Archive for October 10th, 2012

Convicted Murderer’s Execution Challenge Dismissed

Convicted Murderer’s Execution Challenge Dismissed

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that Judge Lawrence L. Piersol dismissed a constitutional challenge to South Dakota’s method of execution brought by death row inmate Donald Moeller. Judge Piersol’s ruling follows a hearing on October 4, 2012, during which Moeller told the court “I want to pay what I owe. I believe the death penalty is just in this case.”

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Big Bird: A Symbol of the 2012 Election

Big Bird: A Symbol of the 2012 Election

Perhaps those who believe that Big Bird, Elmo, Kermit and Miss Piggy need a taxpayer subsidy to help with early childhood education missed the “Tickle me Elmo” craze that generated millions of dollars, and they undoubtedly were unaware that Kermit and Miss Piggy went Hollywood a long time ago making millions in the process. Or, perhaps they haven’t flipped around to the hundreds of channels on their televisions and envisioned the bidding war to bring Big Bird to a privately funded station. As strange as it might seem, Big Bird just might be the perfect symbol for this election.

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Should Government Ration Health Care?

Should Government Ration Health Care?

This year the U.S. is expected to spend $2.8 trillion on health care. The tab for Medicare alone will likely cost taxpayers $590 billion, with 25% of that sum going for patients in their last year of life. Given the anemic state of our economy and the huge strain on our medical resources, should government step in and decide how care is to be allocated among the sick and dying? Should Big Brother determine whose life is worth saving and whose is not by rationing health care?

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Polo brothers in the court of Kubilai Khan. Khan gives them a tablet

That Men Might Know

In 1271, Marco Polo left Venice with his father and uncle, and traveled 5,600 miles east to meet Kublai Khan, grandson of Ghengis Khan, who was Emperor of China, Korea, North India, Persia, Russia and Hungary. Emperor Kublai Khan had requested 100 Christian teachers, but only two preaching friars were sent by Pope Gregory X, and they turned back in fear while crossing an area being attacked by Turkish Muslims. Marco Polo was employed by Kublai Khan as an envoy for 24 years.

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