Suspected Alabama gunman holed up with boy in bunker after school bus shooting - CBS News

Suspected Alabama gunman holed up with boy in bunker after school bus shooting - CBS News: "A gunman holed up in a bunker with a 6-year-old hostage kept law officers at bay Wednesday in an all-night, all-day standoff that began when he killed a school bus driver and dragged the boy away, authorities said.

SWAT teams took up positions around the gunman's rural property and police negotiators tried to win the kindergartener's safe release.

The gunman, reported to be a 65-year-old retired truck driver, was known around the neighborhood as a menacing figure who once beat a dog to death with a lead pipe, threatened to shoot children for setting foot on his property and patrolled his yard at night with a flashlight and a shotgun."

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Atlanta School Shooting Update: Armed officer working at middle school disarmed suspect, says chief - Crimesider - CBS News

Atlanta School Shooting Update: Armed officer working at middle school disarmed suspect, says chief - Crimesider - CBS News: "Atlanta's police chief says an armed officer working at a city middle school where a student was shot was able to disarm the suspect, also a student, moments after the shooting. "

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Texas prosecutor killed near courthouse, report says - Crimesider - CBS News

ASSASSINATED IN TEXAS!

Texas prosecutor killed near courthouse, report says - Crimesider - CBS News: "Authorities say a Texas assistant district attorney has been shot and killed near the Kaufman County courthouse where he worked.

The shooting occurred just before 9 a.m. Thursday outside a building across from the main Kaufman County courthouse. Authorities say two suspects in the shooting are being sought. No motive has been released."

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Phoenix Shooter on the Lam - The Daily Beast

Phoenix Shooter on the Lam - The Daily Beast: "As former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was testifying on Capitol Hill Wednesday about the urgent need for gun control, a man in her home state was killed in an office shooting spree.

Steven D. Singer, 48, was the CEO of Fusion Contact Centers, a Scottsdale company that provides its clients with technical support, billing, and other services. Singer, whose company is involved in litigation with a man police have identified as a “person of interest” in the shooting, had been attending a mediation session at a law firm within a Phoenix office compex"

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Boy, 14, accidentally kills his 15-year-old brother with mother's handgun during tragic sleepover | Mail Online

Boy, 14, accidentally kills his 15-year-old brother with mother's handgun during tragic sleepover | Mail Online: "A 14-year-old killed his older brother by accidentally shooting him at their home near McDonough, Georgia, police say.

The 15-year-old Henry County boy died after he was shot in the chest with a handgun during a sleepover.

Police sergeant Joey Smith said that officers responded to a call at the unnamed family's home shortly before 3 am Saturday."

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Nehemiah Griego: Albuquerque pastor's son 15, 'shoots family dead with assault rifle' | Mail Online

Nehemiah Griego: Albuquerque pastor's son 15, 'shoots family dead with assault rifle' | Mail Online: "Nehemiah Griego, 15, arrested and charged with shooting his relatives
Said after killing his parents and three younger siblings he 'reloaded the weapons and then planned to drive to a busy place and kill more people'
Sheriff's office identifies victims as former pastor Gregory Griego, 51, his wife Sara, 40, and their three youngest children Zephania, 9, Jael, 5, and Angelina, 2
Each victim was shot multiple times and police found multiple weapons at the Albuquerque scene including a military-style assault weapon"

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Obama ‘will not oppose’ House GOP plan to suspend debt limit until May - The Washington Post

Obama ‘will not oppose’ House GOP plan to suspend debt limit until May - The Washington Post: "House Republicans are advancing a novel plan to suspend enforcement of the federal debt limit through May 18, a move that would lift the threat of a government default and relieve the air of crisis that has surrounded their budget battle with President Obama."

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Virginia Senate Redistricting Bill Causes Uproar - Business Insider

Virginia Senate Redistricting Bill Causes Uproar - Business Insider: "On a party-line vote, Virginia state Senate Republicans passed a controversial redistricting measure that could give the party an easier path to control in 2015 elections, leaving Democrats furious at what they called a "dirty trick.""

