Nation briefs 10/17/04

Former security adviser says Iraq 'a failing venture'

WASHINGTON -- The national security adviser under the first President Bush says the current president acted contemptuously toward NATO and Europe after Sept. 11, 2001, and is trying to cooperate now out of desperation to "rescue a failing venture" in Iraq and Afghanistan. Brent Scowcroft, a mentor to the current national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice, also said in an interview that Bush is inordinately influenced by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. "Sharon just has him wrapped around his little finger," Scowcroft told London's Financial Times.

Colorado could be next Florida this election year

DENVER -- Colorado could end up writing an ugly sequel to the Florida election nightmare of four years ago. County clerks have been swamped with a surge in voter registrations, thousands of felons are on the voter rolls, and there is widespread confusion about how provisional ballots will be counted and voting rules will be enforced. Democratic and Republican officials say they are already assembling teams of lawyers to keep watch at the polls and, if necessary, challenge the results if the battle between President Bush and Democrat John Kerry hinges again on a handful of votes.

Court: Terrorism no excuse to search protesters

ATLANTA -- Fear of a terrorist attack is not sufficient reason for authorities to search people at a protest, a federal appeals court has ruled, saying Sept. 11, 2001, "cannot be the day liberty perished." A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously Friday that protesters may not be required to pass through metal detectors when they gather next month for a rally against a U.S. training academy for Latin American soldiers.

-- From wire reports