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March 10, 2010
22:30
Commentary › Whistling in the dark or daring to dream?
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

“Often I think this sad old world is whistling in the dark…” These are the opening words of the theme song from the 1970 movie…
22:19
National › 8 crested ibises in Sado killed
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Eight crested ibises were killed and two critically injured at the Sado Japanese Crested Ibis Conservation Center in Sado, Niigata Prefecture, attacked in their cage…
21:54
Sports › Fighters shut out Buffaloes
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Buddy Carlyle threw five scoreless innings in the Nippon Ham Fighters' 6-0 win over the Orix Buffaloes in a preseason game Wednesday. The former Atlanta…
21:27
Entertainment › Comedian Masako Ohara goes nude for book on love
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Comedian Masako Ohara, 34, has made her first foray into the world of nude photography by appearing naked on the cover of her self-deprecating book,…
21:10
Politics › Hatoyama shows willingness to amend child allowance bill
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama indicated his willingness Wednesday to expand the scope of monthly childrearing allowances to children who reside in nursing homes, as requested…
20:48
Business › Kansai Int'l Airport to seek gov't support
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Kansai International Airport Co plans to ask the government to help it trim at least 800 billion yen of its interest-bearing debts totaling more than…
20:40
Business › CSK in final talks to sell Cosmo Securities
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Major information services provider CSK Holdings Corp has entered the final phase of talks with Iwai Securities Co to sell its subsidiary Cosmo Securities Co…
20:37
National › Appeals court turns down forced Chinese laborers' demand for redress
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

An appeals court upheld Wednesday a lower court ruling that turned down a demand by a group of Chinese who were forced to work in…
20:37
Business › Idemitsu, Showa Shell to suspend refinery operations due to slack demand
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Idemitsu Kosan Co and Showa Shell Sekiyu KK said Wednesday they will temporarily suspend operations of their oil refineries in fiscal 2010 on slack demand…
20:30
Business › Used car sales drop 8.5% in February
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Used vehicle sales in Japan declined 8.5% in February from a year earlier to 317,228 units, a fall for the 13th consecutive month, the Japan…
20:24
National › Cherry blossoms come out in Kochi
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Signs of the full-blown spring season were observed in Japan when cherry blossoms bloomed Wednesday in the western city of Kochi, coming out the earliest…
20:21
Technology › Researchers cultivate mouse intestines from stem cells
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

A group of Japanese researchers said Wednesday they have succeeded in cultivating the intestines of a mouse from stem cells. It is the first time…
20:07
Business › Toyota loses popularity among science students
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Toyota Motor Corp has fallen to 13th place from seventh in terms of popularity among science and engineering students, dropping out of the top 10…
20:05
Business › Shiseido acquires Californian cosmetic maker
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Japan's largest cosmetics maker Shiseido Co said Wednesday its tender offer for the shares of U.S. cosmetics maker Bare Escentuals Inc had been accepted, securing…
20:04
Sports › Gamba, Henan draw 1-1 in Asian Champions League
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Gamba Osaka had to be content with a share of the spoils as the J-League side were held to a 1-1 draw at home to…
20:02
Business › 2 regional banks ask for gov't financial aid
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Fidea Holdings Co, a Sendai-based banking group, and another regional lender, Miyazaki Taiyo Bank, have applied for public cash infusions with the Financial Services Agency,…
18:00
Poll › Do you intend to see "The Cove" either at a theater or on DVD?
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Poll › Do you intend to see "The Cove" either at a theater or on DVD?

17:59
Rape Suspect's Father Speaks
» ‎ WREG - Memphis News: daily news, local news and tv news

Says his son has no reason to commit such a crime
17:54
Oakland Officer Resigns After Badge Controversy
» ‎ WREG - Memphis News: daily news, local news and tv news

Joshua Smith stands by his story

Very little information released

17:48
Texas Education Agency lashes out at Fox Network for 'highly inaccurate' reports
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

Texas Education Agency lashes out at Fox Network for 'highly inaccurate' reports

17:45
7-Year-Old Calls 911, Saves Family From Attack
» ‎ FOXNews.com

A 7-year-old boy who called 911 while armed robbers threatened his parents hugged and delivered a high five to the dispatcher who took his call.

17:44
Texas State Fair works with North Texas Super Bowl host committee for 'Super Sized Fun' theme in 2010
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

Texas State Fair works with North Texas Super Bowl host committee for 'Super Sized Fun' theme in 2010

17:41
Health Bill Already Doomed?
» ‎ FOXNews.com

EXCLUSIVE: Fox News confirms seven House Dems who supported reform last year will oppose Senate bill because it lifts ban on federal funding for abortions
• YOU DECIDE: Is Health Care Reform Doomed?
• RAW DATA: Dems Who Could Pull the Plug on Reform
• Tea Partiers Try to Keep Up With Health Care Blitz
17:41
U.N. to Probe Climate Panel
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Independent scientific panel to review U.N. climate change panel's 'procedures and practices' — and management — in apparent slap at its embattled chief | FULL COVERAGE
• Forecasters Predict Active 2010 Hurricane Season
17:41
Who Needs a Baseball Season?
» ‎ FOXNews.com

The first game is weeks away, but a N.J. mathematician claims he already knows who will be in postseason

17:40
Detained Herdsmen Talk About Killings in Nigeria
» ‎ NYT > Home Page

The police have arrested about 200 people in Jos, where this week dozens of herdsmen slaughtered hundreds of people in a brutal act of sectarian retribution.

17:39
Chuck Norris Turns 70
» ‎ iOwnTheWorld.com

Asylum">[http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asylum.com%2F2010%2F03%2F10%2Fchuck-norris-turns-70-we-present-a-norris-fact-for-every-ass-ki%2F"> Asylum] compiles a list of 70 Chuckisms - one for every year. Here is a taste:

1. Since 1940, the year Chuck Norris was born, roundhouse-kick-related deaths have increased 13,000 percent.
7. Chuck Norris once kicked a horse in the chin. Its descendants are known today as giraffes.
17. Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.
25. Chuck Norris ordered a Big Mac at Burger King, and got one.
29. Chuck Norris got a blow up doll pregnant.
47. A Handicapped parking sign does not signify that this spot is for handicapped people. It is actually in fact a warning, that the spot belongs to Chuck Norris and that you will be handicapped if you park there.
48. Chuck Norris is the only man to ever defeat a brick wall in a game of tennis.
67. Chuck Norris is so fast, he can run around the world and punch himself in the back of the head.
69. The square root of Chuck Norris is pain.

image credit

Here is Chuck’s column over at Human Events

17:39
White House continues to slam insurers
» ‎ CNN.com

President Obama is turning up the heat on private health insurers again, taking his increasingly populist health care overhaul pitch on the road to Missouri.

17:36
Massa: I Groped Male Staff But Not Sexually
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Massa: I Groped Male Staff But Not Sexually
17:36
Einstein Was Right: General Relativity Confirmed
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Einstein Was Right: General Relativity Confirmed
17:36
Drudge Virus Warning Blasted as Free Speech Assault
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Drudge Virus Warning Blasted as Free Speech Assault
17:36
Players Cry Foul as Leagues Crack Down on Twitter- SLIDESHOW: Athletes Who Tweet
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Players Cry Foul as Leagues Crack Down on Twitter- SLIDESHOW: Athletes Who Tweet
17:36
Plan for U.S. Waters Will Not End Recreational Fishing
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Plan for U.S. Waters Will Not End Recreational Fishing
17:36
LIVESHOTS: Textbook Battle: Religion in Classroom - FULL COVERAGE: Texas Textbook Battle
» ‎ FOXNews.com

LIVESHOTS: Textbook Battle: Religion in Classroom - FULL COVERAGE: Texas Textbook Battle
17:36
Census Hiring Expected to Deliver Economic Boost
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Census Hiring Expected to Deliver Economic Boost
17:36
Gates: Some Troops Could Leave Afghanistan Early- Ahmadinejad's Afghanistan Visit Stokes Tensions
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Gates: Some Troops Could Leave Afghanistan Early- Ahmadinejad's Afghanistan Visit Stokes Tensions
17:36
'.XXX' Domain Name Being Considered for Porn Sites
» ‎ FOXNews.com

'.XXX' Domain Name Being Considered for Porn Sites

17:35
'Lost Boys' Corey Haim Found Dead
» ‎ WREG - Memphis News: daily news, local news and tv news

Apparent overdose is cause

17:28
Obama takes message to Mo.
» ‎ washingtonpost.com - Today's Highlights

In making more aguments for reform, president says health care fraud and abuse must end.

17:27
Study links Dallas-area earthquakes, saltwater wells
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

Study links Dallas-area earthquakes, saltwater wells

17:25
New leader tops Forbes' richest people
» ‎ CNN.com

Forbes magazine released its annual list of the world's richest people Wednesday, and for only the second time since 1995, Microsoft founder Bill Gates' name was not at the top.

17:22
Decoded Genome Gives New Hope in Confronting Diseases
» ‎ NYT > Home Page

Geneticists said the new research shows it is now possible to sequence the genome of a patient at reasonable cost and with sufficient accuracy to be of practical use to researchers.

17:22
Manchester United 4-0 AC Milan
» ‎ The Guardian World News
This evening needed every square inch of football heritage to conceal the drabness of the match. Manchester United overwhelmed inept and ageing visitors. David Beckham eventually took the field as a substitute against his old club and was a tactful guest. The veteran won cheers for a volley that did no harm as the attempt was tipped over the bar by Edwin van der Sar.
The drubbing administered at Old Trafford fell just short of the 5-0 margin by which Arsenal had swamped Porto the night before. Perhaps the recent Premier League ascendancy in this tournament is not destined to end shortly after all. It will be a relief to Sir Alex Ferguson and others that Real Madrid, following the 1-1 draw with Lyon, have yet again been eliminated in the last 16 of the Champions League.
United were never confronted by that sort of risk and the sheer energy in their ranks prevented Milan from disguising the elderliness of some and the mediocrity of others in their line-up. The contrast between the teams was all the more pronounced because Wayne Rooney, who began his professional life as a phenomenon, seems now to be getting better still.
There were to be two strikes from him, but he had confirmed United's passage to the Champions League quarter-finals as soon as he notched the opener. The entertainment continued to the 88th minute when Darren Fletcher headed in a cross from the substitute Rafael da Silva. This emphatic beating will not have taken Milan wholly by surprise.
The fuss over Beckham's return to Old Trafford overlooked the fact that the coach, Leonardo, would have been a sentimental fool to include him in the starting line-up. His mediocre outing in the first leg indicated that the inevitable decline of a veteran is getting steeper. At least Beckham showed nice touches and a fellow substitute Filippo Inzaghi might have forced home one of the deliveries in stoppage time.
The 34-year-old Beckham was introduced with the score was 3-0 and there had been nothing to distract the crowd from lauding him. "Fergie, Fergie sign him up," chanted the fans. The intention was kind, but it must have hurt a veteran who knew he was being patronised. At least he was not alone. This had been a chastening night for Milan.
Nothing could have stopped them from being outclassed but the aggregate score might not have reached 7-2 if Alexandre Pato and, more relevantly, the centre-half Alessandro Nesta had been fit to play. Any suggestion that the tie was in balance at kick-off was pure fiction, even if Ferguson had been in charge of the story-telling.
On the eve of the game he had regretted the late goal by Clarence Seedorf at San Siro. That had done no more that trim the margin of United's win to 3-2. At the very least, Milan would have had to score twice at Old Trafford and the task of keeping a clean sheet had always looked an impossibility.
There could have been some tension when a free-kick from the right glanced off Nani and went straight to Ronaldinho after eight minutes but the Brazilian's header ran wide with the goalkeeper Van der Sar almost motionless. Rooney is more practised at that art and his opener was the seventh consecutive goal he had nodded home.
The attacker got in front of the centre-half Daniele Bonera to glance the ball past a helpless Christian Abbiati. The visitors had come with attacking intent, but they also brought to Manchester the same basic vulnerability that had afflicted them in Milan.
Even if they had been rigorous, Rooney might still have been their undoing. The string of goals highlights the movement essential to a striker who is not all that tall. Often there is no marker to outjump him because Rooney has left him trailing. The opener dismayed Milan, but there was also collateral damage to the fixture itself.No one could pretend that a grand drama was unfolding.
Leonardo's side did not get much encouragement although they had bouts of possession. Before half-time excitement was restricted in their efforts to counter Rooney's goal. Milan had to seek a lot more than that. They sent on Seedorf for the second half, but the removal of Bonera proved more relevant because the middle of their defence was disturbed.
Massimo Ambrosini, a midfielder, had been reassigned to that post, but the back four were left helpless when possession was surrendered cheaply. Nani, from the left, crossed precisely with his right foot in the 46th minute and Rooney shot past Abbiati. A finish with boot rather than brow was the sole element of surprise. Uncertainty involved nothing more than the ultimate margin of victory in the tie.
United, with the match won, were too composed to be lenient. After 59 minutes, Paul Scholes slid through a pass that Park Ji-sung converted for the third goal. A crowd that relished the display and remembered to protest lustily against the ownership of the Glazers had an ideal evening.
Kevin McCarra
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

17:03
A Futures Site Coming to Bet on Movie Ticket Sales
» ‎ NYT > Home Page

A virtual futures exchange is being assembled to allow people to bet money on a film’s box office success.

16:46
Posts Found Through RWN’s Top 40 – Say Anything
» ‎ iOwnTheWorld.com

From Say Anything (#12)

Hypocrites: Obama Administration Tells Insurers To Stop Spending Money On Anti-Obamacare Ads

Obama’s Health Secretary Katherine Sebelius says that money could better be spent by cutting premiums. But I don’t remember the Obama administration complaining after they cut a deal with drug companies, also often accused of charging too much for their products/services, to spend $150 million advertising in favor of Obamacare.

Double standards are wonderful, no?

Read the rest here:

16:39
Man killed in Oak Cliff shootout with Dallas police
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

Man killed in Oak Cliff shootout with Dallas police

16:37
Quotes Attributed to Mandela’s Ex-Wife Cause a Stir
» ‎ NYT > Home Page

In the London Evening Standard this week Winnie Mandikizela-Mandela described her former husband as a figurehead who had made a bad deal with South Africa’s former white rulers.

16:37
Posts Found Through The RWN’s Top 40 – IMAO
» ‎ iOwnTheWorld.com

From IMAO (#9)

Being Green Makes You More Likely to Cheat and Steal

In a scientific study (using Science!), it is demonstrated that when people buy green products and help the environment, they tend to be lax in other areas and are more likely to then cheat and steal. Doesn’t that explain liberals?

Look at all the liberals in Congress and how easy they find it to lie about their intentions toward health care (“This isn’t about a government takeover.”); they feel the lying is okay because they’re doing good.

Read the rest here
16:30
Posts Found Through The RWN’s Top 40 – Althouse
» ‎ iOwnTheWorld.com

Althouse (#16) has a clip of Anne Sullivan with her student Helen Keller.

When you come back, enjoy this clip of a Helen Keller Simulator that I found.

16:24
Bartlett finance director leaves to take job in Collierville
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

Mark Brown is leaving his position as Bartlett finance director to become assistant town administrator at Collierville.

16:14
Beckham's return spoiled
» ‎ CNN.com

Wayne Rooney (right) scores twice as Manchester United crush AC Milan 4-0 to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League and ruin David Beckham's return to Old Trafford.

16:13
Haim Obsessed With Vicodin
» ‎ FOXNews.com

POP TARTS EXCLUSIVE: Pal says Haim may have traded illegal drugs for legal ones | CHILD STAR TRAGEDIES
16:13
Card Controversy
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SLIDESHOW: Some lawmakers are pushing for a national biometric ID card. Check out YOUR creative designs and ideas
16:13
Stars With Drug Problems
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SLIDESHOW: Corey Haim fought addictions to several different drugs for most of his life. These stars have also battled addictions, with varied success
16:13
Kat von D's New Tattoos
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SCENE & HERD: 'L.A. Ink' star shows the tats that made her famous, Britney takes mom shopping, Kate Moss hits Paris, and more stars out and about...
16:13
Corey Haim Dead at 38
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Former teen heartthrob and star of 'Lost Boys' had a history of drug abuse, may have overdosed | COREY HAIM: 1971-2010 | CELEBS MOURN VIA TWITTER
16:13
'Revenge of the Nerds'
» ‎ FOXNews.com

THEN/NOW: Anthony Edwards went on to win a Golden Globe for his role in 'ER,' but what about the rest of America's favorite nerds and their frat boy nemeses?
16:13
Has Lindsay Lost It?
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SLIDESHOW: The star is suing E-Trade for $100 mil over their baby commercial? A look back at her extreme highs and lows | LOHAN NO 'MILKAHOLIC'
16:13
Miss Tiger Woods Mistress
» ‎ FOXNews.com

FOX411: The Tiger Woods mistress beauty pageant has a "winner"! Pancake waitress? VIP club hostess? Find out! | WOMEN LINKED TO WOODS
16:13
EyePoppers
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SLIDESHOW: Science labs churn out startling images -- synapses firing, molecules, DNA works of art. We round up the latest science news, as told in pictures
16:13
Acadia Park in 5...
» ‎ FOXNews.com

By land or by sea, New England's only National Park is 30,000 acres of fun

16:06
With New Homes, Town Makes Amends for Discrimination Decades Ago
» ‎ NYT > Home Page

Hamtramck, Mich., settled a housing discrimination suit by offering homes to the descendants of black residents forced off their property in the 1950s and ’60s.
15:58
Baby’s Snuggled in a Sling, but Safe?
» ‎ NYT > Home Page

Baby carriers are more popular as parents believe the snuggled-up style has benefits for infants.

15:58
Washington Post: Tenuous Links To Smear The Palins (Update)
» ‎ Conservatives4Palin.com

The citizens of the progressive twin cities of Tenuous Links/To Smear Palin have been all a flutter this week about what they see as the hypocrisy of the Governor Palin’s opposition to socialized health care, knowing full well that more than 40 years ago her sister and brother were treated at a Canadian hospital in the Yukon Territory, at a time well before nationalised medicare existed there. (see here)

Given that their raison d’être is the unsubstantiated, it matters nought to the citizens of Tenuous Links/To Smear Palin that the future Vice Presidential candidate was only around 5 years of age at the time and was not herself the recipient of medical attention; that the decision to take their children to a foreign hospital was made by the then Sarah Heath’s parents; that the said hospital wasn’t at the time part of a national Canadian medicare programme; or that the health care received was paid for.

For those willing to entertain the absurdity, perhaps most puzzling in this sorry matter of the deliberate inflating of the ludicrously tenuous is the unusual failure of the citizens of Tenuous Links/To Smear Palin to fully exploit its potential by making further equally tenuous links.

For example, one might reasonably have expected the citizens of the twin cities to have remembered that in an interview conducted by Harry Smith of CBS on 9/29/08, Chuck Heath said this of the young Sarah,

“I could bend my other kids and have them do things and if she knew she was right I had a hard time convincing her there was another way of doing it... but she was usually always right and could justify what she wanted to do... very strong willed...”

Strong willed? A hard time convincing her if she knew she was right?

Chuck Heath, “You Lie!” cry the conspiratorial.

Isn’t it abundantly clear to the Palin Deranged that 40 years ago the 5 year old Sarah Heath failed utterly and abysmally to convince her father that he should not take her brother with the scalded foot to a hospital in a foreign territory, just in case years later that territory might join a nationalised health care system?

Many believe that this woman has pretensions to become President, but in the light of this evidence how can that be a serious consideration, Mr Heath?

Who in his right mind can trust that this woman will be capable of standing up for their nation against the intransigence of the Iranians or the North Koreans when at age five she failed singularly to persuade her adult father not to take his injured child to a hospital in foreign territory which years later did join a national medicare programme.

In fact, for all we know the five year old Sarah Heath didn’t even try to dissuade her father.

Well, it seems the notion that anti-Palin sentiments, however tenuous, are there to be exploited is a subject on which Washington Post web politics editor Garance Franke-Ruta has also been ruminating.

Surprisingly, Ms Franke-Ruta has seen fit (see here) to repeat the content of an article which originated at the notorious European blogsite Palingates on 3/3/10 - whose malicious authors attempted to make a link between Mr Palin’s Iron Dog sponsorship and the dictator Hugo Chavez - and in which Governor Palin was accused of “palling around with Communists”.

“That means in effect that Todd Palin is being sponsored by Hugo Chavez!”

Garance Franke-Ruta, how is it that as a web politics editor you don’t appear to know more about the bloggers at Palingates ? (see here)

They have convinced themselves that Governor Palin is not the mother of her fifth child. They promote the belief that Mrs Palin’s husband is not the father of the first born Palin child, and they seek at every opportunity to advocate conspiracies which aim to besmirch and destabilise the Palin family. They tell their readers that working on such conspiracies excites and inspires them as bloggers, and they plead with their readers for support in their conspiracy building and cyber bullying.

They do all of that from the relative safety of their homes in France and elsewhere in Europe, Ms Franke-Ruta. They are not Alaska bloggers. They are not Americans.

As indicated by the acrimony between Palingates and the Alaska Bloggers which emerged last weekend, even amongst the liberal progressive bloggers of Alaska (who are themselves persistent Palin critics), Palingates is an embarrassment, a pariah blog despised for the nature of its content and its irrational pursuit-to-destruction of a family of people living thousands of miles away, in a foreign country.

Perhaps, Ms Franke-Ruta, you’d consider the possibility that the link you made today to a European website site regarded commonly as a “cyber sewer” was a mistake?

I hope so, because it was the sort of tenuous link which no national media outlet can afford to encourage.

Update: Mystik Lubricants was the official lubricant sponsor of the entire Iron Dog event for the second year in a row. Mystik Lubricants was also the "presenting sponsor of the 2009 HYDRO-TURF APBA Watercross Nationals in Nashville, Tennessee" last September.

So in order for the argument to work, you'd have to claim that the entire Iron Dog for the last two years and Watercross Nationals was conducted at the behest of Hugo Chavez.

15:48
Anti-consolidation group calls for resignation of election commissioner Stephens
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

A group opposing consolidation called for the resignation of Shelby County Election Commissioner Brian Stephens today because of his leadership role with Rebuild Government.

15:46
US Department of Education Needs 27 Short-Barreled Shotguns
» ‎ SayUncle

For serious:

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) intends to purchase twenty-seven (27) REMINGTON BRAND MODEL 870 POLICE 12/14P MOD GRWC XS4 KXCS SF. RAMAC #24587 GAUGE: 12 BARREL: 14″ – PARKERIZED CHOKE: MODIFIED SIGHTS: GHOST RING REAR WILSON COMBAT; FRONT – XS CONTOUR BEAD SIGHT STOCK: KNOXX REDUCE RECOIL ADJUSTABLE STOCK FORE-END: SPEEDFEED SPORT-SOLID – 14″ LOP are designated as the only shotguns authorized for ED based on compatibility with ED existing shotgun inventory, certified armor and combat training and protocol, maintenance, and parts.

Uhm, why?

15:42
Search for missing Atoka fisherman slowing
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

Officials plan to scale down the search for a missing Atoka fisherman lost on the Mississippi Saturday.

15:39
Proper pruning helps protect trees from storm damage
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

Proper pruning helps protect trees from storm damage

15:37
Coroner: Houston Oil Exec Drowned in River After Fall
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Dr. Frank Minyard said Wednesday that the autopsy of 54-year-old Douglas Schantz found a lesion on his forehead as well as evidence of drowning.

15:37
'Jihad Jane' faces terror charges
» ‎ The Guardian World News
Arrest of 'cat lady', suspected of plot to kill Prophet cartoonist, linked to terror suspects held in Ireland
She lived in Main Street, Pennsburg, which in hindsight is about as rich a paradox as could be. Her apartment on the second floor of a block of flats in the Pennsylvania town was nondescript, except for some wind chimes and a star hanging from the balcony.
But today the world learned of Colleen LaRose's alleged second life, one quite out of keeping with the low-key figure she presented. She was blonde, blue-eyed, 5ft 2ins tall and wholly unassuming, according to a former boyfriend, Kurt Gorman. "She seemed normal to me. She was a good person," he told the Philadelphia Daily News.
But to the FBI agents who had been tracking her every move from at least as early as July last year, she was potentially a dangerous would-be terrorist intent on martyrdom and using the aliases Jihad Jane and Fatima LaRose.
Today, an indictment was unsealed accusing her of plotting to murder a Swedish man in order to frighten "the whole Kufar (nonbeliever) world".
Although the indictment does not name him, her intended victim is reported to have been Lars Vilks, a cartoonist who drew a satirical picture of the head of the prophet Muhammad on top of a dog's body.
US media have reported that LaRose's case is linked to the arrest in Ireland on Tuesday of seven suspected plotters from Algeria, Croatia, Palestine, Libya and the US. Al-Qaida had placed a $100,000 (£67,000) bounty on Vilks's head.
The arrest of LaRose, 46, has been seized on by US national security officials as a warning that terrorist groups want to recruit white Americans to circumvent tight travel controls.
David Kris of the justice department said the allegation "that a woman from suburban America agreed to carry out murder overseas ... underscores the evolving nature of the threat we face".
The US prosecutor for Pennsylvania, Michael Levy, said: "The case demonstrates that terrorists are looking for Americans to join them in their cause, and it shatters any lingering thought that we can spot a terrorist based on appearance."
LaRose was arrested on 15 October as she returned to the US from a trip to Europe, but details have only now been released to allow international agents to track her contacts. She is being held at a federal prison in Philadelphia.
She grew up in Texas but moved to Philadelphia in 2004. Neighbours in Pennsburg told the Los Angeles Times she had a reputation for eccentricity. "She was the weird, weird, weird lady who lived across the hall. We always called her the crazy lady," said Eric Newell, adding that despite that he never thought she was dangerous. His wife, Kristy, said LaRose used to talk a lot to her cats.
Why and when LaRose converted to Islam is not known, but the indictment pinpoints her involvement in jihadist conspiracy to June 2008, when she allegedly posted a comment on YouTube under the alias Jihad Jane, saying she was "desperate to do something somehow to help" the suffering Muslim people.
The charges detail how over the next few months she came into contact through the internet with five separate unnamed but known jihadists in Europe and south Asia. The first connection was allegedly in December 2008 with a south Asian resident who wanted to "wage jihad and become a 'shaheed' (martyr)".
LaRose replied she too wanted to martyr herself, the indictment says. On 20 February last year she sent an email saying that her physical appearance would allow her to "blend in with many people", which "may be a way to achieve what is in my heart", the indictment says.
The following month one of her contacts suggests she "can get access to many places due to ur nationality". LaRose is also alleged to have used the internet to recruit women with passports and easy travel access around Europe in support of violent jihad.
The FBI questioned her about soliciting funds for terrorism and posting on terrorist websites under the username Jihad Jane in July last year. But LaRose showed considerable naivety.
On 23 August she suddenly disappeared from her apartment, to her boyfriend's amazement. "I came home and she's gone," he said, adding that she stole his passport, for which she has also been charged.
That day she travelled to Europe and by September, the indictment says, she was actively searching for her Swedish target, becoming a "citizen" of the artist's cyber community. On 30 September she sent an email saying it was "an honour & great pleasure to die or kill" and pledging that "only death will stop me here that i am so close to the target!"
It is not clear why, but she did not go through with the attack and returned to the US on 15 October, when she was arrested.
If convicted she faces life in prison and fines of up to $1m.
Homegrown terrorism
News of the existence of "Jihad Jane" comes at a time of mounting anxiety in the US about the incidence of American citizens engaging in jihadist activities. It is a phenomenon of homegrown terrorism that has previously been considered rare in the country.
In December last year FBI agents and their Pakistani colleagues interrogated five young American Muslims who were suspected of being on their way to Afghanistan to fight with the Taliban, against US-led forces. The five, aged 19 to 25, had formed a close-knit social group in the Alexandria area of Virginia. They had all disappeared from their family homes in late November, reportedly leaving behind a video featuring war scenes and statements about the defence of Muslims.
Earlier in December, another US citizen, David Headley, was charged with helping to plan the Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people in 2008. Headley, 49, who lived in Chicago, is accused of conspiracy to bomb public places in India, to murder and maim people, and to provide material support to a foreign terrorist group. Headley was born in Washington DC to a Pakistani diplomat based at the country's embassy and an American mother. He adopted his mother's surname in 2006, which investigators claim allowed him to move more easily across borders.
Ed Pilkington
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
15:31
Litany of failures let father rape daughters for years
» ‎ The Guardian World News
Authorities apologise over missed warnings of incest as report reveals culture of 'quiet word' rather than action
A series of failures by child protection professionals were detailed today in a withering report that described how a father was allowed to continually rape and abuse two of his daughters over a 35-year period.
The executive summary into the case described how the family had been in contact with 28 different agencies between 1973 and 2008, and that they had been seen by more than 100 professionals including social workers, police and housing officials.
Sixteen case conferences were held and ambulance workers, a headteacher and hospital staff had all expressed concern about non-accidental injuries and the children's poor hygiene. Yet nothing was done.
Seven allegations of sexual abuse were made by family members – but they were not followed up.
Instead of swift intervention, a culture of having "a quiet word" was found to exist among professionals.
Today Sheffield and Lincolnshire safeguarding children boards apologised for their failings. Chris Cook, independent chair of Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board, said: "We are genuinely sorry. We should have protected you. People's lives were devastated both by a controlling, power-obsessed and deviant father and our failure to act."
Sue Fiennes, independent chair of Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board, admitted they had failed the family and "nothing should shield us from that fact".
The nature of the failures were disclosed today, 18 months after the father was sentenced to 25 life sentences for raping his daughters in one of the worst cases of incest ever put before a British court.
The women had finally come forward in June 2008 when their father was arrested. The judge in the case, Alan Goldack QC, demanded to know what professionals "had been doing for the last 20 years."
Today's report was an attempt to answer the question.
It described how the man abused and intimidated his family, and how he moved them 67 times to avoid being detected by the authorities. During that time, two of his daughters, referred to as M and N, had become pregnant 18 times after being raped by him.
Yet despite increasing suspicion that sexual abuse was taking place, none of the episodes was investigated effectively. On 23 separate occasions the women were specifically asked by the authorities about paternity of their children. They refused genetic counselling and there was concern that the father had become violent and aggressive towards them.
Yet because professionals believed "there was no evidence" to prove incest, they took no action. They were also fearful of potential litigation, the report noted.
The girls and a brother, who suffered physical abuse, were on the child protection register for a decade.
Speaking at a press conference, Professor Pat Cantrill, author of the report, said the abuse could have been stopped. "It only really needed one person with tenacity to keep pushing this and pushing this and we might have had a much earlier recognition and action being taken.
"There were people in the community that came forward and attempted to get the agencies to react in relation to this family and they were not listened to the way that they should."
She said a culture of "having a quiet word" had developed, and some professionals simply did not know how to handle the situation.
She said opportunities were missed individually and collectively. "The inquiries that were identified should have resulted in the children being taken to a place of safety – but that did not occur."
Some professionals got "quite stuck" around the situation of incest. "You are aware, as I am aware, that there are a number of these serious case reviews that happen and we always don't seem to learn from them."
The report found the father intimidated and frightened his wife and children using physical violence and bullying.
His wife left in 1992, leaving the children with him. "Professionals failed to listen and consider the situation from the child's perspective," the summary concluded. "They did not see the children and, where possible, talk to them and find out what they thought and felt about the issues. Too often the professionals took the word of parents at face value without considering the effects on the child."
It found professionals were often on the back foot because some were afraid of the father. "There is also an issue of professionals stereotyping and being judgmental of adults M and N and failing to see the growing pressure on the women of the frequent pregnancies." It found agencies were waiting for M and N to disclose abuse, yet research finds that 40% of victims of serious sexual assault don't tell.
"There was evidence of practitioners working in narrow silos," the report found. "There is an individual and collective community responsibility on us as members of society to protect children. Members of the family and community tried to play their part in safeguarding the children … with a frustrating outcome."
Cantrill said by 1997 there was a substantial picture in place that should have reflected in action being taken. "Even though some professionals were afraid of the father they left the children with him," she added.
- Crime
- Child protection
Helen Carter
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15:26
Chief Exorcist Says 'Devil at Work' Inside Vatican
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Sex abuse scandals in the Roman Catholic Church are proof that that "the Devil is at work inside the Vatican", according to the Holy See's chief exorcist.

