A group of House Republicans introduced a bill on Wednesday to rein in the various "czars" in the Obama administration.
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) and 28 other House Republicans introduced legislation to do away with the informal, paid advisers President Obama has employed over the past two years.
The legislation, which was introduced in the last Congress but was not allowed to advance under Democratic control, would do away with the 39 czars Obama has employed during his administration.
The bill defines a czar as "a head of any task force, council, policy office within the Executive Office of the President, or similar office established by or at the direction of the President" who is appointed to a position that would otherwise require Senate confirmation.
Read More at the Hill
Friday, January 7, 2011
The Rule for the Health Care Repeal Passed
The rule for the health care repeal passed.
Yeas: 236
Nays: 181
Present: 2
8,000 Turtle Doves Fall Dead In Italy With Strange Blue Stain on their Beaks
Blue stain believed to be sign of poisoning or hypoxia - lack of oxygen that is precursor to altitude sickness
Cold weather and overbreeding blamed for deaths of two 2million fish in Chesapeake Bay
- Disease behind deaths of 100,000 fish in Arkansas River
- At least nine incidents of mass animal deaths across the globe
- Hundreds of confused birds plummeted to their deaths in multiple locations in the U.S.
- Rapid movement of Magnetic North Pole towards Russia may have caused bird deaths
Thousands of dead turtle doves rained down on roofs and cars in an Italian town in the latest in a growing spate of mass animal deaths across the globe.
Residents in Faenza described the birds falling to the ground like 'little Christmas balls' with strange blue stains on their beaks.
Initial tests on up to 8,000 of the doves indicated that the blue stain could have been caused by poisoning or hypoxia.
Mystery: 8,000 turtle doves fell to the ground dead in Faenza, Italy, and were found to have a blue stain around their beaks
Shock: Residents described seeing individual doves fall from the sky, before groups of 10 or 20 began hitting roofs and cars
A witness told www.examiner.com: 'We have no idea why this happened all of a sudden.
'The doves just started falling one-by-one then in groups of 10s and 20s.'
Hypoxia, a lack of oxygen, is known to cause confusion and illness in animals. It is also a common precursor to altitude sickness.
Experts said results from tests on the doves will not be available for at least a week.
They said that cold weather could have caused the birds' deaths as the flock was swept into a high-altitude wind storm before falling to the earth.
It comes after two million dead fish were found to have washed up on shores in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland.
The alarming find is being blamed by authorities in Maryland on the stress caused by unusually cold water and overbreeding among spot fish.
Mystery: Experts said they believed the blue colouration around the doves' beaks may indicate poisoning or lack of oxygen
Littering the beach: The bodies of two million spot fish have washed up on the shores of Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, after unusually cold weather
Carnage: Thousands of dead fish have washed up on the shores of Spruce Creek, Florida
That investigation comes just days after the deaths of an estimated 100,000 fish in northwest Arkansas, which is being blamed on disease.
A statement by the Maryland Department of the Environment said: 'Natural causes appear to be the reason.
'Cold water stress exacerbated by a large population of the affected species (juvenile spot fish) appears to be the cause of the kill.'
Preliminary tests of the water in Chesapeake Bay have showed the quality was acceptable, officials said.
The statement added: 'The affected fish are almost exclusively juvenile spot fish, three to six inches in length.
'A recent survey showed a very strong population of spot in the bay this year. An increased juvenile population and limited deep water habitat would likely compound the effects of cold water stress.'
Gruesome: New Year revellers watched in horror as the birds rained down on houses and cars in Beebe
Mystery: Officials initially blamed high-altitude hail or lightning hitting the birds. Then preliminary lab tests concluded they had died from multiple blunt force trauma
Mystery: A starling lies along the Morganza Highway in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana. Experts said hundreds of birds may have died after hitting power lines
Mass winter deaths among spot fish have occurred twice before in the Maryland area - in 1976 and 1980.
The incident is the latest mass animal death to hit the headlines in the last two weeks.
These include:
- 450 red-winged blackbirds, brown-headed cowbirds, grackles and starlings found littering a highway in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- 3,000 blackbirds on roofs and roads in the small town of Beebe, Arkansas
- Thousands of 'devil crabs' washed up along the Kent coast near Thanet
- Thousands of drum fish washed along a 20-mile stretch of the Arkansas River
- Two million small fish in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland
- Thousands of dead fish found floating in warm Florida creek
- Hundreds of snapper fish found dead in New Zealand
- Scores of American Coots found dead on Texas highway bridge
Experts have speculated that New Year fireworks, thunderstorms, cold weather, parasites and even poisoning may be behind the deaths.
