Toyota official: Prius in N.Y. crash yielding data – Tulsa World
March 18, 2010
Toyota official: Prius in N.Y. crash yielding data – Tulsa World
HARRISON, N.Y. — Investigators from Toyota and the U.S. government inspected a crashed 2005 Prius in a suburb of New York City on Wednesday to see if a black box-like device or its wreckage could point to problems with the brakes or accelerator. The black box, known as an event data recorder
Authorities resume searching water, woods for Washington mom who vanished with son – Los Angeles Times
SEATTLE (AP) — Authorities in Washington state on Wednesday resumed their search for a woman who appears to have abandoned a van on a remote Puget Sound beach over the weekend and disappeared with her 8-year-old son. A boat crew searched the Boston Harbor area near Olympia using two dogs that
Kaman helps Clippers beat Bucks – Vail Daily News
So much for form. The Los Angeles Clippers had lost eight straight games, and the Milwaukee Bucks had won six in a row and 12 of 13. But with scoring depth and some strategic use of a zone defense the Clippers ended both streaks, beating the Bucks 101-93 on Wednesday night. Chris Kaman had 20 points
Country music impresario Johnnie High dead at 80 – WJLA
March 18, 2010
Country music impresario Johnnie High dead at 80 – WJLA
ARLINGTON, Texas – Johnnie High, a north Texas country music showman who gave such performers as LeAnn Rimes and Boxcar Willie their early exposure, has died at the age of 80.High’s daughter, Luanne Dorman, says her father died Wednesday after battling heart disease. The impresario of “Johnnie High
Health bill gains ground – Philadelphia Daily News
WASHINGTON – President Obama’s sweeping health-care legislation won precious support from a longtime liberal holdout in the House yesterday and from Catholic nuns representing dozens of religious orders, gaining fresh traction in the run-up to a climactic weekend vote. “It’s a good sign,” said Obama
Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine in 2009; will keep job – Washington Examiner
SURPRISE, ARIZ. — Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington admitted he made a “huge mistake” when he used cocaine and failed a Major League Baseball drug test last season. In his first public acknowledgment, Washington apologized Wednesday for his behavior, eight months after he told Rangers president
Warning – Swine Flu H1N1 Vaccine Is Not Safe
March 17, 2010
Warning – Swine Flu H1N1 Vaccine Is Not Safe
Warning – Swine Flu H1N1 Vaccine Is Not Safe
More claims from health professionals that mercury laden flu vaccines are unsafe.
Was this a dodgy name suppression order?
I’m no lawyer, but I think that the stated reasons from Judge Grant Fraser to grant permanent name suppression to the famous nameless sicko from Palmerston North, who downloaded about 30,000 pornographic images, are questionable.
Judge Fraser said he granted permanent name suppression to protect the man’s family, his mental state, his wife’s job and his ability to rehabilitate. I’m wondering if that was actually the case. Because the main stated reason appears to be because none of the offending images were of New Zealanders – or the judge was at least apparently told they weren’t.
Therefore publicity in my view is not required to flush out any potential offenders or to enable members of the community to keep themselves safe from you
But if these images were of New Zealanders, would that mean Fraser would have allowed his name to be published? If so, so much for his argument about the man’s family, his mental state, his wife’s job and his ability to rehabilitate. If not, so much for his argument to keep the community safe.
Crown prosecutor Ben Vanderkolk disagreed with Judge Fraser that name suppression was needed to protect the man’s family, saying the man’s children were well informed about the offending. He said this name suppression could be seen as protecting a person in a privileged position. Yet he refused to appeal the suppression order, citing among a few things, the fact that he had children, and that the court knew what the consequences of a conviction were.
[redacted after reading the judgement]
The man is undergoing therapy to treat his paraphilia. He didn’t just download 30,000 images – he transferred some to an external hard drive and distributed them through the Internet.
I’m wondering how well Vanderkolk knew the famous nameless man. And I’m wondering if this famous nameless man has seen his GP recently. I hear there has been a recent shortage in Palmerston North.
