Nation: The number of abortions across the U.S. between 2000 and 2005 fell to the lowest number reported since 1976, The Washington Post reports.
Life: The return of an ancestral shaman’s mask a bittersweet reunion for King Islanders, the Anchorage Daily News reports. To read more about King Island and its former inhabitants, click here.
World: The Christian Science Monitor reports that the annual Freedom in the World Report found 43 countries “not free” for their decline in political rights and civil liberties. “This is the first time in 15 years the group has seen two consecutive years of decline,” CSM writes, and the report notes that the worst offenders were in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, the former Soviet Union and the Middle East.
World: Russia will block Kosovo’s entry into the United Nations if it tries to declare independence, Der Spiegel writes.
Food: Pizza lovers, take note. The BBC reports that “Brucellosis — a contagious bacterial disease that in livestock leads to abortion, infertility and reduced milk production” is infecting many of Italy’s water buffalo whose milk is used in mozzarella di bufala. Because the milk, once pasteurized, offers no threat to humans, the local Mafia have actually been blocking the slaughter of infected stock, the BBC reports.
O P I N I O N
In the first four Republican primary/caucus contests, there have been three winners. And if Fred Thompson does win South Carolina’s on Saturday, that portends something this nation hasn’t experienced in decades — a contested GOP convention. Wouldn’t that be rich! Wouldn’t that give all the prognosticating pundits a ginormous wedge of humble pie!
Our current primary system needs repair. Why should a handful of primaries in small states winnow the field for the nation? The caucus idea is appealing because it is something so rare in today’s society — sitting down with your neighbors to discuss seriously the state of the U.S. Is there a way a comparable model could be designed for the nation?
What if a campaigning season was announced much like a deer or duck hunting season, in which the candidates would have several months to cross the nation and make their points. It could move across the nation sensibly, say from west to east, to reduce air miles candidates would have to take. That would be followed by a series of debates including all the candidates on issues — no pundit-driven faux issue questions allowed. After that, there would be a national primary weekend. Perhaps the top two candidates could be eligible for discussion at the conventions.
The system is broke. Why don’t we fix it?
♣ Nation/world news tally in my local paper today: 1¼ pages.
Feed me 5 Under the Radar
