107 If this guy is a friend of yours, you may want to make sure he's not around next time you get sick.

A sick acquaintance with several credit cards apparently proved too tempting for a man who authorities have charged with 107 counts of fraudulent use of a credit card. Officials with the Florence Police Department said 26-year-old Christopher Wade Hall, 2025 N. Wood Ave., Florence, has also been charged with first-degree theft of property. "He went on a shopping spree for a few months with stolen credit cards," said Florence police detective Cliff Billingsley. Authorities said the investigation indicates that Hall took 12 credit cards without the owner's permission. "From what we have been able to determine, here in Florence he used two (cards) more than 100 times," Billingsley said.[link]

Christopher Wade Hall

Not only did the man prey on his sick friend, he did it to the tune of $50k+ in meaningless expenses. The report goes on to say that all the purchases weren't local, so a grand jury will convene to see if any more charges will be filed.

News: My daughter is having surgery this morning (tonsils) so I may not be online today. Good thoughts and prayers are appreciated.

Labels: crime, prayers, sickness

 posted by Lord Nazh @ 04:55   | View blog reactions |

Prayers There are plenty of people that I disagree with in the blogosphere. Mostly lefties and their ilk, but some center and right-ofs also. There's not too many that I disagree more with than Jane Hamsher at Firedoglake. (except maybe the kossacks)

This, however, transcends all the petty politics of anyone. (h/t Townhall's MKH)

Loser Winner">

Loser Winner"> Three Time Loser Winner

By: Jane Hamsher

There just didn't seem to be any other way to explain why I'm not going to be present for the first two weeks of the Libby trial so I decided to resort to the truth.

As someone who has devoted years to building this blog around coverage of the CIA leak investigation, it's going to be really rough to sit on the sidelines for the first two weeks while Marcy, Christy, Pach and others cover the trial in person. I've been working for months now to obtain a press pass and set up the "Plame House" in Washington DC as a central place for bloggers to stay and share information amongst ourselves as we cover the trial. When I received (with the help of Arianna Huffington and Rachel Sklar of the Huffington Post) the only press pass awarded to a blogger to be in the actual courtroom, I was blown away. And as you might well imagine, it would have to be something pretty serious to keep me away for even a moment.

In mid-December I was diagnosed with breast cancer for the third time. It's a bit more serious this time and treatment is going to have to be more extensive. I owe a huge debt of thanks to all the folks on the blog who have stepped in and allowed me time to investigate treatment options with many physicians and make an informed decision on that front. In addition to regulars like Christy, Pach and TRex who have taken over many of my duties, I also need to express my thanks to commenters like Scarecrow, Looseheadprop, Peterr, Hugh and Oilfieldguy who have done incredible work posting so that I could take this time off. Guest posters like Taylor Marsh, Swopa, Steve Gilliard, Watertiger, Howie Klein and others have also pitched in, and no amount of words can thank the incredible RGB, our site administrator, who has taken it upon himself to coordinate all these disparate elements on the fly. It's been a daunting task and he has managed it spectacularly. (link)

As I said, I don't agree with the left (and Hamsher) on much of anything, but everyone pray for her. Beating cancer is not impossible (my mother did it) but beating it three times has got to be hard. We wish her a speedy recovery and all the best for the future.
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Reason for prayer

Labels: cancer, prayers

 posted by Lord Nazh @ 19:18   | View blog reactions |

Prayers for the Senator : Death to the Tyrant : Goodbye to the Flu Our prayers continue to go out for the Senator from South Dakota:

Johnson Remains in Critical Condition Dec 28 5:52 PM US/Eastern
By MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON

Sen. Tim Johnson turned 60 on Thursday, two weeks after emergency surgery to repair a brain hemorrhage that has left him in critical condition.

Julianne Fisher, a spokeswoman for the South Dakota Democrat, said Johnson won't be present in the first days of the new Congress next week but is continuing to improve. She said he is responsive to directions from his wife but has not yet spoken.

It's too early to tell how long recovery will take, Fisher said.

In a statement Thursday, Johnson's doctors said he remains in intensive care at George Washington University Hospital. They have released few new details about Johnson's condition and prognosis since the days after the Dec. 13 surgery to stop bleeding in his brain.

Dr. Vivek Deshmukh, head of Johnson's surgical team, said in a statement that the South Dakota senator's overall condition has improved and he is gradually being weaned off sedation to help his brain heal. (link)

He's not talking yet, but is responding, so good news for him and his family.

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Good news from the M.E.:

Saddam to be hanged by Sunday

Ex-dictator’s execution expected to be carried out by start of Eid holiday

NBC News and news services

Updated: 2 minutes ago

Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, sentenced to death for his role in 148 killings in 1982, will have his sentence carried out by Sunday, NBC News reported Thursday. According to a U.S. military officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, Saddam will be hanged before the start of the Eid religious holiday, which begins this Sunday.

The hanging could take place as early as Friday, NBC’s Richard Engel reported.

The U.S. military received a formal request from the Iraqi government to transfer Saddam to Iraqi authorities, NBC reported on Thursday, which is one of the final steps required before his execution. His sentence, handed down last month, ordered that he be hanged within 30 days. (link)

There's a bit of a controversy brewing on this one, HotAir has the scoop. Seems the government can't decide on just when he is to be hung.

