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Sonoran News / Enlistment : #TCOT "Under Indonesian adoption law, once an Indonesian citizen adopts a child, as it appears Lolo Soetoro had done when married to Stanley Ann Dunham, Soetoro/Obama’s mother, the adoption severs the child’s relationship to the birth parents and the adopted child is given the same status as a natural child and the child takes the name of his step-father, in this case, Soetoro."

Sonoran News / Enlistment : "He says his questions regarding Soetoro’s eligibility to serve as president arose when he learned Soetoro may have been born in Kenya to a U.S. citizen mother and a foreign national. Hollister stated this was further complicated when he learned Soetot attended public school in Indonesia under the name Barry Soetoro, as an Indonesian citizen."#TCOT

Man Tweets From Plane Crash - PC World : "If you had just survived a plane crash, what would you do? Call loved ones to tell them you're okay? Check if your luggage survived? Twitter? Mike Wilson, a passenger on the Continental Airlines flight that skidded off the runway in Denver over the weekend chose option C, tweeting his experience for all to read."

Truemors :: Microsoft and Google Bigwigs Donate $450,000+ to Obama Inauguration : "Microsoft and Google Bigwigs Donate $450,000+ to Obama Inauguration"#TCOT

Lawyer: Jena Six teen shot himself out of despair - Yahoo! News #TCOT

#TCOT Eligibility case finds 'standing'? : "A new case challenging Barack Obama's natural-born citizenship and, therefore, constitutional eligibility to serve as president has the potential to clear a hurdle that caused several other similar cases' dismissal: the issue of 'standing.'"

Daily Herald | Senate appointment creates rift among black leaders :#TCOT Kudos to "Gov. Rod Blagojevich"

Jamaica Gleaner News - Jamaican Jews support Israeli attacks - News - Tuesday | December 30, 2008 : "The Jewish community in Jamaica is supporting the govern-ment of Israel's heaviest bom-bardment of the Gaza Strip in decades."

George Rene Francis, 112, oldest man in U.S., dies -- Newsday.com : "SACRAMENTO, Calif. - George Rene Francis, the oldest man in America, who lived through 19 presidents and saw Babe Ruth swat a homer, died Saturday in a Sacramento nursing home. He was 112. Born June 6, 1896, in New Orleans, he died of congestive heart failure in Greenhaven."

#TCOT Hamas fires more rockets despite Israeli strikes : "Palestinian militants sent a deadly barrage of missiles flying deep into Israel on Monday, demonstrating that Hamas still had firepower three days into Israel's punishing air offensive in Gaza." Tell Israel to finish them off and then finish Iran!

#TCOT Daily Herald | More research needed on Obama's claims : "Do Americans still have a media which serves as a watchdog for America, for honesty? Will they conduct a journalistic investigation into this entire brouhaha?"

#TCOT The world has never seen such freezing heat - Telegraph : "A surreal scientific blunder last week raised a huge question mark about the temperature records that underpin the worldwide alarm over global warming."

#TCOT Outrage at French comic’s award for Holocaust denier - Europe, World - The Independent : "The black French B.O. supporter comedian Dieudonné provoked outrage at the weekend by giving a 'heroism' award to a veteran Holocaust denier."

#TCOT Israel intensifies airstrikes on Gaza Strip -- chicagotribune.com : "More than 5,000 marched in Damascus. In Amman, Jordan, thousands marched toward parliament to demand the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador, and in Beirut, protesters clashed with police outside the Egyptian Embassy." I hope they march into the sea as well.

6 Unusual High-Paying Careers

Candy Canes Fight Germs, Settle Stomachs : Discovery News : "New studies on peppermint, the key flavoring in traditional candy canes, reveal the herb may do everything from kill germs to treat digestive troubles."

#TCOT Bush detractors ignore Obama failings - poconorecord.com - The Pocono Record : "As usual, Bush haters are long on negatives but are dead silent on Bush's accomplishments."

#TCOT Has our mightiest governing document been rendered worthless? : "It looks like the mighty and powerful United States of America is going to be stymied by a slick-talking smoothie again. No, it’s not Jimmy Carter or Bubba Clinton but it is another one who can rattle off a cunning phrase about as well as anyone I’ve ever heard. And if Clinton was known as “Slick Willie” this new fellow will have to be known as “Brazen Barry”. The rest of his name is Hussein Obama."

IDF mobilizes tanks, reinforces troops along Gaza border - Haaretz - Israel News : "The Israel Defense Forces on early Sunday began mobilizing tanks and reinforcing ground troops near the Gaza border, in preparation for a possible ground incursion."

