Leading Shiite Clerics Pushing Islamic Constitution in Iraq
By EDWARD WONG
The leaders want their faith to be enshrined as the
national religion, governing marriage, divorce and family
inheritance.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/internat...shiites.html?th

Bush Is Said to Seek Sharp Cuts in Subsidy Payments to
Farmers
By ROBERT PEAR
The proposal, aimed at reducing the deficit,
puts the
president at odds with some of his most ardent supporters
in the rural South.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/politics/06budget.html?th

..................

In Montana, Bush Faces a Tough Sell on Social Security
By ROBIN TONER
The president's power to grab attention
was on display in
Montana last week, but
Social Security showed a power of
its own.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/politics/06baucus.html?th

- QUOTATION OF THE DAY -

"The constitution is the most dangerous document in the country and the most important one affecting the future of the country. It should be written extremely carefully."
- ALAADEEN MUHAMMAD AL-HAKIM, spokesman for a Shiite leader in Iraq.


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/internat...shiites.html?th

Inmate's Rising I.Q. Score Could Mean His Death
By ADAM LIPTAK
Daryl R. Atkins may be executed because his test scores
have risen and he is no longer considered retarded.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/national/06atkins.html?th

NEWS ANALYSIS
Figuring a Social Security Benefit Under President Bush's
Plan
By EDUARDO PORTER
Private accounts are intended to provide potentially higher
rewards, but two factors could erode those expected
benefits.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/politics/06social.html?th

Captured in Utah, Florida Couple Are Held in a Child Abuse
Case
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A Florida couple have been captured in Utah after being
accused of abusing five adopted children, officials said
Friday night.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/national/06child.html?th

From Ashes of '04 Effort, Dean Reinvents Himself
By TODD S. PURDUM
A funny thing happened to Howard Dean on his way to
becoming a losing footnote in the Democratic Party's past:
he gained a winning foothold on its future.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/politics/06dean.html?th

Pentagon Sets Bonuses to Retain Members of Special
Operations
By THOM SHANKER
The Defense Department has approved a lucrative series of
incentives for elite Special Operations Forces personnel
who remain in the military.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/politics/06ops.html?th

Edwards's Speech Is on Poverty, but Focus Is on Where He
Spoke
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
John Edwards, who says he has not decided whether to run
for president in 2008, is giving public talks on battling
poverty.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/national/06speech.html?th

The Drexel Diaspora
By JENNY ANDERSON
Fifteen years after the demise of the firm, many young
employees swept up in the Drexel diaspora have risen to
prominent positions on Wall Street.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/business.../06drex.html?th

Michael Crichton? He's Just the Author
By EDWARD WYATT
Jane Friedman, the president and chief executive of
HarperCollins Publishers, is credited with inventing the
author tour.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/business.../06book.html?th

Sorry, the Auditor Said, but We Want a Divorce
By LYNNLEY BROWNING
Top auditing firms, collectively known as the Big Four,
said the Sarbanes-Oxley Act has sharply increased the
amount of work they must do for clients.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/business...06audit.html?th

TODAY'S EDITORIALS
Read the Fine Print
Whatever points of President Bush's Social Security
privatization plan that sounded good, sounded bad when the
details were filled in.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/opinion/6sun1.html?th

What Meat Means
What is most alarming at the slaughterhouse is not what
happens to the animals, it is what happens to the humans
who work there.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/opinion/6sun2.html?th

EDITORIAL OBSERVER
Essie Mae Washington-Williams Has Her Say
By BRENT STAPLES
The daughter Strom Thurmond wouldn't acknowledge.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/opinion/6sun3.html?th

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/internation...1406859,00.html

Rice issues tough warning to Russia over reforms

http://www.antiwar.com/lobe/?articleid=4730

Hawk-realist Impasse Could Persist in Second Term
Jim Lobe

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4240121.stm

Rice smoothes relations in Turkey

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...ml?nav=hcmodule

FBI Pushes to Expand Domain Into CIA's Intelligence Gathering

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...ml?nav=hcmodule

The Greening of Evangelicals

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...ml?nav=hcmodule

What Bin Laden Sees in Hiroshima

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...ml?nav=hcmodule

Arid Arizona Points to Global Warming as Culprit

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...ppy_stroke_care

Evidence Shows Sloppy Stroke Care in US

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor.../ap/bush_budget

Bush Proposes Cuts to Scores of Programs

NATIONAL | February 6, 2005
Ruling That Colleges Can Bar Military Recruiters Faces Fight
By JOHN FILES
The House has approved a measure calling for the government to contest a court decision that allows educational institutions to keep military recruiters off their campuses.

