Ted Olson: Why I Fought Prop 8
Even with the overturning of California’s Proposition 8 this week, debate over the issue of same-sex marriage rages on. While it’s often viewed as a battle between conservative and liberal ideals, one man who is bridging the gap—Ted Olson, the conservative lawyer who represented George W. Bush in the case to determine the winner of the 2000 election, who seemed as unlikely a candidate as any to take on the controversial proposition. But take it on he did, getting Proposition 8 overturned. On Fox News Sunday, he explained his decision to fight it, saying that stable relationships are a conservative value: “All men and all women are created equal under the law.”
Suicidal Soldiers: Who’s to Blame?
On This Week, Christiane Amanpour and Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the Army’s vice chief of staff, took an in-depth look into the record number of suicides among American soldiers. A recent report claims that “high-risk behavior” among soldiers contributed to the high rate of suicides. But what of the soldiers who had no behavioral problems prior to being deployed?, Amanpour asked. Is the Army implying that all suicidal soldiers are pre-disposed to high-risk behavior? “Absolutely not,” Chiarelli replied. “What our soldiers are seeing downrange every day, human beings shouldn’t see at times, and we have problems with post-traumatic stress.”
Browner on Oil Leak: Phase One Complete
Senior White House energy adviser Carol Browner said that the worst days of the BP oil spill may be behind us. On NBC's Meet the Press, David Gregory presented a split screen contrasting when the oil was gushing from the well and the relative calm since it was successfully plugged. When asked if the crisis was over, Browner cautiously responded that while the well has not leaked since July 15, it will be approximately two weeks until the relief well is finished, and then the environmental cleanup will continue. And, of course, BP will be held accountable.
Fareed Zakaria Takes on Anti-Defamation League
At the top of his show, Fareed Zakaria took the Anti-Defamation League to task for its attitude towards the proposed mosque near the site of ground zero. “I have to say I was personally and deeply saddened by the ADL's stand because five years ago, the organization honored me with its Hubert Humphrey Award for First Amendment Freedoms. Given the position that they have taken on a core issue of religious freedom in America, I cannot in good conscience keep that award,” Zakaria said. So he will be returning the award to the ADL, in hopes that they will “see that they have made a mistake.”
Hugh Hefner, Incurable Romantic?
Hold on to your hats, because Hugh Hefner’s about to drop a truth bomb on you. In an interview with Reliable Sources’ Howie Kurtz, Hefner, the playboy of all playboys—and, well, of Playboy—revealed he’s not a fan of “the most explicit kinds of pornography.” Furthermore, he’s “a romantic, and I always have been.” Which, he was quick to point out, doesn’t rule out promiscuous love. Naturally.
Adm. Allen to Gulf Coast: We'll Stand by You
Admiral Thad Allen, head of the government's response to the Gulf oil spill, assured residents of the Gulf Coast—specifically those in Barataria Bay, the Chandeleur Islands, and the Mississippi Sound—that even though the oil spill is plugged, the government will not forget about them. On CBS's Face the Nation, Allen echoed energy adviser Carol Browner in saying that the recent success in containing the spill is only one phase of the relief effort. "This has been the largest environmental response in the history of this nation," he said, "And it will continue until the cleanup is done.
Gen. Odierno: Yes You Can, Iraq
General Ray Odierno, the commander of U.S. troops in Iraq, told This Week that when the U.S. combat mission ends at the end of August, the Iraqis are ready to take over security measures. This comes despite news of continual violence in the region. Odierno said that while this does mean that the American presence in the country will be significantly reduced on September 1, the U.S. will not allow ill-wishing countries to interfere with the establishment of a government.