Ex-Obama aide's think tank hits defense budget - The Washington Times

		Monday, May 28, 2012 Today's Top Stories
Ex-Obama aide's think tank hits defense budget A Washington think tank founded by President Obama's first Pentagon policy chief has issued a report criticizing the administration's defense budget, which the think tank's founder played a role in developing. Defense chief Panetta: Looming cuts would be 'disastrous' Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said Sunday that more than $500 billion in defense-related cuts scheduled to kick in early next year would be "disastrous" to national security and begged lawmakers to restore the money. Texan aims to ride second tea party wave One by one, several candidates hoping to be Texas' next GOP Senate nominee made their pitches to the Republican Party's forum in Erath County, just west of Fort Worth - but the few dozen voters packed inside the small meeting hall on a hot afternoon last week were getting antsy. Privacy veil lifted, 1940 census opens window to past Maggie Evans, of the richest family on the block, can never go home. A clowder of feral cats roams the front yard. In the past two years, there have been five homicides within 1,500 feet of the house she once gave that name: Home, for her, no longer exists. Rolling Thunder still on its mission for POW/MIA remembrance As hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists gathered Sunday morning outside the Pentagon for the 25th annual Rolling Thunder ride into the District, Jim Bradley couldn't help but marvel at the scene. Long battle to get Civil War officer Medal of Honor in final charge When the House this month voted to waive the time constraints on issuing the Medal of Honor for Lt. Alonzo Cushing, it brought the artillery officer and hero of the Union stand at Pickett's Charge one step closer to the military's highest honor — though in the eyes of his supporters, it's 149 years late. Home field disadvantage: Romney's winning map excludes Massachusetts If Mitt Romney wins the White House this fall, he will in all likelihood do so while beating some very long historical odds. China-Peru military ties growing stronger Trade between China and Peru, a key U.S. ally in the regional drug war, is at an all-time high. Now the Chinese security apparatus is getting in on the action, as military officials from Beijing increasingly are undermining U.S. arms deals in order to sell their own weapons to the resource-rich Andean nation. Inside the Beltway: Campers alert The summer breeze calls: Children of disabled or wounded military service members still have time to sign up for Camp Corral, a free weeklong summer camp sponsored by the Golden Corral restaurant chain, for ages 8 to 15. Gingrich offers O'Malley advice on running for presidency Former Republican presidential contender Newt Gingrich, looking rested and at ease before TV cameras, had some succinct advice Sunday morning for Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, the head of the Democratic Governors Association, who often is mentioned as a possible 2016 candidate for the White House. Giuliani touts Romney's readiness over Obama's Former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani said Mitt Romney's record as a businessman makes the former Massachusetts governor a much more qualified candidate to repair the country's economy than President Obama, whom he derided as community organizer who "never really had a payroll to meet." Flower power: Donated roses honor freedom's heroes at Arlington Cemetery On Memorial Day, more than 100 local volunteers will hand out 50,000 Ecuadorean roses and 1,000 red, white and blue flower bouquets at four Arlington National Cemetery locations, including Section 60, one of the burial areas for soldiers killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Franchitti takes Indianapolis 500 after Sato crashes Dario Franchitti has won the Indianapolis for the third time, taking advantage when Takuma Sato crashed on the final lap. Irish premier appeals to voters to approve to EU treaty Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny made a nationally televised appeal Sunday to voters to support the European Union's fiscal treaty in a referendum this week, warning that rejection would send the signal that Ireland was not serious about tackling its deficits and was no longer a secure member of the euro currency bloc. McCain: Don't count on Russia to force out Assad The United States can't count on Russia — a major arms supplier to Syria — to force Syrian President Bashar Assad from power, Sen. John McCain said Sunday, blaming President Obama for embracing a "feckless" foreign policy and punting tough decisions until after the fall election. New Mexico wildfire grows, forces evacuation A wildfire in Gila National Forest burned through more timber and brush lands as it forced the evacuation of residents living near a privately owned ghost town in southwestern New Mexico, officials said. Commentary TURNER: 'Welcome home' Vietnam veterans Many reading this probably don't know it, but at 1 pm Monday afternoon, the Pentagon will host a "Welcome home" ceremony for Vietnam War veterans at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the Mall. If it comes off, it will be a good thing. SINATRA: Why Rolling Thunder? For many years following my USO tour, I was looking for some way to continue to help our troops and veterans, and I needed to share with someone the profound feelings I came away with after seeing war firsthand. NUGENT: God bless America's warriors Freedom isn't free. Never has been, never will be. Very special warriors have provided freedom at supreme sacrifice since time immemorial. Good people will never forget, and we celebrate Memorial Day with a hard-charging spirit in appreciation for hard-charging warriors. ROBBINS: Signing America's 'thank you' card Have you ever personally thanked Vietnam veterans for their service and sacrifice? Now is your chance. MILLER: Drive across America, armed Americans choose to take to the roads for va- cations and to visit friends and family on Memorial Day. Often, they'll bring their firearms with them for sport or personal protection, and it's perfectly legal under federal law. 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