Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Pittsburgh—U.S. Representative Glenn `GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, said Monday, “Generals and privates alike say that more often than not, soldiers fight for their buddies, not for some policy, goal, or skirmish line set by politicians. There can be no greater example of that than the story of Ross Andrew McGinnis. Four men will live on to enjoy their families and their futures because Ross McGinnis gave his life for his friends.” McGinnis of Knox, Pennsylvania, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom by President George Bush on June 2, 2008. The official citation reads in part, “In a selfless act of bravery, in which he was mortally wounded, Private McGinnis covered the live grenade, pinning it between his body and the vehicle and absorbing most of the explosion.” In his remarks on Monday at the Pittsburgh Military Entrance Processing Station, Thompson asked, “Where do we get such men and women? What inspires them to say, `Here am I. Send...

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration intends to close an EPA program heavily promoted by the Bush administration that rewards voluntary pollution controls by hundreds of corporations with reduced environmental inspections and less stringent regulation, according to EPA sources and internal e-mails. For the full story, go to the Philadelphia Inquirer .

U.S. Attorney Terrance P. Flynn is resigning to become a partner with a major law firm. Flynn will leave his federal job in Buffalo on January 16 to become a partner in the law firm of Harris Beach, which represents Fortune 500 companies and has offices in nine cities in New York state and one in New Jersey. Flynn, who was appointed as the region's top federal prosecutor by President George W. Bush in 2006, says he fully expected to be replaced sometime after president-elect Barack Obama takes office on January 20. The U.S. Attorney in Buffalo oversees thousands of criminal and civil cases in 17 counties of Western New York.

A Red Lion man has been indicted for allegedly threatening the life of President George W. Bush. U.S. Attorney Martin Carlson says the Secret Service started investigating 50-year-old Patrick Bloodsworth, after he was admitted to York Hospital following an altercation with members of his family. The Secret Service says a hospital nurse heard Bloodsworth making the threats on October 8. Carlson's news release says the grand jury returned the indictment Wednesday. If convicted, Bloodsworth faces up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. A federal magistrate has sealed most of the case documents.

Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) today sent a letter to President Bush suggesting that he call Congress back into session to act on energy legislation. In the letter, Senator Specter writes that Congress should be using the August recess to legislate on energy “in an effort to deal with the high cost of oil and gasoline at the pump.” Specter writes: “On July 28, 2008 in a floor debate, I challenged Majority Leader Reid directly to keep the Senate in session during August for that purpose. He declined, responding that Republicans would ‘suffer’ more than Democrats because more Republican Senate seats were in jeopardy. I countered with the observation that it wasn’t a matter of whether Republicans or Democrats would ‘suffer’ the most, but that the issue was the suffering of the American people from the high cost of oil and gasoline.” Specter goes on to write: “For months the Senate has been dysfunctional and gridlocked for reasons specified in my op-ed article (copy enclosed) which is pu...

President Bush has signed a bill into law, designating the stretch of US Route 20A outside Ralph Wilson Stadium in honor of the late Tim Russert. Russert died June 13 at 58 of a heart attack while working at NBC News. During football season, he ended his Sunday broadcast of "Meet the Press," with the signoff "Go Bills." The measure to honor him and his connection to the Bills was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives and the Senate. The stretch of Route 20A between Abbott Road and California Road in Orchard Park is now the "Timothy J. Russert Highway."

Not me, personally, but other people. You may have heard Scott talking about this on The Morning Buzz : A website that asks how you spent your economic stimulus check . A woman from Oregon writes: "I'm using mine to pay off about half of my veterinary bill. My dog had an expensive winter with recurring medical issues, including back trouble. Luckily, acupuncture has really helped! Thanks Bush, for spending the country's money on my dog!" From Illinois: "With my stimulus package I bought a Star Wars Stormtrooper armor costume kit to wear, to display, and to do charity work with the 501st Legion. Best $600+ dollars I ever spent." From Missouri: "After the economic stimulus package was signed into law, I pledged to spend my stimulus money on one of the few well made American products left - Kentucky whiskey." From Pennsylvania: "I used my $600 to bail myself out of prison, along with $6900 more." From California: "Even though I consider...