Deadly bird flu suspected in ailing Chinese man

China has reported a suspected human case of the H5N1 virus, or bird flu, in a southern city bordering Hong Kong, officials said on Friday.

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The patient, a 39-year-old man living in Shenzhen, developed symptoms on Dec. 21 and was admitted to a hospital on Dec. 25 because of severe pneumonia, the Centre of Health Protection of Hong Kong said in a statement. He is now in critical condition.

China's Ministry of Health said preliminary laboratory tests on the patient's specimen by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention of Guangdong Province had yielded a positive result for H5N1.

About 10 days ago Hong Kong culled 17,000 chickens at a wholesale poultry market and suspended all imports of live chickens from mainland China for 21 days after a dead chicken there tested positive for the H5N1 virus.

The virus is normally found in birds but can jump to people who do not have immunity to it and researchers worry it could mutate into a form that would spread around the world and kill millions of people.

In recent years, the virus has become active in various parts of the world, mainly in east Asia, during the cooler months.

WHO 'deeply concerned' by deadly flu research

Authorities in China are especially worried about the spread of infectious diseases around this time when millions of Chinese travel in crowded buses and trains across the country to go home to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

The current strain of H5N1 is highly pathogenic, kills most species of birds and up to 60 percent of the people it infects. Since 2003, it has infected 573 people around the world, killing 336. The virus also kills migratory birds but species that manage to survive can carry and disperse the virus to new, uninfected locations.

The virus can kill birds and humans in a matter of days but can survive far longer durations in a moist, cool environment.

It transmits less easily between people but there have been clusters of infections in people in Indonesia and Thailand in the past, where the virus is believed to have been passed between family members through direct contact with contaminated respiratory secretions.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45826580/ns/health-cold_and_flu/

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Obama Plays His 90th Golf Game as President in Hawaii


???
Obama Plays His 90th Golf
Game as President in Hawaii

Townhall, by?Erika Johnsen
Original Article
Posted By:Photoonist, 12/28/2011 12:41:50 AM
Ouch. That the President of the United States feels confident in taking so much highly visible relaxation time seems, in my eyes, almost ostentatiously haughty and aloof--but perhaps that's the idea? From the White House Dossier, emphasis mine: (Snip) With this one, Obama reaches a new milestone, having gone golfing 90 times in less than three years as president. That?s about three months of golf, given that the excursions generally take about five hours ? much of the useful portion of the day. What?s more, it?s the 32nd time he?s been on the links this year, a record for the

Comments:
For Christmas (or whatever the 0bama household calls it) someone should have gotten Pres. 0bama a sign for his desk saying something like ''Hardly Working'' or perhaps ''Look Busy, Do Nothing.'' Have the press whores given an accurate accounting of how much ''down time'' 0bama spends NOT performing what are supposed to be his duties?

Reply 1 - Posted by: lakerman1, 12/28/2011 12:51:51 AM?????(No. 8236385)

Every time he plays golf, it creates a huge job for the secret service.
And every time he plays golf at a military base, he displaces the troops who paid for, and maintain the golf course.
I doubt that his narcissistic personality disorder allows him to recognize what a pain in the butt his golfing is to everyone affected.
And because he is the dumbest man in the room, he very likely thinks the military golf courses are paid for out of the defense budget.


Reply 2 - Posted by: grandpa, 12/28/2011 1:11:01 AM?????(No. 8236403)

One of the issues that bothers me the least is when the top official in the most important country in the world takes a little R&R on the golf course.

Goodness, I wish his opponents would express criticism of his policies rather than his personal relaxation away from that stressful and totally involving job.

Keeping track of his recreation activities is on a CS par with constantly cricizing his wife's appearance, etc. It's childish and counter-productive. Shame on journalist Erika Johnsen for trying to stir up the political juvenile delinquents.