15:24
Sen. passes $140B tax extenders bill
» ‎ POLITICO Top Stories

Legislation includes nearly $40 billion set aside for health care reform.

15:21
German-based pipe manufacturer breaks ground in Tunica
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and Tunica County officials this afternoon welcomed a pipe manufacturing facility expected to create 500 local jobs within five years.

15:21
Manchester United v AC Milan
» ‎ The Guardian World News
Hit F5 to refresh or turn on automatic updates below. Paul will be here from 7.15 but in the meantime email your thoughts on the game to paul.doyle@guardian.co.uk
79 mins: Zut alors! I see that Pjanic has equalised for Lyon in Real's den!
78 mins: As this match creaks to a halt, David Mitchell draws my attention to amusing events at the Madejski, where Reading are facing a Derby side who, because of a red card, are playing out the game with none other than Robbie Savage in goal! "They'll be aiming for his face," chuckles David.
75 mins: An atmosphere that had become funereal is momentarily revived by a Beckham blaster from 25 yards, which brings a routine save from Van der Sar.
74 mins: Another United change: Scholes off, Gibson on.
73 mins: Ronaldinho needs to do something to remind us - and Dunga - that he is still on the pitch. The best thing he can think of is booting Park to the floor. A deserved yellow card.
71 mins: An under-hit Beckham ball is intercepted by Nani, who could cross from the left ... but is bundled out for a corner.
71 mins: Flamini sends in a reasonable low shot from 30 yards. Van der Sar saves with his feet.
69 mins: Milan make another change: Inzaghi comes on for Huntelaar.
GOAL! Burnley 1-1 Stoke (Nugent 52') Either of those sides would have beaten Milan tonight.
68 mins: Scholes booked for kicking the ball away after Milan are awarded a freekick. Silly.
66 mins: Substitutions: Exit Rooney and Neville, enter Rafael and Berbatov.
64 mins: Milan substitution: Beckham is introduced for Abate. Some fans clap, but when he gets his first touch he is booed! What does it all mean? What does it all matter?
63 mins: Again with only moderate effort and movement United work their way into the Milan box, before Nani miscontrols and the chance evaporates. Milan are a sad parody of a football team.
61 mins: Ambrosini performs a trademark foul, giving United a free at the left-hand corner of the box. Nani floats it in, Ambrosini clears.
GOAL! United 3-0 Milan (agg: 6-2) (Park 59') That really is despicable from Milan. There was no opponent within 20 yards of Scholes when he received the ball midway inside the Milan half. He sized up his options and then slipped a nice pass through to Park, who, naturally, was sharper than the defender and poked the ball past the out-rushing keeper from eight yards.
57 mins: Nani jinks easily past Abate to the by-line and chips a ball across. Abbiati palns it away as Valencia was poised to head into the net.
55 mins: Ferguson fumed with rage last week at both Rooney and Capello after his most important player was allowed to play 80 minutes in a mostly poitnless friendly for England. Bearing that in mind, why is he leaving him on the pitch tonight? This match is won. An injury to Rooney will make the manager regret his hypocrisy.
53 mins: Milan cobble together a decent attack. Pirlo swept the ball out wide to Abate, who centred nicely. Huntelaar outjumped Ferdinand but couldn't direct his header on target.
50 mins: Jim Beglin on ITV reckons United could hit four here tonight if they're bothered, and he's not wrong. Weird thing is, Milan could score too if they bucked up. Their non-performance is as puzzling as it is damning."Could Fergie please just take Rooney off now and let Capello store him in bubble wrap until June?" pleads Mark Hammond.
48 mins: Valencia cuts in from the flank and then fires into the sidenetting from a crazy angle. Yvonne Doyle should now be saying danke to German TV for not showing this fiasco.
GOAL! United 2-0 Milan (agg: 5-2) (Rooney 46') Whatever Leonardo said at half-time had no effect whatsoever, obviously. Within seconds United have extended their lead, and Milan helped them. Nani intercepted a sloppy pass in midfield, sprinted down the left and then sent an astute ball towards Rooney, who go to it before Abbiati and rolled under the keeper and into the net from 17 yards.
46 mins: Milan have made a sub: on comes Seedorf for Bonera, with Ambrosini retreating to centreback in place of the departed. "I'm up the Atlas Moutains in a place called Tafraoute," brags a man called Mike. "The boys here all have their hair like Ronaldo and wont let me watch the game. I'm drinking mint tea next door insteqd and relying on you." Ah, mint tee [cue Homer Simpson-style drooling from mbm hack]
"Make it stop!" wails Damien Neva. "I can't stand watching this any longer. Berlusconi ought to sell the entire squad in the summer and start anew. This Milan side is a disgrace."
"Sworn Tigress has just won easily" reports Tony Paley, giving us a handy real-life metaphor for the events at Old Trafford. And take note: that same nag is running again tomorrow and top tipster Tony reckons it's a cert to win again. On the strength of his recommendation to me earlier in the day I even put a crafty £2 on it to win's tonight's race .... at odds of 4/7.
"They're off!" hollers my colleague Tony Paley, whose at the races in Wolverhampton, where the hot favourite for the the race that has just got under way is Sworn Tigress, whose owner is a certain Sir Alex of Ferguson.
Half-time: Milan have been poor. Despite United providing them with plenty of proof that their defensive problems have not been repaired, Milan have hardly mustered any meaningful attacks since going behind. Indeed, they seem to be struggling to even muster effort. All too easy for the home team.
43 mins: Milan's negligence is disgraceful. Nani was allowed to saunter down the left, stop, look up, study his options while contemplating the finer points of Wittgenstein's theory of family resemblances, then roll the ball to Fletcher in the middle. The Scot controlled it at the edge of the area and then fired a powerful shot two yards wide.
42 mins: ACHTUNG! Oh sorry, nothing happened, other than I received this email from Charlie Wilson. "Having moved to Lyon last week, my French learning strategy du jour is watching my adopted city get emasculated by Ronaldo, whilst following your MBM (& trying to learn Linux, meh). I particularly enjoy the French tendency to yell 'Attention!' every time something interesting happens, rendering multi-task football watching a much more efficient process. You should try something similar."
40 mins: A section of United fans are chanting, perhaps sarcastically, "Fergie, sign him up, Fergie, Fergie sign him up" in reference to David Beckham. There is nothing else to report, except that United are comfortably keeping Milan at bay. The Italians are having plenty of the ball but have been very predictable in possession so far.
38 mins: Milan were the side that, back in the 80s, introduced a swashbukling, high-tempo and offensive style of play that belied the stereotypical claims about Italian football being slow and boring. They now seem determined to give new life to that perception. They are stagnating here.
35 mins: Neville chugs down the right to receive a pass from Valencia, then shanks the ball into the silent stands. This is a low quality game.
33 mins: Flamini and Vidic clash heads innocently while going for the ball. Both require treatment to their bruised bonces. "I was born and raised in the U.S., and while Than Brown might be leading people astray, I assure you that 99% of Americans have no idea who Ronaldinho is," toots Valerie. He is, on tonight's evidence at least, a former footballer.
30 mins: It's all gone quite scrappy over the last few minutes. It barely feels like a Champions league knock-out tie.
GOAL! Burnley 0-1 Stoke (Tuncay 23') It came from a Delap throw, would you believe.
28 mins: Park knocks the ball past the lumering Jackulowski and skedaddles after it, but Thiago Silva comes across to tidy up. Moments later Scholes unfurls his scythe and attempts to chop down Flamini, whose evasive action spared the worst tackler in Champions League history a card to match his hair. "Milan's plan to miss as many chances as possible while leaving United's most dangerous player free in the box doesn't seem to be
paying off," notes Niall Mullen. "I'm no expert but I'd suggest taking your chances and marking Rooney." Sign him up, Silvio.
25 mins: A lull. "I missed the start of the match and to be honest didn't bother perusing your preamble, so I'll just ask: did that anti-Glazer protest announced the other week actually come to anything after kick-off?" quizzes Francis Lee. Not that I saw.
23 mins: This is quite an odd game, much like the first leg. Neither team looks great and Milan have created the most chances yet it is United who have scored and, indeed, look the more likely to score again. "Our son was doing poorly in school a few years ago, and accordingly the x-box that he played incessantly 'disappeared' for a while," reveals Gordon Burns. "We explained that it had gone on a trip with a toaster. Hubert, perhaps? I don't know the x-box's name. Never thought to ask. But the squirrel that lives in our garden is named Clement Greenberg."
21 mins: Ronaldo, by the way, has scored for Real to make it 1-1 on aggregate. And in case anyone is interested in the French league, table-toppers Bordeaux have been sensationally beaten at home by Auxerre.
20 mins: Milan seem to believe Evra has a weakness that can be exploited - they're continually dropping balls in behind him it's generally worked insofar as the overlapping Milanista has got to it first and put in a cross. Flamini jsut did so again a moment ago, but Ferdinand atoned for Evra's positional slackness.
17 mins: Pirlo threatens Van der Sar with a fine swirler. The keeper gathers it at the second attempt.
15 mins: By way of response Milan string together a few passes in front of the United box until Ronaldinho dinks it over the top for Flamini. The former Gunner nods it towards Huntelaar, but Vidic beats him to it and booms clear. "Than Brown's implication that Americans need special instruction to understand the World Cup is offensive," howls Mike Murphy. "He must work with a bunch of guys who have daughters that play or something. Those guys never know what they're talking about and are easily susceptible to 5 year old hype on a player like Ronaldinho."
GOAL! United 1-0 Milan (agg:4-2) (Rooney 13') Ronaldinho hides his face in shame as Neville trundles down the right and curls in a cross that Rooney meets with a firm header 12 yards out, as Bonera watches. It's well directed and Abbiati can't even get a hand to it.
10 mins: What a chance! What shocking defending by Evra, and an unforgivable miss by Huntelaar! It was Bonera, I think, who clipped a decent ball over the top from midfield and the Dutch striker eluded Evra without much ado, but then mis-controlled the ball when right in front of goal, allowing it to trickle wide.
8 mins: Milan infiltrate the United box for the first time and should have scored! It came from a freekick on the right, which Nani headed backwards to Ronaldinho, of all people, and the Brazilian's header from 10 yards drooped inches wide.
7 mins: Neville picks the ball up 30 yards, totters in-field and then lets fly with his left foot ..... go on, try to guess where the ball ended up? Exactly.
5 mins: It's all United so far, with Valencia, in particular, looking dangerous. The Ecuadorian could have capped a positive start by hitting a goal a moment ago, but Rooney again spurned the wise option to unleash a shot himself, tonking the ball over from 20 yards. "For some inexplicable reason German TV has decided that Real-Lyon is a more exciting match so I'm relying on you for the main attraction of the evening," screeches Yvonne Doyle. That's why I'm here.
3 mins: Smart work by Valencia down the right, before the winger plays the ball in-field to Rooney. Nani is free to his left but the Englander elects to shoot himself (make that by himself, lest anyone thinks he's into self-harming) and drills the ball wide from the edge of the area.
2 mins: Nani picks the ball up on the left and tries to trick his way into the box, but Abate saw him coming and nicks the ball easily. "While I'd love to see Ronnie in a yellow and blue uniform this June, I don't see it happening," lectures Than Brown. "In the 'World Cup for Yanks' workshops that I'm conducting here in the States, my fellow Americans keep on asking how he could be left home. The only reason I can come up with is that deep in his heart Dunga wants to be the coach who wins the cup back WITHOUT Ronaldinho. Winning it with him would somehow compromise it for Dunga. Kinda sad." That's one possible reason, another is that Ronaldinho has been pants until quite recently, and another is this.
1 min: United set the game in motion ...
7:43pm: "It has just taken me an hour and a half to get home because of all the Man Utd 'fans' (men in shiny new 4x4s wearing shiny new suits) driving to Old Trafford, one of whom rather contemptuously nearly rammed my nine-year-old Yaris, Oliver," squeals Kim Taylor. "Can any regular Old Trafford attendees who are reading please learn to have some consideration for those of us who just want to get home!?" Message conveyed, Kim. Oliver, eh? Do you name all your appliances? My toaster's called Hubert.
7:40pm: "Your hunch is right," roars Mark Summers. "Paul Scholes is in fact the most booked player in Champions League history with 32 yellow card, seven more the next worst offender, Milan's Gattuso."
7:37pm: "I hope you're well, Paul," smarms Tom Britten in the mistaken belief that politeness will get him published. Oh. "I watched a shot of Beckham walking out on the pitch (I assume for the first time) after arriving. For someone very self-aware, seeing an almost double-take from him taking in the view again with a genuine wry smile was good viewing - especially as he's no doubt trying to remain professional!" One of the finest achievements of Beckham, or his people, is that despite turning himself into a global celebrity and unavoidable vendor of all manner of tat, a paradoxical impression still persists that he's essentially an ordinary guy.
7:34pm: "I'd imagine that David Beckham's presence in Old Trafford is inspiring similar feelings in Lord Ferg as the presence of the 'smoke of satan' is causing in the Vatican right now, according to their chief exorcist, 85" fumes Justin Kavanagh. "But United's Chief Exorcist, Gary Neville (84), should be capable of smiting the fallen angel. As to his assertion that there are 'bishops
linked to the Demon', I think even Ferguson might privately agree that United sold their soul to the devil a few years ago." I don't know about Gary Neville being the chief exorcist, but he's certainly something of a cloven hoofer. Ronaldinho will give him hell tonight.
7:31pm: "Alright Doyler, I'm sitting here with my two-year-old missing the build up to the game because of Peppa Pig!" gorans Anthony O'Connell, whose two-year-old presumably doesn't know that Dora the Explorer is on the other channel.
7:29pm: Mails are flooding demanding to know (a) whether we're covering Real v Lyon tonight and (b) what Evan Fanning does for kicks. You can find the answer to both here. Well worth a visit.
Preamble:
If your gaze has alighted on a news bulletins in the last 24 hours your eyes might well have been assailed by incredibly important footage of David Beckham being shepherded through Manchester airport by squad of policemen. There are many thoughts that that scene may have provoked in your mind and I would certainly be interested in hearing them – but what concerns us most immediately is what the parade inspired in Sir Alex Ferguson: disgust and weary disdain are two possibilities, but the most likely answer is … an idea as to how best to neutralise Ronaldinho. Not a legal idea, of course, so poor old Gary Neville will have to do the job of 10 coppers. Good luck with that.
If Milan are to have any chance of overturning their 3-2 deficit from the home leg, then Ronaldinho, who was refulgent in the San Siro, must positively blaze, especially with Pato missing. And, by the by, a series of such performances might even force Dunga to bring him to the World Cup – and wouldn't that competition, and all of us, benefit from a return-to-form of one of the great talents of the last 20 years? Yes, it would.
But back to tonight: with Milan needing at least two goals they are sure to attack and with United suffering from defensive shoddiness for much of the season, including in the first leg, serious upheaval is not out of the question. You have to fancy United to score too, of course, assuming Rooney has recovered from the knee knack that kept him out of United's unimpressive win over Wolves at the weekend, and Valencia, who is starting to look as effective a successor to Cristiano Ronaldo as anyone was likely to be, remains in such splendid form.
We can expect goals tonight. Other things that, according to the stats, we will almost certainly see are: Pippo Inzaghi being caught offside (he, to the surprise of absolutely no one, has been caught offside more often than any other player in the tournament so far); Massimo Ambrosini to clatter into some hapless opponent (only five players have committed more fouls than him in the tournament this season including – are you listening, Arsene Wenger? - Arsenal's Alex Song); and Paul Scholes to clatter into someone tonight (no statistical evidence to back that one up, just a strong hunch).
Teams:
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra,
Fletcher, Scholes, Park, Valencia, Nani, Rooney.
Subs: Kuszczak, Berbatov, Rafael Da Silva, Jonathan Evans, Obertan, Gibson, Diouf.
AC Milan: Abbiati, Abate, Bonera, Thiago Silva, Jankulovski,
Flamini, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Huntelaar, Borriello, Ronaldinho.
Subs: Dida, Gattuso, Inzaghi, Seedorf, Zambrotta, Favalli,
Beckham.
Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)
Paul Doyle
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15:18
Scientists to review U.N. panel
» ‎ washingtonpost.com - Today's Highlights

Group will not re-check beleaguered panel's data; it will instead aim to improve future procedures.

15:13
Palm Inc. teeters in crowded smart phone market
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Last year, Palm thought it had all the pieces for a turnaround in the market it pioneered: A new CEO known for making the iPod a household name, a sleek new smart phone called the Pre and...

15:13
UN orders review of glaciers report
» ‎ The Guardian World News
Moves aims to restore public confidence in science of global warming after mistake over melting rates of glaciers
The UN called in the world's top scientists today to review a report by its climate body, four months after public confidence in the science of global warming was shaken by the discovery of a mistake about the melting rates of Himalayan glaciers.
In an announcement at the UN in New York Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary general, and Rajendra Pachauri, the much-criticised head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said the InterAcademy Council, which represents 15 national academies of science, would conduct the independent review.
The announcement follows months of controversy which, while not altering the scientific consensus on climate change, has given fresh ammunition to opponents of action on global warming.
Pachauri has faced calls for his resignation, a controversy he acknowledged obliquely today. "We have received some criticism. We are receptive and sensitive to that and we are doing something about it," he said.
The review, which is to complete its work by August, will not undertake a dissection of the 2007 report, which has been pored over by climate sceptics, or re-examine the scientific consensus that human activity is causing climate change, said Robert Dijksgraaf, the head of the InterAcademy Council.
"It will definitely not go over vast amounts of data," he told reporters. "Our goal will be to assure nations around the world that they will receive sound scientific advice on climate science."
Instead, he said it would focus on putting in place better quality control procedures for the next report, which is due in 2014.
These would include guidelines for dealing with material that has not undergone peer review such as the item on Himalayan glaciers.
One focus of the review would be the role played by Pachauri who has been criticised for his handling of the error when it first came to light.
Djiksgraaf also said the panel, likely to be made up of 10 experts, would also look at procedures for making corrections in a timely and transparent manner.
The report has been pored over by climate sceptics for errors since last November when it emerged that the IPCC had stated, wrongly, that Himalayan glaciers could melt by 2035. As Pachauri and Ban noted today, the solid body of the 3,000 page report remained unchallenged.
The discovery of the error goes to the core of criticism of Pachauri whose first response to questions about the accuracy of the IPCC's prediction on the melting of the Himalayan glaciers was to dismiss it as "voodoo science".
Pachauri had also rankled critics by refusing to apologise for the mistakes.
But a spokesman for Pachauri today said the IPCC had initiated the independent review, and had pressed the UN to call in the scientists.
In his brief comments, Pachauri said the work of the IPCC, which shared a Nobel prize with Al Gore in 2007, remained the gold standard of climate science. "We believe the conclusions of that report are really beyond any reasonable doubt," Pachauri said.
Environmental and science organisations supported the UN's decision.
"This is the right move," said Peter Frumhoff, the science director for the Union of Concerned Scientist and a lead author on the IPCC report.
"If this independent review is carried out with rigour and transparency, it will help strengthen the IPCC's commitment to robust scientific assessments and restore public confidence that has been shaken by an aggressive campaign to sow confusion about climate science."
Suzanne Goldenberg
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

15:09
Jihad Jane
» ‎ iOwnTheWorld.com

I dedicate this story to Glenn Beck

Update: Just went over to Tammy Bruce and saw that she has a good treatment of the story.

From (ironically) Fox News

A Pennsylvania woman known to authorities as “JihadJane” has been charged in federal court with using the Internet to recruit jihadist fighters to carry out murders and violent attacks overseas.

The woman, Colleen R. LaRose, was charged with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, conspiracy to kill in a foreign country, making false statements to a government official and attempted identity theft, according to the indictment, unsealed Monday.

Sources tell Fox News the “Swedish citizen” who “JihadJane” was allegedly looking to kill is Lars Vilks, who drew one of the controversialProphet Muhammad cartoons. There was a series of arrests in Ireland earlier Tuesday that are reportedly connected to LaRose’s case.

In September of 2007 Al Qaeda offered a bounty for the murder of Viks.

LaRose and five unindicted co-conspirators are accused of recruiting men to wage violent jihad in South Asia and Europe and of recruiting women who had passports and the ability to travel to and around Europe for similar missions.

In June 2008, LaRose posted a comment on YouTube under the username “JihadJane,” stating that she is “desperate to do something somehow to help” the suffering Muslim people, according to the indictment.

~snip~

What’s the first thing you think of doing when you feel the need to help with Christian causes?

-donate money

-donate clothing

-donate time

-mentor

-donate food

What do people think the best way to help Muslims are -

-Beheadings

-Bombings

- Mayhem

Islam – THE RELIGION OF PEACE

ht/ Mark

15:09
Wharton draws criticism for firing library workers
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

Library employees are questioning A C Wharton’s decision to fire long-time employees and replace them with individuals close to the mayor or his campaign.

15:07
Bad blood detailed in Maine 'lobster wars' trial
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Even under the rough-and-tumble rules of the sea that Maine lobstermen live by, staring down the barrel of a .12-gauge shotgun is extreme. But that's where fishermen and half brothers...

15:05
Biden: U.S. won't play Mideast favorites
» ‎ CNN.com

The United States will hold both Israel and the Palestinians responsible for any steps that make peace between them more difficult, Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday.

15:05
Female WWII aviators honored with gold medal
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

They flew planes during World War II but weren't considered "real" military pilots. No flags were draped over their coffins when they died on duty. And when their service ended, they had...

15:05
Dems Go 'Nuclear' for 'Public Option'?
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Dems Go 'Nuclear' for 'Public Option'?
15:05
30 States Report Higher Unemployment in January
» ‎ FOXNews.com

30 States Report Higher Unemployment in January
15:05
No-Fly List Nearly Doubles Since Christmas Plot
» ‎ FOXNews.com

No-Fly List Nearly Doubles Since Christmas Plot
15:05
Einstein Was Right: General Relativity Confirmed
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Einstein Was Right: General Relativity Confirmed
15:05
Undiscovered Google: 7 Services You Need to Try
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Undiscovered Google: 7 Services You Need to Try
15:05
Massa: I Groped Male Staff But Not Sexually
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Massa: I Groped Male Staff But Not Sexually
15:05
LIVESHOTS: Fishel on Gates in Afghanistan- Gates: Some Troops Could Leave Afghanistan Early- Ahmadinejad's Afghanistan Visit Stokes Tensions
» ‎ FOXNews.com

LIVESHOTS: Fishel on Gates in Afghanistan- Gates: Some Troops Could Leave Afghanistan Early- Ahmadinejad's Afghanistan Visit Stokes Tensions
15:05
LIVESHOTS: Exclusive With Marines for Mojave Viper
» ‎ FOXNews.com

LIVESHOTS: Exclusive With Marines for Mojave Viper
15:05
Reid Throws RNC Bone Over Scooby Doo Comparison
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Reid Throws RNC Bone Over Scooby Doo Comparison
15:05
Forecasters Predict Active 2010 Hurricane Season- U.N. Set to Announce Review of Climate Panel
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Forecasters Predict Active 2010 Hurricane Season- U.N. Set to Announce Review of Climate Panel
15:05
Poll Finds Ratings Fall for Congress, Hold for Obama
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Poll Finds Ratings Fall for Congress, Hold for Obama
15:05
Assault on Free Speech?
» ‎ FOXNews.com

E-mail sent to Senate staffers warning them not to visit Drudge over virus has some crying foul on free speech
15:05
Textbook Battle: Religion in Classroom
» ‎ FOXNews.com

LIVESHOTS: Shannon Bream on how debates of religious bias play a big role in how textbook fight plays out
• Textbook Tug-Of-War: Taking It to the Street
• Full Coverage of Texas Textbook Battle

15:04
Check on Ohio State gunman found no criminal past
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Ohio State University says a background check on a janitor who shot two supervisors didn't reveal a criminal record, even though he had spent five years in prison. The university...

15:04
Three In Custody For Possible Rape Near School
» ‎ WREG - Memphis News: daily news, local news and tv news

Police: Possible attack did not happen on campus

15:03
Hill unhappy with Capitol Police
» ‎ POLITICO Top Stories

Lawmakers warn Chief Morse that $5.5M error could cost him control of his own department's budget.

15:03
Memphis-based Innova announces first venture-funding investment in Knoxville's TrakLok
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

Memphis-based Innova makes its first venture-funding investment, the venture capital firm said today. It's investing in two-year-old TrakLok Corp. of Knoxville.

15:01
First lady launches contest for healthy kids games
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

First lady Michelle Obama challenged software and video game designers Wednesday to develop games and tools that get kids, especially 9- to 12-year-olds, excited about eating better and...

14:58
House Leaders Bar Earmarks to For-Profit Companies
» ‎ NYT > Home Page

The ban, announced by House Democratic leaders, wipes out one of the most lucrative and controversial means of awarding no-bid contracts to private firms.

14:57
Haim Obsessed With Vicodin
» ‎ FOXNews.com

POP TARTS EXCLUSIVE: Pal says Haim may have traded illegal drugs for legal ones | CHILD STAR TRAGEDIES
14:57
Card Controversy
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SLIDESHOW: Some lawmakers are pushing for a national biometric ID card. Check out YOUR creative designs and ideas
14:57
Stars With Drug Problems
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SLIDESHOW: Corey Haim fought addictions to several different drugs for most of his life. These stars have also battled addictions, with varied success
14:57
Kat von D's New Tattoos
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SCENE & HERD: 'L.A. Ink' star shows the tats that made her famous, Britney takes mom shopping, Kate Moss hits Paris, and more stars out and about...
14:57
Corey Haim Dead at 38
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Former teen heartthrob and star of 'Lost Boys' had a history of drug abuse, may have overdosed | COREY HAIM: 1971-2010 | CELEBS MOURN VIA TWITTER
14:57
Miss Tiger Woods Mistress
» ‎ FOXNews.com

FOX411: The Tiger Woods mistress beauty pageant has a "winner"! Pancake waitress? VIP club hostess? Find out! | WOMEN LINKED TO WOODS
14:57
Has Lindsay Lost It?
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SLIDESHOW: The star is suing E-Trade for $100 mil over their baby commercial? A look back at her extreme highs and lows | LOHAN NO 'MILKAHOLIC'
14:57
'Revenge of the Nerds'
» ‎ FOXNews.com

THEN/NOW: Anthony Edwards went on to win a Golden Globe for his role in 'ER,' but what about the rest of America's favorite nerds and their frat boy nemeses?
14:57
Jen and Gerry Get Dirty
» ‎ FOXNews.com

FOX411: Aniston and "Bounty Hunter" co-star forestall showers for the sake of their W photo shoot | JEN'S FAMOUS FLAMES
14:57
Acadia Park in 5...
» ‎ FOXNews.com

By land or by sea, New England's only National Park is 30,000 acres of fun

14:57
Gates keeps up pressure on Iran with Gulf visit
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told Saudi leaders Wednesday that the U.S. effort for diplomatic engagement with Iran had come to naught and he asked for the influential kingdom's help...

14:55
7-Year-Old Calls 911, Saves Family From Attack
» ‎ FOXNews.com

A terrified 7-year-old boy begged emergency dispatchers to send police to his Southern California home where three armed robbers threatened his parents, according to a recording of the call released Tuesday.

14:51
Crandall, Skyline seniors take top honors at DMN journalism competition 2:24 PM CT
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

Crandall, Skyline seniors take top honors at DMN journalism competition 2:24 PM CT

14:50
Swedish artist has no regrets over prophet drawing
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

The point of a caricature depicting the Prophet Muhammad as a dog was to show that artistic freedom allows mockery of all religions, including the most sacred symbols of Islam, the Swedish...
14:48
Swedish artist in prophet drawing has no regrets
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

A Swedish artist who angered Muslims by drawing the Prophet Muhammad with the body of a dog said Wednesday he has no regrets and believes the suspects in an alleged plot to kill him were...

14:47
Furriers Lure Young Designers
» ‎ NYT > Home Page

An industry campaign to aggressively court designers results in a fur rebound on the runway.

14:46
Teach a Man Not To Fish
» ‎ iOwnTheWorld.com

Michelle Malkin has the story about Obama’s war on fishing.

UPDATE: United We Fish

illustr8r gives us her visual take -

14:45
Bad blood detailed in Maine 'lobster wars' trial
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

The shooting trial of a Maine lobsterman from last summer's so-called "lobster wars" is revealing the system of frontier justice that permeates Maine's lobster industry. ...

14:45
'JihadJane' a Sign of the Evolution of Terrorism Threat?
» ‎ FOXNews.com

The self-described "Jihad Jane" who thought her blond hair and blue eyes would let her blend in as she sought to kill an artist in Sweden is a rare case of an American woman aiding in foreign terrorism and shows the evolution of the global threat.

14:45
Church abuse scandal reaches pope's brother
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Church abuse scandals in Germany have reached the older brother of Pope Benedict XVI and are creeping ever closer to the pontiff himself. While there has been no suggestion of...