Like I said, I’m no lawyer, and have not read any court documents on this case, but would be keen to get any comment from lawyers or law students on the stated reasons for suppression as outlined above.
HBO’s ‘The Pacific’ is real deal for veterans of World War II – New York Daily News
March 14, 2010
HBO’s ‘The Pacific’ is real deal for veterans of World War II – New York Daily News
 CBC.ca |
HBO's 'The Pacific' is real deal for veterans of World War II
New York Daily News I have just seen Part 1 of "The Pacific," airing Sunday on HBO, and the words you see here will illustrate true feelings – nothing embroidered – just the raw, unpolished reaction, tinged with a little Marine Corps lingo. You might wonder if this first … Tom Hanks goes back to the battlefield as producer of HBO's 'The Pacific' TV Review: Everyone Should Watch Masterful 'The Pacific' Jonathan Storm Big, bloody, and bold |
White House Advisor: Israel Undermining Mideast Peace – Voice of America
 ABC News |
White House Advisor: Israel Undermining Mideast Peace
Voice of America Photo: AP A top White House official says Israel's plan to build more homes in disputed East Jerusalem appears to be a calculated effort to undermine the Middle East peace process. US presidential advisor David Axelrod said Sunday Israel's plan was an … Obama aide condemns 'destructive' Israeli homes plan Axelrod: Israeli move 'insulting' Israeli prime minister calls settlement dispute with US regrettable, hurtful |
Kandahar Governor Appeals for More Troops – Voice of America
 Telegraph.co.uk |
Kandahar Governor Appeals for More Troops
Voice of America Photo: AP The governor of Kandahar province in Afghanistan is appealing for troop reinforcements after a series of suicide attacks killed at least 35 people Saturday evening. Officials say Taliban militants detonated five large blasts in the city as … Kandahar blasts were warning to US and Nato – Taliban Taliban: Kandahar bombings a 'warning' to NATO Taliban say Kandahar blasts 'a warning to Western troops' |
Four Released in Ireland Terror Case – Wall Street Journal
 BBC News |
Four Released in Ireland Terror Case
Wall Street Journal By NEIL SHAH and VANESSA O'CONNELL WATERFORD, Ireland — Irish police said on Saturday evening they have released all three women who were among seven individuals arrested earlier this week in connection with an alleged plot to murder a Swedish … Jamie Paulin-Ramirez, busted in Ireland over plot to kill cartoonist, freed American Linked to Terror Plot Brainwashed 6-Year-Old Son, Family Says US woman held in Ireland over alleged plot to kill Muhammad artist |
3 people associated with US consulate killed in Mexico – CNN International
March 14, 2010
3 people associated with US consulate killed in Mexico – CNN International
 Times Online |
3 people associated with US consulate killed in Mexico
CNN International Mexican soldiers secure a site in Ciudad Juarez in September where two federal police officers were killed. (CNN) — Three people connected to the US consulate in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, were killed in a drive-by shooting in the violent border city, … In Mexico, 13 killed in Acapulco area, 11 others elsewhere in Guerrero 24 killed in western Mexico; 11 in one shootout 13 Killed in Mexican Resort City |
White House Advisor: Israel Undermining Mideast Peace – Voice of America
ABC News |
White House Advisor: Israel Undermining Mideast Peace
Voice of America Photo: AP A top White House official says Israel's plan to build more homes in disputed East Jerusalem appears to be a calculated effort to undermine the Middle East peace process. US presidential advisor David Axelrod said Sunday Israel's plan was an … Obama aide condemns 'destructive' Israeli homes plan Axelrod: Israeli move 'insulting' Israeli prime minister calls settlement dispute with US regrettable, hurtful |
Four Released in Ireland Terror Case – Wall Street Journal
BBC News |
Four Released in Ireland Terror Case
Wall Street Journal By NEIL SHAH and VANESSA O'CONNELL WATERFORD, Ireland — Irish police said on Saturday evening they have released all three women who were among seven individuals arrested earlier this week in connection with an alleged plot to murder a Swedish … Jamie Paulin-Ramirez, busted in Ireland over plot to kill cartoonist, freed American Linked to Terror Plot Brainwashed 6-Year-Old Son, Family Says US woman held in Ireland over alleged plot to kill Muhammad artist |
