Jurors spared the life of a former Canton, Ohio, police officer who killed his pregnant girlfriend and tearfully asked them for mercy.

Bobby Lee Cutts Jr., 30, stared straight ahead as the verdict was read. He could become eligible for parole in 30 years, under the jury's recommended sentence.

The six men and six women deliberated for 12 hours over two days before agreeing that Cutts should not be executed for the murder of his unborn child.

The jury's verdict was merely a recommendation. Judge Charles E. Brown said earlier that if the verdict was life, he would immediately pass sentence on Cutts.

Folks, today justice was simply not served. Bobby Lee Cutts Jr. should be put to death. We spend millions of dollars each year keeping individuals who are convicted of horrible crimes alive. Lets put those tax dollars to use in areas that can be more beneficial; say education!

A 9-year-old girl has been banned from playing tennis by her local club because she grunts too loudly.

Lauryn Edwards was told at the weekend that she could no longer play her favorite sport after a complaint by an opposition player.

The Mt. Carmel Tennis Club, in Sunbury, Australia, told Lauryn's stunned parents, Duncan and Ruth, that the grunting had become too much.

Duncan Edwards described the ban as pathetic and has contacted Tennis Australia and Tennis Victoria for advice.

Lauryn's favorite player is Russian star and notorious grunter Maria Sharapova.

But Edwards said his daughter's grunting was nowhere near Sharapova's level and had been exaggerated.

"It's pretty slight and now and again she hits it hard and makes a loud noise and that's it," he said.

"From just one comment, this has all blown up stupidly.

"There's no rule against it, so they've made a rule against it."

Edwards said the club had asked him for an assurance Lauryn would remain silent on the court.

"They told me to guarantee she won't grunt or she can't play," he said.

"How can I guarantee that? She's been doing it since she was really little. She's her own person. What do they want me to do? Put Band-Aids over her mouth? They made her cry on the court when they told her."

Lauryn, who has attention deficit disorder, has been playing tennis since the age of four, after it was recommended by her school psychologist at Sunbury Primary to burn energy and keep her focused.

Dubbed Lauryn Sharapova by an old coach, she said she played better when grunting.

"It feels natural to do my noise. I'm not faking it," Lauryn said. "It makes me play better. When I don't do it, I don't play my best tennis. And now people have told me I can't play if I do it."

Lauryn plays for Mt. Carmel in the Northern Suburbs Junior Tennis Association.

Mt. Carmel vice-president Paul Hackett was tight-lipped yesterday.

"No comment, sorry," Mr Hackett said.

"No one is not allowing her to play. Sorry, I can't say any more than that."

NSJTA president Russell Baldry said he was unaware of the issue.

Baldry said it was disappointing that the club had appeared to take matters into its own hands.

"They just had to ask her to try and be a little quieter, not make a federal case out of it," he said. "This is not in the association's interests and not in the girl's interests. The association will have to discuss it because we certainly have not stopped her from playing."

A woman died on an American Airlines flight after being refused oxygen, according to a Foxnews.com account.

The woman was complaining of being thirsty and having breathing problems. She was given water but refused oxygen by the flight crew. After consultation with the cockpit, oxygen was offered, but the portable tanks aboard the aircraft were empty. The woman died before an emergency landing could be completed.

Flying gets worse all the time. This is a new low.

Can Hillary Clinton find anything that will work to unseat Barak Obama as the front runner in the Democrat Party's Presidential nominee sweepstakes?

So far she cried, twice, so that one is used up. She trotted out Bill, and his big yap sent things downhill. She has used sexism, but women are deserting her for Barak's irresistible charm, and the race card has backfired badly sending African Americans running towards Obama.

Hillary, running out of money and support and sounding increasingly desperate is trying a new tactic, righteous indignation. Claiming Barak Obama has aggrieved her badly by distributing what she calls misleading policy mailers on health care and free trade, she angrily attacked him.

"Shame on you, Barack Obama," Clinton said during a campaign rally in Ohio, which along with the southern state of Texas holds key Democratic nominating contests on March 4.

"It is time you ran a campaign consistent with your messages in public. That's what I expect from you. Meet me in Ohio. Let's have a debate about your tactics and your behavior in this campaign."

Is that like "Obama, meet me after school behind the gymnasium"? She is calling him out! Did Hillary Clinton ever exhibit this much anger when it became public that her husband the President caroused around the Oval Office with Monica Lewinsky? Did she say "Monica, meet me behind the White House and I will kick your ass!"?

One could say Bill's behavior didn't rise to the level of "distributing misleading policy mailers on health care and free trade", or one could say that Hillary Clinton's chance of becoming the first female President can be viewed at this point in the rear view mirror.

The real reason Hillary is losing appears to be, well Hillary.

I had the opportunity to see this movie today. Kids were outside and I (with the flu) setup shop on the couch and watched a couple of movies.

This movie is a chilling drama that explores and exposes the dark side of the American Dream. THE ASSASSINATION OF RICHARD NIXON focuses on the prescient and tragic true story of Sam Bicke ( Sean Penn), as a disillusioned & broken "everyman" who, in 1974, was driven to plot the assassination of Nixon.

