B Media Network Political News Editor’s Home Page: March 2014

Monday, March 31, 2014

Congress targets overpriced medical procedures with bills

The measure follows years of criticism of the way that Medicare, and in turn the entire U.S. health market, decides how much to pay a physician for performing a procedure.

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Idaho man who shot at White House sentenced to 25 years in prison

An Idaho man who pleaded guilty to firing an assault rifle at the White House in 2011, striking the executive mansion more than half a dozen times, was sentenced Monday to 25 years in prison.

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"Rosie the Riveters" Meet Biden

The 92-year-old Rosie the Riveter had been waiting a long time for the warm embrace she got Monday from Vice President Joe Biden.

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'Success never ends'

U.S. Representative Markwayne Mullin addressed community members on the importance of leading by example, Saturday evening at the 26th annual Progressive Citizen of the Year Banquet at the Will Rogers Memorial.

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Vice President Joe Biden is encouraging last-minute applicants for health care under President Barack Obama's law that they are "going to be better off for it."

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Body in DC park believed to be murder suspect's

Asiana Airlines says a Boeing 777 that crashed at San Francisco International Airport had inadequate warning systems to alert the crew to problems with air speed.

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Congress passes bill to stop cut in payments to Medicare doctors

With just hours to spare, Congress stepped Monday to finalize legislation to prevent doctors who treat Medicare patients from being hit with a 24 percent cut in their payments from the government.

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STARNES: Air Force pulls Bible from POW-MIA display

On March 14 Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh told members of the House Armed Services committee that there was no war on religious liberty.

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'Rosie the Riveters' meet president, vice president in Washington, D.C.

Fairfax resident Phyllis Gould gets a hug from Vice President Joe Biden at the White House Monday.

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Detroit council initiative to tackle issues facing black men

City Council members James Tate and Andre Spivey have launched a new task force aimed at addressing the most troubled segment of Detroit: black men.

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Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright addresses Michigan Roundtable event

Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, former pastor of President Barack Obama, says Detroit 'can become our Jerusalem,' or an exemplary city.

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Can Jay Inslee save the Life Sciences Discovery Fund?

The Senate's most recent budget would toss funding for healthcare and biotech research that has generated an estimated $1 billion economic impact.

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Seniors group buys ads critical of both parties for potential changes to Freddie, ...

A conservative seniors group with ties to the billionaire Koch brothers on Monday announced $1.5 million in ads against seven members of the Senate Banking Committee in the hopes of derailing a proposal that would effectively scrap mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

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U.S. Judge Throws Out Koch's Damages In Fake Wine Case

A federal judge has thrown out a $12 million punitive damages award to billionaire William Koch in his lawsuit accusing a fellow oenophile of selling him 24 bottles of fake Bordeaux, and reduced the award to just $711,622.

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Meet the Afghan presidential candidate eager to keep US troops there

Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah addresses a crowd of supporters during a campaign stop in Dashtak, Afghanistan, on March 31. MAZAR-E-SHARIF, Afghanistan - Abdullah Abdullah, who finished second in Afghanistan's 2009 presidential election, is confident he can win enough ballots on April 5 to avoid a runoff and sign a deal "within a ... (more)

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HUFFPOLLSTER: Is ACA Support Really At An All-Time High?

MARCH 6: US President Barack Obama participates in a town hall event on affordable health insurance, at the Newseum on March 6, 2014 in Washington, D.C. Obama discussed how the Affordable Care Act, also known as 'Obamacare', affects Latinos.

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Va. couple hits it big in lottery 3 times

Authorities say four workers were injured and about 200 residents were evacuated after a large explosion and fire Monday morning at a natural gas processing plant in the eastern Washington town of Plymouth.

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Senate clears way for debate of unemployment benefits extension

Senate Democrats are launching their fourth try to extend benefits for the long-term unemployed, signaling just how much political payoff they think the issue offers in an election year - though analysts said it may not be enough to grab the spotlight away from issues like Obamacare.

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Your Views

Today's Paper, also known as the e-Edition, is an online replica of the printed newspaper.

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Inside the Beltway: Allen Westa s call to America

He is still a faithful and forthright man with a mission: that would be Allen West , who has a new book out Tuesday.

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Begich, Sullivan out with new ads in Senate race

Several new TV ads are out in the Alaska U.S. Senate race. Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Begich's new spot features him on snowmobile, and touting his efforts to build a bridge across the Colville River to reach oil leases within the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.

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Milwaukee Voters May Decide To Cut Salaries For Public Servants In Half

Voters in Milwaukee will take to the ballot box on Tuesday to decide whether county supervisors should have their salaries cut in half, effectively imposing part-time status on the Milwaukee County Board.

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Continuing the Fight for Women's Rights With Paycheck Fairness

When Jeannette Rankin of Montana was elected as the first woman to serve in Congress, she knew that she would not be the last.

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GM, safety agency face Congress over recalls about 1 hour

The head of the nation's auto safety watchdog is blaming General Motors for a failure to act sooner to warn consumers of a defect in small cars that is linked to 13 deaths.

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Congress passes bill to stop cut to Medicare docs

Democrats' 2014 Strategy: 'I Don't Think You Run On The Past'

Sen. Chuck Schumer has a vision for this year's congressional midterm elections.

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Congress Passes Bill Averting Medicare Pay Cut For Doctors

The U.S. Senate gave final congressional approval on Monday to legislation to avert a pay cut for doctors who participate in the Medicare insurance program for the elderly and disabled.

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Louisiana House passes abortion restriction bill

The Louisiana House of Representatives on Monday approved a bill to impose new restrictions on abortion clinics, adopting a measure similar to one in other states that have forced clinics to shut down.

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What the Controversial New Georgia Gun Law Really Says

You know that gun control is no longer an issue, either pro or con, when both sides try to make you believe that something big has happened when nothing of any real importance happened at all.

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Gov. Snyder remarks on retirement of U.S. Rep. Dave Camp

Gov. Rick Snyder today issued the following statement after U.S. Rep. Dave Camp announced his decision to not seek reelection and retire from Congress.

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About 25,000 rally in Oklahoma for more school fun...

About 25,000 teachers, administrators and students rallied at the Oklahoma State Capitol on Monday, calling for more money for education in the state that ranks among the lowest in per capita spending for students.

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Conservatives buy ads critical of housing changes

Senate and Caterpillar Prepare to Face Off Over Tax Avoidance Strategy

The Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations is scheduled to release its report on Caterpillar's tax practices on Monday ahead of its April 1 hearing on the construction and mining equipment manufacturer's strategies to mitigate its tax burden.

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GOP Michigan Rep. Camp to retire

Rep. Dave Camp , the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and an advocate for overhauling the federal tax code, announced Monday that he will retire after 24 years in Congress.

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Deadline brings crush of Ind. coverage applicants

Indiana health care coverage applicants flooded advocates Monday with requests for help on the final day for enrolling in plans under the federal health overhaul.

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Allen, Stone clash in GOP debate for Barrow's seat

Five Republicans running for a shot at defeating Democratic U.S. Rep. John Barrow showed up for the first debate of the primary campaign, but only two stood out by arguing with each other.

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Panel discusses Mayflower oil spill effects

A year after a major oil spill in a small Arkansas town, a congressman says that while communities believe they are ready for a disaster, there is always something else to do to prepare.

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GM recalls 1.5 million cars for steering defect

General Motors is recalling 1.5 million vehicles in the U.S. because the electronic power-steering assist can suddenly stop working.

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Hobie Alter, who revolutionized surfing, dies

Mudslide death toll rises to 24 as recovery crews find more bodies

Bellvue firefighter Richard Burke stands next to a tattered American flag recovered in the Oso mudslide, March 31, 2014.

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Washington kids donate piggy bank savings to mudslide victims

Search crews remain on the scene of a deadly mudslide in Washington, the official death toll now stands at 24 with more than that still missing.

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Congress passes bill to stop cut to Medicare docs

This Oct. 14, 2009 file photo shows Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.

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Senate test vote set for Wednesday on jobless bill

Legislation to renew an expired program of benefits for the long-term unemployed faces a test in the Senate on Wednesday.

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More than 2,300 Alaskans sign up for insurance

Heavy Web traffic and software glitches prevented some Alaskans from obtaining health insurance from the online federal marketplace Monday, the last day to sign up for coverage under President Barack Obama 's health care law.

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URM Employee Assaulted And Robbed In Chelan County

The Chelan County Sheriff's Office is investigating the assault and robbery of a URM employee that happened on Monday morning.

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Ingalls gets funding for 7th security cutter

Ingalls Shipyard will get a $497 million military shipbuilding contract award to construct the seventh National Security Cutter for the U.S. Coast Guard, it was announced Monday.

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Surge in interest, glitches mark health care deadline

A surge of interest and last-minute technical glitches marked the final day of enrollment in health insurance through federal and state websites Monday, as a target once thought out of reach - 7 million enrollees - actually seemed possible.

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More mudslide victims found as state seeks new aid

Estimated financial losses from the deadly Washington mudslide that has killed at least 24 people have reached $10 million, Gov. Jay Inslee said Monday in a letter asking the federal government for a major disaster declaration.

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VP encourages last-minute health care applicants

With the White House looking for a surge on the final day of enrollment Monday, Biden greeted people visiting a Washington help center.

