politics.yourdailyslice.com

North Korea Fires 2 Missiles

North Korea fired two missiles off it eastern coast Saturday, a South Korean official said.

Clem's Chronicles: SARAH PALIN/MICHAEL JACKSON/BIDEN IN IRAQ

HAPPY 4TH FOLKS-DON'T HAVE THE VIDEO LINKS TONIGHT. SORRY ABOUT THAT. HAVE A NICE WEEKEND. SARAH PALIN-Alaska Governor Sarah Palin said this afternoon that she is stepping down from her office July 26. She didn’t give a reason why she...

North Korea Fires Missiles: Reports

SEOUL, South Korea — A news report says North Korea has fired two mid-range missiles off it eastern coast.

Yonhap news agency's report says the launches Saturday appeared to be of Scud missiles. The agency quotes a South Korean government official it did not identify.

The official says the missiles fired were estimated to have a range of about 300 miles (500 kilometers).

North Korea fired four short-range missiles off the east coast on Thursday.

Speculation has been high that the communist country might launch more missiles in coming days.

Sarah Palin "Out Of Politics, Period" (VIDEO)

Reporters are beginning to piece together an explanation for Sarah Palin's abrupt resignation announcement that stands in stark contrast to the reasoning Palin offered in her speech.

Speaking on MSNBC, Andrea Mitchell reported that, according to "people very close to Sarah Palin," she has "told her supporters that she is out of politics, period. She is fed up with politics. She doesn't like her life. She feels that she needs to raise her family. She's sick of the commute from Wasilla to the capital. And she really does not want to run for higher office, that this is not a case where she is stepping down in order to clear the way for a presidential run. In fact, she has told some of her biggest backers in the national Republican Party that they are free to choose other candidates for 2012, which of course opens new avenues for Mitt Romney, for Tim Pawlenty, for other potential candidates who are definitely in the running."

Here's video:

Meanwhile, Alaska-based reporter-blogger Shannyn Moore is hearing potentially more damaging revelations are to come. "For weeks the rumors of a criminal investigation against the governor have been brewing," she writes. She spoke of the rumors with MSNBC's David Shuster, saying the talk of a criminal probe into Palin has been circulating for six to eight weeks, and that today's press conference seemed to be Palin's effort at "damage control for news to come out later."

Moore also noted that it made little sense for Palin to resign now to prepare for a presidential run, especially considering she continued on as governor during the 2008 presidential campaign unlike Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, who both turned over power to their Lieutenant Governors when they were running for national office.

Writing for the Daily Beast, Max Blumenthal pinpointed a burgeoning story that may be the source of the rumblings in Alaska:

Many political observers in Alaska are fixated on rumors that federal investigators have been seizing paperwork from SBS in recent months, searching for evidence that Palin and her husband Todd steered lucrative contracts to the well-connected company in exchange for gifts like the construction of their home on pristine Lake Lucille in 2002. The home was built just two months before Palin began campaigning for governor, a job which would have provided her enhanced power to grant building contracts in the wide open state.

Evan Handler: Palin Resigns to Accept Post as Lunatic Laureate

I'll try to be brief. People should do whatever they choose. Get married, get divorced. Run for office, resign from office. Volunteer to clean up a highway, run screaming naked down the street. Have your fun, baby, and don't let no one keep you from it.

What people should not do is have their fun, all the while insisting they're doing it for someone else's benefit.

Deep within her rambling and disjointed "announcement" this morning, Sarah Palin stated that she's not going to seek reelection as Governor of Alaska. Then, she went on to say she'll be leaving office before her term is up because serving out the term she was elected to serve wouldn't be best for the people who voted her in. In other words, I'm leaving you - but only because it's the best thing I can do for you.

It's easy to criticize, I know. But today I feel qualified. Because this is the identical excuse I gave to every girlfriend I broke up with in my twenties and thirties. I don't think many of them fell for it back then. I know they've all wised up since.

The question on my mind today is, how many of Sarah's millions of admirers will feel flattered by her most recent selfless and beneficent decision?

You can fool all of the people some of the time.

And you can fool some of the people all of the time.

And you can fool some of the people all of the time...

EvanHandler.com

Report: North Korea Fires 2 Missiles

A news report says North Korea has fired two mid-range missiles off it eastern coast.

