Maximum sentence for Kenielle Finch

Life sentence is a misnomer but hopefully in 20 years people will not forget and keep him in prison when he is up for parole.

Justice almost served

Finch guilty of murder in 2 girls' hit-and-run deaths

Kenielle Finch hung his head as a Jefferson County jury found him guilty Tuesday of wanton murder for running over two little girls in July 2008 as he was fleeing from police in south Louisville.


Family and friends of the girls —5-year-old Claudia Faye Wadlington and 4-year-old Riley Jane Lawrence — hugged and quietly sobbed at the verdict, which carries a possible life sentence with eligibility for parole in 20 years.

“It was an incredible feeling,” Riley’s mother, Sarah Lawrence, said of the verdict in an interview. “We’ve waited a very long time to hear those words.”

Hopefully tomorrow the maximum sentence even though its not nearly enough.

Friday fun with animals or not so much fun

1 year ago today

Day of remembrance for two young girls killed in hit-and-run

Saturday will be a day of remembrance for two Louisville families whose young girls were killed in a hit-and-run crash. This comes as the family has filed a civil lawsuit against the suspect.

This civil lawsuit now includes the names of state employees. But current law says those employees aren't subject to these kinds of lawsuits. Sarah Lawrence, one victim's mother, said on Friday, "Although their lives were brief, they were very joyful children that brought each and every one of us joy and happiness."

Saturday marks one year since a vehicle struck four-year-old Riley Lawrence, five-year-old Claudia Wadlington, and Wadlington's mother as they crossed a street on the edge of the University of Louisville campus.

I thought that was a powerful picture the first time I saw it and now a year later it still is. Recently I came to learn more about it from one of the victims mothers:

The shoe picture... that was my daughter's shoe. They'd just been bought two weeks prior. They were too big, but after being in flip flops all summer she kept telling me everything she tried on was "too tight." I saw the picture the night she was killed, I don't remember if it was on the television or on the internet. The shoe was not far from the crosswalk where they were hit. Where Riley ended up is another story. I've been meaning to take/post a picture to show people just how far he threw her. 65 mph, two children and a mommy in his sight and he never slowed down, never swerved and didn't stop. Freaking animal.

Anyway, nice to meet you, and please keep blogging about the case. Anything we can do to keep people informed and keep the case in the public eye will help with our eventual goal of changing this state's messed up parole system.

Take care,
Sarah

I just cannot imagine. The families are in my thoughts today.

Broken parole system

Families in wrongful death ready to take on sovereign immunity

July 25 marks the one-year anniversary of the day two little girls were run down by a speeding car while crossing the street near the University of Louisville's Belknap Campus. Several days ago, WAVE 3 first reported the parole officer of the man driving the speeding car had been added to a wrongful death lawsuit. Friday, the girls' families explained why.

It is a difficult anniversary for the families of 4-year-old Riley Lawrence and 5-year old Claudia Wadlington. They say the decision to add the parole officer and his supervisors in the wrongful death suit comes to get some answers. The parents believe key mistakes were made that allowed a convicted felon back on the streets and despite sovereign immunity that would protect the probation officer; they are willing to take the issue as far as they can.

As the parents sat in court behind Kenielle Finch, the man prosecutors say ran down Riley and Claudia as the crossed Floyd Street near the UofL Natatorium, it became the most difficult hearing yet coming one year after the girl's deaths.

"I think today, we're more emotional than we normally would be," said Sarah Lawrence, Riley's mother. "It's never easy and it's always very difficult and unsettling to be in the presence of someone who's caused us to lose so much."

The families and their civil attorney, John DeCamillis, explained why they added Allen George, Finch's parole officer, and two of his supervisors to their wrongful death lawsuit.

"If there's any case that I have ever in my 20 years come across that should motivate someone to find out what happened, it's this case," said DeCamillis.

Despite sovereign immunity, which makes local government immune from lawsuits like this, the suit claims the parole officers had a legal duty to supervise Finch, who had a history of trafficking drugs and running from police.

"He should have not been out the streets," DeCamillis said. "He had nine subsequent arrests after being paroled the last time and there was ample opportunity to keep him behind bars."

So how many arrests do you get before your parole is revoked exactly?

California has a plan to release 27,000 inmates to ease their budget problems and I sure hope Kentucky doesn't try the same thing.

There is just no end to this tragedy

Lawrence and Waddlington families still being exploited one year after death of daughters

It is not the first time that someone has tried to profit from someone else’s tragedy, but this is beyond the pale.

Next month will mark one year since two little girls were killed by a hit and run driver as they walked to a swim lesson at the University of Louisville.

Now there is word that someone has used their social security numbers to get a tax refund.

I hope when they are caught its not some bullshit fine from the IRS but serious federal prison time.

Sliver bullet ?

Novartis says produces first batch of H1N1 vaccine

wiss pharmaceuticals company Novartis AG said Friday it has successfully produced a first batch of swine flu vaccine weeks ahead of expectations.

The vaccine was made in cells, rather than grown in eggs as is usually the case with vaccines, the company said.

The announcement comes a day after the World Health Organization declared swine flu, also known as A(H1N1), a pandemic. The move indicates that a global outbreak is under way. WHO says drugmakers will likely have vaccines approved and ready for sale after September.

Novartis said it would use the first batch of vaccine for pre-clinical evaluation and testing. It is also being considered for clinical trials, the company said.

The vaccine was produced at a Novartis plant in Marburg, Germany. Novartis said the facility could potentially produce millions of doses of vaccine a week.

A second plant is being built in Holly Springs, North Carolina, the company said.

Now Panic!

WHO: Swine flu pandemic has begun, 1st in 41 years

Swine flu is now formally a pandemic, a declaration by U.N. health officials that will speed vaccine production and spur government spending to combat the first global flu epidemic in 41 years. Thursday's announcement by the World Health Organization doesn't mean the virus is any more lethal — only that its spread is considered unstoppable.

Since it was first detected in late April in Mexico and the United States, swine flu has reached 74 countries, infecting nearly 29,000 people. Most who catch the bug have only mild symptoms and don't need medical treatment.

WHO chief Dr. Margaret Chan made the long-awaited declaration after the U.N. agency held an emergency meeting with flu experts and said she was moving to phase 6 — the agency's highest alert level — which means a pandemic is under way.

"The world is moving into the early days of its first influenza pandemic in the 21st century," Chan said in Geneva.

