NATIONAL & WORLD DIGEST - August 02, 2008

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New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Editorial: Time, Finally, for Real Fuel Economy
The political landscape is littered with squandered opportunities to avertthe $4-a-gallon gasoline mess we find ourselves in now. Americans would beusing far less gas - and consumers and the automobile industry would be muchbetter off - if Congress had summoned the wisdom and political courage 20,10, even five years ago to impose tough fuel economy standards on the nation's
transportation fleet.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/02/opinion/02sat2.html?ref=opinion

-Op-Ed Columnist: Running While Black
Gee, I wonder why, if you have a black man running for high public office -say, Barack Obama or Harold Ford - the opposition feels compelled to runlow-life political ads featuring tacky, sexually provocative white women whohave no connection whatsoever to the black male candidates.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/02/opinion/02herbert.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin

-Automakers Race Time as Their Cash Runs Low
As G.M. and Ford burn through reserves and slash more costs to stay afloat,the future looks tenuous.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/02/business/02gm.html?hp

-F.C.C. Vote Sets Precedent on Unfettered Web Usage
The Federal Communications Commission formally voted Friday to uphold thecomplaint against Comcast, the nation's largest cable company, saying thatit had illegally inhibited users of its high-speed Internet service fromusing popular file-sharing software. The decision, which imposes no fine,requires Comcast to end such blocking this year.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/02/technology/02fcc.html

-Don't Want to Talk About It? Order a Missed Call
When Alexis Gorman, 26, wanted to tell a man she had been dating that thecourtship was over, she felt sending a Dear John text message was tooimpersonal. But she worried that if she called the man, she would face anawkward conversation or a confrontation.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/02/us/02sly.html?hp


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Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-A Strategy for Pakistan
The United States must support the new democratic government but also dowhat is needed to stop al-Qaeda. PAKISTAN'S NEW democratic government iscommitted to fighting al-Qaeda and other extremist Islamist movements -- andthat may distinguish it from the country's other power centers. Gen. PervezMusharraf, who ruled the country from 1999 until this year and remainspresident, has been an enemy of al-Qaeda but did little to disrupt bases ofthe Taliban, a onetime client of his army. The country's powerfulintelligence service, meanwhile, has long nurtured jihadi groups and nowstands accused by the CIA of collaborating in recent terrorist bombings inAfghanistan. The new prime minister, Yousaf Raza Gillani, who was inWashington this week to meet President Bush, says he is doing his best toconvince his country that "this is Pakistan's war." But he seems not to havewon the argument within his own government.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/01/AR2008080102880.html


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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-From the Los Angeles Times
Scientists create first personalized stem cells in ALS patients
Researchers for the first time are able to reprogram cells from sickpatients. Though hurdles remain, such cells could be used to help screendrugs to treat the crippling disease.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/health/la-sci-stemcells1-2008aug01,0,2014530.story


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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-McCain's ad doesn't do him justice
Y ou know we've officially entered the silly season of the presidentialcampaign when Barack Obama is being compared to a dumb blonde.
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/columnists/story/626748.html

-Falling oil production perplexes Mexico
MINATITLAN, Mexico --
Pungent smoke billows from aging petrochemical plants here. Foul-smellingbluish water gathers in pools outside the walls. Fading paint announces thecreaky Lazaro Cardenas refinery, a perfect metaphor for one of the world'sbiggest and most antiquated state oil companies. Petroleos Mexicanosemploys more than 147,000 people and has long operated as a state within astate, with its own hospitals, pensions and integrated business operations.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/625802.html


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Forwarded by Ron Mills
http://RonMills.us

-Electoral College Map with Numbers (Barack Obama vs. John McCain)
http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/2008/general-election/electoral-college-results.html


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Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Who's playing the race card?
Did Barack Obama play the race card when he accused the McCain camp oftrying to convince voters "he's risky" because "he doesn't look like allthose other presidents on the dollar bills?" Or did the McCain camp play therace card, by accusing Obama of playing the race card? Was it McCain whoplayed the race card in the first place, with an ad juxtaposing Obama withwhite sexpots Britney Spears and Paris Hilton? My neck hurts from watchingthe two campaigns volley these incendiary race accusations furiously all dayThursday, so I'll step in and play ref.
http://www.salon.com/opinion/walsh/election_2008/2008/08/01/race_card/

-McCain depicts Obama as too close to teacher's union and against schoolchoice for the poor
John McCain, the father of private school students, criticized Democraticrival Barack Obama on Friday for choosing private over public school for hiskids.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/nationworld/ats-ap-mccainaug01,0,646454.story

-McCain draws criticism for views on affirmative action
With the issue of race hanging over the presidential campaign, John McCainappeared today before the National Urban League where he drew criticism forhis opposition to affirmative action.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080801/BREAKING/174652804/2056&title=McCain_draws_criticism_for_views_on_affirmative_action

-Obama pushes for $1,000 rebates
Energy relief checks would go to customers
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama pushed yesterday for awindfall profits tax on oil companies to fund $1,000 emergency rebate checksfor consumers besieged by high energy costs, warning voters that Republicanrival John McCain would mean another four years of economic troubles.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/08/02/obama_pushes_for_1000_rebates/

-Analysis: Race Remains The Political Wild Card
Analysis: Race The Political Wild Card For Obama And McCain
By accusing Barack Obama of playing the race card, John McCain hopes toshuffle the deck in a White House campaign that is scarcely begun, much lesssettled.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/01/ap/politics/main4316162.shtml

-McCain chides Obama over school vouchers
John McCain, the father of private school students, criticized Democraticrival Barack Obama on Friday for choosing private over public school for hiskids. The difference, according to the Arizona Republican, is that he --not Obama -- favors vouchers that give parents more school choices.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/08/02/mccain_chides_obama_over_school_vouchers/

-As Congress Recesses, Republicans Protest
GOP Representatives Stage Talk-In To Protest Democratic Energy Policies
The last House vote before a vacation usually sparks a stampede toward thedoors and waiting planes. Not so on Friday, when Republicans occupied theHouse floor for a rare, and at times bizarre, protest against Democraticenergy policies
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/01/politics/main4316334.shtml?source=RSSattr=Politics_4316334

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