What’s news today?

We’ve got lot’s today. Let’s start with something good, or at least pretty cool.

From TheIndependentUK

“Sergei Gaschak’s photography offers an unparalleled glimpse at animal life inside “the zone”, the area of Ukraine and Belarus that has been officially closed off to human habitation since the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe of 1986.

What’s news today?

Let’s do an Open Thread.

Here’s a few from me.

First, some good news. And a fine example of why they’ve been termed the “greatest generation”.

Well done Donna. Thanks for “introducing” me to this gentleman. It’s a great story, and I hope they make this movie.

🙂

From TheDailyBreeze

“Louis Zamperini’s epic life may finally get its Hollywood movie.” 

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Here’s another good news piece.

From TheWashingtonPost

“March for Life seen through social media (photos)”

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And then we go downhill.

But really, it’s not like we didn’t see this coming. It’s the only way they could meet “standards” in some military occupations. Not to bash the ladies, but there are some jobs they are physically unable to meet the requirements to perform at an acceptable level. It’s not because they lack the will, desire, or technical knowledge.  

From CNSNews

“Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint  Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday that with women now eligible to  fill combat roles in the military, commanders must justify why any  woman might be excluded – and, if women can’t meet any unit’s  standard, the Pentagon will ask: “Does it really have to be that high?”

“Dempsey, who is at the pinnacle of the military’s top brass, was  asked by a reporter: “You indicated that — well, at least it sounds  like that there may be certain combat operational forays that women  might be excluded from still. I mean, what would be the reasons for  that? What sorts of operations?””

“He added: “Importantly, though, if we do decide that a particular standard is  so high that a woman couldn’t make it, the burden is now on the service  to come back and explain to the secretary, why is it that high? Does it  really have to be that high? With the direct combat exclusion provision  in place, we never had to have that conversation.””

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A Federal Appeals Court has reminded President Obama that he is not allowed dictator like powers, no matter how much he wishes it were so.

From TheWashingtonTimes

“In a case freighted with major constitutional implications, a federal   appeals court on Friday overturned President Obama’s controversial  recess appointments from  last year, ruling he abused his powers and  acted when the Senate was not actually in a recess.

The three-judge panel’s ruling is a major blow to Mr. Obama. The judges ruled that the appointments he made to the National  Labor Relations  Board are illegal, and hence the five-person  board did not have a quorum  to operate.

But the ruling has even broader constitutional significance, with the  judges  arguing that the president’s recess appointment powers don’t  apply to “intra-session” appointments — those made when Congress has  left town for a few days or weeks.  They said Mr. Obama erred when he  said he  could claim the power to determine when he could make  appointments.

“Allowing the president to define the scope of his own appointments power would eviscerate the Constitution’s separation of powers,” the  judges said in  their opinion.”

The White House response is much the same as with other laws (DOMA) and constitutional issues they don’t like. Just ignore it.

From TheWashingtonExaminer

“Mark Gaston Pearce, chairman of the National Labor Relations Board, issued the following statement in reaction to today’s DC Appeals Court decision that President Obama use of recess appointments to install three people on the NLRB last year was unconstitutional. The action renders the board without a quorum to act and potentially invalidates a year’s worth of actions and rulings by it. Pearce indicated that the NLRB will attempt to continue on regardless:”

“Pearce, in short, is indicating that the NLRB’s strategy is to act as if the court’s ruling that the appointments were unconstitutional somehow only applies only to the particular case that went before the Appeals Court and hope that the White House can get the Supreme Court to quickly review the case.

It’s a pretty brazen strategy, but consistent with a broader administration strategy to simply ignore the court’s ruling.”

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What have you got?

What’s news today?

Well the Feinstein circus yesterday’s a good place to start, I guess. Democrat Senator Chris Murphy says if there was an assault weapons ban in place, the kids in the Sandy Hook shooting would be alive today.

Really Senator? Then how do you explain this?

From the Chattanoogan

“Connecticut already has an assault weapons ban.

