He was first charged with reckless manslaughter, an offense that would have landed him 10 years in jail, for which he pleaded not guilty. He pleaded guilty to the less severe assault count for the death of Costas Christofi.

With his personal life already rocky, Jayson Williams stated that it was his recklessness that killed his driver. He said that he did not look in the direction where the muzzle of the gun was pointed and this led him to accidentally claim the life of his driver. He has taken full responsibility for the tragedy.

Calm and collected during the entire procedure, Williams was also charged with drunken driving last week after running his SUV into a tree in New York. Several stitches oculd be seen in his right eye while he listened to all the charges against him.

The assault case carries a minimum of 18 months in federal prison because a gun was involved while the reckless manslaughter Williams was initially charged with could have given landed him in a federal prison for 10 years. Williams posted bail after he was charged with the assault.

Williams recounted that what happened almost eight years ago was a tragic accident. He was giving some of his friends a tour of his New Jersey home on February 14, 2002 and when they reached his bedroom, he started showing them his gun collection. He then admitted that he failed to check one barrel of a double-barreled 12-gauge shotgun that went off and eventually killed his driver. Williams maintained that what happened was purely an accident and that panic got to him after the incident. Years of legal proceedings followed until charges were finally placed last January 11, 2010.

Williams had a career spanning nine years in the NBA playing for the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Nets. He was forced to retire in 2000 due to injuries and has since then taken a downward spin in his personal life.

As the managing partner of ASGK, Eric Sedler uses his expertise in communication programs to serve clients in major industries including telecommunications, energy, financial services, health care, entertainment and land use. Through ASGK, Eric Sedler has worked with corporations, trade associations, labor unions, and advocacy organizations.

Before co-founding ASK Public Strategies, Eric Sedler managed corporate PR on the regional level for AT&T in their Chicago, Atlanta, and Miami branches. Eric Sedler directed AT&T’s PR in the central and southeastern US. His successful initiatives included securing regulatory approval for AT&T’s acquisition of cable systems in several states. Eric Sedler also managed the launch of local telephone services in several important markets.

Before becoming a public relations manager, Eric Sedler has worked for federal, state, and local officials, managing several successful state and local political campaigns. These officials include Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Eric Sedler has helped develop communications programs that gave extensive coverage to such legislation for telephone area codes, mammogram coverage, and fireworks safety.

In addition to his work with ASKG Public Strategies, Eric Sedler is often a guest speaker on communications and issues management. Eric Sedler has given presentations at the University of Chicago, Loyola University, and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Eric Sedler has been awarded the Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America and the Silver Trumpet Award from the Publicity Club of Chicago.

In a surprising move, New Hampshire lawmakers struck down a bill that would have made the state the sixth in the US to legalize same-sex marriage. The rejected legislation was a watered-down version of an earlier bill approved by the state Senate and House of Representatives last March 26.

Despite the state’s Senate approving the legislation 14-10, the amended version of the bill was rejected by a slim margin of 188-186 vote in the state’s Democrat-dominated House of Representatives. The passage of the first version of the bill was impeded when Governor John Lynch recommended changes in the language of the bill.

Lynch, a three-term Democrat, supplied rewordings of the earlier bill so that it should possess a strong and clear indication of protecting any religious association or institution, or individual working for these associations. Lynch wanted to guarantee that clerical and religious institutions will not face fines or lawsuits should they decline to solemnize gay marriages.

Other House Republicans defended their negative vote, saying that the state’s constituents have not been given ample opportunity to discuss and voice out their opinions on the issue.

Some legislators thought that the amended version with the religious liberties clause would have allowed legalizing discrimination altogether. Steve Vaillancourt, a gay Republican representative, opposed the amended bill, warning that the House should not be “bullied” by the governor.

The bill has been referred by both chambers to a committee for further review and consideration.