???
Reply 3 - Posted by: TheRevJMP, 12/28/2011 1:13:06 AM?????(No. 8236405)

If the GOP doesn't make a simple ad juxtaposing Obama's silly party-animal ways with the suffering of ordinary Americans, they deserve to lose.

Every day, in so many ways, he's giving the election to us. folks. We just need to use the material.


Reply 4 - Posted by: Ladyhawke, 12/28/2011 1:17:07 AM?????(No. 8236408)

If he is playing golf, at the very least he is not signing crappy bills or doing anything else that will screw the rest of us.

Another 18 holes, I say! And do it again!


Reply 5 - Posted by: The Advocate, 12/28/2011 2:36:17 AM?????(No. 8236459)

Re 2
You forgot /s- or are you a troll?


Reply 6 - Posted by: mercedesops, 12/28/2011 4:18:53 AM?????(No. 8236476)

When Obama plays on a military course he and his buddies pay no greens fees.Their play is paid for out the non appropriated morale and welfare funds intended for our troops' recreation and welfare.So in effect the Commander in Chief is stealing from our troops.Also when he plays, the courses are shut down for play by military members. No one would begrudge the president an occasional round on a military course--but over 90 times? Every other golfing president has found that there are a number of outstanding private courses in the DC area which would be happy to host the president.


Reply 7 - Posted by: steveW, 12/28/2011 5:06:55 AM?????(No. 8236493)

Surely, since he loves the game so much, there must be a way to convince him to stay on the golf courts and away from government altogether?


???
Reply 8 - Posted by: Lydwho, 12/28/2011 5:36:24 AM?????(No. 8236507)

I am retired and I haven't had time for 90 rounds of golf in the last 3 years---What's with this hard working doofus????

Art


Reply 9 - Posted by: pineledger, 12/28/2011 5:37:03 AM?????(No. 8236508)

We won't even begin to calculate greens fees.


Reply 10 - Posted by: god of irony, 12/28/2011 5:58:12 AM?????(No. 8236521)

90 times 4 hours equals 360 hours. That 9 work weeks of golfing since he took office.


Reply 11 - Posted by: sfacheem, 12/28/2011 6:39:26 AM?????(No. 8236556)

My index (GHIN) is about 16 and I don't think I've played 90 rounds of golf in my life.


Reply 12 - Posted by: Lawsy0, 12/28/2011 6:49:21 AM?????(No. 8236572)

Reply #5 and I are drinking out the same coffee cup this morning because I wondered the same thing.

What on earth will we call a president who can really play golf?? This one is a faux golfer just like he's a faux president.


???
Reply 13 - Posted by: MikeyVA, 12/28/2011 6:54:21 AM?????(No. 8236579)

Look like another troll #2 got over the moat. Huffington Post and KOS must be active today.


Reply 14 - Posted by: strike3, 12/28/2011 7:53:32 AM?????(No. 8236628)

While I respect #2's right to comment, the value of knowing what kind of a leader we have is priceless. We need to be reminded every day of how close this country came to losing itself to the depths of marxism. We aren't out of the woods yet but more and more people are waking up every day and realizing just how damaging this stupid social experiment has been to us. Important job? barry hussein obama has no idea what he is doing so he refuses to do it by his constant play and recreation. His entitled bitter wife is just as bad.


Reply 15 - Posted by: Coy860, 12/28/2011 7:58:13 AM?????(No. 8236634)

I wonder if his medical records show a diagnosis of compulsive-obsessive behavior?


Reply 16 - Posted by: Felixcat, 12/28/2011 8:07:37 AM?????(No. 8236649)

Every President has come under scrutiny for his personal and official actions while in office. Obviously, the modern Presidency being more subject to the scrutiny of the press than in previous decades/centuries. Of course, Republican Presidents getting much more withering attacks from the press, including their minor children while Democrats enjoy a much more respectful approach. When you have a President who talks wbout the working poor, expressing sympathy with the Occupy crowd, and continues to blame his predecessor, then I say every hour that he is on a golf course, every minute that his wife is lecturing us, etc should be broadcast loud and clear. Besides, when his political opposition does legitimately attack his policies, we get called racists.


