David Cote Is Second Deficit Commission Member To Come Under Fire

A second member of the deficit commission is coming under fire from an ally of President Obama, as the Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees is pressing him to remove Honeywell CEO David Cote from the panel, charging that his ongoing lockout of workers makes him unfit to sit on the commission.

To which the casual reader might reply: Wait, the CEO of Honeywell is on a commission debating cuts to Medicare and Social Security? The same CEO whose company benefits from billions in defense contracts?

It may all sound like something ripped from the pages of a Howard Zinn history book, but the specific offense that has the steelworkers calling for his dismissal is related to a lockout at the company's Metropolis, Illinois workers. Cote is attempting to cut the union's health benefits, but employees there argue that their exposure to carcinogens and toxic substances means that such insurance is necessary. Given the dangerous nature of the factory's work, the employees offered to continue working through the negotiations under the old contract, but Cote locked them out, replacing them with poorly trained temporary workers. Running the uranium distillery with temporary works is a major gamble, HuffPost labor blogger Mike Elk reporter earlier this week.

That's not the kind of decision-making that should come from a member of a commission examining the federal budget, SOAR President C.L. Entrekin and Director James Centner wrote in the letter to Obama, provided to HuffPost.

"A profitable company's demands that workers and retirees relinquish health benefits and its locking out workers who offered to continue demonstrate that its CEO, David Cote, is out of touch with mainstream America and has absolutely no compassion for his fellow man," they wrote. "Anyone who would force their workers onto the streets in these times of economic uncertainty cannot competently or justly serve on a Commission charged with issuing recommendations that may impact our nation's citizens for decades."

Spokespersons for Honeywell and the commission weren't immediately available to comment.

UPDATE: "The letter fundamentally misrepresents the facts of the company's current labor negotiations in Metropolis. We will not respond to specific claims it makes," Honeywell spokeswoman Jane Van Etten tells HuffPost.

POLL: Unemployment Affects Three Out Of Four Americans

Nearly three out of four Americans have been directly affected by the recession, either because they have been unemployed or know someone who has lost their job, according to a new survey.

The report, prepared by Rutgers professors Carl Van Horn and Cliff Zukin, find that 73% of Americans have either been unemployed themselves (14%) or saw an immediate family member (12%), another member of their family (30%) or a close friend (17%) lose a job.

The survey also finds profound pessimism about where the economy is headed. More than half of Americans say they believe the downturn reflects a "lasting economic change" (56%) rather than a "temporary economic downturn" (43%). Large majorities believe that the economy will remain in recession or worse a year from now.

"After suffering through the worst economic disaster most have ever experienced," Van Horn said in a statement, "American workers have diminished expectations about America's economic future and do not have much faith that the nation's political leaders can move the country forward."

Asked about the causes of joblessness, the survey respondents mentioned three above all: global economic competition, illegal immigration and Wall Street bankers.

The survey also found great skepticism about the government's ability to handle the economy and, despite the widespread impact and pain, no consensus about potential remedies. For example, a majority rejects further economic stimulus -- 70% disagree and only 30% agree that "The United States needs another economic stimulus package even if it causes the debt to increase." Yet a majority (54% to 46%) agrees that "the federal government should fund programs that create jobs for the unemployed even if the debt goes up." Americans were also evenly divided on whether the federal government should "cut taxes for businesses to create jobs" even if it increases the debt.

Boehner Responds To Gibbs, Reaffirms Support For Iraq Troop Drawdown

House Minority Leader John Bohner's (R-Ohio) office reaffirmed on Tuesday that he supports the removal of combat troops from Iraq after White House officials insinuated that he either opposes or is non-committal on the drawdown.

In a statement to the Huffington Post, Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said "of course" the congressman supports the withdrawal of 90,000 troops that President Obama is celebrating in an Oval Office address Tuesday evening.

"[T]his draw-down was a part of the status-of-forces agreement negotiated by the Iraqi government and President Bush. Boehner has always supported it," Steel added, "and has publicly praised President Obama for sticking with it."

Earlier in the morning, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs -- undoubtedly tiring of Boehner's criticism that the president is benefiting from a troop surge he didn't support -- challenged the House Minority Leader to detail his personal position on the drawdown.

"I think what the American people would like to know with Congressman Boehner is: Do you support the withdrawing of 90,000 troops that the president is marking today?" Gibbs told ABC's "Good Morning America".

Other administration aides, who also suggested that the Boehner was not being pressed adequately on his stance, echoed Gibbs' comment in private.

Steel's response puts to rest the notion that Republican leadership is not on board with President Obama's plans for Iraq. And it further inflames the debate over who actually authored those plans -- first implemented under the Status of Forces Agreement signed by President George W. Bush, they were brought to completion by Obama.