Sec. 53-202c. Possession of assault weapon prohibited. Class D felony. (a) Except as provided in section 53-202e, any person who, within this state, possesses any assault weapon, except as provided in sections 29-37j, 53-202a to 53-202k, inclusive, and 53-202o and subsection (h) of section 53a-46a, shall be guilty of a class D felony and shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of which one year may not be suspended or reduced; except that a first-time violation of this subsection shall be a class A misdemeanor if (1) the person presents proof that he lawfully possessed the assault weapon prior to October 1, 1993, and (2) the person has otherwise possessed the firearm in compliance with subsection (d) of section 53-202d.

See here and here for the Connecticut law, and what is considered an assault weapon.

Also Senator, there was no assault weapon used in the shooting, so a ban would have been useless. 4 handguns were used according to the Coroner. There was one in the shooters trunk, but it never left the shooters car.

How can we have an honest debate with dishonest people? Pandering doesn’t help either Senator.

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I guess we’ll stick with not quite accurate statements for the next one too.

 Kerry seems to contradict Hillary’s testimony about the alleged protests.

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I’d like to believe them. I really would. But I don’t. They’ll just pull another Lucy and Charlie Brown us.

From HotAir

“At the end of last year, Barack Obama had the advantage of time for his effort to get tax hikes.  If House Republicans refused to bend on tax increases on high-end earners, taxes would go up anyway on everyone.  That leverage allowed Obama to score a big legislative victory on New Years Day, although not as big as he’d hoped.

Now, however, time is on the side of Republicans.  Thanks to the 2011 Budget Control Act’s “sequesters,” spending cuts will hit whether Obama agrees to a budget plan to reduce overall spending or not.  And Republicans, led by Paul Ryan, have taken a page from Obama’s book and will cheerfully allow them to hit, whether they like the impact or not:

Republicans will insist that automatic spending cuts take effect March 1 unless other cuts are adopted, Ryan said. They may force a shutdown of the government on March 27 unless Democrats agree to additional cuts. And they will demand that any future increase in the debt limit – likely to be necessary this summer if the measure to suspend the current debt limit is adopted — be paired dollar-for-dollar with spending cuts or other reforms.

“We have a sequester kicking in on March 1, a continuing resolution [on the budget] expiring on March the 27. We have budgets that, if the Senate decides to do its job this year, will come out in April,” Ryan said Wednesday at a breakfast with reporters. “These are the kind of points we think force the kind of conversation we think we have to have.”

Here’s the WaPo story on it.

“As House Republicans prepared to vote Wednesday on a plan to suspend the debt limit, Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan made clear that the party is in no way abandoning its uncompromising approach to the budget battle with President Obama.

Republicans will insist that automatic spending cuts take effect March 1 unless other cuts are adopted, Ryan said. They may force a shutdown of the government on March 27 unless Democrats agree to additional cuts. And they will demand that any future increase in the debt limit – likely to be necessary this summer if the measure to suspend the current debt limit is adopted — be paired dollar-for-dollar with spending cuts or other reforms.”

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And here’s 3 interesting pieces from ZeroHedge

First,

“With eight months left until million of Americans are supposed to begin shopping at online markets created by the Obamacare ‘tax’ law, the insurance industry is concerned at the government’s lack of readiness. Bloomberg reports that Jim Donelon, the head of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, suggested that President Obama may need to delay the implementation of the health-care overhaul or “risk chaos” when the subsidized plans go on sale later this year. While it is clear that the administration has shown no sign of seeking a delay, Donelon notes that “…to rush into implementation before it’s ready would not be in the President’s best interest.””

Second,

“While it is unclear how many states’ data the BLS had to estimate today, the weekly initial claims print was impressive, sliding even lower than last week, when it came at 335K, and refuting expectations of a rise to 355K, instead reversing and printing the lowest weekly number since January 2008: 330K. What is impressive is that the NSA number dropped by a whopping 120K in the past week, making one wonder how much of the ongoing moves are simply a seasonal adjustments mismatch (a question even Goldman asked last night). Perhaps just as curious is that a whopping 365,641 people dropped off Extended Claims in the first week of January, unclear if this had anything to do with the Fiscal Cliff can kicking: certainly a third of a million Americans suddenly stopped receiving weekly jobless claims benefits from Uncle Sam.”

