262 Days until Election Day
MORNING UPDATE:
State Representative Jack Hoogendyk kicked off his race for the U.S. Senate this weekend. Rocky Raczkowski announced that he was being called up for active duty and will NOT be running for the nomination.
See Jane Abraham’s comments and text of her speech at our state convention here:
http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2008/02/notes-from-jane.html
Our party honored Chuck Yob for his service as our longest serving National Committeeman:
http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2008/02/chuck-yob-honor.html
Newt Gingrich presented his “Platform of the American People” to our State Convention via his video and encouraged our support. Prencilla Smith from Newt’s group, American Solutions, joined us and distributed sign up cards. You can sign up online here:
http://www.americansolutions.com/actioncenter/petitions/?Guid=bf4a5257-45e3-4a94-97fc-57e2d7ecb6f9
On the Presidential front…now we all start speculating about who would be a good Vice President???
FISA: House Democrat leaders blocked a good piece of legislation that would give our intelligence community the tools they need to protect America from a terrorist attack. By blocking this piece of legislation our country is more in danger of an attack. Democrats decided to play politics rather than do what is needed to protect America.
THE REST OF THE STORY:
If Congress lets the Protect America Act expire without passing the bipartisan Senate bill, the Intelligence Community’s ability to obtain vital foreign intelligence information, including the location, intentions, and capabilities of terrorists and other foreign intelligence targets abroad, will be weakened.
The Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General warned Congress of this problem in their letter to Senator
Reid on Feb. 5, 2008, stating in no uncertain terms that “[e]xpiration would result in a degradation of critical tools necessary to carry out our national security mission.”
In particular, if the House permits the PAA expire:
• The Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) would be stripped of their power to authorize new certifications against foreign intelligence targets, including international terrorists, abroad. This means that as terrorists change their tactics to avoid surveillance, we may not have the tools we need to continue tracking them.
• The Attorney General and the DNI may be unable to issue directives to compel the assistance of private entities not assisting the Government now but whose assistance may be needed in the future to collect this foreign intelligence information about terrorists and other threats. This means that the government may be without a means of obtaining information essential to our Nation’s security.
• If a new target fell outside the scope of an existing certification or directive, the Government would be forced to go to the FISA Court to obtain prior court authorization for new collection to acquire the communications of terrorists and other foreign intelligence threats abroad. This means that our intelligence professionals would be operating under the pre-Protect America Act legal framework that resulted in dangerous intelligence gaps.
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STATE STORIES
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http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=7884780&nav=0RbQ
GOP CONVENTION
Posted: Feb 17, 2008 11:14 AM
The majority of Michigan’s Republican presidential delegates say they’re backing Senator John Mccain. The state’s GOP has
wrapped up it’s convention in Lansing, and the party made some key decisions heading into the national convention. The
Michigan Republican Convention is just another step in the race to the White House. Saul Anuzis, Michigan Republican Party
Chairman: “This convention was to elect our delegates to the Republican National Convention.”
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http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/POLITICS01/802180368
State GOP gathers, digs in for 'tough year'
Gordon Trowbridge / Detroit News Washington Bureau
Monday, February 18, 2008
LANSING -- The Michigan Republican Party kicked off its convention here this weekend with a prayer to "deliver us from
liberalism and secular humanism" and for "the election of conservative Republicans." It's unclear whether the Almighty will
be offering any aid come November, but the GOP will need some sort of help if it's to endure what is shaping up as a
difficult 2008 election season.
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http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2008/02/mich_delegates_lean_toward_mccain
Mich. delegates lean toward McCain
By Zack Colman
The State News
Published: February 17, 2008
Lansing — Uniformity characterized the Michigan Republican State Convention on Saturday at Lansing Center. Chairs were
placed neatly with sections separated by 10-foot tall congressional district markers. People eagerly sat, awaiting
encouraging words from their political leaders.
