Vittorio blog

Dice-K donates $1 mn to quake aid

Boston pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is donating $1 million to the Red Sox' official charity for victims of the earthquake and tsunami in his native Japan.

The Red Sox said Friday that his gift to the Red Sox Foundation will be sent to the Japanese Red Cross Society to aid response to the March 11 disaster, which also spawned an atomic crisis thanks to damage to the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Boston's other Japanese hurlers, Hideki Okajima, Junichi Tazawa and Itsuki Shoda, have also made personal donations and joined Matsuzaka, team captain Jason Varitek and others in collecting donations from fans at two spring training games in Florida.

The death toll from Japan's worst post-war disaster had topped 10,000 by Friday, and there was scant hope for 17,500 others still missing.

Matsuzaka, a native of Tokyo, was already a star in Japan when he joined the Red Sox in December 2006, inking a 52 million-dollar, six-year contract.

He became the first Japanese pitcher to start a World Series game as Boston won the Fall Classic in his first Major League season.

"Our efforts on the field are dedicated to all who are suffering from this catastrophe," Matsuzaka said in a videotaped message released by the Red Sox earlier this month. "We are in this together, so we must overcome tragedy together."

John K. Fanney Joins DeMent Askew LLP

The law firm of DeMent Askew announces that Criminal Law Attorney John K. Fanney has joined its Raleigh, N.C., office.

Raleigh, NC (Vocus/PRWEB) February 15, 2011

The law firm of DeMent Askew announces that Criminal Law Attorney John K. Fanney has joined its Raleigh, N.C., office.

has nearly 21 years of experience and is admitted to the North Carolina, U.S. District & Court of Appeals, and Eastern District North Carolina bars.John Fanney has been named in SuperLawyers and recognized by Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Ratings. He is also a Board Certified Specialist in both state and federal criminal law, State Delegate to the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) and a frequent speaker at DWI seminars around North Carolina. He merges his successful criminal law practice with DeMent Askew, an established AV-rated law firm.

DeMent Criminal Law Group is led by Rusty DeMent, who’s attained an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell and was named to Business N.C.'s Legal Elite for criminal law. The addition of Fanney solidifies DeMent Askew as a leading . In addition to their prowess in criminal law, DWI and traffic violations, the firm is also accomplished in civil litigation, personal injury,and real estate.

“We are pleased and excited to have John Fanney join our firm.We’re looking forward to adding his expertise to the services we offer our clients,” says Rusty DeMent.

About DeMent Askew LLP

DeMent Askew, LLP was founded in 1968 by Russell W. DeMent, Jr. and quickly established a reputation for unwavering trial advocacy.Thenow boasts seven attorneys, five partners and two associates, and an exceptionally experienced and professional staff. They stand ready to protect their clients’ rights in civil and criminal litigation in North Carolina’s state and federal courts.

Attorneys at the law firm of DeMent Askew offer legal counsel primarily in the following areas: Criminal defenseDWI/TrafficPersonal injuryCivil litigation

DeMent Askew is proud that the majority of their new clients are referred to them by former, satisfied clients and other law firms in NC.In most cases, they offer free initial consultations so clients can quickly find out what their rights are, and what they can do to help.

Founded in 1968, the lawyers at DeMent Askew, LLP are confident that our exceptional law firm & litigation team can help you find the right solution to your legal problem.For more information about the firm, please go toor call 919-833-5555.

# # #

Rusty DeMent, PartnerDeMent Askew919-833-5555Email Information

Amid Budget Fight and Egypt, Obama Honors Medal of Freedom Recipients

Februaryis known as a time of high stress in theas the presidentprepares its budget proposals for Congress.In 2011, February becamethe month President Obama celebrated the for thein his administration.

Puttingpartisan politics aside, Obama honored 15 individuals with the nation'shighest civilian honor.Recipients included political heavyweights,civil rights activists, artists and sports figures.

Themost humbling award was given posthumously to Dr. Tom Little, anoptometrist in Afghanistan who was murdered by the Taliban.Dr. Littleand his team were providing vision care on a humanitarian mission toAfghanistan to serve those in need of help.His widow received the award on Little's behalf.

Anotherpoignant moment came asreceived hismedal.A civil rights leader in the 1960s, Lewis was instrumental ingetting voting rights passed for African Americans.The man receiving the Medal ofFreedom may have unknowingly had a smallpart in the destiny of the manplacing the award around his neck. Afterward,of being given the high honor.

"It's an impossible dream," Lewis said of having an African-American president.

Perhapsthewas former President George H.W. Bush. Although politically opposed to Obama in several ways, Bush Sr. hasdevoted nearly 70 years of his life to public service going back to histime in the Navy when he signed up on his 18th birthday.The Medal ofFreedom serves as a culmination of Bush's entire life's work.

Otherchoices were close to Obama's heart.Poet Dr. Maya Angelou was awardedthe medal for her outspoken poetry and civil rights activism.Angelouwrote a poem for Obama's inauguration.Maya is also the first name ofObama's sister, named after Angelou herself.

WarrenBuffett was honored for being one of the most successful investors inthe world, not to mention one of the richest individuals.Hisinspiration has made many people become rich by investing their money.

BillRussell and Stan Musial were celebrated for their sportingachievements.Russell played center for the Boston Celtics.Musialshowed up in a Cardinal-red jacket, standing out from the crowd.

Yo-YoMa was honored for his inspiring cellist work and for his time hespends teaching children the art of music.The Grammy-winninginstrumentalist also performed at Obama's inauguration.

Itwas a day and a ceremony where Obama could be surrounded by his closestfriends inside the White House, outside it was a different story. Obama has to deal withand a budget which probably.

Everyfight has heroes.In the struggle for Obama's foreign and domesticagenda, he needed this time out to honor the recipients of the Medal ofFreedom for fighting the good fight.

WilliamBrowning is a research librarian specializing in U.S. politics. Born inSt. Louis, Browning is active in local politics and served as acampaign volunteer for President Barack Obama and Missouri Sen. ClaireMcCaskill.

California man sentenced in murder of 4-year-old

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – A judge has sentenced a California man to 75 years to life in prison for killing a 4-year-old boy and torturing a 17-month-old girl.

Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Edward Bullard sentenced 30-year-old James Lujan of Lompoc on Thursday, after hearing from family members of the 4-year-old victim.

The Santa Maria Times reports the judge said he listened to Lujan's testimony and saw no indication of remorse.

A jury convicted Lujan of second-degree murder in the 2009 killing of Diego Calles, after prosecutors presented evidence that the defendant became annoyed with the boy's potty-training issues and speech impediment, and beat him.

The jury also convicted Lujan of torturing a 17-month-old girl in 2006.

Both victims were children of women Lujan dated.

Judge throws out Padilla suit over alleged torture

CHARLESTON, S.C. – A federal judge has tossed out a lawsuit alleging a man convicted of plotting terrorism was tortured at a Navy brig in South Carolina.

U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel on Thursday ruled Jose Padilla has no right to sue for constitutional violations and that the defendants enjoy qualified immunity.

Gergel's decision said a trial would turn into an "international spectacle" with the nation's present and former leaders summoned to a courtroom to answer Padilla's charges.

The lawsuit named Defense Secretary Robert Gates among others.

It alleged Padilla was illegally detained as an enemy combatant and tortured in the brig by being kept in darkness and isolation, deprived of sleep and religious materials, and kept from family and attorneys.