And the how many states question has been answered for the Third,

“And The Reason For Today’s Five Years Initial Claims Low Is…

… is not the economy, which as we pointed out earlier just crossed into “worst recovery ever” territory, or even actual layoff events. The reason is, as always when there is a massive “beat” in any US economic data, the same tried and true estimation magic out of the BLS appearing so conveniently at appropriate times, which estimated the claims numbers of 3 states, among which those of the most populous: California. ”

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What’s news today?

First, a helpful public service message for cat owners.

Now you know what to do to prevent this problem at your house. You’re welcome. 🙂

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Reasonable and sensible gun legislation? Sounds better than what Lautenberg and Feinstein are proposing today, which is neither reasonable or sensible.

From Bloomberg

“His nephew, 6-year-old Noah Pozner, was among the murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School. He had been shot 11 times at close range. My old friend had come from Seattle to Washington to talk to lawmakers about reforms that might prevent future massacres.”

“He had sent a memorandum to the White House task force on gun violence on behalf of Noah’s mother, brother, sister and seven other family members. It included a number of novel proposals. One is a new reporting requirement: If you have“knowledge of a grave and imminent threat of serious physical harm” that someone else has made, and “reasonable cause to believe” that person has access to a gun or bomb, you would have a legal requirement to inform a law-enforcement agency.”

“A second proposed statute would establish a standard for securing firearms. Someone who has “reasonable cause to believe”that he has made a gun accessible to a person who is mentally ill and considered dangerous, or otherwise poses a grave and imminent danger to others, would be guilty of a misdemeanor, and maybe even a felony, if that dangerous person gets the gun.”

You can read the proposal here, courtesy of NBCBayArea

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This one? Well, I’m just gonna say it. Leon, you’re a fool. Enough with using the military for this administrations social experiments.

From FoxNews

“Women in all branches of the military soon will have unprecedented  opportunities to serve on the front lines of the nation’s wars.

Leon Panetta, in one of his last acts as President Obama’s defense secretary,  is preparing to announce the policy change, which would open hundreds of  thousands of front-line positions and potentially elite commando jobs after more  than a decade at war, the Pentagon confirmed Wednesday.

The groundbreaking move recommended by the Joint Chiefs of Staff overturns a  1994 rule banning women from being assigned to smaller ground combat units.  Panetta’s decision gives the military services until January 2016 to seek  special exceptions if they believe any positions must remain closed to  women.”

Recommended, after much pressure from the White House.

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Uh-oh. It’s never pretty when liberal groups are at odds with each other. But it can be amusing. 🙂

Now Bloomberg knows how real Republicans feel when he and his ilk constantly play the race card on them.

From TheAP

“The city defended its groundbreaking size limit on sugary drinks Wednesday as an imperfect but meaningful rein on obesity, while critics said it would hurt small and minority-owned businesses while doing little to help health.

The first courtroom arguments in the closely watched case ended without an immediate ruling. Opponents said they planned to ask a judge to delay enforcement during the suit, which has broached questions of racial fairness alongside arguments about government authority and burdens to business.

The NAACP’s New York state branch and a network of Hispanic groups have joined a legal effort to block the first-of-its-kind restriction, igniting questions Wednesday about the groups’ ties to the beverage industry.”

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So what did you folks think of Hillary Clinton’s testimony?

I think she was wrong, it does matter. Even some of the mainstream press thinks so.

From the HotAir/GreenRoom

“The Washington Post’s Erik Wemple explains why:

No matter your view of the media’s role in Benghazi; no matter your take on whether U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice leveled with the country on the Sept. 16 talk shows; no matter your view of Fox News’s Benghazi campaign, it surely does make a difference whether it was “because of a protest or was it because of guys out for a walk one night who decided they’d go kill some Americans.” It makes a difference to the media, the public, the government, everyone.

The trustworthiness of the administration’s version of events — even the early one — makes a difference. Whether it was hard-core terrorism or a spontaneous attack or something else — that makes a difference too, with strong implications for intelligence accountability. Goodness gracious, in her very own statement, Clinton herself even seems to acknowledge that it makes a difference, when she says, “It is our job to figure out what happened …”

At one point in the proceedings, Clinton stated, “Maybe we didn’t do a good enough job of explaining that we didn’t have a good picture.” Yes, that would have helped.”

