If the criminals are multiplying fast courtesy the internet, the same technology is also helping the police to nab them. Australian law enforcement agencies have so far arrested 70 persons, in the 19 to 81 age group, for child pornography and abuse offences across the country. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that a further 20 people have been issued with summons to appear in … [Read more...] about Australia’s Biggest Anti-Pedophile Investigation & Arrests
Friday Sen. Clinton Will Suspend Campaign & Endorse Sen. Obama
Breaking News Alert The New York Times Wednesday, June 4, 2008 -- 7:03 PM ET ----- Clinton Will Suspend Campaign on Friday, Adviser Says Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is moving to suspend her campaign and endorse Senator Barack Obama on Friday after Democratic members of Congress urged her Wednesday to leave the race and allow the party to coalesce around Mr. … [Read more...] about Friday Sen. Clinton Will Suspend Campaign & Endorse Sen. Obama
Hillary For Veep? Really?
You can say what you like about Barack Obama, but you cannot discount his graciousness. Keeping his temper when all about him were losing theirs, Obama has unfailingly declined to stoop to the kind of lows one would expect from a presidential primary. When Fox News pundit Liz Trotta affirmed what nobody really thought Clinton meant when she alluded to Robert Kennedy; when Bill … [Read more...] about Hillary For Veep? Really?
Obama’s Victory: Reason to Believe in a Better World
Just how significant is Obama's victory to people around the world? In our first translation from Brazil, another melting pot nation where no Black man has ever served as head of state, Lucas Mendez of BBC Brazil writes: "Barack Obama has done it. The Democratic Party nomination is his. If we bow before clergy and nobility, it's no shame to get on one's knees to hear from a … [Read more...] about Obama’s Victory: Reason to Believe in a Better World
Encouraging Signs?
Maybe her most ardent detractors should cut her some slack. Clinton stands up for Obama at AIPAC. McCain probably has ulterior motives -- he tends to do better than Obama in small, townhall settings; and much worse than Obama in mega-venues -- but Obama apparently doesn't care, and I (for one) think this approach would be a wonderful injection of energy into our … [Read more...] about Encouraging Signs?
Global Press Roundup: Obama’s Win
The whole world has something to say about last night and the road through November. Here are the first stories (H/T WATCHING AMERICA.com) La Repubblica, Italy: Now for Obama, The Problem of Hillary Business Daily, Kenya: Obama Has Become a Global Political Brand New Vision Online, Uganda: Crack Open the Champagne for Obama Khaleej Times, U.A.E: Audacity of … [Read more...] about Global Press Roundup: Obama’s Win
Portait Of A Loss-Prone Party
Portrait Of A Loss-Prone Party Once again this year the dubious political achievement award may well end up going to Democrats and their party for doing what seemed virtually impossible a few months ago—turning a sure victory this coming November into a very possible defeat. Who would have thought this could happen? Disgust about Iraq, sour job prospects and soaring … [Read more...] about Portait Of A Loss-Prone Party
The McCain Blogger Call
Note, this post is just the facts. I'm not making any editorial comments. The McCain campaign invited several bloggers to take part in a conference call with the presumptive Republican nominee Senator John McCain. Here are some of the highlights: First, Senator McCain congratulated Senator Hillary Clinton saying she "inspired women all over America." He also … [Read more...] about The McCain Blogger Call
School Denies Graduation To Cancer Patient
A high school in Woodland California is at the center of a controversy involving the graduation of a student with cancer. The facts are fairly straightforward. 18 year old Lenna Elizalde is a senior at Woodland High School and has been fighting cancer for the last six months. She has undergone two surgeries along with extensive chemotherapy since her diagnosis. This has … [Read more...] about School Denies Graduation To Cancer Patient
Gay marriage, the GOP, & the albatross
So the big news today is the California court's rejection of a stay of last month’s ruling on gay marriage. (See also Patrick Edaburn below.) Chris Crain warns, "Better buckle up, fellas. It's going to be a bumpy ride...the justices were unanimous." Emphasis his. Here's the 1 page ruling (pdf). Also in the news today, a USAToday poll showing that 63% of adults say same-sex … [Read more...] about Gay marriage, the GOP, & the albatross
