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Israel stunned by Hawking snub

Sat, 25 May 2013 12:03:00 -0400

It is an event "of cosmic proportions", said one Palestinian academic, a befitting description of Stephen Hawking's decision to boycott an Israeli academic conference slated for next June. It was also a decisive moral call which was communicated by the Cambridge University, where Hawking is a professor, on May 8. Hawking is a world-renowned cosmologist and physicist. His scientific work had ...

Herald Poll Boy Scouts vote to allow gay members

Sat, 25 May 2013 12:39:29 -0400

The Boy Scouts of America officially changed their policy this week -- allowing gay scouts to become members, while keeping a ban in place ...

Interstate 5 bridge collapse

Sat, 25 May 2013 11:32:29 -0400

A section of the Interstate 5 in Mount Vernon collapsed Thursday. Hovercrafts search the Skagit River for survivors below. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times) It seems obvious that, if we're going to keep our old, obsolete bridges and continue to repair them, we had better find a way for heavy rigs to be routed somewhere else and isolate and dedicate these bridges for cars only ["Stunning ...

President Obama restricts drone use

Sat, 25 May 2013 10:33:24 -0400

Conservatives are upset with President Obama's attempt to wind down the so-called war on terror ["President sets restrictions on drone policy," News, May 24]. They feel that no effort should be spared in keeping our country safe from terrorist attacks, even while acknowledging that nothing we can do will guarantee that it won't happen again. It's funny that they ...

Words Of Wisdom For The Graduating Class Of Moore Okla.

Sat, 25 May 2013 07:36:37 -0400

With a city still in shambles from a deadly tornado, high school students in Moore, Okla., are graduating Saturday. High school students in Moore, Okla., will graduate on schedule Saturday, 6 p.m. at the convention center. Even more than usual, high school graduates in Moore may feel that this is a week in which they have, as the phrase from Corinthians says it, "put away childish ...

Sole Survivor Iraq Rescue Mission Ended In Tragedy

Sat, 25 May 2013 07:36:37 -0400

In our latest installment of the StoryCorps Military Voices Initiative, we hear from Lance Cpl. Travis Williams. In 2005, while serving in Iraq, Williams and his 12-man squad came under attack. He was the only ...

IRS leaders had plenty of opportunities to come clean

Sat, 25 May 2013 02:46:08 -0400

The following editorial appeared in Friday's Washington Post:Why didn't Congress know earlier that the Internal Revenue Service had targeted conservative groups for special scrutiny? In days of hearings, lawmakers have tried to get a satisfactory answer from witnesses under oath. They haven't succeeded.According to a Treasury Department inspector general's report, Lois Lerner, ...

Letters My View irresponsible

Sat, 25 May 2013 02:44:16 -0400

Publishing information in your paper that seeks to attribute the MMR vaccine to autism is grossly irresponsible and destructive. The link stated by Cindy Pokezwinski in this piece is not based in scientific fact ("MMR vaccine caused my son's autism," May ...

Letters Fair Tax and the IRS

Sat, 25 May 2013 02:44:15 -0400

Recent news regarding the IRS targeting certain political groups and their members for harassment via tax-exempt applications and tax return audits provides further reason why we the people should vote to disband the ...

Can Obama walk the walk on terror policy

Sat, 25 May 2013 02:27:50 -0400

newly restrained vision of the way the nation fights terror is an important and necessary recalibration that acknowledges the long-term nature of the battle this country is fighting.We were glad to see the president articulate a narrowing of the use of unmanned drone attacks abroad, and that he remains open to the notion of a "drone court," which would provide oversight for drone ...

Special prosecutor for IRS

Sat, 25 May 2013 01:39:36 -0400

As the White House obfuscated and IRS officer Lois Lerner plead the Fifth, calls for a special prosecutor grew louder in the nation's capital this week. Not so fast, says Michigan Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland, who is overseeing House Ways and Means Committee investigations into the ...

Our readers on the News

Sat, 25 May 2013 01:39:34 -0400

The Detroit News aims to provide a forum that fosters smart, civil discussions on the news and events that we cover. The News will not condone personal attacks, off topic posts or brutish language on our site. If you find a comment that you believe violates these standards, please click the "X" in the upper right corner of the post to report ...

George F. Will Obama takes a page from George Wallaces book

Sat, 25 May 2013 01:39:32 -0400

Early in an opinion issued recently by a unanimous three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Judge A. Raymond Randolph says: "Although the parties have not raised it, one issue needs to be resolved before we turn to the merits of the case." The issue he raised but could not resolve — that is up to the Supreme Court — illuminates the ...

