Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
LOS ANGELES — For several years, Jude Stringfellow and her Lab-chow mix have toured the country with a simple message: Faith walks.
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Two-Legged Dog Inspires Disabled Army Vets, Others
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009
(From time to time we invite guests to blog about initiatives of interest and are pleased to have Sergeant Dale Sweetnam join us here.
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Audio care packages for service members with Google Voice
Monday, August 3rd, 2009
(Cross-posted from the Google Research Blog ) We held our fifth Computer Science Faculty Summit at our Mountain View campus last week.
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Two views from the 2009 Google Faculty Summit
Thursday, July 30th, 2009
As a very private “beer summit” gets underway in the Rose Garden, details remain scant since the “teachable moment’ is closed to the press. But, according to this pool report, Sergeant Crowley seems to be doing most of the talking, Henry Louis Gates is listening intently and President Obama seems to be in a good mood. And Vice President Biden has joined them – drinking Buckler, a low-alcohol brew
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Beer Summit Details: Obama Hails "Friendly, Thoughtful Conversation" (VIDEO)
Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
A 28-year-old woman, Summer Nelson, has been arrested for having sex with a 14-year-old boy who she was babysitting. Nelson claimed to be in love with the teen, and told his siblings that she was “in love” with their brother.
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Summer Nelson, 28-Year-Old Babysitter, Arrested For Sex With 14-Year-Old Boy (VIDEO)
Friday, July 3rd, 2009
GAFFNEY, S.C. — Terrified residents canceled Fourth of July plans and holed up in their homes Friday as investigators hunted a serial killer believed to have shot four people to death.
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South Carolina Serial Killer Has Residents Terrified, Holed Up Their Homes
Friday, July 3rd, 2009
Reporters are beginning to piece together an explanation for Sarah Palin’s abrupt resignation announcement that stands in stark contrast to the reasoning Palin offered in her speech. Speaking on MSNBC, Andrea Mitchell reported that, according to “people very close to Sarah Palin,” she has “told her supporters that she is out of politics, period
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Sarah Palin "Out Of Politics, Period" (VIDEO)
Monday, January 5th, 2009
WASHINGTON — Roland Burris and Democratic Party leaders headed toward a symbolic showdown at the door of the U.S. Senate on Tuesday as the former Illinois attorney general presses his claim to a disputed seat. Burris said in an interview this evening that he intends to try to walk onto the Senate floor to be sworn in with incoming senators when the Senate convenes Tuesday despite declarations from party leaders that they will prevent the 71-year-old, longtime politician from entering the legislative body’s ornate chamber. WGN-TV’s Tom Negovan reports from Washington, D.C. HERE. The imagery of authorities stopping a graying African-American man at the threshold of political power promises to be a moment of high drama in a controversy that has joined the complicated politics of race with the sensational corruption scandal swirling around Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The governor, undeterred by criminal charges that he sought to sell the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama, picked Burris last week. But with Burris and Senate leaders balancing determination to hold their ground against a wish to avoid generating too much heat, the face-off will be choreographed. Burris said his staff has telegraphed his intentions to Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Terry Gainer — by coincidence an old acquaintance who was director of the Illinois State Police when Burris was attorney general. “We will only go as far as the sergeant-at-arms permits us to go,” Burris said. “We will then retreat and meet with our legal team.” Senate Democrats have refused to seat Burris, arguing that accusations against the governor taint his appointment of Burris. But Burris says his appointment is lawful. “What has been done here is legal,” Burris told reporters Monday before flying to Washington. He dismissed repeated questions about the scandal surrounding Blagojevich, calling it “all politics and theater.” Because of Senate rules that restrict the use of cameras in the hallways around the second-floor entrance to the chamber, any theater over the actual refusal to admit Burris may not be captured by TV cameras. But there will plenty of opportunity for television and photographic imagery, including Burris walking up the Capitol steps to appear at the Senate’s first-floor appointment desk at 10:30 Eastern Time, 9:30 a.m. in Chicago, according to a Burris associate. Incoming senators customarily are sworn into office on the Senate floor beginning at noon in groups of four according to alphabetical order, with the other senator from their home state escorting them. By alphabetical order, Burris would be in the second group of four senators, were he to be seated. Even before Burris boarded his flight to