The latest news on Galbraith, Fort Hood, Job Summit, Lou Dobbs, Afghanistan, D.C. Archdiocese, Medvedev, Japan, Rep. Kennedy-Bishop, Bush Policy Institute, Immigration Reform, and Select Op-Ed.
compiled by Jeannie Choi 11-12-2009Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail »
Galbraith. American Adviser to Kurds Stands to Reap Oil Profits “Peter W. Galbraith, a former U.S. ambassador, could earn millions as a result of his ties to the Iraqi Kurds and a Norwegian oil company.”
Fort Hood. Hasan to be charged with premeditated murder, Army official says “Army officials intend to charge Maj. Nidal M. Hasan with premeditated murder in last week’s killing of 12 soldiers and a civilian at Fort Hood, an Army official said Thursday.” At Fort Hood, Witness Credits Second Officer “A witness disputed the Army’s initial version of how a shooting spree at Fort Hood, Tex., was brought to an end.” Hasan was told to attend lectures “Psychiatrists at Walter Reed did not see suspect in Fort Hood slayings as potentially dangerous.”
Job Summit. Obama Announces Jobs Summit “Before leaving for Asia, the president will disclose plans for a December event to highlight efforts to turn around the economy.” Obama to host jobs summit at White House “Forum, which will gather business executives, economists, financial experts and union leaders, comes amid worst job market in a generation.”
Lou Dobbs. Lou Dobbs Abruptly Quits CNN “Lou Dobbs, the CNN anchor whose views on immigration made him a lightning rod, is leaving the network.”
Afghanistan. U.S. Envoy Urges Caution on Forces for Afghanistan “The U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, Karl W. Eikenberry, expressed reservations about deploying additional troops, senior officials said.” Afghan war, Fort Hood shooting weighing on President Obama “War and tragedy are putting President Obama through the most wrenching period of his young administration. Visibly thinner, admittedly skipping meals, he is learning every day the challenges of a wartime presidency.” U.S. envoy resists troop increase, cites Karzai as problem “The U.S. ambassador in Kabul sent two classified cables to Washington in the past week expressing deep concerns about sending more U.S. troops to Afghanistan until President Hamid Karzai’s government demonstrates that it is willing to tackle the corruption and mismanagement that has fueled the Taliban’s rise, senior U.S. officials said.”
D.C. Archdiocese. Catholic Church gives D.C. ultimatum on same-sex marriage issue “The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it will be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District if the city doesn’t change a proposed same-sex marriage law, a threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care.”
Medvedev. Medvedev Stresses Modernization in Address “President Dmitri A. Medvedev called on Russia to refocus its economy away from heavy industry toward information technology, telecommunications and space.”
Japan. Japan Cools to America as It Prepares for Obama Visit “President Obama’s visit to Tokyo on Friday will come at a time when relations with Japan are strained.” Okinawans Grow Impatient With Dashed Hopes on U.S. Base “The issue of the American air base on Okinawa has taken on heightened significance and is perhaps the most prominent issue President Obama will face during his visit.”
Rep. Kennedy-Bishop. Rep. Kennedy and Bishop in Bitter Rift on Abortion “Representative Patrick J. Kennedy of Rhode Island and the Roman Catholic bishop of Providence are engaged in a heated battle over provisions of health care legislation.”
Bush Policy Institute. Bush Emerging for Speech to Kick Off Public Policy Institute “Former President George W. Bush is starting a new institute to promote his domestic and international priorities.”
Immigration Reform. Our Towns: A Year After an Immigrant’s Death, Signs of Hope “In Patchogue, N.Y., where an Ecuadorean man was killed in 2008, politicians seem to want to be seen as on the side of reconciliation as opposed to confrontation.”
Select Op-Ed. Op-Ed Columnist: America’s Defining Choice “What’s the best way to spend $100 billion per year? Health reform or troops for Afghanistan? Simple, because lack of insurance kills far more Americans than the Taliban does.” (Nicholas Kristof, NYTimes)
Sojourners’ Daily Digest is a compilation of the top news related to our commitments of life and peace, economic and racial justice, and care of creation, with a special focus on news of the engagement of faith in public life.


