Progressive Minds

Must-reads for today:

1.  US tactics 'boosting al-Qaeda' in Iraq:

Sunnis radicalised by brutal US tactics and disillusioned mainstream insurgents are swelling the ranks of al-Qaeda, a moderate Sunni politician said.

Saleh Mutlaq, whose Iraqi National Dialogue group supports the US-backed political process, said al-Qaeda's growing control of strongholds at the heart of the country's Sunni insurgency is paving the way for an Islamic fundamentalist state in western and central Iraq and even the capital Baghdad.

-snip-

Mutlaq said heavy-handed US tactics against civilians have propelled many ordinary Sunnis into the arms of al-Qaeda.

"American prisons have become the school for suicide bombers and transformed many prisoners into al-Qaeda elements when they were not before," Mutlaq said.

-snip-

He said al-Qaeda's growth has exposed a flaw in US military strategy which conceived Iraq as a place where Islamists zealots from across the region could be drawn into a battle zone far from the United States and wiped out.

2. DNC: White House Using Taxpayer Dollars to Boost GOP Election Prospects:

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Today's Los Angeles Times reports on Karl Rove's three-pronged plan to win in November, which includes "putting the resources of the federal government to use for political gain." The story cites the struggling campaigns of several Republicans who are suddenly seeing millions of taxpayer dollars coming into their districts weeks before the November election.

"Americans should be outraged that the Bush White House is using their hard earned tax dollars to help elect Republicans so they can stay in power. The Republican Party consistently puts what's good for their Party ahead of what's good for America," said Democratic National Committee (DNC) Press Secretary Stacie Paxton. "Rather than using federal resources for political gain, how about using those resources to help bring middle class tax fairness, or investing in health care, or a real plan for success in Iraq? The American people know that they cannot trust Republican leadership to do what's right for America. They want a new direction."

-- Federal Aid Funneled to Vulnerable Republicans Tainted by Scandal, Including Reynolds, Pryce, Pombo.

Rep. Tom Reynolds, after meeting with Karl Rove, announced four days later that President Bush would authorize millions of dollars in disaster aid in his district. The announcement was conveniently made only hours after Reynolds testified before the House Ethics Committee regarding his involvement in the Mark Foley scandal. Similarly, the federal highway administrator announced transportation grants in Columbus, Ohio, to "boost prospects for Rep. Deborah Pryce of Ohio, the No. 4 Republican in the House, who is trailing her opponent." In addition, the "White House political office arranged for President Bush to.sign legislation protecting wetlands" in Republican Rep. Richard Pombo's district to help the Congressman who suddenly finds himself in a tight race in California.