Hits & Runs

posted by The Sailor @ 5:28 PM Permalink

CIA fires contractors guarding secret prisons

WASHINGTON (AP) — CIA Director Leon Panetta has told Congress the spy agency has taken no new prisoners since he became director in February.

He also says the CIA has terminated contracts with private companies that provided security at secret overseas CIA prisons.

Well that's good ne ... wait, what!? Private contractors were doing the guarding!?

Marine acquitted of murder in Iraq slaying

A military jury on Thursday acquitted a Marine sergeant on charges of murdering an unarmed detainee during battle in Fallujah, Iraq. The jury also acquitted Sgt. Ryan Weemer of dereliction of duty in the November 2004 death.
[...]
In closing arguments Wednesday, a defense attorney said the 26-year-old Weemer acted in self-defense.
[...]
"I grabbed a gun and took him to the back of the house," Weemer, 26, said on the tape. "I shot him twice in the chest."

Weemer said he argued with his squad leader, former Sgt. Jose Luis Nazario, before complying with the order to kill the man, who was taken prisoner when Marines stormed a house on the first day of the assault on Fallujah.

"I definitely wasn't the type to disobey an order," he said.

So he was acting in self defe ... wait, what!? He admitted to murdering his unarmed prisoner and was acquitted!? And where have I heard the 'just following orders line before?

General Ray Odierno: we may miss Iraq deadline to halt al-Qaeda terror

The activities of al-Qaeda in two of Iraq’s most troubled cities could keep US combat troops engaged beyond the June 30 deadline for their withdrawal, the top US commander in the country has warned.
[...]
General Odierno, 54, said that he was also concerned about the risk of renewed conflict between Arabs and Kurds in northern Iraq, where tensions are rising over the ownership of territory. He also cited the “very dangerous” threat posed by Iranian-funded militants, who appear to be styling themselves on Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Well if it's al-Qaeda, the Kurds and Iranian funder mili ... wait, what!? This is just SSDD, Obama should fire this guy and find someone who understands the chain of command. The Iraqis want us out, America wants us out and Gen. Odierno needs to fade away.

Obama won’t receive ASU honorary degree

ASU will not award President Barack Obama an honorary degree when he speaks at the commencement ceremony on May 13.

University spokeswoman Sharon Keeler said Tuesday that the University awards honorary degrees to recognize individuals for their work and accomplishments spanning their lifetime.

“Because President Obama’s body of work is yet to come, it’s inappropriate to recognize him at this time,” Keeler said.

Well then, I guess that's OK, I mean it's not like Obama ha ... wait, what!? He's President of the United States! He's the 1st Black President of the US!

Wow, ASU must have some pretty high standards ... NOT!

But maybe I'm being too harsh, so let's look at some previous ASU Honorary Degree recipients:
Barry Goldwater 1961 (In 1961 AuH2O was at the time a 1 1/2 term Senator)
Hugh Downs 1974 (Hugh freakin Downs!?)
Kim Campbell 2005 (1st woman Prime Minister of Canada)
Blake Edwards 2005 (He's a good film director, but give me a break!)

I understand that honorary degrees are worth as much as the paper they're printed on, but jeez louise, WTF is wrong with AZ!



Cross posted at SteveAudio

Labels: Hits and Runs