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Chicago Tribune: School editors say they were suspended for running Islamic cartoons

The editor in chief of a student-led newspaper serving the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has been suspended for printing cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad that, when published in Europe, enraged Muslims and led to violent protests in the Middle East and Asia.

Editor Acton Gorton and his opinions editor, Chuck Prochaska, were relieved of their duties at The Daily Illini on Tuesday while a task force investigates “the internal decision-making and communication” that led to the publishing of the cartoons, according to a statement by the newspaper’s publisher and general manager, Mary Cory.

Gorton said he expects to be fired at the conclusion of the investigation, which is expected to take two weeks.

“I pretty much have an idea how this is going to run, and this is a thinly veiled attempt to remove me from my position,” said Gorton, a U. of I. senior who took the newspaper’s helm Jan. 1. “I am feeling very betrayed, and I feel like the people who I thought were my friends and supporters didn’t back me up.”

Of course, they did NOT back Gorton up.

Hell, most major American newspapers refused to protect freedom of speech and “punted” on the publication of the Muhammad Caricatures.

Nearly every major U.S. newspaper, including the Chicago Tribune, has not published the cartoons. They were first published in late September by the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten and reprinted in other European publications in recent weeks. The cartoons portray the prophet as a terrorist, including one that depicts Muhammad wearing a turban shaped as a bomb and another showing him turning away suicide bombers from paradise because, he says, heaven ran out of virgins to be given to martyrs.

Gorton, 25, said he believes he made a sound journalistic decision in running six of the cartoons because the public has a right to judge their content. He said he consulted with top staff members and journalism instructors before making the decision to publish them in Thursday’s newspaper.

“This is not a publicity stunt, and this wasn’t an easy decision,” said Gorton, who said he spent three years in the Army as a medic and paratrooper before college. “I was stressed and couldn’t sleep at night. But I just felt it was an important issue to address in the newspaper.”

The Google cached copy of the piece running in the Daily Illini is here.

Gorton’s decision, however, caused an uproar in the local Muslim community and rankled other Illini staff members after the paper was deluged with negative letters and e-mails.

Gorton himself said he received 300 e-mails. Two-thirds of the e-mails were supportive and a third were hateful, he said.

U. of I. Chancellor Richard Herman also wrote a letter to the newspaper saying he was saddened by Gorton’s decision.

Then, on Monday, the paper ran an editorial apologizing for Gorton’s decision and called the move “a blatant abuse of power” by a “renegade editor who firmly believes that his will is also the will of the paper.”

Welcome to the politically correct world of American MSM.

American blogs, including this one have had NO problem publishing these Muhammad Caricatures.

Don’t they teach freedom of the press at the University of Illinois?

Michelle Malkin has CARTOON JIHAD IN ILLINOIS

Contact the Daily Illini here.

Don’t bother contacting the ACLU. They’re busy defending suspected terrorists, notes Jay Stephenson.

Previous:

Muhammad Caricature Watch: Thousands of Protesters Rampage in 2 Pakistani Cities

Cox & Forkum on the Muhammad Caricatures: Overboard

Muhammad Caricature Watch: Pakistan Police Gas Students Protesting Caricatures

Muhammad Caricature Watch: Condolezza Rice – Muslim Outrage Could “Spin Out of Control”

Muhammad Caricature Watch: Denmark Withdraws Diplomats from Iran and Indonesia

Muhammad Caricature Watch: Thousands Protest Against Prophet Drawings

Muhammad Caricature Watch: Internet T-Shirt Vendor, MetroSpy, Profits from Muhammad Caricature Conflict

Muhammad Caricature Watch: Muslim Leaders Urge Calm

Muhammad Caricature Watch: Are Extemists Fanning Caricature Outrage?

Muhammad Caricature Watch: Egypt and the Muhammad Caricatures

Muhammad Caricature Watch: Condoleezza Rice – Iran and Syria Stoking Anger – The Response

Muhammad Caricature Watch: Condoleezza Rice – Iran and Syria Stoking Anger

Muhammad Caricature Watch: President Bush and King Abdullah of Jordan Urge an End to Violence over Muhammad Caricatures

Cox & Forkum: Western Dhimmitude

Muhammad Caricature Watch: French Weekly Charlie Hebdo Reprints Muhammad Caricatures

Muhammad Caricature Watch: Muslim Threatened Norwegian Pressman Continues to Defend the Right to Publish Offensive Material

Muhammad Caricature Watch: Demonstrators Attack Norwegian Embassy in Tehran, Iran

Muhammad Caricature Watch: 4 Killed In Afghanistan in Caricature Bloodshed

Muhammad Caricature Watch: A Right to Blasphemy

Muhammad Caricature Watch: New Protests Erupt Around the World

Muhammad Caricature Watch: The False Cartoons and Danish Imams

Muhammad Caricature Watch: Angry Demonstrators Set Danish Consulate in Beirut Ablaze

Muhammad Caricature Watch: Syrian Protesters Set Danish Embassy Ablaze Over Cartoon

Muhammad Caricature Watch: Protests Over Muhammad Drawings Intensify

Muhammad Caricature Watch: Anger Over Cartoons of Muhammad Escalates

Day by Day by Chris Muir on CNN

Day by Day by Chris Muir on Muhammad Caricatures

Cox & Forkum: Publication of Caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad by a Danish Newspaper

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Technorati Tags: Jyllands-Posten, ProphetMuhammad, Islam, Muhammadcaricatures

Kansas Senator Sam Brownback

Reuters: Iran owns China, Russia UN votes – US senator

Russia and China have too much riding on commercial relations with Iran to help the West in curbing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, a U.S. senator said on Tuesday, calling for tough measures with Moscow and Beijing.

