Judge who overturned Calif gay marriage ban questions if Prop 8 backers can appeal his ruling

Judge doubts gay marriage ban’s backers can appeal

SAN FRANCISCO – The federal judge who overturned California’s same-sex marriage ban has more bad news for the measure’s sponsors: he not only is unwilling to keep gay couples from marrying beyond next Wednesday, he doubts the ban’s backers have the right to challenge his ruling.
Chief U.S. District …. Source article  : Judge who overturned Calif gay marriage ban questions if Prop 8 backers can appeal his ruling.

Liberal groups try to exploit backlash against Target for helping anti-gay marriage candidate

Liberal groups push to exploit Target backlash

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Protestors have been rallying outside Target Corp. or its stores almost daily since the retailer angered gay rights supporters and progressives by giving money to help a conservative Republican gubernatorial candidate in Minnesota. Liberal groups are pushing to make an example of the company, hoping … Original article on : Liberal groups try to exploit backlash against Target for helping anti-gay marriage candidate.

Jurors in Blagojevich corruption trial on 3-day break after saying they’re stalled

Blago jurors on break after saying they’re stalled
CHICAGO – Jurors deliberating the corruption case against former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich are taking the day off.
They won’t be meeting on Friday – or giving any public clues about what they’re thinking. On Thursday, jurors created a stir by telling the judge that they could …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Jurors in Blagojevich corruption trial on 3-day break after saying they’re stalled.

President to address the nation on I-Day eve

NEW DELHI – President Pratibha Patil will address the nation on Saturday, the eve of the 64th Independence Day, an official statement said Friday.

The address will be telecast live over all Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR) channels in Hindi, followed by in English, from 7 p.m.
In addition, AIR will broadcast …. Source  : President to address the nation on I-Day eve.

Language barrier disrupts Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI – There was peace in the Lok Sabha Friday with no protests from opposition MPs, but a technical problem that hampered English translation led to a minor commotion and disruption of the house.
Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the house for 15 minutes at 11.30 a.m. when some MPs from southern states … Read more »»».

Republicans make Pelosi their top target, but she keeps plugging and fundraising for Democrats

Pelosi stumps for Democrats as GOP fires away
WASHINGTON – The big political bull’s-eye on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s back isn’t keeping her from campaigning for Democratic candidates in several states, even if she avoids some of the most conservative regions.
Pelosi will attend fundraisers this month in Houston and Dallas, plus …. Source article  : Republicans make Pelosi their top target, but she keeps plugging and fundraising for Democrats.

Myanmar sets Nov 7 election date

YANGON – Myanmar’s election commission has set Nov 7 as the date for a much-awaited general election, national television announced Friday.

Military-ruled Myanmar, also called Burma, last held an election in 1990. It was won by a landslide by the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), headed by pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.
The ruling … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Myanmar sets Nov 7 election date.

Myanmar’s first election in 2 decades to be held Nov. 7, military government says

Myanmar junta sets election date of Nov. 7

YANGON, Myanmar – Myanmar’s ruling military junta announced Friday that the country’s first elections in two decades will be held Nov. 7, finally setting a date for polls that critics have dismissed as a sham designed to cement military rule.
Foreign governments have urged Myanmar to ensure the elections …. Read the original article  : here.

South Korea to pardon 2,500 convicts

SEOUL – South Korea’s president is to pardon 2,493 convicted criminals, among them the brother of his predecessor, and several thousand civil servants facing disciplinary action on the anniversary the country’s independence from Japan Sunday.

President Lee Myung Bak is to pardon the brother of late president Roh Moo Hyun, Roh Geon Pyeong, who was convicted … Read : South Korea to pardon 2,500 convicts.

Democrat Nick Rahall of West Virginia says he misused official stationery in son’s case

Democrat Nick Rahall misused official stationery

WASHINGTON – Rep. Nick Rahall (RAY’-hahl) says he improperly used congressional stationery to ask a judge for leniency for his son in a 2005 robbery case.
The West Virginia Democrat said in a statement that he should have used personal stationery when writing about his son Nick Joe Rahall.
The elder Rahall …. Read the original article  : here.