American adults still retain a conservative view on same-sex marriage, according to a CNN poll in April. Fifty-four percent of those questioned in the poll felt strongly against gay marriage while 44% of them approve of it. Younger people, however, are more open to gay marriage than adults are.

Many of them complained that the existing justice system within the U.N. is “arbitrary, unfair and mired in bureaucracy”. Resolution of cases drag and accusers do not have access to investigative reports. Several women who filed harassment raps claim their contracts were not renewed and before they could see justice done, the men they accused had either retired or resigned, severing the U.N. justice system’s jurisdiction over them.

Unlike many large global organizations, the U.N. has a different way of handling complaints. Many UN officials enjoy diplomatic immunity from criminal or civil suits. The filing of cases against them is possible only when the U.N. lifts immunity. If this does not happen, complainants can only rely on advancing their case through the internal justice system.

The current internal justice system is anything but perfect. It involves several investigative channels and multi-layered appellate processes. While the U.N. Administrative Tribunal is the final authority, the secretary-general is vested the power to rule on appeals.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon admits that the internal justice system is “troubled”. He expressed his concern over the string of cases involving sexual harassment and sex discrimination and called this a “scourge” that remains a high priority for him.

In response to this crisis, the U.N. has scheduled an overhaul of its internal justice system to take effect on July 1. The new system aims to replace the slow and complex bureaucratic system with a faster and more professional process. U.N. employees may file complaints with their respective departments, which will then conduct an investigation. Two boards will hear appeals and transmit nonbinding recommendations to the secretary-general who will no longer have authority to rule on appeals. The UN Administrative Tribunal remains the final arbiter.

The Tanzanian is charged with war crimes for his participation in the 1998 US Embassy bombings in East Africa that left 11 people dead and dozens injured. He was captured in Pakistan in July 2004 and delivered to US custody in early 2005. In September 2006, he was one of the 14 detainees who were shipped to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba from their incarceration in so-called “secret CIA prisons”.

Ghailani faces prosecution for murder, attacking civilians, conspiracy and providing material support for terrorism. Transcript from a 2007 closed-door hearing indicates he admitted to delivering the explosives used for the bombings but professed innocence in knowing the plot beforehand. If convicted, the Pentagon is going after the death penalty for the terror suspect.

This development comes as the US Senate voted 90-6 to reject President Obama’s $80M fund request for the closure of the Guantanamo camp, demanding a closure plan prior to any approval. Obama addressed this issue in a speech last Thursday, May 22, 2009.

Obama’s moves on the Guantanamo transfer issue have irked both his political allies and enemies. Republicans want the detention camp retained, viewing the transfer of Guantanamo inmates to US soil as a security risk to Americans. On the other hand, human rights groups ACLU and Amnesty International criticized his “confusing” position on the use of military commissions in trying the detainees. As one of his first official acts as President, Obama had promised a halt to this system in order to usher a new era for respecting human rights, but later announced its continued use with several modifications.

The Guantanamo camp was established shortly after 9/11 and caused international outrage for glaring human rights violations, including the use of waterboarding, which the Bush administration consented.

After months away from the spotlight, the panel was finally unveiled on May 20, three months after its creation. The team is composed of a diverse mix of experts and strategists from the academe, labor, and business, who, prior to their public presentation, labored behind-the-scenes, providing Obama an external perspective on economic issues.

The economic recovery panel works outside the White House, according to White House spokesperson Jen Psaki, focusing on bringing about “a diverse set of perspectives and voices from different parts of the country and different sectors on the economy to bear in the formulation and evaluation of economic policy.”

The American public was given the opportunity to view the team in action live via video streaming on the White House website during May 20’s 10:00 am meeting, of which the creation of “green jobs” was top of the agenda.

The panel consists of a high-caliber mixture of Democrats and Republicans with the singular aim of putting America’s economy back on its feet.

