What legal procedure puts a decision by the Supreme Court ahead of the Appellate Court? "Statute Opps?"

Or is this one of those, "Likely to win at the Supreme Court?"
Tribune wire report

1:37 p.m. CST, January 6, 2014

...Gay couples in Utah (click here) were thrown into legal limbo Monday as the U.S. Supreme Court put a halt to same-sex marriages in the state, turning jubilation to doubt just weeks after a judge's ruling sent more than a thousand couples rushing to get married.

The justices did not rule on the merits of the case or on same-sex marriage bans in general, leaving both sides confident they'll ultimately win. The decision stays in effect while the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals considers the long-term question of whether gay couples have a right to wed in Utah.

For those couples who just got married — or were planning their nuptials — the latest twist in the legal battle clouds what was seen as a cause for celebration.

"It feels like we are second-class citizens during the stay," said Moudi Sbeity, who is waiting to get married until the legal process plays out. "There's also the fear of the unknown of what might come next."

Sbeity and partner Derek Kitchen are among three couples who brought the Utah lawsuit that led to the surprise Dec. 20 ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby, who said the state's ban on same-sex marriage violated gay and lesbian couples' constitutional rights....

State officials praised Monday's decision to put a hold on things, saying it should have come earlier. Two previous courts turned down their request for a stay.

That is a drone? That is a missle drone. Drones take off on wheels.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation INCLUDES drones, too.

Published time: January 06, 2014 17:11

A US Navy battleship (click here) suffered $30 million in damages after a drone accidentally crashed into it during a military exercise and injured two sailors.

The incident occurred last November near Point Mugu, California, but the website USNI just recently reported the Navy will need about six months to fully repair the USS Chancellorsville.

According to the original Navy Times report on the accident, a malfunctioning Northrop Grumman BQM-74 crashed into the port side of the Chancellorsville during a training exercise that involved a routine radar test. The ship “was heavily damaged by the impact of a test target,” while the 13-foot drone itself “crippled a key computer center integral to the ship's cutting-edge combat systems.”

The Chancellorsville had about 300 crewmen onboard at the time of the collision. Two were treated for minor burns, though the Navy did not say how the individuals were injured. Sailors had only a four-second warning once drone operators realized they lost control over the BQM-74.

“There was just a breakdown in communications … and the ship had no time to react,” an unnamed crewman told the Navy Times....

Oh, what joy, the USA Navy doesn't have control over their Missile Drones right there off the coast of the USA. 

The US EPA needs to investigate a claim by a citizen there is 500 times acceptable radiation rates on a California Beach and disputed by the state government.

Published time: January 06, 2014 17:22

...The Half Moon Bay Review reported on Friday that government officials conducted tests along California’s Pacific Coast after word of the video began to spread online, but found no indication that radiation levels had reached a hazardous point.

“It’s not something that we feel is an immediate public health concern,” Dean Peterson, the county environmental health director, told the Review. “We’re not even close to the point of saying that any of this is from Fukushima.”...

That is correct. It is not an immediate danger, but, in 20 years time the cancer victims can sue the State of California.

Here is something about the Iraq Government no one will hear from the USA media or the Neocons.

The Iraqi Government in Baghdad may be the enemy after all.

A protester stands next to the wreckage of a police vehicle in Ramadi on December 30, 2013.

January 4, 2014

(Baghdad) – Iraqi authorities (click here) should immediately order a transparent and impartial investigation into violence between security forces and antigovernment protesters in the western city of Ramadi. The fighting on December 30, 2013, left 17 people dead.

The investigation should also look into the apparently related killings of the brother and five bodyguards of a member of parliament, Ahmed al-Alwany, during his arrest on December 28.  The authorities should ensure that all those responsible for unlawful killings and other misuse of force are brought to justice....

Why would an illegal and immoral war actually result in a benevolent government?

The USA is completely wrong in supporting the Baghdad government. The Baghdad government was placed there by nation building. That is the same old world strategy to PROTECT AMERICAN INTERESTS. The reason there is an Arab Spring is because of this EXACT strategy.

...In the early hours of December 30, hundreds of security force personnel descended on the Ramadi protest camp, where 300 to 400 Sunnis were protesting Iraq’s Shia-led government’s alleged use of abusive counterterrorism measures. Two witnesses told Human Rights Watch that at around 6:30 a.m., army and special police (SWAT) forces with at least 30 Humvee military vehicles, 20 pickup trucks, and 18 armored vehicles surrounded the Ezz and Karama square.

