With short video, Obama launches bid for re-election
Monday, 4 April 2011
Using what apparently will be one of his campaign slogans, "It begins with us," the campaign has told supporters that the kickoff of the campaign has started and that means the race for contributions is on.
The familiar-looking blue "O" over red and white stripes is back again for 2012. And at the bottom of the website, the candidates' names are clearly identified: OBAMA-BIDEN -- for Vice President Joe Biden.
Shortly afterward, Obama sent an e-mail to supporters to say he will also file papers Monday with the Federal Election Commission.
"We've always known that lasting change wouldn't come quickly or easily. It never does. But as my administration and folks across the country fight to protect the progress we've made -- and make more -- we also need to begin mobilizing for 2012, long before the time comes for me to begin campaigning in earnest," Obama said in his e-mail message.
He is expected to host his first re-election fundraiser in Chicago on April 14, according to the sources.
The president is making his campaign official slightly earlier than is typical for an incumbent so he can get a jump on fundraising in a season that's likely to shatter all records.
Obama's team has been asking campaign bundlers to raise $350,000 each, no easy task since campaign finance laws limit gifts to $2,500 per donor.
Two sources tell CNN the campaign team hopes that in total its bundlers will raise $500 million, leaving the campaign to raise another $500 million and amass a record-breaking $1 billion war chest.
According to these sources, the president has made calls to top donors, and conference calls are planned this week to supporters and key Democratic groups.
Biden is already planning to be in New Hampshire on Monday and will meet with key supporters in that crucial early voting state.
For the past few weeks, Jim Messina, who will manage the campaign, and Patrick Gaspard, executive director of the Democratic National Committee, have been flying around the country meeting with frustrated donors working to get them re-engaged.
So far no Republican contenders have formally announced. But these days, the likely Republican presidential contenders are making endless visits to key early voting states and meeting with supporters across the country.
One top Democrat says, "The Republicans are out there day in and day out beating up on the president -- they're basically running without filing. So to say we're going first isn't totally fair." This person adds, "No one wants to start running now. The president is engaged in the country, this is about getting (campaign) staff up and running."
Additionally, top Democrats say two former White House staffers are likely to set up a third-party outside spending group.
Former deputy press secretary Bill Burton and Sean Sweeney, former aide to then-Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, have been approached by Democratic donors who are concerned about countering the influence of Karl Rove and the Koch brothers in the upcoming 2012 election.
Government Trying to Suppress Dolphin Death Information?
At the moment no one knows exactly why there has been such a large surge in Gulf dolphin deaths. In order to help document the very disturbing trend, the National Marine Fisheries Service hired contract wildlife biologists to collect specimens and tissue samples. However, these scientists were also instructed to keep their discoveries to themselves. One of the biologists said, “This throws accountability right out the window. We are confused and angry because they claim they want team work, but at the same time they are leaving the marine experts out of the loop completely.”(Source: TheDailyMail.uk)
The gag order is related to the ongoing criminal investigation against BP. The dolphin deaths could become evidence in that case. However, it also seems the public has a right to know about a potential link between the oil spill and dolphin tragedy, because the federal government said months ago most of the oil had disappeared. If the public finds out the government lied about the extent of the oil spill, the blame surely can’t be limited to BP. In fact, it has been quite obvious with various oil drilling permits allowed in the Gulf since the disaster, the government is really not on the side of the marine life living in the Gulf. Elected politicians are making the decisions on behalf of the oil industry, and could care less about the wild animals.
The Band Perry Wins Top New Artist at ACMs With Depressing Song
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Even though I love country music, at first, I was thinking The Band Perry who? But, then I realized that I’d heard their song “If I Die Young” all over the place.
“If I die young bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song”
Overview of the Most Wanted Criminal List Article Source
Criminals that are considered "Most Wanted" hold a special place in society. The authorities consider them to be so important that they alert and even urge the public to play an active role in a criminal's apprehension. What factors actually go into determining who makes the list vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In general, violent offenders top the lists, however, there are some notable non-violent criminals on the loose who are considered most wanted.
