Jonathan Francis Sterner Lemnitzer

National: Woman Receives Huge Fine in Court

Summary: Jammie Thomas, a 32 year old woman from Minnesota has been
fined $222,000 for sharing 24 songs online, a cost of $9,250 per song. She could
have been fined millions of dollars fro allegedly sharing over 1,000 songs. She is the
first person accused of illegal file-sharing to fight the case in court. Millions of
people share songs illegally and only a fraction of them are prosecuting, but those
who are prosecuted face a stiff penalty.

Opinion: Considering it's known Thomas has been sharing over 1,000 songs and
yet she is only be charged for 24 is miracle for her, if she was charged for every
song she would go bankrupt for life. I think the music industry has a right to
prosecute people who download illegally including me i have downloaded thousands
of songs, I don't like that the fines are so stiff, but there are ways to do it without
getting caught and the fact that so many people do it lessens the risk of being singled out.
The music industry should take the hint that people are tired of spending tons
of money when its available for free.

International: Spain Arrests Leaders of Basque Group

Summary: The Spanish government said it had arrested 22 people in the town
of Segura, in Spain's northern Basque region. The arrested allegedly make up the
entire leadership of Batasuna a banned Basque separatist party. In recent months
the Spanish government has cracked down on the group arresting key members and
the former leader. The government says the party is a front for the Basque
terrorist group Eta. Earlier this year the Eta called off a 15 month ceasefire, the
group is blamed for the deaths of at least 800 people in a 40 year campaign to
create a Basque homeland.

Opinion: If the party really is just a front for the Eta than I think it is a good
thing the leadership was arrested, however I am not sure how conclusive the
evidence is which links Batasuna to the Eta separatists. It is very possible the
Spanish government would rather not have a party which supports Basque
independence and would move to outlaw the party on those grounds alone who
knows.

International: Elder Statesmen Condemn Sudanese Government

Summary: The visiting group of senior diplomats dubbed "The Elders" including
Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter, and Nelson Mandela's wife, harshly criticized
the Sudanese governments role in the genocide taking place in Darfur. The diplomats
have been meeting with regional and national leaders in an attempt to create a
productive dialog and end the years of killing which have left over 200,000 people
dead and has displaced more than 2.5 million people.

Opinion: The situation in Darfur is tragic and it serves as a harsh reminder
of the failure of the international community to act swiftly. The crisis in Darfur
has gone on and on despite media attention and pleas for help. It has taken the UN
years so approve sending a peacekeeping force and who knows when the boots will be
on the ground. In the meantime the US is two involved in Iraq and Afghanistan
to have much impact on the situation and the the government in Khartoum is
being bolstered by oil exports mainly to China.

National: Ky. Officials sue OxyContin makers

Summary: Ky Attorney General Greg Stumbo and Pike County officials filed
a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma L.P. the makers of the popular painkiller. The
lawsuit seeks reimbursement for costs incurred by drug treatment plans, law enforcemnet,
and prescription payment through Medicaid and Ky's own medical program. The
makers of the drug said they would vigorously fight the charges in court and that they
expect to prevail.

Opinion: Oxycontin is one of the strongest painkillers ever made, it is also
very addictive, combined it is a perfect recipe for abuse. The company has
admitted it pressured doctors to over prescribe the drug and downplayed it's
addictive qualities, by revealing that the company shares responsibility in the
deaths, addiction, and crimes caused by the drug and must be held responsible.d

KRISTA GROTE

National

A Golfer Who Doesn’t Have to Worry About His Grip

SUMMARY

George Utley, who is 48 years old, was born without arms. 25 years ago he saw a TV program where a man with his condition was playing golf, so he thought he would give it a try. He had some clubs custom made with extra long shafts. It took him about two years to perfect his swing, which is more hockey-like, but it works for him. His lowest score is an 81 and recently won a tournament. He says that “life is too short; you just got to get out and conquer the world because you know what you can do unless you try.”

