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May 15, 2012

Economy: Economic News, Policy & Analysis - The Washington Post: Romney wants defense spending to be much, much higher. The public doesn’t.

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Economy: Economic News, Policy & Analysis - The Washington Post
Economy News: Get the latest headlines and in-depth coverage of economic news, policy, analysis and more from The Washington Post.
Romney wants defense spending to be much, much higher. The public doesn't.
May 15th 2012, 13:12

There's a yawning gap between how much the average American wants to cut defense spending in 2013 (18 percent) and how much Washington lawmakers want to cut (zero, or pretty close to it). But the gap between public opinion and Mitt Romney's plan is much, much bigger.

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U.S. News: John Edwards' eldest daughter, Cate, to take the stand

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thumbnail John Edwards' eldest daughter, Cate, to take the stand
May 15th 2012, 12:27

By NBC News and wire services

Cate Edwards, the oldest child of former presidential candidate John Edwards, will testify at her father's corruption trial. NBC's Lisa Myers reports.

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The eldest daughter of John Edwards is set to take the stand in her father's defense.

Cate Edwards is a 30-year-old lawyer who has sat behind the former presidential contender nearly every day of his corruption trial, now in its fourth week. She's expected to testify Tuesday.

Edwards has pleaded not guilty to six counts related to campaign finance violations over nearly $1 million from two wealthy donors used to help hide the Democrat's pregnant mistress as he sought the White House in 2008.

Cate Edwards fled the courtroom in tears earlier this month during testimony about her mother's reaction to her father's affair with Rielle Hunter. It is not clear what she knows about the cover-up that may help his defense.

Cate, a graduate of Harvard Law, has stood by her father unwaveringly, NBC's Lisa Myers reported on TODAY on Tuesday. In a eulogy to her mother, Elizabeth, in December 2010, Cate said, "One thing remains true and will never change, which is that we're still a family."

John Edwards faces up to 30 years in prison.

Slideshow: John Edwards’ public life

Previous report: Judge rejects testimony on FEC audit in Edwards' trial

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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U.S. News: Fire captain demoted for Trayvon Martin Facebook post

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Fire captain demoted for Trayvon Martin Facebook post
May 15th 2012, 13:08

View more videos at: http://nbcmiami.com.

By Karen Franklin, NBCMiami.com

MIAMI -- A Miami-Dade Fire Rescue captain, whose Facebook comment about the Trayvon Martin shooting spurred an investigation, was demoted two ranks to firefighter Monday in a letter from the fire chief.

Brian Beckmann, who posted the comment April 11, must also complete a Fit for Duty evaluation and diversity and/or sensitivity training, the letter from Fire Chief William Bryson said. Beckmann may appeal the decision within 14 days.

Rowan Taylor, president of International Association of Firefighters Local 1403 wrote in an email statement that he disagrees with the demotion.

"As union President, I believe this discipline is excessive. We will immediately file an appeal to an independent arbitrator," Taylor said.

For more, visit NBCMiami.com

A copy of Beckmann’s initial Facebook post was in the Finding of Fact Report released by the department.

Besides having disparaging words for the prosecutor, the post also said: "I and my coworkers could rewrite the book on whether our urban youths are victims of racist profiling or products of their failed, (expletive), ignorant, pathetic, welfare dependent excuses for parents, but like Mrs. Corey, we speak only the truth. They're just misunderstood little church going angels and the ghetto hoodie look doesn't have anything to do with why people wonder if they're about to get jacked by a thug,” he posted.

A disciplinary report said that the comment altered the reputation of the Fire Rescue department.

“The statement posted cast the subject in a negative light as well as brought ill repute to our entire organization as a result of the reference to 'my co-workers.'"

Beckmann, who said in an interview with the department that he was not the author of the post and rather copied it from what he thought was an editorial reply to a news article or blog, apologized to Bryson in a note.

“I know that my actions have brought you undue scrutiny and you didn’t deserve that,” he said. “I promise I will try harder than ever to be a decent and professional public servant to the citizens of Miami-Dade County, that was always my goal and will continue to be.”

Beckmann also explained why he chose to use the statement.

Prosecutor files evidence, witness list in Trayvon Martin case

"I have...from all the years of, all the horrible things I have seen and after a recent couple of events I was reading things that evoked a response in me that made me what to share it and it was not the response they're deeming it to be," he said according to an attachment to the memorandum.

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez released a statement Monday that said he agreed with the department’s decision.

“The comments made by Captain Beckmann were reprehensible and will not be tolerated,” Gimenez said. “We can’t have our employees, especially a supervisor, making such disparaging comments about any member of our community, much less one of our own employees."