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http://noise.typepad.com/election_countdown/2008/02/levin-to-face-h.html
LSJ BLOGS: Capitol Journal
Levin to face Hoogendyk
It will be Carl Levin vs. Jack Hoogendyk in the race for the U.S. Senate this fall, after the only other Republican to
seriously consider running for the office backed out. Former state Sen. Andrew "Rocky" Raczkowski, whom Levin thumped in the
2002 race, bowed out. He's a major in the National Guard, and he has recently said he may be deployed this year.
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http://www.lenconnect.com/articles/2008/02/17/news/news06.txt
EDITORIAL: Why the parties must pay for future contests
Sunday, February 17, 2008 3:09 PM EST
— At issue: Talk of a new Michigan Democratic contest to pick national convention delegates. Our view: A new contest would be
a slap in the face of state taxpayers. Now that party contests have been exposed as undemocratic, lawmakers should end state
funding for future ones. One more reason has surfaced for Michigan taxpayers to be outraged at the state parties —
especially the Democrats — for last month’s multi-million dollar primary election fiasco: Democratic leaders now are
exploring some sort of do-over.
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http://skoopsblog.blogspot.com/
Sheen Hopes Huckabee Helps
Tim Skubick
Many successful petition drives in this state have had a recognizable figurehead leading the charge for this issue or that.
Think Dick Headlee with his tax limitation amendment and George Romney calling for a new state constitution. Rep. Fulton
Sheen is thinking Mike Huckabee. The Plainwell republican has launched the Fair Tax petition drive and needs 400,000
signatures by July 7th or 2,800 names a day. He predicts Huckabee will be tapped as the running mate with John McCain and
will then campaign in Michigan for the ticket and the Fair Tax.
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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MI_CONSUMER_COMPLAINTS_MIOL-?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
State AG: Credit, financial concerns lead consumer complaints
By DAVID EGGERT
Associated Press Writer
Feb 17, 3:03 PM EST
LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Credit and financial concerns continued to be the top consumer complaints made to the Michigan
attorney general in 2007. Mike Cox's office compiled a top 10 list of consumer complaint categories being released Monday
from more than 20,000 written complaints and inquiries. The department also fielded about 85,700 consumer calls last year.
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http://macombdaily.com/stories/021808/loc_magistrate.shtml
Case of accused magistrate sent to Attorney General
Macomb prosecutors step aside, won't decide possible warrant against Conrad.
By Norb Franz
Macomb Daily Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: Monday, February 18, 2008
Whether a local magistrate should be charged again with drinking and driving could be left for a prosecutor outside Macomb
County to decide. The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, citing its extensive work at the 37th District Court where James
Conrad is the administrator and magistrate, has opted to step aside from considering a warrant stemming from Conrad's arrest
last month on suspicion of drunken driving. In handing off the review, prosecutors last week sent a letter to the Michigan
Attorney General.
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http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/METRO/802180377
City exceeds legal-fee limit for Kilpatrick
Chief lawyer says Detroit overspent for at least one private attorney in whistle-blower suits.
David Josar and Christine MacDonald / The Detroit News
Monday, February 18, 2008
DETROIT -- The city has overspent the limit that the Detroit City Council set for at least one of the private attorneys who
defended Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick in the whistle-blower lawsuits, according to City Hall's chief lawyer. But exactly how much
tax money was spent on attorney Sam McCargo and other contracted attorneys isn't known outside the Law Department, because it
hasn't produced the bills for the council or The Detroit News, which requested them Jan. 14 under the Freedom of Information
Act.
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http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/NEWS01/802180365
Detroit attorney faulted in fire
But it could have been an accident, official says
February 18, 2008
BY BOWDEYA TWEH
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
A Detroit attorney is believed to have caused the Feb. 6 fire that killed him and burned the homes of at least 100 people, as
well as two businesses at the Forest Arms Apartments near Wayne State University, an arson investigator told the Free Press.
