News Roundup: December 9th, 2011

The return of News Roundup!  Enjoy!

Smithfield to end use of gestation crates by 2017 (The Virginian-Pilot)

Officials at Smithfield Foods Inc. have reinstated a self-imposed deadline to get rid of all gestation crates for pregnant sows on its farms by 2017, its president and CEO said Thursday.

I've never quite understood the whole hoopla, but if it will be kinder to the animals, good for Smithfield.  Also, they say happier animals produce better meat, so that's always welcome, better products that is.

Former Hill allies call out Gingrich (The Washington Times)

Reps. Peter T. King of New York and Steven C. LaTourette of Ohio, as well as Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and former Sen. Jim Talent of Missouri, are among the Republican lawmakers who worked with Mr. Gingrich and now warn that he lacks the leadership skills and discipline needed to be a reliable president.

Newt has always struck me in recent years as the typical career politician.  That, in addition to his public divorce and remarriage and the alleged ethics violations he had while in Congress have turned me off to his candidacy, unless I have no other choice (no way in heck am I giving Obama another four years).

McDonnell proposes shifting more tax dollars to highway, bridge repair (The Washington Examiner)

McDonnell's proposal would increase the percentage of state sales tax dedicated to transportation from 0.5 percent to 0.75 percent over the next eight years, an increase that the governor predicts will add $110 million to transportation coffers.

The roads in Virginia, as much as I love my state, have sadly been neglected and are in desperate need of repair.  If Governor McDonnell can find a way to do this without raising taxes, good for him.  With all the fiscal success he's had so far in Virginia, I have little doubt he can succeed in this endeavor.  I wish him the best of luck.

Border Patrol Agent Was Attacked by Rock Throwers

Courtesy of the Washington Times comes the news that the Border Patrol agent who shot a teenage Mexican boy at the border was under attack by rock throwers.

Sergio Adrian Hernandez Huereka, 15, was fatally shot near a railroad bridge along the Rio Grande connecting Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and El Paso, Texas. He was among a group of illegal immigrants attempting to gain entry to the United States. Many in the group threw large rocks at the agents attempting to stop them.  (Emphasis mine)

 If this is true, and I see no reason yet to believe  it isn't, then the agent, as tragic as the death of this boy is (and believe me, it is) could be legitimately argued to have acted in self defense.

Was the boy himself throwing rocks?  Who knows.  But with this information, I think it is now unfair and potentially bearing false witness to continue to pain him as a racist thug and murderer.

Prayers for the soul of the dead boy. May he rest in peace.

Pax Christi.

(source)