Don't Panic

WHO on verge of declaring H1N1 flu pandemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) is on the verge of declaring the first influenza pandemic in more than 40 years, but wants to ensure countries are well prepared to prevent a panic, its top flu expert said on Tuesday.

Keiji Fukuda, acting WHO assistant director-general, voiced concern at the sustained spread of the new H1N1 strain -- including more than 1,000 cases in Australia -- following major outbreaks in North America, where it emerged in April.

Confirmed community spread in a second region beyond North America would trigger moving to phase 6 -- signifying a full-blown pandemic -- from the current phase 5 on the WHO's 6-level pandemic alert scale.

"The situation has really evolved a lot over the past several days. We are getting really very close to knowing that we are in a pandemic situation, or I think, declaring that we are in a pandemic situation," Fukuda told a teleconference.

Healthcare Friday Humor

An example of Münchausen syndrome by proxy from the headlines

Mom Caught Putting Feces
In Child's IV

AUSTIN -
Investigators call it one of the most disturbing cases of child abuse in Travis County history. Emily Beth McDonald, 23, is accused of intentionally making her 3-year-old daughter sick. Investigators say hospital surveillance cameras recorded the abuse.

The victim is still at Dell Children's Medical Center but is in stable condition. Investigators say her mother admitted to rubbing feces into the toddler's feeding tube on multiple occasions at the hospital.

All the while, the mother kept a daily blog of her daughter's illness and attempts to recover. Austin police say every time McDonald's daughter started to improve, the child would get sick again.

"The medical records show that the child would get better and then feces would most likely be reintroduced," said Det. Marci Graham.

Some people just need killing.

Angry mob beats child rapist in Philly

Angry mob on caught on video beating child rapist.

New allegations have surfaced against the 'person of interest' in connection to the rape of a young student who was viciously attacked on her way to school in the Kensington section of Philadelphia.

Jose Carrasquillo, 26, was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon after being spotted by neighbors at Lee and Clearfield Streets.

Authorities say the vigilantes restrained Carrasquillo until police arrived and transported him to Temple University Hospital. He is listed in stable condition.

Well thats just a damn shame.

The founding fathers were so wise

A raccoon jerky recipe

So I am still getting hits from google from people searching Raccoon Jerky. So as not to disappoint here it is.

Raccoon Jerky

3 lbs Boneless Raccoon
2/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
2/3 cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Liquid Smoke

Slice raccoon into 1/8" thick strips 5-6" long removing fat. Mix liquid smoke, water, and seasoning. Brush concoction on strips and stack in large glass bowl. Let stand in refrigerator overnight. Place meat in oven or jerky maker. When jerky is done it is dry and firm but not so dry that it breaks.

28 years later not as far fetched

So I was reading online last night about various things including how Obama had set the new CAFE standard, an Obama environment stooge talking about driving white cars and having white roofs on our houses when the commercial for the Lee Majors rechargeable bionic hearing aid came on. Suddenly I had a blast from the past or a vision of the future you decide:

In a future United States, "the oil has run out" and all personal vehicles have been impounded by The Government. Franklyn Hart (Lee Majors), a former race car driver, decides to reassemble his race car hidden from confiscation, and sets out for "Free California" which has broken away from the new regime. He is aided by Ring (Chris Makepeace), a young technically savvy teen who feels alienated from this "social" society. Agents of the new government must stop Franklyn Hart at any cost to destroy what he represents, and the instability that such a desire for personal autonomy could mean to the society. An old Korean War veteran Captain J.G. Williams (Burgess Meredith) and his F-86 Sabre jet are called into service to chase down and destroy Franklyn Hart.

128 Days Later: It can always get worse!

Claymore Hitch Cover

Replica Claymore Hitch Cover



Oh yeah!

Kindred Hospital finds American flag offensive

Supervisor Asks Woman To Take Down American Flag

Debbie McLucas is one of four hospital supervisors at Kindred Hospital in Mansfield. Last week, she hung a three-by-five foot American flag in the office she shares with the other supervisors.

When McLucas came to work Friday, her boss told her another supervisor had found her flag offensive. "I was just totally speechless. I was like, 'You're kidding me,'" McLucas said.

McLucas' husband and sons are former military men. Her daughter is currently serving in Iraq as a combat medic.

Stifling a cry, McLucas said, "I just wonder if all those young men and women over there are really doing this for nothing."

McLucas said the supervisor who complained has been in the United States for 14 years and is formerly from Africa. McLucas said the supervisor took down Debbie's flag herself.

Contact Us

Kindred Healthcare
Corporate Headquarters
680 South Fourth Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
502-596-7300
800-545-0749

Letter from the Administrator

On behalf of our team of staff and employees, thank you for considering our hospital. Our objective is to provide innovative, integrated care to you or your loved one in the event of a catastrophic illness. We strive to earn our reputation for leadership in quality care each and every day, working to offer the highest level possible of expertise and experience in the name of healing. Our guiding principle is simple – to provide quality through people.

We have designed this web site as an informational resource for you and your family. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please call my office or any department listed in the site’s phone directory.

Rhonda Y. Williams
Administrator

Kindred Hospital - Mansfield
1802 Highway 157 North
Mansfield, TX 76063
Phone: (817) 473-6101
TX TDD/TTY# 800-735-2988
Fax: (817) 473-5538

http://kindredmansfield.org/contactus.asp

I think Kindred will regret this.

Map the Fallen

http://www.mapthefallen.org/


Outstanding project.

Fathers day is coming up

The backyard Death Star is finished

Total construction time 32 hours.

Night Stalkers honor their fallen

Col. Clayton N. Hutmacher, right, and retired Master Sgt. Tim Cash lay a wreath at the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment memorial Wednesday. (Jake Lowary/The Leaf-Chronicle)

160th adds one name to its memorial wall

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment added just one name to its memorial wall this year, but that soldier's death affected the unit just as any other casualty.

On Wednesday at Fort Campbell, the 160th, commonly known as the Night Stalkers, paid respect to its fallen comrades just a few days before the Memorial Day holiday.

Pfc. Blaine Adams died Nov. 28, 2008, during a water survival training exercise and was the only Night Stalker added to the wall this year. Five names were added to the wall in 2008, six in 2007 and eight in 2006.

Col. Clayton Hutmacher, regimental commander, called Adams "a highly motivated young man" and "an example of courage and sacrifice" in his remarks during the memorial ceremony attended by hundreds of family members and fellow soldiers.

