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The only person shocked by the announcement that gave London the 2012 Summer Olympics Games is French President Jacques Chirac. Probably not, but the International Olympic Committee gave London the nod over Paris, Moscow, and New York.
The announcement came after a 54-50 vote on the fourth ballot. The campaign for the 2012 games was the most hotly contested is Olympics history. This is the third time in the last 20 years that Paris has lost its bid for the games. Paris last hosted the games in 1924. London hosted the games in 1948, the first post-war games.
The bidding and awarding process for the Winter and Summer Games has been under close scrutiny after it was discovered that many members of the IOC were taking "bribes" from cities and countries to host the games. Although never proven, speculation is the Salt Lake City games were awarded after substantial payments to IOC members. There is also speculation that there may have been some "gifts" from China to secure the 2008 games.
London Upsets Paris to Win 2012 Olympics - Yahoo! News
Tag: Olympic Games
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A former senator has agreed to guide the next Supreme Court nominee through the confirmation process.
Sen. Fed Thompson (R-TN), also known for his acting roles in "Hunt for Red October" and "Law and Order," agreed to accept the post in a conversation with the president on Monday.
During his tenure in the Senate Thompson was on the Judiciary Committee and is familiar with the longtime members.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) praised the former senator for his no-"nonsense style."
"Fred is a well-respected leader admired on both sides of the political aisle as someone who is fair-minded and straightforward," Frist said in a statement. "He is experienced in the ways of Washington and will undoubtedly provide valuable insight and counsel throughout the confirmation process."
The appointment of Thompson to aide the nominee could signal that whoever the president nominates may be from "outside the beltway."
Ex-Sen. Thompson to Oversee Court Nominee - Yahoo! News
In a related story, President Bush said he will not select a Supreme Court nominee based on one issue, abortion.
The president urged the Senate to act in a "dignified way" during the confirmation process.
Bush said there would be no "litmus test" that qualifies candidates because of their opinions on abortion and same-sex marriage.
"I'll pick people who, one, can do the job, and people who are honest, people who are bright and people who will strictly interpret the Constitution and not use the bench to legislate from," Bush said.
Bush also responded to the criticism of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales as a potential nominee. "And all the sudden this fella, who is a good public servant and a really fine person, is under fire," Bush said. "And so do I like it? No, I don't like it. At all."
If the president selects Gonzales it would be the first time a Hispanic has been nominated for the Supreme Court.
Bush: Abortion Won't Decide Court Nominee - Yahoo! News
Tags: Fred Thompson, Alberto Gonzales, Supreme Court
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Today US District Judge Thomas Hogan should decide the fate of Time reporter Matthew Cooper and NY Times reporter Judith Miller. Both have been charged with criminal contempt in October for failing to disclose under oath the identity of sources for a report on a leak of the name of a CIA operative.
To appease the court, Time magazine has released the notes of Cooper. It is there hope that the release of the documents will make it unnecessary for Cooper to testify. Miller has said she will not comply with the court's order even if it means jail.
Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald demanded that Cooper and Miller testify before a grand jury. Fitzgerald said in court papers that the source has waived his right to confidentiality and can find no reason for the reporters failure to comply with a court order.
"Journalists are not entitled to promise complete confidentiality — no one in America is," Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald told a judge.
More on this story as it becomes available.
Reporters Face Jail in Fight Over Sources - Yahoo! News
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More later.
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