Rose Parade Ready to Bloom Despite Protests Over Chinese Float

But, not everyone is happy that the Tournament of Roses parade committee allowed a float in from China promoting the upcoming Olympics. Protestors have already hit the streets to raise their concerns about human rights violations in China and the choice of China for the Olympics.

Video: People Magazine Names Best & Worst of 2007

Al-Qaeda Terrorist Threat Puts Belgium on Alert, New Year's Fireworks Cancelled

Economic Fallout: Benazir Bhutto Killing Shakes Pakistan Investment Markets

Natalee Holloway, Chandra Levy Cases To Be Investigated by College Students

Natalee Holloway

Chandra Levy

Benazir Bhutto's Son To Head Pakistan People's Party

"Democracy is the best revenge," Bilawal Bhutto quoted his mother as saying. The 19-year-old said that he will serve as a symbol of his mother's party and vision. His father, Asif Ali Zardar, had been named in Benazir Bhutto's will, but passed the leadership to his son while he helps to manage the party.

Nuclear & Social Fallout: After Bhutto's Killing, a Shell-Shocked Pakistan Explodes in Riots & Ethnic Tensions

As Pakistan's government gives conflicting stories of the cause of death for assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, and refuses outside investigatory help, Pakistan is exploding from within. Accusations of a coverup have now been joined with a flaring of ethnic tensions in this nuclear power nation.

Although the government is trying to pass off Bhutto's death as accidental while a shooter and a suicide bomber attacked her, people around the world aren't buying their story. In saying that Bhutto injured herself by falling down during the attack and hitting her head, the government is desperately trying to stop the tidal wave of declaring the truth: Bhutto is a martyr for freedom and her people, and she was assassinated in a skillful plot.



Unctously, government spokesmen have been saying how sad it is that Bhutto chose to stand up and wave at her supporters, thus leading to her falling down and causing her fatal injury. This cold, callous attempt to blame the victim while diverting attention from the government's failure to provide the reasonable security she had requested, and also distract attention from a plot, reveals why Bhutto returned home and gave her life to fight the current government.

Nuclear power, and Pakistan's people, are in the hands of duplicitous power-mongers and are at increasing risk from Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and jihadists. After Bhutto's assassination and the government's deceit, Pakistan is likely to slide backwards, thus giving terrorists exactly what they wanted.

A key question remains: why is the current government so quick to play into the terrorists' hands? Instead of shutting down investigations and turning away help, Pakistan's government should be seeking truth in an open way.

Video: Reuter's Top 10 Odd Stories of 2007

Bhutto Killing Aftermath: US Presidental Candidates Talk Foreign Policy (Roundup)

How Sweet It Is: Patriots Score Perfect Season

Video: Cover-up Alleged in Bhutto Death; Aide Disputes Government's Story

Meanwhile, Bhutto aide Sherry Rehman, who helped bathe Bhutto's body, said that the government theory is a "cover-up." She said that she and others saw a bullet wound in Bhutto's body.

Details vary on cause of Bhutto's death

Photo & Video: Bhutto Shooting Shown in Debate over Pakistan Assassination

As the controversy rages over exactly what injuries killed former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, and who planned the two-pronged attack, this image of the shooter in action has surfaced.

Tiger Attack Video: 911 Transcript Reveals San Francisco Cops Kept Out of Zoo

Bhutto Death Video: Government Claims Head Injury Killed Her; Attack Staged by Al-Qaeda

So far, three different causes of death have been released in the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. As Pakistan erupted in violence and grief, government officials confirmed what we reported yesterday: the suicide shooter/bomber was an Al-Qaeda mission.

Video: The Taliban/Al-Qaeda Death Cult; Why Bhutto and Freedom are Hated

In this amazing documentary, you will see the Taliban, including recruitment, in action. Warning: graphic footage, including a Taliban hanging, is shown.

Sub-titles and commentary are included.

This is the mindset, the hatred, that killed Benazir Bhutto and that intends to destroy as much of the world as possible. This is why the war on terrorism must not cease.

These are the forces that wish to control Pakistan's nuclear weapons.

CIA Video Background: Long-Term Outlook for Pakistan after Bhutto's Assassination

Nuclear Pakistan: Analysis of The Fallout from Benazir Bhutto's Killing

From American presidential campaigns to stability in a chaotic region, the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto will affect events around the globe. With Pakistan's status as a nuclear power, the balance of the future is ever more fragile.

