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Elizabeth Shackelford: As the Iraq War showed, the allure of consensus in foreign policy can be dangerous

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:00 GMT

With the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Iraq War, I’m reminded of the remarkable consensus behind that decision, which passed with strong bipartisan support. Experts, journalists and well-known media personalities joined the bandwagon too.Often, consensus is good. It clears away opposition and helps make things happen. But too often, quick agreement on hard problems is a sign of dangerous groupthink instead.This wide support has not aged well. It launched a bloody war, at a cost of $2 trillion and an estimated 300,000 lives. It led to a violent insurgency and the creation of the Islamic State militant group. Generations of Iraqis will continue to suffer the consequences.And so will America. Although the material suffering in Iraq dwarfs our own, I’m not sure America will ever escape the long tail of distrust that has understandably followed us since then.The original sin was the decision to go to war on a dishonest pretext. That foundation gave rise to our use of ...

Final push for tax the rich before budget deadline

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- According to a recent Siena poll, most New Yorkers are in favor of raising income taxes for those earning more. While this is not part of the Governor’s budget proposal, it is part of the Assembly and Senates. Push for min wage of $21.25/hour "I think modest rate increases on the richest individuals and corporations are things they can absorb," said Michael Kink, Executive Director of the Strong Economy For All Coalition. Kink said New York has 21% more millionaires since taxes were raised on the wealthiest in 2021.  The Siena poll shows around 75% of New Yorkers are in favor of the increase. The one house budget proposals would increase income taxes for those making over $5 million from 10.3% to 10.8%. And for those earning over $25 million, a shift from 10.9% to 11.4%. Advocates said this would help with a slew of issues like a minimum wage increase and health care for all. "That's money into the pockets of people that will spend it on their everyday need...

Pacific animal shelter takes in 27 Shih Tzus from local breeder

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:00 GMT

PACIFIC, Mo. - An animal shelter in Pacific, Missouri, is in need of foster volunteers after taking in more than two Shih Tzus from a local breeder.Home 2 Home Canine Orphanage posted on its Facebook page Monday morning that this is a sudden rescue and foster scenario, because the breeder is being evicted.There's no word on the condition of the dogs.Anyone interested in fostering one of the dogs can fill out an online application.

Megabus partnership adds service for 48 Midwestern cities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- One of the largest bus companies in North America is expanding operations in the Midwest. Megabus is adding service options for 48 cities through a partnership with Burlington Trailways. This includes eleven destinations from St. Louis.“This partnership will offer robust expansion opportunities in the Midwest,” states Colin Emberson, VP Commercial for Megabus. “Creating the opportunity for customers to travel as far west as Denver is particularly exciting. We’re proud to be able to offer customers new convenient travel options.”Megabus offers bus service between cities in North America. Since it started in 2006, Megabus has helped more than 50 million people in over 280 cities.Trips were also added between Chicago and 12 cities, Denver and 22 cities, Des Moines and 33 cities, Iowa City and 20 cities, and Indianapolis and 22 cities.Destinations from St. Louis now include:Bowling Green, MissouriBurlington, IowaCanton, MissouriCedar Rapids, Iowa,Fort Madison, IowaHannibal,...

Armed robbery suspect, Lakewood police agent injured after exchanging gunfire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:00 GMT

A Lakewood police agent was injured Monday afternoon after exchanging gunfire with a woman suspected of robbing a mail carrier.The mail carrier called police Monday after two women allegedly robbed the individual at gunpoint in the 400 block of South Oak Street, Lakewood police spokesperson John Romero said.We are currently on scene of an agent involved shooting near the corner of Alameda and Owens. Both a suspect and agent were shot. Both were taken to the hospital. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/qPWc2RE6mt— Lakewood Police Dept. (@LakewoodPDCO) March 27, 2023Police encountered one of the suspects at a Grease Monkey near South Owens and West Alameda Avenue. The suspect, who has not been identified, then allegedly opened fire at the police agents, Romero said. Multiple agents returned fire, hitting and injuring the woman, police said.The woman was taken to the hospital with undisclosed injuries.The agent was also transported to the hospital with injuries that are not e...

