Today’s Top Seven

2009-12-04

Obama’s Snub to Chamber of Commerce in Keeping With ‘Job Killing’ Policies, Boehner Says

(CNSNews.com) – House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said the Obama administration’s decision not to invite the Chamber of Commerce to Thursday’s jobs summit at the White House is in keeping with what the GOP says are the Democrat’s “job killing” policies.

Obama’s Exit Strategy

If actions speak louder than words, President Obama is cutting America free of George Bush’s wars and coming home. For his bottom line Tuesday night was that all U.S. forces will be out of Iraq by mid-2011 and the U.S. footprint in Afghanistan will, on that date, begin to get smaller and smaller.

West Pointer reads anti-Obama book awaiting president

Brad Thor, the author of a series of best-selling thrillers, is getting unique publicity because of a news photo of a West Point cadet reading his anti-Obama novel "The Apostle" while awaiting the president's speech at the U.S. military academy.

Obama, Lawmakers Target Bailout Fund for Jobs Bill

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama's options for spurring job growth may be limited by out-of-control budget deficits, but he is warming to moves by his congressional allies for a jobs-boosting bill. Taking his defense of the economy on the road, the president scheduled appearances Friday in Pennsylvania to showcase innovative businesses following Thursday's White House jobs forum. That event combined cheerleading and brainstorming as Obama exhorted more than 100 CEOs, academics, small business and union leaders and local officials to focus on new ways to get businesses hiring again. At the forum, the president spoke favorably of an expanded program to help make more U.S. homes energy efficient and mentioned trade measures and new tax incentives as being among ways to stop job losses that are the worst since the 1930s. Special: Get Sarah Palin’s New Book – Incredible FREE Offer -- Click Here Now. "We cannot hang back and hope for the best," Obama said. "What I'm interested in is taking action right now." November's unemployment figures were due out Friday morning, with the jobs picture expected to remain bleak. But, mindful of growing anxiety about federal deficits, Obama also said it is primarily up to the private sector to create large numbers of new jobs rather than embarking on a costly jobs creation program. He said that while he's "open to every demonstrably good idea ... we also though have to face the fact that our resources are limited." The appetite for debt-financed jobs legislation is far higher on Capitol Hill, where House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Congress will extend several items in February's $787 billion economic stimulus measure. Pelosi wants more money for roads and bridges and to save the jobs of firefighters, teachers and other public employees. She also promised help for small businesses reeling from a credit crunch. After talks with Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and other administration officials, congressional Democrats are eying up to $70 billion in unused borrowing authority from last year's $700 billion Wall Street bailout for jobs-related legislation, two House Democratic aides said. The aides required anonymity to describe the private talks.

Fla. teen allegedly attacks dad for loud snoring

OLDSMAR, Fla. – A Florida teenager has been charged with assaulting his father, reportedly because the man was snoring too loudly. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office reported that the teen, 18, first threw a magazine at his father, who was sleeping on a living room couch Tuesday evening. When that didn't work, deputies said the teen pushed his father onto the floor and punched him in the face. The father was checked out at a nearby hospital as a precaution.

Would-be thief sends merciful NY store owner $50

SHIRLEY, N.Y. – A Long Island convenience store owner who showed mercy to a would-be robber said he's received an apology note and $50 in the mail. The unsigned note said it was from the man who tried to rob Mohammad Sohail. It said the would-be robber has a new job, a new child, and is staying out of trouble. Sohail is saving the $50 for charity. The bat-wielding man tearfully told Sohail in May that he was trying to feed his family. The rifle-toting businessman gave him $40 and bread, and made him promise never to rob again.

Girl Who Sneezes 12,000 Times a Day Gets Official Diagnosis

Lauren Johnson, who started sneezing constantly throughout the day after suffering a bad cold in November, was diagnosed with Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus, which is also known as PANDAS. Up until now, doctors referred to Lauren's condition as "machine gun sneezing," as the girl couldn't go more than a few seconds without sneezing. Her only relief comes while she sleeps.