Flooding in Mauritius Kills 11

Eleven people have been killed by flooding in Mauritius.

They island nation in the Indian Ocean was hit by heavy rains, on Saturday, with more expected Sunday.

Six inches of rain fell in an hour, causing flash flooding throughout the island.

Most of the dead were caught in underground areas, such as parking or pedestrian walkways.

Prime Minister Navin Rangoolam announced that Monday will be a day of morning, for the country.

Syrian Rebels Set Fire to Oil Wells

Rebel forces seized oil and gas fields in Deir al-Zor province, Syria.

Unable to decide which of their factions should control the wells, they lit them on fire.

Furat Petroleum Corporation has been working to put out the fires.

They were able to put out six, but three are still burning.

Estimates are that over five thousand barrels of oil and fifty-two thousand cubic meters of gas are being lost daily.

Free Shotguns For Tucson Arizona

A group known as The Armed Citizen Project has a new idea for how to deal with Tucson, Arizona's rising crime rates.

They have initiated a plan to give residents free shotguns.

Armed Citizen Project will then track crime rates in the city, to see if rates go down due to the increased ability of the public to defend itself.

So far, enough money for thirty-six single shot shotguns has been raised.

Single shot shotguns were chosen as they're decent defensive weapons, yet criminals are unlikely to steal them, due to their limited round capacity and size.

The guns will be supplied by Black Weapons Armory, who will also be handling the back ground checks.

Land Day Celebrated With Violence

Palestinians celebrated their annual Land Day, by attacking each other, Israelis, and reporters.

Dozens of demonstrators were injured, when different factions clashed with each other, as well as attacking an Al Jazeera crew who was reporting on events.

A five year old Israeli child and six soldiers were hospitalized by stone throwing assailants.

IDF and police forces have used tear gas to dispel groups who became violent.

Land Day was originally created to remember six Arabs killed in riots, on March 30, 1976.

Tanzanian Building Collapse Claims 19

Rescue workers continue their efforts to find survivors after a building collapsed, on Friday.

Eighteen people have been rescued so far.

As many as thirty-five people are still unaccounted for.

Hopes are beginning to fade as it has been over twenty-four hours since any survivors were found.

Tanzanian officials announced that two more bodies were found, on Saturday, bringing the total to nineteen.

Originally the building had been listed as being twelve stories, but it has now been updated as having been sixteen.

Supreme Court Confirms Kenyatta Election

On Saturday, Kenya's Supreme Court upheld the Presidential elections, after a partial recount.

Police and military were rushed to parts of Nairobi and other cities as protests began over the decision.

In at least one instance tear gas was used to disperse demonstrators.

However, violence was quite minimal, in comparison to the last election which saw over a thousand killed.

The lack of serious injuries or deaths, on Saturday, is filling hopes that Kenyans have moved past those darker times.

US Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Brett D. Shadle

US Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Brett D. Shadle, thirty-one of Elizabethville, Pennsylvania, died on March 28.

He and another SEAL collided in mid air, while undergoing parachute training at Pinal Airpark in Marana, Arizona.

Chief Shadle was taken to the University of Arizona Medical Center in Tucson, where he was pronounced dead.

The other SEAL, who has not been identified, is in stable condition.

Shadle joined the Navy in 2000 and became a SEAL in 2001, eventually he became a member of SEAL Team 6.

Since then he had served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other locations.

His awards include multiple Bronze Stars with Valor and various service ribbons.

224 Rescued From Runaway Ice Floes

Two ice floes in the Gulf of Riga came loose, on Friday morning.

Two hundred and twenty-four people became stranded on the ice.

One hundred and eighty-one were rescued by boat, from the larger floe.

A helicopter rescued forty-two from the other, while one man refused to be rescued by the helicopter.

Eventually a boat was able to rescue him, as well.

For Latvians going to the beach, even in the winter, is not an oddity.

Some were ice fishers, others out for a walk on the sunny day.