MOUNTAIN OF DEBT: Rising debt may be next crisis

WASHINGTON - The Founding Fathers left one legacy not celebrated on Independence Day but which affects us all. It's the national debt.

MOUNTAIN OF DEBT: Rising debt may be next crisis (AP)

AP - The Founding Fathers left one legacy not celebrated on Independence Day but which affects us all. It's the national debt.

Palin to resign as Alaska governor in surprise move

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, the Republican Party's vice presidential candidate in 2008, said on Friday she will resign this month, an unexpected move that could signal a run for higher office.

Group Sotomayor belonged to sued over job tests (AP)

AP - A civil rights group advised by Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor in the 1980s brought several discrimination lawsuits that sought to scrap the results of job tests because too few Hispanics scored well, according to new documents that are fueling GOP criticism of the judge.

Analysis: Palin Was Fed Up

Alaska Governor Struggled With an Inhospitably Post-Campaign Environment

Palin resigns as governor, leaves plans secret

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin abruptly announced Friday she is resigning from office at the end of the month, a shocking move that rattled the Republican party but left open the possibility she would seek a run for the White House in 2012.

Wimbledon Final 2009: Federer Versus Roddick

WIMBLEDON, England — Rising, rising, rising, high above the most famous patch of grass in tennis, Roger Federer channeled Pete Sampras on match point in the Wimbledon semifinals Friday, tucking both feet back beneath his body and uncorking an overhead smash.

And now, after years of chasing Sampras, Federer is poised to surpass him.

A victory over No. 6-seeded Andy Roddick of the United States in Sunday's final at the All England Club would give Federer his 15th Grand Slam singles championship, breaking a tie with Sampras for the most in history. It also would give Federer a sixth Wimbledon title and a return to No. 1 in the rankings.

As it is, No. 2 Federer's overwhelming 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-3 victory over No. 24 Tommy Haas of Germany in Friday's opening match on Centre Court put the Swiss star in a seventh consecutive Wimbledon final and 20th career Grand Slam final _ establishing two other marks.

"I'm very proud of all the records I've achieved, because I never thought I would be that successful as a kid. You know, I would have been happy winning a couple tournaments and maybe collecting Wimbledon," the 27-year-old Federer said. "It's quite staggering."

Yes, Roger, it certainly is.

When he finished off Haas with that Sampraslike leaping putaway, Federer simply waited at the net to shake hands. Then he gave a little wave of his racket in the direction of his pregnant wife, his parents and other supporters in the guest seats above a scoreboard, before making the same gesture toward the Royal Box, where past greats of the game Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver were among the invited guests.

Winning a Wimbledon semifinal _ indeed, any Grand Slam semifinal _ is all so very been-there, done-that for Federer: He is 20-3 in major semis over his career, reaching 16 of the past 17 major finals.

"I know what's on the line," Federer said. "I hope I can play another good match."

His previous match against Haas, on June 1 in the fourth round of the French Open, was much tighter. Haas won the first two sets that day _ drew within five points of victory, even _ before Federer came back en route to winning the title at Roland Garros to complete a career Grand Slam and tie Sampras with 14 Grand Slam championships.

This time, Federer was quite close to perfect. He won a remarkable 72 of 83 points on his serve, did not face a single break point and finished with 49 winners and only 15 unforced errors.

"You know, that's the way it goes playing against him," Haas said. "There aren't really any weaknesses."

Roddick celebrated rather emotionally after finishing off No. 3 Andy Murray of Britain 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5) in Friday's second semifinal. The 2003 U.S. Open champion, still seeking a second major title, dropped to his knees, leaned forward and covered his head with his hands.

Leaving the court, Roddick paused to enjoy the moment, thankful that all of the changes he's made over the past several months paid dividends: tweaking his diet to drop 15 pounds, hiring a new coach, working more than ever to improve his returns, his volleys, his backhand.

"To be honest, the last couple of years, I didn't know if I'd ever get a chance to play for another Grand Slam title," Roddick said. "Now I get to. It's just a dream."

This part might cause some nightmares before Sunday: Roddick is 2-18 against Federer, including losses in the 2004 and 2005 Wimbledon finals, as well as the 2006 U.S. Open final.

"I've had plenty of time to study his game, to understand his game," Federer said. "He's always played me also quite differently every single time."

