EDITORIALS AND COMMENTARY
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Editorial: Political Districts
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All over the map
Pennsylvania needs to change the way it draws the boundaries of political districts, which serves incumbents instead of voters.
The state has the second-worst "gerrymandered" congressional and legislative districts in the country, according to one study. That's because leaders in the legislature have drawn the districts in contorted shapes, ignoring natural boundaries of towns and counties, to create districts that are overwhelmingly Democratic or Republican.
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Editorial: The DeNaples Grand Jury
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What leaks?
Don't the Pennsylvania courts have anything better to do than chase after alleged grand jury leaks surrounding the perjury indictment against slots parlor owner Louis A. DeNaples?
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Rail overhaul, investment vital to Northeast Corridor and nation
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Richard Stowe
is founder and director of Rail*Trains*Ecology*Cycling, a nonprofit advocacy group
Home to 56.3 million people, the nation's capital, and powerful financial, media and academic institutions, the Northeast region produces 20 percent of America's GDP and 27 million jobs, but is only 2 percent of the nation's landmass.
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Time is right for national ID cards
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Rowland Nethaway
writes for the Waco Tribune-Herald in Texas
In a 6-3 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that states can demand photo ID for voting.
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Back Channels: Long-awaited honor for vet
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A Phila. son killed in Vietnam will be reburied at Arlington.
Last Friday in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, people kept referring to "Michael's day."
As in Michael J. Crescenz, a 19-year-old from the West Oak Lane neighborhood and St. Athanasius parish who was killed in action in Vietnam, and whose valor earned him the Medal of Honor.
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Letters to the Editor
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Endangering cityI am sickened and burning with rage over the Fox 29 News release of Philadelphia police attempting to make an arrest ("6 taken off street over violent arrest," May 8). With the situation in our city - police murdered in broad daylight, innocents assaulted at subway stations, a cornucopia of violence in our streets - this bush-league, sensational quest for ratings has painted our police into a corner once again.
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Letters: A Reader Responds
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Officers risk their lives in service to others
Officer Gary Skerski, May 8, 2006.
Capt. Charles "Chuck" Cassidy, Oct. 31, 2007.
Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski, May 3, 2008.
All three, loving fathers. All three, devoted husbands. All three, actively involved in their community. All three, killed in the line of duty the last two years.
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Editorial: Israel's 60th Anniversary
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Relight the candle
It's a birthday, but is it happy? Israel's 60th anniversary, that is. It's being celebrated today.
To be sure, Israel has much to be proud of on this occasion. It lives in a tough, dangerous neighborhood. Yet, strong in innovation, entrepreneurship, and cutting-edge technology, it has become (to its neighbors' frustration) the Middle East region's most competitive economy globally.
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Editorial: Clinton's Campaign
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Running in place
Sen. Barack Obama went a long way toward wrapping up the Democratic nomination for president Tuesday night.
By winning big in North Carolina and only narrowly losing in Indiana, Obama showed his resilience. He bounced back from his loss to Sen. Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania, boosting his lead in the popular vote and in pledged delegates.
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Editorial: Police Beating
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In pursuit of the truth
A videotape showing a swarm of Philadelphia police officers beating and kicking three suspects raises questions about the use of excessive force and demands a full investigation.
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The Elephant in the Room: Let's call this 'terrorism' by its real name
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It's official: We're fighting . . . terrorists.
You can also call them violent extremists if you like, but never use jihadist or mujahedeen or Islamo-fascist to describe our enemy. These words are deemed pejorative and offensive, according to a recent Bush administration memorandum to federal employees whose jobs involve explaining our ongoing war to the public.
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As doves and hawks vie, Israel picks a national bird
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Helen Schary Motro
is a U.S. writer and lawyer teaching at Tel Aviv University Faculty of Law
As a person who grew up around plebeian pigeons and pet parakeets, birds were hardly on my mind when I moved to Israel. But as I acclimated slowly to events on the ground of this paradoxical country, so did I gradually become enamored of its stunning skies. Israel receives a mind-boggling half a billion aviary visitors per year, making it one of the best bird paradises on Earth.
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Wars at home, abroad
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After all the talk of diversity, democratization, increased Democratic registration, increased participation, and mobilized young voters, this nomination is going to be settled in a back room where "with it" delegates, like Democrats of old, do
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Letters to the Editor
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It's over, ClintonMemo to Hillary Clinton: It's over (Inquirer, May 7)! After being blown out in North Carolina and being in a virtual tie in Indiana, it should be clear that Barack Obama has an insurmountable lead in pledged delegates and the popular vote. Clinton's staying in the race helps only one person: John McCain.
"The Elephant in the Room"