But conspiracy theorists have also speculated on the internet that secret government experiments could be behind them, with some even claiming it was a sign of a looming Armageddon at the end of the Mayan calendar next year.
Another theory is that the rapid movement of the Magnetic North Pole towards Russia may have affected the birds' innate navigation systems.
The plot thickens: Rescue chief Christer Olofsson holds a dead bird in Falkoping, Sweden. Dozens of jackdaws were found dead on the street
Creepy: Thousands of dead drum fish were also discovered just miles away lining the shores of the Arkansas River
Inbuilt navigation systems in birds and fish is believed to be affected by magnetism.
Scientists have said the Magnetic North Pole is shifting at an average of around 25 miles a year.
With birds and fish relying on it to travel to breeding grounds and warmed climes, there are fears that the shifting pole could be confusing the animals which means they do not migrate in time to avoid cold weather.
Tests are being carried out on the dead birds and fish, but results are not expected for several weeks.
Scientists have been baffled by the sudden deaths of hundreds of birds which have plummeted to the ground seemingly simultaneously in several locations.
Two hundred American Coots were found dead on a highway bridge crossing Lake O' the Pines in Big Cypress Creek, Texas.
They are believed to have been hit by passing vehicles while walking or apparently trying to roost on the bridge.
Swedish experts blamed the shock of New Year fireworks for the unexplained deaths of 50 jackdaws found on a street in Falkoping, Sweden.
Many of the birds are believed to have died from stress or as a result of being run over while disoriented.
The largest incident took place in Beebe, Arkansas, were horrified revellers witnessed around 3,000 blackbirds crashing to their deaths into homes, cars and each other as they celebrated New Year.
Another 450 birds were found strewn along a highway in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after apparently hitting overhead power lines.
In both cases, the birds are believed to have become confused and were flying at a lower height than usual.
The deaths of tons of fish across the globe is being attributed to unusually cold water.
Thousands of Brazilian fishermen have been left struggling to make ends meet after the sale of seafood was temporarily suspended when masses of fish were discovered in Paranaguá, Antonina and Guaraqueçaba Pontal do Paraná.
Fish were also discovered rotting and floating in Spruce Creek, Florida, after another period of cold weather.
100,000 drum fish were found strewn along the shore of the Arkansas River.
And the cold snap has been blamed for the deaths of 40,000 Velvet swimming crabs - known as 'devil crabs - found littering beaches in Thanet, Kent.
Thousands of them: Crabs washed up at Palm Bay, Margate, are thought to have died of hypothermia
Nurse Refuses Mandatory Flu Vaccination By Hospital And Is Fired
Ypsilanti, Mich. (WXYZ) - A nurse for St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ypsilanti says she refuses to get a flu vaccination and she believes the decision led to her getting fired.
Read More from WXYZ.com
Haiti Earthquake Aftermath One Year Later
Port-au-Prince, Haiti (CNN) -- In some places in the Haitian capital, it's difficult to imagine a year has passed since a massive earthquake wrought unfathomable destruction and misery. The evidence still lies in heaps of rubble and in the words of people -- almost everyone can tell a story of survival.
Read More from CNN.com
Influential People We Lost In 2010 But Not Forgotten
Art Clokey
The Gumby animator, whose bendable creation became a pop culture phenomenon through countless satires, toys and revivals, died at age 89 on January 8, 2010. He was born October 12, 1921. J. D. Salinger
Famous both for his writing and his efforts to remain unfamous, the reclusive writer of “The Catcher in the Rye,” died January 27, 2010, at the age of 91. He was born January 1, 1919.
Charlie Wilson
A swashbuckling Democratic congressman from Texas immortalized in the book and movie "Charlie Wilson's War," Wilson died on February 10, 2010. He was 76.
Manute Bol
The 7-foot-6 Bol was one of the tallest players in the NBA and a basketball sensation. Following his hoops career, Bol devoted his life and almost all of his money to helping the people of his native Sudan. He died June 19 of complications from a rare skin disease.
Robert Byrd
After serving from 1959 to 2010, the senator from West Virginia was the longest-serving member in the history of the U.S. Congress. He died at the age of 92 on June 28, 2010
George Steinbrenner
Steinbrenner, the owner of the New York Yankees, died on July 13, 2010. As owner for more than three decades, he won 7 World Series Championships and 11 Pennants. He died of a heart attack at age 80.
Tony Curtis
He molded himself from a 1950s movie heartthrob to a respected actor, starring in "Sweet Smell of Success" in 1957. The following year, "The Defiant Ones" brought him an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of a racist convict handcuffed to a black escapee, Sidney Poitier. In 1959, he donned women's clothing and sparred with Marilyn Monroe in Billy Wilder's "Some Like It Hot." The legendary actor, writer and artist died on October 29.
