Sep
3
Before she was offered the job of GOP running mate on the deck of John McCain’s home, the Alaska governor was told that nothing could prepare her for the harsh spotlight of a presidential campaign. The self-styled “hockey mom” told McCain’s team she could take it.
And that’s what she’s had to do.
It turns out her record as an independent-minded government reformer is not free of blemishes, and every one that’s found is being magnified for public view. Just since Friday, it’s come to light that:
_A private attorney is authorized to spend $95,000 of state money to defend her against accusations of abuse of power.
_Palin sought pork-barrel projects for her city and state, contrary to her reformist image.
_Her husband once belonged to a fringe political group in Alaska, with some members supporting secession from the United States.
_She has acknowledged smoking marijuana in the past.
And of course, her 17-year-old daughter’s pregnancy. Bristol Palin’s boyfriend, Levi Johnston, 18, plans to join Palin’s family at the GOP convention, the boy’s mother said. The young couple’s presence could set off a media frenzy.
After four days of taking it, Palin dishes it out Wednesday with a televised speech at the Republican National Convention. In addition to accepting the nomination, the first woman to do so for the GOP, Palin will tell her story: small-town mayor with a taste for mooseburgers; the wife of a blue-collar North Slope oil worker; and the mother of five, including one born this spring with Down syndrome.
Defending his choice and the team that helped pick her, McCain said Tuesday that “the vetting process was completely thorough.” Campaign advisers at the convention said Palin filled out a survey with 70 tough questions, including: Have you ever paid for sex? Have you been faithful in your marriage? Have you ever used or purchased drugs? Have you ever downloaded pornography?
McCain’s aides rejected suggestions from Democrats that her selection was a hurried, last-minute attempt to shake up the campaign and wrest female voters from Barack Obama. They insisted Palin was a finalist from the start.
But one senior Republican familiar with the search, who requested anonymity because McCain did not authorize the conversation, said Palin had virtually fallen from the radar. Only late in the summer, when McCain asked for more alternatives, was she made a finalist.
As conservatives closed ranks behind their like-minded foe of abortion, former presidential candidate Fred Thompson used his prime-time address to defend Palin on Tuesday.
“Some Washington pundits and media big shots are in a frenzy over the selection of a woman who has actually governed rather than just talked a good game on the Sunday talk shows and hit the Washington cocktail circuit,” Thompson said.
When she was introduced as McCain’s running mate last week, Palin portrayed herself as a political maverick in McCain’s mold: “I’ve stood up to the old politics as usual, to the special interests, to the lobbyists, the big oil companies and the good old boy network,” she said.
But Alaska’s first female governor has at times benefited from Alaska’s entrenched political system.
For one thing, Palin accepted at least $4,500 in campaign contributions in the same fundraising scheme at the center of a public corruption scandal that led to the indictment of Sen. Ted Stevens.
The contributions, made during Palin’s failed 2002 bid to become Alaska’s lieutenant governor, were not illegal for her to accept. But they show how Palin, who has bucked Stevens and his allies, is nonetheless beholden to Alaska’s old guard.
The $4,500 came from executives at VECO Corp., a powerful Alaska oil field services company. Company founder Bill Allen has admitted the company steered its donations through a “special bonus program” in which executives received money and the company instructed them to donate it to favored politicians.
Allen pleaded guilty to bribery and corruption charges. He admitted the program violated federal tax laws and said it was used to keep his political allies flush with cash.
Steve Schmidt, senior adviser to the McCain campaign, dismissed the idea that a few campaign contributions years ago diminished Palin’s record as a reformer. “Gov. Palin’s record fighting corruption and taking on these issues in Alaska speaks for itself,” he said Tuesday.
Indeed, Palin has had her share of run-ins with Stevens, including a dustup earlier this year in which Stevens accused Palin of not being enthusiastic enough about his efforts to bring federal earmark money to Alaska. She has also called on Stevens’ son, Ben, to resign as national committeeman for the state party.
She was among the first Alaska Republicans to urge Stevens to answer questions about the FBI investigation.
Sep
1
Students pitch in with sandbagging as Gustav nears
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BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (CNN) — It was dark and hot and everyone was bone tired on Sunday night in Baton Rouge. But they still came, many in truck after truck, to a parking lot on the edge of the edge of the city, all armed with shovels.
Dwayne Nickles, center, loads sandbags into the trunk of his car with Harsha Dissanayake, left.