Heading the panel is 81-year old Wall Street legend Paul Volcker, well known for conquering runaway inflation during the 1980s. Other advisors include:

• William Donaldson, previous chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission
• Roger Ferguson, president and CEO of TIAA-CREF,
• Robert Wolf, Chairman and CEO of UBS Group Americas,
• David Swensen of Yale University,
• Mark Gallogly, founder of Centerbridge Partners L.P.,
• Penny Prtizker of the Prtizker Realty Group,
• John Doerr, a partner of Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield and Byers,
• Jim Owens, chairman and CEO of Caterpillar, Inc.,
• Monica Lozano, publisher of La Opinion; Charles Phillips, president of Oracle Corp,
• Anna Burger, secretary-treasurer of Service Employees International Union,
• Richard Trumka of the AFL-CIO labor organization,
• Laura D’Andrea Tyson, dean of UCLA, and
• Martin Feldstein of Harvard and Jeffrey Immelt, chief executive of GE.

The U.S. has promised to help Taiwan in terms of arms and training to help fight off possible attacks from the Chinese. Despite the general feeling of unease, though, the people of Taiwan see Obama’s victory as a symbol of equality of opportunity.

“I don’t think (Obama) has thought much of Taiwan,” Sean King said. “He’s not a child of the Cold War…he doesn’t have defining moments that drive home for him the dangers facing the free world.”

Sean King has been with Park Strategies LLC since February of 2006. Park Strategies is a firm based in New York that deals with providing government and business advice while also functioning as a lobbying firm. It was founded by former Senator Alfonse D’Amato.

Prior to joining Park Strategies, Sean King was with the United States Department of Commerce for five years, where he worked as Senior Advisor for Asia in the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service. At a certain point during his service with the commerce department, King worked with former New York State Governor George Pataki, former Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans, and J.W. Marriott, Jr., chairman and CEO of Marriott Intl., Inc. Sean King assisted them in carrying out fact-finding missions to mainland China.

Sean King’s specialty is in the field of commerce and he is responsible mainly for developing Park Strategies’ business relationships and transactions with Taiwan and other Asian nations.

More information on Sean King and Taiwan:

Sean King Says Taiwan President Ma Win Will Help U.S. Companies in Asia.

The meeting involved talks about high-stakes topics for the two countries. Throughout the seven-hour visit, both leaders brought up sensitive topics like energy security, environmental conservatism, and war.

Even though no seminal negotiations are likely to arise from the recently concluded meeting, it may have covered the prospect of reopening the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The NAFTA is a hotly debated 1994 trade pact binding the economies of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

A more current subject that may have been in the agenda is the “Buy American” provision of President Obama’s $787 billion economic stimulus bill. Canada is also contending with more restrictive American regulations regarding labels on imported food.

Presently, Canada is still the world’s largest importer of American goods next to China. Overall, Canada and the US make the biggest trading partnership in the world, with over US$1.6 billion in goods penetrating their shared borders every day.

For one, the US imports more oil and natural gas from Canada than any other country. It consequently brings to the fore a timely discussion on energy security and climate change. For this matter, President Obama brought along Carol Browner, his energy and climate coordinator.

Even during the campaign, President Obama has been oft cited to favor renewable energy.

In anticipation of the visit, green activists tried to steer the American President’s influence against Canada’s gigantic oil sands in Alberta. Recently, Greenpeace put up huge banners persuading the President not to buy oil sourced from Alberta tar sands. Scientists say oil extraction from tar sands emits dangerous greenhouse gases.

On another front, President Obama’s visit was expected to pitch a new strategy on Afghanistan, one with more diplomacy, to PM Harper. Earlier, Obama cajoled NATO members into his cause in Afghanistan, a war-ravaged nation facing resurgence in insurrection. The President is dispatching 17,000 additional combat troops to the country.

Canada, however, has had enough of the Afghan conflict, which has so far claimed the lives of 111 Canadians. By 2011, Canada will have yanked its 2,800 troops off Afghanistan.

