Gates hints at Iraq drawdown with possible Afghan boost
Defense Secretary Gates said U S troops in Iraq could steadily shrink to about 100,000 by year end if security improves, while not ruling out a small increase in Afghanistan. He cautioned about funding gaps and warned Congress that money shortfalls could force short term plans and spring shortages. Current intent aims to cut 20 combat brigades to 15 by next summer, with a path to 10 by end 2008 if violence continues to ebb.
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Washington
Robert Gates
U.S
Iraq
Afghanistan
Gates
David) Petraeus
Chiefs
Central Command
Congress
Pentagon
Defense Department
Petraeus
Black Caucus seeks pardon for Jena 6 in Louisiana
Congressional Black Caucus members urged Governor Kathleen Blanco to pardon Mychal Bell and five other Jena 6 teens. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee said they have paid their debt and should be released, noting Blanco cannot grant pardons without Pardon Board recommendation. The board meets Jan. 17, with Blanco leaving office Jan. 14.
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New Orleans
Congressional Black Caucus
Kathleen Blanco
Mychal Bell
Jena
Texas
Sheila Jackson Lee
Blanco
Bell
Louisiana
Marie Centanni
Barker
States crack down on convict restitution across states
A nationwide AP review shows billions in unpaid court-ordered restitution. States push harder to collect, using outside agencies in Arizona and in-house efforts in Pennsylvania and Colorado. Arizona collected about 90 million after four years of private collection contracts. Missouri and Minnesota also use these duns. Arizona links court data to tax refunds and vehicle registration holds. Pennsylvania implements a new computer network to tailor payment plans and track delinquencies.
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Chambersburg
St. Paul United Methodist Church
Associated Press
Philadelphia
Lynne Abraham
Arizona
Pennsylvania
Colorado
Michael DiMarco
Consolidated Collections
Affiliated Computer Services
Dallas
DiMarco
Missouri
Minnesota
Affiliated
Justice Department asks Supreme Court to review FBI raid case
The Justice Department asks the Supreme Court to overturn a DC Circuit ruling finding the 18 hour FBI raid on Democratic Rep. William Jefferson’s office constitutional while ordering the return of legislative documents. The appeal argues only the high court can resolve whether the raid violated congressional authority or aided a corruption probe. Jefferson, a nine term Democrat from New Orleans, denies bribery charges tied to offshore business deals in Africa. The DOJ contends the ruling misinterprets constitutional powers allowing investigations of corruption in Congress.
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Supreme Court
FBI
Congress
Washington
William Jefferson
Bush Administration
Jefferson
Robert P. Trout
Executive Branch
U.S. Court of Appeals
District of Columbia
New Orleans
Africa
Federal Appeals Court
Capitol Hill
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Saul
Marion
Carterville
D.L. Jardine’s
Trapp
Good Home Company
Mrs
UAW
Peace of Mind
Ls Dcliffe
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