5 Shi'ite Mosques Targeted With Car Bombs

At least twenty-three people have been killed in a series of car bombings, in Iraq.

Five car bombs struck Shi'ite mosques in Baghdad and Kirkuk.

Over one hundred and thirty people were injured by the blasts, which struck just after Friday prayers.

Al Qaeda is being blamed for the attacks, due to their focus on Shi'ites.

12 Story Building Collapses in Tanzania

A twelve story building in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania came crashing down, on Friday.

The building, which was under construction, fell down onto itself, into neighboring streets, and onto a nearby soccer game.

At least two people were killed and seventeen injured.

Hundreds of rescuers rushed to the scene and spent hours digging through the rubble for survivors.

Tanzania has been experiencing a construction boom, as construction time speed up, there has been a growing concern over their safety.

UN Announces Combat Force For Democratic Republic of Congo

For the first time the UN is authorizing an offensive stance for it's troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Currently, twenty thousand UN troops are in the country, though they are seen as having been of little use during their presence, which has lasted over a decade.

Twenty-five hundred of them will now be put in a special brigade which will have the specific goal of seeking out and neutralizing the rebel threat.

UN soldiers from Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, and Tanzania are expected to form the new brigade.

Expectations are for the brigade to begin it's work in July, leaving three months for the rebels to prepare for them.

Cyprus Opens Banks

Banks on Cyprus opened on Thursday, for the first time in nearly two weeks.

The government announced that bank activity would be kept limited for at least a month.

They hope that limiting it will keep people from trying to withdraw all of their money.

On Thursday, no rush on the institutions was see, however, international accounts were hit at a greater rate.

Mortar Hits Damascus University Killing 15

Fifteen people were killed when a mortar struck the campus of Damascus University, on Thursday.

The mortar hit a cafeteria area at the College of Architecture.

It is unclear whether the mortar was fired by the army or rebel forces, either way it was an accident.

Fighting, in the capital, has become more intense over the last couple of days.

North Korea on Full Standby After US Flies B2s Over South

B2

North Korea has announced that all units are on standby, as of Friday morning.

This includes their rockets, which are aimed at various Japanese, South Korean, and US military and civilian areas.

According to the North, this also includes rockets capable of hitting North America.

The standby status came after the US flew two B2 stealth bombers, over South Korea, as a show of force.

US Army Sergeant Michael C. Cable

US Army Sergeant Michael C. Cable, twenty-six of Philpot, Kentucky, died on March 27.

His unit came under attack from enemy forces in Shinwar District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan.

Cable was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

His awards include the Army Good Conduct Medal, a posthumous Bronze Star, and a posthumous Purple Heart.

Taiwan Hit By Deadly Quake

One person was killed and another twenty injured when a quake struck central Taiwan.

Wednesday's 6.1 quake hit a mostly rural area.

Pictures from the island show cracked walls, buildings, and roads.

A few fires were caused by gas leaks and the high speed rail service was suspended while the tracks were checked.

Darlymple Signs North Dakota's 6 Week Abortion Ban

Governor Jack Dalrymple signed into law a bill that bans abortion once a heart beat is detected.

Tuesday's signing officially made North Dakota the state with the strictest abortion laws.

The bill had been passed on March 15.

Last month, Arkansas passed a twelve week ban, when heart beats are easily detectible.


Federal law bans abortions at twenty-four weeks.




Both states will see legal challenges to their bills, and the federal government could decide to sue as well.

Myanmar Violence Spreading

Police and military forces have begun trying to restore calm in Myanmar.

However, their job has become more difficult as the violence between Muslims and Buddhists has spread to other towns.

Meiktila, where it all started nearly a week ago, is still under a state of emergency.

At least forty people were killed there, in this round of violence.

Last year, violence between the two groups killed hundreds, in another region of the country.

Cypriots Continue Protests as Government Delays Bank Openings

Thousands of Cypriots took to the streets on Tuesday.

Many echoed the cry of "Your mistakes, our future".

