Politics

Idolworshipers defile the White House

Bush Celebrates Muslim Holiday at White House
WASHINGTON -- George W. Bush hosted a Ramadan dinner with Islamic leaders, as the White House was besieged with demands to fire an army general whom made comments some say makes the US-led war on terror out to be a war on Islam. General William Boykin's comments surfaced two weeks ago, in which he likened the US battle against terror to a battle between Christiandom and the Muslim world, placing the Bush administration in an uncomfortable position. "America is a land of many faiths and we honor, and welcome and value the Muslim faith," Bush said in opening remarks before the meal. At a mid-day press conference earlier Tuesday, Bush said that the controversial Boykin "doesn't reflect my point of view or the view of this administration."

Bush 'Rebukes' Gen. William G. Boykin
President Bush yesterday reiterated his position that the comments of Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin, who has spoken at Christian gatherings about a religious dimension to the war on terrorism, do not represent the views of the administration. Citing the review of the highly decorated three-star general by the inspector general of the Defense Department, Mr. Bush said Gen. Boykin "doesn't reflect my point of view or the point of view of this administration."

Muslims Kill Two U.S. Soldiers in Tank Attack
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Two American soldiers were killed when their Abrams battle tank was damaged by resistance fighters, and seven Ukrainian troops were wounded in the first ambush of a multinational unit in the Polish sector south of Baghdad, coalition officials said Wednesday. The tank was disabled when it was struck by a land mine or a roadside bomb Tuesday night during a patrol near Balad, 45 miles north of Baghdad, said Maj. Josslyn Aberle, a spokeswoman for the 4th Infantry Division. A third crewman was evacuated to a U.S. hospital in Germany, she said. It was believed to be the first M1 Abrams main battle tank destroyed since the end of major combat May 1. During the active combat phase, several of the 68-ton vehicles -- the mainstay of the U.S. Army's armored forces -- were disabled in combat.

At Least 4 Killed in Car Bombing
1,675 Soldiers Wounded by Muslims Since 'end' of War
FALLUJAH, Iraq -- A car bomb exploded Tuesday near a police station on a major street in the tense city of Fallujah, killing at least four people, police said. The attack came a day after a series of suicide bombings in Baghdad left about three dozen dead. Since Bush declared an end to major combat in Iraq on May 1, 114 U.S. soldiers have been killed by hostile fire, and about 1,675 have been wounded. U.S. forces come under attack an average of 26 times a day, and incidents have been on the rise since early September.

Cal Thomas: We Are Muzzling the Wrong Dog
Why don't members of the Islamic faith silence some of their own? They can start with speakers at the Organization of Islamic Conference in Malaysia. Mahathir Mohamad, the Malaysian prime minister, told an applauding audience made up of kings, presidents and emirs that Jews are running and ruining the world. Jews, he claimed, "invented socialism, communism, human rights and democracy so that persecuting them would appear to be wrong, so that they can enjoy equal rights with others."

Bush Tells Muslims His Administration Rejects Bigotry
WASHINGTON -- President Bush told ambassadors from Muslim states that his administration does not tolerate anti-Muslim bigotry, but he stopped short of condemning a senior Pentagon official who said Muslims do not worship "a real God."

Cover-Up Alleged in Probe of USS Liberty
WASHINGTON - A former Navy attorney who helped lead the military investigation of the 1967 Israeli attack on the USS Liberty that killed 34 American servicemen says former President Lyndon Johnson and his defense secretary, Robert McNamara, ordered that the inquiry conclude the incident was an accident. In a signed affidavit released at a Capitol Hill news conference, retired Capt. Ward Boston said Johnson and McNamara told those heading the Navy's inquiry to "conclude that the attack was a case of 'mistaken identity' despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary."

Witnesses Detail D.C. Sniper Slayings
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Prosecutors in the trial of sniper suspect John Allen Muhammad presented testimony Tuesday from witnesses to other Washington-area shootings because they must prove multiple killings to convict him of one of the death-penalty charges against him.

Florida's Corporate Tax Loopholes
When people in Florida talk about tax reform, they're usually talking about the sales tax, which is replete with exemptions that could, if closed, add billions of dollars to the state's depleted treasury. But there's another tax on Florida's books in need of reform as well. It's the corporate income tax, which was approved by the voters more than three decades ago.

Court: MCI Class-Action Suit Certified
LOS ANGELES -- A federal judge on Friday certified a class-action lawsuit against bankrupt telephone company MCI, clearing the way for plaintiffs across the country to pool themselves into a massive action over accusations that MCI made fraudulent claims about its financial status. The 91-page ruling from District Judge Denise Cote grants class status to anyone who acquired publicly traded securities of MCI, formerly known as WorldCom, in the period from April 29, 1999 to June 25, 2002.

Posted by Editor at October 29, 2003 10:32 AM