President Obama’s visit somehow signaled a fresh start for both countries. For the United States, it became the first step in its efforts to rebuilding the image of the country. German Marshall Fund foreign policy director John K. Glenn believes that the President’s recent visit to the US’ closest neighbor is a good start.

Related News Sources:

The latest updates on President Barack Obama and other top-ranking US officials from the official White House blog.

Both appointees will oversee the $17.4 billion loan already arranged in place for G.M. and Chrysler.

Another name is also tapped to act as senior adviser for the presidential auto panel. Ron Bloom, an expert in corporation overhauls with an experience dealing with labor unions of steel and airline companies, is said to be included in the auto crisis panel.

Mr. Bloom will bring in his expertise as an investment banker with prior engagements in Wall Street. With labor unions of both car manufacturers expected to lock horns with the panel the companies’ stakeholders, Mr. Bloom’s credibility will help in coming up with acceptable and productive arrangements with unions.

Initially, the “Car Czar’ slot was tailored for several business executives, among them private equity executive Steve Rattner. It is still unclear why the administration deviated from its original plan or whether Mr. Rattner would have a spot on the panel, which is now named the Presidential Task Force on Autos.

The task force members will be coming from different agencies, including the departments of treasury, labor, transportation, commerce and energy. Several members of the panel have already been working closely with G.M. and Chrysler on the viability of their restructuring plans, which will be presented to the government.

Last January, $4 billion was given to Chrysler. Chairman Robert L. Nardelli revealed that the company will request $3 billion more to keep the operations running. General Motors, on the other hand, already borrowed $9.4 billion and is slated to get another $4 billion if the panel sees their overhaul plan viable.

The Ford Motor Company, another major Detroit-based car manufacturer, did not file for financial aid from the federal government and is not required to submit a revamp plan for approval despite the $14.6 billion loss it suffered last year. The said drop in revenue is the biggest in Ford’s history. The federal government, however, is willing to lend Ford Motors should the company choose to ask for help.

General Motors has stated in an official announcement that it welcomes the new task force and that the company looks forward to sharing its business strategies “to restore our company to viability and to meet the requirements of its loan agreements.”

The government expects the auto industry to sell between 10 million and 11 million vehicles in the United States this year, far below the 16.2 million mark the industry sold two years ago.

New York Times article about President Obama’s decision about the auto industry.

Official Chrysler biography of Robert L. Nardelli.

Robert Nardelli doubts Chrysler would survive bankruptcy.

In 1798, it took on the name Democratic-Republican Party. In 1800, Thomas Jefferson became the first Democratic President of the United States and served for two terms. James Madison became the president in 1808. James Monroe, also belonging to the same party, became the elected president in 1816.

John Quincy Adams won the presidential elections in 1824. His election led to a four-way division among Democratic-Republicans. The modern Democratic Party arose in the 1830s. The rise to prominence of war hero Andrew Jackson saw the reunification of the Democratic Party. Andrew Jackson, along with his supporters, reunified the Democratic Party and established the national convention process and the party platform. He won the elections in 1828 and 1832. In 1844, the National Convention Party’s name became the Democratic Party.

In the late 1800s, Democratic Party leader William Jennings Bryan introduced agrarian reform, right of women’s suffrage, progressive income tax and direct election of senators. All these resulted to the Democratic Party becoming dominant in urban politics.

In 1912, Woodrow Wilson became the first Democratic president of the 20th Century. Franklin Roosevelt became president while running on the promise of a New Deal. President Harry Truman broke down the barriers of race and gender. Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Acts began during the time of President John F. Kennedy. In 1984, the Democratic Party became the first party to place a woman on the presidential ticket when Geraldine Ferraro was nominated to be the Vice Presidential candidate. In 1992, Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton became the 42nd President of the United States on the promise of a New Covenant for America’s forgotten families. In 2009, Democratic Senator Barack Obama became the first African-American President.