OPINION

This guy is incredible! I can’t believe a man with two little chicken stubs for arms would try to play golf; I have a hard enough time playing and I have both of my arms and hands. I wish I could have as good of an attitude towards life as this man does. It really is a shame when people take things for granted, but it is people like George that remind you, you can do anything if you put your mind to it!


International

Iraq buys weapons from China

SUMMARY

Iraq is buying one hundred million dollars worth of weapons for their national police from China, because the US is having a slow pace in arms shipments. Iraq has placed a large order for AK47 riffles, which are not made by any US companies. The US never intended to be Iraq’s weapon source in the beginning, but it does make it easier to keep track of where the weapons are going. If Iraq eventually start buying all of their weapons from china it will be harder to be sure that the weapons are not going to people that would use them against the US; although the inventory control of weapons can be tracked no matter were the weapons were made.

OPINION

First of all I’m surprised to see that any country would buy products from China after the massive recall they just had on their toys with lead based paint. Although it might be to the US’s advantage if Iraq buys guns with lead based paint! I apologize that was not very nice to say, but anyways, I think it is a big advantage if the US provides Iraq’s weapons supply so we are able to make sure the weapons are not put into the wrong hands. If China becomes their new resource I think it will be harder to keep track of who has the weapons until it is too late.

National

Bad Grades = Bad Bruises

SUMMARY

Loscar Rodriguez was arrested for “child abuse”. One day after his son came home with a bad grade report Rodriguez gave his son a spanking with his belt. It was not until the next day when the boy said he could not sit down in class because his bottom hurt too much and went to the nurse, that she called 911 after she saw the bruises. The Judge for this case found Rodriguez innocent and did not see anything wrong with spanking a child to teach them a lesson. The judge said, “It’s supposed to leave a mark to make the child remember to get your work done”.

OPINION

We all have had bruises on our butts at one point in our lives from learning from something we did wrong as kids. I think the school nurse over reacted and it was not fare for the police to arrest Rodriguez if they knew his child was only bruised for a spanking.

International

Twin Day

SUMMARY

This week, on October 2, in Beijing, China, the annual twin festival took place. Over 300 pairs of twins showed up for this special occasion. The twins ranged from 4 months to 60 years old. The twins were from 12 different provinces in China. The festival has been celebrated in Beijing since 2004.

OPINION

I think this festival is a great idea for a country with a one child policy to have. It allows the twins to be with other twins and see a wide variety of look-a-likes. It is a good thing the country made an exception for families with twins to be able to have more than one child because it would be terrible if they had to choose which child would be able to live.

Bronwen Vogel

National:
Ronald "Bo" Ward of Tennessee killed himself with a small handgun after a committee would not rezone his home. The rezoning would have made his property more valuable, being residential, allowing Ward to obtain a loan. "Y'all have put me under. ... I'm out of here" were the last words he spoke before pulling out a gun and shooting himself in the head. A police man is always at council meetings, but metal detectors are not used.

This sounds like a case of idiotic desperation. No one should feel guilty for not rezoning the building. From the information given it sounds like only Ward can be to blame for his life situation. He placed all of his hope in getting a loan, and was left with nothing. To many people are the same way and so likely to self destruct, although it may be in a more subtle way than a bullet to the head.

International:
An estimated 25 people died Thursday when a plane crashed in Kinshasa. The plane crashed directly after take off. Two survivors have been identified: a flight attendant and mechanic- both in critical condition. One of the propellers broke off during take off and the wing was sheared by trees as the plane ascended. In addition, the plane dumped large amounts of fuel on the ground blow as it took off, inciting a flame when it crashed. Since last year there have been at least 24 plane crashes -- nearly half of them involving Russian-made Antonov's.

Death must not be a big deal to these people. Schooling either. Teach pilots to fly and I'm sure in the end they will also find it beneficiary to invest in planes of a higher quality that will not crash, maiming and burning innocent people. It would be interesting to know what the punishment for this will be. But if this happens continually then there must be no retribution. It seems Russia has a lot of problems they can't bother to fix.