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Las Vegas police in shock after lieutenant kills wife, son, self - U.S. News

Las Vegas police in shock after lieutenant kills wife, son, self - U.S. News: "Las Vegas police were searching for answers Tuesday after one of their own killed his wife and son, called 911 to confess, then set his house on fire and committed suicide as rifle-toting cops moved in.
"I can't think of a reason for this, where something can get so bad that you'd do this," one veteran supervisor told the Las Vegas Review-Journal after the Monday murder-suicide.
"

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How Obama Can Become Our Era’s Reagan - The Daily Beast

How Obama Can Become Our Era’s Reagan - The Daily Beast: "Barack Obama’s speech was elegantly pugnacious, a fine articulation of civic-republican liberalism and a very clear statement of a political agenda, with its specific mentions of climate change and inequality and other concerns. As others have noted, it was his most openly liberal speech as president, and it tells us what he aiming for in term two. He wants to do for liberalism (without using the word of course; we’re still not at that point yet) what Ronald Reagan did for conservatism. And he can—but only if he understands and acts on the differences between his situation and Reagan’s, and not their similarities."

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Sarah Palin On Fox News: Our Favorite Moments (VIDEO)

Sarah Palin On Fox News: Our Favorite Moments (VIDEO): "After a $1 million-a-year stint with the network, Palin will not be renewing her contract. Palin's odd take may have caused more harm than good at times, but there's no doubt they were entertaining. Here are some of HuffPost's favorite Palin moments from her time on Fox News."

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Penalty could keep smokers out of health overhaul | BenefitsPro

Penalty could keep smokers out of health overhaul | BenefitsPro: "For a 55-year-old smoker, the penalty could reach nearly $4,250 a year. A 60-year-old could wind up paying nearly $5,100 on top of premiums.

Younger smokers could be charged lower penalties under rules proposed last fall by the Obama administration. But older smokers could face a heavy hit on their household budgets at a time in life when smoking-related illnesses tend to emerge."

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Scott Walker: Electoral Vote Proportional Allocation An 'Interesting' Idea

Scott Walker: Electoral Vote Proportional Allocation An 'Interesting' Idea: "Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) did not rule out allocating the state's electoral votes proportionally Saturday.

"It's an interesting idea," he told a Newsmax interviewer at the National Review Institute Summit in Washington after speaking at a lunch. "I haven't committed one way or the other to it. For me, and I think any other state considering this, you should really look at not just the short-term but the long-term implications. Is it better or worse for the electorate?"

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Republicans' Electoral College Plan In Michigan - Business Insider

Republicans' Electoral College Plan In Michigan - Business Insider: ""It got no traction last year. There were people convinced Romney was going to win and this might take (electoral) votes from him."
In other words, as Kevin Drum observes, the interest in this measure is relating to helping Republicans, not actually improving democracy!
Later in the story, he attempted to explain why he thinks it would make each vote more important:
"Right now, in most states it's like the vote doesn't even matter to presidential candidates," Lund said. "If we do this, all of Michigan won't necessarily be in play, but maybe some of it will.""

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Feds investigate how suspected white supremacist -- a felon -- obtained arsenal - Open Channel

Feds investigate how suspected white supremacist -- a felon -- obtained arsenal - Open Channel: "The storehouse of weapons was discovered late last  month when FBI agents arrested Richard Schmidt,  47, the owner of a Bowling Green sporting goods store called Spindletop Sports Zone,  on charges of  marketing counterfeit goods -- such as football jerseys with NFL logos -- from China."

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White Supremacist Pleads Guilty To Torching Home Of Black Neighbors « CBS Chicago

Supremacist Pleads Guilty To Torching Home Of Black Neighbors « CBS Chicago: "A white supremacist pleaded guilty Friday to burning down his black neighbors’ home in 2007.

Brian James Moudry, 36, of the 300 block of South Reed Street in Joliet, pleaded guilty to using fire to interfere with the housing rights on the basis of race, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s office. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison."

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Anti-Defamation League: Stop using Nazi analogies in gun debate - POLITICO.com

Anti-Defamation League: Stop using Nazi analogies in gun debate - POLITICO.com: "The Anti-Defamation League is calling on critics of gun control legislation to stop using references to Hitler and the Nazis, calling such statements “historically inaccurate and offensive,” especially to Holocaust survivors and their families.

The ADL cites the following examples in a new press release:"

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Anti-Defamation League: Stop using Nazi analogies in gun debate - POLITICO.com

Anti-Defamation League: Stop using Nazi analogies in gun debate - POLITICO.com: "The Anti-Defamation League is calling on critics of gun control legislation to stop using references to Hitler and the Nazis, calling such statements “historically inaccurate and offensive,” especially to Holocaust survivors and their families.

