Headlines: High Court Death Penalty Ruling Flawed?

In Court Ruling On Executions, A Factual Flaw
When the Supreme Court ruled last week that the death penalty for child rape was unconstitutional, it cited that a child rapist could face execution in six states, and not under the federal government's jurisdiction. Over the weekend, a military law blog pointed out a factual flaw.

Poll: Terrorism Fears Are Fading
According to a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey released today, 35 percent of Americans believe a terrorist attack is likely to occur in the US over the next several weeks. This figure is the lowest since the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001. For McCain, who is seeking to highlight his national security credentials, these poll results may not be viewed in a positive light.

Black Republicans Launch Racial Anti-Obama Ads
The National Black Republican Association has released videos as well as three radio spots accusing Barack Obama of being an "arrogant elitist" and citing the Democratic Party as a racist organization. The NBRA claims these ads are "eye opening," but many are skeptical that the attacks will even be taken seriously.

NRA Plans Anti-Obama Ads
The National Rifle Association will pour $40 million into an ad campaign this fall, devoted to attacking Senator Barack Obama on the issue of gun rights.

Degrees of Comfort
Denver promises to make its nearly 4,000 homeless people comfortable during the DNC in August, but is offering less accommodation to groups planning to protest at the convention, who claim they will be forced to protest from fenced enclosures out of earshot of the convention site.

Plea For Aid to Avert Starvation
World Bank president Robert Zoellick is calling on President Bush and other leaders convening in Japan next week, to make new aid commitments to avert starvation and instability in dozens of countries. He calculates that, for the world's 41 poorest countries, the impact of high food, fuel and other commodities is causing "broken lives and stunted potential" for millions.

Sports
Headed for a Showdown
Venus and Serena Williams both appear to be headed for the finals at Wimbledon this year. If so, it will be the first time they've faced each other in the finals since 2003, when Serena won.

Entertainment
A Masterful Move
A series of 60 paintings depicting African American migration by artist Jacob Lawrence have finally been reunited at the Phillips Collection in New York for the first time in 15 years. It had previously been split up, most of the panels ending up at New York's MOMA. Bringing the series together again has spurred art lovers to re-examine the messages behind Lawrence's work.

Haysbert: Prez Role on '24' May Have Helped Obama
African American actor Dennis Hayspert made comments suggesting his role on the hit TV show '24' as the Commander in Chief may have helped pave the way for Obama's success. He feels his portrayal of the character David Palmer "may have helped open the eyes of the American people."

Ashley Lystne

Tags: Barack Obama | Democratic National Convention | Supreme Court

7:26 PM ET | 07- 2-2008 | permalink

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