Connecticut Senate OKs Machine Gun Ban for Kids

On Thursday, the Connecticut Senate OKed a measure which would ban allowing children under 16 years old to handle or shoot machine guns. This stems from the tragic death of eight-year-old Christopher Bizilj, who accidentally shot himself to death after losing control of a Uzi submachine gun at a gun fair.

In the shooting, while the fair had promised shooters would have certified instructors in an advertisement, Christopher Bizilj was supervised by an uncertified 15-year-old boy.

As the boy fired the Uzi, "the front end of the weapon went up with the backfire and he ended up receiving a round in his head" said the police report.

Charles Bizilj had selected the compact weapon for his 4-foot, 66-pound son to fire mistakenly believing the Uzi's small size made it safer for his small son. In reality, the opposite was true, said District Attorney William Bennett.

"Although it might appear a heavier or longer weapon would be more dangerous, the small size of the weapon together with the rapid rate of fire made it more likely that an 8-year-old would lose control and the muzzle of the weapon would come close to his face, which is what happened here."

Senate President Donald E. Williams Jr., D-Brooklyn said:

"For a young person, a minor, to handle an automatic weapon ... it's like saying that it's OK to pick up a rattlesnake and that it is somehow going to be safe," said . "It's not going to be safe and it should not be legal and I would think that a lot of folks would be shocked that there was not a law."

What's amazing is not that the legislation passed, but that it passed only 31-2. Gun rights is one thing, but let's use some common sense. If common sense had been used here, this never would have happened.

And that's the unfortunate reason that legislation like this must be passed: there is too little common sense among Americans.

Crowds Flock to View Virgin Mary on a Griddle

Despite the swine flu, many are rushing to a diner in the small town of Calexico on the California-Mexico border. Why? A likeness of the Virgin Mary ... on the griddle.

Yes, on the griddle.

Hilda Maciel, a chef at the Las Palmas restaurant, discovered the image on a griddle she was cleaning last Wednesday. The following day, the Rev. Gerardo Fernandez of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Calexico confirmed the image was indeed a true likeness of the Virgin Mary.

So far more than 100 people have dropped by to view the griddle, Brenda Martinez, general manager at the restaurant.

The onlookers have included several Mexican wrestlers who were booked to appear at the Las Palmas swap meet as a special promotion.

Since the discovery, the griddle has been taken out of service and placed in a shrine in a storage room. Martinez said her family is planning to renovate the room and will continue allowing people to view the griddle for free.

Justice David Souter to Retire: NPR

NPR is reporting that sources have told them that Supreme Court Justice David Souter plans to retire.

Speculation about Souter's future plans began when the eight other justices hired the four law clerks who will work with them in the Supreme Court term that begins in October. Souter hired no one.

At 69, Souter is not the oldest member of the court by any means, but he has indicated a desire to leave Washington and return to his native New Hampshire.

Two other "elderly" Supreme Court justices, neither of which has given any indication of leaving, are Justice John Stevens, 89, and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 76.

Souter's retirement would give Barack Obama his first chance to nominate a justice to the Supreme Court; many saw this as an important, though largely unsaid, point during the 2008 Presidential campaign: with a number of justices aging, and with Supreme Court appointments being for life, this President would have the power to shape the court for years, perhaps decades, to come.

Many anticipate that Barack Obama will nominate a woman, with the following listed as possible candidates:

• Elena Kagan, the current solicitor general who represents the government before the Supreme Court;
• Sonia Sotomayor, a Hispanic judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit;
• Diane Wood, a federal judge in Chicago who taught at the University of Chicago at the same time this relative unknown named Barack Obama was teaching constitutional law there.

Surprising many, David Souter has proved more liberal than conservatives thought after GOP President George H.W. Bush nominated him in 1990. He generally votes as a a moderate-to-liberal member of the more liberal wing of the Supreme Court.

David Souter graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard University in 1961 with a major in philosophy. He returned to Harvard to attend law school.

Watch an NBC report:

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Eight-Year-Old Saudi Girl Divorces Husband, 50

Not news: divorce. News: an eight-year-old Saudi girl divorced her 50-year-old husband.

The girl had been forced to marry the man after her father basically sold her to the 50-year-old last year in exchange for about $13,000.

An out-of-court settlement enabled to girl to divorce her husband, said her lawyer, Abdulla al-Jeteli. The exact date of the divorce was not immediately known, nor was the amount of the settlement revealed. They were married in August.

There is currently no minimum age for marriage in Saudi Arabia, and conservatives in the country have campaigned against such a restriction. That said, the kingdom's new justice minister was quoted in mid-April as saying the government was doing a study on underage marriage that would include regulations.

It's interesting that hoops had to be jumped through for for the "woman" to divorce her husband; Muslims have divorced their wives via text message before.

Suspected Craigslist Killer's Wedding Off

Those who have already bought wedding presents for Philip Markoff, the suspected Craigslist Killer, and his fiancee Megan McAllister, can return them. The wedding is off.

While Megan McAllister visited Philip Markoff in a Boston jail yesterday, and while she says she still believes in his innocence, she said she intends to move on with her own life.

I suppose she does not believe he is as beautiful a person as she once thought.

Yesteday's meeting between the two was the first since Markoff was arrested and charged with murdering a Julissa Brisman in one Boston hotel and assaulting another woman in a different hotel.

McAllister's attorney, Robert Honecker told TODAY’s Meredith Vieira Thursday morning:

“I think, yes, she believes that he is innocent. I think she feels that she’s supportive of him. The man that she knew and loved for four years is not the man that’s being portrayed in the media.

“I can’t answer for the rest of her life. We’ve been dealing with this difficult situation on a day-to-day basis. The plans she made for life are not there.”

He also confirmed that the wedding is off, and not likely to be re-instated:

“The chances for that event to occur in the future, I would suggest, would be unlikely."

To say the least.

Rhode Island police have linked Markoff to a third crime, and are preparing charges.

Watch this morning's Today Show interview:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Pageant Organization Paid for Miss California Breast Implants

While it should be obvious that breast implants are not off-limits from beauty pageants, it's interesting to note that it appears pageant contestants don't even have to pay for their own.

Shanna Moakler, co-executive director of the Miss California Organization and a former Miss USA, confirmed that the group paid for Miss California Carrie Prejean’s breast implants, prior to her competing in Miss USA.

Nice perks.

When asked about it in an interview with Access Hollywood, Moakler said, defending the decision for the organization to pay for Prejean's implants:

“Yes, we did.

“It was something that we all spoke about together. It was an option and she wanted it. And we supported that decision.

“Breast implants in pageants is not a rarity. It’s definitely not taboo. It’s very common. Breast implants today among young women today is very common. I don’t personally have them, but you know — they are."

Interesting, because it seems that while beauty pageants pretend to be all about inner and outer beauty, we can see from this it's all about outer beauty.

At the same time, Carrie Prejean seems to be making the most of her notoriety, which, as Miss USA runner-up, is based mostly on her stance against gay marriage. She announced Thursday she will star in an anti-gay marriage ad sponsored by the controversial National Organization for Marriage.

Miss USA pageant officials called Prejean an opportunist:

"In the entire history of the Miss USA, no reigning title holder has so readily committed her face and voice to a more divisive or polarizing issue.

"We are deeply saddened Carrie Prejean has forgotten her platform of the Special Olympics, her commitment to all Californians, and solidified her legacy as one that goes beyond the right to voice her beliefs and instead reveals her opportunistic agenda."

Opportunist or no, it's certainly interesting how quickly she dropped her platform to pursue this, once the publicity became so great.

Woman Claims Father Was the "Zodiac Killer"

The Zodiac killer is believed to have murdered at least five people and possibly as many as 36, terrorizing the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1960's and 1970's. Nevertheless, his true identity has never been confirmed by police.

However, many believe he was Arthur Leigh Allen, a convicted child molester from Vallejo who died in 1992.

Wednesday, 47-year-old Deborah Perez claimed that as a young 7-year-old girl she helped her father, Guy Ward Hendrickson, write and mail some of the letters that earned him the Zodiac nickname.

The Zodiac Killer sent letters to local newspapers including The San Francisco Chronicle and The San Francisco Examiner, taunting police,. media, and the public with clues and riddles of his identity.

The whole event revealing his name was rather sensationalized, however, with those involved going so far as to schedule a press conference (complete with a press release). The press release said:

At the press conference, a proven immediate family member of the Zodiac Killer will make a statement identifying the killer. Attending with her will be leading forensic experts, a Melvin Belli former partner, family lawyers and others who have helped solve this case that has been open for many years. Information of the forensic evidence - including cryptology, handwriting analysis, current law enforcement investigations, and most startling, the murder accomplice evidence - will be distributed. This historical revelation upsets the theories of the murder investigations in the past. Many cold case crimes have recently been solved because of 21st century forensic technology. This is one of the bigger breakthroughs.

At the news conference outside the San Francisco Chronicle on Wednesday, Perez said she has given police what she believes are the eyeglasses of one of the victims, San Francisco taxi driver Paul Lee Stine, as well as letters she wrote, some to the Chronicle, on her father's behalf.

Perez also claimed to be with her father when he allegedly killed Darlene Ferrin, 22, at the Blue Springs Golf Club in July, 1969 and wounded her companion, Michael Mageau, 19.

Perez said that until she saw a composite sketch of the Zodiac killer in on TV in August 2007, she had never heard of the Zodiac Killer. She added that she immediately recognized the man as her father, who died in 1983.

Additionally, during the press conference, Kevin McLean, the former law partner of the late Melvin Belli, who was used as a pawn by the Zodiac Killer, said handwriting analysis shows Perez did write some of the letters, and they hope DNA testing can be done on the glasses to show they in fact believed to belong to Stine.

It's hard to believe, but if independent forensic writing analysis can prove she wrote the letters, and / or DNA can be found on the glasses, we might finally have a solution to a case that some said, like Jack the Ripper, would never be solved.

Watch a video of the press conference:

Steppin' Out With His Girlfriend: Mel Gibson

Earlier, Robyn Gibson filed for divorce from Mel Gibson, after 28 years of marriage, a filing that might lead to a record settlement. On Tuesday, he debuted his girlfriend, Russian songstress Oksana Grigorieva, at the premiere of X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Several Oksanas were actually linked to Gibson, but as he strolled hand in hand with this one, it was obvious that Oksana Grigorieva is the right Oksana.

His estranged wife, Robyn, should be be awarded half of Mel Gibson’s estimated $900 million fortune as there was no pre-nuptial agreement signed between the two when they wed. The couple said they separated in 2006.

However, it seems that Mel Gibson was with Grigorieva for pretty much that entire time, at least according to Access Hollywood. It has also been rumored that Grigorieva is pregnant, which is reportedly what triggered his wife to file for divorce.

Grigorieva, 39, is a singer signed to Gibson's Icon Records label. She has an 11-year-old son with British actor Timothy Dalton, her former partner.

Swedish Court Calls Church's Name Unacceptable, Offensive

A Swedish court has thrown cold water on the Madonna of Orgasm Church (Orgasmens Madonnas kyrka), ruling that the church’s name is unacceptable and offensive.

No, really?

Seriously, though, the Madonna of Orgasm Church is centered on a similarly named painting by founder Carlos Bebeacua. That same painting sparked protests during the 1992 World’s Fair in Seville, Spain.

Bebeacua once told the Kvallsposten newspaper:

“The orgasm is God, the orgasm should be worshiped. The orgasm is the ultimate feeling of lust, it shouldn’t be limited to ejaculation. You can reach it through art or by looking at a landscape and thinking ‘Wow!’”

Bebeacua has been trying to register the church as a faith community in Sweden, hoping to swell the ranks of people that would then consider the orgasm as God.

In November of last year, the county administrative court overruled Sweden’s Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency (Kammarkollegiet), which had refused to register the Madonna of Orgasm Church because it considered the name offensive.

But the Administrative Court of Appeal on Tuesday overturned the lower court’s decision.

Admittedly, you can bet that Bebeacua's heart sagged, sunk, deflated, you name it. Most of their objection was the same as Kammarkollegiet's: the name.

“In the opinion of the administrative court of appeal, the intention of such a combination of words, even in relation to the registration of a community for religious activities, must be to offend, not only for those within the wider circles of the general public who have Christian leanings, but also in society in general."

Baskin-Robbins Offering 31-cent Scoops to Honor Firefighters

As a way of honoring firefighters, tonight Baskin-Robbins will be selling scoops of ice cream for 31 cents. Yes, get your spoons ready!

Proceeds from Baskin-Robbins' 31 Cent Scoop Night sales will go toward a $100,000 donation to the National Volunteer Fire Council's National Junior Firefighter Program.

The promotion runs tonight, from 5 - 10 PM, at any participating Baskin-
Robbins location. My guess is "participating" pretty much means them all, but still ...

If you're worried 31 Cent Scoop Night might slip your mind, don't be. If you send "scoop" in a text message to 31310, Baskin-Robbins will text you back later in the day to remind you.

Baskin-Robbins' site says:

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) National Junior Firefighter Program gives fire departments and youth nationwide the resources, tools, and information they need to help develop, grow, enhance, promote, and participate in their local programs.

In the program, youth learn about local fire, rescue, and emergency medical services response organizations in a safe, controlled, educational, and fun way while providing departments with an excellent recruitment mechanism.

A donation of $100,000 will be made by Baskin-Robbins to the NVFC National Junior Firefighter Program. At select local stores throughout the country, you may also have a chance to donate to your local fire station.

You can find a Baskin-Robbins near you via their store locator.

Vick Signing Stunt Angers af2 Owner

On Tuesday the Albany Firebirds of the arenafootball2 league announced they wanted to offer Michael Vick a contract for the remainder of the season. This was obviously some sort of PR stunt (more on that later), but the press release read:

“At the start of the season we’d made the decision as an organization not to pursue Michael,” said General Manager Garen Szablewski. “However, in light of the team’s recent struggles, we were forced to re-examine the issue. After days of heated debate within the front office, we put together an offer that made everyone comfortable with the idea of singing him.”

The most notable stipulation in the team’s offer requires Vick to donate $100,000 to the Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society.

The aF2 prohibits member teams from signing players who are currently under NFL suspension, but the Firebirds hope that the contract offer will expedite NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s decision.

Right, so you can't sign him while he's under NFL suspension. And once he's off NFL suspension do you seriously believe he would consider af2?

So, obviously a PR stunt, and Firebirds owner Walter Robb is definitely unhappy. Szablewski might start looking for a job (just MHO). late Tuesday afternoon. He said:

“That’s a joke. That’s a joke. I think it was a big mistake. I just found out about it 10 minutes ago. "I'm a dog lover and I don't want anything to do with him. I certainly would not have approved it had I known it was even being joked about.”

For those who may not recall, Michael Vick, formerly of the Atlanta Falcons, was convicted and sentence to 23 months in prison for his role in dogfighting rings and animal cruelty. It raised hackles across the country, but despite this, it seems at least some NFL teams are looking at him.

Swine Flu: What Does H1N1 Mean?

As controversy swirls about using the term "swine flu" for the A H1N1 virus currently sweeping around the globe, the question arises: what the heck does H1N1 mean?

Earlier this week, Israeli deputy health minister, Yakov Litzman, a member of an ultra-religious party, said that the name "swine flu" should not be used as it contains the name of an animal banned by Judaism. Instead he proposed the name "Mexican flu."

You can imagine how that went over with Mexico's ambassador to Israel. Later the statement was retracted and said to be a joke, or a slip of the tongue. Right.

At any rate, the virus is actually a combination of swine, avian, and human flus, which makes pigs far too blame-worthy by calling it swine flu.

At any rate, scientifically the virus is influenza A H1N1. The "H" refers to the hemagglutinin molecule, which is a molecule on the surface of the virus that allows it to key into its target cell.

"N" refers to neuraminidase, which is another molecule, also on the surface of the virus. In this case, it allows the virus, once replicated, to key out of the cell that it’s been "born" in.

There are 16 different types of hemagglutinins and 9 different types of neuraminidases.

