Clem’s Chronicles: Austin Terror/Afghan Offensive/Conservatives Meet/Tiger Woods

Howdy folks-Clem Lane here. Another jam-packed news day……

AUSTIN PLANE-Terrifying day in Austin, TX. A man crashed his single-engine plane into an office building this morning, touching off a fireball that engulfed the building and its’ hundreds of workers trapped inside. Amazingly there were few casualties-2 people remain hospitalized  with one office worker unaccounted for and the pilot presumed dead. (Note:the Austin Fire Department confirmed that they had recovered two sets of remains from the building but could not confirm their identities.)  The pilot has been identified as 56-year-old Andrew Joseph Stack who Ryan Owens tells us was “a father, a software engineer and an experienced pilot.” Mr. Stack apparently started the day by burning his house to the ground. What could drive someone to take such drastic action? An online diatribe believed to have been written by Stack has some answers. Owens tells us the “rambling 6 page note….lists today as the date of his death and chronicles years of struggle with the Federal Government in general…the IRS in particular.” Owens notes the missive concludes with the quote “I am finally ready to stop this insanity. Well, Mr. Big Brother IRS man, let’s try something different. Take my pound of flesh and sleep well.” Owens recounts what we know about Mr. Stack’s aviation attack: “He took off from a small airport north of Austin at 9:44am this morning. His single-engine plane full of fuel. Just 15 minutes later, investigators believe he intentionally crashed into the 2nd and 3rd floors of that office building…home to nearly 200 employees of the Internal Revenue Service.” There were many people who came to the aid of those trapped inside-Owens introduced us to glass worker Robin Dehaven who “was driving by (the building). He used his ladder to rescue a half-dozen victims.” Dehaven expounded on the rescue in a 1st Person segment on WORLD NEWS saying “I climbed up in there and climbed into the building. They were panicking. I’m staying calm, trying to tell them what to do, to listen to me. And I’m telling them to come on….I was just trying to tell them trust me-I’m here to help you.” 

AFGHAN OFFENSIVE:  A Taliban ambush caused a number of Marine casualties today in the battle for Marja, in southern Afghanistan. Our Miguel Marquez was nearby when there was a huge explosion:  “Within moments of the devastating attack, Marines set up a makeshift triage center…the scene we witnessed was horrific – but the Marines were steely-eyed…preparing the casualties to evacuate the battlefield…carrying their fellow troops to safety.  There were so many casualties…it took three medevac helicopters to transport them all.  From the moment the bomb went off to medevac liftoff..just about 15 minutes…and even as the helicopters ferried the casualties away, Taliban insurgents fired – trying to bring them down.”  Overall, Miguel says, the U.S and Afghan forces seem to have the upper hand: “Tonight, Marines tell us they control all the main roads, bridges and government buildings in Marja.  A battle going well…but with so many casualties today…it comes at a very high price.”  NATO says four of its troops died in fighting today, raising the total to nine since the operation began. (thanks to Ed Bailey for this entry)

CONSERVATIVES MEET-Some ten thousand Republican conservatives gathered for a little pow-wow in Washington to discuss the future. Dubbed CPAC-Conservative Political Action Committee-the conference included a surprise appearance by former Vice-President Dick Cheney who noted: “The sky is the limit here. I think 2010 will be a phenomenal year for the conservative cause. And I think Barack Obama is a one-term president.” Cheney’s message was received enthusiastically but as Jon Karl pointed out “this isn’t (Dick Cheney’s) conservative movement…the overflow crowd was young, energized and edgy.” And it was a chance for both young rising Conservatives and more established Presidential aspirants to get their message out. Karl notes that “Mitt Romney gave what sounded like the first speech of the 2012 presidential campaign” but in keeping with the “new style conservative” bent, Karl tells us “the biggest star here was Marco Rubio, a conservative running for Senate in Florida.” Karl continues: “Rubio, by running an insurgent campaign against former Republican governor Charlie Crist, is giving GOP leaders heartburn” Rubio thinks the GOP has lost its way and told Karl “It’s very simple for Republicans. When we are strong advocates for limited government and individual liberty we win elections. When we are about anything else, we lose.” Karl’s take on the convention? “This is one of the biggest, most energized crowds ever to attend one of these conferences but the energy is undeniably more anti-Obama than pro-Republican. They don’t like the President but they aren’t necessarily all that thrilled with Republican leaders in Washington either.”

HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY RATE HIKES-While health care reform may have been pushed aside by jobs and other issues, the Obama Administration wants to point out that health insurers may be unnecessarily raising their premiums.Kate Snow, filing for WORLD NEWS, tells us “the five largest insurers in America have declared more than $12 billion worth of profits in 2009.” One of those companies is Wellpoint. Snow tells us the for-profit company “owns Anthem Blue Cross of California which is about to increase rates.” And…..Snow: “Wellpoint also owns Anthem in Connecticut which requested premium increases of 24 percent last year and Anthem in Maine which recently asked state regulators for a 23 percent increase.” Hmm…sounds a little dodgy. A Wellpoint spokesman explained the rate increases requested by Anthem Blue Cross of California to ABC NEWS’ Bianna Golodryga: “What we’re experiencing in California is very rapid increases in medical costs. Hospital costs are going up about 10%…Pharmacy costs are going up about 13%…and then when you add…the difficult economy in California, what we’re finding is a lot of younger and healthier individuals are dropping their coverage.” Snow points out “that means more sick people-expensive patients-are in the pool.” HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius wants those companies to take from themselves rather than passing costs onto consumers but Snow adds that “some of the insurance companies she cited don’t exactly seem to fit” that pattern. Snow tells us that one of those companies, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, “requested a 56% increase for premiums last year.” But…….there’s always a but isn’t there?…..Snow continues:”They’re required to cover anyone. They estimate they lost $280 million last year and by law they had to ask for an increase in premiums to cover their losses.” So today’s Sebelius event may have been all about politics (or not). What’s clear, Snow noted, was that “one thing we heard from all sides…reform is essential.” Unfortunately, Snow told Diane Sawyer “they don’t agree on how to reform. And that’s the critical issue.”

IRAN – CAUSE FOR CONCERN:  An unusually blunt report from the International Atomic Energy Agency suggests that Iran may now be attempting to developing a nuclear-armed missile.  That concern may sound familiar – but it’s the first time the United Nations nuclear watchdog has used such strong language about Iran’s nuclear program.  And the report, the first written by the agency’s new head, Yukiya Amano, indicated that the evidence against Iran, supplied by the U.S. and other countries, is compelling.  The Obama Administration was quick to respond, as White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters: “"I think the reports again continue to demonstrate the failure of the Iranian government to live up to its international obligations.  The President has on a number of occasions talked about engagement, talked about the benefits of living up to those international obligations.  And the IAEA has been — the IAEA has been charged with trying to seek agreement from the Iranian government on the Tehran research reactor.”  Gibbs added:   "We've always said that if Iran failed to live up to those international obligations, that there would be consequences. “ The report also confirmed Iran has produced its first small batch of uranium enriched to a higher purity and had set aside the vast bulk of its low-enriched uranium stockpile for this purpose even though this seemed far in excess of possible civilian needs.  (thanks to Ed Bailey for this entry)

TIGER WOODS-On the eve of Tiger Woods’ re-entry into public life, grumbling from some PGA Tour pros over the timing of this, coming as it does in the middle of the Accenture Match-Play Championship. "It's selfish," former U.S. Open and British Open champion Ernie Els told Golfweek magazine. "You can write that. I feel sorry for the sponsor. Mondays are a good day to make statements, not Friday. This takes a lot away from the golf tournament." John Berman talked today with PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem who said the timing had nothing to do with golf. Finchem told Berman: “well, he got out of rehab last week, and he spent some time with his family, and he has some time for this tomorrow, and he'll address the details of that tomorrow.” Berman noted “that this is the first real confirmation we’ve had that Tiger was in some kind of rehab” but Finchem would not elaborate beyond that. As for the $100 million question-when will Tiger return to the Tour?-Berman reported “The commissioner said he spoke to Tiger Woods, but wouldn't give specifics. But he said it's possible Tiger will discuss his return in general terms tomorrow without giving actual specifics.”
LATE NOTE FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS: The Golf Writers Association of America's board of directors voted overwhelming Thursday not to participate as pool reporters Friday when Tiger Woods issues his first public statement in nearly three months. "I cannot stress how strongly our board felt that this should be open to all media and also for the opportunity to question Woods," said Vartan Kupelian, president of the 950-member group. "The position, simply put, is all or none. This is a major story of international scope. To limit the ability of journalists to attend, listen, see and question Woods goes against the grain of everything we believe."

