News Round-Up
I have been fighting with LJ all week to get this updated, so it's not quite as complete as I would like it to be, but I think I got most of the big stories. ...I hope.
United States
Congressman David Wu (D-OR) Accused of Sexual Assault - 07/23
Wu is alleged to have had an "unwanted sexual encounter" (could that possibly be a euphemism for something, perhaps...? *sizzle*) the teenage daughter of a friend. He claims it was consensual. One of the few facts about the alleged victim is that she's a high school grad, so that is possible in this case. No police complaints have been filed by the girl or her family.
Debt Talks Still Dead - 07/23
WARNING: Video of Obama talking will automatically run when you click this link. Also, it's ABC, so proceed with caution.
Apparently the only thing that everyone agrees on is that Republicans and Democrats do not agree on anything. And while this isn't in the article, I am curious why Obama is even involved in this process at this point. It's clear he's not helping, and budgets are a Legislative matter, not an Executive one.
Temporary Shut-down of the FAA Results in 4000 Jobs Lost, at Least for Now, and No Federal Ticket Taxes on Air Travel - 07/23
The dispute that led to the shut-down was over long-term funding legislation that would have made it more difficult for train and plane workers to unionize. As it is, flights are expected to be as safe as before, but will now cost less since the airlines won't be paying taxes to fund the FAA.
Obama Excluded from Debt Talks - 07/24
Apparently, Congress decided to take my advice. Not that Republicans and Democrats suddenly like each other or anything, but at least President Polarize isn't in the process at the moment.
House Republicans May Not Have the Votes to Pass Debt Plan - 07/26
Boehner has a plan on paper, but he may not have the votes to pass it. Of course, Obama's threatened to veto anything Republicans come up with anyway (Party of No, anybody?), so the whole point is arguably moot. *sigh* I suppose it wouldn't be politics if it wasn't exciting!
David Wu Resigns - 07/26
Taking the only route guaranteed to get his name out of the headlines, David Wu has decided to resign. Just when the story was getting good, too.
Nancy Pelosi Loses Her Head Completely over Debt Talks - 07/29
Apparently refusing to pass the Republican budget is the same as trying to "save the world from the Republican budget. We're trying to save life on this planet as we know it today." We're supervillains, guys!!!
Debt Vote Today - 07/29
And Trey Gowdy thinks it will go through. We shall see, I suppose.
World
Amy Winehouse Dead at 27 - 07/23
I suppose you could argue this isn't that newsworthy, but...well, she's my age.
Death Toll in Norway Now at 92 - 07/23
A few hours after the bombing at the PM's office building, a gunman opened fire on teens at a youth camp. A Norwegian man has been charged for both attacks, though he may have had a partner.
Two Bullet Trains Collide in China - 07/23
At least 32 are dead.
Norwegian Attacker Claims to Have Had No Accomplice - 07/24
Death toll today listed at 93, with 96 people injured, and "several" people unaccounted for.
Four Norwegian Attack Victims' Names Released - 07/26
The only good news here is that the death toll has actually been downgraded from 93 to 76 due to some miscounting between the attack sites.
Every Norwegian Attack Victim has Been Identified - 07/29
So that's something. I haven't seen any headlines on the people who were missing, though.
Life Issues in the News
Abortion Advocate Governor of Missouri Allows Two Pro-Life Laws to be Enacted - 07/23
The bills are identical but were passed in both the house and the senate and ban abortions after 20 weeks. Jay Nixon was actually elected with an abortion plank in his platform but did not veto the bills due to broad support for them in the state legislature.
California Ruling Requires "Clinic Escorts" to Ask Permission Before Approaching Women Outside of Clinics - 07/29
In a surprisingly even-handed decision, a California court has upheld a law requiring pro-life sidewalk counselors to obtain a woman's permission before approaching her outside abortion clinics, but has ruled that the "escorts" for the clinic must also do the same thing. In fact, one judge known to be a liberal even commented that "antiabortion protesters might be able to show that the city was violating their rights by allowing escorts to shield the patients and prevent the protesters from getting their consent to talk" according to a paraphrase in the article.
Sports
Australian Wins the Tour de France - 07/29
For the very first time in ever, too. Should we sing "Advance, Australia Fair" or "Waltzing Matilda?"
Local News
LiveJournal Experienced Large-Scale DDoS Attacks - 07/29
No word yet on whether there was Russian involvement this time. However, I can not begin to say how frustrated I have been lately.