It was but the latest protest the country has seen, due to anger over the government's decisions on how to handle the failing economy.

Increasing their anger was the announcement that the banks will remain closed til Thursday.

Even when they do open they will do so in a limited fashion, which is supposed to be only temporary.

ATMs will also be limited to a one hundred Euro a day withdrawal.

Bank and government officials are worried that if they open everything at once that there will be a run on the institutions.

North Korea Invades US in Latest Propaganda Film

North Korea has released yet another propaganda film, on youtube.

This one starts with footage of the Korean War, with the US flag rising above a devastated countryside.

It then moves on to modern North Korean troops gearing up and boarding ships and aircraft as they head to war.

After President Obama is seen making a speech, the North Korean soldiers are seen invading a foreign coast.

For a moment we are transported back to Pyongyang and a military parade. 

Then bombs are shown dropping on the other country's land and missiles are launched at South Korea.

The movie ends with mass celebration.

Jordan Closes Jaber Crossing

Jordan has announced the closure of the Jaber crossing with Syria.

The announcement came after two days of fighting near the border crossing, between the Syrian army and rebel forces.

Officials worried that leaving it open would lead to civilian casualties.

That area of Syria is home to some of the biggest ongoing fighting in the Syrian Civil War.

Kenya's Supreme Court Calls For Recount

Kenya's Supreme Court

Kenya's Supreme Court announced that there will be a partial recount in the Presidential election.

The election took place three weeks ago, but it took four days to count all of the votes.

When the votes were finally counted, Uhuruh Kenyatta won by just over eight thousand votes, taking 50.07%.

Charges of the election tally being messed with began while they were still being counted.

The six judges on the Court will now have til Saturday to make a final decision on whether to recognize Kenyatta or call for a new election.

Cyprus Agrees to the EU's Terms

As the last chance neared Cyprus' government broke down and agreed to the terms of the EU's offered bailout.

The EU had threatened to cut off the country, if it did not agree to the terms, by Monday.

Under the terms, Cyprus will add a tax on all savings accounts, with a higher rate for those over one hundred thousand Euros.

In exchange, the EU will grant them a ten billion Euro bailout.

By agreeing to the terms Cyprus secures it's place in the EU, and in theory avoids a financial collapse.

Public outcry against the terms has been very high, with Cypriots protesting in the streets demanding that their government not sell out.

Due to public anger, banks have been closed for more than a week, with no reopening set, to keep the public from pulling their money out.

US Army Sergeant Tristan M. Wade

US Army Sergeant Tristan M. Wade, twenty-three of Indianapolis, Indiana, died on March 22.

He was hit by an IED when his unit came under attack in the Qarah Bagh District of Ghazni Province, Afghanistan.

Wade was assigned to the 573rd Clearance Company, 2nd Engineer Battalion, out of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

US Army Sergeant First Class James F. Grissom

US Army Sergeant First Class James F. Grissom, thirty-one of Hayward, California, died on March 21 at Lundstuhl, from wounds sustained.

He was wounded by small arms fire, on March 18, in Paktika Province, Afghanistan.

It was his fifth overseas deployment.

Grissom was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

He was an October 2005 graduate of the Special Forces Qualification Course, which he followed with Warrior Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course; Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Course; the Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance; Target Analysis and Exploitation Techniques Course; and the Basic Airborne Course.

Among his awards were the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2, Army Service Ribbon, Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and a posthumous Bronze Star.

US Army: Private First Class Derek McConnell

US Army Private First Class Derek McConnell, twenty-three of North Caldwell, New Jersey, died on March 18 at Bethesda, from wounds sustained.

He was wounded by an IED, on July 23, 2001, while trying to save another injured soldier.

Since then he had spent his time in various military hospitals, fighting infections.

McConnell had been assigned Catamount, B Company, 2-87 at Fort Drum.

Hundreds of Thousands Protest in Paris

Hundreds of thousands of French marched through Paris on Sunday, in protest.

