Is Indiana’s Governor Making An ‘About-Face’ On New Law?

Indiana Governor Mike Pence said today that he “mishandled” the passage of a religious freedom law and he now wants a piece of legislation to “clarify” that it does not give anyone the right to discriminate in the state.

“This law does not give anyone a license to deny services to gay and lesbian couples. I could have handled that better this week,” he said, according to ABC News.

The move comes just as the House of Representatives in Arkansas passed amendments to a similar religious freedom bill that is expected to be signed into law when the governor signs the complete version, something that has already announced that he plans to do.

Pence said that he has been working with state legislators and businesses “literally around the clock” to work through the controversy, saying that “discrimination was never part of his plan.”

“I don’t believe for a minute that it was the intention of the general assembly. … It certainly wasn’t my intent but I can appreciate that that’s become the perception … and we need to confront that and we need to confront that boldly,” he said.

The changes that Pence mentioned are expected to be put into a “stripped version” of an election-related bill that is supposed to be debated Wednesday or Thursday by a conference committee. That is what Indiana’s Republican speaker of the House’s spokesman Brian Bosma told ABC News.

Governor Walker Stumbles On Foreign Policy Issues In Interview With ABC News’ Martha Raddatz

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker came into his interview with ABC News’ Martha Raddatz Sunday morning riding a first-place showing in an Iowa GOP poll, perhaps benefiting from the unceremonious exit of Mitt Romney.

Walker seemed to stumble in his interview when ABC News’ Martha Raddatz quizzed him harder than most would on his foreign policy views.


Secular Talk

Pope Draws Record Crowd In Manila

Pope-6

According to ABC News, Pope Francis flew out of The Philippines on Monday after a weeklong trip that included a visit to Sri Lanka and drew what Filipino officials says was a record crowd of 6 million faithful in a Manila park where he celebrated Mass.

President Benigno Aquino III, church leaders and 400 street children yelling “Pope Francis we love you,” saw him off at a Manila air base, where the pontiff, carrying a black travel bag, boarded a Philippine Airlines plane for a flight to Rome.

Standing at the top of the stairs, the pope waved to the crowd, slightly bowed his head, then walked into the plane.

Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos lined Manila’s streets, with police keeping a close watch, to have their final glimpse of Francis, who smiled and waved aboard an open-sided, white popemobile.

Michael Brown’s Parents React To Darren Wilson Interview

Michael Brown’s parents are expressing their frustration after Officer Darren Wilson spoke out about having a “clear conscience” following a grand jury decision not to charge Wilson for the Aug. 9 shooting of their son.

Wilson spoke to ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos on Tuesday, saying, “I know I did my job right.” In the interview, Wilson said he feared for his life as he tried to defend himself against the 18-year-old, who was allegedly throwing punches at him while Wilson was inside his police vehicle.

The altercation then shifted outside the vehicle, where Wilson said Brown charged at him after initially running away. That’s when the fatal shots were fired. Witness accounts heard by the grand jury differed.

TYT video.

Five Pieces of Evidence Ferguson Grand Jury Saw

PHOTO: Ferguson, Mo. police officer Darren Wilsons firearm
Police officer Darren Wilson’s Sig Sauer .40 caliber firearm

Here are 5 pieces of evidence that the Ferguson grand jury saw, according to ABC News:

1) Police Car Damage

The police car’s driver-side window was shattered, and the driver-side mirror was bent towards the car, possibly indicating evidence of a fierce struggle between Wilson and Brown while the officer was still seated in his patrol car.

2) A Witness’ Journal Entry

A journal entry by someone police only identified as “Witness 44” said that Brown charged at Wilson, even after Wilson fired his gun. “The cop just stood there,” the entry read. “Dang if that kid didn’t start running right at the cop like a football player. Head down. I heard three bangs, but the big kid wouldn’t stop.”

3) Wilson’s Medical Examination

Wilson sustained bruising in the face, neck, and scalp areas after “he was hit in the face a couple of times,” according to a police report. Wilson also reported jaw pain, according to a medical examination report.

4) A DNA Analysis Report

A DNA analysis report revealed that Brown’s DNA was found inside Wilson’s car, on the officer’s shirt and pants, and the interior left front door handle.

PHOTO: Ferguson, Mo. police officer Darren Wilson is pictured in evidence photos released by the St. Louis County Prosecutors Office on Nov. 24, 2014.
Ferguson, Mo. police officer Darren Wilson

Brown’s blood was also found on Wilson’s gun, according to the police investigation. That evidence appeared to support Wilson’s claim that Brown punched the officer while Wilson was seated in his car and reached in and struggled over Wilson’s gun. Wilson said he fired twice while in the car.

5) Wilson’s Interview

Wilson testified before the grand jury that he perceived Brown as a direct threat. “He looked up at me and had the most intense aggressive face, it looks like a demon, that’s how angry he looked,” Wilson told the panel.

ABC Darren Wilson Interview

It has been reported that there will be an interview with Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson by George Stephanopoulos this evening.  ABC states it will be on World News Tonight at 6:30 p.m. EST.

CNN video.