“Sandbagging — gotta do it,” said Dwayne Nickles, his T-shirt soaked through, grunting as he dug into a massive pile of sand left for those who needed to guard their homes against potential Hurricane Gustav flooding.
Squatting next to Nickles, Louisiana State University student Harsha Dissanayake had too much energy for someone who had spent much of the day at the school medical school helping officials take care of patients.
The 20-year-old moved 10 days ago from Sri Lanka to Baton Rouge, the state capital about 80 miles northwest of New Orleans. When he heard of the impending hurricane, he thought about the miserable experience his country endured during the 2004 tsunami.
“Southern hospitality is real,” he said. “People are so, so nice to me, and they ask me, ‘Did you lose your relatives? What was it like during the tsunami?’ and I feel like they really care. iReport.com: How did you prepare for Gustav?
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“I knew I had to volunteer and do my part to help,” he said.
Dissanayake was, in part, also helping his friend Kenneth De Abrew, also an LSU student. De Abrew had a remarkably cheerful disposition considering he lives on a first floor apartment complex that often floods. See and hear De Abrew talk about his hurricane plans »
“You just have to be ready for it,” he said, laughing. “It’s nature. Actually, it’s kind of exciting!”
He heaved a few bags toward their pile and paused, surveying the dozen sweating people working hard to dig, stuff and seal bags.
“Sandbags actually remind me of bad stuff,” De Abrew said. “They use them in wars to make bunkers.”
Source
Aug
22
The Russian President Dmitry Medvedev held talks with Syrian counterpart Bashar Al-Assad at Russia’s black sea coast of Sochi.
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The two sides discussed Middle East peace moves, including recent indirect talks between Syria and Israel, as well as issues of bilateral interest. Talking to reporters, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov announced that Moscow was ready to sell new weapons to Syria. He said arms sales would not change the strategic balance in the Middle East. Moscow and Damascus are reportedly preparing deals on anti-aircraft and anti-tank missile systems, as well as surface-to-surface islander missiles.
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Aug
20
Stocks end with clipped gain of 200 points
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Stocks came in for an active follow-up support on selected counters on Tuesday but late profit-selling allowed them to close with clipped gains amid fears about the smooth functioning of the coalition as leading partners differ on some other crucial issues.
The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) 100-share index ended with a clipped gain of 200 points at 10,919.06.
The post-Musharraf buying euphoria was, however, maintained though on a slow pitch as investors continued to build-up long positions on oil and banking sectors on the perception of political stability in future and the relative strength of the rupee against the US dollar.
The immediate positive reaction to the president’s exit may well be had from the fact that sanity prevailed on the financial and the stock markets and a sizable section of investors was back and resumed normal trading activity.
“The strong recovery in the value of the rupee may prove short-lived,” said a leading analyst, adding: “the massive fiscal deficit can again erode its value.”
Instances of foreign buying on selected oil and banking counters were not wanting as was reflected in an increase in the SCRA balances but some analysts said the current rescue operation is essentially based on local equity market support fund managed by the NIT and some leading punters.
After breaching through the barrier of 11,000 points at 11,054.65, the KSE 100-share index later reacted to close with a clipped gain of 199.44 points or 1.86 per cent at 10,919.06.
The leading base shares, notably OGDC, MCB Bank, National Bank, Pakistan Petroleum and Pakistan Oilfields again came in for strong support and rose sharply higher.
A section of leading analysts still doubt about the smooth working of the coalition government as leading among them have different views on another crucial issue after the exit of president Musharraf, the restoration of the sacked judges.
But some others hope their future actions would be based on the wisdom as any other adventure would hurt the already weak economy beyond corrective steps.
Shell Pakistan again dominated the trading, up by another Rs22.11 for the third straight session followed by JS & Co, higher by Rs18.70.
Other leading gainers were led by Adamjee Insurance, MCB Bank, JS Global, EFU Life, Attock Petroleum, PSO, HinoPak Motors, Engro Chemical and Unilever Pakistan, up by Rs10.21 to Rs18.
Pakistan Engineering and Lakson Tobacco were off by Rs19.80 and Rs18.43, respectively, followed by Habib Bank, Javedan Cement, Mitchell’s Fruits, Murree Brewery, New Jubilee Insurance and Sapphire Fibres, up by Rs4.26 to Rs11.99.
Trading volume rose further to 211m shares from the previous 159m shares as gainers held a lead over losers at 165 to 138, with 12 shares holding on to the last levels.