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Senator says Caterpillar avoided billions in taxes

Caterpillar has avoided paying $2.4 billion in U.S. taxes since 2000 by shifting profits to a wholly-controlled affiliate in Switzerland, according to the report released Monday by Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan.

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Sunday, March 30, 2014

Port Authority reviewing WTC security after arrest of daredevil teen and jumpers

Following the arrest of three men who parachuted from the main World Trade Center tower in September and a 16-year-old Weehawken boy who made his way to the roof this month, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said today that it was conducting a security review of the nation's tallest building.

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Letter: Some legislators perpetuate cycle of crime

So state Sen. Bob Kostelka, R-Monroe, is "not concerned by Louisiana's high incarceration rate."

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"Both Ways Birther" Beauprez Busted

In June 2010, Beauprez appeared as a guest on The Talk to Solomon Show, and was asked about whether President Obama was born in American by the host, Stan Solomon, a favorite of fringe conservatives who is an anti-gay birther who said last year that Trayvon Martin "deserves to be dead."

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Records: GM Aware Switches Didn't Meet Specs

Congressional staff investigating the widening General Motors ignition switch recall of 2.2 million vehicles said Sunday there are WASHINGTON - Congressional staff investigating the widening General Motors ignition switch recall of 2.2 million vehicles said Sunday there are indications GM approved the design of the switches in 2002 even though the ... (more)

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International turmoil gives Obama political cover on Keystone

Opponents of Keystone XL have crafted the debate as an indictment on Barack Obama's green credentials, despite a State department report that the project would not substantially worsen carbon levels.

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The Debate: Independence or Partisanship

Finally there is a much needed debate about the relationship that people who are working for progressive change should have with the Democratic Party.

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Memo: Federal agency declined to look into GM ignition flaws

Federal safety regulators decided not to initiate a formal investigation of problems with the ignition switches of Chevrolet Cobalts and other cars even after an investigative group reported that it knew about 29 complaints, four fatal crashes and 14 field reports that showed the problem was preventing air bags from deploying, according to a memo ... (more)

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Ukraine gets multi-billion aid promise conditional to reforms

Our eNewspaper network was founded in 2002 to provide stand-alone digital news sites tailored for the most searched-for locations for news.

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Why did GM take so long to respond to deadly defect? Corporate culture may hold answer.

The part costs less than $10 wholesale. The fix takes less than an hour. A mechanic removes a few screws and connectors, takes off a plastic shroud, pops in the new switch and the customer is back on the road.

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Challenger: Franken's priorities leave a bad taste

These days Sen. Al Franken seems to be all about food. One week he's hosting a hot-dish cooking contest and the next week he's doing a photo-op with adorable school kids at lunchtime.

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At the risk of being picky about littering a

As you make your way around the city, look down. What do you see? These days, probably floss picks.

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Today in West Hawaii history | March 30

March 30, 2009: Competing just one week after finishing Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore and the Ochsner Ironman 70.3 in New Orleans, Chris McCormack wins the annual Lavaman Triathlon in Waikoloa.

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Va. not as reliably GOP as in past years

Take a look at Virginia's congressional delegation and you might think it's the same old reliably Republican state that backed 10 GOP presidential candidates in a row, starting with Richard Nixon in 1968.

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Opinion: Christie and the Bridge

The big question concerning Chris Christie since the George Washington Bridge lane closure scandal broke open in January is whether he knew it was ordered by his state aides.

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NY Sen. Schumer asks feds to review WTC security

Sen. Charles Schumer stood by the World Trade Center on Sunday, demanding that federal officials review security after daredevils twice sneaked to the top of the site's signature, 104-story skyscraper.

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International turmoil gives Obama political cover on Keystone

Interest in health care surges as enrollment deadline nears

The Obama administration and its allies are making a last-minute push to persuade Americans to enroll in health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

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DFLers endorse Dorholt, Wolgamott for legislative seatsDFLers endorse ...

DFLers endorse Dorholt, Wolgamott for legislative seats on sctimes.com: Dan Wolgamott, a St. Cloud Realtor and high school football coach who hasn't held elected office, was endorsed to oppose first-term GOP Rep. Tama Theis Qin Minnesota ... (more)

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Military Waste and Fraud Are the Main Cause of Our Problems

"$8.5 TRILLION In Taxpayer Money Doled Out By Congress To The Pentagon Since 1996 ... Has NEVER Been Accounted For" For example, we've noted that we wouldn't be in this crisis of hitting the debt ceiling in the first place if we hadn't spent so much money on unnecessary wars ... which are horrible for the economy .

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John Fund: Politician, Talk-Show Host - What's the Diff?

"Sometimes you can have a bigger voice outside, unshackled in your ability to communicate issues that are important," he told Newsmax's J. D. Hayworth, himself a former Arizona representative who now has a career hosting a talk show.

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In Vegas, GOP presidential prospects woo Adelson

Three Republican governors eyeing the White House, including embattled New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, were in Las Vegas Saturday to court Sheldon Adelson, a billionaire casino owner who could give any of their eventual campaigns a major financial boost.

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Pinpointing governor's influence a tough task

When Gov. Mike Pence signed the new preschool plan into law, he did so with exuberant praise for the state's lawmakers.

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Compromise budget doesn't include $65 million for Rupp, leaders say

After hours spent in closed session, budget negotiators from Kentucky's House and Senate didn't include $65 million in state bonding for a proposed expansion of the 38-year-old arena.

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Baby rescued from Washington mudslide recovering

The 5-month-old baby rescued from the Oso landslide is listed in serious condition and improving at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

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Interest in health care surges as enrollment deadline nears

The Obama administration and its allies are making a last-minute push to persuade Americans to enroll in health insurance under the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius speaks to the media Saturday as people sign up for insurance under the Affordable Care Act at an event held in the Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in ... (more)

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North Carolina Had More Job Losses Than Any Other State

North Carolina led the U.S. in job losses last month, a sign of stress for a state scaling back its support for its jobless residents.

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Women's History Museum Picks Up Steam, Controversy

But as it gained steam it also picked up criticism from scholars in an advisory body that recently parted ways with the project.

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MI-08 - Who's going to be my next Congressman?

A new era is beginning here in the 8th District. With Mike Rogers retiring, things have significantly changed here.

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Public-private plan for I-69 work proves divisive

A plan to finance the cost of a section of the new Interstate 69 connection between Indianapolis and Evansville is drawing both praise and ire.

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Curbs on data collection get tentative nod

A proposal backed by President Barack Obama to constrain the National Security Agency's systematic collection of Americans' telephone data drew a cautious welcome Sunday from a key congressional intelligence leader, but she offered a few significant caveats.

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Kerry, Lavrov discuss ways to de-escalate Ukraine ...

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said late on Sunday he and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, discussed suggestions for de-escalating the Ukraine crisis during four hours of talks in Paris.

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Pinpointing governor's influence a tough task

When Gov. Mike Pence signed the new preschool pilot program into law last week, he heaped praise on a bipartisan group of lawmakers who gathered around him at the DayStar Childcare Ministry in Indianapolis.

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Outside the Bubble: Endorsing Dr. Andrew Zwicker

Last month, Rep. Rush Holt shocked the 12th congressional district of New Jersey with his announcement that he would not seek reelection.

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E.J. Dionne Jr.: Who cares about the value of work?

WASHINGTON – Finding a way out of our current political impasse requires some agreement on what problems we need to solve.

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US, Russia talks fail to end Ukraine deadlock

PARIS - The United States and Russia agreed Sunday that the crisis in Ukraine requires a diplomatic resolution, but four hours of talks between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov failed to break a tense East-West deadlock over how to proceed.

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US, Russia talks fail to end Ukraine deadlockvisit|article-5360984|mobile_home_category_body-1688|3

The United States and Russia agreed Sunday that the crisis in Ukraine requires a diplomatic resolution, but four hours of talks between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov failed to break a tense East-West deadlock over how to proceed.

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Re: Frank Ancona: KKK Members Are Christians Who Are 'Not About Hate' | News One

Apparently, we are all dead wrong in the way history views the White supremacist organization the Ku Klux Klan , according to Frank Ancona , imperial wizard of the Traditional American Knights of the KKK in Virginia.

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NC health insurance enrollments lag for young, healthy people

Larz Robinson, 28, of Raleigh, a barista at Cafe de los Muertos in Raleigh, N.C., has chosen to participate in the new federally mandated Affordable Care Act program.

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Christensen: Tar Heel conservatives think their tide is still rising

For the 450 people attending the Conservative Leadership Conference in Raleigh this weekend, the belief is that it's still on the rise.

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Re: Report: GOP States Are Most Dependent On Government

Despite their sharp criticisms of federal spending, Republican states are the most dependent on government funds, according to a new Wallet Hub report.

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Samson's Out and Christie's Back, Making Pitch in 'Sheldon Primary'

Hat in hand, three governors and a former governor went to pay homage to Sheldon Adelson at the meeting this past weekend of the Republican Jewish Coalition "under the watchful eyes of a few hundred powerful Jewish donors," as the Washington Post so delicately put it .

