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February 13, 2012 | | TRAGIC The exact cause of Whitney Houston’s death remains a matter of speculation as toxicology reports are weeks away. But bottles of Xanax were reportedly found in her hotel room. Can people overdose on the drug? Casey Schwartz looks at what the sedative actually does, and how mixing it with alcohol can be fatal. CASH-STRAPPED It’s not expected to become law, but the fight over President Obama’s 2013 budget and the ideas in it has nevertheless begun. In an address at a community college in Annandale, Va., the POTUS announced his plan for the fiscal future that was more like a reelection speech, and recalled the confidence he had during his 2008 campaign. He touted that “over the last 23 months, we’ve added 3.7 million new jobs,” he said. “The recovery is speeding up. He called for more taxes on millionaires, including on the dividends they make, saying it’s “not class warfare” but “common sense.” The budget that he unveiled will call for $3.8 trillion in spending, and exceeds his promise of annual deficits of $600 billion every year, showing that Obama wants to put austerity on hold and put the economy back on track. The president said legislative complacency is not an option, and called on lawmakers to pass a further extension of the payroll-tax cut before this month “without drama and without delay and without linking it to other ideological issues.” Good luck with that. ESCALATE Israel is blaming Iran for two bombings Monday on its embassies in India and Georgia that injured at least four people, including the wife of an Israeli ambassador. Near simultaneous attacks targeted diplomats in New Delhi and Tbilisi, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Iran and its Lebanese proxy, Hizbullah. But Iran has denied responsibility. Iran has vowed revenge for the recent assassinations of nuclear scientists, and Hizbullah has been pledging to avenge the killing of one of its leaders four years ago. Money’s Tight Last week it was revealed that Newt Gingrich’s recent absence from the airwaves was due to a significant lack of funds, as major financier Sheldon Adelson has locked away his checkbook for the time being. With no intention of giving up the race for the GOP nomination, Gingrich has put out a new ad that aims to recruit donors. This is, after all, “the most important election in this country since 1860,” Gingrich says as he looks longingly at the Statue of Liberty. “It takes you to be with me, not just for me” to be able to win, he tells the audience before the ad outright requests donations. LEEWAY A judge ruled Monday that former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky is allowed to see some of his grandchildren while under house arrest awaiting trial for child sex assault. Sandusky can see eight of his 11 grandchildren, Judge John Cleland said. The decision for his other three grandkids will rest with another judge, Cleland said. The mother of those children has strongly opposed them having contact with Sandusky. The 68-year-old awaits a May 14 trial and has claimed he is innocent of the charges. Cleland also ruled the Sandusky does not have to stay indoors under his house arrest, and is allowed to leave his home for pre-approved meetings with lawyers and investigators. Sandusky's lawyer, Joe Amendola, released a statement saying the former coach and his family are "very relieved by and pleased" with the court's rulings. "Jerry pursued visitation with his grandkids because they missed him and wanted to see him and communicate with him," Amendola said. | | 
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