The Plug Nickel Times is proud to bring you archived website links to news information that you may not find through your local media. All links are offsite unless otherwise noted- followed links should open in another browser window. Links can become dated or otherwise fail to function, for this reason we quote the actual headline of an article. This may allow you to find an alternate copy of the article through a news index or search engine. Some sites we link to may require a registration process to view an article- this website may be useful to you in those instances. Comments, corrections and submissions are welcome- an email link is at the bottom of the page.
June 1-15, 2004
June 15, 2004
Gunmen Kill Senior Iraqi North Oil Official
Saboteurs cut Iraq oil exports by two-thirds
Fuel tanks stranded at Saudi-Iraq border
"The Saudi oil ministry had signed an agreement with the Iraqi authorities for supplying Iraq with large quantities of processed oil and 100 tank trucks are expected to cross through Arar daily"
Bush Plans to Transfer Hussein to Iraqis, but No Timetable Yet
US Army chief: Iraq "cannot be won militarily"
"And this notion of how people are informed, what they think, and how it's described is a very powerful piece of this deal"
Israeli troops seal off Gaza
Prison Tactics Long a Dilemma for Israel
U.S. Trucks Carrying Radioactive Materials Intercepted In Iraq-Kuwait Border
Kuwait sends back truck carrying radioactive material
Bush Touts Afghanistan as Model for Iraq
Abu Ghraib general says she is being made a scapegoat
Senate Backs Bush on New Nuclear Weapons
CIA Restricts One-Third of U.S. Senate WMD Report
US asks Germany to keep guarding bases until next year
Critics take aim at secret court
June 14, 2004
Five Foreign Contractors Among 13 Dead in Iraq Blast
Violence Engulfing Iraq
Red Cross ultimatum to US on Saddam
"Release him, charge him or break international law, Bush told"
Iraq war illegal, says FO adviser who quit (UK)
Israel Confiscates Swaths of West Bank
China creates web vigilante site
"The Chinese authorities have begun a new website for people to report on what officials describe as illegal or unhealthy information on the internet."
Cheney Claims al-Qaida Linked to Saddam
"Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday that Saddam Hussein had 'long-established ties' with al Qaida, an assertion that has been repeatedly challenged by some policy experts and lawmakers."
Don't be a bogart, Dick- I'd like to try some of that!
The Son of Patriot Act Also Rises
Enron Said to Gouge Customers for $1.1B
Lawmaker May Add Indecency Fines to Defense Bill
"The Senate bill proposes a maximum fine of $275,000 for an initial violation, $375,000 for a second infraction and $500,000 for subsequent violations."
and these levied funds go to... 'Public Service' announcements?
U.S. Jobless Rate Misses 'Hidden' Unemployed
"the labor force participation rate is at its lowest level since 1988"
GIs marching away from re-enlistment
Recount flaw found in Fla. voting machines
"Touch-screen voting machines in 11 counties have a software flaw that could make manual recounts impossible in November's presidential election"
June 13, 2004
Al Qaeda Escalates Anti-Western Attacks in Saudi
Contractor Immunity a Divisive Issue
"Interim Government Resists U.S. Proposal to Exempt Foreigners From Iraqi Law"
This Spy for Rent
France, Israel to sign $150m-$200m weapons deal
Palestinians Turn on Tunnel Men Drawing Israeli Raids
"The cost of a Kalashnikov bullet has doubled recently to 30 shekels($6.50)."
Living on 'the Other Side of the Fence'...
Bribery Case Against Israel's Sharon Dropped-TV
Cheney's office 'briefed on Pentagon deal'
CIA accused of delaying review of Senate report on prewar threat posed by Iraq
Diplomats and military unite to criticise Bush
Intelligence: The Pentagon- Spying in America?
"A new bill could expand the Pentagon's ability to gather intelligence inside the United States"
Proposition to take DNA at arrest stirs privacy fears (California)
"Mandatory sampling on November ballot"
Terror inquiry snares art exhibit
"FBI seizes material intended for Mass MoCA display on genetically modified food; four artists subpoenaed"
June 12, 2004
Wave of Assassinations
"Bombing wounds 2 US Soldiers, 2 Iraqi troops"
U.S. General: Fallujah Goals Not Achieved
Interrogation abuses were 'approved at highest levels'
"There are some extremely damaging documents around, which link senior figures to the abuses," said Scott Horton, the former chairman of the New York Bar Association, who has been advising Pentagon lawyers unhappy at the administration's approach. "The biggest bombs in this case have yet to be dropped."