Kan. GOP congressional candidate apologizes for linking to racist blog attacking Dem. opponent

Kan. GOP candidate’s campaign links to racist blog

WICHITA, Kan. – A Republican Kansas congressional candidate has apologized after his campaign posted links on its Twitter feed and Facebook page to a racist blog posting attacking his Democratic opponent and President Barack Obama.
Mike Pompeo, who is running against Democrat Raj Goyle to represent Kansas’ 4th Congressional …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Kan. GOP congressional candidate apologizes for linking to racist blog attacking Dem. opponent.

Nevada US Senate candidate Angle cancels appearance at Arizona tea party border event

NV Senate hopeful cancels AZ tea party appearance

LAS VEGAS – Republican U.S. Senate candidate Sharron Angle has canceled her scheduled appearance at a weekend tea party rally near the Mexican border in Arizona.
Angle spokesman Jarrod Agen says the logistics of getting Angle to the United We Stand for Americans border coalition event in Hereford, Ariz., … Read more »»».

Wyoming’s chief federal judge to retire next year after 17 years on bench

Wyo.’s chief federal judge to retire next year
CASPER, Wyo. – U.S. District Chief Judge William Downes plans to retire next July, ending 17 years on the bench in Wyoming and a career that includes decisions on the return of wolves to the region and freedom of speech issues.
Former President Bill Clinton nominated him … Read more >>>.

Mexican governor says drug violence has paralyzed some border areas, seeks federal help

Governor: Violence paralyzes Mexico border areas

MEXICO CITY – Some areas of Mexico along the U.S. border have been paralyzed economically by drug violence, and the governor of the border state of Tamaulipas said Thursday the federal government should send relief funds.
Violence has affected tourism, commerce and investment, Gov. Eugenio Hernandez said during an anti-crime strategy …. Original article  : Mexican governor says drug violence has paralyzed some border areas, seeks federal help.

DOD says only fourth of troops surveyed on gays in the military have responded

Only a fourth of troops surveyed on gays respond

WASHINGTON – The Defense Department says that only about a quarter of the troops sent a survey on gays in the military have responded.
Pentagon spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said Thursday that close to 103,000 service members have completed the survey, which asks questions like how they would react …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : DOD says only fourth of troops surveyed on gays in the military have responded.

Sen. Gillibrand, once applauded by NRA, backed for election in NY by Brady gun control group

NY’s Gillibrand hailed by Brady gun control group

ALBANY, N.Y. – New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (KEHR’-sten JIL’-uh-brand) has been endorsed for election by a leading gun control group two years after earning a top rating from the National Rifle Association.
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence notes Gillibrand had been an NRA favorite when …. Source  : Sen. Gillibrand, once applauded by NRA, backed for election in NY by Brady gun control group.

Presidential Memorandum???Continuation of U.S. Drug Interdiction Assistance to the Government of Columbia

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
                                        THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

SUBJECT: Continuation of U.S. Drug Interdiction Assistance to the Government of Colombia
Pursuant to the authority vested in me by section 1012 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal … Read more »»».

Statement by the President on the Passage of the Southwest Border Security Bill

I have made securing our Southwest Border a top priority since I came to office. That is why my administration has dedicated unprecedented resources and personnel to combating the transnational criminal organizations that traffic in drugs, weapons, and money, and smuggle people across the border with Mexico. Today’s action by Congress answers my … Read more : Statement by the President on the Passage of the Southwest Border Security Bill.

WA Senate: GOP’s Rossi shores up conservative flank ahead of primary, Dem Murray pounces

WA Sen: Rossi moves right ahead of primary

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Even with his advancement to November’s general election all but assured, U.S. Senate candidate Dino Rossi has moved noticeably to the right in recent weeks – a shift that has Democrats in Washington state salivating as they try to bolster endangered incumbent Patty Murray.
Late last … Read more >>>.

Federal housing regulator proposes to curb fees charged by developers after home sales

Gov’t proposes to curb home developer fees

WASHINGTON – The government is proposing to stop developers in most instances from collecting fees on the sale of homes they no longer own.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency said Thursday it is zeroing in on the practice after meeting last month with a coalition of real estate agents, title … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Federal housing regulator proposes to curb fees charged by developers after home sales.