Ashley Cowan

National: Disabled man accused of drug dealing is released from prison

On Thursday a disabled former attourney was released from prison. Richard Paey, 48, was accused of distribution of pain medications 4 years ago. He claimed that "he needed large amounts of drugs tonumb his pain." Paey has been debilitated by a car accident and suffers from multiple scleroses and uses a wheelchair. Prosecutors accused Paey of forging many perscriptions and selling them, but Paey refsed to accept the plea because he didn't want to be reffered to as a drug dealer. Paey expected to die in jail, with his 25 year sentence. Paey said "He's a brave man, and it takes a great leader to show a small person mercy," when he was reffering to Christ.

Opinion: I think this story just goes to show you that the government has many flaws. Those flaws sent a man to jail. I feel sorry for Paey because he was punished for a crime that he didn't commit. I know it happens all over the world today, but it still makes me sad to hear things like that. Paey will never get those 4 years back from his life and no money pay off can change it.

International: Colombia extradites rebel leader to U.S.

In Bogota, Columbia, a captured guerrilla leader was extradited to the U.S. on drug charges Thursday. "Erminso Cabrera is the first rebel to be extradited under a March 2006 indictment that accused 50 members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia, or FARC, of supplying 60 percent of America's cocaine." The police, whom announced the extradition, are trying to make some type of deal to swap prisoners for prisoners. There are three Americans held in captivity.

Opinion: That is so horrible. I think that with the more drugs people deal with, the more problems they have. These drug dealers are scary men and cannot be trusted. The U.S. needs to take extreme precautions because we don't know what these men are capable of. Drugs are bad, so stay away from them!

National: Closed planned parenthood clinic

In Chicago, a Planned Parenthood clinic was prevented from opening due to the questions asked of where it recieved its building permits by anti-abortion activists. U.S. District Judge Charles Norgle rejected a motion that could've allowed the clinic to open on Friday. He predicted a long legal fight for planned parnthood. Aurora officials would not provide occupancy permits while the building permit situation was under discussion. Christopher Wilson, representing planned parenthood, argued that the only reason they went under question was because there would be abortions performed there.

Opinion: I'm saddened by the thought of children being killed. Planned Parenthood should not hold abortions there. They should simply help prepare teens for their pregnancies. I know this case will be going under investigation for a while due to the fact that it involves abortion.

International: Lowest Iraq violence since mosque attack

"Violence in Iraq has fallen to its lowest level since before a 2006 mosque attack." Lieutenant-General Raymond Odierno sait that attacks in Baghdad had fallen about 50 percent since January. "There are still way too many civilian casualties inside of Baghdad and Iraq" Odierno said.

Opinion: It makes me very happy to hear that less people are dying in Iraq. I hate violence and war. I completely disapprove of all of the new soldiers that they are sending to Iraq because the last thing we need is more people dying! Stop the war!