Despite the fact that his marriage is breaking up and that he is trapped in a sales job he finds demeaning, Sam tries desperately to succeed both at home and in the workplace; all he wants is to win his family back and to start a business of his own. However, in a society worn down by political corruption and the Vietnam War, there is not much room left for dreamers.

Sam's world quickly unravels against the backdrop of the Watergate scandal, which exposes culpability at the highest levels of society. With images of Nixon-- “the greatest salesman of them all”-- flooding the airwaves, Sam believes he has found the person responsible for his, and America’s, problems. Penn proves that he is at the very peak of his career, delivering an explosive performance that is both heartbreaking and horrifying.

While Penn is not one of my "favorite" actors, he pulled this off with such passion that I found myself glued to my seat. For Sean Penn, job VERY well done. For Sam Bicke, I genuinely felt sorrow and compassion for this man.

While I do not condone his actions, it becomes increasingly clear why stressed out people do what they do...

It happened to Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic and Doug Christie, and now it has happened to Mike Bibby.

The Kings traded Bibby, the last of the team's stars from its glory years, to Atlanta on Saturday for guards Anthony Johnson and Tyronn Lue, forward-center Lorenzen Wright, forward Shelden Williams and the Hawks' 2008 second-round draft choice.

The Kings waived center Justin Williams and guard Dahntay Jones to make room for the new players.

Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie noted that the team did not just acquire expiring contracts.

"We wanted to try and keep the team moving forward, and it's a chance for us to look at a young frontcourt player," Petrie said of the 6-foot-9, 250-pound Williams, the fifth pick of the 2006 NBA draft.

Bibby said he was a bit surprised to hear Atlanta was the destination but not that he was traded.

"I had some good times here in Sacramento," said Bibby, one of the league's better clutch shooters. "Sometimes you need a change, and you never know where that might take you. I just prayed and asked for what might be the best for my family, and this is what happened, so you can't question it.

"I'll always have love for the people in Sacramento, the Maloofs and Geoff."

Bibby and Petrie ran into each other at the Kings' practice facility shortly after the deal received league approval.

Petrie acquired Bibby in a 2001 trade that sent Jason Williams to the Grizzlies .

"I think when times like these come around and you have to trade someone with whom you've had a significant relationship for a long time," Petrie said, "there is a level of nostalgia that goes along with that. Mike was a particularly strong contributor to our efforts here."

Bibby said he also spoke to the Maloofs and thanked them for supporting him over the years.

"I got traded," he said, "but we left on good terms."

Said Petrie: "We talked, and I think we both felt we had a terrific run. I know we appreciated what he did, and he said he felt the same about what we did with regards with him."

I can assure you that ticket sales will feel the impact. This Kings team has no heart, no solid direction, and most definitely, no chance of being anything more than a second rate team.

Rumor has it they were beaten by the Sacramento Girl Scouts...

This just in, tomorrow's headlines:

A picture is worth a thousand words....

H/T: SactoDan for the pic.

Berkeley blinked last night, deciding to soften a council resolution to kick the US Marine Recruiting station out of town. Was it common sense, pressure by real Marines who spoke before last night's marathon council meeting, or the threat to cut off Federal Funds to the City of Berkeley?

It was probably the fear of losing Federal funds. Even Socialists need money, and since Berkeley already bleeds its citizens to a turnip complexion, the loss of milk from the Federal tit trumped principles.

KCRA 3 in Sacramento outlined the arguments in coverage this morning. A Marine who made the push to Baghdad described his comrades in arms as brave men and women fighting to spread freedom and democracy, something he thought Berkeley held in high regard, not mercenaries fighting for money or a free education.

The next clip showed a typical white liberal woman railing against the lack of freedom for poor people of color who are uncontrollably tempted by the offer of job security and free college by those dastardly Marine recruiters, located conveniently near the high school.

Why do white liberals think they are so much smarter then people of color or less money? Such racism is embedded in the white liberal psyche. Maybe the brown people don't think they need white liberals to protect them.

Though it is farfetched to think there could be an invasion on American soil, Berkeley makes itself a perfect target. If the Jihadis invaded and landed in Berkeley, one can imagine the US Marines at the Albany- Berkeley city limits waiting to repel them while thousands of Prius and Volvo station wagon driving Berkeley residents are slaughtered.

On Jan. 29, the city council approved a resolution that included letters to the Marines advising them that their recruiting station is unwelcome in Berkeley. It also called for an investigation into whether the U.S. military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy for homosexuals violated city anti-discrimination policy.

Other portions of the resolution applauded residents who "volunteer to impede" the work of the Marines, and gave Code Pink a parking space directly in front of the Marines' office from noon to 4 p.m. every Wednesday for six months, as well as waiving the fee for a sound permit.

That decision sparked a nationwide outrage, calls to withhold government funding for the city, and an apology and clarification from Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates.

On Tuesday, the council will hear from Laurie Capitelli and Betty Olds, two council members who are sponsoring a revised resolution that will ask the city not to send a letter to the Marine Corps saying it's unwelcome in Berkeley.

