Friday was such a slow news day that there was little of any consequence for Check This Out!
While this weekend is cluttered with Super Bowl hype, there are some news items that slipped through.
Feeling better, but locking frail Pope John Paul II gave the Angelius Blessing from the window of his hospital room in Rome. The 84 year-old Pontiff was admitted to the hospital last week after suffering respiratory complications from the flu.
Although he is recovering and is expected to be released from the hospital this week, the Pope's Parkinson's disease is complicating his recovery.
Vatican officials say it is unlikely that the Poe will preside at Ash Wednesday ceremonies.
The New York Times > International > Europe > Pope Delivers Blessing from Hospital Window
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The President's budget will be sent to Capitol Hill Monday amidst speculation that hundreds of government programs will be curtailed or cut altogether.
The $2.5 trillion budget will begin the campaign promise to cit the deficit in half by 2009. That pledge was repeated during last week's State of the Union address.
The budget submission to Congress will set off months of debate with Congressional leaders and other trying to save "pork" projects while criticizing the Administration for cutting anything. If Congress fails to control spending, will the President finally use his veto power to keep spending in line?
Yahoo! News - Bush Proposes Cuts to Scores of Programs
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Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is doing little to stop rumors of his pending elevation to Chief Justice.
Scalia is one of the White House favorites that could be nominated when current Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist decides to retire. Several Democrats have already said that they would support Scalia for the Chief Justice position.
The sharp-tongued jurist is known as a legal and constitutional scholar, but his personality often rubs legislatures and administration officials the wrong way. Nevertheless, Scalia would be the best nominee for Chief Justice if the Bush White House chooses to promote from within.
Yahoo! News - Scalia Won't Discourage Chief Justice Talk
Yahoo! News - Bio Box Antonin Scalia
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A University of Colorado professor who compared 9/11 victims with Nazis refuses to apologize for his remarks.
Ward Churchill said to Paula Zahn, "I don't believe I owe an apology." Churchill aid that his essay was a "gut reaction" to the terrorist attacks.
The Board of Regents of the University of Colorado are currently reviewing Churchill's record that could lead to dismissal of the tenured professor.
The controversy began when a student journalist at Hamilton College in upstate New York discovered the essay as part of a background story in anticipation of Churchill's appearance at the college. After the story broke Hamilton College along with other colleges and universities across the country have canceled appearances by Churchill.
Churchill who claims to be Native American resigned as the chair of his department at Colorado. Whether he remains on the faculty is up to the school's Board of Regents.
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A Manhattan judge rules Friday that the state's Domestic Relations Law which bans gay marriage is unconstitutional. This leaves the door open for same sex couples to be married legally in the Empire State.
New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg says that the city will appeal the ruling to the New York Curt of Appeals. This essential closes the door on gay marriage in the city until a higher court ruling.
Bloomberg who supports gay marriage said that the city will "expedite the appeal to the state's highest court so that people will have a right once and for all to know where they stand." This was the first time, according to aides, that the mayor has stated his position so clearly.
The New York Times > New York Region > City to Appeal Move Backing Gay Marriage
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More tomorrow in the Morning Briefing.
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