------------------------------------------------------ The Hardball Briefing On MSNBC ------------------------------------------------------
Hardball airs tonight on MSNBC at 7p, 11p & 4a ET & 4p, 8p & 1a PT Find MSNBC on your TV http://www.msnbc.com/CableOperator.asp We've got another action packed show for you tonight as we talk to Guy Womack, a lawyer for Spc. Charles Graner, one of the MPs accused of abusing Iraqi prisoners...Was Graner just one of a few "bad apples" or was he part of a systemic problem of prisoner abuse? Were he and others engaged in isolated acts of abhorrent behavior or were they deliberately ordered to perform such acts? Today the U.S. Senate is viewing more disturbing photos in a 3 hour, classified briefing...We'll talk to a couple of Senators and find out what's in there: California Democrat and former San Francisco mayor Dianne Feinstein ("DiFi" as she's called by some) and Oklahoma Republican Jim Inhofe who expressed "outrage" over the "outrage" over the pictures (Did I get that right?) http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5109848 DiFi says Rumsfeld should not quit http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20954~2142300,00.html We'll also talk to legendary host of the "Newshour with Jim Lehrer" about his new novel "Flying Crows" and also get his take on the news of the day...Bet you didn't know he's written 14 novels and a few plays?...The guy's got talent! I look forward to telling him how much I appreciate his show's theme music...It's my favorite...I always flip on my TV stereo surround sound and crank it up at the end when they role credits..."Flying Crows" Backgrounder http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A6945-2004May6?language=printer We'll also chat with a Washington Post columnist from London, David Ignatius, and get a sense of how the story is playing across the pond...Ignatius Backgrounder http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/opinion/columns/ignatiusdavid/ Another reminder for you SoCal folks who want to tell Chris and the world how much you love us...Record your thoughts here and we might use you in one of our commercials http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4798015/ Dominic Bellone wrote, compiled and edited The Briefing from Washington, DC NBC closes merger with Universal...New media giant to rival Time Warner, Viacom (AP) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4960838/ Senators to view more photos....Senators are getting a look at more photos of American soldiers brutalizing Iraqi prisoners but won't have the authority to release the pictures that the Pentagon warns could deepen international fury over the abuses. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4855930/ Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld defended military interrogation techniques in Iraq on Wednesday, rejecting complaints that they violate international rules and may endanger Americans taken prisoner. (AP) http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040512/D82H5G200.html U.S.: Beheaded civilian was warned to leave Iraq...Al-Qaida-linked Web site claims revenge killing for prisoner abuses (AP) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4953015/ The White House on Wednesday condemned the beheading of American Nick Berg in Iraq and scoffed at the reason the killers gave for the death. (Reuters) http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=5120515 Lynndie England speaks! Lawyer defends soldier accused of prison abuses...Says Army reservist was smiling but didn't like what she was doing (AP) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4955697/ An American soldier's video diary showing her disdain for Iraqi detainees who died in her charge is to be broadcast by a U.S. network on Wednesday in a further escalation of the prisoner abuse scandal that has shaken the Bush administration and provoked world outrage. (Reuters) http://news.myway.com/top/article/id/402079|top|05-11-2004::20:25|reutershtml General says she was overruled on prisons...Karpinski says she resisted takeover by military intelligence (The Washington Post) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4955383/ Iraq's al-Sadr rallies followers to fight U.S....Shiite cleric vows American defeat; up to 25 insurgents killed (MSNBC) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4899904/ The U.S. military has opened an investigation into allegations that an Afghan police officer was stripped naked, beaten and photographed at a U.S. base in Afghanistan, the American Embassy in Kabul said Wednesday. (AP) http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040512/D82GV7P81.html The worldwide furor over the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers imperils troop morale at a crucial time, say lawmakers from both parties. (AP) http://www.washtimes.com/national/20040512-122708-1316r.htm Vice President Dick Cheney suggested Tuesday that releasing additional photos of American soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners might do nothing more that cater to journalists' appetite for "more pictures to print." (AP) http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=512&u=/ap/20040511/ap_on_go_co/abuse_congress_photos_2&printer=1 The U.S. Army general under investigation for anti-Islamic remarks has been linked by U.S. officials to the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal, which experts warned could touch off new outrage overseas. (Reuters) http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/iraq_abuse_general_dc With ghastly images of abuse and decapitation out of Iraq, President Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry welcome any opportunity to focus on bread-and-butter issues on the homefront. (AP) http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040512/D82H17T80.html 9/11 panel sets sights on talking to Al Qaeda members...Commissioners trumpet good access and hope to finish early. (Christian Science Monitor) http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0512/p02s01-usju.html Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry said Wednesday any number of people, including Republican Sens. John McCain and John Warner, could replace Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, rejecting concerns that a change in Pentagon leadership could hurt the war effort. (AP) http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040512/D82H3KL00.html With Democrat John Kerry away from Capitol Hill yesterday, the Senate rejected by a single vote an effort to extend federal unemployment benefits. (AP) http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/story/192430p-166319c.html Former President Clinton lent his support Tuesday to two interest groups that have sharply criticized President Bush while raising money to help Democrat John Kerry's White House bid. (AP) http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040512/D82GRBTG2.html The United States is experiencing strong business growth, jobs are being created and unemployment is down, but voters still give President Bush low marks on the economy - an issue that is likely to influence whether he is re-elected in November. (The Washington Times) http://www.washtimes.com/national/20040511-111733-5180r.htm NRA endorsement of Bush is on hold...Gun-rights group watches, waits on weapons ban (The Hill) http://www.thehill.com/news/051204/nra.aspx Syria, Lebanon criticize U.S. sanctions...Damascus still seeks dialogue with the Bush administration (AP) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4947515/ Opinion/Editorial Pete Bellone's encomium to Pat Tillman http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/05.05.04/biter-0419.html Pat's in the House: A Time for Truth http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38454 Noah: Where Are Iraq's Refugees?...Everybody expected them. They haven't materialized http://slate.msn.com/default.aspx?id=2100220& Wall Street Journal: Winning in Iraq...The public puts Abu Ghraib in perspective. http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110005067 Steiner http://www.washtimes.com/national/steiner.htm Doonesbury http://www.ucomics.com/doonesbury/ ========================================= This email is never sent unsolicited. You have received The Hardball Briefing Newsletter because you subscribed to it or, someone forwarded it to you. To remove yourself from the list (or to add yourself to the list if this message was forwarded to you) simply go to http://www.msnbc.com/tools/newstools/e/emailextra.asp?nfeature=19 Microsoft Corporation - One Microsoft Way - Redmond, WA 98052 MSN PRIVACY STATEMENT http://privacy.msn.com