Diane White

By Diane White

The New Hampshire Senate passed a bill Thursday, by a margin of 14-10, approving same-sex civil unions.
A spokesperson for state Gov., John Lynch, said he would sign the bill within days, according to the BBC. The bill was passed without difficulty, unlike the situation in other U.S. states where the change in law had faced legal challenges.
The three states that already offer civil unions for gay couples are: New Jersey, Connecticut and Vermont. Massachusetts became the only state to allow gay marriage in 2004, according to the AP.
Democrats won control of the Legislature last fall for the first time in more than a century and are the likely reason that this bill went through, according to the New York Times.

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By Diane White

Church bells tolled at noon, across the country Friday remembering the 32 victims of the Virginia Tech tragedy.
A memorial for the victims and their families was held on Drillfield, in front of Norris Hall, the sight of most of the killings, according to the StarTribune. An official day of mourning was declared by the governor in Virginia.
Thousands of people have come together in vigils across the state today, according to the New York Times. Along with the bouquets and candles, the color's maroon and orange, swept over the country and reflected in President Bush's tie.
The day of mourning coincides with the eighth anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre in Colorado, in which 13 people died along with the two killers, according to the BBC.

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By Diane White

Rutgers' University Scarlet Knight basketball team and coach accepted an apology Friday from radio host Don Imus after he made an inappropriate remark about their team.
The team had just played for the NCAA national championship and lost when Imus, on his nationally syndicated radio show, called the players "nappy-headed hos," according to the AP. The comments lead to his firing from CBS Thursday.
C. Vivian Stringer, the team's coach, said that Imus deserves a chance to move on but hopes the furor his racist and sexist insult caused will be a catalyst for change, according to CBS.
Friday, Deirdre, Imus's wife, took over his talk show and discussed the meeting the two had with the players and coach, according to the New York Times

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By Diane White

The Walt Disney Co. changed its policy Thursday to allow same-sex couples to participate in the popular Fairy Tale Wedding program.
Previously, Disney had barred same-sex couples from purchasing the wedding packages by requiring a valid marriage license. The packages start at $8,000 and can cost more than $45,000, according to the AP.
In the past, gay and lesbian couples could only organize their own weddings or commitment ceremonies at rented meeting rooms at the resorts. Disney spokesman Donn Walker stated a guest inquiry about the service prompted the change, according to Reuters.
Walker was also quoted saying, "We want everyone who comes to celebrate a special occasion at Disney to feel welcome and respected.�

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By Diane White

President Bush apologized Friday for inadequate conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and told facility and war veterans during a visit, "we're going to fix the problem."
During his visit Bush toured the main hospital and Abrams Hall, where soldiers were transferred after being vacated from the facility's Building 18, where moldy walls, rodent infestation and other problems went unnoticed until the media brought attention to them, according to CBS.
Critics question the timing of Bush's visit to Walter Reed, pointing out that the conditions were exposed six weeks ago, according to the AP. Bobby Muller, president of Veterans for America, was one critic, who stated that Bush was unlikely to view the areas in need of the most attention, such as Ward 54, where soldiers are suffering from acute mental health conditions.
As well as talking with patients, and staff, Bush awarded 10 Purple Hearts to soldiers recovering from serious wounds suffered in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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By Diane White

A U.S. Senate Committee voted Thursday, following the House, to authorize subpoenas for White House political adviser Karl Rove and other top officials involved in the firing of federal prosecutors.
No subpoenas have been issued yet, however Democrats have noted the increased amount of bargaining power that the authority will bring in negotiations with the White House to hear from Bush's top advisers, according to the AP.
President Bush opposes any effort to have White House aides testify under oath and suggested that he would allow the aides to testify in private, not under oath, and without transcripts, according to the BBC.
Critics of the situation have suggested that Bush may be protecting Attorney General and friend, Al Gonzales, according to the New York Times, who was involved in firing the officials allegedly because their performances were below