"It's personal for all of us when we lose somebody," Hutmacher said.

Staff Sgt. Benjamin "Levi" Pigman, 25, a native of Hamilton, Mont., and engine mechanic for the 160th, also died this year after finishing the Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville on April 25.

Since its creation in 1981, 81 names have been added to the memorial wall at Fort Campbell, 33 of those since 9/11. Twenty-six of the deaths have come in Afghanistan and two in Iraq.

Hutmacher said he struggled to find a way to properly recognize the sacrifice of those who have died, and came up with four words, or "simple thoughts": honor, remembrance, grief and thanks. "They were dedicated and gifted soldiers," Hutmacher said. "Their service and contribution as soldiers have had a lasting impact."

Later Wednesday, the regiment dedicated six new buildings on the 160th compound to the honor of six of their fallen comrades.

Staff Sgt. Kerry Frith, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jamie D. Weeks, Sgt. Thomas Allison, Maj. Stephen Reich, Master Sgt. James "Tre" Ponder and Maj. Matthew Worrell all had buildings named in their honor.

"We are who we are as Night Stalkers because of them," Hutmacher said.

Craigslist Joke

Posted to Craig's List Personals:

To the guy who tried to mug me in downtown Savannah night before last.
Date: 03-23-2009, 3:43 AM EST

I was the guy with the black Burberry jacket that you demanded I hand over shortly after you pulled the knife on me and my girlfriend. You also asked for my girlfriend's purse and earrings.

I hope you somehow come across this message. I'd like to apologize.

I didn't expect you to crap in your pants when I drew my pistol after you took my jacket. Truth is, I was wearing the jacket for a reason that evening, and it wasn't that cold outside.

You see, my girlfriend had just bought me that Glock 21 .45 ACP pistol for Christmas, and we had just picked up a shoulder holster for it that evening to celebrate my receiving my CCW permit. Beautiful pistol, eh?

It's a very intimidating weapon when pointed at your head, isn't it? I know it probably wasn't a great deal of fun walking back to wherever you'd come from with that brown sludge flopping about in your pants. I'm sure it was even worse since you also ended up leaving your shoes, cell phone, and wallet with me. I couldn't have you calling up any of your buddies to come help you try to mug us again.

I took the liberty of calling your mother, or "Momma" as you had her listed in your cell, and explaining to her your situation. She really didn't sound very pleased. She said you take after your dad, whereever he is. I also bought myself and four other people in the gas station this morning a tank full of gas on your credit card. The guy with the big motor home took 150 gallons and was extremely grateful!

I gave your shoes to one of the homeless guys over by Vinnie Van Go Go's, along with all of the cash in your wallet.

I threw the wallet in a fancy pink "pimp mobile" parked at the curb after I broke the windshield and side window out and keyed the drivers side.

I called a bunch of phone sex numbers from your cell phone. They'll be on your bill in case you'd like to know which ones. Ma Bell just shut down the line, and I've only had the phone for a little over a day now, so I don't know what's going on with that. I hope they haven't permanently cut off your service.

I could only get in two threatening phone calls to the DA's office and one to the FBI with it. The FBI guy was really pissed and we had a long chat (I guess while he traced the number).

I'd also like to apologize for not killing you and instead making you walk back home humiliated. I'm hoping that you'll reconsider your choice of path in life. Next time you might not be so lucky.

- Alex -

P.S. Remember this motto...... an armed society is a polite society!

Friday Humor

Now Illinois corruption has gone nationwide!

Corruption in Illinois Costs Each Family $109 as Reform Stalls

Researchers at the University of Illinois-Chicago tallied the price of corruption to state taxpayers: at least $500 million a year. Based on prosecution costs and estimates that 5 percent of state contracts go to the politically connected, that equals $109 per family. The total is enough to pay the average salary for 8,214 public school teachers.

The university’s May 13 report found that during the past four decades, graft convictions of elected officials or their cronies averaged three per month. Illinois ranked 18th per capita for the number of convictions on federal public- corruption charges from 1998 through 2007, according to an analysis by USA Today.

Now the Illinois political machine is running the entire country.

Good news that $500 hunk of crap on your dash will not stop working anytime soon

Air Force Twitters on GPS Outage Reports: Calm Down, Civilians

The issue is under control. We are working hard to get out the word. The issue is not whether GPS will stop working. There's only a small risk we will not continue to exceed our performance standard. Agree w/ GAO thr's a potential risk, but GPS isn't falling out of the sky—we have plans 2 mitigate risk & prevent a gap.

Oh boy I am 3 for 5

Five Amazing ’80’s Geek Toys and Their Modern Equivalents

The 100 in 1 electric kit, the pre computer and endless erector sets. My pre computer was not exactly like that one though.

Waxman knows the talking points but not the actual content

Lets hope Obama doesn't decide to start printing money again

Fed’s Plosser Says Inflation to Increase, Warns of Complacency

Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Charles Plosser said prices may rise 2.5 percent in 2011, a rate well above central bankers’ preferred range, and cautioned against complacency on inflation.

“The economy may be at greater risk of inflation than the conventional wisdom indicates,” Plosser said in a speech yesterday in New York. “While inflation expectations appear to remain anchored, we should not become sanguine about our credibility. It can be easily lost.”

Is she talking about the fall return?

WHO chief says world should prepare for severe flu

Countries should be ready for more serious H1N1 infections, and more deaths from the newly-discovered virus, World Health Organisation chief Dr. Margaret Chan said on Friday.

"In cases where the H1N1 virus is widespread and circulating within the general community, countries must expect to see more cases of severe and fatal infections," she said. "We do not at present expect this to be a sudden and dramatic jump in severe illness and deaths."

Kentucky now has 24 confirmed swine flu cases

Four more flu cases confirmed in state

Kentucky health officials confirmed four new swine flue cases in the state Thursday, including a Fayette County man who became ill on a trip to Nevada.

The Lexington patient remains in Nevada and is being treated there with anti-viral medicine, according to the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department. Officials think he picked up the flu virus in Nevada, not Kentucky.

The other three other new cases confirmed Thursday are in Lincoln, Mercer and Jefferson counties, state health officials said.

That brings the state total to 24 confirmed cases.

Meanwhile, Jefferson County health and education officials held a joint press conference Thursday to reassure the public after a middle school there recorded two confirmed and two probable cases of flu.