National:
Carol Ann Gotbaum put up a violent struggle in the Phoenix airport after missing a flight. She screamed "I'm not a terrorist!" And caused such a scene that authorities were called to contain the woman. She continued to rebel, screaming and punching. After being handcuffed behind her back Gotbaum was placed in a room, still screaming, while authorities were en route. After her yells had been absent several minutes, she was check on and found dead, strangled while trying to escape.

Obviously the woman was not sane. She has been in the news before for doing stupid things, so this is not to surprising. I hope the airport does not get sued for mistreatment. Airports are not equipped to handle crazy people and they shouldn't have to be. It seems that the situation was handled well, all things considered. The woman was not mentally well enough to be traveling by herself. Or at all.

International:
Baltasar Garzon ordered that all Basque party members are to be arrested. They are said to be the political wing of the armed separatist group, and terrorists. Since the 1960's the group has been responsible for over 800 killings in bombings and other attacks.Twenty members were arrested in Seguin Thursday and will be taken to Madrid to be questioned.

Calling the Basque a political party is giving them to much credit. It sounds more like the mafia. Endangering the lives of the people of Spain is enough to outlaw the group, but unless specific people can be charged with murders there cannot be much consequence. Having an official meeting like they were doing is illegal, but some prison time and/or a fine is really all that could result in. The Spanish government is right in trying to control the group. I bet it dissolves after awhile.

Susan Jewell

national:
SUMMARY
Carol Ann Gotbaum, a 45 year old resident of New York, strangled herself in the Phoenix Sky Harbor airport while she was detained in a room. She was denied the right onto her plane at which point she walked away screaming at the top of her lungs "I'm not a terrorist!". She created a large scene and the police were called to assist her and basically get her out of the way of other airport passengers and personnel. She was handcuffed and shackled and then placed in a holding room where she most likely accidentally strangled herself while trying to bring her hands to the front of her body. She was in the airport to go to Tuscon to a alcohol recovery center. The police did not think she was a threat to herself and that is why the police did not leave a person in the room with Gotbaum to monitor her. The family is not sure if they will sue.


OPINION
Well, the woman clearly should not have been traveling unaccompanied. There was no need for that and obviously the mistake was on the family. It is a shame she died but sometimes sad things happen. i feel worst for her kids. i would assume they are thoroughly freaked out. First their mom is an alcoholic then their mommy is dead. I saw on the news on channel 3 that when the first stopped hearing her scream they came to check on her and she was unconscious so one of the cops gave her mouth to mouth and she threw up in his mouth; he just spit it out and continued. I feel bad for that officer too, he tried so hard and still she died.


international:
SUMMARY
Israel did an air attack in Syria that the media is just now finding out about for sure but still in limited detail. The nation is aware that Israel did an air attack on an air base deep within Syria but most other details were left out.Journalist who report on the issue are required to submit everything to a panel to be censored or possibly denied rights to be published. "North Korea, which provides missile technology to Syria, has denied any nuclear link. Syria also has denied receiving North Korean nuclear help."


OPINION
I am glad that Israel is fighting back in a bigger way than just bombs. Air raids are always good ways to get the enemy damaged although now Syria will be even more upset with Israel. I think Israel took the right action though because now maybe more countries will want to defend a country that can and will attempt to defend itself.


international
SUMMARY
Some birds in Africa, Asia, and Europe are carrying a form of bird flu which has mutated and is possible to affect humans. "The H5N1 avian flu virus, which mostly infects birds, has since 2003 infected 329 people in 12 countries, killing 201 of them. It very rarely passes from one person to another, but if it acquires the ability to do so easily, it likely will cause a global epidemic." The mutated form of the virus is most adapted to affect humans in Europe and Africa although "H5N1 caused its first mass die-off among wild waterfowl in 2005 at Qinghai Lake in central China."



OPINION
This is dreadful and I'm thankful I live in America, rather far way from the problem, although the virus could manage to get over to South and North America. I believe that because scientist and doctors were able to locate the mutated virus relatively quickly, before masses of people contracted the virus, that the general population will be safe and that within a year or so the problem will be mostly, if not all the way, handled and under control.


national
SUMMARY
Republican Senator, Larry Craig of Idaho, has decided to fulfill his term until January at which point he will not run for senate again but retire. many republicans are disappointed in his decision especially because Craig had previously said he would step down right away. The governor of Idaho had already interviewed about 24 perspective candidates and found a suitable replacement. If Craig had left very little change would have occurred in the senate due to the fact the democrats have 51 people and the republicans only 49.


