Protests Muted in Iran, Hotdogs for Iranian Tyrants, $300 Stimulus Road Signs, New Cyber Command, Sanford Returns

1) Intensified crackdown mutes protests in Iran CAIRO – Overwhelmed by police and left with limited alternatives, Iranian demonstrators resorted Tuesday to more subtle ways of challenging the outcome of the presidential election: holding up posters, shouting from rooftops and turning on car headlights. But the restrained expressions of discontent appeared to be scattered as Iran's ruling clerics dealt the opposition new setbacks, making clear they have no intention of holding a new vote and setting up a special court to deal with hundreds of protesters arrested in more than a week of unrest. Iran also expelled two diplomats from Britain — a nation it bitterly accuses of meddling and spying — and Britain in turn sent two Iranian envoys home. …In a boost for the regime, Russia said Tuesday it respects the outcome. Russia, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, has longtime political and economic ties with Iran, where it is helping build a nuclear power plan at Bushehr. In his only trip abroad since the vote, Ahmadinejad went to Russia last week for a conference, where he met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090624/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran_election 1a) US says hot dog diplomacy still on with Iran WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States said Monday its invitations were still standing for Iranian diplomats to attend July 4 celebrations at US embassies despite the crackdown on opposition supporters. President Barack Obama's administration said earlier this month it would invite Iran to US embassy barbecues for the national holiday for the first time since the two nations severed relations following the 1979 Islamic revolution. See: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hMtZsaQT4cTxcgA51WrpiUS6cWGg 2) Tax dollars to fund stimulus publicity signs Lawmakers 'pat themselves on back' with $300 plaques in every state After U.S. taxpayers shelled out $1.1 trillion on stimulus legislation this year, the government plans to use stimulus money to post $300 signs next to each project hyping the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., said the stimulus plan has failed to improve the nation's economy and taxpayers should not be forces to submit to more wasteful government spending.  "Unfortunately, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been a disappointment so far. It has done little to address this ongoing crisis, create jobs, and turn around our nation’s economy," he said in a statement. "… Considering the disappointment surrounding the stimulus bill, it flies in the face of reason that signs are being constructed at a price tag of reportedly $300 each for lawmakers to pat themselves on the back about this legislation." See: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=101920 3) Sanford Returning to Work After Mystery Trip COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford will cut short a secretive Appalachian Trail hike and return to work Wednesday after revelations he'd been gone for four days with no contact with his staff, wife or state leaders.  "Governor Sanford called to check in with his chief of staff this morning," Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said Tuesday in a statement. "It would be fair to say the governor was somewhat taken aback by all of the interest this trip has gotten. Given the circumstances and the attention this has garnered, the governor communicated to us that he plans on returning to the office tomorrow." …He left a couple of days after the Legislature adjourned after overriding his 10 vetoes and winning a court battle to force Sanford to request $700 million in federal stimulus cash. See: http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/us_sc_governor_where/2009/06/23/228270.html 4) Gates Approves Creation of New Cyber Command WASHINGTON -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates has formally ordered the creation of a new military cyber command that will coordinate the Pentagon's efforts to defend its networks and conduct cyberwarfare.  A memo signed by Gates on Tuesday asks that U.S. Strategic Command begin plans to set up a subcommand and be prepared to provide a proposal by the fall.  Officials have said the new command would be located at Fort Meade in Maryland, and would be ready to go by the end of next year.  The low-key launch of the new military unit reflects the Pentagon's worry that the military not be seen as taking control over the nation's computer networks. See: http://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/us_pentagon_cyberwarfare/2009/06/23/228115.html