The Daily MuckSen. John McCain (R-AZ) has repeatedly voted to back the Bush administration’s illegal wiretapping program, allowing immunity for telecom companies that willingly comply with the government surveillance. He is now changing his mind on the issue just in time for his run for the Oval Office. (Washington Post)
Amnesty International has released their annual report on global human rights. Singled out for their human rights infractions are the likes of China, Myanmar, Zimbabwe and the United States for the continued employment of torture at Guantanamo Bay. (New York Times)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency plans to close and move the last of the Hurricane Katrina-trailer parks in Louisiana. FEMA is closing the parks due to the start of the new hurricane season, as well as the toxic fumes in the trailers and their desire for residents to find housing elsewhere. (USA Today)
Blackwater Worldwide’s battle with the city of San Diego over building permits for a training center in the Otay Mesa-area of town continues as the defense contractor has filed a lawsuit claiming they are being treated unfairly. Another lawsuit filed by Blackwater in January against law firm Wiley Rein for malpractice was thrown out this week. The suit alleged Wiley Rein failed to apply critical case law and statutes while defending Blackwater in a wrongful death case. (San Diego Union-Tribune and Law.com sub. req.)
Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) have relinquished their positions with the independent group Vets for Freedom after the group released a Web ad criticizing Sen. Barack Obama on his position on Iraq. Their positions with the group came into a question as a conflict of interest in light of their support for Sen. John McCain in this year’s presidential campaign. (New York Times)
Sen Larry “Wide Stance” Craig (R-ID) plans to release a book chronicling his career, including his infamous arrest at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport last summer for allegedly attempting to solicit sex from an undercover police officer in a bathroom stall. In the meantime, the outgoing senator has graced his endorsement upon Lt. Gov. Jim Risch to be his successor. (KTVB-Idaho)
The Texas Democratic Party and state Attorney General Greg Abbott settled a lawsuit Wednesday regarding the targeting of mail-in ballots for voter fraud by Abbott. Texas Dems claim this will ease intensive fraud campaigns from Abbott, while Abbott says this will improve voter integrity in Texas. (The Dallas Morning News)