United States
Congressman David Wu (D-OR) Accused of Sexual Assault - 07/23
Wu is alleged to have had an "unwanted sexual encounter" (could that possibly be a euphemism for something, perhaps...? *sizzle*) the teenage daughter of a friend. He claims it was consensual. One of the few facts about the alleged victim is that she's a high school grad, so that is possible in this case. No police complaints have been filed by the girl or her family.
Debt Talks Still Dead - 07/23
WARNING: Video of Obama talking will automatically run when you click this link. Also, it's ABC, so proceed with caution.
Apparently the only thing that everyone agrees on is that Republicans and Democrats do not agree on anything. And while this isn't in the article, I am curious why Obama is even involved in this process at this point. It's clear he's not helping, and budgets are a Legislative matter, not an Executive one.
Temporary Shut-down of the FAA Results in 4000 Jobs Lost, at Least for Now, and No Federal Ticket Taxes on Air Travel - 07/23
The dispute that led to the shut-down was over long-term funding legislation that would have made it more difficult for train and plane workers to unionize. As it is, flights are expected to be as safe as before, but will now cost less since the airlines won't be paying taxes to fund the FAA.
Obama Excluded from Debt Talks - 07/24
Apparently, Congress decided to take my advice. Not that Republicans and Democrats suddenly like each other or anything, but at least President Polarize isn't in the process at the moment.
House Republicans May Not Have the Votes to Pass Debt Plan - 07/26
Boehner has a plan on paper, but he may not have the votes to pass it. Of course, Obama's threatened to veto anything Republicans come up with anyway (Party of No, anybody?), so the whole point is arguably moot. *sigh* I suppose it wouldn't be politics if it wasn't exciting!
David Wu Resigns - 07/26
Taking the only route guaranteed to get his name out of the headlines, David Wu has decided to resign. Just when the story was getting good, too.
Nancy Pelosi Loses Her Head Completely over Debt Talks - 07/29
Apparently refusing to pass the Republican budget is the same as trying to "save the world from the Republican budget. We're trying to save life on this planet as we know it today." We're supervillains, guys!!!
Debt Vote Today - 07/29
And Trey Gowdy thinks it will go through. We shall see, I suppose.
World
Amy Winehouse Dead at 27 - 07/23
I suppose you could argue this isn't that newsworthy, but...well, she's my age.
Death Toll in Norway Now at 92 - 07/23
A few hours after the bombing at the PM's office building, a gunman opened fire on teens at a youth camp. A Norwegian man has been charged for both attacks, though he may have had a partner.
Two Bullet Trains Collide in China - 07/23
At least 32 are dead.
Norwegian Attacker Claims to Have Had No Accomplice - 07/24
Death toll today listed at 93, with 96 people injured, and "several" people unaccounted for.
Four Norwegian Attack Victims' Names Released - 07/26
The only good news here is that the death toll has actually been downgraded from 93 to 76 due to some miscounting between the attack sites.
Every Norwegian Attack Victim has Been Identified - 07/29
So that's something. I haven't seen any headlines on the people who were missing, though.
Life Issues in the News
Abortion Advocate Governor of Missouri Allows Two Pro-Life Laws to be Enacted - 07/23
The bills are identical but were passed in both the house and the senate and ban abortions after 20 weeks. Jay Nixon was actually elected with an abortion plank in his platform but did not veto the bills due to broad support for them in the state legislature.
California Ruling Requires "Clinic Escorts" to Ask Permission Before Approaching Women Outside of Clinics - 07/29
In a surprisingly even-handed decision, a California court has upheld a law requiring pro-life sidewalk counselors to obtain a woman's permission before approaching her outside abortion clinics, but has ruled that the "escorts" for the clinic must also do the same thing. In fact, one judge known to be a liberal even commented that "antiabortion protesters might be able to show that the city was violating their rights by allowing escorts to shield the patients and prevent the protesters from getting their consent to talk" according to a paraphrase in the article.
Sports
Australian Wins the Tour de France - 07/29
For the very first time in ever, too. Should we sing "Advance, Australia Fair" or "Waltzing Matilda?"
Local News
LiveJournal Experienced Large-Scale DDoS Attacks - 07/29
No word yet on whether there was Russian involvement this time. However, I can not begin to say how frustrated I have been lately.