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Hamas: All police HQs in Gaza destroyed | Israel | Jerusalem Post : "At least 190 people were reported killed - the majority of them Hamas operatives - and more than 310 wounded in the attacks. It was not clear if the aerial offensive would be coupled with a ground offensive. Asked if Hamas political leaders might be targeted next, military spokeswoman Maj. Avital Leibovich said, 'Any Hamas target is a target.'"

Israel attacks Gaza, more than 155 reported killed | U.S. | Reuters Israel is right!

My Way News - Barak: Gaza operation will expand as needed : "GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Israeli warplanes retaliating for rocket fire from the Gaza Strip pounded dozens of security compounds across the Hamas-ruled territory in unprecedented waves of airstrikes Saturday, killing at least 155 and wounding more than 310 in the single bloodiest day of fighting in recent memory."

Australia asked to take Guantanamo Bay inmates: report | Reuters : "SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia has been approached by U.S. authorities about taking some of the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba when it closes, a report said on Saturday."

Hawaii island of Oahu without power - USATODAY.com : "HONOLULU (AP) —Where is B.O.? The island of Oahu has lost power, leaving some 800,000 residents and thousands of tourists in the dark and grounding outgoing air traffic at Honolulu International Airport."

Viagra helps CIA win friends in Afghanistan - Washington Post- msnbc.com

Jamaica Gleaner News - Marriage made easy - Foreigners awake to new process for 2009 - Saturday | December 27, 2008 : "'It allows all hoteliers to manage the wedding product such that every visitor to our country will leave the Jamaican shores with the (marriage) certificate,' said the RGD's CEO, Patricia Holness."

Fla. woman claims 'Merry Christmas' got her fired : "PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) - A Christian woman claims she was fired from her job because she greeted callers with 'Merry Christmas,' but the vacation rental company says it's no Scrooge and the woman is just a disgruntled employee. Tonia Thomas, 35, said she refused to say 'Happy Holidays' and was fired, even after offering to use the company's non-holiday greeting. The Panama City woman filed a federal complaint that accuses the company of religious discrimination. She is seeking compensation for lost wages. 'I hold my core Christian values to a high standard and I absolutely refuse to give in on the basis of values. All I wanted was to be able to say 'Merry Christmas' or to acknowledge no holidays,' she said Tuesday. 'As a Christian, I don't recognize any other holidays.'" As we all know---B.O.'s, U.S.S.A say it is wrong to be strait, wrong to be honest, wrong to w...

Obama presidency could mean revenge of the nerds | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press : "President-elect Barack Obama used to collect comic books, can't part with his BlackBerry, and once flashed Leonard (Mr. Spock) Nimoy the Vulcan 'Live Long and Prosper' sign."

Ford's success tops industry wish list | detnews.com | The Detroit News : "'The buzz you see -- that Ford's different, they've got a plan, they're working it' -- is exhilarating to Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally, he told me Wednesday. 'I still believe we're one-and-a-half to two years ahead of where anyone thought we'd be. The only thing we're fighting is the external situation' of an economy slipping deeper into recession and the possibility of rival General Motors Corp. ending up in Chapter 11."

From the little tryant-The full text of a Christmas message from Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad | World news | guardian.co.uk : "'I hope that the collective will of nations will unite in the not too distant future and with the grace of the Almighty Lord, that shining age will come to rule the earth."

Business Feed Article | Business | guardian.co.uk : "* Japan industrial output falls at record pace in Nov * Chinese profit growth slows sharply * S.Korea ministry says economy facing 'unprecedented crisis' * Japan stocks shrug off weak data, highest close in 6 wks"

new hand-washing rule Canada : "CANADA 1 Jan 2009 Canada gets tough on healthcare-acquired infections A low rate of handwashing by healthcare workers, drug-resistant germs in hospitals and rampant infections make frequent headlines on both sides of the Atlantic. Beginning in January, Canadian healthcare facilities will be unable to obtain accreditation unless they crack down on the first problem,"

Jamaica Gleaner News - 103 years of Christmas - Orinthia Fender has a story to tell - Friday | December 26, 2008 : "She cannot remember in which year she was born, but centenarian Orinthia Fender cherishes memories of old-time Christmas. Born on April 1, 1905, in Buff Bay, Portland, according to her relatives, a toothless and happy Fender needs no help to tell her story. The details of Christmas nearly 100 years ago spilled from her lips as if it all happened yesterday. Her favourite memories are of walking the streets of downtown Kingston on Grand Market night."

