Driver in Toyota crash case freed as prosecutors decide against pursuing a new trial
By Peter Whoriskey
The driver of a Toyota Camry that fatally careened into another family's car was freed from an eight-year prison term on Thursday, after the judge and prosecutors weighed new evidence that the accident might have been caused by defects in the vehicle.
Once the judge called for a new trial for Koua Fong Lee, 32, prosecutors opted against trying him again.
"I believe it is time to bring this very tragic situation to a close," Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner said. "He will not face further prosecution with the very sad events of June 10, 2006."
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Driver in Toyota crash case freed
Friday, August 6, 2010
Mexico newborn baby declared dead revives inside coffin
Mexico Baby declared dead revives inside coffin
The Associated Press
Thursday, August 5, 2010; 7:15 PM
MEXICO CITY -- Authorities in Mexico say a newborn baby girl declared dead by doctors revived inside her coffin during her wake.
Hidalgo state Attorney General Jose Rodriguez says the parents heard a strange noise coming from the tiny casket. Opening it up, they found her crying and very much alive.
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Mexico Baby declared dead revives inside coffin
The Associated Press
Thursday, August 5, 2010; 7:15 PM
MEXICO CITY -- Authorities in Mexico say a newborn baby girl declared dead by doctors revived inside her coffin during her wake.
Hidalgo state Attorney General Jose Rodriguez says the parents heard a strange noise coming from the tiny casket. Opening it up, they found her crying and very much alive.
read more here
Mexico Baby declared dead revives inside coffin
Hearing set for soldier in Obama birth certificate case
There is no doubt in my mind. I believe Obama was born in Hawaii and newspaper reports of his birth would have had to have been part of this grand conspiracy. Considering Obama is from a white Mom and African Dad, there wasn't a chance in hell at his birth his parents were thinking he could be the president one day. No matter how much proof is asked for, some people refuse to believe any of it. We really should be wondering why they have been so stubborn on this because some educated people still refuse to settle for "yes he is" as an answer.
They are not dumb people. They just believe the wrong people saying things for the wrong reasons. I'm still hearing people say Obama is a Muslim right after they bring up Rev. Wright just because they heard it from someone else.
With that in mind, I really feel sorry for Lt. Col. Lakin. I am sure he really believes there is a problem but just because he doesn't want to acknowledge the reality of Obama's presidency, that does not excuse him from doing his duty. All these years he must have served honorably and probably expected to retire in a couple of years. Now he can lose it all because someone brainwashed him into thinking a lie was true and the truth was a lie. This could only have happened if he wanted to believe in it in the first place. Why? Why would someone want to believe what no one has managed to prove with all the hate toward Obama out there? His birth record has been proven to everyone it needed to be proven to but still they refuse to believe any of it because they are happy to believe in a lie. Now Lakin could have to face losing it all for the sake of this lie.
They are not dumb people. They just believe the wrong people saying things for the wrong reasons. I'm still hearing people say Obama is a Muslim right after they bring up Rev. Wright just because they heard it from someone else.
With that in mind, I really feel sorry for Lt. Col. Lakin. I am sure he really believes there is a problem but just because he doesn't want to acknowledge the reality of Obama's presidency, that does not excuse him from doing his duty. All these years he must have served honorably and probably expected to retire in a couple of years. Now he can lose it all because someone brainwashed him into thinking a lie was true and the truth was a lie. This could only have happened if he wanted to believe in it in the first place. Why? Why would someone want to believe what no one has managed to prove with all the hate toward Obama out there? His birth record has been proven to everyone it needed to be proven to but still they refuse to believe any of it because they are happy to believe in a lie. Now Lakin could have to face losing it all for the sake of this lie.
Hearing set for soldier in Obama birth certificate case
By the CNN Wire Staff
August 6, 2010 8:56 a.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Lakin has said he does not believe Obama was born in the United States
Hawaiian officials have said they have documents that prove otherwise
(CNN) -- A court hearing is scheduled for Friday in the case of an Army officer who has refused to deploy to Afghanistan because, in his view, President Barack Obama has not proven that he was born in the United States and is therefore ineligible to be president.
