Incoming --- take cover -- blame Bush for this murder
The mother of the man charged with killing an Auburn University student said her son was an Iraq war veteran who was changed after his service, and offered an apology to the freshman's family.
Catherine Williams, the mother of suspect Courtney Lockhart, made the apology to Lauren Burk's family in an interview with Columbus, Ga., television station WTVM. "I am sorry that Courtney did that. ... First let me say I'm sorry to the Burk family for Courtney taking, taking their child. ... My heart goes out to her family," Williams said in the tearful interview.
But she also said her son did not confess anything to her.
Lockhart, 23, was arrested Friday in Phenix City, Ala., and was charged with capital murder in Burk's abduction and shooting death. Police would not say what led them to charge him in her death. The 18-year-old from Marietta, Ga., was found shot on the side of an off-campus road Tuesday night and her car was found burning in a campus parking lot.
Williams told the television station that her son hasn't been the same after serving 16 months in Iraq. She says her son had been living with her in Smiths Station, Ala., since returning from the war.
The Burk family likely did not see the Saturday evening TV interview, family spokeswoman Kathy Singleton said. "The family didn't watch any TV last night. I honestly don't know what their reaction is," Singleton said. "My heart breaks for anyone that's attached to the whole tragic situation. It's hard on everyone."
One number for Catherine Williams in Smiths Station was unlisted. No one immediately returned a message Sunday from The Associated Press at another listing for Cathy Williams in the same town.
#1
Guilty until proved innocent Hmmm, some Mother.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
03/09/2008 16:14 Comments ||
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#2
Yeah! This just proves the NYT piece about the dangers of Veterans!
Why else would it be necessary to identify that in the article? Unless Mom is working on the Bush-made-him-insane defense.
Posted by: Bobby ||
03/09/2008 16:54 Comments ||
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#3
"mother of suspect Courtney Lockhart, made the apology to Lauren Burk's family.... 'I am sorry that Courtney did that.' Williams said in the tearful interview. But she also said her son did not confess anything to her."
Gee, thanks, Mom. Glad to know you believe your son is guilty until he proves himself innocent.
Bet you're anti-military, too.
Idiot.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
03/09/2008 17:54 Comments ||
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#4
Crud, here comes another "Whaked out vet" story.
OTOH if he was black or muslim, crickets....
Posted by: N guard ||
03/09/2008 18:54 Comments ||
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#5
He is black. The attractive 18 year old coed who was shot and dumped by the side of the road, and whose car was burned, was white.
David B. (Ret.)
MADISON
Brigadier General David Bechtold Hoff, (Ret.), died Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, in Madison, surrounded by his family. He was born in Ettrick, Wis., on Aug. 31, 1932, the son of Oscar Frederick and Elsie Marie (Bechtold) Hoff. He started working at age 6, selling newspapers, and later worked in tobacco barns and a canning factory. He was in the West Salem High School class of 1949, where he played on the baseball, basketball, and football teams, was a cheerleader, played the tuba, and sang in the choir. In 1953, he graduated with high honors from the UW-Madison School of Business with a degree in accounting. While in college he joined Air Force R.O.T.C.....
In 1954, Hoff received a commission as 2nd Lt. in the Air Force and completed his pilot training in 1956. He served a tour of active duty from 1955 to1958 in Texas, Florida, and Fuerstenfeldbruck AFB in Germany, where he trained German Air Force pilots. Hoff played basketball on the 7330th Pilot Training Group team, the Jet Jockeys, traveling around Europe and winning the Mutual Defense Alliance Pact championship in 1957. In 1958, he returned to Madison and served as a pilot in the Wisconsin Air National Guard (WI ANG) until 1989, when he retired as Air Commander of Truax Air Base and Wing Commander of the 128th Tactical Fighter Wing with more than 6000 hours flying time, including 1000 hours in the A-10 Thunderbolt II. As Commander, Hoff lead the 128th TFW back into the jet age following its near deactivation and the removal of its jets in the 1970s, giving the base its working motto, "Dedicated to Excellence." He also graduated from the U.S. Air Force Air War College in 1975 and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1978.
General Hoff worked regularly with Congress in the WI ANG congressional liaison program, which he initiated. Senator William Proxmire awarded General Hoff the Reverse Golden Fleece Award in 1984, for using his own money to purchase and expedite the placement of safety clips on all Air Force, ANG and Air Force Reserve A-10 pilot air hoses to prevent inadvertent disconnect at high G forces in flight. The G-suit modification, which he designed and then implemented in a test program at Truax before receiving U.S.A.F. approval to equip every A-10 unit in the military, took three months and cost $1,100; Air Force experts had told General Hoff it would cost tens of thousands of dollars and take two years to accomplish the same result. In 1985, Reader's Digest magazine awarded Hoff the Hero for Today award, noting that "What this country and we taxpayers need is more doers like Brig. Gen. David Hoff in charge of things. . ."
