Tuesday, June 17, 2008

• Senate Questions Defense Department on Interrogation Practices
• Mc Cain Announces Support for Off-Shore Oil Drilling
• Lesbian and Gay Couples Across California Get Hitched
• Florida Town Fights Contamination from Weapons Manufacturing Company

Click here for Headlines Package
Click here for 13 Meg Version
Click here for Dial-Up Version

Senate Questions Defense Department on Interrogation Practices

The Bush Administration's policy towards detaining "enemy combatants" is beginning to crumble under the pressure of official and public scrutiny. Last week the US Supreme Court gave prisoners in Guantanamo the right to challenge their detention in court. On Sunday, McClatchy newspapers published the results of an 8-month investigation into prisoner treatment in US detention centers abroad. It found that possibly hundreds of people had been wrongfully imprisoned and held on –quote- "flimsy or fabricated evidence, old personal scores or bounty payments." Many of these prisoners were beaten and abused by US Soldiers.Today another question is circulating in Washington DC: How did U.S. soldiers end up using their enemy's own torture techniques against them? That's what a Senate committee is asking Defense Department officials. Tanya Snyder has this report from Capitol Hill.

Mc Cain Announces Support for Off-Shore Oil Drilling

High gas prices continue to dominate the discussion on Capital Hill - and on the campaign trail. The head of the regulatory body that oversees oil trading appeared before a Senate panel to announce new efforts and ways to achieve transparency. And on the campaign side, Republican John McCain announced his support for offshore drilling, a change from his former position. FSRN's Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.

Lesbian and Gay Couples Across California Get Hitched

Lesbian couples in both Northern and Southern California were the first in line to receive marriage licenses. The state's Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage was legal last month. While pioneer activist Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were joined in civil matrimony by San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom, two of the original plaintiffs in the case that led to the historic decision celebrated with a traditional Jewish ceremony in Beverly Hills. Lucia Chappelle has that report from California.

Florida Town Fights Contamination from Weapons Manufacturing Company

It's been over ten years since Lockheed Martin discovered soil and groundwater contamination on land owned by the company in the small town of Tallevast, Florida. But residents of Tallevast were not informed about the contamination until just three years ago. Now Lockheed is planning to clean up the site. The company held a public meeting late last week to explain what the community can expect. Local residents protested outside, saying the company's plans are too little too late. Arielle Stevenson was there and files this report.