This post first appeared at NewsReal Blog.

I’m expecting a lot from disgraced former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s federal corruption trial, for which the jury selection started today. As the Chicago Tribune reports, this trial will ‘feature prosecutors feeding voters a steady reminder of the worst elements of Illinois’ political culture — allegations that money, insider influence and personal interest drive public policy in this state.’

Charges range from ‘trying to shake down a children’s hospital for campaign cash to trying to peddle President Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat for profit.’ Although most believe that Blagojevich is guilty as charged – and of more – few expect him to go down without putting up a fight. It’s likely he’s got quite some dirt on other Chicago politicians and that he’s willing to throw it at them. Let’s hope so, at least.| MORE ›

Oh, jolly good:

The man charged with murdering a high-profile abortion doctor claimed from his jail cell Sunday that similar violence was planned around the nation for as long as the procedure remained legal, a threat that comes days after a federal investigation launched into his possible accomplices.| MORE ›

Rey Guerra, the former sheriff of Starr County, Texas, pleaded guilty May 1 to a narcotics conspiracy charge in federal district court in McAllen, Texas. Guerra admitted to using information obtained in his official capacity to help a friend (a Mexican drug trafficker allegedly associated with Los Zetas) evade U.S. counternarcotics efforts.| MORE ›

Good news: President Obama believes America doesn’t have enough czars just yet, so he will appoint a “border czar” who will have to “watch” the Mexico-U.S. border.

I sincerely hope he will do more than “watch,” considering the fact that hundreds of thousands of individuals cross the border illegally every year.

An Obama administration official says Napolitano on Wednesday will name | MORE ›

Eight people died in North Carolina Sunday after a gunman started shooting people randomly:

A lone gunman burst into a North Carolina nursing home Sunday morning and started “shooting everything,” barging into the rooms of terrified patients, sparing some from his rampage without explanation while killing seven residents and a nurse caring for them.| MORE ›

The Associated Press reported on Wednesday: ‘Iraqi officials say the U.S. has agreed to give Iraq first crack at prosecuting American troops and Pentagon contractors accused of major crimes committed off U.S. bases and when they’re not on missions.’

The draft will have to be approved by Iraq’s Parliament, but it is quite likely that it will indeed be approved and put into action.

Here is what the bill would, essentially, do:| MORE ›

Dr. George Tiller, who provided late term abortions, has been murdered in his church in Kansas. A suspect is in custody, and law enforcement officials are supposed to have an announcement shortly.

I have long argued that the Roe vs. Wade case was a case of dubious legal interpretation by the majority of justices, and that I generally prefer to limit abortion more than is currently allowed in most states.| MORE ›

Oh, the joys of living in a country ruled by extremists:

A man was stoned to death in Iran for adultery but the woman involved in the case repented, the judiciary said on Tuesday, suggesting her life was spared.| MORE ›

In China:

The thieves often strike at dusk, when children are playing outside and their parents are distracted by exhaustion.

Deng Huidong lost her 9-month-old son in the blink of an eye as a man yanked him from the grip of his 7-year-old sister near the doorway of their home. The car did not even stop as a pair of arms reached out the window and grabbed the boy.| MORE ›

A 15-year old boy died Sunday after being tasered by police:

A 15-year old boy died Sunday in Michigan after police used a Taser stun gun to subdue him, police said Monday.An investigation was opened and an autopsy ordered with police saying it was not clear whether Brett Elder’s death was directly linked to the Taser incident.

Police said the trouble began when three police officers were summoned to quell a fight between two males at an apartment in| MORE ›