Politics News Review

Calif. GOP lawmaker to return Buddhist donations (AP)

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:00:10 +0000

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A California lawmaker plans to return more than $6,000 that two Buddhist temples and a related research group donated to his campaign in violation of their tax-exempt religious status, the lawmaker’s staff said Tuesday.

Dems one step closer to 59 senators (McClatchy Newspapers)

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:50:06 +0000

Remember last fall Minnesotans had a hard time deciding who to send to the U.S. Senate between incumbent Republican Norm Coleman and Democratic funnyman Al Franken? Well, it’s still undecided, after five months, but an end is getting closer.

Northrop urges U.S. overhaul defense, deterrence policies (Reuters)

admin — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:30:05 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) –
Northrop Grumman Corp, one of the Pentagon’s top suppliers, called Tuesday for an overhaul of U.S. defense and deterrence policies that would bolster some of the systems it is developing.

Obama bringing hefty agenda on European trip

admin — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:11:07 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama headed to Europe on Tuesday with a hefty agenda for tackling the economic crisis and seeking support for his new Afghanistan strategy on a trip that will test his global leadership.

US to release Gitmo detainee (AP)

admin — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:20:06 +0000

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration has agreed to release another Guantanamo detainee, but officials aren’t saying yet where he’ll go.

How are YOU Surviving the 2009 Economic Recession?

admin — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:00:06 +0000

Now’s your chance to respond!

Readers always have been able to offer their opinions on About.com blog posts, and there has always been healthy debate among site members. Now, US Conservative Politics & Perspectives is giving you a chance to help your fellow readers, as well.

The newest feature, which we call “Readers Respond,” will allow you to post your thoughts on some of the most pressing problems facing modern-day conservatives. Remember! This is different from offering opinions (you can do that by using the “comments” link below). It’s also different from our forum, where you can debate other readers on important topics. The idea behind “Readers Respond” is to provide other readers with help. Just look for the “Readers Respond” link at the end of selected future articles for your chance to offer solutions to the problems presented. The feature won’t be available on every article — only the ones where your help is needed the most.

If you’re already a member of an About.com forum, just login with your Membername. If not, you’ll have to register.

To kick off the “Readers Respond,” we’ve added the link to one of the site’s most popular pieces of content: President Barack Obama’s 2009 Economic Stimulus Package and Its Economic Fallout.

Here’s the question we need you to answer:

Obama Cracks Jokes on Leno Show, Makes ‘Special Olympics’ Gaffe

admin — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:10:06 +0000

There was something for everyone in President Obama’s history-making appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”: a pitch for his economic recovery plan, a rebuke of AIG, musings about “American Idol” and puppies, and even a clumsy attempt at humor that may have offended some disabled people. (Watch the video and read the transcript)

It was the first time a sitting president has appeared on a late-night comedy show, the perils of which were illustrated when Obama made an off-hand joke about his bowling prowess.

Leno asked Obama whether the White House bowling alley had been “burned and closed down” in light of Obama’s gutter ball disaster on the campaign trail last year.

“No, no. I have been practicing…I bowled a 129,” Obama said, adding, “It’s like — it was like Special Olympics, or something.” (Watch video clip)

This is why comedy should be left to the professionals. The audience laughed, but the White House quickly issued an apology, saying the president intended no offense to the Special Olympics. Obama later even called the chairman of the Special Olympics himself to apologize. (It was the second time Obama has had to pick up the phone to apologize for an off-hand joke. Late last year, he called Nancy Reagan to apologize after making a crack about her having held “séances” in the White House.)

Obama stuck to safer comedic targets during the rest of the interview. He drew the biggest laugh of the night after Leno asked if it was fair for him to be “judged so quickly” after less than two months in office. “I welcome the challenge,” Obama replied. “In Washington, it’s a little bit like ‘American Idol,’ but everybody is Simon Cowell.”

More humorous highlights from Obama’s appearance with Jay Leno:

On when daughters Malia and Sasha would get their pet dog: “This is Washington. That was a campaign promise,” Obama said, drawing laughter from the audience. “No, no, no, no, no, I’m teasing. The dog will be there shortly.”

On playing pickup basketball games under the watchful eyes of the Secret Service: “I will say that I don’t think I get the hard fouls that I used to.”

On flying on Marine one: “My daughters, they’re just not as impressed. The first time we went on Marine One — right, you’ve got the Marines in front and they’re saluting you. And we go up and we’re passing the Washington Monument, circling around on the way to Camp David — and Sasha looks over and she says, ‘Are those Starbursts?’ (Laughter.) There’s, like, the candy in the little canister. (Laughter.) That’s ‘Can we have some?’ (Laughter.) So they’re splitting up the Starbursts and we’re flying over the Lincoln Memorial. So they got a whole ‘nother level of cool. (Laughter.)

Watch the video and read the full transcript.

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Hard-up states try a carrot - or stick

admin — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 04:40:08 +0000

In a sure sign of budget troubles, New Jersey has declared its fourth tax amnesty in 22 years, hoping to raise $100 million.

Tories Expel Wheeler Over UKIP Donation

admin — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:00:08 +0000

Millionaire Tory donor Stuart Wheeler has been dramatically expelled from the Conservative after giving £100,000 to the rival UK Independence Party.

Mr Wheeler learned of his expulsion from journalists

Mr Wheeler’s expulsion was confirmed in a terse, one-line statement by a party spokesman who said: “Stuart Wheeler has been expelled from the Conservative Party”.

The spread betting tycoon had earlier said he was making the donation to UKIP after becoming disillusioned with Tory leader David Cameron over Europe.

But while he intended to vote for UKIP in the European parliamentary elections in June, he said he would continue to back the Conservatives in the general and local council elections.

The decision to expel Mr Wheeler is expected to be formally confirmed later this week at a meeting of the Conservative board convened by party chairman Eric Pickles.

It is understood that the decision had the full backing of Mr Cameron. Senior Tories are believed to have concluded that it was untenable for him to remain a member while supporting another party.

Mr Wheeler said he was disappointed at the decision but will continue to vote for the Conservatives in the next set of local elections.

Cameron is said to back the decision

However, he made clear there would be no further donations to the party coffers.

“Having been expelled, I think I would find it difficult to help them financially,” he said.

The loss of his donations is likely to be a heavy blow for the party as it approaches a general election which will almost certainly be held in the spring of next year.

In 2000, he made a record donation of £5m to the party.

Mr Wheeler, an arch eurosceptic, said he had received no notification from the party and had only learned of his expulsion from journalists.

He said before announcing his decision to make a donation to UKIP he had been urged by friends to try to “work from within” to change the party but had concluded it was not possible with the current leadership.

“I think the leadership very much makes up its mind without regard to others, other than a few people at the very top,” he said.

“I think that more than half the shadow cabinet are more euroscpetic than the leadership and would favour a tougher line on Europe.”

Surrogacy makes for a perilous path to parenthood

admin — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:40:07 +0000

Some agencies have earned the trust of doctors and provide valuable services to couples and surrogates, but the industry’s lack of regulation allows unscrupulous brokers to swindle aspiring parents.