NBC Sees Scandal in 'Abusive' Interrogations; MSNBC: 'More Lies'

 Courtesy of Media Research Center

NBC Sees Scandal in 'Abusive' Interrogations; MSNBC: 'More Lies'

Presuming Bush administration dissembling and illegality, NBC anchor Brian Williams considered it "big" news Thursday night that the administration "secretly authorized abusive interrogation techniques for terrorism suspects, including torture, despite denial from everyone from President Bush on down. And the policy remains even though the Supreme Court ruled against it." Picking up on the front page New York Times disclosure of the classified documents, which neither ABC nor CBS considered newsworthy, NBC ran a slanted story that, other than one short soundbite from White House Press Secretary Dana Perino about how "they were safe, necessary and lawful, these techniques, and have helped save American lives," aired only condemnatory comments as Andrea Mitchell assumed the methods are torture. She reminded viewers that "after a political firestorm, devastating pictures from Abu Ghraib and a Supreme Court ruling," last year the President promised the U.S. "does not torture" and yet the Justice Dept. under Alberto Gonzales issued memos "authorizing much harsher techniques, including head-slapping, waterboarding, frigid temperatures..." With "More Lies?" displayed on screen under a photo of Bush, MSNBC's Live with Dan Abrams began by re-playing Mitchell's report.

For the rest of the story, link here: NBC Sees Scandal in 'Abusive' Interrogations; MSNBC: 'More Lies'

Technorati tags: political pundits, media matters, media research center, nbc, msnbc, Bush administration, Brian Williams, abusive interrogation techniques, terrorism suspects, torture, President Bush, Supreme Court, New York Times, classified documents, slanted news, Abu Ghraib, Justice Department, waterboarding

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Monks Allowed Past Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's House

In a move to perhaps quell some of the public discourse  after recent government crackdowns, police unexpectedly let more than 500 monks through at a roadblock where Aung San Suu Kyi's house is located.

The monks stopped briefly in front of Suu Kyi's house and said some prayers before leaving

"Today is extraordinary. We walked past lay disciple Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's house today. We are pleased and glad to see her looking fit and well," a 45-year-old monk told about 200 people at Sule Pagoda in downtown Yangon. "Daw" is an honorific used in referring to older women.

"She came out to the gate and paid obeisance to us and later waved at the crowd when we left," said the monk, who did not give his name. Courtesy of AP: Monks Allowed Past Suu Kyi's House   

Aung San Suu Kyi is the elected leader of Burma and a pro-democracy activist.

The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) military junta, that took control of Burma in 1988, changed the name of the country, Burma, to the "Union of Myanmar" in 1989. It also changed the capital's name from Rangoon to Yangon.

In 1990, the junta refused to hand over power after Aung San Suu Kyi's party landslide victory, and has kept Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest for ten out of the last 18 years.

The world has continued to watch in deep dismay as a country of Burma’s beauty and potential deteriorates under the oppressive weight of the junta.  The junta created and nurtured a repressive regime with no regard for human rights.

For what it is worth, Burma’s neighbors in the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) have publicly condemned the regime’s lack of tangible progress in returning to the democratic path.  Unfortunately there has been no progress.

I encourage everyone to pray for the junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi and allow democracy to florish in Burma.

Sources for the article:

Monks Allowed Past Suu Kyi's House

Quiet prayers, protests as Aung San Suu Kyi turns 61

Burma Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003

ME, Sudan, and Germany News Round-Up

Let's start off with some good news for a change, eh? Iran releases 8 women's rights activists from jail! This is a good start, but we still have to pressure Iran for the other 25 women they are still holding. If that link no longer works, try this one.

Another good news article is this: Iraqi MP: Some lawmakers to lose immunity. This could have something to do with the government official's whose son was stopped at the border while returning from Iran. The news neglected to mention that the official had his office searched on suspicious of ties with death squads. If that link no longer works, try this one.

The situation in Darfur, Sudan, has finally reached the ICC: Impunity for war crimes against women. This article confronts the daily abuses and victimization of women. If that link no longer works, try this one.

Here is an article that could be perceived as either good or bad. It depends on whether you'd like to know before hand if there is a threat to your person. Saudi authorities warn foreigners of attacks. If this link no longer works, try this one. Please be careful if you have any plans on travelling anytime soon. To find out if there is a threat level increase, check here.

Syria is not doing anything uncommon. It amazes me how so many people are surprised when they find them to be bad actors, including the USA. This time, however, it was the Belgian Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht who left the country with his hands in the air and he shaking his head. If the link no longer works, try this one.

"BERLIN: Bomb-building instructions have been found on the deleted hard drive of a computer belonging to one of the suspects in the attempted bombing last summer of two trains in Germany, a newspaper reported on Wednesday."

I found this to be partial good news. I'm still quite upset about the leader of Hizbullah's brother being released some 2 years ago. If that link doesn't work, use this one.

Update: Nathan is having an open-trackback weekend, and you MUST add this URL to your post. It is only proper! He is a very nice Christian man who I met quite a while ago (through the net, not face to face). He has very good articles, and he likes to stay on top the news as we do. You may want to add him to your blogroll, because I guarantee you will read news you may have missed. Thanks, and have a great day.