Friends and family describe Sharif Mobley as a "good Muslim" who never displayed any violent tendencies. He held down a job and has a wife and a daughter.

But authorities tell a different story. They say Mobley, 26, was recently picked up in Yemen and is a suspected member of the same al-Qaida group that tried to blow up an airliner in Detroit on Christmas Day. And there are more and more Americans joining overseas terrorist groups. According to the Associated Press:

His case surfaces days after charges of terrorist connections were brought against Colleen LaRose, an American-born woman known as "Jihad Jane" who lived for years in Pennsylvania.....U.S. officials fear that Yemen is becoming the next significant terrorist staging ground because of signs that lower-level al-Qaida operatives have been moving into the country, and the Pentagon has proposed spending $150 million to help Yemen battle insurgents....Americans are valuable to terrorist groups, in part because they can travel without arousing much suspicion."The U.S. passport is the gold standard," said Fred Burton, a former U.S. counterintelligence agent who is now a vice president at STRATFOR, a global intelligence company in Austin, Texas.

Mobley graduated from high school in 2002 and organized religious pilgrimages to Mecca. Mobley's former high school friend, Roman Castro, said he knew something was awry when, after returning from the army, Mobley said: "Get the hell away from me, you Muslim killer!"

Mobley's parents deny the charges against their son.

Responding to pressure from critics, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo recused himself from the probe of New York Governor David Paterson. Cuomo's approval ratings have started to decline, and he is believed to be avoiding further damage. Cuomo is also the man most expect to replace Paterson in the governor's office.

Cuomo chose Judith Kaye to take his place as the independent counsel leading the investigation into allegations that Paterson illegally took World Series tickets or had inappropriate contact with a woman who accused one of Paterson's aides of domestic violence. Cuomo openly cited the politics of the investigation to be the reason he has to be careful.

A 10-month-old baby girl was allegedly circumcised by her 35-year-old mother who was arrested yesterday and charged with child cruelty and female genital mutilation.

I probably shouldn't even waste the keystrokes to write this, but Rush Limbaugh is worse than a racist. He's someone who uses racism to inflame long-standing stereotypes to line his pockets.

Limbaugh's latest piece of non-sense came, when he referred to New York Gov. David Paterson as a "Massa." He was using the name of New York Rep. Eric Massa, who recently resigned after being accused of sexual harassment, but Rush was referring to Paterson in the sense of a slave and master.

A caller said the embattled governor might appoint Massa's replacement if Paterson doesn't resign first to which Limbaugh replied:

"Let's assume you're right," Limbaugh responded. "So, David Paterson will become the massa...who gets to appoint whoever gets to take Massa's place. So, for the first time in his life, Paterson's gonna be a massa. Interesting, interesting."

What's so interesting about demeaning a black man?

Tiger to Return to Golf Soon
Two sources speaking on condition of anonymity, say that Tiger Woods will most likely play in the Masters in August. Woods has been seen practicing for two weeks and had swing coach Hank Haney with him over the weekend. [AP]

John Edward's Ex-Aide to Appear in Court Today
Andrew Young, Senator John Edwards' former aide, will appear in court again today, after being sued for invasion of privacy by Edward's mistress, Rielle Hunter. Young was almost sent to jail earlier this week, because he was caught lying about what he had done with Edwards' sex tape. [Forbes.com]

Americans Receive Too Many Tests
In response to the publicly released results of President Barack Obama's medical check-up, recent reports are criticizing the way many in America receive their care. From their viewpoint, Americans are receiving too many tests that often expose them to needless invasive treatments and side effects with very little benefits, if any. According to a medical journal, Americans need to understand that "more care is not necessarily better care." This extends to the rate of cesareans in this country as well. Many doctors are said to request repeat cesareans for women that are also unnecessary but are expensive. These medical journals suggest going back to the old-school advise of exercise, enough sleep and no smoking, rather than undergoing more tests in the name of health. [Yahoo News]

Funeral Home Loses Body
A van outside of a funeral home was towed on Monday, leaving the owner of the vehicle to panic. Unbeknownst to the police officer who ticketed and towed the vehicle, the van not only belonged to the funeral home but also contained a dead body inside of it. The funeral director was finally able to locate his van and quickly explained to the towing company the situation. They released the van back to the owner, who was then able to get the body on the scheduled Miami flight in time. The director plans to fight the $115 ticket and claims that the sign in the van, which identifies the vehicle, fell flat on the dashboard.

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Political pioneer Juanita Goggins never gained the national notoriety of her contemporaries Shirley Chisholm or Barbara Jordan.

In her own corner of the country, though, Goggins, who in 1974 became the first black woman elected to the South Carolina Legislature, became an idol for black women who sought to excel in the male-dominated world of politics.

The 30 years that passed from her greatest electoral success, however, were not kind. Goggins lived a solitary life just a few miles from the Statehouse, where she made history - far removed from her past glory.

Dear Mr. President:

If there was ever a time to get bold about passing health care reform the time is now! Forget bipartisanship and go for broke. You will be rewarded. Not just with the prospect of providing all Americans, regardless of circumstances, with access to affordable health care, but we will finally be rid of the little voice that is conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh.

He is vowing to flee the country if the reform bill is passed.