Reply 17 - Posted by: steelbreeze, 12/28/2011 8:07:42 AM?????(No. 8236650)

moving on up


???
Reply 18 - Posted by: The Architect, 12/28/2011 8:12:16 AM?????(No. 8236660)

#2, were you just as sanguine about Zippy's predecessor playing golf? Since your memory seems to be a bit selective, let me refresh it. Bush, who played golf only a fraction as much as Zippy had to quit playing because of all the criticism in the press that he was playing while American soldiers were dying in Afghanistan. Out of respect for their sacrifice, Bush put aside his clubs and never played again during his administration. Well, American soldiers are still dying in Afghanistan but Zippy hasn't missed a sigle opportunity to hit the linx by a factor of about 20 to 1. Not so surprisingly, the press says nothing and in fact plays up how much he needs the rest from the stress of his job. The hypocracy of you "progressives" is absolutley breath taking!


Reply 19 - Posted by: somehack, 12/28/2011 8:14:18 AM?????(No. 8236662)

I'm sure many who voted for him wish they could have a mulligan.




Below, you will find ...

Most Recent Articles posted by "Photoonist"

and

Most Active Articles (last 24 hours)



Most Recent Articles posted by "Photoonist"

Man dives into croc
pool to rescue mower
9 News [Australia], by Matthew Henry??? Original Article
Posted By: Photoonist- 12/28/2011 12:54:21 AM ??? Post Reply
A daring reptile park worker has dived into a monster crocodile's pool to retrieve a lawnmower just hours after the animal tried to attack staff at a Gosford wildlife park. Australian Reptile Park curator Tim Faulkner was one of two workers who crept into the 5m croc's enclosure to grab the mower as the animal was lured away with kangaroo meat. (Snip) Animal handlers at the park just north of Sydney were mowing the lawn at 8am (AEDT) this morning when the monster crocodile charged at them, grabbing the mower's wheel with its jaws. He then dragged the mower into
The Year in Obama Scandals
-- and Scandal Deniers
Creators Syndicate, by Michelle Malkin??? Original Article
Posted By: Photoonist- 12/28/2011 12:49:26 AM ??? Post Reply
With 2011 drawing to a close, it is time to account. As an early-and-often chronicler of Chicago-on-the-Potomac, I am amazed at the stubborn and clingy persistence of President Barack Obama's snowblowers in the media. See no scandal, hear no scandal, speak no scandal. Dartmouth College professor Brendan Nyhan asserted in May ? while Operation Fast and Furious subpoenas were flying on Capitol Hill ? that "one of the least remarked upon aspects of the Obama presidency has been the lack of scandals." Conveniently, he defines scandal as a "widespread elite perception of wrongdoing."
Obama Plays His 90th Golf
Game as President in Hawaii
Townhall, by Erika Johnsen??? Original Article
Posted By: Photoonist- 12/28/2011 12:41:50 AM ??? Post Reply
Ouch. That the President of the United States feels confident in taking so much highly visible relaxation time seems, in my eyes, almost ostentatiously haughty and aloof--but perhaps that's the idea? From the White House Dossier, emphasis mine: (Snip) With this one, Obama reaches a new milestone, having gone golfing 90 times in less than three years as president. That?s about three months of golf, given that the excursions generally take about five hours ? much of the useful portion of the day. What?s more, it?s the 32nd time he?s been on the links this year, a record for the
???
Obama: Entangled by Islam
Washington Times, by Editorial Staff??? Original Article
Posted By: Photoonist- 12/28/2011 12:36:32 AM ??? Post Reply
It?s no longer news that President Obama?s vaunted outreach to Islam has been a bust. Numerous polls over the past three years have shown that after a brief flurry of enthusiasm, regard for the United States among the world?s Muslims has declined precipitously. In some key countries, dislike for America is even lower than it was at the end of the administration of George W. Bush, whom liberal critics deemed culturally illiterate. (Snip) What she left out was that the 2009 Pew report ?Global Restrictions on Religion? found that most states that had ?high? or ?very high? religious restrictions were
