The Daily MuckGuantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib have been synonymous with detainee abuse in recent years. Now McClatchy interviews of guards and prisoners from the U.S. internment camp in Bagram, Afghanistan say the spot was the site of widespread abuse and sadistic violence that rival its counterparts in Iraq and Cuba (where innocent prisoners are still unable to go home). (McClatchy and Miami Herald)
The Election Assistance Commission, created in response to the Florida recount in 2000 to prevent such election boondoggles, is still underfunded, understaffed and overworked. The embattled commission faces many important issues this election year, yet frustration stemming from partisan and bureaucratic entanglements persist. (Associated Press)
Non-profit and government programs attempting to grant U.S. visas to Iraqis who have worked for the U.S. occupation in some manner have failed to meet the initial goals and promises. State Dept. figures show only 763 of over 7,000 Iraqis involved in the visa program have successfully received entry. (Washington Post)
The U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the Federal Election Commission has not fully enforced campaign finance regulations from the McCain-Feingold legislation approved by Congress six years ago. The court’s decision will not influence the 2008 election cycle, as it will take months for the FEC to alleviate the rule enforcement ambiguity. (Washington Post)
Cpl. Chad Oligschlaeger, who served in Iraq, was found dead at a Marine base in May. And since an investigation into Oligschlaeger’s demise is underway, the cause of death can’t be released to his family. His family members are claiming the military ignored his need of treatment for post-traumatic stress. (Associated Press)
Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) owes his lawyers at Williams & Connolly as much as $50,000 for work the law firm did for Stevens during a federal investigation into his ties to disgraced Veco Corp. executive Bill Allen. Veco, whose officials have pleaded guilty to bribing lawmakers, paid some employees who helped renovate Stevens’ home in 2000. (Anchorage Daily News)
Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, is donating to charity the $10,500 in benefits he received from Countrywide Financial Corp., in a special-rate mortgage for his Delaware vacation home. (Politico)