Benazir Bhutto: A Light Against the Darkness

More videos and commentary follow. If you would like to use any of these videos or this slideshow on your website or blog, feel free to do so. Simply watch the video, then click "embed."

We grieve today, and join Benazir Bhutto's family, and the people of Pakistan, in mourning, Twice Prime Minister of Pakistan, Bhutto was a bright light in an ever-darkening world stalked by the terrorists and hatred of Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, jihadists, and radical Muslims.

Throughout the day, we have provided news coverage of Bhutto's tragic assassination. We intend to continue to follow this story. Bhutto, a woman of great courage and insight, was a long-time friend of the United States and the free world, without ever losing her love for her homeland and its potential.

In a region and culture that routinely devalues women, the loss of this one brave woman will carve rivers of pain and blood throughout the world. With this blow, Al-Qaeda, which has bragged that they targeted and killed Bhutto, has delivered a message to the world: we will kill those who seek to bring people out of bondage; we will kill those who dare all for freedom; we will shroud the world in hatred and violence.

The only question remaining is: will we allow these barbarians to claim death as their defining triumph, and to twist the world into a rictus of terror and pain? Benazir Bhutto said "no," and backed her passion for freedom with her own life.

Those of us who love freedom must do the same. The war on terrorism must continue if we are to have any chance of entering the 22nd century with freedom existing anywhere on planet Earth. The devils of darkness walk among us, and we must do whatever it takes to reclaim the light of the world.

Photo Slideshow: Benazir Bhutto, Living and Dying for Freedom

More videos and commentary follow. If you would like to use any of these videos or this slideshow on your website or blog, feel free to do so. Simply watch the video, then click "embed."

Video: On-the-Scene Report on Bhutto Killing

More videos and coverage follow below.

Video: Bhutto Killing Condemned as Riots Break Out in Pakistan.

Videos of the death scene and Bhutto's life follow below.

In October, Bhutto said that she wouldn't "surrender our great nation" to killers.

Al-Qaeda Commander: We Killed Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto

Al-Qaeda's Afghanistan commander, Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid, said that the terrorist organization killed former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

"We terminated the most precious American asset," declared Al-Yazid. He phonedAdnkronos International (AKI) from a hidden base.

Videos from the death scene and Bhutto's life follow.

Video: Benazir Bhutto Assassinated in Pakistan, Bombs Kill Many

Video: Bhutto spoke frankly about the fact that the Taliban and radical Islamists, as well as political opponents, would try to kill her when she returned to Pakistan to fight for democracy after her exile.




Sad news from Pakistan: charismatic opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was savagely gunned down during a bombing attack that killed at least 20 today. The photo was taken just before her death.

Many believed that she had come home knowing that she would eventually be martyred. Bhutto rallied faith, spirit and resolve against the oppressive regime of President Pervez Musharraf.

Educated at Radcliff in the United States and Oxford in England, Bhutto came from a family that fought hard, and died, for freedom in Pakistan. Her father, a former prime minister, was hanged by a repressive regime.

Bhutto, a former prime minister of Pakistan, went against the tide in Islamic regions. She was the first female prime minister in an Islamist country, and served twice despite persecution.

Video: Bhutto speaks about Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and the use of the Muslim religion for terrorism.



During service as prime minister, Bhutto brought electricity to many in Pakistan--in the 1990's. She worked against corruption, and fought for health, education, and welfare improvements for the Pakistani people.

Unafraid to speak out and fight for what she believed, Bhutto had been imprisoned many times, and has been under death threats since she returned to Pakistan to lead her Pakistan People's Party (PPP). A horrific suicide bombing killed more than 100 people during her motorcade in October.

The world has lost a valiant voice; Islamic extremists have proven again that freedom, in their world view, is not an option. Bhutto was anti-terrorism, anti Al-Qaeda, anti-Taliban, and, especially as a woman leader, was a special threat to terrorists and those seeking violence and repression of others. She also wanted to assist the U.S. in finding Osama bin Laden and in stopping the illegal traffic of weapons of mass destruction by terrorists.

This is a developing news story. Will Pakistan erupt in fury?

Video from the October bombing of her homecoming convoy, including detonation of the second bomb.

Bhutto answering questions.


See additional coverage at Vince's Blog.

Santa Installs New High-Tech Sleigh Unit at NASA'S Kennedy Space Center

We all know that NORAD is tracking Santa around the world tonight, but did you know that Santa will be landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida?

