GOP touts 'AmericanSpeakingOut.com' site
WASHINGTON, July 10 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey, R.-Ga., Saturday touted a new conservative-leaning Web site, AmericaSpeakingOut.com, saying, "Republicans are listening."
In the weekly GOP radio and Internet address, the four-term Republican congressman called on Americans to visit and contribute to the site, started by House Republican Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio., regardless of their political party.
"Republicans are listening and offering better solutions that get Washington out of your way, out of your pocket and back on your side," Gingrey said.
"Americans are calling for a return to common sense in how we solve problems and how the people communicate with their government. ... That's why Republicans have launched America Speaking Out, a new project that is revolutionizing the way we govern by engaging the American people and seeking your ideas for making things better."
The congressman criticized U.S. President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats, accusing them of "doing an awful lot more talking than listening," and said Americans are "fed up" with the government.
The site says it as an "open forum … where all Americans are welcome to respectfully offer their opinions, regardless of party affiliation and whether we endorse them or not."
"Americans are proud of this country," Gingrey said. "They want to see things get better and they want to be part of that turnaround. That's what America Speaking Out is all about."
Taliban brags it bombed Pakistan market
GHALANAI, Pakistan, July 10 (UPI) -- The Taliban has taken responsibility for Friday's bombing of a market in Pakistan that killed more than 100 people and injured an equal number, officials said.
A reputed Taliban spokesman told media outlets by telephone that the bomb in Ghalanai was meant for leaders of the Utmankhel tribe who were meeting with government officials to discuss plans to restore peace to the region, the Pakistani newspaper DAWN reported Saturday.
The death toll from the blast stood at 104 Saturday after an all-night rescue effort to free survivors from the rubble. Another 120 people were injured. Casualties among the tribal leaders were not reported.
Investigators said the bombing appeared to be a two-pronged attack. A man on a motorcycle set off one bomb as he tried to ride into the building where the meeting was taking place. It was followed moments later by a larger bomb concealed in a mini-truck.
Clashes in Pakistan's South Waziristan
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, July 10 (UPI) -- Pakistani officials say troops clashed with militant guerrillas in the Taliban stronghold of South Waziristan, killing about 50 enemy troops.
The firefights occurred when the Taliban attacked a security outpost in the Kaniguram valley and ambushed a patrol in the Makeen district.
Government casualties totaled three dead and 13 wounded, the Pakistani newspaper Dawn said Saturday.
South Waziristan is of particular interest to U.S. counterterrorism officials because it is considered a safe haven of al-Qaida and a staging area for raids into Afghanistan.
Gunmen kill 11 on bus in Afghanistan
PESHAWAR, Pakistan, July 10 (UPI) -- Eleven people were fatally shot while on a passenger bus in the Waza area of Afghanistan, officials said.
The bus had left Parachinar, Pakistan, and was crossing Waza in the Paktia province when it came under fire, Dawn News reported.
Because of the closing of Tull-Parachinar road, passengers often take the Afghanistan route to reach Peshawar, Dawn said.
The victims were believed to have belonged to the Khushi tribe in the Kurram Agency.
2010 vote will be priciest midterms ever
WASHINGTON, July 10 (UPI) -- Despite the high profile of the grassroots Tea Party movement, analysts say the November elections will be the most expensive midterms in U.S. history.
The Hill said more than $1 billion has already been spent on congressional campaigns and additional big bucks are being poured into gubernatorial races across the country.
"We fully expect this will be the most expensive midterm election ever in U.S. history," said Dave Levinthal, a spokesman for the Center for Responsive Politics. "Not only do we expect it to exceed the high water mark set in 2006, but this could very well obliterate that number when all is said and done."
The Hill said spending by special interest groups has been ramped up due to the Obama administration's legislative agenda, which is being vilified as anti-business and particularly effects the well-heeled healthcare and financial sectors.
The Democrats will be countering with the assistance of spending planned by labor unions and various women's groups supporting women and pro-abortion candidates.