14:44
Obama Pledges U.S. Aid to Haiti
» ‎ NYT > Home Page

President Obama made the pledge after meeting with President René Préval of Haiti on Wednesday, even as the U.S. military begins withdrawing forces.

14:40
Senate passes jobless aid, business tax breaks
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

The Senate voted Wednesday to extend a host of soon-to-expire elements of last year's economic stimulus measure, including help for the jobless and money to help financially strapped...

14:40
Daley says pension fix ideas on the way
» ‎ chicagotribune.com - News

14:38
Girlfriend testifies that murder defendant admitted stabbing Cedar Hill woman 1:59 PM CT
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

Girlfriend testifies that murder defendant admitted stabbing Cedar Hill woman 1:59 PM CT

14:38
Body found of Flagstaff woman missing on walk with dog
» ‎ azcentral.com | news

Searchers have found the body of a Flagstaff woman who went missing near Munds Park after going out for a walk with her dog Monday evening, Coconino County Sheriff's Office said.

14:38
Female WWII aviators honored with gold medal
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

A long-overlooked group of women who flew aircraft during World War II were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on Wednesday. Known as Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASPs, they were...

14:37
Police: 'Jihad Jane' tried suicide in '05
» ‎ CNN.com

Colleen LaRose, the Pennsylvania woman indicted for allegedly conspiring to support terrorists and kill a person in a foreign country, attempted to commit suicide in 2005, according to a police report filed at the time.

14:37
Senate extends unemployment
» ‎ washingtonpost.com - Today's Highlights

$140B package of tax breaks and benefits is most substantial effort by chamber to boost the nation's economy since passing the stimulus bill last year.

14:36
Clinton, Gates say US help abroad improves image
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Bill Clinton and Bill Gates said Wednesday that U.S. investments in fighting AIDS, malaria and other diseases in underdeveloped nations save lives and play a vital role in improving...

14:33
Sebelius to Insurers: It's Not Too Late to Work Together
» ‎ NYT > Home Page

How long "before the business model collapses of its own weight?'' the secretary of health and human services asked insurers on Wednesday.

14:32
'Lost Boys' actor Corey Haim dead in Calif. at 38
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Corey Haim, a 1980s teen heartthrob whose career was blighted by drug abuse, has died. He was 38. Haim died early Wednesday at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, Los Angeles...

14:31
Quinn wants 33% tax hike
» ‎ chicagotribune.com - News

Gov. Pat Quinn today called for a 33 percent increase in the state income tax rate to raise money for education and ease deep cuts he's proposed in his new budget plan.

14:30
Calling All Brownshirts!!!
» ‎ iOwnTheWorld.com

Organizing For Obama America

14:29
6 dead in bus crash south of Phoenix are ID'd
» ‎ azcentral.com | news

Five of six killed were from California.

14:26
U.S. says hikers detained in Iran call families
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three American detained in Iran last year and accused of spying have been allowed to telephone their families, although formal consular access has not been granted,...

14:26
Memphis police arrest three suspects in sexual assault of East High student
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

Memphis police have arrested three suspects in the apparent sexual assault of a 17-year-old East High student Tuesday.

14:24
Panel Will Review U.N. Climate Work
» ‎ NYT > Home Page

The review aims to help the U.N. climate change panel avoid the kinds of errors that have brought its work into question in recent months, officials said Wednesday.

14:23
Who turned in “Jihad Jane?”
» ‎ Michelle Malkin

My friends at The Jawa Report, the counterterrorism blog that has done heroic work unmasking jihadi operatives online and on YouTube, have an exclusive report on the whistleblower who turned in “Jihad Jane.”

Read the whole thing here — and be sure to send thanks and praise to the vigilant bloggers and watchdogs looking out for us and acting.

14:23
Garciaparra rejoins Red Sox for day, then retires
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Nomar Garciaparra rejoined the Red Sox for one day and then retired, ending a 14-year career in which he won two batting titles with Boston and became a beloved player in the city. The...
14:23
Senate to pass jobless aid, business tax breaks
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

The Senate voted Wednesday to extend a host of soon-to-expire elements of last year's economic stimulus measure, including help for the jobless and money to help financially strapped...

14:20
Police face 'racist' label over searches
» ‎ The Guardian World News
Equalities watchdog warns of enforcement action against forces that excessively target people from ethnic minorities
The official equalities watchdog will threaten to brand as racist police forces which are deemed to have used stop and search powers excessively against people from ethnic minorities, the Guardian has learned.
Police forces will be told they face enforcement action unless they give meaningful promises to change, says a report for the Equality and Human Rights Commission expected to be released later this month.
It presents a prima facie case that the police are still failing in their duties under racial equality laws and finds that an officer's power to stop and search, based on having a reasonable suspicion of involvement in criminality, is disproportionately used against Afro-Caribbean and Asian Britons.
For some forces the "disproportionality" is more than 10 times. The report presses the police to defend themselves against the allegation they are breaking the law by highlighting the fact that some forces use the power considerably more than other forces policing the same types of area.
The force identified as the biggest offender and placed under the most pressure by the report is the Metropolitan police, found to be responsible for 120,000 "excessive" stops against those from ethnic minority backgrounds in 2008/9.
A comparison of how frequently the power is used found that the Met uses it up to five times as much as other forces policing urban areas.
The Met carries out 71 stops for every 1,000 people, but the West Midlands force, policing areas with similar issues, carries out just 13 stops per 1,000.
Broken down by race, in one year the Met stopped 195 per 1,000 Afro-Caribbean people, and 78 per 1,000 Asian people. The figure for white people is 49.
The report argues that because so much of the British Afro-Caribbean population live in London, and because the Met uses stop and search so regularly, it skews the national figures.
A draft of the report concludes: "The evidence points to racial discrimination being a significant reason why black and Asian people are more likely to be stop and searched than white people. It implies that stop and search powers are being used in a discriminatory and unlawful way." It finds little merit in arguments advanced to justify excessive use of stop and search against ethnic minority Britons and questions how frequently some forces use the power.
It says the way the power is used has a "small" impact in tackling crime while inflicting damage on community relations.
Within the commission there has been debate about how strong the conclusion should be and how tough the action should be against the police.
The report covers only stop and searches carried out when an officer has a reasonable suspicion of an individual's involvement in criminality, which are covered by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.
It does not cover stops where no reasonable suspicion is needed, such as under section 60 of the Public Order Act, where some studies have found ethnic minority people are targeted even more, nor does it cover stops under counter-terrorism powers, though notes concern about those.
Last week the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, Lord Carlile, said counter-terrorism stops should be ended because they barely make a dent against extremists but fuel resentment against the police.
Away from London, the Dorset and Hampshire forces are over 10 times more likely to stop black people than white people. South Yorkshire and Thames Valley are the most likely to stop British Asians compared with white people.
The report does praise some sections of the police and identifies that some forces have seemingly wiped out racial discrimination in the way they use stop and search powers.
It also cites the example of one force, Cleveland, which in a decade slashed its use of stop and search to one-fifth of its previous level, and achieved falling crime rates and one of highest levels of public confidence in the country.
The Stoke division of Staffordshire police managed to cut its rate of "disproportionality" to one-third of its previous level after enacting reforms and saw its crime rate fall.
In a parliamentary briefing in January 2010 the commission said there were approximately a million stops and searches every year.
It said: "This specifically must not be based on generalisations, for example, on grounds of race or appearance, or people's past record, but only on suspicious behaviour or matching a specific witness description."
Vikram Dodd
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

14:19
House bans misleading census mailings
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

The House passed legislation Wednesday that would ban misleading mailings designed to appear they're from the Census Bureau, following criticism that Republican groups were sending...
14:17
Midnight knitter pulls the wool over NJ shore town
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Someone is spinning quite a yarn over one New Jersey shore town. An unknown person dubbed The Midnight Knitter by West Cape May residents is covering tree branches and lamp poles with...

14:15
Monica Conyers, Wife of Far Left Rep. John Conyers, Sentenced to 37 Months in Prison
» ‎ Gateway Pundit

Adiós.

Former Detroit City Council President Monica Conyers was just sentenced to 37 months in prison. She is the wife of Far Left Representative John Conyers.
WXYZ reported:

Just moments ago in federal court, former Detroit City Council President Monica Conyers was sentenced to 37 months in prison for her roll in the city hall scandal.

The Blog Prof is covering the story from Michigan.

In case you didn’t know… John Conyers’ committee oversees federal prisons.

In case you don’t remember Monica… Here she is in action in Detroit where she jumped on the Council President and called him “Shrek” during one of the city meetings:

14:11
Obama takes health care overhaul push to Missouri
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

The nation's top health official challenged insurers on Wednesday to join President Barack Obama's push to overhaul the medical system, arguing that if the effort fails it will hurt them...

14:09
Andy Kaufman: I'm From Hollywood
» ‎ Memphis Flyer

The oddball flick, Andy Kaufman: I'm From Hollywood, will screen at The Brooks this week. Chris Herrington has the story.
[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

14:08
Obama due to get earful from CBC
» ‎ POLITICO Top Stories

CBC members say tax breaks intended to spur job creation will not help the black community.

14:05
Suspect in North Dallas shootings dies 1:45 PM CT
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

Suspect in North Dallas shootings dies 1:45 PM CT

14:05
Bus driver charged with driving kids while drunk
» ‎ chicagotribune.com - News

14:01
Rather Speaks
» ‎ iOwnTheWorld.com

Excerpted from a Dan Rather post on HuffPo -

I must confess that until recently I had no idea what Twitter was. Even now, I’m not completely sure how it’s best used. When I want to post something, the younger, more tech-savvy people in my office help me out. But I do know this: if you searched Twitter for “Dan Rather” over the past few days, you probably could guess why I feel the need to write this column.

All this is the backdrop for what I said on the Matthews show. I was talking about Obama and health care and I used the analogy of selling watermelons by the side of the road. It’s an expression that stretches to my boyhood roots in Southeast Texas, when country highways were lined with stands manned by sellers of all races. Now of course watermelons have become a stereotype for African Americans and so my analogy entered a charged environment. I’m sorry people took offense.

~snip~

Hey Dan,

For the record, I never said what you said was racist. My take on this all along was that you said nothing wrong. It was Christine Matthew’s getting all apoplectic and nervously covering your tracks (because his race radar is constantly on hair trigger) which was most tragically salient. That display was like watching, in real time, the soviets scrubbing people right out of historical photos. And when Tweety has conservatives on his show he is constantly angling to get them to say something like you were about to say. And if they did, he (and YOU by the way) would make political hay out of it on his way to a Peabody Award.

Hypocrites.

14:00
Picture of the Day › Nap time in the Diet
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Finance Minister Naoto Kan, right, next to Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, naps during the Upper House Budget Committee session in the Diet on Wednesday.

13:59
Chat replay: David Moore talks Cowboys, Mavericks
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

Chat replay: David Moore talks Cowboys, Mavericks

13:56
Critics Blast Transborder Immigrant Tool as 'Irresponsible'
» ‎ FOXNews.com

A cell phone application that will help illegal immigrants find water and key landmarks as they cross into the United States is an inappropriate use of taxpayer funds and an irresponsible use of technology, critics say.

13:56
U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts: "I think the process is broken down,"
» ‎ Atlas Shrugs

There is comfort in Robert's speaking out. It's going to take incredibly brave men to speak out in the age of Obama. America is doing it and is summarily ignored. You can ignore some of the peope some of the time, but you cannot ignore all of the people all of the time and not expect a ....backlash.
Roberts:">[http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aolnews.com%2Fpolitics%2Farticle%2Fjustice-john-roberts-calls-scene-at-state-of-the-union-very-troubling%2F19391206">Roberts:] Scene at State of the Union 'Very Troubling' AOL news
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (March 9) -- U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts said Tuesday the scene at President Barack Obama's first State of the Union address was "very troubling" and that the annual speech to Congress has "degenerated into a political pep rally."

Responding to a University of Alabama law student's question about the Senate's method of confirming justices, Roberts said senators improperly try to make political points by asking questions they know nominees can't answer because of judicial ethics rules.

"I think the process is broken down," he said.
Obama chided the court for its campaign finance decision during the January address, with six of the court's nine justices seated before him in their black robes.

Roberts said he wonders whether justices should attend the address.

"To the extent the State of the Union has degenerated into a political pep rally, I'm not sure why we're there," said Roberts, a Republican nominee who joined the court in 2005.

Roberts said anyone is free to criticize the court and that some have an obligation to do so because of their positions.

"So I have no problems with that," he said. "On the other hand, there is the issue of the setting, the circumstances and the decorum. The image of having the members of one branch of government standing up, literally surrounding the Supreme Court, cheering and hollering while the court - according the requirements of protocol - has to sit there expressionless, I think is very troubling."

Breaking from tradition, Obama used the speech to criticize the court's decision that allows corporations and unions to freely spend money to run political ads for or against specific candidates.

"With all due deference to the separation of powers, the Supreme Court reversed a century of law to open the floodgates for special interests - including foreign corporations - to spend without limit in our elections," Obama said.

Justice Samuel Alito was the only justice to respond at the time, shaking his head and appearing to mouth the words "not true" as Obama continued.

In response to Roberts' remarks Tuesday, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs focused on the court's decision and not the chief justice's point about the time and place for criticism of the court.

"What is troubling is that this decision opened the floodgates for corporations and special interests to pour money into elections - drowning out the voices of average Americans," Gibbs said. "The president has long been committed to reducing the undue influence of special interests and their lobbyists over government. That is why he spoke out to condemn the decision and is working with Congress on a legislative response."

Justice Antonin Scalia once said he no longer goes to the annual speech because the justices "sit there like bumps on a log" in an otherwise highly partisan atmosphere.

13:55
C-USA Tourney: Tigers to Face...
» ‎ Memphis Flyer
The Tigers will get a chance to avenge their February 24th loss to Houston tomorrow, when the two teams play in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA tournament in Tulsa. (The Cougars beat East Carolina this afternoon, 93-80.) NCAA scoring champ Aubrey Coleman had 34 points in the 92-75 Houston victory last month. Fellow All-CUSA honoree Elliot Williams had one of his worst games of the season, missing seven of nine shots and scoring a season-low six points. The 92 points were the most Memphis gave up in a game all season.
- Aubrey Coleman
In the teams’ first meeting of the year — on January 23rd at FedExForum — it was the Tigers scoring 92, and Houston but 77. Coleman had 32 in that game. Roburt Sallie and Wesley Witherspoon led five tigers in double figures with 20 points each.

Memphis has won 12 straight games in C-USA tournament play, its last loss coming in the 2005 championship game against Louisville. Three of the wins in that streak have come against Houston, including a 71-59 romp in the 2007 final.

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13:54
The Church Without Walls
» ‎ WREG - Memphis News: daily news, local news and tv news

New Bethel Temple trying to address violence in Memphis and help families

13:54
As Haiti recovers from massive quake, Obama vows support
» ‎ Los Angeles Times - Top News

Haitian President Rene Preval comes to Washington to seek ongoing aid. The president promises to be a 'partner' in the reconstruction effort.

President Obama pledged to stand by Haiti as it recovered from its devastating earthquake, assuring the stricken nation's president today that the U.S. would not turn its back on neighbors in a time of need.

13:51
US missile strike kills 12 in Pakistan
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

Two US missile strikes on Wednesday killed at least 12 militants in Pakistan's tribal region near the Afghan border, officials said.The first strike took place at 8pm local time in Mizar Madakhel ...

13:51
Kevin Libin: Sarah Palin knows her Canadian health care history. Do we?
» ‎ Conservatives4Palin.com

Kevin Libin pens the following in the National Post (emphasis added):
American journalists, in calling Palin—a vocal opponent of socialized medicine—a hypocrite for admitting on Saturday to having used Canadian health care as a child, are this time the ones looking foolish....

Put aside the fact that it was Palin’s parents—not the future vice-presidential candidate, who was born in 1964 and not older than a pre-schooler during the ‘60s—who were the ones responsible for making the choice to travel to Canada....

[T]here’s certainly no evidence the Heaths didn’t pay for the care they received in Canada. In fact, visiting Americans typically did. Actually, in the ‘60s, Canadians often did. U.S. journalists seem happy to take it for granted that health care up here has always looked exactly like it does today, but it hasn’t. As blogger Matthew Campbell rightly points out “if Palin’s family did travel in the mid-1960s, they would not have used the same state-run system that Canada uses today.” Rather, they would have used a system that looked and operated much like the American system at the time.

The massive policy changes that brought us the modern Canadian medicare we have today actually took place in 1984, with the passage of the Canadian Health Act. Ottawa and the province began funding doctor visits and hospitals in the 1960s, creating a form of "universal" care, but it was still legal, for medical providers to charge fees for costs not covered by the funding formula—and frequently, they did...

When Palin called it “ironic” that her family once traveled to Canada for health care, she clearly meant that Canada’s system was at one time as good, or perhaps even superior to America’s, but changes to socialization had changed things dramatically since then. Whether you think Canada’s system is better than the U.S.’s or the other way around doesn’t matter: the fact is we’re talking about a very different system than the one that existed here nearly 40 years ago. Journalists who are so inclined need not look far to find signs of pretense in the Sarah Palin shtick (I considered a few myself in my column this week on her Calgary visit). Her stance on Canadian health care isn’t one of them.

Lidbin also claims that Palin said the following at the Calgary event:
"We lost the [American] reporters on the way up here, because we usually have folks following us with cameras and pens and paper, they want to write something about what we're doing. I told them we were flying up north, but they misunderstood and they booked their flights to New Hampshire," she joked to great laughter. She may have been on to something.

13:51
THE RABBI OF MALMÖ SWEDEN: ONE HEARS HEIL HITLER AND 'F'ING JEW ALL THE TIME NOW.......
» ‎ Atlas Shrugs

And the world abets. Shame on anyone that shills for jihad. Chrstians! Jews! You are on your own. If anyone is fantasising that the international community, driven in large part by the Organization of the Islamic Conference, is going to do anything but usher in the universal caliphate,your brain is fried.
THE RABBI OF MALMÖ SWEDEN: ONE HEARS HEIL HITLER AND 'F'ING JEW ALL THE TIME NOW.......Tundra
Forget about the mythical unicorn of "Islamophobia", with more Muslims wanting to pour into Europe than ever before, the Organization of the Islamic Conference's habitual "cry of wolf", is falling on deaf ears. Jewish communities are being pressured in every quarter of Europe, save Finland, with Jews heading for greener pastures elsewhere as politicians choose to be more attentive their larger Muslim constituency, at the expense of their smaller Jewish communities. That's the reality of it. KGS

From the Sweden Israel and the Jews blog:
Rabbi Shneur Kesselman Speaks Out About Underreported Hate Crime in Malmö
Recently the hate crimes in Malmö and Skåne County have come under increased surveillance as the numbers have doubled since last year. According to the Swedish daily newspaper Expressen, “During the year of 2009, 270 hate crimes were reported in Skåne County and about 25 percent of these were aimed towards Jews.” One of those exposed to anti-Semitic hate crime is Rabbi Shneur Kesselman of the Malmö Jewish community. He states in an interview with Expressen on March 5th that “ever since I came here people have been shouting ‘fucking Jew’ and ‘heil Hitler’ at me.” What is worth noting about Rabbi Kesselman’s statement in Expressen is that out of the 65 incidents in 2009, according to the Skåne police, three of these incidents were directed at Kesselman. Yet according to Kesselman, 15 separate reports were filed concerning anti-Semitic hate crimes aimed towards him. The worst incident involved someone trying to run him over with a car. Apparently, the authorities have a different method for calculating these figures, as the full number of incidents does not appear in the Skåne police statistics. Another disturbing aspect of this case is the time it took before police brought Kesselman in for a hearing. An attack Kesselman reported in September 2009 was only dealt with in February 2010. The most common anti-Semitic hate crimes have been graffiti or engraved swastikas or Stars of David on buildings or cars but there have also been several arson attacks on Jewish sites in Helsingborg as well as Malmö Jewish community.

13:47
ETAs for NY Subways
» ‎ Memphis Flyer

New York's subway system is getting high-tech. Or maybe just tech.

The New York subway system recently installed digital L.E.D. displays to give riders real-time info on when exactly their train or bus would reach the station or stop.

From the NYT earlier this week:

Electronic arrival-time clocks, a convenience long enjoyed by users of mass transit in London, Paris and Washington, are starting to trickle into New York City’s labyrinthine transportation network, part of a recent push to bring 21st-century technology to a system that runs very much as it did on its first day more than a century ago.

Officials at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority say the clocks will revolutionize the way New Yorkers get around, soothing the usual anxieties that come with waiting for a bus or train that might never arrive.

Though a subway tracking system and GPS-based bus timers cost millions of dollars, a potential vendor covered the cost for three pilot programs. Installation was around $20,000.

Might I suggest we figure out who the vendor is and give them a call?

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13:43
Reid: Reform filibuster next year
» ‎ POLITICO Top Stories

Senate Democrats seek to inject fresh momentum into efforts to overhaul the filibuster.

13:38
Two Large Multinationals Pull Back From Iran
» ‎ NYT > Home Page

The announcements by Ingersoll-Rand and Royal Dutch Shell come as the U.S. is pressing for new sanctions.

13:35
Chief justice calls Obama speech 'troubling'
» ‎ CNN.com

Simmering tension spilled into public this week when Chief Justice John Roberts labeled the political atmosphere at the State of the Union address "very troubling."

13:31
Actor Corey Haim likely died from overdose involving prescription drugs, police say
» ‎ Los Angeles Times - Top News

Actor Corey Haim, who was pronounced dead at a Burbank hospital early Wednesday morning, likely died of an accidental overdose involving prescription drugs, law enforcement sources told The Times.

13:30
US aid group attacked in NW Pakistan; 6 dead
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

World Vision , a major international humanitarian group, to suspend its operations in Pakistan. Other aid organizations condemned the violence but said it would not lead them to curtail their own acti...

13:30
Memphis Makes Its Argument For Google Fiber
» ‎ WREG - Memphis News: daily news, local news and tv news

Internet speed supposed to be 100 times faster

13:30
3D television, without silly glasses
» ‎ The Guardian World News
Tireless engineers have invented a design that lets you get that three-dimensional experience without face furniture
OK, so you want 3D TV, but you don't want to wear those dorky Timmy Mallett glasses that they gave you in the cinema when you went to see Avatar and Up. Never fear: tireless engineers have come up with a design that will let you get that three-dimensional experience without face furniture. (If you want to be showy, it's an "autostereoscopic" system.)
The principle is the same as those 3D postcards that entertained you as a child, where you tilt them from one side to the other and the picture seems to flip. That's known as a "lenticular lens" – officially, an array of magnifying lenses that show different pictures when viewed from different angles. But where the postcard shows you only one image at a time, the lenses on the 3D TVs already in production from Philips and LG show two distinct images, one for each eye, routed through the lenses (which act more like slits pointed in particular directions).
If you ask a 3D-imaging specialist such as NewSight how it does it, it will say that it has "a proprietary technology with numerous patents throughout the world". Fine, but what technology? First, you build a standard HDTV; then you add eight lenticular-style layers on top, which break the image into repeating segments – in effect, four potential points of view for the left eye, and four for the right (which means you get the 3D effect over a wide field of view). Your eyes pull two of these images together and interpret them as a binocular scene, which means that you perceive it as being 3D. It's finicky, though: the lenses have to be aligned precisely over each of the millions of pixels in the screen. That means you're not going to be getting them cheap for quite a while.
There's another catch: some people who have tried the sets over long periods have reported feeling seasick (and not only while watching A Perfect Storm). This is caused by your brain struggling to cope with changes in focus and orientation as whizzing camerawork is a favourite of directors discovering 3D. But don't worry, they'll surely calm down when the novelty wears off.
- Television
- 3D
Charles Arthur
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

13:26
Sohail Tanvir out for four months
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

pulling out of a contract with Victoria during the Australian domestic season. "Tanvir has had an operation in Australia today for a chronic knee problem and he has been advised to rest for four m...

13:24
Open Thread
» ‎ Conservatives4Palin.com

-Hillbuzz responds to Redstate and John Ziegler.

-Luke Dittrich from Whitehorse writes an article titled "The Truth Behind Sarah Palin's Canadian Health Care" in Esquire magazine.

-The Wausau Daily Herald runs a feature on Sean Duffy.

-Regarding the Iowa poll released yesterday, Sean Trende from Real Clear Politics provides the following analysis (emphasis added):

Interestingly, if Sarah Palin is removed from the mix, the number of undecideds drop substantially, and we're left with Huckabee 33%, Romney 30%, and Pawlenty/Johnson at 1/0%. My takeaway from this is that Republican voters are ambivalent about Sarah Palin -- introducing her name is enough to peel voters away from other caucus-goers, but she hasn't gotten their votes yet. In other words, Palin would be given a chance by caucus-goers, but she hasn't sealed the deal yet, and is going to have to assuage some doubts.

The pollster seems to come to the same conclusion as Trende by noting that her "inclusion in the field lead to a higher percentage of undecideds on both questions polled, suggesting that Iowa Republican voters are taking a 'wait-and-see' approach to her potential presidential candidacy."

-Three days after this story was published on Q13 Fox News, to my knowledge, Maria Cantwell has failed to formally deny the allegation.

13:20
Younis, Yousuf out of Pakistan team indefinitely
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

ISLAMABAD: Bizarre things are known to happen in Pakistani cricket. But what transpired on Wednesday went beyond that. First, the Pakistan Cricket Board dropped a bombshell by announcing life ban...

13:12
U.S. Sen. Bob Corker releases hold on controversial FAA Reauthorization Bill
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker releases hold on FAA reauthorization bill, clearing the way for congressional action on bill opposed by FedEx

13:11
Pakistan crackdown 'too late'
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

Yousuf and Younus are two of the finest batsmen to represent Pakistan Pakistani cricket is at a crossroads once again.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), headed by former Test cricketer Ijaz Butt, fin...

13:09
Fact check on Mayor Gordon's State of the City speech
» ‎ azcentral.com | news

It's common for a State of the City address to be filled with vision and optimism, but there were a few moments during Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon's speech where he appeared to stretch the truth.

13:06
6 Employees of U.S. Charity Killed in Attack in Pakistan
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

Police inspected the offices of aid group World Vision in Oghi, Pakistan on Wednesday after militants killed at least six people there in an attack.

13:04
Guns in restaurants bill
» ‎ SayUncle

Out of committee.

13:03
Minority babies set to become majority in 2010
» ‎ TexasFred

Minority babies set to become majority in 2010 WASHINGTON – Minorities make up nearly half the children born in the U.S., part of a historic trend in which minorities are expected to become the U.S. majority over the next 40 years. In fact, demographers say this year could be the “tipping point” when the number [...]

13:03
Oil companies look at permanent refinery cutbacks
» ‎ Los Angeles Times - Top News

The response to slumping gasoline use would likely mean higher prices for drivers. Consumer advocates want regulators to examine the firms' plans.

Some of the nation's biggest oil companies are looking at permanently reducing how much gasoline and diesel fuel they make, a move that analysts say would almost certainly trigger higher prices for drivers.

13:01
February budget deficit hits record high of $220.9 billion with imbalance ahead of last year.
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

February budget deficit hits record high of $220.9 billion with imbalance ahead of last year.

12:59
Dump Demcare: 2,000 protest in St. Louis; keep the no-mentum going
» ‎ Michelle Malkin

Scroll for updates…March 16 Call to Action

More than half the country says: Start over.

More than 2,000 protesters turned out this morning in St. Louis to counter President Obama’s health care road show, according to the St Louis Globe-Democrat:

Hours before President Barack Obama was scheduled to speak in St. Charles on reforming the nation’s health care system, more than 2,000 people packed a convention ballroom a few miles away to rally against those reforms.

The occasion was a health care town hall meeting to hear Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, U.S. Rep. Todd Akin and other members of the Missouri legislature will hold a health care town hall meeting and teleconference at Wednesday morning at the St. Charles Convention Center.

Akin and other legislators took to task the reform bill that is now in conference. Kinder and other state legislators said the President’s health care bill would wreak havoc with state finances and a time when Missouri faces major budget cuts.

“This is the worst bill I have ever seen in Congress,” said Akin, who spoke from Washington D.C. via a video feed. Akin said enacting the federal legislation would destroy health care in America and the federal government’s ability to regulate.

Kinder touched on the same theme. He said the bill may destroy the states finances. He also said he supported resident’s opposition to the bill. “Whatever happens with this bill, I stand with you,” Kinder said. “Whatever happens we have just begun to fight.”

Gateway Pundit liveblogged the event and shares this photo of the standing-room only gathering:

Jim Hoft says “all hands on deck” for the second protest tonight in St. Louis as Obama drums up cash for Sen. Claire McCaskill and the Dems:

The Second Protest planned by the St. Louis Tea Party Coalition is planned for 5:30 on Wednesday night downtown in St. Louis across from the Renaissance Grand hotel. We are meeting at 5:00 PM on 9th and Delmar. WEAR BLACK!

Keep the no-mentum going.

***

Update: What are they up to now? Behold the “Slaughter Solution.”

The twisted scheme by which Democratic leaders plan to bend the rules to ram President Obama’s massive health care legislation through Congress now has a name: the Slaughter Solution.

The Slaughter Solution is a plan by Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), the Democratic chair of the powerful House Rules Committee and a key ally of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), to get the health care legislation through the House without an actual vote on the Senate-passed health care bill. You see, Democratic leaders currently lack the votes needed to pass the Senate health care bill through the House. Under Slaughter’s scheme, Democratic leaders will overcome this problem by simply “deeming” the Senate bill passed in the House – without an actual vote by members of the House.

Update: March 16 Call to Action from Freedomworks.

12:59
Shootout at Red Bird apartments leaves 2 injured
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

Shootout at Red Bird apartments leaves 2 injured

12:55
Surprise substitute teacher accused in computer theft
» ‎ azcentral.com | news

Jeannette Guyer suspected of taking computer belonging to the Dysart Unified School District.