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Lawmakers aim for diplomacy in Russian dealings

Secretary of State John Kerry met with Russian officials Sunday to discuss a diplomatic solution to tensions along Ukraine's borders, as American lawmakers expressed concerns that Vladimir Putin has designs on more territory in the region.

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Political briefs

To get your local political group's meetings and other events listed, please send an e-mail to sneditors@thesunnews.com with the following information: Name of your local political group, time and date of meeting/event, location/address, topic/purpose, whether it is open to the public, whether it's free or the amount it costs.

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This Too Is The Smell Of Fear

At least some Republicans have grasped what it means - maybe for 2014, certainly later - if/when Obamacare is and is seen to be a success : "I don't think it means anything," [Sen. John]Barrasso said on "Fox News Sunday" about the news that 6 million people had signed up for health care plans.

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Why not Rand Paul?

"Mr. President, we will not let you run roughshod over our rights. We will challenge you in the courts, we will battle you at the ballot box.

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Veterans Administration abandons vets suffering from depleted uranium contamination

After young and healthy Marine Matt Parker fought for his country in the Middle East, he mysteriously came down with tumors.

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Top Ten Things Putin said to Obama about Ukraine

While Barack Obama's recent telephone conversation with Russian president Vladimir Putin about the Crimean standoff has been widely reported, the exact substance of the discussion has remained a mystery.

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The DNC's '14/'16 point man, Bill Clinton

The best evidence that the Democrat Party has devolved into nothing more than a " Big Lie " is that its most admired spokesperson is " The Great Prevaricator ," Bill Clinton.

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Obamacare is an American catastrophe

If you type in "Obamacare" on Wikipedia you will discover 25,500,000 links. That's a lot of news coverage and related commentary about the Affordable Care Act.

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About Town: Assistance League saluted for 50 years of postal service

For 50 years, members of the Assistance League San Pedro-South Bay have staffed a local, contract postal unit post office in the quaint Weymouth Corners area of San Pedro, where volunteers provide service with a smile and become an integral part of the neighborhood - developing deep ties to customers.

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Saturday, March 29, 2014

Health law legacy eludes Obama as changes sink in

President Barack Obama signs the Affordable Health Care for America Act during a ceremony with fellow Democrats in the East Room of the White House March 23, 2010 in Washington, D.C. The historic bill was passed by the House of Representatives after a 14-month-long political battle that left the legislation without a single Republican vote.

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A community 'changed forevermore'

Searchers pause for a moment of silence at the scene of a deadly mudslide Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Oso, Wash.

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In Europe, Mideast, Obama offers allies assurances

From the heart of Europe to the expanse of Saudi Arabia's desert, President Barack Obama's weeklong overseas trip amounted to a reassurance tour for stalwart, but sometimes skeptical, American allies.

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A community 'changed forevermore' by deadly slide

The search by heavy equipment, dogs and bare hands for victims from the deadly Washington mudslide was going "all the way to the dirt" as crews looked for anything to provide answers for family and friends a week after a small mountainside community was destroyed.

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Social issues starting to fade in GOP campaigns

For Republicans who care about social issues such as same-sex marriage, this is the silent spring.

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Obama ends four-nation trip in diplomatic limbo over Ukraine

President Barack Obama ended a four-nation foreign trip on Saturday in the same situation as he began it - facing great uncertainty about a diplomatic way out of the Ukraine crisis.

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High Priority Strategy Call to Arms: How to File against the super pacs for false advertising

Posted by Wendy Cooper on Thursday, March 20, 2014 A 2 Comments If you want to stop the lies being spread by political action committees, here's how to do it False Super PAC AdsWe have all seen the ads on television featuring everyday people with a compelling story against a candidate or issue.

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Obama to Putin: Pull back from Ukraine border

Worried about Moscow's intentions, President Barack Obama urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to pull his troops back from the border with Ukraine during an hourlong phone call Friday.

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autonomy

Source: www.miamiherald.com --- Saturday, March 29, 2014Leaders of Crimea's Tatar minority gathered Saturday to condemn Russia's annexation of the peninsula and appealed to international bodies for recognition as an autonomous group.

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Newcomer Andrej Kiska elected Slovak president

Finding and identifying victims from one of the most lethal landslides in the nation's history could stretch on for a very long time, officials warned in describing the arduous work of extracting and trying to... The search by heavy equipment, dogs and bare hands for victims from the deadly Washington mudslide was going "all the way to the dirt" as ... (more)

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GA-Sen: Paul Broun (R), "Boehner Fast-Tracking Doc Fix Bill Was Putin-esque"

Conservatives were upset when House Republican leadership fast-tracked a vote on a Medicare doctor payment fix bill through the chamber on Thursday and Rep. Paul Broun wanted to make sure his objections were known.

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The Inoculation Project: Success List III

The Inoculation Project , founded in 2009 by hyperbolic pants explosion , is a group of Kossacks who gather weekly to combat the anti-science push in conservative America by providing direct funding to science and math projects in red state classrooms.

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This Week in the War on Women: 3-29-14

Of course, the big news this week is the Supreme Court trying to decide if a for-profit corporation can demand a "religious exemption" to the ACA mandate to cover birth control.

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Marines investigating another alleged Dutch incident

The Marine, Korey Nathan Pritchett, was first identified by a Dutch newspaper based on witness accounts and smartphone photos taken during the partying, which happened two nights before Obama arrived at The Hague for a nuclear security summit.

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Obamacare Takes Root But Issues Remain

As a roller-coaster sign-up season winds down, President Barack Obama's health care law has indeed managed to change the country.

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Christie Joins GOP Donor Search in Vegas

Two of the nation's highest-profile Republican governors on Saturday called for more aggressive leadership on America's challenges abroad, emphasizing their support for Israel as they courted powerful Jewish donors.

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Will college athletes unionize? A query for NLRB

The five-member regulatory board that will ultimately decide if Northwestern University football players can unionize has itself been in the middle of a firestorm.

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Govs. Christie, Walker emphasize support for Israel in remarks to Jewish donors

North Dakota Dems endorse Sinner, state candidates

North Dakota Democrats who have been reeling from Republican dominance for several years turned to a man with a powerful political name Saturday to cap off their state convention and outline his campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives .

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Boehner-Pelosi-Reid AXIS Suspends Constitution

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has scheduled a Senate vote on HR 4302, the so-called "Doc Fix" bill, for March 31, 2014.

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Landrieu gets to work swinging that Energy Committee gavel

Louisiana is second only to Texas in both natural-gas production and refining capacity, with the Haynesville and Fayetteville shale gas plays contributing largely to the state's economy that also serves as the hub of a nexus of a whole bunch of pipelines.

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Kathleen Parker: Lighten up on the first lady

The past couple of weeks have marked a turning point in American ugliness as the mob has turned its full fury on first lady Michelle Obama.

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What's With This Video Of McConnell Doing Stuff?

The video lacks the narration or clear message of a television ad. Instead, it features stock footage of McConnell - who's up for re-election this year - going through what seems to be his day-to-day routine, signing papers, shaking hands, and sitting on a couch with his wife.

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Our View: Obama lays out case for standing up to Russia

President Barack Obama made essential and powerful points in an important speech last week on the Ukraine crisis that should not be overlooked.

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Give this Washington student an A for senior project aimed at ending senior projects

A 17-year-old Yakima County high school student is probably not the first student to do her senior project on ending senior projects.

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Lighten up on the first lady

The past couple of weeks have marked a turning point in American ugliness as the mob has turned its full fury on first lady Michelle Obama.

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Kerry, Lavrov meet Sunday to discuss Ukraine

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet Sunday evening in Paris to discuss the crisis in Ukraine, according to the State Department.

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A community 'changed forevermore' by deadly slide

Report recommends $33 million to fight Colorado wildfires

A tanker drops a load of slurry on a ridgeline ahead of the High Park fire northwest of Fort Collins in June 2012.

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Lawmakers push bill for smartphone kill switch

Town of Tonawanda, N.Y. - Elected leaders and police announced support for a federal law requiring a so-called kill switch on smartphones.

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NY-21 - Congressional Candidate Helped to Implement Controversial Changes to RNC Platform Documents

Remember the controversial far right-wing Republican Party Platform documents from 2012 which garnered widespread criticism from the science community for their removal of previous support for addressing global warming and climate change? Or that also tried to enact nationwide"Right to Work" anti-labor laws based on the recent changes enacted in ... (more)

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Christie, Walker court GOP donors in Las Vegas

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks at the Republican Jewish Coalition, Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Las Vegas.

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Enough with the "General" Crap, Gov. Christie. An Attorney General is not One.

I spoke to General Samson on Jan. 8 and asked him what he knew about this. Had he any involvement, if he authorized it, if he had any idea of the planning.

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Kirk vows to help end cyber bullying

Sen. Mark Kirk, center, on Saturday listens to 20 junior class presidents from suburban high schools at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library as they talk about major issues facing teens.

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Will college athletes unionize? A query for NLRB

In this Sept. 21, 2013, file photo, Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter , wears APU for 'All Players United' on wrist tape as he scores a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Maine in Evanston, Ill.

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Health law legacy eludes Obama

As a roller-coaster sign-up season winds down, President Barack Obama's health care law has indeed managed to change the country.