Jamaica Gleaner News - Sadness in the season - 10 per cent of Jamaican children depressed - Friday | December 26, 2008 :

Yahoo! Personal Finance : "Where to Find the Absolute Best Post-Christmas Sales"

Yahoo! Personal Finance : "Where to Find the Absolute Best Post-Christmas Sales"

Eartha Kitt, sultry 'Santa Baby' singer, dies

For first time, Christmas official holiday in Iraq : "BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraq's Christians, a scant minority in this overwhelmingly Muslim country, quietly celebrated Christmas on Thursday with a present from the government, which declared it an official holiday for the first time."

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FT.com / MARKETS / Commodities - Cocoa hits 23-year high on supply fears : "Although cocoa consumption has been in the past resilient to economic downturns, traders forecast a drop next year, particularly in the US and Europe."

Christmas speeches galore from The Queen and celebs | The Sun |News|Royals : "This year will be Her Majesty’s 56th Christmas Day address to the nation since 1952."

Obama Interviewed In Blagojevich Probe - December 23, 2008 : "DECEMBER 23--President-elect Barack Obama and two of his top advisers were interviewed last week by federal prosecutors probing Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's alleged bid to sell Obama's vacated Senate seat, according to a report issued today by an Obama lawyer. The lawyer, Gregory Craig, concluded that Obama and his aides engaged in no improper conduct in connection with the Senate opening. A copy of the Craig report can be found below. As part of his review of transition team 'contacts' with Blagojevich, Craig reported that only incoming White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel had spoke with the Illinois pol."

Detroit JustWeather.com | Severe

Jamaica Gleaner News - Go with diesel, not ethanol - Tuesday | December 23, 2008 : "Ethanol is not good for the environment and here in Sweden they are not using as much anymore. The only thing it is good for is to make the petroleum industry owners richer! It doesn't stay in the tank."

Jamaica Gleaner News - Breadwinners gone - More than 50 children in Portland lose a parent - Tuesday | December 23, 2008

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Israeli archaeologists find rare gold coins - CNN.com : "In that style, the emperor is clad with military garb and is holding a cross in his right hand. On the other side is the sign of the cross."

Vlemx is Video,Lifestyle,Entertainment,Money,Xou : "President-elect Barack Obamas review of his staffs contacts with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich did not include records of conversations taped by federal prosecutors, a Democratic official said."

In Gods they trust, new study finds of House and Senate members | Top of the Ticket | Los Angeles Times : "Pew finds that other religious followers -- Catholics, Jews and Mormons -- are actually overrepresented in Congress."

Bloomberg.com: Economy : "Dec. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Japan’s exports plunged the most on record in November as global demand for cars and electronics collapsed, signaling more factory shutdowns and job cuts are likely as the recession deepens."

Schwarzenegger reveals tricks of the trade like his hero-B.O. - Los Angeles Times : "The governor says that without his acting experience, his job in Sacramento would have been much more difficult. He also says he'd be interested in becoming president if it were possible."

Chicago sheriff baits fugitives with holiday ruse : "CHICAGO (AP) - The sheriff's office in Chicago has arrested more than 60 fugitives with a net of holiday cheer. Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said Sunday that the suspects were invited to take a retailers' survey for holiday shoppers at a hotel earlier this month. Participants who brought along a scratch-off card that was included with the survey were promised at least $500."

10 Great Low-Tax Places to Retire - Yahoo! Real Estate : "Here are 10 great tax havens for retirees:"

TheHill.com - Ethics rules complicate life for Santa : "It has to do with a section of the ethics law that requires payment for seeing a performer, explained Larry Noble, an attorney at Skadden Arps and a former general counsel for the Federal Election Commission. Some think having Santa Claus at a party would violate that part of the law, but Noble disagrees."

Motor City's woes extend beyond auto industry - Yahoo! News : "The jobless rate has climbed past 21 percent, the embattled school district just fired its superintendent, tens of thousands of homes and stores are derelict and abandoned, the ex-mayor is in jail for a text-messaging sex scandal. Even the pro football team is a pathetic joke — the Lions are within two losses of an unprecedented 0-16 season."

Santa Central 2008 On twitter

China wrestles with growing obesity - USATODAY.com : "About 30% of all Chinese adults are overweight or obese, says Chen Chunming, a nutritional expert at China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention, part of the Ministry of Health. 'We don't need to keep doing new surveys. We know the problem is severe and getting worse,' she says."