Using the oh-so-successful Canadian robot arm used on the International Space Station and Space Shuttle missions, Santa conferred with NASA engineers and built a new tool to help get the toys to children. Called the EXtra-Manual Aid System (X-MAS), the new component on Santa's sleigh will help Santa protect his joints in the weather as he gets presents out of his sleigh.

The reinder will take a grazing break at the Shuttle Landing Facility while Santa installs the new unit. For decades, Santa has had clearance to land at Kennedy Space Center during his world-wide travels.

Although I'm not allowed to discuss all the details, I can tell you that years ago, I helped manage Santa's yearly KSC touchdown and liftoff on Christmas Eve. What's Santa really like? Ahhhh, that I can tell you! He's just as wonderful as you ever imagined him to be.

This year, Santa's new X-MAS unit is the latest update to the other high-tech gadgets on his 2lst Century sleigh. We managed to get this top-secret look at Santa's sleigh shortly before his KSC maneuvers.



Although the Shuttle Landing Facility is closed to other traffic to protect Santa's privacy, we also captured this photo of a witness to Santa's visit.

Mars Appears as 2007 Christmas Star in Sky Rarity

Politics & Christmas: Face the Nation's Bob Schieffer Dishes On the Presidential Campaign Holiday Ads

Christmas Memories: Honoring the Miners Lost in Crandall Mining Disaster

The men who died trying to rescue other miners in the Crandall mining disaster and those lost in that August tragedy are memorialized in Huntingdon, Utah, and with a special art project.

Video: Celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem Dec. 24, 2007

In the troubled city of Bethlehem, celebrations begin for the birth of the Prince of Peace.

Christmas Mistletoe Music: Firecracker Lights Up

He's a little Waylon, a little Johnny Cash, a little dash of rockabilly and pure country: Josh Turner lights up the holidays with "Firecracker."

Find some mistletoe, hug your sweetie and turn it on!

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Strong Storms Batter Plains, Head Into Midwest

Some places in Oklahoma still don't have full power back on after the recent ice storm. The wind is gusting at more than 30 miles per hour, causing whiteout conditions in some areas. In a strange twist, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported that a multi-vehicle pileup included an ambulance with victims from a prior accident.

A strong snowstorm that cut visibility nearly to zero in some places as it rolled across the Plains on Saturday caused numerous vehicle pileups and forced authorities to close portions of several major highways.

Dozens of vehicles were involved in a pileup on Interstate 29 in western Missouri, authorities said. Sections of some Oklahoma highways were closed because of whiteout conditions.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said preliminary reports indicated 20 to 40 vehicles, including three tractor-trailer rigs, were involved in the early afternoon chain-reaction wreck on Interstate 29 at St. Joseph.

Multiple ambulances were sent to the scene but there was no immediate indication how many people were injured or if there were any fatalities. Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph said it was treating several people from the accident though none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.

The patrol closed about 100 miles of I-29 from Dearborn, which is between Kansas City and St. Joseph, to the Iowa state line. The storm blew locally heavy snow across Oklahoma, eastern Kansas and northwestern Missouri, plus parts of Nebraska and Iowa.

Source: foxnews.com

NowPublic

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Google This: Wiki Slipped a Mickey in COO's Criminal Past

As web powerhouse Google launches its own encyclopedia, "knol," the Wikimedia Foundation is batting clean-up after revelations about its recent chief operating officer, Carolyn Bothwell Doran. Doran, now in jail in Virginia for prior offenses, managed more than $1 million in donations to the parent organization of Wikipedia.

From a hit-and-run auto accident to shooting a boyfriend to kiting checks, Doran had a long history of trouble with the law. How she wound up as COO for Wikimedia is a cautionary tale. It's also an embarrassment for an internet resource founded to provide reference and information.

Already battling criticism over sometimes-chaotic Wiki entries, inaccurate information, and turf warfare among contributors, the scrappy company runs primarily through the services of volunteers. Faced with a need for cash, Wiki has been running a donations drive while keeping a wary eye on Google's recently-announced plans for a competitive reference resource.

The foundation that runs — and accepts donations for — the online encyclopedia Wikipedia neglected to do a basic background check before hiring a chief operating officer who had been convicted of theft, drunken driving and fleeing a car accident.

Before she left in July, Carolyn Bothwell Doran, 45, had moved up from a part-time bookkeeper for the Wikimedia Foundation and spent six months as chief operating officer, responsible for personnel and financial management.

In March, she signed the small nonprofit's tax return, which listed more than $1.3 million in donations.

At the time, she was on probation for a 2004 hit-and-run accident in Virginia that had landed her seven months in prison.

