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Chicago Tribune
National–US to Lift Ban on Women in Frontline Combat Jobs
The US military will end its ban on women serving in front line combat roles by 2016. This could open thousands of fighting jobs to female service members for the first time. Women are excluded from serving in infantry, armor, and special forces units whose main function was to engage in frontline combat. Women have represented about 2% of casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan, but 12% of those deployed in the war effort over the past 11 years. Canada and Israel are the only two other developed nations allowing women to serve in combat roles. “This is an historic step for equality and for recognizing the role women have, and will continue to play, in the defense of our nation, said Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). The military branches will have until 2016 to file explanations for certain jobs to be exempted from women serving.
International –North Korea Warns that Nuclear Test May be Imminent
North Korea is warning that it is prepared to conduct a nuclear test and carry out more long range rocket launches. In a statement, the North Korean government threatened to wage a “full-fledged confrontation” against the US for what it calls continued hostility. This, after the UN Security Council condemned North Korea and expanded sanctions against the regime for launching a rocket in December 2012, which they claimed to be a peaceful satellite mission, but what the US and others say was actually a test of long range missile technology.
Opinion–If Lisa Madigan Runs, Her Father Should Step Aside as Speaker of the Illinois House – Editorial Board
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is considering a run for Governor in 2014. If she does jump in, the Editorial Board believes that Mike Madigan should step down as Speaker of the Illinois House. Her credibility and independence as a candidate – or governor – would depend upon that happening. Illinois’ government has the same separation of powers doctrine as the federal government, with checks and balances, etc. A natural tension between the Executive and the Legislature is a good thing; having the Speaker of the House be the father of the Governor would make a mockery of these constitutional principles. Finally, if she were to run against Pat Quinn, the current Illinois governor, as Speaker her dad would be in the position to help her politically by destroying Quinn’s legislative agenda during the campaign season. Every action he – or she – took would be questioned as whether it was for the good of Illinois or the family.
In my opinion, Mike Madigan should go, regardless. The guy has been in Illinois politics for over 40 years; his law firm has made tens of millions of dollars as a property tax appeals attorney in Chicago, representing companies in challenges against their property taxes – companies that know the Speaker is also a partner in the firm. He has collected millions in campaign contributions from those same companies – and thousands of others, and distributed that money to Democratic candidates who do his bidding in Springfield. His status as a power broker, while legendary, is also scary: should Illinois politics be a Madigan business enterprise?