H1N1 is the same virus that caused the 1918 influenza pandemic, which killed 20 to 40 million people around the globe. This is, of course, a descendent virus.

The fact that the new swine flu has H1N1 molecules doesn't make it identical to the 1918 strain, however. As indicated, it has genes from swine flu, avian flu, and human flu.

There, you now probably know far more about swine flu and its scientific ID than you really want to know. Or perhaps, in this time of outbreak, you want as much info as you can get.

Girl's Basketball Coach Arrrested for Sex with 16-Year-Old Boy

It's become so commonplace it's almost not an offbeat story any longer. Here we have the latest teacher / coach arrested for engaging in sex with a minor.

In this case it's Joey Strong, 35, a longtime girl's basketball coach at Holy Name School in Ausable Forks, NY. She has been charged with third-degree rape, a felony, and two misdemeanors for allegedly plying a 16-year-old boy with alcohol and having sex with him.

Ah, but finally something unusual. While Joey Strong has coached girl's basketball at the school for eight years, she's a volunteer, and thus not a employee of the school. And that makes it all better --- not.

Even better, Strong provided alcohol to not just this one boy, but appearently to four, a sort of underage drinking party at the Comfort Suites in Queensbury on March 30.

She only had sex with the one, however. Strong was arraigned in Queensbury Town Court and released on her own recognizance, pending prosecution in Town Court.

Buchanan: GOP is a "Heavily White Party," Faces Demographic Problems

Speaking to MSNBC anchor Tamron Hall on Tuesday, Pat Buchanan said that his party has a major "demographic problem."

Buchanan said:

"There's a real demographic problem with the Republican Party. It is a heavily white party, quite frankly, and as a share of the electorate, that is diminishing and Hispanics are growing very rapidly, Asians are growing rapidly, and by two-thirds they tend to vote Democratic.

"Young people increasingly are more liberal and more socially moderate, and they move away from the Republican Party "These things are undeniable, the Republican party two months into the Obama Administration, or three months in, is in tough shape.

"I went though the Goldwater disaster, when we were down to 140 House seats and we were dead forever, and I came with Nixon in '66 and we won 47 House seats and we won 5 out of the next 6 presidential elections. I don't think that's necessarily in the cards, but I think it'd be foolish at this point when Obama is at his peak, really, to write off the Republican party for 2010."

Watch the video:

GOP Sen. Arlen Specter to Switch Parties

Veteran GOP senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), announced on Tuesday his intention to switch parties, to the Democratic party. This brings the Democrats to the brink of a 60-member filibuster-proof majority.

To be honest, a filibuster is a simple (but effective) way to block legislature from passing. It exists in other governmental bodies and countries than just the U.S. Senate, but Specter's move affects the Senate.

In a filibuster, "an attempt is made to extend indefinitely a debate upon a proposal in order to delay the progress or completely prevent a vote on the proposal taking place." In reality, no longer is an actual physical filibuster necessary; just the threat of one is enough to block a vote. In the U.S. Senate, unless there are 60 votes, legislation is stalled.

I've always considered it silly that a minority can hold the majority party "hostage," even if by one vote, simply by the threat of a filibuster.

With Arlen Specter, who has served since 1980 as a GOP Senator from Pennsylvania, in the fold, if Al Franken, who currently holds a narrow lead over Norm Coleman in Minnesota, were to be seated, the Democrats would have the 60 votes they need, including Independents Bernie Sanders (VT) and Joe Lieberman (CT).

Specter released a statement today, explaining his move:

Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.

When I supported the stimulus package, I knew that it would not be popular with the Republican Party. But, I saw the stimulus as necessary to lessen the risk of a far more serious recession than we are now experiencing.

Since then, I have traveled the State, talked to Republican leaders and office-holders and my supporters and I have carefully examined public opinion. It has become clear to me that the stimulus vote caused a schism which makes our differences irreconcilable. On this state of the record, I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate. I have not represented the Republican Party. I have represented the people of Pennsylvania.

I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary.

However, Specter did indicate that his vote would not be "automatic." He will vote his conscience. And that is a good thing, something I have seen to be sadly lacking of late in the U.S. government.

And it's probably why such things as 60-vote clotures exist; in the past, people did not see that legislators would begin to vote with their party, and ignore their own conscience.

Of course, the Republicans didn't take things well, and definitely shafted him on the way out. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele responded, saying,

"Let's be honest — Sen. Specter didn't leave the GOP based on principles of any kind. He left to further his personal political interests because he knew that he was going to lose a Republican primary due to his left-wing voting record."

Meanwhile, both Senate Majority leader Harry Reid and President Barack Obama showed their support for Specter's move, with Obama promising to campaign for Specter in 2010.

Watch an MSNBC report on the switch:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Is the Wedding Off for the Suspected "Craigslist Killer"?

Is the honeymoon over before it even began? Despite calling her fiancee, Philip Markoff, the suspected "Craigslist Killer," a "beautiful person," it appears that Megan McAllister has at the very least postponed her planned wedding with him.

The Bstreetband, a Bruce Springsteen cover band, now lists Aug. 14th as open on their datebook.

Fri Aug 14th - due to circumstances beyond our control, this date is now available to book.

According to CBS News, the band had been scheduled to play at the Aug. 14th reception for Markoff and McAllister.

William Forte, the keyboardist and owner of the Bstreetband, said a relative of McAllister called him and said "that as of right now, there is no way they will be able to have the Aug. 14 wedding date."

Forte said he plans to return the couple's $500 deposit.

"Under the circumstances, I would never hold them to the contract," Forte said.

Of course, this could simply mean that it has become obvious that the wedding can't go on as scheduled, and that it's simply delayed. It could also mean that McAllister has finally taken a look at the stack of evidence against Markoff.

Philip Markoff , a 23-year-old medical student, is charged with murdering Julissa Brisman, a New York City resident, on April 14 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place hotel, after responding to her Craigslist "masseuse" ad. He is also charged in a robbery at a nearby hotel of another Craiglist-related masseuse.

He has pleaded not guilty.

He has also been linked to a similar attack in Rhode Island.

Watch a "48 Hours Mystery" special report from last Saturday, embedded below:

Daughter Forced to Help Cut Up Murdered Mother's Body

James Hawkins, 31, of Memphis, TN, is charged with first-degree murder in the death last year of his longtime girlfriend, Charlene Gaither, 28. But that's only half of his depravity.

The key witness against Hawkins is Keyuna Thomas, 13. She told police her father forced her to help cut up her mother's body with a power saw. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Keyuna Thomas also told police she saw Hawkins stab Gaither in the neck with a knife and then strangle her to death after she threatened to call police during an argument. The next day, Hawkins forced Thomas to help him cut up the body.

Thomas said:

"I told my dad I didn't want to do this anymore. He says, 'You want to die, too?'"

While Hawkins denies killing Gaither, police say he acknowledged dumping her body along a rural highway after severing her head, hands and feet. Hawkins and his defense attorney, Larry Nance, are trying to suppress that statement. Nance said:

"We hope to establish that he, in fact, gave no statement. That's his position, that he didn't say that."

Prosecutors say that Hawkins blurted out the statement.

Police believe the crime occurred on Feb. 9th. Hawkins reported Gaither missing on Feb. 12th and her torso was found two days later in Mississippi. The body was identified through DNA analysis.

Hawkins is being held on a $4 million bond.

Karzai to Reverse "Marital Rape" Law

President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan has backed down on the so-called "marital rape" law, which had such draconian elements as a ban on married women leaving their homes without their husbands’ permission and the requirement that a wife be available for sex at least every four days unless ill or in danger of harm from sexual intercourse.

The Shia Family Law was signed into law by the Karzai last month. The law applies to the 15% of Afghans who are Shia Muslims, but another bill was already in progress which would have affected Sunnis.

At a press conference in Kabul on Monday, Karzai said:

“The law is under review and amendments will take place. I assure you that the laws of Afghanistan will be in complete harmony with the constitution of Afghanistan, and the human rights that we have adhered to in international treaties.”

When the contents of the 239-page document were made public it was widely condemned by Western governments. Karzai said that his aides had not briefed him properly about the details, meaning, I suppose, that the Afghani President doesn't read what he signs.

Air Force One Backup Flying Over NYC Evokes Fear, Memories

An Air Force One backup plane (747) along with two accompanying F-16 fighters flew low over New York City on Monday morning, causing anxiety and resurrecting memories of the past.

The 747, or VC-25 as the Defense Department calls it, is a backup plane to Air Force One, and was scheduled for the flyover so that Air Force photographers could take pictures. The missing piece was that somehow the proper communications had not been made and many officials were unaware of the photo-op.

Edward Acker, a photographer who was at 3 World Financial Center said:

“People came pouring out of the buildings, the American Express Building, all the buildings in the financial district by the water. And even the construction guys over by 100 North End Avenue area, they all got out of their buildings. Nobody knew about it. Finally some guy showed up with a little megaphone to tell everyone it was a test, but the people were not happy. The people who were here 9/11 were not happy.

“New York City police were standing right there and they had no knowledge of it. The evacuations were spontaneous. Guys from the floor came out, and one guy I talked to was just shaking.”

President Obama was not aboard the plane, nor was he in the New York area, and was obviously not the one coordinating the flight.

Watch a video; you can hear comments about a "hijacking" during the replay.

Rove Mocked Pandemic Flu Prep Spending

In February, Karl Rove mocked the stimulus package being written by the House of Representatives, but in particular one part of it: the part allocated to pandemic flu preparations.

You'll recall Rove used to be called "Bush' Brain," but in this case, he was not quite a seer when it came to this article, as the current swine flu outbreak seems to show. In an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal, Rove brought up the following as wasteful spending:

$2 billion for the National Institutes of Health, $462 million for the Centers for Disease Control, and $900 million for pandemic flu preparations.

That $900 million was dropped, but mostly because legislators want to see it as part of the budget, not the stimulus. It should also be noted that pandemic preparedness was actually brought up by Bush, as well.

It's been clear to many, in the wake of scares over SARS and avian flu, that the potential for a global pandemic is high. The way we travel today makes transmission across the planet far easier. Mocking such expeditures essentially places U.S. citizens at risk.

It's also frightening to wonder what will happen if the swine flu spreads further across Mexico. How will the populace react? Will they try to flee to the U.S.? And if so, with border security and illegal immigration already a big issue, how will the U.S. respond?

Utah County Republicans Defeat "Satanic" Resolution

Adventures in Utah County, as Republican delegate Don Larsen introduced a resolution called the "Resolution opposing the Hate America anti-Christian Open Borders cabal." As reported by the Salt Lake Tribune, the resolution claims that groups such as the Ford Foundation are pushing "a satanic plan to encourage illegitimate births and illegal immigration."

The reason for this? Democrats get most of the votes cast by illegal immigrants and people in dysfunctional families. But as I said, it's not the Democrats behind it: it's Satan.

Larsen said:

"Satan's ultimate goal is to destroy the family, and these people are playing a leading part in it."

Apparently, Larsen's resolution contained quotes from the New Testament on the battle between good and evil, and the copy of the resolution given to delegates said that it "fulfills scriptural prophecies about our times."

Delegates defeated the legislation, saying it would do more harm than good. One said the religious language Larsen used would push people away from the party, while another reminded people that George W. Bush won the presidency because he garnered 40%.

"We are not going to be the majority party if we keep pushing the Latinos out," said Joel Wright.

He probably also should have added that submitting this type of resolution isn't going to help the Republicans simply because some will see it as, well, nutty. While the resolution was defeated, it's interesting that it even made it to a vote. Larsen also introduced a similar resolution in 2007. That resolution stated:

In order for Satan to establish his "New World Order" and destroy the freedom of all people as predicted in the Scriptures, he must first destroy the U.S. ... The mostly quiet and unspectacular invasion of illegal immigrants does not focus the attention of the nations the way open warfare does, but is all the more insidious for its stealth and innocuousness.

You can even watch an MSNBC report on that 2007 resolution. It appears Larsen has learned nothing since then, and it's amazing, quite honestly, Utah County would keep him around.

Heart Attack Victim Dies After Paramedics Force Him to Walk Down Stairs

An investigation into the death of a heart attack victim who was forced by paramedics to walk down three flights of stairs last year has uncovered numerous violations by UMass Memorial EMS service, according to a report in the Telegram.

Charles F. Rondeau, 48, died last year after suffering a heart attack on Mother's Day. When the 911 call came in, it was made clear that Rondeau had been suffering chest pains, yet despite this paramedics forced him to walk down three flights of stairs while they steadied him, a violation of state standards of care which was also left out of their written report.

It wasn't just an error of omission, either: the report was falsified to indicate the paramedics had carried Rondeau down the stairs using a "stair chair."

The two paramedics, Seth Peters of Worcester and Jonathan C. Hanson, were fired by UMass Memorial EMS after a state report came out recently. The family is likely to file a lawsuit against UMass Memorial EMS, which, despite my complaints against how litigious this country is, I would applaud.

Man Bites Dog; Dog Maces Family

Actually, no one bit a dog, but a dog sure maced a family, according to a press release by the Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. Tualatin Valley is a suburban region SW of Portland, OR.

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue's HAZMAT Team was called to a home in Tualatin following a 911 call reporting a family experiencing burning eyes, scratchy throats, and difficulty breathing. The report also noted their basement was filled with a hazy fog.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a family (mother, son, and grandmother) outside the home. They reported their symptoms had diminished upon exiting the house.

Once entering the home, the HAZMAT team found the source of the problem: a can of mace that had been punctured, lying on the floor.

Apparently, one of the family's four dogs had mistaken the can, about the size of a dog bone, for something he should play with. The family told firefighters that one of their four dogs had been acting strange just before the symptoms arose.

Chewing Gum Improves Math Skills: Study

A study conducted by researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine and sponsored by (unsurprisingly) the Wrigley Science Institute has shown that gum chewing apparently improves math scores.

We all knew that chewing gum could be used to ehlp those wanting to quit smoking, ease anxiety, reduce tooth decay (assuming sugarless gum), but improving math scores?

The study included 108 students, 52 girls and 56 boys, ages 13 to 16. They were divided into two groups that would either chew sugarfree gum during math class, math homework and math tests, or not. After 14 weeks, all the students took a math test.

Those who had chewed gum showed a 3% increase in their scores, while their final grades were also “significantly better” than non-chewers.

While there isn't a final conclusion on "why," the leader of the study, Craig Johnston, PhD, an instructor of pediatrics-nutrition at the Baylor College of Medicine, said:

“Some researchers speculate that a decreased level of stress leads to better focus and concentration, which may explain the relationship between gum chewing and increased focus and concentration.”

He added that the study “demonstrates the potential benefits of chewing gum on academic performance in a real-life, classroom setting with teenagers.”

I wouldn't expect any major changes in allowing gum in schools; improvement or no, kids have this nasty habit of sticking it on the bottom of desks and other places, and popping gum in class as well. More study is needed.

Oh, in case you weren't sure, the gum given to the study participants was Wrigley's gum.

Teen Pays for Lawyer with Stolen Goods

Jason Leigh Markham, 19, of Beloit, WI, faces three felony charges after allegedly burglarizing cars. The motive: he needed to pay for a lawyer for past offenses.

Markham had previously been charged previously with drug possession, disorderly conduct and theft of movable property. He can now add to that list the new charges of burglary, possession of burglar tools and bail jumping.

He was caught when a man signted Markham inside his Camaro, which was in his garage, around 4:30 AM on April 16th. The resident tackled Markham when he tried to escape and held him for police.

Police allegedly found gloves, a flashlight, a GPS system, nine CDs and seven video games in Markham's backpack.

"Lost" Star Sued for Sexual Harassment

I've said before that celebrities and sports stars seem to have a sense of entitlement and untouchability, and this might be another such case. "Lost" star Henry Ian Cusick has been accused of sexual harassment by a former ABC employee, Chelsea Stone.

Henry Ian Cusick plays "Desmond" on the hit ABC series.

