Eric Cantor's plan for Republican rebirth crashes and burns in less than 24 hours

source http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/02/06/1185075/-Well-that-didn-t-last-long?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dailykos%2Findex+%28Daily+Kos%29

attribution: REUTERS

GOP aborts House Majority Leader Eric Cantor's plan for revive Republican brand

On Tuesday, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor kicked off yet another one of his efforts to reinvent the Republican Party, telling fellow Republicans that budget issues are important, but that it is time for the GOP to start talking about other things.

I'd like to focus our attention on what lies beyond these fiscal debates. Over the next two years, the House Majority will pursue an agenda based on a shared vision of creating the conditions for health, happiness and prosperity for more Americans and their families. And to restrain Washington from interfering in those pursuits.

That actually made some sense: Republicans really do need to move on from being the party that doesn't want to do anything but cut spending. But that was Tuesday. Now it's Wednesday and:

Today, the House will vote to require the President to put forward his plan to balance the budget. #RequireAPlan
— @GOPLeader via web

Heckuva rebirth you got going on there, Eric. It was nice while it lasted, I guess.

horrible: Saudi cleric who raped and killed daughter receives small fine

source http://www.thecommentator.com/article/2636/saudi_cleric_who_raped_and_killed_daughter_receives_small_fine

Saudi Arabian media sources have reported that an Islamic cleric who raped, tortured and killed his 5-year-old daughter, has been let off with a small fine, avoiding a jail sentence.

Lama al-Ghamdi was the daughter of Fayhan al-Ghamdi, an Islamic preacher who makes regular appearances on television. Under Saudi law, al-Ghamdi has had to pay only £31,500 in 'blood money', even after confessing to the heinous crime. 

Gulf News reports that 5-year-old Lama was admitted to hospital on December 25, 2011 with multiple injuries, including a crushed skull, broken ribs and left arm, extensive bruising and burns. She died last October 22.

Activists from women's rights groups said that the father had doubted Lama's virginity and had her checked up by a medic. A social worker from the hospital where Lama was admitted said the girl's back was broken and that she had been raped "everywhere".

According to the victim's mother, hospital staff told her that her "child's rectum had been torn open and the abuser had attempted to burn it closed."

Ghamdi has apparently paid 200,000 riyals ($50,000; £31,500) in "blood money" - a sum that can be paid to relatives of a murder victim and which, if accepted, can replace a death sentence.

Human rights activists have indicated that judicial leniency towards male abusers reflects the highly problematic nature of the male guardianship system in Saudi Arabia.

Currently, women in Saudi Arabia are considered minors, and all are automatically assigned to the care and judgment of their most immediate male relative. 

So far, three Saudi activists have raised objections to the ruling which is based on Saudi laws that state that a father cannot be executed for murdering his children, nor can husbands be executed for murdering their wives.

rest at http://www.thecommentator.com/article/2636/saudi_cleric_who_raped_and_killed_daughter_receives_small_fine

.@gop U.S. Postal Service to discontinue Saturday mail delivery because of a crisis completely manufactured by Republicans

source http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/02/06/1547551/postal-service-saturday-delivery/

The U.S. Postal Service announced on Wednesday that it will discontinue first class Saturday mail delivery, marking another milestone in the decline of the once-ubiquitous government service. But it isn't a switch to online mail that's causing the postal demise — it's Congress.

Under the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, Congress has for years forced the USPS to pre-fund 75 years' worth of pensions for its employees, a requirement not made of any other public or private institution. That means that the Postal Service is footing the bill for employees it hasn't even hired yet.

The USPS doesn't actually receive money from the government, but still needs Congressional approval to make any changes to its structure. An analysis in July showed that the USPS, without its pension requirement, would have a $1.5 billion surplus.

But Congress has repeatedly failed to address the issue. Last year, the Postal Service defaulted on a pension fund payment for the first — and then second — time in its history, and political infighting stopped Congress from bringing any remedy to the floor.

Postal access is, ultimately, a rights issue for rural Americans; since they live in areas where internet coverage is inconsistent, post office closures and slowed-down delivery can mean big limitations on communication. A lack of access to postal services can lead to a growth in economic inequality. The new rules for Saturday delivery, set to take effect on August 1, 2013, will continue delivery of packages, but discontinue basic first-class mail.

