[from SLATE's "Today's Papers," today 10/15/04] The LA [TIMES] says the Pentagon is planning to promote the former top commander in Iraq who was in charge while the abuses were happening at Abu Ghraib and elsewhere. Two unnamed defense officials told the paper that SecDef Rumsfeld and other top officials have been talking about the promotion. An independent panel concluded that General Ricardo Sanchez wasn't directly "culpable" but is "responsible" for doing a poor job overseeing the prison system and not laying down clear interrogation rules. The [Washington] Post mentions inside that the top intel officer in Iraq during the Abu Ghraib abuses, who was also criticized by the panel (though not blamed in other reports), has just been praised by her superior. He said she should be put in charge of the Army's intel school as planned.... The NY [TIMES] fronts a federal panel concluding that contrary to previous studies, neurological problems suffered by Gulf War I vets have probably been caused by exposure to chemicals during the war.
[on the election front] .... A Page One piece in the NY [TIMES], reminds that Ralph Nader is still getting enough support to potentially swing some key states. The Times doesn't mention another candidate who is actually on more ballots and is drawing similar numbers in some states: Libertarian Michael Badnarik. [The two "spoilers" cancel each other out?] Jim Devine [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://myweb.lmu.edu/jdevine