Following his retirement, Hoff served as Deputy Executive Director of the National Guard Association of the United States from 1992-93 in Washington, D.C., and in 1994, was inducted into the WI ANG Hall of Fame. He said the best thing he did in life was being in the WI ANG....
In 1989, at age 56, he graduated Cum Laude and Order of the Coif from the UW-Madison Law School, having served as Associate Editor of the Law Review. He practiced law through 2005, with the same enthusiasm and dedication that he devoted to all of his pursuits. His volunteer involvement included (and here follows about 7 column inches of unglamorous but very useful civic projects, everything from noise abatement to helping seniors).
****
There are seven soldiers listed in Sunday's Wisconsin State Journal obituary page. One served his country in WWII and his God and the Catholic church, and worked construction. Another served in WWII and Korea, and lost a son in Viet Nam. Another was a Marine for 30 years who operated radio stations in China.
My windows are being battered like there was a hurricane turned on.
A strong southwest to west flow overnight will continue in the wake of a cold front. Winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to around 45 mph will continue into the overnight before starting to subside toward daybreak.
Winds of this magnitude... combined with saturated soils from heavy rainfall... could topple whole trees. The winds may also bring down tree limbs and power lines... causing damage to parked vehicles and power outages. Loose outdoor items such as trash cans may also be blown around... and should be secured.
A Wind Advisory is issued when sustained winds are forecast to be 31 to 39 mph or gusts will range between 46 and 57 mph. Winds this strong can make driving difficult... especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. TW- this might be a good sign to send the TDs to the Carribian for Spring Break. Heck, I may join them there (as a jolly chaperone, mind you) But I have to monitor how Miss Lady Free Radical is doing.
#1
New Yorkers have been bragging that for them so far it has been a snow less winter. Hopefully Al Gore will see to it that they get ten or twenty feet to let them know they haven't been forgotten.
We have getting less snow than usual: the biggest storm this season was 6 inches. And the next day temps were at 45F. So all we had to deal with was clogged drains. NYC's can take that in a walk.
Wind is another matter. Even though the NWS said that this was supposed to calm down this morning, I am hearing winds that are HOWLING at my windows.
#3
We had sub-freezing temperatures, snow, and 15 to 20 mph winds all day yesterday. Winds died off around 8 PM. It's now sunny and calm and 38F.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
03/09/2008 12:53 Comments ||
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#4
Got almost a foot here north of cinci yesterday - it snowed for like 12 hrs straight. My uncle in Detroit said they only got a dusting. Friday is supposed to be in the 40s. My little boy is in heaven w/making snow angels and sledding.
#5
Total of 6 inches in Syracuse. Been a very mild winter. Compared to Minnesota.
Think there have been round 4 days of below zero. Meanwhile back at the Coon Lake cabin, twas a March nip at 10 below on Friday. Completely unseasonable.
#8
Mobile Alabama is cold (45) and slightly windy(15-20) with overcast skies. (Sunday afternoon)
I've lived in St Johns Newfoundland as a child, that's why I'm 'Way down south in Dixie, Y'all can have my share of snow and ice.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
03/09/2008 16:21 Comments ||
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#9
Mobile Alabama is cold (45) and slightly windy(15-20) with clear and sunny skies. (Sunday afternoon)
I've lived in St Johns Newfoundland as a child, that's why I'm 'Way down south in Dixie, Y'all can have my share of snow and ice.
(Weather changes rapidly down here)
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
03/09/2008 16:23 Comments ||
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#10
Warming rapidly now that the sun is out, 59F at present and very pleasant afternoon, (it's 5:45 CDT here now, and beautiful outdoors, sunset about 1/2 hour away.)
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
03/09/2008 18:38 Comments ||
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#11
A dusting of snow in Wisconsin. I spent an hour this afternoon shivering in a barn with #3 daughter while her 4H club horse project learned how to wrap a horse's leg.
I grew up in Chicago, with a concrete backyard. Now I'm learning how to "wrap a horse for shipping."
#12
The trailing daughters were at Columbus for the Ohio JCL (Latin clubs) convention this weekend; the two-hour trip took the coach over five -- thank goodness the adviser was clever enough to trade the schoolbus for something with a toilet and heat! Mr. Wife returned from Atlanta to shovel 12" of snow.
But he and I grew up in Buffalo, NY, so that's what we used to think was normal. Today it was calm, sunny and 45F.