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Brawner: Everyone has an opinion about Hillary Clinton

The thing that's so difficult about writing a column - about communication in general - is that no matter what words one uses, others will interpret them through their own experiences and emotions.

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Wash. community 'changed forevermore' by deadly mudslide

Presidential lying

Part of the interest in following politics in the US is to see just how corrupt it is, with the heart of that corruption in the media reporting.

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In new release of Clinton documents, familiar themes

Bill Clinton assured a dinner crowd that he honestly did not know what his wife would decide about her political future.

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Governors woo Adelson at Vegas event

To New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Republicans must "stop killing each other" - start focusing on winning elections, he thundered, or keep arguing and "form a university."

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Judge: Montana Indian voting case can proceed

Members of the Crow, Northern Cheyenne and Fort Belknap tribes want county officials to set up satellite voting offices to make up for the long distances they must travel to reach courthouses for early voting or late registration.

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Sen. Mark Udall tells Democrats about November: "Let's get it done"

In a hallway outside the auditorium of Denver's North High School, Sen. Mark Udall opened his wallet and pulled out his insurance card.

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Kerry, Lavrov meet Sunday to discuss Ukraine

Once you're logged in, at the top of each article, video or slideshow you will see a list of your Facebook friends who recently visited Choose to share stories you'e read with your friends or turn sharing OFF to keep your reading experience anonymous .

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Md. could scrap original health exchange system

putin's balls on the menu at la grande bouffe gourmet degustation chez chef buffoon...

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia reached out to President Obama on Friday to discuss ideas about how to peacefully resolve the international standoff over Ukraine, a surprise move by Moscow to pull back from the brink of an escalated confrontation that has put Europe and much of the world on edge.

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Are congressional midterms a referendum on unemployment?

National attention will be focused on several congressional contests in Colorado this November, especially the race for the 6th Congressional District.

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Guest Commentary: President Obama, Pope Francis and the poor

A meeting between a president and a pope can be a time for serious talk. I was at Regis University when Pope John Paul II and President Bill Clinton met there in 1992.

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Krauthammer: Obama vs. Putin: The mismatch

President Barack Obama meets with then-Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Moscow on July 7, 2009.

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Young Americans' Affinity for Democratic Party Has Grown

Young adults -- those between the ages of 18 and 29 -- have typically aligned themselves with the Democratic Party, but they have become substantially more likely to do so since 2006.

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Friday, March 28, 2014

Obama starts talks with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah

Fresh off his trip from Italy, U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in Saudi Arabia on Friday to meet with King Abdullah.

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What Libertarian Donors Need to Learn From Hobby Lobby

Having spent much of this week lost in a Roman wilderness of legal filings, 990s, and false leads , I salute the work of "Xenophon" in this post about "Think Freely Media."

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Health care enrollment deadline 3 days aways

Chris Christie: TV-Friendly Narrative Shifter

At the start of March, as it continued to plow through the associations of Gov. Chris Christie, the New York Times reported on how Port Authority Chairman David Samson's firm had been enriched in the years since Samson took the job.

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Va. House Speaker Target of New Medicaid Ads

Virginia House Speaker William J. Howell is the target audience of new advertising by outside groups on both sides of the ongoing Medicaid expansion debate.

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Poll: Obama health law fails to gain support

In this March 23, 2010 file photo, President Barack Obama signs the Affordable Care Act in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

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Former Congresswoman, DeKalb Judge Disbarred

Former U.S. Rep. Denise Majette , who was once a state court judge in DeKalb County, was disbarred by the Georgia Supreme Court Friday for overbilling a client and misrepresenting her hours and fees to a court.

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Gov't News: NATO Appoints a New Leader and Mike Rogers Won't Run for Re-election

Mar. 28, 2014 - Jens Stoltenberg, the former prime minister of Norway, will succeed Anders Fogh Rasmussen as the secretary general of NATO on Oct. 1. Stoltenberg will also serve as chairman of the alliance's North Atlantic Council.

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Obama to Putin: Pull back from Ukraine border

Gov. Inslee Declares Moment of Silence for Landslide Victims

NBCRightNow.com - Gov. Jay Inslee is calling for a moment of silence on Saturday in honor of the Oso mudslide victims, those still missing, and the many grieving families.

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EDITORIAL: Nate Silver, bearer of bad Democratic tidings

When Nate Silver , the young statistician and blogger, called the 2008 election for Barack Obama , his uncanny accuracy was celebrated.

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Weekly Standard's Cost: Hillary Will Wave 'First Female' Flag

If Hillary Clinton runs for president in 2016, she'll likely use her potential role as the nation's first female commander-in-chief as a campaign issue, according to Jay Cost, a staff writer for The Weekly Standard.

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Putin to Obama: Let's talk about Ukraine

The rare call from Putin came as Obama wrapped up a weeklong visit in which he secured European commitments to isolate Russia for the military seizure of Ukraine's Crimean region.

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Vladimir Putin haunts _ or helps _ Obama's trip to Europe

U.S. President Barack Obama meets with Pope Francis during a private audience at the Vatican on March 27, 2014.

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Obama to Putin: Put a Proposal In Writing, And We'll Talk About It

Russian President Vladimir Putin called U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday to discuss a proposal for a diplomatic resolution to the Ukrainian crisis, the White House said in a readout of the call.

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questions about quality of hospitals and doctors

I am now hearing rumblings that some of the best hospitals in St Louis area do not take ACA plans.

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Girl talks to pope on immigration, then dad freed

Nadia Asencio and Paul Morrow, center, react to a backyard fight in a scene from 'Dawg Fight.'

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One-Minute of the Week: Rep. Kevin Yoder

This week's Conference One-Minute of the Week comes from Rep. Kevin Yoder of Kansas, who called attention to the hidden taxes that Obamacare is going to spring on hardworking Americans this tax season.

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Hello, Republican Party? Mr. Putin holding on Line 1 for Mr. Obama

After weeks in which they have criticized Barack Obama's supposedly "weak," "ineffectual" and "incompetent" response to Russia's seizing of the Crimean Peninsula, and after not bothering to tell anybody exactly what they would do that would be far tougher yet not result in a full-blown war , the Republican Party has some 'splainin' to do.

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Congress to seek answers on delayed GM recall

New General Motors CEO Mary Barra has been cooperative with members of Congress investigating why the company did not act sooner to address a potentially deadly defect in some of its small cars, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette said.

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Epstein is totally innocent. Signed, Epstein's Mom

A tag is a way to search for this diary. If someone is searching for "Barack Obama," is this a diary they'd be trying to find? Use a person's full name, without any title.

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US lawmakers discuss attack at Los Angeles airport

U.S. lawmakers praised the swift response of police to a shooting at Los Angeles International Airport last year but didn't reach a conclusion at a hearing Friday on how to improve security for screening... U.S. lawmakers praised the swift response of police to a shooting at Los Angeles International Airport last year but didn't reach a conclusion ... (more)

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Campaign Begins? Potential 2016 Gop rivals court Vegas mega donor

For a handful of potential 2016 Republican presidential candidates visiting Sin City this weekend, the doors are closed to the press and public -- but the speakers very much want voters to know they are there.

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Obama urges Putin to pull tens of thousands of troops back from...

Inside the world of San Francisco's 'Dragonhead': FBI sting reveals shadowy Chinatown underworld and its gangster overlord 'Shrimp Boy' Chow Parents' worst nightmare as girl, 15, traveling alone on Delta flight is 'groped by man, 66, who told her he could teach her things about sex boys her age could not' Ex-FAMU band member gets a year in prison ... (more)

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Marcus: The budgetary fix we're in

The capital's dysfunction has its unfortunate exceptions. Gridlock yields to interests powerful enough to trump habits of obstruction.

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Parker: Lighten up on the first lady

The past couple of weeks have marked a turning point in American ugliness as the mob has turned its full fury on first lady Michelle Obama.

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Putin phones Obama on possible "diplomatic solution"

Russian President Vladimir Putin phoned his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, on Friday to discuss the tenuous situation in Ukraine.

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Jihae to Release Illusion of You, Fall 2014

South Korean born, New York by way of Nigeria, Sweden, and UK, the multi-talented Jihae has been pouring her soul into on her upcoming release, Illusion of You .

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Press release distribution, EDGAR filing, XBRL, regulatory filings

The downgrades indicate that the bonds have incurred a principal write-down. Of th... )--Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "World Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Market... )--Fitch Ratings has affirmed the long-term ratings and Outlooks assigned to GE Capital Credit Card Master Note Trust.

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Bulloch schools get $4M boost

The Bulloch County Schools will receive $4 million more in state funding next school year than they have this year, Chief Financial Officer Troy Brown showed the Board of Education in a preliminary report Thursday.

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Ted Cruz steals 'Yes we can!' slogan from Barack Obama in new video

According to a March 28, 2014 story in the Washington Examine r. Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas has released a video meant to enhance his national brand.

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Hungary Opposes More Sanctions Against Russia

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he opposed the European Union sanctions against Russia for annexing Crimea from Ukraine.

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Russia's Putin Calls Obama to Discuss Ukraine Crisis

Russian President Vladimir Putin called U.S. President Barack Obama Friday to discuss a U.S. proposal for resolving the crisis in Ukraine.