Edith Shain
A nurse at Doctor's Hospital in New York City was grabbed and kissed by an unknown American soldier on August 14, 1945 -- and went on to symbolize America's victory over Japan. Edith Shain, the white-clad nurse in the picture, died June 20 at age 91.
Jimmy Dean
A country music legend known for his smash hit about workingman hero "Big Bad John" and an entrepreneur known for his sausage brand, Jimmy Dean died June 13 at age 81.
Dennis Hopper
High-flying Hollywood wild man Dennis Hopper's memorable and erratic career included an early turn in "Rebel Without a Cause," an improbable smash with "Easy Rider" and a classic character role in "Blue Velvet." Hopper was a two-time Academy Award nominee, and in March 2010, was honored with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. He died May 29.
Gary Coleman
With his sparkling eyes and perfect comic timing, he became a star after "Diff'rent Strokes" debuted in 1978. Former child TV star Gary Coleman died May 28 at age 42 after doctors took him off life support. The star had slipped into a coma after suffering an intracranial hemorrhage at his home.
Erich Segal
The author of the hugely popular novel "Love Story" (and the screenplay for the Beatles "Yellow Submarine") died of a heart attack on January 17, 2010. He was 72. Born June 16, 1937.
Whether crooning country tunes in the huddle as quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys or jawing with Howard Cosell in the broadcast booth as analyst on the groundbreaking ''Monday Night Football," "Dandy Don's" irreverent personality made him one of the most beloved figures in sports. He died December 5 after suffering a brain hemorrhage.
Morrie Yohai
The creator of the crunchy, finger-staining orange Cheez Doodles snack died at the age of 90 on July 27. He developed the tubular snack at his Old London Foods factory in the 1950s. Yohai, born in Harlem, was a pilot during World War II and graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and received a master's degree from New York University.
Phil Harris
The fishing boat captain whose adventures off the Alaska coast were captured on the television show "Deadliest Catch" died February 9. He was 53. The reality show, which has filmed five seasons, was one of the Discovery Channel's most popular and depicts the crab fishing industry in the dangerous waters off Alaska.
Glen Bell
One of the founding fathers of fast food, Glen Bell is best known for founding the Taco Bell chain of restaurants, which serves more than 36.8 million consumers each week -- with more than 2 billion tacos and 1 billion burritos in the U.S. each year. Bell died Saturday, Jan. 16.
Archduchess Regina
Regina, Crown Princess of Austria, Hungary and Bohemia and wife of Otto von Habsburg, died February 3 at age 85. She married von Habsburg, the son of the last emperor of Austria, in 1951.
Dorothy Kamenshek
The former star of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League who helped inspire the lead character in the movie "A League of Their Own," died May 17 at age 84. Kamenshek, who also went by Dottie and Kammie, played for the Rockford Peaches in Illinois from 1943 to 1953. The left-handed infielder was a seven-time All-Star and chosen one of the top 100 female athletes of the century by Sports Illustrated.
Walter Frederick Morrison
The man who invented the Frisbee died in early February at age 90. Morrison's son, Walt, said that "old age caught up" with his father. Morrison sold the production and manufacturing rights to his "Pluto Platter" in 1957; the plastic flying disc was later renamed the "Frisbee," with sales surpassing 200 million discs.
The Gumby animator, whose bendable creation became a pop culture phenomenon through countless satires, toys and revivals, died at age 89 on January 8, 2010. He was born October 12, 1921.
Famous both for his writing and his efforts to remain unfamous, the reclusive writer of “The Catcher in the Rye,” died January 27, 2010, at the age of 91. He was born January 1, 1919.
Charlie Wilson
A swashbuckling Democratic congressman from Texas immortalized in the book and movie "Charlie Wilson's War," Wilson died on February 10, 2010. He was 76.
Manute Bol
The 7-foot-6 Bol was one of the tallest players in the NBA and a basketball sensation. Following his hoops career, Bol devoted his life and almost all of his money to helping the people of his native Sudan. He died June 19 of complications from a rare skin disease.
Robert Byrd
After serving from 1959 to 2010, the senator from West Virginia was the longest-serving member in the history of the U.S. Congress. He died at the age of 92 on June 28, 2010
George Steinbrenner
Steinbrenner, the owner of the New York Yankees, died on July 13, 2010. As owner for more than three decades, he won 7 World Series Championships and 11 Pennants. He died of a heart attack at age 80.
Tony Curtis
He molded himself from a 1950s movie heartthrob to a respected actor, starring in "Sweet Smell of Success" in 1957. The following year, "The Defiant Ones" brought him an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of a racist convict handcuffed to a black escapee, Sidney Poitier. In 1959, he donned women's clothing and sparred with Marilyn Monroe in Billy Wilder's "Some Like It Hot." The legendary actor, writer and artist died on October 29.
