-NEW: Each says the other is capable of winning the presidency
-NEW: Obama again is asked to explain his "bitter" comments
-Candidates debate each other for first time in nearly two months
-Pennsylvania debate comes just six days before that state's crucial primary
Neither Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton nor Sen. Barack Obama would commit Wednesday when asked in a debate if they would take the other as their running mate should they win the nomination.
Both candidates responded to the first question of the debate with smiles, prompting laughter from the audience. After a moment, Obama said he was happy to respond.
"I think it's premature at this point for us to talk about who vice presidential candidates will be, because we're still trying to determine who the nominee will be." he said.
Clinton echoed those comments. "I'm going to do everything I possibly can to make sure that one of us takes the oath of office next January," she said. "I think that has to be the overriding goal, whatever we have to do."
Each candidate said they thought the other was capable of winning the presidency.
Initially Clinton did not respond to the question directly but then agreed that Obama could win the presidency.
"Yes, yes, yes," she said. "Now, I think that I can do a better job. Obviously, I believe I would be the best president, or I would not still be here standing on this stage. And I believe I'm the better and stronger candidate against Senator McCain, to go toe-to-toe with him on national security and on how we turn the economy around."
Obama replied in kind to the same question: "Absolutely, and I've said so before. But I, too, think that I'm the better candidate."
Clinton and Obama faced off at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, just six days before the Pennsylvania primary. There was much at stake for both.
This was the 21st Democratic debate, and although that seems like a lot, much has happened since their last debate, in Ohio in late February.
While Obama was riding an 11-contest winning streak back then, Clinton won comeback kid honors when she took three of the four primaries held March 4. But Obama still leads Clinton in states won, pledged delegates to the Democratic convention and the overall popular vote in the primaries and caucuses held so far this campaign season.
Clinton needed to change the momentum in the battle for the Democratic nomination, and the best way to do that is to win big in Pennsylvania. But a new CNN Poll of Polls puts Clinton's lead at just 5 points over Obama in Pennsylvania, down from a double-digit lead two weeks ago.
The debate was "probably her last opportunity to change the momentum in the campaign," CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider said.
Clinton might be helped by Obama himself.
By the second question of the debate, the senator from Illinois found himself explaining, yet again, just what he meant when he told campaign donors at a San Francisco-area event 10 days ago that small-town Pennsylvania residents are "bitter" over their economic circumstances and "cling" to their guns and religion. He acknowledged that it is not the first time he has mangled a statement.
Obama went on to say that people who feel that they are not being heard will rely on what they know, such as religion and traditions.
"The problem that we have in our politics, which is fairly typical, is that you take one person's statement, if it's not properly phrased, and you just beat it to death," he said. "And that's what Senator Clinton's been doing over the last four days. And I understand that. That's politics. And I expect to have to go through this process."
In a response Clinton said that "my comments were about your remarks. And I think that's important, because it wasn't just me responding to them, it was people who heard them, people who felt as though they were aimed at their values, their quality of life, the decisions that they have made."
The reporting of the initial comment Friday sparked a controversy that put Obama on the defensive as both Clinton and presumptive GOP nominee, Sen. John McCain, tried to portray Obama as elitist and out of touch with average Americans.
"Obama's been on the defensive over these 'bitter' comments, and this is Clinton's opportunity to exploit that," Schneider said. "So far, we haven't seen any shifts in the polls in her direction, and tonight's debate is her last chance to exploit the situation.
"Obama's objective in this debate is to say 'let's move on' and that Clinton's trying to distract us from the real issues."
But both candidates would use the debate to reach out to voters outside Pennsylvania, CNN Political Editor Mark Preston said.
"While Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will be making appeals to Pennsylvania voters tonight, they will also be hoping to build support with some very important audiences who won't be casting ballots next week," he said before the debate. "Clinton and Obama will also be trying to reach voters in Indiana and North Carolina, which hold primaries two weeks after Pennsylvania's April 22 contest."
And there's another more narrow electorate that both candidates hope to reach in Wednesday night's debate.
"The two Democrats will also be making indirect appeals to the undecided superdelegates, who will cast the deciding votes for the next Democratic nominee," Preston said.
"Clinton must score a knockout blow in tonight's debate as she attempts to prove she is more qualified to assume the role of commander in chief on day one. For his part, Obama must avoid making any mistakes and finally put to rest the controversy over his remarks about bitter Pennsylvanians who cling to their guns and religion."