Blair to send 3,000 extra troops to Iraq
Congress fires the heavy artillery
"lawmakers are making only modest changes in the Pentagon's plans to spend well over $1 trillion in the next decade on an arsenal of futuristic planes, ships and weapons with little direct connection to the Iraq war or the global war on terrorism."
Patriot Act is praised in mailing
"US attorney steps up advocacy of 2001 law"
Civil War widow honored
Release of Home Addresses Angers Concealed-Carry Licensees
"A Second Amendment group says the sheriff in Shelby County, Ohio, had no right to release the home addresses of 87 people licensed to carry concealed pistols."
June 11, 2004
Top Iraqi foreign ministry official killed
Iraqis Put Contempt For Troops On Display
"It was discovered that the freedom in this land is not ours. It is the freedom of the occupying soldiers in doing what they like, such as arresting, carrying out raids, killing at random or stealing money...No one can ask them what they are doing, because they are protected by their freedom," he continued. "No one can punish them, whether in our country or their country."
Wait til they get a taste of "democracy"...
Kurds Find U.S. Alliance Is Built on Shifting Sands
Report: Use of Dogs at Iraq Prison Was Authorized
"A military intelligence interrogator also told investigators that two dog handlers at the prison were 'having a contest' to see how many detainees they could make involuntarily urinate out of fear of the dogs"
Guantanamo workers warned
"Military and civilian employees at the U.S. prison for suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, were warned recently not to talk with attorneys who represent detainees"
CA Guardsman alleges detainee abuse in Iraq
Air Force extending length of deployments
Moon Over Washington
"Should Americans be concerned that on March 23rd a bipartisan group of Congressmen attended a coronation at which a billionaire, pro-theocracy newspaper owner was declared to be the Messiah - with royal robes, a crown, the works? Or that this imperial ceremony took place not in a makeshift basement church or a backwoods campsite, but in a Senate office building?"
Feds raid home of tax foe
"Federal agents raided the Denver home and business of income tax opponent and gun rights advocate Rick Stanley on Wednesday, seizing materials said to be related to taxes and possible anti-government activity."
Gallup Downsizes Beer Containers (NM)
"On Wednesday, the Gallup City Council adopted an ordinance restricting the size of beer and malt liquor bottles that can be sold in the city."
Turtles Kept Lost Peruvian Fishermen Alive
Such a non-commital headline- sounds a lot more like 'The Walrus and the Carpenter' to me!
June 10, 2004
Iraqi police battle with militia in Najaf
Iraqi minister unveils proposal to control oil
Largest U.S. Embassy Slated for Baghdad
French president spells out limits on Iraq support
Ex-CIA aides say Iraq leader helped agency
"Iyad Allawi, now the designated prime minister of Iraq, ran an exile organization intent on deposing Saddam Hussein that sent agents into Baghdad in the early 1990's to plant bombs and sabotage government facilities under the direction of the C.I.A."
Freedom Fighter or Insurgent, Patriot or Terrorist?
Iraq commander asks to leave prison probe
Blair's party loses support across Britain in first test after Iraq war
British government to probe alleged postal ballot fraud
Brazil plans to combat crime with troops
Bush sidesteps questions over prisoners' torture
Bush the Would-Be Torturer
Dismay at legal justifications for torture
"These lawyers and officials seem oblivious to the first question that any law-of-war expert must ask: 'Would we tolerate such treatment of US prisoners?' " says David Scheffer, a former US ambassador for war crimes. "If the answer is no, then the subject is closed."
What An ACLU Suit Challenging An Important Section of the USA Patriot Act Tells Us About Surveillance and Secrecy
Egregious E-mail
"The Secret Service comes calling after a St. Louisan pens a message wishing bin Laden would eliminate Bush"
24-hour camera surveillance in city is part of bigger plan
"The network is part of a comprehensive strategy in the Baltimore area to spend $25 million in homeland security grants this year"
Florida orders new purge of voter list
Mohamed Atta loved pork chops, and 49 other things you may not know
UCLA Says Laptop with Blood Donor Data Stolen
"The University of California at Los Angeles has begun notifying about 145,000 blood donors that the privacy of their personal information may have been compromised."
June 9, 2004
US marines seal off entrances to flashpoint Iraqi city
"US Marines on Wednesday blocked off the eastern and southern entrances to the Iraqi Sunni Muslim rebel bastion of Fallujah, stringing barbwire and placing cement barriers, an AFP correspondent said."
