Thousands Turn Out For Paterno’s Public Memorial

"Thousands Turn Out For Paterno’s Public Memorial" by Reut Cohen for Neon Tommy, January 26, 2012:

A massive crowd turned out for the conclusion of five days of public mourning over the death of Joseph Paterno. Roughly 10,000 attended the memorial event at the Penn State campus on Thursday, according to Reuters.

Paterno, a longtime football coach with the most wins in major college football, died of lung cancer complications at age 85 on Sunday.

His fans choose to focus on his legacy in college football rather than the recent child sexual abuse scandal involving Paterno’s assistant Jerry Sandusky. Paterno did not alert police to alleged rampant child abuse.

Sandusky released a statement following Paterno's death.

"This is a sad day! Our family, Dottie and I would like to convey our deepest sympathy to Sue and her family," Sandusky said in a statement. "Nobody will be able to take away the memories we all shared of a great man, his family, and all the wonderful people who were a part of his life."

Sandusky, who is awaiting trial, is facing 52 criminal counts. Prosecutors say he abused 10 children over a period of 15 years. He denies the allegations.

Sandusky's critics say the statement was ill-timed and inappropriate.

Reuters has more.

Aid Workers Freed By U.S. Forces Arrive At Military Base

"Aid Workers Freed By U.S. Forces Arrive At Military Base" by Reut Cohen for Neon Tommy, January 26, 2012:

Two hostages freed in a U.S. military operation involving SEAL Team 6 arrived at a U.S. base in Sicily on Thursday.

The hostages, 32-year-old American Jessica Buchanan and 60-year-old Poul Hagen Thisted were working with the Danish Demining Group, a humanitarian aid organization, when they were kidnapped in Somalia in October 2011.

Buchanan and Thisted are at the Naval Air Station Sigonella, according to base public affairs officer Lt. Tim Page.

President Obama released a statement following the raid, which killed nine Somali pirates.

“On Monday, I authorized an operation to rescue Jessica Buchanan, an American citizen who was kidnapped and held against her will for three months in Somalia. Thanks to the extraordinary courage and capabilities of our Special Operations Forces, yesterday Jessica Buchanan was rescued and she is on her way home,” Obama said. [...]

Read it all here.

Aging and Life Quality: What Does the Future Hold?

"Aging and Life Quality: What Does the Future Hold?" by Reut Cohen for the Scientific American Blog Network, January 17, 2012:

The first thing one would notice about Lulu is her smile. “Hello, dear, when is your party?” Lucille “Lulu” Weinstein beams at me. “I need to decide what to wear. What are you going to wear to the party? A blue dress or a pink one?”

Lulu’s effervescent and undeniably sweet personality easily charms. She’s the kind of lady who wants to have a nice time and look good doing it. The 87 year old who likes to put on lipstick and pull back her hair into a neat twist suffers from Alzheimer’s. It’s a chronic disease marked by bouts of confusion and a rather frightening sense of losing one’s identity.

Alzheimer’s leads Lulu to jump from asking about the weather to discussing a party she’s made up in her head. Lulu, a patient at Carmel Board and Care, California, is lucky. She’s cheerful and gentle, and has been placed by her loving family in a top nursing facility whose employees care for all of her basic needs as well as her emotional ones. She has a constant stream of visitors and is generally happy.

Many Americans, those who cannot afford first-rate private care, are not so lucky.

Americans 65 years or older were numbered at 39.6 million in 2009, making up 12.9 percent of the U.S. population or about one in every eight Americans. That number will increase, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is estimated that about 72.1 million older persons will make up the 65 plus age bracket by 2030. With a rising aging population comes a growing demand for special care facilities. Living longer means that diseases become long-term and chronic, and services are more expensive as people spend more time in facilities. Not everyone will be able to afford private care and will eventually come to rely on social welfare—but can governmental services, city and federal alike, cope with demands?

Read it all here.

Ambassador John Bolton Endorses Mitt Romney

"Ambassador John Bolton Endorses Mitt Romney" by Reut Cohen for Neon Tommy, January 12, 2012:

John Bolton, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, has endorsed Mitt Romney’s presidential bid.

"Of all the candidates, Mitt Romney possesses the strongest vision for America's leadership role in the world, and I am proud to endorse him," Bolton said, according to a statement released by Romney’s campaign Thursday. "President Obama has sapped America's credibility abroad, weakened our military and failed to lead on issues vital to U.S. national security... Mitt Romney will restore our military, repair relations with our closest allies, and ensure that no adversary—including Iran— ever questions American resolve."

Bolton was the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under President George W. Bush.

In a statement Romney welcomed Bolton’s support and said he looks forward to "consulting with him" during the campaign.

"John has been a staunch defender of U.S. interests and values, both while he was in and out of government," said Romney.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has been touted as the candidate most likely to become the Republican candidate for the 2012 election.

Earlier this week Romney's campaign announced it has raised "more than $56 million so far in the primary," with $24 million raised in the fourth quarter.