Copyright 2005 The New York Times Company | Privacy Policy

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/fashion/...d0d5b31&ei=5070

New to Capitol Hill? 10 tips to Avoid Ruin

Oh Lord, ain't it hard

By Sheila Samples

Most Americans seem hesitant to question Bush's grand scheme to fight terror by creating even more terror with his "doctrine" of assassination and collateral damage. Only a few have dared to approach him with even a tentative suggestion that perhaps the public deserves an explanation for the heinous torture, abuse and even murder of those unfortunate enough to be scooped up and detained in prisons such as Abu Ghraib or Guantanamo Bay. And, sadly, nobody seems to notice the growing daily death toll of American citizens in Iraq.
http://207.44.245.159/article7983.htm

Bush hones his pitch on retirement
The president pushes hard, as the public remains wary of private Social
Security accounts. By Linda Feldmann
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0207/p01s01-uspo.html?s=hns

Not ready for a Super Bowl spot: Rise of amateur ads
Trendy unofficial marketing has professionals puzzling over whether to
quash or harness the pretenders. By Clayton Collins
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0207/p01s02-ussc.html?s=hns

Congress crosses partisan divides on some issues
Agreement on moving class-action suits to federal courts indicates
bridge building between parties, for now. By Gail Russell Chaddock
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0207/p02s02-uspo.html?s=hns

Weighing justice and fanfare in Jackson trial
As jury selection begins, a frenzy of coverage prompts questions about
the media and fair trials. By Kris Axtman
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0207/p03s01-usju.html?s=hns

US losing the race to engage Muslims
A senator's rude awakening on streets of Mali: throngs were cheering
Iran, not America. By Russ Feingold
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0207/p09s01-coop.html?s=hns

Office memo: 'Blogging' can get you bounced
Several workplace bloggers find themselves holding pink slips. By Randy
Dotinga
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0207/p13s01-wmgn.html?s=hns

Laid off at 50: How some bridge the retirement gap
Too young to retire, many facing a midlife career crisis find ways to
get by. By Marilyn Gardner
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0207/p13s02-wmgn.html?s=hns

This Week @ U.S. News
Highlights from the magazine and usnews.com
February 7, 2005
===================================

COVER STORY: Ready or not

Heartening as the recent elections were, generals directing the American-led effort in Iraq are under few illusions about the difficulty of the challenges that lie ahead, reports Linda Robinson from Baghdad. "The generals have decided to make a fundamental shift from combat operations to a more widespread and aggressive advisory effort to try to bring the Iraqi forces up to speed quickly and take more responsibility for the insurgent-led violence that continues to convulse much of the country. Starting this week, as many as 4,000 soldiers will be cut away from their units and assigned to Iraqi divisions, battalions, and companies as military advisory teams, or MATs.

The real test for Iraqis now will be taking responsibility for security
http://www.you-click.net/GoNow/a15504a122545a272335445a6

--On the road to a new democracy
With the laborious vote counting process underway in Iraq, "the consequences of a divisive election started to emerge," write Ilana Ozernoy and Kevin Whitelaw. "While Shiites exulted in the strength of their newfound suffrage, some Kurds renewed calls for independence for the predominantly Kurdish areas of northern Iraq. More worryingly, much of the Sunni minority, which under Saddam's oppressive rule sat in the zenith of power, sat out election day--whether in protest, due to indecision, or simply because the polling centers in their restive neighborhoods were closed."

What can Iraqis expect once the votes are counted?
http://www.you-click.net/GoNow/a15504a122545a272335445a19

--Full-court press
"Never mind that Chief Justice William Rehnquist has given no indication that he actually plans to step down soon; his thyroid cancer and frail appearance on Inauguration Day have interest groups in Washington gearing up for a bruising fight over a high-court vacancy they all assume is coming," writes Angie Cannon. "Given the age of other justices, there could be several openings on the horizon, and President Bush has promised to name conservative jurists to fill them. During the president's second term, the high court may produce a multifront war."

Interest groups of all kinds are girding for battle over the next Supreme Court nominee
http://www.you-click.net/GoNow/a15504a122545a272335445a8

SPECIAL REPORT: Dem blues

In a special report this week, U.S. News writers look at the state of the Democratic Party. How bad is it. "Well," writes Roger Simon, "the Democrats don't have the presidency, they don't have the Senate, and they don't have the House. And while four men are elbowing each other to get elected Democratic chairman on Saturday, that is largely a fundraising job. Just what the heart, soul--and future--of the party is seems very much an open question."

Can the Democrats find the lyrics to regain the White House?
http://www.you-click.net/GoNow/a15504a122545a272335445a18


Democrats are struggling to find a winning formula in heartland states like Nebraska
http://www.you-click.net/GoNow/a15504a122545a272335445a11


The Southern states are looking for a different sort of Democrat
http://www.you-click.net/GoNow/a15504a122545a272335445a16

--Lucent Rewired
To thousands of investors, retirees, and ousted employees, Lucent Technology's gritty survival saga is an unrelenting tale of woe, writes Richard J. Newman. "Over the past five years, Lucent has shrunk from the dominant provider of the equipment that powers the nation's telephone systems to a much skinnier supplier that's playing catch-up in critical markets like cellular technology and Internet communications."