12:55
Rome school fits condom machine
» ‎ The Guardian World News
Cardinal deplores initiative for 'trivialising sexuality' as headmaster of Kepler school urges others to follow
For its critics in the Vatican, it is a matter of "deep concern". For its proponents, it is "evidence of great courage".
Amid national controversy, the Kepler scientific secondary school today became the first in the Italian education system to install condom vending machines for students. The machines, in the girls' and boys' toilets, will sell cut-price condoms just a few miles from the Vatican; the Kepler is in a lower-middle class district of Rome, just outside the city's ancient walls.
Cardinal Agostino Vallini, who stands in for the pope in his capacity as bishop of Rome, deplored the initiative as "trivialising sexuality".
The head of the capital's doctors' association said he too disapproved of the project. "This is like recognising you can have sex at school," said Dr Mario Falconi. "I would not want a scholastic use of the condom to be authorised in this fashion, especially considering there is no problem of availability of prophylactics in our country."
The condoms went on sale at €2 (£1.82) for a packet of three – less than half the usual retail price.
The Kepler's headteacher, Antonio Panaccione, invited other schools "not to take fright, and do the same". His comments and those of others reflected the continuing influence in Italy of Catholic teaching on sexual matters.
"At the outset," Panaccione said, "there was some hesitation among some of the parents and teachers, motivated by fear and insecurity. But then, by discussing it, that was all got over."
The Italian student's union, which noted that the French Lycée in Rome had been making condoms available to its pupils since 2001, said in a statement: "Only in Italy would this cause a stir." It added: "A number of secondary educational institutions in western countries distribute condoms, as do many schools in the US."
Pope Paul VI's 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae (Of Human Life) condemned "any action which either before, at the moment of, or after sexual intercourse, is specifically intended to prevent procreation." Despite Aids and talk of a rethink after Pope Benedict was elected five years ago, the Vatican has remained solidly opposed to artificial methods of contraception ever since.
Italy's very low fertility rate – estimated last year at 1.31 births per woman of child-bearing age – indicates that many couples do use contraception. But the prejudice against artificial methods remains strong.
Annalisa Chirico, a student leader standing in an election this month for the regional assembly in Lazio, the region around Rome, said figures from the Italian society of gynaecology and obstetrics last month showed "40% of [teenage] girls do not use any method of contraception and another 20% entrust themselves entirely to the withdrawal method."
The Kepler school's initiative followed the adoption by the provincial administration of a resolution in favour of the distribution of condoms in schools.
The local politician behind the resolution, Gianluca Peciola, said: "The Kepler school, its headmaster and the school council are showing they have great courage."
John Hooper
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

12:55
U.S. Aid Group Attacked In Pakistan, 6 Dead
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

Suspected militants armed with assault rifles and a homemade bomb attacked the offices of a U.S.-based Christian aid group helping earthquake survivors in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, killing s...

12:53
Holder to testify before Senate panel
» ‎ POLITICO Top Stories

Attorney general's appearance comes amid criticism over administration's terrorism-related decisions.

12:51
Pakistan court stalls on US terror suspects
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan again failed Wednesday to frame charges against five young Americans accused of plotting attacks with al-Qaeda-linked groups, lawyers said.The US citizens facing tr...

12:50
N.Y. state loses 2nd top cop in 2 weeks
» ‎ CNN.com

New York state's top police official announced Wednesday he was quitting, the second acting superintendent to step down in as many weeks.

12:49
Roberts: State of the Union Scene 'Very Troubling'
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Roberts: State of the Union Scene 'Very Troubling'
12:49
LIVESHOTS: Cowan on Pet Owners' Owl Crisis
» ‎ FOXNews.com

LIVESHOTS: Cowan on Pet Owners' Owl Crisis
12:49
No-Fly List Nearly Doubles Since Christmas Plot
» ‎ FOXNews.com

No-Fly List Nearly Doubles Since Christmas Plot
12:49
Inhofe: No Evidence of Virus on Drudge Report
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Inhofe: No Evidence of Virus on Drudge Report
12:49
Undiscovered Google: 7 Services You Need to Try
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Undiscovered Google: 7 Services You Need to Try
12:49
LIVESHOTS: Fishel on Gates in Afghanistan- Gates: Some Troops Could Leave Afghanistan Early- Ahmadinejad: U.S. Playing 'Game' in Afghanistan
» ‎ FOXNews.com

LIVESHOTS: Fishel on Gates in Afghanistan- Gates: Some Troops Could Leave Afghanistan Early- Ahmadinejad: U.S. Playing 'Game' in Afghanistan
12:49
Obama Judicial Nominee Supported Killer
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Obama Judicial Nominee Supported Killer
12:49
Legislation to Extend Jobless Benefits Clears Hurdle
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Legislation to Extend Jobless Benefits Clears Hurdle
12:49
Forecasters Predict Active 2010 Hurricane Season- U.N. Set to Announce Review of Climate Panel
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Forecasters Predict Active 2010 Hurricane Season- U.N. Set to Announce Review of Climate Panel
12:49
More Job Loss Than Gain
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Labor Department reports that while 31 states added some jobs in January, job losses in 30 states were more than enough to cancel out any gains
• Tea Partiers Scramble to Keep Up With Health Blitz
• Dems Going 'Nuclear' to Pass 'Public Option'?
• YOU DECIDE: Can Tea Party Stop Health Bill Drive?
• RAW DATA: Dems Who May Pull Plug on Health Reform
12:49
Ruh-Ro: Reid Ruffs Back at RNC
» ‎ FOXNews.com

RNC satirizes Harry Reid as cartoon Scooby Doo, but Senate majority leader gets scrappy with own fundraising
• Reid Welcomes 3rd-Party Candidates in Senate Race
• Ex-Rep. Massa: I Groped Male Staff But Not Sexually
• VIDEO: Massa on 'Beck' | TEXT OF INTERVIEW
12:49
Textbook Battle: Religion in Classroom
» ‎ FOXNews.com

LIVESHOTS: Shannon Bream on how debates of religious bias play a big role in how textbook fight plays out
• Textbook Tug-Of-War: Taking It to the Street
• Full Coverage of Texas Textbook Battle

12:49
6 dead in attack on U.S. aid group in Pakistan
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

Policemen inspect the destroyed offices of aid group World Vision in Oghi, a village in Mansehra district about 125 miles north by road of Islamabad.

12:48
Corey Haim Dead at 38
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Former teen heartthrob and star of 'Lost Boys' had a history of drug abuse, may have overdosed | COREY HAIM: 1971-2010 | CELEBS MOURN VIA TWITTER
12:48
Survival Tactics
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SLIDESHOW: One member of Congress says it's time for a pay cut. Here's how YOU think lawmakers can survive on less
12:48
Miss Tiger Woods Mistress
» ‎ FOXNews.com

FOX411: The Tiger Woods mistress beauty pageant has a "winner"! Pancake waitress? VIP club hostess? Find out! | WOMEN LINKED TO WOODS
12:48
'Idol' Getting Nasty
» ‎ FOXNews.com

IDOL411: You know things are getting intense when Randy is even meaner than Simon! Check out who got ripped apart on 'Ladies Night'
12:48
'Revenge of the Nerds'
» ‎ FOXNews.com

THEN/NOW: Anthony Edwards went on to win a Golden Globe for his role in 'ER,' but what about the rest of America's favorite nerds and their frat boy nemeses?
12:48
Jen and Gerry Get Dirty
» ‎ FOXNews.com

FOX411: Aniston and "Bounty Hunter" co-star forestall showers for the sake of their W photo shoot | JEN'S FAMOUS FLAMES
12:48
Has Lindsay Lost It?
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SLIDESHOW: The star is suing E-Trade for $100 mil over their baby commercial? A look back at her extreme highs and lows | LOHAN NO 'MILKAHOLIC'
12:48
Audrina's Scary Stalker
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SLIDESHOW: Audrina Patridge is latest star with a serious stalker, joining Dr. Drew, Halle Berry and several other celebs with fans who went way too far
12:48
Acadia Park in 5...
» ‎ FOXNews.com

By land or by sea, New England's only National Park is 30,000 acres of fun

12:45
Italy, FBI raids crack down on Mafia in US, Sicily
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

The FBI arrested a reputed Gambino solider Wednesday on charges he provided protection for a Sicilian mobster operating in Florida _ part of an international sweep aimed at further...

12:45
Calif. Teacher Charged With Having Sex With Student
» ‎ FOXNews.com

A 33-year-old Burbank middle school teacher accused of having sex with a teenage male student over a six-month period last year was charged on Tuesday with unlawful sex with a minor, MyFoxLA.com reported.

12:44
Maricopa County Attorney says special investigator has conflicts
» ‎ azcentral.com | news

Says the appointee of the State Bar of Arizona should recuse himself from ethics investigation.

12:43
Study: Law officers struggle to readjust after war
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Many law enforcement officers called up to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan are finding it difficult to readjust to their jobs once home, bringing back heightened survival instincts that may...
12:43
Ga. judge's order dismisses claims in King dispute
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

A Georgia judge has dismissed most of the remaining legal claims in a dispute between the children of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., months after the siblings reached a settlement. A...

12:43
Dodd irks Dems on Volcker rule
» ‎ POLITICO Top Stories

Signs increasingly point to discontent with the course financial reform negotiations are taking.

12:42
Voters support Phoenix Union High School District override
» ‎ azcentral.com | news

Unofficial results show 56.4 percent of the voters approved the ballot measure that failed by fewer than 1,200 votes in November.

12:42
The debt that lies beneath
» ‎ The Guardian World News
So far, low interest rates have shielded the heavily mortgaged homeowner from trouble. But a shaky recovery puts that in doubt
When the nation's top financial watchdog tells banks to brace themselves for a worst case scenario of 4 million unemployed and a fresh collapse in the housing market, it is worth paying attention. The Financial Services Authority might have been asleep at the wheel before the great crash, but it has been uncanny in spotting potential potholes ever since.
The doomsday scenario spelled out on Wednesday in the FSA's annual "stress test" is mainly intended to scare banks into making sure they have enough money put aside to cover future losses. The great miracle of last year's rescue measures is that both jobs and house prices have so far held up remarkably well. But the logic used in the FSA stress test highlights a real structural weakness in the recovery: we still haven't done anything to tackle all that debt.
Record low interest rates have only bought us breathing space. The FSA Financial Risk Outlook calculates that homeowners are £20bn a month better-off as a result of the Bank of England's emergency rate cuts, but wonders what happens next:
The reduction in interest rates has played an important role in stabilising the household sector and limiting the effects of the recession. However, the high level of debt income has left many households vulnerable to property price, income and interest rate shocks.

One scenario that worries FSA chairman Lord Turner is what happens if the Bank of England is suddenly forced to ramp up rates because of events beyond its control: a nasty run on the pound, resurgent inflation, or both. Despite recent scaremongering, neither is happening yet, but these remain non-trivial risks.
For a glimpse into what happens next, look no further than our old friend Northern Rock, which today admitted more than 4% of its customers are failing to meet their mortage payments already. Given how low rates are, and how far behind mortgage-holders have to fall before they are officially classed as in arrears, the percentage is scarier than it sounds.
Many of these Northern Rock customers were also on mortgages over 100% during the boom years. The longer-term question is not whether they can meet the interest payments, but whether the underlying debt will ever be paid off.
So far, much of the debate about the strength of the housing recovery has focused on voluntary factors: are sellers confident enough to test price levels by putting houses on the market and are buyers keen enough to soak up these more normalised levels of supply without driving down prices? The plethora of estate agent boards blossoming this spring suggests we are about to find out fairly harmlessly. The scarier thought is what happens if unplanned interest rate rises force involuntary sellers back onto the market – driving millions more into negative equity just as unemployment starts to climb again.
If that does happen, we'd need more than the FSA for stress relief.
Dan Roberts
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

12:41
Jihad Jane, American who lived on Main Street
» ‎ CNN.com

The woman who dubbed herself Jihad Jane is an American who lived literally on Main Street and said she was "desperate to do something" to help Muslims.

12:38
Study: Law officers struggle to readjust after war
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Many law enforcement officers called up to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan are bringing home heightened survival instincts that may make them quicker to use force. Officers who spoke...

12:38
U.K. Rape, Incest Suspect Eluded Charges for 35 Years
» ‎ FOXNews.com

A British father who repeatedly raped his two daughters and fathered nine babies with them during a 35-year orgy of physical and sexual abuse was never detected due to a litany of failures by health care professionals, a report reveals.

12:36
US aid group attacked in NW Pakistan; 6 dead
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

ISLAMABAD (AP) - Suspected militants armed with assault rifles and a homemade bomb attacked the offices of a U.S.-based Christian aid group helping earthquake survivors in northwestern Pakistan on Wed...

12:36
Sunny skies expected this weekend in Phoenix area
» ‎ azcentral.com | news

Things should clear up after slight chance of rain Wednesday evening.

12:35
Obama pledges to continue Haiti aid
» ‎ CNN.com

President Obama met Wednesday with Haitian President Rene Preval to discuss relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts in Haiti.

12:35
YSL show tainted by drug allegations
» ‎ The Guardian World News
Retrospective for one of 20th century's greatest creators opens in Paris amid more references to 'dark side'
Almost two years after he died in Paris and was hailed as one of the greatest creators of the 20th century, Yves Saint Laurent is being given his first full-scale retrospective in the French capital.
The exhibition, which showcases more than 300 of his designs from his debut in 1958 to his last collection in 2002, opens tomorrow in the lavish halls of the Petit Palais.
But, as fashionistas around the world prepare to pay tribute to the man who gave women the tuxedo, allegations about the late designer's hot temper and drug habits are tainting the celebrations.
In a biography published earlier this year, Saint Laurent is described as a bully "consumed by anxiety" whose drive to succeed led him to attack staff and seek refuge in drink and drugs.
Marie-Dominique Lelièvre, author of Saint Laurent: mauvais garçon (bad boy), has described his tendency to take out his own insecurities and self-loathing on those beneath him professionally. "It's the strength of the weak, the tyranny of the fragile," she told French television.
The book – made up of interviews with dozens of people who knew the Algerian-born designer – has been dismissed as gossip by Pierre Bergé, Laurent's long-term friend and partner.
In an interview with Le Monde, however, Bergé admitted there was some truth in the reports. "He had no carefree youth," he said. "That was why, one day, he escaped and came into contact with alcohol and then drugs."
It is not the first time Saint Laurent's so-called "dark side" has been referred to by former colleagues. Tom Ford, the designer turned film director and former creative director for the YSL brand, last year described both him and Bergé as "so difficult and so evil".
These troubles, however, are unlikely to dampen fans' enthusiasm for the retrospective, organised by the Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent Foundation. It brings together some of the highlights of the couturier's career, from his Trapeze dresses at Dior to a Matisse-inspired dress once worn by France's first lady, Carla Bruni, during her modelling career.
Lizzy Davies
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

12:31
Shell stops gas sales to Iran
» ‎ CNN.com

Royal Dutch Shell has stopped selling gasoline to Iran, the company confirmed Wednesday, adding to a list of oil giants that have stopped sales after a threat of future U.S. sanctions.

12:27
Glendale police: 2 separate traffic stops lead to drop house
» ‎ azcentral.com | news

Discovery of a Glendale drop house across the street from Westgate City Center.

12:27
Private contractor earmarks cut
» ‎ washingtonpost.com - Today's Highlights

House Democratic leaders ban practice of doling out multimillion-dollar, no-bid contracts.

12:26
Concocting a Cure for Kids With Issues
» ‎ NYT > Home Page

Through a controversial practice called vision therapy, some optometrists say they can treat learning disabilities.

12:26
House Democrats ban earmarks to corporations
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

House Democratic leaders announced Wednesday that they will ban the much-criticized practice of using annual spending bills to direct pet projects to for-profit companies that often return...

12:25
White House Spars With the Chief Justice
» ‎ NYT > Home Page

The administration doesn't hesitate to take issue with remarks made by the chief justice of the United States.

12:25
Charges: 2 gave kids sleep supplement at day care
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Two former Ohio day care workers have been charged with a misdemeanor for slipping an over-the-counter dietary supplement into candy and giving it to their charges to help them sleep at...
12:25
China critics, Net founders among record 237 Nobel contenders
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

A record 237 candidates are in the running for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, the Nobel Institute said Wednesday, with Chinese dissidents and the founders of the Internet known to be on the
12:22
German Catholics to investigate abuse charges
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Catholic authorities in Germany announced two major abuse investigations Wednesday _ one into the renowned choir once led by Pope Benedict XVI's brother and another more general look into...
12:21
First lady pushes healthy kids campaign forward
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

First lady Michelle Obama is challenging software and video game designers to develop games and applications that get kids excited about living healthy. She says thousands of dollars...

12:20
Double Bill-ing on the Hill
» ‎ POLITICO Top Stories

Clinton and Gates urge senators to devote more resources to global health.

12:20
Minority Births on Track to Outnumber White Births
» ‎ FOXNews.com

This year could be the "tipping point" when the number of babies born to minorities will outnumber that of babies born to whites, demographers said.

12:18
Jobless rates up in 30 states in January
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

Jobless rates up in 30 states in January

12:17
New guns-in-bars bill begins moving in Tennessee legislature
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

The guns-in-bars bill began moving in the Tennessee legislature today – an attempt override a court ruling last fall that nullified a similar law approved last year and which blocked handgun-carry permit holders from going armed into places serving alcohol.

12:17
Brophy baseball team wears pink to support catcher's mom
» ‎ azcentral.com | news

Brophy Prep senior catcher and his teammates are tearing it up in pink early in the season behind a mom who inspires them.

12:16
Female WWII aviators honored with gold medal
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

A long-overlooked group of women who flew aircraft during World War II were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on Wednesday. Known as Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASPs, they...

12:16
Weather blog: Storms pass, but Dallas-area watch still in effect
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

Weather blog: Storms pass, but Dallas-area watch still in effect

12:09
Devout Muslims attack Christian charity
» ‎ Atlas Shrugs

I call on all no-Muslims and apostates to unite and defend ourselves against the global jihad. Our leaders won't do it. They are afraid.
Gunmen attack World Vision's office in Pakistan Gulf News hat tip Cheryl

Islamabad: Suspected militants armed with grenades attacked the offices of an international aid group in northwest Pakistan on Wednesday, killing five people working for the organization, police said.
The attack targeted World Vision, a large Christian humanitarian group helping survivors of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake in Mansehra district.

The dead were all Pakistanis and included two women, said police official Mohammad Sabir.

Al Qaida, the Taliban and allied groups are strong in northwestern Pakistan, but Mansehra lies outside the tribal belt next to Afghanistan where the militants have their main bases.

Extremists have killed other people working for foreign aid groups in Pakistan, greatly hampering efforts to raise living standards in the desperately poor region.

The aid groups are seen by the militants as a challenge to their authority in regions under their influence.

They often employ women and support female rights initiatives, further angering the extremists.

[...]

In 2008, militants in Mansehra killed four Pakistanis working for Plan International, a British-based charity that focuses on helping children.

12:05
Parolee with 19 arrests shows risk of early release, police say
» ‎ Los Angeles Times - Top News

The union representing Los Angeles police officers said Wednesday that a parolee with 19 arrests and four convictions underscores how laws meant to ease prison overcrowding could pose a serious -- and ongoing -- threat to public safety. Ezra Hooker Sr. was arrested Jan. 5 after allegedly pointing a rifle at a prostitute and leading LAPD officers on a high-speed chase on South Los Angeles freeways.

12:02
Charlie Sheen due back on `Two and a Half Men'
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

A spokesman for Charlie Sheen says the actor will soon be back at "Two and a Half Men" after undergoing rehab that temporarily halted production of CBS' top-rated sitcom. Publicist...
12:00
Mass. court upholds state gun-lock requirement
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

The highest court in Massachusetts on Wednesday upheld the constitutionality of a state law that requires gun owners to lock weapons in their homes, a case closely watched by both...

12:00
golden triangle
» ‎ Memphis Flyer

Women rock the Hi-Tone Wednesday night, including Brooklyn's Golden Triangle. [image-1]
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12:00
YM BioSciences closes US$17.5 million financing
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

YM BioSciences closes US$17.5 million financing
12:00
Spectral appoints two new board members
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Spectral appoints two new board members
11:59
Law bars Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi from elections
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Myanmar's military regime took yet another step to expunge Aung San Suu Kyi from the political scene Wednesday by effectively barring her from the first elections in 20 years and...

11:58
Same-Sex Relationships Can Be Recognized On Census
» ‎ Memphis Flyer
Although the 2010 U.S. Census doesn't ask people to reveal their sexual orientation, people in same-sex relationships have an opportunity to make that known on the census form.

According to Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center (MGLCC) director Will Batts, LGBT people in relationships may opt to check "husband or wife" or "unmarried partner" in a section that asks questions about other people living in the home. The MGLCC (892 S. Cooper) is hosting an informational session with a 2010 U.S. Census worker on Thursday, March 11th at 6:30 p.m.
- Sample 2010 Census form
Since gay people aren't allowed to marry or have out-of-state marriages recognized in Tennessee, Batts suggest that people in same-sex relationships fill out the form according to how they view their relationship. In other words, even if you're not technically married, you should check "husband or wife" if you think of your partner in that role.

"They want us to share the most accurate information about our lives that we can. If we believe that we are married — like if we were married in another state but living in Tennessee — we need to record that," Batts said. "If we believe we are simply unmarried partners or roommates, that should be how we record our relationships. The census is not making judgment about our relationships. The census is collecting information from us about ourselves, so we should record that as honestly as we know how to."

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11:54
Unemployment rises in 30 states in January
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Unemployment rose in 30 states in January, the Labor Department said Wednesday, evidence that jobs remain scarce in most regions of the country. The data is somewhat better than...
11:54
LEAD: Japanese crown prince arrives in Nairobi+
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

(Kyodo) _ (EDS: UPDATING WITH CROWN PRINCE'S ARRIVAL IN NAIROBI) Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito arrived in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Wednesday afternoon on the second leg of his...
11:52
House debates troop withdrawal from Afghanistan
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Anti-war lawmakers are getting a chance to make their case before facing almost certain defeat of a House resolution calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Rep....
11:52
Boyfriend: 'Jihad Jane' suspect wasn't religious
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

The self-dubbed "Jihad Jane" who thought her blond, all-American profile would help mask her plan to kill a Swedish cartoonist is a rare case of a U.S. woman inciting foreign terrorism and...

11:52
80s Teen Idol Corey Haim Dead of Possible Overdose
» ‎ WREG - Memphis News: daily news, local news and tv news

Apparent overdose is cause

11:52
Corey Haim dies | Photos
» ‎ chicagotribune.com - News

LOS ANGELES -- Actor Corey Haim has died at the age of 38, the Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed to KTLA.

11:49
New Roosevelt Street traffic plan backed in Scottsdale
» ‎ azcentral.com | news

Scottsdale residents had opposed roundabouts in city's initial idea to slow speeding cars.

11:46
6 Employees of U.S. Charity Killed in Attack in Pakistan
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

Police inspected the offices of aid group World Vision in Oghi, Pakistan on Wednesday after militants killed at least six people there in an attack.

11:45
Mash Up contest
» ‎ iOwnTheWorld.com

The poster comes with a short blurb about the new mashed-up movie.

I smell a contest.

11:42
CDC: Most with herpes don't know it
» ‎ CNN.com

As much as 16 percent of the U.S. population between the ages of 14 and 49 has genital herpes, according to a government study released Tuesday.

11:42
Remember Those “72 Hours”?
» ‎ An Ol' Broad's Ramblings

11:39
Pakistan kidnap ordeal father back
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

The father of a five-year-old British boy held captive in Pakistan has returned to the UK, sources said.Sahil Saeed, from Oldham in Greater Manchester, was grabbed by gun and grenade-wielding raiders ...

11:38
Pennsylvania Woman Tied to Plot on Cartoonist
» ‎ NYT > Home Page

Prosecutors accused Colleen R. LaRose, who called herself “JihadJane,” of involvement in a plot with militants.

11:38
In visit to Memphis, Corey Haim called city 'one big relaxational facility'
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

Corey Haim describes Memphis as “one big relaxational facility” where people are free to “kick back.”

11:37
Air traffic perfect storm for NYC
» ‎ CNN.com

Flying in and out of New York -- which is usually no picnic -- is likely to get worse this spring and summer. A new nationwide rule on tarmac delays, possible exemptions to that rule and a runway closure may create a perfect storm for air travelers when bad weather is added to the mix.

11:36
Microsoft takes on iPlayer with MSN Video
» ‎ The Guardian World News
Web TV service, with 1,000 hours of shows licensed from BBC Worldwide and production companies, launches on Thursday
Microsoft's MSN Video is to launch a free catch-up TV service in the UK on Thursday to try to compete with the BBC's iPlayer – but including 30-second adverts before, during and after each programme.
The iPlayer, which like the original BBC content has no ads, is one of the most popular websites in the UK, allowing people to view or listen to TV and radio programmes up to seven days after their transmission.
Led by Ashley Highfield, formerly a key figure in the evolution of the BBC iPlayer, the Microsoft offering will have roughly 1,000 hours of programming – but will lack direct broadcaster deals. That means it will not be able to compete directly with the direct catch-up services offered by the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. Highfield is now the head of Microsoft's UK consumer and online business.
Instead, last summer Microsoft acquired licenses for 300 hours of BBC Worldwide and All3Media shows for a trial service, getting access to BBC programmes such as Mock the Week, What Not To Wear and Hotel Babylon, and All3Media shows including Peep Show, Shameless and How To Look Good Naked, and series featuring the illusionist Derren Brown.
From Thursday it will also add more shows from Endemol, maker of Big Brother, as well as RDF, Shed, Digital Rights Group, Raw Cut and Content Film, bringing the total available to more than 1,000 hours.
"The six-month pilot is going full commercial launch," MSN UK executive producer Peter Bale told paidContentUK, owned by the Guardian. "The pilot has worked. We've had a terrific response from our advertisers." He added that "We're having a very high number of people sit through the ads, because there aren't many."
The move by MSN comes amid upheavals in the online video sector, where the BBC is still waiting for approval for Project Canvas, a planned joint venture with ITV, Channel 4, Channel Five, BT and Carphone Warehouse to provide on-demand video over the internet which could be played in internet-enabled TVs, rather than just computers – the present limitation of iPlayer. BSkyB and equipment makers have voiced objections to Canvas, suggesting that there is not proven consumer demand for it, and that it might not work with planned internet-enabled TVs.
The iPlayer has enjoyed spectacular success since its launch at Christmas 2007, becoming an internet phenomenon that has provided the baseline for future broadband quality enshrined in the government's Digital Economy bill. The bill specifies a proposed minimum broadband connection for every household of 2 megabits per second – the minimum required for iPlayer viewing.
Figures released last May showed that it was used to transfer 7 petabytes – 7m gigabytes – of data in a month. It has also recently added an "HD" option for higher-quality online viewing.
But Highfield says that the MSN product is superior to the iPlayer. MSN's average viewer watched for 25 minutes, he said: "That is significantly higher than ITV and Channel 4's online TV services, which suggests we are hitting the mark with our choice of content for the service."
The MSN system offers Microsoft's Silverlight technology to stream the video, automatically adjusting the screen quality to meet the speed of the connection. But it will be usable without Silverlight.
However, without direct broadcaster deals, MSN's video offering won't necessarily pose a direct challenge to the likes of YouTube and SeeSaw, which have each won Channel 4 and Five shows by offering those broadcasters control of their own ad sales.
Bale insisted that MSN is keen to sign such a deal. "We always talk to the broadcasters," he said. "It's publicly obvious that ITV and Channel 4 have made different decisions what their current video-on-demand strategy is."
Charles ArthurRobert AndrewsMark Sweney
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

11:35
Pakistani police retract claim of kidnapped British boy's recovery
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

Islamabad - Pakistani police late Wednesday retracted an erroneous report that they had successfully freed the kidnapped British boy Sahil Saeed. Saeed, aged 5 and from Oldham in northern England, was...

11:35
Muslims Rape,Torture, Mutiliate Christian Girls in Iraq
» ‎ Atlas Shrugs

This video is so upsetting, so heartbreaking it is a stunning indictment of the bankruptcy and cowardice of the West. This is war. Fight it!

Muslims Terrorizing Christian Girls in Iraq Frontpage Mag
Frank Kitman edited and translated a most heartbreaking testimony by Sister Hatune, of the Syrian-Orthodox monastery in Warburg, Germany. She makes an amazing effort to help and protect the ruthlessly persecuted Christians in Iraq.
In recent years a horrifying number of kidnappings, rapes and mutilations of Iraqi Christian girls has been perpetrated by Muslim gangs. Some 700,000 Christians are fleeing this terror, but often find themselves exposed to similar dangers when they arrive in neighboring Muslim countries. With no rights and no help from authorities, they are surely in the most desperate of situations.
Please take the time to contemplate why this is not being reported more often.
And visit Sister Hatune’s foundation for more information about her great work.

11:31
Face-off: Sebelius confronts insurers
» ‎ POLITICO Top Stories

She's challenging them to divert millions in anti-reform advertising dollars toward cutting premiums.

11:28
Rupert Murdoch panders to Arabs, ambitious expansion in Abu Dhabi
» ‎ Creeping Sharia

News Corp. is rapidly expanding in the Muslim world, and Islamist influence is sure to grow at News Corp’s U.S. outlets like Fox News, as has been pointed out here, here, here, and here. Now, I’m sure there is no shortage of experts who fly in here and give you nice words. It’s very easy to [...]

11:28
Cops: Man dies in fiery crash while fleeing burglary
» ‎ chicagotribune.com - News

11:26
Pakistan militants attack U.S. Christian aid group, killing six
» ‎ Los Angeles Times - Top News

All of the dead were Pakistanis employed by World Vision, which has been helping victims of a devastating 2005 earthquake in the country's north.

Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan, and Peshawar, Pakistan -- Militants stormed the northwest Pakistan offices of a U.S. Christian aid group Wednesday, killing six workers and injuring five, police said.

11:23
Warming Panel Comes Under Outside Scrutiny
» ‎ Climate Change Fraud

The struggling Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has given an outside science group complete control to review its rules, procedures and reports on global warming.

The InterAcademy Council, a Netherlands-based organization of the science academies of 15 nations, will undertake the task of reviewing the IPCC’s reports by independently choosing reviewers, a scientist close to the situation, who asked not to be named, told the Associated Press (AP).

11:20
Andy Kaufman: I'm From Hollywood at the Brooks
» ‎ Memphis Flyer

One of the oddest and most compelling moments in the long, rich, twisty history of Memphis culture had to be the stretch in the early ’80s when comedian and television star Andy Kaufman came to Memphis to be a professional wrestler.

Arriving as an emissary from distant Hollywood at the very peak of Memphis wresting, Kaufman became a fixture at Monday Night Wrestling cards at the Mid-South Coliseum and on the Saturday morning wrestling broadcasts on WMC, Channel 5, first challenging women to matches and then getting into a feud with Jerry Lawler that the pair eventually took national via a notorious appearance on Late Night with David Letterman.

I remember watching all of this play out in real time as a grade-schooler living in Eastern Arkansas and a dedicated Saturday morning wrestling watcher. At the time, I only knew Kaufman as the guy on wrestling. Apparently lots of adult Memphis wrestling fans were similarly in the dark.