OGDC topped the list of actives, higher by Rs4.77 at Rs123.45 on 22m shares followed by National Bank, firm by Rs1.97 at Rs126.50 on 18m shares, Arif Habib Securities, higher by Rs4.33 at Rs126.70 on 11m shares, Bank Al Falah, lower by 65 paisa at Rs40.65 on 6m shares, Pakistan Petroleum, up Rs5.37 at Rs237 on 6m shares Pakistan Oilfields, higher by Rs14.12 at Rs296.69 on 5m shares and Lucky Cement, firm by Rs2.04 at Rs75.80 also on 5m shares.
Other actives were led by Zeal Pak Cement, easy by 53 paisa at Rs1.56 on 22m shares, followed by NIB Bank, up 20 paisa at Rs10.44 on 16m shares and TRG Pakistan, lower by 18 paisa at Rs4.87 on 5m shares.
FORWARD COUNTER: OGDC led the list of actives on this counter, up by Rs4.59 at Rs12.45 on 4m shares, followed by National Bank, higher by Rs1.80 at Rs126.75 also on 3m shares NIB Bank, steady by 28 paisa at Rs10.52 on 3m shares.
MCB Bank followed them, sharply higher by Rs14.87 at Rs316.90 on 2m shares and Arif Habib Securities, Rs4.41 at Rs127.01 also on 2m shares.
DEFAULTER COs: Norrie Textiles came in for active selling at the overnight higher levels and was marked down by 10 paisa at Rs1.75 on 1.221m shares followed by Japan Power, off one rupee at Rs5.95 on 0.335m shares. Others were traded modestly amid two-way price movements.
DIVIDEND: Indus Motors, final cash 65 per cent, interim 40 per cent already paid, Shabbir Tiles, cash 20 per cent, bonus share of an identical amount, JS Global, cash final 50 per cent, bonus shares 39.999 per cent, JS & Co, interim, bonus shares, 243.778 per cent, Atlas Fund of Funds, 7.5 per cent, Pakistan International Containers Terminal, cash 30 per cent on ordinary shares and 10 per cent on preference shares and Javedan Cement nil.
Source
Aug
20
Tropical storm Fay sloshed through central Florida with severe winds and drenching rains.
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Millions from Miami to Saint Petersburg kept indoors as the storm knocked power out to thousands of people. The tornado damaged several homes causing some injured. All of Florida was under a state of emergency, although surfers braved the elements to ride the storm-driven swells. Source
Aug
18
The federal government is to provide one hundred lion rupees besides fifty trucks loaded withre lief goods for internally displaced people of Bajaur Agency.
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Meanwhile, the NWFP government has established sixteen camps in different parts for internally displaced people of Bajaur Agency. According to Fata secretariat nearly two hundred forty-eight thousand people have been displaced due to ongoing operation against the miscreants in Bajaur agency so far. Nearly sixty thousand displaced people have been accommodated in these camps.
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Aug
15
Foreign minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi says the decision regarding impeachment of President Musharraf was taken in consultation with all coalition partners.
Filed Under National News, News | Leave a Comment
Talking to newsmen in Multan he said that after successful resolutions in Punjab, Sindh and NWFP assemblies, the Balochistan Assembly would also adopt a resolution in support of impeachment of the president.
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Aug
9
Russian forces are locked in fierce clashes with Georgia in its breakaway south Ossetia region.
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Russia sent armored units across the border after Georgia moved against Moscow-backed separatists. Russia says twelve of its soldiers were killed and separatists estimate that 1400 civilians have died in the fighting. Russian tanks have reportedly reached the northern suburbs of the regional capital Tskhinvali. Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili has said that Russia is at war with his country. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said he had to act to defend South Ossetia’s civilians most of whom had been given Russian citizenship. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has failed to agree on a statement on the crisis despite holding a second session of talks. The U.S secretary of state Condoleezza Rice has urged Russia to pull its troops out of Georgia and respect its territorial integrity. Source
Aug
9
Eating Out With Food Allergies
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Families of children in on food allergies get remarkably nervous approximately dining out. For guaranteed people, unsanitary or disorderly kitchens may be not recently be cringe-worthy, but downright dangerous. 