The former AT&T spinoff is slowly coming back from near death
http://www.you-click.net/GoNow/a15504a122545a272335445a7

--Radio shock waves
In just under three years, Washington, D.C.-based XM and its smaller rival, Sirius, headquartered in New York, have signed up more than 4 million subscribers to satellite radio. XM and Sirius aren't just battling traditional radio, writes Betsy Streisand. "They are also fighting iPods and Internet radio and, of course, each other."

Satellite versions hope to attract listeners with a high-voltage, distinctive lineup
http://www.you-click.net/GoNow/a15504a122545a272335445a9

--A change of heart
Today, the prevention of heart disease seems like pure common sense, but it wasn't always so obvious. Sixty years ago, the nation's top cardiologists didn't have a clue about how to save the life of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. His death was one in a growing epidemic of cardiovascular disease that spurred researchers to find answers. In 1948, the Framingham Heart Study was launched, and the lives and deaths of 5,209 volunteers from Framingham, Mass., taught the rest of the world just which behaviors and genetic traits put them at risk. Daniel Levy, a cardiologist specializing in prevention, a faculty member at Boston University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School, and director of the Framingham Heart Study; and Susan Brink, a senior writer at U.S. News, have written a book, A Change of Heart: How the People of Framingham, Massachusetts, Helped Unravel the Mysteries of Cardiovascular Disease. It begins with an eye-opening reminder of just how far we've come.

FDR's death shows how much we've learned about the heart
http://www.you-click.net/GoNow/a15504a122545a272335445a12

--Shopper's special on flu shots
Wondering what to get your dear ones for Valentine's Day? Perhaps a flu shot, writes Nancy Shute. "Although four months ago grandmas were standing in line for hours to get immunized against the infectious disease, now in most parts of the country anyone who wants a flu shot can get one, no questions asked."

A shortage no longer
http://www.you-click.net/GoNow/a15504a122545a272335445a21

EDUCATION

--The new school spirit
"If the past two decades have been an era of religious revival in America, the predominantly secular world of U.S. higher education seems at first glance to have been remarkably untouched by the spirit of the times, writes Jay Tolson. "But sometimes a picture of the forest may miss a vigorous new species of tree."

The popularity of colleges with an explicitly religious mission
http://www.you-click.net/GoNow/a15504a122545a272335445a4

DIVERSIONS

--Good touring, Vietnam
More than 270,000 Americans traveled to Vietnam in 2004. "They're part of a surge: Nearly 3 million foreign visitors came that year, about 500,000 more than in '03," writes Vicky Hallett. "Capitalizing on this interest, United Airlines launched flights to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) in December-the first American airline to offer service to the country in 30 years."

Curiosity draws many Americans
http://www.you-click.net/GoNow/a15504a122545a272335445a5

--Scarlet isn't always red
On Politics by Gloria Borger:
http://www.you-click.net/GoNow/a15504a122545a272335445a17

--Beyond tyranny's shadow
Commentary by Fouad Ajami:
http://www.you-click.net/GoNow/a15504a122545a272335445a15

--------------------
Bush to Propose Billions in Cuts
--------------------

Farm subsidies and food stamps are among the targets in the 2006 budget plan, to be sent to Congress on Monday. Opposition is building.

By Joel Havemann and Mary Curtius
Times Staff Writers

February 6 2005

WASHINGTON — President Bush will propose a 2006 budget Monday that, despite record spending of about $2.5 trillion, will call for billions of dollars in cuts that will touch people on food stamps and farmers on price supports, children under Medicaid and adults in public housing.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/na...0,5530657.story

--------------------
Bush's Deficit Plan Is All in the Math
--------------------

The budget strategy to halve the shortfall by 2009 relies on how and what things are counted.

By Joel Havemann
Times Staff Writer

February 7 2005

WASHINGTON — The budget President Bush will present to Congress today will show the federal deficit cut in half by the time he leaves office in four years.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/na...eadlines-nation

--------------------
Exodus of Its Restless Young Makes Iowa Fear for Future
--------------------

Hoping to stop a brain drain, the Legislature is weighing a tax break for those younger than 30.

By Stephanie Simon
Times Staff Writer

February 6 2005

WHITING, Iowa — The cafe was selling hot biscuits and coffee for $1.50, but most of the red vinyl seats were empty, as they often are. Bert McCandless, 73, glanced around glumly.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/na...0,7239179.story