WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)– March 23, 2009 – The force drawdown in Iraq, even in light of increased troop strength in Afghanistan, will enable the military to build more dwell time into deployment cycles, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today. “I think that with reduced forces in Iraq and[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)– March 23, 2009 – President Barack Obama called his decision to send an additional 17,000 troops to Afghanistan the toughest so far in his presidency, but said last night the mission there is critical to protecting the United States and its interests. The top priority in Afghanistan is “making[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)– March 24, 2009 – The Department of Homeland Security is “still considering” the use of National Guard troops along the U.S.-Mexico border, along with several other initiatives, the DHS secretary said in a White House press briefing today. “This issue requires immediate action,” Janet Napolitano said. “We are guided[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)– Today, Department of Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano, Deputy Secretary of State Jim Steinberg and United States Deputy Attorney General David Ogden will lay out the Administration’s comprehensive response to the situation along the border with Mexico. President Obama and his Administration are focused on all aspects of the[Read More…]

Drug Dealer was Chained in Gwinnett Basement for a Week as Captors Demanded $300,000 Drug Debt Atlanta, GA–(ENEWSPF)– VICTOR ABILES GOMEZ, 20, OMAR MENDOZA-VILLEGAS, 19, and GERARDO SOLORIO REYES, a/k/a “Gera,” 23, all illegal immigrants from Mexico, pleaded guilty late yesterday to federal hostage-taking and related charges, arising from the[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–March 23, 2009.   President Barack Obama today announced his intent to nominate Neal S. Wolin to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury and Lael Brainard to be Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs.  In addition, the President announced that Stuart A. Levey, the current Under Secretary for[Read More…]

ROCHESTER, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–While a majority of Americans may give President Obama’s overall job performance high marks (The Harris Poll®, March 23, 2009), the same is not the case for his performance on the economy. A majority of Americans (53%) give his job negative marks while 47% give it positive ratings.[Read More…]

by Eric Boehlert Last week, two breaking news events competed for attention from the national news media, and particularly from the 24-hour cable television outlets. In one, disgraced financier Bernard Madoff, who was arrested months ago for defrauding investors out of billion of dollars, appeared before a judge in New[Read More…]

WASHINGTON, DC–(ENEWSPF)–March 23, 2009.   Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key administration posts: David H. Stevens, Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Harold Hongju Koh, Legal Adviser, State Department; and Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, Director[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–March 23, 2009 – 8:56 A.M. EDT SECRETARY GEITHNER: Thanks for coming. Nice to see you. Obviously we’re announcing this morning the next stage of our broad plan to help repair the financial system. But I want to start by stepping back, putting this in broader context. Just to[Read More…]