Monday, March 30, 2015


News Clips For The Day


RELIGIOUS FREEDOM – FOLLOWUP – TWO ARTICLES


http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/03/30/396361058/indiana-republicans-say-they-will-seek-to-clarify-religious-freedom-law

Amid Criticism, Indiana's Republicans To Revisit Religious Freedom Law
Krishnadev Calamur
March 30, 2015

Photograph – Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long (left) and House Speaker Brian C. Bosma, both Republicans, discuss their plans for clarifying the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act during a news conference today at the Statehouse in Indianapolis.
Michael Conroy/AP

Republican leaders in Indiana say they will work to ensure the state's controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act does not allow discrimination against gays and lesbians.

"This law does not discriminate, and it will not be allowed to do so," Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long said at a news conference with state House Speaker Brian Bosma.

They said they would "encourage our colleagues to adopt a clarifying measure of some sort to remove this misconception about the bill." The Associated Press says that the measure "prohibits state laws that 'substantially burden' a person's ability to follow his or her religious beliefs. The definition of 'person' includes religious institutions, businesses and associations."

As Indiana Public Media reports, the two Republicans said the state's GOP governor, Mike Pence, was unclear about the law when he appeared Sunday on ABC's This Week. (Pence spoke of an "avalanche of intolerance that has been poured on our state" but declined to say whether the law makes it legal to discriminate.)

As NPR's Scott Neuman reported over the weekend, Pence in media interviews said he supports an effort to "clarify the intent" of the legislation while acknowledging surprise over the hostility it has sparked.

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act stoked controversy almost from the moment it was passed by the state's Republican-dominated legislature and signed by Pence on Thursday. Pushback came not only from Hoosiers and the hashtag #boycottindiana, but also from some of the country's biggest corporate figures, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Angie's List CEO Bill Oesterle. (Scott has a roundup of the criticism here.)
Pence and other supporters of the measure note that Indiana is not the only state with such a law on the books. But as Scott noted, "Although the law is similar to a federal one and those in 19 other states, sexual orientation is not a protected class in Indiana, leaving the door open for discrimination, critics say."

At today's news conference, Long said the law "doesn't discriminate, and anyone on either side of this issue suggesting otherwise is just plain flat wrong."

Bosma added: "What it does is it sets a standard of review for a court when issues of religious freedom and other rights collide due to government action."

Democrats want the measure repealed, but Long and Bosma said that was unlikely.




“Republican leaders in Indiana say they will work to ensure the state's controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act does not allow discrimination against gays and lesbians. "This law does not discriminate, and it will not be allowed to do so," Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long said at a news conference with state House Speaker Brian Bosma. They said they would "encourage our colleagues to adopt a clarifying measure of some sort to remove this misconception about the bill." The Associated Press says that the measure "prohibits state laws that 'substantially burden' a person's ability to follow his or her religious beliefs. The definition of 'person' includes religious institutions, businesses and associations." ….Pence and other supporters of the measure note that Indiana is not the only state with such a law on the books. But as Scott noted, "Although the law is similar to a federal one and those in 19 other states, sexual orientation is not a protected class in Indiana, leaving the door open for discrimination, critics say." At today's news conference, Long said the law "doesn't discriminate, and anyone on either side of this issue suggesting otherwise is just plain flat wrong." Bosma added: "What it does is it sets a standard of review for a court when issues of religious freedom and other rights collide due to government action." Democrats want the measure repealed, but Long and Bosma said that was unlikely.”

Methinks the Tea Party made a blatant grab for power and then realized that what they had was a hot potato. Ouch!




http://www.cbsnews.com/news/apple-ceo-tim-cook-says-indiana-religious-freedom-law-is-dangerous/

Apple CEO rips "religious freedom" legislation
CBS NEWS
March 30, 2015

Protests and boycotts are growing across the nation over an Indiana law that some say discriminates against gay people. Apple CEO Tim Cook is among the high-profile names speaking out against it.

In an opinion piece in the Washington Post, he said, "There's something very dangerous happening in states across the country," reports CBS News correspondent Adriana Diaz.

The law doesn't take effect until July, but it's already having an impact. From Indianapolis to Silicon Valley, backlash over Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act continues to mount.

In the Washington Post op-ed, Cook openly criticized the law and similar legislation across the country that he said "goes against the very principles our nation was founded on."

"On behalf of Apple, I'm standing up to oppose this new wave of legislation wherever it emerges," Cook wrote. "I'm writing in the hopes that many more will join this movement."

The open letter came on the same day Indiana Governor Mike Pence adamantly defended the legislation.

"We simply stepped forward for the purpose of recognizing the religious liberty rights of all the people of Indiana of every faith," Pence said on ABC's "This Week."

At issue -- the message behind the law.

Supporters say it protects a person or business owner from government persecution when following their religious beliefs. But opponents say the measure gives businesses a free pass to refuse gay and lesbian customers on religious grounds.

Cook, who publicly announced his homosexuality last year, said, "As a child, I was baptized in a Baptist church. I was never taught, nor do I believe, that religion should be used as an excuse to discriminate."

