White-House Overwrote E-Mail

E-mail messages sent and received by White-House personnel during the first three years of the Bush-administration were routinely "recycled,". During the period in question, the Bush presidency faced some of its biggest controversies, including the Iraq-war. White House spokesman Tony Fratto said he has no reason to believe any E-mails were deliberately destroyed. The court filing said tapes were recycled before October 2003, and at that point, the White House "began preserving and storing all backup tapes."

Two federal statutes require presidential-communications, including e-mails involving senior White House aides, to be preserved for the nation's historical record. Some historians responded to the court disclosure yesterday by urging that the White House's actions be thoroughly probed. "There certainly could have been hugely important-materials there . . . and of course they're not owned by President Bush or anybody in the administration, they're owned by the public," said presidential historian Robert-Dallek.

Via Washington-Post

RIP - Bobby Fischer

Former world chess champion Bobby-Fischer, considered by many to be the greatest player of all time, has died at the age of 64. American-born Fischer was the US's first and only world chess champion, winning the title in the classic Cold War showdown against Russian Boris Spassky in 1972.

Fischer - the youngest international grandmaster ever at 15 - settled in Iceland in 2005 having been granted citizenship after detention in Japan.

Via In2Peace

The YouTube Interview: Ron Paul

Seen on: YouTube

Watch presidential candidate Ron Paul answer your-questions via YouTube.

The Cold War

The term "Cold War" was introduced in 1947 by Americans Bernard Baruch and Walter Lippmann to describe emerging tensions between two former-allies.

It was the period of conflict, tension and competition between the United States and Soviet-Union and their respective allies from the mid-40s till early-90s.

Link > CNN Special: Cold War

Books for Africa

"A book is a gift that you can open again and again."

Our media always focuses on bad and ugly.

We don't hear stories about organizations like the Rafiki-Foundation and their work in Africa. What if we woke up one morning and heard only the good deeds done?

Excerpts from Generosity

Department of Fear-Ministry!

Lame? Awe-inspiring? Too Web 2.0-ish? Does it suck? If you’re not sure, why not compare it to this sampling of logos.


Post via Boing Boing

The American Constitution: The Avalon Project

The Avalon Project is an index of sites/documents that contribute to understanding the roots of the American Constitution.

Lewis 'Scooter' Libby

Lewis "Scooter" Libby was one of the highest-ranking White House officials ever to stand criminal trial.

He was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison, two years of probation and a fine of $250,000 (£125,000) in June.

But in July, President George W Bush intervened to commute Libby's sentence, describing it as "excessive". As chief aide to Vice-President Dick Cheney, Libby had been involved in almost every major decision made by the Bush administration. He was convicted of all but one of the charges in March 2007.

Via BBC News

The CNN/YouTube Debates

Seen on: YouTube

Citizens question politicians through YouTube, on issues affecting everyday life.