Democratic Underground - Latest Breaking News Post the latest news from reputable mainstream news websites and blogs. <b>Important news of national interest only.</b> No <a href="?com=forum&amp;id=1016">analysis or opinion pieces</a>. No duplicates. News stories must have been published within the last 12 hours. Use the published title of the story as the title of the discussion thread. http://www.democraticunderground.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Sat, 18 May 2013 06:53:14 Sat, 18 May 2013 06:53:14 Report: Yahoo nearing $1.1B acquisition of Tumblr ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486497 Sat, 18 May 2013 06:36:22 France gay marriage: Hollande signs bill into law ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486436 Sat, 18 May 2013 01:09:40 Colorado Woman, Dies After Assault Rifle Accidentally Discharges ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486386 Sat, 18 May 2013 00:03:45 Harry Reid Focuses On July For The 'Nuclear Option' ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486382 Fri, 17 May 2013 23:59:34 Texas Judge Forbids Lesbian Woman From Living With Her Partner ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486360 Fri, 17 May 2013 23:28:38 Rising consumer demands aids organic industry sway http://ak.imgfarm.com/images/ap/Organic_Foods_Politics.sff_WX103_20130517002432.jpg

In this Feb. 22, 2009, file photo, bottles of Heinz organic tomato ketchup are on display inside Costco in Mountain View, Calif. The organic industry is gaining clout on Capitol Hill, prompted by rising consumer d... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486326 Fri, 17 May 2013 22:33:10 Record Powerball jackpot inspires office pools Marta is in one.

http://ak.imgfarm.com/images/ap/Powerball_Jackpot.sff_NENH101_20130517142758.jpg

Sheila Sutton updates the Powerball prize money sign at the Super C convenience store in Lincoln, Neb., Friday, May 17, 2013. Powerball officials say the jackpot has climbed to an estimated $600 m... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486321 Fri, 17 May 2013 22:27:15 Hall of Famer Ken Venturi, 82, dies ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486292 Fri, 17 May 2013 21:40:18 Colorado GOPer Accused Of Storming Away From Aurora Victim’s Dad Read more about this shocking incident this week in Denver:

http://coloradopols.com/diary/43047/video-gop-legislative-leaders-meet-aurora-shooting-father

The original video of the exchange between Tom Sullivan and Colorado Senate Minority Leader Bill Cadman:

http://youtu.be/RAUqjB0PadQ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486231 Fri, 17 May 2013 19:38:27 Injuries Reported as Conn. Commuter Trains Collide (50 Injuries, 4 Serious) Source: [b]Associated Press[/b]

[b]INJURIES REPORTED AS CONN. COMMUTER TRAINS COLLIDE[/b]
May. 17 7:10 PM EDT
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Home » Fairfield » Injuries reported as Conn. commuter trains collide

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) — A New York-area commuter railroad says two trains have collided in... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486223 Fri, 17 May 2013 19:20:12 Conservative Advice To GOP: Don't Legislate, Focus On Scandals Source: [b]NPR[/b]

Heritage Action, the political activist offshoot of the conservative Heritage Foundation, has some advice for House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor: focus on the scandals plaguing the Obama administration and stay away from legislation that could "h... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486221 Fri, 17 May 2013 19:12:58 Washington, D.C. Insider Says Senator John Sampson Covered-Up Court Corruption Here's some background links and discussion from Wed, May 15

[link:http://ethicsgate.blogspot.com/2013/05/insider-says-ny-state-officials-briefed.html|http://ethicsgate.blogspot.com/2013/05/insider-says-ny-state-officials-briefed.html]

[blockquote]Insider Says NY State Officials Briefed on Jud... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486200 Fri, 17 May 2013 18:26:44 Consumer Sentiment Index in U.S. Rose to 83.7 in May ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486184 Fri, 17 May 2013 17:55:09 Appeals court rules Fair Sentencing Act applies retroactively to crack offenses
AP article via SFgate below...

Court: Law applying crack sentences retroactive
http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Court-Law-applying-crack-sentences-retroactive-4525817.php



... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486181 Fri, 17 May 2013 17:51:53 OAS study says countries should consider decriminalizing drug use ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486178 Fri, 17 May 2013 17:47:04 Judge grants injunction in Ark. abortion ban case Additional articles...

Federal Judge Blocks Arkansas’ Stringent 12-Week Abortion Ban From Taking Effect
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/05/17/2031091/federal-judge-blocks-arkansas-abortion-ban/

Judge temporarily blocks Arkansas abortion law
http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/17/us/arkansas-abor... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486155 Fri, 17 May 2013 17:00:57 U.S. Seizes Operator Accounts Of Major Japanese Bitcoin Exchange ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486110 Fri, 17 May 2013 15:50:44 Michelle Obama at Bowie State: Too many fantasize about being ‘a baller or a rapper’ ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486102 Fri, 17 May 2013 15:34:40 CBO: Obama Budget Would Cut 10-year Deficits by $1.1 Trillion ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486080 Fri, 17 May 2013 15:13:56 Illinois Senate Approves Medical Marijuana Use; Gov. Expected to Sign into Law Source: [b]Chicago Tribune[/b]

@Reuters: RT @ReutersUS: Illinois senate approves medical marijuana use; governor expected to sign into law #breaking

[b]Illinois Senate approves medical marijuana bill[/b]

By Monique Garcia
Clout Street
1:12 p.m. CDT, May 17, 2013

SPRINGFIELD ---... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014486047 Fri, 17 May 2013 14:26:04 Invasion of Crazy Ants Maddening For Southern U.S. Source: [b]Nature World News[/b]

By James A. Foley May 17, 2013 11:10 AM EDT

A maddening invasion of "crazy ants" has people in Texas and other states in the South wishing for the old days of fire ant invasions.