Doran had multiple drunken-driving convictions, and records show earlier run-ins for theft, writing bad checks and wounding her boyfriend with a gunshot to the chest.

Source: foxnews.com

Torture Chamber, Mass Graves: Somber Iraq Discovery

Sometimes, it's not easy understanding what a "war on terrorism" is really all about. It's a fuzzy term, something that may seem a far cry from clearly-defined "start" points like the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

But a chilling discovery by American troops brought the reality of terrorism and radical Islamism into sharp focus. An Al-Qaeda torture chamber in Muqdadiyah spotlights a base reality: the hatred goes beyond just philosophical "concepts" or political talking points.

The terror and brutality are up close and personal. These terrorists intend to destroy anyone or anything that is not part of their Islamic world. They torture, bomb,and murder every days. They intend to subjugate, degrade, destroy, maim and kill anyone in their path.

The pictures of the remains in the mass grave tug at the heart. These were people like you and I, people who loved, were loved, had friends and family. But they displeased the merchants of terror and hatred, and so they suffered, horribly, died, and their remains were dumped like so much garbage.

The terrorist/torturers even left behind a message. Scrawled on a wall: "Long live the Islamic State."

Here's what that state is like. Warning: these images are graphic.

Soldiers find torture chamber in Iraq

Corvette ZR1: 600+ HP Hits the Streets in 2008

The legendary Corvette is poised to boldly go where no driver has gone before: up to 650 horsepower in the sleek new ZR1 edition. As rumors of the newly-redesigned 'vette raced through the automotive world, car fanciers have waited for the unveiling of a monster machine with the panache that is Corvette.

Adapted from the C6 version, the ZR1 was designed to be the fastest Corvette of all time. GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said that the innovation team wanted to combine speed with a car easily handled at lower speeds. Look for the hot new model to draw star attention at next month's Detroit Auto Show.

Called "The Blue Devil" during earlier secret testing days, the ZR1 will be released in the summer of 2008. The sticker price: most likely starting at $100,000.

The outrage that no doubt will follow on the part of Al Gore and the Goristas: priceless.

Christmas Miracle: Missing CA Family Alive, Survived in Storm Drain

Incredible story here. The father and children, who'd gone hunting for a Christmas tree, survived by taking refuge in a storm drain.

With new Pacific storms bearing down on the family, lost since Sunday, searchers had become deeply worried that time was running out.

All four members of a family that vanished Sunday in the Northern California mountains while searching for a christmas tree have been found alive, FOX News reported Wednesday.

"They have found all four, and they appear to be OK," said Paradise Police Sgt. Steve Rowe.

He said rescuers airlifted Frederick Dominguez, 38, and his three children, aged 18, 15 and 12, out of the mountains and were planning to evaluate their condition. The children walked out of the snow into a crowd of media and excited rescuers gathered at the staging area for the search.

Source: foxnews.com via PEP

NowPublic

Drew Peterson: Sued for Police Brutality

In BizarroLand, former Bolingbrook cop Drew Peterson, suspected in the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, and the disappearance of his four wife, Stacy Peterson, is being sued for police brutality.

Timothy Brownlee said that Peterson attacked him and broke his thumb after Brownlee was arrested after a neighborhood dispute. A judge threw the charges out of court.

Brownlee, who said that he was also called "the n-word" is suing Peterson, two other officers, and the scandal-ridden Bolingbrook Police Department. Brownlee, whose troubles began when he decided to barbecue in his backyard, said that he's afraid of Peterson.

Peterson's attorney and fellow bon vivant Joel Brodksy said that he thought the State's Attorney would handle the case properly. Memo to Joel: a civil lawsuit doesn't fall under the province of the State's Attorney, who handles criminal matters.

Brodsky and Peterson have also been in a snit about what they term "leaks" from grand jury proceedings looking into the death of Savio and the disappearance of Stacy Peterson. Brodsky demanded a special prosecutor to investigate those "leaks."

Memo to Brodsky: people who appear before the grand jury may talk about their testimony. Speaking of leaking, is there any bigger media manipulator and hog than Peterson himself?

COPS: How a Writer's Strike Helped Launch 20 Years of "Bad Boys"

As the current writer's strike drags on, time to take a look back to the birth of the reality TV show Cops. Creator/producer John Langley spent seven long, hard years trying to sell his concept, with no luck.

Then came the 1988 writer's strike, the rise of Fox News,a dearth of scripts, and the unscripted Cops was on the streets and into your home. With multiple Emmy nominations, Cops is the longest-running reality TV show in history.

