Headlines 24/06/10

Here are my thoughts on today’s headlines. Everything but the titles is written by yours truly.

Loose lips sink generals, too by Sheldon Alberts, accompanied by Barbara Yaffe’s General’s self-destruction adds to doubts about Afghan mission:

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who commanded over U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, was dismissed by President Barack Obama on Wednesday over remarks made in Rolling Stone magazine criticizing Obama and White House senior civilian leaders.

McChrystal has been replaced by Gen. David Petraeus, head of U.S. Central Command and former commander of U.S. forces in Iraq.

In Canada, senators are recommending Parliament hold a debate on Canada’s future in Afghanistan, with the goal in mind of prolonging Canadian soldiers’ stay overseas.

This contrasts with Canadians’ views on the war: 59 per cent are opposed to the mission, according to a June 17 Angus Reid poll.

Costs are legitimate, watchdog says by Janice Tibbetts:

Canada’s budget for hosting the G8 and G20 summits has reached almost $1-billion.

But do the ends justify the means?

The issue usually focused on is whether or not a country’s spending is in line with what other host countries have spent on similar events.

A recently released 12-page expense report focused on said issue, but did not provide a value-for-money analysis.

Errant robot stalls containment effort by Kristen Hays and Ayesha Rascoe:

When is enough, enough?

Since April 20, the BP oil spill has spewed 15 times the amount of oil into the ocean than the amount spilt back in 1989 by the Exxon Valdez in Alaska.

Between 35,000 and 60,000 barrels are being leaked into the ocean each day, forcing the closure of rich fishing grounds, killing hundreds of turtles and seabirds and dozens of dophins, and ruining the coastlines of four states.

However, the Obama administration’s deep sea drilling ban, imposed until investigations are over and regulations are revised, may be refined in the weeks to come.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar suggested that some drilling in proven oilfields might move forward.