They are demanding that the Senate not pass a bill that would allow homosexual marriage and adoption.

The bill passed the house, last month, and is expected to pass the Senate as well.

Both bodies are dominated by the Socialist Party and it's allies.

When some of the protesters went off the route, police used tear gas and batons against them.

IDF Eliminates Syrian Position After Taking Fire

Israeli forces destroyed a Syrian machine gun nest, on Sunday.

According to the IDF, the machine gun had fired directly upon an Israeli patrol, on their side of the border.

It was deemed purposeful fire, not stray rounds, and an anti tank gun, responded and eliminated the threat.

On Saturday, an Israeli military jeep was hit with machine gun fire, but it was deemed an accident.

Syria has yet to make any comment about either incident.

The two countries have exchanged fire in several incidents, over the last two years, since the Syrian Civil War started.

Bozize Flees as Rebels Take Bangui

President Bozize fled the Central African Republic, on Sunday.

Rebel forces made their way into the capital of Bangui, deciding the current fate of the country.

With the rebels in control of the country, it remains to be seen if they will keep control or allow a new election.

The African Union condemned the seizure of the capital, and the UN is considering sending a peacekeeping force to avoid mass killings.

France sent one hundred and forty troops, into the CAR on Saturday, to secure the airport and parts of the capital, heavy with French citizens.

Fire Tears Through Refugee Camp Killing 32

Thirty-two people were killed and more than one hundred injured when a fire broke out at a refugee camp, in Thailand.

Twenty-three hundred people were left homeless when the flames tore through the camp.

Ban Mae Surin camp has been the home for Myanmar refugees, since 1992, when the UN opened it.

The UN is working to rebuild the camp, as quickly as possible.

23 Killed in Bangladesh Tornado

At least twenty-three people were killed and around five hundred injured when a tornado struck eastern Bangladesh.

Twenty-five villages reported damage from the storm and winds that came with it.

Rescuers are working their way toward the damaged areas, but fallen trees have blocked railways.

The country is prone to floods, cyclones, and even sometimes tornadoes.

However they normally don't do this much damage.

Prime Minister Mikati Surprises Lebanon With Resignation

Najib Mikati, the Lebanese Prime Minister, announced his resignation on Friday, and it was accepted by President Michel Suleiman, on Saturday.

His decision came a surprise to the country, where he was seen as a peacekeeper.

The country has seen an increase in violence, as the Syrian Civil war spreads across the border.

Fears are that without Mikati at the helm that violence will grow all the faster, and possibly bring another Lebanese Civil War.

It is unclear how quickly parliament will be able to agree upon a new government.

US Senate Passes A Budget

Reid

Well, it’s now been one day since Harry Reid and the US Senate has passed a budget. It has only been four years since they passed their previous budget. I suppose there is no real sense in going overboard on budgets, we can spend as many dollars as we want anyway. Or maybe more precisely print as many dollars as we want.

After pulling an all nighter, ending at nearly 05:00 EDT Saturday morning, and passing with a 50-49 vote, they’ve done it! Over the next ten years, the new budget calls for nearly $1,000,000,000,000 (is that enough 0’s?) in new revenue (taxes), cuts $875 billion with minor cuts in several federal programs (replacing sequester cuts), and permit’s the national debt to grow by over $5 trillion to foreign debt holders. That doesn’t count the debt that the US government will buy.

Some of the decade long proposals include details like $23 billion in internet taxes, an additional $600 billion in top earners taxes, $100 billion in infrastructure investments (spending), and a filibuster proof $975 billion in tax code overhauls (to be debated at a later date).

Don’t worry though, it’s really just the Senates version, and needs to be ratified with the House of Representatives budget proposal. So I would call it just a bunch of ideas being thrown out there for all to see, and not really what they will actually do, if anything.

OH, by the way, I should mention that now they can collect their paychecks, from the “no budget no pay” provision that was passed earlier this year.