The ADL cites the following examples in a new press release:"

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Nightly News: Teaching his girlfriend to read again

Very neat story.

Nightly News: Teaching his girlfriend to read again:

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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Panetta Approves Women Combat Roles - Business Insider

Panetta Approves Women Combat Roles - Business Insider: "The debate over women in combat is over.
The Associated Press reports that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has officially removed restrictions barring women from serving in ground combat elements, "opening thousands of positions.""

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Panetta Approves Women Combat Roles - Business Insider

Panetta Approves Women Combat Roles - Business Insider: "The debate over women in combat is over.
The Associated Press reports that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has officially removed restrictions barring women from serving in ground combat elements, "opening thousands of positions.""

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Website defending 1-star in sex case goes live - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Wow!  It's about time.  The Technology and Battlespace allows for the warrior to be any gender!

Website defending 1-star in sex case goes live - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times: "Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair, the Fort Bragg, N.C., senior officer recalled from Afghanistan to face sexual assault and other charges, has created a website to argue his innocence and counter what he claims is an Army PR campaign to malign — and convict — him."

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These type of “assault...

These type of “assault...: "These type of “assault cats” take lives, we need to do our best to banned dangerous weapons like these.

"

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CNN Wins Inauguration Ratings For Cable News; Fox News Comes In Last

This is obvious!  Of course FOX watchers aren't going to watch.  Viewing it only reinforces a bad outcome from the election!

Nothing to see here.
CNN Wins Inauguration Ratings For Cable News; Fox News Comes In Last: "CNN was the top-rated cable news network during President Obama's inauguration on Monday.

The network came in first place during the oath and inaugural address (11:45am -12:15pm) among total viewers, drawing 3.136 million viewers in all. MSNBC came in second with 2.273 million total viewers, while Fox News had 1.316 million total viewers."

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The Club for Growth Won't Oppose the House GOP's Watered-Down Debt Limit Hike

Not score it, Really?

The Club for Growth Won't Oppose the House GOP's Watered-Down Debt Limit Hike: "The Club for Growth, the campaign group most feared by Republicans, is giving them a pass if they vote for the debt limit increase tomorrow. In a statement, Club President Chris Chocola absolves members if they support the compromise, hammered out among Republicans during their retreat, that cuts no spending and only threatens to withhold pay if senators don't pass a budget."

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Obama's Executive Actions On Gun Control - Business Insider

Obama's Executive Actions On Gun Control - Business Insider: "From a White House factsheet, via The NYT, here are the 23 "executive actions" that Obama will take to reduce gun violence.
For full coverage of Obama's announcement today, see here.
There's very little in this part that will be too big or controversial. It's very small bore regulatory stuff.
For the full list of legal proposals, see here."

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Stocks Hit a Five-Year High; Pimco Hails Abnormality - Businessweek

Stocks Hit a Five-Year High; Pimco Hails Abnormality - Businessweek: "Pimco co-Chief Executive Officer Mohamed El-Erian is almost ready to call an end to the New Normal.

I am constantly in awe of Pimco, the sovereign-like bond manager that runs the huge and prolific Total Return Fund, the world’s largest mutual fund. Part of the allure is that Bill Gross and El-Erian steer this nearly $300 billion supertanker out of a nondescript office building in the parking lot of one of California’s largest malls. But I struggle with whether Pimco’s oft-quoted New Normal prophecy of 2009 was ultimately more right or wrong."

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Albuquerque Shooting: Teenager Kills 5 People, Including 3 Children

Albuquerque Shooting: Teenager Kills 5 People, Including 3 Children: " A 15-year-old boy remained in custody Sunday night as detectives tried to piece together what led to the shooting of his parents and three of their children who were found dead in a New Mexico home.

The teenager was arrested on murder and other charges in connection with the shootings, which happened Saturday night at the home in a rural area southwest of downtown Albuquerque, said Lt. Sid Covington, a Bernalillo County sheriff's spokesman."

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Obama's car gets 'taxation without representation' plates - POLITICO.com

VERY COOL!

Obama's car gets 'taxation without representation' plates - POLITICO.com:

President Obama's car got new license plates Saturday in a show of support for the District of Columbia's efforts to get greater recognition from the federal government.

Obama's black SUV sported "taxation without representation" plates as he headed to a District school for a community service project. Three cars in his motorcade now with the new plates already had D.C. plates, but they read "washingtondc.gov" instead of sporting the motto.