Darwin awards candidate Green edition

Explosion of man's homemade mileage-booster rattles Downtown Tucson

A man was arrested Thursday morning after a device he was using to get more gas mileage out of his vehicle exploded Downtown.
The explosion was deemed an accident, however, it brought attention to Ben H. Buffalo who had warrants out for his arrest, said Sgt. Mark Robinson, a Tucson Police Department spokesman.
He was booked into the Pima County jail on the warrants, Robinson said.
Buffalo, 48, reportedly got instructions on how to the build the hydrogen-creating device on the Internet.

Probably from the same website where that ignorant woman learned how to "cure" her sons cancer with vitamins and ionized water.

Paid Vacation Act?

Alan Grayson to introduce Paid Vacation Act

Rep. Alan Grayson was standing in the middle of Disney World when it hit him: What Americans really need is a week of paid vacation.

So on Thursday, the Florida Democrat will introduce the Paid Vacation Act — legislation that would be the first to make paid vacation time a requirement under federal law.

The bill would require companies with more than 100 employees to offer a week of paid vacation for both full-time and part-time employees after they’ve put in a year on the job. Three years after the effective date of the law, those same companies would be required to provide two weeks of paid vacation, and companies with 50 or more employees would have to provide one week.

The idea: More vacation will stimulate the economy through fewer sick days, better productivity and happier employees.

I don't know if I should laugh or cry. Welcome to France 2.0

Awkward Family Photos

You just have to see the pictures.

There really is no good explanation for most of these but the captions are great!

Bunning takes another shot at McConnell

Bunning calls McConnell a 'control freak'

The bizarre Kentucky Senate race took another wild turn today as GOP Sen. Jim Bunning once again blasted his fellow Kentucky Republican -- Mitch McConnell, the Senate's top Republican.

In a conference call with reporters, Bunning called McConnell a "control freak" and said McConnell's animus is an asset. "If Mitch McConnell doesn't endorse me, that may be the best thing that could happen to me in Kentucky."

Plus as a bonus a mention of Rand Paul.

But wait, it gets better: Also potentially running in the GOP primary is ... Ron Paul's son, Rand Paul, an ophthalmologist who lives in Bowling Green, KY. Rand Paul says he is weighing a Senate run, and would likely have the support of his father's network of donors. Ron Paul raised $35 million for his presidential run last year.

I'm jealous he could find that much ammo

Police: Man said 30,000 bullets were for target practice

Keni Garcia told police he intended to use the 30,000 bullets they found in his car and home for target practice.

That is hard to believe, the prosecutor at Garcia's arraignment said, because if he were to fire a gun for eight hours a day, it would take weeks for him to use all of it.

Garcia, who allegedly bought thousands of rounds of ammunition and had 10,000 bullets in his car when he was stopped by police Thursday, was ordered held on $500,000 cash bail yesterday.

Garcia is charged with three counts of possession of a high-capacity firearm, illegal possession of ammunition and illegal storage of a firearm. His case was continued until June 12.

Thats what you get for living in a yankee nanny state.

Holland said at Garcia's arraignment that a "joint effort" by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and state police found that Garcia had previously bought 20,000 rounds of ammunition in New Hampshire.

Keeping track of ammo purchases are you?

Principals stupidity makes him famous worldwide

Headteacher to say sorry for 'cross-dressing' comment to kilted pupil

THE principal of a United States school has been asked to apologise for forcing a kilt-wearing Scottish-American student to change his clothes.
Nate Taggart, spokesman for Weber School District in Utah, said Craig Jessop has been asked to extend an apology to Gavin McFarland, 14, from Hooper, after the school official's comments last week.

One of the objections was that by wearing a kilt, the boy could be mistaken for a cross-dresser.

The pupil said he wore the kilt twice in the past two weeks to Rocky Mountain Junior High as a prop for an art project, a local newspaper reported.

Mr Jessop told the boy that the outfit could be misconstrued as cross-dressing. Mr Taggart said the district recognises the kilt as an expression of the boy's Scottish heritage and that it was not inappropriate.

Wow stupidity preserved for all time on the internet. Congratulations!

Former teen star Debbie Gibson must really need the money

Rand Paul about last night message

From Rand Paul Facebook message:

My announcement last night -
Share
Today at 1:38pm
Last night on national TV I announced the formation of an Exploratory Committee to run for the US Senate. I did this only after waiting for Senator Bunning to publicly give his ok for candidates to do so. It is still my intention not to run against Senator Bunning. However, I don't think it is healthy for our party to have only one candidate organized if Senator Bunning decides not to run. Some will note that the announcement was on a network not always seen as friendly to Republicans. I would argue that bringing our message to those who do not yet align themselves as Republicans is precisely how we grow as party. I think we don't have to moderate our message but rather believe in and articulate our message clearly.

I can see his point but still do not understand why she got first shot for his announcement. Looking forward to seeing him on Glenn Beck so I don't have to take all those ranitidine to watch.

Rand Paul forms exploratory committee for 2010 U.S. Senate in Kentucky

Official website also launched tonight at http://www.randpaul2010.com/

Not sure why he chose her show but glad to see he is raising money. Bunning is obviously holding back to give Grayson a chance to fundraise. If Senator McConnell wants Grayson in the Senate so bad maybe he could retire as well. If anything Bunning has a better voting record than McConnell. Senator McConnell certainly did not mind deficit spending during the Bush administration but seems to have suddenly tried to convert to being a fiscal conservative. I'm not buying that and I doubt anyone else is either.

Pelosi goes on offense vs CIA

Just when you wonder just how stupid she can be she pokes a pitbull with a stick. The CIA is going to take her down like a pack of lions on a gazelle. I forsee a string of leaks about Pelosi dirt until she is buried in scandal. Why would any politician take on an orginization whose purpose is to overthrow governments?

News from Rand Paul

Rand Paul is going to make a MAJOR announcement on Rachel Maddow's show Thursday night (5/14)! It will be worth watching as Rand has discussed a potential run for US Senate from Kentucky.


For the past fifteen years, Dr. Rand Paul, son of Congressman Dr. Ron Paul, has been the chairman of the Kentucky Taxpayers United, a group that monitors and rates the State Legislature. Dr. Paul has been traveling the state of Kentucky for the past several months meeting, talking, and gauging his support.

Sigh.....I just cannot stomach watching MSNBC so I suppose I will just wait for the press release saying he is either going to run or is forming a committee.