Obama’s education law overhaul to focus on college – The Associated Press
March 13, 2010
Obama’s education law overhaul to focus on college – The Associated Press
 The Hindu |
Obama's education law overhaul to focus on college
The Associated Press ATLANTA — The Obama administration unveiled its plan Saturday to radically change his predecessor's No Child Left Behind law in hopes of replacing an accountability system that in the last decade has tagged more than a third of schools as failing and … Obama's plan for education reform: short on specifics, so far Obama says he will push for education overhaul Obama Announces Education Program |
Iraq’s PM Leads in Critical Baghdad Vote Count – Voice of America
 The Guardian |
Iraq's PM Leads in Critical Baghdad Vote Count
Voice of America Early tallies in Iraq's parliamentary elections show Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's coalition leading in Baghdad, the country's biggest election prize. Baghdad accounts for 70 parliamentary seats, or more than one-fifth of the 325-member Council of … Iraq PM Maliki leads Baghdad, a big election prize Iraq's PM leads in early Baghdad vote count Maliki leads key Baghdad vote count |
AP Source: Colo. woman held in terror probe – The Associated Press
 AFP |
AP Source: Colo. woman held in terror probe
The Associated Press DENVER — A Colorado woman has been detained in Ireland in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate a Swedish cartoonist whose sketch offended many Muslims, a US official said Saturday. Jamie Paulin-Ramirez, 31, was among seven people arrested in … For the Love of Islam Mom says daughter held in Ireland in terror plot Second US woman probed in plot to kill Swede: report |
Next-Generation — Alarm Clocks! – CBS News
 Globe and Mail |
Next-Generation — Alarm Clocks!
CBS News (CBS) With Daylight Saving Time about to kick in and all of use in line for an hour's less sleep, "The Saturday Early Show" decided there's no better time to take a look at what's happening with alarm clocks. So, Men's Journal magazine Senior Editor … Time Change Arrives Early Sunday Morning Daylight Savings Time 2010 and DST Spring Forward Date and Time Daylight Saving Time: Move clocks forward one hour |
China’s new generation picky about factory jobs – WJLA
March 13, 2010
China’s new generation picky about factory jobs – WJLA
GUANGZHOU, China – Factory worker Chen Qinghai frowned as he looked at a tall bulletin board full of help-wanted notices from companies making everything from photocopiers and DVD drives to mobile phones and car parts. The 19-year-old saw nothing that interested him. “I wouldn’t want to do any of
A look at Democrats’ health care overhaul – RealClearPolitics
President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats are pulling together a final version of a health care overhaul bill and pushing for House votes as early as this coming week. Democrats are awaiting cost assessments from the Congressional Budget Office that will allow them to finish details. Some
Al Qaeda-linked New Jersey man Sharif Mobley, arrested in Yemen, worked in nuclear power plants – New York Daily News
Sharif Mobley, 26, is pictured at a barbecue in Buena, N.J., where he grew up – before his arrest in Yemen as a suspected Al Qaeda-linked terrorist. Sharif Mobley , a 26-year-old American native of Somali heritage, was arrested in Yemen this month in a roundup of suspected Al Qaeda members. He was
Medical tests criticized as too much – Record Searchlight
CHICAGO – Too much cancer screening, too many heart tests, too many cesarean sections. A spate of recent reports suggests that many Americans are being overtreated. Maybe even President Barack Obama, champion of an overhaul and cost-cutting of the health care system. Is it doctors practicing
Was this a dodgy name suppression order?I’m no
March 12, 2010
Was this a dodgy name suppression order?
I’m no lawyer, but I think that the stated reasons from Judge Grant Fraser to grant permanent name suppression to the famous nameless sicko from Palmerston North, who downloaded about 30,000 pornographic images, are questionable.