Lt. Col. Terrence Lakin is scheduled to go before a judge in Virginia to enter a plea on charges that include disobeying a lawful order and dereliction of duty.
He is a decorated Army doctor and an 18-year veteran who is now facing court martial for disobeying orders to ship out for another tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Lakin says the orders are illegal because, he claims, Obama -- the commander-in-chief -- has not proven he was born in this country. Lakin wants Obama to produce his birth certificate.
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Hearing set for soldier in Obama birth certificate case
Stop-loss now down to 4,000 soldiers, Army says
Stop-loss now down to 4,000 soldiers, Army says
By Tom Vanden Brook - USA Today
Posted : Thursday Aug 5, 2010 22:54:15 EDT
The number of soldiers forced to serve beyond their commitment has been cut in half in the past year and is on track to be eliminated by March, Pentagon records and interviews show.
Stop-loss affected more than 15,000 troops at its peak in 2005 and has been cut to about 4,000. Experts on military morale say the steady decline in forcing troops to serve has dampened the controversy, though they say the Pentagon delayed action.
read more here
Stop loss now down to 4000 soldiers/
By Tom Vanden Brook - USA Today
Posted : Thursday Aug 5, 2010 22:54:15 EDT
The number of soldiers forced to serve beyond their commitment has been cut in half in the past year and is on track to be eliminated by March, Pentagon records and interviews show.
Stop-loss affected more than 15,000 troops at its peak in 2005 and has been cut to about 4,000. Experts on military morale say the steady decline in forcing troops to serve has dampened the controversy, though they say the Pentagon delayed action.
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Stop loss now down to 4000 soldiers/
Phony hero gets to clean bed pans of real ones
Marine sentenced for faking medals
By O’Ryan Johnson
Friday, August 6, 2010
A Marine Corps veteran who faked a chestful of medals, posed with Mayor Thomas M. Menino and accepted an award from Toys for Tots soon may be changing bedpans at a veterans hospital to pay society back for the shameful charade after he was sentenced yesterday in federal court.
“I accept full responsibility for my actions,” Michael Frisoli, 46, told a U.S. District Court judge in Boston during sentencing. “I’d like to put this behind me.”
Prosecutors said Frisoli, of Millbury posed for pictures at events around the state and accepted awards dressed as a 1st sergeant pinned with the Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, Navy Commendation and Army Commendation - all with Vs for valor.
Prosecutor Anthony Fuller recommended that Frisoli “clean bedpans at the VA hospital.”
read more here
Marine sentenced for faking medals
By O’Ryan Johnson
Friday, August 6, 2010
A Marine Corps veteran who faked a chestful of medals, posed with Mayor Thomas M. Menino and accepted an award from Toys for Tots soon may be changing bedpans at a veterans hospital to pay society back for the shameful charade after he was sentenced yesterday in federal court.
“I accept full responsibility for my actions,” Michael Frisoli, 46, told a U.S. District Court judge in Boston during sentencing. “I’d like to put this behind me.”
Prosecutors said Frisoli, of Millbury posed for pictures at events around the state and accepted awards dressed as a 1st sergeant pinned with the Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, Navy Commendation and Army Commendation - all with Vs for valor.
Prosecutor Anthony Fuller recommended that Frisoli “clean bedpans at the VA hospital.”
read more here
Marine sentenced for faking medals
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Obama seeks to restore stars to John Lavelle
Obama seeks to restore stars to John Lavelle, a fallen general from Cleveland
Published: Wednesday, August 04, 2010, 10:10 PM James Ewinger
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Air Force Gen. John D. Lavelle did not live to see his rank and reputation restored, but the children and grandchildren of the Cleveland native are hoping to celebrate in his place.
The Department of Defense announced Wednesday that President Barack Obama has nominated Lavelle to be reinstated to the rank of general, the highest in the armed forces. Lavelle died in 1979, seven years after he was forced to retire and was demoted to major general. A general wears four stars; a major general, two.
