NATIONAL & WORLD DIGEST - October 30, 2008

**IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT US AT rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.


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

-Same-Sex Marriage on the Ballot in Arizona, a Second Time
Under a state law enacted in 1996, it is illegal for same-sex couples to marry in Arizona. The law has been upheld by the state's courts, and there is no visible movement - among voters or lawmakers - to overturn it. Nonetheless, Arizonans on Tuesday will be asked to vote for the second time in two years on a proposal to amend the state's Constitution to bar same-sex marriage. A similar ballot measure was rejected in 2006.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/30/us/politics/30marriage.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=gay&st=cse&oref=slogin

-At Rallies of Faithful, Contrasts in Red and Blue
Supporters of Senators Barack Obama and Joseph R. Biden Jr. often look like Benetton-colored billboards, decked out for their candidates in Obama-Biden hats, T-shirts and buttons. Supporters of Senator John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin like logo merchandise, too, but tend more toward pompoms (yes, pompoms), homemade signs ("Pitbulls 4 Freedom"), flag pins and chest paint.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/30/us/politics/30trail.html?hp

-Editorial: The Success of Early Voting
A lot is going wrong in this election, from malfunctioning electronic voting machines to voters being purged mistakenly from the rolls. But one thing is going very right: early voting. In the more than 30 states that allow early or no-excuse absentee voting, voters have been casting ballots in record numbers. Early voting has many advantages. The main one is that it makes it likely that more eligible voters will participate in democracy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/30/opinion/30thu1.html?ref=opinion

-Afghanistan Tests Waters for Overture to Taliban
KABUL, Afghanistan - The Afghan government and its allies in the region have begun approaching the Taliban and other insurgent groups with new intensity to test the possibilities for eventual peace talks, Western diplomats and Afghan officials here say. The diplomatic approaches have been stepped up over the last several months by the Afghan government, as well as by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the officials said. They are part of a broad political effort to stem the downward spiral of violence in Afghanistan and the steep decline of public support for the government during a year that has proved to be the bloodiest of the past seven.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/30/world/asia/30taliban.html


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

-Call Him John the Careless
From the invasion of Iraq to the selection of Sarah Palin, carelessness has characterized recent episodes of faux conservatism. Tuesday's probable repudiation of the Republican Party will punish characteristics displayed in the campaign's closing days.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/29/AR2008102903199.html

-Exxon Mobil Profits Rise a Record 58 Percent in Third Quarter
Exxon Mobil Corp. smashed its own record for quarterly profits today, ringing up $14.8 billion in net income in the third quarter powered by soaring summertime crude oil prices. Exxon Mobil's earnings at $2.86 a share are up 58 percent from the same period in 2007 and higher than what analysts expected, capping a week of strong profit numbers from the world's biggest oil companies, all of whom benefited the spike in oil prices in July. Royal Dutch Shell also posted higher earnings today, beating analysts' estimates with $8.54 billion of profits for the third quarter.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/30/AR2008103001401.html?hpid=topnews

-What We've Learned About McCain
As we near the end of another presidential campaign, it is useful to ask ourselves what we have learned about the candidates that we did not know before. When you reflect back on all the rallies, the speeches, the ads and the debates, what insights have you gained about their goals, their methods, their characters? I will turn to Barack Obama next, but today's subject is John McCain.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/29/AR2008102903201.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

-Pakistan Begins Rescue Efforts As Quake Death Toll Tops 170
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Oct. 29 -- The government began recovery and rescue efforts Wednesday after a strong predawn earthquake jolted an impoverished area in southwestern Pakistan, killing more than 170 people, injuring hundreds and destroying thousands of houses and government buildings.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/28/AR2008102804116.html?hpid=moreheadlines

-Syrian riot police form ring around US Embassy
DAMASCUS, Syria -- Tens of thousands of Syrians turned out Thursday for a massive government-orchestrated protest against a deadly U.S. raid near the Iraqi border. A mile away, hundreds of Syrian riot police formed a protective ring around the closed U.S. Embassy, but the flag-waving crowds dispersed peacefully after a couple of hours later, with students heading to schools and employees to work.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/30/AR2008103000666.html?hpid=moreheadlines

