OpEd News: December 17, 2011

  OpEdNews Bold and Daring: The Way Progressive News Should Be Provocative and informative, news and opinion that you did not see on the nightly news. Learn the rest of the story. You may not agree with everything here, but you will find it thought provoking and illuminating.    Daily Headlines   By Danny Schechter Is the Iraq War actually over? The county has a long way to go to recover from a war that is not over. The war that began with the bang of shock ... Full Story

On This Day: December 14, 1799

First U.S. President George Washington dies On this day in 1799, George Washington, the man described by fellow soldier and Virginian Henry Lee as "first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen" dies at his Mount Vernon estate in Virginia. Born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, the second son from the second marriage of a colonial plantation owner, Washington rose to eminence on his own merit. His first job at age 17 was as a surveyor in the Shenandoah ... Full Story

Daris Howard: Life’s Outtakes

My Little Christmas Angel By Daris Howard   My wife, Donna, says I have a real ability to see the humor in almost anything. I think that is because I have learned that I much prefer laughing to crying. If I couldn’t laugh at life, I’m afraid I would become very pessimistic, something I don’t want to be. However, even with my desire to look at life optimistically, there still are times when even the most optimistic person will struggle to view something in a positive ... Full Story

Death of CSU Student

  Sean William McGowan Age 18, of Springs, Texas was a student at Colorado State University. He was found unresponsive at his dorm this morning (11/28/11) and was transported to Poudre Valley Hospital where he died. An autopsy was performed this afternoon. The manner and cause of death are pending. Toxicology results generally take 6 weeks. The death appears to be drug related. There is no sign of contagious disease, i.e. meningitis. No other information will be released at ... Full Story

Derek Good stays on his feet

Late father continues to inspire CSU kick returner     Good follows dad's advice, stays on feet By Nick Frank Athletic Media Relations If you're not on your feet to catch it, it will go right past you. Growing up, that's what Derek Good's dad, Matthew, told him repeatedly. Initially, Derek thought that advice meant that he needed to be on his feet to catch a pass, or else of course, it would go right past him. Like a lot of children that look up to their ... Full Story

Change Your Clock Change Your Battery

  Small steps can make positive changes.  Is is time to change the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Tragically, home fires kill 500 children ages 14 and under each year. In the U.S., almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes without working smoke alarms. Forty percent of the fatal fire injuries occurred in homes with no smoke alarms at all, while 23% occurred in homes in which at least one smoke alarm was present but failed to ... Full Story

DA announces no criminal charges in death of Shaun

Accounts emerge of Gaddafi’s final moments

Witness accounts and grainy footage offer partial glimpses into the former Libyan leader's last stand. While reports surrounding the circumstances of Muammar Gaddafi's death remain murky, amateur footage combined with eyewitness accounts tell a dramatic story of the toppled leader's last stand.  Shortly before dawn prayers on Thursday, Gaddafi surrounded by a few dozen loyal bodyguards and accompanied by Abu Bakr Younis Jabr, the head of his now defeated army, broke out of Sirte where his ... Full Story

Rafting death on the Poudre

  LARIMER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Justin E. Smith, Sheriff   Rafter Death     Date:    June 23, 2011 A rafting accident on the Poudre River left one rafter dead and one with a suspected broken leg today.  At approximately 12:40 p.m. this afternoon, Larimer County Emergency Services and the Larimer County Dive Rescue Team were dispatched to assist Poudre Canyon Fire Department on the report of two rafters stuck on an island across from the Mishawaka Inn ... Full Story

Slices of Life – Riding the grief train

By: Jill Pertler   It’s a year this week since my mom died. Most people will tell you the initial year is the hardest because of all the firsts. First Christmas. First birthday. First Mother’s Day without your mother. I’ll admit those firsts were difficult, but I persevered. Might even be that I’m stronger for it. To be honest, I’m not sure. The surprising thing, for me, about the first year didn’t involve any of the important firsts. It had more to do with what ... Full Story