Then again, Roddick was 2-6 previously against Murray, who was trying to become the first British man to reach the Wimbledon final since the 1930s and, of course, received plenty of partisan support from the 15,000 or so spectators.

Roddick joked beforehand he'd be pretending that all those shouts of "Come on, Andy!" were for him, but he was outsmarted: Instead of the usual first-name cheers, the crowd yelled support for their man "Murray!"

Didn't matter. Roddick was too good on the most important points and that made the difference on a day Murray compiled more aces (25-21), more winners (76-64) and fewer unforced errors (20-24). Roddick won far more points at the net, 48-15, and put in a far higher percentage of first serves, 75-52, while hitting much harder than Murray, reaching a tournament-high 143 mph.

"If he serves like that," Murray said, "he's got a chance against anyone."

There was only one break point in the first set, and it came with Murray serving while trailing 5-4. Murray went ahead 30-love, but Roddick took the next four points, showing off some of the newfound versatility in his game. He got to break point with a drop-shot winner on a 10-stroke exchange. And he ended the set with a booming backhand down the line that forced Murray into a forehand error on the point's 17th stroke.

The stands were close to silent, and it was clear Murray needed to do something to get the fans _ and himself _ going. He did just that, breaking Roddick at love to open the second set, then holding with the help of three aces in a row to go up 2-0.

After serving out that set, Murray was on the verge of beginning the third the exact same way. But Roddick saved three break points to hold for 1-0.

"You're probably not going to get out of a love-40 hole too often against a guy who returns like him," Roddick said. "So that was definitely key."

Roddick broke to 3-1, and at 5-2 was two points away from taking the third set. But Murray eventually broke back and, in the tiebreaker, he held a set point at 6-5. On a 13-stroke exchange, Roddick misplayed a forehand volley in such a way that it turned into a winner.

"He apologized," Murray said.

Moments later, Murray shanked one forehand long, then dumped a passing try into the net, and Roddick owned the lead and momentum. Less than an hour later, Roddick owned the match, improving to 26-4 in tiebreakers this season when he smacked a forehand approach shot and Murray put a backhand into the net.

A year ago, Roddick lost in the second round at Wimbledon, prompting some serious soul-searching. He was traveling in the States the day of the 2008 Wimbledon final, which Federer lost to nemesis Rafael Nadal 9-7 in the fifth set in fading light. Roddick wound up staying at the airport to watch the end of the match on TV.

Now it will be Roddick trying to beat Federer with a Wimbledon championship at stake.

And Federer trying to beat Roddick with history at stake.

"Obviously you can't really say enough to kind of signify what Roger's career has been to this point," Roddick said.

As for Federer's bid to collect No. 15, Roddick said: "I'd love to delay it for another Grand Slam."

Neil Zevnik: Appreciating Cilantro: Redeeming Parsley's Bad-Boy Cousin

A version of this post appears in my "Eat Smart" column in the July issue of Better Nutrition Magazine.

Mention the word "cilantro" in any social gathering and you're likely to get one of two responses: a rapturous "Love it!", or an exhalation sounding very much like "ptui!". The fresh form of the annual herb Coriandrum sativum is truly one of those "love it or hate it" foodstuffs that invoke an extreme of passion. Those who rave about it will cite its distinct fresh herbaceousness and unique flavor; those who disparage it will demean its "soapy" aftertaste and overwhelming pungency. I discovered there is even a website called "Ihatecilantro.com"!

I confess, I am a member of the cilantro lovers brigade -- I'll pile heaps of the leaves on my nachos, stir a handful into a pasta, and make a pesto of them for grilled salmon. But no matter which camp you fall into, it cannot be denied that there are definite health benefits to be had from cilantro that can be useful to us all.

THEN

Basically there are two components to the plant, causing it to be both herb and spice: the fresh leaves and stems -- known variously as cilantro, Chinese parsley, or Mexican parsley -- and the dried seeds, known as coriander or coriander seed. Its use is recorded as far back as 5000 BC, which makes it one of the oldest known spices. The Egyptians cultivated it, and associated it with immortality - coriander seeds were found in the tomb of that most famous of Pharaohs, King Tut; the Romans used it to preserve meats, and the Greeks used it in perfumes. It is even mentioned in the Bible, to describe the shape of the manna that fell from the heavens.