Obama Won't Say 'Mission Accomplished' In Iraq Speech

WASHINGTON — The White House says there are two words President Barack Obama will not say Tuesday night in his speech about the end of the U.S. combat role in Iraq: "Mission accomplished."

Seven years ago, President George W. Bush stood on an aircraft carrier to declare an end to major combat operations in Iraq. A banner proclaiming "Mission Accomplished" flew nearby. The Bush White House came to deeply regret that sign as the war dragged on and U.S. deaths mounted.

"You won't hear those words coming from us," Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said. Instead, Gibbs said, Obama will talk about what is involved in the U.S. troop drawdown and the changing mission in Iraq.

However, Obama does plan to call Bush on Tuesday before delivering his Oval Office address, Gibbs said, though he wouldn't say what Obama's message to his predecessor would be. Obama also called Bush last year before delivering a speech laying out the Iraq withdrawal timeline.

HOT PICS! Anna Paquin, Kate Walsh & Other Starlets DAZZLE In Their Pre-Emmy Fashions!

Some of the most stunning A-list actresses in Hollywood hit the red carpet in the best pre-Emmy fashion at Entertainment Weekly and Women In Film’s Pre-Emmy bash in West Hollywood Aug. 27!
Emmy weekend is in full force and the hottest women in Tinseltown weren’t holding back with their glamorous fashion choices at Entertainment Weekly and Women In Film’s Pre-Emmy Party, presented by L’Oreal Paris, at the Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood, Calif. Aug. 27.

Ponzi Scheme Strikes Drug Enforcement Agents

Michele Leonhart's nomination to head the Drug Enforcement Administration has been complicated by a ponzi scheme that has ensnared DEA agents and officials. Leonhart's nomination is vigorously opposed by drug policy reform groups, which charge that she is stuck in a Drug War-era mindset, focusing too heavily on medical marijuana and small-time crack cocaine violations.

Despite Obama's pledge during the campaign to cease raids on medical marijuana clubs in states where the drug was legal, Leonhart, as acting director, staged raids after his inauguration. The raids were seen as a signal from the DEA that it didn't plan to change the way it operated, but a subsequent directive from Attorney General Eric Holder has reduced the frequency of such raids.

But it may not be Leonhart's policies or leadership that doom her nomination, Amanda J. Crawford, a reporter in Arizona who covers border security issues and drug isses, reported Thursday. Her nomination is stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee, where no hearing has yet been scheduled more than a year after her nomination. Judiciary Committee Chairman Pat Leahy (D-Vt.) is a strong believer that states should be given the authority to craft their own medical marijuana laws free from federal interference. A Leahy spokeswoman said that the chairman has yet to take a public position on her nomination. Asked about Leonhart earlier this year by HuffPost, Leahy declined to support or oppose her, but reiterated his support for medical marijuana.

In June, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a complaint against the estate of Kenneth Wayne McLeod, who had recently taken his own life as authorities closed in on what they say was a long-running ponzi scheme that ensnared 260 investors, many of them law enforcement officers, and stole at least $34 million.

"McLeod victimized law enforcement agents and other government employees who dedicated their lives to the service of this country," said Eric I. Bustillo, head of the SEC Miami regional office.

A DEA spokesman confirmed that some agents had been caught in the scheme, but referred comment to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Florida Times-Union has been investigating the scandal and uncovering DEA connections.

Ahmed Sharif, Stabbed Cab Driver, Meets With Bloomberg

NEW YORK — A Muslim cab driver whose face and throat were slashed in a suspected hate crime attack appeared with Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Thursday as city officials sought to ease tensions in the debate over a plan to put a mosque near the site of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Meanwhile, investigators sought to unravel contradictions in the life of the suspect, a baby-faced college student who had traveled to Afghanistan with a group that seeks to promote interfaith understanding.

The Bangladeshi driver, Ahmed H. Sharif, said the proposed mosque and Islamic center north of the World Trade Center site did not come up in his conversation with the passenger accused of using a folding knife to slash his neck and face after asking whether he's a Muslim.

"Of course it was for my religion. He attacked me after he knew I was a Muslim," Sharif said at a news conference at City Hall.

Bloomberg said it is impossible to know the motive of the attack. But he made a pointed connection to the debate about the planned Islamic center, which has ignited intense emotions worldwide.

"This should never have happened and hopefully won't happen again," Bloomberg said. "Hopefully, people will understand that we can have a discourse. That's what the First Amendment is all about. That's what America is all about."

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said authorities did not believe the cabbie's attack signified any trend in anti-Muslim crimes.

"We see it as an isolated incident," he said.