Over the weekend, hundreds of protesters took to the State House, while online the hashtag #BoycottIndiana emerged on social media.

With the final four headed to Indianapolis, former NBA star Charles Barkley is urging NCAA officials to move this week's games out of the state.

Restaurant owner Cynthia Wilson is worried how the financial fallout could affect future business.

"We want to be known as the inclusion state, not the exclusion state," she said.

Pence told the Indianapolis Star newspaper he's in talks with legislative leaders and a second bill could be introduced clarifying that the law does not promote discrimination against gays and lesbians.

Consumer review website Angie's List announced it will suspend a planned headquarters expansion in Indianapolis that could have added 1,000 jobs.


COMMENTS

MAC2JR 2 minutes ago
Now down to brass tacks, or dollars and cents.  People are fearful and many are fearful that 'Gayness' will somehow rub off on him or her, thus they will NOT frequent an establishment that caters to gays, such as a motel, restaurant, bar, social club, etc.  
Therefore, as an owner of an establishment that caters to all persons, if the gay community takes a liking, the establishment MAY become known as a place for gays, and thus MAY drive away all the other business, i.e., customers.  
This sort of bias extends to people of different social status, races, religions, sexual preferences, lifestyles, etc., and is bias and discrimination, be it religious based or financial based. 

..HILLZAGAIN 9 minutes ago
Open minded businesses now have a unique opportunity to gain a competitive advantage over their religiously challenged competitors LOL

Just start including "We bake for anybody" in your marketing campaign and homosexual couples will start flocking to your store.

The hysteria over this is rather tiresome. Gay people will be able to get married, have photos and slice cakes without any hindrance whether this law is struck down or stays up. There are plenty of cake shops and photographers to go around.
Loons: Spare us your hysteria.


AASRSLB 17 minutes ago
Keep one thing in mind. REPUBLICANS are out to get women and minorities. This old blather about both parties being the same is nonsense. REPUBLICANS are coming for immigrants, women, gays, unions, workers, voters and all minorities. If you disagree keep electing them, you'll see soon enough.


ABBYDELABBEY 24 minutes ago
When extremism makes inroads, the roads lead to destruction.

It seems America is becoming divided by religious intolerance. We are not a theocracy; however, if we continue the trends being sent by religious fanatics (especially among the GOP) we will certainly become one.

What will the governor say when a Muslim refuses to serve a woman because she is not wearing a scarf?  Or a Jew insists that he will not serve Gentiles or a man who is not circumcised?

Instead of gays/lesbian/transgender -- use the world "black" or "Jew" or "Hindu" or "Muslim."

All this law does is condone and encourage discrimination, prejudice, and hate.  How so very Christian of them..... 


LOUIVILLE45 24 minutes ago
@abbydelabbey Hyperbole alert sheeesh we are only talking about a couple cakes hardly an issue with thousands to chose from.
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ABBYDELABBEY 22 minutes ago
@louiville45 @abbydelabbey  Yes, and it was only a few jewish stores, a few jewish homes in the 1930s ....  It starts off small and escalates.  Read history and see how small actions lead to much greater actions.
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STOIDIERASNAICITILOPTSOM 22 minutes ago
@abbydelabbey Extremeism works both sides of the street.
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ABBYDELABBEY 21 minutes ago
@stoidierasnaicitiloptsom @abbydelabbey  I agree.  I have no use for extremism of any sort:  whether it's a Christian, atheist, left or right.
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MAC2JR 27 minutes ago
Four things are involved here..  Public Safety, Religious Bigotry, Moral Decently, and Obnoxious Behavior.  
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MAC2JR 29 minutes ago
Law is intended to prevent Government Overreach.  


INMCLEANNOVA 28 minutes ago
@Mac2jr
And Republican Reach Around


INMCLEANNOVA 26 minutes ago
@dogginz150 @InMcLeanNoVa @Mac2jr
How are you suppose to know? The law should require that anyone refusing service should include a note in their advertisement, or at least a sign displayed out front.
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DOGGINZ150 25 minutes ago
@InMcLeanNoVa @dogginz150 @Mac2jr 
Good point. They used to put signs in front of stores in Germany.... 


HK102 35 minutes ago
The issue is not about discrimination in housing or employment.The issue is that many Christians to not want to participate in or provide support of services to something (gay marriage) which they believe is sinful.The First Amendment reads in part, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”.So the US Constitution allows Christians not to participate in something they believe is sinful.You may not agree with that belief.But that is not relevant.
It is interesting that no one has said they would challenge the law in federal court.May be it is because they know it will not be struck down because it is not unconstitutional?


..HILLZAGAIN 33 minutes ago
@hk102
That particular  clause has nothing in it supporting this law.
If you are running a business, you are not practicing a religion.
Therefore it does not unduly "burden" you to provide a cake for a lesbian couple's wedding.
Frosting a cake is not "practicing your religion". This law would not survive judicial review.