Ohio and Pennsylvania Begin Fight Over Punxsutawney Phil

Ohio and Pennsylvania have begun a verbal war over Punxsutawney Phil, the ground hog known for deciding if there's going to be more winter or an early spring. Each year it is judged that there will be an early spring if Phil does not see his shadow. If he does see his shadow, it's six more weeks of winter.

For 2013 Phil "predicted" that there would be an early spring. However, he was clearly wrong, as most of the US has seen more snow since Groundhog Day, than they did before it.

Then on Thursday, Michael Gmoser, the prosecuting attorney for Butler County, Ohio, sent an in indictment for Phil, stating:

On or about February 02,2013, at Gobbler’s Knob, Punxsutawney Phil did purposely, and with prior calculation and design, cause the people to believe that Spring would come early. Contrary to the Groundhog day report, a snowstorm and record low temperatures have been and are predicted to continue in the near future, which constitutes the offense of MISREPRESENTATION OF EARLY SPRING, a Unclassified Felony, and against the peace and dignity of the State Of Ohio.

SPECIFICATION: The people further find and specify that due to the aggravating circumstances and misrepresentation to the people that the death penalty be implemented to the defendant, Punxsutawney Phil

This was in turn responded with by a letter from Nurick Law Group, which was posted on the Washington Post's site:

Michael T. Gmoser, Esquire
Prosecuting Attorney
Butler County, Ohio
P.O. Box 515
Hamilton, OH 45012-0515

RE: Notice to Cease & Desist

Dear Mr. Gmoser:

Please be advised that Nurick Law Group, LLC proudly represents the interests of
Phil Sowerby, a/k/a “Punxsutawney Phil Sowerby” a/k/a “Punxsutawney Phil”
(hereinafter “Punxsutawney Phil”) his predecessors and progeny, for the purposes of this
preposterous prosecution and persecution. Punxsutawney Phil provides (primarily
Pennsylvanians) preeminent prognostication predicated on the position of his shadow.
You recently filed an indictment against Punxsutawney Phil for alleged
“Misrepresentation of Early Spring” wherein you alleged without factual support or other
justification that our client “purposely” and with “prior calculation” did “cause people to
believe that Spring would come early.” (A true and correct copy of the indictment is
attached hereto and is referred to hereinafter as the “Indictment”). Furthermore, without
specificity or reasonable explanation, you cite “aggravated circumstances” warranting
that Punxsutawney Phil be put to death for the crimes that you allege he perpetrated
against humanity.

In the event that a crime was actually committed, which is specifically denied,
you, Mr. Gmoser, as prosecutor for the County of Butler in the State of Ohio, have no
authority for any crimes alleged to have occurred in Pennsylvania. You therefore lack
jurisdiction to prosecute our client and are therefore “out of court” without need for
further legal pontification. However, given the extreme nature of the Indictment and
your flagrant disregard for the jurisdictional limitations of the Courts, we feel it necessary to remind you of the following:

The Eighth Amendment of the Federal Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual
punishment; Article 1, Section 13 of Pennsylvania Constitution reiterates this prohibition. An obvious example of cruel and unusual punishment would be: the punishment for stealing a shirt from a department is getting your hand chopped off. Or, in the case of Punxsutawney Phil, death for being slightly off in his prediction of Spring’s arrival. It has previously been deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of the United States to impose capital punishment for crimes committed while under the age of 18. See Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551 (2005). See also, Commonwealth v. Chambers (cruel and unusual punishment includes life in jail without possibility of parole or the death penalty for persons under the age of 18 at the time the crime was committed)(citation intentionally omitted). Although Punxsutawney Phil’s exact age is not currently known, it is well-established that the average lifespan of a groundhog is ten(10) years in captivity, six (6) years in the wild, with the longest living documented groundhog having expired after fourteen (14) years in captivity. (See, Light, Jessica E. Marmota monax, woodchuck. Animal Diversity Web). Thus, the death penalty as sought by your heavy hand would necessarily be precluded and even if Punxsutawney Phil were perceivably prosecuted, same would be under the auspices of the juvenile justice system in the jurisdiction in which the crime was perpetrated, not as an adult in the Court of Common Pleas of Butler County Ohio by a rogue prosecutor with a seeming indifference to life itself.

