NATIONAL & WORLD DIGEST February 24, 2008

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Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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WHY THE GOP LOST VOTERS LIKE ME
IMMIGRATION, LATINOS AND THE POLITICS OF FEAR
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02242008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/why_the_gop_lost_voters_like_me_98990.htm
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New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Putin's Iron Grip on Russia Suffocates His Opponents
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia - Shortly before parliamentary elections inDecember, foremen fanned out across the sprawling GAZ vehicle factory here,pulling aside assembly-line workers and giving them an order: vote forPresident Vladimir V. Putin's party or else. They were instructed to phonein after they left their polling places. Names would be tallied, defiancepunished.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/world/europe/24putin.html?scp=4&sq=gay&st=nyt
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What That McCain Article Didn't Say
If a newspaper is going to suggest an improper sexual affair by apresidential candidate, it owes readers more proof than The Times was ableto provide.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/opinion/24pubed.html?ref=opinion
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Somber Clinton Soldiers On as the Horizon Darkens
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has not given up, but she no longer exudesthe supreme confidence that was once her trademark.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/us/politics/24mood.html?hp
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It Must Be Ohio
The Democrats need to articulate a coherent vision for how America cancompete in and benefit from a globalized world.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/opinion/24sun1.html?ref=opinion
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The Audacity of Hopelessness
The Clinton camp has been the slacker in this presidential race, and itscandidate's message, for all its purported high-mindedness, isself-immolating.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/opinion/24rich.html?ref=opinion
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¿Quién Es Less Macho?
The first serious female candidate for president may be rejected by votersdrawn to the more feminine management style of her male rival.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/opinion/24dowd.html?ref=opinion
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Elusive Equality
Gov. Jon Corzine will need political courage, not more dawdling, to achievereal marital equality in New Jersey.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/opinion/24sun3.html?ref=opinion
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After War, New Battle to Become Citizens
Some immigrant members of the military have waited years for theircitizenship applications to be processed.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/us/24vets.html?hp
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Once Immune, Utah Is Feeling Economic Dip
The state's unexpectedly sharp economic knock is a reminder of how globaland local are intertwined.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/us/24utah.html?hp
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Washington Post
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Useful Inexperience
We are the last major nation to make the transition from Cold War thinking.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/22/AR2008022202175.html
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The Obama Enigma
Where would he lead America?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/23/AR2008022301816.html
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Burma's Charade
The junta's plans for a faux democracy
IF YOU haven't been paying close attention, you might think some recentannouncements out of Burma denoted progress in this broken Southeast Asianstate.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/23/AR2008022301817.html
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Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Case May Get Closure
Lawsuit reaches Supreme Court 14 years after Alaskans were granted $5B indamages for 1989 disaster and after thousands of them have died.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/23/AR2008022302354.html?hpid=topnews
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Talk of Change Rings Hollow
Democratic hopefuls are hard-pressed to offer viable, popular solutions forOhio's job losses.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/23/AR2008022302164.html?hpid=topnews
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Cuba's Mini-Capitalists Hopeful
Castro's departure could open doors for nation's budding entrepreneurs,ushering in a new era.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/23/AR2008022302307.html?hpid=artslot&hpid=topnews
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Senators Diverting Campaign Funds to Kin
Loophole in Ethics Rules Is One That the Senate Did Not Close Last Year
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/23/AR2008022302182.html?hpid=moreheadlines
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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Cuba's president to be selected today
When Cuba's National Assembly meets to select the island's highest rulingbodies, Raul Castro is the leading contender to replace his ailing81-year-old brother as president.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/cuba/sfl-flrndcuba0224sbfeb24,0,5585780.story
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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Ray of hope in `world's most dangerous place'
Voters in Pakistan sent Washington a wake-up call last week. The notion thatthe iron rule of Gen. Pervez Musharraf is the only thing that keeps Pakistanfrom falling into the hands of Islamic extremists has governed U.S. policyfor years. On Monday, however, the electorate rejected both Musharraf'sdictatorship and the jihadists in a resounding cry for democracy that oughtto signal the end of this country's all-out support for the general.
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/429270.html
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Obama's success tied to his eloquence By LEONARD PITTS JR.
A few words in defense of words. This, in light of the latest knock on Sen.Barack Obama, which is that, while he's good with words, words are all he'sgot. He is eloquent and inspiring, this analysis goes, but eloquence andinspiration do not a president make.
http://www.miamiherald.com/851/story/429279.html
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Racists remain undeterred
Last week, at a ceremony in the White House commemorating Black History
Month, President Bush condemned two centuries of ''rampant'' lynching inAmerica as ''a shameful chapter'' in our nation's history and, moreover,deplored the rising incidence of nooses in schools, workplaces and themedia. ''The noose is not a symbol of prairie justice,'' he said, ``but ofgross injustice.''
http://www.miamiherald.com/851/story/429885.html
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National Assembly convenes to choose Castro's successor
Nearly 400 new faces in Cuba's National Assembly will choose Cuba's nextpresident. A full 72 percent are too young to have any recollection ofcapitalism. Only a third are incumbents.
http://www.miamiherald.com/457/story/430912.html
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Now that Mexico is officially describing Cuba's newly retired PresidentFidel Castro as an ''outstanding figure,'' the Brazilian president calls hima ''mythical'' leader and the world media are doing verbal pirouettes toavoid calling him a dictator, it's a good time to take a dispassionate lookat Castro's record.
http://www.miamiherald.com/418/story/430868.html
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