Ney initially denied any wrongdoing and was asked to step down from his leadership position as the Chair of the House Administration Committee. Ney has decided not to seek re-election. His republican challenger has asked to him to resign so that he can replace him for the general election.

Endorsed candidates win primaries with ease

US Senate candidate Mark Kennedy (R), US Senate candidate Amy Klobuchar (DFL) Governor Tim Pawlenty(R) Attorney General Mike Hatch(DFL) all easily won their parties primaries. The major party candidates are expected to slug it on the air waves as well as in the debates as the '06 election is expected to come to a fiery end. Control of the State House is at stake as well as control of Congress could well be decided on election. Republicans hope to keep majority while the democrats hope to take over as the new majority party.

White House buts heads with Congress over detainee bill

After the Supreme Court ruled the presidents military tribunals unconstitutional the White House has been urging congress to pass its version of the detainee bills. However its been tough sledding as the president faces opposition in his own party on Capitol Hill. A Senate committee this week passed a detaine bill which the White House opposes. The Senate version does not have as strict a policy on interrogations. President Bush held a press conference to press congress on passing his version of the detainee bill. He said that the CIA officers involved in interrogations must be able to use agressive tactics and should not be burdened with potential civil liability and criminal prosecution. There has been some debate over how to interpret Article 3 of the Geneva Convention which the Supreme Court cited in its Hamden vs. Rumsfeld decision. Some on Capitol Hill have argued that we should have our own interpretation of the article because it is too vague as its currently written and other countries interpret it based on their own laws.

Judge blocks strike until negotiations are exhausted

A federal appeals judge blocked the Northwest Flight attendants from striking against Northwest Airlines because there is too much economically at stake beyond the parties involved. The judge did not rule out allowing a strike if he believes that the parties cannot come to terms in the future.

US State Dept. issues limited visa to former head of Iran; current leader to address UN

Despite protest the State Department granted a visa to the former head of Iran. Opponents say Khatami should not be granted a visa because he resided over a regime that wanted the destruction of Israel and was a sworn of the United States. MA governor Mitt Romney who is a republican candidate for president blasted the decision to grant the visa and said that he should not be given protection by while visiting the United States.
The current Iranian leader has been granted a visa to visit the United States to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The Secret Service will be protecting him but his travel will be limited. The Secret Service provides security for foreign heads of state and dignitaries while in the United States. The United Nations is considered international territory even though its essentially in New York.

DOJ to propose law to prevent some convictions from being overturned

The Justice Department has proposed a law to congress that would prevent people like Ken Lay from having their convictions overturned. Lay's lawyers have filed motions to have their clients convictioned vacated by the judge because he is no longer alive. The judge has yet to certify the conviction. The Supreme Court has recently ruled that judges do not have the authority to overturn a jury verdict.

Mexican President Fox forgoes last speech to Mexican Congress

Mexican President Fox was forced due to security concerns to forgoe his annual speech to the Mexican congress following a protest outside of the chambers. Fox is the first Mexican president to forgoe his speech. Fox did give his speech on television. Leftist organizations continue to protest the outcome of the presidential election in which the winning candidate won by less than 1%. Protesters want a recount of all ballots. Mexico's Federal Election Tribunal has final authority on the outcome of the election.

FBI investigates AK State Lawmakers in probe of VECO

The FBI investigated the offices of Alaska state lawmakers as part of an investigation of VECO an oil field services company based in Alaska. VECO has made numerous contributions to political campaigns. The FBI stated that the lawmakers are not the target of the investigation.

U of M bans alcohol on campus dorms

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus has now prohibited alcohol in Twin Cities dorms in an attempt to curb binge drinking. This policy will also apply to students who are over the legal age. University officials admit it wont stop binge drinking but will alleviate some of the behavior that pervades college campuses. Most upper classman live off campus so this will not effect them for the most part.

Armitage was source of CIA leak

Richard Armitage the former Deputy Secretary of State was the source of CIA leak it was revealed and not former VP Chief of Staff Lewis Libby as the special federal prosecutor has claimed. Libby is charged with lying to a federal prosecutor.

Gov. Jeb Bush declares State of Emer. for So. FL

Gov. Jeb Bush declared a state of emergency for the So. Florida as Hurricane Ernesto tracks toward Florida. Tourists were ordered to evacuate the area. Officials said they wanted to evacuate tourists first so that there would be an orderly evacuation.

Several planes diverted due to security concerns

A number of commercial airliners were diverted from their original flight plans amid heightened security concerns. This is just another issue airlines must deal with as they attempt to remain in business while fuel prices have skyrocketed.

Judge temporarily blocks strike

A federal appeals court judge in New York as temporarily stopped a strike by NWA flight attendants. The judge stated he needed more time to review the case. NWA had argued that it was illegal for the union to strike while the airline was in bankruptcy. The Justice department also filed papers on behalf of Northwest stating that it would have been a violation of federal law.

DOJ joins NWA against flight attendants strike

The Justice Department has filed papers on Northwests behalf arguing that a flight attendants strike would violate federal law. A bankruptcy judge had ruled earlier that a strike by the flight attendants was legal despite the fact that Northwest is in bankruptcy. A federal appeals court is expected to rule on the matter soon. The flight attendants have threatened to implement CHAOS as part of the strike plans.

FDA approves plan B for OTC

The FDA gave formal approval today to a controversial pill plan B. Plan B is supposed to protect against unwanted pregnancy due to unprotected sex. Democrats had threatened to block the nomination of a current FDA member to become the Chief of the FDA. Plan B is expected to be sold over the counter but customers will be required to show ID to purchase it. Only those 18 and older will be allowed to buy it.