Take a quick look at Cops history and highlights. Don't miss the guy with the pot cigarette tucked behind his ear telling cops that he doesn't smoke weed. Priceless!

Beauty in Motion: Ford Model Mary Claire's Photo Shoot

Notice how "high tech" imaging has become as Ford model Mary Claire shares a photo shoot for her new book.

Drew Peterson: Boy Toys Not Returned in Missing Wife Probe

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Jailbreak, Shawshank Style, in New Jersey

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Caucus Countdown: Candidates in Wonderland

Yea, yea. We know. The excitement is building (yawn) for the first caucuses. Actually, the *real* battle, rasslin' style, was over which state got to have one first.

Did you ever stop to wonder just what the heck a caucus really is and why everyone's running so hard? Fear not. We're about to tell you.

Your primary resource is Alice in Wonderland. What, you thought it was just a weird kids' story? Not at all.

The tale of the caucus begins after Alice, while she was nine feet tall (oh! the ego of politicians), cries a pool of tears. Yea, this is the substance abuse time in the plot (hel-lo, Obama!).

Having had her (literal) upper and downer, Alice picks up the wrong tool (a fan, hel-lo Bill and Rudy, pardon the pun!), and shrinks again. Next thing you know, Alice is in a deep pool of salty water, with an odd collection of fellow travelers swimming around. Yea, they finally get out, but now they're soaked and they want to dry off.

Ever think politicians are all wet? How do they dry off (and get dry behind the ears, too?) Simple.

A caucus race. Here's the point where we reveal the secret of the caucus gallop.

"`What I was going to say,' said the Dodo in an offended tone, `was, that the best thing to get us dry would be a Caucus-race.'

`What IS a Caucus-race?' said Alice; not that she wanted much to know, but the Dodo had paused as if it thought that SOMEBODY ought to speak, and no one else seemed inclined to say anything.

`Why,' said the Dodo, `the best way to explain it is to do it.' (And, as you might like to try the thing yourself, some winter day, I will tell you how the Dodo managed it.)

First it marked out a race-course, in a sort of circle, (`the exact shape doesn't matter,' it said,) and then all the party were placed along the course, here and there. There was no `One, two, three, and away,' but they began running when they liked, and left off when they liked, so that it was not easy to know when the race was over. However, when they had been running half an hour or so, and were quite dry again, the Dodo suddenly called out `The race is over!' and they all crowded round it, panting, and asking, `But who has won?'

This question the Dodo could not answer without a great deal of thought, and it sat for a long time with one finger pressed upon its forehead (the position in which you usually see Shakespeare, in the pictures of him), while the rest waited in silence. At last the Dodo said, `EVERYBODY has won, and all must have prizes.'

`But who is to give the prizes?' quite a chorus of voices asked.

`Why, SHE, of course,' said the Dodo, pointing to Alice with one finger; and the whole party at once crowded round her, calling out in a confused way, `Prizes! Prizes!'

Alice had no idea what to do, and in despair she put her hand in her pocket, and pulled out a box of comfits, (luckily the salt water had not got into it), and handed them round as prizes. There was exactly one a-piece all round. `But she must have a prize herself, you know,' said the Mouse.

`Of course,' the Dodo replied very gravely. `What else have you got in your pocket?' he went on, turning to Alice.

`Only a thimble,' said Alice sadly.

`Hand it over here,' said the Dodo.

Then they all crowded round her once more, while the Dodo solemnly presented the thimble, saying `We beg your acceptance of this elegant thimble'; and, when it had finished this short speech, they all cheered. "

Yep. They start when and where they like, running an erratic course, stopping--where first? Oh! Iowa!

And somewhere, one of these racers will get an "elegant thimble" as a reward. This thimble will look like a montage of facts, votes, graphs, charts, analysis and what-nots. Then the runners will be on to the next caucus race, for another thimble. Thimbles that, in essence, they all bought and paid for (How many millions? Billions).

Lewis Carroll was wicked clever when he wrote Alice in Wonderland.

The Electoral College is the dodo bird, folks. Let's get rid of it and figure out a way to save time, money, and resources.

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Oregon: Mudslide Shoves Homes on Highway

As wicked winter weather slices across middle America, the western coasts are getting hit hard, too.

Here at I Found a Peanut, we've been dealing with several days of ice storms. Oklahoma has been declared in a state of emergency by both the state and the federal government.