OLYMPICS UPDATE-American dominance was on full display Wednesday as Team USA racked up six medals, including three golds won by marquee athletes Lindsey Vonn in the women’s downhill, Shani Davis in the 1,000 meter speed skating and Shaun White on the snowboarding halfpipe. Vonn missed out on a second gold when she hooked the tip of her ski on a gate and fell in the slalom. The pressure is now on figure skater Evan Lysacek who is in second heading into the men’s figure skating final tonight. It was the biggest medal haul for the U.S. on a single day at a Winter Olympics, putting Americans on track to finish the Winter Olympics with the most medals in 80 years.  The U.S. currently leads the pack with 15 medals and five gold, Germany comes in second with 11 medals and four gold and Norway rounds out the top three with eight medals and three golds. The only time the U.S. has ever won the medals races at the Winter Games was in 1932, on home soil in Lake Placid, N.Y.  (thanks to Whitney Lloyd for this entry)

ALABAMA SHOOTING/GMA EXCLUSIVE-We’ve heard a lot about Amy Bishop, the woman who opened fire and killed several colleagues at the University of Alabama-Huntsville last Friday over tenure issues. Ashleigh Banfield sat down with Bishop’s husband, James Anderson, to discuss the story-you can see the fruits of that interview in a GOOD MORNING AMERICA exclusive running tomorrow.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?-From Jake Tapper: ““ABC NEWS has learned that the Obama administration has decided to give the war in Iraq — currently known as Operation Iraqi Freedom — a new name. The new name: ‘Operation New Dawn.’
In a February 17, 2010, memo to the Commander of Central Command, Gen. David Petraeus, Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the ‘requested operation name change is approved to take effect 1 September 2010, coinciding with the change of mission for U.S. forces in Iraq.’
Unfortunately, the Administration may not have googled the name. Tapper continues: “If Gates was hoping that "Operation New Dawn" would convey a new period in the US-Iraq relationship, it's not clear this was the best choice of name. After all, Operation New Dawn was the name for the bloody and grueling 2004 battle for Fallujah. Originally, US forces had called the fight for that city "Fallujah Fury," but Iraqi leaders suggested it be called al Fajr, or New Dawn. ‘It is with all pleasure that I announce to you that Operation New Dawn has been concluded,’ the Iraqi minister of state for national security, Qasim Dawood, said at a news conference in Baghdad in November 2004.”

BERNARD KERIK-From Rich Esposito: “The man once dubbed ‘America's Cop’ for his leadership after Sept. 11 was sentenced to 48 months in prison today by a federal judge who said the damage caused by former New York City police chief Bernard Kerik was ‘immeasurable.’ Judge Stephan Robinson went above the recommended sentencing range of 27 to 33 months in part because he felt that Kerik's abuse of the office of police commissioner of New York was part of a 10-year pattern of corruption and obstruction of justice that continued right into the courtroom.
‘The guidelines don't take fully into account the operatic proportions of this case,’ said Robinson.
"I'd like to apologize to the American people," former NYPD commissioner Kerik said in a brief statement outside the courtroom after being sentenced. Kerik was convicted on charges that included lying to the White House and failing to report income and loans.
You can read Esposito’s full report on The Blotter http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/kerik-sentenced-years-prison/story?id=9875911

OTHER STUFF-
–RUNAWAY ZEBRA-A zebra with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus broke away from his trainers in downtown Atlanta leading police on a chase along a busy section of interstate during the afternoon rush hour. The animal, named Lima, escaped capture from his handlers and police for some 40 minutes before being subdued. Lima suffered nothing more than cuts on his hooves and was expected to perform with the circus in Atlanta this evening.
–TOYOTA CHIEF COMING TO THE HILL-Toyota's president is reversing himself. Akio Toyoda now says he will testify at a congressional hearing next week on the automaker's recalls. “I look forward to speaking directly with Congress and the American people” Mr. Toyoda said in a written statement on the Toyota website. (Lisa Stark)