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Friday, December 23, 2011 – Daily News 7A Syria's Assad seems confident BEIRUT (AP) — Bashar Assad's regime would appear to be setting itself on a collision course: It let in outside observers for the first time Thursday to monitor his commitment to halting the crackdown on dissent, even as his security forces unleashed a fiercer onslaught this week, killing more than 200 in two days. But the Syrian president and his inner circle are vet- erans at playing for time, maneuvering and denying realities on the ground, and they seem confident they can deflect pressure from Arab neighbors without easing their campaign to crush the uprising. As an advance team for the Arab League observers flew into Damascus on Thursday, activists said the regime was already acting to prevent the mission from seeing protesters arrested in the crackdown, which is supposed to be part of its mandate. Thousands of prisoners have been moved into military facilities, which are off limits to the monitors, two dissidents said, citing reports from sources on the ground. WORLD BRIEFING In a motion filed Thurs- day, Edwards' lawyers asked a federal judge to delay the start of the Jan. 30 trial for at least two months. They did not disclose his ill- ness and filed sealed records with the court. ''The Defendant has a medical issue ... that will prevent a trial of this matter during the January 2012 Criminal Term,'' the motion says. ''The failure to grant a continuance would be likely to result in a miscarriage of justice.'' By allowing the observers in, Syria has avoided a worse scenario for the time being, defusing Arab League threats to ask the U.N. Security Council for action against Damas- cus. The strategy, opponents and outside observers say, is to keep international pressure at bay for as long as possible while the regime tries to snuff out the uprising. Activists said given the high death toll of the past few days, the Syri- an government appears to be furiously trying to con- trol the situation on the ground before the full mon- itoring team arrives. Edwards seeks delay RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Former presidential can- didate John Edwards says he has been diagnosed with a medical condition that would make it difficult for him to attend his approach- ing criminal trial over cam- paign finances and is asking for it to be delayed. James W. Tysinger, Jr. M.D. Eye Physician & Surgeon Fellow American Academy of Ophthalmology Have a Magical Christmas! Rio Skin and Body Works Christmas Special $ One hour relaxing Massage and One hour Yonka Facial 99.00 Gift Certificates available. We accept Medical, Medicare & most Insurances Office Hours: Tues-Wed-Thurs 8am-4:30pm Mon & Fri 1pm-4:30pm For Emergencies, After Hours, Week-ends, Call 530-567-5001 345 Hickory St. Red Bluff Tel: (530) 529-4733 Fax: (530) 529-1114 COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR All makes and models. We perform dealer recommened 30K, 60K, 90K SERVICES AT LOWER PRICES Smog Check starting at $ (most cars and pick-ups) 2595 + cert. Pass or FREE retest 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. Members of the defense team could not immediately be reached for comment. Federal prosecutors filed a separate motion opposing the delay, saying they are ready to try Edwards on six felony and misdemeanor counts related to nearly $1 million from wealthy donors used to help hide his pregnant mistress during his 2008 run for the While House. Paul's quirky message draws crowds MAQUOKETA, Iowa (AP) — It's usually a low- key, even quiet affair. Ron Paul enters a room almost furtively, his nar- row shoulders hunched as he takes the stage. For 30 minutes, he delivers something close to an academic lecture on mon- etary policy, the dangers of overseas military entanglements, the power of the free market and, of course, the importance of freedom. ''You have a right to your life, a right to your liberty and the right to the fruits of you labor so you can keep what you earn,'' he says to cheers. The crowd — large by Iowa standards in a Republican presidential race — listens, rapt. The Texas congressman takes questions and poses for a few photos, then disap- pears behind a door. A Paul campaign rally is a decidedly stripped- down affair, with few signs, no theme song and a candidate more com- fortable discussing a return to the gold stan- dard than glad-handing. His libertarian message, given little attention nationally for most of his long political career, has struck a chord this year with voters angry over bank bailouts, gov- ernment dysfunction and the burgeoning federal debt. 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U.S. District Judge Mur- ray Snow will decide whether he will let the case go to trial or settle the dis- pute himself by throwing out the case or declaring that the sheriff uses racial profiling in his immigration enforcement. The suit is among a mounting number of legal challenges against the embattled department, which faced a scathing U.S. Department of Justice report last week. BOOK BARN 619 Oak St., Red Bluff (530) 528-Book 2665 HOLIDAY HOURS Open: Tuesday thru Saturday Dec. 27th to 31st Closed: January 3rd-Jan 7th