"We found that it was a human-caused fire," said Capt. Steve Varnas, a member of the Detroit Fire Department's Arson
Division. And although Varnas said investigators have determined that the source of the fire was not electrical or
mechanical, such as a refrigerator or a microwave, he said how the fire started still is undetermined. It could have been an
accident, he said.
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http://macombdaily.com/stories/021808/loc_blaks.shtml
Suit says blacks slighted by county districting
President of Mount Clemens school board says census data was outdated.
By Christy Strawser
Macomb Daily Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: Monday, February 18, 2008
Macomb County's black residents are unfairly represented in the move toward an executive form of government, according to the
Mount Clemens school board president who filed a lawsuit Friday in the Michigan Court of Appeals. Greg Murray, an outspoken
civil rights advocate, said the Macomb County Board of Commissioners used outdated census figures to draw up districts from
which charter commissioners would be chosen if voters approve the executive proposal in May.
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http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/021708/opi_20080217273.shtml
Legislature should tackle state's mental health issues
By GLENN GILBERT
Of The Oakland Press
PUBLISHED: Sunday, February 17, 2008
The October 2004 report of the Governor's Mental Health Commission has produced several sad lessons but apparently little
else. It is the classic case of a government report gathering dust. Fortunately, due to the watchdog work of the
Southfield-based Mental Health Association in Michigan (MHAM), at least it is not being forgotten.
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http://www.dailypressandargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080217/OPINION01/802170333/1014/OPINION
Rich Perlberg: State’s not only one suffering
Rich Perlberg –Livingston Daily
Michigan’s economy is one of the main reasons why the state government’s budget picture is such a mess. Although it is
tempting to say so — particularly considering the dysfunctional budget battle last year — the reverse isn’t true: Michigan’s
state government isn’t primarily responsible for the state’s dire financial picture. It’s easy to lose this perspective amid
the hyperbole written and spoken about the partisan bickering and budget deficits in Lansing.
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http://www.dailypressandargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080217/NEWS01/802170332/1002
Who saves with privatized administrative posts?
By Lisa Roose-Church
DAILY PRESS & ARGUS
While the Howell Public Schools Board of Education maintains that it is saving money by privatizing three administrators, one
state lawmaker calls the practice an “outrageous abuse.” The administrators — Deputy Superintendent Lynn Parrish, Howell
High School Freshman Campus Assistant Principal Ann Anderson and John Clay, principal at Hutchings Elementary School —
retired from their positions on Dec. 31 and were rehired as privatized employees on Jan. 1.
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http://www.thetimesherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080217/NEWS01/802170302/1002
Lake deal draws near
Compact would limit water use
By NICHOLAS DESHAIS
Times Herald
After compromise and conciliation, the Michigan House and Senate are poised to approve a plan to keep Great Lakes water in
Great Lakes states and to send an agreement that would do so to the supportive hand of Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
“I’d like to have it on the governor’s desk before the spring recess,” said state Sen. Patricia Birkholz, R-Sauga-tuck, who
has lead the Senate’s effort to get the Great Lakes compact signed into law.
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http://blog.mlive.com/citpat/2008/02/county_sees_huge_spike_in_fore.html
County sees huge spike in foreclosures
Posted by By Keith Roberts | Jackson Citizen Patriot
Lingering joblessness and a rash of questionable home lending and borrowing practices have produced what one lawmaker calls a
“cancer in our neighborhoods.” In 2007, Jackson County had a record 1,227 homes entering foreclosure. That’s 40 percent more
than in 2006, more than double the 2005 figure and nearly 13 times what it was in 1997.
