Politics

4_112013_abortion-smith.jpg

"Why the blackout?" asked Rep. Christopher H. Smith, New Jersey Republican. "Will America ever be told of the brutality of abortion?" (Associated Press) ** FILE **

4_112013_inchina-daixu-10461.jpg

Senior Col. Dai Xu, a Chinese air force officer, is a prominent voice inside China on military strategy and national security whose extremist views about the U.S. are encouraged by China's tightly controlled mainstream media.

4_112013_defense-budget-10.jpg

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said fierce political resistance last year killed proposals such as base closures and increasing health care enrollment fees, which are included in the White House's $526.6 billion defense budget request. Mr. Hagel, however, noted times have changed, saying, "We are now in a different fiscal environment." (Associated Press)

Michelle Obama Chicago.jpg

First lady Michelle Obama says goodbye to the crowd after speaking during a luncheon at the Chicago Hilton in Chicago, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. The first lady is visiting Chicago for a discussion with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and civic leaders on ways to combat youth violence. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Obama Medal of Honor_Live.jpg

President Barack Obama stands with Ray Kapaun, nephew of Chaplain (Captain) Emil J. Kapaun, U.S. Army, as he awards the Medal of Honor posthumously to Chaplain Kapaun in the East Room of the White House in Washington on April 11, 2013. (Associated Press)

BLOSSOMS_20130411_11204

The Jefferson Memorial lights up under the cherry blossoms around the tidal basin bloom, in Washington, DC., Thursday, April 11, 2013. (Andrew S Geraci/The Washington Times)

BLOSSOMS_20130411_11198

A woman kneels to photograph the Washington Monument framed in cherry blossoms at the tidal basin, in Washington, DC., Thursday, April 11, 2013. (Andrew S Geraci/The Washington Times)

GRAVES_20130411_11120

Brion Freeman of Washington, D.C. helps place grave markers, representing victims of gun violence on the National Mall, Washington, D.C., Thursday, April 11, 2013. Religious leaders around the country begin a 24-hour vigil to honor the victims of gun violence since the shooting in Newtown. Freeman says he lost his brother in 2006 as well as 15 of his friends to gun violence. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

GRAVES_20130411_11119

Thousands of grave markers are placed in the ground to represent victims of gun violence as religious leaders around the country begin a 24-hour vigil on the National Mall to honor the victims of gun violence since the school shooting in Newtown, Conn., Washington, D.C., Thursday, April 11, 2013. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

GRAVES_20130411_11118

Pastor Joseph Bryant of San Francisco, Calif., stands with other religious leaders around the country for a press conference as they begin a 24-hour vigil on the National Mall to honor the victims of gun violence since the school shooting in Newtown, Conn., Washington, D.C., Thursday, April 11, 2013.(Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

GRAVES_20130411_11117

Thousands of grave markers representing victims of gun violence are placed on the National Mall, Washington, D.C., Thursday, April 11, 2013. Religious leaders around the country begin a 24-hour vigil to honor the victims of gun violence since the shooting in Newtown.(Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

GRAVES_20130411_11113

A volunteer, who requested that his name not be published, with Park View Kids Zone in Northwest, helps put down thousands of grave markers to represent victims of gun violence on the National Mall, Washington, D.C., Thursday, April 11, 2013. Religious leaders around the country begin a 24-hour vigil to honor the victims of gun violence since the shooting in Newtown. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

GRAVES_20130411_11112

Bravon Freeman, 18, right, and another volunteer with Park View Kids Zone in Northwest, left, helps put down thousands of grave markers to represent victims of gun violence on the National Mall, Washington, D.C., Thursday, April 11, 2013. Religious leaders around the country begin a 24-hour vigil to honor the victims of gun violence since the shooting in Newtown.(Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

GRAVES_20130411_11111

Religious leaders around the country begin a 24-hour vigil on the National Mall to honor the victims of gun violence since the school shooting in Newtown, Conn., Washington, D.C., Thursday, April 11, 2013.(Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)