Edith Shain
A nurse at Doctor's Hospital in New York City was grabbed and kissed by an unknown American soldier on August 14, 1945 -- and went on to symbolize America's victory over Japan. Edith Shain, the white-clad nurse in the picture, died June 20 at age 91.
Jimmy Dean
A country music legend known for his smash hit about workingman hero "Big Bad John" and an entrepreneur known for his sausage brand, Jimmy Dean died June 13 at age 81.
Dennis Hopper
High-flying Hollywood wild man Dennis Hopper's memorable and erratic career included an early turn in "Rebel Without a Cause," an improbable smash with "Easy Rider" and a classic character role in "Blue Velvet." Hopper was a two-time Academy Award nominee, and in March 2010, was honored with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. He died May 29.
Gary Coleman
With his sparkling eyes and perfect comic timing, he became a star after "Diff'rent Strokes" debuted in 1978. Former child TV star Gary Coleman died May 28 at age 42 after doctors took him off life support. The star had slipped into a coma after suffering an intracranial hemorrhage at his home.
Erich Segal
The author of the hugely popular novel "Love Story" (and the screenplay for the Beatles "Yellow Submarine") died of a heart attack on January 17, 2010. He was 72. Born June 16, 1937.
Lena HorneAn enchanting jazz singer and actress and outspoken opponent of racism, Lena Horne died May 9. She was 92. In the 1940s, she was one of the first black performers hired to sing with a major white band, and later embraced activism, breaking loose as a voice for civil rights.
Don MeredithWhether crooning country tunes in the huddle as quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys or jawing with Howard Cosell in the broadcast booth as analyst on the groundbreaking ''Monday Night Football," "Dandy Don's" irreverent personality made him one of the most beloved figures in sports. He died December 5 after suffering a brain hemorrhage.
Morrie Yohai
The creator of the crunchy, finger-staining orange Cheez Doodles snack died at the age of 90 on July 27. He developed the tubular snack at his Old London Foods factory in the 1950s. Yohai, born in Harlem, was a pilot during World War II and graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and received a master's degree from New York University.
Phil Harris
The fishing boat captain whose adventures off the Alaska coast were captured on the television show "Deadliest Catch" died February 9. He was 53. The reality show, which has filmed five seasons, was one of the Discovery Channel's most popular and depicts the crab fishing industry in the dangerous waters off Alaska.
Glen Bell
One of the founding fathers of fast food, Glen Bell is best known for founding the Taco Bell chain of restaurants, which serves more than 36.8 million consumers each week -- with more than 2 billion tacos and 1 billion burritos in the U.S. each year. Bell died Saturday, Jan. 16.
Archduchess Regina
Regina, Crown Princess of Austria, Hungary and Bohemia and wife of Otto von Habsburg, died February 3 at age 85. She married von Habsburg, the son of the last emperor of Austria, in 1951.
Dorothy Kamenshek
The former star of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League who helped inspire the lead character in the movie "A League of Their Own," died May 17 at age 84. Kamenshek, who also went by Dottie and Kammie, played for the Rockford Peaches in Illinois from 1943 to 1953. The left-handed infielder was a seven-time All-Star and chosen one of the top 100 female athletes of the century by Sports Illustrated.
Walter Frederick Morrison
The man who invented the Frisbee died in early February at age 90. Morrison's son, Walt, said that "old age caught up" with his father. Morrison sold the production and manufacturing rights to his "Pluto Platter" in 1957; the plastic flying disc was later renamed the "Frisbee," with sales surpassing 200 million discs.
Mail Rooms In U.S On Alert After Fiery Packages Injure 2 In Maryland
HANOVER, Md. -- Investigators attempted Friday to trace the origin of packages sent to Maryland's governor and transportation secretary that ignited when they opened, producing a puff of smoke, a small flame and a sulfur-like smell.
The package addressed to Gov. Martin O'Malley was sent by someone griping about highway signs that urge motorists to call in tips about suspicious activity. A similar package was sent to Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley. They were opened within a 15-minute period Thursday afternoon at state government buildings 20 miles apart.
The workers who opened the packages singed their fingers, but there were no significant injuries.
Soon after, mailrooms across Maryland were cleared and two other suspicious packages uncovered, though they turned out to be a toner cartridge and laptop batteries.
Explosive material wasn't found in either package that ignited and authorities aren't sure if any other dangerous packages are out there, but mailroom employees were back at work Friday. They'll have pictures of the packages and were advised to be vigilant about anything suspicious.
Meanwhile, the packages have prompted officials in at least four nearby states to be more vigilant.
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