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11:20
CTA cuts cause riders to switch from buses to trains
» ‎ chicagotribune.com - News

11:18
Adam Kokesh: An anti-war smear merchant in “Republican” clothing
» ‎ Michelle Malkin

Before there was a nationwide, grass-roots Tea Party movement, there was another nationwide, grass-roots movement that brought thousands of Americans to Washington, D.C. They called themselves the “Gathering of Eagles.” I covered two massive, GoE rallies against the Soros-funded, anti-war Left in March 2007 and September 2007. GOE activists continue to expose the transnational progressives, anti-military bullies, and phonies who operate under the “peace” banner.

One of the groups that GOE dogged was Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) — whose members have included bomb-threat bullies and death-threat nutballs who threatened to assassinate me, fake Army vet Jesse MacBeth, and another prominent member who smeared the Young America’s Foundation by faking an anti-Muslim hate flyer and smeared David Horowitz with similar race-card playing flyers, then weaseled out of the attacks by claiming they were “satire.”

The last two incidents involved an IVAW member named Adam Kokesh. He marched in uniform in mock patrols for the anti-war movement, paraded around holding an upside-down American flag (see Jonn Lilyea for more), was arrested for defacing signs, and traveled to Germany to urge soldiers to abandon their posts and seek aid and comfort with his anti-war minions.

Kokesh, believe it or not, is now running as a Republican candidate for Congress in New Mexico. And, believe it or not, he is getting positive exposure on at least one Fox News show. He has the backing of Ron Paul, the Republican Liberty Caucus, and the 9/12 Project.

The New Mexico Republican Party has its head in the sand. If you have friends and family in New Mexico, make sure they know who the real Adam Kokesh is.

He is an anti-war smear merchant in GOP clothing. Spread the word.

11:17
Former Scottsdale man draws 5-year term for swindling
» ‎ azcentral.com | news

A former Scottsdale man was sentenced to five years in prison after admitting he swindled would-be renters of vacation properties he claimed he owned, officials said.

11:15
California Greenin'
» ‎ Climate Change Fraud

Destroying California one bad
decision at a time.
Remember the promise that green jobs would flourish in California? Well, here's the reality: The cost of going green is actually lost jobs.

When Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, Californians were told that their state would become a font of green jobs churned out by the growing green economy.

11:15
Right Wing News Rates Top 40 Conservative Blogs
» ‎ iOwnTheWorld.com

John Hawkins over at Right Wing News, compiled his quarterly list of the top 40 conservative blogs that he visits regularly and enjoys. And guess who is on the list? That’s right, we are! Shameless self back patting? You betcha! The list is filled with excellent sites; I’ve excerpted it below.

40: Tie) This Ain’t Hell
40: Tie) Small Dead Animals
39) Jihad Watch
38) Closet Conservative
37) Twice Right
36) Conservative Blog Watch
35) Iowahawk
34) Don Surber
33) TigerHawk
32) Sweetness & Light
31) The Radio Equalizer
30) Gay Patriot
29) Tim Blair
28) The Cara Ellison Show
27) Dr. Helen
26) Cassy Fiano
25) I Own The World
24) The Campaign Spot
23) Betsy’s Page
22) Doug Ross
21) Power Line
20) The Nose on Your Face

See the full list and the top 20 here.

Thank you, John! It is very much appreciated.
11:14
Michelle Malkin on the Census
» ‎ iOwnTheWorld.com

She is suggesting that everyone check the ”some other race” box on number 9 and write in American. Pass it on.

ht/ trippstake

11:09
Suspected US missiles kill 4
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

P ARACHINAR, Pakistan — Pakistani officials say suspected U.S. drones have fired missiles at a house and nearby truck in the country’s northwest near the Afghan border, killing at least fo...

11:02
no criminal charges have been filed
» ‎ SayUncle

In Oregon, a man gets fired from his job at the DOT. He’s disgruntled. He goes out and buys some guns. So, the police send a SWAT Team to raid his house since he was reportedly disgruntled and because he bought guns. They took him into protective custody. People are a bit alarmed at the police tactics.

Seems they knew he bought guns from the background checks. He did not purchase multiple handguns in a week which makes me wonder how the police got this info.

On one had, could have diffused a violent situation. Maybe. On the other, that seems constitutionally suspect.

Update: your answer:

The answer is easy. Oregon is a Point-Of-Contact state for the NICS system, which means Oregon, like Pennsylvania and many other states, has its own system. While funding restrictions prevent the feds from storing information related to background checks, there is no such restriction on the state point-of-contact.

Though shootin’ buddy and Occam’s Razor suggest his wife called.

11:01
Reports of Sarkozy, Bruni Affairs Spark French Media Frenzy
» ‎ FOXNews.com

France's flamboyant, diminutive president, Nicolas Sarkozy, and his younger pop star wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, are allegedly both having affairs, according to some of France's most reputable Webzines.

11:01
Memphis Realtors group threatens to suspend First National Realty
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

Memphis Area Association of Realtor threaten to suspend First National Realty in a dispute about a non-member real-estate agency.

11:00
Approps: No more for-profit earmarks
» ‎ POLITICO Top Stories

For-profit entities routinely collect millions in government dollars earmarked by lawmakers.

11:00
Common set of school standards to be offered
» ‎ washingtonpost.com - Today's Highlights

Blueprint from governors, school chiefs is a crucial step in Obama's campaign to raise standards.
11:00
Wedding bells ring ka-ching
» ‎ washingtonpost.com - Today's Highlights

District officials say allowing same-sex marriages also has a practical implication for the city: jobs.
11:00
Roberts: Speech scene troubling
» ‎ washingtonpost.com - Today's Highlights

Chief justice says State of Union "degenerated into political pep rally" and not setting to "chide" court.
11:00
This March might be truly mad
» ‎ washingtonpost.com - Today's Highlights

Michael Wilbon | This could be the perfect storm of chaos for NCAA men's basketball tournament.

10:57
Med might not spin off clinics to Memphis Health Center
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

The new CEO of the Regional Medical Center at Memphis says the hospital might not go through with a plan to spin off control of several of the Health Loop community clinics to Memphis Health Center.

10:53
Today's prime minister's questions
» ‎ The Guardian World News

Gordon Brown faces questions from David Cameron, Nick Clegg and the rest of the house

10:52
US aid group attacked in NW Pakistan; 6 dead
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

ISLAMABAD (AP) - Suspected militants armed with assault rifles and a homemade bomb attacked the offices of a U.S.-based Christian aid group helping earthquake survivors in northwestern Pakistan on Wed...
10:52
Militants kill 6 in attack on Western aid agency in Pakistan+
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

ISLAMABAD, March 10 (AP) - (Kyodo)(EDS: UPDATING WITH CLAIM OF RESPONSIBILITY TELEPHONED TO KYODO, ONE MORE DEATH) Six employees of a Western aid agency were killed and five others injured ...

10:50
Funeral home’s cremation license suspended following mixup
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

A Summer Avenue funeral home has been suspended from performing cremation services after a nurse’s body that was to be cremated last year was discovered in a man’s grave last month.

10:46
US aid group attacked in NW Pakistan; 6 dead
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

ISLAMABAD (AP) - Suspected militants armed with assault rifles and a homemade bomb attacked the offices of a U.S.-based Christian aid group helping earthquake survivors in northwestern Pakistan on Wed...

10:45
7-Year-Old Calls 911, Saves Family From Attack
» ‎ FOXNews.com

A terrified 7-year-old boy begged emergency dispatchers to send police to his Southern California home where three armed robbers threatened his parents, according to a recording of the call released Tuesday.

10:45
Man dies after Midlothian cops subdue him with Taser
» ‎ chicagotribune.com - News

10:42
City Hall blog: Dallas cabbies furious as City Council OKs privileges for 'green' taxis
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

10:39 AM CT
10:40
City Hall blog: Dallas cabbies furious as City Council OKs privileges for "green" taxis
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

10:39 AM CT
10:40
Kimberly-Clark rolling out bathroom paper towels
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

Kimberly-Clark rolling out bathroom paper towels

10:35
On the White House: Rove on Rove: A Conversation With the Former Bush Senior Adviser
» ‎ NYT > Home Page

The Times caught up with Karl Rove to talk about democracy in Iraq, the impact of the C.I.A. leak case and questions about his family life.

10:34
Letterman Top Ten
» ‎ iOwnTheWorld.com

I know, who cares, right? But this top ten was political, and it didn’t have a SARAH PALIN joke in it. That IS newsworthy. Here, see for yourselves.

Top Ten Reasons Rahm Emanuel is nuts:

10. Every morning takes a leak off the Truman balcony
9. President Obama smokes cigarettes; Rahm eats them
8. Spotted today at Toyota dealership
7. He’s leaving Obama to become a special advisor to Richard Nixon
6. In a fit of rage, he snapped Dennis Kucinich in half
5. Changing his name to Rahm Emanuel Lewis
4. Refers to every cabinet official as “Clarkie”
3. Recently got into heated policy debate with his stapler
2. You mean, besides walking around D.C. naked?
1. Even Andy Dick is telling him to chill

Read more: [newsbusters.org]

10:25
Live chat: Severe thunderstorms moving across Dallas-Fort Worth
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

Live chat: Severe thunderstorms moving across Dallas-Fort Worth

10:24
A-Rod: Lawyers are setting up interview with feds
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Alex Rodriguez's lawyers are setting up an interview with federal authorities as part of an investigation into a Canadian doctor who is the focus of a cross-border drug smuggling case...
10:23
N.Y. stocks move narrowly in morning+
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

(Kyodo) _ New York stocks moved little Wednesday morning for lack of major incentives. The 30-issue Dow Jones Industrial Average, which gained 11.86 points Tuesday, added 24.87 points,

10:16
Actor Corey Haim dies
» ‎ CNN.com

Former 1980s teen movie actor and heartthrob Corey Haim died early Wednesday, authorities said.

10:15
Gunmen kill 6 in Western aid agency raid in Pakistan
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

OGHI, Pakistan (Reuters) - Suspected Islamist militants stormed an office of a U.S.-based, Christian aid agency in Pakistan on Wednesday, killing six Pakistani aid workers after singling them out and ...

10:15
Ashton risks French feud over EU military HQ
» ‎ The Guardian World News
British peer blames plight on Brussels turf wars over shape and powers of a new European diplomatic service
Britain's new EU foreign and security policy chief, Lady Ashton, used the platform of the European parliament today to hit back at the chorus of criticism that has enveloped her first three months in the job.
In a combative performance outlining early views on how to make EU foreign policy more effective, the Labour peer signalled the start of "assertive leadership" and blamed the turf wars raging in Brussels over the shape and powers of a new European diplomatic service for her plight.
She also risked reviving a bitter UK-French feud over defence, promising to review calls for a permanent EU military planning headquarters based in Brussels. The British are strongly opposed to such an HQ, believing it would undermine Nato and dilute the Atlantic alliance while the French have long lobbied for a new Brussels office as a means of boosting independent European defence capacities.
Smarting from the whispering campaign against her being conducted in EU capitals for weeks, Ashton briefly switched into French and German, speaking a sentence of each, in an attempt to assuage those unhappy with her lack of language skills. She listed every place she had visited in recent weeks, from New York to Sarajevo to Moscow, to dampen criticism of her schedule and complaints about meetings she has missed.
"My difficulty is that I haven't yet learned to time travel," she quipped in an attempt to silence the doubters.
She brushed aside taunts that her private office is top-heavy with British officials. "I will appoint on merit – nothing else," she said. "There are no favourites here."
Ashton is charged with building and leading a new European diplomatic machine, the External Action Service. The service, the EU's most ambitious new structure in many years, is the focus of an intense power struggle in Brussels between the European commission and European governments.
While Ashton is seeking to tip the balance of power towards the governments, senior players in the parliament today supported José Manuel Barroso, the commission president.
Ashton described the new service as "a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build something that finally brings together all the instruments of our engagement in support of a single political strategy. If we pull together, we can safeguard our interests. If not, others will make decisions for us. It really is that simple."
She repeated remarks from the foreign secretary, David Miliband, last week that demand for European foreign policymaking was outstripping supply and criticised vested interests and bureaucratic blocking tactics in Brussels. "There is a tendency to put process ahead of outcomes in Europe," she said. "Any time you create something new, there will be resistance. Some prefer to minimise perceived losses rather than maximise collective gains."
Ashton said her aim was to concentrate on the aims and then work out how to achieve them as well as fashioning "joined-up" policies from the disparate and often rival parts of the EU machine.
On the issue of a new defence planning HQ, Ashton called for a "serious debate … the question is whether we need something else."
Her remarks today followed talks in Paris last Friday with Hervé Morin, the French defence minister and a trenchant critic of Ashton's performance as EU foreign policy head. Her comments prompted accusations that she was "a handmaiden" for European military and political integration.
Geoffrey Van Orden, the Conservative MEP, alleged she was plotting a policy shift that would "ratchet up" EU military integration at the expense of Nato. She denied the charge.
The EU now uses Nato's Shape HQ and national centres for planning and co-ordinating military missions abroad.
A Brussels-based dedicated HQ, said the French defence ministry afterwards, would be a "capacity, desired by a majority of member states, [and] would improve the EU's responsiveness in the launch of operations and would also be a factor for making cost savings".
Ian Traynor
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

10:14
Prayers CAN Make a Difference!
» ‎ An Ol' Broad's Ramblings

Just received this email from Fred about Brooke:

THANK U JESUS!!!!!! Brooke just came out of her coma and looked at her parents!!!! When they told her they were going to the waiting room(visiting hours ended) she made her normal pouting face!!!!! The whole crinkled nose and forehead!!!! She couldn’t talk due to the tubes in her mouth and throat but crinkling the nose let them know she wanted them to stay!!!! I can’t even begin to tell you how grateful I am for God’s mercy!!!! Thank u God for miracles!!!!!

Amen to that! Miracles DO happen! Please pray for her speedy recovery, so she can be back at home, with her family, wrinkling her forehead, and pouting to her heart’s content.

10:13
"JihadJane" accused of terror plot in Sweden
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Pennsylvania woman has been charged with plotting to kill a Swedish man and trying to recruit fighters via the Internet to commit violent attacks overseas, the U.S.

10:13
IRS: $1.3 billion unclaimed for '06
» ‎ CNN.com

Some people who didn't file a federal tax return for 2006 have more than 1 billion reasons to reconsider, but they need to do it fast, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

10:10
Ex-Christian Coalition head won't run for Congress
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Former Christian Coalition head Ralph Reed announced Wednesday that he has decided not to run for Congress in Georgia. Reed considered seeking the Republican nomination for Georgia's...

10:09
Corey Haim, Actor, Has Died
» ‎ NYT > Home Page

Mr. Haim, an actor best known for his roles in 1980s coming-of-age comedies like "Lucas" and "License to Drive," was found dead on Wednesday. He was 38.

10:09
In Brief Afghan refugees allowed to stay longer in Pakistan
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

The refugee cards of about 1.7 million Afghans in Pakistan will be extended until December 2012 and the Afghan government will have to enhance its reintegration services, according to a tripartite mee...
10:08
Pakistani officials say suspected US missile strike kills 4 people in the country's...
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

On Sunday, when daylight-saving time takes effect, people will spring forward to turn their alarm clocks ahead one hour. Adjustments to their biological clocks might ...

10:08
LiveBlogging the Anti-Obamacare Blowout in St. Charles, MO– STANDING ROOM ONLY!
» ‎ Gateway Pundit

PACKED HOUSE——
They were expecting 600…… 1,800+ SHOWED UP TODAY!
UPDATE:—- New Count— 2,225 TURNED OUT TODAY!!

An overflow crowd turned out today at 9:45 AM to attend the “Kill the Bill” rally today in St. Charles, MO

Republican Lt. Governor Peter Kinder told the fired up crowd– “We have just begun to fight!”

Blogger ReBoot Congress was at the event today.
** The Anti-Obamacare Health Care Rally at St. Charles Convention Center (map, directions, parking) is on.

Jamie Alman from 97.1 is emcee today at this “Kill the Bill” rally!

The Wednesday Rally called by Rep. Todd Akin & GOP House Leader John Boehner is the federal-healthcare equivalent of “The Gunfight at the OK Corral” for Missouri!

We need ALL HANDS ON DECK, and ALL BOOTS on the Ground!! If you can take time off work, if you can leave your children or elderly parent with a sitter (or bring them)…if you can at all make this rally – DO IT!

This may be it! Pelosi is trying to bring this to the floor for a vote in the coming days…and is strong-arming all the moderate dems into voting for Obamacare Socialized Medicine – and Federally Funded Abortion. In a “nuclear option” procedure that was never intended for major social mandates, Nancy & Harry…and Leader Obama – clearly intend to disenfranchise well over half of the American People!

This is despite the fact they themselves condemned this same procedure a mere few years ago!

These people are FIRED UP!
Several Missouri politicians spoke out against the Obamacare bill at this public rally. President Obama is locking the public out of his staged rally later today across town in St. Charles.

I posed with Peter Kinder and blogger Michelle Moore before the event started up this morning.

Local patriot Jay Stewart is in the house.

1,800+ showed up to watch a live video feed from Washington DC. Rep. Todd Akin, Rep. Shadegg and Rep. Pence spoke to the crowd. Mike Pence told the crowd, “I believe America will take back the Congress in 2010.” (The crowd went nuts)

Todd Akin told the crowd this was the worst bill he’s seen since he’s been in Congress. And, of course, the Republican representatives pointed out Pelosi’s stunning admission from yesterday’s speech.

Bob McCarty has more on the rally today.

And, StL Cyclist sent this in this photo:

The crowd was ready to bury Obamacare.

UPDATE: Here’s Jamie Allman closing out the rally with “God Bless America.”
It was a powerful moment:

Typical mobsters.

* * * * *

The Second Protest planned by the St. Louis Tea Party Coalition is planned for 5:30 on Wednesday night downtown in St. Louis across from the Renaissance Grand hotel. We are meeting at 5:00 PM on 9th and Delmar. WEAR BLACK!

10:07
Tea Party Stuck in Neutral?
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Obama sets aggressive plan to push health bill — sending Tea Party groups scrambling to catch up
• YOU DECIDE: Can Tea Party Stop Health Bill Drive?
• Obama Using 'Bounty Hunters' to Root Out Fraud
• Obama to Make Closing Argument on Health Care
• Dems to Emanuel: Stop the Health Care Deadlines
• What's in a Deadline? For Health Care, Everything
10:07
Ex-Rep: Gropin' Guys Ain't Misbehavin'
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Disgraced former lawmaker Eric Massa admits he groped some male staffers, but not in an inappropriate way
• VIDEO: Massa on 'Beck' | TEXT OF INTERVIEW
10:07
Join Texas Textbook Battle
» ‎ FOXNews.com

LIVESHOTS: Maggie Kerkman on how you can follow textbook fight that will impact millions of students
• Full Coverage of Texas Textbook Battle

10:07
As bag fees hit a max, new airline charges are taking off
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

As bag fees hit a max, new airline charges are taking off

10:07
Swedish artist: cartoon murder plot 'low-tech'
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

A Swedish artist who angered Muslims by drawing the Prophet Muhammad with the body of a dog says he believes the suspects in an alleged plot to kill him were not professionals. Lars...

10:04
Ben Cunningham On Gibson County Wheel Tax
» ‎ The Mike Slater Show

There are still a few ways to stop it from passing. Ben Cunningham from TN Tax Revolt explains: Ben Cunningham’s contact info to team with him and spread the word: tennesseetaxrevolt@yahoo.com, (615) 852-8298. (We will post the Gibson county commissioners phone numbers as soon as we get them all) The rest of the 8:00 hour on what can [...]

10:03
Obama pushing on health care end game
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

President Barack Obama is pushing a new anti-fraud plan and his top health official is challenging the nation's insurers as the administration cranks up the pressure for a sweeping...

10:00
7-Year-Old Calls 911, Saves Family From Attack
» ‎ FOXNews.com

A terrified 7-year-old boy begged emergency dispatchers to send police to his Southern California home where three armed robbers threatened his parents, according to a recording of the call released Tuesday.
9:59
Corey Haim Found Dead
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Former teen heartthrob and star of 'Lost Boys' had a history of drug abuse, may have overdosed | COREY HAIM: 1971-2010
9:59
Survival Tactics
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SLIDESHOW: One member of Congress says it's time for a pay cut. Here's how YOU think lawmakers can survive on less
9:59
Audrina's Scary Stalker
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SLIDESHOW: Audrina Patridge is latest star with a serious stalker, joining Dr. Drew, Halle Berry and several other celebs with fans who went way too far
9:59
'Idol' Getting Nasty
» ‎ FOXNews.com

IDOL411: You know things are getting intense when Randy is even meaner than Simon! Check out who got ripped apart on 'Ladies Night'
9:59
Guess the Celeb Shoe
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SLIDESHOW: Think you have what it takes to match the shoe to the mystery celebrity? Take our 'Who Does the Shoe Belong To?' quiz and find out
9:59
Has Lindsay Lost It?
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SLIDESHOW: The star is suing E-Trade for $100 mil over their baby commercial? A look back at her extreme highs and lows | LOHAN NO 'MILKAHOLIC'
9:59
Anger Over Farrah Snub
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Ryan O'Neal and Fawcett's close friends speak out against Academy's decision to omit her from tribute to lost stars at Sunday's Oscars ceremony
9:59
'Revenge of the Nerds'
» ‎ FOXNews.com

THEN/NOW: Anthony Edwards went on to win a Golden Globe for his role in 'ER,' but what about the rest of America's favorite nerds and their frat boy nemeses?
9:59
Acadia Park in 5...
» ‎ FOXNews.com

By land or by sea, New England's only National Park is 30,000 acres of fun

9:59
Tearful Marie Osmond back on stage
» ‎ CNN.com

With tears in her eyes and her voice shaking at times, Marie Osmond donned her bravest face Tuesday night as she took to the stage for the first time since the death of her son for a show that she dedicated to him.

9:58
Ex-Christian Coalition head won't run for Congress
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Former Christian Coalition head Ralph Reed says that after much thought and prayer he has decided not to run for Congress in Georgia. Reed considered seeking the Republican nomination...

9:58
Afghan refugees allowed to stay longer in Pakistan
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

KABUL, 10 March 2010 (IRIN) - The refugee cards of about 1.7 million Afghans in Pakistan will be extended until December 2012 and the Afghan government will have to enhance its reintegration services,...

9:58
Roberts: State of the Union Scene 'Very Troubling'
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Roberts: State of the Union Scene 'Very Troubling'
9:58
LIVESHOTS: Gomez on Latest Crist-Rubio Debacle
» ‎ FOXNews.com

LIVESHOTS: Gomez on Latest Crist-Rubio Debacle
9:58
No-Fly List Nearly Doubles Since Christmas Plot
» ‎ FOXNews.com

No-Fly List Nearly Doubles Since Christmas Plot
9:58
Senate Staffers Warned to Stay Clear of Drudge Report
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Senate Staffers Warned to Stay Clear of Drudge Report
9:58
How Scientists Map the Human Brain
» ‎ FOXNews.com

How Scientists Map the Human Brain
9:58
LIVESHOTS: Fishel on Gates in Afghanistan- Gates: Some Troops Could Leave Afghanistan Early- Ahmadinejad: U.S. Playing 'Game' in Afghanistan
» ‎ FOXNews.com

LIVESHOTS: Fishel on Gates in Afghanistan- Gates: Some Troops Could Leave Afghanistan Early- Ahmadinejad: U.S. Playing 'Game' in Afghanistan
9:58
Obama Judicial Nominee Supported Killer
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Obama Judicial Nominee Supported Killer
9:58
Legislation to Extend Jobless Benefits Clears Hurdle
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Legislation to Extend Jobless Benefits Clears Hurdle
9:58
Forecasters Predict Active 2010 Hurricane Season- U.N. Set to Announce Review of Climate Panel
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Forecasters Predict Active 2010 Hurricane Season- U.N. Set to Announce Review of Climate Panel

9:58
Obama’s anti-fraud gimmick
» ‎ Michelle Malkin

During his closed-door, invitation-only Obamacare Road Show appearance before a cherry-picked audience at St. Charles High School in St. Louis today, the president will announce a new anti-fraud initiative:

President Barack Obama is directing federal agencies to expand their use of private audits to detect fraudulent payments to health-care and other federal contractors.

The initiative, which Mr. Obama is set to announce Wednesday on a trip to St. Louis, could allow him to argue that he is serious about cutting health-care costs, a concern of lawmakers who are weighing whether to support the Democrats’ health-care legislation.

Mr. Obama will sign a presidential memorandum directing federal agencies to make more aggressive use of “payment recapture audits,” in which private companies under contract scrub government books to find wrongful payments and are paid a portion of what they find.

Under current law, only certain federal agencies are eligible to use this system. The president is also endorsing legislation to expand their use to other agencies and programs, including Medicaid.

The federal government estimates that it made $98 billion in improper payments last year. The audits are on pace to find $1 billion over the next three years, and the White House said more aggressive use of them could double that to $2 billion.

Of that $1 billion, as much as $750 million is from improper Medicare payments.

More details from the WSJ.

No doubt the kiddie stage props will cheer lustily when Obama unveils it.

But if he were so interested in rooting out fraud and saving taxpayers money, why the hell did he wait more than a year to issue his presidential directive?

And given how Team Obama has waged war on independent watchdogs, how long before these anti-fraud efforts get sabotaged or muzzled by this administration?

9:57
80s Teen Idol Corey Haim Dead at 38
» ‎ WREG - Memphis News: daily news, local news and tv news

Apparent overdose is cause

9:57
Corey Haim dies | Photos
» ‎ chicagotribune.com - News

LOS ANGELES -- Actor Corey Haim has died at the age of 38, the Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed to KTLA.

9:56
Artist takes his statues to New York
» ‎ The Guardian World News

In pictures: Antony Gormley erects series of life-sized cast iron and fibreglass sculptures in prominent locations around the city

9:55
Wednesday's briefs
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

'Jazz' at GPAC

9:53
Karzai in Pakistan to seek support for peace with Taliban
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

Islamabad - Afghan president Hamid Karzai arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday to discuss possible reconciliation with Taliban insurgents and the overall security situation on the Pakistan-Afghan border....

9:52
Pakistan officials: Suspected US missiles kill 4
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Pakistani officials say suspected U.S. drones have fired missiles at a house and nearby truck in the country's northwest near the Afghan border, killing at least four people. Local...

9:52
Waqar 'shocked' at player punishments
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

Waqar Younis, Pakistan's incoming coach, has expressed "shock" at the clean-up operation in Pakistan which saw the PCB ban and fine seven leading players. Waqar is due to arrive next week in Lahore fr...

9:51
'Jihad Jane' indictment shows terror's evolution
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

The self-described "Jihad Jane" who thought her blond hair and blue eyes would let her blend in as she sought to kill an artist in Sweden is a rare case of an American woman aiding foreign...

9:51
CRIME REPORT: Too much TV harmful to alleged drug dealer's freedom
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

Tip: If you are an alleged drug dealer, don’t watch a movie while driving.

9:50
He’s Exotic
» ‎ iOwnTheWorld.com

9:50
Vitamin D: Overhyped hope?
» ‎ chicagotribune.com - News

Vitamin D is being hailed as the answer to nearly every health issue under the sun after a flurry of preliminary studies found links between vitamin D deficiencies and various illnesses. But health experts caution that claims of wide-ranging health benefits are not yet supported by clinical evidence.

9:49
A-Rod: Lawyers are setting up interview with feds
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Alex Rodriguez says his lawyers are setting up an interview with federal authorities as part of an investigation into a Canadian doctor who is the focus of a cross-border drug smuggling...

9:49
Community snapshot
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories
9:48
Blue jeans & BBQ
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

The Collierville Junior Auxiliary group recently held its first fundraising gala.
9:47
Community snapshots
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories
9:47
Germantown Elementary showcases top projects
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

Germantown Elementary School recently hosted its annual science fair contest.
9:46
Reading Roundtable to be held
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

The March session of Northwest Mississippi Community College's Reading Roundtable will be held on March 30 at 2 p.m. in the R.C. Pugh Library on the Senatobia campus.
9:46
Animal Rescue Society helps with needed supplies
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

The Animal Rescue Society, made up of students at St. George's Independent School, came through once again to help the Collierville Animal Services fill its supply shelves.

9:46
Man dies after jumping into Chicago River to elude police
» ‎ chicagotribune.com - News

9:45
Top honors
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

The Southaven Rotary Club recently recognized Julia Davis and David Boone at the Student and Teacher of the Month, respectively, from DeSoto Central High School.

9:45
Actor Corey Haim dies at 38
» ‎ Los Angeles Times - Top News

A preliminary investigation into the death of former child actor Corey Haim found he died early Wednesday morning of an apparent drug overdose, sources said.

9:43
Scientists Admit Global Warming Didn't Kill the Golden Toad
» ‎ Climate Change Fraud

It's not easy being gold.
The golden toad of Costa Rica was declared extinct in 1994, five years after it was last sighted in the wild. The unfortunate toad's was the first extinction to be blamed on anthropogenic global warming and it has often been cited as an example of things to come if mankind doesn't change its CO2 spewing ways. But humanity's conviction of toadacide was premature and based on circumstantial evidence. After years of study scientists have a new finding: humans were not at fault after all.

9:43
AP NewsAlert
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Pakistani officials say suspected US missile strike kills 4 people in the country's northwest.
9:42
Google to digitize old books from Rome, Florence
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Google says it will scan up to 1 million old books in national libraries in Rome and Florence, including works by astronomer Galileo Galilei, in what's being described as the first deal of...

9:42
AWA recognizes women in law profession
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

The Association for Women Attorneys annual banquet on Jan. 21 at the Racquet Club was surely a night to remember, as those who forged the way for women in the legal field and those who continue that quest were recognized. More than 160 members and supporters attended.
9:41
Students compete
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

On Feb. 24, students from St. Mary's School won the regional finals of the High School Mock Trial Championship for Shelby County. Second place went to the team from White Station High School.

9:41
Curse of the Black Gold
» ‎ The Guardian World News

Photojournalist Ed Kashi documents 50 years of oil extraction in the Niger delta
Eric Hilaire Shiona Tregaskis

9:39
Japanese astronaut Noguchi engages in key work on Int'l Space Station+
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

(Kyodo) _ Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi on Wednesday installed a robotic arm outside the country's Kibo laboratory module on the International Space Station, the Japan Aerospace...

