US veteran questions rationale of Iraq war

The Iraq war officially ended in 2011, nearly nine years after it began. Back in 2003, many US soldiers went to war fully supporting the military effort and their country's stated mission. During almost a decade of war, however, thousands of US troops died in combat - in addition to tens of thousands of Iraqis. Some of those who fought for the US are now questioning whether the war was worth it. Josh Stieber is one such war veteran. He spoke to Al Jazeera about how he now feels about the war.

Ron Paul: 1964 Civil Rights Act 'destroyed' privacy

The Huffington Post:

Washington - Despite recent accusations of racism and homophobia, Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) stuck to his libertarian principles on Sunday, criticizing the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964 because it "undermine[d] the concept of liberty" and "destroyed the principle of private property and private choices."

"If you try to improve relationships by forcing and telling people what they can't do, and you ignore and undermine the principles of liberty, then the government can come into our bedrooms," Paul told Candy Crowley on CNN's "State of the Union." "And that's exactly what has happened. Look at what's happened with the PATRIOT Act. They can come into our houses, our bedrooms our businesses ... And it was started back then."

The Civil Rights Act repealed the notorious Jim Crow laws; forced schools, bathrooms and buses to desegregate; and banned employment discrimination. Although Paul was not around to weigh in on the landmark legislation at the time, he had the chance to cast a symbolic vote against it in 2004, when the House of Representatives took up a resolution "recognizing and honoring the 40th anniversary of congressional passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964." Paul was the only member who voted "no."

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Rights group campaign to ban NY horse carriages

Animal rights groups have stepped up their campaign to ban New York's iconic horse carriages from Central Park, citing hazardous conditions for the animals that work in street traffic. But with the city's mayor backing the carriage drivers, who support the long-held tradition, the issue could turn into a political battle in city hall. Scott Heidler reports from New York.