Folk medicine over the centuries in various countries has utilized coriander for a variety of maladies. In Iran, it was employed as a treatment for anxiety and insomnia; in India, an infusion of it was used as a diuretic; and holistic medicine in several cultures found it useful for curbing flatulence -- always a desirable benefit...

NOW

Modern medicine has identified a number of beneficial qualities in coriander that help place it high on the list of healing spices. Studies have shown coriander to be helpful in controlling blood sugar, cholesterol, and free radical production, by stimulating the production of insulin, reducing damaged fats in cell membranes, and increasing HDL levels. It appears that the volatile oils in the cilantro leaves, which are rich in phytonutrients, may have antimicrobial properties as well.

But perhaps the most intriguing and unique property of coriander is an antibacterial compound recently isolated by researchers, called dodecenal, found equally in the seed and leaves of the plant. This surprisingly potent antibiotic has been proven to be twice as effective in killing Salmonella as the most commonly-used antibiotic drug in current use. In fact, scientists have isolated an additional eight similar compounds in cilantro, thus placing it at the forefront of the current medical arsenal in warding off and possibly even treating Salmonella. Powerful medicine indeed!

HOW

So now you know how excellent an herb cilantro can be. Time to get some into your daily diet! A few tips on selecting, storing, and using:

- cilantro should be fresh, perky, and bright green, with no wilting
- to store, trim the bottoms of the bunch, place in a jar of water as if it were flowers, cover with plastic and refrigerate
- for the seed, best to buy it whole and grind as needed - easy to do with a mortar & pestle; or keep the jar of ground spice tightly sealed in a dark place
- always rinse fresh cilantro well just before using - it's often very sandy. And add it only at the last minute if your dish is something hot - cooking cilantro destroys the flavor.

There is a multitude of simple ways to incorporate cilantro into your daily diet: sprinkle a little ground coriander on fish before grilling, stir some chopped fresh cilantro into a quick chicken-vegetable soup, or make a dip for veggies with non-fat yoghurt, chopped spring onions & cilantro. Or make a healthy, delicious meal of the sandwich and salsa below!

Eggplant & Chickpea Pita Pocket

This mildly exotic sandwich makes an excellent luncheon, or pair with a crunchy green salad for a quick and easy light supper on a warm summer evening!

1/2 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 cup chopped brown onion
1 large eggplant, cut into 1-inch dice (about 4 cups)
1 15-oz. can organic chickpeas, rinsed & drained
1/2 cup mango chutney
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

4 pita breads, cut in half to make 8 pockets
1 cup Yellow Tomato Salsa (recipe follows)

Heat olive oil, coriander and cumin in large heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add onions, cook over medium hit until just softened (about 4 minutes), stirring often. Add eggplant and continue to cook until eggplant is soft but not soggy. Remove from heat, stir in chickpeas, chutney & lemon juice. Allow to cool to room temperature. (Can be refrigerated for later use.)

Spoon about 2/3 cup of the mixture into each pita pocket; top with about 2 tablespoons of salsa.

Serves 4-8, depending on how hungry you are!

Heirloom Tomato Salsa

You can find heirloom tomatoes at your local farmers market, or even at your local supermarket these days. And the extra salsa is great with organic blue corn chips!

3 lbs. yellow heirloom tomatoes, chopped and drained
3/4 cup chopped white onion
1/3 cup chopped green onions
3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon chopped fresh jalapeno pepper (or use Serrano for more heat!)
1 tablespoon fruity olive oil
2 teaspoons white vinegar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoon fresh lime juice
Salt & pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients. Refrigerate for a few hours to let flavors blend.

Will keep for several days. Makes about 3 ½ cups.

South Carolina Serial Killer Has Residents Terrified, Holed Up Their Homes

GAFFNEY, S.C. — Terrified residents canceled Fourth of July plans and holed up in their homes Friday as investigators hunted a serial killer believed to have shot four people to death.

Tanya Phillips had been looking forward to a backyard barbecue at her brother's house but instead planned to stay home with her doors locked.

"I'm not taking any chances," said Phillips, 32, a mother of two who works in a day-care center. "I'll go out during the day, but not at night. I just don't feel safe."

Plenty of evidence links the killings, though officials have not yet determined how the victims are connected or if they knew whoever shot them, said Cherokee County Sheriff Bill Blanton.

"Yes, we have a serial killer," he said at a news conference in this rural community 50 miles south of Charlotte, N.C.

