Think Progress

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS -- U.S. OFFICIAL CRITICIZED FOR MISLEADING NUCLEAR WEAPONS CLAIM: At an Oct. 9 U.N. conference, Christina Rocca, the U.S. representative to the U.N. Conferences on Disarmament, raised the eyebrows of arms-control experts when she claimed "that U.S. nuclear forces are not and have never been on 'hair-trigger alert.'" "It's plain wrong," said Hans Kristensen, director of nuclear information at the Federation of American Scientists. "There are forces on alert, and whether they are on 'hair-trigger alert' or 'launch on warning,' they are capable of launching in minutes." Rocca's comments were made in the context of efforts by the Bush administration to "assure the United Nations" that it is meeting its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which requires the world's original nuclear powers "to engage in 'good-faith' negotiations aimed at dismantling their nuclear weapons programs. In exchange, other states pledge to limit their development of nuclear energy to peaceful purposes." The U.N General Assembly will also vote soon "on a resolution calling on the world's nuclear powers to take their nuclear weapons off 'high alert.'" Rocca's comments are not surprising, according to World Security Institute President Bruce Blair. "There has been long history of denying U.S. forces are on 'hair-trigger alert,'" Blair told the Washington Post. "Some of that is based on lack of knowledge, and some of it is an evasion, and some of it is just an outright lie."

IRAQ -- PETRAEUS PERSONALLY INTRODUCES DISGRACED CHALABI TO U.S. TROOPS: On Sunday, McClatchy reported that disgraced Iraqi politician Ahmed Chalabi had "re-emerged as a central figure" in the U.S. strategy for Iraq. His latest job: to press Iraq's government to "deliver better electricity, health, education and local security services to Baghdad," as "the next phase" of the escalation. Yesterday, Blackanthem.com reported that Gen. Petraeus has been trumpeting his new alliance with Chalabi, introducing him to U.S. troops serving in Iraq. For Petraeus to proudly introduce troops to Chalabi is particularly unfitting, considering that Chalabi has repeatedly endangered U.S. soldiers in Iraq. Before the war, Chalabi provided faulty intelligence on Iraq's supposed weapons programs. He was investigated for allegations that he passed intelligence to Iran, "wrongdoing that could have endangered American troops and American lives," according to Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL). Chalabi has alliances with militia leader Moqtada al Sadr, who has led a "series of uprisings against the U.S. military." In February, Chalabi became a lead figure in building Iraqi support for the Bush administration's escalation plan.

HEALTH CARE -- NUMBER OF UNINSURED AMERICANS SWELLS BY 8.6 MILLION: A new Economic Policy Institute report finds that "the number of Americans lacking health insurance rose by nearly 8.6 million to 47 million from 2000 to 2006," largely due to the decline of employer-provided health insurance. "In 2006, 2.3 million fewer Americans received health benefits from their employers than in 2000, the report said, noting the decline does not take the population increase into account." The findings accompany a Harvard study released this week revealing that of the 47 million uninsured Americans, one in eight is a veteran or member of a veteran's household. Uninsured veterans totaled 1.8 million in 2004, up 290,000 from 2000. "Like other uninsured Americans, most uninsured vets are working people -- too poor to afford private coverage but not poor enough to quality for Medicaid or means-tested VA care," said Harvard professor Dr. Steffie Woolhandler. The study notes that "many uninsured veterans are barred from VA care because of a 2003 Bush Administration order that halted enrollment of most middle income veterans."

A USA Today/Gallup poll finds "a nation of discontent." Seventy-two percent say they are dissatisfied with how things are going in the USA while just 26 percent are satisfied. "Not since April have even one-third of Americans been happy with the country's course, the longest national funk in 15 years."

As Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld wrote 20 to 60 "snowflakes" -- his trademark missives for developing policy -- each day. In a sampling of them obtained by the Washington Post, Rumsfeld "argued that Muslims avoid 'physical labor' and wrote of the need to 'keep elevating the threat,' 'link Iraq to Iran' and develop 'bumper sticker statements' to rally public support."

The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold its vote on Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey on Tuesday, Nov. 6. CQ writes, "Once again, a controversial nomination in the Judiciary Committee may hinge on" Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), who was "noncommittal" Wednesday.

Senate Judiciary Committee leaders said yesterday that they had "serious concerns" about immunity for telecoms who participated in the administration's warrantless wiretapping program. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) called immunity "an after the fact free pass" while Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) said those suing the telecoms "ought to have their day in court."

Earlier this week, John Ashcroft wrote to Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and urged him to grant immunity for telecom companies that cooperate with the government's spying program. It is "a necessary policy for promoting the national security interests of the United States," he wrote. But as OpenLeft points out, AT&T employs the Ashcroft Group as lobbyists.

67 percent: Americans who "support giving contraceptives to students, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll. About as many - 62 percent - said they believe providing birth control reduces the number of teenage pregnancies."

And finally: Yesterday, the Senate was full of "bipartisan Halloween spirit." Right before "a hearing on nuclear-waste storage," Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) "donned a white angel halo in the anteroom just off the committee floor. After good-natured prodding from Madam Chairwoman, Inhofe happily donned the red devil horns Boxer gave him, relishing his role as Beelzebub to enviros enraged by his pro-business views on global warming." A top aide wore "bunny ears."