MATT6052 29 minutes ago
@..hillzagain @hk102  Many people who run businesses have religion at the core of their lives.  In fact, many religious values, like honesty and the golden rule, are also religious values.

And heck, tolerance of people who are different, like gays and lesbians, can also be a religious value.


HK102 25 minutes ago
@Cosmicdebris57 @hk102  There is nothing in the US Constitution about separation of church and state. The First Amendment reads in part, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”.





“In an opinion piece in the Washington Post, he said, "There's something very dangerous happening in states across the country," reports CBS News correspondent Adriana Diaz..... "On behalf of Apple, I'm standing up to oppose this new wave of legislation wherever it emerges," Cook wrote. "I'm writing in the hopes that many more will join this movement.".... Cook, who publicly announced his homosexuality last year, said, "As a child, I was baptized in a Baptist church. I was never taught, nor do I believe, that religion should be used as an excuse to discriminate." Over the weekend, hundreds of protesters took to the State House, while online the hashtag #BoycottIndiana emerged on social media. With the final four headed to Indianapolis, former NBA star Charles Barkley is urging NCAA officials to move this week's games out of the state. Restaurant owner Cynthia Wilson is worried how the financial fallout could affect future business. "We want to be known as the inclusion state, not the exclusion state," she said..... Pence told the Indianapolis Star newspaper he's in talks with legislative leaders and a second bill could be introduced clarifying that the law does not promote discrimination against gays and lesbians.”

So is our next constitutional crisis going to be about the separation of church and state? Where religious freedom, and the protection from a required religious participation, are undermined, all the other civil rights are in danger. Religious opinions are a very individual matter, and therefore should not be required of anyone.

From my earliest years I was taught that there is a god, and that Jesus was his son, rose from the dead, and demanded a “clean” lifestyle. I was taught to fear hell if I were to participate in sexual activity before marriage. I followed that rule, but at the time of my divorce stopped following it. By that point I was aware that having a satisfying sexual experience is an extremely important thing in the life of most adults. Marriage when I was young was very often full of unacceptable things – men can go to bed with someone else but women can't; men don't have to help with the housework or childcare; men can hit women any time they feel like it; divorce for any reason is immoral; men don't need to learn how to “pleasure” a woman because women really “don't need sex.” What a crock!

Is there a God? I have not totally given up my early belief in God, but by the time I was supposed to join the church at age 11, I didn't believe the Bible was infallible in any way. I saw it as very interesting, but not the “truth,” especially about the Genesis story on the origin of the earth and lifeforms, and the whole story about Jesus. When I took a course on the literature of the Bible, my views were buttressed, though that was a Methodist Church. I learned about the Gilgamesh story and the Greek and Roman mystery religions which, it became clear to me, were the origin of the whole Jesus story except for the basic belief that he did live and teach in the Holy Land at the time of the Romans.

If you want to see what Jesus was like, look at the Gnostic Gospels which emphasized an internal “knowing” rather than proving God's presence, ritual cleansing by using drugs to induce vomiting and diarrhea to empty the body of evils, the ritual of the body and the blood, the baptism ritual – not Jewish beliefs, but pagan. In the early days of the Christian community some of the apostles objected to allowing pagans to joint the church, which was considered very much a Jewish group. Others, at the same time, went around the world to preach to those same pagans. There is an interesting passage in the Bible in which the apostles were reaching to the Celts in Gaul and “handled fiery serpents” or poisonous snakes, another pagan belief which has survived to this day among some churches in the Appalachian mountains. The idea is that if you have sufficient faith in God to prevent you from being harmed you won't die if bitten. If you do die, Oh Well!

There are too many reasons why, when I did decide to join a church, I joined the Unitarians. I was introduced to liberal beliefs through another group called Unity, which still exists, and then to a Unitarian church in Washington, DC. The Unitarians, however, close out no potential member over their religious faith – there are no doctrines per se about God or Jesus. They also have a sprinkling of black members and many lesbians and gays. The lack of a larger number of blacks is due to the overwhelmingly Evangelical Christian beliefs of most blacks in America. The modern United Methodist Church is moving in a similar direction – away from hard set doctrines and into spiritual growth, fairness and gentleness in societal principles, aid to the needy, a strong church community, working to help the poor and downtrodden in political and legal systems. To my way of looking at the world, this is the side of virtue and justice.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/fort-meade-incident-2-injured-at-gate-of-army-installation/

1 killed after car tries to ram NSA gate at Fort Meade
CBS/AP
March 30, 2015

FORT MEADE, Md. -- One person was killed and another was injured by National Security Agency security officers Monday after a car with two people tried to ram a gate at the Fort Meade, Md., military base near a gate to the NSA, officials said.

"The incident has been contained and is under investigation," said Colonel Brian Foley, Fort Meade garrison commander. "The residents, service members and civilian employees on the installation are safe. We continue to remain vigilant at all of our access control points."

A U.S. law enforcement official told CBS News that officials believe the two people who rammed the gate were men dressed as women.