The superdelegates are crucial to determining the Democratic presidential nomination. The primary calendar ends June 3, and neither Obama nor Clinton is expected to reach the 2,025 delegates needed to clinch the nomination by then. So the decision is likely to come down to the 800 or so superdelegates, who are Democratic governors, members of Congress and party leaders.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Clinton, Obama face off in Pennsylvania
How to Fight a Speeding Ticket
Mel Leiding, an attorney from Anaheim, California and author of a 53-page guide titled "How to Fight Your Traffic Ticket and Win," says he would rather be mugged than get a traffic ticket. Why? Getting mugged is faster, cheaper and has no long-term repercussions, such as increased insurance premiums, loss of a license or being forced to attend traffic school. According to HowStuffWorks.com, millions of traffic tickets are issued annually in the United States with many tickets costing $100 or higher. It's a billion dollar business. If you pay the ticket by mail, you're admitting guilt and will pay the maximum fine. In addition, the ticket will be part of your DMV record for three years. Here are the only two legitimate ways you might be able to wiggle out of it. The key word is "might." Good luck!
1. Ask for a warning.
When you're pulled over by a police officer for speeding, remain in your car. Never get out. When the officer comes to your car window, look contrite. Be very polite. Do apologize -- profusely. And ask very nicely for a warning instead of a ticket. Never answer such questions as: "Do you know why I stopped you?" or "Do you know how fast you were going?" Say "I'm not sure," instead of saying something that admits your guilt.
2. No matter what the facts are, plead "not guilty" and ask for a court date.
Never pay the ticket by mail since that is the same as admitting guilt. Remember, this is the United States where you are innocent until proven guilty. Even if you think the evidence is solidly against you -- after all, there is that radar gun the cop was using -- don't give up. There are many ways the police can make mistakes that will result in your ticket being dismissed. Leiding says that as many as half of the traffic tickets issued in this country are dismissed because the police officer who wrote the ticket doesn't come to court. Those odds notwithstanding, when you do go to court, be prepared to fight the ticket. Consider hiring an attorney, which could be cheaper than the increased insurance premiums you'll have to pay if you're found guilty.
How to avoid getting a speeding ticket in the first place:
-Know the speed limit. While you want to keep up with traffic around you, try to not exceed the speed limit by more than nine mph.
-Don't drive in the left lane. Use it only for passing. More tickets are given to drivers who are in the left lane than other lanes.
-Realize that police officers with radar guns position themselves so you can't see them until it's too late, such as in parking lots or around a bend in the road.
-If you see a police officer giving someone else a ticket or driving on the opposite side of the highway, don't assume you're safe. The police could still be tracking you.
-Don't call attention to yourself. Keep the bumper stickers and vehicle modifications to a minimum. Make sure your car isn't loud.
-And what about speed cameras, the hottest new tool to catch speeders? Forget it. You're stuck with that bill. The only good news is that it's not reported to your insurance company or your DMV record.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Fake Million Dollar Bill Lands Man In Jail
The Aiken County Sheriff's Office arrested an Augusta man who tried to open a bank account with a counterfeit $1,000,000 bill.
Alexander D. Smith is charged with disorderly conduct and forgery.
Investigators say Smith gave the counterfeit bill to a teller at Regions Bank in Clearwater, South Carolina. The employee refused to accept the bill and called the sheriff's office.
Officers say Smith also purchased several cartons of cigarettes with a stolen check over the weekend.
The largest denomination of currency ever printed is the $100,000 bill. The bill was printed back in the 1930s.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Was Mumtaz really buried at Taj Mahal?
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built the 17th century Taj Mahal in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal who died delivering their 14th child in Burhanpur, a town in Maharashtra.
The queen's body was buried in Burhanpur itself but was believed to have been recovered for transportation to Agra where it was reburied in a grave in the Taj Mahal complex for at least 12 years to be again shifted to her final resting place in the basement of the monument.
As there is no detailed description or reference to any kind of treatment given to the body to keep it in recognisable shape for more than 12 years, two conjectures are now being offered.One, the body remained buried in Burhanpur, only some symbolic relics were brought to Agra in a lead coffin. Two, the body decomposed and virtually vanished, leaving behind some bones and perhaps the bare skelton.
"Obviously the coffin was not opened, otherwise we would have had some account of what remained inside it," says R. Nath, a Mughal historian. "In any case, how does it matter what state the body was in."
Afzal Khan, a historian of Aligarh Muslim University, says, "It is possible that the body might have been thoroughly decomposed, given the long duration for which it was kept outside and the time taken to transport it from the south to Agra. Since there are no accounts of how the whole process was carried out, one can only guess what could have happened to the body of Mumtaz."
A senior guide, 75-year-old SK Tripathi, says the body is believed to have been placed in a lead and copper coffin, which was air tight and sealed. It was kept at the Taj Mahal premises for a little over 12 years and was shifted as soon as more than half the edifice was constructed. The real graves of the two are in the basement, totally sealed.