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Obama seeks to restore stars to John Lavelle
Published: Wednesday, August 04, 2010, 10:10 PM James Ewinger
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Air Force Gen. John D. Lavelle did not live to see his rank and reputation restored, but the children and grandchildren of the Cleveland native are hoping to celebrate in his place.
The Department of Defense announced Wednesday that President Barack Obama has nominated Lavelle to be reinstated to the rank of general, the highest in the armed forces. Lavelle died in 1979, seven years after he was forced to retire and was demoted to major general. A general wears four stars; a major general, two.
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Obama seeks to restore stars to John Lavelle
Military’s casualty notification system often frustratingly uneven
Military’s casualty notification system often frustratingly uneven for families
By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Stars and Stripes
Published: August 5, 2010
The casualty notification officers somberly relayed their message: It was one of her twin sons, Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth, who had perished.
They couldn’t provide any more information to Harris, nothing else to help the reeling mother absorb or even comprehend the shock.
“Their job was to convey he died,” Harris said. “That’s it. I actually for a brief period of time thought he’d been murdered. That was even more horrible.”
It wasn’t until the next day that Harris was told that her son had been electrocuted in a shower, but still there were few details. Desperate for answers, Harris started hounding the Army’s Criminal Investigation Command, and three weeks later, she found out that an electrical system had shorted out, killing Maseth in the shower at the Radwaniyah Palace Complex in Baghdad.
“I don’t think I would have been told that unless I had constantly pressured and questioned [the military],” said Harris, who later filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against KBR, the contractor responsible for the wiring. “They told me it was difficult to relay information from Iraq to the U.S. I said, ‘How are you fighting a war?’ ”
read more here
Military casualty notification system often frustratingly uneven
By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Stars and Stripes
Published: August 5, 2010
The casualty notification officers somberly relayed their message: It was one of her twin sons, Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth, who had perished.
They couldn’t provide any more information to Harris, nothing else to help the reeling mother absorb or even comprehend the shock.
“Their job was to convey he died,” Harris said. “That’s it. I actually for a brief period of time thought he’d been murdered. That was even more horrible.”
It wasn’t until the next day that Harris was told that her son had been electrocuted in a shower, but still there were few details. Desperate for answers, Harris started hounding the Army’s Criminal Investigation Command, and three weeks later, she found out that an electrical system had shorted out, killing Maseth in the shower at the Radwaniyah Palace Complex in Baghdad.
“I don’t think I would have been told that unless I had constantly pressured and questioned [the military],” said Harris, who later filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against KBR, the contractor responsible for the wiring. “They told me it was difficult to relay information from Iraq to the U.S. I said, ‘How are you fighting a war?’ ”
read more here
Military casualty notification system often frustratingly uneven
$1.8 Billion Investment Improves Care and Services for Veterans
I wonder if the people saying the Recovery Act is a bad thing still think it is when it's used for veterans?
VA Obligates Last of its Recovery Act Funds to Help Veterans
$1.8 Billion Investment Improves Care and Services for Veterans
WASHINGTON (August 5, 2010)- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
committed the last of its $1.8 billion in Recovery Act funds July 31,
one of the first federal agencies to achieve that milestone. Projects
at more than 1,200 sites in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and
Puerto Rico will increase access to health care and services to
Veterans, while creating jobs and stimulating the economy.
"Veterans across the Nation are benefiting from these Recovery Act
funds," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "Recovery
Act projects are improving medical care, speeding claims processing,
enhancing our national cemeteries, advancing our energy efficiency, and
generating jobs for Americans."
VA rapidly put American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act)
funding to work to improve its medical facilities, revitalize its
national cemeteries, hire claims processors, upgrade technology systems
and assist states in acquiring, building or remodeling state nursing
homes and domiciliary facilities for Veterans.
The funding received by VA is part of President Obama's economic
recovery plan to improve services to America's Veterans. By obligating
these funds quickly, VA is revitalizing its infrastructure and moving
needed money into the economy.