The complaint, obtained by E! Online, states (Plaintiff is Chelsea Stone, the document refers to Henry Ian Cusick as CUSICK):

On or about Odober 16,2007, Defendant CUSICK began to sexually harass Plaintiff. Such harassment included but not limited to the following conduct: CUSICK plaCed his hand on Plaintiff's buttocks. CUSICK then began to Caress the back of Plaintiffs body while making moaning sounds. CUSICK then placed his face on top of Plaintiff's breasts, moving his face from side to side. CUSICK then squeezed Plaintiff's breasts with his hands. CUSICK further kissed Plaintiff on the mouth. At all times dUring the sexual harassment Plaintiff communicated to CUSICK that his sexual advances were unacceptable.

Plaintiff complained to her Immediate supervisor and 2nd assistant director, Carla Bowen.

Despite Plaintiff's complaint, no measures were taken by Defendants to limit Plaintiff's interaction with CUSICK. In fact, measures were taken to continue Plaintiff's interaction with CUSICK.

Chelsea Stone is seeking unspecified damages in the suit, which also names ABC Entertainment Inc., and Grass Skirt Productions as defendants in addition to Henry Ian Cusick.

According to the lawsuit, Stone had been employed by ABC since 1997, and had reported her allegations to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing prior to suing.

Suspected "Craigslist Killer" Linked to Rhode Island Attack

As I wrote previously, police were trying to link Philip Markoff, the suspected Craiglist Killer, to a third crime which took place in Rhode Island. They've found that link.

A law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the New York Times that Philip Markoff's fingerprint was found on a wall of the Holiday Inn Express in Warwick, where a stripper has said she was held at gunpoint by a man she "met" through a Craigslist ad.

However, charges have not yet been filed against Markoff in the Warwick hotel case. Philip Markoff has pleaded not guilty both to the murder of Julissa Brisman and in the case of an attack on another Craigslit advertiser, both occurring in Boston hotels.

In Warwick, police Chief Stephen McCartney said:

“The investigation is continuing. We still have a lot of evidence review to do. It is being done under the very careful eye of a prosecutor who is dedicated to our investigation now.”

Philip Markoff was arrested during a traffic stop Monday as he drove to Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. He was placed on suicide watch at the Boston jail where he is being held after authorities reportedly found shoelace marks on his neck. His fiancee, Megan McAllister, said earlier in the week that she supported him and that he was a "beautiful person."

The Heck with Surrogacy, Buy My Baby

A woman who was asked by another to be her surrogate instead offered to take a shortcut: she tried to sell her five-month-old baby for $10,000.

Rebecca Sue Taylor, 19, of Charleston, WV and Leigh Burr had been talking about Taylor serving as a possible surrogate mother for Burr when Taylor offered to sell her the baby she already had. She even dropped the price to $5,000.

According to the police, Burr agreed to pay the next day and took the baby, going straight to the police with it.

Taylor indicated she needed the money for an apartment, which we all know is way more important than a baby, right?

Charleston Police Chief of Detectives Steve Cooper said:

"At this point, the child has been taken into custody by Child Protective Services.

"She (Taylor) thought that $10,000 is what she would like to have and Ms. Burr told her, I guess playing along with the scenario, that she could only come up with $5,000 and when she agreed to that, she (Taylor) gave her the baby, told her they would meet up the next day and Ms. Burr came straight to the police station with the child."

Bond for Taylor was set at $2,500.

Miss Universe Australia Contestant Too Skinny?

You decide. While she didn't win, Stephanie Naumoska, 19, competed in the Miss Universe Australia contest in Sydney (the winner goes to the Miss Universe finals), and drew attention not for her beauty, but for being, well, gaunt.

A criticism oft-leveled at models is being overly thin. Many of these beauty pageant contestants are models, after all.

Naumoska is 5'11" yet only weighs 108 pounds. Pageant director Deborah Miller said she has Macedonian heritage, accounting for her extreme thinness. Right.

She apparently Body Mass Index (BMI) of 15.1. Her BMI should be between 18.5 and 24.9 to fall into the 'average' category. By World Health Organisation (WHO) standards, she is malnourished.

At the same time, Naumoska denied reports she is either anorexic or bulemic, saying:

"I think it is very unfair that I have been criticised that I'm too skinny. I have never been anorexic or bulimic I don't throw up my meals after I eat them I don't starve myself, none of that. I eat six to eight healthy meals a day."

I would then ask: where the heck does it go?

Stephanie Naumoska was defeated in the final by 20-year-old television presenter and model Rachael Finch. Thankfully.

Liz Cheney: It's Not Torture If We Get Info

Liz Cheney, former State Department official and daughter of former VP Dick Cheney appeared on MSNBC on Thursday with anchor Norah O'Donnell. During the interview, Liz Cheney defended her father's view that harsh interrogation tactics yielded valuable intelligence information, and ... wait for it ... implied that if information was gleaned, it ain't torture.

The following transcript is via MSNBC, or you can view the video below. There are some embedded comments in the transcript.

NORAH O'DONNELL, MSNBC ANCHOR: Also, there may be some new information today on who signed off on tough tactics to question terrorists. The Senate Intelligence Committee now says Vice President Dick Cheney and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice helped direct a small group of Justice Department lawyers who wrote memos authorizing these harsh interrogation practices. Also, Rice gave the first verbal OK for the use of waterboarding in July 2002.

Liz Cheney is a former deputy assistant secretary of state during the Bush administration and the daughter of the former vice president, Dick Cheney.

Liz, good to see you. Thanks so much for joining us.

LIZ CHENEY, FORMER U.S. DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE: Thanks, Norah. Good to be here.

O'DONNELL: Did the former vice president, Dick Cheney, was he the prime mover behind directing this small group of Justice Department lawyers to come up with an authorization for these harsh tactics?

L. CHENEY: That's actually not what the document says that you're referring to. There's absolutely no question that this was a program that was widely approved and supported within the administration. I think there's no secret here that the National Security Council reviewed the program. The National Security Council ensured that it had legal approval before going forward with these techniques.

But I want to go back to one thing we heard the attorney general say, Norah, which I found troubling. He said that he had not seen the memos or any memos talking about the effectiveness of this program. And I think it's very important for people to ask the question, had the president, before President Obama made the decision to release the tactics and the techniques, had nobody reviewed the effectiveness of the program? Had his attorney general and the president himself looked at whether in fact these programs had gained intelligence that was critical for saving -- for the security of the nation?

O'DONNELL: Well Liz, we'll get to that argument in a minute, about do the means justify the ends. Whether torture justifies...

L. CHENEY: Well, it wasn't torture, Norah, so that's not the right way to lay out the argument.

O'DONNELL: OK.

L. CHENEY: Everything done in this program, as has been laid out and described before, are tactics that our own people go through in SERE training and that our own people have gone through for many years. So it's really - does a fundamental disservice to those professionals who are conducting this very effective program and to those people who approved the program in order to keep this nation safe and prevent attacks through the program to call it torture.

O'DONNELL: Liz, the CIA, on its own after 2005, stopped waterboarding on its own. The U.S. prosecuted people for waterboarding after World War II.

So to suggest there's a consensus out there that waterboarding is not torture is not in fact accurate.

L. CHENEY: No, I think it is accurate. There were three people who were waterboarded. And two of those people are people who gave us incredibly important and useful information, information that saved American lives after they were waterboarded. Both Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and Abu Zubaydah.

Read the above and you can see how the implication is that it's not torture if we get info.

And I would just refer your viewers to the really important op-ed piece that Mike Hayden and Attorney General Mukasey wrote laying out why this program worked, why it was effective and what damage has now been done to our national security by releasing the tactics of this program (ph).

O'DONNELL: Well, the current director of the national intelligence, Admiral Dennis Blair, has said this about those particular memos, he says this, quote, "the information gained from these techniques was valuable in some instances. But there is no way of knowing whether the same information could have been obtained through other means."

We have a full screen of this - no, let me, I want to put this full screen up, because this is very important. Could we please get this up on the screen?

L. CHENEY: It is important, Norah, but let me comment to that.

O'DONNELL: The bottom line - the bottom line is that these techniques have hurt our image around the world.

L. CHENEY: Norah, I'm sure you know...

(CROSSTALK)

O'DONNELL: ... director says that the damage that has done has far outweighed any information that was gleaned. And in fact, there is a disagreement about whether other tactics other than waterboarding could have gotten valuable information.

L. CHENEY: Norah, I'm sure you know that actually the first statement that DNI Blair put out internally acknowledged the incredible effectiveness of these programs and acknowledged that very important intelligence had been gained. And that it was only after the White House got a hold of the statement, edited the statement, censored it I would say, and put it out publicly that his language changed.

So I think this is another instance where people need to take a very close look at the fact you've had four former CIA directors talk about how effective this program is and why memos should not have been released, and the fact that DNI Blair changed his assessment of the program should raise some questions in people's minds.

O'DONNELL: I want to get back again - we can debate this, but I want to get back to specifically, what role the vice president had in directing lawyers to authorize these memos. Was it from the vice president's office, Dick Cheney, who said to those men -- John Hugh (ph), Jay Bybee - we need to come up with a way to interrogate these al Qaeda suspects after 9/11? Why doesn't he own up to the fact that he was the prime mover behind that?

L. CHENEY: Norah, there was no direction of lawyers from the vice president. That's not how this process worked. And I think that you can look at exactly how the process worked, which is, the CIA said we have Abu Zubaydah and we think he's got important information that further attacks are imminent and therefore, we need to know what we can do.

And the National Security Council met and discussed this. This is actually all laid out in Senator Rockefeller's timeline, which doesn't say what you're alleging that it says, which makes clear that the questions laid out to OlC were, what's possible and when. And if you've read the memos, in fact, that were released, you'll see that they were very, very careful in laying out exactly what could be done and for exactly how long.

So the notion...

O'DONNELL: Well, let me put that up on the screen, because we do have that and that's the first full screen that I was going to get to, which is the Cheney and Rice signed off on these interrogations. Very first graphic...

(CROSSTALK)

L. CHENEY: But Norah, what you're doing is reading a headline - but Norah, you're reading a headline from an A.P. story or McClatchy story. That's not what the document itself says.

Now, I think it's very important, however, to be clear...

O'DONNELL: The Senate Intelligence lays out that in those initial meetings were the vice president..

L. CHENEY: Absolutely.

O'DONNELL: ... the national security adviser...

L. CHENEY: That's absolutely right.

O'DONNELL: ... Powell, and Defense Secretary Rumsfeld were not in those initial meetings. So if those were that small group of people, why won't you say that the vice president was one of the prime movers in..

(CROSSTALK)

L. CHENEY: There's no question that the vice president of the United States supported the program, as did the national security adviser, as did the secretary of state, as did the attorney general, as did the entire National Security Council. There is nobody who has been clearer about being out there saying this is a good program, this saved American lives than the vice president. So there's nothing about owning up here, because this was a good program and people are very proud of what we've accomplished.

Now setting aside that, what you're doing is reading headlines and talking about direction of lawyers, which is a very different thing. And there's no assertion that that's what went on. The lawyers' opinions were sought in order to make sure that the program that the CIA ran stayed within the law. And the lawyers did a very responsible and professional job of laying out exactly what were the limits of how far we could go. And that is precisely what makes it so damaging that these memos have now been released.

O'DONNELL: Listen to yourself - listen to yourself, Liz, "how far we could go."

L. CHENEY: That's right.

O'DONNELL: How far could we go with detainees. I mean, how far...

L. CHENEY: Torture them in order to get information?

O'DONNELL: How far - no.

L. CHENEY: For how many minutes you could ask them certain kind of questions. How many...

(CROSSTALK)

L. CHENEY: I'm sorry, it's very, very important point.

O'DONNELL: It's a very important point.

L. CHENEY: It is a very important point.

O'DONNELL: The Geneva Convention were established...

L. CHENEY: Norah, there is nothing...

O'DONNELL: ... to protect our men and women in the military. So that America would be a beacon in the world so when our men and women are captured overseas that they would not be tortured. We would never want our people to...

L. CHENEY: Norah, are you going to give me a chance to answer your question?

O'DONNELL: Let me finish my point.

L. CHENEY: I get your point, Norah, but the point is - no, Norah, wait a second...

(CROSSTALK)

O'DONNELL: ... America no longer cares about torture?

L. CHENEY: That's not what the world is hearing, Norah. First of all...

(CROSSTALK)

O'DONNELL: .. and if gets valuable information, then OK, we're for it. Is that the message they send?

L. CHENEY: Norah, that may be what you're saying, but that's not what I'm saying.

O'DONNELL: OK.

L. CHENEY: What I'm saying that is there were a series of tactics, a series of techniques that had all been done to our own people. We did not torture our own people, these techniques are not torture. The memos laid out...

O'DONNELL: Did we torture other people?

L. CHENEY: No.

O'DONNELL: You just said, we did not torture our own people.

L. CHENEY: Therefore, the tactics are not torture. We did not torture. The memos laid out the extent of exactly how far we could go before it would become torture, because it was important we not cross that line into torture.

As General Hayden and Attorney General Mukasey laid out, the problem is that now we've said to our enemies, look, this is exactly how far we're g going to go. So our enemies, who we know read this stuff online, will now train to be able to withstand that.

Now, setting that aside, this argument about the Geneva Conventions, in terms of the - you know, this idea that somehow al Qaeda abides by the Geneva Conventions. If al Qaeda captures an American, they cut his head off. So I think it's very important for us to sort of take a step back from the emotion of this and say we needed to be able to get evidence about imminent attacks.

The idea of us abiding with the Geneva Conventions doesn't rely on the whether or not the other parties abide by it or not. In fact, America has alway held itself to a higher moral standard than other countries, at least until recently. Oh, and considering this is the GOP, what about "do unto others?"

We knew these guys had information, the information that was provided saved American lives, and the techniques were not torture. And I think it's important for the American people to be able to see the entire argument laid out.

O'DONNELL: OK. Liz Cheney, stay with us, because we're going to have much more not only about these particular harsh interrogation memos that some people are calling torture memos, whether the vice president will participate, will testify before a truth commission, and the future of the Republican Party. We've got a lot more coming up right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DICK CHENEY, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The world outside there, both our friends and our foes, will be quick to take advantage of a situation if they think they're dealing with a weak president or one who's not going to stand up and aggressively defend America's interests.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'DONNELL: Back with us is Liz Cheney, she, of course, the former deputy assistant secretary of state during the Bush administration and the daughter of the former vice president, Dick Cheney.

All right, Liz, did the vice president just call the president a weak president?

L. CHENEY: I think that he is concerned that some of the things that we've seen President Obama do, particularly on his overseas trip, in terms of not taking the opportunity to stand up and defend America when Daniel Ortega delivers a 50-minute screed against the United States...

O'DONNELL: Is that really appropriate, though, to call the current sitting president weak?

L. CHENEY: I think what he said is you begin to look weak and there's a danger if our enemies think we are weak. I think it's important to be very precise about what he said.

But I there's a real concern. I mean the message that we saw coming out of the last few foreign trips, you know, set aside republican and democrat, as an American, it concerns me when I've got a president who doesn't stand up and say, wait a minute. You know, I'm going to defend the United States of America because we are the beacon of hope for people all around the world.

O'DONNELL: He didn't said he wasn't going to defend America.

L. CHENEY: He didn't do it though, Norah. He didn't do it. He stood up after Ortega attacked the nation, attacked our policies for the last 40 years, and President Obama said, well, look I was only three months old.

Now, you know, that's not the kind of strong defense of the nation that I'd like to see.

O'DONNELL: Let me read to you what the former president, George W. Bush, said on March 17th in Calgary. He said, quote, "I'm not going to spend my time criticizing him," talking about President Obama. "There are plenty of critics in the arena. He deserves my silence."

So Liz, what are you doing here? What's the vice president doing?

L. CHENEY: Well, the vice president thinks it's very important when you see the country begin to go down paths that are concerning and dangerous, and when you see the current administration making decisions that really do have the potential to make us less safe, in those circumstances, I would say the vice president doesn't' think that there's an obligation to be silent. In fact, I think he believes the opposite, which is that there's an obligation to stand up and say, wait a second. You know, there are important reasons why we put policies in place. They clearly kept us safe for seven years.