9:36
Pakistan Backtracks on Bans For Yousuf, Younus
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

KARACHI (Reuters) - Former captains Younus Khan and Muhammad Yousuf had their international futures cast aside and then restored just as quickly after the Pakistan

9:36
'Lost Boys' actor Corey Haim dead in Burbank at 38
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Corey Haim, a 1980s teen heartthrob for his roles in "Lucas" and "The Lost Boys" whose career was blighted by drug abuse, has died. He was 38. Haim died at 2:15 a.m. Wednesday at...

9:35
Words
» ‎ An Ol' Broad's Ramblings

This morning I was awoken by words in my head. Needless to say, I wasn’t ready to rise and ….well, not shine, but be up and functioning. Let’s face it, I am NOT a morning person. But the words were persistent, so I really didn’t have a choice. And what were those words that were prying my eyes open? “Prove the womb is the tomb.”

What on earth is that suppose to mean? Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m not one of those people who wakes up all bright eyed and bushy tailed. It takes the brain a while to catch up, and don’t even get me started on both eyes. My day starts with a sliver, and with appropriate amounts of coffee, USUALLY things will catch up with the desire, or need, to be awake. It does happen occasionally.

I had to give this some serious thought. Prove the womb is the tomb. Ok, the womb. Life comes from the womb. The tomb gives you the mental image of death, the end. Adios. Sayonara. Worm food.

Then I really started to think. It wasn’t the tomb, it was “THE Tomb”.

Well, gee Lord, that makes it all SO much easier. sigh… Ya see, I KNOW Truth. Many who pop by to read the rambles KNOW Truth, but so many do not. How am I suppose to prove the ‘womb is THE Tomb’? Kind of an oxymoron, isn’t it? So, I prayed about it, naturally. What came back to me? Can any man on this planet, or any other, for that matter create life? Oh, they can put together a few things in a test tube, mix ‘em around, implant them, in a womb, and voila. Instant baby. But those scientist did not CREATE what was needed to make that baby, did they. Nope, they took what was available, and used the brain cells God gave them, to come up with the bypass to His creation. I’ve always found this rather creepy. Unnatural. But, that’s just me.

God created both good and evil. Beauty and the ugly. Without one, we wouldn’t recognize the other. Just couldn’t do it. We wouldn’t know that a rose was beautiful and precious if He hasn’t given it thorns to protect it. Yeah, simplistic I know, but seriously, that just how simple it is.

Recently, I put up a post titled “Potential“. It was quite personal, and I shared something that was very deep to me. Honestly, I didn’t expect a negative comment about it, but I should know better by now.

And I quote:

Don’t forget there is also the potential to grow up and blow up a federal building or fly a plane into a building. It’s a horse apiece.

I’m really not trying to make an argument for or against abortion. I feel it’s a personal matter, and one which my opinion doesn’t conform to either left or right. Just sayin’, if you’re going to wonder about the potential lost, you should also acknowledge misery avoided.

Sigh…. So, how do I explain this to those like the commenter? Hmmm….

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Well, it can’t get much simpler than that. At least in my opinion.

But, that just doesn’t seem to be good enough for some folks, and that’s their problem. I can only pass it along, right? It’s life. It’s a gift, straight into the womb, and out. Man can’t create life, he can only imitate it.

Now, we have the tomb. Rather THE Tomb. How does that tie in. After my first cup of coffee, it started making a WHOLE lot more sense. Well, to me anyway. You see, we are all given a choice. We can follow one path, be pretty happy, if not in this life, the next. What we do in this life will determine what happens in the next. Or, we can follow our baser instincts, be not so happy, and suffer the consequence, both in this life and the next. Then, of course, you’ve got the folks that go merrily down the middle of the road, and end up at the same dead end. The Edmond Burke quote comes to mind – “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” And that’s what those in the middle of the road are doing…..nothing. Have there been evil men (and women) born into this world. Oh, you betcha. Do you make the choice to follow the evil, or to shun it? If there had been strong Bible based faith in Nazi Germany, odds are, there wouldn’t have been a Nazi Germany, and that piece of human excrement would have passed into obscurity. Choices. Right and wrong.

For Christians, THE Tomb signifies a new life. Well, Ol Broad, how does it do that, you ask? Well, I’ll tell ya. I went from a believer as a child, to an agnostic as a teen, to a saved but not saved young adult. I spoke the words, but didn’t really try to live the life. Yep, I was of the, ‘if it feels good, do it’, ‘as long as no one else gets hurt’, generation. What a bunch of idiots we were. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of ‘em around, and they are passing that mind set to their kids.

The Tomb signifies death from the old life. The drinking, the drugs, the foul language, etc. I’m sure you can figure out the ‘etc’ without me going into details. You know what you’ve done in your life that you aren’t too thrilled with, just like I am.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

So, “Prove the womb is THE Tomb.” Through the womb, we are born, through THE Tomb, we are born again into a new life. It can’t be much simpler than that.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Now, I know there are people who use the Old Testament as a weapon. “What about that stoning business? Do you want to stone homosexuals, the adulterer?” Well, uh, no, I don’t. A new covenant was predicted, which came to us in the form of the New Testament.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

So, here I am, still drinking the coffee, that is actually helping a bit, but odds are, I’m going to need a nap later. I’m thinking, have I said anything that could make a difference to anyone? Maybe, maybe not. I might have opened up a dialog, I might have ticked off a few people. Isn’t this suppose to be a political blog? Well, yeah, pretty much, but without my faith, my politics could be MUCH different. They connect, in a big way.

Am I a sinner still? sigh… Yeah, I am. I occasionally use language in anger that I wouldn’t normally. Like my pastor always says, “What goes down in the well, comes up in the bucket.” Often, I do things I know I shouldn’t, although truth be told, not as much as I use to. Thankfully.

So, that’s what woke me up, was put on my heart, and instructed to share. I probably haven’t done a good job of relaying the message, I wish I had that talent. But, when God tells me to do something, who am I to ignore Him? He’s the BOSS!

9:34
Record 237 nominations for 2010 Nobel Peace Prize
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

The committee that selects the Nobel Peace Prize winner will consider a record 237 nominations for the 2010 award, a Nobel official said Wednesday. Surpassing last year's record of 205...
9:34
Japan, Romania agree to cooperate on climate change, Iran+
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

(Kyodo) _ Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Romanian President Traian Basescu agreed Wednesday to cooperate on the swift resolution of issues facing the international community...

9:34
Running the Clock on Rifqa
» ‎ Atlas Shrugs
Rifqa's entire legal strategy hinged on obtaining for her Special Immigration Juvenile Status (SIJS). This was the objective, the end run. If they could keep Rifqa out of her dangerous home environment and secure immigration status, then it didn't matter how they did it, as long as the goal was achieved.

Understood.

But. What was not understood was the nature of the threat and the enemy Rifqa faced. They were playing by a set of rules that were inapplicable to the challenge they faced. By pretending that sharia was not the 800 lb. elephant in the room, they were out-strategized.

I remember back last September when I spoke to John Stemberger on the phone and asked him why apostasy was not being introduced. It defined the threat to her life. Without the motive, there was no threat. He insisted that it wasn't necessary. He said there was no way she would be sent back to Ohio. "No way," he said. In order to send her back to Ohio the parents would have to open a court case, and in order to do that they would have to admit to some kind of abuse. And Stemberger said they would never do that. My point is, no matter how sure a thing is, there's no such thing as a sure thing.

Fast forward to Ohio, February 2010.

Rifqa's legal strategy has been reactive, not pro-active. They are kept so busy responding to CAIR-appointed attorney motions. Rifqa's lawyers agreed to have Rifqa plead guilty to "unruliness" to secure dependency, but "reunification" is still the goal. The guilty plea continues to have ramifications for those who love and helped her. Criminal investigations are proceeding and charges are pending against Brian Williams and the Lorenzes.

Among the concerns for "unruly" Rifqa that are related to SIJS:
.....that each case be scrutinized carefully because the filing of an application for SIJS will alert the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (US CIS) of a child’s unlawful presence in the U.S. If the child has ever been arrested or convicted of any crime, an expert in the complex area of the intersection between immigration law and criminal law should be consulted immediately. Many crimes that are not deemed serious under state law have dire immigration consequences. The Immigrant Defense Project is an excellent resource for this purpose. www.immigrantdefenseproject.org

More on the SIJS and how the Stemberger strategy was out played by CAIR. Why hasn't Rifqa's legal team demanded an investigation by child services into the abuse and death threats in the home to Rifqa? SIJS demands it:
Eligibility for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
[...]

In order to demonstrate eligibility for SIJS status, one must be an immigrant present in the United States:
1. Who is under age 21 at the time the SIJ petition is filed;14
2. Who is unmarried;
3. Who has been declared dependent on a Juvenile Court located in the United States (in New York State this is family court); or whom a Juvenile Court has legally committed to or placed under the custody of, an agency or department of a state, or an individual or entity appointed by a state or Juvenile Court located in the United States 15, and whose reunification with one or both16 of the immigrant’s parents is not viable due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis found under state law 17
4. For whom it has been determined in administrative or judicial proceedings that it would not be in the alien’s best interest to be returned to the alien’s or parent’s previous country of nationality or country of last habitual residence.18
[...]
Atlas readers, remember in the stipulation to dependency, both Tarazi and Lloyd were at pains to put on the record before the court the fact that the stipulation was not based upon abuse or neglect. Until that issue is addressed, I don't think that Rifqa can make the showing before INS. that her status as a dependent was as a result of abuse, neglect or abandonment. i don't think that she can make the application for SIJS because abuse or neglect has been established as a matter of law not to be the cause of the dependency. I don't think the judge will issue the i-360 verification required to make the application.

Applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

[...]

Among the items required for the I-360 petition is the court order from the Juvenile Court judge. The court order must establish the child’s dependency on the Juvenile Court or his or her being committed or placed under the custody of, an agency or department of a state, or an individual or entity appointed by a state or Juvenile Court.27 It is preferable though not essential for the order to also establish the requirements that (a) it would not be in the child’s best interest to be returned to his or her (or parent’s) previous country of nationality or country of last habitual residence and that (b) reunification one or both of the immigrant’s parents is not viable due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis found under state law.28 The US CIS has a strong preference that the Juvenile Court incorporate a finding regarding return to the child’s home country into the order, but it does recognize that the requirement can be satisfied through a determination made by an administrative proceeding.29

Now read what Stemberger wrote. Try to avoid the sophomoric rantings and look at what he contends is Rifqa's strategy, a failed strategy.
CORRECTING THE TOP TEN FALSE RUMORS AND MISINFORMATION ABOUT RIFQA'S ATTORNEYS AND HER LEGAL CASE

By John Stemberger February 1, 2010

It is highly unfortunate, but there are a handful of people who claim to be leading Rifqa advocates are spreading inaccurate, highly sensational and outright false information about matters surrounding Rifqa Bary, her attorneys and Rifqa's legal case. It is necessary to respond to these statements because the amount of ignorance, misinformation, and slander being spread is causing disunity and confusion among those people who really do truly love and support Rifqa and are looking for accurate information.

Highly unfortunate, indeed. But not for the reasons Stemberger describes.

1) RIFQA’S DOES NOT NEED NEW LAWYERS AND SHE HAS SOME OF THE FINEST LAWYERS IN THE STATE OF OHIO REPRESENTING HER. Representing Rifqa are two legal experts, one in the area of dependency (which most lawyers have never even heard of) and one in criminal law. Kort Gatterdam is a board certified criminal defense lawyer who is well respected in the greater Columbus, Ohio Bar, partner in a major Ohio law firm and he has tried hundreds of cases before juries and judges. Angie Lloyd is a clinical law professor at Ohio State University with a long history as a child advocate and is one the state’s leading experts in the area of dependency and child immigration. The legal strategy and plan agreed to by all lawyers involved in both Florida and Ohio from the beginning has been to get Rifqa declared a “Dependent” by the state and therefore in a situation where she would never have to be forced to return to her parents or her homeland Sri Lanka unless she wanted to. The dependency status also allows her to apply for a status where she would never be forced back to Sri Lanka where she would surely be killed in time by the Muslim extremists in that country. [...]

[...]

If Rifqa's lawyers demanded a child services investigation of the threat in the home, apostasy and sharia law would have to be introduced.

3) RIFQA DOES NOT NEED TO GO THROUGH AN ASYLUM PROCESS. Dependency is a highly specialized area of the law that most persons have never heard of and that even most lawyers have no idea about. No lawyer who understands dependency law agrees that seeking political Asylum in the US makes any sense. Those that have advocated for Asylum are either not lawyers and have no idea what the law says, or are simply ignorant about the dependency process. It is stunning to hear the arm chair commentators talk about what they think should happen legally when they are completely ignorant about what the law says or how courts, evidence or trials work. Rifqa's immigration status can be resolved as a Dependent of the State of Ohio without any Asylum claims.

I disagree. Apostasy asylum should have been Rifqa's safety. They should be applying now. Yesterday.

6) THE RECENT MOTION FILED BY RIFQA’S PARENTS LAWYERS TO REVERSE THE DEPENDENCY AGREEMENT IS TOTALLY FRIVIOLOUS AND NOT A MAJOR THREAT. The motion filed last week by the Bary parents lawyer and “Islamic Scholar” Omar Tarazi to undo the Dependency agreement previously made in Court is a complete sham and is likely not to have any effect at all on the court. The ridiculous motion also seeks to try and fire all of Rifqa’s lawyers and her Guardian. The court is likely to dismiss it at the hearing without even serious consideration and there is a 95% chance this dismissal will occur. In the highly unlikely event the court grants the parents motion there is a chance a trial could take place but an even greater chance a settlement agreement would take place again because the Bary parents lawyers appears to be completely inexperienced and has never tried a case.

No, what Tarazi is doing is running out the clock so that Rifqa is without immigration status when she turns 18. Will they deport her? Who can say, but CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood have infiltrated senior levels at the State Department so deeply, it is likely. Certainly that new Muslim Outreach to the Ummah department at State that reports directly to Clinton might deem it "helpful" to send her back. I think that's what CAIR and the Barys want -- for the whole family to go back to Sri Lanka, which was the plan after members of the NOOR mosque spied on Rifqa and told her parents of the conversion. The bags were packed.

Stemberger continues:

7) IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO TAKE LEGAL ACTIONS THAT WILL ENSURE RIFQA’S SAFETY THAN IT IS TO TAKE ACTIONS WHICH EXPOSE RADICAL ISLAM. There are many people who want to see Rifqa undergo the risk involved with a full blown trial with the sole motive to expose radical Islam rather than to secure agreements which would guarantee that Rifqa will be safe. I am totally against radical Islam and want to see them exposed and want the power of Rifqa’s story to be heard. But not at the expense of risking Rifqa’s safety [...]

8) IN ANY LEGAL CASE, A SETTLEMENT WITH THE SAME RESULT IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN BEARING THE RISK OF A TRIAL WHERE THE ULTIMATE RESULT IS NOT IN YOUR HANDS BUT THE HANDS OF A JUDGE. An agreement properly recognized by the Court and which gives you the same result you would seek at a trial, is always a better option than a full blown trial. In a trial, the judge (no jury trial in this type case) would make the final decision. In a settlement agreement the parties have control over the terms. If for whatever reason the judge ruled against Rifqa at trial, or the delay caused Rifqa to age out of the Ohio foster care system at age18 without being declared a Dependent, she could be immediately sent back to Sri Lanka. This is a risk that her legal counsel does not appear willing to take, but one which some other “friends” of Rifqa are foolishly advocating for because they do not understand the process.

Yes, this has been Stemberger's position all along. He is investing everything in this. He put all of Rifqa's eggs in one basket. But Rifqa is still not eligible for Special Immigration Juvenile Status, and the clock is ticking.

I believe that then and I believe that now. Despite those that got very nasty with my advocating for Rifqa. or worse yet, backpedaled.
Here is Jamal Jivanjee's careful opinion (Stemberger has banned Rifqa from talking to Jamal -- effective last week):
RIFQA BARY’S DEFENSE- EMERGENCY ACTION NEEDED IN 3 AREAS: Dear friends and supporters of Rifqa Bary,After my article last week regarding Rifqa Bary’s hearing in Columbus on March 2’nd and some of the troubling news that came out of those proceedings, I have discovered more alarming information, some of which requires what I would consider immediate emergency action. I do not wish this article to be an evaluation of Rifqa’s attorneys as much as I whish this article to be a call to action to her attorneys, and others, regarding urgent matters in relation to Rifqa’s defense that have been neglected and are in need of immediate action. I urge you to take a few minutes and read thoroughly. Some of these specifics are legal matters, but please read the entire article. This is of the utmost importance. I have been deeply concerned about Rifqa’s defense for some time now. Because of these ongoing concerns, I hoped that Rifqa would be able to consult with some other well qualified attorneys to hear their assessments of the case because there have been many attorneys who have also been very concerned about how this case has been handled thus far. So far, Rifqa has not been able to consult with any other attorneys other than the ones who have been involved in the case thus far. After last week’s developments both in and out of court, I have become even more alarmed about what is happening regarding her case. As a result, I have consulted with a couple of well qualified attorneys who gave me their honest assessment of what has been occurring. Let me remind you, these attorneys are not attorneys seeking to represent Rifqa in any way, but are well qualified attorneys who are Christian, and who have been following her case with great concern and prayer. Based on the assessment that I received, there are a couple of issues that need to be addressed immediately without delay. Let me list them here:

I. There needs to be an immediate Child Protective Services (CPS, or Ohio’s equivalent agency) investigation into Rifqa’s family and home life.
There have been some serious allegations made against Rifqa’s family and the nature of her family life at home. This is in addition to the serious threats that she faced as a result of her conversion from Islam to Christianity. Rifqa has suffered abuse by her family in the past. This abuse is very serious. These allegations have been made, but since this case has started, there has yet to be any investigation of her parents and subsequent past home life. This is an absolute outrage concerning the nature of the allegations made and the circumstances surrounding the case. When Ohio says that they found no evidence that her life was in danger, keep in mind that there was no investigation done regarding the allegations of abuse that Rifqa has alleged, nor were her parents investigated in any way. Ohio’s division of Child Protective Services has an obligation to look into these things. Since Child Protective Services in Ohio has not done their job, it is incumbent upon Rifqa’s attorneys as her legal advocates to demand that such an investigation be done. The attorney that I spoke with told me that this should be done immediately and without delay.   Keep in mind that such an investigation by Child Protective Services of the parents and home life is standard procedure when allegations as serious as Rifqa’s are made. Rifqa has been back in Ohio for almost 5 months and her attorneys have demanded no such action. The fact that her attorneys have not filed a motion, nor have they successfully persuaded authorities that such an investigation be done is unconscionable and an outrage.
This is important because Juvenile courts are always inclined to reunify families unless there are reasons known to the court why it would not be safe to reunify the family. Since Rifqa has not had a trial for dependency, in which the nature of the threats that she was facing as a result of her conversion to Christianity from Islam would have come out, this CPS investigation would be very important. This investigation would also slow the push for reunification that the Franklin County Children’s services case plan explicitly calls for. Because there has been no investigation of Rifqa’s parents, Rifqa has been made to look as the one who has done something wrong which makes following the case plan that, Rifqa’s attorneys and her parent’s attorneys have signed on to, the only logical conclusion. I was told that it did not help Rifqa in any way to plead guilty to the ‘unruly child’ charge, and was extremely bad advice from her attorneys. This furthers the false impression that she is the one who did something wrong, and it further ignores the real issues in this case. While no one expects that the case plan leading to reunification can be completed in 5 months, there are other reasons why the case plan should not be followed at all, and should not have been agreed to by her attorneys. This has everything to do with her immigration status which leads me to the second and most serious step of action that needs to be taken immediately.
II. Rifqa’s Immigration and Naturalization Case needs action taken immediately.
As you may know by now, Rifqa is not in this country legally. In order for Rifqa to be able to stay in this nation, Rifqa has at least two options available to her. The first option is a special dependency proceeding that minors are eligible for called Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), which will allow Rifqa legal permanent residency in the U.S. This Second option is pursuing an Asylum process.
Rifqa’s attorneys have decided to base their entire legal strategy on the first option called SIJS. They have decided to put all their eggs in this one basket, so to speak, and not seek Asylum concurrently with SIJS. This has been a HUGE mistake for the following reasons:
The likelihood of SIJS succeeding is looking very unstable now. If Rifqa is denied SIJS, there is nothing left to fall back on as a result of her attorneys’ decision to not apply for Asylum for Rifqa as well. A leading organization which acts as an advocate for human rights had this to say about the SIJS process:
“ If the juvenile applies for this status and is successful, s/he may remain in the U.S., work legally, qualify for in-state tuition at college, and in five years apply for U.S. citizenship. However, if the application is denied, the child might be deported.”
Because of this risk, I was told that prudent attorneys always cover their bases which is why the asylum process should be pursued concurrently with SIJS in case there is a problem with SIJS. Based on what occurred in last week’s hearing, we now know that there is a major problem with Rifqa’s attorney pursuing SIJS. Consider the following statement from the above mentioned Human Rights organization regarding SIJS:
In order to qualify for SIJS, a juvenile court in the U.S. must have declared the child a court dependent, or have legally committed the child to a state agency or department. The court must have found the child "eligible for long-term foster care" (which in this context means that parental reunification is not possible), and that it is not in the child's best interest to be returned to the home country. The child should have proceeded to long-term foster care, adoption, or guardianship and the court must have made its findings based on the abuse, neglect or abandonment of the child.

According to this statement, only children who are in “long term foster care” are eligible for SIJS. This means that the court must have declared that reunification is not possible. What we found out from last week’s hearing, however, is that Rifqa is currently forced to follow the case plan which on paper calls for the eventual reunification with her parents! That is why Angela Lloyd, Rifqa’s attorney, is not yet able to move forward with SIJS for Rifqa. The judge in the case is mandating that the case plan be followed for now and this makes Rifqa currently ineligible for SIJS because the court has not yet found that reunification is out of the question! (This means that the March 02 hearing was NOT good news for Rifqa)
Because there has been no Child Protective Services investigation into Rifqa’s family life as mentioned above, the court has not been able to rule out reunification based on “abuse, neglect or abandonment of the child.”   Basically speaking, there has been no progress on SIJS and there cannot be until the court rules that reunification is not possible. Now, time becomes Rifqa’s biggest enemy because Rifqa turns 18 in 5 months. This might not seem like an issue because minors can apply for SIJS until they are 21, but there is another factor that weighs heavy in all of this. When applying for SIJS, two applications are required. One of these applications is called an I-360 (petition to be qualified as a Special Immigrant Juvenile). In order for an I-360 to be filed, it will require an order from the juvenile court judge stating that the child is a dependant of the state due to reunification being impossible. The judge overseeing Rifqa’s case will not give the order, however, until the case plan is tried for a period of time that satisfies her and she determines that reunification is not possible. The court loses jurisdiction of Rifqa when she turns 18 in 5 months, which means that if she does not get the court order by then, she cannot apply for SIJS at all. In addition to this, I was told that it is highly recommended that the juvenile court judge include in the court order for the I-360 an explanation as to why the child returning to their native country (Sri-Lanka for Rifqa) would not be desirable, or why returning to their parent’s custody is not possible. Since the threat that Rifqa has faced due to her conversion from Islam to Christianity has not been introduced to the court, it is impossible for the court to have a grasp about the nature of the danger that Rifqa would face in Sri-Lanka. Also, since Rifqa’s attorneys have not demanded a Child Protective Services investigation of her parents and home life, it is impossible for the court to determine that she cannot be reunified with her parents based on abuse, neglect, etc… As you can see, this information is very important for SIJS and adequate work on Rifqa’s behalf has simply not been done. It is an outrage!
The entire strategy of depending on SIJS in this case has been ‘misguided’ to say the least. For the last seven months that Rifqa’s case has been in court, there has been absolutely no progress on her immigration status! An Asylum process should have started 7 months ago in addition to the pursuit of SIJS and things would not be in the situation they are currently in. Now that we know these things, an Asylum process should be started immediately! Not one more day should be wasted.
We need to remember that there is much at stake here. This case is about the rescue and redemption of Rifqa, and I believe millions of others as well. We must not allow pride or professional reputations to get in the way of the truth. This is not a political campaign in which the truth can be spun. In order for situations to be corrected, they at least have to be acknowledged and defined. I am convinced that it is for such a time as this that Rifqa and this case has been elevated to the national stage. In light of this, I would like to ask you to contact Rifqa’s attorneys and implore them to take these emergency steps immediately.
Please contact Kort Gatterdam (614)-365-4100 or gatterdam@carpenterlipps.com
Please contact Angela Lloyd: Lloyd.148@osu.edu
Please contact Judge Elizabeth Gill (614)-462- 4445 and (firmly and respectfully ) request that a Child Protective Services investigation be launched into Rifqa’s abusive past home life.

In conclusion, the immigration statute requires a finding that the dependency order is based upon the court having ruled that the dependency judgment was based upon factual finding of "abuse, neglect or abandonment."
When Tarazi and Lloyd and Chris Julian said upon the record of the proceeding that this was not "... an abuse ... " case, then the judge's finding of dependency could not have been made on a finding of "abuse, neglect or abandonment."
You cannot made a finding of law about something, e.g., "abuse, neglect or abandonment," unless it is supported by a sufficient and necessary finding of real facts that support the legal finding. when the parties stipulated that it was not factually an abuse case, they stipulated that legally it was not an abuse case.Apostasy and the sharia punishment would have supported that finding. Contrary to Stemberger's denunciation, I did not want to put Islam on trial for the hello of it. I wanted to spare Rifqa.
I don't think Rifqa meets the statutory requirement for SIJS finding before the federal courts, nor do I believe that the state court judge will issue the necessary I-360 document to support her application before the immigration courts, based upon a finding of law, and an adjudication, not based upon abuse or neglect or abandonment.
It appears that the SIJS procedure is not available to her.
Her only shot now is apostasy asylum, and that they better get off their asses and start applying for it. My opinion is that they should go hat in hand to the Pepperdine clinic, and see if they can get help.

9:33
Pair represent Tipton County in WestStar leadership program
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

Duane Lavery and Amy Payne, both of Tipton County, are among 32 members of the 2010 WestStar class. WestStar was created in 1989 at the University of Tennessee at Martin to serve the multi-county area by providing leadership development and training. Representing 17 counties in the 21-county region, class members have a diverse range of occupations and volunteer leadership experiences.

9:31
Massa: Groping, tickling not 'sexual'
» ‎ chicagotribune.com - News

During his appearance on "The Glenn Beck Program," former U.S. Rep. Eric Massa defended himself and denied allegations that he had sexually groped a staff member.

9:31
CBU inducts 11 members into Hall of Fame
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

The Christian Brothers High School Hall of Fame has elected 11 new members, who were inducted in ceremonies on the CBHS campus Jan. 24.
9:30
Skype spices up culture studies
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

Through a class project designed by student teacher Brynn Hernandez, students in Kathy Price's first-grade class at Rivercrest Elementary School are studying the cultures of different countries.

9:29
Father of kidnapped Sahil Saeed returns to UK from Pakistan
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Sahil Saeed, five, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, was snatched while visiting his grandmother in Pakistan. Photograph: Dave Thompson/AFP/Getty Images The father of the kidnapped British boy Sahil ...

9:27
Rollins: 'Hurt Locker' Oscar timely
» ‎ CNN.com

This past weekend, Iraq had a real election and in spite of threats and bombings, millions of voters participated in record numbers. It is a giant step forward in Iraq's road to democracy and has the potential to be a beacon for others in this battle-scarred region.

9:25
Indictment of 'Jihad Jane' shows terrorism evolved
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The self-described "Jihad Jane" who thought her blond hair and blue eyes would let her blend in as she sought to kill an artist in Sweden is a rare case of an American woman aiding foreign...
9:24
Egypt's top Muslim cleric dies of heart attack
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Egypt's top cleric, Sheik Mohammed Sayed Tantawi, known for promoting the government agenda against female genital mutilation and the face veil, died of a heart attack Wednesday during a...