My view Fighting the ignoble reign of money

Sat, 25 May 2013 01:39:31 -0400

The older I get, the more I am convinced of the truth of the oft-repeated maxim suggesting money is at the heart of much ...

Giving up on terror

Sat, 25 May 2013 00:13:35 -0400

The FBI has now reportedly identified at least five suspects wanted in connection with the Benghazi terror attack. This is the way the Associated Press reported it, quoting unnamed U.S. officials:"The officials say they have enough evidence to justify seizing them by military force as suspected terrorists - but not enough proof to try them in a U.S. civilian court as the Obama administration ...

Little League has life lesson Keep running

Sat, 25 May 2013 00:13:32 -0400

So there I am coaching third base for my 9-year-old son’s Little League team. Man on second, one out. The batter hits a ground ball to third, and the fielder promptly boots it, so I send the runner in to home plate. He’s ahead of the ball - and then, suddenly, the kid stops running! He’s tagged out. We lose by one run.Now, I’m old school. I played baseball for 15 ...

Tide shifts against prez

Sat, 25 May 2013 00:13:30 -0400

Voters also reject the notion that the IRS targeting was the work of some low-level rogue employees. Just 20 percent believe that to be the case. A slightly larger number (26 percent) thinks the decision came from IRS headquarters. But 39 percent believe the decision to target conservative groups was made by someone who works at the White House.This isn’t just a case of people believing ...

Scouts the public square

Fri, 24 May 2013 23:29:54 -0400

The Boy Scouts’ decision to change their position on gay scouts may - or may not - buy them some peace with those who have been working overtime to drive them off the public square. But what will be the fate of those institutions that play equally vital roles in the civic life of our cities and communities but cannot change their practices because of what they believe to be religious law? ...

Week In Politics Obama And Drone Strikes

Fri, 24 May 2013 23:29:49 -0400

Copyright © 2013 NPR. For personal, noncommercial use only. See Terms of Use. For other uses, prior permission required. MELISSA BLOCK, HOST: As we mentioned, President Obama's commencement address comes the day after he delivered an hour-long speech on national security. The president talked about redefining the effort away from what he called a boundless global war on terror. Here to ...

A next-generation model for MinnesotaCare

Fri, 24 May 2013 21:17:39 -0400

The result of their ongoing hard work this year is a lesser-known but even more pioneering and compassionate Minnesota twist on federal health reform: a next-generation MinnesotaCare program that will roll out in January and begin to take advantage of newly available federal dollars to better cover the working ...

Keep drones in the air as long as terrorists target U.S.

Fri, 24 May 2013 20:09:32 -0400

The United States risks losing the advantage of surprise if individual drone strikes become entangled in slow-motion bureaucracy back home. We fear U.S. warriors shrinking from what in effect are battlefield decisions because they have one eye on Congress, or judges, or some other overseer who is not their commander in chief. We don’t want drone operators hoping their targeted terrorist ...

Readers Write Natural disasters North Korea transit IRS bridge collapse bad drivers state politics

Fri, 24 May 2013 20:09:30 -0400

A child stands in front of a house and vehicle that were destroyed by a massive tornado in Moore, Okla., May 24, 2013. Heading into Memorial Day weekend, cleanup continued and people were still sorting through their damaged and destroyed properties after Monday's Category 5 tornado tore through ...

Letter of the Day Zach Sobiech

Fri, 24 May 2013 20:09:28 -0400

Minnesota is known for musicians, such as Bob Dylan, Judy Garland and Prince. We can now add Zach Sobiech to that list (" 'Clouds' songwriter dies at 18," May 21). Sobiech passed all of the well-known musicians around the country and made it to the No. 1 spot on iTunes for downloads of his song "Clouds." How many people make their biggest contributions to the world ...

Guest Move ahead with environmental study on coal trains

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:59:09 -0400

The foot-dragging on studying environmental impacts of coal trains is holding up a major rural economic-development opportunity in Cowlitz County, writes guest columnist Mike ...

Editorial notebook Swinging to the rescue of Century Ballroom

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:55:12 -0400

Seattle Times editorial page intern Ana Sofia Knauf marvels at how the fans of the Century Ballroom rallied to pay the dance hall’s unexpected state tax ...

Oklahomans roll with the punches

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:55:12 -0400

Seeing Oklahomans discuss the tornado’s rampage in a straightforward manner, writes Froma Harrop, was far more moving than a sensational telling favored by the TV ...

Mr. Mayor youre a mess. And somewhat of a master.