Witness accounts differ as to who began the shooting, but an exchange of fire between the security forces and armed tribesmen outside the square resulted in six deaths and ten wounded....

Those are not Iraqi Humvees. They didn't discover the method to manufacture them. They bought them OR more the truth given them by the USA Military Industrial Complex with the USA paying the freight.  The USA is providing a Shi'ite based Baghdad leader with weapons to use against Sunnis. That is a pure and unadulterated ethnic war.

If John Kerry wants to back an ethnic war then he needs to realize their is a world court waiting for him!

Cruelty is not an answer to any American problem.

Republicans are bullies and call Americans names and victimize them as an enemy of the government. That is not governing. That isn't even politics. It is rude!

To unemployment they say, "Gee that is too bad."

To health care they say, "Gee that is too bad."

To the working Poor, I'll quote "W", "You work three jobs? … Uniquely American, isn't it? I mean, that is fantastic that you're doing that." —to a divorced mother of three, Omaha, Nebraska, Feb. 4, 2005.

To hunger they say, "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."

Their policy is dictated by theology? What ever happened to Luke 3:11? "If you have two coats, give one away," he said. "Do the same with your food."

Congratulations to Ms. Janet Yellen. I am very happy for her.

Jacquelyn Martin, File/Associated Press - FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2013 file photo, Janet Yellen, of California, smiles as she is introduced as being the first female to be nominated as Federal Reserve Board chair, prior to testifying on Capitol Hill in Washington. Yellen was approved by the Senate on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, as the first woman to head the Federal Reserve in its 100-year history.

By Associated Press
Monday, January 6, 2014

WASHINGTON — The Senate (click here) confirmed Janet Yellen on Monday as the first woman to lead the Federal Reserve, elevating an advocate of fighting unemployment and a backer of the central bank’s efforts to spur the economy with low interest rates and massive bond purchases.

Yellen, 67, will replace Ben Bernanke, who is stepping down after serving as chairman for eight years dominated by the Great Recession and the Fed’s efforts to combat it....

We are at a very turbulent time in history. The USA is upside down. It has enormous amount of people in poverty and a large class of people called "The Working Poor." In response to dangerous trends with health care insurance we have new laws that seek out those uninsured to be sure they are covered and to prevent harsh and dangerous policies of the insurance industry. There is a large American debt and the global currencies are basically unstable. Then there is that 'no nation' currency called "Bitcoin" which brings an entirely new potential to further instability of global currency.

Where is the wisdom in allowing so many people to be poorly paid, in poverty and trusting a currency without a sovereign nation attached to it? There are many problems facing nations globally. Chairwoman Yellin has a full plate when she enters her office on her first day.

January 6, 2014

...Zynga (click here) is among the first widely known companies to accept Bitcoin, which has yet to become a viable form of payment with major retailers such as Amazon.com....

Zynga Inc

NASDAQ: ZNGA - Jan 6 6:10 PM ET

4.04+0.07 (1.76%)

After Hours: 4.05

All Republicans do is rant on and on without substance to their arguments.

By Jennifer Rubin 
January 6, 2014 

...If you recall he previously (click here) said that extending unemployment benefits would be a “disservice“ to the unemployed. You can debate that proposition (Does the availability of minimal benefits cause people to slow down their job search?), but it ostensibly was based on the desire to attend to the needs of the jobless. But no more of that, Rand Paul now says. It’s simply a matter of money — taxpayer money. He’s decided that if we “pay for it” (i.e. cut elsewhere) we can extend the benefits. Won’t the jobless then be disserved — or was his previous opposition based on phony sentiments about what is good for the poor?

If he is really concerned about the cost of unemployment benefits (about $25 billion for three months), then he’s fighting over nickels in the couch. The debt is over $17 trillion. (This is akin to his obsession over foreign aid spending, which is about 1 percent of federal spending.) It is hard to know whether Rand Paul is an opportunist, uniformed or both....

Senator Paul and Rubio need to introduce policy based in FACT and not simply steam. Where are the studies that PROVE the unemployed in the year 2014 are lazy and willing to slow down job seeking to opt for receiving a government check? Where is the study saying that?

Senator Rubio wants a war on poverty. Fine. Based on what? Where are the studies he is calling to construct policies that will reduce income inequality.

It is typical of Republicans and not just Paul and Rubio to make grandstanding statements without any substance. Americans aren't listening to 'mottos' anymore. There is too much on the line; the future of the Middle Class, the American Economy, the American Dream and the ability to enjoy sunset years. Where are the plans based in solid research and 'known to work' facts to carry out a PROGRAM to end poverty or return all Americans back to work and regain their integrity? No one is listening to the empty ranting that simply comes down to politics. 

