South Bend, Indiana; May 20, 2008

Uncle Ron’s Ramblings

Democratic Presidential Race 2008: Is It Over?—If all of John Edwards’ delegates throw their support behind Barack Obama’s candidacy, that still doesn’t mean the race for the Democratic presidential nomination is over.

Edwards accumulated 19 delegates during his run for the nomination. That wouldn’t be enough to put Obama over; the delegates are not obligated to support Obama just because Edwards has endorsed the Democratic frontrunner.

Obama could win enough pledged delegates today in Kentucky and Oregon to ensure himself a majority in the Democratic convention. He has 1,606 which is 21 short of a majority of the 3,253 available pledged delegates.

Kentucky has 51 pledged (and nine superdelegates); Oregon has 52 pledged delegates (and 13 superdelegates).

Hillary Clinton is favored to win decisively in Kentucky, just like she did in neighboring West Virginia last week. Obama is favored in Oregon.

A quarter of the 800 superdelegates have not declared support for either candidate. Obama picked up six more superdelegates this week. Clinton added none.

West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd, the longest-serving senator in history and a former Ku Klux Klan member who opposed civil rights legislation, has endorsed Obama despite Clinton’s landslide win in his state.

If Hillary does see the handwriting on the wall, will she follow the example of the Honorable David Crockett of Tennessee who—in one of the more memorable concession speeches--reportedly told his former constituents, “You all can go to Hell; I’m going to Texas.”

Hillary probably won’t burn her bridges that completely. There’ll be other elections.

Announcements

Artistic Newsletter: Are you an artist, poet or writer? Place submissions for the Artistic Newsletter in Emily Pickerill’s box. Express your talents and ideas by participating. Start submitting as soon as possible.

VA Hospital Van: To schedule a ride to the VA Hospital in Ft. Wayne, St. Joseph County veterans can call Doug Davis (USMC, retired) at (574) 243-VETS (8387) The van service also provides connecting rides to the VA hospitals in Marion and Indianapolis.

Homeless Veterans: If you are disabled and cannot work full-time (or are over 65), you may be entitled to a disability pension from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

For more information and complete eligibility requirements, call 1-800-827-1000.

You can also contact: Dianne W. Brown, Homeless Veterans Coordinator by calling 317-554-0000, extension 82589 or direct dial 317-988-2589 at Indianapolis VAMC, Room C-2065. Office Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday, 2-3:45 p.m.

ABE

▪ABE Closed: For Memorial Day holiday.

▪ABE Incentives: Students will be given a card to be initialed during each walk-in class attended. Once a student has attended 10 walk-in programs, cards can be redeemed for prizes. Currently the prize is free ice cream.

▪Intermediate Computing: Still time to sign up. Classes will be next four Fridays, 1-2:30 p.m.

▪Math Seminar Series: Mondays, 3-4 p.m., SOSH room.

▪Math Study Session: Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m., SOSH room.

▪GED Essay Writing Class: Are you working on your GED? Do you need to write an essay or refine your writing skills? Then join us for the Essay Class, Wednesdays, 3-4 p.m.

▪Submit Your Poem: If you like to write poetry in your free time, this is your chance to be a published author! Submit a poem to any staff member in the ABE room and it may be published in the next ABE Newsletter. Also, we will hopefully start another Poetry Jam in the Fall; let us know if you are interested

▪The Write Stuff: Are you the only person who can read your handwriting? Come join us on Tuesday afternoons from 2-3 p.m. to learn writing that will look great on job applications, love letters, and everything else. Class starts May 6. Sign up in ABE.

▪Writing: Wednesdays, 3-4 p.m., ABE. Improve your basic writing skills under the guidance of a trained instructor.

Herald Sports

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Silver Hawks 4, Whitecaps 1: Sean Coughlin and Chance Wheeless homered to provide all the offense Bryan Augenstein (2-1) needed.

Coughlin has his six homers and batted .352 since joining the Hawks (19-23). He hit a 2-run blast with two outs in the first inning to stake Augenstein to an early lead.

Wheeless hit a solo shot in the fourth inning.

Augenstein went eight innings, allowed four hits, gave up one earned run, walked one and struck out three. Evan Scribner pitched the ninth for his fourth save.

The teams meet again tonight at the Cove; game time is 6:30 p.m.

Monday NBA Playoff Scores: Spurs 91, Hornets 82 (Spurs win 4-3).

Monday NHL Playoff Scores: Red Wings 4, Stars 1 (Red Wings win 4-2).

Monday MLB National League: Cubs 7, Astros 2; Nationals 4, Phillies 0; Rockies 4, Giants 3; Cardinals 8, Padres 2; Dodgers 6, Reds 5.

Monday MLB American League: Red Sox 7, Royals 0; Twins 7, Rangers 6 (12); Rays 7, Athletics 6 (13).

Monday MLS Scores: No games scheduled.

Monday WNBA Scores: No games scheduled.

Local

Prosecutors File Charges In Fatal Shooting: Prosecutors filed murder and carjacking charges against Darnell Perry and Jerry Young in connection with this weekend’s early-morning shooting death of Landris McFadden.

McFadden was shot during a gun battle on Ireland Road. He died a short time after being dropped off at the South Bend Police station on Sample Street.

Prosecutors also filed conspiracy to commit carjacking charges against DeMarco Washington. Police are still looking for Washington.

Daniel Receives Probation: WSBT-TV news anchor Debra Daniel was placed on 12-months probation today after she pled guilty to driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident.

The station announced that Daniel will be back on the air tonight.

Man Charged In Death of Security Guard: Joshua M. Kati, 27, has been charged with aggravated battery and reckless homicide in the death of a 63-year old security guard.

Prosecutors allege that James E. Muddiman, Sr., was working as a security guard at South Bank Bar on Lincolnway East when he was struck on the right side of his head by Kati. According to witnesses, Muddiman fell and banaged his head on the concrete floor.

Weather

Today High 61 Low 40 Mostly Cloudy

Wed High 59 Low 43 Partly Cloudy

Thr High 63 Low 45 Partly Cloudy

Fri High 68 Low 49 Partly Cloudy

Sat High 74 Low 54 Partly Cloudy

TV Schedule: 16—8-9 p.m., Most Outrageous Moments (two episodes); 9 p.m., Law and Order: SVU; 22—8-10 p.m., NCIS; 25—8-10 p.m., Reaper (two episodes); 28—9 p.m., American Idol Final; 9 p.m., Hell’s Kitchen; 46—7-10 p.m., Making Healthy Choices; 57—8 p.m., Dancing With the Stars; 9-11 p.m., Dancing With the Stars; 69—8-10 p.m., Jail (four episodes).

Anniversaries: Tammy Oehm, 19 years at CFH (May 25).

Today’s Birthdays: Jimmy Stewart (1908-97), William Thornton (architect, 1759-1829), Dolley Madison (1768-1849), Honore de Balzac (French novelist, 1799-1850), John Stuart Mill (1806-73), Moshe Dayan (1915-81), Cher (62).

Deaths On This Date: Stephen Jay Gould (2002); Jean-Pierre Rampal (2000); Gilda Radner (1989); Walter Winchell (1972); Royal Beal (actor, 1969); Marquis de Lafayette (1834); King Wladyslaw IV Wasa of Poland (1648), Sultan Osman II of Turkey (1622); Henry VI, King of England and France (1471); Pope John XXI (1277).