In Oregon, an area already reeling from prior storms found homes being pushed downhill by a mud slide. Highway 30 in that area is completely blocked.

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Illegal Immigration: Affecting Your Wages?

This news report from a small town in Texas shows how illegal immigrants have pushed down wages and raised the cost of living for Americans. Workers in the meat packing industry in the U.S. now earn 35% less than they did in the 1970's.

Experts say that continuing waves of illegal workers, often with forged documents, have created a market where wages for American workers are severely at risk. In this investigation, Swift was hauled into court for allegedly deliberately hiring illegals over American workers in order to save money.

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"Pig in Snow": Dr. Phil, Drew Peterson, Stacy Peterson, Kathleen Savio, Kyle Piry & The "Rotten Review"

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Inspector Clouseau Needed: The Bizarre Drew Peterson Story

Where is Inspector Clouseau when you need him?

Clouseau and the Pink Panther could add a lot to the ever-stranger Drew Peterson saga. You know, the former cop with a missing fourth wife, and a third wife found drowned in her dry bathtub, leaving him rich.

As this story inches forward day by day, the "clews" are becoming ever more curious. The Illinois State Police have retracted the alert on the trucker who claims Peterson and another man approached him wanting off-the-record transport. Seems the guy was in Louisiana at the time.

But wait! There's more! Supposedly there's another trucker who'd reported an earlier contact whose cellphone records check out. Or -- maybe.

Meanwhile, Peterson contains to whine about media interest in this story. So what does he do? Once again, he runs to--the media. The Chicago Tribune has a sob sister story with Peterson whining that his former cop buddies are shunning him.

Now investigators are saying that chemicals may have been used to decompose fourth wife Stacy Peterson's body faster. What *is* decomposing faster: the trail left by investigators, who somehow gave Peterson several days to ramble around, possibly leave the area, and clean up his house.

Cook County and its general area-this case is taking place in Chicago's 'burbs--have always been known for dirty politics, a political machine, vote-rigging, and all too often, dirty cops. Right now, investigators have a case that has far larger implications than just one missing wife.

At question: the handling of Kathleen Savio's death, which forensic expert Dr. Michael Baden said was a homicide. Peterson, who called it in, was allowed to clean up the bathtub and area. A cop who knew and liked Peterson was allowed on the coroner's jury looking at the case.

A couple of decades back, Peterson was fired for numerous causes, including ratting out another undercover cop to a known killer in the narcotics trade. The management of Bolingbrook made the police department take him back.

New Police Chief Ray McGury has a tough job on his hands--this mess fell into his lap, and it appears that the town management again wants to thwart police department management. He didn't want Peterson to be allowed his full penalty. The town management handed the pension over after Peterson, fearing a police department internal investigation for infractions before Stacy went missing, rushed into retirement.

It goes on and on. This is a story about a bully with a badge, and the implications are far-reaching. There are at least two other mysterious deaths/missing persons linked to Peterson.

Peterson, though, has his priorities focused. He told one reporter that he wouldn't "get a date" again. When he asked another female reporter to tour his home, he told her that he was a "good kisser." He told other reporters, in scoffing at the investigation "I'm waiting for my 7th grade prom date to say that I was a bad kisser."

However, Peterson scotched rumors that he's posing for a spread in Playgirl. Whew. Meanwhile, apparently-former-friend Ric Mims, who posed for a randy self-photo on his MySpace page, has sold his story to the National Enquirer. Mims is appearing in this saga as the Peterson version of Kato Kaelin.

The Peterson saga will be featured on today's Dr. Phil show. Dr. Phil, who previously has said that Peterson's behavior is not normal, will take a look at this case and the subject of domestic abuse. Peterson had 18 complaints at his home with Savio, whose head he bammed against a table while knocking her around, according to a hospital report--while he was a police officer.

Three of Peterson's four wives reported being afraid of him. Reports are that he told them he could kill them and make it look like an accident. All this went on while he was a cop. Although Chief McGury was apparently ready to bring the hammer down on Peterson, for decades Peterson apparently did what he wanted and got away with it.

And that means that this case goes far beyond one dead wife and one missing wife. Bolingbrook town management and the former police chief have some explaining to do.

As the imcomparable Peter Sellers said as Inspector Clouseau: "It won't be easy, that is why I have always failed where others have succeeded."

Photo courtesy of the Inspector Clouseau site, which I highly recommend for a visit.

