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13 Apr 2009 08:32

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U.S., World: Should ship crews be armed against pirate uprisings?

  • Changes could be coming You might be wondering why, despite the long recent history of ships getting commandeered by pirates in the waters near Somalia, crews haven’t been armed. With this latest case involving the Maersk Alabama, expect some changes to happen – including a definition of terrorism stretched to include piracy, which would encourage on-board arms. source
  • Changes could be coming You might be wondering why, despite the long recent history of ships getting commandeered by pirates in the waters near Somalia, crews haven’t been armed. With this latest case involving the Maersk Alabama, expect some changes to happen – including a definition of terrorism stretched to include piracy, which would encourage on-board arms.
  • The argument against arms While this may seem to be a no-brainer to some, ship owners are very concerned that a failed attempt at stopping a pirate attack could lead to the death of the crew. Thus far, the pirates have been good at not harming the crews they overtake. Some say the real solution to the piracy problem is stronger maritime law enforcement of often-lawless waters. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

12 Apr 2009 18:09

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Offbeat, Politics, U.S.: Newt Gingrich hates the Obama family dog, America

  • I hope that the girls love the dog. I hope the family – and all the pressure they’re going to be in – finds it useful. And I think that this whole thing is fairly stupid.
  • Newt Gingrich • Saying what we were all thinking about the new Obama family dog, Bo. But but but but … he still shouldn’t have said it! Take it back! Bo doesn’t like your mean words! • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

12 Apr 2009 14:01

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U.S., World: Yay! The captain is safe. (And most of his Somali captors are dead)

  • The U.S. Navy rescued him this morning. Capt. Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama, who was kidnapped in a failed pirate hijack, was spotted this morning by the Navy. In rescuing him from the little dinghy he was in, they killed three of the four pirates in the process. The fourth one is in custody. So yeah. Lesson of the day: If you’re going to take over a ship, make sure it isn’t an American one, OK? Karma will get you, duders. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

12 Apr 2009 09:09

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Offbeat, U.S.: Ohmigawd! Ohmigawd! The Obamas picked a First Dog!$@

  • The dog is a Portuguese water dog that Barack Obama’s daughters named Bo. Bo is six months old and black and white and awesome and lovable. Awwwww. source
  • The dog is a gift from Ted Kennedy, which means that some will probably criticize the dog for being too liberal, but we know the truth – dogs are apolitical. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 Apr 2009 22:37

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Politics, U.S.: The Sarah Palin/Bristol/Levi Johnston thing is officially testy

  • I know the truth about my family. I know details about whether Levi Johnston was allowed to live with my teenage daughter or not. By the way, it would be over my dead body that a kid would live with my teenage daughter.
  • Sarah Palin • In response to a reporter’s question about whether Levi Johnston actually lived with the Palins after the birth of Bristol’s child. Whew. Did a vein just pop in Palin’s forehead or what? Wow. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 Apr 2009 20:21

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U.S.: A doc with TB + a lot of very young patients = panic!

  • 10 months the amount of time the Chicago-area doctor may have spread tuberculosis without knowing it. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 Apr 2009 19:09

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U.S., World: See any trends on this map of U.S. immigrant workers?

That’s right, Mexico’s circle is way bigger than everyone else’s, by a wide margin. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

11 Apr 2009 18:27

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Biz, U.S.: The feds are shuttering small banks left and right

  • 23 have closed this year, two on Friday alone (in Co. and N.C.) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 Apr 2009 11:10

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U.S.: A reporter clashes with the VA over veteran interviews

  • He was forced to hand over his equipment. WTF? David Schultz, a reporter for American University’s WAMU-FM, went to a town hall meeting for minority veterans at a VA hospital in D.C. on Tuesday. But when he asked a patient some questions, a VA public affairs officer told Schultz to stop, claiming the interview was illegal. The officer then got police, who confiscated his equipment. The VA hospital claims that Schultz did not follow proper procedure, but relented and agreed to give back his equipment. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 Apr 2009 10:32

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U.S., World: Obama: The U.S. needs help from other nations

  • These are challenges that no single nation, no matter how powerful, can confront alone. The United States must lead the way. But our best chance to solve these unprecedented problems comes from acting in concert with other nations.
  • President Barack Obama • In his weekly radio/Interweb address. The president just returned from an overseas trip through Europe and Iraq, so his words carry extra significance. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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