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This Is How The Gun Industry Funds The NRA - Business Insider

This Is How The Gun Industry Funds The NRA - Business Insider: "One of the most interesting aspects of all is how an association for sportsmen became the prime defenders of assault weaponry.
In its early days, the National Rifle Association was a grassroots social club that prided itself on independence from corporate influence.
While that is still part of the organization's core function, today less than half of the NRA's revenues come from program fees and membership dues."

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NOAA: 2012 Hottest & 2nd-Most Extreme Year On Record | Climate Central

NOAA: 2012 Hottest & 2nd-Most Extreme Year On Record | Climate Central: "It’s official: 2012 was the warmest year on record in the lower 48 states, as the country experienced blistering spring and summer heat, tinderbox fire weather conditions amid a widespread drought, and one of the worst storms to ever strike the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2012 had an average temperature of 55.3°F, which eclipsed 1998, the previous record holder, by 1°F. That was just off Climate Central’s calculation in mid-December, which projected an expected value of 55.34°F, based on historical data. "

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Police: Four women found dead in Tulsa, Okla., apartment - U.S. News

Police: Four women found dead in Tulsa, Okla., apartment - U.S. News: "Updated at 4:45 p.m. ET: Officials in Oklahoma said four people were found shot dead at a Tulsa apartment on Monday.
Police responded to the scene in the south part of Tulsa at around 12:30 p.m. local time, where four women were found dead inside the Fairmont Terrace apartments, NBC station KJRH reported."

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Health Care Spending Growth Is Slow For Third Straight Year: Report

Health Care Spending Growth Is Slow For Third Straight Year: Report: "U.S. health care spending rose at the lowest rates in more than half a century between 2009 and 2011, according to a report issued by federal auditors Monday.

The federal government, state governments, businesses and households combined to spend $2.7 trillion in 2011, an increase of 3.9 percent over 2010. The increase is the same rate at which health care spending grew in 2009 and 2010, according to the report, which was authored by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' nonpartisan Office of the Actuary and published in the journal Health Affairs. Health care spending made up 17.9 percent of gross domestic product in 2011, the same as during 2010. Economic growth and health care spending grew at about the same rate, the report says."

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Map: Where are the gun permits in your neighborhood? | The Journal News | LoHud.com | lohud.com

Map: Where are the gun permits in your neighborhood? | The Journal News | LoHud.com | lohud.com: "These maps indicate the addresses of all pistol permit holders in Westchester and Rockland counties. Each dot represents an individual permit holder licensed to own a handgun — a pistol or revolver. The data does not include owners of long guns — rifles or shotguns — which can be purchased without a permit. Being included in this map does not mean the individual at a specific location owns a weapon, just that they are licensed to do so."

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Fiat 500e electric vehicle's mileage rated at 116 MPG-equivalent: Scientific American

Fiat 500e electric vehicle's mileage rated at 116 MPG-equivalent: Scientific American: "The electric-powered version of the subcompact Fiat 500 will go on sale in California in the second quarter of this year, said Chrysler spokesman Eric Mayne. Fiat has 25 dealerships, which it calls Fiat Studios, in California.

Miles per gallon equivalent, or MPGe, is a rating devised by the EPA to illustrate how a vehicle compares with a gasoline-powered one. It measures how many miles an electric vehicles can travel on a quantity of battery-generated electricity that has the same energy content as a gallon of gasoline.

The EPA said the 500e will get 122 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) and 108 MPGe in highway driving. The highway driving figure is the best among EVs."

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The Republican Party Is Self-Destructing Before Our Eyes - Business Insider

The Republican Party Is Self-Destructing Before Our Eyes - Business Insider: "THE collapse of John Boehner's "Plan B" reveals the Republican Party to be in a politically disastrous position"

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Always positive–Drudge!

What does the DR do when there is nothing negative to link to?  Get stories from Australia or the UK!

Warren Buffett MidAmerican Solar Project - Business Insider

Warren Buffett MidAmerican Solar Project - Business Insider: "The Antelope Valley Solar projects, which are actually two adjacent arrays in Kern and Los Angeles counties, will comprise the largest solar project in the world, according to the company's release, serving close to 1 million residents."

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Rubio Warns Against International Internet Regulation

Rubio Warns Against International Internet Regulation:

As the International Telecom Union is set to meet, the Florida Republican encourages Americans to protest attempts to regulate the Internet. “Tell the ITU and enemies of freedom to keep the Internet open and keep the Internet free.”
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