Grapevine: Murder suspect's incriminating tattoo

Man asks to have mirror image of the word 'murder' removed or covered before trial

Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine...

HRC + QDDR = ?

Apparently one of Hillary Clinton's initiatives as secretary of state did not work out as well as hoped.

Yesterday, the state department launched its second-ever Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR) a self-assessment of its diplomatic efforts and goals originated under Clinton.

So, one journalist had what appeared to be a pretty simple request for spokeswoman Jen Psaki.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATT LEE, ASSOCIATED PRESS: Off the top of your head, can you just identify one tangible achievement that the last QDDR resulted in?

JEN PSAKI, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKEPERSON: Well, Matt, obviously it's an extensive, expansive process.

LEE: So, no?

PSAKI: I am certain that those who were here at the time, who worked hard on that effort, could point out one.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

One of the primary goals of the QDDR, when launched in 2010, was to increase accountability at the State Department.

Earlier this month, an inspector general's report revealed the department is responsible for $6 billion in missing or incomplete files over the past six years.

Just Dew It

An elementary school principal in Florida, whose students have done very well on standardized tests for years will have to come up with a new way to do it.

A local TV station reports a parent has objected to the principal's practice of offering students small amounts of Mountain Dew to keep up their energy levels.

The school has consistently been at the top of the class with some of the highest test scores around.

The school says it will stop the practice.

Think Before You Ink

And finally, a man on trial for murder in Kansas is re-thinking his choice of neck tattoo.

Jeffrey Chapman is asking to have the mirror image of the word "murder" removed or covered up by a professional tattoo artist before jury selection starts next week.

Prosecutors do not have a problem with the request, but the sheriff's department does not want to transport Chapman to the tattoo parlor.

Under Kansas law, tattoo artists can only practice in licensed facilities.