Non-attorneys will be able to practice limited family law in Colorado under new program

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:00 GMT

The Colorado Supreme Court has approved a new paraprofessional program that will allow some non-attorneys to practice limited family law, the state Judicial Department announced Monday.The justices agreed to create a licensed legal paraprofessional program that will allow licensed non-attorneys to represent clients in some divorce and child custody cases. The move makes Colorado one of just a handful states with such programs.Proponents say the paraprofessional program will offer litigants a more affordable option than traditional representation by an attorney and will decrease the number of people in the family law court system who appear without any representation. Opponents worry the paraprofessionals will be ill-equipped to handle legal matters.Under the newly-approved plan, candidates will be required to pass a written exam and meet certain educational requirements in order to become licensed legal paraprofessionals. Candidates must have completed at least 1,500 hours of “...

Colorado Springs police searching for 11-year-old boy who went missing last week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:00 GMT

Colorado Springs police are searching for an 11-year-old boy who went missing last week.Nalias Welch Tafoya was last seen at 6:30 p.m. March 20 while leaving the 1700 block of Farragut Avenue in Colorado Springs, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation said in a news release Monday announcing the Missing Indigenous alert.Our partners at @CSPDPIO requested a Missing Indigenous Person Alert for 11-year-old Nalias Welch Tafoya. Please call 911 if you have information. pic.twitter.com/kLPtDTQjLV— CBI (@CBI_Colorado) March 27, 2023Nalias, who has brown eyes and hair and stands 5-foot-5, was wearing a brown hoodie with the “Horseman” logo, dark sweatpants and dark-colored sneakers.Anyone with information about the boy’s whereabouts is urged to call 911 or Colorado Springs police at 719-444-7000.According to the alert, Nalias is affiliated with the Apache tribe.Related ArticlesColorado News | 5-year-old girl missing from Houston may be in southern Colorado w...

GM George Paton: WRs Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton “two young players in their prime,” that Broncos want to keep

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:00 GMT

PHOENIX — Denver general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton each painted a picture of the 2023 season at the NFL’s spring ownership meetings here Monday that included wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton catching passes for the Broncos.“We’re excited to have them on our football team, two young players in their prime,” Paton said, addressing rumors about one or both being traded this offseason. “I think Sean said it best: We’re not interested in trading them. When you’re in my position, you get a lot of calls and we’ve got calls on those players. We anticipate them being here and I can’t wait to see them in Sean’s offense with these coaches. Jerry (23) years old and the way he finished the season — last five games (was impressive).“Courtland played 15 games, had close to 900 yards, so to see these two receivers with Tim Patrick, with the others we’ve added, we’re excited to see where it’s going.”Payton cited what he considers to be a relatively weak dra...

Tad Boyle to lead USA U19 team at FIBA men’s World Cup in Hungary

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:00 GMT

BOULDER – Once again, Tad Boyle will represent the Colorado Buffaloes on an international basketball stage.On Monday, USA Basketball announced that CU’s veteran men’s basketball coach will lead the US U19 men’s national team this summer at the FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup. Boyle’s latest nomination continues an ongoing relationship with USA Basketball. His most recent assignment was last summer when he led the US U18 team to a gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico.Boyle’s two staff members from that run a year ago, Boise State coach Leon Rice and Oklahoma State coach Mike Boynton Jr., once again will join Boyle as assistant coaches. The U19 World Cup will be held June 24-July 2 in Debrecen, Hungary.“I’m once again honored and humbled to have the opportunity to coach with USA Basketball and this summer with the 19-and-under national team,” Boyle said in a release. “Anytime you have the opportunity to represent your country, it’s a responsibility that needs to be ta...

Skydiver crash-lands in power lines near Lake Elsinore

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:00 GMT

A skydiver avoided serious injury after they made a crash landing in a set of power lines near Lake Elsinore Monday morning.It happened around 11:55 a.m. on the 31900 block of Corydon Street, according to Cal Fire Riverside County. Fire crews responded to the scene with several trucks and treated the incident like a traumatic injury response.Cal Fire crews untangle a skydiver who landed in power lines near Lake Elsinore in San Bernardino County on March 27, 2023. (Cal Fire Riverside County)Using ladder trucks, firefighters were able to untangle the skydiver and safely remove them from the power lines.Despite the unexpected landing, the unidentified skydiver avoided serious injury and was released after declining further treatment, fire officials said. Crews were released from the scene a short while later.