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08 Jan 2011 22:59

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World: Obama to Sudan: Please keep voting process peaceful. Please?

  • As the referendum proceeds, voters must be allowed access to polling stations; they must be able to cast their ballots free from intimidation and coercion. All sides should refrain from inflammatory rhetoric or provocative actions that could raise tensions or prevent voters from expressing their will.
  • President Barack Obama • In an editorial, published in the New York Times, emphasizing the need for an honest vote in Sudan tomorrow, where they’ll be deciding whether to split the southern part of the country from the main country – a vote that Obama has long pushed for diplomatically. Obama suggests that if Sudan follows through with the vote without incident, the Khartoum region’s government could be taken off a list of state sponsors of terrorism. He also emphasizes that Darfur is also important to this peace process: “There can be no lasting peace in Sudan without lasting peace in the western Sudan region of Darfur.” We’re totally with him on this. source

08 Jan 2011 22:20

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U.S.: To recap: Here’s what happened to Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson

  • one bullet went straight through Gifford’s brain – she’s currently getting heavy medical care
  • six number of deaths in the attack, including a judge; 13 more (beyond Gifford) were injured
  • nine the age of the youngest victim, an innocent bystander caught in the middle source
  • » A second suspect? Authorities are currently looking for a 50-year-old man who reportedly helped main suspect Jared Lee Loughner with the crime. He hasn’t been caught yet.

08 Jan 2011 22:00

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Politics: On Gabrielle Giffords, Sarah Palin, tonal problems, etc.

  • Probably the most interesting take we’ve seen on this whole incident comes from James Fallows. “It is legitimate,” Fallows writes, “to discuss whether there is a connection between that tone and actual outbursts of violence, whatever the motivations of this killer turn out to be.” The suspect – we don’t know what was going through his head, and who knows if we will. But a generally vitriolic political environment can have an unwieldy, uncontrollable result in the wrong hands. The reason why things like Sarah Palin’s “Take Back the 20” or her congressional opponent’s gun-shooting event worry us have nothing to do with Palin having a direct role in the shooting, but with the way that general anger and rage has played an influential role in our political climate. You have to be careful with this kind of imagery. A good comparison Fallows makes is the JFK assassination, where he offers a suggestion that Lee Harvey Oswald’s motives may have been influenced by the general anger and discontent in Dallas at the time of Kennedy’s visit. Arizona has a lot going on right now. It’s fair to draw comparisons, even if on the surface, they aren’t so clear. source

08 Jan 2011 17:24

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U.S.: Why Gabrielle Giffords got into politics, in her words

  • I first got involved with politics because I was frustrated when I was opening up my newspaper every single morning and seeing my great state of Arizona continuing to be at the bottom, whether it be poor-people funding, or mental health funding, or making sure that we could preserve our beautiful open spaces and in life you can either complain about something or you can try to fix it so I decided to run for political office.
  • Rep. Gabrielle Giffords • Explaining why she chose to get into politics. This is probably how a lot of people feel. Whatever happened to the congresswoman is a significant moment, one that really makes us sad for our country at large. Look … whatever happened with Jared Loughner, whatever his motives, whatever, elected leaders should not be put into situations like this. Giffords comes from a good place. Remember that. source

08 Jan 2011 17:05

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U.S.: Jan Brewer speaks on Gabrielle Giffords shooting

  • “Gabby’s more than just a colleague. She’s been a friend.” Jan Brewer sounds very emotional in talking about Giffords. “She never really played partisan politics,” she said. “She is a very gracious elected servant.” (Live from CNN) source

08 Jan 2011 16:13

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Culture: Some weird viewing: Jared Loughner’s YouTube videos

  • Here’s some videos from Jared Loughner’s YouTube channel. In case you’re completely confused, so are we. The other clips are even more confusing. This kid had some major issues, apparently. Mind control and racism among the things brought up here.

08 Jan 2011 16:04

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U.S.: Jared Laughner: The reported suspect in the Giffords shooting

  • Born 1988. A freaking kid. Why did Jared Laughner do this, anyway? source
 

08 Jan 2011 16:00

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U.S.: Federal judge killed in Giffords shooting

  • one more death has been confirmed in the attack on rep. gabrielle giffords. John Roll, the chief federal judge for the state of Arizona, was amongst those killed, Talking Points Memo reports. Roll was issued death threats back in 2009, after allowing a controversial civil rights lawsuit to proceed, and was given a month’s worth of protection detail. What an insane, tragic day. To the families and victims of those involved, our sincere thoughts are with you. source

08 Jan 2011 15:44

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U.S.: Speaker Boehner responds to Giffords shooting

  • I am horrified by the senseless attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and members of her staff. An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve.
  • John Boehner • In a statement released this afternoon. He continued: “Acts and threats of violence against public officials have no place in our society. Our prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, all who were injured, and their families. This is a sad day for our country.” Amen, brother.  It’s a sad day indeed. source

08 Jan 2011 15:34

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U.S.: MSNBC confirms death of aide in Giffords shooting

  • 1 aide to Rep. Giffords has reportedly been killed source