Tens of Thousands March Against Putin

Tens of thousands massed and marched in an anti Putin rally, in Moscow, on Saturday. It was the first major rally after a mostly quiet summer, which had followed a spring that saw hundreds of thousands march even through freezing temperatures.

The summer was taken up with the drama of a previously little known band and their arrest for a dramatic anti Putin protest. They were eventually sentenced to two years in prison for the act.

Many in Russia, and especially in Moscow, believe that Putin only gained his third term, through fraudulent means. With some districts showing 104% voting for Putin, it's hard not to believe there was at least some messing with ballots.

On Embassies and Consulates Being Unarmed

Burned remnants of US Consulate in Benghazi

It's become more and more apparent that the US Marines guarding the embassy in Cairo and the hired Libyan guards in Benghazi were, in fact, either completely unarmed or not allowed ammunition, which is effectively the same thing.

What good is a guard if they can't even defend what they are guarding? How many other embassies and consulates were, or all forbid, still are facing similar circumstances of not being equipped to defend themselves?

At best, this is a criminally negligent act on the parts of the State Department and the administration. Prosecution should take place. The officials who approved this should be brought to justice as willing accessories to murder. Just as those who put Fast and Furious into effect.

Granted things may not have gone better in Benghazi, their attackers were extremely well armed. However, in Cairo the only thing that saved the embassy's staff was that the crowd didn't push on. Had they gone further, nothing could have stopped them.

Marines and political staff should not have only luck to rely on. They should be equipped as best as is possible to defend themselves. This isn't something that should be debatable, it should be a natural part of having embassies abroad, especially ones in regions of turmoil.

South African Strike Becoming Peaceful

South African police, on Sunday, were able to peacefully halt a protest march, one that was aimed at their own station.

Police blocked the road and faced off five hundred miners, who were armed with sticks.

On Saturday, police fired rubber bullets and tear gas as they went through protesters confiscating machetes, clubs, and spears.

The move was part of the government's decision to disarm the protesters, in hopes that they'll stop striking and get back to work.

Strikes have shut down major mines, as demands are made for huge increases in pay.

Negotiators are attempting to reach a settlement, but there's a large gap between demands and what the government is willing to pay.

From the beginning of the strike there was deadly violence, culminating on August 16, when thirty-four were killed by police.

Eleven Year Old Accidentaly Shot and Killed by Brother

Friday evening, in Weld County, Colorado an eleven year old boy was shot.

He was later pronounced dead at North Colorado Medical Center.

To make matters worse, he was shot in a playful struggle with his eighteen year old brother over the gun.

The eighteen year old is now in Weld County jail facing charges of negligent homicide.

Remembering: The Tank

September 15, 1916 saw something that had never been seen before.

At the Battle of the Somme, in France, between the British and German lines, forty machines crawled across the field with the infantry.

They were called tanks and their indestructible nature sent fear into the hearts of infantry, who watched bullets and shells bounce off the armored surfaces.

Unfortunately, for the British, they were also extremely slow, easily bogged down, and broke down often.

It wouldn't be until near the end of the war when an American named Patton would actually have success with them.

When World War II began tanks were shown for all that they could be worth.

Since then they've been a main stay for any industrialized military.

Blue to Gold: ARMY Sgt. Kyle B. Osborn

ARMY Sgt. Kyle B. Osborn, 26, of Lafayette, IN, died Sep. 13 in Muqer, Afghanistan.

Several years ago Kyle Osborn, a McCutcheon High School alumnus and Clarks Hill native, returned to his alma mater to visit with a handful of his favorite teachers.

Having just made the decision to forgo a college wrestling career for a stint with the U.S. Army, the 2005 McCutcheon graduate was beaming with pride. "He was so enthusiastic about what he was doing," physics teacher Cheryl McLean said. "It was such a warm moment."

Osborn, who served in the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, was reported Friday as having been killed in Afghanistan. He is Greater Lafayette’s 12th member of the military to die in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since the conflicts began following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

According to the Associated Press, as of Tuesday at least 1,980 members of the U.S. military have died in Afghanistan as a result of the US led invasion.

