The Georgia Mae Evening News
The unauthorized release of a photo of a battered Rihanna may trigger flashbacks for other victims of assault and could discourage them from reporting abuse, domestic abuse advocates say. The photo, in which the singer’s lips appear swollen and her forehead is covered in welts, was first obtained by the entertainment Web site TMZ.com. Since then, several blogs and news agencies have also published the photograph. ABC News
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has called for Sen. Roland Burris to resign in the wake of disclosures that Burris spoke with the now ousted Rod Blagojevich’s brother about possibly raising money for the former governor. An aide to Burris has said that the senator has no plans to resign and intends to “let the process work itself out in Illinois and in the Senate Ethics Committee.” CNN
Ailing Sen. Ted Kennedy may not return to the Senate, and speculation is brewing that the veteran Democratic lawmaker is setting up his wife, Vicki, to succeed him, according to a report Friday in the Boston Herald. The article quoted friends of the family who said the Massachusetts senator’s brain cancer has worsened and that he is resting at an undisclosed location in Florida. A Kennedy family spokesman however disputed the Herald’s report and told FOX News that Sen. Kennedy is not on his death bed and that the report that Vicki Kennedy is in line to succeed her husband couldn’t be farther from the truth. FOX News
A U.S. Army medic was convicted of murder Friday for his involvement in the execution-style slayings of four bound and blindfolded Iraqi detainees shot in the back of the head in the spring of 2007. Sgt. Michael Leahy Jr. was found guilty on charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. He could receive a life sentence and a dishonorable discharge. CBS News
The White House is standing by the private banking system. When White House press secretary Robert Gibbs was asked Friday about speculation that the Obama administration may seek to nationalize Citigroup Inc. and Bank of America Corp, Gibbs responded that the administration continues to “strongly believe that a privately held banking system is the correct way to go.” MSNBC
I really don’t like that we don’t even expect individuals to have privacy anymore. It was no surprise that, as soon as they could, TMZ posted this picture. Then others have followed suit without any regard to the authenticity or humiliation related to this photo.
Nationalize the banking system?! Why are people so afraid that Obama wants the government to run everything? I haven’t gotten that message from him. Yes, I do think that if we put money in banks that have been mismanaged, we (the people, the government, …) should have some say in future activities. When business leaders bail each other out of jams, they all expect some say later. Why expect less of the government? The government’s not our friend who loans with no strings attached.