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http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080217/NEWS06/80217019
Settlement talks over Michigan foster care lawsuit resume
February 17, 2008
By DAVID EGGERT
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LANSING — A federal class-action lawsuit nearing trial may spell trouble for the state agency responsible for protecting
19,000 abused or neglected children in Michigan. An independent, court-ordered study shows a foster care system riddled with
failures, one so understaffed that a number of children are not getting routine medical and dental exams — or worse.
http://www.monroenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080217/NEWS01/885482283/-1/NEWS
DTE moving ahead with Fermi 3 plan
By: Charles Slat story updated February 16. 2008 10:33PM
The utility still is engaged in a study that might lead to construction of a new nuclear power plant it says will be needed
to meet future power demands. Though Michigan’s economy is sputtering, DTE Energy is continuing to plan for a new nuclear
power plant near its existing Fermi 2 reactor near Newport, encouraged by federal energy policy and persuaded that
electricity demand will grow.
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http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080217/OPINION02/802170549/1068/OPINION
Don’t forget the art of state success
February 17, 2008
By NEETA DELANEY
Something and someone very important were left out of Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s State of the State speech last month. Michigan
is much more than beautiful and bountiful. The governor talked enthusiastically about the role the state’s natural resources
can play in restoring Michigan to economic prosperity and national prominence. We must invest in those unique strengths that
differentiate us—in her words, our “wind, water and woods”—to rebuild the Michigan economy. With all due respect to the
governor, we believe two important elements were left out of her vision. In order to advance Michigan as a destination for
tourism and business, we must invest in and promote our state’s cultural resources.
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http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/505737.html?nav=5006
It’s rally time
Sportsmen question DNR, DEQ operations
By JOHN PEPIN, Journal Staff Writer
POSTED: February 17, 2008
MARQUETTE — More than 300 angry sportsmen packed a meeting room at the Ramada Inn in Marquette Saturday, trying to galvanize
support for an overhaul of the inner management and fiscal workings of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “We
want better service and we want better response for the people,” said Rory Mattson, executive director of the Delta
Conservation District, talks to a packed room Saturday at the Ramada Inn in Marquette. The crowd had gathered for a
sportsmen’s rally, hoping to help facilitate better management and fiscal responsibility from the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. "The Yoopers are mad.”
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http://www.rightmichigan.com/
You Have a Right to Remain Silent .....
By wctaxpayer, Section News
Posted on Sun Feb 17, 2008 at 08:26:33 PM EST
(Promoted by Nick... yikes!)
Two petitioners were unagressively collecting signatures for the Recall of Speaker Andy Dillon in front of the Redford Post
Office. A fancy car pulls up and out jumps three well dressed men. They go into the post office and register a complaint. An
interested observer asked who made the complaint about the petitioners and was told by security that it was none other than
the R. Miles Handy the Redford Twp. Supervisor. I did not see him, so this is hearsay. I suggest that you call him at
313-387-2705 and find out if it was really him or you can email him at supervisor@redfordtwp.com. The petioners left the post
office and called me, as they were told to do.
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http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/NEWS04/802180325/1312
Short-staffed state police see cases pile up
Victims, lawyers, defendants wait longer for results
Published February 18, 2008
[ From Lansing State Journal ]
Chris Andrews
Lansing State Journal
The accident occurred in May. Police believe Russell Dunham was drunk and speeding in an Eaton County accident that killed
two people. Dunham was charged in August, but prosecutors didn't get word of the DNA test results on an air bag until late
last month - eight months after the accident and barely a week before the case was scheduled for trial.
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http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/METRO/802180379
Fouled lakes spark fertilizer debate
Jim Lynch / The Detroit News
HARRISON TOWNSHIP -- The small cove along Lake St. Clair where James and Dawn Doran bought their dream home was meant for
swimming and boating. Instead, a gradual six-year buildup of vegetation and slime starting at the water's edge has rendered
it virtually useless -- and the couple believe phosphorus is to blame. The naturally occurring nutrient found in
fertilizers, detergents, manure and faulty septic systems often makes its way into the Clinton River through runoff and
seepage, and eventually into Lake St. Clair.