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:02:46 -0400

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford reads a statement to the media at City Hall on Friday, May 24, 2013 in Toronto. Ford denied that he smokes crack cocaine and says he is not an addict after a video purported to show him using the drug. Ford did not say whether he has ever used the ...

Student loan rates must remain manageable

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:02:45 -0400

Earlier this month, I visited the University of Minnesota to hear from students about the impact of student debt. I heard stories like Kirsten’s. She recently graduated from Minneapolis Community and Technical College and plans to get a bachelor’s degree. But she already has $30,000 in student loans, making it difficult to pursue her goals. Student debt has nearly tripled over the ...

U.S. needs a federal media shield law

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:02:43 -0400

reintroduction of the 2009 Free Flow of Information Act , which would create a federal media shield law. The previous version was similar to state-level laws. According to an analysis by ...

My view Voting members perspective on the BSA policy change

Fri, 24 May 2013 18:53:52 -0400

I am just back in my hotel room reflecting on the envelope that was just opened by Wayne Perry, the National President of the Boy Scouts of America in a packed convention room in Texas. It’s one hour ...

Topic of the day President Obamas speech on defense

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:44:06 -0400

Yesterday, President Obama gave a long awaited speech at the National Defense University, chiefly addressing the concerns on the administrations use of drones. The big takeaway from his speech? It’s time to end the war on terror. Here is a collection of opinions from around the web about Obama's remarks. ';President Obama’s speech on Thursday was the most important ...

Carroll concerned about Seahawks off-field behavior

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:18:22 -0400

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin has been suspended for the first four games of the 2013 season after the league announced he violated the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.(Ben Margot / The Associated Press) Players who get arrested, are put in jail and/or are given citations for inappropriate behavior do not belong on the team. No second chances ["Carroll calls ...

‘Illegal’ vs. ‘undocumented’ immigrants

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:18:22 -0400

I sympathize with guest columnist Hugo Balta's objection to the term "illegal immigrant," but his proposed use of "undocumented immigrant" in news stories is much worse ["These immigrants are not 'illegal,'" Opinion, May 21]. Let's not sacrifice linguistic truth for political correctness. "Undocumented immigrant" implies that someone ...

I-5 bridge collapse raises questions about Washington state bridges

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:53:17 -0400

collapse of the I-5 bridge over the Skagit River, commuters who cross bridges everyday for work and school are taking tosocial media to wonder about the safety of their travel routes. With all of the work and planning being done on the Highway 520 bridge – a floating spancalled ';earthquake- and storm-vulnerable,'; by state Sen. Rodney Tom in ...

Scouting is bigger than any single policy Column

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:53:04 -0400

I hope America will remember that Scouting is bigger than any single policy. Hiking the Appalachian Trail with Troop 103, I learned two things: First, each Scout has his own pace and isn't inclined to hike at anyone else's. Second, everyone in our troop wanted to reach camp before sundown. Since our Scoutmaster made us hike together, we all had to walk at one speed and no Scout was ever ...

Seeking shared views amid IRS AP scandals Column

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:53:03 -0400

No matter who did or did not order government actions, they are offensive. Reflecting our fractured political landscape, much of the discussion of the recent scandals erupting from the executive branch of government has been thoroughly politicized.It's understandable, but it's also myopic and deeply troubling for those who believe that our civic life depends crucially on unfettered ...

The IRS targeted my organization Column

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:52:59 -0400

Linchpins of Liberty . Our motto is "to challenge the imagination of the rising generation." So what does that mean?Well, we mentor high school and college students in conservative political philosophy by engaging them with the great books and teaching them about America's moral and constitutional order. For now, I am a one-man show. Chief-cook-and-bottle-washer, as my parents used ...

YouToon Voting begins on Monday

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:52:56 -0400

The winner will receive a prize worth $250. You sent us more than 100 entries. Now we're picking our top five! Stay turned for your chance to help us pick the winner. Voting begins at noon on May 27 and lasts through noon May 31. The winner will receive a copy of the cartoon with his or her caption in it, signed by the artist and valued at $250. The winner's name and winning caption ...

Is Harbor Point the best deal we can get

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:37:53 -0400

Where's the outrage? The city's Board of Finance, in secret, decided to give $107 million to a wealthy developer for the benefit of an even wealthier corporation ("Harbor Point to get city financing," May 21). Apparently, ordinary citizens ...

