NOW WE KNOW: WHY ROBERT NOVAK WAS OFF THE HOOK

” Columnist Robert Novak said for the first time Tuesday that he cooperated with the investigation into who leaked the identity of CIA officer]Novak’s decision to talk publicly came after he was notified a month ago by Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald that prosecutors would not seek criminal charges against one of Novak’s sources, White House political aide Karl Rove.

REPORTERS TO TESTIFY AGAINST ANTI-WAR SOLDIER

I got the news via email from Judy Linehan, MFSO, Olympia WA:

” Hello Danny! “Have you read the astounding news below?? Sent out by Jeff Paterson jeff@paterson.net, Courage to Resist, to Natl Support Committee for Lt Ehren. Watada.

Journalists as witnesses AGAINST?! Incredible! I’m speechless - as I’m sure we all will be if this isn’t challenged with every ounce of strength by an awakened citizenry & press.

Here’s the story: “US Army to call reporters in officer’s case”

SEATTLE (Reuters) - The U.S. Army plans to call two journalists as witnesses to support charges filed against an officer who refused to fight in Iraq because of his objections to the war, the lieutenant’s lawyer said on Monday.

First Lt. Ehren Watada is facing charges over his refusal to deploy to Iraq with his unit on June 22 and choosing to remain at the Fort Lewis base in Washington state.

Last week, the Army charged Watada with missing his deployment, conduct unbecoming an officer and contempt toward officials. If found guilty on all charges, he faces up to seven years of confinement, dismissal and forfeiture of pay…

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=20

RIGHTWING RETORT ON IRAQI RAPES
http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=15981

WSJ: FILMMAKER FREED IN CHINA

”HONG KONG — Hao Wu, a Chinese independent filmmaker and blogger arrested by Beijing police in February, was released from detention yesterday, according to a post on the Web log of his sister, Nina Wu.

Hao Wu “is out,” Ms. Wu wrote. “Thank you everyone for your concern.”

Mr. Wu’s friends and family have said they believe he was detained over his work on a documentary film about Christian churches that aren’t recognized by the Chinese government. Lawyers representing detained underground-church leaders say crackdowns have been increasing in recent months, amid a more general tightening of restrictions by Chinese authorities on some Internet and media activities.

WHAT I SAW ON TV

Judy Newman reports from her TV in Atlanta:

”On NBC’s Nightly News this evening, Brian Williams nailed Bushie’s announcement about the deficit today, ending the story with the fact that the projections had been inflated for political reasons.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION WORLDWIDE

As protection for freedom of information is weakening in the US, it is growing stronger in other parts of the world. Here is a new updated resource covering 68 countries that have passed such laws.

http://freedominfo.org/

KATIE COURIC CHARGES FOR LISTENING

The Dallas Morning News reported:

” Future CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric will make North Texas one of six stops on a “listening tour” leading up to her Sept. 5 debut.

“Area residents who want to tell her what’s news can apply to participate in a forum via a questionnaire at CBS11tv.com. The forum will be the afternoon of July 11 in Dallas.

A breakfast meeting benefiting the Fort Worth chapter of the American Cancer Society is scheduled for 7:30 a.m…. Tickets, $75 per person, can be purchased by calling 817-570-0606.

Ms. Couric also will appear at a noon luncheon in Dallas benefiting the city’s American Cancer Society chapter.
Tickets are $150 per person for the event

This prompted several protests. Liza West of Dallas wrote:

”I was extremely disappointed in Katie Couric turning a visit to Texas into a “fundraising” event and charging as much as $150 just to see her. The money raised is for a good cause, but the price stopped me from attending.

“The ordinary working person does not have $150 to spend paying homage to her. Clearly, she only wanted to hobnob with financially able Texans, not her mainstream viewers.

Shame on you, Katie! The little people who watched you on the Today show are who made you famous.”

Thanks to Mary Lynn McKee for sending in this item.

DROBNY ON AIR AMERICA

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sheldon-drobny/air-america-radio-aar-_b_24812.html

WIFE OF BOMBED AL JAZEERA REPORTER TO SUE

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Family_of_slain_al_Jazeera_reporter_0710.html

THE CHALLENGE OF “BALANCED” JOURNALISM

“All opinions and points of view aren’t equal when one digs into the facts”

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0711/p09s01-codc.html

NEWS: Financial Times (FT) Lays off 51.