9:24
Authorities say sorry to family raped by father
» ‎ The Guardian World News
Man from Sheffield repeatedly raped and physically and sexually abused two women, in case with echoes of Josef Fritzl
Two women who were repeatedly raped and abused by their father over a period of 35 years were given an apology today by local authorities in Lincolnshire and Sheffield for failing to protect them.
The unreserved apology came in the aftermath of the publication of an executive summary of a serious case review by the Lincolnshire and Sheffield safeguarding children boards.
The 57-year-old man, from Sheffield – who cannot be identified – was jailed for life in November 2008 after one of his daughters alleged incest. He repeatedly impregnated the two daughters, and nine children were born. The case has echoes of that of Josef Fritzl, who imprisoned and raped his daughter.
The man admitted 25 rapes and four indecent assaults, with the attacks beginning in 1980 and continuing daily until 2008. Between 1975 and 2008, the family came into contact with 28 different agencies, involving more than 100 professionals.
Chris Cook, the independent chair of the Lincolnshire safeguarding children board, said: "We are genuinely sorry. We should have protected you. This is a tragic and complicated case. The man responsible, who intimidated and frightened his family, was convicted of multiple counts of rape and is serving a life sentence."
Sue Fiennes, the independent chair of the Sheffield safeguarding children board, said: "We want to apologise to the family at the heart of this case. It will be clear that we failed this family. This report will not make comfortable reading for any of the organisations concerned with the family. Lessons are being learned by the agencies involved."
The 39-page executive summary of the serious case review, written by Professor Pat Cantrill and spanning 35 years, found numerous opportunities to intervene "were missed individually and collectively".
Cantrill said a culture of "having a quiet word" contributed to failures to help the family.
"We have got to learn from these serious case reviews," she added. "You are aware, as I am aware, that there are a number of these serious case reviews that happen, and we always don't seem to learn from them. It only really needed one person with tenacity to keep pushing this and pushing this, and we might have had a much earlier recognition and action being taken."
The review made 128 recommendations for improving understanding, practice, procedures and training into intra-familial abuse, including eight national recommendations.
It also recommended improvements in sharing information, record-keeping and support for professionals. All the recommendations have been implemented or are being implemented.
In November, Sheffield crown court heard that the man's campaign of abuse started when the women were aged between eight and 10.
Both daughters were raped repeatedly during their ordeals. Initially they were attacked every day, and for long periods they would be raped two or three times a week. If they refused sex, they would be punched, kicked and sometimes held near the flames of a gas fire, burning their eyes and arms.
The court heard that the defendant, who called himself the "gaffer" when at the family home, took pleasure in fathering children by his daughters and continued to rape them despite problems with their pregnancies.
The daughters would later have to take it in turns to babysit their children while one of them was forced to have sex with him.
In November, Judge Alan Goldsack QC told the court that questions about what professionals had "been doing for the last 20 years" would inevitably be asked.
James Baird, representing the defendant, launched a stinging attack on social services in both Sheffield and Lincolnshire.
"It must be inconceivable to those who have listened to this case that these offences have been carried out, in this day and age, in a so-called civilised society, over such a long time and with such consequences, without them being reported or investigated," he said.
After the case, the women's brother blamed social services for not protecting the family, saying the authorities should have recognised that something was wrong.
"I blame a lot of people," he said. "I blame people that were meant to be looking after children, because we were all meant to be under child protection at five, so I blame the people that should have been doing their jobs looking after us."
- Crime
- Child protection
Helen Carter
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
9:24
Tarantino faces plagiarism lawsuit
» ‎ The Guardian World News
Harvey Weinstein and Quentin Tarantino have been accused by Dannez Hunter as using without credit ideas he submitted in a concept to Miramax in 1999
Quentin Tarantino is being sued for more than $1m by a man who claims the Oscar-winning film-maker's martial arts-themed double feature Kill Bill was partly based on his ideas, according to US reports.
Celebrity website TMZ.com says Dannez Hunter filed a suit on Monday, claiming he submitted a concept for a movie to studio Miramax, the company which produced Kill Bills 1 and 2. He says his 1999 story outline posited the idea of a character named Ren, who witnesses her mother's murder: 2003's Kill Bill Vol 1 features a character named O Ren Ishi, played by Lucy Liu, who suffers a similar fate as a young child.
Hunter goes on to claim he applied for a job at Miramax but "was never given a return phone call, as numerous similar situated less qualified Jewish and white people were bestowed job after job after job".
Miramax was run by siblings Harvey and Bob Weinstein until 2005, but the pair have since left to run new firm The Weinstein Company. It was speculated last month that they might be in the running to buy back the troubled film-making unit, which they founded in 1979, from Disney.
Tarantino has made no comment on the case filed against him, but he did say on the red carpet at Sunday's Oscars that he might have considered shooting parts of Kill Bill in 3D had the movies been made today.
"I liked Friday the 13th in 3D," he said. "Actually, one of my favourite movies of the year was My Bloody Valentine 3D. That was a great 3D movie! If I had to do Kill Bill all over again, I probably would do Volume 1 in 3D."
- Quentin Tarantino
- Law
Ben Child
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9:23
Biden calls for 'viable' Palestinian state
» ‎ The Guardian World News
Visiting vice-president seeks to keep peace process on rails after Israel says it will expand East Jerusalem settlement
The US vice-president, Joe Biden, has said the Palestinians deserve a "viable" independent state with contiguous territory, hoping to reassure them of America's support after Israel announced plans to expand a Jewish neighbourhood on occupied Palestinian land in East Jerusalem.
After a day of meetings with Palestinian leaders, Biden repeated his strong condemnation of the plan and said the US was committed to brokering a final peace deal in the Middle East – something that has eluded successive American presidents.
"The United States pledges to play an active as well as a sustainable role in these talks," Biden said. He stressed the Palestinians needed an independent state that is "viable and contiguous", meaning the territory should not be broken up by Israeli settlements and sending a signal that the US expects Israel to withdrawal from the West Bank as part of a deal.
Standing alongside the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, Biden urged both sides to not to act in a way "that inflame tensions or prejudice the outcome of talks".
"It's incumbent on both parties to build an atmosphere of support for negotiations and not to complicate them," he said.
Abbas said Israel's continued expansion of settlements, especially in Jerusalem, threatened the negotiations before they got off the ground.
"We call on Israel to cancel these decisions," Abbas said. "I call on the Israeli government not to lose a chance to make peace. I call on them to halt settlement building and to stop imposing facts on the ground, and to give the efforts of the Obama administration and Senator Mitchell the chance to succeed."
Earlier an Israeli cabinet minister apologised for the timing of the settlement announcement but not for its substance. "This should not have happened during a visit by the US vice-president," the welfare minister, Isaac Herzog, told Army Radio. "This is a real embarrassment and now we have to express our apologies for this serious blunder."
Aides to the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu said he had been blindsided by the project's announcement by the interior ministry, run by Shas, an ultra-orthodox nationalist party that is a key member of his governing coalition.
The approval of the plan cast a cloud over Biden's visit, just hours after he pledged strong support for the Israeli government.
It was announced a day after the Israeli defence ministry confirmed 112 apartments would be built in Beitar Illit, a settlement on the occupied West Bank.
Ramat Shlomo, built 15 years ago, is on land captured in the West Bank in 1967 and annexed to Israel in a move not recognised by the international community.
Israel's interior minister, Eli Yishai, who heads the Shas, said the timing was coincidental. "There was certainly no intention to provoke anyone and certainly not to come along and hurt the vice-president of the United States," Yishai told Israel's Channel One television.
"Final approval [for the project] will take another few months. I agree that the timing [of the announcement] should have been in another two or three weeks."
Rory McCarthyHaroon Siddique
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9:22
2ND LD: Foreign Ministry spokesman retracts denial of 'secret pact'+
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(Kyodo) _ (EDS: RECASTING WITH FRESH INFO) The Foreign Ministry's spokesman caused confusion Wednesday by saying the ministry holds the view that no "secret pact" was reached by Japan ...

9:19
When seconds count
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Amazing what ’satisfies’ directors of safety. Cops arrive after incident is over. Alert students of incident after it’s over.

9:19
Obama effect boosts Nobel Peace Prize nominations
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OSLO (Reuters) - A record 237 people and organizations have been nominated for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize, with interest boosted by last year's award to President Barack Obama, organizers...

9:16
On ammo selection
» ‎ SayUncle

Good question
9:15
SHOT Show Raid Update
» ‎ SayUncle

Expect more prosecutions, says a blog about the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

9:14
After rainout, tire redemption program back in business today
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A popular tire redemption program is back in business today after a somewhat soggy Tuesday.

9:13
Taliban talks likely on Karzai agenda in Pakistan
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What role Pakistan plays in any peace effort aimed at the Taliban is likely to rank high on the agenda during Afghan President Hamid Karzai's two-day visit to Islamabad that started Wednesday.

9:09
I know this one
» ‎ SayUncle

CNN: Parents demand answers from Israel in bulldozer death

The answer is standing in front of a bulldozer can be fatal. A ounce of prevention is good but the cure is getting out of its path.

9:08
Panel Releases Proposal to Set U.S. Standards for Education
» ‎ NYT > Home Page

The new standards, which experts said could well be adopted by a majority of states, would replace the nation’s checkerboard of locally written standards.

9:05
Actor Corey Haim dead at 38
» ‎ washingtonpost.com - Today's Highlights

Haim, who appeared in '80s-era movies with Corey Feldman, was found dead after an apparent ''accidental overdose'' in Los Angeles

9:04
Pakistan bans ex-cricket captains for bad performance
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Pakistan lost the Test series 3-0, the one-day matches 5-0 and the only Twenty20 match. The committee blamed infighting between Yousuf and Khan for the disastrous results, and recommended they &quo...
9:03
US aid group attacked in NW Pakistan; 6 dead
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

ISLAMABAD (AP) - Suspected militants armed with grenades attacked the offices of a U.S.-based Christian aid group helping earthquake survivors in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, killing six employ...

9:03
Season ticket fans threaten exodus
» ‎ The Guardian World News
• Manchester United face biggest potential exodus of supporters
• Rising living costs behind thoughts not to renew next season
Up to one in four season ticket holders of Premier League clubs are considering not renewing for next season in a bid to cut costs, according to a survey published today.
The Virgin Money's authoritative Football Fans' Inflation Index shows 25% of season ticket holders are thinking of giving up at the end of the season with 4% planning on no longer going to any games while 21% intend to buy tickets when it suits them.
Manchester United face the biggest potential exodus of season ticket holders with 15% giving up going to games entirely while another 44% will only buy tickets when it suits them. United, currently facing supporters-led green-and-gold protests against the Glazer family, who own the club, could see up to 59% of fans cancelling season tickets with Wolves the next most at risk in the Premier League with 54% of supporters considering giving up for next season.
The backlash against season tickets comes despite Virgin's index showing that the cost of attending games has fallen by 6.8% in the past year. Lower ticket prices and reduced costs for replica kit means the match-day cost has fallen to £89.09 compared with £95.60 in January 2009.
That is still 14.29% higher than the match-day cost when the index was launched in January 2006 but is substantially lower than the all-time high of £106.21 in October 2008. Average match tickets across all leagues peaked at £27.38 in July 2009 but have now fallen to an average of £22.59.
The research among more than 3,896 fans representing all 92 clubs in the Football League shows fans of Liverpool and Stoke City are the least likely to give up their season tickets next year with just 9% of supporters considering cutbacks.
"The drop in costs is welcome but season tickets are still priced astronomically compared with other major European leagues such as Spain, Italy and Germany," said Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation. "At many clubs there's little or no recognition of loyalty in the prices charged compared with buying match by match. Prices for essentials like food, rent, transport and petrol are going up and football fans like everybody else are struggling with frozen or declining pay and unemployment. Clubs need to bear this in mind when setting next season's prices.
"Shamefully, Manchester United was the only Premier League club that put up their prices for the current season. Every other club froze or reduced them. Huge numbers of United fans are in open revolt against the Glazer family's huge cash drain on the club. They're paying the price for the leveraged buyout in 2005 that has loaded a massive £700m debt on to United's books. The Glazer regime has put up ticket prices by half in less than five years. No wonder almost six out of 10 Old Trafford season ticket holders are thinking of not renewing."
Percentage of Premier League club supporters considering cancelling their season tickets next season
Manchester United 59%
Wolves 54%
Burnley 31%
Fulham 29%
Everton 28%
Blackburn 28%
Portsmouth 28%
West Ham 27%
Aston Villa 24%
Sunderland 23%
Wigan 21%
Tottenham 19%
Manchester City 18%
Birmingham 17%
Chelsea 17%
Hull 17%
Arsenal 14%
Bolton 13%
Liverpool 9%
Stoke City 9%
- Premier League
- Manchester United
Sachin Nakrani
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9:02
Father of kidnapped boy back in UK
» ‎ The Guardian World News
Police had asked Raja Naqqash Saeed to stay as a witness in investigation into five-year-old Sahil's kidnapping
The father of the kidnapped British boy Sahil Saeed has flown back to the UK from Pakistan, according to officials.
Raja Naqqash Saeed's return was in defiance of Pakistani wishes that he remained there, according to the BBC.
Sahil, five, from Oldham in Greater Manchester, was abducted on Thursday last week after robbers broke into his grandmother's house in Jhelum. He and his father were on the last day of a two-week holiday.
Pakistani officials and police have suggested that Sahil's relatives may have been involved in the kidnapping. On Sunday Pakistan's interior minister, Rehman Malik, said "somebody who was very close to the family" must have been involved.
Sahil's family have reacted angrily to the claims. His father has not been named as a suspect but the BBC reported that Malik said police wanted him to stay in Pakistan as a witness.
George Sherriff, a spokesman for the British embassy in Islamabad, said: "We can confirm that Sahil's father has returned to the UK and we continue to give him consular assistance."
Mr Saeed said after a meeting with Malik on Sunday that he was "fully confident" his son would be found. "As far as I'm concerned I don't know the person, who they are, where they come from," he said.
The robbers made a ransom demand of £100,000 when they snatched Sahil and it is understood the demand has since been repeated in phone calls to his father. The Pakistani authorities have contacted Interpol for help with the investigation after reports the kidnappers called from international numbers, including a number in Spain.
- Pakistan
Saeed ShahHaroon Siddique
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9:01
FSA to impose stricter tests on banks
» ‎ The Guardian World News
Banks are now being forced to look at whether they have enough capital to withstand a peak-to-trough fall in GDP of minus 8.1% by 2014
Britain's biggest banks are being subjected to new stress tests by the Financial Services Authority to ensure they can withstand another four years of difficult economic conditions.
As the FSA chairman, Lord Turner, unveiled the regulator's financial risk outlook for 2010, he revealed that banks were now being forced to look at whether they have enough capital to withstand a peak-to-trough fall in GDP of minus 8.1% by 2014. That is a worse scenario than the tests for 2009, when the FSA ensured banks have enough capital for a peak-to-trough fall in GDP of 6.9% – the basis upon which Lloyds Banking Group was allowed to withdraw from the government's toxic insurance scheme.
Last month, revised GDP figures showed a 6.2% peak-to-trough decline, making it the most severe downturn since records began.
Turner also revealed that the FSA would on Friday announce more details of regulating the products that are sold to consumers, rather than the current process of regulating the way in which the products are sold, and then working out ways of getting money back for consumers who have lost out.
"Every two or three years we have what is perceived to be a major misselling scandal at the end of which firms pay out damages," Turner said, indicating this was something the regulator wanted to avoid in the future.
He also made it clear that the FSA is working towards banning self-certified mortgage lending – which he said was a "very good indicator of default".
The FSA's risk outlook is concerned about how banks will deal with the £185bn of liquidity that is being supplied to the financial system by the Bank of England. Turner said the FSA was working with banks to ensure that they had a system to find ways to raise the necessary funds.
He noted that low interest rates had helped to keep mortgage arrears down and noted that household debt repayments were £20bn lower in September 2009 than a year ago. "£20bn is a non trivial increase in the amount of people have in their pockets," Turner said.
But a prolonged low interest rate environment could pose problems for retail banks and building societies – particularly those which have sold mortgage products which track base rates, currently stuck at historically low levels of 0.5%, Turner said.
"Building societies face capital generation and funding constraints as pressure on profitability and competition for retail funding remains high," the FSA's report said.
Turner stressed that the FSA's central forecast was the same as the Bank of England's – for GDP growth of 1.4% this year after a 5% fall in 2009 and unemployment rising to 5.4% from 4.7% now.
He said, though, that the "most problematic" scenario would be for UK growth to be slower than the rest of the world, with commodity prices rising and sterling depreciating, forcing the Bank of England to raise rates, with an inevitable impact on consumers.
He also reiterated that regulators should consider whether credit default swaps should face further regulation.
Jill Treanor
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8:59
The House Ethics Committee is a corruption-enabling cesspool
» ‎ Michelle Malkin

You know it. I know it. And everyone disgusted with the culture of corruption in Washington needs to make their voices heard on it. The watchdogs are crippled. CYA is the order of the day. The Beltway has changed nothing since the GOP scandals and is still acting blind, deaf, and dumb toward the Democrat scandals.

USA Today weighs in on the pathetic, corruption-enabling cesspool known as the House Ethics Committee:

What does it take for a member of Congress to get in real trouble with the House ethics committee?

Quite a lot.

In fact, only one lawmaker — Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. — has merited even a wrist slap since Democrats were swept into the majority in 2007 on a wave of voter revulsion to scandals engulfing Republicans in Congress. Back then, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pushed through more stringent rules, vowed stricter enforcement and famously promised to “drain the swamp.”

Well, she’s going to need a bigger pump.

So far, the supposedly invigorated bipartisan House ethics committee has:

– Handed down its limpest discipline, an “admonishment,” after finding that Rangel had taken two free trips to Caribbean conferences even though he should have known that big corporations indirectly financed them in violation of House rules.

The committee has yet to finish reviewing Rangel’s more serious ethical problems, such as glaring omissions on his congressional financial disclosure statements. (Pending the outcome, Rangel has taken a “leave of absence” from his powerful post as chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee.)

– Exonerated five others who took the same trips as Rangel. The committee bought their stories that they didn’t know about corporate sponsorship. Funny, conference photos show lawmakers standing in front of a bunch of corporate logos. Maybe they were blinded by the Caribbean sun.

– Essentially gave lawmakers a go-ahead to solicit campaign donations from business executives and lobbyists who apparently believe they’re paying for federal contracts. Last month, the committee cleared seven members despite the findings by an independent investigative panel that two of them — Reps. Peter Visclosky, D-Ind., and Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan. — might have tacitly tied requests for campaign donations to legislative earmarks profiting specific companies.

As I pointed out last week, the ethics committee steamrolled the OCE in the Pete Stark case.

USAT adds:

The Democrats like to point out that they created an independent Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) to investigate allegations, recommend action to the ethics committee and issue public reports. But they promptly emasculated their new creation by failing to give it subpoena power and ignoring its findings in several cases, despite evidence that members violated House rules.

No teeth, no reform. No reform, no change. The swamp overfloweth.

8:59
Memphis-based St. Jude Children's Research Hospital the most trusted brand
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital the most trusted nonprofit brand, according to a new brand equity survey of consumers by Harris Interactive.

8:55
Young must hand over sex tape
» ‎ POLITICO Top Stories

Judge orders ex-John Edwards aide to give up an alleged sex tape of his former boss by Friday.

8:53
Employees Comfort Dead Houston Oil Exec's Family
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Employees of a Houston energy company are rallying around the family of an executive found dead in New Orleans, MyFoxHouston.com reported.
8:52
Employees Comfort Dead Houston Oil Exec's Family
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Employees of a Houston energy company are rallying around the family of an executive found dead in New Orleans, MyFoxHouston.com reported.

8:52
Virginia: Radical Imam from “9/11” Mosque Will Open Session March 11
» ‎ Creeping Sharia

From Atlas Shrugs: Anti- Sharia Group Urges Boycott of Virginia General Assembly Radical Imam from “9/11” Mosque Will Open Session Richmond, Virginia – The chairman of the Virginia Anti-Shariah Task Force (VAST) sent a letter today to every delegate in the Virginia General Assembly urging them to boycott the [...]

8:50
Last-ditch offer as BA strike looms
» ‎ The Guardian World News
Walkout by 12,000 BA flight attendants could begin as soon as next week after 11th-hour counter-offers fail to find compromise
British Airways is facing a lengthy strike by cabin crew next week after peace talks broke up without agreement tonight.
A flurry of 11th-hour counter-offers failed to produce a compromise and a walkout by 12,000 BA flight attendants could begin as soon as next Thursday. A source at Unite's cabin crew branch, Bassa, said a walkout of at least 10 days would be considered following an online poll of members that saw a majority call for a prolonged strike.
The TUC general secretary, Brendan Barber, who had been hosting the peace talks, said: "Despite a prolonged period of negotiations it has not been possible to reach agreement between BA and Unite. Both parties will be reflecting on the position and the TUC will be keeping in touch but at this stage no further negotiations are planned."
The talks broke down after 24 hours of frantic negotiations. BA responded to the Unite union's offer of a 2.6% pay cut with its own demands, prompting Unite to make further cost-saving proposals.
BA poured cold water on those proposals this evening, claiming that they "fall significantly short" of the airline's £60m cost-cutting target. However, one source close to the talks said both sides were essentially £10m apart in their cost-saving proposals.
It understood that BA was seriously considering a partial repeal of cuts to staffing levels on flights but wanted fewer crew back onboard than Unite has proposed. In a further twist, Unite wanted BA to clear 37 airline staff, including Bassa representatives, who are facing disciplinary action over issues related to the industrial dispute.
BA has been seeking £60m in annual cost savings from cabin crew – a sum it achieved by unilaterally reducing staffing levels in November. On Monday Unite submitted its proposals for saving £60m, including a pay cut, partial repeal of the staffing cuts and the acceptance of new recruits on lower pay on to a separate fleet. BA's counter-offer indicated that there were still significant barriers to a deal.
A strike could take place from next Thursday once Unite gives BA seven days' notice of action. BA plans to break any strike with 1,000 volunteer cabin crew drawn from the ranks of its 38,000-strong workforce and a fleet of 23 chartered jets.
Willie Walsh, the chief executive of the airline, hopes to operate a "substantial proportion" of the airline's Heathrow long-haul operations and a "good number" of short-haul flights. BA will operate its entire schedule from London City airport during the expected strike, and has also claimed more than two-thirds of its Gatwick-based crew will work normally.
The airline operates 650 flights a day with its 239-plane fleet, mostly from Heathrow, but has not said which routes would be kept open by the stand-in workforce.
In a statement tonight, Unite said: "Management's offer went nowhere near addressing our members' concerns over crew numbers and service levels. Unite representatives will be meeting tomorrow to discuss the consequences of this breakdown. Should BA wish to make an improved offer, they have time to do so."
Dan Milmo
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8:49
Crime › FBI probes Calif sushi restaurant after video sting by 'Cove' producers
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Federal agents are investigating a high-end Santa Monica, California, sushi restaurant, following a video sting orchestrated by the producers of the Oscar-winning documentary "The Cove."…

8:45
Tainted ingredient sold after salmonella found
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

A government report says the company responsible for a sizable recall of processed foods continued to manufacture and distribute a flavor-enhancing ingredient for a month after tests...

8:41
Care home boss denies murder of residents
» ‎ The Guardian World News
Rachel Baker tells court she regarded those she looked after as her family and denies administering overdoses
A care home manager accused of murdering two residents said today that she had regarded the elderly people she looked after as "my family" and had always tried to make sure they were "loved".
Rachel Baker admitted that she became dependent on painkillers and had diverted drugs from residents to feed her own needs. She also admitted falsifying records to cover her tracks and lying to police.
But she denied murdering Frances Hay, 85, and Lucy Cox, 97, by giving them overdoses while they were in her care at the Parkfields care home near Glastonbury, Somerset.
The trial, at Bristol crown court, heard that 44-year-old Baker was prescribed painkillers for migraines and became dependent on controlled drugs.
When her doctor stopped the prescriptions she began to steal drugs from Parkfields residents.
It is alleged that, in order to top up her supply, she would exaggerate or make up symptoms so that drugs some residents did not need were prescribed and would take those too.
At the start of her defence Baker's counsel, Richard Smith QC, asked her how she felt about herself. She replied she was "appalled, disgusted, ashamed" at what she had put her family through and had betrayed the trust of those who had supported her.
She said she had thought she was a "good nurse", adding: "I did the best I could, always. It was a job I loved. It was my life."
Baker, who has an eight-year-old daughter, said she had considered the elderly people in her care to be her family in the years when she was childless.
"I substituted my residents as my family. I dedicated my life to them," she added.
She said it had been difficult for her to become a nurse, but she had been determined to achieve in order to make her father proud of her.
When she got the opportunity to run Parkfields, she said she wanted to make it a "good place".
But she admitted she had struggled to cope after her GP stopped prescribing pethadine for her migraines. At the same time, she felt she had "no support" running the home.
"I tried my hardest," she told the jury. "The most important thing for me was that the residents were comfortable, cared for and loved."
Baker has admitted a string of counts of possessing controlled drugs.
The trial continues.
- Crime
Steven Morris
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8:38
They’re everywhere
» ‎ SayUncle

I’ve been reading Larry Correia’s book Monster Hunter International. Entertaining read for gun nuts. But, as a result, every time I go to Wal-Mart and encounter some of the people, I think They must be Elves.

8:36
Roberts: State of the Union Scene 'Very Troubling'
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Roberts: State of the Union Scene 'Very Troubling'
8:36
LIVESHOTS: Gomez on Latest Crist-Rubio Debacle
» ‎ FOXNews.com

LIVESHOTS: Gomez on Latest Crist-Rubio Debacle
8:36
No-Fly List Nearly Doubles Since Christmas Plot
» ‎ FOXNews.com

No-Fly List Nearly Doubles Since Christmas Plot
8:36
Sen. Scott Brown to Release Memoirs Next Year
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Sen. Scott Brown to Release Memoirs Next Year
8:36
Senate Staffers Warned to Stay Clear of Drudge Report- Reid Welcomes Third Party Senate Contenders
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Senate Staffers Warned to Stay Clear of Drudge Report- Reid Welcomes Third Party Senate Contenders
8:36
7 Useful Google Services You Have Not Tried Yet
» ‎ FOXNews.com

7 Useful Google Services You Have Not Tried Yet
8:36
LIVESHOTS: Fishel on Gates in Afghanistan- Gates: Some Troops Could Leave Afghanistan Early- Ahmadinejad: U.S. Playing 'Game' in Afghanistan
» ‎ FOXNews.com

LIVESHOTS: Fishel on Gates in Afghanistan- Gates: Some Troops Could Leave Afghanistan Early- Ahmadinejad: U.S. Playing 'Game' in Afghanistan
8:36
Obama Judicial Nominee Supported Killer
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Obama Judicial Nominee Supported Killer
8:36
Legislation to Extend Jobless Benefits Clears Hurdle
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Legislation to Extend Jobless Benefits Clears Hurdle
8:35
Anger Over Farrah Snub
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Ryan O'Neal and Fawcett's close friends speak out against Academy's decision to omit her from tribute to lost stars at Sunday's Oscars ceremony
8:35
Survival Tactics
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SLIDESHOW: One member of Congress says it's time for a pay cut. Here's how YOU think lawmakers can survive on less
8:35
Audrina's Scary Stalker
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SLIDESHOW: Audrina Patridge is latest star with a serious stalker, joining Dr. Drew, Halle Berry and several other celebs with fans who went way too far
8:35
Has Lindsay Lost It?
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SLIDESHOW: The star is suing E-Trade for $100 mil over their funny baby commercial. Here's a look back at her extreme highs and lows | LOHAN NO 'MILKAHOLIC'
8:35
Guess the Celeb Shoe
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SLIDESHOW: Think you have what it takes to match the shoe to the mystery celebrity? Take our 'Who Does the Shoe Belong To?' quiz and find out
8:35
Stars Show Their Stuff
» ‎ FOXNews.com

SEXY STYLE: Christina Hendricks and Katy Perry were two of the sexy stars showing off on Hollywood's biggest night | OSCAR'S WORST DRESSED
8:35
Jimi's Music Still Rockin'?
» ‎ FOXNews.com

PLAY/SKIP: New music from the late Jimi Hendrix is out this week, but is it worth your dollar? Check out our picks for the best and worst of the week's releases
8:35
'Revenge of the Nerds'
» ‎ FOXNews.com

THEN/NOW: Anthony Edwards went on to win a Golden Globe for his role in 'ER,' but what about the rest of America's favorite nerds and their frat boy nemeses?
8:35
Acadia Park in 5...
» ‎ FOXNews.com

By land or by sea, New England's only National Park is 30,000 acres of fun

8:35
Google launches app store
» ‎ The Guardian World News
Web giant takes on Microsoft with Google Apps Marketplace offering cloud-based applications
Google has announced that it has opened the Google Apps Marketplace to developers.
More than 50 companies wil be involved in the Apps Marketplace, which will offer business software such as a project management application, a tax and a payroll program, an electronic fax program, an e-signature service, and a design tool for Google Docs.
The third-party cloud-based applications will be integrated within Google to work like native Google apps. It will charge developers 20% of the revenue from sales on the marketplace site, apart from a one-off fee of $100.
"The Google Apps Marketplace eliminates the worry about software updates, keeping track of different passwords and manual syncing and sharing of data, thereby increasing business productivity and lessening frustrations for users and IT administrators alike," said product manager Chris Vander Mey in a blogpost that announced the move.
Google is challenging Microsoft with the aim of becoming the operating system of the web. Up till now the search engine offered users and businesses several web applications such as Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Docs. It already has 25 million Google Apps users, with 2 million of them businesses.
"More than 2 million businesses have adopted Google Apps over the last three years, eliminating the hassles associated with purchasing, installing and maintaining hardware and software themselves," says Vander Mey.
Cloud computing applications, which are internet-based rather than desktop-based, were looked upon as promising but have been slow to take off. Computer users tend to choose names they already trust, and seemed to be confused about cloud-based applications. For a long time the market position of Microsoft seemed secure.
But Google might now be changing the game. It might also have found a new revenue stream – 97% of its income currently comes from advertising. As it already has released the Google Chrome browser and is working on a Google Chrome OS, the App Marketplace is the next logical step towards becoming a software company.
Mercedes Bunz
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8:35
Business › Tokyo stocks edge down
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Tokyo stocks edged down Wednesday as investors continued to unload shares for quick profits after recent rises, but a sell-off was averted on growing optimism…

8:34
Munich Re CEO: Buffett stake backs our strategy
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

MUNICH (Reuters) - Munich Re sees star investor Warren Buffett's stake in the reinsurer as evidence that he backs its long-term strategy aimed at creating stability, Munich Re's chief...

8:33
Texas education board set to vote on social studies curriculum
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

Texas education board set to vote on social studies curriculum

8:33
Calling In the Bounty Hunters
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Obama announces bipartisan-backed high-tech group to crack down on waste and fraud in Medicare, Medicaid
• Obama to Make Closing Argument on Health Care
• Dems to Emanuel: Stop the Health Care Deadlines
• What's in a Deadline? For Health Care, Everything
8:33
Ex-Rep: Groping Guys Ain't Misbehavin'
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Disgraced former lawmaker Eric Massa admits he groped some male staffers, but not in an inappropriate way
• VIDEO: Massa on 'Beck' | TEXT OF INTERVIEW
8:33
Join Texas Textbook Battle
» ‎ FOXNews.com

LIVESHOTS: Maggie Kerkman on how you can follow textbook fight that will impact millions of students
• Full Coverage of Texas Textbook Battle

8:33
World › Behind the scenes, crafting the U.S. no-fly list
» ‎ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

It starts with a tip, a scrap of intelligence, a fingerprint lifted from a suspected terrorist's home. It ends when a person is forbidden to…

8:30
Another Martin + Osa
» ‎ Memphis Flyer

This is Elizabeth's favorite dress. It's also from Martin + Osa, which you may recall is where the dress she wore at the "beginning" of the week was from.

"Unlike the tomato-soup-red number, this one looks good by itself," she says.

SHANNON DIXON

"It also looks good with everything in my closet," she says. "I paired it with a gray sweater —Â I have about four gray sweaters — patterned tights from Target, and my trusty black boots."

This week, I learned that Target has great patterned tights and, obviously, you can never have too many gray sweaters!

Thanks again to Elizabeth Alley and her photographer Shannon Dixon for participating in Fashion Week. Maybe we'll see some more of them later. Elizabeth has already asked me if she can do this again in warmer weather, so she can show off some of her cute shoes. I don't think I have to tell you what I said. I love cute shoes.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

8:30
David Hall Launches Hall Financial
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

David Hall Launches Hall Financial
8:30
Sunovia Energy Technologies Partners With Fifth Third Bank
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Sunovia Energy Technologies Partners With Fifth Third Bank

8:29
Man dies after being subdued by Midlothian cops
» ‎ chicagotribune.com - News

8:28
Corey Haim dies of overdose
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Corey Haim, a Hollywood teen star of the 1980s who became as famous for his struggles with substance abuse as his acting, died in Los Angeles of an apparent drug...
8:28
SC&H Capital Announces Acquisition of Damage Recovery Systems, Inc. by Leading Ridge Capital Partners
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

SC&H Capital Announces Acquisition of Damage Recovery Systems, Inc. by Leading Ridge Capital Partners

8:27
Chief Justice Roberts: Obama’s Attack on the Supreme Court at SOTU Was “Very Troubling” (Video)
» ‎ Gateway Pundit

Chief Justice Roberts responded this week to the unprecedented attack by Barack Obama on the Supreme Court at the State of the Union Address this year.
Via BreitbartTV:

Chief Justice Roberts: “The image of having the members of one branch of government standing up, literally surrounding the Supreme Court, cheering and hollering while the court — according the requirements of protocol — has to sit there expressionless, I think is very troubling. And, it does cause me to think if it makes sense for us to be there.”