Crazy ants get their name from their erratic behavior, darting in nonse... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485987 Fri, 17 May 2013 13:06:31 Int’l Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia observed around the globe Source: [b]LGBTQNATION[/b]

LGBT rights advocates and allies will observe the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (or IDAHO) in more than 100 countries around the world on Friday.

First recognized in 2004, IDAHO commemorates the May 17, 1990 decision by the World Health... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485985 Fri, 17 May 2013 13:05:30 Venezuelan opposition leader sued in Colombia Source: [b]Colombia Reports[/b]

Venezuelan opposition leader sued in Colombia
posted by Adriaan Alsema
May 16, 2013

Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles and Colombian former President Alvaro Uribe have been sued for trying to disrupt exports to Venezuela and destabiliz... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485977 Fri, 17 May 2013 12:57:08 Payrolls Increased in 30 U.S. States in April, while the unemployment rate dropped in 40 ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485918 Fri, 17 May 2013 11:34:47 French Gay Marriage Law Gets Constitutional All-Clear Source: [b]Reuters / France 24[/b]

@Reuters: RT @mathieuvonrohr: Breaking: French constitutional council validates gay marriage.

[B]French gay marriage law gets constitutional all-clear[/b]

Fri May 17, 2013 11:27am EDT

PARIS (Reuters) - France's Constitutional Council cleared the... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485907 Fri, 17 May 2013 11:25:30 Argentina's Former Military Dictator Videla Dies in Jail at 87 ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485881 Fri, 17 May 2013 10:58:13 John Paul Stevens: Bush v. Gore Decision Rationale Was 'Unacceptable' ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485864 Fri, 17 May 2013 10:40:56 (Toronto Mayor) Rob Ford in 'crack cocaine' video scandal ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485854 Fri, 17 May 2013 10:24:56 EU survey reveals many gays live in fear ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485842 Fri, 17 May 2013 10:00:53 At least 32 killed by blasts outside Sunni mosque in Iraq's Baquba ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485832 Fri, 17 May 2013 09:41:53 CIA chief John Brennan makes surprise Israel visit for Syria talks ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485803 Fri, 17 May 2013 08:46:39 Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair's lawyers want computer evidence from his Fort Bragg residence thrown ou [i]unhappycamper comment: I find it interesting that this guy's lawyers are telling the judge that the no porn rule in the Middle east is unconstitutional. And that the military was wrong "when computers were taken from his Army-provided home at Fort Bragg."

I wonder what Secretary Hagel is going... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485776 Fri, 17 May 2013 07:31:22 Russia Sends More Advanced Missiles to Aid Assad in Syria Source: [b]NYT[/b]

WASHINGTON — Russia has sent advanced antiship cruise missiles to Syria, a move that illustrates the depth of its support for the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad, American officials said Thursday.

Russia has previously provided a version of the mis... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485768 Fri, 17 May 2013 06:56:30 Fearing Afghanistan instability, Russia mulls border troops ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485737 Fri, 17 May 2013 04:32:51 Obama says U.S. won't act alone on Syria [b]Obama: U.S. preserves diplomatic, military options on Syria
[/b]
Taking a cautious line at a joint news conference with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, Obama voiced hope that the United States and Russia would succeed in arranging an international peace conference on Syria, despite signs... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485722 Fri, 17 May 2013 03:28:23 Ammunition shortage hits Minn. police departments ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485622 Thu, 16 May 2013 23:58:27 Weiner’s Wife Didn’t Disclose Consulting Work She Did While Serving in State Dept. ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485601 Thu, 16 May 2013 23:37:29 IRS stalled conservative groups, but gave speedy approval to Obama foundation Source: [b]Washington Post[/b]

When the Barack H. Obama Foundation sought tax-exempt status to raise money for good works in Kenya, the Internal Revenue Service provided quick help.

The IRS approved charitable status for the foundation, which was run by President Obama’s brother and na... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485598 Thu, 16 May 2013 23:34:15 Senate group hopes bipartisan support will help immigration bill ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485594 Thu, 16 May 2013 23:30:04 New Documents Reveal How a 1980s Nuclear War Scare Became a Full-Blown Crisis Source: [b]Wired[/b]

During 10 days in November 1983, the United States and the Soviet Union nearly started a nuclear war. Newly declassified documents from the CIA, NSA, KGB, and senior officials in both countries reveal just how close we came to mutually assured destruction — over a mil... http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014485540 Thu, 16 May 2013 22:31:40