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Clive Crook: A Biden-Trump rematch? American democracy is apparently broken

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:34:24 GMT

A lot can happen between now and next year’s election, but President Joe Biden’s decision to run and former President Donald Trump’s barely diminished standing with Republicans make a repeat of their 2020 contest quite likely. Pause for a moment to consider this prospect — and the epic failure it represents.The Democrats’ best offer to the nation is a leader who’s 80 going on 90, who can’t safely be allowed off-script or put in front of reporters, whose grasp of policy and his own personal history was tenuous even in his prime, and who’s accused of involvement in his son’s peddling of influence.The Republicans’ leading applicant for the world’s most important job is admittedly still a youngster at 76. On the other hand, he led an administration that set new standards of chaotic and incompetent government, encouraged a riotous assault on the U.S. Capitol, is the subject of several criminal and civil investigations, and...

Other voices: The Supreme Court needs a real ethics code

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:34:24 GMT

“Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants,” wrote Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, in a 1913 essay. The dictum has proved so apt over the years as to become a cliché. Unfortunately, it now needs to be applied to the court itself.Few U.S. institutions are subject to as little formal scrutiny as the Supreme Court. In theory, members of the court are subject to the same financial disclosure rules as other high-level federal officials. Yet with no one empowered to enforce those rules but themselves, the justices have all too often seemed to be above the law. The situation increasingly feels untenable.Take Justice Clarence Thomas’s relationship with Texas real-estate developer Harlan Crow. A major conservative donor, Crow has for decades entertained Thomas and his wife on annual vacations that have included cruises on his yacht, flights on his plane, and stays at an exclusive California retreat. Although federal law requires disclosing gifts worth more than...

Other voices: Putin’s global public enemy No. 1, but don’t forget the danger Kim Jong Un brings

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:34:24 GMT

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine has passed the 14-month mark, with no resolution in sight. It also has come with a potent, unintended consequence.It has made the world forget about North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.Western powers have been justifiably preoccupied with Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, where Russian and Ukrainian troops have been locked in a war of attrition reminiscent of World War I trench warfare. In the meantime, however, the North Korean Communist regime has been hard at work stepping up its nuclear arsenal — in both technological advancement and inventory.North Korea launched at least 95 ballistic and other missiles in 2022, the most Pyongyang has tested in the country’s history, according to The New York Times. This year, as of April 13, North Korea had conducted at least 12 missile tests, Time magazine reported.Kim’s nuclear arsenal includes short-range capability that can threaten the assets of the U...

Registered sex offender arrested by Parker police as child sex assault suspect

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:34:24 GMT

A registered sex offender has been arrested by Parker police as a suspect in a child sex assault case, and investigators are looking for additional victims.Caleb Morrison Smith, 25, was arrested in Denver Thursday morning on an active warrant for multiple charges, including sexual assault on a child a pattern of abuse, and internet luring of a child with intent to exploit, according to a Parker Police Department news release. Police describe Smith as a habitual offender.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Former Commerce City teacher charged with child sexual assault Crime and Public Safety | Douglas County man accused of possessing 24,000 photos, videos of child porn On April 26 Parker police received a tip alleging Smith was luring a 14-year-old girl online, the release said. Smith allegedly was in longtime communication with the victim and had been meeting with her since November 2022. He allegedly took the girl to his home in Louviers.The Do...

Convicted sex trafficker arrested in Riverside County; additional victims sought

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:34:24 GMT

A convicted sex trafficker was arrested by Riverside County Sheriff's Office deputies last month after he allegedly tried to recruit a young girl. Now authorities are turning their attention to find additional victims.On April 25, deputies arrested 43-year-old Isaac Bragg of Hemet, after a girl told authorities he cornered her and attempted to recruit her for the purpose of sex trafficking.Days earlier, the girl was riding her bike on the 31000 block of Manford Drive in Winchester when she said she was approached by a man in a vehicle. The man blocked the intersection of the residential area and began asking her several inappropriate personal questions, officials said. She was eventually able to escape to a nearby shopping center where she called her parents for help.She was able to provide authorities with a detailed description of the suspect and his vehicle, a gold four-door sedan. Using witness statements and security footage, investigators were able to identify Bragg as the sus...