Barack Obama attacked the Supreme Court during his State of the Union Address this year:

Justice Alito disagreed.

For the record… When Obama attacked the Supreme Court at his hyper-partisan State of the Union address he relied on an old Jim Crow law to make his point.
Via Rhymes With Right:

Yeah, that is right. Barack Obama stood before the people of the United States and praised legislation introduced by a fellow Democrat who preceded him in the US Senate, one of the most vile enemies of African-Americans to ever serve in the United States Senate, a despicable man who owed his election to public office to his participation in an armed assault upon a body of black soldiers during Reconstruction and the lynching of several of these soldiers, and a dangerous demagogue who was censured for his physical assault of another Senator on the floor of the US Senate and barred from the White House over the incident.

8:25
Obamacare Road Show, Pt. II: Bring out the human kiddie shields
» ‎ Michelle Malkin

(Makestickers.com)

My column shines light on the Hail Mary strategy of the Demcare-peddlers: Quick, hide behind the children! Just a reminder that President Obama will be in St. Charles, Missouri today for a closed-door, invitation-only Kabuki health care speech to high school students and then he’ll be heading off for a fund-raiser with Claire McCaskill. Tea Party activists are organizing two counter-protests — get all the info on the who, what, where, when at Gateway Pundit.

The column notes two new developments — Hill buzz over some Senate Democrat leaders’ plan to attach the nationalization of student loans to the health care reconciliation bill and the use of a new, dubious poster boy for Demcare, Marcelas Owens. The story doesn’t add up, and as usual, anyone who questions the logic and holes in these anecdotes will be labeled a “stalker.” Been there, done that…

***

Desperate Dems cling to human kiddie shield
by Michelle Malkin
Creators Syndicate
Copyright 2010

Have you noticed something about the audiences that President Obama has cherry-picked to cheer his government health-care takeover road show? They’re getting younger and younger. Today, Obama brings the traveling campaign to St. Charles High School in St. Louis, Missouri for a closed-door, invitation-only speech. If he doesn’t end the endless “No More Time For Talk” talks soon, he’ll be peddling Democrat reconciliation tactics on Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob Squarepants.

But desperate times call for demagogic measures. True to form, the Obama White House is wielding the human kiddie shield as its last-stand defense for Demcare.

On Monday, Obama surrounded himself with a ticketed-only crowd of Arcadia University college students in Pennsylvania (sprinkled with purple-shirted officials from the Service Employees International Union, natch). The Washington-based commander-in-chief traveled outside his Beltway bubble to a campus bubble to trash the political climate which he leads.

“That’s just how Washington is. They can’t help it,” he pontificated as the idealist young students nodded like empty bobbleheads. “They?”

You won’t be surprised by Obama’s biggest applause line of the speech: Peddling a Big Nanny provision in the Senate-passed health care bill that requires insurance plans that cover dependents to provide benefits to children up to age 26. Vowed Santa Obama: “If you’re a young adult, which many of you are, you’ll be able to stay on your parents’ insurance policy until you’re 26 years old.” Whoops and huzzahs erupted from the eager wards of the permanent, ever-expanding Nanny State.

As I’ve reported before, there are now an estimated 20 states that have already passed legislation requiring insurers to cover adult children. The slacker mandates cover “kids” ranging in age from 24 to 31. And it’s these very government health care mandates that contribute to rising health care costs.

But there was no time for higher learning at Arcadia University. Out: education. In: adulation. “I love you!” screamed a cult follower in the stands. “Love you back,” Obama responded.

Now, comes word from The Hill that Senate Democrat leaders want to graft Obama’s single-player plan to nationalize the student loan market onto the Senate health care reconciliation bill. That way, Obama’s college-age foot soldiers can argue that a vote against Demcare is a vote against The Children.

How low can they go? One of President Obama’s youngest lobbyists – 11-year-old Marcelas Owens of Washington state – traveled to D.C. on Tuesday on the dime of astroturf group, HCAN (Health Care for America Now). His 27-year-old mother, Tiffany, died of pulmonary hypertension. According to the family, Ms. Owens – a single mother of three — lost her job as a fast-food manager and lost her insurance. She received emergency care and treatment throughout her illness, but died in 2007.

Young Marcelas – goaded by his left-wing activist grandmother and promoted by Democrat Sen. Patty Murray — is now a regular on the pro-Obamacare circuit and is leading a congressional sit-in until the Democrat plan passes. He admits he doesn’t understand the complexities of health insurance reform and doesn’t “think it’s anyone’s fault” that his mom passed away. “But they could have done more” for her, he says.

It’s a heart-wrenching story, but the tale raises more questions than it answers. Washington state offers a plethora of existing government assistance programs to laid-off and unemployed workers like Marcelas’s mom. Why didn’t she enroll? Second, she died nine months after she reportedly lost her health insurance. By the time she lost her coverage through her employer, she was apparently already in dire health straits. It’s not clear that additional doctors’ visits in the subsequent months would have prevented her death.

All that said, the Owens’ case demonstrates the flaws of the employer-based system of health insurance. It needs real reform. Unfortunately, the current crop of Democrat plans would leave the employer-based system fully intact. What we need are grown-ups to start over from scratch and leave the kids on the playground.

8:24
Chrysler sales for 2010 troubling, experts say
» ‎ CNN.com

2010 has been a difficult year for Chrysler, experts say, with sales off 3 percent and half of those sales to fleet customers, a fact that could hurt the company later.

8:24
China exports leap 46% in February
» ‎ Los Angeles Times - Top News

The nation's exports grow for the third consecutive month compared with a year earlier. Critics of China's artificially low currency are expected to increase demands for a hike in its value.

China's exports rose 46% in February from a year earlier, beating expectations and setting the stage for more calls to increase the value of the Chinese currency, analysts say.

8:24
Italian State Council Rules on the Lottery Tender
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Italian State Council Rules on the Lottery Tender
8:23
Obama pushing on health care end game
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

President Barack Obama is making his closing arguments for a health care overhaul, pushing a new anti-fraud plan as he cranks up the pressure on skittish Democratic lawmakers to act fast....
8:23
Annual Pachyderm Parade Celebrates the Arrival of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey(R) Circus to Washington, D.C.
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Annual Pachyderm Parade Celebrates the Arrival of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey(R) Circus to Washington, D.C.

8:20
These are the batteries
» ‎ SayUncle

True story: the making of the Terminator’s laser-sighted .45 pistol. Amazing what it took to get the gun to work. Even more amazing is how far laser sights have come since then.

Via.

8:18
Covert surveillance and your rights
» ‎ The Guardian World News
politicalactivist suspects he is under police surveillance as a result of political activities. How does this affect his legal rights?
politicalactivist writes:
"As a result of legal political activities, I am fairly certain that I am monitored under according to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act. For example, I am fairly certain that a car that I have regular use of and my home are bugged by the authorities.
Please advise me how being watched in such a manner affects my legal rights. For example, what are the implications should I be charged with a criminal offence and appear in court to defend myself?"
The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (Ripa), which came into force on the same day in 2000 as the Human Rights Act, provides a legal basis for various covert investigatory techniques. It is no coincidence that the two statutes came into force on the same day. Through the 1980s and 1990s the European court of human rights repeatedly found the United Kingdom in breach of article 8 (right to respect for private life) because there was an insufficiently clear legal basis for various investigatory techniques used by the police; the UK fell foul of the requirement that any interference with a person's privacy must be "in accordance with the law".
One of the covert investigatory techniques covered by Ripa is intrusive surveillance. Intrusive surveillance is defined in section 27 as "covert surveillance that is carried out in relation to anything taking place on any residential premises or in any private vehicle and involves the presence of an individual on the premises or in the vehicle or is carried out by means of a surveillance device." Surveillance carried out using a device which is not situated in the premises or vehicle will also count as intrusive surveillance if the device produces material that is of the same quality as one would expect from a device situated in them. Other forms of covert surveillance may be directed surveillance under Ripa.
I do not know what grounds politicalactivist has for thinking that his home and car are bugged but, if they are, this would come within the definition of intrusive surveillance.
An authorisation for the use of intrusive surveillance can only be given by the home secretary, a chief constable, the director of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (or another designated official from Soca), designated officials from HM Revenue and Customs and the chairman of the Office of Fair Trading. (There is provision for authorisations to be made by other senior officials in the absence of the chief constable etc.) The person granting the authorisation may only do so if he/she considers that the authorisation is necessary in the interests of national security, for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime or in the interests of the economic well-being of the country, and that the surveillance is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by it. (All three grounds do not apply in all cases and in the case of the OFT an authorisation can only be granted if it is considered necessary for the purposes of investigating a cartel offence.)
An authorisation granted by someone other that the home secretary has to be confirmed by one of the surveillance commissioners but can in urgent circumstances take effect before that confirmation has been given. A much wider group of bodies, including local authorities, can authorise and conduct directed surveillance. The level at which the authorisation can be given is lower than for intrusive surveillance and the confirmation of a surveillance commissioner is not required.
Unlike evidence obtained from the interception of communications (phone calls, e-mails, letters etc) evidence obtained through intrusive surveillance is admissible in court proceedings. So if politicalactivist were charged with an offence, evidence obtained from bugging his house or car could be used against him. Even if it weren't relied on it might be disclosable to him as unused material.
As with any evidence, politicalactivist could ask the court to exclude the evidence under section 78 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 on the grounds that its admission "would have such an adverse effect of the fairness of the proceedings that the court ought not to admit it." But it is unlikely that a court would ever exclude evidence that was lawfully obtained under a Ripa authorisation. Even if the evidence was ruled to have been obtained in breach of politicalactivist's rights under article 8 of the European convention (and, as I have said, Ripa is clearly aimed at ensuring compliance with article 8) the court would not necessarily exclude it; there is a long line of cases where both the courts in the UK and the court of human rights have approved the use of such evidence.
What if politicalactivist wants to bring a legal challenge without waiting for any possible prosecution? Here we have to consider the jurisdiction of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT).
The IPT was set up by Ripa. Its jurisdiction is complicated. Whether it is the correct body to deal with a case depends on the interaction of a number of factors: the body being challenged (eg the security services, the police or a local authority), the activity under complaint (eg interception of communications, intrusive or directed surveillance) and the nature of the challenge being brought (eg a challenge on human rights grounds or a complaint.)
Politicalactivist does not say who it is that he believes is bugging his house and car. It seems reasonable to assume that it would be the police (including Soca). Under section 65 of Ripa the IPT is the "only appropriate tribunal" for a legal challenge on human rights grounds to the police's conduct of intrusive surveillance. It would also seem that a complaint about such conduct can only be made to the IPT – section 65 refers to the IPT being the "appropriate forum" for such complaints. So rather than make a complaint to the Independent Police Complaints Commission politicalactivist could only complain to the IPT. The only circumstance in which politicalactivist might be able to escape the IPT's jurisdiction would be by bringing a legal challenge solely on the grounds that the statutory criteria for authorising intrusive surveillance were not met. But it might be both artificial and difficult to make such an argument without referring to the Human Rights Act and therefore safer to go to the IPT.
The problem with the IPT is that its procedures are designed to ensure that nothing is revealed about how the police etc conduct covert operations. It does not have to hold hearings or disclose either side's evidence to the other. Most significantly, it is not allowed to give reasons to the applicant where it finds against them. Its decisions cannot be subjected to appeal. Typically, a person who applies to the IPT will hear little from the IPT until they get a letter informing them that their complaint has not been upheld. The letter is worded in such a way that the person cannot tell whether they were subjected to surveillance but the surveillance was lawful or never subjected to surveillance at all.
While the IPT has conducted public hearings – we are awaiting its judgment in a Liberty case where a family are challenging a council's decision to subject them to directed surveillance in order to check they were living within a school catchment area – whether the IPT's procedures meet the fairness requirements in article 6 of the European Convention is open to question. There is a case pending before the court of human rights where this is in issue.
• Do you have a question for the Liberty Clinic? Post it here
James Welch
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8:17
US aid group attacked in NW Pakistan; 6 dead
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

People look a dead body of an employee of an international humanitarian group World Vision, killed in the attack of suspected militants, at a field hospital in Ogi, a small town in Pakistani district ...

8:17
NRA Board Endorsements
» ‎ SayUncle

At Snowflakes in Hell.

8:17
Standard & Poor's Brings the S&P 500 to India; Licenses NSE to Trade Rupee-Denominated S&P 500 Futures Contracts
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Standard & Poor's Brings the S&P 500 to India; Licenses NSE to Trade Rupee-Denominated S&P 500 Futures Contracts

8:15
Our glaciers are growing, not melting More falsehoods from Al Gore
» ‎ Climate Change Fraud

"Almost all of the ice-covered regions of the Earth are melting — and seas are rising," said Al Gore in an op-ed piece in the New York Times on February 27.

Both parts of Gore's statement are false.

8:15
With Biden in West Bank, Settlements Cloud Talks
» ‎ NYT > Home Page

Palestinian leaders meeting with Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. condemned a decision by Israel on new housing, but still spoke of participating in peace talks.

8:14
Expel Suu Kyi, Burma tells party
» ‎ The Guardian World News
New law prohibits parties taking part in this year's election from having members with a court conviction
Burma's military government is to force Aung San Suu Kyi's political party to expel her if it wants to participate in the upcoming election, under the terms of a new law announced today.
The political parties registration law, published in official newspapers, requires the National League for Democracy (NLD) and other parties to re-register within 60 days with a new election commission.
It prohibits anyone convicted by a court from joining a political party, and instructs parties to expel members who are "not in conformity with the qualification to be members of a party". Parties that do not register automatically cease to exist, the law says.
The Nobel peace prize winner, who has spent 14 of the last 20 years in detention, was convicted last August of violating the terms of her house arrest by briefly sheltering an American who swam uninvited to her lakeside residence. She was sentenced to a new term of house arrest that is due to end in November.
The sentence was seen as a way to keep Aung San Suu Kyi locked up during the election campaign. Last month, the supreme court dismissed her latest appeal for freedom.
The new election law was immediately criticised by the NLD and by the US and Britain. The NLD's deputy chairman, Tin Oo, called the law unfair, politically motivated and designed to restrict activities of the party, which has already been battered by arrests and harassment.
"The fact that [party] registration will be allowed only after expulsion of a convicted member is too much. This is politically motivated," he said.
The junta enacted five election-related laws on Monday, two of which have now been made public. Three more are to be unveiled in the coming days.
The US assistant secretary of state Kurt Campbell said Suu Kyi should be released from house arrest so she could "play an active role in the political life of the country going forward".
"We've seen the first of five [laws]. I think it would be fair to say that what we've seen so far is disappointing and regrettable," Campbell said during a visit to Malaysia.
The date of the election has not been announced, and the NLD has not said whether it will take part. The government announced in 2008 that the election would take place in 2010. The last election in 1990 was won overwhelmingly by the NLD but the military refused to hand over power.
Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyer, Nyan Win, said the new law also barred people who had lodged an appeal against a conviction, which he said "clearly refers" to his client.
Aung Thein, a lawyer who has defended activists in the country, said: "It is very unfair that a party member serving a prison term for his or her political convictions has to be expelled from the party. This clause amounts to interfering in party internal affairs."
He said the provision would exclude many pro-democracy individuals who had been imprisoned for their beliefs. Human rights groups say the junta has jailed about 2,100 political prisoners.
It was widely assumed that Aung San Suu Kyi would be shut out since a provision in the constitution bars anyone with foreign ties from taking part in elections. Her late husband was British, her two sons have British citizenship, and she has been described by the junta as enjoying special links with Britain.
"We're going to need to study the election laws carefully once they've all been released," said the British ambassador, Andrew Heyn. "But it's regrettable and very disappointing that the laws are not based on a dialogue with a range of political opinion."
He stressed that the release of political prisoners, freedom for all to participate in the elections, freedom to campaign and access to media were essential for the election to be credible.
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8:13
Intelligence Wins Boost U.S.-Pakistani Relations
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

March 10, 2010 A series of Pakistani army offensives against domestic militants and a string of arrests of senior Afghan Taliban signal a new understanding between Pakistan and the United States. As P...

8:12
Bad PR
» ‎ SayUncle

Knoxville Police Department spokesman Darrell DeBusk:

We do not respond to blog postings. If we were to respond to blogs we would need to create a new position just to keep up with all of the comments. Legitimate questions posed to the department by our citizens will be answered. Responding to opinions and computer chatter will not change perceptions or opinions.

Seems they don’t like being asked about their status as tax collectors. After all, we know they’ve responded to blog postings in the past involving their police officer body-slamming a guy because the officer thought he was in Ohio.

8:11
Global Warming in Historical Perspective
» ‎ Climate Change Fraud

By now virtually everyone on earth is aware of the hysteria being fostered by socialists over global warming.

Al Gore and his disciples claim that any planetary warming that is occurring must be caused by human beings. After all, the West and America have been dominant for the last century or more, and that is when temperatures seem to have begun to rise (recently in history, that is), so it must be the evil capitalists and their SUVs and industry.

8:11
Update: Census Bureau Launches 'Children Count Too' Awareness Campaign Featuring Nickelodeon's Dora the Explorer
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Update: Census Bureau Launches 'Children Count Too' Awareness Campaign Featuring Nickelodeon's Dora the Explorer

8:10
Actor Corey Haim dies at 38
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

8:07 AM CT

8:08
Families: 3 Americans detained in Iran call home
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

The families of three Americans detained in Iran for months say their loved ones have been allowed to call home for the first time. The families say in a statement they received the...

8:08
South Park Does Guns?
» ‎ SayUncle

I’d like 500 AK-47s please.

Seems a Blackwater employee signed for a bunch of automatic weapons using the name “Eric Cartman”.

Haven’t watched the show in years. Might have to catch this one.

8:08
Thresher Industries CEO Calls for Special Meeting of Board of Directors
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Thresher Industries CEO Calls for Special Meeting of Board of Directors
8:07
U.S. Navy Awards Lockheed Martin $17 Million Contract for MK 41 Vertical Launching System
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

U.S. Navy Awards Lockheed Martin $17 Million Contract for MK 41 Vertical Launching System
8:07
TruGreen Encourages Americans to Register Acts of Green for Earth Day 2010
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

TruGreen Encourages Americans to Register Acts of Green for Earth Day 2010
8:06
New national math, English standards drafted
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Math and English instruction in the United States moved a step closer to uniform _ and more rigorous _ standards Wednesday as draft new national guidelines were released. Supporters of...
8:06
Biden says Palestinians deserve 'viable' state
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday the Palestinians deserve a "viable" independent state with contiguous territory, seeking to reassure them of U.S. support after Israel announced...
8:06
Dorel completes successful year
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

Dorel completes successful year
8:05
'Lost Boys' actor Corey Haim dead in Burbank at 38
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

The Los Angeles coroner's office says "The Lost Boys" actor Corey Haim is dead at 38. Coroner's Lt. Cheryl MacWillie said Wednesday that Haim died at 2:15 a.m. at Providence St. Joseph...

8:05
Gun Porn
» ‎ SayUncle

Taurus 709 Slim vs Walther PPS vs Ruger SR9c

Brush guns

Phil and the belt fed.

8:05
MoneyShow.com Wins SABEW Award
» ‎ RSS feed - channel BNews

MoneyShow.com Wins SABEW Award

8:03
Guns in NY
» ‎ SayUncle

You can just set up a sham humane society. Seems animal protection officers get police powers there.
8:02
Open carry and corporate security
» ‎ SayUncle

Security Info Watch:

For the corporate security manager, this movement has direct implications. First, the business is going to have to face questions as to whether it has policies about guns on its premises and what those rules are. For Starbucks, there is currently no rule forbidding legally carried weapons on the premises. Other businesses do have such rules; the New York Times article specifically notes that California Pizza Kitchen (a West Coast pizza chain) and Peet’s Coffee and Tea (a Starbucks competitor) do disallow weapons, even those that are legally carried.

8:01
Examining the GreenJobsGate Emails: Obama Administration Takes Direction from Wind Lobby, Soros Group
» ‎ Climate Change Fraud

Soros and his relationship with the DoE made clear in emails.
Emails obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show that the Obama Department of Energy is using the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) — the lobbying arm of “Big Wind” in the U.S. — to coordinate political responses with two strongly ideological activist groups: the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), and the George Soros funded Center for American Progress (CAP).

8:01
Guns and schools
» ‎ SayUncle

In Montana:

A Montana superintendent of schools said his replica black powder muzzleloader accidentally fired off a round while he was showing the weapon to a class.

8:01
Obama’s UN-Styled Commission Will Decide Who Gets to Sport Fish and Where
» ‎ Gateway Pundit

The Obama White House has decided to take on the 60,000,000 American anglers.

(Hawaii Leisure)

The Obama Administration is pushing full steam ahead with their plan to fundamentally change America.
When the radicals are not pushing to socialize health care, offer amnesty to illegal aliens, or radicalize primary school education, they’re pushing new UN-styled rules and regulations on the sport fishing industry.
The Christian Science Monitor reported:

The Obama administration has proposed using United Nations-guided principles to expand a type of zoning to coastal and even some inland waters. That’s raising concerns among fishermen that their favorite fishing holes may soon be off-limits for bait-casting. In the battle of incremental change that epitomizes the American conservation movement, many weekend anglers fear that the Obama administration’s promise to “fundamentally change” water management in the US will erode what they call the public’s “right to fish,” in turn creating economic losses for the $82 billion recreational fishing industry and a further deterioration of the American outdoorsman’s legacy. Proponents say the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force established by President Obama last June will ultimately benefit the fishing public by managing ecosystems in their entirety rather than by individual uses such as fishing, shipping, or oil exploration.“It’s not an environmentalist manifesto,” says Larry Crowder, a marine biologist at Duke University in North Carolina. “It’s multiple-use planning for the environment, and making sure various uses … are sustainable.” (Amateur outdoorsmen have been fighting for their rights for years, as the Monitor reports here.)

Faced with the prospect of further industrialization along America’s coasts and the Great Lakes (wind turbines and natural-gas exploration, for example), the task force is charged with putting in place a new ecosystem management process called marine spatial planning. Marine spatial planning (MSP), according to the United Nations, is “a public process of analyzing and allocating the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic, and social objectives that usually have been specified through a political process.” That kind of government-speak scares Phil Morlock, director of environmental affairs at the reel-and-rod maker Shimano. Mr. Morlock points to references by the ocean task force to “one global sea” as evidence that what’s really being proposed are broad changes to America’s user-funded conservation strategy, potentially affecting even inland waters. “I suggest that the task force recommend our model to the United Nations rather than us adopting the United Nations model,” he says in a phone interview. “The American model is the best in the world, so our question is: Why seek the lowest common denominator?”

Mr. Obama has said he will not override protections put in place by Presidents Clinton and Bush that established recreational fishermen as a special class.

But critics still worry about the Obama administration’s ties to environmental groups that espouse “anti-use” policies that put some habitats out of reach even for rod and reel fishermen, who take only 3 percent of America’s landed catch every year. “Angling advocates point out that senior policy officials on the task force seem inclined to ally themselves with preservationists and environmental extremists who want to create ‘no fishing’ preserves, with no scientific justification,” writes ESPN.com’s Robert Montgomery.

Previously:
Now Obama Wants to Ban Sport Fishing
Obama White House to 60,000,000 Anglers: We Don’t Need You
Obama’s Latest Assault on Freedom– New Regulations Will Ban Sport Fishing

8:00
Laser Training Product
» ‎ SayUncle

The SIRT Training pistol:

Designed to complement, not replace, live fire training the SIRT Training Pistol brings together a host of patented technologies critical to improving shooting accuracy while addressing issues of cost and liability.

Safe, effective, and innovative, the SIRT Training Pistol was developed by shooters for shooters. We understand the unique training demands and restrictions faced by todays law enforcement professionals.

8:00
Ted Belman: Sarah Palin is One of a Kind
» ‎ Conservatives4Palin.com

Ted Belman, writing for Israpundit, discusses Governor Palin:

But there is no denying her meteoric rise from hockey mom to the Republican VP nominee on her own merit and track record, in little over 15 years all while giving birth to and raising five children and helping her husband on his commercial fishing boat.

And there is no denying that few people would have had the guts to give up the Governorship last summer and go for broke. Who does that? Sarah does.

And there is no denying her great success since in writing a best seller which in six months has sold over 2.5 million copies, in becoming the leader of the opposition to current government policies, in becoming the most sought after speaker at astronomical speaker fees, in becoming a Fox News commentator, in becoming the most sought after guest for talk shows because of what her appearance does for ratings, in becoming the most sought after endorsement for politicians running for office, in being hotly pursued as a speaker for a variety of charity events all the while being mercilessly attacked for all manner of ridiculous charges, trumped up, or otherwise.

And she is not done yet. She has started writing a second book and is soon to get a major studio to produce a series of documentaries on her beloved home state of Alaska.

Name me one woman, who went to an Ivy League School or otherwise, with a PhD or otherwise who can hold a candle to such accomplishments. Sarah is one of a kind.

More here.

7:58
Romania's Fix to Alcohol Accidents? Drunk X-ing Signs
» ‎ FOXNews.com

Road signs warning drivers that intoxicated people may be in the road have been put up as Romania tries to reduce the number of accidents.

7:57
Averting another Foley affair
» ‎ POLITICO Top Stories

In an Ideas piece, Sloan says Massa's response to charges has been nothing less than schizophrenic.

7:57
24 hours in pictures
» ‎ The Guardian World News

A selection of the best images from around the world

7:56
Actor Corey Haim dies at 38
» ‎ Los Angeles Times - Top News

Actor Corey Haim, who starred in some popular movies in the 1980s and recently tried to relaunch his career with a reality TV show, has died.

7:55
Office shooting suspect became reclusive after parents died
» ‎ dallasnews.com Latest News

Office shooting suspect became reclusive after parents died

7:54
TN Gun Bills
» ‎ SayUncle

Being discussed today. WizardPC has a list.

7:54
CRIME REPORT: Police capture murder suspect who walked away from court
» ‎ Memphis Commercial Appeal Stories

Dearick Stokes, a 21-year-old who took a bathroom break and escaped just before a verdict was read in his trial, is back in jail.

7:53
Barrett
» ‎ SayUncle

A bit of a brouhaha over Barrett Rifles. Seems Barrett wants an easement to allow better access to its facilities. TDOT got snippy. So, the legislature is looking to pass a bill granting the easement. This has some folks upset because CEO Ronnie Barrett is a big time political donor and is reportedly legislator Donna Rowland’s boyfriend.

7:53
Aid group attacked in northwest Pakistan; 6 dead
» ‎ Pakistan News latest RSS headlines - Pakistan News.Net

ISLAMABAD » Suspected militants armed with grenades attacked the offices of a Christian aid group helping earthquake survivors in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, killing six employees and wo...

7:53
Let us jog your memory, Eliza ...
» ‎ The Guardian World News
Former MI5 head Eliza Manningham-Buller denies knowing about mistreatment of detainees. Didn't she read the papers?
To be fair to Britain's security services, the gathering of intelligence can be the most difficult of jobs.
The claim on Wednesday from the former head of MI5, Eliza Manningham-Buller, that the US hid from the UK security services the torture they were meting out to the Muslim men they had labelled terrorists, comes as a bit of surprise. In a lecture given in the Palace of Westminster, she related:
"I said to my staff, 'Why is he [Khalid Sheikh Mohammed] talking?' because our experience of Irish prisoners and terrorists was that they never said anything …
"They said the Americans say he is very proud of his achievements when questioned about it. It wasn't actually until after I retired that I read that, in fact, he had been waterboarded 160 times."
She went on to claim that "The Americans were very keen that people like us did not discover what they were doing."
It did not require a high degree of James Bond-style espionage for MI5 to realise – much earlier than she says it did – that Guantánamo and other US sites were places where torture was practised.
Before her retirement in 2007, then, all that Manningham-Buller needed to have been doing was read a decent newspaper or use a web search, either of which would have produced headlines and articles that would have pricked the curiosity of even the dullest of minds. Never mind those who see themselves as among the sharpest and brightest.
So, for the benefit of the former intelligence chief, the list of reporting of disturbing allegations and evidence of torture employed by the US and its allies in the war on terror starts here – but please add your own in the thread below:
Guardian: Father fears for son held by US in Afghanistan, 10 February 2003
Guardian: Briton held as terror suspect says CIA threatened torture, 4 October 2003
Guardian: Officials 'knew of beatings at Guantánamo', 15 May 2004
Observer: US guards 'filmed beatings' at terror camp, 16 May 2004
New York Times: Threats and responses: The interrogations; Account of plot sets off debate over credibility, 17 June 2004
Guardian: US abuse could be war crime, 5 August 2004
Times: Britons accuse US Government of 'torture' at Guantánamo Bay, 28 October 2004
Times: Guantánamo report reveals 'torture', 1 December 2004
Guardian: Guantánamo Briton 'in handcuff torture', 2 January 2005
Independent: My nightmare of torture and assault, by Briton held in Guantánamo, 30 January 2005
Washington Post: Va. terror suspect testifies to torture, 20 October 2005
Guardian: Hunger strikers allege 'force feed torture' at Guantánamo, 21 October 2005
Guardian: Torture claims 'forced US to cut terror charges', 25 November 2005
ABC News: History of an interrogation technique: Waterboarding, 29 November 2005
Telegraph: Torture law victory for terror suspects, 9 December 2005
Guardian: US accused of using gangster tactics over terror suspects, 25 January 2006
Washington Post: Guantánamo force-feeding tactics are called torture, 1 March 2006
Guardian: Evidence against terror suspect extracted by torture, hearing told, 10 May 2006
Times: Bush admits that terrorist suspects were held in secret prison network, 7 September 2006
Guardian: Cheney condemned for backing water torture, 28 October 2006
Vikram Dodd
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7:50
Convicted Murderer Recaptured After Weeks On The Run
» ‎ WREG - Memphis News: daily news, local news and tv news

Dearick Stokes disappeared before verdict was announced

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