Bush pardons two birds, who head for Disneyland

hBush pardons two birds,who head for Disneyland
WASHINGTON -- President Bush spared two turkeys from becoming Thanksgiving dinner. Instead, the birds are going to Disneyland. Thousands of people voted on the White House Web site to name the national turkey "Marshmallow," above, and an alternate called "Yam." At a ceremony Tuesday, Bush peered into Marshmallow's eyes, stroked its white fluffy feathers and patted its red head. In years past, turkeys spared in presidential ceremonies were sent to live at a local farm. "Marshmallow and Yam were a little skeptical about going to a place called Frying Pan Park," Bush said to giggling students from Clarksville Elementary School in Clarksville, Md. This year, the turkeys, raised by James and Vicki Trites of Henning, Minn., will be honorary grand marshals at Disneyland's Thanksgiving Day Parade. "I know Marshmallow and Yam are going to feel pretty good strutting around sunny California, remembering the cold days of Minnesota," Bush said.
U.S. Muslim convictedin plot to kill president
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- An American Muslim student charged with joining Al-Qaida and plotting to assassinate President Bush was convicted Tuesday on all counts. The federal jury rejected Ahmed Omar Abu Ali's claim that Saudi security officers whipped and tortured him into a false confession. Abu Ali, a 24-year-old U.S. citizen born to a Jordanian father and raised in Virginia, could get life in prison on charges including conspiracy to assassinate the president, conspiracy to hijack aircraft and providing support to Al-Qaida. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 17. The jury deliberated for 21/2 days. Abu Ali swallowed hard before the verdict was read but otherwise showed little emotion. He did not testify at his trial.
Baby sitter arrestedafter train kills toddler
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- A baby sitter was arrested Tuesday after a child in her care was struck and killed by a train, police said. Katrina M. Hatton, 20, was booked into the county jail on a felony count of child endangerment, Police Sgt. Nick Muyo said. Hatton allegedly led the boy and two other children across the tracks Monday, then went back for a stroller carrying her own infant, according to police The toddler apparently tried to follow her and was struck by the Amtrak train.
Sen. Obama of Illinoiscalls for troop cutback
CHICAGO -- Sen. Barack Obama on Tuesday called for a troop reduction in Iraq and criticized the Bush administration for questioning the patriotism of people who have spoken out against the war. "I believe that U.S. forces are still a part of the solution in Iraq," the Illinois Democrat said during a speech to the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations. "The strategic goals should be to allow for a limited drawdown of U.S. troops, coupled with a shift to a more effective counter-insurgency strategy that puts the Iraqi security forces in the lead and intensifies our efforts to train Iraqi forces." The debate over when to bring troops home has turned bitter since decorated Vietnam War vet Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., called last week for an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
Teacher pleads guiltyin sex with 14-year-old
TAMPA, Fla. -- A female teacher pleaded guilty Tuesday to having sex with a 14-year-old student, avoiding prison as part of a plea agreement. Debra Lafave, 25, whose sensational case made tabloid headlines, will serve three years of house arrest and seven years' probation. She pleaded guilty to two counts of lewd and lascivious battery. The former Greco Middle School reading teacher apologized during the hearing, saying "I accept full responsibility for my actions." The boy told investigators the two had sex in a classroom at the school, located in Temple Terrace near Tampa, in her Riverview town house and once in a vehicle while his 15-year-old cousin drove them around Marion County.
Associated Press