Rebels Launch an Array of Attacks Across Iraq
Saboteurs Blow Up Iraqi Oil Pipeline
Blast on second Iraqi pipeline
The cost of living and the price of death
CCR FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST PRIVATE CONTRACTORS FOR TORTURE CONSPIRACY
"The suit, filed in federal court in San Diego, names as defendants the Titan Corporation of San Diego, California and CACI International of Arlington, Virginia and its subsidiaries, and three individuals who work for the companies."
Lawsuit Filed Against U.S. Contractors Over Iraq Abuse
"Employees from both firms, which provided interrogation and translation services in Iraq, were named in a report on Iraqi prison abuse by U.S. Army investigator Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba."
Eleven Chinese Workers Killed in Afghan Attack
Chirac puts the Bush grand plan in perspective
THE MANIPULATOR
"Ahmad Chalabi pushed a tainted case for war. Can he survive the occupation?"
Israel announces first surface-to-surface cruise missile: Jane's
Patrolling Malacca Straits a sticky issue
State Dept. Concedes Errors in Terror Data
"the corrections could fill eight pages, including a revised chronology of events, 'a list of some things that should have been put in or left out,' and various explanatory notes."
'Wreckers' in the Ministry of Truth...?
US bioterrorism research leaps past defensive tactics
Scientists Say Dirty Bomb Would Be a Dud
"last week's government announcement was 'extremely disturbing - because you cannot make a radiological dispersal device with uranium. There is just no significant radiation hazard.'"
Top Ten Things You Never Knew About Mohamed Atta
Pentagon pays $100 million for unused airline tickets
Film Industry Gives Controversial Iraq Film Ovation
Fahrenheit 9/11
June 8, 2004
UN Resolution Passes Unanimously
"Sistani the Big Winner; Kurds Furious"
UN Votes 15-0 to Back Iraq Power Handover, U.S. Role
No date for Iraq withdrawal: Myers
Battles Take Daily Toll in Sadr City
"U.S. military officials estimate that they have killed more than 800 Iraqis in Sadr City over the past nine weeks"
Attacks hint tactics in Iraq are changing
Forced Nudity of Iraqi Prisoners Is Seen as a Pervasive Pattern, Not Isolated Incidents
Officer in Charge of Questioning Iraqi Inmates Had No Interrogation Training
Memo Says Bush Not Restricted by Torture Bans
U.S.'s Ashcroft Won't Release or Discuss Torture Memo
Lawsuits Put Military Contractor on Defensive
New Documents Suggest Enron’s Lay, Skilling, Washington Lobbyist Knew About Company’s Trading Schemes In CA
Lockdown on Sea Island
G8 Protests Make Little Impact at Summit Start
Boston Police to Search Rail Riders; Work Stops
"the planned searches will randomly pick out riders and are not aimed at singling out anyone."
How Big Brother Is Watching, Listening and Misusing Information About You
Florida's elections chief resigns
New Mexico university wants to buy town, use it as anti-terrorism classroom
New Service by TiVo Will Build Bridges From Internet to the TV
June 7, 2004
Explosion Kills Five Troops in Iraq - Polish Army
"Five soldiers were killed clearing mines in the Polish-run occupation zone in Iraq"
Kurds to withhold support of government without rights guarantee
Clearwater security worker killed in Iraq
"a Clearwater resident who worked for the large private security contractor Blackwater USA, was killed Saturday with three other Blackwater employees after their two-vehicle convoy was attacked on the road to the Baghdad airport. Neidrich worked for Critical Intervention Services of Clearwater, which provides security services. Neidrich was on loan to Blackwater, said K.C. Poulin, president of CIS."
U.S. Denies Iraq Military Veto- Revised U.N. Draft Is Fourth In Two Weeks
"The United States and Britain on Monday submitted a new draft of their U.N. resolution on Iraq that promises "close coordination" between multinational forces and the interim Iraqi government -- but not an Iraqi veto over military action."
Despite Agreement, Insurgents Rule Fallujah
U.N. Arms Inspectors Say Iraq Sites Were Cleaned Out
"UNMOVIC said its experts and a team from the International Atomic Energy Agency, which was responsible for dismantling Iraq's nuclear program, were jointly investigating items from Iraq that were discovered in a scrap yard in the Dutch port of Rotterdam."
New leaders in Iraq have deep ties to U.S.
Report: Justice Dept. Memo Offers Basis for Torture
1st Armored Division troops may have Iraq tours extended again
Arab leaders' outrage at G8 plans for future of Middle East
Lost In Translation
"Sibel Edmonds, a translator who worked at the FBI's language division, says the documents weren't translated because the divison was riddled with incompetence and corruption."
