85,000 Iraqis killed between 2004 and 2008

The Iraqi Human Rights Ministry released a report that claims more than 85,000 people were killed from 2004 to 2008. The report was the first official death toll report released by Iraqi government since the Iraq War began, according to abcnews.com.

The statistcs were difficult to obtain because there was no functioning government in Iraq after the toppling of the Saddam Hussein's regime.

The report which was based on death certificates issued by the health ministry also said more than 147,000 people were wounded during the time, due to the increased amount of violence and hostility in the country.

My Take: I found this story interesting because it shows the effects of what a war can really do to a country. The number of people killed in Iraq are often forgotten even though death toll in Iraq is much higher then the combination of 9/11 victims and troops lost in Iraq over the since 2003. 

Maxwells will stay in jail pending their appeal

An Oswego County judge has rejected Lynn and Lindsey Maxwells requests for a "stay of sentence" which would allow them to leave jail while awaiting the appeal of their conviction, syracuse.com reports.

The two women were senteced to two years in jail back in August, after being convicted of endangering the welfare of a child. The child was 11-year old Erin Maxwell who was killed in August of 2008 by her stepbrother Alan Jones. Jones is facing 25 years to life for the murder of Erin Maxwell.

Salvatore Lanza, Jones' and the Maxwells defense attorney is currently working on appeals for all three of his clients.

My Take: The murder of Erin Maxwell was a trial that captured the attention of many Central New Yorkers, and I feel the people would like to know what is going on with the people who did the poor eleven-year old girl wrong.

Limbaugh no longer in consideration to be part owner of Rams

Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh will be dropped from a group bidding to be the next owners of the St. Louis Rams, according to espn.com.

He will no longer be a minority member in a group hoping to own the NFL team because members of the group like Dave Checketts, chairman of the NHL's St. Louis Blues, feel the controversy surrounding Limbaugh would damage their chances of owning the team.

Limbaugh has yet to be officaily dropped from the group of bidders but it's expected to be within the next week.

My Take: After making countless ignorant and racist comments about African Americans, Rush Limbaugh would not be a good addition to the upper management of a league made up of more than 60% of African American players. The disapproval from the NFL Players Association also shows that the racist undertone of Limbaugh's comments has already stirred up anger among players around the league.