Nation: A federal judge in New York ruled that the NSA’s surveillance of phone calls is legal and vital to defense against terrorism. Federal Judge William Pauley threw out a petition by the American Civil Liberties Union. He wrote that, “The right to be free from searches and seizures is fundamental, but not absolute.” Pauley’s decision conflicts with the ruling 10 days ago by a federal judge in Washington who called the surveillance  “almost Orwellian” and probably unconstitutional. The issue appears to be headed to the Supreme Court.

Newtown: Documents released yesterday from the Newtown massacre investigation were heavily redacted, but revealed chilling details. One bathroom had so many bodies in it that the door wouldn’t open. After seeing the inside of the school, police selected paramedics and emergency workers they thought would be able to handle what they were about to see. One police sergeant warned, “This will be the worst day of your life.”

Rocky Mountain: The City of Denver yesterday began issuing its first licenses to sell recreational marijuana. The city awarded eight licenses for retail shops, 30 for growers and four for makers of marijuana-laced cookies and brownies. The doors open at 8am, Jan. 1^st.

The Corps Report: The Marines have put off a requirement that all female recruits be able to do three pullups, the same minimum required for men. The rule was implemented Jan. 1, but so far 55% of female recruits have failed while only 1% of the men are unable to do three pullups. The Marines and Army are trying to prepare for 2016 when women will begin serving in infantry, armor and artillery units, requiring physical strength comparable to men.

World: Twenty-six passengers died early today when an Indian express train caught fire as it rolled through the country’s southern tropical region in the middle of the night. Most of the passengers in the burned car had been sleeping. Authorities believe the cause was an electrical short. India’s extensive train system is in terrible repair because the fares are kept low to accommodate the poor.

Continuing Conflict: Supporters of the banned Muslim Brotherhood set fire to university buildings in Cairo today. One protester was shot dead. And in Syria, a government airstrike in Aleppo killed 20 people in a busy marketplace.

Waste: The US military in Afghanistan is cutting up as many as 2,000 of the million-dollar mine resistant vehicles known as “MRAPS”, rather than spend the money to ship them home. The Pentagon bought 27,000 of the vehicles at a cost of $1 billion and they’ve been credited with saving untold numbers of lives and limbs. But they have too many. It will cost $12,000 apiece to break them up for scrap.

Lucky Duck: The A&E network has bowed to fan pressure and rescinded its suspension of “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson, who had been sent to the penalty box for saying stupid things about homosexuals. As many as 250,000 fans signed a petition demanding Robertson’s reinstatement to the show. Also, his whole family threatened to quit if he didn’t return when the show resumes taping in the spring. Quack, Quack.

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