Authorities searching for at-risk 89-year-old man missing out of Compton

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:34:24 GMT

Detectives with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are asking for the public’s help in locating an at-risk 89-year-old man missing out of Compton, authorities announced.  DC Robinson was last seen on May 1 on the 1000 block of West Cressy Street in Compton, according to the LASD missing person’s bulletin.  He is described as 5 foot 5 inches tall, weighing around 130 pounds, with a bald head and brown eyes.  DC Robinson, 89, was last seen May 1 in Compton. (LASD)He may be driving a metallic tan 1999 Buick Century with California license plate number 4EEX429.  There is concern for Robinson’s well-being as he suffers from medical issues, including dementia.An "at-risk" or "critical missing" person is defined as the following:- The missing person is the victim of a crime or foul play- The missing person is in critical need of medical attention- The missing person has no pattern of running away or disappearing- The missing person is the victim of a kidnapping or p...

Lance Blanks, former NBA player and Clippers scout, dies at 56

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:34:24 GMT

The NBA community is mourning the passing of former player and league executive Lance Blanks.Blanks died Wednesday in Dallas, according to a release from the NBA. He was 56 years old.Drafted out of the University of Texas in 1990, Blanks played three years in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons before continuing his career overseas. Upon his retirement from the sport, he turned his attention to finding the next crop of basketball stars, spending several years as a scout with the San Antonio Spurs before moving into an executive role as assistant general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers and general manager of the Phoenix Suns. Most recently, Blanks worked as a scout for the Los Angeles Clippers.Lawrence Frank, the Clippers' president of basketball operations, released a statement following news of Blanks' passing in which he said the team was blessed to have him in the organization and said the team was devastated to learn of his death."He was a tremendous father, son, teammate and co...

San Jose freeway off-ramps to be closed for Cinco de Mayo march

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:34:24 GMT

SAN JOSE – The California Department of Transportation is planning to close multiple highway off-ramps for an organized Cinco de Mayo march through downtown San Jose this weekend.The closures are needed for traffic control and public safety, according to Caltrans.The closures are scheduled to take place from 7 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday, from 4 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday, and from 4 p.m. Sunday to 2 a.m. Monday.The following off-ramps will be affected: Northbound and southbound Highway 101 at McKee Road, Julian Street, Santa Cara Street and Story Road; southbound Highway 280 at McLaughlin Avenue; northbound Highway 280 at 10th and 11th streets and northbound Highway 87 at Auzerais Avenue, Santa Clara Street, Julian Street and Taylor Street.Caltrans said motorists should expect delays and allow extra time for their commute.Check back for updates.Related ArticlesLocal News | It’s Cinco de Mayo, you say? OK, forget that Highway 4 construction work Local Ne...

8 shot dead in Serbia, one day after school attack

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:34:24 GMT

By Hande Atay Alam, Vladimir Banic and Josh Pennington | CNNAt least eight people have been killed and 13 wounded in a shooting in the Serbian village of Dubona, the country’s Interior Ministry spokesperson told CNN.The shooter remains at large, and a warrant has been issued for a 21-year-old male suspect. The police have cordoned off the area where they suspected him to be hiding, according CNN affiliate channel N1.The incident happened on Thursday night at 11pm local time, Serbia’s Interior Ministry spokesperson said. The attacker shot a group of people with an automatic weapon and fled the scene, according to the public broadcaster RTS, prompting police to launch a manhunt.All special police units are engaged, including an anti-terrorism unit, helicopter unit, and police forces from the cities of Belgrade and Smederevo.Ambulances and relatives of the injured are arriving at the Emergency Center in Mladenovac, N1 reported.“The perpetrator is on the run, and all a...

Warriors make surprising lineup change ahead of Game 2 vs. Lakers

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:34:24 GMT

The Warriors made a starting lineup change ahead of Thursday’s Game 2 against the Los Angeles Lakers. But while removing Kevon Looney was somewhat expected, who they replaced him with was the surprise.It’ll be JaMychal Green starting alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green.Part of the reason for the swap is that Looney isn’t feeling well, the Warriors said before Thursday’s tip, but he’s expected to still play tonight.There was some discussion that Golden State would opt to go small and bring Jordan Poole into the starting lineup for Looney. Instead, JaMychal Green will make just his second start as a Warrior since signing last offseason (Dec. 7 at Utah) and try to provide some added 3-point shooting without sacrificing size.The Warriors may be hoping JaMychal Green can give them a similar impact to what Otto Porter did in 2021-22 as the Warriors stormed their way to an NBA title. He hasn’t been an exact replaceme...