Where is the substance that ACTUALLY has a proven track record. Not the liars and deceivers at the Heritage Foundation that through credentials behind some 'idea' or another. Where are the policies that actually have a proven track record? And to simply say "Reaganominics." NOT! There was record high homeless in the USA during his Presidency. And believe or not, the homeless are poor.

Whew ! Welcome to global warming. It's dangerous, isn't it? A planet is nothing to play with.

A whirlpool of frigid, dense air known as a "polar vortex" descended Monday into much of the U.S. causing temps to plummet 30 to 50 degrees below the average for this time of year.

Thank you "Time" magazine!. Now is an excellent time to stop denying the dangers of a warming planet.

Climate change skeptics are pointing to the record cold weather as evidence that the globe isn't warming. But it could be that melting Arctic ice is making sudden cold snaps more likely—not less

By Brian Walsh @brayanwalsh

January 6, 2014

...But not only does the cold spell not disprove climate change, (click here) it may well be that global warming could be making the occasional bout of extreme cold weather in the U.S. even more likely. Right now much of the U.S. is in the grip of a polar vortex, which is pretty much what it sounds like: a whirlwind of extremely cold, extremely dense air that forms near the poles. Usually the fast winds in the vortex—which can top 100 mph (161 k/h)—keep that cold air locked up in the Arctic. But when the winds weaken, the vortex can begin to wobble like a drunk on his fourth martini, and the Arctic air can escape and spill southward, bringing Arctic weather with it. In this case, nearly the entire polar vortex has tumbled southward, leading to record-breaking cold, as you can see in this weatherbell.com graphic:...

I am in the frigid area of the country. It is bitter cold. I wear layers when I go outside; at least four, sometimes five. Long thermal underwear, usually pullover with long sleeves, then a sweater on top of that, then a zip up sweater, then a navy blue sweat jacket and finally a bright pink snow jacket with a hood. I wear leather gloves over my hands and then thermally lined knitted gloves over them. Two pair of insulated sox and hiking boots that lace up so the snow can't go into the bottom of my boot and rob my body heat. 

Don't try this at home. 

I took one glove off and exposed by bare hand to the air and within 3 minutes it became cold and within another 60 seconds it started to tingle. I was standing right outside the door to my home when I did this. It is incredibly dangerous for anything living. I put seed out for the birds and a loaf of bread for any wildlife that lives in the ground. So, if there is anything alive and hunkering down they'll be able for find some carbohydrates to burn for body heat. 

The snow is blowing and there are white out conditions. I went into town to get supplies and when a truck traveling in the other direction passed me, I could not see an inch in front of my vehicle. When that occurs, I move slightly to the right and slow down until my visual field is clear again.

Being out in this weather is something you don't want to do. Children belong at home.

Minneapolis is calling this a deadly cold. It is. Make no doubt about this. It is a deadly cold. If anyone gets lost while traveling, don't continue. Find a local resource, gas station, police station, hospital and find out where you are. Don't think your way out of this. It is not possible.

When seeking shelter don't be afraid to say, "I am very scared of this weather, I need to come in from the cold." Any emergency worker or police would understand that. But, use the language. Don't pretend and don't be a hero.

Lake Michigan will probably freeze across completely again this year. The shoreline of the bays are already freezing. There are some waves slapping against the ice at the shoreline, but, for the wind, the waves are not that high. Similar wind occurred during the summer and governments had to put up small craft warnings and close beaches because the waves were so strong and tall.

The last time Lake Superior froze was 2003.

Lake Superior (click here) is almost completely frozen over this winter—a rare occurrence. This recent Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) image from March 12, 2003, shows the lake’s icy blanket.

The high-resolution image provided above is 500 meters per pixel. The MODIS Rapid Response System provides this image at MODIS’ maximum spatial resolution of 250 meters.

This is what frozen waves look like

Ice — to infinity and beyond. Lake Michigan was frozen from shore to shore in February 1963. This photo was shot in January 1963, while there was still what appears to be a seam of open water on the horizon.







...Ice cover on Lake Erie (click here) is not uncommon, since it is the shallowest of all the lakes, but the big lakes—Superior and Huron—rarely freeze completely over; the big freeze has interrupted shipping and ferry lanes in the region. Ice experts from the Canadian Ice Service were quoted in media reports as saying it may be April before the ice thaws completely....


Don't leave the homeless out there. They've never experienced this amount of cold.

A steam grate in Washington.