-Palin faces new ethics complaint over kids' travel
A new ethics complaint has been filed against Sarah Palin, accusing the Alaska governor of abusing her power by charging the state when her children traveled with her. The complaint alleges that the Republican vice presidential nominee used her official position as governor for personal gain, violating a statute of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. It follows a report by The Associated Press last week that Palin charged the state more than $21,000 for her three daughters' commercial flights, including events where they weren't invited, and later ordered their expense forms amended to specify official state business.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/29/AR2008102902730.html?hpid=sec-politics


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

-Accused skinheads to face magistrate at hearing
A federal magistrate will decide if authorities can continue to hold two white supremacists accused of plotting to kill dozens of black people including Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. The two men are scheduled to go before a magistrate in Memphis on Thursday for a hearing. The magistrate will decide if authorities have enough evidence against the men to keep them behind bars.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-10-30-accused-skinheads_N.htm?csp=34

-CAMPAIGN 2008: Where does Sarah Palin go from here?
Win, and it's D.C. But lose, and it's everybody's guess
At her packed rallies across the country, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin talks about her desire to be the nation's next vice president, yet that hasn't stopped some in attendance from encouraging her toward a higher office. Homemade "Palin 2012" and "President Palin" signs now appear at those campaign events. And it doesn't take long to hear Palin's supporters state that she is the Republican Party's best bet to claim the White House four years from now. Win or lose, they say, Palin has claimed a place in the party's future.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-palin30oct30,0,7769067.story?track=rss


=
Michael Moore Says Take Action, Check Out Brave New Films
When you downloaded Michael Moore's Slacker Uprising, we knew you were the type who not only enjoyed high quality, hard-hitting political videos, but that you liked seeing them for free. We partnered with Michael Moore to distribute Slacker Uprising because the film conveys the need to stand up, get involved, and do something -- now! It's a message we're deeply committed to at Brave New Films. That's why we bring you short videos on issues facing all of us: the economy, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, health care, corporate greed and more. That's why we've given you a free Brave New Films video subscription, so that you can join over 8 million people who have seen John McCain's YouTube Problem Just Became a Nightmare, the 2 million who watched FOX Attacks Obama, and the 1.5 million who viewed John McCain vs. John McCain. Be part of this growing Brave New movement to get involved and take action. Check out the videos below for a taste of the great content to come from Brave New Films in 2009.
http://bravenewfilms.org/?utm_source=rgemail


=
Pew Research center
http://pewresearch.org/
Go to this link for the following articles:

-Election Day Examined
Exit Poll Preview
In an exclusive interview, Joe Lenski, co-founder and Executive Vice President of Edison Media Research discusses his organization's plans for conducting exit polls on November 4, given this year's special challenges.
Read more

-Political Theater
McCain Support Continues Downward Spiral
A breakdown of voting intentions by demographic groups shows that since mid-September, McCain's support has declined significantly across most voting blocs. Read more

-The Color of News: How Different Media Covered the General Election
When it comes to coverage of the campaign for president 2008, where one goes for news makes a difference, according to a new study. Read more

-Among Florida's Hispanics, Voter Registration Swings Democratic
Unlike in the rest of the country, the Latino vote in the Sunshine State has tended to be heavily Republican; but changing politics and demographics have produced a substantial shift in the electoral rolls. Read more

-Swing States Sway Campaign Media
In the final days of the race for president, seemingly nothing but the algebra of the electoral map appears to have staying power in election news coverage. Read more

-Religious Rights
Brutalism v. Church: A Congregation Sues D.C. Over Historic Landmarking
To the city of Washington D.C., it's a classic example of Brutalist architecture; to church members, it's a costly concrete block that obstructs their ability to practice their Christian Science faith. Read more

-Busting Budgets
Depressed Economy Wallops States
With calendar 2008 nearing an end, Stateline.org's annual state-by-state review of major accomplishments finds lawmakers girding for big spending cuts in 2009 and beyond. Read more

-Daily Number
61% - Voters See Obama Victory
While only a month ago voters were evenly split on which candidate would win the election, about six-in-ten voters (61%) now see Obama as most likely to win with only 17% seeing a McCain victory. Check back every weekday for another number in the news. Read more


=

[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####