Torture, gay marriage
2009-04-24 09:28Torture
* Pressure mounts to investigate and prosecute Bush admin torture. McCain disagrees: "Look, in banana republics they prosecute people for actions they didn't agree with under previous administrations. To go back on a witch hunt that could last for a year or so, frankly, is going to be bad for the country, bad for future presidents," McCain said on CBS Right, because prosecution for illegal torture is politicising things.
* FBI agent speaks out about torture and it's ineffectiveness. Says the FBI refused to torture, creating a wall between the CIA and FBI, inhibiting cooperation on terror investigation. Also claims that it was contractors more than long-term CIA officials pushing for torture. (Plus, of course, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.)
Gay marriage
* 53% of New Yorkers polled support gay marriage
* New Jersey, too 49-43.
* Connecticut's governor signed a gay marriage bill, putting into law what the supreme court had decreed.
Misc
* Rise in housecalls. Article also mentions that they save the system money -- but the particular hospital loses ER fees. Reminds me of Krugman's point about how the US system inhibits preventive care. Insurance company paying for prevention now may save money for some other insurance company or Medicare, so why do it?
* Geocities closing. If there's content you want, go download it.
* Pressure mounts to investigate and prosecute Bush admin torture. McCain disagrees: "Look, in banana republics they prosecute people for actions they didn't agree with under previous administrations. To go back on a witch hunt that could last for a year or so, frankly, is going to be bad for the country, bad for future presidents," McCain said on CBS Right, because prosecution for illegal torture is politicising things.
* FBI agent speaks out about torture and it's ineffectiveness. Says the FBI refused to torture, creating a wall between the CIA and FBI, inhibiting cooperation on terror investigation. Also claims that it was contractors more than long-term CIA officials pushing for torture. (Plus, of course, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.)
Gay marriage
* 53% of New Yorkers polled support gay marriage
* New Jersey, too 49-43.
* Connecticut's governor signed a gay marriage bill, putting into law what the supreme court had decreed.
Misc
* Rise in housecalls. Article also mentions that they save the system money -- but the particular hospital loses ER fees. Reminds me of Krugman's point about how the US system inhibits preventive care. Insurance company paying for prevention now may save money for some other insurance company or Medicare, so why do it?
* Geocities closing. If there's content you want, go download it.