Washington, Senate officials rejected paperwork sent by Blagojevich to formally appoint Burris to his position, citing the refusal of Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to sign the certificate. “If he does not have a certificate that is signed, it is considered incomplete. He is absolutely under the Senate rules not allowed on the Senate floor,” said Joe Shoemaker, a spokesman for Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). At a news conference at Chicago’s Midway Airport, Burris repeated his insistence that he is the state’s junior U.S. senator and expects to be granted his seat in Washington on Tuesday. Burris said he still intended to meet Wednesday with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who has said Burris should not be allowed in the Senate because of the “corruption surrounding Blagojevich.” “I will sit down and talk to Mr. Reid and tell him I’m here to take my seat,” Burris said. The Illinois House committee investigating whether to impeach Blagojevich has asked Burris to appear in Springfield on Wednesday, but Burris said that would have to wait because he needs to be in Washington. “I’m a United States senator,” Burris said at the airport news conference. “They cannot stop me from .?.?. my senatorial duties.” Burris sent the House impeachment panel an affidavit in response to their subpoena to him, which was sought by Republican members who say he needs to explain how he got the appointment. His attorney said it was not a substitute and indicated Burris would appear at a later date. The affidavit outlines the events leading up to the governor’s offer on Dec. 28, putting into place a timeline by Burris that is aimed at underscoring his statements that nothing untoward occurred when he received Blagojevich’s call. Burris recapped how he received a call and personal visit from Sam Adam Jr., one of the governor’s defense attorneys, the day after Christmas, inquiring about Burris’ interest. Burris said that he wanted a couple of days to think the offer over, and that Adam came to his house again on Sunday, Dec. 28. After he told Adam he would accept the appointment, Burris said, he got a call from Blagojevich at 4 p.m. that Sunday. “Other than greetings, Gov. Blagojevich praising my public service record, his offer and my acceptance of the appointment to the United States Senate, and the discussion of the future press conference to announce my appointment, Gov. Blagojevich and I discussed no other topics of subject matter during the Dec. 28, 2008, telephone conversation,” Burris said in the affidavit. Mike Dorning reported from Washington and Monique Garcia from Chicago. Ray Long contributed from Springfield.
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Burris, Dem leaders headed toward showdown
Monday, January 5th, 2009
WASHINGTON — Roland Burris and Democratic Party leaders headed toward a symbolic showdown at the door of the U.S. Senate on Tuesday as the former Illinois attorney general presses his claim to a disputed seat. Burris said in an interview this evening that he intends to try to walk onto the Senate floor to be sworn in with incoming senators when the Senate convenes Tuesday despite declarations from party leaders that they will prevent the 71-year-old, longtime politician from entering the legislative body’s ornate chamber. WGN-TV’s Tom Negovan reports from Washington, D.C. HERE. The imagery of authorities stopping a graying African-American man at the threshold of political power promises to be a moment of high drama in a controversy that has joined the complicated politics of race with the sensational corruption scandal swirling around Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The governor, undeterred by criminal charges that he sought to sell the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama, picked Burris last week. But with Burris and Senate leaders balancing determination to hold their ground against a wish to avoid generating too much heat, the face-off will be choreographed. Burris said his staff has telegraphed his intentions to Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Terry Gainer — by coincidence an old acquaintance who was director of the Illinois State Police when Burris was attorney general. “We will only go as far as the sergeant-at-arms permits us to go,” Burris said. “We will then retreat and meet with our legal team.” Senate Democrats have refused to seat Burris, arguing that accusations against the governor taint his appointment of Burris. But Burris says his appointment is lawful. “What has been done here is legal,” Burris told reporters Monday before flying to Washington. He dismissed repeated questions about the scandal surrounding Blagojevich, calling it “all politics and theater.” Because of Senate rules that restrict the use of cameras in the hallways around the second-floor entrance to the chamber, any theater over the actual refusal to admit Burris may not be captured by TV cameras. But there will plenty of opportunity for television and photographic imagery, including Burris walking up the Capitol steps to appear at the Senate’s first-floor appointment desk at 10:30 Eastern Time, 9:30 a.m. in Chicago, according to a Burris associate. Incoming senators customarily are sworn into office on the Senate floor beginning at noon in groups of four according to alphabetical order, with the other senator from their home