A federal law enforcement official told CBS News that cocaine and a weapon were found in or near the vehicle.

One of the suspects who was shot in the incident was identified as Kevin Fleming of Baltimore, U.S. law enforcement sources told CBS News. Fleming, who was hospitalized, has a lengthy criminal record including for assault.

There is no indication that the incident was terrorism related, the FBI said in a statement.

"We are investigating with NSA Police and other law enforcement agencies. Our Evidence Response Team is processing the crime scene, and FBI Agents are doing joint interviews with witnesses. We are working with the US Attorney's Office in Maryland to determine if federal charges are warranted," said FBI officials in a written statement.

The NSA headquarters is on the sprawling Army installation near Baltimore. An NSA spokesperson declined to comment.

CBS affiliate WUSA-TV showed two damaged vehicles near a gate and emergency workers loading an injured uniformed man into an ambulance. Aerial news images showed that one of the damaged vehicles was a white SUV marked "NSA Police." Its front end was crumpled, and the hood was up. The other was a dark, unmarked SUV.

A building on the NSA campus was damaged by gunfire earlier this month. Authorities captured a man March 3 who they believe fired that night on the NSA site, as well as earlier at several nearby places and two moving vehicles. The suspect in that case, Hong Young, told police he heard voices directing him to fire on one of the occupied vehicles.

The gate that serves as the NSA entrance is just off the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, a scenic commuter route. In addition to the NSA, Fort Meade is home to the Defense Information Systems Agency and the U.S. Cyber Command. About 11,000 military personnel and about 29,000 civilian employees work on the property.




“One person was killed and another was injured by National Security Agency security officers Monday after a car with two people tried to ram a gate at the Fort Meade, Md., military base near a gate to the NSA, officials said. "The incident has been contained and is under investigation," said Colonel Brian Foley, Fort Meade garrison commander. "The residents, service members and civilian employees on the installation are safe. We continue to remain vigilant at all of our access control points." A U.S. law enforcement official told CBS News that officials believe the two people who rammed the gate were men dressed as women. A federal law enforcement official told CBS News that cocaine and a weapon were found in or near the vehicle.... Fleming, who was hospitalized, has a lengthy criminal record including for assault. There is no indication that the incident was terrorism related, the FBI said in a statement..... A building on the NSA campus was damaged by gunfire earlier this month. Authorities captured a man March 3 who they believe fired that night on the NSA site, as well as earlier at several nearby places and two moving vehicles. The suspect in that case, Hong Young, told police he heard voices directing him to fire on one of the occupied vehicles.”

Why were the two men dressed as women? Were they trying to enter the base? What are their names and backgrounds? Several questions are popping into my mind with this story. Hopefully the NSA will holda press conference later with some explanations. The previous incident was apparently the work of a psychotic individual. The second could be an attempted assault on the base which was foiled by the guards.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-todays-senators-can-learn-from-ted-kennedy/

What today's senators can learn from Ted Kennedy
By JAKE MILLER CBS NEWS
March 30, 2015

Photograph – In this file photo, Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, and Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, whisper during a press conference to introduce prescription drug importation legislation February 9, 2005 at the Capitol in Washington, DC.  CHIP SOMODEVILLA, GETTY IMAGES

The United States Senate has changed since Ted Kennedy passed away, and not necessarily for the better, Kennedy's former Senate colleagues said Monday in Boston at the dedication of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.

"The place hasn't been the same without him," Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, one of Kennedy's favorite sparring and negotiating partners. "I have no doubt the place would be a little more productive and a lot more fun if he were there."

"It's a more diverse, more accurate reflection of America than it used to be, and that is a grand thing," President Obama said of the new Senate. "But Ted grieved the loss of camaraderie and collegiality, the face to face interaction. I think he regretted [that] arguments [are] now made to cameras instead of colleagues, directed at a narrow base instead of the body politic as a whole; the outsized influence of money and special interests and how it all leads more Americans to turn away in disgust."

Vice President Biden, who served alongside Kennedy for 36 years in the Senate, called his late friend the "anchor" of the institution. He suggested Kennedy's lesson that "all politics is personal," that relationships with colleagues can have a real impact, has been lost on too many serving today.

Despite those grim assessments, each man also argued that the Senate can work once again, if those serving in it can heed the example of "the lion of the Senate" -- if they can build camaraderie and trust, if they work to find common ground even amid profound disagreements.

"He understood that consensus is arrived at from the cumulative effect of personal relationships...the little things that you did for the other over time. That's what generated the trust and the mutual respect and the comity that only Teddy was able to do," Biden said. "It's hard to be petty when the man or woman you're debating is being grand and magnanimous."

The institute dedicated on Monday includes a full-scale replica of the Senate chamber. It was born out of Kennedy's desire to teach Americans, particularly young Americans, about the history and importance of the legislative branch, and about the role of compromise in governance.

"We live in a time of such great cynicism about all our institutions, and we are cynical about government and about Washington most of all. It's hard for our children to see, in the noisy and too often trivial pursuits of todays' politics, the possibilities of our democracy -- our capacity, together, to do big things," President Obama said. "This place can help change that. It can help light the fire of imagination."