(R) Eric Cantor voted against among other things disaster relief for families but voted for federal funding for NASCAR events

source http://www.facebook.com/NoTeaParty

Chicago Police Changing Response Plan For Some 911 Calls

source http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/02/04/chicago-police-changing-response-plan-for-some-911-calls/

CHICAGO (CBS) – Starting this week, Chicago police are changing their responses to 911 calls. They'll no longer come right away to reports of things like criminal damage to property, vehicle thefts, garage burglaries, or other crimes in which the suspect is no longer on the scene, and the victim isn't in immediate danger.

The move will free up the equivalent of 44 police officers a day for patrol duties.

CBS 2′s Jim Williams spoke to some Chicagoans who think it's the wrong move for the police.

On the block where burglars broke into a home on Christmas Day, Carmen Curio has a strong opinion on the city's new 911 response plan.

"I think that's ridiculous. I think if there's a burglary, they've got to come. It's what we pay for. They have to come," she said.

Ald. Nick Sposato (36th) said the constituents in his Northwest Side ward pay high property taxes, so it's not asking too much for a police visit after a traumatic break-in.

"People are upset; they want to talk to a police officer. They want to know something is being done to prevent this in the future," sposato said.

Police Supt. Garry McCarthy insisted crime prevention "in the future" happens when officers are on patrol, not tied up taking reports at the scene of non-violent incidents.

"I don't mean to be flippant here, because I've been the victim of a burglary at least three or four times," he said. "I'd rather have the officer on street, where he can prevent the shooting."

Police said they will still respond to 911 burglary calls if the suspect is at the scene, or they're if convinced the criminal can be arrested right away.

"You're upset; you're violated. It's happened to me. So, you've got to weigh it, and I'm making tough decisions," McCarthy said. "I'm making a tough decision, but I'd rather have that officer on the street, doing something to prevent the next shooting than – honestly – making somebody feel better, because they're responding rather than talking to them over the phone."

He's making those decisions because of the city's financial woes.

McCarthy said Chicago police respond to 70 percent of 911 calls, compared to 30 to 50 percent in other cities.

Police said officers will always take information about crimes at district stations, or over the phone – even if officers don't respond in person.

CBS 2 Political Producer Ed Marshall contributed to this report.

Chicago Police Will No Longer Answer All 911 Calls

source http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/crime/chicago-police-will-not-be-answering-all-911-calls

Chicago police will no longer show up at crime scenes when people call 911, unless a victim is in critical condition or a criminal is still present.

According to CBS Chicago, people who call 911 about property damage, vehicle thefts, burglaries or other crimes where the criminal is no longer on the scene will not be assisted until the police have the time.

The Chicago Police Department says that the new policy will free up 44 police officers every day to deal with serious crimes, such as the city's skyrocketing murder rate, which was 513 in 2012 and 42 in January of this year.

However, some Chicago residents are angry about the new response plan.

"I think that's ridiculous. I think if there's a burglary, they've got to come. It's what we pay for. They have to come," Carmen Curio told CBS Chicago.

"People are upset; they want to talk to a police officer. They want to know something is being done to prevent this in the future," said Chicago Alderman Nick Sposato.

"You're upset. You're violated. It's happened to me. So, you've got to weigh it, and I'm making tough decisions," Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said. "I'm making a tough decision, but I'd rather have that officer on the street, doing something to prevent the next shooting than, honestly, making somebody feel better, because they're responding rather than talking to them over the phone."

The Alternate Response Unit will take police reports on the phone and send evidence technicians to crime scenes later. Last year, about 74,000 case reports were processed, but 151,000 are expected this year .

With too much crime and too few police officers, the city is in a financially tough situation when it comes to fighting crime.

Source: CBS Chicago

don't miss Jon Stewart taking on the NRA talking point about background checks

source http://front.moveon.org/jon-stewart-lets-pass-laws-that-only-criminals-will-immediately-obey/?rc=dtwcap

Ann Coulter compares universal background checks on guns to "universal extermination"

source http://sulia.com/channel/gun-control-2013/f/34c90a46-2450-46c3-b8cc-4d1489d7aef0/

20th Anniversary of the Family Medical Leave Act, meet the Republican men who voted against it and are still in Congress

source http://thkpr.gs/WM5Rrz  and http://www.facebook.com/thinkprogress

Telecom Corporations Are Trying To Stop The Government From Offering Free 'Super Wi-Fi' - at&t, t-mobile, intel, qualcomm

source http://www.businessinsider.com/fcc-government-public-wifi-networks-2013-2?nr_email_referer=1&utm_source=Triggermail&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Politics%20Select&utm_campaign=Politics%20Select%202013-02-05&utm_content=emailshare

The $178 billion telecom industry is scrambling to kill a government plan to provide free "super Wi-Fi" across the country, The Washington Post's Cecilia Kang reports.

