The investigation into former soldier Steven Green, charged with raping a teenage Iraqi girl and murdering her family, is taking a new turn:

Military officials initially had believed that the three soldiers attacked in the town of Yousifiya were selected because they were in a vulnerable position when separated from the rest of their unit. But as information about the alleged rape-killing has emerged, so have new theories about the kidnapping-murders.

"Was it a target of opportunity or was it a warning: don't do this to our women?" said the military official.

Were the June kidnappings, murders and beheadings of U.S. soldiers in Yousifiya revenge for the March rape and killings in Mahmoudiya? It makes sense to me. The towns are very near each other. But what I don't understand is why only Green was charged. Another soldier, referred to as KP1, also allegedly raped the girl.

The New York Times reports Bush is considering compromising on immigration reform by agreeing to a bill that only addresses security enforcement and makes no provision for the undocumented or guest workers.

Republicans both inside and outside the White House say Mr. Bush, who has long insisted on comprehensive reform, is now open to a so-called enforcement-first approach that would put new border security programs in place before creating a guest worker program or path to citizenship for people living in the United States illegally.

Bush and Cheney got briefed last week on the "Pence Plan," proposed by Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN.) Officially named the "Border Integrity and Immigration Reform Act," you can read Pence's description of it here and here. It includes the creation of "Ellis Island Centers" where private firms will recruit guest workers.

To end the 4th of July, here's a piece of history and a blending of American and Brit with a little Canadian thrown in. Playing "My Back Pages" together.... Bob Dylan, Roger McGuinn, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Neil Young and Tom Petty, at Bob Dylan's 30th Anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden. Watch as they each take the lead in their own inimitable styles.

"I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now."

Hillary Clinton has released a statement on Joe Lieberman's announcement yesterday that he will petition his way on the November ballot if he loses the primary to Ned Lamont:

''I've known Joe Lieberman for more than thirty years. I have been pleased to support him in his campaign for re-election, and hope that he is our party's nominee,'' the former first lady said in a statement issued by aides. ''But I want to be clear that I will support the nominee chosen by Connecticut Democrats in their primary,'' the New York Democrat added. ''I believe in the Democratic Party, and I believe we must honor the decisions made by Democratic primary voters.''

....''The challenges before us in 2006 call for a strong, united party, in which we all support and work for the candidates who are selected in the Democratic process,'' Clinton said in her statement of Tuesday.

Good for Hillary, sticking with the Democrats. Jane at Firedoglake said yesterday she'd take this position, as I noted in discussing Lieberman's statement here.

America. Land of the free, home of the brave. I used to enjoy the 4th of July, with all its connotations to freedom and democracy. This year it rings hollow.

We may still be the home of the brave, witness the troops risking their lives in Iraq and Afganistan, but we are no longer the land of the free and now I feel sad when I see pictures of the Liberty Bell accompanied by the slogan, "Let Freedom Ring."

I blame President Bush and his administration of fear-mongers, willing to strike fear of terror in the heart of every American to fulfill his bid for unbridled exectuive power, for the demise of our civil liberties. We had an attack on 9/11 and yes, many people died. But that did not warrant taking away the very constitutional rights that made us the beacon of liberty in the free world. I also blame the radical right henchman in Congress, like James Sensenbrenner and Tom Tancredo, as well as xenophobic Americans, who would put a "closed" sign on the Statue of Liberty.

Great headline at the BBC: Lieberman Fights for his Political Life.

The New Haven Independent lists the issues on which Lieberman has sided with Bush instead of the Democrats:

the Iraq war, tax policy, civil liberties, the right to question the president, health care, the recently passed energy bill, and the nominations of right-wing presidential appointees like Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez and Supreme Court nominees John Robers and Samuel Alito.

Lieberman told Harry Reid that if he wins as an Independent, he wants to stay in the Democratic Caucus.

I'm no political strategist, but it sounds to me like Joe is hoping to run as an Independent so he can get Rebublicans to vote for him to make up for the Democrats he loses to Ned Lamont. It's probably his best strategy right now.

Especially with many top Democrats, even Hillary, according to Firedoglake's sources, saying they will support the winner of the Democratic primary.

Pretty funny.

For ten years, well before 9/11, the CIA has had a secret unit, Alec Station, dedicated to finding Osama bin Laden. Yesterday, it confirmed the unit was closed last year.

The CIA's rationale: Bin Laden isn't so dangerous anymore because terror groups no long work in a "hierarchal" fashion. They are more spread out, which according to the CIA, warrants a focus on "regional trends rather than on specific organizations or individuals."

Former CIA official Michael Scheurer, the first chief of Alec Station, disputes the CIA's assessment.

"This will clearly denigrate our operations against Al Qaeda," he said. "These days at the agency, bin Laden and Al Qaeda appear to be treated merely as first among equals."

Johnny Cash's 5th album in his American series, ''American V: A Hundred Highways," recorded in the months before he died while he was sick with diabetes and other ailments, is being released today. The New York Times has this review.

It's the most moving musical rumination on mortality since Warren Zevon's last album before lung cancer killed him.

You can buy a copy of the cd or download it now:

For the 4th of July, Ain't that America for You and Me: John Mellencamp and Pink Houses

Suggestions for tomorrow?

The Dukesters haven't had an open thread all week and they are busting the comments at the seams, so here's one for them.

Murray Waas breaks news in PlameGate today:

Bush told prosecutors he directed Cheney to disclose classified information that would not only defend his administration but also discredit Wilson.

However, Waas reports, Bush did not tell Cheney to leak Valerie Plame's identity.

Some snippets: