The Daily MuckFormer employees of the contractor hired to build the American embassy in Iraq testified to observing abuse of foreign employees in construction of the enormous project. The individuals told lawmakers that construction workers were crammed into trailers, paid pittances for their labor, made to work without safety equipment and denied the right to time off for prayers. (McClatchy Newspapers)
The Law Council of Australia, the country’s bar association, has released a scathing review of the trial of David Hicks, concluding in their report that, “The ‘trial’ of David Hicks, which took place in March 2007, was a charade.” (Harper’s)
We know it’s tough keeping track of all of the outstanding investigations against members of Congress; we have a tough time staying on top of all of them as well. Here’s a handy list of investigated lawmakers from coast to coast. (NY Times)
The White House has likely come to expect dissent from Sen. Specter (R-PA) when it comes to the capabilities of the Attorney General. But apparently Specter didn’t mind rehashing his thoughts on Gonzales to members of the press corps, even if they were on Air Force One. While waiting for the President to ride, the senator (who was hitching a ride back to Washington) broke the unwritten rules of the Presidential plane by criticizing a member of the President’s cabinet to onboard reporters. (NY Times)
The Army is requiring a soldier who hosts the website ShamSchool to remove all material from his site or face a dishonorable discharge. ShamSchool was featured material from past correspondence courses and has been reportedly at the center of a widespread trend of soldiers cheating their way through certification courses, including those from advanced weaponry. (Boston Globe)
Jim Nicholson has resigned his post as Secretary of Veteran Affairs, but he is facing a new suit in the suicide of a former marine. The soldier’s parents are suing the former Secretary for negligence after their son was denied mental health care upon his return from Iraq. (Associated Press)
The President, as well as several members of his staff, refrain from drinking alcohol; is it too much to ask that NASA also hire itself a few teetotalers? A panel created after last year’s bizarre “astronaut love-triangle” is expected to report that at least two astronauts have been determined drunk by flight surgeons and other astronauts, but both were still allowed to fly. (NY Times)