Court agrees to God on U.S. money, pledge of allegiance:SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - A federal appeals court in California ruled that the references to God on the United States and the World Bank notes in the pledge of allegiance to the Flag of the United States to be unconstitutional and religious in nature. From two to one margin, and the three judges overturned their 2002 ruling that sided with atheist Michael Newdow that the complaint states God created the debt and violated the constitutional separation between church and state. "We believe it not - the pledge is unconstitutional," the ruling majority, referring to the pledge of allegiance made by children in public schools every morning on the American flag, which includes the line: "one nation under God ..". Pledge was amended in 1954 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower to include a controversial reference to God. The Commission's decision applies to this statement: "In God We Trust," printed on all United States bank note and coin in circulation. "The pledge to unite our nation and serve the wide range of reading through some of the proud of the ideals upon which our republic was founded and which we continue to pursue," said two of the judges. The lone dissenting voice went to the majority of people were wrong to assert that the words "under God" found in 1954 to amend the pledge was just a reference to the limited powers of the Federal Government. "This is, of course, an argument dreamed of my colleagues in any place can be found in the Congressional Record," and said the dissenting judge. "My colleagues apparently forgot that he is the Constitution which defines the restrictions on the authority of the government - not, as far as we have laws in question, and God," the judge added. Contribute a better translation.
'American Idol' pares to 12 finalists:LOS ANGELES - Teen power won on "American Idol" Stevens and Katie a place in the top 12, while a more experienced singer got the ax requested. Stevens, 17, earned viewer support despite the judges of the show earlier this week were disappointed by her performance of "Breakaway" which Randy Jackson compared to karaoke. Scott Lilly, despite earning praise for her artistry on "I Fall to Pieces" was one of the four participants dropped Thursday. They include Alex Lambert of North Richland Hills, Texas; Todrick Hall of Arlington, Texas, and Katelyn Epperly of West Des Moines, Iowa. Scott, who was warned by Simon Cowell that her version of the standard land can be risky, stood on stage next to Stevens to hear which of them would be home. Scott appeared stunned when her name was announced. "I thought I did very well. I put my heart into every performance," says Scott, 20, of Littleton, Colorado "I know there is an audience there for me." Judge Kara DioGuardi, comparing the two, admitted that Stevens of Middlebury, Conn., had the advantage of a more contemporary sound, but not even know themselves as a performer, while Scott did. It was no surprise that the favorite of the court of last week, Michael "Big Mike" Lynch, made the cut. Lynch, 26, of Astoria, NY, especially dazzled the panel Wednesday with his performance of "the work of this woman," which brought tears DioGuardi. The other finalists are Crystal Bowersox, 24, of Toledo, Ohio, Siobhan Magnus, 20, of Marstons Mills, Mass., Lacey Brown, 24, of Amarillo, Texas, Paige Miles, 24, of Houston, Designat Didi, 23, and Los Angeles, Andrew Garcia, 24, Moreno Valley, California, Casey James, 27, of Fort Worth, Texas, Tim Urban, 20, of Duncanville, Texas, Aaron Kelley, 16, of Sonestown, Pa., and Lee Dewyze, 23, of Mount Prospect, Ill. Lambert, 19, who had difficulty overcoming his shyness on stage, looked beaten down and tears when he learned his fate. "There is a lot of things America has not seen me yet," he said, adding, "I wish I could just broken out of my shell. " Judge Ellen DeGeneres gave him a verbal pat on the back. "You're so good. Do not ever stop believing in yourself, "she said. Hall, however, looked on the bright side. "This is a great experience. I came here to prove that I'm not just a dancer, can I sing. I think I've done that," he said, deserve encouragement of Jackson. "Great, man, "said the judge told him. DioGuardi Epperly was criticized for "going through the motions" on her version of "I Feel the Earth Move" earlier this week. Cowell's performance in comparison to evening in a restaurant application, but added that he, like her full , curly locks evoked composer of the song, Carole King. "I'm not stopping now. It's just really a push for me. I do more things, "Epperly said Thursday.
Chile Earthquake Aftershock was so great:
Preferably 7.2-magnitude aftershock that rattled Chile today is nothing unusual weather after such a great original earthquake, scientists say.
The aftershock, which hit at about 11:40 local time, may sound very surprising, because it is larger than the original earthquake that decimated Haiti in January, but it was not unexpected for scientists, said Don Blakeman, a geophysicist with the United States Geological Survey.
The 8.8-magnitude earthquake off the coast of the Maule Region of Chile on February 27 was one of the strongest ever measured. After such a strong quake, aftershocks which themselves are substantially par for the course.
Aftershocks are usually smaller in size than the original quake, with many small aftershocks and a handful more. With an original earthquake that was more than a size 8 in "we would expect at least a couple of 7's," Blakeman told Live Science.
Aftershocks are earthquakes occur because the fault that ruptured in the initial temblor was not updating itself. They are usually within the same zone along a fault that ruptured in the original quake. And "the bigger the earthquake, the greater the aftershock zone," said Blakeman, which explains why the aftershock was not in the same place as the epicenter of the original earthquake. The fault zone for the initial quake was 250 miles (400 kilometer) long, "so it is a very large area," said Blakeman. The aftershock struck about 93 miles (150 km) southwest of the capital Santiago.
Aftershocks can last for weeks or months. They may not always occur, with periods of rest between sequences of aftershocks.
"The kind of runs in spells," said Blakeman.
Not long after the 7.2-magnitude aftershock today, a strong 6.9 aftershock shook the area again.
So far the initial Chile earthquake produced only one aftershock with a 7 in size and about 10 in between 6 and 7, Blakeman said. But "I know we had at least 150 in 5 or more range," he added.
And such great magnitude aftershock that ensures "you'll have much more after that," Blakeman said. "It's like this will have its own aftershock aftershock."
And even though it is farther away in the time of the initial earthquake, the magnitude of the aftershocks will not necessarily dispel. "We can certainly have more in the 7 range," said Blakeman.
* 13 Crazy Earthquake Facts
* Moved Chilean Quake City 10 Feet
* Chile Earthquake May Have Shortened Days on Earth.