The Associated Press: Mother of Palin daughter's boyfriend arrested : "Alaska State Troopers have arrested the mother of Bristol Palin's boyfriend on drug charges."

The Associated Press: Schwarzenegger orders hiring freeze, worker cuts

AstraZeneca row as corruption claims engulf Nobel prize - Times Online : "The integrity of the Nobel prize was called into question last night after it emerged that a member of the jury also sat on the board of a pharmaceuticals giant that benefited from the award of this year’s prize for medicine."

Snowstorm Likely To Dump 1 Foot Or More On Chicago Area Friday - cbs2chicago.com : "System Expected To Dump 6-12 Inches Across Chicago; Ice, Sleet To The South" Global warming is a Hoax!

7-Day Forecast for Latitude 40.74N and Longitude 74.01W : "A slight chance of snow before 8am, then snow and sleet between 8am and 1pm, then rain, snow, and sleet after 1pm. High near 36. East wind between 6 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible." Global warming is a Hoax!

The Associated Press: Source: Blagojevich nixed job for Jackson's wife : "Shortly after his 2002 election, Gov. Rod Blagojevich told Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. he didn't appoint the congressman's wife for lottery director because he had refused to make a $25,000 donation to the governor's campaign, a person familiar with the conversation told The Associated Press."

Jackson’s Account of Blagojevich Bribes Gives Scandal New Twist : "Jackson has not been charged with any misconduct as a result of the investigation. The congressman is known to have campaigned to be appointed to Obama’s Senate seat, but claims that he “sought the Senate seat honestly and knew of no illegal plan to influence Blagojevich,” the Post reports."

ABC News Sat on Blago Bookie Mob Charge for Years | NewsBusters.org : "This is the same ABC affiliate whose attorney's worked overtime in 2004 to force the California courts to unseal the divorce records of Illinois Republican Jack Ryan when he was running against Barack Obama for the Illinois Senate seat. The efforts of the press successfully embarrassed the Republican and damaged his campaign to the point where he dropped out of the race. Yet charges of corruption tying a sitting Governor to the Illinois mob were brushed aside by Chicago's local ABC affiliate because the Governor denied it and the whistle blower wouldn't reveal his identity."

Neo-Nazi codes on the rise on German number plates - Telegraph : "German officials are investigating an apparent rise in Right-wing extremists using car number plates as a platform to advertise their neo-Nazi political views."

Oil tumbles below $40 for first time since 2004 : "Light, sweet crude for January delivery tumbled 8 percent, or $3.54, to settle at $40.06 on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Benchmark crude prices fell as low as $39.88, a price last seen in July 2004."

FT.com / US / Economy & Fed - Dollar plunges in wake of Fed move : "The dollar plunged and government bond yields in the US and Europe fell to multi-decade lows as investors tried to digest the implications of the Federal Reserve’s new near-zero interest rate policy."

ReviewJournal.com - News - McCarran closed to arriving and departing flights due to snowstorm

Jackson Jr.'s Revelation Renews Scrutiny Over Blagojevich Probe - FOXNews.com Transition Tracker : "Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s revelation that he has been an informant for U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has raised questions about a possible overreach by federal prosecutors."

Kathleen Parker: Kennedy's quest not unlike Blagojevich's | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | : "Does she deserve it? Not really. Does that matter? Probably not."

Aide Says Jackson Approached Investigators on Corruption - NYTimes.com

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FDA Commissioner Eschenbach to Leave FDA Before Obama Can Fire Him : "As President Barack Obama is sworn in on January 20th, FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach will be doing something on the same day: Quietly slipping out the back door of the FDA."

South Carolina governor to Bush: Auto aid ‘great mistake’ | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press : "A leading Republican governor urged President George W. Bush today to reject any aid for Detroit’s automakers, calling it a “very great mistake.”"

Best Buy offers buyouts to 4,000 at Richfield HQ

Special Report: Special section: Auto industry in crisis

Cockrel writes Bush, urging autos bailout | detnews.com | The Detroit News Say No--to bailouts! Say yes to competition!

Toyota plans to delay completion of Mississippi Prius plant | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press : "Toyota said it plans to finish construction of the plant since it is about 90% complete but said it plans to put the installation of equipment on hold."

Rush Responds to General Powell : "And you might even say that the Republican Party is in the situation it's in precisely because of the people like Colin Powell and John McCain and others who have devised this new definition and identity of the party which is responsible for electing Democrats all over this country."

