Rep. Bart Stupak to retire, casualty of health care reform battle
Washington – The retirement of Rep. Bart Stupak, the Michigan Democrat who shot to prominence over the abortion issue in the healthcare reform debate, represents a blow to the Democratic Party in its battle to retain control of the House this fall.
Congressman Stupak fought to prevent the healthcare legislation from allowing federal funds to be spent on abortion, and in so doing, won enemies among both supporters and opponents of abortion rights. His ultimate vote for the bill displeased abortion foes, who said the final version did not do enough to hinder federal spending on abortion.
But Stupak insists the tea party played no role in his decision to retire.
“The tea party did not run me out,” he told the Associated Press. “If you know me and my personality, I would welcome the challenge.”
In his retirement announcement, Stupak noted that he considered retiring during the past several election cycles, “when it seemed like healthcare reform was an impossible dream in Washington….”
KN: He was going to lose, why else retire. He sold his soul for what!
Stand by your principles, he didn't.
Now he can retire with a fat tax payer payed pension.
After W. Va. mine disaster, goodbyes continue
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By Oren Dorell, USA TODAY
COMFORT, W.Va. — Hours after learning the fate of four missing miners, residents continued the difficult task of saying goodbye.
Hundreds of mourners filed Saturday afternoon into Sherman Elementary School in Boone County to remember Jason Atkins, 25, one of 29 workers killed Monday in an explosion at Massey Energy Company's Upper Big Branch mine in Coalmont.
"This is the day to mourn his loss. He was one of our students and we're trying to support his family," said Jerry Tcholinsky, a teacher at the school. He arrived with an apple pie for Atkins' family.
KN: You could not pay me enough money to be a coal miner.
Justice John Paul Stevens announces his retirement from Supreme Court
By Robert BarnesWashington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, April 10, 2010; A01
Justice John Paul Stevens announced Friday that he will retire this summer, and President Obama said he will move quickly to replace the Supreme Court's liberal leader and longest-serving member with someone who shares the belief that "powerful interests must not be allowed to drown out the voices of ordinary citizens."
Stevens, who will turn 90 on April 20, said in a letter addressed to "My dear Mr. President" that he will leave the court when the current term concludes at the end of June.
A Republican named to the court in 1975 by President Gerald R. Ford, Stevens leaves a legacy of defending abortion rights, expanding protection for gays, restricting the availability of the death penalty and ensuring a robust role for judges in interpreting the nation's laws and curbing executive power.
He probably leaves with a sense of frustration as well: The court's conservative wing has become increasingly dominant under Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. The success Stevens enjoyed in putting together slim majorities for liberal outcomes made way for stinging dissents in which he has accused the current court of ignoring years of precedent.
Kliphnote: Just love when it's said "The court's conservative wing has become increasingly dominant". If Al Gore had won it would have been a "liberal wing."
And we would have more gun control.
Also remember every Supreme Court nominee a republican president had the democrats
complained about. And it was Obama that wanted to filibuster Samuel Alito.
When Obama says he doesn't want a problem with his nominee he is being hypocritical.
AP Polish leader, 96 others dead in Russia jet crash
AP – 2 hrs 20 mins agoSMOLENSK, Russia – The crash of an aging Russian airliner ravaged the top levels of Poland's military, political and church elite Saturday, killing the Polish president and dozens of other dignitaries as they traveled to a ceremony commemorating a slaughter that has divided the two nations for seven decades. Full Story »
Union Memo Hints At N.J. Gov.'s Death
Bergen County Teachers Union's Memo The Latest Salvo In War Of Words With Gov. Christie; Swift Apology Issued
ReportingMarcia Kramer TEANECK, N.J. (CBS) ―
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Click to enlarge
- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie delivers the state budget address on March 16, 2010.
CBS
It was in a controversial e-mail sent by the Bergen County Teachers Union to its members asking that Christie be "taken" by the Lord.
In seven years as the Garden State's pugnacious U.S. Attorney, Christie got only two death threats -- from the bloods and the crips.
It took only three months as governor for an adversary to wish him six feet under.
US seeks to smooth relations with Afghan leader (AP)
AP - President Hamid Karzai got a VIP briefing at NATO headquarters and the top American diplomat in Kabul went out of his way to smooth U.S.-Afghan relations — signs that Washington is using a softer touch in dealing with the unpredictable Afghan leader.
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