Although the Federal Communications Commission's plan has been talked about for years, it got a boost last week with a lobbying campaign from the tech industry. Google and Microsoft told the FCC that additional public Wi-Fi would spur "millions of de­vices that will compose the coming Internet of things," a resounding early endorsement of the nascent policy proposal.

The wireless industry responded with a fierce and well-funded campaign to kill the proposal.

Primary adversaries of the move are AT&T, T-Mobile, Intel and Qualcomm, according to the WaPo. Cisco pleaded with the FCC last week to buyback spectrum space from broadcasters, but rather than enact this plan instead auction that space to commercial enterprises.

rest at http://www.businessinsider.com/fcc-government-public-wifi-networks-2013-2?nr_email_referer=1&utm_source=Triggermail&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Politics%20Select&utm_campaign=Politics%20Select%202013-02-05&utm_content=emailshare

Eight Senators Vote To Block Violence Against Women Act #p2 #tcot

source http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/02/04/1540321/senators-block-vawa/

Eight Senators on Monday voted not to consider the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, a bill that protects victims of domestic violence. The Senators who voted against moving to debate on the bill were: Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Lee (R-UT), Tim Scott (R-SC), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Mike Johanns (R-NE), Rand Paul (R-KY), Pat Roberts (R-KS), and James Risch (R-ID).

VAWA's reauthorization has been caught up in partisan gridlock over added provisions that would protect undocumented immigrants, as well as LGBT and Native American victims of domestic violence. Congress failed to reauthorize the bill by the end of 2012, and the Senate is now considering the same legislation again, in its new legislative session.

All of the women in the Senate, with the exception of Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE), co-sponsored the legislation.

Once Senators consent to take up the measure, it will be voted on in its entirety. It is expected to pass, but will face a tougher battle in the House.

rest at http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/02/04/1540321/senators-block-vawa/

Why can't Americans look up their own case-law for free?

source http://boingboing.net/2013/02/01/why-cant-americans-look-up-t.html

STAY CLASSY: Alabama Teacher Caught Ranting About ‘Fat Butt Michelle Obama’ and ‘Queers’

SOURCE http://mashable.com/2013/02/02/fat-butt-michelle-obama/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+%28Mashable%29

Chrysler workers getting profit-sharing checks. WWMS (What would Mitt say)?

source http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/01/30/1183430/-Chrysler-workers-getting-profit-sharing-checks-WWMS-What-would-Mitt-say

Hannity Explodes After Being Confronted By ThinkProgress About Previous Offer To Be Waterboarded For Charity @foxnews #p2 #tcot

source http://thinkprogress.org/security/2013/01/31/1518741/sean-hannity-waterboard/

Fox News host Sean Hannity is so adamant that waterboarding is not torture that he once offered to be waterboarded at a charity event and donate the proceeds to soldiers' families. Four years later, a yet-to-be-waterboarded Hannity did not take kindly to being called out about it on his own radio show.

On April 22, 2009, Charles Grodin appeared on Hannity's Fox News show and asked Hannity, if he doesn't believe waterboarding is torture, would he agree to be waterboarded. "Sure," Hannity said. "I'll do it for charity. I'll let you do it. I'll do it for the troops' families." But four years later, Hannity has yet to follow through on his offer.

When ThinkProgress brought up the matter at the beginning of an appearance on his radio show on Wednesday, Hannity's displeasure was palpable. "I'm not getting into your five-year-old issue," Hannity grumbled. We pressed on when he was planning to hold the event, the Fox host lost it. "Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me, excuse me. I get to ask the questions on the program," Hannity said:

SCOTT KEYES: Before we get started I wanted to say one quick thing. Back in April 2009, you'd made a very generous offer. To prove that it's not torture, you agreed on your television show to be waterboarded for charity and to donate the proceeds to the troops' families.

HANNITY: I said Charles Grodin could do it.

KEYES: Now I know you're an honorable guy Sean, when are you planning to hold the event?

HANNITY: You're obviously taping this. I'm not getting into your five-year-old issue. Here I am bringing you on the program and give you an opportunity to give your pretty radical left-wing point of view, that's kind of the way you treat me. But that's all right.

KEYES: Sean, I'm just curious because you don't think this is torture.

HANNITY: Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me, excuse me. I get to ask the questions on the program.

Listen to it:

rest at http://thinkprogress.org/security/2013/01/31/1518741/sean-hannity-waterboard/