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Snake oil salemsen line up:

The vaccine to cure every strain of flu
by FIONA MacRAE
Last updated at 22:20pm on 28th December 2006

British scientists are on the verge of producing a revolutionary flu vaccine that works against all major types of the disease.

Described as the 'holy grail' of flu vaccines, it would protect against all strains of influenza A - the virus behind both bird flu and the nastiest outbreaks of winter flu.

Just a couple of injections could give long-lasting immunity - unlike the current vaccine which has to be given every year.

The brainchild of scientists at Cambridge biotech firm Acambis, working with Belgian researchers, the vaccine will be tested on humans for the first time in the next few months.

A similar universal flu vaccine, being developed by Swiss vaccine firm Cytos Biotechnology, could also be tested on people in 2007 - and the vaccines on the market in around five years.

Importantly, the vaccines would also be quicker and easier to make than the traditional jabs, meaning vast quantities could be stockpiled against a global outbreak of bird flu.

Martin Bachmann, of Cytos, said: "You could really stockpile it. In the case of a pandemic, that would be a huge advantage.

"If you were to start making a traditional vaccine at the start of a pandemic, there is no way there would be enough."

The Government believes a bird flu pandemic is inevitable, killing 50,000 people in Britain alone.

However, it acknowledges that the bug could be much more lethal - infecting one in two people and claiming more than 700,000 lives. (link)

This would be great news if it pans out. Some time in '12 we may say goodbye to the flu. This would really help my little girl who would be eleven at that time. She is prone to getting sick.
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Reason amongst the dhimmikrauts

Labels: medical, Middle East, prayers, senate

 posted by Lord Nazh @ 21:43   | View blog reactions |

Update on Senator Johnson | New Democrat born

Doctor: Senator's Progress 'Encouraging'
By MARY CLARE JALONICK
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Tim Johnson was experiencing post-surgery swelling in his brain Friday, but his doctors said his recovery was still encouraging. They said he would remain hospitalized until the swelling went down. The South Dakota Democrat, who suffered a brain hemorrhage Wednesday, remained in critical but stable condition Friday, just short of three weeks before the new Senate is to convene with his party holding control by a single vote.

AP Photo/CHARLES DHARAPAK

The timing of his return is uncertain, but Democrats would still be in control of the Senate if his recovery period extends into the new session.

The surgery has been described as successful, relieving pressure on the 59-year-old senator's brain and stopping the bleeding.

"Considering his initial presentation, his progress is encouraging," Dr. Anthony Caputy, chairman of the George Washington University Hospital department of neurosurgery, said in a statement released by Johnson's office.(link)

Good news from the watch on Johnson, everyone is still praying for his recovery (even if they people are speculating on political matters) and praying for his family in this trying time.

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Medical marvel? or just a liberal?

Man with no pulse considered a medical breakthrough

PETER RAKOBOWCHUK

Canadian Press

MONTREAL — A 65-year-old Quebec man who received a new long-term mechanical heart last month is being described as the only living Canadian without a pulse.

Dr. Renzo Cecere implanted the “Heartmate II” mechanical heart into Gerard Langevin in an three-hour operation Nov. 23.

Officials at the McGill University Health Centre say the device, which is about the size of a flashlight battery, could last up to 10 years.

That is longer than other models which are thought to be good for only two or three years.

The new mechanical heart, which is powered by batteries located in pouches on Mr. Langevin's body, provides a continuous flow of blood so the patient has no pulse.

“Mr. Langevin happens to be the only individual currently living in Canada without a pulse and without a measurable blood pressure,” Dr. Cecere said Wednesday.

Mr. Langevin admitted to reporters that, before the operation, he felt his time was up after he suffered his second heart attack in July.

He had the other in 2002.

“I was finished. I had no time left. I probably had only a few months left to live,” Mr. Langevin said.(link)

Ok so it was a lame joke, but this really looks cool. Imagine going for a physical and not telling the nurse about it :)
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Reason to pray

Labels: medical, prayers, senate

 posted by Lord Nazh @ 19:00   | View blog reactions |

Prayers go out to Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD)

Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S. D., has been hospitalized with symptoms described as stroke-like. The seriousness of his illness has not been disclosed. ...

Johnson became disoriented during a call with reporters at midday, stuttering in response to a question. He appeared to recover, asking if there were any additional questions before ending the call.

Johnson spokeswoman Julianne Fisher said he had walked back to his Capitol office after the call with reporters but appeared to not be feeling well. The Capitol physician was called and Johnson was taken by ambulance to the George Washington Univeristy Hospital in D.C. for evaluation.

A statement released by Johnson's office said, "Senator Tim Johnson was taken to George Washington University Hospital this afternoon suffering from a possible stroke. As this stage, he is undergoing a comprehensive evaluation by the stroke team. Further details will be forthcoming when more is known."

Via Captain'sQuarters (from MSNBC).

The letter behind the name means nothing when it's life or death. G-d help him.
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Pray no matter the reason

Labels: medical, prayers, senate

 posted by Lord Nazh @ 19:05   | View blog reactions |