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http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/AUTO01/802180376
Minority suppliers face peril
Plastech's troubles highlight growing risks for auto parts makers
Eric Morath / The Detroit News
Monday, February 18, 2008
Plastech Engineered Products Inc., the largest U.S. minority-owned auto parts maker, is fighting for more than its survival
this week in bankruptcy court. The Dearborn-based company's struggle symbolizes the troubles besetting many minority-run
suppliers in today's turbulent auto industry and threatening their viability. The headwinds causing layoffs, bankruptcies
and consolidation throughout the supply chain typically hit minority-run companies even harder because they are privately
held and tend to be smaller, regional and niche players. Their size makes them less able to absorb rising health care and raw
material costs than larger, more global suppliers, which can spread those costs across multiple markets and industries, but
they face the same cost-cutting pressures from automakers.
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http://www.record-eagle.com/local/local_story_048094914.html
Meijer's ties to nonprofit at issue
Critics question if group was a front for retailer
By Brian McGillivary
bmcgillivary@record-eagle.com
TRAVERSE CITY -- Meijer Inc. critics are questioning whether the Grand Rapids-based retailer used a public relations firm to
create a "grassroots" support group as a front to tamper with two local elections. Acme Taxpayers for Responsible Government
aligned itself with Meijer in township elections in 2005 and in 2007, elections that state and local officials are
scrutinizing for possible violations of Michigan campaign finance laws and other crimes.
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NATIONAL STORIES
http://www.gop.com/News/NewsRead.aspx?Guid=3dbc7326-fb49-43fc-b287-d3174b55cdbb
Official RNC Statement on Protect America Act Expiration
WASHINGTON – RNC Chairman Robert M. “Mike” Duncan released the following statement at midnight tonight:
“Americans sleep easier at night knowing intelligence officials work around the clock monitoring terrorists. But while
Americans slept tonight, our intelligence agencies lost a vital tool because of the Democrats’ unwillingness to act. Both
Senators Clinton and Obama want to lead the Democrat Party, yet they showed no leadership before Congressional Democrats went
on vacation. How can Clinton and Obama hope to be Commander in Chief, yet allow vital terrorist-monitoring tools to go
silent? While it remains to be seen if Congress’s failure will have life-or-death consequences, there’s no doubt it will
have political consequences for Obama and Clinton.”
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http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0215/p02s01-uspo.html
McCain still fighting for conservative GOP support
By Linda Feldmann | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
Washington-Now Rush Limbaugh says he’s doing Sen. John McCain a favor. By crashing down hard on the likely Republican
presidential nominee for not being far enough to the right, the conservative talk-radio host maintains he is making Senator
McCain more competitive among Independents and moderates. There may be some truth to that, analysts say, but in the end,
winning over conservatives remains central to McCain’s ability to win in November. If the base of the GOP isn’t enthusiastic
about its nominee, its foot soldiers won’t work for his campaign and may not be motivated enough to vote in November. That
could be so particularly if Sen. Hillary Clinton, the ultimate unifier of Republicans, is not the Democratic nominee.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080217/NATION/2992575/0/FRONTPAGE
Clinton’s attacks on Obama’s oratory called into question
By Donald Lambro
February 17, 2008
One of the sharpest tactics in Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s presidential campaign arsenal is to belittle the value of rival
Sen. Barack Obama’s oratorical skills, an attack strategy that Democratic observers say isn’t smart and isn’t working.
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http://www.mlive.com/elections/national/index.ssf?/base/politics-13/1203323944271740.xml&storylist=elections
McCain advisers chart a new direction
2/18/2008, 3:44 a.m. EST
By LIZ SIDOTI
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — John McCain's presidential campaign has been likened to a pirate ship: A feisty captain, rhetorical saber
in hand, leading a fiercely loyal crew against his Republican primary opponents. The five experienced hands who navigated
McCain's candidacy back from the brink of death are now charting the course toward the general election. All volunteers, his
top advisers spent the weekend in Arizona plotting the transition.