President Bush Rallies Troops With Surprise Trip to Afghanistan - FOXNews.com Transition Tracker : "BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- President George W. Bush got a firsthand look Monday at the political situation in the seven-year-old Afghanistan war, amid preparations in his administration to hand a broad strategy overhaul over to President-elect Barack Obama and to significantly increase the U.S. troop presence."

Political Radar: Obama Campaign's Massive Email List Used This Weekend for House Parties : "The Obama team reports that 4,252 'Change is Coming' house parties were held in all 50 states -- plus Guam and Puerto Rico. At least 1,950 cities had house parties, and Los Angeles had the largest single party, with 400 people in attendance."

Debate grows over Obama 'first black president' title | Chronicle | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle : "A perplexing new chapter is unfolding in Barack Obama’s racial saga: Many people insist that “the first black president” is actually not black. Debate over whether to call this son of a white Kansan and a black Kenyan biracial, African-American, mixed-race, half-and-half, multiracial — or, in Obama’s own words, a “mutt” — has reached a crescendo since Obama’s election shattered assumptions about race. Obama has said, “I identify as African-American — that’s how I’m treated and that’s how I’m viewed. I’m proud of it.” In other words, the world gave Obama no choice but to be black, and he was happy to oblige. But the world has changed since the young Obama found his place in it."

Uncomfortable spotlight shone on Patti Blagojevich -- chicagotribune.com : "Her real estate deals are under federal scrutiny, and her rants, now infamous, stand out on descriptions of recordings taken from Blagojevich family home"

How scandal unfolded -- chicagotribune.com : "How scandal unfolded"

Corruption and chaos in Chicago : Opinion : Ventura County Star : "While Barack Obama may not have been directly involved in Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich's serious crimes, he was a senator of Illinois and presumed to be familiar with the 'culture of corruption' and ruffian landscape of his home state."

Christian Apologetics Ministries at Sntjohnny.com » Blog Archive » Hey! People! Even Blagojevich is Innocent Until Proven Guilty! : "So it should be clear that I have no special fondness for Blagojevich. Nonetheless, in this country- allegedly- people are innocent until proven guilty. To try to get the state supreme court to toss the governor out before the man has even had his trial is simply wrong. Should the man resign? Of course. But then I think almost every politician in Illinois should resign, and that probably includes the Republicans, but the Democrats for sure. If the man doesn’t resign, will the state suffer? Probably. But that still doesn’t mean you can just ignore the rule of law and it doesn’t mean that just because a guy is an arrogant knucklehead that you can strip him of due process."

Uncomfortable spotlight shone on Patti Blagojevich -- chicagotribune.com : "Her real estate deals are under federal scrutiny, and her rants, now infamous, stand out on descriptions of recordings taken from Blagojevich family home"

Obama names NY housing commissioner to head HUD : "CHICAGO (AP) - President-elect Barack Obama on Saturday named New York City housing commissioner Shaun Donovan to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development, turning to a former Clinton administration aide with a national reputation for developing affordable housing."

Thousands advise electors to check eligibility : "If documents some day prove Barack Obama is not eligible to be president under the U.S. Constitution, none of the 538 Electoral College members who vote him into office Monday will be able to claim ignorance."

Blagojevich and Union Have Longstanding Ties - WSJ.com : "The two-million member union had long been a big political backer of Mr. Blagojevich, who helped it organize workers throughout the state, sometimes over the objections of competing unions."

The Buzz: Florida Politics : "Before an audience filled with leaders of Florida’s business and political communities, Gov. Charlie Crist married businesswoman Carole Rome Friday in a traditional 20 minute ceremony in St. Petersburg that started promptly at 7 p.m. as chimes tolled the hour."

Illinois state senator discusses efforts to win Senate appointment - On Deadline - USATODAY.com : "A state legislator in Illinois says he 'felt pressured to respond to the governor’s interest in him [as a potential U.S. Senate appointee] with a quid pro quo agreement,' according to The New York Times. Sen. Kwame Raoul, a Chicago Democrat, tells the paper it was no secret that Gov. Rod Blagojevich wanted to benefit from the replacement of President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.

Palestinian President Abbas To Meet Bush In Washington - Spokesman : "RAMALLAH, West Bank (AFP)--Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas will travel to Washington on Dec. 19 for talks with U.S. President George W. Bush and will fly to Moscow a few days later, his spokesman said Frida"

Indian fundraiser emerges in Blagojevich probe : "A fundraiser held by Indian-American businessmen three days before Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on corruption charges emerged Friday as a potentially key event in the federal investigation into whether he tried to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat."