Gimenez said that he directed his staff to revise policies dealing with the issue.

"It is important to reiterate my position that public servants have a responsibility to uphold the highest levels of integrity and decency, especially when you consider our multicultural, multi-ethnic community. There’s no such thing as being off-the-clock; we are public servants 24/7 and must conduct ourselves with the utmost professionalism at all times," he said in an email statement.

Beckmann, who has worked for the county since 1997, was promoted to lieutenant in 2002 and captain in 2006. He has previously been disciplined twice for reporting late to work and responding to an unauthorized email “sent to be humorous and not county business,” according to his personnel record summary.

Other officers involved in the case were asked to receive counseling for their "lack of official action," the attachment said.

Do you think the Florida firefighter deserved to be demoted for his Trayvon Martin comments?

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U.S. News
Stories from NBC reporters around the country.
Fire captain demoted for Trayvon Martin Facebook post
May 15th 2012, 13:08

View more videos at: http://nbcmiami.com.

By Karen Franklin, NBCMiami.com

MIAMI -- A Miami-Dade Fire Rescue captain, whose Facebook comment about the Trayvon Martin shooting spurred an investigation, was demoted two ranks to firefighter Monday in a letter from the fire chief.

Brian Beckmann, who posted the comment April 11, must also complete a Fit for Duty evaluation and diversity and/or sensitivity training, the letter from Fire Chief William Bryson said. Beckmann may appeal the decision within 14 days.

Rowan Taylor, president of International Association of Firefighters Local 1403 wrote in an email statement that he disagrees with the demotion.

"As union President, I believe this discipline is excessive. We will immediately file an appeal to an independent arbitrator," Taylor said.

For more, visit NBCMiami.com

A copy of Beckmann’s initial Facebook post was in the Finding of Fact Report released by the department.

Besides having disparaging words for the prosecutor, the post also said: "I and my coworkers could rewrite the book on whether our urban youths are victims of racist profiling or products of their failed, (expletive), ignorant, pathetic, welfare dependent excuses for parents, but like Mrs. Corey, we speak only the truth. They're just misunderstood little church going angels and the ghetto hoodie look doesn't have anything to do with why people wonder if they're about to get jacked by a thug,” he posted.

A disciplinary report said that the comment altered the reputation of the Fire Rescue department.

“The statement posted cast the subject in a negative light as well as brought ill repute to our entire organization as a result of the reference to 'my co-workers.'"

Beckmann, who said in an interview with the department that he was not the author of the post and rather copied it from what he thought was an editorial reply to a news article or blog, apologized to Bryson in a note.

“I know that my actions have brought you undue scrutiny and you didn’t deserve that,” he said. “I promise I will try harder than ever to be a decent and professional public servant to the citizens of Miami-Dade County, that was always my goal and will continue to be.”

Beckmann also explained why he chose to use the statement.

Prosecutor files evidence, witness list in Trayvon Martin case

"I have...from all the years of, all the horrible things I have seen and after a recent couple of events I was reading things that evoked a response in me that made me what to share it and it was not the response they're deeming it to be," he said according to an attachment to the memorandum.

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez released a statement Monday that said he agreed with the department’s decision.

“The comments made by Captain Beckmann were reprehensible and will not be tolerated,” Gimenez said. “We can’t have our employees, especially a supervisor, making such disparaging comments about any member of our community, much less one of our own employees."

Gimenez said that he directed his staff to revise policies dealing with the issue.

"It is important to reiterate my position that public servants have a responsibility to uphold the highest levels of integrity and decency, especially when you consider our multicultural, multi-ethnic community. There’s no such thing as being off-the-clock; we are public servants 24/7 and must conduct ourselves with the utmost professionalism at all times," he said in an email statement.

Beckmann, who has worked for the county since 1997, was promoted to lieutenant in 2002 and captain in 2006. He has previously been disciplined twice for reporting late to work and responding to an unauthorized email “sent to be humorous and not county business,” according to his personnel record summary.

Other officers involved in the case were asked to receive counseling for their "lack of official action," the attachment said.

Do you think the Florida firefighter deserved to be demoted for his Trayvon Martin comments?

More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:

Follow US News on msnbc.com on Twitter and Facebook

0%
Yes
0 votes
0%
No
0 votes

thumbnail John Edwards' eldest daughter, Cate, to take the stand
May 15th 2012, 12:27

By NBC News and wire services

Cate Edwards, the oldest child of former presidential candidate John Edwards, will testify at her father's corruption trial. NBC's Lisa Myers reports.

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The eldest daughter of John Edwards is set to take the stand in her father's defense.