History
The most wanted status has been around for as long as man has had a system of justice and punishment. Throughout history, there are notable examples of most wanted criminals, such as Jesus Christ and Socrates. However, it wasn't until the 20th century that the current notion of the most wanted criminal came to being.
In 1950, the FBI started its Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitives program in conjunction with the news media. Both recognized the vital role an informed public could have on helping apprehend fugitives from justice. As of today, the program has listed almost 500 criminals in the program. Of that high figure, over 450 have been apprehended. The public has directly aided in 150+ of those arrests.
Model Program
The Top Ten Fugitive program served as a model for all the other criminal justice jurisdictions, not only in the United States, but the world. As of now, almost every major criminal enforcement agency has a top ten list or other variation of the sort. Each list is a reflection of what the specific authorities of that jurisdiction consider the gravest criminal activities.
Top 3 Crimes Comparison
The following is a list of the crimes committed by the top 3 criminals in 3 different jurisdictions. As you can see, they do share some characteristics, but may also vary widely.
FBI
1. Glen Stewart Godwin: Prison break while serving time for murder.
2. Robert William Fisher: Fleeing prosecution for 3 counts of murder and arson.
3. Eduardo Ravelo: Criminal Drug Conspiracy and Racketeering.
California Department of Justice
1. Marco Antonio Camacho: Murder
2. Albert Magallanes: Murder
3. Julio Rangel Ceja: Kidnap and rape of a juvenile.
Anchorage, Alaska City Police Department
1. William Henry Mackinnon: Stalking
2. Stormi Dawn Bays: Vehicle theft, fraud, forgery, theft.
3. Noelle Cherie Bates: Burglary, theft, violating terms of release, contempt of court.
RCMP, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
1. Pierre Oliver Ellis: First-degree murder.
2. Wariskhan Pathan: First degree murder.
3. Peng Victor Li: First Degree Murder
Specialized Lists
The most wanted concept has expanded and now there are specialized lists. For example, in addition to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives program, the FBI also has its Ten Most Wanted Terrorists list. Specialized lists from other agencies include Washington State's Most Wanted Sex Offender list and the Office of the inspector General's Health Care Fraud Most Wanted list.
Most wanted criminal lists have proven to be an effective tool for law enforcement and the public at large. They are successful in both bringing awareness to the public as well as making society safer in general.
History
The most wanted status has been around for as long as man has had a system of justice and punishment. Throughout history, there are notable examples of most wanted criminals, such as Jesus Christ and Socrates. However, it wasn't until the 20th century that the current notion of the most wanted criminal came to being.
In 1950, the FBI started its Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitives program in conjunction with the news media. Both recognized the vital role an informed public could have on helping apprehend fugitives from justice. As of today, the program has listed almost 500 criminals in the program. Of that high figure, over 450 have been apprehended. The public has directly aided in 150+ of those arrests.
Model Program
The Top Ten Fugitive program served as a model for all the other criminal justice jurisdictions, not only in the United States, but the world. As of now, almost every major criminal enforcement agency has a top ten list or other variation of the sort. Each list is a reflection of what the specific authorities of that jurisdiction consider the gravest criminal activities.
Top 3 Crimes Comparison
The following is a list of the crimes committed by the top 3 criminals in 3 different jurisdictions. As you can see, they do share some characteristics, but may also vary widely.
