Cheryl K. Chumley
Columns by Cheryl K. Chumley
Pope picks powerful Putin for summit as Obama hobnobs with celebs in Hollywood
The rising power of Russia's Vladimir Putin was in stark display this week as he commanded an audience with Pope Francis — and then forced the pontiff to wait for almost an hour for the face-to-face meeting. Published November 27, 2013
California bar owners fight city to keep pro-veteran sign
A couple of bar owners in California who brought their pro-veteran message to a rooftop billboard said they're engaged in a public dispute over zoning laws and whether the mounted message meets code. Published November 27, 2013
Former Pa. GOP head charged with drugging, raping female colleague
A former Pennsylvania county Republican Party head faces 19 criminal charges tied to allegations he raped and assaulted a 51-year-old female colleague, then tampered with evidence and lied to police during questioning. Published November 27, 2013
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie: Obamacare a ‘train wreck’ a newbie could’ve seen coming
Not only is Obamacare a "train wreck," N.J. Gov. Chris Christie says, but it's a train wreck that even a newbie politico could have predicted. Published November 27, 2013
Michelle Obama sends tweet-out to amnesty activists on fast
Immigration reform activists who are engaging in a much-publicized food fast to bring attention to their relaxed border and amnesty wishes got some love from the first lady late Tuesday, via a tweet of solidarity she sent that told of White House support. Published November 27, 2013
Law lets Louisiana police demand that drivers give blood samples
Police in Louisiana are lawfully allowed to demand that drivers give blood samples in cases in which motorists are suspected of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol — a "no refusal" policy that's sparking legal debate. Published November 27, 2013
Christian B&B owners slapped with damages for turning away gays
A 69-year-old British woman and her 74-year-old husband were ordered Wednesday to pay damages to a gay couple after the U.K. Supreme Court ruled they wrongfully kept the couple from staying in their Christian-based bed-and-breakfast. Published November 27, 2013
Mass. condo turns to DNA to force pet pooper-scooper compliance
One condo manager in Massachusetts isn't messing around, turning to a top-tech, crime-fighting tool — DNA — to bust out pet owners who refuse to pick up their doggies' doo. Published November 27, 2013
Mayor Bloomberg’s anti-gun message goes on holiday placemats for kids
Happy Thanksgiving; here’s a placemat. Now go talk about the need to clamp down on guns. That’s outgoing New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s holiday message to families, with a new Mayors Against Illegal Guns-designed placemat for children. Published November 27, 2013
Americans tell pollsters: Obamacare fixable, but we don’t want it
Botched job aside, the majority of Americans still think Obamacare will work — eventually — and half of those polled believe the system's current enrollment problems can be solved. Published November 27, 2013
Media to Obama: Where’s the openness you promised?
About 40 different news groups have joined forces to demand the White House answer this one question: Where’s all the open government that President Obama promised? Published November 27, 2013
White House puts political nonprofits and ‘get-out-the-vote’ drives in crosshairs
The White House has set its regulatory sights on nonprofits — particularly nonprofits with a political mission — and proposed a new batch of rules that would even prohibit the groups from distributing voter guides, or helping voters to register for elections. Published November 27, 2013
Storm Boreas barrels up East Coast, leaving wake of cancelled flights for Thanksgiving travelers
Cancelled and delayed seem the words of the day at select airports around the nation, as wintery weather is throwing a serious dent in holiday travelers’ plans. Published November 27, 2013
Nurse dies saving patients during East Texas hospital stabbing spree
A nurse at an East Texas hospital was killed and four others injured Tuesday morning when a knife-wielding man ran through the facility, stabbing people. Published November 27, 2013
O.J. Simpson denied new trial for robbery, kidnapping
Looks like O.J. Simpson will stay in jail a while longer. A judge just denied his request for a new trial for his 2008 convictions for robbery and kidnapping that led to his 33-year sentence. Published November 27, 2013
GOP Senate hopeful Jack Kingston: Don’t let Obamacare fail
A Republican lawmaker hoping to grab a Senate seat next election says the GOP shouldn’t let Obamacare fail – it would be irresponsible. Published November 26, 2013
CIA turned Gitmo prisoners into terrorist-fighting double agents: report
Shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the United States, intelligence operatives with the Central Intelligence Agency turned some of the Guantanamo Bay inmates into double agents, sending them on a path to help kill those with intent to harm America — hopefully. Published November 26, 2013
Bradley Manning, as Chelsea Manning, pens thank-you to MLK from prison
Pvt. Bradley Manning — who made media waves during his federal trial by announcing he'd rather be called Chelsea — has penned a Thanksgiving thank-you in Time in part to Martin Luther King Jr., citing the civil rights leader's pioneering break-through in social justice as a source of personal inspiration. Published November 26, 2013
Glenn Beck makes waves, totes rifle on ‘The O’Reilly Factor’
The tea party’s favorite media figure, Glenn Beck, made an appearance on “The O’Reilly Factor” this week to promote his new book, “Miracles and Massacres,” with a shock-factor of a prop: One of the guns taken from Sitting Eagle at Wounded Knee. Published November 26, 2013
Merry Christmas: California atheists launch godless billboard campaign
An atheist group that wants to make clear its dissatisfaction with the Christian bent of the Christmas season has just kicked off a 55-billboard campaign aimed at spreading some unbelief. Published November 26, 2013