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Valerie Jarrett to Hollywood: Shill for ObamaCare in Your Scripts

Stars from Lady Gaga to Scandal's Kerry Washington have been promoting ObamaCare via social media.

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BlogthingFirst Liquor Trucks Leave the Pulp Mill

The very rain soaking reporters and government officials at the Samoa pulp mill this afternoon could have overflowed tanks of toxic chemicals near Humboldt Bay, Environmental Protection Agency coordinator Steve Calanaog said, had his agency not installed temporary overflow tanks.

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Issa hearings reveal 19 501(c)4 apps will not pledge to keep to less than 40% political work

Rep. Darrell Issa's latest oversight hearing into the Internal Revenue Service's botched enforcement against tea party and other "social welfare" groups has revealed a dirty little secret: Many of those groups actually want to preserve the option to run as "dark money" political operations.

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Koch-Funded Network Jumps To Defend Billionaire Brothers Against Democratic Attacks

A nonprofit group funded by Charles and David Koch to promote the reduction of national debt and government spending has been pressed into service as a defender of the billionaire brothers, who have come under attack by Democrats for plowing millions into conservative causes.

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White House plan targets methane emissions

The White House announced a wide-ranging plan Friday aimed at cutting methane emissions from oil and gas drilling, landfills and other sources, part of President Barack Obama's strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

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Obama's 'Effective Manager' Poll Rating Down 33 Points

A stunning new CNN poll reveals that President Barack Obama's all-important "effective manager" rating has plunged 33 points since taking office.

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Navy gunman once faced murder charge

The civilian truck driver the Navy says killed a sailor aboard a ship in Virginia once faced a murder charge in North Carolina but ended up pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was out of prison less than two years later, court records show.

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Jeb Bush Blames Obama for 'American Pacificity'

Much watched as a possible presidential candidate, the former Florida governor attacked the White House's approach to foreign policy in a speech given to Republican donors hosted by casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson in Las Vegas Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush attacked President Barack Obama's approach to world affairs and took a veiled shot at ... (more)

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McCain: I'll Fight for Amnesty as Long as 'I'm Alive and Breathing'

In remarks to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Sen. John McCain vowed to fight for amnesty as long as he is a breathing United States Senator.

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Mentally Ill Cook County Judge Seeks Return to the Bench

A judge brought up on battery charges and found not guilty by reason of insanity last year wants her robe and gavel back.

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Representatives introduce species legislation

The U.S. House delegation from Arkansas introduced legislation requiring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to consider social and economic impacts on land owners before designating a habitat as critical.

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Obama to Putin: Pull back from Ukraine border

Russian soldiers stand near a tank at a former Ukrainian military base in Perevalne, outside Simferopol, Crimea, March 27, 2014.

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Georgia anti-abortion groups jockey for position as Senate primary heats up

Rep. Paul Broun thinking about things that make him angry, like abortion and the lie from the pit of hell that is evolution.

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Putin to Obama: Let's talk about Ukraine

Nadia Asencio and Paul Morrow, center, react to a backyard fight in a scene from 'Dawg Fight.'

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Texas health sign-ups are anemic

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius visited a call center at United Way of Greater Austin Friday, March 28, 2014, in Austin, Texas, to highlight local efforts to enroll consumers in affordable health coverage, just three days before the March 31 enrollment deadline.

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Rod Meloni - more 4 your money

TUNE INTO MY LIVE REPORTS STARTING MONDAY NIGHT AT 11 HERE ON LOCAL 4. A LITTLE MORE THAN A MONTH -- SPEAKING OF CONGRESS, A LITTLE MORE THAN A MONTH AFTER THE LONGEST SERVING CONGRESSMAN IN THE HISTORY OF THE U.S. CONGRESS DECIDED HE WOULD NOT RUN FOR REELECTION, CONGRESSMAN MIKE ROGERS SENT SHOCK WAVES TODAY WHEN HE SAID HE IS STEPPING ASIDE TO ... (more)

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Local Obama Impersonator Helps Launch New Zealand Political Party

Obama supporters are rallying around their candidate in advance of the November 6 election, but for Chicago's Reggie Brown, the potential outcome is personal.

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Thursday, March 27, 2014

States' feathers ruffled as feds declare lesser prairie chicken threatened

A male lesser prairie chicken is seen in Edwards County, Kan., April 18, 2012. The federal government designates the lesser prairie-chicken as threatened, prompting praise from environmentalists and threats of defiance from lawmakers, land owners and businesses in the bird's five-state habitat.

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Obama says more than 6M signed up for health care

This March 1, 2014 file photo shows part of the website for HealthCare.gov, photographed in Washington.

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March 28, 2014 - Florida public power personnel get tour of U.S....

Officials from Keys Energy Services in Key West, Fla., who traveled to Washington, D.C., earlier this month to take part in APPA's 2014 Legislative Rally, were treated to a tour of the U.S. Capitol by U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla.

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Senators urge end of deal to buy Russian choppers

Dozens of members of Congress have long pushed for the end of the Pentagon's contract with Russia's arms export agency, Rosoboronexport.

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Obama seeks quick end to NSA phone records program

Responding to public outrage over the National Security Agency program, the Obama administration came up with a new program that it says would address privacy concerns and preserve the government's ability to fight terrorism.

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Online and mobile dating face privacy, safety concerns

Change may be coming to the rapidly growing dating industry as concern mounts about the privacy and safety of all online and mobile users.

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Judge orders change to secretary of state ballot

A Sacramento judge ordered Thursday that ballot materials call Dan Schnur a political involvement educator instead.

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New Data Shows Economic Growth in 2013 Was About Half of What White House Promised It Would Be

Real gross domestic product increased at an annual rate of 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013, revealing that economic growth last year was about half of what the White House promised it would be.

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Montana Woman Gets 30 Years for Killing Her Husband of Eight Days

U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy said he saw no remorse from Jordan Graham, 22, in the killing of Cody Johnson, 25. He sentenced her to 30 years and five months in prison and ordered her to pay $16,910 in restitution.

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Missouri Dems thin bench

The Missouri state auditor's post has been a launching pad for politicians with higher aspirations like Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill, former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and former GOP Sen. Kit Bond. But this year, Democrats concede they won ... (Read full article)

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'F*** This': Atheist Outraged After Claiming Notary...

An atheist activist is claiming that a notary at a TD Bank branch in New Jersey refused her request to authenticate documents, because she's a nonbeliever - but a spokeswoman for the bank has an entirely different story.

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Federal Appeals Court Upholds Tough Abortion Rules in Texas

A federal appeals court on Thursday upheld Texas' tough new abortion restrictions that shuttered many of the abortions clinics in the state.

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Firefighter Was in the Middle of Helping a Woman During Medical Call...

A fireman in New Roads, La., was rendering aid to a woman during a medical call on Monday when a police officer ordered him to move his firetruck, which was parked on the side of the street with its flashing lights on.

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Obama proposal still allows NSA to review too much phone data, critics say

The White House on Thursday announced President Barack Obama's proposal to end the National Security Agency's controversial bulk collection of information about Americans' cellphone usage, confirming that under the president's plan cellphone companies would be required to provide so-called metadata only on specific numbers when ordered by a court.

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9-Year-Old Boy's Scrawled Complaint About Speeding Cars Charmed the ...

What's not so typical here is that McLoughlin is only 9 - and the third-grader penned the complaint in his own handwriting: "Dear Waterford police officers," McLoughlin begins, noting that "every morning when I wait for my bus, cars and trucks are speeding.

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Parents Will Love Animator Dad's Awesome Video Series That Transforms His Son Into a Superhero

Daniel Hashimoto, an animator for Dreamworks, took short videos of his son, James, during everyday play and used a video-editing program to transform the clips into imaginative adventures.

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Connecticut's hourly $10.10 minimum wage a 1st

Surrounded by state lawmakers and officials, Malloy appeared at a packed Café Beauregard, the same New Britain restaurant where he dined earlier this month with President Barack Obama and several other New England governors.

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States' feathers ruffled as feds declare lesser prairie chicken threatened

The lesser prairie chicken is a species of grouse with feathered feet and striped plumage.

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Obama proposal still allows NSA to review too much phone data, critics say

But the details of the proposal still drew opposition from some civil liberties advocates, who said the president was allowing the NSA too much discretion by letting it review data from numbers two "hops" removed from the targeted phone.

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As Obamacare Deadline Nears, Louisiana Gets Special Attention

With only four days left before the March 31 enrollment deadline, the White House is kicking into high gear trying to round up more Affordable Care Act enrollees - and Louisiana got special attention Thursday.

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Michael Gerson: Political skills for divine purposes

Pope Francis and President Barack Obama smile as they exchange gifts at the Vatican on Thursday.

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Obama Says More Than 6M Signed Up For Health Care

President Barack Obama says more than 6 million Americans have signed up for coverage through the new health insurance markets created by his overhaul.

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Obama, Francis find common ground _ and divisions

They speak the same economic language, focused on inequality and the plight of the underprivileged.

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Obama, Francis find common ground - and divisions

Face to face for the first time, President Barack Obama and Pope Francis focused publicly on their mutual respect and shared concern for the poor on Thursday.

