News 2008-07-03 Andanh.com

Talk to the editor ... then start your holiday Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:26:56 -0500
Here's my prediction: The holiday may not get here till Friday, but a lot of you are going to begin long weekends tomorrow. Which means there may be precious few of you around in the morning when I fire up Dave's Morning Call -- my mostly daily live online chat. ("Mostly" because it did get waylaid by a traffic jam at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel this morning. Lawmakers, are you listening?) But if you're online, you precious few, c'mon by and let's start the day by talking Virginia politics.Then we can all head to the beach.

Gilmore campaign is "gathering momentum" Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:14:24 -0500
"You won't hear it from the Mainstream Media," reads the update from the Jim Gilmore for Senate campaign, "but our campaign is gathering momentum at an impressive pace. "In fact, I'm very pleased to let you all know that in the past month, we have DOUBLED the number of total donors. That's right! In 30 days, we have increased our donor base by over 100%!" According to the most recent finance report available from the Federal Elections Commission -- dated May 21 -- the Republican Gilmore had 583 donors. His Democratic opponent, Mark Warner, had 5,173. Gilmore had raised $1,386,822 -- 82 percent of it from individual donors -- and had $220,964 on hand. Warner had raised $7,839,435 -- 87 percent of it from individual...

Here comes Ralph Nader. Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:18:48 -0500
Well, sort of. The Independent presidential candidate is at 6 percent in the latest CNN poll, according to a release from the campaign. That's pretty exciting, supporters say, because it gets them closer to 10 percent. Why is that important? Because 10 percent "gets us to the Google-sponsored debates in New Orleans on September 18th," the campaign says. And if they get into the debates, the campaign is convinced that 20 percent support is possible. At 20 percent, it could be a three-way race. Do you follow the math? Do you believe any of it? More to the point, who does Ralph Nader help or hurt? Discuss.

An Australian looks at the U.S. election Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:28:41 -0500
I just came across a fascinating look at the U.S. presidential contest in a publication I've not read before -- The Australian (here's a link). To make sure his readers have sufficient background, writer Nick Bryant begins his story in the Camelot years of the Kennedy administration, where "the most senior black appointee was a genial newspaperman named Andrew Hatcher, who served as deputy press secretary." For anyone who doesn't remember, or never knew, what those times were like, Bryant adds: "Quickly (Hatcher) became a figure of derision and ridicule from an overwhelmingly white Washington press corps, whose members considered the affairs of state too complex for the African-American mind. When Hatcher issued a press release with a careless typo -- it misspelled Tufts University...

Helping waterboarding hit home... Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:01:09 -0500
Instead of having an abstract debate about the U.S. government's use of waterboarding as an interrogation technique, writer Christopher Hitchens and his editor decided to go full frontal. Hitchens agreed to be waterboarded, which if you haven't been tracking the torture debate is essentially strapping down a suspect and pouring water in his mouth to give the sensation of drowning. Hitchens was waterboarded on video and then wrote an article about it for Vanity Fair's August issue. It is stunning to watch such a prolific author and critic put himself through the detainee treatment, but Hitchens is clearly not shy or afraid of pain considering the fact that he was willing to get a bikini wax earlier this year for the same magazine. Hitchens eventually...

New to The Shad Plank: An election forecast, updated daily Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:42:39 -0500
We just added a new feature to Shad Plank, one that I think you're going to like. It's that map over there in the right-hand column with state-by-state projections for the November election -- electoral votes in the presidential race, plus forecasts in House and Senate races. It's based on state-by-state polls and updated daily (at 7 a.m. Eastern). Clicking on the icon will take you to the electoral-vote.com homepage and more information. Hope you like it!

A dilemma for black Republicans? Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:42:16 -0500
On May 16, 2005, President George Bush visited New Kent County to tour a biodiesel refinery. One of the proud Republicans who spoke at that event was Newport News Sheriff Gabe Morgan. Now Morgan is speaking out in a different role. He is a featured endorser on the web site of Democrat Mark R. Warner, who is running for the U.S. Senate. It seems a funny thing happened on the way to the next election. Morgan is African-American and considered himself a GOP moderate in the mold of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. But he gradually became disillusioned with the Republican Party and partisan politics in general. He left the GOP earlier this year. Now an independent, he is keeping an open mind about...

No taxation without representation? Make that, without a vote Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:34:55 -0500
Rasmussen has an interesting poll out this morning (here's a link): 52 percent of the respondents said the federal government does not need any extra revenue for things like highway repairs or health care reform and 57 percent think all tax increases should first be approved by voters. In terms of taxation and the presidential campaign, 48 percent said they would vote for a candidate who would raise taxes only on the rich, while 37 percent said they would vote for a candidate who would not raise any taxes. Your thoughts?

Mass transformation Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500
A Chinese metropolis prepares for the 2008 Summer Olympics

I knew that moving from Paris' 7th arrondissement to a dorm room in northwestern Beijing would be a jolt akin to waking up in a body cast after falling asleep at the wheel. I had been to the Chinese capital a decade ago, so I packed surgical masks for the pollution, thermal underwear for the cold and enough antibiotics to open a pharmacy. I weaned myself away from Laduree macaroons and French Bordeaux, got a visa that identified me as a student and changed my e-mail address. I was prepared to be sick, scrutinized, hungry and miserable.