Judge Fraser said he granted permanent name suppression to protect the man’s family, his mental state, his wife’s job and his ability to rehabilitate. I’m wondering if that was actually the case. Because the main stated reason appears to be because none of the offending images were of New Zealanders – or the judge was at least apparently told they weren’t.
Therefore publicity in my view is not required to flush out any potential offenders or to enable members of the community to keep themselves safe from you
But if these images were of New Zealanders, would that mean Fraser would have allowed his name to be published? If so, so much for his argument about the man’s family, his mental state, his wife’s job and his ability to rehabilitate. If not, so much for his argument to keep the community safe.
Crown prosecutor Ben Vanderkolk disagreed with Judge Fraser that name suppression was needed to protect the man’s family, saying the man’s children were well informed about the offending. He said this name suppression could be seen as protecting a person in a privileged position. Yet he refused to appeal the suppression order, citing among a few things, the fact that he had children, and that the court knew what the consequences of a conviction were.
[redacted after reading the judgement]
The man is undergoing therapy to treat his paraphilia. He didn’t just download 30,000 images – he transferred some to an external hard drive and distributed them through the Internet.
I’m wondering how well Vanderkolk knew the famous nameless man. And I’m wondering if this famous nameless man has seen his GP recently. I hear there has been a recent shortage in Palmerston North.
Like I said, I’m no lawyer, and have not read any court documents on this case, but would be keen to get any comment from lawyers or law students on the stated reasons for suppression as outlined above.
National is not going to raise GST- is it?
Before the election
National is not going to be raising GST. National wants to cut taxes, not raise taxes
After the election
The coded call for an increase to GST… was rejected by Mr English.“ We won’t be doing that… it is not our policy,” he said.
( Hattip Gobsmacked @ The standard
Yesterday
The Government is also carefully considering a modest increase in the rate of GST, to no more than 15 percent.We are acutely aware of the effect that a rise in GST could have on lower income families.
update: Today
I said I wouldn’t raise GST to cover deficits.
Problem was, that was not what he said.
Rooiigghhtt…
Road to recovery: Retail sales rise in February – New York Daily News
March 12, 2010
Road to recovery: Retail sales rise in February – New York Daily News
Retail sales posted a surprising increase in February as consumers did not let major snowstorms stop them from storming the malls. The advance, the biggest since November, provided hope that the recovery from the Great Recession is gaining momentum. The Commerce Department said Friday that retail
CF nears Terra takeover as Yara drops out – Sioux City Journal
SIOUX CITY — Yara International dropped out of the bidding for Terra Industries Friday, clearing the way for CF Industries to complete a hostile takeover of its Sioux City-based nitrogen fertilizer rival. “Terra would be a perfect fit to Yara and attractive at our proposed valuation but we will not
Third suicide bomb hits Lahore, Pakistan – Worcester Telegram & Gazette
The reports said rescue workers have been dispatched to the scene and that casualties were feared. It would be the third time this week that Lahore has been hit by a bomb attack. The attacks have shattered a period of relative calm in Pakistan, which has been battling al-Qaida and Taliban militants
India and Russia Sign Development Pacts – New York Times
March 12, 2010
India and Russia Sign Development Pacts – New York Times
 Novinite.com |
India and Russia Sign Development Pacts
New York Times NEW DELHI — India and Russia signed a series of agreements on nuclear, space and military issues on Friday after a visit by Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. The agreements pave the way to build at least a dozen more Russian … Russia and India sign major military deals Russia, India May Join Forces to Explore the Moon, Putin Says Russia signs India nuclear deal |
Health end game hinges on House, Senate trust – msnbc.com
 CBS News |
Health end game hinges on House, Senate trust
msnbc.com For the next few weeks, Obama-brand "hope" may be taking a back seat to "trust." President Barack Obama's decision on Friday to delay an overseas trip came after reports that an impartial Senate umpire is likely to … Obama delays Asia trip to focus on health care Health care timeline still unclear Democrats pare differences over health overhaul |