State Dept. Quashed 9/11 Links To Global Drug Trade -FBI Whistleblower
"Sibel Deniz Edmonds is awaiting a June 14 court hearing which will determine if she can publicly tell the full story of intelligence failures over the 9/11 attacks. The U.S. government wants her knowledge to remain a state secret."
Mystery Black Box Unrelated to Rwanda Genocide -UN
Nothing to see here- folks- move along...
Congress Might Postpone Debt-Limit Vote
"This year's shortfall is expected to be roughly around $450 billion, breaking last year's record of $374 billion."
Where Big Brother Snoops on Americans 24/7
Thought TIA was dead- think again...
experts- Americans would trade rights for security
...and may your chains rest lightly upon you...
June 6, 2004
U.S. Troops Take Low Profile in Iraq
"The administration would like nothing more than to reduce the force level before the election in November, to give the idea that we achieved our goals."
US Hopes Iraq Security Pledge Leads to UN Mandate
Bush's comments against troop withdrawal plan ignites storm in Australia
MP’s Lawyer: Translator Gave Orders
"Arriving at Abu Ghraib on Oct. 14, two days after a Military Intelligence brigade took operational control there, Israel was part of the buildup of intelligence personnel who were needed to question swelling ranks of prisoners as Iraqi insurgents stepped up their attacks on U.S. ground forces."
Sharon Cabinet Passes Watered-Down Gaza Plan
Palestinian Revolt Leader Gets Life in Israeli Jail
U.S. Plans to Cut Troops in S.Korea by Third-Seoul
2 Koreas agree to open first road and rail links
Rumsfeld fears U.S. losing long-term fight against terror
"The troubling unknown, he said, is whether the extremists -- whom he termed 'zealots and despots' bent on destroying the global system of nation-states -- are turning out newly trained terrorists faster than the United States can capture or kill them."
forests... trees... logs and motes
Rumsfeld's Wife Teases him about O.B.L.
"'When I walk out of the bedroom in the morning, my wife frequently rolls over and says, 'Where's UBL?'' he said, referring to the spelling 'Usama'"
What- you think I make this up...?!
U.S. Terror Tactics in Top Court Cases Criticized
June 5, 2004
Calm returns to Shiite south as violence hits Baghdad
US-led troops to stay in Iraq at request of Iraqi government: Bush
Fear of rising violence sends bills for bodyguards soaring
Iraqi judge orders arrest of American aide to Chalabi
Mercenaries in 'coup plot' guarded UK officials in Iraq
Chirac calls situation 'precarious', but plays down divisions with Bush
500,000 protest Bush's visit to Rome
Rumsfeld justifies war on terror after ally says US is part of problem
Malaysia Rejects Use of Outside Forces in SE Asia
Wide Gaps Seen in U.S. Inquiries on Prison Abuse
June 4, 2004
Iraqi Minister Sees Chalabi Role in New Government
Beats Jordan...
New UN Measure Lets Iraq Send US-Led Troops Home
DynCorp Took Part In Chalabi Raid
Rumsfeld Urges Asia Get More Involved in Terror War
"What we don't know is what's coming in the intake, how many more of those folks are being trained, developed, organized and deployed and sent out to work the scenes, the shadows and the caves."
The situation in Iraq acutely threatens Israeli security
U.S. says Tehran is hiding nuclear plans
"Iran's refusal to fully cooperate with the agency 'fits a long-term pattern of denial and deception that can only be designed to mask Iran's military nuclear program.'"
ENOUGH ALREADY- all together now...
Pope delivers public rebuke to President Bush
Taliban Told U.S. It Would Give Up Osama - Middleman
Cheney Reportedly Interviewed in Leak of C.I.A. Officer's Name
Kerry promises to enlarge military
"Democrat John Kerry said Thursday that if he's elected commander in chief, his 'first order of business' will be to enlarge the military"
Bush's Erratic Behavior Worries White House Aides
The Serious Implications Of President Bush's Hiring A Personal Outside Counsel For The Valerie Plame Investigation
"Bush Needs An Outside Attorney To Maintain Attorney-Client Privilege"
CIA venture arm funds Mass. firm
"Spotfire Inc. creates software that transforms vast amounts of complex data into images that reveal the relationships between pieces of information."
