AfterDowningStreet.org

CBS News Poll, March 13th, 2006; Poll conducted March 9-12, 2006
LOOKING AHEAD: SUCCESS IN IRAQ?

WILL THE U.S. SUCCEED IN IRAQ?

Very likely

15% Now

21% 1/2006

21% 7/2005

Somewhat likely

36% Now

42% 1/2006

43% 7/2005

Not very/not at all likely

47% Now

35% 1/2006

35% 7/2005

WILL IRAQ BECOME A STABLE DEMOCRACY?

LISTEN

By American Progress Action Fund

In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), a landmark law that opened the government's records to public scrutiny and is being celebrated today -- National FOI Day. Ruth Rosen, former columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, called FOIA "one of our greatest democratic reforms...allow[ing] ordinary citizens to hold the government accountable by requesting and scrutinizing public documents and records." Yet now, approaching its 40th year, FOIA -- and open government in general -- is under attack. Since 9/11, the Bush administration has stalled or ignored an increased number of FOIA requests, classified a record number of documents, stepped up punishment for whistleblowers, and tightened secrecy in the name of national security. Meredith Fuchs, general counsel at the National Security Archive, explained that 9/11 has become "an excuse for secrecy, rather than a need for secrecy." Fifty-nine percent of the American public believe there is now "too much secrecy" in the federal government. From refusing to release information about detainees at Guantanamo Bay, to keeping lawmakers and the public in the dark about an illegal, warrantless, domestic wiretapping program, "the administration's preference for secrecy is less about winning the war on terrorism than simply avoiding public scrutiny."

Dr. Rashad Zaydan of Baghdad, Iraq, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, President and CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus and Hurricane Katrina survivor Bilal Moran of Gretna, Louisiana clasp hands in prayer in Lafayette Square across from the White House March 14, 2006 in Washington, DC. Zaydan is a pharmacist that sold her business in Baghdad to found the Knowledge for Iraqi Women Society to assist widows and orphans of the war in her home country. During the rally, Rev. Yearwood drew parallels between the innocent civilians in Iraq and the homeless survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Earlier in the day, Yearwood, members of Congress, civil rights leaders, faith leaders and Hurricane Katrina survivors rallied on Capitol Hill to call on the Bush Administration and Congress to halt the March 15 eviction of some 10,000 hurricane survivors that are living in hotels across the country. They also demanded that the Voting Rights Act be enforced and call off the upcoming election in New Orleans, and to pass HR 4197.

By Reuters

BAGHDAD --The U.S. military said on Thursday it had launched its
biggest air offensive in Iraq since the 2003 invasion.

A military statement said the operation involving more than 50
aircraft and 1,500 Iraqi and U.S. troops as well as 200 tactical
vehicles targeted suspected insurgents operating near the town of
Samarra, 100 km (60 miles) north of Baghdad.

The statement said "Operation Swarmer" was launched on Thursday

By Zaki Chehab, http://www.newstatesman.com

Kidnappings, power cuts, sectarian hatred, medical shortages, petrol
queues, intimidation of women and a mass exodus of talent: all part
of life in the new Iraq.

In June last year, in al-Jadriyah, a wealthy suburb of Baghdad, the
wife of a veterinary surgeon received a call that people in the city
have come to dread. It was from an unknown group claiming respon-

By Alex Sabbeth, http://www.consortiumnews.com

The new Zogby poll gauging the opinions of American troops in Iraq has drawn attention mostly because it finds that 72 percent believe the United States should withdraw in a year or less and only 23 percent favor George W. Bush’s plan to “stay the course.”

But the poll also illustrates the power of propaganda.

Shockingly, 85 percent of the troops questioned believe they are fighting in Iraq “to retaliate for Saddam’s role in the 9-11 attacks” – one of the key Iraq War myths built by Bush’s frequent juxtaposition of references to Osama bin-Laden and Saddam Hussein.

Thursday, March 16, 2006
NEW* BUSH in Washington, DC: POTUS participates in the signing of H.R.
32, the Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act at 3:00 PM. [White
House Press Release]

NEW* ROMNEY in Boston, MA: Governor Romney announces $516.5 million in
Commonwealth Capital funds to support smart growth across Massachusetts
at 10:30 AM. [The Note, ABCNews.com, 03/16/06]

UPDATED* BUSH in Washington, DC: POTUS attends St. Patrick's Day

http://demballs.cf.huffingtonpost.com/

By John Harwood, Wall Street Journal

Bush Approval Rating Hits A Low as War Pessimism Offers Edge for Democrats

WASHINGTON -- President Bush and fellow Republicans approach the fall midterm elections facing one political problem above all others: responding to rising public anxiety about Iraq.

The new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll charts the toll that Iraq has taken on the Bush presidency. The survey shows the president's approval rating falling to 37%, a low for Mr. Bush, with disapproval highest for his handling of the war. His party's advantage on handling Iraq has narrowed amid public pessimism about the conflict, helping Democrats open a double-digit edge in voter preferences for controlling Congress.

By David Swanson

When we watch a video of Bush being informed of the danger of Hurricane Katrina and recall that he claimed that there was no way he could have known of that danger, our faith in his good intentions may be shaken.

And when we learn that Bush has long since authorized wiretapping without court approval, what are we to make of his public statements (such as last June 9, or July 14, 2004, or April 20, 2004) when he reassured us that all wiretapping requires court approval?

ADDRESS TO THE DEAKIN SOCIETY, MELBOURNE
"REFLECTIONS ON THE SITUATION IN IRAQ"

E&OE…

During our recent celebrations of the Coalition's ten years in power, I have, as Prime Minister, been publicly reflecting on our Party's many great achievements, as was appropriate to do. But on this occasion, among old friends and senior colleagues, I wish to share some unsettling thoughts about the situation in Iraq.

NEW YORK, NY: New York Senate Democratic Candidate Jonathan Tasini today released the following statement on the proposal by Sen. Russ Feingold, Democrat of Wisconsin, to censure President George W. Bush.

“I support Sen. Russ Feingold’s proposal that the U.S. Senate censure George Bush for his illegal wiretapping of American citizens. Feingold is right when he asserts that the Bush Administration, ‘repeatedly misled the public prior to the public disclosure of the National Security Agency surveillance program by indicating his administration was relying on court orders to wiretap suspected terrorists inside the United States.’

By Mike Ferner

Washington, March 14 -- Last Wednesday evening, the House Appropriations Committee voted to throw another $67,000,000,000 at the murderous work in Iraq and Afghanistan. That night members of the committee, righteously indignant and nearly unanimous, gave President "Bring ‘Em On" Bush a loud slap in the face.

Whoa! You mean the most powerful committee in Congress voted 62-2 to stop funding our national war crimes orgy? Of course they did…and then we all lived happily ever after.

Events in Charlottesville, Virginia
Town Hall Forum on the War in Iraq
March 13, 7 - 10 p.m. McLeod Auditorium, University of Virginia, school of nursing.
FEATURING: Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski; Ray McGovern; Gael Murphy; David Swanson; Tia Steele; Eman Ahmad Khamas.

Film: "Occupation Dreamland"
March 15, 7 p.m. Wilson Hall 301, University of Virginia campus.

March for Peace and Impeachment

Buy it here.

BBC News

At least 36 people have been killed in three car bomb attacks in Baghdad, bringing the total killed in the day to more than 55, Iraqi officials say. The near-simultaneous blasts reportedly targeted two markets in the capital's Shia district of Sadr City.

The first two blasts occurred at the Ula market, followed by a third in the Kayara market. A fourth was defused.

Sadr City, a stronghold of radical cleric Moqtada Sadr, has been relatively free from violence recently.

By Sally Kalson, Post-Gazette

Look closely at the face of collateral damage in Iraq before you answer.

Pittsburghers were captivated this week by the 7-year-old Iraqi boy who arrived here for reconstructive facial surgery at Children's Hospital, having been badly disfigured in an American bombing raid in 2004.

On a shoestring budget, the American group No More Victims arranged for his medical care, got visas for the child and his father, paid their expenses in Jordan until the documents came through, and is still trying to raise the cash to cover the travel. A Massachusetts philanthropist kicked in $50,000 for the hospital bill. A single mom in Banksville has taken father and son into her home during their stay.

Buy it here!