As we observe a somber anniversary, let's also recognize the leadership shown by the late President Gerald Ford on this particular occasion. Once Congress had rightly declined to act earlier on his proposed military aid package to the tottering and dysfunctional Saigon regime, he wisely bowed to the inevitable and stoutly resisted the vigorous calls of his own party's hawkish right -- led by an increasingly bellicose Ronald Reagan -- to re-intervene militarily in Vietnam.

In a generally underappreciated speech to students at Tulane University on April 23, 1975, only one week before the fall of Saigon, Ford not only fired a warning shot directly across his future rival's bow, but also clearly articulated the effective limits of U.S. military and political intervention in other places around the world, which is something our leaders today really ought to revisit and reconsider:

"Today, America can regain the sense of pride that existed before Vietnam. But it cannot be achieved by refighting a war that is finished, as far as America is concerned. [...] We, of course, are saddened indeed by the events in Indochina. But these events, tragic as they are, portend neither the end of the world nor of America's leadership in the world.

"Let me put it this way, if I might. Some tend to feel that if we do not succeed in everything everywhere, then we have succeeded in nothing anywhere. I reject categorically such polarized thinking. We can and we should help others to help themselves. But the fate of responsible men and women everywhere, in the final decision, rests in their own hands, not in ours."

A prisoner sharing a police transport van with Freddie Gray told investigators that he could hear Gray "banging against the walls" of the vehicle and believed that he "was intentionally trying to injure himself," according to a police document obtained by The Washington Post.

The Atlantic:

Jayne Miller, a reporter for WBAL-TV, disputed the prisoner's claims on Twitter. She argues that Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts told her the second prisoner in the police van said Gray had been "mostly quiet" during the ride and there had been "no evidence" of Gray banging his head against the van.

R.I.P. Jean Nidetch, the founder of
WeighWaters.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
Thursday, April 30, 2015   

Mayor Rawlings-Blake Announces Baltimore Police Department Has Delivered the Results of its Investigation into the Death of Mr. Freddie Gray to Baltimore City State's Attorney

BALTIMORE, Md. (April 30, 2015)--Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced that the Baltimore Police Department has delivered the results of its initial investigation into the death of Mr. Freddie Gray to the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office:

"This morning, the Baltimore Police Department delivered the results of its investigation into the death of Mr. Freddie Gray to the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office.

The criminal investigation into Mr. Gray's death is now in the hands of the Office of the State's Attorney, which is also conducting its own independent investigation. The State's Attorney will determine whether to file criminal charges.

Once the criminal investigation is complete, an internal disciplinary Police Department process can begin.

Even as the Baltimore City State's Attorney conducts her investigation, it is important to remember that another outside, independent investigation is also taking place by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The family of Mr. Gray wants answers. I want answers. Our entire city deserves answers into Mr. Gray's death.

I ask that everyone remain patient and vigilant on this path to justice."

Sources said the medical examiner found Gray's catastrophic injury was caused when he slammed into the back of the police transport van, apparently breaking his neck; a head injury he sustained matches a bolt in the back of the van.

Details surrounding exactly what caused Gray to slam into the back of the van was unclear. The officer driving the van has yet to give a statement to authorities. It's also unclear whether Gray's head injury was voluntary or was a result of some other action.

Sources said the medical examiner found Gray's catastrophic injury was caused when he slammed into the back of the police transport van, apparently breaking his neck; a head injury he sustained matches a bolt in the back of the van.

Details surrounding exactly what caused Gray to slam into the back of the van was unclear.

It's also unclear whether Gray's head injury was voluntary or was a result of some other action.

The officer driving the van has yet to give a statement to authorities.

What????

Lowry asked Bush, "... is there any policy or anything public officials can do to help turn back what has been a rising tide of family breakdown crossing decades now?"

"Absolutely, there is," Bush, a likely 2016 Republican presidential candidate, said. "It's not exactly the core. My views on this were shaped a lot on this by Charles Murray's book, except I was reading the book and I was waiting for the last chapter with the really cool solutions -- didn't quite get there."

Later in the interview, Lowry asked Bush what he likes to read. Again, he cited Murray.

"I like Charles Murray books to be honest with you, which means I'm a total nerd I guess," Bush said.

"Menino's FBI file numbered 28 pages and included one perfunctory corruption investigation that was ultimately declared unfounded. The alleged offense? Menino was captured on camera supposedly trying to shake down the telecommunications giant Sprint -- to donate $25,000 to buy T-shirts for a youth basketball league."

Blues legend B.B. King was in hospice care Friday at his home in Las Vegas, according to a longtime business associate with legal control over his affairs.

The 89-year-old musician posted thanks on his official website for fans' well-wishes and prayers after he returned home from a brief hospitalization, said Laverne Toney, King's longtime business manager and current power-of-attorney.

"Mr. King is where he wishes to be," Toney said. "He's always told me he doesn't want to be in a hospital. He wants to be at home."

• "NOOOO!!!"
  
• "BOOOoooo...!!"
  
• "Brings back painful memories of that idiotic logo change proposal from 25 years ago."
  
• "Build it in San Jose and they will come. Dress them in black and they will become tough. Yeah, right."
  
• "Those uniforms look like an ugly Halloween costume that kids will refuse to wear."
  
• "Just downright ridiculous and disgusting!"
  
• "Someone has to be smokin' something to think these are uniforms."
  
• "Great! Now when they play the Seahawks, they'll actually look like the speedbumps they are!"

There's already a Bay Area team that has long worn black, and they're called the Oakland Raiders. And after yesterday's announcement, they decided to have a little fun at the 49ers' expense.