An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
Morning Coffee 04/07/08
Tennessee’s district attorneys want to put an end to a death penalty study committee formed to review how the state carries out the ultimate sentence.
The reason: They say the committee is stacked with members who oppose the death penalty.
Well, let’s face it. If you have a committee to study something they have already decided, it’s not much of a committee now, is it. Yep, if this one is stacked, it should be dissolved immediately. If they are serious about making an informed decisions, then you need people from both sides of the argument to serve. Side note: If you hadn’t noticed I’m very much FOR the death penalty. (If they are worried about humane…..bullet to the heart! Very humane!)
Clinton’s Chief Strategist Steps Down
Penn had been a polarizing figure within the Clinton campaign for months because of his personality as well as his strategic vision, but his departure came as a result of another continuing controversy — the conflicts of interest that resulted from his representing major clients as president of Burson-Marsteller, the giant public relations firm, while working for Clinton.
Well, one sure fire way to piss off the voters is to have a person who is working against their wishes. Kind of like D.C. as a whole.
Ben-Eliezer: ‘We’ll destroy Iranian nation’ if they attack us
“An Iranian attack will prompt a severe reaction from Israel, which will destroy the Iranian nation,” National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer (Labor) said on Monday. Teheran, he added, “is definitely aware of our strength. Even so, they are teasing us with their alliances with Syria and Hizbullah, and supplying them with many weapons, and we have to deal with that.”
Ever get the feeling we’re living in the Twilight Zone? 
Iraqi leader warns Sadr movement
Nouri Maliki told CNN that the cleric’s movement would not be allowed to take part in elections unless it disbanded its militia, the Mehdi Army.
The prime minister and major Iraqi parties had already called for militias to be dissolved as the government waged a security campaign against the groups.
But it was the first time that Mr Maliki had singled out the Mehdi Army.
Well, what took him so long? Playing nice doesn’t work with some fanatical types….well, it doesn’t work with ANY fanatics. (I thought it was called the Mahdi Army? I’m getting confused!)
Hannah Casting Call Draws Anxious Crowd
Thousands of Hannah Montana fans showed up Sunday morning for an open casting call for extras in her upcoming movie. Some Miley Cyrus fans waited more than 12 hours, just to have a shot.
An estimated 6,000 girls lined up Sunday morning at the Sommet Center. It was a fight for position in the early hours of the morning. A shot at being in the next Hannah Montana movie was on the line.
“We walked down here at 2:00 this morning, we were back at 3:00. We weren’t going to let anybody get in front,” said Laura Vargas while waiting in line.
This is getting downright scary!
‘The Grid’ Could Soon Make the Internet Obsolete
The Internet could soon be made obsolete. The scientists who pioneered it have now built a lightning-fast replacement capable of downloading entire feature films within seconds.
At speeds about 10,000 times faster than a typical broadband connection, “the grid” will be able to send the entire Rolling Stones back catalogue from Britain to Japan in less than two seconds.
The latest spin-off from Cern, the particle physics centre that created the web, the grid could also provide the kind of power needed to transmit holographic images; allow instant online gaming with hundreds of thousands of players; and offer high-definition video telephony for the price of a local call.
Just when I’m getting the hang of the internet, they’re going to change things on me? Hmmm….does this mean I’ll get to buy a new confuser, or whatever? 
A small earthquake awoke residents in south Texas, but there are no reported injuries.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the 3.7 magnitude quake happened shortly before 5 a.m. Monday about 45 miles southeast of San Antonio.
Hmmm…. maybe that means U of Memphis is gonna be shaking up San Antonio tonight?
Gwinnett to screen inmates for immigration violations
The 5 million dollar program approved by the county commission last week trains deputies to use U.S. Department of Homeland Security databases to look up inmate records. Deputies also will be trained to begin the deportation process for those in the country illegally.
The new program could begin as early as October. The plan is part of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement program to equip local authorities across the country with the ability to find illegal immigrants in their detention facilities.
Good idea! I’m wondering, why does it cost $5,000,000 to check the status though? Serious question.
Memphis Zoo successfully breeds endangered frog
Using in-vitro fertilization techniques learned while breeding Wyoming toads in 2004, the zoo has produced 93 Mississippi gopher tadpoles, a number nearly matching the 100 frogs still living in the wild.
“Now the Memphis Zoo is recognized as a leader in amphibian conservation. We are taking the lead in this kind of research,” said Dr. Andy Kouba, the zoo’s director of research and conservation. He noted that the Association of Zoos and Aquariums has named 2008 the year of the frog.
Ok, someone tell me why they are using funds to do in vitro for FROGS!
Jury selection begins in stabbing, beheading trial
Jury selection began this morning in the trial of a teen accused of stabbing and beheading a man for a thrill.
Jean Pierre Orlewicz, 18, of Plymouth, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the Nov. 7 slaying of Daniel Sorensen, 26, of River Rouge. His alleged cohort, Alexander Letkemann, 18, of Westland, is expected to be a key witness against him.
Letkemann agreed to a deal last week in which he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for dismissal of a first-degree murder charge. A first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory life prison sentence in Michigan.
Ya know, if I were that prosecutor, I wouldn’t have agreed to the deal. I’d have made him stand trial. If ever there was a case FOR the death penalty, this is one of them!
