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Op Ed: IMPEACHMENT:
NOW, or Later,
OR NOT EVER?

National honor, debt to past & future, demand action.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - Two words capsulize our Constitutional crisis, now recognized as the root-and-many/limbs of our current economic collapse. One is APATHY, an American characteristic far too often encountered in recent decades.

Blame that on our “pursuit of happiness” --but such distortion of real meaning reflects its own values. The other word is IMPEACHMENT. That one is too often avoided now --in deadly-sharp contrast to another word too frequently heard in recent irresponsible campaign-crowd rantings.

Without realistic action for impeachment, triggered by citizen demand, we dishonor this nation and our long, continuing “experiment in democracy”.

Talks With Somali Pirates Over Hi-Jacked Ukrainian Weapons Ship Underway

The body of Russian Vladimir Kolobkov, who died after a heat-stroke-induced heart-failure, is still onboard.

(COAST OF AFRICA) - Efforts for a peaceful release continued, but the now over two months long stand-off concerning Ukrainian MV FAINA is not yet solved finally, though intensive negotiations have continued.

The Somali captors holding the arms-laden cargo ship yesterday accused the owners of stalling on a ransom payment and threatened to pull out of a deal for its release struck a week ago, Quatar sources and many news agencies reported.

A pirate spokesman said that the armed gang holding the Faina was unhappy about the delay in the ransom payment. "The ship's owners are taking too long to hand over the money," another spokesman, identifying himself only as Ahmed, said by telephone from Hobyo town, near the pirate lair of Harardheere.

Black and White is Not Always a Clear Distinction

Socioeconomics and incarceration are factors in defining race, says a University of Oregon sociologist.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - Is race defined by appearance, or can a person also be colored by socioeconomic status? A new study finds that Americans who are unemployed, incarcerated or impoverished today are more likely to be classified and identified as black, by themselves or by others, regardless of how they were seen -- or self identified -- in the past.

The findings suggest race may not be as simple as something a person is born with -- that it is possibly tightly intertwined with social status, says University of Oregon sociologist Aliya Saperstein, who worked with Andrew M. Penner of the University of California, Irvine.

The study -- begun long before Barack Obama became the nation's first black president-elect -- appears online this week ahead of regular publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Oregon Air Guard`s First African-American General is Promoted (PHOTOS)

Maj. Gen. Dean is Oregon's first African-American two-star. He also was the first African-American Guardsmen in Oregon to attain the rank of colonel, and eventually, brigadier general.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - A 13-year member of the Oregon Air National Guard was promoted to major general during a ceremony at the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes, Dec. 8th 2008, here.

Maj. Gen. Garry C. Dean, who has been working with the Air Force Inspector General's office at the Pentagon since February 2008, drew accolades from his colleagues and supervisors during the morning ceremony.

"He defines total force," said Lt. Gen. Ronald F. Sams, Inspector General of the Air Force. "Garry Dean is a highly-experienced commander who served in numerous positions throughout the Oregon Guard and the Air Force, all of which accents his leadership resume."

Never Fear, Obama Was Definitely Born Here

The nation's top court has said it will not review Obama's eligibility to serve as the next U.S. President. Factcheck.org backs it up.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an emergency appeal from a New Jersey man who alleges that President-elect Barack Obama is ineligible to be president because he was not born in the United States, but Great Britain.

No comment was issued today as the court rejected the call by Leo Donofrio of East Brunswick, N.J., to intervene in the presidential election.

Donofrio has claimed that since Obama had dual nationality at birth — his mother was American and his Kenyan father at the time was a British subject — he cannot possibly be a "natural born citizen." U.S. birth is a mandatory requirement if any person hoping to become the U.S. president.

To Whom Much is Given: Surviving the Massacre in Mumbai

An unbelievable account of Peter O’Malley's time in Mumbai during the recent attacks.

(MUMBAI,, India) - Last Wednesday evening around 10:00 PM, following a relaxing supper, my friend Eugene and I arrived at the check-out desk at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai, as we have done together hundreds of times in our travels as New York investment bankers currently living in Hong Kong.

As I placed my bag on the table I heard a loud gunshot, which I recognized from my years living in South Africa to be the distinctive snap of an AK-47 assault rifle. Hearing another shot a second later, I looked at Eugene and said, “Run, that’s AK!”

We streaked away from the gunfire toward the nearest exit as the terrorists were entering the hotel lobby from various points. I smashed through the doors toward the pool area and ducked into some bushes as the gunfire grew in intensity. I realized Eugene did not make it out of the lobby.

Oregon Police Seek Suspect in Columbia County Homicide

Investigators are interested in talking to anyone who may have had contact with Cubbage since August 1st.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Oregon State Police detectives are asking for the public's help to develop information related to an August 25th 2008 Columbia County homicide investigation. A person of interest remains in custody on unrelated charges as the investigation continues.

OSP's Gregg Hastings says that on August 25th 2008 during the early evening hours, Columbia County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a found body in the 32000 block of Highland Road between Rainier and Deer Island.

Members of the Columbia County Major Crimes Team responded to initiate an investigation. An autopsy on the victim, identified as 62-year old Vrenon Lloyd McCullough, determined the cause of death was from homicidal violence. Police say Mr. McCullough resided alone at the residence.

Marion County Deputies Investigate Armed Robbery in Aurora

Both suspects left the store and got into what was described as an older model dark colored Pontiac Bonneville that according to witnesses, looks like a Honda Accord. The vehicle may also have a rear taillight out.

(AURORA, Ore.) - Marion County Sheriff's deputies responded to the Fuel N Mart/Circle K store on Delores Way in Aurora last night at 7:30 PM, over a report of an Armed Robbery that had just occurred.

German Patients to Receive Medical Marijuana

Pressure from the Bush Administration to keep marijuana illegal in other nations is fading.

(SAN FRANCISCO) - Germany is about to become the fifth country to allow at least some patients to use natural marijuana as medicine. According to a report from the International Association for Cannabis as Medicine, the German government recently notified four patients that they would be allowed to receive medical marijuana produced under the Dutch government’s medical marijuana program. The German program remains limited to special cases.

Other German patients have been allowed to use a liquid extract made from Dutch cannabis, but for some patients the extract proved unsatisfactory. The patients are expected to receive their supply of whole marijuana around mid-January.

Other than the Netherlands, nations that have some sort of medical marijuana program sanctioned by their national governments — with varying levels of restrictions and limitations — include Canada and Israel.

Sublimity Teacher Cleared on Sex Abuse Charges

John Lulay was a middle school teacher in Sublimity from 1976 to 2003, then became a substitute teacher in the North Santiam School District.

(SALEM, Ore.) - A retired Sublimity, Oregon teacher, 59-year old John Lulay, was found innocent of sexual abuse last week. Judge Lynn Ashcroft handed the verdict down Thursday, after criticizing members of both families behind the charges.

The judge reportedly said that the child was put in the middle and that family members attempted to tell her what to say, adding that the family did not put her needs first.

The Statesman Journal reported that during the three-day trial that did not involve a jury, Lulay's defense lawyer accused the child's mother of coaching her.