The two countries that are sending the wrong signals today are Russia and China,” said Kansas Republican Sam Brownback.

“Part of the problem is Iran … has effectively bought U.N. Security Council vetoes from China and, very likely, Russia,” Brownback, a potential presidential contender in 2008, said in a speech at the Heritage Foundation in Washington.

Senator Brownback has it RIGHT.

This is why all of the United Nation’s posturing regarding Iran’s nuclear program is bloviation at its finest.

Experts at a symposium at the conservative think tank said Moscow is a major arms supplier to Iran, while Beijing has struck energy deals worth as much as $100 billion with Tehran.

Both of those large powers have also embraced Iran as part of a strategic policy of blunting U.S. influence in the Middle East and Central Asia, the experts said.

“I don’t think China and Russia are going to make serious efforts to stop Iran orNorth Korea,” said Stephen Blank, a China expert at the U.S. Army War College.

The ball is in the Mullah’s court.

But, it WILL be up to the United States and Israel to stop Iran’s quest for nuclear weapons.

Previous:

Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Begins Small Scale Uranium Enrichment While Russia and France Oppose

Iran Nuclear Watch: Talks with Russia Postponed

Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Reaffirms Commitment to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty

Iran Nuclear Watch: United States Preparing Military Strikes Against Iran Nucear Sites

Iran Nuclear Watch: Natanz Uranium Processing Plant has Restarted

Iran Nuclear Watch: “MYTH” of the Holcaust Redux

Iran Watch: Iran Paper Holds Holocaust Cartoons Contest

Iran Watch: Iran Paper Plans Holocaust Cartoons

Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Tells IAEA to Remove Surveillance Cameras and Seals From Nuclear Sites

Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia Warns Against Iran Conflict

Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Ends Cooperation With IAEA and Resumes Uranium Enrichment

Iran Nuclear Watch: IAEA Reports Iran to United Nations Security Council

Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Threatens Full-Scale Enrichment Work

Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Says BACK OFF Or…

Iran Nuclear Watch: Bush – United States Will Defend Israel Against Iran

Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Will Resist “Bully Nations”

Iran Watch: Bush: Iran ‘Held Hostage’ by Clerical Elite

Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Documents Point to Nuclear Warheads

Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Threatens End of Diplomacy

Iran Nuclear Watch: Permanent Five Say IAEA Must Report Iran to U.N. Security Council

The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.

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Technorati Tags: Iran, Russia, China, SergeiLavrov, UnitedNations, UnitedNationsSecurityCouncil, ZhouWenzhong, NicholasBurns, EuropeanUnion, MahmoudAhmadinejad, ManouchehrMottaki, JacquesChirac, Chirac, France, Iran, Nuclearweapons, nuclear, AbdulQadeerKhan, AliLarijani, CondoleezzaRice, JohnBolton, RezaVaidi, GholamHosseinMohseniEjehei

Metropolitan Water District: JEFF KIGHTLINGER ANNOUNCED AS METROPOLITAN GENERAL MANAGER

Jeff Kightlinger, the lead attorney on western water issues for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, was introduced today as the new general manager of the Southland’s major water importer and wholesaler.

Metropolitan’s Board of Directors approved a contract for Kightlinger, Metropolitan’s general counsel for the past four years, to become the 13th general manager in the agency’s 78-year history.

“Mr. Kightlinger offers an impressive resume of actual experience, having directed Metropolitan’s legal staff and consulting attorneys, being the key strategist on litigation and protecting Metropolitan’s interests in all things legal,” said MWD board Chairman Wes Bannister. “In this new role, he will simply exchange his current responsibility of protecting Metropolitan’s interests in the legal arena, to protecting the agency’s interests in every area of business.

“His background in environmental and water rights negotiations will prove vital to the agency’s future as we rise to the challenges in maintaining reliable water supplies from the Colorado River and Northern California, as well as seek out new transfer, storage and water management opportunities,” Bannister said.
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Kightlinger said he was honored in being named to the top Metropolitan post. “This is an organization that I greatly respect for its legacy as a leader in western water policy and decision-making,” he said. Kightlinger fills the vacancy left by Dennis Underwood, who passed away on Nov. 3 after seven months at the district helm.

“Leading Metropolitan allows me the opportunity to continue my career in public service and use my experience in managing and addressing diverse water and environmental issues that continue to challenge the district and its member public agencies,” Kightlinger said.

Congratulations to Kightlinger……..

