WASHINGTON – Declaring that the major-party candidates have failed to offer voters real change, former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr of Georgia jumped into the presidential race yesterday under the Libertarian Party banner.
Barr, a former Republican who switched parties two years ago, said the federal government has grown too big, too costly and too intrusive in the years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
He said he is running “to let the American people know that they are going to have a choice” of a candidate who would shrink the size and scope of government and start bringing home U.S. troops from Iraq and other posts around the world. Barr said he was not trying to be a “spoiler” for presumed Republican nominee Sen. John McCain, whom he criticized as a “status quo” candidate.
Cox News Service
Wildfires damage
50 homes in Florida
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Dry, windy weather fueled several wildfires on Florida's central Atlantic coast yesterday, damaging more than 50 homes and driving hundreds of residents away as the governor declared a state of emergency.
Fires in Palm Bay in Brevard County damaged the homes and scorched 3,500 acres. Students at two schools were released early as a precaution. “Every time I turn around another house is on fire. We don't have enough resources on our own to do a job like this,” said Palm Bay spokeswoman Yvonne Martinez.
The Florida Highway Patrol shut down a 34-mile stretch of Interstate 95 in Brevard County. U.S. Highway 1 also was closed in that area, and it was not known when it would reopen, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
Associated Press
Crime-fighting lacks
money, official says
WASHINGTON – Violent crime has increased in some cities in recent years in part because local police are too cash-strapped to fight it, the ATF chief said yesterday.
The comments by Michael J. Sullivan, acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, echoed pleas by mayors across the country for more federal dollars to combat crime.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Sullivan called battling violent crime the ATF priority and said the agency is trying to help cities with federal task forces and technology.
Sullivan also said many cities no longer have enough police officers to respond to calls as quickly as they once did.
Associated Press
Air traveler ticketed
over cell phone use
DALLAS – A Southwest Airlines passenger who refused to get off his cell phone during a flight found Dallas police waiting for him yesterday.
Southwest officials had summoned police, who met the jet when it arrived at Love Field from Austin. Southwest spokeswoman Brandy King said flight attendants had repeatedly asked the man to get off the phone while airborne.
Police said Joe David Jones, 50, of Austin, was cited for disorderly conduct.
Associated Press
First-class stamp
now costs 42 cents
WASHINGTON – An extra penny for your thoughts.
Mailing a letter costs a penny more this week, as the price of a first-class stamp rose to 42 cents yesterday.
The cost to mail a postcard also went up a penny, to 27 cents.
Associated Press