And CBS reporter Sharyl Attkisson tweeted that it does as well. Let’s hope it inspires them to dig a little deeper into this for a change.

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Say it with me now….

Most transparent Administration Evah!

Not. From WFB via HotAir

“Transparency:

The number of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuits filed against the federal government has increased dramatically under the Obama administration, according to a December study by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC).

A comparison between the last two years of President George W. Bush’s second term and the last two years of President Barack Obama’s first term shows FOIA lawsuits jumped by 28 percent, TRAC reports.

FOIA lawsuits are filed to challenge denials of records requests or the use of exemptions of information by federal agencies.

The number of FOIA lawsuits filed against the State Department rose by 111 percent in those time periods, from 18 to 38. FOIA lawsuits rose by 60 percent at both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, the Department of Justice saw an increase by 50 percent.

Sure, we’ll tell you what you want to know. Right after you sue us first, ‘cuz we ain’t talkin’ unless you do. And we’ll also redact the snot out of what little we finally give you. Good luck with that. We’re glad to have been of assistance.

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What’s news today?

Open thread, you decide.

Here’s a few from me.

Bibi wins, from Yahoo

“Hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emerged the bruised winner of Israel’s election on Tuesday, claiming victory despite unexpected losses to resurgent center-left challengers.

Exit polls showed the Israeli leader’s Likud party, yoked with the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu group, would still be the biggest bloc in the 120-member assembly with 31 seats, 11 fewer than the 42 they held in the previous parliament.

If the exit polls compiled by three local broadcasters prove correct – and they normally do in Israel – Netanyahu would be on course for a third term in office, perhaps leading a hardline coalition that would promote Jewish settlement on occupied land.”

I wonder if President Obama called him to offer congratulations?

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Here’s some Texas Straight Talk, from Ron Paul

“The Coming Debt Limit Drama: Government Wins, We Lose”

“Last week President Obama bluntly warned Congress that he will not negotiate when it comes to raising the statutory debt limit.  If Republicans attempt to use a debt ceiling vote to win concessions on spending from the White House, Mr. Obama threatens simply to raise the limit by executive order or other unilateral action.

This is business as usual in Washington.  Democrats literally do not believe we have a deficit and debt problem, and reliably propose greater borrowing and spending.  Republicans talk a good game when it comes to government debt, but have no credibility to argue against deficits or abuses of executive power.  Brinksmanship ensues, and ugly compromises are reached at the 11th hour.  We all lose as the endless borrowing and money printing further erode our dollar and our economy.”

And Boehner offers a deal to put things off until May, and Obama says he won’t oppose it, all right on cue.

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Wanted: 4 Star General to fill upcoming CENTCOM vacancy. Must be a YES! man and team player.

From WFB

““Word on the national security street is that General James Mattis is being given the bum’s rush out of his job as commander of Central Command, and is being told to vacate his office several months earlier than planned,” reports veteran national security correspondent Thomas E. Ricks.

It now appears likely that Gen. Mattis, a Marine Corps legend, will leave his post as head of America’s most important combatant command in March, several months earlier than planned. Ricks continues:

Why the hurry? Pentagon insiders say that he rubbed civilian officials the wrong way — not because he went all “mad dog,” which is his public image, and the view at the White House, but rather because he pushed the civilians so hard on considering the second- and third-order consequences of military action against Iran. Some of those questions apparently were uncomfortable. Like, what do you do with Iran once the nuclear issue is resolved and it remains a foe? What do you do if Iran then develops conventional capabilities that could make it hazardous for U.S. Navy ships to operate in the Persian Gulf? He kept saying, “And then what?

Inquiry along these lines apparently was not welcomed — at least in the CENTCOM view. The White House view, apparently, is that Mattis was too hawkish, which is not something I believe, having seen him in the field over the years. I’d call him a tough-minded realist, someone who’d rather have tea with you than shoot you, but is happy to end the conversation either way.”

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And Hillary will finally have some ‘splainin’ to do to today.

JudicialWatch has some questions to ask her.