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http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/COLUMN0703/802180306/1064
McCain, Obama and Clinton risk turning off voters
RON EACHUS
February 18, 2008
Even though the presidential nominating pictures in the Republican and Democratic parties are drastically different, both
face big risks between now and their summer nominating conventions. Each will have to guard against a worst-case scenario
that could undermine their ability to win in November. On the Republican side, Sen. John McCain is the presumptive nominee.
This would seemingly give him an advantage in that he has the freedom to concentrate his campaign on running against the
Democrats instead of challengers within his own party. Yet he still faces a dilemma: How can he shore up the conservative
base in his party and still maintain his appeal to a broader electorate?
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http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/BUSINESS05/802180350
Airline merger has pilots' future up in the air
Seniority issue among most pressing at NWA, Delta
February 18, 2008
BY KATHERINE YUNG and MARGARITA BAUZA
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITERS
It's one of the trickiest issues in any airline merger: How do you develop a seniority list for pilots from different
carriers? The task has emerged as one of the biggest challenges facing efforts to combine Northwest Airlines and Delta Air
Lines to create the world's largest airline. For pilots, seniority means everything. It determines not just their pay and
work schedules, but where and what they fly. In tough times, it's the difference between who gets furloughed and who doesn't.
And it's seniority that keeps pilots loyal to one airline throughout their careers.
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http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1305736,00.html
Violence Sparked By Kosovo’s Split
Updated:02:42, Monday February 18, 2008
The newly-declared nation of Kosovo is facing an uncertain future after the UN said it “could not agree on the way forward”
for the country. Britain and other major European powers are expected to announce their recognition of the independent
Kosovo on Monday. But Serbia and Russia have rejected the split, with Russia calling a UN emergency meeting in order to urge
it to annul Kosovo’s declaration.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080217/ap_on_re_eu/russia_kosovo
Russia denounces Kosovo declaration
By STEVE GUTTERMAN, Associated Press WriterSun Feb 17, 4:05 PM ET
Russia denounced Kosovo’s independence declaration Sunday, warning that the move threatened to ignite a new conflict in the
Balkans and calling on NATO and U.N. officials in the territory to nix the decision. Russia requested a meeting of the U.N.
Security Council, which held closed-door talks Sunday afternoon. Russia, which has veto power on the council, wants the
council to renew efforts — long-since pronounced dead by the U.S. and other Western nations — to reach a negotiated
settlement of Kosovo’s status.
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http://ap.washingtontimes.com/dynamic/stories/K/KOSOVO_INDEPENDENCE?SITE=DCTMS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-02-17
-19-48-33
Kosovo Declares Independence From Serbia
By WILLIAM J. KOLE and NEBI QENA
Associated Press Writers
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) -- Revelers fired guns, waved red-and-black Albanian flags and set off fireworks over Kosovo Sunday
after parliament proclaimed independence in defiance of Serbia and Russia, which condemned the declaration of the world’s
newest nation. A decade after a bloody separatist war with Serbian forces that claimed 10,000 lives, lawmakers pronounced
the territory the Republic of Kosovo and pledged to make it a “democratic, multiethnic state.” Its leaders looked for swift
recognition from the U.S. and key European powers - but also braced for a bitter showdown.
