Pentagon Press Secretary Defends Denial Of Rolling Stone Writer’s Embed Request

A Pentagon spokesperson Thursday defended a decision from coalition forces to deny a request from Michael Hastings, the free-lance journalist behind the Rolling Stone profile that cost former Afghan Commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal his job, to embed with U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

“Based upon his previous engagement with this command, he showed himself not to be trustworthy, not to be credible,” Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters. “Therefore, they made a judgment that they were not going to partner with him again.”

Added Morrell, “It should come as no surprise to anybody if unit commanders in Afghanistan are apprehensive about doing work with this reporter in light of the previous experience this command had with this reporter.”

Lawmakers React To Proposition 8 Ruling

Here’s a small smattering of opinions on yesterday’s Proposition 8 ruling in California from some on the left and some on the right:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.): “I am extremely encouraged by the ruling today, which found that Proposition 8 violated both the due process and equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution.  Proposition 8 has taken away individual rights and freedoms, and is a stain upon the California Constitution.
“We must continue to fight against discriminatory marriage amendments and work toward the day when all American families are treated equally.”

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.): “This historic decision is a step forward in the march toward equal rights and reflects a growing legal consensus that marriage equality is protected by the U.S. Constitution.”

(Via MSNBC) Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.): “It shows an attempt by judges or people considered the political elite to impose their social views on the American people without the opportunity to vote.”

(Via Politico) Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah): “I’m disappointed. I believe strongly in traditional marriage. Thirty times plus, it’s come up for a vote in states across the country and traditional marriage has always won. Just because one judge thought otherwise doesn’t mean the fight’s over. It’s not so much that I’m anti-gay, I’m pro-traditional marriage. I believe in traditional marriage. I’m not trying to take anything away from one thing or anything else. I just believe that commitment to traditional marriage is part of the American way. There’s 2,000 years of history behind it.”


(Via Politico) Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.): “I think that [Judge] Walker is wrong in this case. The people of California overwhelmingly voted almost two years ago in a ballot initiative to amend their state constitution and basically ban same-sex marriage by definition. What right does the federal court have to come in and say that this is unconstitutional from a federal perspective?”

Pelosi Applauds Senate On Passage Of State Aid Bill

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) released the following statement shortly after the Senate voted 61-39 to pass a $26 billion bill that aims to help states avoid mass layoffs:

“With today’s action, Senate Republicans’ tactics of delay, obstruction, and political posturing will no longer deny states and communities the aid they need to create jobs and provide vital services to the American people.  We will bring House Members back next week to pass this urgent legislation and send it to the President’s desk without delay.”‪

Less Than 50 Pakistani Nationals Detained In Afghanistan, Claims U.S. Official

Although there are escalating concerns over the involvement of Pakistani nationals in the Afghan insurgency, there are only several dozen currently in custody in Afghanistan, according to the U.S. military official in charge of detainee operations within the nation.

“There are less than 50 [non-Afghan detainees],” Vice Admiral Robert Harward, who commands Joint Task Force 435, told reporters via-satellite from Afghanistan Thursday. “75 percent come from Pakistan.”

Recent documents released through the whistle-blower website Wikileaks revealed that Pakistan’s intelligence agency has been supplying the Taliban with support.

Axelrod: President Still Opposes Same Sex-Marriage

After a U.S. District court ruled Proposition 8 unconstitutional in California, Senior adviser to President Barack Obama David Axelrod said the president remains opposed to gay marriage.

Axelrod told reporters on MSNBC that “the president does oppose same-sex marriage, but he supports equality for gay and lesbian couples, and benefits and other issues, and that has been effectuated in federal agencies under his control.”

Axelrod said that President Obama opposed Proposition 8 at the time California implemented the law and said “he felt it was divisive [and] mean spirited.”