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Week of October 24 2005

The Money Pit
Read a collection of articles on inflated prices, missing billions and a general lack of accountability. First we have the story of $1,000,000,000 plundered from Iraq's defense ministry, as reported by The Independent.

Next is a report from the Government Accountability Office stating that the Pentagon has no accurate knowledge of the cost of military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan or the fight against terrorism.

Then we learn that the Pentagon agency in charge of investigating and reporting fraud in Iraq left more than a year ago. In fact, of the 107 audits in the last year, only one dealt with Iraq.

And finally, just last week Knight Ridder reported that the Pentagon no longer relies on competitive bids for procurement, leading to inflated prices that cost taxpayers 20% more.

Outraged? Contact your representatives in Congress, the Senate and write a letter to the editor of your favorite newspaper.

Spain Orders Arrest of U.S. Soldiers
A Spanish judge has ordered the extradition of 3 U.S. soldiers in connection with the murder of José Couso, a cameraman for the television network Telecinco. Couso was killed, along with Reuters cameraman Taras Portsyuk, when an Abrams tank fired on The Palestine Hotel in Baghdad. Read an article on The Guardian.

Demand WHIG Investigation
Urge your members of Congress to support a resolution of inquiry by Rep Kucinich requesting documents from the White House regarding the WHIG, or White House Iraq Group. The secretive group, whose members include Karl Rove, Condoleezza Rice and Karen Hughes, was tasked with selling the war on Iraq. Contact your representatives and urge them to support this resolution. Read more on the WHIG from Wikipedia.

Upcoming Actions in the U.S. - Tell Your Friends
A number of protests against the war are being organized by various groups in the U.S. Let your friends know.

United for Peace & Justice is calling for a day of anti-war action the day after the death toll of U.S. soldiers hits 2000. The current death toll stands at 1997. See a list of events across the U.S.

Not In Our Name is organizing a national day of die-ins on November 2, 2005. They join The World Can't Wait in their efforts to Drive Out the Bush Regime, with local actions planned in many states on the same day.

And a number or groups are planning a National Stand Down Day on November 18, 2005, calling for non violent resistance at military recruitment stations across the country.

Please let your friends in the U.S. know about these actions and encourage them to participate.

Cut Programs to Fund Tax Breaks for Rich?!
After last week's failed efforts to cut funding for programs such as Medicaid, Food Stamps and student loans, House Republicans decided to try again, but this time the program funding cuts have gone from $50 to $66 billion. At the same time, the GOP intends to enact tax cuts for the wealthy to the tune of $70 billion. Send an email to your representatives via the People for the American Way web site. You can also sign a petition on the MoveOn web site and send a letter to your favorite newspaper.

Electronic Voting and Stolen Elections
Read articles by Mark Crispin Miller on Harper's Magazine, None Dare Call It Stolen: Ohio, the election, and America's servile press as well as Why Can't the Left Face the Stolen Elections of 2004 & 2008? by Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman of The Columbus Free Press. The Government Accountability Office also released a report last week that found security and reliability flaws in the electronic voting process. Read highlights or the full report.

For more information on electronic voting, see Black Box Voting and The Coalition for Visible Ballots.

This would make another interesting topic for a letter to your favorite newspaper.

Don't Exempt CIA From Anti-Torture Amendment
As reported two weeks ago, the Senate voted 90-9 in favor of an amendment explicitly prohibiting the United States and its soldiers from subjecting prisoners to "cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment." Three of the Senators who actually voted against this amendment are on the committee to reconcile the Senate and House versions of the defense bill and one has declared he will try to exempt the CIA. Send a message to your representatives that you oppose such an exemption.

Should The New York Times Fire Judith Miller?
Judith Miller has been awarded the Society of Professional Journalists "First Amendment Award" but many question this choice. Read media advisories from FAIR, SPJ Undercuts First Amendment With Miller Award and Miller's Tale: Can the reporter--or the New York Times--be trusted?

If you agree with the points made in the articles above, send a message to New York Time Executive Editor requesting that Miller be fired and an apology to readers.

If you know of additional news items that should be listed, send them via email.

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