Nancy Pelosi at the Waffle House

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Waffle House
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

Trespassing

China Outpaces U.S. in Cleaner Coal-Fired Plants

China’s frenetic construction of coal-fired power plants has raised worries around the world about the effect on climate change. China now uses more coal than the United States, Europe and Japan combined, making it the world’s largest emitter of gases that are warming the planet.

But largely missing in the hand-wringing is this: China has emerged in the past two years as the world’s leading builder of more efficient, less polluting coal power plants, mastering the technology and driving down the cost.

While the United States is still debating whether to build a more efficient kind of coal-fired power plant that uses extremely hot steam, China has begun building such plants at a rate of one a month.

The next 4 years are not looking good for coal.

Maybe Obama should check his credit score

U.S. credit rating at risk: former agency chief

The United States is at risk of losing its triple-A credit rating unless it starts putting its finances in order, a former head of the agency in charge of fiscal accountability said in the Financial Times on Wednesday.

David Walker, former director of the Government Accountability Office, cited a warning from Moody's Investors Service nearly two years ago about ballooning healthcare and social security costs.

"Signs are abound that we are in even worse shape now, and that confidence in America's ability to gain control of its finances is eroding," the former comptroller general and current chief executive of Peter G. Peterson Foundation, wrote to the FT.

Maybe this guy can help:

It was a bad idea when McCain suggested it

Senators weigh tax hikes to pay for health care

WASHINGTON – Senators are considering limiting — but not eliminating — the tax-free status of employer-provided health benefits to help pay for President Barack Obama's plan to provide coverage to 50 million uninsured Americans.

Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., said Tuesday that there are no easy options. Senators began grappling with how to finance guaranteed coverage, a cornerstone of Obama's plan to overhaul the health care system. Independent experts put the costs at about $1.5 trillion over 10 years.

If you despise reporters like I do you will like this

Happy Islam day?

Hawaii Lawmakers Pass Bill to Create 'Islam Day'

The resolution to proclaim Sept. 24, 2009, as Islam Day passed the Senate on a 22-3 vote. It had previously passed the House and now goes to Republican Gov. Linda Lingle.

I will be sure to bake a cake with exploding candles that day.

Republicans the party of flat earth?

Republicans much more likely than Democrats to believe humans created as-is 10,000 years ago

There is a significant political divide in beliefs about the origin of human beings, with 60% of Republicans saying humans were created in their present form by God 10,000 years ago, a belief shared by only 40% of independents and 38% of Democrats.

I missed this last year but saw it on Twitter yesterday. Yes those are the kinds of people I want leading medical research and teaching my kid science.

She has my permission to stab any teacher that tells her the Earth is 10,000 years old in the throat with a spork.

When I was in 5th grade I asked a teacher (at Catholic school) why dinosaurs were not mentioned in the Bible or in particular were not on Noah's Ark. I was referred to ask the Priest during religion class/indoctrination. His answer was that they did not exist. On Sunday I asked the same question of my Baptist Sunday school teacher and Preacher. They agreed that they were not in the Bible and did not exist.

There as a little 5th grader I decided these folks were either full of shit, stupid or both. Some 30 years later a belief I still hold.

Living the good life on Medicare fraud

Medicare Fraudster Said He Could Rip Off Government Millions in Just Months

"It's faster and easier than selling drugs."
Fake medical equipment vendors bill the government for taxpayer dollars.

Those are the words of a convict, once a Miami drug dealer, who left the street life to participate in a scheme to make even bigger money: Medicare fraud.

And it worked. In seven years, he estimates he made about $8 million.

Lets nationalize all healthcare and see how much these guys came rip off from this already incompetent billing system.

SWAT accidental discharge twice on 1 call?

Shots Fired During Pine Twp. Standoff Probed

Investigators are trying to determine how the high-powered rifles of two officers accidentally discharged during a standoff in Pine Township.

Police say a woman shot her husband and then herself.

Among the 18 Allegheny County SWAT team members at the scene, two had accidental discharges of their weapons.

"There was one of the officers making entry into the home and it was the front and the weapon discharged," Allegheny County Police Superintendent Charles Moffatt said.

Sources indicate the bullet from an AR-15 discharged, traveled through wall and lodged into a couch.

The second incident involved a different rifle, described as a Remington 700.

The AD on an AR-15 is bad enough but a bolt action rifle? Where do they find clowns like that?

16 year old held for 2 months under Patriot Act

Mom says Patriot Act stripped son of due process

Oxford, N.C. —
But according to the United States government, the tenth-grade home-schooler is being held on a criminal complaint that he made a bomb threat from his home on the night of Feb. 15.

Around 10 p.m. on March 5, Lundeby said, armed FBI agents along with three local law enforcement officers stormed her home looking for her son. They handcuffed him and presented her with a search warrant.

Ashton now sits in a juvenile facility in South Bend, Ind. His mother has had little access to him since his arrest. She has gone to her state representatives as well as attorneys, seeking assistance, but, she said, there is nothing she can do.

Well I sure feel safer now.

Oh like you have never thought about it

Father uses dog collar to shock kids

A Salem man was arrested Tuesday for putting an electric dog collar on each of his four children and shocking them.

Todd Marcum, 41, said he did it "because he thought it was funny," Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada said.

The four children, ages 3, 6, 8 and 9, had been shocked while wearing the collar at least once, according to a statement from their father, Okada said.

Sounds like this guy was just a dick but I bet we have all seen kids in restaurants that we though could use one.

Hope the shitter wasn't full

Small plane crash-lands into portable potties

Of all things, it had to be a bunch of toilets.

A small plane crashed into a storage yard full of portable potties Friday afternoon near Thun Field just minutes after taking off from the field.

Pilot Clifford Howell of Lake Bay told investigators at about 150 feet in the air, his engine quit. He banked and tried to make it back to the runway, but came up short.

"He just took a nosedive," said witness Brian Berscheid.

"I spoke to him briefly, and he said just lost power, and he was trying to get it down safely," said Pierce County Sgt. Mike Blair.

But the ground came rushing up while the plane was still short of the runway. And by chance, the Cessna went straight into a lot of Honey Buckets on the north end of the airport.

Is it just me or are those outhouses really big?

Sesame Street appearance best thing so far for First Lady

First lady: 'Sesame Street' tops everything so far

At the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, she thanked the diplomats and staff members promoting her husband's new foreign policy of global engagement.