Cate Edwards is a 30-year-old lawyer who has sat behind the former presidential contender nearly every day of his corruption trial, now in its fourth week. She's expected to testify Tuesday.

Edwards has pleaded not guilty to six counts related to campaign finance violations over nearly $1 million from two wealthy donors used to help hide the Democrat's pregnant mistress as he sought the White House in 2008.

Cate Edwards fled the courtroom in tears earlier this month during testimony about her mother's reaction to her father's affair with Rielle Hunter. It is not clear what she knows about the cover-up that may help his defense.

Cate, a graduate of Harvard Law, has stood by her father unwaveringly, NBC's Lisa Myers reported on TODAY on Tuesday. In a eulogy to her mother, Elizabeth, in December 2010, Cate said, "One thing remains true and will never change, which is that we're still a family."

John Edwards faces up to 30 years in prison.

Slideshow: John Edwards’ public life

Previous report: Judge rejects testimony on FEC audit in Edwards' trial

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:

Follow US News on msnbc.com on Twitter and Facebook

'Aletta', first Pacific tropical storm of 2012, forms southwest of Mexico
May 15th 2012, 11:08

By Reuters

WASHINGTON - The first tropical storm of the year formed in the Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico on Monday and was named Aletta, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said. 

The storm had maximum sustained winds early Tuesday near 40 mph with additional strengthening forecast during the next day or so followed by gradual weakening.


The storm is swirling far out over the Pacific and is not posing a danger to land. Aletta is centered about 640 miles south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, and is moving west-northwest near 9 mph.

The storm's forecast track shows it going farther out to sea. 

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Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.

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Philly.com News: Gaming

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Gaming
May 15th 2012, 12:25

Gov. Christie, the scheduled keynote speaker at this week’s East Coast Gaming Congress in Atlantic City at the new Revel Casino, will not attend the gambling conference, a decision that some critics again tied to his presumed national political ambitions. Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno will take his place, said Christie’s press secretary, Michael Drewniak.

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Economy: Economic News, Policy & Analysis - The Washington Post: Taxmageddon sparks rising anxiety

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Economy: Economic News, Policy & Analysis - The Washington Post
Economy News: Get the latest headlines and in-depth coverage of economic news, policy, analysis and more from The Washington Post.
Taxmageddon sparks rising anxiety
May 15th 2012, 04:01

Defense contractors have slowed hiring. Tax advisers are warning firms not to count on favorite breaks. And hospitals are scouring their books for ways to cut costs.

Across the U.S. economy, anxiety is rising about the potential for widespread disruptions after the November election, when a lame-duck Congress will have barely two months to resolve a grinding standoff over taxes and spending.

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Economy: Economic News, Policy & Analysis - The Washington Post: Wonkbook: The economics of gay marriage

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Economy: Economic News, Policy & Analysis - The Washington Post
Economy News: Get the latest headlines and in-depth coverage of economic news, policy, analysis and more from The Washington Post.
Wonkbook: The economics of gay marriage
May 15th 2012, 12:00

Don't think of gay marriage as a cultural issue. Don't think of it even as an equality issue. Don't even think of it as a political issue. Think of it, just for a moment, as an economic issue.

In the traditional view of marriage, write economists Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers, "the joining of husband and wife yields a more productive firm, because it allows one spouse to specialize in earning income from working in the market, while the other specializes in the domestic sphere. The division of labor allows for greater productivity, just as it does in the workplace. The different skills required for these separate roles provide an economic rationale for the advice your grandmother may have offered, that 'opposites attract.'" Romantic, right?

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Breaking News: CBS News: EU air strikes target pirates on Somali soil

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EU air strikes target pirates on Somali soil
May 15th 2012, 10:05

1st strikes carried out on suspected pirates on shore, rather than at sea, as fight against criminal gangs expands

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Breaking News: CBS News: Facebook ups IPO price range

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Facebook ups IPO price range
May 15th 2012, 10:46

Social media giant expects initial stock offering to sell between $34 and $38 per share; Company valuation could top $100B

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Breaking News: CBS News: Obama's anti-Romney ads mirror '94 race

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Obama's anti-Romney ads mirror '94 race
May 15th 2012, 10:00

A lot has changed since 1994, but not the attacks against Mitt Romney. Will he be ready this time?

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Breaking News: CBS News: "Eye Opener": Your world in 90 seconds

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"Eye Opener": Your world in 90 seconds
May 15th 2012, 11:12

More fallout for JPMorgan Chase, after a financial fiasco. Also, the California budget deficit is much bigger than it was projected to be. All that, and all that matters, in today's "Eye Opener."

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