On February 2 of each year, the eyes of the world turn to Punxsutawney Phil as
the preeminent predictor of the official arrival of Spring. Predicting is not just
Punxsutawney Phil’s expertise, it is his exclusive source of income and repute. As a
result of Punxsutawney Phil’s proclivity to predict, throngs of people flock to his abode
at Gobbler’s Knob every year, including a great number of your Butler County
constituency. Thus, the Indictment is something of an anomaly in that, as recently as
February 2, 2013, dozens, if not thousands, of Butler County, Ohio residents crossed state lines to witness Punxsutawney Phil make his annual prediction and to avail themselves of the festivities generated thereby.

Punxsutawney Phil maintains complete innocence and denies any and all
accusations made against him. He will appeal the Indictment and, in the absence of an
immediate retraction and public apology, has further authorized the undersigned to
commence a civil action in the Jefferson County, Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas
for defamation against any and all potentially liable parties. You should be advised that
Punxsutawney Phil is not a “hog without means” as he maintains close ties to many
friends and acquaintances who are financially well-to-do. For example, as a result of his
starring role in the movie Groundhog Day in 1993, Punxsutawney Phil forged lifelong
and loyal friendships with the lesser supporting cast including Bill Murray, Andie
MacDowell and Chris Elliot. It is believed that Punxsutawney Phil has already been in
contact with Mr. Murray, Ms. MacDowell and Mr. Elliot, all of whom allegedly pledged
to “have his back” should legal action be necessary.

Thus, it is in your best interest, Mr. Gmoser to immediately cease and desist from
pursuing the preposterous prosecution that you have proposed, to retract any and all
defamatory allegations that you have made against our client and to immediately and
publicly apologize for said transgressions.

Thank you and we look forward to your compliance with the very reasonable
demand set forth herein.

For the Firm,
Todd B. Nurick, Esquire
Brian M. Andris, Esquire

P.S. Disclosure and Disclaimer: The contents of the foregoing correspondence are obviously intended as satire and should in no way be interpreted as legally, factually or even realistically true or accurate by any party or parties. Prosecutor Gmoser and Mr. Samenow are believed to be of high repute. Prosecutor Gmoser is not, in reality, a “rogue” and Mr. Samenow is not actually in the “chain of publication” referenced above as there can be no such chain as it relates to the “rights” of a groundhog which species is not afforded the same or even similar rights as those guaranteed by the United States Constitution or the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Thus, the foregoing correspondence is tongue-in-cheek. It is also unknown whether Bill Murray, Andy MacDowell and/or Chris Elliot ever actually met Punxsutawney Phil. Even less is known as to whether he/she would contribute financially to a civil action brought by a groundhog.

As the law firm was quick to note, this was done all in good humor. Mr. Gmoser, has also acknowledged that his indictment was in a tone of humor, rather than serious in nature, as some were taking it. It's good to see that fun can still be had amongst people.

FAA Closing 149 Air Traffic Towers

On Friday, the FAA announced that 149 air traffic towers will be closed.

All of the airports selected are considered low traffic facilities.

Opponents of the move worry about the decreased safety levels that it will present.

Many of the airports may close completely, causing their areas to lose the financial benefits of having the local airport.

The FAA will being their closures, in April.

40 Injured in Cairo Clashes

At least forty people were injured in Cairo, on Friday.

Supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood clashed with opponents of President Morsi.

The two sides threw Molotov cocktails and rocks at each other.

When the Muslim Brotherhood bused reinforcements in, members of the opposition lit the buses on fire.

Police were eventually able to separate the two groups, with the use of teargas, which they continued firing to keep the two groups from attacking the ranks of officers.

Violence Between Buddhists and Muslims in Myanamar Leaves Dozens Dead

Violence in Myanmar has caused government officials to declare a state of emergency.