Previous:

Metropolitan Water District Watch: Jeffrey Kightlinger New CEO/General Manager?

Metropolitan Water District Watch: Former Assembly Democratic Leader Richard Katz Applies for MWD CEO/General Manager

Metropolitan Water District Watch: CEO/General Manager Passes Away

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Technorati Tags: MetropolitanWaterDistrict, MWD, RichardKatz, DebraMan, GilbertIvey, California, CaliforniaStateWaterResourcesControlBoard, GrayDavis, JeffreyKightlinger, KeithBrackpool, CadizRealEstate

Ohio Democratic candidate for Senate Paul Hackett is shown in this 2005 file photo. Hackett, of Cincinnati, told The New York Times for Tuesday’s editions, Feb. 14, 2006 that he is dropping out of the Democratic race in Ohio, driven from the ballot by the same party leaders who urged him to run after his sensational political debut in a House race last year.

New York Times: Popular Ohio Democrat Drops Out of Race, and Perhaps Politics

Reuters: Iraq war veteran pulls out of Ohio Senate race

Democrats eating their own……..

The winner?

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Technorati Tags: PaulHackett, ChuckSchumer, HarryReid, SherrodBrown

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Technorati Tags: MichaelRamirez, Islam, RadicalIslam

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger addresses local community and business leaders in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006, about his strategic growth plans for the California economy.

Orange County Register: GOP group drops effort to pull Schwarzenegger backing

The influential California Republican Assembly over the weekend dropped its bid to yank the GOP pre-primary-endorsement of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, effectively leaving the measure dead in the water.

Republican activists Monday dropped their bid to get the state GOP to yank its endorsement of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a measure that for weeks had divided many party loyalists and made others uncomfortable.

Instead, Schwarzenegger opponents within the GOP will focus on getting the party, at its upcoming convention in San Jose, to pass four other resolutions addressing the governor’s recent spending proposals and judicial appointments.

There were NOT the votes to yank the endorsement from the Governor. Also, who would replace him? The California Republican bench is very thin in 2006.

Flap handicaps a very contentious Republican election cycle in 2006.

Will mainstream California Republican voters even bother to vote for Governor Schwarzenegger?

Previous:

Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Chief of Staff Susan Kennedy Paid by Cadiz Real Estate

Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: New Politically Diverse Campaign Team Set for Governor’s Reelection

Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Fundraiser with the Governor Nets Orange County Sheriff Carona $700,000

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Technorati Tags: ArnoldSchwarzenegger, California, CaliforniaElection2006, CRP, CaliforniaRepublicanParty, CaliforniaRepublicanAssembly, CRA

Los Angeles Times: Killer’s Legal Team Backs Off in Dispute

Attorneys for death row inmate Michael Morales on Monday withdrew affidavits from jurors urging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to stop the defendant’s execution amid allegations that the defense documents were forgeries.

The defense team, led by former Whitewater independent counsel Kenneth Starr and David Senior, did not concede the forgery allegations, made last week by the San Joaquin County district attorney’s office. But Senior said defense investigator Kathleen Culhane was “off the case, and anything she touched is out of the case.”Attorneys for death row inmate Michael Morales on Monday withdrew affidavits from jurors urging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to stop the defendant’s execution amid allegations that the defense documents were forgeries.

The defense team, led by former Whitewater independent counsel Kenneth Starr and David Senior, did not concede the forgery allegations, made last week by the San Joaquin County district attorney’s office. But Senior said defense investigator Kathleen Culhane was “off the case, and anything she touched is out of the case.”

Prosecutors Allege Morales Defense Faked Clemency Letters

San Francisco Chronicle: Death Row inmate’s lawyers accused – Statements believed to be from jurors are alleged forgeries

Washington Post: Jurors’ Clemency Appeals Reportedly Fake

The Case:

Morales was sentenced to death in 1983 for the murder of Terri Winchell, a 17-year-old Lodi high school senior. He is scheduled to die Feb. 21 by lethal injection, although a federal judge in San Jose is expected to rule as soon as today on a challenge to the method as cruel and unusual punishment.

Prosecutors argued that Morales committed the murder in an alcohol- and drug-induced hallucinogenic frenzy at the request of his cousin, who was angry at Winchell because she had seduced the cousin’s male lover.

A jailhouse informant named Bruce Samuelson testified that Morales had bragged during a jailhouse conversation that he had planned to rape and kill Winchell. A 12-member jury unanimously convicted Morales, now 46, and recommended execution. Ventura County Superior Court Judge Charles R. McGrath sentenced him to death.

Flap handicaps that ANY chance Morales had for clemency died with this latest revelation.

Stay tuned for today’s ruling by the federal court and a possible stay….

Previous:

Michael Angelo Morales Watch: Federal Judge May Delay Execution

Michael Angelo Morales Watch: Ventura County Judge Asks California Governor Schwarzenegger for Clemency

Michael Angelo Morales Watch: Kenneth Starr to Assist Death Row Clemency Bid

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Technorati Tags: MichaelAngeloMorales,, ArnoldSchwarzenegger,, California,, KennethStarr,, TerriLynnWinchell,, LethalInjection