memeorandum @ 9:30 AM ET, April 10, 2006

9:30 AM ET, April 10, 2006

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The Big Trunk / Power Line:

THREE YEARS LATER: IT'S STILL NEWS! — Today's New York Times page-one, joint-byline story by David Sanger and David Johnston is "Bush ordered declassification, official says." The story of course refers to the declassification and release of the October 2002 National Intelligence Estimage consensus "key judgments" in July 2003.

Discussion: The Real Ugly American.com and NewsBusters.org

Gateway Pundit:
Media Appalled that George Bush Dare Defend Himself

Discussion: The Weekly Standard, Blinq, The Huffington Post, PoliPundit.com, Captain's Quarters, PunditGuy, USS Neverdock, The Real Ugly American.com and Blue Crab Boulevard

Tom Maguire / JustOneMinute:
What Is Happening At The WaPo?

Discussion: Firedoglake, protein wisdom, SEIXON and Hullabaloo

Thom Shanker / New York Times:

Young Officers Leaving Army at a High Rate — WASHINGTON, April 9 — Young Army officers, including growing numbers of captains who leave as soon as their initial commitment is fulfilled, are bailing out of active-duty service at rates that have alarmed senior officers.

Discussion: Rantingprofs, Democrat Taylor Marsh …, Blue Crab Boulevard, THE NEWS BLOG and The All Spin Zone

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USA Today:

Army surpassing year's retention goal by 15% — WASHINGTON — Two of every three eligible soldiers continue to re-enlist, putting the Army, which has endured most of the fighting in Iraq, ahead of its annual goal. — The Army was 15% ahead of its re-enlistment goal of 34,668 …

Discussion: Power Line

mysanantonio.com:
Army faces a major officer shortage

Discussion: Booman Tribune and AMERICAblog

Michelle Malkin:

HERE WE GO AGAIN — They're baaack. Illegal alien public relations experts are advising their followers to put aside the Mexican flags and tone down their radicalism, but many reconquistadors and their friends can't help themselves. Hat tip to John A. for the protest photos today from Dallas:

Discussion: Freedom Folks, TBogg and The Shape of Days

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John Hawkins / Right Wing News:

Illegals Insult The American Flag Again — Kevin from Eckernet attended the illegal immigration rally in Minnesota yesterday and has lots of pics. — Here are a couple that stood out: … It's amazing isn't it? You have illegal aliens marching in our streets, demanding things …

Discussion: Iowa Voice

Kevin / EckerNet.Com: Minnesota Immigration Rally - My Experience and Photos

Thomas E. Ricks / Washington Post:

Military Plays Up Role of Zarqawi — Jordanian Painted As Foreign Threat To Iraq's Stability — The U.S. military is conducting a propaganda campaign to magnify the role of the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, according to internal military documents and officers familiar with the program.

Discussion: Rantingprofs, Attytood, Booman Tribune, blogenlust.net and The Jawa Report v3.0 Beta

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Thom Shanker / New York Times:
Third Retired General Wants Rumsfeld Out

Discussion: Brilliant at Breakfast and World O'Crap

Washington Post:

Christian Coalition Shrinks as Debt Grows — In an era when conservative Christians enjoy access and influence throughout the federal government, the organization that fueled their rise has fallen on hard times. — The once-mighty Christian Coalition, founded 17 years ago by the Rev. Pat Robertson …

Discussion: Bring it On!

BBC:

France to replace youth job law — French President Jacques Chirac has announced that the new youth employment law that sparked weeks of sometimes violent protests will be scrapped. — He said it would be replaced by other measures to tackle youth unemployment.

Discussion: Gateway Pundit and Dr. Sanity

Hassan M. Fattah / New York Times:

Democracy in the Arab World, a U.S. Goal, Falters — DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April 9 — Steps toward democracy in the Arab world, a crucial American goal that just months ago was cause for optimism — with elections held in Iraq, Egypt and the Palestinian areas — are slowing …

Discussion: The Mahablog and Jihad Watch

Ctblogger / ConnecticutBLOG:

Joe Lieberman refuses to rule out independent run — Joe Lieberman met with DTC members in Windsor today and was asked a pointed question from Joe Lalli, a good friend of our favorite 17-year old who grilled a Lieberman staff member earlier this week. — The question was whether …

Discussion: Outside The Beltway, Captain's Quarters, MyDD, Blue Crab Boulevard, Daily Kos, Swing State Project, Riehl World View and LamontBlog

Stephanie Simon / Los Angeles Times:

Christians Sue for Right Not to Tolerate Policies — Many codes intended to protect gays from harassment are illegal, conservatives argue. — ATLANTA — Ruth Malhotra went to court last month for the right to be intolerant. — Malhotra says her Christian faith compels her to speak out against homosexuality.

Discussion: joannejacobs.com and BlondeSense

John Fund / Opinion Journal:

Flirting With Disaster — Will 2006 be for Republicans what 1994 was for Democrats? — Democrats must be pinching themselves about their good fortune. Last week, the Republican Congress saw deals on budget reform, immigration reform and extending the Bush tax cuts all collapse within 24 hours.

Discussion: Decision '08

Michael Theodoulou / Times of London:

Saudis plan to fence off border with chaos — SAUDI ARABIA has invited bids for the construction of a security fence along the entire length of its 900km (560mile) desert border with Iraq in a multimillion-pound project that will attract interest from British defence companies.

Discussion: lgf