Morning News: Civilian Death Toll Nears 600 in Gaza

Shannon LC Cate — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:22:00 GMT

I have always been interested in peace and justice issues, but I admit, since becoming a mother, I am cut to the bone when I see young children suffering helplessly due to war. The situation in Gaza is getting worse and worse, with nearly 600 civilian deaths so far and about half of them women and children. I don't know what we can do about it but I hope someone does something and soon.

Stateside, Barack Obama has been meeting with democratic leaders already, trying to round up early support for a huge tax break he'd like to see implmented by early February. It includes $500 for folks making under $200K and breaks for businesses. I'd say how very Republican of him, but I think, rather, he is a shrewd politician doing exactly what he needs to do to gain bipartisan support for his programs. But anyway, he is certainly no socialist. If only!

Bernie Madoff has, apparently, been spreading his own largess abroad. It seems he's given about a million dollars worth of jewelry to various family members and friends since posting his $10 million bail after his recent arrest. His sister-in-law might have worn your life savings to a New Year's Eve party, yo. As a result, prosecutors in his case are calling for the court to revoke his bail and put him behind bars until his trial. If he was a petty street criminal he'd certainly be in jail. I say bring out the cuff for Bernie.

Say what you will about autism denial and Scientology, we have nothing but sympathy for John Travolta and family. There was some speculation that Jett died of a head injury, but the autopsy has found it was a seizure.

Sorry to be such a downer today folks. It looks like the world is a mess this morning. On one final tragic note, it seems that Brown Pelicans in California are showing up ill, disoriented, bruised and dead in strange places and no one knows why. Maybe they are just sad.

Strollerderby : brown pelicans

Morning News: Civilian Death Toll Nears 600 in Gaza