state escorting them. By alphabetical order, Burris would be in the second group of four senators, were he to be seated. Even before Burris boarded his flight to Washington, Senate officials rejected paperwork sent by Blagojevich to formally appoint Burris to his position, citing the refusal of Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to sign the certificate. “If he does not have a certificate that is signed, it is considered incomplete. He is absolutely under the Senate rules not allowed on the Senate floor,” said Joe Shoemaker, a spokesman for Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). At a news conference at Chicago’s Midway Airport, Burris repeated his insistence that he is the state’s junior U.S. senator and expects to be granted his seat in Washington on Tuesday. Burris said he still intended to meet Wednesday with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who has said Burris should not be allowed in the Senate because of the “corruption surrounding Blagojevich.” “I will sit down and talk to Mr. Reid and tell him I’m here to take my seat,” Burris said. The Illinois House committee investigating whether to impeach Blagojevich has asked Burris to appear in Springfield on Wednesday, but Burris said that would have to wait because he needs to be in Washington. “I’m a United States senator,” Burris said at the airport news conference. “They cannot stop me from .?.?. my senatorial duties.” Burris sent the House impeachment panel an affidavit in response to their subpoena to him, which was sought by Republican members who say he needs to explain how he got the appointment. His attorney said it was not a substitute and indicated Burris would appear at a later date. The affidavit outlines the events leading up to the governor’s offer on Dec. 28, putting into place a timeline by Burris that is aimed at underscoring his statements that nothing untoward occurred when he received Blagojevich’s call. Burris recapped how he received a call and personal visit from Sam Adam Jr., one of the governor’s defense attorneys, the day after Christmas, inquiring about Burris’ interest. Burris said that he wanted a couple of days to think the offer over, and that Adam came to his house again on Sunday, Dec. 28. After he told Adam he would accept the appointment, Burris said, he got a call from Blagojevich at 4 p.m. that Sunday. “Other than greetings, Gov. Blagojevich praising my public service record, his offer and my acceptance of the appointment to the United States Senate, and the discussion of the future press conference to announce my appointment, Gov. Blagojevich and I discussed no other topics of subject matter during the Dec. 28, 2008, telephone conversation,” Burris said in the affidavit. Mike Dorning reported from Washington and Monique Garcia from Chicago. Ray Long contributed from Springfield.
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Burris, Dem leaders headed toward showdown
Monday, January 5th, 2009
Former Death Row inmate Madison Hobley, who was pardoned and set free five years ago, stands to receive $6.5 million from the City of Chicago now that a deadline for prosecutors to indict him has passed. Hobley was convicted of murder and sentenced to death for setting a 1987 fire that killed seven people, including his wife and infant son. But Hobley, who said he was tortured by Chicago police, was pardoned by former Gov. George Ryan in his final days in office in January 2003. Hobley then sued the city. He settled that lawsuit, but under the terms of the settlement, he initially received $1 million. An additional $6.5 million was due only if Hobley was not indicted by Jan. 3. FBI agents and federal prosecutors had reopened the case in 2007. Murder by arson is a federal offense. “He feels like if anyone had doubts about his innocence, they’d be gone now,” Andrea Lyon, an attorney for Hobley who has worked on his case for more than a decade, said Monday. As part of the re-investigation, agents and prosecutors sought and reviewed police department records from the case, subpoenaed some of Hobley’s relatives and even interviewed Hobley for several hours. Lyon said she came away from that meeting convinced Hobley made a “good impression” on officials. Lyon said that under the terms of the settlement, the city has 60 days to pay Hobley, who now lives in North Carolina. A city Law Department spokeswoman said officials already have begun the process to pay him. Jeff Coen contributed to this report. –Steve Mills
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Ex-Death Row inmate due $6.5M
Monday, January 5th, 2009
Former Olympia Fields Village Clerk Toi Hutchinson was named today to fill the south suburban state senate seat being vacated by U.S. Rep.-elect Debbie Halvorson. The Democratic committee chairmen who appointed her said they believed Hutchinson could hit the ground running. Hutchinson, 35, is Halvorson’s former chief of staff.”I’m excited, but I’m humbled,” said Hutchinson, 35, a lobbyist and second-year law student. “There is so much going on in the state right now. These are going to be some of the most trying times that we’ve ever experienced. . . . I’m very honored and humbled that they felt I was up to the task.” With Gov. Rod Blagojevich facing possible impeachment in the House, Hutchinson could play a role in the Senate in whether the beleaguered governor is convicted and removed from office. She declined Monday to say how she would vote. Halvorson, of Crete, resigned from her 40th Senate District seat at 10 a.m. The chairmen voted for her replacement two hours later. Will County Democratic Chairman Tim Gaffney initially voted for Will County Board member John Anderson, but he later rescinded after it was apparent the other chairmen were voting for Hutchinson. He recast his ballot for Hutchinson to showcase unanimous support in the district, he said. –Erika Slife