And it's very important as this administration now begins to dismantle some of those things, that the public, you know, understand and have the ability to have a debate about what direction we're going to go in.

O'DONNELL: The latest former vice president's approval ratings, Cheney, favorable, 21 percent, unfavorable 58 percent.

Is it possible that the American people have already made a judgment about whose right on this issue? They voted for change, they don't agree with your point of view, with your father's point of view?

L. CHENEY: You know, I think - obviously, they voted for change. I think there are lot of reasons why the republicans lost this election. I do think that the Republican Party needs to do some rebuilding.

But I think that all of that is domestic politics and poll numbers.

And I think that we are at a crossroads as a nation. We're at a moment where we can either remember that we're at war and remember that there are people out there who really would like to do us great damage and great harm and keep those policies in place that have kept us safe, or we go back to treating this like a law enforcement matter.

And I think when you're dealing with issues that are of that grave importance, spending a lot of time looking at poll numbers is irresponsible.

O'DONNELL: Well, the former vice president is now calling the sitting vice president essentially a weak president. That he's concerned he's going -- he said essentially said he's worried that he's no longer going to ask terrorists tough questions, which I'm sure our men and women are going to ask terrorists tough questions.

L. CHENEY: The question is, Norah....

(CROSSTALK)

O'DONNELL: ... answer the questions, I think that's the question.

(CROSSTALK)

O'DONNELL: ... did Vice President Cheney get permission from President Bush to speak out like this?

L. CHENEY: He doesn't need permission. But we were just watching...

O'DONNELL: Do they talk regularly?

L. CHENEY: They do.

But let me say one thing. We were just watching Attorney General Holder, and he made a very important point. He talked about the task forces that have been set up to review interrogation techniques. And this is one of the things that's so concerning about the release of these legal memos and it's another thing General Hayden points out.

President Obama said to his National Security Council, you tell me whether or not the tactics in the Army Field Manual are sufficient and you report back to me about whether those are sufficient to protection the nation.

And they haven't reported back yet. That is underway. That review is underway. And in the meantime, we have released the information about what other tactics are.

So it's really a situation where there's, you know, the president has not only tied his own hands, but he's tied potentially the hands of all future presidents by putting this material out before he himself even knew whether his task force was going to tell him, yes, you need those tactics.

O'DONNELL: Well, the Senate Armed Services Committee came out with a report yesterday. And the chairman of that committee, Carl Levin, said essentially, there's a direct link between what happened in Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib. That these types of interrogation practices led to what we saw at Abu Ghraib. And I think there's been a pretty general agreement across the world that what happened at Abu Ghraib was despicable.

L. CHENEY: Absolutely what happened at Abu Ghraib is despicable. What Senator Levin is saying and the report that you've mentioned, clearly you've heard republican members of Congress and republican senators on TV all day today pointing out that that was a partisan report.

So, Abu Ghraib was despicable, the people that did those things are being prosecuted and have been prosecuted and punished. That is not the CIA interrogation program. That was a situation in which people were doing things that were clearly against the law and they shouldn't have been doing. And it's a very convenient thing for, you know, democrats in Congress and people who are trying to sort of make partisan attacks here to point Abu Ghraib. I think we all should be able to say we agree that was a crime and that was despicable.

And that's not part of this current debate.

O'DONNELL: Well, the question is whether that led - some of those -- opening the door to those harsh interrogation tactics led to a misunderstanding that happened at Abu Ghraib.

We're going to have much more with Liz Cheney...

L. CHENEY: But I don't think there's any evidence that it did, by the way.

O'DONNELL: All right, when we come back, more with Liz Cheney, including what Megan McCain had to say to day about the former vice president.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'DONNELL: And we are back with Liz Cheney.

And Liz, I want to play for you something that Megan McCain, who of course is the daughter of John McCain, was co-hosting on "The View" this morning and she had some tough words for your father, the former vice president.

Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MEGAN MCCAIN, THE VIEW: The DNC just did an ad. And it has Karl Rove and Newt Gingrich and Dick Cheney as the new faces of the Republican Party...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh my God, how scary.

MCCAIN: Well, I mean, it's hard people like me that really want new energy and new blood when they - it's very unprecedented for someone like Karl Rove or Dick Cheney to be criticizing the president. It's very unprecedented a former vice president, you know, obviously Karl Rove - and I just - you know, my big criticism is just, you had your eight years, go away.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'DONNELL: You have a reaction to that?

L. CHENEY: Look I disagree with her. But I think it's great to have young people actively engaged in politics. And I think that one of the things that we're seeing that's, I think, is fascinating, in the early months of this administration, something that I thought would take longer, frankly. And I think you're seeing people around the country, young people in particular, look at those tea parties we had a couple of weeks ago, people coming out just saying, wait a second here. There are a lot of things that we love about this nation and we don't want to see those things take away.

So I think that, you know, it's terrific to have people engaged in the process. I would encourage more people to get engaged and I think it's a good thing for the party.

O'DONNELL: Do you think Sarah Palin is the future of the Republican Party?

L. CHENEY: I think that Sarah Palin's terrific. I think that there are a lot of young, you know, leaders out there that we see, people in Congress. I'm a big fan of Adam Putnam, who I hope will one day run for governor of Florida. People like Eric Cantor, Paul Ryan. You know, we've got a lot of very smart, very talented, young members of Congress, some governors out there as well, who I really do think represent, you know, where the party will go in the future.

O'DONNELL: And given that 90 percent of John McCain's voters were white in this past election, do you acknowledge your party has a long way to go when it comes to minorities and reaching out to younger people, too?

L. CHENEY: I do think we have a lot to do. And I think that the Obama campaign was a masterful campaign. And I think the new techniques that they set out and that they implemented are ones that we need to be studying closely and learning from and stealing the next time around.

O'DONNELL: All right, Liz Cheney, thank you so much for joining us
here on MNSBC.

L. CHENEY: Thanks, Norah. Great to be here.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

GOP Leader Calls It Like It Is: Torture

While the Bush Administration liked to call it "enhanced interrogation techniques" or "harsh interrogation tactics," we like to call it like it is: torture. Odds are if the Khmer Rouge, Spanish Inquisition, etc. etc. used it, it's probably torture.

At any rate, while some of us remember that the United States used to hold itself to higher moral code, the GOP continues to approve of torture, under different names. At least, until now, when one of their own actually told it like it is, more or less.

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said, at a press conference in Washington, D.C.,

"Last week, they released these memos outlining torture techniques. That was clearly a political decision and ignored the advice of their Director of National Intelligence and their CIA director.

"This is another sideshow here in Washington. When it comes to what our interrogation techniques are going to be or should be, I'm not going to disclose, nor should anyone have a conversation about what those techniques ought to be. It's inappropriate. All it does is give our enemies more information about us than they need."

Regarding Boehner's use of the word "torture," Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said,

"It is clear from the context that Boehner was simply using liberals' verbiage to describe these interrogation techniques. The United States does not torture."

We don't? Ah, we don't now. The memos outlined waterboarding, slamming detainees into walls, and sleep deprivation, all things that human rights organizations, and most with common sense, would call torture.

As I said previously, the U.S. used to hold itself to a higher standard, and lead the world morally. A moral leader would not torture, nor would it try to hide behind arguments such as the definition of torture being unclear.

Pharmacy Admits Guilt in Death of Polo Ponies

Franck's Pharmacy in Ocala, Fla., admitted on Thursday that it was responsible for the deaths of 21 Venezuelan polo ponies by incorrectly preparing medication for the animals.

In a statement, Franck's Pharmacy said that the strength of one of the ingredients in the medication was incorrect.

Franck's Pharmacy did not elaborate on what the ingredient was.

The pharmacy's chief operations officer, Jennifer Beckett, added:

"We extend our most sincere condolences to the horses' owners, the Lechuza Polo team and the members of the United States Polo Association. We share their grief and sadness."

On Sunday, horses from the Venezuelan-owned Lechuza polo team began collapsing shortly before Sunday's U.S. Open match was scheduled to start, and in full view of a crowd of spectators at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington.

The captain of Lechuza Polo, Juan Martin Nero, pointed to the vitamins provided by Franck's Pharmacy earlier this week, as the only ponies that survived were ones that were not given a dose.

Ironically, the logo for Franck's Pharmacy says "Integrity, Reliability, Excellence." It shows that no matter how we all try, we are human, and humans make mistakes.

Melissa Huckaby Considered a Suspect in Two Arson Cases

The hits just keep on coming. Melissa Huckaby, already charged with murder including special circumstances in the Sandra Cantu case, and suspected of a second incident with another girl, now has arson to worry about.

La Palma police Capt. Jim Enright said that Melissa Huckaby, 28, was considered a "person of interest" in two fires set at a home where she rented a room in 2007. However, a gag order issued earlier this week by a San Joaquin County judge in the Sandra Cantu murder case prevented Enright from discussing Huckaby further.

Authorities said the two fires caused nearly $90,000 in damage. Although she was questioned, Huckaby was never charged in the crimes.

Shortly before Melissa Huckaby's arrest, Tracy police contacted La Palma police in order to find out about anything she had done in La Palma. Now the arson incidents are considered part of the murder investigation.

Melissa Huckaby is scheduled to appear in court Friday, at which time she is expected to enter her plea in the Cantu case.

Susan Boyle (Sort Of) Gets a Makeover

Many have said some of the charm of Susan Boyle is her "everyday" appearance. She definitely isn't a diva or egotistical, and many have said she should keep it that way. In other words, if she ends up in Hollywood, don't let if affect her. But oh, no! Reports are that she's undergone a makeover.

OK, OK, enough with the Susan Boyle makeover hyperbole. What, in reality, she did was to pluck her pretty significant eyebrows. She had previously said she wouldn't change, so some sites are making a big deal about this, all tongue-in-cheek (I think, and hope).

At the same time, however, Susan Boyle insists no real makeover. For example, she told Star magazine that although she thought looked 'like a garage' on TV she was 'happy the way I am - plump!'

Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden has said she wouldn't let Simon Cowell "change" Susan. Thoughts there are that as fellow judge Piers Morgan said, Simon's eyes have turned to dollar signs, and there is concern about him trying to seriously give her a makeover.

At this point, I don't think Susan Boyle's really going to change. But I suppose if there's a makeover, it'll happen between now and when Round 2 starts, so we'll see when she appears then.

If you've been under a rock, watch the video of her performance on Britain's Got Talent:

Policeman Arrests News Crew for Covering an Accident

Here we go again. Another example of a power-mad policeman.

In El Paso, TX, TV reporter Darren Hunt (pictured) and cameraman Ric Dupont were sent to report on a flipped semi on an interstate. They parked on the shoulder of the other side of the road.

Hunt tried to get information out of the men in fatigues, and seeing this, Sgt. Raul Ramirez ordered them to leave. Hunt persisted in trying to ask the men for information, and Ramirez jumped over the median barrier and began yelling, "Get in your truck and move!"

When Hunt replied (pointing to his cameraman) "He can shoot if he wants to," Ramirez rushed over and grabbed him, yelling "Do you want me to arrest you? I'm telling you something. I'm giving you an order."

Eventually it led to both Hunt and Dupont's arrest. Once at the precinct, however, they were nearly instantaneously released (someone had common sense, I guess).

Police Chief Greg Allen, after watching video of the incident, said:

"It kind of concerns me because the charge that the sergeant was out there supposedly enforcing appeared to be randomly being enforced. When you have the media and the public mingling together - definitely - if one is interfering then that means all of them are interfering. So if general citizens of the community are being allowed to stand by and watch what's going on, then the media should have as well."

Sgt. Ramirez has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation.

Items from Victims Found in "Craigslist Killer's" Apartment

All right, Megan McAllister, do you still believe your fiance, Phillip Markoff, is a "beautiful person?"

Reports are that police, after searching Philip Markoff's apartment in Quincy, MA Monday night, found "critical and powerful" evidence relating to the crimes he has been charged with. Those crimes include the murder of Julissa Brisman, and an attack on another Craigslist advertiser in a different hotel.

Sources tell AP the "evidence" found was items from belonging to both victims. Prosecutors also say they found a semiautomatic weapon at his home, as well as ammunition and materials exactly like those used in an attack on another masseuse in Boston.

Police are still trying to link Markoff with a different attack in Rhode Island, and have asked for the public to come forward if they have been attacked in a similar manner, but have not reported the crime.

Theories have arisen that Philip Markoff's motive was money. It's been rumored that he was in heavy debt from gambling losses. Markoff was arrested on Monday on Interstate 95 in Massachusetts as he and his fiancee drove to Foxwoods Resort Casino.

The casino and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation said in a statement:

"We do not release information publicly concerning individual patrons; however, we are aware of this situation and are cooperating with the appropriate law enforcement authorities."

A former lab partner of Philip Markoff said the 22-year-old medical student was prone to profound mood swings. Tiffany Montgomery said:

"One day, he'd be warm and friendly and smiling. And the next day you'd see him and the clouds had rolled in. And you'd say to yourself, 'This is the 50 percent of the week when it's the upset, brooding Phil, and not the smiling happy Phil.' "

Police have asked that any other alleged victims of Markoff contact police by calling 1-800-494-TIPS.

Watch a video report:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Robbers Get Off With Valuable Loot: Diapers

The recession has started to affect babies now. A couple pushed past a security guard as they exited a store with their valuable loot, a package of disposable diapers.

The theft occurred at a Spokane, WA Safeway on Saturday. A security guard stopped the couple, but the male robber man yelled, "Sorry," and then punched the guard, according to a Spokane County Sheriff's Office press release.

The guard grabbed at the man's shirt, but it ripped and the man was able to escape. According to the press release:

The Washington plate on the getaway vehicle was similar to 546YBG.

The security employee was not seriously injured in the assault and was able to provide the male suspect’s torn shirt, hat and watch to Westlake as evidence in the case. Value of the pilfered diapers was estimated at $18.

In what can only be said to be synchronicity, yesterday MSNBC had a story on how cloth diapers are making a comeback in this recession, as they are cheaper.

Touched the "Four Corners" in the U.S.? In Reality, You Haven't

Have you traveled to the Four Corners monument, so that you could position yourself in four states at once? In reality, you probably haven't.

The Four Corners Monument is located where the four states of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah touch. Except they don't, according to National Geodetic Survey officials.

The problem was in the initial survey of done on the location. It was inaccurate.

Naturally, with today's technology, we can be much more precise, and it turns out the Four Corners marker showing the intersection of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah is about 2.5 miles west of where it should be. The actual location is east of U.S. 160 in Colorado and northeast of the San Juan River as it flows into New Mexico.

Look at it this way: if touching the four corners was a life's goal, you have that goal back again.

Contaminated Candy Eaten When Woman Can't Decipher "8070574823 9A" Expiration Code

Three for $3 for Nestle's Goobers? I guess that's a good price; I personally have no idea. But Kashana Kollie thought it was a great deal, until she started eating them.

She bought the candy at a Florida Walgreen's. Box one was fine. Box two, not so much. Kollie told a local TV station:

"What I saw was something flew out of the box, something with wings flew out of the box ... I have no idea what kind of bug it was."

The box contained both larva and flies. Kollie called Nestle and was told the box was expired. The box didn't have a date on it, but rather a code that she read to Nestle: 8070574823 9A.

She was told the box was four months past expiration. Yes, it's really easy to translate that, isn't it.

Manufacturers have been asked for some time to conform to easily readable expiration codes, but obviously, that just hasn't happened (since it's not a law, natch).

"Craigslist Killer" Suspect a "Beautiful Person": Fiancee

Philip Markoff, a 22-year-old medical student who stands accused of luring women posting Craigslist ads for sensual services to, in one case, their deaths, has been called "a beautiful person inside and out" by Megan McAllister, the woman to who he is engaged to be married.

The Philip Markoff - Megan McAllister wedding, according to their website (since removed, I wonder why?), is scheduled for 115 days from yesterday.