“Who at the State Department was responsible for opening up and continuing the operation of the “Special Mission Compound” in the unstable environment of Benghazi, overriding physical security standards for diplomatic facilities?

Did the Director of Diplomatic Security or his immediate subordinates have authority to countermand the Department’s desire to open “SMC Benghazi?”

Why did Ambassador Stevens travel to Benghazi, so close to the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks?

Why were two unmanned aerial vehicles requested to record the deadly events as they unfolded in Benghazi while more lethal air support options were not on station?”

And I have one too. Was this really an embassy, or just a front to run arms illegally to the Syrian rebels as some have alleged?

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What’s news today?

Well the Inauguration is now complete. But don’t worry if you missed it, his fans in the press have covered the festivities for you as only die-hard fans could. With glowing admiration. 😉

Perhaps a simple man like myself doesn’t understand all the fuss because I’m just not nuanced enough.

Time and Chris Matthews will explain it to the rest of you commoners over at this link from Mediaite.

““What is Barack Obama? In life, he is a writer and a professor,” Meacham said. “Writers and professors think in more complex terms. They reach more nuanced positions. And I think he knows – I think president Obama knows, because at heart he’s  storyteller and an analyst – that if he wants history to remember his presidency well, he’s got to make these compromises.””

Maureen Dowd wants to know why he doesn’t use his super powers more often.

From Newsbusters

“New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd spoke in such illustrious  language about the “brilliant” president and his  “super-brain” that she even bowled over Obama fan Mika Brzezinski who  exclaimed: “Now that’s love!”

Appearing on the Monday edition of MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Dowd  predicted that “five years from now” the Morning Joe crew will be  gushing about Obama’s “brilliant political memoir” but then lamented that they  would look back and ask: “Why couldn’t he have applied that super-brain to  Washington and gotten it to work better?””

CNN’s Jim Acosta get’s in on the act, also from Newsbusters.

“CNN correspondent Jim Acosta was positively giddy while covering President  Obama’s inauguration parade on Monday afternoon, and didn’t hold back his  feelings on-air.

“You know, I feel like I should pinch myself right now,  Wolf. I can’t believe I have this vantage point of history in the making,”  Acosta gushed.”

“Acosta later added that “It’s good to be the President. It’s almost  like being a rock star on every street corner of Washington on this  day.”

Unfortunately, Acosta has not been alone at CNN in exhibiting extreme  enthusiasm for President Obama. During the inauguration parade, Wolf  Blitzer  raved about “history over here” and shouted  out and waved at Obama as he passed by.”

Of course he did. He’s a big fan.

Andrea Mitchell wasn’t gonna be outdone though.

From NationalReview

“Not to be outdone by Chris Matthews, who said the president’s speech was downright Lincolnian, MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell posited that, no, Obama’s address actually brought back memories of Marting Luther King, Jr. “I thought that the tone of this speech, aside from the policy prescriptions, was much more eloquent than I expected, frankly,” Mitchell said, “and in the mood of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the day that we’re celebrating and of that legacy.””

My eyes are 🙄 so much they might fall out. I better get the duct tape. 🙄

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Seems some of the participants got a little carried away too.

From TheWashingtonExaminer

“President Obama’s recent response to the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., convinced the pastor who preached at this morning’s pre-inaugural church service that the president has the cleric’s touch.

Obama should be called “Pastor in Chief,” said Andy Stanley, pastor of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Ga., after he “thanked POTUS for work after Newtown shooting tragedy when he spoke to mourners.””

Really? 🙄

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We don’t tolerate this from the teens at our church, and I doubt we’d make an exception for him. It’s just poor manners.

From Bloomberg

““I’m honored and grateful that we have a chance to finish what we started. Our work begins today. Let’s go. -bo”

The president and his family arrived at St. John’s at 8:35 am EST.

The service ended at 9:39.

BO tweeted at 9:25.”

But hey, at least he wasn’t the only one right? The president of another group was Tweeting too. Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood was Tweeting about how honored she was to be in attendance with the President at church.

From WeaselZippers

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And what coronation is complete without a proclamation from the king?

From TheWeeklyStandard

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 21, 2013, a National Day of Hope and Resolve. I call upon all Americans to join together in courage, in compassion, and in purpose to more fully realize the eternal promises of our founding and the more perfect Union that must remain ever within our reach.IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.”

