Cody Taylor

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is calling on the Justice Department to release Bush administration documentation pertaining to torture, surveillance and other national security policies.

The Democratic-controlled House approved 9 billion in spending increases and tax cuts at the heart of President Barack Obama’s economic recovery program Wednesday evening, despite Republicans’ charges that the bill is wasteful. The measure passed by a vote of 244-188. Eleven Democrats voted against the measure, while no Republicans supported it.

What’s the point of talking with adversaries if it doesn’t yield diplomatic results. A writer from Slate suggests that Obama has a “fetish” about “engagement” with other countries, even hostile ones, if only to differentiate himself from Bush. But will mere meetings be good for the U.S.?

Saudi Arabian officials boast that the Care Rehabilitation Center has successfully deprogrammed scores of former jihadis, including scores of ex-inmates from the U.S.’s Guantánamo Bay military prison. The Obama Administration has announced that Gitmo will close within a year, and is already being accused by some of jeopardizing national security.

Symantec CEO John Thompson is being considered for the Obama administration’s secretary of commerce pick, according to Reuters.

Making good on a widespread promise during the 2008 campaign, President Obama and Democrats are actively pursuing “equal pay for equal work” with the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a major blow to discrimination in the workplace.

Subpoenaed by Rep. Conyers to testify before Congress, Karl Rove has left the debate over whether or not he is protected from testifying to Barack Obama. Rove had previously refused to appear by claiming executive privilege. With Bush out of office, Rove instructed his lawyer to ask the Obama White House whether the same privileges currently exist.