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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/P/PAKISTAN?SITE=DCTMS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-02-17-22-13-36
Pakistan Holds Crucial Elections
AP Top News at 10:15 p.m. EST
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistanis began voting Monday for a new parliament in elections shadowed by fears of violence and
questions about the political survival of President Pervez Musharraf - America’s key ally in the war on terror. Musharraf was
re-elected last October to a new five-year term, but the retired general faces growing public anger over his moves last year
to declare emergency rule, purge the judiciary and curb independent media.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/17/AR2008021700176.html?wpisrc=newsletter
Independence Is Proclaimed By Kosovo
Serbia Condemns Break; U.S. Recognition Expected Gallery Emotions Run High as Kosovo Declares Independence
By Peter Finn
Washington Post Foreign Service
Monday, February 18, 2008; Page A01
PRISTINA, Kosovo, Feb. 17 -- A new state emerged from the long and bloody unraveling of Yugoslavia when the Serbian province
of Kosovo declared independence on Sunday. Its ethnic Albanian leaders promised to embrace Kosovo's embittered Serb minority
and forge a multiethnic, democratic nation. Tiny Kosovo, poor and mostly Muslim but feverishly pro-Western, declared
independence from Serbia on Sunday, ending a long chapter in the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia, a war that killed 10,000
people and years of limbo under U.N. rule. Many celebrated, but others protested.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/17/AR2008021702186.html?wpisrc=newsletter
Delay Of Report Is Blamed On Politics
Document Suggests Public Health Risks Near Great Lakes
By Kari Lydersen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, February 18, 2008; Page A03
CHICAGO -- The lead author and peer reviewers of a government report raising the possibility of public health threats from
industrial contamination throughout the Great Lakes region are charging that the report is being suppressed because of the
questions it raises. The author also alleges that he was demoted because of the report. The Cuyahoga River in northeast Ohio
is highlighted in an unreleased public health report. The lead author said the report played a significant part in his
demotion. The Cuyahoga River in northeast Ohio is highlighted in an unreleased public health report. The lead author said
the report played a significant part in his demotion.
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http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/02/17/beef.recall/index.html
USDA orders recall of 143 million pounds of beef
(CNN) -- A slaughterhouse that has been accused of mistreating cows agreed Sunday to recall 143 million pounds of beef in
what federal officials called the largest beef recall in U.S. history. Officials said this is the largest recall in the
United States, surpassing a 1999 recall of 35 million pounds. Keith Williams, a U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesman,
said investigators have found no cases of illness related to the recalled meat. But Dick Raymond, the undersecretary of
agriculture for food safety, said there was a "remote probability" that the meat from the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing
Company in Chino, California, could cause illness in humans.
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http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/
Edwards and Obama before the Des Moines Register debate in December.
February 17, 2008
Edwards and Obama meet
Posted: 04:20 PM ET
CNN's Candy Crowley reports that former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards met with Barack Obama today at
Edwards' home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Hillary Clinton also met with Edwards at his home recently. Both Obama and
Clinton are seeking the endorsement of the former North Carolina senator.
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http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/18/bush.africa.ap/index.html
Bush promotes U.S. role in war on malaria
ARUSHA, Tanzania (AP) -- President Bush, savoring his healer-in-chief role, spent Monday promoting U.S. aid to Africa where a
mere mosquito bite can be fatal. On his second day in Tanzania, Bush moved from the Indian Ocean port of Dar es Salaam to
the northern highlands of Arusha, an area known as a cradle of African safari adventure. Bush landed here, in sight of the
majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, and was greeted by Massai women dancers who wore purple robes and white discs around their necks.
The president joined their line and enjoyed himself, but held off on dancing. His theme is the prevention of malaria, a
parasitic disease that is particularly lethal to young children and pregnant women. Bush and first lady Laura Bush began the
day touring a hospital and later planned to visit a mill that makes mosquito bed nets.
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http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/02/13/iraq.wheelchairs/index.html
Disabled Iraqi children get wheelchairs, big smiles
By Carol Jordan and Arwa Damon
CNN
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Mothers cradle children in their arms. Fathers smile softly at the helpless bodies they hold. Other
parents are bent over from the weight of their teenage kids whose legs fall limp, almost touching the ground. In the absence
of basic medical equipment, these parents do this every day. Khaled is a father of three. On this day, his young daughter,
Mariam, is getting fitted for her new wheelchair. Her arms and legs are painfully thin, little more than skin and bone. She's
7 years old, but looks barely half that. She and both her siblings, a sister and brother, suffer from varying degrees of
polio. None of them can walk.
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