Cops Hammer on Peterson: "Possible Homicide" Evidence Search

Tonight's search of former Bolingbrook Sgt. Drew Peterson is a major step forward in the case. Investigators stated in their warrant that they are seeking evidence relating to the commission of a "possible homicide," and want to take a closer look at the Peterson vehicles, among other things.

They are searching for chips or trace evidence from a blue container. The police may also seize the cars via forfeiture, although the reasons for that have not yet been fully discussed.

The earlier overview article follows this one.

Searching for Truth: The Peterson Follies

After decades of covering many types of news stories, one thing I've learned is that truth is always stranger than fiction. But even given that axiom, the Drew Peterson case has soared into galaxies of previously unexplored weirdness.

As I write this, the Peterson home is again being searched by law enforcement, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. It's the fourth time the house has been searched--including a sweep by cadaver dogs--since Peterson's fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, went missing in October.

Meanwhile, attorney Joel Brodsky has alleged that the entire Bolingbrook, ILL police department, where Peterson was a career cop, routinely uses police databases to conduct illegal investigations for personal reasons. Brodsky, who once lost his law license for signing a dead man's checks, declared that his client should be excused for using those databases for stalking his wife (or wives), because everybody does it.

It's the first time I've ever seen a defense attorney admit that his client has committed what Police Chief Ray McGury says is a felony-level offense. McGury, who inherited the entire Peterson mess from his predecessor, told Brodsky to provide details about officers routinely commiting these offenses.

Brodsky, whose media performances have become the equivalent of an amateur rhinestone-spangled trapeze act in a very low-rent circus, fired back that he doesn't have to prove his allegations. Question: what happens if McGury launches an investigation and calls Brodsky as a witness? It would be "put up or shut up" time for Brodsky.

Brodsky, upset over his less-than-stellar showing during Fox News' Greta Van Susteren's "On the Record" last night, fired off a rambling, angry email to the veteran lawyer-journalist. In it, he announced "Secondly, as to the chief’s challenge for me to provide him with the names of people that have misused the databases, and the times of the acts of misuse, this makes no sense."

Let me translate this into everyday terms. "Officer, yes I saw someone rob the jewelry store. Yes, I called you to report it. You want a description of the suspect? That makes no sense."

If this were a circus, the number of smear attempts on everyone in pop-gun firing range and the increasingly bizarre comments spewed by Brodsky and Peterson would be like the rickety, never-ending clown car act.. Just when you think you've seen more nutsy things crawl out of the car than is realistically possible, out pops one or two more.

Theme song for this act: "a little song, a little dance,a little seltzer down the pants."

Meanwhile, the real issues include: what happened to Stacy Peterson, now missing for more than a month after asking Peterson for a divorce? And what happened to third wife, Kathleen Savio, who drowned in an empty bath tub? Presiding at the processing of the "accident"--Drew Peterson, then St. Peterson, who inherited more than one and a half million dollars in various assets.

From money to malice, this story has more twists and turns than a stripper working a pole. There's the truckers who say Peterson and a sidekick tried to bribe an off-the-record load outta town, a suicidal step-brother who's afraid he helped lug Stacy's body out of the home at Peterson's behest, and then the decades of women who Peterson was a stalker and abuser.

Plus Savio's pleas for help, including 18 domestic disturbance calls and a head injury after Peterson knocked her into a coffee table during a fight. And women who say that Peterson bragged he could kill them and make it look like an accident.

Massive searches for Stacy by volunteers, 64 Illinois law enforcement investigators, and the FBI have continued for weeks. Peterson's focus, however, has been his love-hate relationship with the media, from People Magazine's cover to his childish filming of the media to strike back at them.

Then there's Peterson's attempt to derail a prayer vigil for Stacy last weekend. As law enforcement announced a new focus on searching a specific nearby canal, Peterson's still doing the "poor me" soft shoe. His story is that he's an abandoned spouse whose nutsy, "spoiled" wife ran off with another man. Just in case we don't buy that, an anonymous message detailing a sighting of Stacy in Peoria was sent to Peterson--rather than to a tip line offering a $25,000 reward. Afterwards, Peterson made sure he was photographed checking his mailbox.

The archives tell the many tales of Drew Peterson. With questions now being raised about other bodies linked to Peterson, this story, at its core, asks: was there a Bluebeard with a badge on the prowl?

No one really knows yet, just as we don't know what really happened to Stacy or Kathleen Savio. But we do know this: there are four children in a house with a man who at least one ex-wife says was abusive to his older children. The most recent two, of course, are dead and missing.