The 'Patriot' Search
"Buying a home? Prepare to pay to have your name checked against a government list of suspected terrorists"
Census: Large farms rule U.S. agriculture
"Just 3 percent of the nation's farms...are producing more than 60 percent of America's agricultural goods"
Anti-terror agents investigate artist
Cops Dress in Camouflage to Nab Speeders
Philadelphia Police Say Dog Ate Man (tasted like chicken)
My aunt used to worry about this sort of thing happening- but she had cats...
June 3, 2004
Fighting Erupts in Iraq Holy City, Residents Flee
Brahimi: Bremer the `dictator of Iraq' in shaping Iraqi government
"Asked how big a role the American administration had in forming the government and selecting the prime minister and president, Brahimi reminded reporters that U.S. Ambassador Paul Bremer runs things in Iraq."
Rumsfeld says U.S. on brink of major military changes in Korea and Europe
"'It's time to adjust those locations from static defence to a more agile and a more capable and a more 21st century posture,' Rumsfeld told reporters."
IAEA to press for inspections of Israel's nuclear facility
US advised freeing of Khobar gunmen says Saudi
Turkish authorities seize mysterious rocket shipment headed to Egypt
More Imperial Intrigue as CIA Director Resigns
Bush Fires, Then Praises, CIA Chief Tenet
Huge Navy deployment to test emergency plan
Bush Knew About Leak of CIA Operative's Name
Man Told FBI of Al Qaeda Training in 2000 - Reports
Security Tight Ahead of G8 Summit in United States
"About 20,000 police and federal agents have been assigned to patrol the streets, beaches and waters off Sea Island"
Rumsfeld to restrict senators' access to documents in Boeing deal
House Defeats Constitutional Amendment Allowing Appointed House Members
CNN Sues for Access to Fla. Voter Rolls
Invisible beam tops list of nonlethal weapons
"Test subjects can't see the invisible beam from the Pentagon's new, Star Trek-like weapon, but no one has withstood the pain it produces for more than three seconds."
Plus it's a great way to heat up an MRE!
Boston Protester Faces Felony Charges For Protesting Abu Ghraib Abuse
Albuquerque Woman Displaying Anti-War Poster Says She Was Taken From Airport
State ups its cut of your pay (AZ)
"This is essentially . . . a zero-interest payday loan to the state"
June 2, 2004
France, Russia, Germany Say Iraq Draft Needs Work
Oil-Rich Iraq Hit By Another Fuel Crisis
5,000 Marines Set for Rapid Deployment
Tip of the Iceberg?
"The probe into alleged Chalabi leaks to the Iranians may widen"
CIA inquires into Chalabi links with Iran
Halliburton deal 'violated rules on procurement'
US Says Russia Should Remove All Bases From Georgia
Georgia tells Russia to stay out of its affairs
Paris bans protests ahead of Bush's visit
Gibraltar Mission Marines Held by Spanish Police
"The marines allegedly told the police they were SBS troops on a secret mission to take equipment to nearby Gibraltar."
China war games seen as 'message'
However- this isn't, nor this or this
Lieberman tells Russia he wants to expel Israeli Arabs
"Transport Minister Avigdor Lieberman has presented Russian officials with his plan to separate Jews from Arabs, which involves exiling Israeli Arabs deemed disloyal to the state."
Via eavesdropping, terror suspects nabbed
"Intelligence officials use cellphone signals to track Al Qaeda operatives"
Security agency doubled procurement spending in four years
Homeland security agencies, military mobilize for G8 summit
Army Issues Order to Keep Soldiers from Leaving
"Army officials estimated that the new orders will affect tens of thousands of soldiers over the next year and a half but did not offer a precise figure."
Pending Draft Legislation Targeted for Spring 2005
And it's one, two, three...
Anti-terrorism agency could fade away, turn airport screener jobs over to private sector
Four Nuns Among Six Passengers Removed From American Airlines Flight
TSA targeting Catholic nuns...
No Thumbprint to Buy Bullets, Gun Group Says
"The California Senate has passed a bill that would require ammunition buyers to provide a thumb print when the purchase is made."
Oops- did you say 'thumb'...?!
June 1, 2004
Full Sovereignty in Iraq Might Not Be So
full/limited... is/is...
UN Members Want More Specifics in Iraq Resolution
Did our government lie to us to protect America? (AU)
Bush warned against comparing D-Day to Iraq
actual transcript
Jose Padilla, American Terrorist
Declassified document details al-Qaeda soldier's U.S. bomb plots
Enron Traders Caught On Tape
Moore film gets June 25 release date in U.S.