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Health care signups reach 6 million-plus

More than 6 million Americans have signed up for private coverage on the nation's health insurance marketplaces, surpassing the Congressional Budget Office estimate for first-year enrollment under the Affordable Care Act.

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Senate panel vote on releasing CIA study delayed

Senate Intelligence Committee Democrats, locked in an unprecedented power struggle with the CIA, have added 100 pages to the material they want made public from their study of the agencys use of waterboarding and other harsh interrogation methods on suspected terrorists, committee chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said Thursday.

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Guest: Set up rules for drones in Washington state

Washington residents of all political persuasions have become increasingly concerned about the potential use of aerial drones to invade their privacy, according to guest columnists William Covington and Mike Koss.

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Gun control advocates: Lawmaker arrest is setback

Gun-control groups said Thursday they were trying to find a new legislative leader to champion firearms restrictions after one of their most outspoken supporters was charged in a federal gun-trafficking case.

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Issa IRS probe rankles some in GOP

It was supposed to be an easy win: The most loathed federal agency engaged in what amounted to discrimination against tea party-backed nonprofits.

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White House joins BuzzFeed Community, posts Obamacare gifs

The White House joined the BuzzFeed Community on Thursday, March 27, 2014, with its first post, consisting of a series of gifs to promote Obamacare.

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Cartoon: Monkey business....

A tag is a way to search for this diary. If someone is searching for "Barack Obama," is this a diary they'd be trying to find? Use a person's full name, without any title.

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The Windmill of the Future Could Be Floating in the Sky

Were his story set today, though, Cervantes might have to change things up a bit: the monsters the self-styled knight battles might be set in the sky.

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How the West Can Help Ukraine-and Stop Russia

In one classic episode of the British comedy Yes Minister , a senior civil servant detailed the four phases of Foreign Office advice during an international crisis: In Ukraine, Western governments are now shifting from Phase 2 to Phase 3. We certainly know what is happening: the boldest Russian attempt in a quarter-century to reverse the outcome of ... (more)

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Studying U.S. Families: 'Men Are Where Women Were 30 Years Ago'

On subjects ranging from reproductive rights to gay marriage to the role of the First Lady, there is, perhaps, no more widely quoted expert than Stephanie Coontz.

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Special period extends deadline for health care enrollment for some

Millions of Americans could get extra time to enroll for taxpayer-subsidized coverage this year under President Barack Obama's health care law, allowing the administration to boost sign-ups and the political fortunes of Democrats under attack over the program's troubles.

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Connecticut's hourly $10.10 minimum wage a 1st

Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed legislation Thursday that will raise Connecticut's minimum wage to $10.10 an hour by 2017, the highest rate for any state in the country.

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Democrats in California capital reel from scandal

State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, right, D-Sacramento, is consoled by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, after Steinberg and fellow Democrats called for Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, to resign his seat in the wake of his arrest on federal corruption and firearm charges, during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif.

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Feds list lesser prairie chicken as threatened

This March 2007 photo provided by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department shows a male lesser prairie chicken in a mating stature in the Texas panhandle.

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Kansas governor decries prairie chicken decision

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback criticized the federal government's decision to add the lesser prairie chicken to its list of threatened species Thursday as an "overreach," and a spokeswoman said his office is considering a lawsuit.

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Inhofe, Fallin not pleased with prairie chicken

Oklahoma politicians have been quick to respond to news that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has decided to list the lesser prairie chicken as threatened.

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LBJ Library releases full schedule for three-day Civil Rights Summit

Thursday afternoon, the LBJ Library and Presidential Museum announced the full schedule for the three-day Civil Rights Summit that will begin April 8. In addition to a keynote address from President Barack Obama and talks from three former presidents, the summit will feature nine panels with topics ranging from civil rights in sports to the role ... (more)

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Gun control advocates: Lawmaker arrest is setback

People on both sides of the gun control issue said the charges against state Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, may slow consideration of gun legislation this year.

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Secret Service agents in South Florida for Obama visit had traffic accident

A burgeoning new scandal over drunkenness or tawdry behavior among Secret Service officers traveling with President Barack Obama prompted intense scrutiny of a traffic accident in the Florida Keys earlier this month involving two of the agency's men.

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Obama proposal still allows NSA to review too much phone data, critics say

The GOPa s sensible energy vote in Kansas

The Royals learned a lot about themselves during their 36-day stay in Surprise, Ariz.

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Rep. Dana Rohrabacher comes out against humans to Mars

According to a March 27 story on KPCC , a Southern California public radio station, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher , R-CA suggested that NASA might want to forget the idea of sending humans to Mars , relying on robots and rovers instead.

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The Obamacare numbers game

A year ago, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was calling 7 million enrollees what "success looks like."

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Missouri Dems' thin bench

Obama says more than 6M signed up for health care

Back on track after a stumbling start, President Barack Obama's heath care overhaul reached a milestone Thursday, with more than 6 million Americans signed up for coverage through new insurance markets.

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NBA's Nets could move ownership to Russia

Pro basketball is a staple of American athletics, taking its place with Major League Baseball and the National Football League as one of the pre-eminent U.S. sports leagues.

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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

EPA's McCarthy disputes 'War on Coal' phrase

Federal EPA administrator Gina McCarthy told members of a U.S. Senate committee Wednesday the agency is seeking more than $1 billion in the next federal budget for climate change and air quality efforts.

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Bills introduced to ban online gambling

Lawmakers from both parties are introducing legislation that would ban online gambling.

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US to commit more forces to NATO efforts

The United States plans to join with other NATO nations in increasing ground and naval forces in Eastern Europe as part of the military alliance's response to Russia's incursion in Ukraine, the White House said Wednesday.

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Showing Signs Of Age, Capitol Dome Gets A Face-Lift

For many, it's likely the U.S. Capitol - or more specifically, the iconic white dome that crowns the Capitol.

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Huckabee in Washington, hinting at 2016 bid

Huckabee had deep support among social conservatives during his 2008 presidential bid, but he never won over establishment-minded Republicans and ended that campaign broke.

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Lawmakers bash Obama administration's 'delusional' Syria policy

U.S. lawmakers lashed out at the Obama administration's handling of Syria's civil war on Wednesday, demanding a stronger American response to the conflict and better communication from the White House about its plans.

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GOP: Administration stonewalling on bird deaths

This Aug. 23, 2013 file photo shows wind turbines silhouetted by the setting sun near Beaumont, Kansas.

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Parker column: Supreme Court takes on religious freedom

When it comes to tackling complicated legal issues, one would be hard-pressed to conjure a less likely partnership than Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz and Baylor University President Ken Starr.

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Culture of Corruption - Charlotte edition: Dem Mayor charged w/ bribery, theft

Then-Charlotte City Councilman-now-Mayor Patrick Cannon and then-Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx - now Obama's Transportation Secretary - in happier times.

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Senators weigh impact of proposed Tricare fee hikes

Military advocacy groups appear divided over a Pentagon proposal to consolidate Tricare health programs, but all agree that active-duty families should not have to pay higher medical costs just because they don't live near a military hospital.

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Secret Service agents reprimanded for partying in Amsterdam

What the Obama Administration does not need is another scandal at the hands of those sworn to protect the President.

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Leading Senator Adds to Momentum for Helping Childless Workers

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray proposed today to build on the Earned Income Tax Credit's pro-work success story by significantly boosting the credit for low-wage workers not raising minor children -- the only group that the federal tax code taxes into poverty.

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War of 1812 comes up during KXL debate

Against all odds, the War of 1812 managed to work its way into the American debate on the Keystone XL pipeline on Wednesday.

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Bills introduced in Congress banning online gaming

The measures are aimed at reversing a 2011 decision by Attorney General Eric Holder that a 1961 law used in recent years to curb Internet gaming only barred sports betting.

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Sen. Wyden to push for revival of tax breaks

The new chairman of the Senate Finance Committee plans to move next week to revive an array of tax breaks that expired in December, pleasing industry lobbyists but disappointing House Republicans, who have not abandoned their quest for full-blown tax reform.

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President's Problems: Santorum Blames 'Incompetence' and 'Lies'

The 2012 Iowa Caucus winner, Rick Santorum, had strong words to describe why he thinks President Obama's popularity is as low as it is, even in Iowa, where the former Illinois Senator's first presidential campaign first took off in 2008.

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An Open Letter to Franklin Graham Regarding His Views on Homosexuality

So, Frank, I read your March 2014 column in Decision Magazine , the organ of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, which is named in honor of your father.

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Senate Endorsement: Sarah Palin Backs Joni Ernst

In the ad, Ernst starts off by saying, "I'm Joni Ernst. I grew up castrating pigs on an Iowa farm." It's caught the attention of a self-titled Mama Grizzly. Five republican candidates are running for the nomination for Senate. Rep. Bruce Braley is running unopposed for the democratic nomination.

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Charlotte mayor arrested on corruption charges

Less than six months on the job, the mayor of Charlotte was arrested Wednesday and accused of accepting more than $48,000 in bribes from undercover FBI agents posing as businessmen who wanted to do work with North Carolina's largest city.

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IRS chief: Producing documents could take years

The head of the Internal Revenue Service told House Republicans on Wednesday that it would take years to provide all the documents they have subpoenaed in their probe of how the agency handled tea party groups' applications for tax-exempt status.