"I'm thrilled to be here, but I was just at 'Sesame Street' — I'm sorry," she said. "And I never thought I'd be on 'Sesame Street' with Elmo and Big Bird and I was thrilled. I'm still thrilled. I'm on a high."

"I think it's probably the best thing I've done so far in the White House. But we were there talking about nutrition and healthy eating, and it's just been a thrill," Mrs. Obama said.

After being surrounded by the current White House administration the last few months I'm sure Bert and Ernie came off like geniuses. Maybe she can fill some of those open slots with some Muppets they could hardly do worse than the current economic team.

I bet you could get to do some pretty cool things though as the President or First Lady. After you visit Area 51 and read all those classified JFK assassination papers of course.

Swine flu confirmed in Daviess County Kentucky

Second swine flu case confirmed in Ky.

One of Kentucky's five probable swine flu cases has been confirmed as actual swine flu, state health officials said Tuesday.

Officials initially reported the Daviess County man's case as probable swine flu last weekend. Further testing by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the diagnosis.

The young man is receiving anti-viral drugs and is doing well, state health officials said.

He is the state's second confirmed case of H1N1 swine flu, the other being a woman from the Bowling Green area who was hospitalized in Georgia after becoming ill on a trip.

No new flu cases were reported in Kentucky Tuesday.

Kentucky health officials are still awaiting confirmation on four other probable cases: a Fayette County man; an infant in Western Kentucky, a toddler in Hardin County, and a child in Montgomery County.

Because diversity is obviously the most important qualification

Groups push for first gay Supreme Court justice



Maybe the best person for the job would be someone who would respect the fucking Constitution. You know that moldy old document this administration like the last seems to ignore.

I don't think there has been a midget on the Supreme Court either so what about it?

Chrysler stiffs American tax payers for $7 Billion

Chrysler won't repay bailout money

An administration official confirms that a $4 billion bridge loan and $3.2 billion in bankruptcy financing won't be paid back by Chrysler following bankruptcy.

Well no surprise there really is there?

Cliff May vs Jon Stewart

In case by some chance you missed May handing Jon his ass:



We were talking about it at work the other night and when Jon was rambling on about our Founding Fathers and the principles this country was founded on I instantly thought of this picture:



I suppose Jon thinks Washington is a war criminal as well.

Wheels of Justice grind slowly in Kenielle Finch case

Prosecution awaiting DNA results in Kenielle Finch case

At Monday's pre-trial conference, prosecutor Ryane Conroy said they are still awaiting results of DNA evidence taken back in August.

"Actually, I can't comment specifically on how we would use the DNA until it's filed in the discovery, but that is something as I stated on the record that it was a shirt and some swabs from the vehicle," said Conroy.

The trial is set to begin on December 1.

I know this isn't CSI but waiting since August?

The sorry sack of shit should just plead guilty and get all this over with.

In the meantime: Driver accused of killing 2 girls sued

The parents of two girls killed in a hit-and-run last summer have filed a lawsuit against the man who in jail awaiting a criminal trial in the case.

The lawsuit, filed in Jefferson Circuit Court today, is against Kenielle Finch, who is charged with driving the car that ran over 5-year-old Claudia Wadlington and her friend, 4-year-old Riley Lawrence, as they walked to a swimming lesson. The suit also names Keynisha Butler, who lent Finch the Pontiac Grand Am that struck the girls.

"These individuals have caused us to pay very dearly for their irresponsibility," said Sarah Lawrence, Riley's mother and one of the parents who brought the lawsuit.

Its not like he has anything but that is not really the point.

I have a better idea: Boycott Government Motors

I ran across this article: Liberals, Get Patriotic and Ditch the Volvo

It looks like we'll have domestic car companies to kick around for a while longer. So here's a modest proposal for liberal Democrats: At least think about buying American.

I have seen this Obama quote in several articles and it chaps my ass each time.

On Thursday, announcing the Chrysler bankruptcy, the president made an explicit request. "If you are considering buying a car," he said, "I hope it will be an American car. "

So I have a better idea. Real conservatives who detest this unconstitutional bailout of the automakers should boycott GM and Chrysler. That's right make them fail by refusing to buy the garbage they produce. If you want to buy an American car you can look through this list:

Non Big 3 automakers with manufacturing operations in United States

Just a stones throw from me you can find the locally built Toyota Tundra, Sienna, Sequoia, Camry, Solara, Venza, Avalon, and Highlander. Those are American made cars there Mr President. Maybe by American made what he meant to say was UAW made.

Thats about right

Obama to Secured Creditors: Drop Dead

The fate of Chrysler and its workers pale in comparison to the wrecking ball that would be taken to economic order if bankruptcy judge Arthur Gonzalez approves the administration’s plan to give Chrysler’s secured creditors the shaft. And what prize will we-the-people get in return? A doomed third-rate car company majority owned by its militant union run by Italian management building congressionally designed “green” cars no one wants to buy financed by taxpayers into perpetuity because no private investor in their right mind will touch the company with a ten foot pole. Is this supposed to be economic policy or comic opera?

The strategy will work better after Obama starts putting the squeeze on the oil companies to drive up gas prices again. Otherwise is anybody really going to buy a crappy green car from GM or Chrysler/Fiat?

Rand Paul to speak in Bowling Green 5/7 and Paducah 5/8

Rand Paul, son of Congressman Ron Paul, gauges support for Senate run in Bowling Green & Paducah!

Some politicians feel the need to travel to Washington, DC to ask permission to run for office or to obtain some regal blessing. Rand Paul, this week, will travel to Teresa's Diner at 509 Gordon Ave Bowling Green to gauge support for a possible US Senate Run. Dr. Paul will be there for breakfast at 7AM Thursday May 7th.

May 8th, Dr. Paul will go to Paducah to speak to supporters. He will speak at the Gazebo (4PM) at 2nd and Broadway.

Wouldn't it be great if politicians spent more time getting the approval of Kentuckians, and less time being "anointed" in DC?

We'd love to see you there; some of us still believe in elections not coronations.

Speculation Bunning may announce retirement Saturday

Bunning skips Kentucky Derby

Grayson has said he would run only if Bunning retired, and many Republicans saw the move as a precursor for Bunning to announce his retirement — possibly as soon as Saturday, when the state Republican Party holds its annual dinner.

First pigs now the raccoons!

Raccoon Ringworm disease hits Brooklyn teen and baby

A rare, deadly disease that has left an infant brain damaged and a teenager blind in one eye, has been detected in Brooklyn, the Daily News has learned.

