This and That....NEWS

More than a half the country’s voting-age population used the Internet to get political news or get involved in the political process in 2008, according to a new survey conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project. “Nearly one in five (18%) internet users posted their thoughts, comments or questions about the campaign on an online forum such as a blog or social networking site.”

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano responded to criticism of a leaked DHS report on right-wing extremism, saying that “we are on the lookout for criminal and terrorist activity but we do not — nor will we ever — monitor ideology or political beliefs.” In TV interviews today, she said “these are routine reports” that were “begun months ago, in fact, in preparation before this new administration took office.”

The Obama administration has abolished an office “responsible for coordinating Defense Department information campaigns overseas.” Military and civilian critics said DOD’s office for support to public diplomacy “overstepped its mandate during the final years of the Bush administration by trying to organize information operations that violated Pentagon guidelines for accuracy and transparency.”

President Obama and his wife, Michelle, earned $2.73 million last year and paid $855,323 in federal taxes, “an amount that would be higher by about $102,000 if his budget plan were in effect.”

Foreclosure filings spiked in March, according to RealtyTrac. The 341,180 filings nationally was “the highest monthly total since RealtyTrac began collecting this data in 2005. “The spike in filings probably was related to the expiration of several foreclosure moratoriums across the country,” according to a RealtyTrac spokesperson.

More »

Let The Sun Shine In......