Using Recovery Act funds, VA entered into 1,521 contracts with 696
contractors. Three-quarters of the contractors are Veterans owned
businesses, either service disabled Veteran owned businesses or Veteran
owned small businesses.
Health Care Services Enhanced
VA obligated $1 billion to improve VA medical care facilities across the
country through building renovations, roadway and walkway repairs, high
cost equipment replacement, security improvements, new construction,
replacement of steam lines and boiler plants, upgrades in emergency
power distribution, and purchases of additional emergency generators
among others.
To help Veterans access care, Recovery Act projects in VA medical
facilities will add or improve more than 26,000 parking spaces and 39
elevator banks are being built or upgraded. VA will upgrade nearly
14,000 inpatient bed spaces, while 16 pharmacy renovation projects will
help Veterans get medicines quicker and more efficiently. More than
14,400 clinical improvement projects, some with multiple exam rooms,
will be undertaken.
Funds are also helping ensure VA health care facilities function more
efficiently (by reducing annual recurring maintenance and upkeep cost)
and are equipped to provide world-class care to Veterans.
Specific projects include:
* Bedford, Mass., VA Medical Center (VAMC) mental
health unit renovation, $7.165 million;
* Philadelphia VAMC emergency room renovations,
$4.74 million;
* Cleveland VAMC surgical suite refurbishment, $8.5
million;
* New Haven, Conn., VAMC private and semi-private
inpatient units, $7.743 million;
* Hines, Ill., VAMC electrical distribution
infrastructure upgrade, $8 million.
*
VA serves 5.5 million Veterans annually in its hospitals, outpatient
clinics and rural health programs.
Energy Conservation
VA is promoting energy conservation and reducing its environmental
footprint by investing $200 million in Recovery Act funds for renewable
energy generation technologies, metering systems, and energy
conservation and water-saving measures. In total, the renewable energy
systems awarded represent more than 9 megawatts of planned power
generating capacity from solar, wind, and cogeneration technologies.
Two national cemeteries, in Bourne, Mass., and San Joaquin, Calif.,
anticipate producing enough electricity to supply nearly all of their
energy needs.
VA is installing solar photovoltaic systems at facilities in
Albuquerque, N.M.; Tucson, Ariz.; Dublin, Ga.; Calverton, N.Y.; San
Joaquin, Calif., and Riverside, Calif.
VA is erecting a wind turbine in Bourne, Mass., and is constructing a
geothermal system at its medical center in St. Cloud, Minn.
In addition, VA is building renewably fueled cogeneration systems at
five medical facilities: Togus, Maine; White River Junction, Vt.;
Chillicothe, Ohio; Loma Linda, Calif.; and Canandaigua, N.Y.
VA is installing metering systems at all VA-owned facilities to monitor
energy utilities, including electricity, water, chilled water, steam,
and natural gas consumption.
VA is also investing $197 million in energy and water infrastructure
improvements. VA facilities across the country are upgrading their
facilities to reduce energy consumption and water usage and better
manage related costs.
Claims Processing Improvements
VA is working to improve the systems for processing claims to more
quickly and efficiently deliver benefits to Veterans. VA has obligated
$150 million to hire, train and equip new employees to improve claims
processing and speed the delivery of benefits to Veterans. VA has hired
approximately 2,700 temporary and permanent employees to assist with
processing Veterans' claims for VA benefits.
National Cemeteries Revitalized
Throughout VA's system of 131 national cemeteries, 391 improvement
projects are underway using $50 million in Recovery Act funding. VA is
restoring and preserving 49 historic monuments and memorials, becoming
more energy efficient by investing in renewable energy sources (solar
and wind), moving forward on nine energy conservation projects, and
improving access and visitor safety with 49 road, paving and grounds
improvement projects.
Recovery Act funds are also being used to raise, realign, and clean
approximately 200,000 headstones and markers, repair sunken graves, and
renovate turf at 22 VA national cemeteries.
One-time Benefit Payments
The Recovery Act provided one-time $250 economic recovery payments to
eligible Veterans, their survivors, and dependents to help mitigate the
effects of the current economy. $7.1 million were intended for
administrative support of the one-time benefit payments. VA was able to
successfully administer the program with a savings of approximately $6.1
million, and may return the remaining funds to the US Treasury.