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By Diane White

President Bush announced Wednesday, during a press conference in Mexico, his plan to intensify efforts to overhaul U.S. immigration laws and crack down on illegal drug trafficking.
In the news conference with Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Bush also committed to creating immigration laws that will respect humanity as well as the rule of law. The main goal in his visit, according to CBS, was to rebuild ties with Mexico and other countries.
Bush also visited Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, and Guatemala, according to the Star Tribune, where he also addressed immigration but in addition ethanol use. Although Bush signed the Free Trade Agreement in Columbia, Democrats will not approve it without changes, according to the BBC.
Bush endured criticism over the 700-mile fence that the U.S. is planning to construct along the Mexican border and is likely to face opposition to his reform plans by both the Democratic and Republican parties, according to the BBC.

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By Diane White

Republican Sen. John McCain announced Thursday on the "Late Show with David Letterman," that he will officially enter the 2008 presidential race.
While McCain was expected to run for the Republican ticket, his announcement was unexpected, which is characteristic of his "free spirit,� according to the New York Times. In Nov., McCain formed an exploratory committee and since then has been making public appearances around the U.S., according to the BBC.
He faces the most competition from former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, although McCain is well-known to the public. After he unsuccessfully ran for president against Bush in 2000, McCain has both criticized and praised him for the actions he has taken while in office.
If elected, McCain, 70, would be the oldest president ever sworn into office for a first term, according to the AP.

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By Diane White

The White House announced Friday; it will oppose legislation created by Democrats that would challenge the authority of Pres. Bush, to make decisions about the situation in Iraq.
The exact wording of the legislation has been debated among Democrats themselves, according to the AP. Versions vary in focus from: restricting the troops to fighting only al-Qaida, training the Iraqi army and police forces, and maintaining Iraq's territorial integrity, according to CBS.
The explicit message is clear; Democrats want to see the troops withdrawn from combat forces.
Their main argument according to the BBC, is based on the fact that Saddam Hussein is dead, and weapons of mass destruction were never found in Iraq. And therefore, the president no longer has the same authority that was issued to him when the war began.

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By Diane White

Hundreds of Pennsylvania motorists were freed from highways Friday, after being stuck for 24 hours in some cases.
The governor apologized publicly, saying the handling of the storm was "totally unacceptable." A tie-up on a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 78 was so bad that National Guardsmen in Humvees distributed food, fuel and baby supplies to the stranded victims of the storm. Many tracker trailers got stuck, which caused much of the back-up, according to CBS.
Highways remained shut Friday while crews struggled to clear snow and ice. This monster storm, according to the AP, is to blame for at least 24 deaths.

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By Diane White

Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. was formally sentenced to death in Grand Forks, N.D. Thursday for the kidnapping and killing of college student Dru Sjodin.
Thursday's hearing began with victim impact statements, made by Sjodin's family and friends, according to the Pioneer Press. Rodriguez declined his opportunity to speak in court.
The case was heard by Judge Ralph Erickson, Kare11 quoted him saying “Today is the most difficult day of my life." The jury unanimously recommended the death penalty which Judge Erickson was bound to, unless he found errors in the trial, which he didn't.
The case was tried in federal court according to the Star Tribune because state lines were crossed when the crime was committed, which made Rodriguez eligible for the death penalty.
It has not been determined when Rodriguez will be put to death, it may be a matter of years due to the fact he has the right to appeal.

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By Diane White

There have been 14 deaths confirmed so far after a tornado ripped through central Florida early Friday.
Florida's Gov., Charlie Crist, declared a state of emergency for Lake, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties, according to CBS News. He also stated that their main priority right now is to search and rescue victims of the storm.
The towns most affected by the storm were in the Lake County area, about 50 miles Northwest of Orlando, as stated by Kare11. The tornado destroyed many mobile homes, lifted a tractor trailed into the air and demolished a church in a town called Lady Lake.
Parishioners of the church gathered Friday afternoon at the sight of their former church consoling one another, according to the AP. Rev. Larry Lynn stated the building was 31 years old and built to withstand 150-mph winds.

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