"Imagine a gaggle of school kids clutching tablets, turning classrooms into cloakrooms," he added. "Imagine their moral universe expanding as they hear about the momentous battles waged in that chamber."

The event was peppered with each speaker's fondest memories involving Kennedy. McCain, R-Arizona, recalled the time he and Kennedy drove a frightened pair of freshman senators from the floor with a fierce and voluble dispute over parliamentary procedure.

"I miss fighting with him, to be honest," McCain added. "It's getting harder to find someone who enjoys a good fight as much as Ted did."

Biden drew big laughs by recalling the first time he stepped into the Senate gymnasium's locker room with Kennedy, who insisted on introducing the fresh-faced newcomer to a parade of naked colleagues.

"I felt guilty I was fully clothed," the vice president joked. "True story."

While Kennedy's loss is felt acutely in the Senate, Biden said he's "confident" the institution will once again become an institution worthy of its rich heritage.

"The pundits say that we are divided today," he said. "That's simply not true. Look at every major poll on every major issue there's a consensus in America. It's the political process that has been broken."

In time, Biden said, the United States Senate can "work as it was designed to work."

"The point is, we can fight on almost everything, but we can come together on some things," Mr. Obama said. "And those some things can mean everything to a whole lot of people."

The president said he has a lot of policy suggestions for how the political system and legislative process in this country can work again, but the dedication ceremony wasn't an appropriate venue to offer them.

Instead, the president posed a simple question policymakers should ask themselves: "What if we carried ourselves more like Ted Kennedy?"

Following his remarks, the president visited privately with members of the Kennedy family and saw the replica of Kennedy's senate office, according to White House spokesperson Eric Schultz.




"The place hasn't been the same without him," Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, one of Kennedy's favorite sparring and negotiating partners. "I have no doubt the place would be a little more productive and a lot more fun if he were there." "It's a more diverse, more accurate reflection of America than it used to be, and that is a grand thing," President Obama said of the new Senate. "But Ted grieved the loss of camaraderie and collegiality, the face to face interaction. I think he regretted [that] arguments [are] now made to cameras instead of colleagues, directed at a narrow base instead of the body politic as a whole; the outsized influence of money and special interests and how it all leads more Americans to turn away in disgust.".... "We live in a time of such great cynicism about all our institutions, and we are cynical about government and about Washington most of all. It's hard for our children to see, in the noisy and too often trivial pursuits of todays' politics, the possibilities of our democracy -- our capacity, together, to do big things," President Obama said. "This place can help change that. It can help light the fire of imagination." …. "I miss fighting with him, to be honest," McCain added. "It's getting harder to find someone who enjoys a good fight as much as Ted did." Biden drew big laughs by recalling the first time he stepped into the Senate gymnasium's locker room with Kennedy, who insisted on introducing the fresh-faced newcomer to a parade of naked colleagues. "I felt guilty I was fully clothed," the vice president joked. "True story." …. The president said he has a lot of policy suggestions for how the political system and legislative process in this country can work again, but the dedication ceremony wasn't an appropriate venue to offer them.”

Perhaps the President will soon find “the appropriate venue” for suggested new policies, because the legislative branch of the government is indeed broken at this time. How much of that is due simply to the determined disruption by the Tea Party candidates such as Ted Cruz of any serious consideration of moderate and rational laws, budgets, and appraisal of candidates could be argued, but for my self, I think their sincere desire to cause as much trouble as possible is at the root of our current problems. They are “bad apples” rather than statesmen. I, too, miss Ted Kennedy.




http://www.cbsnews.com/news/robert-spence-jackson-missouri-auditor-spokesman-dead-in-apparent-suicide-after-boss-killed-himself/

Mo. auditor spokesman dead in apparent suicide, month after boss killed himself
CBS/AP
March 30, 2015

Photograph – Robert "Spence" Jackson  KMOV

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The spokesman for the Missouri auditor's office has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in what police described Monday as an apparent suicide. The death comes about a month after the state auditor also killed himself.

Robert "Spence" Jackson was found dead Sunday evening in his home in Jefferson City after police responded to a well-being check, the Jefferson City Police Department said in a written statement. Police said they are investigating the case as a suicide.

Jackson's boss, Auditor Tom Schweich, fatally shot himself on Feb. 26 at his home in the St. Louis suburb of Clayton in what police also have described as a suicide.

Jackson, 45, had remained as the auditor's office spokesman after Schweich's death. He also previously had served as a spokesman for former Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt.

Blunt issued a written statement Monday saying he was saddened to learn of his friend's death.

"Spence was a gifted communicator who dedicated his talents in public affairs to public service," Blunt said. "Spence was hard-working, well-liked and quick-witted."

Police said they responded to a call to Jackson's apartment a little after 7 p.m. Sunday after one of Jackson's family members said he had been unresponsive to phone calls.