"No one has gone there to see what state they are in now," he adds.
Archaeological Survey of India officials in Agra say they have no idea when was the last time someone had a close look at the basement and the foundation of the Taj Mahal, let alone the original graves of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.
"We have no records of any such inspection," says one official.
The one little passage near the stair case leading to the main marble edifice was sealed more than a decade ago with a brick wall, which means there is now no way one can enter the sealed chambers below the Taj.
RC Sharma, a historian, says the body of Mumtaz Mahal was buried in Burhanpur. "What came to Agra must have been just bones in a coffin which was again reburied in the Taj complex."
From historical records available this was a unique feat. "Mumtaz was buried thrice at three different places," says Amit Mukherjea, who heads the history department of St John's College in Agra.
Most people do not know that the foundation of the Taj was actually laid in Burhanpur but because of the problems and costs involved in the transportation of marble from Rajasthan, Agra became the final choice.
"It was in Ahu Khana in Burhanpur on the bank of the Tapti river that her body was buried to be later transferred to Agra," according to KK Mohammed of ASI.
But the question relating to the technique of embalming and preservation remains unanswered.
Afsar Ahmed, a media researcher deeply interested in Mughal history, told IANS, You might find it difficult to believe but there's a possibility that the body of Mumtaz Mahal is still preserved in the Taj Mahal in the same condition as she was when she passed away. Mumtaz Mahal was buried six months after she passed away in June 1631. She was, however, buried in Jan 1632."
The question that arises now is: how was her body preserved? Ahmed quotes a report prepared by Armanul Haq, the curator in the Museum of History and Medicine in the Jamia Hamdard University, who claims that Mumtaz Mahal's body was preserved according to Unani techniques.
The process was used because cutting a body after death is prohibited in Islam. That is why when Mumtaz Mahal passed away in 1631 in Burhanpur, her body was kept in a tin box filled with such herbs as would stop the decay of flesh.
"The airtight tin box was filled with herbs like the ash of Babul tree (acacia), Mehendi (henna), Kapoor crystals (camphor), sandalwood ash, and then again camphor applied in layers upon layers. These herbs would have created a vacuum inside the box and prevented the decay of the body. A point to be noted here is that none of these herbs were put inside Mumtaz Mahal's body," says Ahmed.
If her body is still preserved and in fine shape, shall we call it the success of the Indian technique of mummification?
Camels in beauty contest
IT'S the only beauty contest in the world where the curvature of the ears, the size of nose relative to face and fullness of hump are all-important.
It's the camel beauty contest held in the United Arab Emirates, and more than 15,000 of the animals have vied for prizes including Range Rovers, Toyota pick-ups and over $10 million in cash.
Full story at The Times Online
Parrot teaches mates to swear
BARNEY the parrot is proving to be the most foul-mouthed bird in the world after it was revealed he is now teaching other birds to swear.
The yellow and blue Macaw has forged a notorious reputation for turning the air blue after his outbursts at the Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary in Nuneaton, England.
Two years ago Barney had to be given a private pen at the wildlife sanctuary, after swearing repeatedly at distinguished visitors including a mayor, a vicar and two police officers.
Now his owner Jeff Grewcock says he has taught other parrots to swear, The Sun reports.
Mr Grewcock said: "They just sit there swearing at each other now. It sounds like a builders' yard, with all the abuse flying about."
It is believed a previous owner taught Barney his bad habit.
Barney had redeemed himself last year when it was revealed he was helping to teach an autistic boy to speak.
Sadly though it looks like Barney has gone back to his old ways.
A 27 Hour Long Kiss Made Her Owner of a chevrolet car
A WOMAN in China won a car after kissing it for 27 hours and 40 minutes to beat 120 other competitors in a bizarre contest.
Beijing Real estate saleswoman Zhang Chunying was allowed two 10-minute breaks and had to stand on one leg after 24 hours were up in the contest run by a shopping mall in the Chinese capital. With six contestants left after a full 24 hours, one contestant collapsed from dehydration after 25 hours of kissing the Chevrolet Lova, the South China Morning Post reports.Four other contestants dropped out over the next two hours, unable to remain kissing and standing on one leg long enough to win.
Although Zhang was learning dance which helped in mainting her body flexibility and increased her stamina but even she did not come out unscathed."I can't walk now," Zhang was quoted as saying by the newspaper."My legs are numb, and my waist is aching, but I'm happy I GOT the car."The contest is one of a number of bizarre stunts and promotions organised to promote the luxury shopping centres that have sprung up around booming Beijing in recent years.