It has been centered in the city of Meikhtila, between Buddhists and Muslims.

Dozens have been killed, over the last few days, as thousands have fled the area.

On Wednesday, an argument between a Muslim shopkeeper and a Buddhist customer spread into a street brawl.

During the brawl a Buddhist monk was killed and then mobs began roaming the streets.

Security forces have all but abandoned the city, fearful to attempt placing themselves between the two sides.

Fears are that it will erupt into a new wave of violence, as was seen last year, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds.

Sangster's Thoughts: Conservatives End Your Hypocritical Stances and Unite, or Fall Divided

I'm so sick and tired of people who try and blame all their problems on others. Conservatives especially come off hypocritical when they do this. Aren't we all supposed to be about personal responsibility? Start acting like it, not just whining that you wished others were. Placing the blame on others just makes you look like a weak minded fool, or at the very least emotionally incompetent.

I'm specifically sick of "conservatives" placing all the blames on Californians. Yes, I consider myself a Coloradan now, but I will also always be a Californian. That is the state of my birth, and I'm proud to be from there. It once was the greatest state in the country. Too many "conservatives" just like to throw the blame at Californians, for all the troubles of this country. As if it's the only place that the problems have come from. Please! No single state can be blamed for all the troubles that this country has. Stop being willingly ignorant.

"Conservatives" with that mindset make it all the harder for actual conservatives to be successful in California, and other states. First, they don't provide any support, whether that be emotionally, verbally, or simply prayerfully. Second, it keeps others from even showing their faces, as why would they want to be attacked by their own side. Third, neutrals see one side always attacking their own, while the other side shows a united front. Which one is more appealing to you? If you hadn't chosen a side yet which would you lean towards? Fourth, the divided nature of the "conservative" movement makes it so much easier for the left to pick off those who are isolated.

What it comes down to is stop being so divided and divisive. If you truly want to win this country back, then unite. Be the United States, not the finger pointing, unfortunately sitting next to each other association of government organized bodies. Keep up the internal bickering and there is no hope. Start swallowing your insults for your ninety-five percent like minded neighbors and focus on defeating those who you are in complete disagreement with. They need to be the focus of your ire. Only together can we preserve the American idea.

Let's not get lost in arguing what the American idea is. It is the belief that everyone deserves to be free and able to live life as they alone see fit, as long as they aren't hurting others, in doing so. That's the American dream. The ability to pursue your own unique view of what happiness is, without imposing on others. The American dream is not about the government handing out happiness. Life isn't easy, it's a struggle. It is the pursuit of happiness. The only thing in life that is freely given is God's grace. And even that would be legislated if the government could figure out a way to.

"Conservatives" often wave the flag saying 'Don't tread on me'. Yet, they then go and spend so much time treading on others. Which is it? If you want to truly have a nation that doesn't tread on you then you need to stop treading on others. Start loving one another as yourself. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is something that conservatives need to take to heart. It's a way of life they profess, but very few of them actually live. Is that anything but the description of a hypocrite? The time has long past come for walking the talk. Only once "conservatives" start living what they preach can they become united. Once united can they resuscitate the country back to glory.

Chicago Closing 54 Schools

On Thursday, Chicago Public Schools announced that they will be making closures to decrease their budget deficit.

Fifty-four programs and sixty-one school buildings will be shut down, after this school year.

The move will affect thirty thousand children, and result in over a thousand teachers and staff being fired.

CPS faces a deficit of more than one billion dollars, this summer, while their planned closures will save them one hundred and thirty-seven million, over the next ten years.

This is the same district that agreed to increase teacher's raises, in September, in order to end a strike.

House Passes Ryan's Balanced Budget Proposal

With a vote of 227-201, the House of Representatives passed Paul Ryan's budget proposal.

It marks the third year in a row that the Republican controlled House has passed a budget that would guide the government to a balanced path.

