No? Well, neither does Congress. At least when it comes to the nation's IT spending.

Seems there's supposed to be a comprehensive report presented every year on how the various IT projects--system upgrades, application development, infrastructure installs, and the like--are going. In the last fourteen years, three of those reports have been produced.

Three out of fourteen.

And things move merrily along like there's nothing wrong.

We're talking about upwards of $25 billion worth of our money here... and no one knows exactly what it's being used for or how effectively it's being used.

In a vote that was way closer than it ever should have been (5 to 4), the Supreme Court has declared that the detainees at Guantanamo Bay do, indeed, have the right to challenge their imprisonment.

Finally, something to cheer about in this situation.

At least until POTUS finds a way around the ruling. Can't wait to hear him whine about this, though.

Court gives detainees habeas rights

In a stunning blow to the Bush Administration in its war-on-terrorism policies, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday that foreign nationals held at Guantanamo Bay have a right to pursue habeas challenges to their detention. The Court, dividing 5-4, ruled that Congress had not validly taken away habeas rights. If Congress wishes to suspend habeas, it must do so only as the Constitution allows — when the country faces rebellion or invasion.

Further proof that the U.S. media is still failing to do it's job properly.

These two stories--each at least a semi-big deal--appeared in foreign press coverage before they showed up in our mainstream media.

US congressman moves to impeach Bush

Former Democratic presidential contender, Dennis Kucinich, has called for the impeachment of George W Bush claiming that the president set out to deceive the nation, and violated his oath of office with the Iraq war.

The Ohio representative yesterday introduced 35 articles of impeachment against Bush on the floor of the US House of Representatives.

Kucinich unveiled a list of alleged illegal and improper acts by Bush, including war crimes.

Food Rationing Confronts Breadbasket of the World

Many parts of America, long considered the breadbasket of the world, are now confronting a once unthinkable phenomenon: food rationing.

Major retailers in New York, in areas of New England, and on the West Coast are limiting purchases of flour, rice, and cooking oil as demand outstrips supply. There are also anecdotal reports that some consumers are hoarding grain stocks.

This a news story many people out there would never expect to see.

According to a story over at ABC News, NY Governor Elliot Spitzer has been linked with a national prostitution ring.

"I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself," he said. "I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family."

The New York Times reported earlier in the day that Spitzer told senior administration officials that he was linked to a prostitution ring. The report cited an anonymous administration official.

For anyone who doesn't know Spitzer, he campaigned his way into his governorship on a record of being hard on crime of all sorts. Being linked to something like this, even if it is "only" as a client, is a huge blow to his growing shaky credibility.

I'm not up in the Empire State anymore, but it's nice to see that there's still never a dull moment in NYS politics.

Some days, I think it's trying to keep up with DC.

FBI Deputizes Private Contractors With Extraordinary Powers, Including 'Shoot to Kill'

Today, more than 23,000 representatives of private industry are working quietly with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. The members of this rapidly growing group, called InfraGard, receive secret warnings of terrorist threats before the public does -- and, at least on one occasion, before elected officials. In return, they provide information to the government, which alarms the ACLU. But there may be more to it than that. One business executive, who showed me his InfraGard card, told me they have permission to "shoot to kill" in the event of martial law. InfraGard is "a child of the FBI," says Michael Hershman, the chairman of the advisory board of the InfraGard National Members Alliance and CEO of the Fairfax Group, an international consulting firm.

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Clarity Sought on Electronics Searches