A property manager provided a key to police officers, who found Jackson dead in his bedroom from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police. Police said there was no physical evidence of a forced entry or struggle, but that an autopsy is planned for Monday and detectives are continuing to investigate the case.

CBS affiliate KMOV reports that Jackson was Schweich's media director for four years and he also held several key Republican jobs in state government.

Schweich's death has roiled the Missouri Republican Party as it prepares for an important 2016 election that will feature contests for president, U.S. Senate, governor and most of Missouri's other statewide executive offices.

Just minutes before Schweich's death, Schweich had told an Associated Press reporter that he wanted to go public with allegations that the chairman of the Missouri Republican Party, John Hancock, had been telling people last year that Schweich was Jewish. Schweich, who was Christian, said he perceived the remarks to be part of an anti-Semitic whispering campaign against him.

Jackson was among the first to suggest after Schweich's funeral that Hancock should resign.

Hancock has remained on the job. He has denied making anti-Semitic remarks, though he has said it's possible he might have told some people that Schweich was Jewish because he mistakenly believed that to be true.




“The spokesman for the Missouri auditor's office has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in what police described Monday as an apparent suicide. The death comes about a month after the state auditor also killed himself..... Jackson's boss, Auditor Tom Schweich, fatally shot himself on Feb. 26 at his home in the St. Louis suburb of Clayton in what police also have described as a suicide. Jackson, 45, had remained as the auditor's office spokesman after Schweich's death. He also previously had served as a spokesman for former Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt. …. Police said they responded to a call to Jackson's apartment a little after 7 p.m. Sunday after one of Jackson's family members said he had been unresponsive to phone calls. A property manager provided a key to police officers, who found Jackson dead in his bedroom from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police. Police said there was no physical evidence of a forced entry or struggle, but that an autopsy is planned for Monday and detectives are continuing to investigate the case. …. Jackson was among the first to suggest after Schweich's funeral that Hancock should resign. Hancock has remained on the job. He has denied making anti-Semitic remarks, though he has said it's possible he might have told some people that Schweich was Jewish because he mistakenly believed that to be true.”

Perhaps that wasn't an anti-Semitic act, but it certainly was unnecessary and potentially damaging information. What was Hancock trying to do? Why are any members of unpopular groups such as Jews and blacks joining the Republican Party? Their core values are well known in the modern world, and are not as moderate and unbiased as they were even ten years ago. It was about then that ultra-rightist Republicans began working to drum those who were closer to the center out of the party. Even John McCain has shown so signs of giving into rightist pressure. He used to be reliable as a thoughtful and relatively unbiased Senator, but he now more often than not sounds like the right. My father used to argue against voting “for the man” rather than for the party because more acceptable Republicans inevitably bring in a lot of others with them who are not acceptable. This story makes me wonder if Jackson was being pressured in some way by some of his colleagues to stop “rocking the boat” by asking for Hancock's resignation. Was that his reason for committing suicide?





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/feds-charged-with-fraud-during-silk-road-inquiry/

Feds charged with fraud during "Silk Road" inquiry
By CRIMESIDER STAFF AP 
March 30, 2015

Photograph – Bitcoin medals  KAREN BLEIER/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

SAN FRANCISCO - Two former federal agents who were investigating an online black market that allowed users to buy and sell drugs and other illegal items have been charged with stealing digital currency during the probe.

Carl M. Force of Baltimore was a special agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Shaun W. Bridges of Laurel, Maryland, was a special agent with the U.S. Secret Service on a task force that investigated the so-called Silk Road marketplace.

Silk Road first launched in 2011 as an underground website where users could browse anonymously for drugs. They paid in a hard-to-track cyber currency known as Bitcoin.

Force served as an undercover agent and was tasked with establishing communications with a target of the investigation, Ross William Ulbricht.

Force is charged with wire fraud, theft of government property, money laundering and conflict of interest. Bridges is charged with wire fraud and money laundering.

The federal criminal complaint was filed last Wednesday and unsealed Monday.




“Silk Road first launched in 2011 as an underground website where users could browse anonymously for drugs. They paid in a hard-to-track cyber currency known as Bitcoin. Force served as an undercover agent and was tasked with establishing communications with a target of the investigation, Ross William Ulbricht. Force is charged with wire fraud, theft of government property, money laundering and conflict of interest. Bridges is charged with wire fraud and money laundering.”

Law Enforcement personnel of all kinds are often tempted to indulge in corruption of many types. It's too bad that this occurred at the federal level, since it's more fodder for the mill of attack politics against Obama. It will surprise me if no comments appear in the press to that effect. The good news is that they were caught and punished.






http://www.cbsnews.com/news/prince-william-begins-new-job-as-air-ambulance-pilot/

Prince William begins new job as air ambulance pilot
CBS/AP
March 30, 2015

Photograph – Prince William at the controls of a Sea King helicopter during a training exercise at Holyhead Mountain, having flown from RAF Valley on March 31, 2011, in in Anglesey, north Wales.  JOHN STILLWELL- WPA POOL/GETTY IMAGES

Prince William is starting his first day at a new job -- working as an air ambulance helicopter pilot.

