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A recent report by the RAND Corporation found the numbers of Iraq and Afghanistan vets with post traumatic stress disorder to number over 300,000. Now the Disabled American Veterans is calling for budget reform within the underfunded Dept. of Veterans’ Affairs to combat “devastating mental health consequences” that have resulted from the war. (Associated Press and The Hill)

Salim Ahmed Hamdan, alleged former driver of Osama bin Laden, has repeatedly denounced and refused to participate in the military tribunals. Imprisoned for the past seven years, he rejected the notion that he should be judged by officers of the military that detained him. (Washington Post)

The Pentagon has caught fire for using its lineup of retired military officials to give talking points to national media outlets. Nearly two weeks after the story broke, a reporter got around to asking White House Press Secretary Dana Perino about it. Despite what the story reported, Perino claims “it’s absolutely appropriate to provide information to people who are seeking it and are going to be providing their opinions on it.” (Think Progress)

The Bush administration is reiterating its position that detainees held at Guantanamo Bay do not have habeas corpus rights after telling the Supreme Court last December that thorough reviews of each case would occur. (Associated Press)

According to the Justice Department, the number of approved warrants to eavesdrop on suspected terrorists in the United States went up 9 percent from 2006 to a total of 2,370. (New York Times)

New rules require organizations to announce all lobbying efforts made on their behalf, yet many groups are able to skirt the law that only works through a web-based filing system. Deficiencies in the system are making it possible for the groups to avoid reporting entire members lists, intentionally or not. (Congressional Quarterly)

Rep. Don Young (R-AK) pointed to Florida Republicans as advocates for his $10 million earmark for Coconut Road in Florida back in 2005. The legislators took issue at his claims made on the House floor Wednesday during a vote on a possible investigation into the earmark by the Justice Dept. (Roll Call)

Bucking party lines, Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI) was the “special guest” of friend Sen. Ted Stevens’ (R-AK) high-priced re-election fundraiser. The Alaska Senate seat is highly-contentious this year, as Stevens will face Anchorage Democratic Mayor Mark Begich. (Roll Call)

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