Megan McAllister sent an email to ABC's Good Morning, America, in which she said that Philip Markoff "could not hurt a fly," and that he was "a beautiful person inside and out." Finally she added that their wedding is scheduled for August and that they expect to "share a wonderful, meaningful life together."

Philip Markoff, a Boston University student was arrested last night in connection with the death of Julissa Brisman (last week). She advertised massage services on Craigslist. He has also been charged in a prior attack on a different woman, and police suspect he may be involved in other crimes against women who posted similar ads on Craigslist. He has no prior criminal record.

Megan McAllister is not the only person to leap to Philip Markoff's defense. In an interview on "The Today Show," James Kehoe, one of Markoff’s best friends during his time as an undergrad at the University at Albany, said:

“He was one of my best friends in my dorm, in a dorm with a lot of people I didn’t connect with that much. He was one of the people that I felt I could really get along with. I felt like he was smart, an intellectual, nice, friendly guy.

“One of the things that kind of struck me about him was that he was for all intents and purposes a guy’s guy. I rarely saw him out with women. One of the normal things people do in college is find someone of the opposite sex to connect with. That was not something he wanted to do.”

In a somewhat damning statement, however, Kehoe noted that when he saw pictures taken by hotel security of the suspect in the cases, he was sure it was Philip Markoff.

“I just saw one picture. It didn’t take more than that. It was him.”

Watch "The Today Show" interview:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Rep. Tiahrt Backs Off His "Rush is An Entertainer" Comments

It took a few days but Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) is now backing off his comments of a few days ago regarding Rush Limbaugh.

When asked by a Kansas City Star Editorial Board member whether Limbaugh was now the "leader" of the GOP, Tiahrt had replied:

"No, no, he's just an entertainer."

You remember how well that went over when GOP chair Michael Steele basically said the same thing, right? Tiahrt spokesman Sam Sackett was quick to clarify on Monday:

"The congressman believes Rush is a great leader of the conservative movement in America — not a party leader responsible for election losses. Nothing the congressman said diminished the role Rush has played and continues to play in the conservative movement.”

As previously noted, others have made similar comments, attempting to distance the GOP from Limbaugh. For example, on Jan. 27th, Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA) stated that Limbaugh and other conservative pundits "stand back and throw bricks" rather than offering "real leadership." The very next day, he went on Limbaugh and offered his "sincere regret" for his statements.

It seems when people ask if Limbaugh is "leading" the GOP, you'd better answer yes.

"Craigslist Killer" Suspect Arrested; a Boston University Medical Student

22-year-old Philip Markoff has been charged in connection with two Craigslist attacks in the Boston area, including the murder of 29-year-old Julissa Brisman.

Julissa Brisman's body was found riddled with bullets inside a Marriott Copley Place hotel hotel room on April 14th.

Philip Markoff is a Boston University medical school student. He has also been charged in an attack on a second woman at the Westin Hotel in Boston on April 10th.

Two days after Julissa Brisman's murder, a third attack occurred at the Warwick (Rhode Island) Holiday Inn Express & Suites. It is unclear whether Markoff has been charged in connection with the Warwick attack.

In these cases it appears Markoff responded to ads the women had placed on Craigslist. These women were also advertising for massage or other sexual or sensual types of services.

Police believe other victims may exist and Boston Police commissioner Ed Davis asked other victim said:

"He is a predator. There may be other victims out there, and we want to help you."

Philip Markoff was apparently engaged to Megan McAllister; he and his fiancee have a website here. 115 days to the wedding? Probably not.

Watch a video report:

Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Case on Jury's Use of Bible

When I served on a jury, I was told there could be no research outside the evidence presented in the case. Thus, it's somewhat surprising that, despite what you may feel about Khristian Oliver, courts have not overturned his sentence.

Khristian Oliver murdered Joe Collins during a 1998 home robbery, shooting him, then smashing his head with a rifle butt while he lay in his front yard. While this might lead you to believe he deserved a death sentence, Texas jurors brought in Bibles when deliberating his sentence, and read Numbers 35:16-19, to each other. It says:

"And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death."

Since then, Oliver has appealed his sentence, but on Monday the Supreme Court refused to hear his case. Surprisingly, last year the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last year said jurors indeed wrongly used the Bible. Yet they failed to overturn the sentence, saying evidence failed to show if the jurors were prejudiced when they decided to sentence Oliver to death in 1999.

Whether or not you agree with the sentence, and it was in fact a heinous crime, since jurors can't read newpaper articles, search the Internet, etc. etc., do you readers feel this is a fair sentence?

Virginia Using Zig-Zag Road Lines to Slow Motorists

Zig-zag lines are being painted intentionally in Virginia in an effort to get drivers to slow down. The 500 feet of Belmont Ridge Road, where it intersects with the Washington and Old Dominion trail in Loudoun County, is a high pedestrian traffic and bicycle traffic area.

Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) Mike Salmon said:

"It is a low cost strategy to get motorists to slow down as they approach the bike trail and pedestrian path. While at first motorists may be a little disoriented, the main point is to get them to pay attention and slow down through that area."

Apparently similar programs have been successful in the U.K. and Australia. VDOT will study the effect of the zig-zagging lines for a year to see if they actually reduce speeds.

Report: "Slumdog Millionaire" Actress' Father Tries to Sell Her

Rubina Ali, who played young Latika in the Oscar-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire," was apparently offered for adoption by her father to undercover reporters from Britain’s News of the World, for a mere £200,000 or nearly $300,000.

Rafiq Qureshi stated:

"I have to consider what's best for me, my family and Rubina's future."

Sadly, best for all of the above appears to be selling off to the highest bidder, in the hopes of cashing in on her celebrity later.

Rubina Ali was recently in a commercial for a carbonated water and ginger ale company with Nicole Kidman, so he might want to consider long-term over short-term profitability, if he's thinking of her like a stock.

While Rafiq Qureshi has previously stated that that he and his family got nothing from Ali’s role in the movie, and while it's true they certainly didn't make millions, there were salaries for the film, as well as trusts for Ali and for fellow young star Azharuddin Ismail which were established.

Ah, yes, he probably can't access that trust ... though her celebrity might "pay off" for him in the future.

Make Up Your Mind, West Paterson, NJ ... Or Whatever Your Name Is

What's in a name? I guess these New Jersey voters seem to think the answer to that question is "a lot."

Last November, West Paterson, NJ voters narrowly passed a referendum last November to change the Passaic County town's name to Woodland Park. However, as the passage was very narrow, it appears there are some trying to get another referendum on the ballot to change the name back.

The report comes from some of supporters of the first name change.

Those who want the West Paterson name back are trying hard; they even have their own website. They also claim that the fact that many street signs have not been changed yet is a tacit endorsement by officials that they want the original name back.

However, officials state that they decided to gradually implement the name change to save money. Makes sense to me!

What doesn't make sense is why they wanted to change the name in the first place, and also that residents rejected new names for the town at least three other times in its history.

Make up your minds!

Who Knew? Capone Was a Romantic

Al Capone, noted Chicago gangland kingpin, was actually a romantic. A Boston archives dealer attempts to sell an inscribed copy of an original song penned by the gangster for $65,000.

The song, "Madonna Mia," is believed to be a song for his wife, Mae. It is the only song Capone is known to have written. Some of the lyrics are:

"Madonna Mia, you're the bloom of the roses, you're the charm that reposes, in the heart of a song

Madonna Mia, with your true love to guide me, let whatever be-tide me, I will never go wrong."

Ok, no one said he was good.

On the other hand, CaponeFanClub.com seems to like the song, and they're planning a CD release in May (what, no iTunes?). Seriously.

Ten Years Later: Columbine

It's hard to believe, but Monday, April 20th is the 10th anniversary of the Columbine High School Massacre. Columbine High School is in Columbine in unincorporated Jefferson County, Colorado, near Denver and Littleton. Two students, Eric Harris (left above) and Dylan Klebold, went on a murderous spree, killing 12 students and a teacher, as well as wounding 23 others, before committing suicide.

In the United States, at least, very little has changed. The NRA and conservatives continue to trumpet for unassailable gun rights, when a little common sense might tell people that no private individual really needs (as opposed to wants) access to an AK-47.

In face, in the 10 years since the events, not just America, but the world have seen many more mass shootings, including the Virgina Tech massacre, and recent killings in Santa Clara, CA, an immigration center in New York, and Albertville school in Germany, to name a very few.

The Columbine massacre took place in two phases. In fact, it was supposed to be much more than a series of shootings. The pair had planned to blow up the school. They had two 20 pound propane bombs set to explode at approximately 11:17 AM planted in the cafeteria. When the bombs failed to explode, they fell back on their weapons.

One person met with some mercy by the pair. Harris encountered Brooks Brown, a classmate with whom he'd recently patched up a relationship Harris then warned him, "Brooks, I like you now. Get out of here. Go home." And Brown did, leaving the school.

The first phase began near the West Entrance to the high school, as the pair began shooting those they came upon. Those killed in the first phase were: Rachel Scott, age 17; Daniel Rohrbough, age 15; and Dave Sanders, the only teacher killed, age 47.

The second began when Klebold and Harris entered the school library, where 52 students, 2 teachers, and 2 librarians were hiding. It was in the library that the majority of the killings occurred. Those killed in the library: Kyle Velasquez, age 16; Steven Curnow, age 14; Cassie Bernall, age 17; Isaiah Shoels, age 18; Matthew Kechter, age 16; Lauren Townsend, age 18; John Tomlin, age 16; Kelly Fleming, age 16; Daniel Mauser, age 15; and Corey DePooter, age 17.

While many have struggled with closure and with their inner demons, one person faces his fears and memories every school day. After all this time, Columbine High School principal Frank DeAngelis is still at the school. He has vowed to retire after the last of the students who were in kindergarten the year of the bloodshed have graduated in 2012. He did, however, give serious thought to retiring after this year's 10 year anniversary.

Watch a video report:

Fiancee Allowed to Harvest Dead Lover's Sperm

It seems getting sperm from someone dead is becoming the norm, although I must admit, I find this easier to handle than the story I wrote about previously, where a mother wanted her dead son's sperm.

In the prior case, Marissa Evans, 42, wanted the sperm of her deceased son, Nikolas Colton Evans, 21, in order to have the option of having grandchildren someday through a surrogate.

In this case, Johnny Quintana was only 31 when he died of an apparent heart attack. He already had a two-year-old son with fiancee Gisela Marrero. And as they had recently discussed a second child, she thought, why not?

Well, the why not was that since they were not married, she needed to get the permission of both Quintana's parents and a judge to "harvest" his sperm. It was done, but Quintana died at 4 AM Thursday, and the order wasn't signed until Friday.

The more time that passed, the less likely that posthumous sperm retrieval would yield usable sperm. Marrero will not know until Tuesday if the procedure was performed in time.

Susan Boyle on Larry King: "My Heart Will Go On" and More

I hope I don't have to tell you about Susan Boyle, the Internet sensation who was first ridiculed, then applauded, on Britain's Got Talent. Last night she appeared on Larry King Live, and besides the interview, she got a date and sang "My Heart Will Go On" a capella.

During her interview, it was noted that Susan Boyle had "a few months" of singing lessons over a two-year span. Only a few months!

During the interview, Britain’s Got Talent judge Piers Morgan joined in the discussion, admitting that he and fellow judges Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell had judged "a book by its cover" as did the audience. Morgan also apologized to the singer.

Larry King said asked Morgan if he thought, even without winning the contest, Susan Boyle should be able to get a contract right now. Morgan said that he sees a contract in her future, a #1 album, a world tour, and more.

Piers Morgan also commented on the "speed and breadth" of her success in going to "global super stardom" in just a few days.

Meanwhile, Susan Boyle remained self-effacing, saying they needed to see how things played out.

Her Internet celebrity almost guarantees a sell-out, if you ask me (and many).

Here's the first part of her interview with Larry King:

Here's is Susan Boyle singing "My Heart Will Go On," and getting a date with Piers Morgan!:

Iran Convicts Iranian-American Journalist of Spying for the U.S.

Roxana Saberi, a 31-year-old dual American-Iranian citizen and journalist, has been convicted in Iran of espionage, and sentenced to 8 years in prison.

Roxana Saberi was arrested in late January; initial reports were that she was accused of working with expired press credentials. Very recently, however, either the true charges were revealed or additional charges were file: espionage against Iran and for the United States.

Saberi has reported a number of news agenceies, including NPR and the BBC, and has been jailed at Evin Prison in Iran since Jan. 31.

The deputy director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, Robert Mahoney, said:

"We believe that Roxana Saberi's trial was not transparent. And it does not seem that she has been treated fairly. We would call on the Iranian authorities to release her on bail pending appeal because we believe she should not be confined in Evin prison."

Some feel this is simply just an obvious example of saber-rattling by Iran against the U.S., by imprisoning an American journalist. At a time where the Obama administration is willing, with restrictions, to talk to Iran, this wouldn't seem a good move.

The conviction of Saberi raises the question: how, if at all, will Washington react to the conviction. On Thursday, prior to news of the conviction, the State Department said Saberi's jailing was not helpful in efforts to thaw relations, and that Iran would gain U.S. goodwill if it "responded in a positive way" to the case. It doesn't appear that Iran took that to heart.

In a statement released Saturday, Vivian Schiller, the president and CEO of NPR, said:

“We are deeply distressed by this harsh and unwarranted sentence. We know her as an established and respected professional journalist.”

Saberi's lawyer, Abdolsamad Khorramshahi, said he would appeal the sentence.

The Force is Strong in Strathclyde Police

Despite what you might think, or hope, this is no joke. Britain's version of the Freedom of Information Act, along with a publication called Jane's Police Review has revealed that eight members of the Strathclyde police, Scotland's largest force, are members of The Jedi Church.

And yes, there really is a Jedi Church. They say:

The Jedi Church believes that there is one all powerful force that binds all things in the universe together. The Jedi religion is something innate inside everone of us, the Jedi Church believes that our sense of morailty (sic) is innate. So quiet your mind and listen to the force within you!

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police confirmed to the BBC:

"At the time of the request, 10 (eight police officers and two police staff) had recorded their religion as Jedi."

According to the BBC, about 390,000 people listed their religion as Jedi in the 2001 Census for England and Wales, while Scotland reported 14,000 Jedi.

Get the Apology Ready! GOP Rep Says Limbaugh's "Just an Entertainer"

Oh, oh. Remember what happened to GOP Party Chair Michael Steele? U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt (D-KS) just said something that's bound to attract anger and more from Rush Limbaugh.

Tiahrt was asked by a Kansas City Star Editorial Board member whether Limbaugh was now the "leader" of the GOP. He replied:

"No, no, he's just an entertainer."

You can see it coming already. When Michael Steel, GOP Party Chair said the following, he was soon thereafter forced to retract it:

"Rush Limbaugh is an entertainer. Rush Limbaugh's whole thing is entertainment. Yes, it is incendiary. Yes, it is ugly."

Rush ripped Steele a new one, and Steele apologized. So, as I said, Tiahrt needs to start writing up his apology, and now.

Woman Tapes Dog to Refrigerator

A Boulder, CO woman has been accused of taping a Shiba Inu dog to the refrigerator, as revenge against her boyfriend.

If convicted, the woman, Abby Toll, 20, could serve up to 18 months in jail and have to pay a $1,000 fine.

The 8-month-old Shiba Inu, Rex, belongs to Toll's 21-year-old boyfriend, Bryan Beck. In addition, Toll faces assault charges in connection to the fight between herself and Beck, as well as possible heroin possession charges (police found race amounts of heroin while she was being booked into jail).

Both Rex and Toll's Chihuahua, Peanut, are now at the Boulder Valley Humane Society.

Toll reportedly used packing tape and elastic hair ties to tie up Rex's legs, tail and snout, then used more tape to stick the dog to the appliance. Dunno why she didn't try Velcro on his fur.

Beck himself faces a domestic violence charge.

EPA Declares Greenhouse Gases a Health Threat

On Friday, responding to the 2007 Supreme Court decision which required a scientific review of greenhouse gases (GHGs), the EPA issued a proposed finding statement citing GHGs as a health threat.