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Thanks for the warm and fuzzy sentiments Sir. Now about your missing clothes…..

From WFB

“The Government Accountability Office (GAO)’s annual audit of the government, released Thursday, raises serious concerns about the federal government’s long-term financial stability and the effectiveness of the Affordable Care Act’s cost-curbing measures.

The report found “that—absent policy changes—the federal government continues to face an unsustainable fiscal path.””

Here’s the report from TheGovtAccountabilityOffice

Not much hope there. Or here, for too many people.

From HotAir

“As we officially embark into President Obama’s second term today, let’s take a moment to examine the new economic normal with which the voting public is apparently quite comfortable. While we’ve finally, technically fallen below the national eight percent unemployment rate we heard so much about during Obama’s first term, there is a very significant qualifier in that math that communicates nothing really uplifting about where our economy actually stands:

The number of Americans age 16 or older who decided not to work or even to seek a job increased by 8,332,000 to a record 88,839,000 in President Barack Obama’s first term, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. …”

It’s all hope, but no change, except for the worse.

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What’s news today?

President Obama was officially sworn in for his second term yesterday.

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The public ceremony is today.

C-Span will have live video stream here.

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Do they hate to say “I told you so” as much as I do?

Well, we did.

From RealClearMarkets

“As the Affordable Care Act–otherwise known as ObamaCare–begins to be implemented, we are seeing its first big consequence: it is making care less affordable.

The New York Times reports that “Health insurance companies across the country are seeking and winning double-digit increases in premiums for some customers, even though one of the biggest objectives of the Obama administration’s health care law was to stem the rapid rise in insurance costs for consumers.”

“Even though”? In fact, Obamacare is simply doing what a lot of people predicted it would. Critics of ObamaCare warned that it would produce precisely the kind of premium increases we are now seeing, for precisely the reasons that new reports are now citing.

I was one of those critics, and I take no joy in pointing out that we told you so.”

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Don’t worry, it’s not all bad today. 🙂

And yes, that was only slightly tongue-in-cheek. 😯

Here’s a good story about a real American hero.

From HotAir

“This is a season when we cover far, far too many depressing tales of politics and Washington power. As we roll through the end of the NFL playoffs, what say we take a moment to lend our thoughts to something nicer? There was a birthday party this weekend in New Jersey, and it was honoring somebody who truly has earned the right to blow out as many candles as he can manage here in the good old U.S of A.  Meet Nicholas Oresko, 96 years young.

A true American hero is celebrating a milestone right here in New Jersey.

The country’s oldest Medal of Honor recipient is celebrating his 96th birthday at his retirement home in Cresskill.

World War II veteran Nick Oresko received his medal from President Harry Truman on October 30, 1945.”

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And this one’s a good story too. It’s not the brother vs. brother Super Bowl match-up I wanted, but it’s still pretty cool.

From YahooSports

“When Jim and John Harbaugh coached against each other last season, it was the first time in NFL history that two brothers faced off as head coaches. And a lot of media attention was given to that storyline.

Jim and John Harbaugh will coach against each other once again in the Super Bowl after San Francisco beat Atlanta and Baltimore beat New England in the NFL conference championship games. And if you thought the Harbaugh vs. Harbaugh story was given a lot of ink for a regular season game last season, just wait for this two-week lead up to the Super Bowl.

Baltimore, led by John Harbaugh, beat New England 28-13 in the AFC Championship Game. Jim Harbaugh led the 49ers to a 28-24 win over Atlanta in the NFC title game earlier in the day.”

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Lately all the news, especially where politics is concerned, seems to be bad news. After all, if it bleeds, it leads, or so they say. I’m sure you’ll agree, it does get tiring sometimes. I think I should spend a little more time on good news for a change. I’ll try to remember to include more going forward as well. Today I’m just going with nothing but good news stories. Feel free to share your own too, or whatever else you find interesting.

🙂

And if you want some nice ones to lead off with, you can’t go wrong with puppies. I mean who doesn’t love puppies?

If it barks, it leads.

First, a loyal dog.