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Halvorson’s Senate successor to be former aide
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008
WASHINGTON — Five Blackwater Worldwide guards charged with the unprovoked shooting that killed 14 innocent Iraqis and wounded dozens of others in 2007 will get their day in a Washington court after unsuccessfully trying to move the trial to Utah. A federal judge on Monday ordered the guards to report Jan. 6 to a District of Columbia courthouse, where they are expected to plead not guilty. The decision came hours after prosecutors announced charges against the guards that carry mandatory 30-year prison terms for the wild gunfire and grenade attacks on a Baghdad street. The guards “must be held accountable for their actions, not just for the integrity of the American people, but for the Iraqi men, women and children whose lives have been destroyed,” FBI Assistant Director Joseph Persichini said at a Justice Department news conference in Washington. The five Blackwater guards _ all decorated military veterans _ declined comment as they surrendered in federal court in Utah. They maintain they were protecting themselves from what they believed was an imminent car bomb attack. “We think it’s pure and simple a case of self-defense,” defense attorney Paul Cassell said Monday as the guards were booked. “Tragically, people did die.” Defense attorneys sought to move the case to Utah, where one of the five guards lives, in hopes of appealing to conservative jurors who may be more sympathetic to the war in Iraq than those in Washington. But the Justice Department argued that the case should remain in Washington, where a sixth guard who turned against his former colleagues has already pleaded guilty in a deal to cooperate with prosecutors in exchange for lesser charges. A federal magistrate in Salt Lake City agreed, although defense attorneys can appeal for the right to return to Utah. Outraged Iraqis have waited more than a year to see how the U.S. would respond. The shooting by the largest U.S. security contractor in Iraq on a busy street in the capital sparked international condemnation, launched congressional hearings and inspired anti-American insurgent propaganda. Prosecutors said the slain included young children, women, people fleeing in cars and a man whose arms were raised in surrender as he was shot in the chest. The drama is far from over. After more than a year of investigative missteps and fierce debate, the Justice Department now faces stiff challenges to the evidence and legal grounds at the heart of its case. Most importantly, prosecutors must prove they did not rely on protected statements the guards gave to State Department investigators within hours of the shootings. The State Department gave limited immunity to all the guards in the four-car convoy, promising not to prosecute them based on the initial statements recounting how the violence began. The move left Justice Department and FBI investigators with a crime scene long gone cold and with limited forensic evidence to bolster their case. “We fully expect that the defendants will raise the issue,” said Assistant Attorney General Patrick Rowan. “We’ve been very careful and very painstaking in the way we have investigated this case, the way we have assembled evidence. And we fully expect to prevail when the court hears that issue.” Defense attorneys also will argue that the guards cannot be charged under a law intended to cover soldiers and military contractors since the men worked as civilian contractors for the State Department. Rowan, however, said Blackwater was supporting the military’s mission in Baghdad and the law therefore applies to them. It is the first time prosecutors have used that argument to prosecute contractors. The Justice Department recently lost a somewhat similar case against former Marine Jose Luis Nazario Jr., who was charged in Riverside, Calif., with killing four unarmed Iraqi detainees. The five guards are Donald Ball, a former Marine from West Valley City, Utah; Dustin Heard, a former Marine from Knoxville, Tenn.; Evan Liberty, a former Marine from Rochester, N.H.; Nick Slatten, a former Army sergeant from Sparta, Tenn.; and Paul Slough, an Army veteran from Keller, Texas. They are charged with 14 counts of manslaughter, 20 counts of attempted manslaughter and one count of using a machine gun to commit a crime of violence. The machine gun charge, typically used in drug cases, carries a 30-year minimum prison sentence. The sixth guard, who is cooperating with the government, is Jeremy Ridgeway of California. He pleaded guilty to one count each of manslaughter, attempted manslaughter, and aiding and abetting. The Moyock, N.C.-based Blackwater has not been charged in the case.
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Blackwater Shootings Case Moved To Washington DC
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