Dear Tiny Desk Miss You

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:50:06 -0400

Tiny Desk , I don't know if you remember me, but I used to work maybe 20 feet from you. Before that, I worked about 10 feet from you, but people used to come stand behind me and breathe their miscellaneous lunch smells on my neck while you were entertaining guests, so I moved. When I saw our new building, it was so open that I assumed I would still be able to hear everything, even though ...

Whos The Best Drinker Dogs Cats Or Pigeons

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:50:06 -0400

It's a dog drinking water. It's also the answer to a riddle. When you and I take a drink, we can lift a glass, hold it to our mouth, tilt and use gravity to pour the water in. Dogs can't do that. In a pinch, we can kneel down, put our mouth to the surface and suck water up (or, to be polite, use a straw). Dogs can't do that either. They don't have sucking ability. Yet ...

Plimpton A Fond Look At A Man Of Letters

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:50:05 -0400

With: George Plimpton, Ken Burns, Ric Burns, Graydon Carter, James Lipton, Hugh Hefner, Robert Kennedy Jr., Gay Talese If ever there was a man who made a virtue out of failure, it was George Plimpton. He played quarterback with the Detroit Lions without even knowing where to put his hands to take the snap. He had his nose bloodied by knockout king Archie Moore. He sweated through ...

Breakin The Rules 20 General Principles Suspended In Fast And Furious 6

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:50:05 -0400

. 1. Newton's Laws Of Motion 2. The Reluctance Of Brilliant Criminal Masterminds To Freely Confess 3. The Inability Of Two Things To Coexist In The Same Physical Space 4. The Integrity Of Vending Machines 5. Gravity 6. Gina Carano's Ability To Snap Most Of These People Like Twigs Pretty Quickly, If We're Being Honest 7. The Hardness Of Cars, Which Are Actually Kind Of ...

Pitbull Gets Epic You Constantly Have To Defend Your Success

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:50:05 -0400

. Armando Christian Perez -- better known as Pitbull or Mr. Worldwide -- has sold five million albums and had No. 1 hits in more than 15 countries. He's worked with artists like Usher, Enrique Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez. Now, he brings the party to the big screen in the new animated feature ...

Douglas Damon Illuminate HBOs Candelabra

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:50:05 -0400

- when you just consider the concept of the TV movie and its casting -- this new HBO Films production raises all sorts of questions: How much will be based on verifiable fact, and how much will be fictionalized? On an anything-goes premium-cable network such as HBO, how graphic will the sex scenes be? And the most important questions involve the drama's two leading men, playing an ...

IRS questions political groups

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:37:20 -0400

Republican strategist Karl Rove walks the floor of the 2012 Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. (Glen Stubbe / Minneapolis Star Tribune) Isn't it the responsibility of the IRS to protect taxpayers by denying 501(c)(4) tax-exempt status to partisan groups? I'm neither Republican nor a Democrat, but it seems to me that many conservative groups are blatantly ...

Sexual assault in the military

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:44:03 -0400

If Congress is serious about curbing rape in the military, it should remove all such cases from the military-justice system and place them in the civilian criminal court system ...

Catholic health-care systems in state hospitals

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:44:03 -0400

While everyone has been fearing Obamacare, what the people in Washington should fear is "popecare," as more and more of our local and regional hospitals are being turned over to the Catholic Church ...

Punchlines Prom season for Obama

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:43:45 -0400

Time magazine obtained photos of President Obama in 1979. One comedian questions what that weed is around his neck. Take a look at our favorite jokes, then vote for your own at ...

Where are the STEM jobs

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:28:37 -0400

Republicans and Democrats appear to agree on at least one thing: that the United States is facing a STEM (science, technology engineering and math) crisis. In his most ...

What do you want to hear from the Seattle Mayor candidates

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:49:30 -0400

Before Seattle City Council member Tim Burgess suddenly dropped out of the Mayor’s race, he mostly stuck to his core issues of Seattle Police reforms, better public schools and road maintenance. He led the field in fundraising, but he fared badly in several recent endorsements, including the King County Young Democrats and the 46th Legislative District Democrats. The most ...

Legislature considers tougher DUI laws

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:49:26 -0400

Just say yes to tougher DUI laws ," NWThursday, May 16]? A person convicted of a DUI can be sentenced to have a Breathalyzer in their car, but why not make it easier for everyone? Is the law meant to protect the innocent or to make money for the state from tickets? People stop for a drink after work and often do not know when they are over the limit. That is not an excuse, but they would ...

Graham Greenie flies into Senate race

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:36:12 -0400

"NextGen, working with our local partners, will be seeking to be a politically disruptive force between now and Election Day." -- A memo on billionaire greenie Tom Steyer's plans for the Markey/Gomez senate ...