The proposed finding now moves to a 60-day public comment period before being finalized. You can bet all the lobbyists and industry will be all over this one.

That said, nice to see science finally return to the government.

In a statement, the EPA said:

“This finding confirms that greenhouse gas pollution is a serious problem now and for future generations. Fortunately, it follows President Obama’s call for a low carbon economy and strong leadership in Congress on clean energy and climate legislation. This pollution problem has a solution – one that will create millions of green jobs and end our country’s dependence on foreign oil.

In both magnitude and probability, climate change is an enormous problem. The greenhouse gases that are responsible for it endanger public health and welfare within the meaning of the Clean Air Act.”

The press release goes on to state:

The scientific analysis also confirms that climate change impacts human health in several ways. Findings from a recent EPA study titled “Assessment of the Impacts of Global Change on Regional U.S. Air Quality: A Synthesis of Climate Change Impacts on Ground-Level Ozone,” for example, suggest that climate change may lead to higher concentrations of ground-level ozone, a harmful pollutant. Additional impacts of climate change include, but are not limited to:

• increased drought;
  
• more heavy downpours and flooding;
  
• more frequent and intense heat waves and wildfires;
  
• greater sea level rise;
  
• more intense storms; and
  
• harm to water resources, agriculture, wildlife and ecosystems.

Many feel that while the EPA could itself begin regulating GHGs, what is more likely is for this finding to fuel moves to get Congress to pass regulations involving cap-and-trade solutions, as recommended by President Barack Obama's administration.

"Cry Me a River" Susan Boyle Recording Unearthed

The hits just keep on coming for Britain's Got Talent sensation Susan Boyle. While initially ridiculed when she came onstage, her vocal talents just wowed not only the judges, but the audience as well (watch below), with her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables.

Susan Boyle has also been inundated with interview requests; she's already done 60 interviews with media outlets around the world and is apparently now slated for Oprah Winfrey and Larry King.

In fact, Susan Boyle is slated to appear on Larry King Live tonight (in the U.S.), according to King's website.

Despite the worldwide attention and popularity of Susan Boyle, at the same time, Simon Cowell has been very careful to state the deal is not done yet. He said:

"There are some acts that you haven't seen yet – it's not quite the one horse race you are going to think this is."

To be frank, Susan Boyle is definitely not a looker. In fact, she has never been on a date, nor been kissed. But I would think that even if she does not win, she is bound to get a contract. At least, I am rooting for her.

Finally, the Daily Record has unearthed a recording Susan Boyle made 10 years ago for a charity CD of "Cry Me a River." It makes you wonder why she has not been signed to a record deal before, although I know, I know, perhaps the answer is obvious, and should make us realize you should not judge a book by its cover.

Cry Me a River:


I Dreamed a Dream:

Waiter! There's Menstrual Blood in My Soup

An Indonesia maid has been accused of attempting to "poison" her Hong Kong employer with menstrual blood that she added to her meal. In some southeast Asian cultures, menstrual blood is thought to have special powers. Indra Ningsih, 26, believed that mixing the blood into a pot of vegetables she was cooking for her Chinese employer would make her "more amiable and less picky" towards her.

Prosecutor Vincent Lee said Ningsih's employer, surnamed Mok, became alarmed when she noticed the maid acting suspiciously. Entering the kitchen, Mok saw the accused throwing something into the trash bin, as well as blood clot-like substances mixed with the vegetables and water in the cooking pan.

Mok later discovered a used sanitary napkin in the bin and called the police.

Ningsih has been charged with one count of "administering poison or other destructive or noxious substances with intent to injure" and was was remanded in custody until May 13.

Man Urinates on Woman During Flight

Look, with some airlines looking to charge a fee for using the restroom during a flight, does this really surprise you? Seriously though, it appears this person was drunk.

Jerome Kenneth Kingzio, 28, was headed to Hawaii on March 21st. In the middle of the flight, he stood up and began urinating on the 66-year-old victium, who was heading for a scuba diving vacation, but was unfortunately not wearing her wet suit.

She was, however, watching a movie, perhaps A River Runs Through It?

Kingzio was sentenced to three weeks in jail.

Sob! John Madden Retires from Broadcasting

NBC Sports announced on Thursday that John Madden, 73, Hall of Fame coach and one of the the most honored broadcasters in sports television history, has decided to retire from broadcasting.

As a head coach, John Madden compiled a 103-32-7 record and one Super Bowl win, in 1977.

In a statement, John Madden said:

"It’s time. I’m 73 years old. My 50th wedding anniversary is this fall. I have two great sons and their families and my five grandchildren are at an age now when they know when I’m home and, more importantly, when I’m not ...

It’s been such a great ride ... the NFL has been my life for more than 40 years, it has been my passion – it still is. I appreciate all of the people who are and were such an important part of the most enjoyable, most fun anyone could have… that great life with the teams, the players, the coaches, the owners, the League… my broadcasting partners Pat and Al… the production people and the fans …is still great… it’s still fun and that’s what it makes it hard and that’s why it took me a few months to make a decision.

I still love every part of it – the travel, the practices, the game film, the games, seeing old friends and meeting new people… but I know this is the right time."

During his broadcasting career, John Madden worked for CBS (first), Fox, ABC (on Monday Night Football), and finally on NBC. He was nominated for 18 Emmys, winning 16.

In addition to his broadcasting and coaching career, John Madden’s EA Sports video game “Madden NFL Football” is the No. 1 selling sports video game of all-time with more than 65 million copies of different versions sold since its release 20 years ago.

Madden also has considerable presence in advertising, as well.

John Madden was born on April 10, 1936 in Austin, Minn., raised in Daly City, CA, and now lives in Pleasanton, CA, with his wife, Virginia. The couple has two sons and five grandchildren.

Watch a video report:

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Wrong Melissa Huckaby Harassed, Threatened in Cantu Case

An unfortunately named Manteca, CA woman has been harassed by reporters and others, as she not only shares the same name as Melissa Huckaby of Tracy, CA, she is also a Sunday School teacher (like the accused), and lives only 14 miles from Tracy.

The similarities are uncanny:

Melissa Chantel Huckaby, accused of murdering 8-year-old Sandra Cantu, is 28, a Sunday school teacher and is a single mom with a 5-year-old daughter.

Innocent Melissa Suzanne Huckaby is 28, a Sunday school teacher and is a single mom with a 5-year-old daughter.

How eerie (and for Melissa Suzanne Huckaby, frightening) is that?

She has received death threats, removed her MySpace page for obvious reasons, received request for interviews, all because of the mix-up. Melissa Suzanne Huckaby has even started hyphenating her name, using the surname of her ex-husband, Furdala (Huckaby-Furdala).

She told a local paper, the Tracy Press:

“I get death threats all the time. I’ve had news vans at my house — my picture has been all over the media. I’m honestly scared for my safety.”

Her mother, Cyndi, pictured above left with Huckaby-Fudala, said:

"All it takes is for one person to take matters into their own hands. All of a sudden our lives are turned around. And it’s not our fault.

"We’re just as devastated as everyone else. And now we have to worry about this, about my daughter’s safety. This is definitely not a 15 minutes of fame I would ever wish on anybody."

One also has to wonder about the safety of Huckaby-Fudala's two daughters (she has a second) as well as the possible teasing, and more, they may face in school. Hopefully, this will all blow over as people realize the reality (and X-Files type weirdness) of the situation.

Economy Tanks, But CEOs Still Get Raises

How many of you have received that "no raises this year" message from the executives at your company? Isn't it comforting to know we're all in this together. Oh, wait, maybe not CEOs, after all.

According to an AFL-CIO survey, despite billions of taxpayer dollars to bail out their companies, and while most of us got no raise, or worse, were laid off, CEOs still had it good in 2008.

The executive pay study of major companies calculated compensation that included stock options granted to CEOs but not yet vested. Looking at the average CEO pay, it went down from $11.07 million in 2007 to $10.4 million. I'm sure they're having trouble making ends meet.

But using the median income rather than average, the median salary for CEOs actually rose 4.5% in 2008. And let's not forget the somewhat vague "other executive perks," which perks went up, on average, 12.5% in 2008 to $336,248, or as the AFL-CIO notes, 9x the median salary of a full-time worker.

If you are as upset about this as I am, you can also check out the AFL-CIO's new web game, "Boot the CEO."

Nurse Called Out of Surgery to be Fired

That's one tough economy! A nurse at Dean Health's West Clinic in Madison, WI was called out of surgery so she could be handed a pink slip.

This is the same Dean Health Systems that's been experiencing fallout over recent layoffs.

Dean Health said the surgery was minor and the patient wasn't affected. However, there was a period of time in which a nurse was not present during the surgery, which is a violation of patient care procedures, Dean Health spokesman Paul Pitas said.

It is unclear exactly what type of surgery was being performed on the patient.

United Posts Policy on "Super-Sized Passengers"

This has been brought up before, and not just for United Airlines, but the additional girth that passengers are carrying nowadays mean that some of them are a bit "super-sized" for airline seats. You know what I mean. Starting today, United Airlines has a new set of policies in place for "passengers requiring extra space."

While some other airlines have similar policies, United didn't, so it's nice to them, as they said, "align themselves" with other major airlines. The policy applies to tickets purchased on or after March 4, 2009, for travel on or after April 15, 2009.

Customers who fall into one or more of the below:

• are unable to fit into a single seat in the ticketed cabin;
• are unable to properly buckle the seatbelt using a single seatbelt extender;
• and/or are unable to put the seat’s armrests down when seated

must either purchase a ticket for an additional seat, or purchase an upgrade to a cabin with seats that address the above. Refuse to upgrade or buy and a passenger will be booted from the flight.

The good thing for size-challenged people is that:

Checked baggage policies apply per seat, so any checked baggage allowances will be multiplied by the number of tickets purchased.

This means they could bring some luggage with them filled with extra food!

Seriously though, anyone who's sat next to a super-sized passenger and finds themselves elbowed --- or stomached --- out of some of his personal space will surely approve of this.

Did Sen. Burr Encourage a Run On Banks?

Did Sen. Richard Burr, (R-NC), stick his foot in his mouth and subtly encourage his constituents to make a run on banks, fearing the worst? ThinkProgress notes that Burr said the following during a speech on the economy Monday night:

During a speech on the economy last night, [Sen. Richard] Burr related his immediate reaction the week the crisis began.

“On Friday night, I called my wife and I said, ‘Brooke, I am not coming home this weekend. I will call you on Monday. Tonight, I want you to go to the ATM machine, and I want you to draw out everything it will let you take. And I want you to tomorrow, and I want you to go Sunday.’ I was convinced on Friday night that if you put a plastic card in an ATM machine the last thing you were going to get was cash.”

It should be noted that this was Burr's reaction the week this economic mess started. However, talking of it in front of the public: not the smartest thing he could have done.

After all, with the FDIC in place, your money is safe, although it may take some time to get to it in the event of a bank collapse. If that's what he's worried about, he should tell people to spread their money around. If you want safety, don't keep it under a mattress; keep it in more than one FDIC-insured banks.

Burr's also not aware that an ATM machine is hardly the most efficient way to get your money out. Unless, perhaps, he has one of those accounts where you are charged if you actually enter the bank and talk to a teller (they exist!).

At any rate, you would think someone U.S. citizens elected to office should have more brains than this. Want to see a run on a bank and see what it can do (while still enjoying a good movie)? Watch It's a Wonderful Life.

We don't want panic. As FDR said:

the only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.

Colbert Gets a NASA Treadmill, Not ISS Node, Named After Him

While Stephen Colbert easily won NASA's online voting contest to name the new node for the International Space Station, he didn't quite get everything he wanted last night on the Colbert Report. Astronaut Sunita Williams came on his show to announce the winner, and it was ...

Tranquility. However, Stephen Colbert did not go away empty-handed: a treadmill was named after him. After all, he was assured that his name would be in space. It will be the "Combined Operational Load-Bearing External Resistive Treadmill" or Colbert.

Hey, it could have been worse: he could have wound up with a toilet named after him.

Colbert was actually happier than you might think. After all, the node is just a "box for the treadmill."

And as Williams said:

"Everyday somebody will have to jump on the Colbert to work out. Somebody will say, 'I have to jump on Colbert'."

Watch the segment:

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Space Module: Colbert - Sunita Williams
colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor NASA Name Contest

Violent Protests Over Afghanistan's "Marital Rape" Law

Violence erupted today during a protest of a law passed last month in Afghanistan that has several affects, one of which is regulating when and why a wife may leave her home alone. But the more controversial portion of the law, which many say constitutes marital rape, states that a husband can demand sex with his wife every four days unless she is ill or would be harmed by intercourse.

On Wednesday, women's rights advocates scheduled a protest in Kabul, the country's capital. Most of the protesters were young women. However, they were pelted with rocks and shouted down by counter-protesters, who approve of the law, and those included both men and women.

There were, according to reports, approximately 300 protesters, but 1,000 counter-protesters.

Supporters of the law say it gives women more rights through precise definition. But protester Sima Ghani, told the BBC:

"We actually see it as a law that is limiting women's rights ... We all stand against this law, we want a reform of the law, we want a revisit of it and overturn of it."

Other protesters shouted:

"We don't want a Taliban law, we want a democratic law and we want a law that guarantees human dignity."

Counter-protesters said, for example:

• "Opposing this law is opposing Islam, the religion and the constitution."
• "We are Muslims and we want our law based on our religious beliefs."

The law covers members of Afghanistan's Shia minority, and a separate family law for the Sunni majority is also being drawn up.

President Hamid Karzai signed the law into effect, but he has called for quick review after global criticism erupted.

Polish Politician Fumes Over "Gay" Elephant

While many deny that homosexuality in animals exists, don't tell that to Michal Grzes.

Michal Grzes is a councilor from Poznan in western Poland. He's concerned that the zoo's latest acquisition, Ninio, a 10-year-old elephant, may have been a big waste of money. A big waste of money means 37 million zlotys or a little over $10 million.

Grzes said:

"We didn't pay 37 million zlotys for the largest elephant house in Europe to have a gay elephant live there. We were supposed to have a herd, but as Ninio prefers male friends over females how will he produce offspring?"

The head zookeeper of the Poznan zoo said Ninio may be too young to decide whether he prefers males or females. Elephants only reach sexual maturity at 14.

Poor Twittering Office Chair Tweets Owner's Gas

Pity this poor office chair. It's been rigged up, with a sensor to detect gas, no less, to send a tweet whenever its owner, Randy Sarafan, has a bout of flatulence. And to think some people think Twitter is a waste of time.

As Sarafan says on one of the instruction pages (yes, you can build your own):

I am not going to lie, I am a gassy individual. Since my flatulence is a part of life, it would be fraudulent of me to document life as it happens without documenting these occurrences.

There are 10 random tweets that are sent upon a gaseous eruption.

• He farted again with success and vigor. Woest me.
• Pfffffffffft
• Ugh. That was a gross one
• Someone please disassemble me
• If I could puke my foam stuffing, I would
• I wish I were some other chair
• He farted right on me again
• Didn't hear that coming
• allow me to repeat... ppppfffffffffftttttttttttt
• It wasn't always like this

Currently there are 1,353 followers of the feed; feel free to join if you enjoy such things.

Suleman's Octuplets Now All at Home

The last of Nadya Suleman's octuplets has been released from the hospital, and I'm trying to decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Certainly it means the octuplet mom now won't have to travel to screw up her kids' lives.

Jonah was the smallest of the octuplets; they were born nine weeks premature on Jan. 26 at a Kaiser Permanente hospital.

While initially hailed as a miraculous birth, the public's opinion of Suleman turned sour once it was revealed that she already had six children, and that all 14 were produced via in vitro fertilization, with Suleman a single mom.