Kensington Palace announced that the Duke of Cambridge began work Monday for Bond Air Services, a helicopter operator that serves East Anglian Air Ambulance.

He will undertake job training in the next few months -- including simulator, aircraft and in-flight skills training -- and start piloting missions in the summer.

William, 32, passed his Air Transport Pilot's License exams in March, completing 14 written exams on subjects such as the principles of flight and navigation.

The second-in-line to the throne -- who will welcome his second child next month with wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge -- will work with medics responding to emergencies ranging from road accidents to heart attacks.

The stint will be William's main job, although he will also continue to take on royal duties and engagements both in Britain and overseas.




"Prince William is starting his first day at a new job -- working as an air ambulance helicopter pilot. Kensington Palace announced that the Duke of Cambridge began work Monday for Bond Air Services, a helicopter operator that serves East Anglian Air Ambulance. He will undertake job training in the next few months -- including simulator, aircraft and in-flight skills training -- and start piloting missions in the summer. William, 32, passed his Air Transport Pilot's License exams in March, completing 14 written exams on subjects such as the principles of flight and navigation.”

I do like Prince William. Like many young men he enjoys flying and can make a difference in society with the rescue work. I'm glad to see him doing more than just making public appearances for charity. Of course he'll do some of that kind of “royal work,” too. I'm reading a good biography about Queen Elizabeth right now called The Real Elizabeth, and have just finished a good detailed look at the time before WWI and WWII in England. In the 1920s there was an active and fairly large movement toward socialism and against the aristocracy in general, with some advocating abolishing the royalty completely. There were fears of a revolution, especially after the Russian revolution. The book is by Andrew Marr and was first published by in Britain unde the title “Diamond Queen: Queen Elizabeth II ….” It is detailed and fascinating. Your public library probably has it. It's a 2012 publication, so it includes all the up to date stuff.


UNION ISSUES BEING CONSIDERED


http://thehill.com/regulation/business/237246-nlrb-to-weigh-in-on-mcdonalds-labor-dispute

NLRB to weigh in on high-stakes McDonald’s labor dispute
By Tim Devaney - 
03/29/15

A high-stakes legal dispute pitting McDonald’s Corp. against labor unions is set to enter a crucial phase this week, when the National Labor Relations Board takes up consideration of a case with major implications for franchise businesses. 

An NLRB administrative law judge on Monday will begin weighing whether McDonald’s should be responsible for what employees say are poor working conditions and low pay at many of its franchise restaurants.

A finding in the affirmative would mark the first time that a major franchisor would be found culpable for labor violations at individual chains, following a finding last year by the NLRB’s lead attorney that McDonald’s should be treated as a “joint employer.”

That status would expose the corporation to liability for worker rights violations and force it to the negotiating table in collective bargaining situations. 

The joint employer finding is among the most contentious actions taken by a labor board that has emerged as a political lightening rod under the Obama administration, and a top punching bag for business groups and congressional Republicans. 

McDonald’s argues it is not a joint employer, contending that independent franchise owners operate the restaurants.  Any ruling to the contrary would do grave harm to the franchise model, business groups say.

“It’s not going to stop at McDonald’s,” explained Elizabeth Milito, senior legal counsel of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). “This is really an assault on the entire franchise business model."

McDonald’s accuses the labor board of “mirroring the union’s position” and placing a target on the company's back.

“As we have said previously, the National Labor Relations Board’s decision to involve McDonald’s in its actions against our independent franchisees improperly strikes at the heart of the franchise system — a system that creates economic opportunity, jobs and income for thousands of business owners and their employees across the country,” the company said in a statement.

But critics allege McDonald’s is, in fact, controlling the operations from a distance by instructing franchise owners on everything from their employees schedules to what they should say to customers and how they fold sandwich bags — claims the cheeseburger chain adamantly disputes.

“McDonald’s is the boss,” said David Dean, an employment lawyer with James & Hoffman PC. “It shouldn’t be hiding behind its franchisees.”

The consolidated case now before the NLRB stems from dozens of complaints of alleged retaliatory actions taken by McDonald’s franchises against employees who participated in nationwide fast food protests.

In November 2012, about 200 workers protested against McDonald’s and other popular fast food restaurants in New York City. From there, the fast food protests took off and spread to more than 200 cities across the country.

The fast food workers are calling for no less than $15 an hour and the opportunity to organize a union.

Some McDonald’s franchises responded by cutting back hours, and in some cases, firing workers who participated in the strikes, the complainants allege.

Labor lawyers say McDonald’s shouldn’t be given a “free pass” when its franchisees cross the line.

“There is exactly one entity that’s in a position to fix the problem,” Dean said, alluding to McDonald’s Corp.

But McDonald’s says it focuses on promoting the company’s brand and does not get involved in the day-to-day operations at franchise restaurants.

