Arizona declares State of Emergency

The State of Arizona has also followed suit with New Mexico to declare a state of emergency on illegal immigration. Congressional delegations of both parties from both states are concerned with the issue of security.

Texas Jury Awards $253million in Vioxx case

A Texas jury has awarded a widow $253million in damages for the loss of her husband after the popular pill Vioxx was pulled from the market. There are currently 4200 cases pending in federal and state court. Merck is the maker of the popular painkiller Vioxx.

Mechanics authorized to strike as deadline passes w/o deal

TSA proposes new policy for no-fly list

The Transportation Security Administration has proposed to Congress a way to streamline the no-fly list. Part of the proposal would be to create an exemption for certain people. These people would include members of congress, commercial pilots, and senior government officials.

MSP Int'l Airport prepares for possible strike as deadline nears

Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport is bracing for a possible strike by mechanics for Northwest Airlines. MAC (Metropolitan Airports Commission) police have been put on 12 hour shifts and NWA has hired a private security firm. The deadline for a deal and to authorize a strike is 12:01am ET. Negotiators were in Washington but no face to face meetings today although both sides had traded proposals this week.

Many mechanics believe this was probably their last day on the job. NWA is asking for $176million in concessions. Mechanics want credit for lost jobs in recent years. Some experts believe that NWA may declare bankruptcy. The White House has said it will not get involved in the negotiations although the White House does have the authority to intervene.

In related news mechanics for Mesabi Airlink are prohibited by a judge from honoring Northwest mechanics picket lines. Mesabi Airlink stated in a lawsuit in anticpation of a strike that their mechanics would be in breach of contract if they honored the picket lines. Mesabi flys some of Northwest's more remote routes.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid suffers mild stroke

No futher details at this time.

New Mexico declares State of Emergency

The state of New Mexico has declared a state of emergency as they are getting flooded with illegal immigrants.

Missiles target US Navy ships in Jordan

Missiles were launched where Navy ships were docked. They didnt hit the ships but hit some warehouses nearby. Al-Qaeda has claimed responsiblity. The Navy ships have stationed in an undisclosed location at sea.

British police criticized over shooting of victim in subway bombing case

British police are being criticized after the public learned that the originally account of the incident is different from the official account. The victim that the police shot at was thought to be one of the subway bombing suspects. At the time of the raid the police could not confirm the identity of the suspect as being a terror suspect. The victim happened to be living at the same address as the terror suspects that the police were looking for.

BTK killer gets 10 consecutive life terms

Dennis Rader, aka BTK killer in Kansas, was formally sentenced after pleading guilty to 10 consecutive life terms from a killing spree dating from 1974-1991. Rader is not eligible for the death penalty since the death penalty was in place at the time of the killings.

ABA rates Roberts well qualified for Supreme Court

The American Bar Association has voted 14-0 to give Judge Roberts a well qualified rating. This comes as the Senate is expected to start committee hearings on his confirmation in September. He actually has a higher rating than the justice he is replacing. OConnor was rated well qualified as far as judicial temperment but only good as far as legal experience.

Liberal interest groups have been privately squabbling over the strategy of dealing with Roberts. They dont want to be perceived as being too harsh but dont want to give him a pass either. Some have argued that they want to wait till Chief Justice Rehnquist retires. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) originally asked interest groups to hold their fire but in a recent press release stated that Roberts represented the right wing of the republican party then and now. Senator Leahy is currently the ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Roberts worked in both the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations. Roberts is currently serving as a federal appeals court judge in Washington, D.C.

APSA moves Annual Meeting for 2006

The American Political Science Association has announced that due to lack of progress in the negotiations between labor and management in San Fransisco that they have decided to move the meeting to Philadelphia. This was decided after the committee felt that they would be unable to fullfill the obligations of the association with the impasse of the negotiations.

Rowley, State Senator Becky Lourey to visit Crawford to support Cindy Sheehan

Colleen Rowley, formerly with the FBI and now candidate for Congress in the 2nd district and State Senator Becky Lourey are going on a trip to Crawford to support Cindy Sheehan. State Senator Becky Lourey's son died while serving in Iraq.

Supporters and Protesters intensify near Crawford

After dealing with the Congress in Washington, President Bush thought he was getting away from it all at his ranch in Crawford. Supporters and protesters have gathered near Crawford making it a headache for law enforcement and neighbors. One of Bush's neighbors became so annoyed with the protesters that a shot a bullet in the air. Cindy Sheehan has gained prominence as the mother who lost her son in the war in Iraq. She wants to meet with President Bush about why we are in Iraq. I certainly empathize with her since my brother is currently serving in Iraq. However I really dont think that there is any thing that the president could say that would make her feel better. Losing a loved one is one of the hardest tragedies any one can endure. But I also believe that if we pull out now that the situation in Iraq would get much worse and our domestic security would be in greater jeopardy.

Ohio governor faces misdemeanor charges

After touting high ethical standards in his adminstration, governor Bob Taft is facing misdemeanor charges after failing to disclose gifts his office had received. The republican governor and the republican party are trying to get past this situation. The governors office released a statement stating that it was an honest mistake. The governor could face a fine and jail time if convicted. Jail time is unlikely for the governor. This has been part of a larger investigation nagging the Taft adminstration which is ongoing by the Ohio Ethics Commission. The governor is not expected to resign.

Secretary General orders probe of Procurement Office

After the Oil for Food report was released by the UN, Kofi Annan the Secretary General, ordered a review of how contracts are awarded by the UN. This comes as charges that the Oil for Food program was mismanaged.

Iraqi National Assembly approves extending deadline

After failing to come to agreement, the Iraqi National Assembly approved a 7 day extension to finish writing the constitution. Negotiators are ironing details such as the role of women and the amount of influence religion will play in the new government.

Iraqi's scramble to finish writing Constitution by deadline

Iraqis are expected to have a constitution ready by Aug. 15. The US had urged the group to speed up the process. This will attempt to provide some stability that is currently being racked daily by insurgent attacks.

Israel begins pull out of Gaza Strip

In a controversial move seen as a step toward peace Israel has decided to pull out of the Gaza Strip beginning Monday. Some lifelong residents of the Gaza Strip have protested because they are being uprooted from their homes. Some have vowed not to move until forced to do so.

Security in Crawford, Texas

President Bush is on his 5 week working vacation in Crawford. This made me wonder if some other small towns may be jealous of Crawford. They probably have more law enforcement per square mile than some major cities. Considering its a town of 800. Although they are probably used to all the tourists by now. Im sure it was getting a little used. Although Texas has had its share of presidents of both parties. I mean you have the most powerful politician in your backyard. You cant buy this type of attention.