McCutcheon Principal John Beeker met with members of Osborn's family Friday and said he anticipates that the school will do something to commemorate Osborn's life and service. "We're going to do something, but we've got to let the parents guide that a little," Beeker said. "We're going to do something when the time is right." Beeker praised Osborn’s intelligence. He said he often chose Osborn for leadership roles due to his outspokenness. "He'd always give a nice perspective on things. Just a fun kid. Fun to be around."

Osborn was a member of the football and wrestling teams at McCutcheon. He was an individual state qualifier at 152 pounds as a senior and captain of the Mavericks' 2005 regional championship wrestling team. He planned to pursue wrestling in college until he shifted to the military. His teammates called him "Ozzy."

Kathy Dale, whose son Travis wrestled with Osborn at McCutcheon, remembered him as a great leader and positive person. "It's just a tragic loss," she said. "He was very close with both his parents. My thoughts go out to them. He was very loved here."

Graphic arts teacher Ed Tilley, who coached Osborn in football, said, "He's a short guy but, man, he played like he was 10 feet tall."  Tilley clearly remembers the day Osborn came strolling back into McCutcheon's hallways to update his teachers on his life. "He said, 'Hey, coach Tilley,' and (gave) that smile," Tilley recalled. "I said 'Just be careful. Keep your head down.' You always want to make sure they're safe. I’m sad he's gone, but I know he died doing something he loved to do."

Ryan Walden, director of athletics at McCutcheon, said Friday: "The McCutcheon Athletic Department is saddened by the loss of a great Maverick, outstanding leader from our community, and a true American. We are thankful for everything that Kyle has done for our community and country, and cherish the memories from when he wore a McCutcheon uniform."

McLean, who Osborn once identified as his favorite teacher, described Osborn as "mischievous" but inquisitive and brimming with contagious enthusiasm. Osborn, she said, kept her on her toes. "I am a better teacher because of his input in my classroom, and I am a better person because I knew him," McLean said.

In McLean's class, at least, Osborn's legacy will live on. "I will forever share stories of Kyle in my physics class," McLean said. "He knew how to strike a perfect balance between the hard work of learning and having fun"

Camp Bastion Attacked by Taliban Forces

Camp Bastion in Afghanistan was attacked by Taliban forces, Saturday morning.

Two Marines were killed in the assault, and an unknown number of others were injured.

Army Major Martyn Crighton of the International Security Assistance Force's Joint Command, said that, "the base took indirect and small arms fire, causing major damage to buildings, an aircraft hangar and military jets".

The attack followed a heavy increase in violence throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and southern Asia.

Drunk Driver Kills 4, Injures 8 Others in Las Vegas

A suspected drunk driver is responsible for four deaths and injuries to eight others after crashing into a Las Vegas bus stop, Thursday morning.

Police say the vehicle was going at least one hundred miles per hour when it went airborne and slammed into the people waiting for the bus.

The driver, and his three passengers were injured in the crash.

He will face four felony counts of driving under the influence causing death, when they are released from the hospital.

Kenyan Police Stop Planned Terrorist Attack

Kenyan police state that they have stopped a terrorist attack in Nairobi.

Two Somalians were arrested after they were caught with explosive devices, weapons, and ammunition.

Police are searching for eight more that they believe were involved.

The ten are believed to be connected with al Shabab, a wing of Al Qaeda.

A spokesman for the police stated that they "found four suicide vests rigged with hundreds of metal ball bearings, two improvised explosive devices, also rigged with ball bearings, four AK47s, ammunition, and a dozen grenades".

L J Alleman Middle School Evacuated Due to Bomb Threat

L J Alleman Middle School, in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, was evacuated Friday due to a bomb threat.

A hand written note was found in one of the school's bathrooms.

The note stated that a bomb would go off at 9:30am.

As soon as it was found the entire school was evacuated, and everyone was moved to a safe distance.

No explosion occurred and authorities are searching the building.

Three universities across the US have also undergone evacuations on Friday: University of Texas at Austin, North Dakota State University, and Valparaiso University.