WASHINGTON

Military witnesses expected to testify against Kagan

Republicans will call three military witnesses to testify against Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan next week, an indication they plan to highlight her dispute with the military over recruiters’ access to Harvard Law School’s campus while she was dean.

The GOP scrapped plans Friday to call a retired Army general who drew criticism for church speeches casting the war on terrorism in religious terms to make the case against Kagan in Judiciary Committee hearings scheduled to begin Monday.

Just hours after announcing he would testify, Republicans said Lt. Gen. William G. “Jerry” Boykin’s past comments painting the war on terror as a Christian fight against Satan and suggesting that Muslims worship idols would distract from Kagan’s actions.

But they kept plans to call three other military witnesses who are expected to strongly criticize Kagan’s decision to bar recruiters from the Harvard Law career services office over the ban on openly gay soldiers.

 

Cheney admitted to hospital after feeling discomfort

Former Vice President Cheney was admitted to the hospital Friday after experiencing discomfort, the latest health scare for Cheney, who has had five heart attacks since age 37.

Cheney, 69, was expected to stay at George Washington University Hospital over the weekend, spokesman Peter Long said.

It was not immediately clear whether Cheney’s health concern was related to his previous heart troubles. He sustained his last heart attack, deemed a mild one, in February.

Cheney was not feeling well Friday and went to see his doctors at George Washington University. On their advice, he was admitted to the hospital for further testing.

PORTLAND, Ore.

Psychiatrist’s license under suspension in drug probe

A Portland psychiatrist who plans to open a home for terminally ill patients seeking to kill themselves has had his license suspended by medical regulators.

The Oregon Medical Board took the action Thursday against Dr. Stuart Weisberg for an investigation of improperly prescribing drugs.

Weisberg, 37, said he had not been informed of the board’s action and was continuing to see patients.

“That’s cool,” he said Friday. “If they want to suspend me, I’ll fight it. I was expecting some heat.”

Oregon in 1997 became the first state to make it legal for a doctor to prescribe a life-ending drug to a terminally ill patient who requests it. More than 400 patients have used the option, but most swallow the lethal medication at home.

The “Dignity House” would have been the first of its kind in the United States. No date has been set for its opening.

Although he could operate the place as a private businessman, Weisberg said he would walk away if the suspension is not lifted.

 

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