In the latest in a string of sexual assault cases in the military, US Naval Academy football players are accused of assaulting a female midshipman. More such victims are publicly telling their stories, and in Congress, women are leading the way to prevent such attacks.
Sexual assault is growing in the US military, addressed by President Obama and Defense Secretary Hagel in speeches to young officers. ‘This scourge must be stamped out,’ Hagel said.
Some officials say the Associated Press scoop on a thwarted terrorist plot by an Al Qaeda affiliate in Yemen harmed the effort to neutralize a master bomb-builder. Does that excuse the Obama administration’s aggressive crackdown on national security leaks?
In a national security speech, President Obama will explain his policies dealing with terrorism, the use of drone aircraft, Al Qaeda, and the military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.
The Justice Department inspector general found ‘significant deficiencies’ in the handling of known or suspected terrorists under the federal government’s witness protection program.
The IRS has apologized for targeting tea party groups. But that hasn’t satisfied critics pushing for congressional investigations, and they’re still waiting for President Obama to speak out.
Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates says those urging a military response the night of the Benghazi attack have ‘a cartoonish impression of military capabilities.’ Republicans in Congress want to grill former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as part of a special inquiry.
Air shows cancelled: Automatic sequester budget cuts mean an end to the 2013 season for the Navy’s Blue Angels and the Air Force’s Thunderbirds. The real losers may be local economies benefitting from air shows.
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is in a hospital, sedated and unable to be interrogated because of a throat injury. Authorities want to know if anyone else was involved.
Three people were injured by gunshots fired at the 4/20 marijuana celebration in Denver Saturday. While there is growing acceptance of marijuana use, the issue remains politically controversial with federal law at odds with the decriminalization trend among some jurisdictions.
President Obama will unveil his federal budget proposal this coming week. Based on leaked details, the plan already is getting hammered by his own liberal base as well as by Republicans.
Most Americans favor background checks for all gun sales, which would close a major loophole in current law. But 13 Republican senators say they’ll filibuster any additional gun restrictions.
The US Chamber of Commerce and the AFL-CIO have reached a deal on guest workers as a part of comprehensive immigration reform. That was a major issue, but more remain including border security and a pathway to citizenship.
North Korea warned Seoul on Saturday that the Korean Peninsula had entered ‘a state of war.’ US officials note that North Korea has a long history of bellicose rhetoric and threats, but they’re taking additional defensive measures just in case.
As public opinion moves in favor of gay marriage, members of Congress find they have to adjust their stance. Conservative pundits are beginning to acknowledge this as well.
Religion plays a big role in individual and institutional decisions about same-sex marriage. Senior Roman Catholic clerics spoke out Sunday on TV news shows – expressing love and compassion but holding to the church’s opposition to gay marriage.
The US Supreme Court this week takes up two key gay marriage cases. Public opinion is changing rapidly here – a particular challenge for Republicans trying to rebrand their party.
The 800-member group ‘Mayors Against Illegal Guns’ is running new ads pressuring 15 senators to support gun sale background checks. The National Rifle Association is fighting back.
As the Republican Party ponders and argues over its future following recent election losses, one social issue is becoming paramount: same-sex marriage, favored by increasing numbers of young conservatives as well as party operatives.
Sen. Rand Paul’s filibuster got results: the White House acknowledged that killing US citizens suspecting of being terrorists must follow the rule of law. But it also shook up the Republican caucus.
By Brad Knickerbocker
June 3, 2013