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UPDATED: State Senate and House vote to increase minimum wage

The state Senate and House of Representatives have each voted to raise the state's minimum wage to to $10.10 an hour by Jan. 1, 2017.

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China in violation of hoarding rare earth materials

U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman applauded a ruling by the World Trade Organization that China is in violation of hoarding rare earth materials, tungsten, and molybdenum at the expense of American manufacturers.

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Why We Can't Name a Planet After Joe Biden - Yet

Astronomers have discovered a possible new dwarf planet : a cold, relatively tiny lump of ice traveling near the barrier where the sun loses all its gravitational influence.

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Analysis: Russia deeply linked to Obama priorities

Even as he criticizes Vladimir Putin and imposes sanctions on Russia, President Barack Obama is struggling with the consequences of his own earlier quest for a fresh start between Washington and Moscow.

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House Leaders Sideline Anti-NSA Lawmakers

Through a procedural trick, some of the most vocal critics of mass surveillance are not going to get to review a new reform bill.

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Captain: Cruise ships may over-rely on electronics

Cruise operators, like airline pilots, may be relying too heavily on electronics to navigate massive ships, losing the knowledge and ability needed to operate a vessel in the case of a power failure, an expert sea pilot told a federal agency on Wednesday.

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Growers of thirsty pot are under fire in drought-struck California

In drought-hit California, marijuana growers are feeling the heat, accused of using too much water for their thirsty plants and of polluting streams and rivers with their pesticides and fertilizers.

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Readers Write: (March 27): Tax climate, school discipline, attracting ...

While Gov. Mark Dayton is taking bows for his minor, badly needed tax rebate, it is sobering to review the nonpartisan Tax Foundation's recent state-by-state comparison of tax data.

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House votes to limit president on public monuments

President Barack Obama and his successors would see their ability to designate new national monuments limited under a bill approved Wednesday by the House.

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Why Theater Owners Are Flirting With Weekly Discount Tickets

National Association of Theater Owners president John Fithian says the group is testing offering cheap movie theater tickets on Tuesday nights.

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Bills introduced in Congress banning online gaming

Lawmakers from both parties introduced legislation in the House and Senate on Wednesday aimed at banning online gambling, setting the stage for an uncertain battle in Congress.

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US to commit more forces to NATO efforts in Eastern Europe

U.S. President Barack Obama, center, Belgian King Phillipe, and Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, far left, attend a at the wreath-laying ceremony at Flanders Field America Cemetery in Waregem, Belgium, on Wednesday, March 26, 2014.

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Big Little Governments

Do you think government today can't get anything done? Check out James Fallows's piece in The Atlantic this month.

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Victory At See

The administration has mastered the art of declaring victory at will. Not that it means anything, but it sounds good.

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Kse Partners Names Leif Johnson Partner and New President of Kse Focus

"KSE Partners is a great place to work - a place where government affairs success stories occur frequently because of our talented people building great relationships with our clients."

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Remembering HillaryCare, Benghazi and "What Difference at This Point Does it Make?"

The end of Barack Obama's presidency effectively began after the 2010 congressional elections when Republicans took control of the House.

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Pope Francis polls higher than Obama

It's no surprise that a pope would be more popular than a U.S. president, but a new poll provides details ahead of Thursday's meeting between Pope Francis and President Obama.

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Senators Should Know the Truth about Global Warming Leighton Steward

Recently almost 30 Democratic United States Senators stayed up all night taking turns delivering speeches about the importance of climate change and getting lowering the amount of CO2 in our atmosphere.

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Obama's Pen vs. the Constitution

Barack Obama has revealed that he unilaterally plans to use executive orders to "bypass" Congress.

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Weekly Column

Victory for Honest Elections A federal court in Kansas just rendered a much-needed decision against the federal government's interference with state efforts to combat voter fraud.

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Questions raised again about Secret Service culture

Members of the U.S. Secret Service's Counter Assault Team, known in the agency as CAT, are seen before boarding helicopters at a landing zone in Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam on March 24, 2014.

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Rick Santorum: No hard feelings about 2012 caucuses

Despite the mishandling of the 2012 Iowa caucus results that delayed his victory by a couple of weeks, Rick Santorum defends the first-in-the-nation contest and is considering competing in 2016.

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Lawmakers Seek to Tame 'Wild West' of Online Gambling

Place your bets: Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Rep. Jason Chaffetz R-Utha, are going all in to ban online gambling.

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Sisi announces candidacy for Egypt election

Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the Egyptian general who ousted his country's first freely-elected leader, has declared his candidacy for a presidential election he is expected to win easily.

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Obama: U.S., Europe united on Ukraine crisis

Connecticut senate approves bill to raise minimum wage to $10.10

Connecticut's senate on Wednesday approved a bill that would raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, the highest statewide rate in the nation, following a call to action last month by Democratic Governor Dannel Malloy.

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Mr. Borlaug goes to Washington

Far from the fields and laboratories where Norman Borlaug worked much of his life, hundreds gathered in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday to unveil a statue honoring the plant geneticist credited with saving more than a billion people around the world from starvation.

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Ex-Scott fundraiser's explosive email warned of trouble with Hispanic voters

Miami Entrepaneur Mike Fernandez poses at a charity event in this Sept. 6, 2013, file photo.

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Supreme Court leaning against anti-Bush protesters

A Supreme Court hearing that aired all sorts of ways someone might try to assassinate the president did not bode well Wednesday for a group of protesters suing two Secret Service agents for allegedly mistreating them at a 2004 appearance of President George W. Bush.

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Rick Smith wrote a new blog post: Linn County: Two supervisor...

Both seats up for election this year on the five-member Linn County Board of Supervisors will have primaries on June 3. Only Democratic incumbents Jerry Vander Sanden, county attorney, Sharon Gonzalez, treasurer, and Joan McCalmant, recorder, filed nomination papers by the deadline at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

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Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Capitol Alert: Pérez holds large fundraising lead in controller's race

Assembly Speaker John A. Prez held a 17-to-1 cash-on-hand advantage over fellow Democrat Betty Yee as of mid-March in the race for state controller, according to the latest campaign filings.

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Michigan governor stays cautious on gay marriage

FILE This March 18, 2014 file photo shows Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder speaking to the media during the Governor's Economic Summit at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Mich.

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EPA wants broader authority over wetlands, streams

The Obama administration proposed rules Tuesday that would give the federal government authority over millions of acres of wetlands and thousands of miles of streams.

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McConnell ad celebrates ... Duke

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell presumably meant to feature a clip of the University of Kentucky's basketball team in a new campaign spot released Tuesday, but the ad's release was instead ridiculed on Twitter for a brief shot of the Duke Blue Devils celebrating their 2010 NCAA Championship victory.

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Blog Post: Idaho the latest state to make computer science courses...

Continuing the momentum we've seen across the country on computer science education, Idaho recently joined a growing number of states that allow computer science courses to count toward high school graduation requirements.

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Capt. Phillips to attend Mass. Maritime graduation

Richard Phillips, whose real-life ordeal as a hostage of Somali pirates was the subject of the movie "Captain Phillips," has been selected to address graduates at Massachusetts Maritime Academy's commencement.

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When Pope Francis meets President Obama, expect collaboration over conflict

President Barack Obama is to meet Pope Francis for the first time next week as the U.S. leader wraps up a European tour, a high-profile encounter between two major world players that appears to carry especially high stakes from America's perspective.

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House Democrats pressuring Republicans for immigration reform vote

House Democrats continue to batter against the brick wall of Speaker John Boehner's refusal to allow a vote on immigration reform .

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Reid drops IMF reforms from Ukraine aid bill

On Monday, the Senate reached cloture on a Ukraine aid/Russia sanctions bill, with a controversial provision that included International Monetary Fund reforms that the House opposes.

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Even in dark red Alaska, Democratic Sen. Mark Begich wants to increase Social Security benefits

More of this, please. Here's Sen. Mark Begich , telling Greg Sargent why he's running on Social Security in his re-election campaign-not just to protect the program, but to expand it.

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EPA's shredding system makes bad news about climate regulations disappear

Federal law mandates an independent scientific review of the possible effects -- both good and bad -- of proposed environmental regulations before decisionmakers act.

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Examiner Editorial: Chuck Schumer's bill may not help journalists protect sources

Sen. Chuck Schumer is a fast-talking New York Democrat who is trying to have it both ways on protecting journalists and their sources from government intimidation and prosecution.

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a Cesar Chaveza film looks at the labor leadera s legacy and hopes to spark discussion

Some years before his death in 1993, Cesar Chavez was asked if he wanted to be remembered by statues and public memorials.

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Dick Morris: Hillary uses gender to win

Throughout her political career, Hillary Clinton has used her gender and the still novel concept of a woman running for president to cloak her advances and shield her from losses.

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Meredith

A Conservative senator's spending is under special scrutiny from the Senate itself, after he made a trip to Washington that the Senate's leadership didn't approve.

