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30 Nov 2011 20:36

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World: Scotland’s public sector strikes over pensions

  • It’s estimated that 300,000 people participated in the public sector strike in Scotland today, an action in protest of proposed changes to the state’s pension system which could force workers to pay in at a higher rate, and work more years before reaching retirement.  source

30 Nov 2011 20:13

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Politics: Herman Cain decries “character assassination” against him

  • You may not want to admit this, but this is a character assassination on me. Why? Because I was doing so well. There is no other reason to basically explain it.
  • Herman Cain • Denying, to Fox News’ Neil Cavuto, that he carried on a thirteen-year affair with a woman named Ginger White. This is a familiar rhetorical stance by Cain, when compared to his handling of sexual harassment claims against him — he has been very vocal in declaring his nearly blanket innocence, at one point suggesting an accuser, Sharon Bialek, had been brought forward by “the Democrat machine.” On that occasion he admitted that he had no factual basis to make such a claim, and he’s at least again being candid, saying that he believes somebody was “putting up” White to her claims, but that “we don’t know, we have no idea who that is.” source

30 Nov 2011 15:33

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U.S.: Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim explains his defense of Bernie Fine

  • I supported a friend. I’m proud that I did. I think if you know somebody and you work with somebody for 36 years and know them for 48 years, I think you owe a debt of allegiance and gratitude for what he did for the program. That’s what my reaction was.
  • Syracuse basketball head coach Jim Boeheim • Explaining his initial defense of former assistant coach Bernie Fine, with whom Boeheim had worked in Syracuse basketball for nearly four decades. Following news of child molestation claims against Fine, Boeheim vociferously leapt to his assistant’s defense, calling the allegations “a bunch of a thousand lies,” and suggesting the accusers had financial motives. This reactionary and tone-deaf response sparked calls for his resignation, among them those of Rev. Robert Hoatson, who works as an advocate for victims of child sex abuse. It was just last night that Hoatsen revealed he’d been contacted by a fourth person bringing molestation claims against Fine, saying that the abuse began when the man was a young teen. source

30 Nov 2011 15:07

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World: Polls close in Egypt’s landmark parliamentary elections

  • The dawn of a new system? That should certainly be the hope following the closing of polls in Egypt’s first democratic election of the modern political era. The reporting on instances of fraud or abuse during the elections have, to this point, not been particularly widespread or damaging; the relative calm with which the process was carried out, as well as high voter turnout (70%+), would seem to suggest an engaged electorate eager to install their own leadership, and to bring an end to military rule. source

30 Nov 2011 14:52

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U.S.: One of Bernie Fine’s accusers interviewed by Pittsburgh PD

  • Zach Tomaselli goes on record: The Pittsburgh police department’s Sgt. Joseph Gannon has interviewed the young man, now 23, who alleges former Syracuse basketball associate head coach Bernie Fine molested him in 2002. Tomaselli, one of four people now accusing Fine of child sexual abuse (the two of whom are former SU ballboys), claims Fine arranged for him to ride on a bus to Pittsburgh with the SU athletic department staff, and that upon reaching their destination Fine molested him in a hotel room. Fine was fired from his job at Syracuse on Sunday. source

30 Nov 2011 14:06

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World: Secretary of State Clinton arrives in Myanmar today

  • 56 years since a U.S. official had last visited Myanmar source
  • » When preparing to fly into the isolated South Asian country, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was forced to depart early from a stop in South Korea, because the airfield in Myanmar’s capitol lacks runway lights to facilitate nighttime landings. On her schedule for the next three days: a meeting with Thein Sein, the General-turned-President, who despite being viewed as a moderate reformer (compared to the norms under decades of brutal military rule) still has the familiar trappings of a leader wrapped in a fraudulent democratic process — he won the last election with over 90% of the vote. She’ll also be visiting opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a dissident who’s been jailed or under house arrest for most of the last twenty years.

29 Nov 2011 15:12

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Politics: “Conservatives4Palin” just can’t let go of their Palin dream

  • Not taking the hint: Regardless of your opinion of Sarah Palin, that she inspires her core supporters cannot be denied (Mitt Romney wishes he were so lucky). After announcing she wouldn’t run for president, following months of touring about on a campaign-style bus and giving fiery speeches in early primary states, one might expect a mass exodus of support. Having left her job as governor of Alaska, then subsequently pocketing millions in donations that people no doubt expected to fuel a presidential run, even an ardent fan would have reason to balk. Not “Conservatives4Palin,” though; they bought time for this ad urging Palin to run, spending more of their passion and money in service of a person who seems to care only about the latter. source
 

29 Nov 2011 14:36

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Politics: Who are the winners if Herman Cain quits?

  • With the latest scandalous allegation that’s been lobbed at Herman Cain (that he carried on a thirteen-year affair with a woman named Ginger White), and suggestions from the Cain camp that discussions are occurring as to how to proceed, the folks at The Atlantic ask a very good question: if Cain drops out of this thing, who stands to benefit? We agree with their analysis — the obvious and most consequential conclusion is “not Mitt.” A Cain withdrawal would be the first dropout by a well-polling candidate, and those voters will almost assuredly continue seeking a non-Mitt alternative. Paging Newt Gingrich, perhaps? (Photo by John Trainor) source

29 Nov 2011 14:28

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Culture: Michael Jackson death: Conrad Murray sentenced to four years in prison

  • Murray gets the max: Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor issued a sentence for Conrad Murray today, opting for the maximum imprisonment (four years) and coupling that choice with scathing denunciations of the disgraced former doctor: “Not only isn’t there any remorse, there is umbrage and outrage on the part of Dr. Murray against the decedent… Michael Jackson died not because of an isolated one-off occurrence or incident. He died because of a totality of circumstances which are directly attributable to Dr. Murray, not some mistake or some accident in the early morning hours of 2009.” During the trial, the prosecution argued that Murray delayed summoning paramedics to help Jackson after the singer suffered cardiac arrest, and lied to emergency responders when they arrived. (Left: Murray’s booking photo.) source

25 Nov 2011 20:19

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U.S.: National Day of Listening: An anecdote from SFB’s Chris Tognotti

  • While I’ve had many teachers with whom I’ve felt close, and many who helped my academic instincts thrive, none had the impact on my true life’s experience that Carla Zilbersmith did. A theater director and improv teacher at my community college, as well as an evocative vocalist, Carla helped me better understand not only who I am, but urged me to push against the boundaries of my own comforts and fears. In fact, she made me promise her I would. Carla died on May 17th, 2010, after being diagnosed with ALS two years prior — she was 47 years old. I miss her dearly. I still can’t hold back the tears when one of her songs play on my iPod, and I’m skeptical as to whether that will ever change. I loved her, and for the dedication she had to improving my life and those lives around her, I will never forget. (Just a reminder to all: We’re taking your submissions too. Read more here.)