Medvedev: Tests completed on
much-heralded new missile
Associated Press, by Staff??? Original Article
Posted By: Photoonist- 12/28/2011 12:33:48 AM ??? Post Reply
Moscow - A ballistic missile that is to be a cornerstone of Russia?s nuclear arsenal has completed its rocky test program and will be commissioned by the military, President Dmitry Medvedev announced Tuesday during a meeting with military officers. The Bulava ICBM, intended to arm a new generation of nuclear submarines, is a three-stage missile that can carry up to 10 individually targeted warheads at a range of 5,000 miles. (Snip) Russian officials have billed Bulava as a new-generation weapon, capable of dodging any potential missile defenses, thanks to its quick start and an ability to perform unusual maneuvers in
Ex-aide who trashed Paul denies
being ?fired? for ?performance issues?
Daily Caller, by Steven Nelson & Will Rahn??? Original Article
Posted By: Photoonist- 12/28/2011 12:27:01 AM ??? Post Reply
A statement posted online by a former Ron Paul staffer attracted significant attention Monday for its strong criticism of the Texas congressman?s personality and policy positions. (Snip) Paul campaign chairman Jesse Benton told The Daily Caller on Tuesday that ?Eric Rittberg was fired for performance issues.? Benton declined to provide more specific information. ?I can?t elaborate,? he wrote in an email, ?as Ron respects the privacy of all his former employees.? Jeff Deist, Paul?s congressional chief of staff, likewise declined to comment on the reasons Rittberg?s employment ended. ?Paul?s congressional office would never comment on former or current employees,? said Deist.
Judge denies anti-Semitism
claims against UC Berkeley
Associated Press, by Staff??? Original Article
Posted By: Photoonist- 12/28/2011 12:23:47 AM ??? Post Reply
Berkeley, Calif. - A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the University of California, Berkeley filed by two Jewish students who claimed the school fostered an atmosphere of anti-Semitism by not doing enough to curb harassment during pro-Palestinian protests that included mock checkpoints. (Snip) In the Apartheid Week protests as described in the lawsuit, students dressed as soldiers carry fake assault weapons and demand to know whether passing students are Jewish. Ms. Felber said she required medical attention as a result of the shopping cart incident and obtained a permanent restraining order against the alleged assailant.


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The Obamas celebrate
Kwanzaa in spirit of umoja

Investors Business Daily, by Andrew Malcolm??? Original Article
Posted By: StormCnter- 12/27/2011 10:30:24 AM ??? Post Reply
The Obamas mark Kwanzaa in the spirit of umoja Michelle and I send our warmest wishes to all those celebrating Kwanzaa this holiday season. Today marks the beginning of the week-long celebration honoring African American heritage and culture through the seven principles of Kwanzaa -- unity, self determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. We celebrate Kwanzaa at a time when many African Americans and all Americans reflect on our many blessings and memories over the past year and our aspirations for the year to come.
Thomas Friedman Says GOP
Looking for Someone as
'Smart and Mellifluous' as Obama

Newsbusters, by Tim Graham??? Original Article
Posted By: JoniTx- 12/27/2011 2:49:40 PM ??? Post Reply
Appearing on Sunday?s Meet the Press, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman brought his usual lecturer?s arrogance and said he was really worried about President Obama?s chances at re-election: ?I really, really worry about him.? The answer, of course, is more ?stimulus? and increased spending on overpriced college tuitions: ?I really hope he gives us a big choice.? Friedman also said the Republicans are looking for someone who can be as smart and ?mellifluous? as Obama: ?And I think Newt's rise is speaking to us.
In forthcoming memoir, Arlen Specter
reveals turmoil beneath exterior