OPINION
I think that the term is not long enough to require Craig to step down. There are so many gay people in the world having a gay or bisexual man in the political spotlight may help some groups get what they want. I think if Craig resigned he would just look like he was running away. With him staying he looks like he is facing the embarrassment and the problem.

Susan Jewell

national:
SUMMARY
Carol Ann Gotbaum, a 45 year old resident of New York, strangled herself in the Phoenix Sky Harbor airport while she was detained in a room. She was denied the right onto her plane at which point she walked away screaming at the top of her lungs "I'm not a terrorist!". She created a large scene and the police were called to assist her and basically get her out of the way of other airport passengers and personnel. She was handcuffed and shackled and then placed in a holding room where she most likely accidentally strangled herself while trying to bring her hands to the front of her body. She was in the airport to go to Tuscon to a alcohol recovery center. The police did not think she was a threat to herself and that is why the police did not leave a person in the room with Gotbaum to monitor her. The family is not sure if they will sue.


OPINION
Well, the woman clearly should not have been traveling unaccompanied. There was no need for that and obviously the mistake was on the family. It is a shame she died but sometimes sad things happen. i feel worst for her kids. i would assume they are thoroughly freaked out. First their mom is an alcoholic then their mommy is dead. I saw on the news on channel 3 that when the first stopped hearing her scream they came to check on her and she was unconscious so one of the cops gave her mouth to mouth and she threw up in his mouth; he just spit it out and continued. I feel bad for that officer too, he tried so hard and still she died.


international:
SUMMARY
Israel did an air attack in Syria that the media is just now finding out about for sure but still in limited detail. The nation is aware that Israel did an air attack on an air base deep within Syria but most other details were left out.Journalist who report on the issue are required to submit everything to a panel to be censored or possibly denied rights to be published. "North Korea, which provides missile technology to Syria, has denied any nuclear link. Syria also has denied receiving North Korean nuclear help."


OPINION
I am glad that Israel is fighting back in a bigger way than just bombs. Air raids are always good ways to get the enemy damaged although now Syria will be even more upset with Israel. I think Israel took the right action though because now maybe more countries will want to defend a country that can and will attempt to defend itself.

Susan Jewell

national:
SUMMARY
Carol Ann Gotbaum, a 45 year old resident of New York, strangled herself in the Phoenix Sky Harbor airport while she was detained in a room. She was denied the right onto her plane at which point she walked away screaming at the top of her lungs "I'm not a terrorist!". She created a large scene and the police were called to assist her and basically get her out of the way of other airport passengers and personnel. She was handcuffed and shackled and then placed in a holding room where she most likely accidentally strangled herself while trying to bring her hands to the front of her body. She wa in the airport to go to Tuscon to a alcohol recovery center. The police did not think she was a threat to herself and that is why the police did not leave a person in the room with Gotbaum to monitor her. The family is not sure if they will sue.


OPINION
Well, the woman clearly should not have been traveling unaccompanied. There was no need for that and obviously the mistake was on the family. It is a shame she died but sometimes sad things happen. i feel worst for her kids. i would assume they are thoroughly freaked out. First their mom is an alcoholic then their mommy is dead. I saw on the news on channel 3 that when the first stopped hearing her scream they came to check on her and she was unconscious so one of the cops gave her mouth to mouth and she threw up in his mouth; he just spit it out and continued. I feel bad for that officer too, he tried so hard and still she died.


international:
SUMMARY
Israel did an air attack in Syria that the media is just now finding out about for sure but still in limited detail. The nation is aware that Israel did an air attack on an air base deep within Syria but most other details were left out.Journalist who report on the issue are required to submit everything to a panel to be censored or possibly denied rights to be published. "North Korea, which provides missile technology to Syria, has denied any nuclear link. Syria also has denied receiving North Korean nuclear help."