Passenger Michael Enright, of Brewster, N.Y., remained jailed without bail on charges of attempted murder and assault as hate crimes and weapons possession.

Major Unions Pooling Resources For $100 Million 2010 Effort

In yet another sign of thawing between the two rival factions of the labor movement, leaders of the AFL-CIO and the Service Employees International Union have agreed to pool their resources between now and the November elections.

On Tuesday evening, the Wall Street Journal reported that the two labor organizations would combine forces to spend $88 million in a coordinated election effort. That figure is actually a low-ball estimate. Union sources tell the Huffington Post that total amount is likely to be closer to $100 million, with $44 million in commitments from the SEIU and $53 million commitments from AFL-CIO. The total includes funds that have already been spent during the 2010 cycle, but both unions have said that they are prepared to increase their expenditures if needed.

Perhaps more newsworthy than the dollar amount, however, is the strategic cooperation between the two groups. Since it's dramatic split from the AFL-CIO in 2005, the SEIU has, by and large, tried to chart out a unique, more aggressive electoral philosophy. Under the stewardship of former header Andy Stern, the organization poured heavy resources into electing Democrats through bold and occasionally controversial projects. Its work with the AFL-CIO was restricted, predominantly, to basic communication about campaign priorities.

With Stern's resignation, some of the friction between the two groups dissipated. His replacement, Mary Kay Henry picked up conversations with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, who had made reunification an organizational priority (in September 2009, he brought back into the fold the 265,000-member hotel and restaurant employees union Unite Here; this past month it was the Laborers' International Union Laborers' International Union). And through a variety of conversations, the two agreed that much closer coordination would serve both of their interests.

As one union official said, in the closing months in 2010, the political directors of each organization -- AFL-CIO's Karen Ackerman and SEIU's Jon Youngdahl -- will be "tied at the hip."

Indeed, another element missing from the Journal's report is that the United Food and Commercial Workers -- another former AFL-CIO member -- will be cooperating with the Labor 2010 program. Whether they will bring additional resources to the table, however, was not immediately known.

Midterm Madness, Part Three: August And Everything After

Once upon a time, political wags used to talk about the "silly season" as a portion of the campaign calendar where everyone sort of loses their mind for a spell, transforming the serious election season into a comical geekshow of cartoon self-abuse and strenuous exercise. Traditionally, this goes hand-in-hand with the late summer months, when the news-cycle drags to a halt and you spend the days hoping that maybe some story about litigious zombies will break somewhere.

Well, we're in the last throes of August now, and the sad truth is there's really no way of distinguishing this month in the campaign from the ones that have preceded it. Even as America experiences the brunt of a massive unemployment crisis at home and a souring war abroad, political candidates continue to wage an ongoing campaign to determine who can be the most asinine dimwit in America.

Once again, Ben Craw, Elyse Siegel and I have surveyed the political discourse and found it wanting! In this edition: we have Harry Reid going yellow-bellied on the Cordoba House, Aqua Buddha worship, a zonked out Ben Quayle, John McCain going goo-goo eyed over Snooki, and Basil Marceaux -- whose internet prank campaign actually seems to be making more sense, compared to everyone else.

Enjoy, I guess? Because this is just not going to get any better, America.

Credit Card Rates Are RISING In Response To New Laws

In the third and final phase of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (Credit CARD) which went into effect yesterday, issuers were restricted in the scope of late fees they can impose on borrowers. For example, penalty charges are capped at $35. Issuers also need to give a 45-day warning before increasing interest rates on existing balances.

But in response, some banks are expected to set higher initial interest rates.

The average credit card interest rate rose to 14.7 percent from 13.1 percent in the second quarter, its highest level in 9 years, according to research firm Synovate (h/t WSJ). This rate is 11.45 percentage points higher than the prime rate, the benchmark against which card rates are set. This is the largest margin between prime rates and average credit card rates in 22 years, according to Synovate.

As much as the new laws aim to protect, lenders are finding sneaky ways to recoup lost revenue. As Beverly Blair Harzog, contributing editor of CreditRatings.com, wrote in her blog entry entitled 'Think You Understand the New Credit Card Laws? Think Again', issuers have also found creative ways to ramp up fees for "unintended consequences" such as foreign transactions and over-the-limit fees.

So what can consumers do to protect themselves from, well, these of consumer protection laws? Harzog writes:

For starters, pay your bills on time. Even though some of these tactics are probably illegal at this point, it's always better to be proactive and prevent the penalty APRs from being an issue in the first place. Be your own consumer advocate by making sure you read every piece of mail you receive from your issuers. If you feel you've been unfairly treated--either due to interest rate changes or any other type of fee that looks out of line--contact your issuer immediately and stand up for your rights.