2 Killed, Dozens Hurt in Mo. School Bus Crash
Aug. 5, 2010
2 Killed, Dozens Hurt in Mo. School Bus Crash
Girl and Pickup Driver Killed after Two School Buses En Route to Amusement Park Crash into Tractor-Trailer and Pickup Truck
(CBS/ AP) Two buses carrying high school band students to an amusement park were involved in a freeway wreck with a semi tractor and a pickup truck Thursday that left two people dead and dozens injured, officials said.
Missouri state troopers say a girl on one of the buses and the driver of the pickup were the victims of the crash about 10 a.m. near Gray Summit, 32 miles west of St. Louis.
Ashley Wiehle, a spokeswoman for SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis, said 36 kids were en route to the hospital. She said they appeared to be in good condition and were going to be examined as a precaution.
Six more children were taken to St. John's Mercy Medical Center. A hospital spokesperson tells CBS affiliate KMOV that the condition of the victims ranges from red to green, red being critical condition.
A spokeswoman at St. Clare Health Center in Fenton, Mo., said four other patients were taken there with minor injuries.
The buses were carrying St. James high school band students to the Six Flags amusement park roughly 10 miles from the crash scene.
read the rest here
2 Killed, Dozens Hurt in Mo. School Bus Crash
2 Killed, Dozens Hurt in Mo. School Bus Crash
Girl and Pickup Driver Killed after Two School Buses En Route to Amusement Park Crash into Tractor-Trailer and Pickup Truck
(CBS/ AP) Two buses carrying high school band students to an amusement park were involved in a freeway wreck with a semi tractor and a pickup truck Thursday that left two people dead and dozens injured, officials said.
Missouri state troopers say a girl on one of the buses and the driver of the pickup were the victims of the crash about 10 a.m. near Gray Summit, 32 miles west of St. Louis.
Ashley Wiehle, a spokeswoman for SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis, said 36 kids were en route to the hospital. She said they appeared to be in good condition and were going to be examined as a precaution.
Six more children were taken to St. John's Mercy Medical Center. A hospital spokesperson tells CBS affiliate KMOV that the condition of the victims ranges from red to green, red being critical condition.
A spokeswoman at St. Clare Health Center in Fenton, Mo., said four other patients were taken there with minor injuries.
The buses were carrying St. James high school band students to the Six Flags amusement park roughly 10 miles from the crash scene.
read the rest here
2 Killed, Dozens Hurt in Mo. School Bus Crash
U.S. couple's 3 kids found dead in Scotland amid custody battle
U.S. couple's 3 kids found dead in Scotland amid custody battle
Local reports say they were stabbed; mom in serious condition in hospital
msnbc.com staff and news service reports
updated 8/5/2010 11:34:11 AM ET
LONDON — Three children who were at the center of a custody battle between their American parents have been found dead under "suspicious" circumstances at their home in Scotland, police said Thursday.
The children's mother was in "serious but stable" condition in hospital, police said, after apparently jumping or falling from a third-story balcony of their home in Edinburgh.
She was sedated and had been unable to speak to police, detectives said. The children's father, who BBC News said works for oil company Shell, lives in Aberdeen, about 120 miles north of Edinburgh.
read more here
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38571850/ns/world_news-europe/
Local reports say they were stabbed; mom in serious condition in hospital
msnbc.com staff and news service reports
updated 8/5/2010 11:34:11 AM ET
LONDON — Three children who were at the center of a custody battle between their American parents have been found dead under "suspicious" circumstances at their home in Scotland, police said Thursday.
The children's mother was in "serious but stable" condition in hospital, police said, after apparently jumping or falling from a third-story balcony of their home in Edinburgh.
She was sedated and had been unable to speak to police, detectives said. The children's father, who BBC News said works for oil company Shell, lives in Aberdeen, about 120 miles north of Edinburgh.
read more here
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38571850/ns/world_news-europe/
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