Norfolk native and music legend returns to play Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
T oday, Norfolk native Gene Barge speaks like a calm, gentle grandfather.

Make sure you're safe and legal Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Local fire marshals recommend residents enjoy the show — but don't become the show.

Did you know that sparklers, while beautiful and seemingly harmless, burn in excess of 1,000 degrees?

Dad guilty in his baby's death Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Newport News man pleads guilty to manslaughter. He faces up to 16 years in prison.

A Newport News man pleaded guilty Tuesday to involuntary manslaughter and child neglect in the death of his infant son, who was given a lethal dose of cough medication and had several other severe bodily injuries.

First-time ever: Virginia's gas prices will eclipse $4 average Wed, 2 Jul 2008 07:30:00 -0400
For the first time in history, the average price of regular gasoline in Virginia will hit $4 per gallon, possibly as soon as Thursday.

Double murderer, 39, dies in his Orange jail cell Wed, 2 Jul 2008 07:38:00 -0400
A man serving a life sentence for killing two people has died in his cell at Central Virginia Regional Jail.

Sailor shot, killed aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt Wed, 2 Jul 2008 06:56:00 -0400
A sailor was shot and killed aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt Tuesday night. The sailor died around 7 p.m. of a gunshot wound, according to a statement from the Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic.

High life is over; time to pay up and head to prison Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A Suffolk auto repairman must pay back $609,000 to customers he defrauded.

The Lord might have bought him a Mercedes-Benz, but now, says the judge, it's time for Charles E. Perry Jr. to make amends.

Chesapeake police involved in early morning accident Wed, 2 Jul 2008 05:59:00 -0400
A Chesapeake police officer was involved in a vehicle accident this morning.

Regional weather is perfect for holiday travelers Wed, 2 Jul 2008 06:35:00 -0400
Despite high gas prices, many of you will be hitting the road for the long holiday weekend. If you are planning to leave today, things are looking great for most destinations.

Peninsula Fine Arts Center offers fun, festival in the park Wed, 2 Jul 2008 06:03:00 -0400
Get the family together, and plan a day in the park full of fun and excitement.

Study shows that 1 in 10 Virginians are foreign born Wed, 2 Jul 2008 07:39:00 -0400
BC-VA--UVa-Demographic,0133

Former Navy SEAL sentenced on firearms, drug charges Wed, 2 Jul 2008 15:05:00 -0400
A former Navy SEAL who was found with a stockpile of weapons and steroids in his north Suffolk home late last year, has been sentenced to spend just over seven years in prison.

Weapons cache nets ex-SEAL 7-year term Thu, 3 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Girlfriend told police about guns, explosives and steroids in his home.

A former Navy SEAL who was found with a stockpile of weapons and steroids in his north Suffolk home late last year has been sentenced to spend more than seven years in prison.

City's chief of staff to begin work on July 16 Thu, 3 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Suffolk has announced the appointment of Sherry C. Hunt as chief of staff for the city effective July 16, City Manager Selena Cuffee-Glenn said Wednesday. The position includes the responsibilities of two previous positions, assistant city manager and administrative services and intergovernmental affairs, city spokeswoman Debbie George said.

Cost of a new fire and rescue building jumps to $8.4 million Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A cheaper alternative would be to renovate the existing squad building and build a new fire station.

The estimated cost for a new fire and rescue building has ballooned to about $8.4 million.

3 sea turtles released into Chesapeake Bay Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
3 sea turtles released into Chesapeake Bay Three turtles are back in the Chesapeake Bay after being rescued and nursed back to health at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center.

High interest in Pottery land keeps bidding open Thu, 3 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Bidding for 1,200 acres owned by the Williamsburg Pottery will remain open until 5 p.m. July 15.

2009 property assessments now online Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
"Comparatively speaking, the majority went up," says Williamsburg assessor John Mattson.

— City residents can go online now to view their tentative 2009 property assessments, copies of which the city mailed to taxpayers Monday.

No timetable for sale of Pottery land Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Bidding closed Tuesday. Firm will begin reviewing offers this week.

Bidding for 1,200 acres owned by the Williamsburg Pottery closed at 5 p.m. Tuesday, but there is no timetable for a decision on sale of the land.

Williamsburg seats history-making council Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
College of William and Mary students help elect its members, which include two women.

— This year's Williamsburg City Council elections garnered plenty of attention for what they didn't do: install a College of William and Mary student on the board.

Gloucester's new sheriff gets a $10,000 a year raise Wed, 2 Jul 2008 14:29:00 -0400
Sheriff Steve Gentry's paycheck got a little fatter Tuesday night after the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors voted 4-3 to give him a $10,000 stipend, retroactive to Jan. 1.

New sheriff gets fattened paycheck Thu, 3 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The board of supervisors voted to give Gentry a $10,000 a year raise in the form of a stipend.