Brandon Brigner is with a large number of children who experience drastic food allergies as citizens demand for stepped up restaurant safety efforts.(ABC News/Courtesy of the Brignor family )
Earlier the present summer, Sharon Brigner’s son Brandon was one of different children who had an frightfully conclusion call. On June 11 at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in northern Virginia, Brigner imparted upon ABCNews.com the current her son had a sizeable allergic reaction to egg in the wake of eating most mozzarella sticks this unknowingly contained the food he was allergic to.
Brigner argued the present week too the reaction occurred in spite of her son’s nanny requested the manager of the kid-friendly restaurant twice whether the food contained egg, and making reassured by the manager the current it did not.
The allergic reaction right out closed Brandon’s throat and sent him to the hospital at which he made a maximum dose of epinephrine to recover. Brigner stated the doctor imparted upon her too if a reaction so considerable crops up again, it should result in death.
“He said, ‘I’ve exhausted my arsenal of medicines. I do not can make out how else to do,’” Brigner recalled. “Those are scary idioms for me to hear as an ER nurse and a mom.”
Brandon has came up with a steady physical recovery but might be so livid by his finishing use overly he anxiously watches his mom prepare food.
Aug
6
Vote for Paris! Hilton ‘enters’ election race with spoof ad
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LOS ANGELES, Aug 5, 2008 (AFP) - Paris Hilton threw her hat into the US presidential race, declaring her desire to campaign against “that wrinkly white-haired guy” and vowing to paint the White House pink if elected.
The blond socialite responded to Republican candidate John McCain’s controversial use of her image in a campaign television spot last week with a spoof ad posted on the website Funnyordie.com.
In the ad, the 27-year-old appears reclining on a sun lounger beside a swimming pool, dressed only in a skimpy leopard-print bathing costume.
“Hey America, I’m Paris Hilton and I’m a celebrity too,” Hilton declares breezily. “Only I’m not from the olden days and I’m not promising change like that other guy. I’m just hot!
“But then that wrinkly white-haired guy used me in his campaign ad, which I guess means I’m running for president. So thanks for the endorsement white-haired dude, and I want America to know I’m, like, totally ready to lead.”
Hilton then offers an alternative US energy strategy, suggesting that she plans to combine elements from McCain and Democratic rival Barack Obama’s policy platforms.
“We can do limited offshore drilling with strict environmental oversight while creating tax incentives to get Detroit making hybrid and electric cars. … Energy crisis solved, I’ll see you at the debates, bitches!”
Hilton then signs off by declaring that she is now mulling her choices for vice president. “I’m thinking Rihanna,” she said, referring to the singer-songwriter.
“I’ll see you at the White House,” Hilton adds. “Oh, and I might paint it pink. Bye!”
Last week’s McCain ad was condemned by Hilton’s mother Kathy, who called it as a waste of money and time on Sunday.
The ad, entitled “Celeb,” flashes pictures of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, along with images of the 200,000 people who flocked to Berlin to see Obama the previous week. “He’s the biggest celebrity in the world. But is he ready to lead?” the narrator asks.
In Hilton’s spoof campaign commercial, a gravel-voiced narrator takes aim at McCain, asking: “He’s the oldest celebrity in the world. Like, super old. Old enough to remember when dancing was a sin, and beer was served in a bucket. But is he ready to lead?”
The brains behind Hilton’s advert were Funnyordie.com contributors Adam McKay and Chris Henchy, who pitched the idea of filming the spot to Hilton.
“She got it that the McCain thing was a low blow,” McKay told AFP. “And she felt she didn’t want to return it with angry fire, and that this was the best way to respond. It’s a playful jab.”
Henchy and McKay both believe Hilton is more intelligent than her tabloid persona lets on.
“She’s a lot smarter than people give her credit for,” Henchy said.
McKay meanwhile said the McCain campaign’s “Celeb” ad was evidence of efforts to dumb down the election campaign.
“You can tell our country has its eyes on the prize when Paris Hilton is getting into one of the most important presidential election campaigns in years,” McKay said.
“I just think McCain is appealing to the lowest, basest parts of people in this country. … It’s cheap stuff.
“For this guy to be putting out campaign ads with Paris Hilton and Britney Spears is just absolutely ludicrous and insulting to voters.”
Meanwhile, the McCain campaign, revealing that it had received an “extraordinary number” of requests for a response to Hilton’s ad, said it was impressed by the socialite’s energy policy.
“Paris Hilton might not be as big a celebrity as Barack Obama, but she obviously has a better energy plan,” McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said
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