Va Senator Creigh Deeds stabbed, in critical condition; son dead -- UPDATED

In a heartbreaking turn of events, news is breaking all over social media that Virginia State Senator Creigh Deeds was stabbed this morning and his son is dead from a gunshot wound at their home.

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, is in critical condition after being stabbed in his home and his son Gus is dead from a gunshot wound, law enforcement sources told the Richmond Times-Dispatch this morning.

Deeds is being treated at the University of Virginia Medical Center.

Reporter Julie Carey has reported on Twitter:

#VA State Police say after stabbing his father, St. Sen. Deeds' son killed himself in Bath County. Deeds listed in serious condition 2/2
— Julie Carey (@JulieCareyNBC) November 19, 2013

Creigh Deeds is a long-time representative for citizens in western Virginia and at one time was delegate for western Augusta County before the 20th House District was added in 2001.

In 2005 Deeds ran for attorney generation as the Democratic candidate against Republican Bob McDonnell in a contest that ended in a recount. McDonnell won with just over 300 votes.

Four years later Deeds again ran against McDonnell for governor. McDonnell won in a landslide and swept the top three.

Prayers go to Senator Deeds and his family at this tragic time.

3:30 p.m. Richmond Times-Dispatch has an updated article about the tragedy.

It's Smokey Bear's birthday with a party on Twitter

It's Smokey Bear's birthday but this Boomer bear is keeping current as he celebrated with a party on Twitter Friday afternoon. From 1-2:00 p.m. @Smokey_Bear, the 69-year-old interacted with fans in an interesting mix of nostalgia and reminders of fire safety tips to prevent wildfires as birthday greetings came in from across the nation.

In what was the highlight of my day, my tweet was answered by Smokey and I got a virtual Smokey Bear hug! For just a moment or so I was six years old again.

Happy Birthday @smokey_bear! True story of a cub rescued from forest fire ... became icon advocating fire safety for millions.
— Lynn R. Mitchell (@swacgirl) August 9, 2013

@swacgirl True #SmokeyBearHug <|:') \ / <
— Smokey Bear (@smokey_bear) August 9, 2013

And, oh yeah, I signed his birthday card, too.

Perhaps the most interesting piece of information gleaned from the exchange was the question, "Have wildfires increased over the last few year or has social media and TV coverage just made us more aware of them?"  Smokey's response: "Since 1950s, gone from 22 million wildland acres burned to less than 7 million today. There are differences in local conditions."

Smokey signed off from his birthday party on Twitter:

This has been the best 69th Birthday a bear could ask for. Thanks for joining in! #SmokeyBDay
— Smokey Bear (@smokey_bear) August 9, 2013

And he followed up with one last reminder....

And, remember, only you can prevent wildfires. On #SmokeyBDay and on every day of the year.
— Smokey Bear (@smokey_bear) August 9, 2013

Happy Birthday, Smokey! See you next year....

NY Times: 'The administration has now lost all credibility'

Facebook and Twitter lit up Thursday as a line in a New York Times editorial many never thought they would see was posted over and over like wild fire.

"The administration," the Times wrote in the opinion piece titled President Obama's Dragnet, "has now lost all credibility."

Reactions were swift and nationwide, and by Friday morning the line had been edited to read, "The administration has now lost all credibility on this issue."

Politico's Dylan Byers noted the change in wording that quietly took place Thursday night and, as he noted, "No correction or explanatory note was appended."

On Friday Byers wrote about the change and why it doesn't lessen the damage to the Obama administration:

"The change was for clarity's sake," Andrew Rosenthal, the Times editorial page editor, told POLITICO on Friday morning. "It was clear from the context of the editorial that the issue of credibility related to this subject and the final edit of the piece strengthened that point."

The "issue" in question is the Obama administrations' oft-repeated claim that an overreach of power -- from secret orders to kill an American suspected of terrorism to the subpoenas of reporters phone records to the collection of Americans' phone and now Internet data -- is required in order to keep Americans safe.

To the Times' critics, and to Obama's, the change may seem like an attempt to soften the blow. It shouldn't: The Times is still unequivocal in its condemnation of the president's abuse of his executive power. That is the important point, and it remains unchanged.

"The administration has now lost all credibility...."