Monday, August 10th

National: Woman Who Tried to Kill Ford in '75 is Paroled
Lynette Fromme is now 60 and has spent the last 3 decades of her life in the Federal Medical Center Carswell. A follower of Charles Manson, Ms. Fromme attempted to kill Gerald Ford in September of 1975. Ms. Fromme, or "Squeaky", was released on parole. The details of where and who she will reside with will not be relased but officials assure the press that she will be closely supervised. Ms. Fromme was 26 when she shot at President Ford in Sacramento. The gun had no bullets in the chamber but 4 in the magazine. Lynette became obsessed with Charles Manson when he rescued her off the streets as an 18 year old troubled college student. She was sentenced to life in prison after causing a commotion at her trial. In 1987, she escaped from a women's prison in West Virginia to "be closer to Mr. Manson" who is serving life at a prison in California. She refused parole in 1985 and was released in 2009 for good conduct. This article was interesting to me because I had never heard about the attempted assasiantion or Charles Manson. I don't have a problem with Ms. Fromme being released on parole because she served her time. However, I am suprised she was not kept to fufill her life sentence.

McKinley, James C. "Woman Who Tried to Kill Ford in ’75 Is Paroled." New York Times: U.S. The New York Times, 15 Aug. 2009. Web. 23 Aug. 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/15/us/15release.html?scp=25&sq=&st=nyt.

International: Moussavi Forms ‘Grass-Roots’ Movement in Iran
Mir Moussavi, the oppositional leader to Iran, has started a new movement according to his website. His moment is supposed to defy a government campagin of intimidation against him and his followers. He is not claiming his movement as a poltical party but rather as a "movement to promote democracy and adherence to the law". He is calling his movement the Green Way of Hope. Moussavi feels his movement is necessary after being accused of a conspiracy against the Iranian government. Moussavi's statement did not include much detail or an agenda for the movement probably to prevent officials from cracking down any further. I think that Mr. Moussavi should have the right to start his own grass roots movement just like ones in our own country have been started but because he seems dangerous I would question his agenda and the legitimacy of "promoting democracy and adhereing to the law".

Worth, Robert F. "Moussavi Forms 'Grass-Roots' Movement in Iran." New York Times: Middle East. The New York Times, 16 Aug. 2009. Web. 23 Aug. 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/world/middleeast/16iran.html?scp=2&sq=&st=nyt.

Economic:Hints of a Rebound in Global Trade
According to economy reporter for the New York Times Floyd Norris, world trade is starting to recover. Although the bounce back is small so far, it shows that world trade is rising again at a steady pace. The U.S. reported that its exports were up in June 2.2%. Most countries are experiencing a positive influence on their trade but it is nowhere near the numbers of last year. In the credit crisis, world trade fell much more rapidly than final sales to consumers. Exports directed at the U.S. are expected to pick up soon because industries are finally restocking their inventories. China also went up 3.7% and the American share of Chinese exports rose to its highest since before the recession. Even though the increase is small, it is good to hear some positive news about our economy since most of the news is negative these days.

Norris, Floyd. "Hits of Rebound in Global Trade." New York Times: Economy. The New York Times, 14 Aug. 2009. Web. 23 Aug. 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/15/business/economy/15charts.html?scp=20&sq=&st=nyt.