------------------------------------------------------ The Hardball Briefing On MSNBC ------------------------------------------------------
Hardball airs on MSNBC at 7p, 11p & 4a ET & 4p, 8p & 1a PT Find MSNBC on your TV http://www.msnbc.com/CableOperator.asp MSNBC also is on your XM satellite radio on channel 130 Hardball also airs at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT on Friday... Tonight on Hardball Chris chats with retired Gen. Wesley Clark about the intel reform bill signed into law today, the growing criticism of SecDef Rumsfeld and the state of the insurgency in Iraq...We also bring you a super sized political panel with Meacham, Mitchell, Buchanan and Sharpton...They'll slice and dice the latest news and where things are headed in the new year...Acclaimed documentarian, television anchor, crime reporter, A&E host and the guy with the cool voice Bill Kurtis, stops by to discuss his new book "The Death Penalty on Trial: Crisis in American Justice"...He used to support the death penalty, now he doesn't...We'll ask him why... And in keeping with the Holiday spirit that everyone finds themselves in this time of the year we bring you the touching story of the Iraq vet whose wife gave birth to quintuplets while he was overseas... Pls join us... The Briefing will be on holiday next week but will return on the 27th... Dominic Bellone wrote, compiled and edited The Hardball Briefing from Washington, DC Bush signs overhaul of intelligence operations...Shake-up of spy agencies aims to improve analysis, communication (AP) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6727156/ In Sadr City, gratitude mixed with distrust...As U.S. works on rebuilding, suspicions linger (MSNBC) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6725936/ General: Iraqi Insurgents Directed From Syria (The Washington Post) http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A5886-2004Dec16?language=printer A Look at U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq (AP) http://apnews.myway.com/article/20041217/D8713HQ80.html Saddam Hussein's defense minister, who surrendered to American forces last year, will appear alongside another notorious general - known as Chemical Ali - when investigative trials open next week, an official said Friday. (AP) http://apnews.myway.com/article/20041217/D871I45O0.html Bernard Kerik, who withdrew his nomination for homeland security secretary after disclosing that he had not paid all required taxes for a nanny, did not fill out a background form when he was appointed police commissioner in 2000, city officials said. (AP) http://apnews.myway.com/article/20041217/D871EAQ80.html City starts probe of Kerik...The city Department of Investigation has launched a probe into ethical breaches committed by Bernard Kerik, the city's former top cop. The inquiry will explore numerous ethical lapses revealed in the Daily News. http://nydailynews.com/front/v-echo/story/263014p-225158c.html Bratton fills the bill-Ridge...Departing homeland security boss Tom Ridge suggested yesterday that Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton would make a good successor. Ridge cited Bratton, a former New York City police commissioner, and Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca during a stop in L.A. as good candidates for the job because they know how to protect large cities. (NY Daily News) http://nydailynews.com/front/v-echo/story/263015p-225114c.html CIA's prison within a prison at Gitmo...Secret facility holds some al Qaeda detainees (The Washington Post) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6725924/ The stink of Bernard Kerik's rotten bid to become homeland security czar hasn't stuck to his chief cheerleader, Rudy Giuliani, who is a top pick for the presidency among Republicans, a new poll shows. (NY Post) http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/36615.htm The Ohio Supreme Court's chief justice on Thursday threw out a challenge to the state's presidential election results....A lawyer for the voters bringing the case said he would refile the challenge as early as Friday. (AP) http://apnews.myway.com/article/20041217/D871536O0.html Soldier charged with fake shooting to avoid Iraq...GI asked cousin to shoot him in leg, Philadelphia police say (AP) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6727404/ Zell Miller to Honor Swift Boat Vets' Group (AP) http://apnews.myway.com/article/20041217/D87153IG1.html Curry: Which way ahead for Democrats? Iraq, Supreme Court filibuster and Social Security will define what it means to be a Democrat http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6726286/ Opinion/Editorial The Wall Street Journal: Pinochet on Trial...A victory for Bill Clinton and Henry Kissinger too. http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110006043 Terrell: The left never sleeps http://www.townhall.com/columnists/emmetttyrrell/et20041216.shtml Doonesbury http://www.ucomics.com/doonesbury/ ========================================= This email is never sent unsolicited. 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