From TheDailyMail

“A heartbroken dog whose owner died two months ago is missing her so much he is attending services at the Italian church where her funeral was held patiently waiting for her to return.

Loyal Tommy, a seven-year-old German Shepherd, belonged to Maria Margherita Lochi, 57, and had been her faithful companion after she adopted him when she found him abandoned in fields close to her home.”

“Following her death at San Donaci near Brindisi, a funeral service was held at which Tommy joined mourners and since then he has been a regular at the church arriving on time when the bells ring out to mark the start of services.”

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Then next we have a fun one for anyone who likes “Where’s Waldo?” Or if you’re British, 🙄 “Where’s Wally?”

Finding Momo, via TheDailyMail as well.

“Spot the dog is the challenge being laid down  by the pet owner behind these Where’s Wally-style photographs.

Andrew Knapp is hoping eagle-eyed viewers  will have lots of fun finding Momo – his black and white border collie concealed  within the images.

The graphic designer originally produced the  series of pictures as a gift for his  nieces and nephews.”

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This one is pretty cool.  🙂

From DailyGood.org

“He’s a world record holding sprinter from South Africa. She’s a spunky 5-year-old from Essex, England. In an inspiring series of images that have recently gone viral, the two strangers, united only by a stubborn refusal to let double amputations stop them, race each other in a friendly bionic foot race.

Oscar “Blade Runner” Pistorious, 25, was just 11 months old when doctors discovered he had no fibulas, requiring below-the-knee amputations of both his legs. Ellie May Challis lost both her hands and legs at 16 months, after contracting a severe case of meningitis.

Although Ellie was originally fitted with standard prosthetics, the toddler found them difficult to walk with. More sophisticated carbon fiber legs — the kind worn by Pistorious — were expensive, but Ellie’s community rallied behind her, raising the $15,000 needed for the replacements. In 2009, the 5-year-old became the youngest person ever to be fitted with carbon fiber prostheses.“

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This is from TheTelegraph

“When 11-year-old Cade Scott threw his message in a bottle into the North Sea he had no idea what kind of 17 month travail his postcard would go on.

What’s interesting in the news today?

Open Thread.

But first…..

Pravda could take lessons from these guys.

From FreedomWorks

“Back in 2010, an agreement between a pro-Obamacare foundation and a society of business journalists had been questioned as a ‘cozy propaganda arrangement’. This arrangement has recently continued through sponsorship funding and training efforts that will provide journalists with “specialized education in health care reporting”.

In the summer of 2010, the Commonwealth Fund, a self-described ‘progressive’ organization, announced a $15,000 grant being awarded to the Society of American Business Editors and Writers (SABEW).  It was the third such grant awarded to the SABEW since 2007, but the first to have the express purpose of providing ‘a series of education programs focusing on aspects of the nation’s new health-care reform law.’

The organization has a history of reporting only favorable accounts of the Obamacare legislation, even being pointed to on numerous occasions by the White House. Additionally, the group has featured several revolving door relationships with staff members and fellows for the radical socialist, George Soros.  For example, Michael Vachon has served both at the Commonwealth Fund and as an advisor to Soros at his Open Society Institute.  Alice Huan-Mei Chen has been a fellow while also previously serving as a Soros Physician Advocacy Fellow.”

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And this one. I’m a free-speech kinda guy. Yes, even offensive, childish speech. While I think it’s stupid, offensive, and just plain mean, he still has a right to say it. And we have the right to tell him he’s a jerk for saying it. But it sure appears as if the college went way overboard here, and probably violated his rights.

From TheDailyCaller

“A university inside the suburban sprawl of northeastern New Jersey has  suspended a student for comparing another student’s legs to “a pair of bleached  hams” in a YouTube comment, reports CBS New York.

School officials at Montclair State University allegedly determined that  Joseph Aziz, a 26-year-old graduate student, violated the school’s student code  when he published the derogatory comment.”

“On Oct. 9, CBS New York says, officials at Montclair State issued a no-contact  order — basically a restraining order — obligating Aziz to avoid “written,  verbal, or electronic contact; physical or ‘in-person’ contact, or contact by  third parties” with the female student. The order also barred Aziz from  contacting the other student on social media, and even mentioning her on social  media.”