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, by James O'Toole??? Original Article
Posted By: gvrc- 12/27/2011 11:20:12 PM ??? Post Reply
Arlen Specter is a reasonably tough guy. He has survived two forms of cancer and multiple election losses with few public complaints. But in his new memoir "Life Among the Cannibals," set for publication in late March, Mr. Specter, 81, acknowledges more than a few psychic bruises, including one incurred during a visit to Carnegie Mellon University in June 2010.
For President in 2012, Mitt Romney
Power Line, by John Hinderaker??? Original Article
Posted By: Dreadnought- 12/27/2011 11:04:26 PM ??? Post Reply
It is time for Republicans to get serious. After flirting with just about every candidate in a large presidential field, is is time to come home to the one candidate who has the demonstrated ability to run the largest organization in the United States, the Executive Branch of the federal government; who has never been touched by the slightest taint of scandal; whose success in the private sector makes him the outsider that Republicans say they are looking for; and who has by far the best chance of beating President Obama: Mitt Romney. The ?anybody but Romney?
Mitt calls Newt ballot fail 'more
Lucille Ball' than Pearl Harbor

Politico, by Maggie Haberman??? Original Article
Posted By: stjohnswood- 12/27/2011 2:45:24 PM ??? Post Reply
Politico's Jake Sherman reports this gem from the trail in Portsmouth, NH: Twice during an hour-long event here, Mitt Romney dinged Newt Gingrich for failing to qualify for the Virginia ballot. First, he met a man named Virginia, to which he responded ''I'm on the ballot in Virginia, that's good news.'' Then asked by a reporter about the former speaker's inability to garner the signatures needed by the commonwealth, Romney went at Gingrich harder. ''I think he compared that to.. Pearl Harbor,'' Romney said. ''I think its more like Lucille Ball at the chocolate factory.
Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton
Again Top Most Admired List

Gallup, by Jeffrey M. Jones??? Original Article
Posted By: Desert Fox- 12/27/2011 5:54:06 PM ??? Post Reply
PRINCETON, NJ -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama continue to be named by Americans as the Most Admired Woman and Most Admired Man living today in any part of the world. Clinton has been the Most Admired Woman each of the last 10 years, and Obama has been the Most Admired Man four years in a row. Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Sarah Palin, and Condoleezza Rice round out the top five Most Admired women, while the top five Most Admired men also include George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Billy Graham, and Warren Buffett.
Guns in Public,
and Out of Sight

New York Times, by Michael Luo??? Original Article
Posted By: Dreadnought- 12/27/2011 12:13:29 PM ??? Post Reply
Alan Simons was enjoying a Sunday morning bicycle ride with his family in Asheville, N.C., two years ago when a man in a sport utility vehicle suddenly pulled alongside him and started berating him for riding on the highway. Mr. Simons, his 4-year-old son strapped in behind him, slowed to a halt. The driver, Charles Diez, an Asheville firefighter, stopped as well. When Mr. Simons walked over, he found himself staring down the barrel of a gun. ?Go ahead, I?ll shoot you,? Mr. Diez said, according to Mr. Simons. ?I?ll kill you.? Mr. Simons turned to leave but
???


Source: http://www.lucianne.com/thread/?artnum=657514

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Texas Shells Out Millions For Perry's Extravagant Security Detail

The Texas Tribune:

Aside from President Obama, Perry -- the only sitting governor in the 2012 race -- has the largest security contingent, and apparently the only one?on the Republican side financed by taxpayers.