The full list of her children, with the octuplets at the bottom of the list (in order of birth) is (last name is the surname of the sperm donor, who was the father of all of the children):

• 7-year-old Elijah Makai Solomon (boy)
• 6-year-old Amerah Yasmeen Solomon (girl)
• 5-year-old Joshua Jacob Solomon (boy)
• 3-year-old Aiden Solomon (boy)
• 2-year-old Calyssa Arielle Solomon (girl, twin)
• 2-year-old Caleb Kai Solomon (boy, twin)
• Noah Angel Solomon - male; 2 lbs 8 oz
• Maliyah Angel Solomon - female; 2 lbs 2 oz
• Isaiah Angel Solomon - male; 3 lbs 1 oz
• Nariyah Angel Solomon - female; 2 lbs 3 oz
• Makai Angel Solomon - male; 1 lbs 12 oz
• Josiah Angel Solomon - male; 2 lbs 9 oz
• Jeremiah Angel Solomon - male; 1 lb 13 oz
• Jonah Angel Solomon - male; 2 lbs 7 oz

Suleman is known to be close to a deal for a reality TV show, which is yet another nail in the coffin of public opinion. And she reportedly wants to make sure the show is not her only income; she wants endorsements and a book deal as well.

How capitalistic of her! How does it make you feel knowing this woman, who seems to be in need of some help (and I don't mean babysitting), could end up wealthy?

Taliban Executes Teens for Trying to Elope

Taliban gunmen in the remote district of Khash Rod in southern Afghanistan executed a young couple for trying to elope, Hashim Noorzai, head of Khash Rud district of Nimroz province said Tuesday.

The girl, Gulsima, 14, had been unhappily engaged to marry when she fell in love with Aziz, aged 17. The two attempted to flee the village of Lokhi to Iran and marriage, but were caught and returned.

A council of elders deadlocked on how to resolve the issue, with half saying execution and half saying marriage. Definitely 180 degrees opposed. Unlike U.S. courts, there was no mistrial. Instead, local Taliban stepped in, overruled the council and declared the pair must be executed.

The pair was shot with AK-47 assault rifles in a public execution.

Ghulam Dastageer Azad, governor of the province, called the execution an "insult to Islam."

Burger King Ad "Lost in Translation," Causes Furor

An advertisement for Burger King's Texican Whopper burger that has run in Spain has created a large problem for the company.

The Texican Whopper is a flame-grilled Whopper topped with taco-coated chili con carne, spicy jalapenos, onion, lettuce and Cajun mayonnaise. The problem comes in the ad, which depicts a tall cowboy and a ... well, short Mexican wrestler, and describes the burger as:

"the taste of Texas with a little spicy Mexican."

Ouch. Burger King didn't help itself with its print ad (above), which shows the wrestler apparently wearing a Mexican flag as a cloak. Mexico has strict rules about use of its national flag.

Mexico's ambassador Jorge Zermeño wrote a letter to Burger King saying the ad "improperly used the stereotypical image of Mexicans." He also asked Burger King to pull the ad and apologize.

While admittedly the ad might be considered humorous, one has to ask "what were they thinking?"

Watch the ad:

Former Porn Star Marilyn Chambers Found Dead at 56

Marilyn Chambers, former XXX movie actress, was found dead Sunday her Canyon Country SoCal home. She was 56.

Marilyn Chambers was first a model for Ivory Snow detergent, but later moved into adult films. Her biggest film, and once of the most famous of all time, was "Behind the Green Door."

Marilyn Chambers was found Sunday night by her 17-year-old daughter. Foul play is not suspected, but the cause of death has not yet been determined.

Behind the Green Door premiered in 1972. Like the other adult film "Deep Throat," it was one of the first adult movies to move into a more polished format.

Because of the notoriety of Chambers, there was a run on boxes of Ivory Snow, which featured a photo of her (shown).

Fir Tree Removed From Patient's Lung

It seems like something out of a science fiction movie, but it seems to be real. Of course, it happened in Russia so perhaps it was some top-secret project.

According to MosNews, 28-year-old patient, Artyom Sidorkin, came to a hospital in the city of Izhevsk in Central Russia last week, complaining of pain and coughing up blood.

They detected a tumor via x-ray, but when they cut into the tissue, they saw to see green needles in the cut. Yes, it was a 5-cm long fir tree branch.

Vladimir Kamashev, doctor at the Udmurtian Cancer Center said:

“I blinked three times, and thought I was seeing things. Then I called the assistant to have a look."

The five-centimeter branch was removed from the patient’s body. The fir tree needles had been poking against his capillaries, cauing him pain and bleeding.

Doctors have suggested a bud was inhaled and then started to grow inside the patient. The piece of lung with the little fir tree has been preserved for further study. To me, it still sounds like sci-fi, but it's a good thing the patient didn't wait much longer.

The Duggars are at It Again: First Grandchild Announced

The Duggar family, who almost singlehandedly seem to be overpopulating the world (with the possible exception of Nadya Suleman), have announced another addition to the world. This time, however, it's a grandchild.

Josh Duggar, 21, is the eldest of Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar's 18 children. He has announced that he and his wife, Anna, are expecting a baby on Oct. 18. This would be the first Duggar grandchild.

The lives of the Duggar family are detailed on the TLC show "18 Kids and Counting" (nee "17 Kids and Counting." Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are the parents, with 18 children: Josh, Jana, John-David, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jedidiah, Jeremiah, Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah, Jennifer, and Jordyn-Grace.

Just a second there! I wonder if Josh and Anna will deviate from the "J" trend when naming their child.

While they may have more than their share of children, at least they have both a mother and father in the family, and didn't do it via in vitro, as the aforementioned Suleman did.

Soldier Shot, Killed While Teaching Wife Gun Safety

Now this is one of those cases that might end up on Forensic Files or Cold Case Files. You know, someone says they accidentally shot someone, when in reality, it was cold-blooded murder. After all, this sounds pretty darn fishy.

I mean, I've seen cases on Forensic Files that sound just like this! The couple went out with friends, and for some reason, when they got home, the Fort Lewis, Washington soldier decided to teach his wife how to use a gun, and the gun accidentally discharged while she was holding it, shooting him in the head.

Deputies were called at 1:30 AM. So they decided to do the lesson at 1:00 AM or so? Like I said, really fishy, and oh, so similar to stuff I've seen on real-life crime shows. Still, it could be an accident.

Reports are the wife is not currently a suspect, but an investigation is continuing.

Parents File Lawsuit Against Driver in ATV Incident Despite Police Report

A Pettis County, Missouri family has sued the truck driver who accidentally hit their 10-year-old daughter when she ran the ATV she was riding in front of his truck, despite the fact that the police have already said he had no chance to avoid the child.

Last July, Jordan Keith, 10, was riding the ATV in her yard. However, she swerved into the road and drove in front of a pickup truck driven by Richard Robertson, 61, of Sedalia. She suffered massive internal injuries and later died.

Robertson was not charged. Pettis County Sheriff Kevin Bond said charges were not filed because the investigation determined that Jordan Keith:

"ran out into the road in front of the vehicle, and he just couldn't stop in time. It appeared that there wasn't anything reckless on the part of the driver of the vehicle. It was a really bad situation and a tragic death."

Despite this, Michael and Lesli Keith, Jordan's parents, have sued. The lawsuit filed in Pettis County Circuit Court alleges that Robertson failed to "stop, swerve, slow or sound a warning" as he approached Jordan Keith, and that he "failed to keep a careful lookout and drove at an excessive speed leading up to the accident."

Last time I read my Driver's Handbook I didn't see it note anywhere that I had to honk my horn when approaching someone in their yard (when I am in the street). In fact, sounding your horn in a non-emergency situation is in fact a violation, in my state (which of course, could be different than Missouri).

And since the police department already said Robertson was not at fault, I don't see much merit in this case. Then again, this is America, possibly the most litigious country in the world.

Woman Attacked After Leaping Into Polar Bear Exhibit

A 32-year-old woman who jumped into the polar bear exhibit at the Berlin Zoo Friday afternoon was attacked and mauled, though later rescued.

The woman picked the worst possible time: the bears' feeding time.

The woman swam toward the bears (pictured above), and despite attempts to distract the bears by zookeepers, the woman was bitten several times on her arms and legs.

She was not bitten by Knut, the polar bear who became famous as a cub. The unnamed was taken to a hospital for treatment where she is now recovering after undergoing surgery to heal her wounds.

It is pretty obvious: this woman definitely needs some psychiatric help. Let's hope she gets it. Watch the video below:

Texas State Rep. "Apologizes" for Remark About Asian Names

Texas State Rep. Betty Brown apologized for remarks she made earlier in the week, in which she said the following:

“Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese - I understand it’s a rather difficult language - do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here?

“Can’t you see that this is something that would make it a lot easier for you and the people who are poll workers if you could adopt a name just for identification purposes that’s easier for Americans to deal with?”

It should be noted she also asked Ramey Ko, a representative of the Organization of Chinese-Americans if citizens needed to produce ID to vote in China. Ahem, need I say more?

As I said, I felt this was probably not overtly racist, but as a commenter at my prior story said:

it may not have been overtly intended as racist, and i'm sure the lady would deny she was racist..... but she wouldn't have said it to a white European of, for instance, French extract.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Brown said:

State Representative Betty Brown apologizes for her remark in the Elections Committee on Tuesday, April 7th. Representative Brown appreciates Ramey Ko’s testimony which made the Elections Committee aware of experiences Asian-American’s have when acquiring identification. Representative Brown appreciates the diversity of Texas and the enrichment that the Asian-American community has brought to our great state.

She went on to say the remark was taken out of context. A YouTube video with the exchange in it is below, you can decide for yourself.

However, Ramey Ko, the person she was speaking with at the hearing added the following in a response (emphasis mine):

In my conversation with [Texas Rep. Brown’s] Chief of Staff yesterday, she explicitly said that they were releasing the statement through [former Texas Rep.] Martha [Wong] rather than making it publicly because they didn’t want it to be in the press anymore.

I’d also note that the apology doesn’t address her use twice of language that implies Asian Americans aren’t Americans:

“Do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here.”

“Can’t you see that this is something that would make it a lot easier for both you and for people who are pollworkers, if there were some means by which you could adopt a name just for your poll identification purposes that would be easier for the Americans to deal with?”

I think that implication is reflective of a lot more than just misspeaking about names.

And regardless of whether she is talking about explicitly changing Asian names to Westernized ones, she clearly is asking Asian Americans to shoulder the burden and cost of somehow “streamlining” our names in order to vote.

“Alright, I see a need here for young people like you, who are obviously very bright, to come up with something that would work for you, and then let us see if it will work for us.”

And finally, it shows a lack of appreciation for the fact that whatever solution she might come up with, millions of Asian American voters today will be affected by the legislation.

Watch the video of the exchange. The actual comment is about 3:30 into the video.

First Pup to Arrive Tuesday: Report

The long (and we mean long) awaited "first pup" will arrive at the White House on Tuesday, according to TMZ. As previously "nominated," the Obamas' new dog will be a Portuguese Water Dog.

President Barack Obama promised a dog to his daughters while on the campaign trail. The dog, a six-month-old male named Charlie, will be renamed once he reaches his permanent family.

The dog comes from a prominent Texas kennel, with the same lineage as Senator Ted Kennedy's (D-Mass.) own Portuguese water dogs. The Kennedy family is "presenting the new dog to the Obamas," according to the site. The dog is apparently from Amigo Portuguese Water Dogs.

It's unfortunate the Obamas couldn't get the dog from rescue, as they wanted. Because of gifting rules required in terms of the President, the dog will be "re-homed" to the Obama family by the Kennedys, but it's actually a gift from the kennel.

While it's true there are many other things more important than the "first pup," at town halls, including ones in Europe during Obama's recent trip, the dog question always comes up. The dog pictured above is the actual "first pup," courtesy of FirstDogCharlie.com.

Lice Infection Leads to Karate Killing

Lice are notoriously contagious, and very much so. But this reaction is overkill (no pun intended). A Russian karate master killed his neighbors because he thought they had spread head lice to his wife and himself.

The incident occurred in Russia's Volga republic of Tatarstan. A spokesman from Tatarstan’s Prosecutor’s Office, Eduard Abdullin said:

“The drunken karate master came to the apartment of his neighbors at about 20.30 Moscow time on April 7 and started to attack the 61-year old woman, her 58-year old husband and their son using lethal karate moves. The man, who has not been named, said that his neighbors had given him and his wife lice."

The family in question, according to statements by neighbors, "drank constantly and were covered in lice."

The woman and her son were killed. The husband is in serious but stable condition.

DUI, Murder Charges Filed in Case of Angels Pitcher Adenhart

Andrew Thomas Gallo, 22, was changed with DUI and murder in the death of Los Angeles rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others.

Andrew Thomas Gallo was charged with three counts of murder. He ran a red light in his minivan early Thursday and broadsided a car carrying Adenhart and three friends. He ran away from the incident on foot, but was later captured.

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said:

"At the time of the crash, Mr. Gallo's blood-alcohol content is estimated to be almost three times the legal limit."

Gallo could receive almost 55 years to life in prison if convicted of all charges.

Adenhart pitched his first game of the season on the night of the accident, against the Oakland A's. On Friday night, the A's held their home opener, and a "missing man" formation ceremony was performed just before the game, alarming East Bay residents.

At the same time, the Angels planned a pregame ceremony to honor Adenhart and his friends Courtney Stewart and Henry Pearson prior to their game with the Boston Red Sox.

Watch a video report:

NASA to Reveal ISS Module Name on Colbert Show

NASA will appear on Tuesday's edition of The Colbert Report to reveal the new name for Module 3, a new room on the International Space Station. Stephen Colbert has been campaigning for them to name to room after him following a landslide victory for him in an online contest run by NASA.

However, NASA doesn't necessarily have to name the module after Colbert. According to NASA, they reserve the right to choose another name, although they will give proper due to the voting results.

The second place vote-getter was Serenity, trailing by 40,000 votes.

NASA spokesperson John Yembrick said:

"The program is having us on knowing that we have chosen a name, but they do not know the name of the node," SPACE.com from the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C. To be honest, only a handful of people know at this point."

The name will be revealed by NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who lived aboard the space station for nearly seven months between 2006 and 2007.

Colbert added:

"I certainly hope NASA does the right thing. Just kidding, I hope they name it after me."

Watch Colbert try to nail down William Gerstenmaier to commit to naming the space module "Colbert," if he wins the online vote.

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$2.7 Million Lawsuit as White Woman's Body Cremated Instead of Black Man's

Well, I'll have to admit that it's easy to mix up a white woman's body with a black man's body, isn't it? Right.

91-year-old Fred Wood was to receive a pauper's burial through the county’s indigent burial program. Instead, two days after his death, his family was informed by Carnes Funeral Home that his body had been cremated instead.

The woman's body was also being handled through the same program.

While the funeral home said it was just a mistake, the family's lawyer Waverly Nolley, disagrees, implying carelessness due to the pauper nature of the burial.

"It's my absolute opinion that that if this was what I call a retail burial, they would have been more responsible with the body, more responsible and responsive to the family."

The lawsuit filed by Fred Woods’ children seeks $2.7 million in damages, and alleges the negligence of the funeral home and crematory caused a host of issues beyond financial ones, including PTSD, anguish and humiliation.

Woods' daughter Katrina Burnett said:

“Everyone was upset. They was asking how they get a body mixed up and how he gets cremated when there was supposed to be a burial . We can’t forgive it, because that’s a mistake that shouldn’t have been made.”

The funeral home has apologized to the family and offered them a free urn, burial plot, headstone and funeral service. However, the family is unwilling to trust the funeral home after the incident, even to the point of wondering if the ashes they have been given are the correct ones.

Lawyer Waverly Nolley again:

“It’s absolutely appalling. For them to be able to say that they can unequivocally tell and assure this family that the remains, that they have, is that of Fred Woods is beyond me.”

"Shocking" Catholic Sex Abuse Report Nears Release

Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said a report to be released in the next four to six weeks by the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation, "will shock us all."

He said:

“It is likely that thousands of children or young people across Ireland were abused by priests in the period under investigation and the horror of that abuse was not recognised for what it is. The report will make each of us and the entire church in Dublin a humbler church.”