The city's Department of Health is on alert for Raccoon Ringworm, a disease contracted through contact with raccoon feces. It can cause permanent nerve damage and death.

Not sure if the jerky is safe or not.

Probable swine flu case reported in Daviess County, Ky.

Probable swine flu case reported in Daviess County, Ky.

A Tri-State resident has come down with what officials believe to be swine flu, the Kentucky Department for Public Health said today.

The case marks the fourth probable instance of H1N1, known commonly as swine flu, in Kentucky. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will conduct further testing on the specimen.

"In Kentucky and nationally, we are still in the early stages of identifying cases of H1N1 swine flu, and determining how widespread it might become," Department of Public Health Commissioner William Hacker said in a news release. "While we have not identified many probable or confirmed cases, we continue to encourage individuals to stay informed as this situation evolves and to continue practicing basic health habits to prevent illness."

The new case involves a young Daviess County man who has since received antiviral treatment and has recovered, health officials said. The Green River District Health Department will check close contacts for the illness and offer preventive treatment.

Kentucky officials are coordinating investigation of the case with Massachusetts health officials because the man attends college there, said Gwenda Bond, a spokeswoman for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Bond said the man, whose name and age are not being released, came down with symptoms in the middle of last week shortly after he came home from Massachusetts.

"But it is possible to spread the virus before the symptoms appear," Bond said.

Underrated athletes

A live report from the US Pole Dance Championship

While most sports fans eagerly awaited the NCAA Tournament bracket on Sunday, I headed over to the Bleecker Street Theatre in New York City for a very different sort of Selection Sunday.

The US Pole Dance Federation, better known to acronym lovers as the USPDF, was hosting the first annual US Pole Dance Championship. Twelve female contestants, chosen from more than 50 applicants, would be competing for the honor of representing the United States at Miss Pole Dance Australia 2009 and for a spot on the cover of next month's Pole2Pole Magazine.

Don't forget ladies you can start training at home today with Carmen Electra's Electra-Pole

My fear as well

Scientists dig for lessons from past pandemics

If there's a blessing in the current swine flu epidemic, it's how benign the illness seems to be outside the central disease cluster in Mexico. But history offers a dark warning to anyone ready to write off the 2009 H1N1 virus.

In each of the four major pandemics since 1889, a spring wave of relatively mild illness was followed by a second wave, a few months later, of a much more virulent disease. This was true in 1889, 1957, 1968 and in the catastrophic flu outbreak of 1918, which sickened an estimated third of the world's population and killed, conservatively, 50 million people.

Rand Paul poised to run for U.S. Senate

Rand Paul poised to run for U.S. Senate

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Republican Rand Paul, son of former presidential candidate Ron Paul, said Friday he is poised to enter the race for U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning's seat if the 77-year-old sports icon decides to retire.

"I've been traveling the state and giving speeches as if there is going to be a race," he told The Associated Press. "Every bone in my body says there is going to be a race."

But the Bowling Green physician said he won't rush into the campaign just because another potential GOP challenger has stepped forward.

Republican Secretary of State Trey Grayson announced Thursday that he had formed an exploratory committee, a move that allows him to raise and spend campaign money before actually entering the race for the GOP nomination. Grayson also has hired a political pollster.

Nonetheless, Grayson said he won't run for the Senate seat unless Bunning retires. Paul said that holds true for him, too.

"Out of respect for Sen. Bunning, I'm not doing anything formally," Paul said. "I'm not forming any committees, I'm waiting for him to have a graceful way saying what he's going to do."

Rand Paul now on Twitter

Follow Rand Paul on Twitter

Friday Humor

Jones Big Assed Truck Rental and Storage

Jones Big Assed Truck Rental and Storage

Mag-Fed 20MM Rifle with Suppressor

Rand Paul at UK on 4/30/2009

Blog post draws Ron Paul’s son to UK

If a speech Thursday is any indication, getting the son of a former presidential candidate to campus is as easy as blogging about it.

The speech by Rand Paul, son of U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, was planned after the vice president of the UK group Students for Liberty wrote a blog post about how badly he wished Rand Paul would come to the university. The next day, Rand Paul contacted Students for Liberty about visiting, group president Michael Otis said.

Students for Liberty will sponsor Rand Paul’s speech on freedom and what it means to be a Republican, 7 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Hall. Otis expects about 200 to 300 people to attend.

Rand Paul is the founder and president of the anti-tax organization Kentucky Taxpayers United. He is a rising star in Kentucky politics and may run for the U.S. Senate next year, Otis said.

Otis said Rand Paul and his father represent a movement that suggests the size of government should be reduced.

Senator Bunning to retire?

Bunning poised to retire

Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning, the most endangered Republican up for reelection in 2010, appears headed for retirement after giving his leading GOP rival the blessing to prepare to run for his seat next year.

Bunning’s retirement would be a huge victory for national Republicans who have grown increasingly nervous that the 77-year-old two-term senator would lose a critical race as the party tries to cling to its diminished minority in the Senate.

On Thursday afternoon, Kentucky GOP Secretary of State Trey Grayson announced that he would form an exploratory committee to run for Bunning’s seat — a move that Kentucky GOP operatives say is a precursor to Bunning's retirement. Grayson's entry will come as a relief to Kentucky Republicans and Senate GOP leaders, who may now have reason to believe their party could hold on to this seat.

“He told Trey to do this,” one senior congressional official said of Bunning. “Why else would he tell his main rival to prepare for a run?”

Added one senior Senate GOP aide: “For the first time, we now know who the Republican nominee will be next November and that’s Trey Grayson. He’s by far the best-positioned Republican to be competitive and hopefully win in the fall. It’s not even close.”

I find it laughable that the Kentucky Democrats still think they can win this seat in a state that gave McCain 58% of the vote. Obama and Congress hasve done nothing but piss people off with their out of control spending.

As for the GOP heir to Bunnings seat maybe we should just let the people decide for themselves as I think Rand Paul may have a surprise for them.

Swine flu comes to Kentucky

One Confirmed, One Probable Case Of Swine Flu In KY

Gov. Steve Beshear announced that the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) will report one confirmed case and one probable case of swine flu to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Thursday.

"Like the rest of the nation, we are concerned about the spread of this new strain of swine flu," said Beshear. "I want to assure Kentuckians that health officials here are responding aggressively to detect possible cases of swine flu and respond with the appropriate preventive measures. Individuals should continue to monitor this situation as it develops and practice basic measures to stay healthy, such as hand washing and staying home when sick."