So far, all investigators have to go on is a sketch of a suspect and a description of a possible getaway vehicle, though police would not say who provided that information.

The latest victims were found in their family's small furniture and appliance shop near downtown Gaffney around closing time Thursday. Stephen Tyler, 45, was killed, and his 15-year-old daughter was shot and seriously injured. Tyler's wife, his older daughter and an employee found them in Tyler Home Center, County Coroner Dennis Fowler said.

A day earlier and about seven miles away, family members found the bodies of 83-year-old Hazel Linder and her 50-year-old daughter, Gena Linder Parker, bound and shot in Linder's home. Blanton would not say if Tyler and his daughter were also bound.

The killing spree began last Saturday about 10 miles from Tyler Home Center, where peach farmer Kline Cash, 63, was found shot in his living room. Blanton said the killer may have first spoken with Cash's wife about buying hay. She left and came home a few hours later to find her husband's body. Investigators said it appears he was robbed, but they have not determined if anything was taken in the other killings.

Cherokee County, home to about 54,000 people, had just six homicides in all of 2008, and half that the year before.

Residents have "their guard up and their gun handy," said state Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, who recalled the area being terrorized once before, in the 1960s, by a serial killer dubbed the Gaffney Strangler. Otherwise, Gaffney is most famous for a giant water tank shaped like a peach that can be seen from Interstate 85.

"There is no greater fear than the fear of the unknown and nobody knows. You can cut the tension with a knife," Peeler said. "People are locking their doors, even in broad daylight."

The Fourth of July is a busy weekend, with thousands of people expected to attend fireworks displays in several communities.

"You want to live a normal life," Phillips said as she stood outside a grocery store. "But you just can't."

Every available police officer will work the weekend, Blanton said, acknowledging that there is "real fear in the county." He urged people to take precautions such as going out in groups and calling 911 if their cars break down and they are stuck on the side of the road.

"If someone breaks into my house, I'm armed and ready," said Mike Daniels, 53, a retired Army sergeant. "And I won't hesitate to shoot first and ask questions later."

Hazel Smith, 47, said neighbors feel vulnerable.

"If he killed once, he'll kill again," she said sitting on the front porch with her friends. "Tonight, I'm going to stay inside and pray, pray a little harder that he gets caught."

The latest shootings happened less than a half-mile from the sheriff's office, where at least 30 investigators were already working on the case. Blanton said a profiler has suggested Tyler and his daughter might have been shot to taunt investigators, but he said his only concern is solving the case.

"We had a 15-year-old girl shot; he killed an 83-year-old woman," Blanton said. "The good people of this community don't deserve that."

The sheriff reminded people they have a right to protect themselves and advised salesmen and others to avoid knocking on strangers' doors with so many on heightened alert.

"People are going to start shooting at shadows," Blanton said.

___

Associated Press Writers Jim Davenport and Jeffrey Collins contributed to this report from Columbia.

Group Sotomayor belonged to sued over job tests

WASHINGTON - A civil rights group advised by Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor in the 1980s brought several discrimination lawsuits that sought to scrap the results of job tests because too few Hispanics scored well, according to new documents that are fueling GOP criticism of the judge.

Lady Liberty's Crown Reopens on Fourth

It's crowded. It's hot. You have to climb hundreds of steps to get there. And throngs of people can't wait to visit.

Report: N. Korea fires two mid-range missiles

A news report says North Korea has fired two mid-range missiles off it eastern coast.

Sarah Palin Plays by Her Own Rules, Again

Dan Balz, Washington Post

Palin resigns as governor, leaves plans secret (AP)

AP - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin abruptly announced Friday she is resigning from office at the end of the month, a shocking move that rattled the Republican party but left open the possibility she would seek a run for the White House in 2012.

A Huge Gamble, But Could Be a Shrewd One

Bill Kristol, Weekly Standard

Is Palinâs National Political Career Over?

Ed Morrissey, Hot Air

Prosecutors: Demjanjuk fit to stand trial

John Demjanjuk moved one step closer to another trial after German prosecutors said doctors had deemed the 89-year-old fit to ...

Is Palin Eyeing 2012 Presidential Run?

Alaska Governor Makes Surprise Announcement that She Is Resigning from Office

Palin announces she'll leave office by end of month

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is expected to announce Friday that she will not seek a second term, a Republican source close to Palin tells CNN.