OPINION
I am glad that Israel is fighting back in a bigger way than just bombs. Air raids are always good ways to get the enemy damaged although now Syria will be even more upset with Israel. I think Israel took the right action though because now maybe more countries will want to defend a country that can and will attempt to defend itself.

yo yo this ya boi omizzle (a.k.a. Omar) foshizzle reppin time son ya heard

National - College student apologizes for "Jena 6" reenactment. University of Louisiana-Monroe student Kristy Smith posted a tape containing a mock Jena 6 incident. The reenactment contained several students in blackface acting as the Jena 6. The students in blackface knocked over a another male who was running along a beach with a noose in his hands. At least on racial name was mentioned. Smith posted the video on her facebook page and on YouTube. Shortly after the posts, Smith says she was getting threats to take off the video and her phone has to be turned off due to the amount of threatening calls. The university's vice president of student affairs said he was not going to let what a couple of students did stain the university's image. It is unclear when the video was made.

Opinion - This is really just a reminder that racism is still out there. Even after alleged racial crimes were committed in Jena, Louisiana people still have to add racial comments to that occurrence. This girl claims she is not a racist after she posted a video on her own web page on facebook, that clearly shows a racial point of view of the incident. Maybe I'm just confused, but why else would you post or make a video like that? It's beyond me.

International - 30 killed in Congo of plane crash. At least 30 were killed after takeoff of an Antonov-26 aircraft. The plane landed in a crowded area in a poor suburb of Kinshasa which is the capital of Congo. All 16 passengers and six crew were killed including 8 people that were on the ground. "The plane clipped several treetops and hit the roofs of three houses, crashing onto its back with its tires in the air," Japhet Kiwa, who lives a few miles away from the airport, told AP. The plane took off at 10:40 a.m. (3:40 a.m.) and was en route to Tshikapa which is in the southernmost part of Congo. 15 people were injured also.

Opinion - This is what makes me never want to get in a private or small plane! This really is sad though. It's even worse that the plane crashed in several homes too. I feel for the families in this situation. its a dire situation to be in, knowing that your relative or friend is not coming back to you. Well i never want to Congo either because of the movie Congo. I really would not like a pack of two-thousand-year-old veteran killer apes coming after me in search of Solomon's lost mine! that would not go well with me at all.

National - man kills himself after zoning decision. Ronald "Bo" Ward was the owner of Bo's Barber Shop in Clarksville, Tennessee. Ward wanted his home to be zoned as commercial in order for his business to not fail. After a 5-7 vote for his decision, Ward approached the council during the meeting, pulled out a small handgun and shot himselpf in the head, ending his life instantly. "When a gun gets whipped out like that, someone is going to get shot, but I didn't know who," Councilman Bill Summers said. "You could've been right next to him, and I don't think you could have stopped that."

Opinion - This is bad news. I don't think that killing yourself is right answer for your dismay and depression. I understand the situation he was in and that he might have lost everything but there was still another way. If only he would've survived long enough to see that come to pass. I personally have never seen somebody end their life intentionally and i cant even imagine that sight in my mind either. I would be scarred for life if i ever did.


International - Korean leaders sign peace pledge. South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il signed an eight-point peace pledge on Thursday at a summit in Pyongyang, North Korea. Both leaders said they were pushing their way towards permanent peace. If both North and South Korea sign peace treaties, then the 56-year-old war would finally end. "The United Nations stands ready to provide assistance as may be required, in cooperation with the international community,"said UN Secretary General Ban Kai Moon in a statement issued by his office. Both countries are also in the process of getting rid of nuclear weapons.

Opinion - I don't think i will ever see the day when both North and South Korea have peace. Its jsut seems impossible to me but you never know. People never thought that the 13 colonies would ever separate from England and become their country. I;m all for this peace masquerade and i hope it actually happens. But I must say I'm a bit skeptical of North Korea's intentions. Last year they were testing the range of some rockets that could potentially be filled with nuclear weapons and who knows what else. I would just be a little cautious of North Korea's motives.