The confirmed case involves a woman from Warren County who had recently traveled to Mexico. The patient is currently hospitalized in Georgia, and samples were submitted to CDC for confirmation by Georgia health officials. Officials from the Barren River Health District are actively investigating the circumstances of this case to determine whether any contacts of the patient may be ill or need preventive treatment.

The probable case that is being reported involves an infant from another area within the Barren River Health District who had been in close contact with an individual who recently traveled to Mexico. It is unrelated to the confirmed case. The child's family and other close contacts are being evaluated for illness and possible preventive treatment. The child has not been hospitalized. A sample from the patient has been sent to the CDC for further testing to determine whether swine flu is the cause of illness. The name of the county in which the patient resides will be released if the case is confirmed.

Why Having Wolverine's Claws Would Suck

Why Having Wolverine's Claws Would Suck -- powered by Cracked.com

Next a law to ban children from bathing with hair dryers

Senate votes to prohibit possession of machine guns by children

The state Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday to ban the possession and use of machine guns by children under the age of 16.
The 31-2 vote comes in response to the accidental shooting death last October of an 8-year-old Connecticut boy, Christopher Bizilj, who was allowed to shoot an Uzi submachine gun at a Massachusetts gun fair. The boy lost control of the gun as it fired, shooting himself in the head.
Three people, including the police chief who organized the show, have since been indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter in Massachusetts.
But in Connecticut, no similar prohibition on the use of military-style machine guns existed under law.
Leaders of both parties in the legislature said such a prohibition was simple common sense, particularly since many of their constituents likely believed that it was already illegal to let children handle such weapons.
“It seems extraordinary that we would have to legislate something that in my opinion would be a matter of ordinary prudence,” said Sen. Andrew McDonald, D-Stamford, the co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee, which raised the bill.

Helpful swine flu website

Do I have swine flu?

Obama tax credit bait and switch

INSIDE WASHINGTON: Rude surprise awaits taxpayers

Millions of Americans enjoying their small windfall from President Barack Obama's "Making Work Pay" tax credit are in for an unpleasant surprise next spring.

The government is going to want some of that money back.

The tax credit is supposed to provide up to $400 to individuals and $800 to married couples as part of the massive economic recovery package enacted in February. Most workers started receiving the credit through small increases in their paychecks in the past month.

But new tax withholding tables issued by the IRS could cause millions of taxpayers to get hundreds of dollars more than they are entitled to under the credit, money that will have to be repaid at tax time.

Suckers

Nail in the coffin of GM and Chrysler

UAW and Obama Motors will own GM and Chrysler. Its not rocket science to see that our govt cannot run anything and that the UAW has been sucking the life out of the Big 3 forever.

I like how Obama blasts hedge funds as Chrysler files for bankruptcy for simply trying to collect as much money possible for their shareholders from the loans. Apparently it is wrong somehow to collect what you are owed. The investors are going to be soaked not once but twice as they get back very little of their investment and then see their tax dollars wasted to support the automakers.

Can't wait to see who GM and Chrysler borrow from next after this move. UAW better enjoy the govt tit while they can because I think the next President will no longer deem them too big to fail.

Census GPS mapping flap

Its making the blog rounds like it was a new idea but has actually been planned for some time a simple Google search reveals:

Census Bureau Adopts GPS to Find American Homes

July 31, 2006 · Two-and-a-half years from now, in early 2009, the Census Bureau plans to send an army of 100,000 temporary workers down every street and dusty, dirt road in America. They will be armed with handheld GPS devices.

Robert LaMacchia, head of the Census Bureau's geography division, says they'll capture the latitude and longitude of the front door of every house, apartment and improvised shelter they find.

"We will actually knock on doors and look for hidden housing units," he says. "We will find converted garages; from the outside, it may not look like anybody lives there."

But census workers will add each dwelling, legal or not, to the Census Bureau's Master Address File.

Recent proposed budget cuts have put part of this plan in jeopardy. But if Congress restores the money, the census will end up with the geographic coordinates — accurate to within 10 feet — for about 110 million residences.

But the Census Bureau can't, by law, share that list with anyone, even local governments. LaMacchia says the information has to be treated as confidential. Otherwise, people might lie, and the census wouldn't be accurate.

But of course after they collect that data the law can be changed.

Private Companies Push for Data

Pressure is growing to change the law and make this information available. Demand for geographic data is booming.

Private companies would love to get their hands on the Census Bureau's data. Web sites like Mapquest.com or maps.google.com, usually show addresses within the correct city block, but they will point to the correct house less than half the time.

Don Cooke, an executive from the mapping company TeleAtlas, says the Census Bureau's database would immediately solve that problem, and he'd like to use it.

"The laws basically say the intellectual property that's generated by the government belongs to us citizens, so I'd like to get it," he says. "Because I don't want to spend the money to go out and compile it!"

Of course the Census workers cars will be plainly marked with ACORN and Obama stickers.

1976 Swine Flu Propaganda

Whats in a name?

WHO to stop using term 'swine flu' to protect pigs

GENEVA – The World Health Organization announced Thursday it will would stop using the term "swine flu" to avoid confusion over the danger posed by pigs. The policy shift came a day after Egypt began slaughtering thousands of pigs in a misguided effort to prevent swine flu.

WHO spokesman Dick Thompson said the agriculture industry and the U.N. food agency had expressed concerns that the term "swine flu" was misleading consumers and needlessly causing countries to ban pork products and order the slaughter of pigs.

"Rather than calling this swine flu ... we're going to stick with the technical scientific name H1N1 influenza A," Thompson said.

Why not just call Egypt on its stupidity. Certainly there would be many broken relationships if it were sheep flu instead.

Advance team member for Obama Mexico trip sick

White House aide's family likely has swine flu

WASHINGTON (AP) - A member of the U.S. delegation that helped prepare Energy Secretary Steven Chu's trip to Mexico City has demonstrated flu-like symptoms and his family members have tested probable for swine flu.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Thursday that three members of an aide's family are being tested to see if they have the same strain of swine flu that is threatening to become a pandemic. The aide worked in presidential advance, which is responsible for planning and preparing trips.

Gibbs said that Secretary Chu has not experienced any symptoms. The spokesman also said that President Barack Obama also has had no symptoms of the virus and doctors see no need to conduct any tests on his health.