The resolution would reiterate the city's opposition to the Iraq war, while clarifying Berkeley's support of the nation's military servicemembers.

In a joint press statement, Capitelli and Olds said: “We failed to make it clear that while we continue to oppose what we consider an unethical and illegal war in Iraq, at the same time we respect and honor all the brave men and women who are serving or have served in the military … We have erred by not adequately differentiating between the war and the warriors.”

Capitelli and Olds also said in the press statement: “The recommendation to inform the Marine Corps recruiting office that they are not welcome in our city, was insulting, hurtful and wrong.”

The council's initial Marine Corps motions prompted a backlash from lawmakers in California's capital, Sacramento, and Washington. There have been calls to withhold state and federal funds — including $2 million in federal money earmarked for ferry service and school lunches, among other things — as well as an apology from Berkeley's mayor.

"Let me be absolutely clear that this is not about the men and women who are serving our country in our armed forces," Mayor Bates said on Feb. 1. "I am a retired U.S. Army Captain and I respect the choice of those who are serving our country.

"However, this community strongly opposes the war in Iraq and the foreign policy of the current administration."

He added: "I understand that there are people across the country that may not agree with this action, but it is the Berkeley City Council's responsibility to represent the will of the people of Berkeley."

That argument didn't fly with California Assemblyman Guy Houston, a Republican, who asked last week that $3.3 million in state transportation funds be suspended until the council rescinds its resolution.

"The Marines, and all of our branches of the military, deserve the honor of our elected officials, not their scorn," Houston said.

At Tuesday night's council meeting, Berkeley politicians will also consider measures that would condemn the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border as well as a request to Canadian leaders to grant sanctuary for U.S. war resisters.

I fully support Assemblyman Houston's recommendation to withhold funding. The BerZerkeley-ites need to put down the bongs and join the rest of us in 2008. While I can agree that we need to take action with our troops in Iraq, I whole heartedly believe we must have our military. To believe otherwise is ludicrous.

If BerZerkeley continues with these resolutions, ALL FEDERAL funding should be cut-off. Let them chew on that for a while...

I received this letter from the Hillary Camp today. While she talks about winning, the tone of the note is simply, "Good Bye". Read and enjoy...

These have nothing to do with politics, but they are very cool.

Three men - a Canadian farmer, Osama bin Laden and a Texan are all working together one day.

They come across a lantern and a Genie pops out of it.
'I will give each of you one wish, which is three wishes in total', says the Genie.

The Canadian says, 'I am a farmer and my son will also farm.
I want the land to be forever fertile in Canada.'

POOF! With the blink of the Genie's eye, the land in Canada was forever fertile for farming.

Osama was amazed, so he said, 'I want a wall around Afghanistan, Palestine, Iraq and Iran so that no infidels, Americans or Canadians can come in our precious land.'

POOF! Again, with the blink of the Genie's eye, there was a huge wall around those countries.

The Texan says, 'I am very curious. Please tell me more about this wall.'

The Genie explains, 'Well, it's about 5,000 feet high, 500 feet thick and completely surrounds the country. Nothing can get in or out; it's virtually impenetrable.'

The Texan sits down, cracks a beer, smiles, and says, 'Fill it with water.'

PHOENIX - The only bowl Tom Brady and Randy Moss will play in this season is the Super Bowl.

The two were among the eight Patriots selected to play for the AFC in the Pro Bowl, but both informed the NFL they won't be making the trip to Hawaii for the game, which is Sunday.

AFC information manager Corry Rush confirmed that Brady and Moss have been replaced by Browns quarterback Derek Anderson and Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson. Rush said he was not aware of any other Patriots who would not be attending.

The other Patriots Pro Bowlers are cornerback Asante Samuel, linebacker Mike Vrabel, nose tackle Vince Wilfork, center Dan Koppen, guard Logan Mankins, and left tackle Matt Light. All but Light, who went last year, are first-time Pro Bowlers.

Brady, who was selected for the fourth time, appeared hampered by what has been reported as a high ankle sprain in the Patriots' 17-14 loss to the Giants in Super Bowl XLII Sunday. He was sacked a season-high five times.

Moss, who had just one touchdown catch in the playoffs, which came in the Super Bowl, was limping as he departed his podium for the post-Super Bowl news conferences. In the postseason, Moss had seven catches for 94 yards and didn't look like the same player who hauled in an NFL-record 23 touchdown receptions and racked up a franchise-record 1,493 receiving yards on 98 receptions.

The Patriots said both players opted out because of ankle injuries.

Brady, who set the NFL record for touchdown passes with 50, had hinted in a radio interview recently that he did not plan on attending the Pro Bowl.

Boston.com

Sore losers. They had a great season and lost the Superbowl. Get over it and grow up.

What is the phrase, oh ya...

PUNK AZZ BIATCHES comes to mind.

Source: Dick Morris Blog

GO GIANTS!

I've never liked the Patriots, and since the Cowboys were eliminated, my only choice is the Giants...