FBI
1. Glen Stewart Godwin: Prison break while serving time for murder.
2. Robert William Fisher: Fleeing prosecution for 3 counts of murder and arson.
3. Eduardo Ravelo: Criminal Drug Conspiracy and Racketeering.
California Department of Justice
1. Marco Antonio Camacho: Murder
2. Albert Magallanes: Murder
3. Julio Rangel Ceja: Kidnap and rape of a juvenile.
Anchorage, Alaska City Police Department
1. William Henry Mackinnon: Stalking
2. Stormi Dawn Bays: Vehicle theft, fraud, forgery, theft.
3. Noelle Cherie Bates: Burglary, theft, violating terms of release, contempt of court.
RCMP, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
1. Pierre Oliver Ellis: First-degree murder.
2. Wariskhan Pathan: First degree murder.
3. Peng Victor Li: First Degree Murder
Specialized Lists
The most wanted concept has expanded and now there are specialized lists. For example, in addition to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives program, the FBI also has its Ten Most Wanted Terrorists list. Specialized lists from other agencies include Washington State's Most Wanted Sex Offender list and the Office of the inspector General's Health Care Fraud Most Wanted list.
Most wanted criminal lists have proven to be an effective tool for law enforcement and the public at large. They are successful in both bringing awareness to the public as well as making society safer in general.
Cubs Fans -- Reversing the 66-Year-Old Goat Curse
Friday, 1 April 2011Chicago Cubs fans have finally hatched a plan to reverse a 66-year-old curse ... which they claim has kept them out of the World Series since 1945 -- and to do it ... they're donating goats to families in need.
Legend has it ... the curse originated at the Cubs' 1945 World Series game against the Detroit Tigers -- when a stinky goat in the bleachers created an uproar among Cubs fans.
The owner was asked to take his four-legged friend and go ... but before leaving, the man proclaimed, "Them Cubs, they aren't gonna win no more!" ... and they haven't ever since.
As it happens, the only way to break the curse is for the Cubs organization to show "a sincere fondness for goats" -- which is why fans have chosen to work through World Vision ... a non-profit
that specializes in donating goats to families in places like Uganda ... for milk, cheese, and yogurt.
Legend has it ... the curse originated at the Cubs' 1945 World Series game against the Detroit Tigers -- when a stinky goat in the bleachers created an uproar among Cubs fans.
The owner was asked to take his four-legged friend and go ... but before leaving, the man proclaimed, "Them Cubs, they aren't gonna win no more!" ... and they haven't ever since.
As it happens, the only way to break the curse is for the Cubs organization to show "a sincere fondness for goats" -- which is why fans have chosen to work through World Vision ... a non-profit
that specializes in donating goats to families in places like Uganda ... for milk, cheese, and yogurt.
Forces make final push to oust Ivory Coast's defiant incumbent
The organization urged Gbagbo "to immediately hand over power" to Alassane Ouattara, who international leaders recognize as the West African nation's democratically elected leader.
"Gbagbo's days are numbered because he overstayed his welcome," Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga told CNN, who has served as the union's main negotiator in Ivory Coast's political crisis. "The will of the Ivorian people must finally prevail."
Gbagbo has refused to cede power after a disputed November election.
Forces loyal to Ouattara attacked Gbagbo's residence and took control of state-run TV early Friday morning, a spokesman for Ouattara told CNN.
Gbagbo's residence is near the state-run television station, said Patrick Achi, the Ouattara spokesman. Gbagbo apparently was not there.
The takeover occurred less than three hours after a Gbagbo spokesman appeared on the same network declaring that Gbagbo had no intention of leaving the presidential palace, according to a witness who saw the broadcast. The presidential palace is not Gbagbo's personal residence and is located elsewhere.
The takeover of the government network, which had previously been accused of inciting violence against protesters opposed to the Gbagbo government, came as Ivory Coast's internal war appeared to enter a decisive and final phase, with forces loyal to Ouattara making a final push to oust a defiant Gbagbo.
An Abidjan resident who asked not to be identified for security reasons said he heard heavy gunfire overnight and into Friday morning.
He said that most of the city's 4 million residents were huddled inside their homes with no access to information now that national broadcasting was off the air.
One of the people killed Thursday in the violence in Abidjan was a Swedish U.N. employee, said Joakim Larsson, a spokesman at the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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