In the George Zimmerman trial, analysts believe prosecution witnesses have often managed to make the defendant look like a sympathetic figure, and singer Lady Gaga altered the lyrics to the national anthem during a performance to the “home of the gay.”
On the international stage, President Obama pledged $7 billion in aid to Africans, but warned them to be wary of foreign countries — including the U.S.
Here’s a recap, or wrap, of the week that was from The Washington Times.
• Lady Gaga amends national anthem: ‘Land of the free, and the home for the gay’
Lady Gaga sang the national anthem at Pier 26 to kick off New York City’s gay pride celebration Friday night, changing some of its words to fit the occasion, The Blaze first reported.
Holding a rainbow flag, the performer sang, “O say does that star-spangled flag of pride yet wave,” then substituted “land of the free, and the home for the gay.”
• Obama to Africa: Be wary of foreign powers, even United States
President Obama pledged $7 billion in aid Sunday to provide electricity to sub-Saharan Africa, as he warned Africans to be wary of exploitation by other countries, including the U.S.
• Allen West: Time to teach Obama ‘lesson our forefathers taught King George III’
Former Rep. Allen B. West had some harsh words for President Obama and the Supreme Court on Sunday night, taking to Facebook to express his disdain for the court’s decision on Proposition 8. …
“Obama said he would fundamentally transform America,” said Mr. West. “The time draws near to teach this usurper and charlatan the lesson our forefathers taught King George III. We will not be ruled by arrogance and edict.”
• Michelle Obama: White House like a ‘prison’
First lady Michelle Obama spoke of the power and the prestige — and prison feel — of the White House during a visit with African wives in Tanzania on Tuesday.
Being first lady has “prisonlike elements,” she said, as the Weekly Standard reported. She made the comments seated next to former first lady Laura Bush.
• In Zimmerman trial, prosecution’s case circling the drain
George Zimmerman’s defense attorneys have yet to take the field, but they’re already up by double digits.
Prosecutors in the closely watched, racially charged trial — seeking to convict Mr. Zimmerman of murder in the February 2012 shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin — have stumbled, analysts say, as several key witnesses have cast doubt on the state’s version of events and on several occasions have portrayed the defendant as a credible, even sympathetic figure.
• Snail mail spy: U.S. Postal Service active partner with feds for surveillance
The U.S. Postal Service has two key programs with the federal government aimed at rooting out terrorism that track and record data on all mail that travels through its offices. The New York Times reported on a U.S. Postal Service “mail cover” program that’s been in place for decades.
That program allows postal workers the ability to record — by hand — all the information on the front and back of letters that are mailed to residences, at the request of law enforcement.
• Egypt’s chief justice sworn in, pushes to keep the revolution going
The chief justice of Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court, Adly Mansour, took his oath of office early Thursday, taking over as the country’s interim president. Among his stated priorities: To keep the revolution going.
The ceremony went forth just hours after Egypt’s military forced President Mohammed Morsi from office, The Associated Press reported.
Mr. Mansour will wear his interim president hat until voters select a new leader — and officials have yet to set the date for the election.
• Westboro Baptists escape White House label as hate group
The Obama administration this week turned down the request of 367,000 petitioners and refused to label WestboroBaptist Church a hate group. The reason? It’s not the government’s role to designate the church — a 50-member unit that pickets funerals with signs that denounce homosexuality — as a hate group, CNN reported.
• IRS’s Lerner will testify if granted immunity: attorney
The House oversight committee is treading cautiously as it decides how to move ahead with its investigation into the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of conservative groups, saying it will consider trading immunity to Lois Lerner in exchange for testimony about how her bureau singled out tea party groups’ nonprofit status applications for extra scrutiny.
Ms. Lerner’s lawyer said Wednesday that she would testify to Congress if lawmakers were willing to erase any legal jeopardy.
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