If this were a play, it would be Pirandello's "Six Characters in Search of an Author." As the master crafter of the balance between reality and fiction declared: "Yes, but haven't you perceived that it isn't possible to live in front of a mirror which not only freezes us with the image of ourselves, but throws our likeness back at us with a horrible grimace?

Drew Peterson Tried to Hire Truckers to Transport Package After Stacy Peterson Disappeared

This just in: the Illinois State Police have taken the extraordinary step of issuing an alert saying that former Bolingbrook cop Drew Peterson and another male approached truckers and asked them to transport a package to an undisclosed location.

"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS:
December 1, 2007 Trooper Mark T. Dorencz #4848
Safety Education Officer
Illinois State Police - District 5
(815) 726-6377 Ext. 271

JOLIET – On October 29, 2007 at approximately 3:30 am, two truck drivers were approached by two men at a truck stop in Bolingbrook , IL. One of the two men is believed to be Drew Peterson and the other described as a white male, early 50’s, salt-and-pepper hair, with a stocky build. The two men requested the truck drivers to transport a package to an undisclosed location. Upon reaching the location, the men would regain possession of the package and continue transporting it to a location not accessible by semi-trailers.

Anyone having a similar encounter is asked to contact the Illinois State Police at
815-740-0678 or America’s Most Wanted Hotline at 1-800-CRIME TV."

As Peterson tried to block a prayer vigil for missing fourth wife Stacy Peterson in his neighborhood, momentum continues to build in this increasingly bizaare case. His attorney, Joel Brodsky, whose own past includes loss of his law license for forging a check, continues to smear everyone else involved in Peterson's life.

Dr. Michael Baden remains firm that Peterson's third wife, Kathleen Savio, was beaten and her death posed to look like a drowning. Found allegedly drowned in a dry bathtub, Savio had for years pleaded for help, to no avail, in dealing with Peterson's abuse. She, like other women in Peterson's life, had told others that Peterson bragged he could kill her, and as a cop, could make it look like an accident and get away with it.

The list of deaths, disappearances, and tragedies linked to the former Bolingbrook police officer continue to mouth. His step-brother, Thomas Morphey, tried to commit suicide after Peterson got him to help move a large container out of the Peterson home the day Stacy Peterson disappeared. Morphey, shaken, went to a friend and said that he was afraid he had just helped Peterson dispose of Stacy's body.

Here's a list of cases that 64 full-time Illinois investigators, the FBI, the Navy, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers--the military brought in to help with searches--are analyzing that are linked to Drew Peterson:

Fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, who told clergy that Peterson had killed Savio, and who told family and friends that she was afraid Peterson would kill her and make it look like an accident.

Third wife, Kathleen Savio, whose body was exhumed for new autopsies after Stacy Peterson's death. When her body was found, Peterson had falsely called in a "welfare check," then gave false information to medical techs about a non-existent heart condition, and managed to get the tub cleaned up without adequate investigation. In essence, he labelled it an accident.

During Savio's marriage, Peterson was having an affair with a young woman, whose brother protested. The brother was found dead, and labelled as a suicide. The officer first on the scene? Drew Peterson.

A local man, Jeffrey Archer, dated one of Peterson's ex-wives, angering Peterson. According to police documents, he was found dead in Sanitary Shipping Canal, one mile east of Routes 83 and 171- Cook County. That area has also been searched for any trace of Stacy Peterson's remains.

The lid is only now being slowly pulled back off a very nasty pot of years of alleged Peterson misconduct, on and off the job. Before he rushed to retirement after Stacy's case hit the media spotlight, he had earlier been suspended for misconduct on the job.

Two decades earlier, he'd been fired for a series of actions, including revealing the name of an undercover narcotics officer to a known killer. Peterson, adept at talking his way out of trouble, managed to get his job back.

Peterson has been named as a suspect in Stacy's death. Savio's case is being re-examined.

The archives contain numerous articles with background on this developing story.

Blame Canada:Canuck Beer Drinkers Causing Global Warming!

Really. I am so not making this up. You Canadian beer drinkers--you're a significant cause of global warming.

Before Al Gore batters down your door and makes you watch "An Inconvenient Truth" for 24 hours straight, read this. Did South Park have it right? Blame Canada! (A bit of tongue in cheek there.)

Scientists have found a new threat to the planet: Canadian beer drinkers.

The government-commissioned study says the old, inefficient "beer fridges" that one in three Canadian households use to store their Molson and Labatt's contribute significantly to global warming by guzzling gas- and coal-fired electricity.

Source: foxnews.com via PEP

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