“A member of the private Facebook group reportedly sent copies of Aziz’s comments  to Montclair State officials, and school officials suspended him for the semester. The administration also threatened him with arrest if he sets foot on  campus during that time, according to the Foundation for Individual Rights in  Education (FIRE), a national civil liberties group that has thrown its hat in  with Aziz.”

And here’s the original CBS story as well.

So what do you think?

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UPDATE to the hostage story.

From MSN

“An Algerian airstrike reportedly killed 34 hostages and 15 of their Islamist militant captors, reports say. Seven are still alive, including two Americans, and four have been freed by the Algerian military.

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What’s news today?

I guess we start with the obvious.

From TheGuardian

“Obama’s proposals to reduce gun violence – at a glance.”

“The president unveiled a series of legislative measures that require congressional approval, and executive actions that don’t.”

13 that he needs Congress for, and 23 Executive Orders.

Gee, I wonder if one of them will make it illegal for the govt. to arm Mexican cartels? It’ll be fun when they send out the gun running Justice Dept. to prosecute violators of these new rules. That’s some serious irony there.

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Also, check out number 16, the one about Doctors asking patients about guns. There’s a little problem with that, and a little more irony.

From Breitbart

“When Obama signed his 23 Executive Orders this morning, #16 was to clarify that Obamacare “does not prohibit doctors [from] asking patients about guns in their homes.” Yet it must be understood that even if they ask these questions, they can’t compile their answers into a list which they then pass on to the government.

This prohibition comes courtesy of Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).

When Obamacare was being debated in the Senate in 2010, Reid inserted an amendment that forbids the government from using doctors to compile information for a gun registry.”

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Rand Paul has legislative solutions of his own in mind.

From TheDailyCaller

“Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul plans to introduce legislation in Congress soon  nullifying the executive orders on guns announced by President Barack Obama on  Wednesday, a source familiar with the plans confirmed to The Daily Caller.

The Republican legislator plans to reveal his plans for legislation during an  appearance on Sean Hannity’s show on Fox News on Wednesday night, the source  said.”

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New York State has their own ideas as well.

From CNSNews

“As New York lawmakers approved the nation’s toughest gun control laws, the first since the Connecticut school shooting, gun enthusiasts lined up to criticize the state for what they called an overreach driven by political ambition.

Signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday, the New York legislation tightens a ban on assault-style rifles, calls for background checks on ammunition purchases, outlaws large-capacity magazines and tries to keep guns out of the hands of mentally ill people deemed to be a threat.”

“Besides outlawing a broader array of military-style weapons, the measure restricts ammunition magazines to seven rounds, down from the current 10, creates a more comprehensive database of people barred from owning guns, and makes New York the first state to require background checks to buy bullets. The system will also help flag customers who buy large amounts of ammo.”

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And despite claims to the contrary, al Qaeda isn’t on the run.

From TheWallStJournal

“Militants with possible links to al Qaeda seized about 40 foreign hostages, including several Americans, at a natural-gas field in Algeria, posing a new level of threat to nations trying to blunt the growing influence of Islamist extremists in Africa.

As security officials in the U.S. and Europe assessed options to reach the captives from distant bases, Algerian security forces failed in an attempt late Wednesday to storm the facility.

A French effort to drive Islamist militants from neighboring Mali that began with airstrikes last week expanded on Wednesday with the first sustained fighting on the ground. France’s top target, al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, claimed responsibility for the Algeria kidnappings, calling it retaliation. The claim couldn’t be verified, although AQIM has its origins in Algeria and operates across a swath of Africa.”

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Has anyone seen my “Shocked Face”? I’ll need it for this last one.

From TheAP

” Federal immigration agents were prepared to arrest an illegal immigrant and registered sex offender days before the November elections but were ordered by Washington to hold off after officials warned of “significant interest” from Congress and news organizations because the suspect was a volunteer intern for Sen. Robert Menendez, according to internal agency documents provided to Congress.

The Homeland Security Department said last month, when The Associated Press first disclosed the delayed arrest of Luis Abrahan Sanchez Zavaleta, that AP’s report was “categorically false.””

😯

Found it!

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