The flight coming from the Netherlands to Michigan on Christmas day started out as a normal flight for the passengers, but before it was over it would become one that everyone would remember. As the flight came to and end passengers began yelling and shouting...FIRE. Jasper Schuringa(left), the hero of the flight and a dutch filmmaker, upon realizing what was occuring had what he called a knee-jerk reaction and lept over several seats to where a man was seated but on fire. He grabbed from the man what turned out to be pentaerythritol tetranitrate, and enough of it to blow a hole in the plane. Fortunately the device failed to detonate completely. After the fire had been stamped out the suspect Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab was taken to the front of the plane, hand cuffed and searched for other explosives. For everyone on the flight they were very thankful to Schuringa for reacting like he did. Their christmas present was landing safely in Michagan.

More Die From Suicide Bomber

8 more Americans died this last Wednesday in Afganistan at a military base. But these 8 military officials say were not in the military. The attack happened at the Forward Operating Base Chapman near the district of Khost in eastern Afganastan. It is still not sure whether the suicide bomber walked into a dining facility or a gym. Also this last Monday 10 Afghan civilians were killed in a coalition operation. 8 of whom were students. Caolition forces said they killed their military targets but the delegation sent by the govenor of the provence to investgate reported the causalties.

Relations between Tokyo and Washington are taking a toll recently as the conflict about the marine base in Okinawa and its closure and replacement with another structure elsewhere. Though it is agreed that the current base which neighbors an elementary school, needs to be closed as it causes many problems and violates numerous safety codes, leaders are butting heads on where it should be built. The population of Okinawa greatly opposes the idea of building another base elsewhere in the city, it takes up 1/4 of the city as it is now.
This issue has put strain on the relations between the two countries, delayed plans to restructure America's military presence in Asia and divided American and Japanese Leadership.

The "Nebraska Compromise"

Nebraska made a political deal in order to pass the federal health care bill. Top prosecutor from 7 states including Colorado are checking the constitutionality of this dealmade by Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson. This compromise permanatley exempts Nebraska from paying Medicaid costs that all other states must pay and by that may violate the constitution some states things
Attorney General Henery McMaster along with the state prosecutors began looking into this deal at the request of Rep. U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint of South Carolina.
The senators voiced concerns to McMaster that this deal was unconstiutional in giving special treatment to just one state. I agree that it is definatly unfair for only one state to get spcial treatment but Vermont, Louisiana, and Massachusetts also got help with thier programs as well. I'm interested to see what ends up happening to this "Nebraska Compromise"