Un-kinder, Un-gentler

H.I.V. Patients Anxious as Support Programs Cut - New York Times:
"Because of strict limits on discretionary spending and the competing demands of other health initiatives, the Republican-led Congress and the Bush administration kept appropriations for the Ryan White program at about $2.1 billion over the last several years. At the same time, H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS, spreads to an estimated 40,000 more people each year, more people are getting tested and seek care, and more patients live longer, requiring medicines costing thousands of dollars a month."

Is That Too Much To Ask?

Sunni Bloc Says It Is Quitting Iraqi Government - New York Times:

Al-Issawi said the decision to pull out from the government followed what he called Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's failure to respond to the Accordance Front. It gave him seven days to meet its demands, and the ultimatum expired Wednesday.

Among the demands: a pardon for security detainees not charged with specific crimes, the disbanding of militias and the participation of all groups represented in the government in dealing with security issues.

Looks like they wanted an actual democracy complete with freedom and security for all. Not happening.

NSA Spying Much Bigger Than Once Thought

The Bush administration's chief intelligence official said yesterday that President Bush authorized a series of secret surveillance activities under a single executive order in late 2001. The disclosure makes clear that a controversial National Security Agency program was part of a much broader operation than the president previously described.

read more | digg story

Why Are We There?

‘Untouchable’ corruption in Iraq ministries - Lisa Myers & the NBC News Investigative Unit - MSNBC.com:

The report, written by U.S. advisers to Iraq's anti-corruption agency, analyzes corruption in 12 ministries and finds devastating and grim problems. 'Corruption protected by senior members of the Iraqi government,' the report said, 'remains untouchable.'

One potential problem is in the office of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, according to the report.

Even our "puppets" don't follow our wishes, so why should we support them? Get out, NOW!