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US Senate drops IMF reforms from Ukraine aid

"I believe we need to act now, this week," Senate Democrat Robert Menendez, who spearheaded legislation that included Ukraine aid, Russian sanctions and IMF reforms, said on the floor of the chamber [WASHINGTON] US Senate Democrats bowed to Republican demands on Tuesday that IMF reforms be removed from their Ukraine aid package, acknowledging it ... (more)

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Signs of thaw as Obama brings South Korea, Japan to the table

US President Barack Obama holds a trilateral meeting with President Park Geun-hye of the South Korea and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan after the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, March 25. The leaders of Japan and South Korea appeared unwilling to reconcile their differences, preferring to withdraw into an uncomfortable silence that has ... (more)

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GOP needs to reach out to blacks

Recently former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice added her voice to those who have long been urging the Republican Party to reach out to black voters.

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Lawmakers press Army on disgraced general's retirement

Under questioning from lawmakers Tuesday, Army Secretary John McHugh said he could not comment on the rank at which Brig.

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Contraception case appears to split court

Bill would make public car crash, injury reports

U.S. Sens. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., proposed a measure that would reform the nation's Early Warning Reporting, or EWR, system for auto manufacturers.

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Petitions call on US government to leave Snowden alone

U.S. President Barack Obama's administration should reverse its decision to suspend the passport of U.S. National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden and end its efforts to prosecute him as policymakers push to change the programs he exposed, a group of activists said.

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Kentucky legislature languishing on priorities with six days left

Kentucky's legislature has six days left to approve many stalled bills that leaders identified as priorities earlier this year.

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Mass. lawmaker has HIV, will lead AIDS group

"As a gay man living with HIV, I am honored to lead one of the country's oldest and most effective organizations in the battle against this disease which has raged on over 30 years," Sciortino said in a written statement.

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Obama's worry: A nuke in Manhattan

In disputing Mitt Romney's claim that Russia is the nation's top foe, President Obama on Tuesday provided a bracing image of a bigger threat.

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U.S. official: Key part of Florida unemployment system still doesn't work

To make the case that senators should allow him to keep his $141,000 job leading the Department of Economic Opportunity, Jesse Panuccio has testified this month about remarkable progress in fixing the state's glitch-prone unemployment benefits website.

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Belgium Atones for Racist Obama Caricatures With Racist Giant CookieNot good, Belgium.

A Belgium newspaper apologized this week, ahead of a visit from President Obama, for an "admittedly tasteless joke," in which it depicted the most powerful African-American in the world as a drug dealer and an ape.

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Pentagon says Benghazi probes cost millions

Congress' multiple investigations of the deadly 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, have cost the Pentagon millions of dollars and thousands of hours of personnel time, according to the department.

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Democrat: Report clearing Gov. Christie incomplete

Gov. Chris Christie's lawyers cannot credibly review a political payback plot involving his aides because they are missing information from key players, the head of a New Jersey legislative panel said Monday.

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Bruce Braley sorry for comments about Grassley

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Bruce Braley apologized Tuesday to Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley for comments recorded during a fundraiser in Texas in which the Democrat inferred Iowa's senior senator was unfit to be judiciary committee chairman.

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exit-arrow-visit|blogPost-1280528|mobile_home_category_body-6391|2

Here's a statement from Assembly Democratic Majority Speaker Sheldon Silver on passage of a bill that would add New York to the states moving toward a national, rather than electoral college, vote in presidential races.

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A chance to move beyond symbolism

There likely will be agreement to disagree on the issues dividing President Barack Obama and the Catholic Church when the president meets Pope Francis on Thursday.

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Pope knows he's a photo-op; he'll smile anyway

Pope Francis will meet with President Barack Obama. The president has far more to gain, but expect the pope to dutifully smile - just don't underestimate what that gesture means.

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No Accounting: The State's Tax Board Is Free of Tax Professionals

When young tax attorney Chris Parker kicked off his stump speech during his 2010 run for the Board of Equalization, he didn't gush about the wonders of being a tax lawyer or even address what the hell the Board of Equalization does.

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Edward Snowden: Obama's Nsa Reforms Are a 'Turning Point'

Former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden on Tuesday hailed President Barack Obama's plan to reform the NSA's bulk surveillance programs as a "turning point" in the debate over privacy and security.

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Treasury says Lew's outpatient surgery went well

Treasury spokeswoman Natalie Wyeth Earnest said that the surgery in New York on Tuesday went well and Lew is now resting comfortably.

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Obama calls Russia only a a regional powera as he defends his foreign policy

President Barack Obama speaks during a joint news conference with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at the conclusion of the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, Netherlands, March 25, 2014.

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Congress reacts to spate of killings by Border Patrol agents

A cross with an image of slaying victim Jose Antonio Elena, 16, commemorates him at the site where he was gunned down by the U.S. Border Patrol on a street in Nogales, Mexico, March 12, 2014.

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House moves to block Obama coal rule

House Republicans on Tuesday approved a bill that would prevent the Obama administration from imposing a stream-protection rule for coal mining that government experts say would eliminate thousands of jobs.

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Senators to vote next week on torture report

The Senate Intelligence Committee plans to vote next week on declassifying parts of a review on Bush administration-era terrorist interrogations that has sparked a rift with the CIA.

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Harper warns of 'pain' from sanctions on Russia

Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaks during a closing press conference following the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague.

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Poll: - Un-American' Koch BrothersMore Popular than Harry Reid

Most voters haven't even heard of Charles and David Koch, the libertarian philanthropists that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has called "un-American" and "against everything that's good for America."

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US First Lady Meets Chinese Rural Students via Web

US first lady Michelle Obama spoke to rural Chinese students via web conferencing today, at her last stop of the six-day China tour focusing on education and cultural exchange.

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GOP sure only of Ukraine's political value

Here's what the United States has done so far in an attempt to deter further Russian incursions into Ukraine: applied two rounds of economic sanctions and asked Congress to approve $1 billion in loan guarantees for Kiev.

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Iowa Senate hopeful disses Sen. Chuck Grassley

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CNN ad sales head Greg Da Alba exitsHis responsibilities will be taken ...

Greg D'Alba is out at CNN. The cable news network's head of ad sales is leaving his position after 28 years with Turner.

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Reaganomics Vs. Obamanomics:Two Wholly Different Outcomes

Despite adding almost a trillion dollars to our national debt and failing to keep the unemployment rate at or below 8% as advertised, liberals consider President ObamaA s signature stimulus package - the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - a success, in part because of the number of jobs it "saved."

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US, Allies Seek to Isolate Russia; Moscow Shrugs

President Barack Obama talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron as they participates in a G7 Leaders meeting at Catshuis, the official residence of the Dutch Prime Minister, in The Hague, Netherlands.

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Your Views

Today's Paper, also known as the e-Edition, is an online replica of the printed newspaper.

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EPA land grab? Agency claims authority over more streams, wetlands

In what critics are describing as a government land grab, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed a change Tuesday to the Clean Water Act that would give it regulatory authority over temporary wetlands and waterways.

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Monday, March 24, 2014

Republicans Declare Harry Reid 'Unhinged,' After He Says They May Have Helped Russia Annex Crimea

A spokesman for Republican House Speaker John Boehner called Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid "unhinged" on Monday, after Reid charged Republicans may have had a helping hand in emboldening Russia to annex Crimea.

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Does The U.S. Want War With Russia?

Two weeks ago, when Liz Wahl quit her post as an RT host live on air claiming that she could not be part of a network that was "funded by the Russian Government" and was set on "whitewashing the crimes of Putin."

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China, US pledge to cooperate on fighting terrorism - Indiatalkies.com

The Hague, March 25: The Chinese and US presidents agreed here Monday to strengthen cooperation on fighting terrorism and transnational crime.

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Unconstitutional Abortion Law Finally Repealed

More than 40 years ago, Dr. Jackson Beecham became the face of a movement to make abortion legal in the state of Vermont.

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Death toll rises to 14 in Wash. landslide

108 still missing in slide

Water and mud back up on the east side of Saturday's fatal mudslide near Oso, Wash., Sunday March 23, 2014.

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FOREX-Dollar hurt by doubts about growth momentum; Aussie hits 2014 high

The U.S. dollar nursed broad losses early on Tuesday, having come under pressure late in New York as investors bought the euro and drove the Australian dollar to its highest this year.

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Report: Christie's office says no link to bridge lane closures

Ethics continues review of Mullin

The House Ethics Committee will continue to review GOP Rep. Markwayne Mullin's ties to his plumbing companies, but it will not form a special investigative panel to look into the matter.

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Senate poised to approve Ukraine aid

The Senate easily advanced a package of aid and sanctions in response to the Russian incursion of Ukraine on Monday, but a final deal is being bogged down by a controversial push to reform the International Monetary Fund.

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Brahimi doubts peace talks will resume soon

BEIRUT: The United Nations peace mediator for Syria said Monday it was unlikely that talks in Switzerland between the Syrian government and opposition would resume soon, amid few signs that one of the opposition's chief backers intends to change its approach to the conflict.

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Search for Washington mudslide survivors grows

In a race to find loved ones, family members and neighbors used chain saws and their bare hands to dig through wreckage that was tangled by the mud into piles of filthy debris.

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Alexander Votes For Financial Assistance To Ukraine

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander today released the following statement on his vote in favor of legislation to provide financial assistance to Ukraine: "Since the end of World War II, the United States has always stood against aggressive acts by totalitarian leaders," Alexander said.

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