Good afternoon . . .
Pakistan and Afghanistan are angry with Newsweek. The article in the May 9 edition about the desecration of the Quran at Guantanemo Bay caused a number of protests in both countries with 17 killed and more than 100 injured in the riots.
Although Newsweek retracted the story on Monday admitting that the anonymous source was "not credible," may not be enough for either government.
A spokesperson for the Afghan president, Jawed Ludin, said that the retraction was a "positive step." In answers to reporters questions Ludin said, " "It's only fair to say at this stage that Newsweek can be held responsible for the damages caused by their story." This writer hopes the Afghan government finds a way to do this.
Pakistani officials do not believe that an apology and retraction is enough.
"Just an apology is not enough. They should think 101 times before publishing news that hurts hearts," Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said in Islamabad.
Meanwhile at the troubled magazine, top executives say that are standing behind the story and reporter, Michael Isikoff. Isikoff offered to resign over the weekend, but it was not accepted. So, Isikoff gets away with poor reporting and poor research and failing to follow and stands of journalism. That would m,ake him eligible for any job at CBS News. So, as is typical in the liberal media, no one is willing to take responsibility for the article and its aftermath in the Muslim world.
The White House believes that the source for the story on the Quran came from Congress and not the administration. Also typical. Members of Congress have been responsible for more leaks than icebergs hitting the Titanic.
My Way News
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A rape defendant who is accused of stealing a deputy's gun and killing a judge an three other people pleaded not guilty to murder charges in an Atlanta courtroom. If convicted of the additional charges, Brian Nichols, 33, could receive the death penalty.
During the brief hearing Nichols' lawyer entered the not guilty plea to a 54 count indictment. As with earlier hearings since the March 11 incident, extra security including plainclothes officers could be seen inside the courtroom.
Motion hearings will be held next month in nearby DeKalb County, and defense attorneys will be seeking a gag order and to have the Fulton County District Attorneys Office barred from prosecuting the case.
Today's hearing was presided over by retired Judge Hilton Fuller from DeKalb County. The selection of Judge Fuller was over concerns that Nichols might not get a fair trial in Fulton County.
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The Senate demonstrated today that spending limits were less important than packing the Highway Bill with pork and other pet projects.
The $295 billion bill was passed 89-11 and contains more money for roads and highways than the president requested. The bill is $11 billion more than a House version and the maximum the White will accept without a veto.
White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan repeated the president;s veto threat Tuesday, saying the president was "very serious" about following a fiscally responsible budget.
The Senate rushed the bill through before it enters debate on Senate rule changes and judicial nominees which could bring the work of the Senate to a standstill.
If President Bush vetoes the bill, it will be his first veto.
Senate Defies Bush, Approves Highway Bill - Yahoo! News
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Moe tomorrow.
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