Free Radical, the trailing daughters can spend spring break in the Caribbean when they can afford it -- I'm about to discover the pleasures of university fees and expenses. Besides, trailing daughter #1 will be going to NYC this time, to sing with her school chorus at St. John the Divine and at Rider U. in New Jersey.
With the Libyan coast fast approaching now, Walt asks me for the third time, if I think the jet will get to the speed and altitude we want in time. I tell him yes. I know he is concerned. He is dealing with the data; that's what engineers do, and I am glad he is. But I have my hands on the stick and throttles and can feel the heart of a thoroughbred, running now with the power and perfection she was designed to possess. I also talk to her. Like the combat veteran she is, the jet senses the target area and seems to prepare herself.
Former British prime minister Tony Blair is to take up a post teaching at Yale, one of the top educational institutions in the United States, the university said Friday. Blair, who stepped down as prime minister last year after 10 years in power, was to lecture on faith and globalization as the Howland Distinguished Fellow, and would start in the next academic year, the university said. His work at the university would relate to the work of his Tony Blair Faith Foundation, which he is due to launch later this year.
"The appointment of Mr. Blair provides a tremendous opportunity for our students and our community," Yale President Richard Levin said in a statement. "As the world continues to become increasingly interdependent, it is essential that we explore how religious values can be channeled toward reconciliation rather than polarization.
"Mr. Blair has demonstrated outstanding leadership in these areas and is especially qualified to bring his perspective to bear. We are honored that he is planning to join the Yale community," he added.
According to British media reports, Blair would continue in his role as special envoy to the Mideast Quartet working towards Palestinian statehood, a role that reportedly takes up around 10 days of every month.
There has also been speculation that Blair could be made the future EU president, a role enshrined in the European Union's reforming Lisbon Treaty that the 27 member states hope to ratify by the end of the year. However, some members are known to oppose his candidacy partly due to his role in supporting the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Former holders of Yale's Howland fellowship include composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, BBC journalist Alistair Cooke and late Indian leader Indira Gandhi.
#5
Cheri Blair, esq. would not fit in well as an academic wife. On the other hand, a fellowship sounds like a 1-2 year sabbatical kind of thing, not a tenured position, so no reason for our g(r)omgoru to fret. ;-)
Chuck Simmons has the full citation and a great photo. Excerpt:
Flight Lieutenant Goodman was born in Bristol on 22 November 1976 and was brought up there before completing a degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Manchester. Her Royal Air Force career began in 2000 and, following Initial Officer Training at RAF Cranwell and Initial Flying Training at RAF Shawbury, she was posted to the Merlin Force at RAF Benson in 2004. A combat-ready pilot, Flight Lieutenant Goodman has completed three tours on Operation TELIC in Iraq.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/09/2008 00:43 ||
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#3
What can I say: Great Flight Lieutenant, Great aviator, Great character, great judgement, great courage, great looks. And Great Role Model, if the Brits would appreciate her.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
03/09/2008 14:30 Comments ||
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LONDON - Britains former prime minister Margaret Thatcher is feeling well after returning to her London home on Saturday from hospital, said a spokesman for the Baroness. The 82-year-old Thatcher was pictured by television broadcasters waving from her Belgravia home in central London, having earlier left St Thomass hospital, where she had undergone precautionary tests.
Thatcher was taken to the south London hospital on Friday after she felt ill at a House of Lords dinner. She was feeling a bit faint and queasy and as she went out to get some fresh air, her legs folded up under her, the spokesman said. We decided it was better to be safe than sorry. Shes feeling well and is pleased to be back at home.
Thatcher has appeared rarely in public in recent years after suffering a series of small strokes in 2002 which forced her to cancel her busy public speaking schedule.
As Britains first and so far only female prime minister, Thatcher was dubbed the Iron Lady, earning a reputation as one of the most formidable politicians of her era. She came to power in 1979 and governed for more than 10 years before being ousted by members of her own party. She retired from the House of Commons in 1992.
Get well, Maggie, the world still needs you.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/09/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
She should have been made of finer steel, but she was only made of flesh and blood.
You know, I didn't think she's last this long without Denis.
Posted by: Eric Jablow ||
03/09/2008 9:52 Comments ||
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#2
Bless you Maggie.
Hillary is NOT Thatcher by any stretch.
Want to come to America to be the President here Maggie? Just something to do during retirement.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Former British prime minister Tony Blair is to take up a post teaching at Yale, one of the top educational institutions in the United States, the university said Friday. Blair, who stepped down as prime minister last year after 10 years in power, was to lecture on faith and globalization as the Howland Distinguished Fellow, and would start in the next academic year, the university said. His work at the university would relate to the work of his Tony Blair Faith Foundation, which he is due to launch later this year.