While balancing the federal budget, over the next decade, Ryan's plan relies mostly on cuts, specifically in the form of repealing Obamacare.

Now it will head to the Democrat controlled Senate, where it is expected to be ripped apart and blocked from passing.

The Senate's Democrats are working on their own budget proposal, the first one they will make since President Obama took office.

Their proposal works almost completely on raising taxes.

Snows Cause 200 Vehicle Pileup and Other Accidents in Alberta

Over one hundred people were injured in a massive pileup near Leduc, Alberta, on Thursday.

Nearly two hundred vehicles ended up involved in the incident, which shutdown Highway 2, near Highway 13.

Three people were killed and two injured, near Flatbush, on Highway 44.

Sections of Highway 16 were closed due to various accidents, throughout the day.

In Edmonton, one hundred and thirty-three collisions were reported, nine of which involved injuries.

The snow, which is being blamed for most of the accidents, dropped between four and ten inches in the province, on Thursday alone.

Expectations are for the snow to cease by dawn on Friday.

Italy Still Without a Fully Formed Government

Three and a half weeks after the elections and Italy still does not have a government.

The vote was so split that no coalition was able to gain a controllable majority in either the house or senate.

Slowly they have been managing to agree upon minister, but they still have not been able to elect a new prime minister.

However, the deadlock hasn't kept legislation from beginning to be debated.

Adding to their troubles, the President's term is up on May 15, and Parliament has only til April 15 to begin the electoral process to fill that position.

It is doubtful if this Parliament will be able to agree on a President, since they can't agree on a Prime Minister.

EU Threatens to Cut Cyprus Off

On Thursday, the EU gave Cyprus until Monday to agree to their terms or see the EU pull it's money out of the country.

If that does happen, the Cypriot economy will collapse.

The EU went one more step when they also threatened to expel Cyprus from the community, if the deal isn't reached, so as to limit the impacts on the rest of their economies.

Cyprus previously rejected the terms, on Tuesday, in hopes of getting more favorable ones from Russia.

However, Russia will not likely agree to any deal for at least another week or so.

Suspect In Tom Clements Murder On Life Support

In Decatur, Texas, a high speed chase ended in a crash into a semi truck, and a shootout.

Initially, the suspect was pulled over by a Texas deputy, who he then shot several times. The chase and crash followed, with the suspect firing at police during the chase.

Deputy James Boyd's wounds are said not to be life threatening. The suspect, identified as twenty-eight year old Evan Spencer Ebel, is on life support for "organ harvesting", brain dead, and not expected to live. Ebel, a parolee, allegedly has ties to a prison white supremacist group, 211.

He is considered a suspect in the murder of Colorado DOC director Tom Clements, who was murdered on Tuesday.

A possible connection to the shooting of a pizza delivery driver, Nathan Leon, who was shot sometime on Sunday, possibly at a delivery in a commercial area of Denver, is also suspected.

Key Syrian Cleric Among 42 Killed in Suicide Bombing

A suicide bomber struck the Iman Mosque, in Damascus, on Thursday.

Sheikh Mohammed al-Buti was one of the forty-two victims of the attack.

Another eighty-four were reportedly injured.

Al-Buti, eighty-four, was one of the remaining major supporters for the Assad regime.

Most notably, he was also a Sunni cleric, and Sunnis have been almost completely involved in fighting against the Shiite regime.

Both rebel and opposition forces denied any part in the attack.

It is unclear if Al-Buti's death will cause a loss of support for the regime, or if they can portray him as a martyr and use his death to gain support.

Tornado Kills 24 in China

A very rare tornado struck Guandong province, China, on Thursday.

At least twenty-four people were killed and over two hundred and seventy-two were injured by the storm.

High winds, heavy rains, and egg sized hail accompanied the twister, in at part of the world that practically never sees them.

Over the last week southwest China has been dealing with winds and severe weather.

More than two hundred thousand people have been forced to evacuate, because of the storms, which have destroyed nearly ten thousand hectares of crops.