At the same time he warned of a growing rift between the younger generation and the Church:

"We have no time to waste. There is a dramatic and growing rift between the church and our younger generations, and the blame does not lie principally with young people. Our young people are generous and idealistic but such generosity and idealism does not seem to find a home in the church."

Finally, Martin outlined the crisis in Irish Catholicism, where recruitment of clerics isn't exactly going well (to put it mildly).

"In the [Dublin] diocese there are 10 times more priests over 70 than under 40. In just a few years we will only have a little over 200 diocesan priests to minister to our almost 200 parishes."

In a small attempt at black humor, I'd have to say, small wonder when any altar boys are having to beat priest off with anything they can lay their hands on.

Texas Legislator: Asians Need to Simplify Their Names

Texas state Rep. Betty Brown, R-Terrell made a comment which could be construed as racist, and at least is un-PC, and very likely ignorant, during a hearing on the problems Asians have with voting.

Ramey Ko, a representative of the Organization of Chinese-Americans told a committee that

people of Chinese, Japanese and Korean descent often have problems voting and other forms of identification because they may have a legal transliterated name and then a common English name that is used on their driver’s license or school registrations.

Brown's comment:

“Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese - I understand it’s a rather difficult language - do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here?

“Can’t you see that this is something that would make it a lot easier for you and the people who are poll workers if you could adopt a name just for identification purposes that’s easier for Americans to deal with?”

Racist or no, it's a silly and ignorant idea. There are plenty of names that are non-Asian that are just as hard to pronounce, if not harder. Anyone remember this guy named Zbigniew Brzezinski?

I personally don't believe it's racist, although Texas Democrats made an issue of it. But I think it does show how we need to rejuvenate our legislature in all levels of politics with fresher, younger people. Brown is obviously old school and thinking old. And really, did anyone really think someone like Ted Stevens who didn't understand the Internet should be on the committees he was?

Mother Wants Her Dead Son's Sperm

Yes, this Texas mother wants her dead son's sperm. Get your mind out of the gutter, though.

Marissa Evans, 42, wants the sperm of her son, Nikolas Colton Evans, 21, who died Sunday, after being punched and falling outside an Austin bar March 27th, in order to have the option of having grandchildren someday through a surrogate.

Travis County Probate Judge Guy Herman ordered the coroner's office to maintain the body of Nikolas Colton Evans until his sperm can be taken, and that officials at the office must provide access so an expert can take the specimen.

Herman said:

"His mother wanted it done. There were other body harvesting that was going to take place, and I didn't see why this additional body harvesting shouldn't take place."

Marissa Evans added:

"I want him to live on. I want to keep a piece of him."

Perfectly OK with me, as long as she uses a surrogate. Evans also said her son expressed a desire to have three sons named Hunter, Tod and Van.

Of course, if the children produced are girls, all bets are off.

GOP Caller Calls Limbaugh a "Brainwashed Nazi" for Supporting Torture

A Republican and U.S. veteran called Rush Limbaugh's radio show Tuesday, and told the conservative host that he was one reason the GOP lost, also telling him he was a "brainwashed Nazi" for supporting torture.

Here's an excerpt (emphasis mine):

CALLER: Thanks, Rush. Rush, listen, I voted Republican, and I didn't -- really didn't want to see Obama get in office. But, you know, Rush, you're one reason to blame for this election, for the Republicans losing.

First of all, you kept harping about voting for Hillary. The second big issue is the -- was the torture issue. I'm a veteran. We're not supposed to be torturing these people. This is not Nazi Germany, Red China, or North Korea. There's other ways of interrogating people, and you kept harping about it -- "It's OK," or "It's not really torture." And it was just more than waterboarding. Some of these prisoners were killed under torture.

And it just -- it was crazy for you to keep going on and on like Levin and Hannity and Hewitt. It's like you're all brainwashed.

And my last comment is, no matter what Obama does, you will still criticize him because I believe you're brainwashed. You're just -- and I hate to say it -- but I think you're a brainwashed Nazi. Anyone who could believe in torture just has got to be - there's got to be something wrong with them.

Listen to the incident below:

Levi Johnston: "My Family is Not White Trash"

When news and information about Levi Johnston's appearance on the Tyra Banks Show became public, Sarah Palin and her family struck back, calling his comments lies and stating that the Johnston's were looking to "cash in" on the Palin connection. Early Show co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez sat down with Levi Johnston Tuesday night, and they discussed the events.

Johnston, as you probably know, is the father of Bristol Palin's son, Tripp, and Bristol is the daughter of former VP-candidate and Alaska governor Sarah Palin.

Also appearing with Levi Johnston were his sister Mercede, and his mother.

Johnston said:

"We're not cashing in on their name, you know. I'm just trying to get my side of the story out there and letting people know who I am."

When asked what the biggest misconception about him is, Johnston said,

"Probably that my family's white trash."

Asked about Tripp, Johnston said:

"Tripp's everything to me. He's my little boy. I don't know what I'd do without him. When I hold him, it's an amazing feeling. I just shake, you know?"

Asked about Tripp possibly being a mistake?

"Not at all. No. I wouldn't call any baby a mistake. I mean, I love him more than anything. I wouldn't trade him for the world."

However, since the split Johnson continues to say, he isn't allowed to have private time with Tripp, even though he says he once lived in Sarah Palin's house, which her camp denies.

Johnston: "They said I didn't live there. 'I stayed there.' I was like, 'OK, whatever you want to call it' -- I had all my stuff there. So, if you wanna call it 'staying there,' that's fine."

Rodriguez: "You had all your things there -- toothbrush, pajamas -- stayed there every night?"

Johnston: "For awhile, yeah. So..."

Rodriguez: "So, they're lying."

Johnston: "Yeah."

Mercede Johnston (Levi's sister): "He was living there. I hadn't seen him for two months. He lived there. They can't say, 'Oh, no, he just stayed.' That's an absolute lie."

Rodriguez: "What was Sarah Palin like when times were good, with you?"

Johnston: "She was great. She treated me like a mom. I would look at her like a second mom. I think she'd do anything for me, at the time. And now, I don't know."

Rodriguez: "So times are good and she gets the call to be the Vice-Presidential nominee. At that point did things change?"

Johnston: "I think it was all when she lost, that's when it started happening. When she got back, I think that's when it went downhill."

"I can go over there whenever I want and see my baby, but, nine-times-out-of-ten, I'm not allowed to take him, and it's not as comfortable, they don't think of me the same way anymore."

Rodriguez: "You ever feel like they think you're not good enough for her?"

Johnston: "Yeah, probably."

Rodriguez: "Did you ever get that impression that they were snobby, in that way?"

Mercede Johnston: "Snobby, yeah. I mean, look what they're doing. They're lying, trying to save themselves when they're the ones that asked for it. They brought him to the campaign. They should have known what was coming. They can't turn around and try and take it back now."

Watch the full video report, as broadcast on CBS Tuesday Night.

Dead Man Coasts to Fourth Term as Mayor

Harry Stonebraker coasted to his fourth term as mayor of the small northeastern Missouri town of Winfield on Tuesday. He received 206 votes, or 90%, while Alderman Bernie Panther got the other 23 votes. Unfortunately, Stonebraker died on March 11th of a heart attack.

Thing is, absentee voting had already begun when Stonebraker, 69, passed away. It's possible some or many of those votes came from those ballots. On the other hand, maybe the residents of Winfield just don't read.

You probably recall a much higher profile election in Missouri's 2000 U.S. Senate race. Democrat Mel Carnahan died in a plane crash just weeks before the November election, but still defeated incumbent Republican John Ashcroft. Jean Carnahan, his wife, was eventually appointed to the Senate seat, but in a special election in 2002, she was defeated by Republican Jim Talent.

Lincoln County Clerk Elaine Luck said aldermen would appoint a mayor to serve until a special election in April 2010 to pick a mayor for the remainder of the two-year term.

Suleman Used Inheritance, Overtime to Fund In Vitro

Besides the obvious question "why" in terms of octuplet mom Nadya Suleman, there's the other question: "how?" How did someone who hasn't worked for a long time because of a disability fund those expensive, and uncovered by insurance, in vitro fertilization procedures.

We know something about that now. Nadya Suleman told Life & Style Weekly magazine that she spent at least $24,000 on the in vitro fertilization procedures that led to her first four children. She said that she saved money for the procedures by working 16-hour days as a psychiatric technician.

Then for her twins, she used a part of her $30,000 inheritance from the death of her aunt. From that in vitro procedure, she had the remaining eggs frozen, and use those for her octuplets. She did not reveal the cost of the octuplets, but in general it is cheaper to use frozen eggs.

Since she said in interviews that she use all the frozen eggs, this could potentially mean she is done with children. For the sake of her kids, let's hope so.

Mother With History of Mental Illness Kills Son, Herself At Gun Range

Marie Moore, 44, fatally shot and killed her 20-year-old son Mitchell, before taking her own life at a shooting range. According to reports, the Florida woman had a history of mental illness.

The incident took place at the Shoot Straight shooting range in Casselberry, FL on Monday afternoon. Casselberry Police Lt. Dennis Stewart said:

"Nobody knows why. There was no argument or anything before."

However, according to the police report, Marie Moore's ex-husband (and Mitchell Moore's father) told police that she had a history of mental illness, and that he thought she had been banned from the shooting range because he thought she had tried to kill herself there a few years ago.

A security video shows Marie Moore walking up behind Mitchell Moore and shooting him in the head. She then put the barrel of her gun into her mouth and fired. She later died at a hospital.

Watch a video report, which includes graphic video of the actual shooting (warning):

Nearly 1/5 of U.S. 4-Year-Olds is Obese: Study

A study, published in this week's Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, found that 18%, or nearly one in five, U.S. 4-year-olds are obese. The numbers are worse for minority groups, according to the report, titled "Prevalence of Obesity Among US Preschool Children in Different Racial and Ethnic Groups."

The report was written by Sarah E. Anderson, PhD and Robert C. Whitaker, MD, MPH.

To be honest, the obesity number itself isn't all that surprising when you consider how sendentary children are becoming in the U.S., with more time in front of a screen playing video games or on the Internet than out playing baseball or soccer. But the racial disparities are amazing.

Broken down by race, the numbers are as follows:

1. American Indian/Native Alaskan, 31.2%
2. Hispanic, 22.0%
3. non-Hispanic black, 20.8%
4. non-Hispanic white, 15.9%
5. Asian, 12.8%

The study analyzed 8,550 preschoolers born in 2001. Children were considered obese if their body-mass index was 18 or above, which would be in the 95th percentile or higher based on government BMI growth charts.

Sarah Anderson, assistant professor of epidemiology at Ohio State University and lead author of the study, said:

“The implications are that childhood obesity prevention efforts must begin early in life. And these efforts might benefit from better understanding of how differences in obesity risk between racial and ethnic groups emerge so early."

She also added that:

"We do not think the differences are due to race and ethnicity per se, but they may be due to cultural differences."

At this time, researchers do not know of a clear reason for the disparities.

52 Dead in Mass Shootings in the Last Month: What Has America Become?

A report by Diane Sawyer on Good Morning, America Monday asked the following question: "What is going on with the gun rampages in America?"

As GMA noted, in the last month, seven mass shootings have resulted in the loss of 48 innocent lives (and 4 other lives, counting the gunmen). This is simply the count of highly publicized mass killings across the country; it wouldn't include killings on a singular scale (and you know there were plenty of those).

1. Early March: 10 killed in Samson, AL.
2. Two weeks ago last Saturday, 4 Oakland police officers killed; the gunman was killed as well.
3. Six people dead in a murder-suicide in an upscale Silicon Valley neighborhood.
4. Eight people killed in a nursing home
5. Thirteen killed in an immigrant center, before the gunman killed himself
6. Three police officers killed in Pittsburgh, PA
7. Five children shot by their father before he turned the gun on himself in Washington state.

Those last three incidents took place just last weekend.

While ABC reporter David Muir spoke to Sawyer about the "gun show loophole" that allows customers to buy guns, no questions asked, at this point it's too early to say if weapons in these later incidents came from gun shows. At any rate, gun rights advocates note that individual-to-individual sales have never been regulated.

Should they be? Readers?

Watch the following video from ABC's Good Morning, America, broadcast Apr. 6, 2009, via Raw Story.

Public Flogging of Woman by Taliban Raises Outrage

A video of 17-year-old woman being flogged thirty-four times by Taliban militants in the Swat Valley has raised public outrage. However, while President Asif Ali Zardari ordered the arrest of the perpetrators, the teenage woman was flogged in Kabbal, a remote district where Taliban rule is the law.

Sherry Rehman, a former information minister said:

"Our constitution allows no space for such public brutality, and our civilisation and culture have no tolerance for it either."

However, Muslim Khan, a Taliban spokesman, said the punishment as appropriate under Islamic law, but was applied incorrectly. He said the lashes should have been applied by a pre-pubescent boy, privately.

"She had to be punished. The punishment administered by local Taliban was in our knowledge and they did the right thing, but the method was wrong."

The woman is accused of having had an illegal sexual relationship, but Democracy Now indicated the issue was being seen with a man who was not her husband. In terms of the punishment, a pre-pubescent boy? Bringing them into brutality early, I suppose? Watch the video of the flogging:

Oops: Mosques, and Thus Prayers, Misaligned

A slight directional miscue affects some 200 mosques in Mecca. These mosques are supposed to have a niche showing the direction of the Kaaba, an ancient cube-like building in Mecca's Grand Mosque and the most sacred Islamic site, but are apparently misaligned.

Blame the discovery on modernization: the error was only found after looking at the older mosques from atop the new skyscrapers being constructed in Mecca, Islam's holiest city in western Saudi Arabia, according to a report in the Saudi Gazette.

At any rate, it appears it's the thought (or prayer) that counts. Tawfik al-Sudairy, Islamic affairs ministry deputy secretary, downplayed the problem, as quoted by the pan-Arab newspaper al-Hayat:

"There are no major errors but corrections have been made for some old mosques, thanks to modern techniques. In any case, it does not affect the prayers."

"No Corruption" Judge Allegedly Offered Leniency for Sex

District Judge Manuel Barraza, 53, from El Paso, Texas, is free on $10,000 bail after an arrest following an FBI investigation into alleged corruption in his courtroom.

According to El Paso Magazine:

"The four-count indictment against Barraza charges that he 'accepted bribes in the form of cash money and solicited sex and agreed to accept a bribe of engaging in sexual activity with women, including an individual why was, unbeknownst to the defendant, a Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent acting in an undercover capacity, in exchange for his influence and exercise of discretion in his capacity as an elected judge.

"Barraza’s illegal solicitations allegedly began immediately after he was elected in November 2008, two months before he took office, and continued until February of this year."

Because of the charge, Jaime Esparza, the county's District Attorney, said roughly 100 drug cases dismissed by Barraza will have to be reviewed.

Watch this humorous video in which Barraza noted there was no corruption in his courthouse.

Marijuana Ingredient Retards Cancer Growth: Study

A study by Complutense University in Madrid has discovered that the active ingredient in marijuana, THC, may retard cancer growth and reduce the size of tumors.

Guillermo Velasco of Complutense University in Madrid and colleagues reported the results in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

"Our findings support that safe, therapeutically efficacious doses of THC may be reached in cancer patients."

The researchers showed giving THC to mice with cancer decreased tumor growth and killed cells off in a process called autophagy. Autophagy is the breakdown of a cell that occurs when the cell essentially self-digests.

Besides experiments on mice, the researchers also studied the effects of THC injections directly into the brain as an experimental treatment for a highly aggressive brain tumor in the case of two patients. They saw findings "in line with the preclinical evidence," with incraase autophagy activity.

While some states in the U.S. have legalized the use of medical marijuana, which is generally used to treat pain and nausea in patients with severe pain or nausea from cancer and other diseases, the federal government has yet to recognize such a use, and has in the past raided clinics selling marijuana to those with a prescription.

Recently, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder stated that federal agents will no longer go after medical marijuana providers unless that service is a front for illegal activities.

This, of course, would be using THC rather than marijuana itself, but you could think of it as "extreme medical marijuana."