Japan election

Japan election

Japan's ruling party conceded a crushing defeat Sunday after 54 years of nearly unbroken rule as voters were poised to hand the opposition a landslide victory in nationwide elections, driven by economic anxiety and a powerful desire for change. The left-of-center Democratic Party of Japan was set to win 300 or more of the 480 seats in the lower house of parliament, ousting the Liberal Democrats, who have governed Japan for all but 11 months since 1955, according to exit polls by all major Japanese TV networks.

"These results are very severe," Prime Minister Taro Aso said in a news conference at party headquarters, conceding his party was headed for a big loss. "There has been a deep dissatisfaction with our party." Aso said he would have to accept responsibility for the results, suggesting that he would resign as party president. Other LDP leaders also said they would step down, though official results were not to be released until early Monday morning.

The loss by the Liberal Democrats – traditionally a pro-business, conservative party – would open the way for the Democratic Party, headed by Yukio Hatoyama, to replace Aso and establish a new Cabinet, possibly within the next few weeks. The vote was seen as a barometer of frustrations over Japan's worst economic slump since World War II and a loss of confidence in the ruling Liberal Democrats' ability to tackle tough problems such as the rising national debt and rapidly aging population. The Democrats have embraced a more populist platform, promising handouts for families with children and farmers, a higher minimum wage, and to rebuild the economy.

Ironman Louisville 2009

Ironman Louisville 2009

Almost 3000 athletes from over 20 different countries are taking on Ironman Louisville 2009 triathlon today. The 2.4 mile swim, followed by the 112 mile bike, followed by the marathon run will test them to the extreme. You can watch the Ironman Louisville 2009 race live HERE and keep up with the athletes HERE. And you can get full results of both the professional and amatuer race HERE as well as track the athletes progress.

Australian Luke McKenzie, a two-time Ironman champ South Africa's Raynard Tissink with five Ironman titles are favorite to win on the men's side. Kramer-Postma Nina Kraft, Fernanda Keller will battle Lisbeth Kristensen as she tries to defend her title on the women's side of the race Well… Getting to this day has been a year long process. I first came here a year ago with my tri friends to cheer on other tri friends as they raced away in Ironman Louisville. The next day 15 of us signed up together.

Little did I even realize how much I would change in a years time. The up’s and down’s in life both personally and professionally all the while I had Ironman as my goal. So as you read this I’m well into the race and I’m really thankful for all your well wishes and prayers. Thank you Randy and Chris Elrod for walking with me through this entire process. Randy… our runs together mean more to me than any other time we have to hang and talk….Well besides all the wine, food and good porch time:) Dan Perkins, who is racing as well in Ironman Louisville, thanks for all the advice and encouragement. This is Dan’s 10th Ironman! Thanks to my co-workers for putting up with me, especially my boss, Steve- not only is he a great boss but his friendship never fails and his guidance is always solid.

Decided

Decided

Federal prosecutors have decided against dismissing charges against two former Alaska lawmakers who say their corruption convictions in a bribery case resulted from prosecutorial misconduct. In court documents filed Friday in Anchorage, prosecutors and defense attorneys said they couldn't agree on how the cases against former Reps. Pete Kott and Vic Kohring should proceed.

The disagreement leaves U.S. District Judge John Sedwick to decide later this year or in 2010 whether Kott and Kohring should get new trials on charges of taking bribes from an oil-field contractor. Their convictions were challenged because the same team of prosecutors handled a related case against former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, whose conviction for failing to disclose gifts from the contractor was thrown out because evidence was withheld. Attorneys for Kott and Kohring had sought dismissal of all charges based on the failure of prosecutors to turn over favorable evidence.

The U.S. Justice Department asked Sedwick to release Kott and Kohring from prison pending a determination of whether the government's failure to fully disclose information about oil executive Bill Allen and others had tainted the trials. Allen, the founder and former chairman of the now-defunct VECO Corp., was the government's star witness against Stevens, Kott and Kohring in their bribery trials. The charges against Stevens were dismissed but Kott and Kohring have appealed their convictions to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.