Read the whole story: The Texas Tribune

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/25/rick-perry-texas-security_n_1169498.html

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Yemenis rally, denounce killing of protesters

Protestors carry a youth who was injured during clashes with security forces in Sanaa, Yemen, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011. More than 100,000 protesters who entered Yemen's capital Saturday after a 4-day march from another city were attacked by elite troops loyal to outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who opened fire with guns, water cannons and tear gas. Medical officials said at least three protesters were killed, including a woman.(AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

Protestors carry a youth who was injured during clashes with security forces in Sanaa, Yemen, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011. More than 100,000 protesters who entered Yemen's capital Saturday after a 4-day march from another city were attacked by elite troops loyal to outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who opened fire with guns, water cannons and tear gas. Medical officials said at least three protesters were killed, including a woman.(AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

Protestors carry an injured man from the site of clashes with security forces in Sanaa, Yemen, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011. More than 100,000 protesters who entered Yemen's capital Saturday after a 4-day march from another city were attacked by elite troops loyal to outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who opened fire with guns, water cannons and tear gas. Medical officials said at least three protesters were killed, including a woman. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

Protestors carry an injured man from the site of clashes with security forces in Sanaa, Yemen, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011. More than 100,000 protesters who entered Yemen's capital Saturday after a 4-day march from another city were attacked by elite troops loyal to outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who opened fire with guns, water cannons and tear gas. Medical officials said at least three protesters were killed, including a woman. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

Yemeni medics treat a wounded protestor who was injured during the clashes with security forces, in Sanaa, Yemen, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011. More than 100,000 protesters who entered Yemen's capital Saturday after a 4-day march from another city were attacked by elite troops loyal to outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who opened fire with guns, water cannons and tear gas. Medical officials said at least three protesters were killed, including a woman. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

Protestors stand behind the gate of a field hospital to watch wounded demonstrators being carried from the site of clashes with security forces, in Sanaa, Yemen, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011. More than 100,000 protesters who entered Yemen's capital Saturday after a 4-day march from another city were attacked by elite troops loyal to outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who opened fire with guns, water cannons and tear gas. Medical officials said at least three protesters were killed, including a woman. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

(AP) ? Tens of thousands of people demonstrated Sunday in Yemen's capital, protesting the deaths of protesters and demanding the resignation of the vice president for failing to bring the killers to justice.

Marching past the office of Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, the protesters denounced him as a "tool in the hands" of outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The march took place as Hadi was meeting with U.S. Ambassador Gerald Feierstein. A statement from Hadi's office said they discussed Yemen's crisis, and Hadi appealed for calm.

Hadi is heading a transitional government after Saleh agreed to transfer power following months of demonstrations and turmoil. Under the U.S.-backed plan, Saleh won immunity from prosecution, angering many of his opponents. Yielding to pressure to defuse the country's tensions, Saleh said Saturday he would leave for the United States.

The U.S. is concerned about months of turmoil in Yemen that has led to a security breakdown, because the dangerous al-Qaida branch in Yemen has taken advantage of the vacuum to expand its presence in the south of the country.

A security official said al-Qaida-linked forces on Sunday killed an intelligence chief responsible for fighting terrorism in southern Yemen. The official said Col. Hussein el-Shabibi was shot dead by al-Qaida-linked masked gunmen while he was in his car in a market in Sheik Othman, Aden.

In the capital Sanaa, troops commanded by Saleh's relatives attacked protesters on Saturday, activists said, killing at least nine and setting off Sunday's demonstration. They said the elite Republican Guard troops led by Saleh's son Ahmed fired at the protesters, and dozens were arrested by the National Security police led by Saleh's nephew.

"The situation will not stabilize, since Saleh's relatives and supporters are still holding sensitive positions in the army and government," said Fathi al-Rawdi, an activist at Sunday's gathering.

Activist Ahmed Ghilan criticized the power transfer deal Saleh signed in late November.

"We are fed up with this tragic farce deal that gives immunity but is impotent to force Saleh's troops out of the main streets," Ghilan said.

A military committee formed by Vice President Hadi was assigned to arrange the withdrawal of all army units and armed groups from the streets. That was supposed to be completed Saturday.

Ambassadors from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and the EU are pressing the military committee to complete its mission.