Sheriff Steve Gentry's paycheck got a little fatter Tuesday night after the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors voted 4-3 to give him a $10,000 stipend, retroactive to Jan. 1.

Modeling, simulation company to open new office in Suffolk Thu, 3 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
One of the leading international companies involved in the modeling and simulation industry has opened a new office at the VMASC building in Suffolk.

Tampa Tribune plans to cut one-fifth of newsroom Wed, 2 Jul 2008 14:52:00 -0400
The Tampa Tribune plans to lay off 11 newsroom employees this week and another 10 by early fall as part of a one-fifth cut in the news staff.

Virginia unemployment rate 3.8 percent in May Wed, 2 Jul 2008 11:54:00 -0400
The rate is up one half of a percentage point from the previous month.

Virginia's unemployment rate went up one-half of a percentage point to 3.8 percent in May.

Va. ports lock in shipping group Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The consortium of five shipping lines have signed a $500 million, 10-year deal with Virginia International Terminals.

Virginia International Terminals has signed a 10-year, $500 million contract with a newly formed consortium of five shipping lines that equals the largest deal the state-owned ports have ever signed, the Virginia Port Authority announced Tuesday.

Your money: Are workers saving enough? Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Four out of five workers aren't saving enough to maintain their lifestyle after retirement, with women being at a disadvantage because of their longer life spans and lower pay, according to a study released Tuesday.

InBev urges shareholders to overrule Busch Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The brewer InBev SA on Tuesday urged Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. shareholders to challenge the biggest U.S. beer company's rejection of its $46 billion buyout bid.

GM holds off Toyota, but sales still fell Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
General Motors Corp. soundly beat Toyota Motor Corp. in June to retain its traditional U.S. sales lead, but GM sales still dropped 18.2 percent during a dismal month for large automakers.

Coffee drinkers set for a jolt as Starbucks to close 600 stores Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Starbucks Corp. said Tuesday it will close 600 company-operated stores in the next year, up dramatically from its previous plan for 100 closures, a sign the coffee shop operator is still feeling the pain from the faltering U.S. economy.

R.I. high court overturns paint verdict Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Rhode Island's Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned a first-in-the-nation jury verdict that found three former lead paint companies responsible for creating a public nuisance, rejecting a closely watched case that had been seen as a bellwether for potential suits across the country.

3 rescued US hostages arrive safely in Texas Thu, 3 Jul 2008 03:24:00 -0400
Three American hostages rescued from leftist guerillas in Colombia arrived safely in Texas late Wednesday and were taken to a hospital, where they were expected to reunite with their families and undergo tests.

Bush's final G-8 summit may be harmonious Thu, 3 Jul 2008 03:20:00 -0400
The issues are as difficult as ever, but the conditions are likely to be more conducive to agreement as President Bush attends his eighth and final economic summit of industrial democracies.

Betancourt: Rescue in Colombia was 'impeccable' Thu, 3 Jul 2008 01:01:00 -0400
Colombian spies tricked leftist rebels into handing over kidnapped presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three U.S. military contractors Wednesday in a daring helicopter rescue so successful that not a single shot was fired.

McCain aide takes over day-to-day campaign duties Thu, 3 Jul 2008 01:04:00 -0400
John McCain put a top adviser in control of day-to-day campaign operations Wednesday after weeks of private concerns among Republicans that the GOP presidential campaign had not made the transition for the general election.

Entire town of Big Sur, Calif., evacuated for fire Thu, 3 Jul 2008 01:05:00 -0400
Authorities ordered the remaining residents of this scenic coastal community to leave Wednesday because an out-of-control wildfire, one of hundreds in California, had jumped a fire line and was threatening more homes.

Report: Baseball star Alex Rodriguez, wife split Thu, 3 Jul 2008 02:01:00 -0400
Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez and his wife have split less than three months after the birth of the couple's second daughter, according to a report in the New York Daily News.

Fire danger, economic woes cancel fireworks shows Thu, 3 Jul 2008 01:08:00 -0400
Those seeking the oohs and aahs of traditional Fourth of July fireworks could be sadly disappointed this year: Public displays and sales of boxed firecrackers are being canceled or scaled back across the nation, victims of a sluggish economy, wildfire fears and product shortages caused by a warehouse fire in China.

Report: Microsoft seeks help for another Yahoo bid Thu, 3 Jul 2008 01:19:00 -0400
Unable to strike a deal on its own, Microsoft Corp. reportedly is hoping to snap up Yahoo's online search operations with the help of News Corp. and Time Warner Inc.

Scientists: Watermelon yields Viagra-like effects Thu, 3 Jul 2008 00:33:00 -0400
A slice of cool, fresh watermelon is a juicy way to top off a Fourth of July cookout and one that researchers say has effects similar to Viagra -- but don't necessarily expect it to keep the fireworks all night long.

Rays nip Red Sox 7-6 for sweep, widen AL East lead Thu, 3 Jul 2008 01:22:00 -0400
Evan Longoria went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs Wednesday night, helping the surging Tampa Bay Rays beat the Boston Red Sox 7-6 for their second three-game sweep of the World Series champions this season.

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