“McDonald’s does not direct or co-determine the hiring, termination, wages, hours, or any other essential terms and conditions of employment of our franchisees’ employees — which are the well-established criteria governing the definition of a ‘joint employer,’” the company said in a statement.

Last summer, NLRB general counsel Richard Griffin said he would hold McDonald’s corporation jointly responsible for the actions of its franchises.

In December, Griffin followed up by issuing 19 complaints against McDonald’s.
The complaints will be considered during hearings in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, beginning Monday.

The resulting decision could then be appealed to the NLRB’s five-member board in a case that would move next to the federal courts and could eventual be decided by the Supreme Court.

“I think all businesses should recognize this is bigger than a McDonald’s problem,” said Michael Lotito, an employment and labor attorney and co-chairman of Littler Mendelson's conservative Workplace Policy Institute.

“The labor board is embarking on a process that fundamentally redefines who an employer is and who an employee is,” he added.

The NLRB’s consideration of those issues extends well beyond the golden arches. 

Separately, the labor board is weighing another case — known as Browning-Ferris — that experts say could have an even greater affect on the joint employer standard.

Under the current standard, a company is considered a joint employer if they are directly involved in hiring, firing, or setting the pay and schedules for those employees. 

But the NLRB is weighing a change that could put more companies on the hook for the employees of their franchisees, contractors, vendors and suppliers.

A company that outsources to a security firm, construction company or janitorial service, for example, could be equally responsible for the employees of their contractors, employer advocates say. 

“What that means is essentially anyone could be a joint employer,” said Glenn Spencer, vice president of Workforce Freedom Initiative at U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “There’s no question it would make franchise operations much more difficult.”

But that may not be such a bad idea, said Sarah Leberstein, senior staff attorney for the National Employment Law Project, who pointed out that companies often outsource jobs to skirt their responsibility. 

“Companies are free to outsource their work, but they can’t outsource their responsibilities for their employees,” Leberstein said. “Without joint employer responsibility, this type of corporate outsourcing can result in a lack of responsibility for workplace conditions.”




“A high-stakes legal dispute pitting McDonald’s Corp. against labor unions is set to enter a crucial phase this week, when the National Labor Relations Board takes up consideration of a case with major implications for franchise businesses. An NLRB administrative law judge on Monday will begin weighing whether McDonald’s should be responsible for what employees say are poor working conditions and low pay at many of its franchise restaurants. A finding in the affirmative would mark the first time that a major franchisor would be found culpable for labor violations at individual chains, following a finding last year by the NLRB’s lead attorney that McDonald’s should be treated as a “joint employer.” …. The joint employer finding is among the most contentious actions taken by a labor board that has emerged as a political lightening rod under the Obama administration, and a top punching bag for business groups and congressional Republicans. …. “It’s not going to stop at McDonald’s,” explained Elizabeth Milito, senior legal counsel of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). “This is really an assault on the entire franchise business model." McDonald’s accuses the labor board of “mirroring the union’s position” and placing a target on the company's back. …. But critics allege McDonald’s is, in fact, controlling the operations from a distance by instructing franchise owners on everything from their employees schedules to what they should say to customers and how they fold sandwich bags — claims the cheeseburger chain adamantly disputes. “McDonald’s is the boss,” said David Dean, an employment lawyer with James & Hoffman PC. “It shouldn’t be hiding behind its franchisees.” The consolidated case now before the NLRB stems from dozens of complaints of alleged retaliatory actions taken by McDonald’s franchises against employees who participated in nationwide fast food protests. …. The fast food workers are calling for no less than $15 an hour and the opportunity to organize a union.”

I have been watching this dispute by the fast food industry since I first saw an article about it nine months ago or so. It's a true grass roots movement, not an argument roiled by an overly powerful union. I am so pleased to see a group with teeth weighing in on the matter. Of course the final say will rest with the Supreme Court. One of the most important problems our country faces today is the extremely low wages that have continued since the 1970s or so. “The working poor” are people with full time jobs who can't make a living on their wages. Bye, bye, Middle Class!

Ever since the unions were weakened, partly due to the outsourcing of jobs like factory work which had been a mainstay of our Lower Middle Class since I was in high school, our economy has suffered. For a full, healthy economy, it is necessary to have good wages for work that is done. Simply put, if people have no money they can't buy goods, and that's what drives business to grow and prosper. The GOP's short-sighted coddling of business with tax rebates, unfair jobs outsourcing regulations and union busting laws makes their base happy, but it doesn't improve the economy. Not only that, it tends to bring on stagnation and depressions which are not a real problem for the very rich, but they are killers for the poor who depend on each paycheck to rent an apartment and feed their family. Our last Republican--caused depression was 2008. That was George Bush's mismanagement, not Obama's. Republicans have persistently fought unions and minimum wage raises since the 1950's, but the strength and stubbornness of unions caused them to back down and raise wages. Republicans hate this fact, but unions are vitally important in our economic system, and as a result in our democratic principles. They perform the same purpose in the business world that wolves do in the environment. Too many deer eat the farmer's crops and spread diseases. I'm looking forward to more news on this subject.