Clipmarks | BobbyDelray's clips

Davis apologizes for calling Obama 'boy'

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:04:11 GMT

clipped by: BobbyDelray

U.S. Rep Geoff Davis apologized Monday for calling presidential contender and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama “boy” during a Northern Kentucky dinner over the weekend.

He said in his remarks at the GOP dinner that he also recently participated in a “highly classified, national security simulation” with Obama.

“I'm going to tell you something: That boy's finger does not need to be on the button," Davis said. "He could not make a decision in that simulation that related to a nuclear threat to this country.”

Davis compared Obama, a Democratic contender for president, and his message to a “snake oil salesman.”

The offending comment was first reported on the Herald-Leader’s political blog, Pol Watchers. (Click here to listen to Davis' remarks.)

“My poor choice of words is regrettable and was in no way meant to impugn you or your integrity," Davis wrote in a letter that staffers said was hand-delivered to Obama’s U.S. Senate office. "I offer my sincere apology to you and ask for your forgiveness.”

Artillery Shrapnel Hits House, Kills Cat

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:28:03 GMT

clipped by: BobbyDelray

Clip Source: news.aol.com

A New Jersey family had some scary moments after their house was hit by a fiery missile.

A fragment of a two-pound artillery shell plummeted through the roof of their Jefferson Township home around 2:30 p.m. Friday, landing on their little girl's bed -- ultimately killing the family's cat.

CBS Station WCBS correspondent Lou Young reports the shell was fired off from the Picatinny Arsenal, the U.S. Army's sprawling weapons research facility in Picatinny, 2.5 to 3 miles away.

"They heard the explosion, they felt the concussion and a few seconds later the piece came through the roof," homeowner Fred Angle said.

The piece of shrapnel landed where the girl normally sleeps.

Brandon Gadow, Cassandra's brother, tried to grab the shrapnel, but it was too hot. He pulled the blanket and the cat outside and called the police.

Ironically, the Army says the accident occurred while it was testing safer way to dispose of unwanted artillery shells.

The family's cat was injured and had to be euthanized

House warming: U.S. takes ownership of $736M Baghdad embassy

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:49:50 GMT

clipped by: BobbyDelray
clipper's remarks: As a taxpayer do you feel ripped-off?

Clip Source: blogs.usatoday.com

It cost more than three-quarters-of-a-billion U.S. taxpayer dollars to build and has been plagued by construction snafus, but the State Department has finally gotten the "deed" to the massive new Baghdad embassy — the largest U.S. mission in the world.

Today, the State Department got the the "certificate of occupancy" to $736 million fortress. That means late next month or early in June, U.S. diplomatic staff can start moving into 27 buildings in the Green Zone compound, which covers 104 acres, has office space for 1,000 and housing for several hundred.

One measure of how much the embassy cost: It's equal to the estimated value of the New York Mets franchise last year. (You decide which is the better deal ...)

The top U.S. ground commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, will have to wait to put up the family photos in his office, however. It's not ready. The compound was supposed to have opened last September.

J.K. Rowling on the Stand: ‘There’s a Measure of Principle at Stake’

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:11:40 GMT

clipped by: BobbyDelray

Clip Source: blogs.wsj.com

For background on the case, click here.

the big event of the day came when Rowling took the stand, dressed not unlike her lawyers, in a black suit with white pinstripes. In direct examination, Cendali began by asking Rowling about the initial creation of the Potter franchise and the well-reported finanical hardship that attended it.

“I don’t want to cry, because I’m British,” said Rowling, breaking down a bit, “but the [Harry Potter books] meant setting aside my children.” If that was a show of weakness on Rowling’s part, to the Law Blog’s sensibilities, it was effective in making her seem sympathetic. It was also a counterpoint to testimony that was otherwise declarative and authoritative.

“Should my fans be flooded with a surfeit of substandard books — so called lexicons — I’m not sure I’d have the will or heart to continue,” said Rowling, who went on to characterize the H.P. Lexicon as “sloppy,” “lazy,” and “incorrect.”