Sorry, We’re Booked, White House Tells Obamas - The Caucus Blog - NYTimes.com : "Sorry, We’re Booked, White House Tells Obamas"

A Natural Born Citizen...Orly?: Obama-Blagojevich connection by Joan Swirsky : "The Lesson: Dead Men Don't Talk!"

Where’s Obama’s birth certificate? - The National Newspaper : "Obama has complete authority and ability to put the controversy to rest. All he has to do is show his birth certificate. For whatever reason, he has chosen not to. Obama can clear this up by releasing his records but chooses to resist that via legal wrangling. He has the power to easily prevent the next eight years being fraught with this controversy. Why doesn’t he resolve the issue now?"

Constitution Party News Articles : "The country’s fastest-growing third party (Ballot Access News 12/08) challenged Barack Obama to release his birth certificate and dispel the grave concerns that he is ineligible to assume office as president of the United States."

Obama’s “Natural Born” Problem | MND: Your Daily Dose of Counter-Theory : "Records that are available from Indonesia revealed Obama was registered in school as Barry Soetoro, and his religion was listed as Islam."

Howard Kurtz - Pressing the Question - washingtonpost.com : "The still photo of Obama meeting Blagojevich at a governors' conference: If you watch the tape, Obama is shaking a series of hands and moves past Blago in two seconds without so much as a backslap. And Bill O'Reilly's exclusive footage of Obama endorsing Blago in 2002: a Democratic state senator backing the Democratic candidate for governor, who ran (ironically) as a reformer? What the heck does that prove?"

Blago Watch Day 4: Blagojevich Signs Autism Bill into Law - FOXNews.com Transition Tracker : "A defiant Rod Blagojevich continued his work as governor of Illinois Friday even as state Attorney General Lisa Madigan asked the state Supreme Court to remove him from office and his chief of staff, John Harris, resigned."

FOXNews.com - Is Illinois the Most Corrupt State? - Brit Hume | Special Report : "North Dakota is number one with more than eight convictions per 100,000 people. Rounding out the top five are Louisiana, Alaska, Mississippi and Montana."

Mrs. Blagojevich's daddy comes to her defense over potty mouth : "Instead, powerful Chicago Alderman Richard Mell rose to the defense of his estranged daughter Thursday, saying she was in a 'pressure cooker' when she was caught cursing on the FBI wiretaps that busted her husband, Gov. Rod Blagojevich."

ABC News: Blagojevich's Past Paved With Allegations

The Weekly Standard : "Obama, Blagojevich and a Timeline"

Hawaii Insider : "Could Kailua become the next Crawford? Or Honolulu the hot-spot alternative to D.C.'s sold-out (and cold-out) inaugural festivities? Oahu is abuzz with the recent news that President-elect Barack Obama will return to his home state for Christmas vacation, relaxing with family and friends in a mini-compound in Kailua and holding a private memorial for his late grandmother, according to several published reports. Only a few weeks later, the currently closed-for-renovations Royal Hawaiian will celebrate its reopening as a 'Luxury Collection Resort' and the election of the first Hawaii-born president with its first-ever inaugural ball."

Other Voices -- Daniel T. Zanoza: Governor, Daley And Obama Are All Rotten : "Rod Blagojevich didn’t learn how to be a crooked politician over night. He was taught by the best of the lot and, for that matter, so was Barack Obama. Blagojevich’s only problem was he didn’t play the game the way the Daley Machine wanted him to and some believe the beleaguered Illinois Governor was cast to the wolves, something like a human sacrifice without the blood and gore."

Pollster: Voters like Obama, hate economy, will ignore Blagojevich | csmonitor.com

Obama Lied About Meeting With Blagojevich Over Senate Seat | Right Soup : "While insisting that the President-elect had not expressed a favorite to replace him, and his inclination was to avoid being a “kingmaker,” Axelrod said, “I know he’s talked to the governor and there are a whole range of names many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them."

The Associated Press: A crime or just politics _ where's the line?

A too familiar tale of graft, corruption : "But one must never forget that the land of Abraham Lincoln was also the land of Al Capone and at this juncture it would be difficult to determine which machine has been more insidiously corrupt, the political kind or the gun kind. One can only note that with the vicious, murderous beer barons of prohibition there was no public trust betrayed if one doesn't count the Big Bill Thompsons of the state who allowed them to operate."