Breaking News: California Supreme Court Rejects Stay
The California Supreme Court has just issued an order denying requests for a rehearing and stay in gay marriage case. Opponents to the ruling legalizing gay marriage in California had requested that the court issue an order that put things on hold until after the voters had a chance to vote on a proposal which would overturn the decision. The ruling means that counties … [Read more...] about Breaking News: California Supreme Court Rejects Stay
Jimmy Carter Warns Obama: Don’t Pick Clinton For Vice President (UPDATED)
Former President Jimmy Carter has a warning for Democratic presumptive Presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama: Don't pick Hillary Clinton as your Vice President. Those who argue Clinton should be on the ticket think she'd be a great asset -- helping divided Democrats to combine two voting coalitions...the best of both worlds. Carter sees the flip side of it: having … [Read more...] about Jimmy Carter Warns Obama: Don’t Pick Clinton For Vice President (UPDATED)
Candidates of the future
Public campaign finance system launched HARTFORD, Conn. - The state has launched a voluntary program to publicly fund campaigns for statewide office and the legislature. To date, 145 candidates have signed up. In return, they must forgo contributions from political action committees, raise small contributions from individuals and adhere to campaign spending limits and … [Read more...] about Candidates of the future
The Next Phase of the Elections
Let me start by extending congratulations to Senator Obama and Senator McCain as the presumptive nominees for their respective parties. And thank whatever Deity you like that the primaries are over! But now the time to throw stones is over; the time to gather stones together is begun. They can throw them at the other party later. Senator McCain has the relatively quiet … [Read more...] about The Next Phase of the Elections
Three Speeches on an Historic Night
The sight of Barack Obama actually being named presumptive Democratic candidate for President, no matter how expected. is astonishing to eyes that saw black people forced to ride in the back of buses and send their children to segregated schools and attacked for daring to exercise their right to vote. But then came the speeches. John McCain elbowed into Barack Obama's moment … [Read more...] about Three Speeches on an Historic Night
Short-Circuiting Clinton? Pelosi, Reid, Dean Give Superdelegates Friday Decision Deadline
Have three of the Democratic party's top leaders named Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Howard Dean decided they've had enough and want to make sure that with Democratic Senator Barack Obama now the Democrats' presumptive Presidential nominee the still-looming -- and potentially divisive -- campaign of Senator Hillary Clinton is definitively short-circuited once and for … [Read more...] about Short-Circuiting Clinton? Pelosi, Reid, Dean Give Superdelegates Friday Decision Deadline
A Grin, A Smirk, A Moment
Three images from last night's TV coverage will stay with me for years. 1. McCain's repetitious, ill-timed, and creepier-than-usual grin ... like the Cheshire cat on sedatives. 2. Clinton's defiant smirk, as her NYC supporters shouted "Denver, Denver, Denver." 3. Obama mouthing to Michelle after his speech, "How'd I do?" -- and her apparent response, "Good. Real … [Read more...] about A Grin, A Smirk, A Moment
End Of The Road
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about End Of The Road
In Vino Veritas…et Vita?
After some terrific news for our nation last night, the New York Times had some terrific news for wine drinkers this morning. In an article titled "New Hints Seen That Red Wine May Slow Aging", the Times writes that red wine may be"much more potent than was thought in extending human lifespan." We all know that "in vino veritas." (Don't we wish that George would start … [Read more...] about In Vino Veritas…et Vita?
Osborn to be put to death tonight in Georgia: Case calls right to competent legal representation into question
I keep saying that we're not as racist as we're afraid we are and that when we do find instances of overt racism we have the capacity to cope and to act. Georgia is now confronted with just such an instance. As the AJC is reporting that Curtis Osborne's final meal tonight will be a cheeseburger, Alan Berlow writing in Slate wonders do defendants in Georgia have any right at … [Read more...] about Osborn to be put to death tonight in Georgia: Case calls right to competent legal representation into question