Unity '09, Russia Arming, Obama Manipulating Stock Market?

1) Unity '09: Dem groups quietly align

A broad coalition of left-leaning groups is quietly closing ranks into a new coalition, "Unity '09," aimed at helping President Barack Obama push his agenda through Congress.  Conceived at a New York meeting before the November election, two Democrats familiar with the planning said, Unity '09 will draw together money and grassroots organizations to pressure lawmakers in their home states to back White House legislation and other progressive causes. The online-based MoveOn.org is a central player in the nascent organization, but other groups involved in planning Unity '09 span a broad spectrum of interests, from the American Civil Liberties Union to the National Council of La Raza to Planned Parenthood, as well as labor unions and environmental groups. See: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/20008.html 2) Medvedev orders large-scale Russian rearmament MOSCOW (AFP) — President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday announced a "large-scale" rearmament and renewal of Russia's nuclear arsenal, accusing NATO of pushing ahead with expansion near Russian borders. Meeting defence chiefs in Moscow, Medvedev said he was determined to implement reforms to streamline Russia's bloated military and stressed Moscow continued to face several security threats needing robust defense capacity. "From 2011, a large-scale rearmament of the army and navy will begin," Medvedev said. …The head of Russia's strategic missile forces, Nikolai Solovtsov, told news agencies that Russia would start deploying its next-generation RS-24 missiles after the December 5 expiry of the START-1 treaty with the United States. Moscow hopes to replace the treaty with a new accord. Russia says its nuclear-capable, multiple-warhead RS-24 missiles are capable of overcoming defences such as the US missile shield. See: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jm82XaN3cRVKmuux4vxfTXGexI4Q 3) Gates readies big cuts in weapons …Now, as the only Bush Cabinet member to remain under President Obama, Gates is preparing the most far-reaching changes in the Pentagon's weapons portfolio since the end of the Cold War, according to aides. Two defense officials who were not authorized to speak publicly said Gates will announce up to a half-dozen major weapons cancellations later this month. Candidates include a new Navy destroyer, the Air Force's F-22 fighter jet, and Army ground-combat vehicles, the offi cials said. More cuts are planned for later this year after a review that could lead to reductions in programs such as aircraft carriers and nuclear arms, the officials said. See: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/03/17/gates_readies_big_cuts_in_weapons/   So, at the same time Russia is massively rearming, the US is making big cuts. Does that seem wise to anyone? 4) Is Obama manipulating the stock market?  Economist claims president 'jawboning' economy to boost Dow …Bolser said Bernanke's appearance on "60 Minutes" appeared to be part of the Obama administration's plan to influence the stock market and push the economy in a positive direction. …Bolser noted the Fed was backing up the Obama administration's positive rhetoric with a series of highly complicated market transaction designed to build up the stock market by pumping billions into various avenues, including the purchase of futures contracts, aimed at forcing the Dow to rally. See: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=92100 5) Veterans Groups Blast Obama Plan for Private Insurance to Pay for Service-Related Health Care President Obama's plan to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs for the treatment of troops injured in service has angered veterans groups who say the government has a moral obligation to pay for service-related medical care.  See: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/03/17/vets-group-blasts-obama-plan-private-insurance-pay-service-related-health-care/ And: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=92111 6) Study: Israel may attack Iran nuclear sites with ballistic missiles Ballistic missiles could be Israel's weapon of choice against Iranian nuclear facilities if it decides on a pre-emptive attack and deems air strikes too risky, according to a report by a Washington think-tank. See: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1071718.html 7) China Gains Key Assets In Spate of Purchases SHANGHAI -- Chinese companies have been on a shopping spree in the past month, snapping up tens of billions of dollars' worth of key assets in Iran, Brazil, Russia, Venezuela, Australia and France in a global fire sale set off by the financial crisis.  The deals have allowed China to lock up supplies of oil, minerals, metals and other strategic natural resources it needs to continue to fuel its growth. The sheer scope of the agreements marks a shift in global finance, roiling energy markets and feeding worries about the future availability and prices of those commodities in other countries that compete for them, including the United States. See: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/16/AR2009031603293.html?hpid=topnews 8) GOP eyes Bush v. Gore for Coleman A state court could rule any day now on Norm Coleman’s challenge to Al Franken’s 225-vote lead in Minnesota, but the race may be far from over no matter what the judges say.  Top Republicans are encouraging Coleman to be as litigious as possible and take his fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court if he loses this round, believing that an elongated court fight is worth it if they can continue to deny Democrats the 59th Senate seat that Franken would represent.  And in pushing a possible Supreme Court conclusion, Republicans are raising case history that makes Democrats shudder: Bush v. Gore. See: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/20084.html 9) Sources: US to sign UN gay rights declaration WASHINGTON – The Obama administration will endorse a U.N. declaration calling for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality that then-President George W. Bush had refused to sign, The Associated Press has learned. See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090318/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_gay_rights