Monday, July 6th

International: Israel/Gaza: 22 Days of Death and Destruction
Amnesty International plans to release a report of the 22 day "war" on the Gaza Strip earlier this year. Amnesty International is not happy with the way that Israel investigated the crimes and therefore, will focus on how ISrael used "battlefield weapons against a civilian population trapped in Gaza". Throughout the investigation, representatives for the company doing the research have found that most people were killed by attacks during the late night hours, children were killed while playing in their bedrooms, and paramedics were attacked while trying to rescue and save the civilians of Gaza. Israel has dismissed the situation and damaged they caused as "collateral damage", which AI clearly disagrees with. AI can investigate this because states have the resposibility, under international law, to start criminal investigations wherever there is evidence of war crimes. I think that AI is doing a good thing because it will help people that weren't in close proximity to the actual fighting understand what the attacks were like and also , Israel may realize the damage they have done.


Underhill, Johnathan. "Israel/Gaza: 22 Days of Death and Destruction." "Scoop": Independent News. 02 July 2009. 19 July 2009 http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0907/S00066.htm.


National:Attorney General Considering Torture Probe
AG Eric Holder is contemplating opening a case in the U.S. Court that many consider done with and in the past. Holder is deciding whether or not to assign an investigator to the Bush's administration interrogation processes. Obama is not in favor of the probe because it is not a relevant issue and may distract him and his administration from the health care and energy reform. Holder claims he knows what disturbance this will cause in the White House now but is horrified by what he has learned from CIA reports. The act in question is if the CIA tortured terrorism suspects after September 11th, 2001. This issue presents an interesting view because it shows the seperation of powers. Even though the presdient, Obama, is against it...Holder still has the power to carry out the investigation if he wishes. I do not think the investigation should be ordered because again, it is in the past and would just bring unecessary drama to the White House.

Pickler, Nedra. "Attorney General Considering Torture Probe." CNNEWS: Politics. 03 July 2009. CNN. 19 July 2009 http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/11/politics/main5152838.shtml.

Economy: Madoff Accountant Pleads Not Guilty
David Friehling, a long time auditor of Bernard Madoff, pleaded not guility to charges of rubber-stamping Madoff's books for 17 years without confirming their accuracy. Friehling also used his right to have a grand jury evaluate his case, something that usually takes place in a plea bargain case. His next court appearence will be in October so that attorney Lisa Boroni can have time to contemplate a "possible dispostion". Investigating authorites say that if Friehling had done his job, his records would have shown that Madoff owed billions of dollars to investors. I disagree that Friehlin got off because he, like Madoff, was dishonest with the customers and knew what he was partaking in at the time.

"Madoff Accountant Pleads Not Guilty." CNNews: Bussiness. 17 July 2009. CNN. 19 July 2009 http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/17/business/main5168964.shtml?tag=cbsnewsLeadStoriesAreaMain;cbsnewsLeadStoriesHeadlines.