US & World News, Thursday 5/29

US & World Summary --- Scott McClellan Defends New Book Bashing Bush (New York, NY) -- Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan is sticking by his contention that the Bush administration used "propaganda and spin" to sell an unnecessary war in Iraq. Promoting and defending his scathing new book, McClellan told NBCs "Today" Show that he grew increasingly disappointed, dismayed and disillusioned about how things, quote, "veered terribly off course" in the Bush administration. The former press secretary also criticized what he called the "permanent campaign culture" in the White House and throughout Washington, DC. --- ACLU Demands Denver Convention Security Info (Denver, CO) -- The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the City of Denver, Colorado over Augusts Democratic National Convention. The ACLU filed suit yesterday, saying it wants the city to release records that deal with security-equipment purchases for this summers gathering. Attorney Mark Silverstein says the organization is especially interested in whether Denver is stockpiling less than lethal weapons, like a "sonic ray gun," for crowd control. The ACLU claims Denver has already rejected two open records requests dealing with expenditures. --- New York Steps Closer Toward Legalizing Gay Marriage (Albany, NY) -- New York is taking steps toward recognizing gay marriages performed in other states. The "New York Times" reports New York Governor David Paterson is urging all state agencies to revise their policies to recognize same sex marriage. The states Court of Appeals has ruled that although gay marriage is not legal in New York, there is nothing illegal about recognizing same-sex marriages performed in states where it is legal. The New York move comes in the wake of a legal ruling in California, legalizing same-sex marriage. --- Community Colleges Eliminating Classes The gas price spike is hitting community colleges nationwide. "USA Today" reports a growing number of the two-year schools nationwide are switching to a four-day class schedule as a way of saving students the cost of commuting. The paper reports the push to drop one day of classes a week, usually on Fridays, is especially appealing to two-year colleges serving rural areas. Thats because many of those students drive long distances and public transportation is harder to find. Some experts expect the trend to also hit urban colleges because of the high cost of gasoline. --- Navy Veteran Faces Lawsuit For Flying American Flag (Clermont, FL) -- A Navy veteran is fighting a homeowners association for the right to fly his American flag. The war veteran was told by his Clermont, Florida HOA to take down his American flag or face a lawsuit. According to WKMG-Florida, the association told Jimmie Watkins the flag was depreciating the value of homes in the neighborhood. Watkins says Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed a bill into law yesterday effectively barring HOAs from telling someone whether they can fly an American flag on their property. --- Celtics Take 3-2 Lead On Pistons (Boston, MA) -- The Boston Celtics are one win away from their first trip to the NBA Finals in 21 years after last nights 106-102 win over the Detroit Pistons. Boston can close out the series by winning Game Six tomorrow in Detroit. Tonight, the Los Angeles Lakers can advance to the NBA Finals with a win. LA hosts the defending champion San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the Western Conference finals, leading the series 3-1. The Lakers havent lost at home since March 28th. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-05-29-08 0842CDT