Mohammed al-Sabri, an opposition spokesman, said the ambassadors were focusing on the withdrawal issue, which he said is the main obstacle to achieving security and stability.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2011-12-25-ML-Yemen/id-0f6ee0a3d35b4c8f9a9dab78aa5b8ea4

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Video: GOP candidates wrap up last debate

10 chilling super-nerdy snow sculptures

By Sean FallonNerd Approved? If there's one thing that I miss about living in an area that sees snowy, wintry weather, it's making snowmen. I mean, it just doesn't feel right to make a snowman out of dirt while wearing shorts.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/vp/45702741#45702741

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Obama stands by Medal of Honor award to Marine (AP)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. ? President Barack Obama is standing by his award of the Medal of Honor to a Marine in the Afghanistan war despite a published report Thursday charging exaggerations of the battle.

Obama presented the award to Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer three months ago, calling him the "best of a generation" that joined the military after 9/11. He described the day in 2009 when Meyer braved enemy fire in eastern Afghanistan to save U.S. and Afghan comrades.

McClatchy Newspapers reported that its review of documents turned up numerous "untrue, unsubstantiated or exaggerated" assertions about the firefight. The report by a McClatchy correspondent who was embedded with the military and witnessed the Sept. 8, 2009, battle, based the story on analysis of dozens of military documents, including sworn statements by Meyer and others involved.

The story also said Meyer displayed heroism that day and deserves the award.

Obama spokesman Jay Carney said the president "remains very proud" of Meyer and his "remarkable acts of bravery."

Meyer, a native of Green County, Ky., could not be reached for comment Thursday. He said on his Twitter page that he has received an outpouring of support since the report was published. He posted a picture of the front page of a newspaper that prominently displayed the story.

"I can't thank everyone enough for the support people on Twitter and other Americans are showing me. So Thank You all," Meyer tweeted.

A friend of Meyer's who attended the Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House on Sept. 15 said Meyer was frustrated by the report because he has used the medal to draw attention to fallen and wounded Marines and soldiers.

"He's been very clear in almost every interview, he didn't ask for this. But he now has learned that it's his responsibility," said Chris Schmidt, of Columbia, Ky.

Meyer's grandfather, Dwight Meyer, said he hadn't seen the story and didn't know what it was about.

"Dakota just doesn't talk about (the battle), because he's had so much on his mind about it, because it's affected him tremendously," Dwight Meyer said.

Meyer has been humble about receiving the honor, calling it "the worst day of his life" because his comrades died.

The Marines said in a statement they were very disappointed McClatchy published the story. The award investigation process used first-person, eye-witness accounts and supporting documents and that Meyer "rightly deserved the nation's highest military honor," the Marines said.

The Marines acknowledged that the process was not flawless.

"Because of the nature of the events supporting awards for valor, it is normal for minor discrepancies to appear when reviewing the source information and collecting eyewitness statements," it said.

The Marines also acknowledged that the public narrative of Meyer's actions on the battlefield, as it appeared on the Marine Corps website, was his personal account.

The military said Meyer saved 13 American and 23 Afghan soldiers' lives, and he "personally killed at least eight Taliban insurgents, while providing cover for his team to fight their way out."

The McClatchy report said that could not have happened because 12 Americans and the reporter were ambushed that day.

Four were killed, and a fifth would later die of injuries. The report also said there were no statements that credit Meyer with killing eight Taliban.

The Humvee driver with Meyer during the ambush, Staff Sgt. Juan Rodriguez-Chavez, reported seeing Meyer kill one insurgent, according to the McClatchy story.

McClatchy's Washington bureau chief James Asher noted the Marines were not challenging the story.

"History isn't being well served by this, nor do I think Dakota Meyer is either," Asher said. "For reasons that are mystifying to me ... the Marine Corps wanted for some reason to make a better story."

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/obama/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111216/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_medal_of_honor_dispute

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