Blog Posts By Duane Shank

The latest news on Iraq war President, Iraq war-antiwar, Iraq-Military, Iraq-politics, McCain in Israel, Death penalty, Farm bill and hunger, Katrina, Tibet, Chad, and Pakistan. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » Iraq war - President. Bush defends Iraq war as worth it; Democrats disagree "President Bush declared that "the successes we are seeing in Iraq are undeniable" as he gave a rousing defense of the war on its fifth anniversary before a receptive but not overwhelmingly enthusiastic Pentagon audience." On War's ...

Five years ago today, on March 18, the British Parliament debated whether or not to support the pending U.S. attack on Iraq. It was already clear that the Bush administration was determined to attack, and desperately needed support from the U.K. That morning, Sojourners

the latest news on Economy, Homeless in New Orleans, Campaign, Immigration, Warrantless surveillance, Iraq, NATO, Tibet, Darfur, North Korea, Iran, Beliefs, and Opinion. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » Economy. Fed Acts to Rescue Financial Markets "Hoping to avoid a systemic meltdown in financial markets, the Federal Reserve approved a $30 billion credit line to engineer the takeover of Bear Stearns and announced an open-ended lending program for the biggest investment firms on Wall Street." Homeless in New Orleans.

The latest news on Gov. Paterson, Presidential campaign, Faith-based initiative Christians in Iraq, Religious Right, Israel-Gaza, Tibet, Colombia, Darfur, Iraq, West Africa, Kenya, Feature on global poverty, Editorial, and Opinion. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » Gov. Paterson. Spitzer's Successor Has Few Enemies "Replacing Eliot L. Spitzer, who rose to the governorship of New York after browbeating Wall Street titans, is David A. Paterson, a man so affable that the colleague he supplanted in an Albany coup now speaks of him in glowing terms." After Spitzer: ...

The latest news on Immigration, Economy, Campaign, Scandal, "New sins," Women leaders, Iraq deaths, Cost of war, Afghanistan, Israel-Palestine, Kenya, Iran, and Opinion. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » Immigration. GOP aims to force immigration debate "House Republican leaders will introduce a petition drive today to force Democrats to debate immigration this year, using a Democrat-sponsored bill to box them into taking a stand on employers who hire illegal immigrants." Economy.

The lastest news on Iraq, Republican campaign, Democratic campaign, Mental health parity, Budget, Immigration, Jobs for single Moms, Iraq, Israel-Palestine, Andes, Kenya, Iran, and Rehabilitating Luther. + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail Republican campaign. It's Official: Party and President Back McCain "Senator John McCain of Arizona was greeted as the new standard-bearer of a Republican Party he has sometimes battled, winning the endorsement of a president he has feuded with in the past and the embrace - and financial help - of the Republican National C ...

the latest news on Presidential primaries, Federal budget, Veterans, Sentence reductions, Education, NAFTA, Evangelicals in Canada, Iran, Iraq, Gaza, Somalia and Andean crisis. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » P>Presidential primaries. Obama, Clinton In Key Face-Off "Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton vowed to press on in her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination after critical primary tests in Ohio and Texas on Tuesday, even as advisers to Sen. Barack Obama said the latest round of voting would do little to improve her standing."

The latest news on Presidential Campaign, Americans in prison, Housing relief blocked health & poverty, US military, Immigration, Payday lending, Seed vault, Afghanistan, Kenya, Turkey-Iraq, Israel-Gaza, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Pakistan, Editorial, Opinion and Passings. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » Presidential campaign. Race watched round the world "From Russia to Italy, from Kenya to India, the U.S. presidential campaign has not only captivated a global audience, it is reshaping the image of America." Americans in prison.

The latest news on Democratic debate, McCain and Hispanic vote, IRS investigates UCC, Housing, Costs soar, Senate & Iraq war, Gun ownership. immigration, Army tour length, Iraq-compensation paid, World hunger, Brazil, Kenya, Turkey-Iraq, Gaza, US-India, Farm bill Editorials, and selected Op-Eds. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » Democratic debate. Turning up the heat "With March 4 looming as either the death or rebirth of her campaign, Sen. Hillary Clinton engaged in a heated debate against Sen. Barack Obama, both drawing sharp distinctions to gain the advantage in must-win Ohio."

the latest news on Presidential campaign, Economy, Medicaid, Wind power, Education, Abortion, Gang violence, Cuba, Turkey-Iraq, Darfur, Kenya, Iran, Gaza, Food aid shortage, Canada-Afghanistan, and selected Op-Eds. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » Presidential campaign. NAFTA at center of Ohio campaign "Trade and the debate over NAFTA has emerged as a major issue in the Buckeye State's March 4 Democratic primary, which could help decide the presidential nomination."

the latest news on Primaries, Families, Global poverty bill, Health emergencies, Economy, Going green, Race & politics, Torah commentary, Iraq, Pakistan, Kenya, Us bases in Africa, Iran, Gaza, Satellite shot down, and Opinion. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » Primaries. Clinton camp splits on message "Mark Penn, chief strategist and pollster, liked Clinton's emphasis on her "strength and experience," and he defended the idea of her running as a quasi-incumbent best suited for the presidency. Harold Ickes and other advisors said that message was not working. A more promising strategy, they argued, would be to focus on the historic prospect of electing the first woman president."

the latest news on Castro's retirement, Pakistan elections, Charitable choice, Campaign 2008, Housing, Unemployment, Bush in Africa, Kosovo, Kenya, Iran, and the British Iraq dossier Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » Campaign-Democrats. Will Wisconsin primary build Obama streak? "Observers are watching closely to see if he can not only fuel the perception of an Obama juggernaut by heading into the crucial Ohio and Texas primaries with a 10-0 winning streak, but also if he can continue to make inroads into some of Clinton's core supporters, including women and senior citizens."

the latest news on the University shooting, Bush to Africa, Republican campaign, Democrat campaign, surveillance, Billy Graham recovering, Contempt of Congress, Attacks on homeless people, Darfur-Chad, Canada-Afghanistan, Iran, Kenya, Climate change and oceans, Globalization and the church Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » University shooting. 6th NIU student dies; 4 identified "The gunman dressed in black stormed into an oceanography class Thursday afternoon and opened fire with a shotgun and two handguns. In a matter of seconds, he killed six and wounded 15."

The latest news on Primaries, Surveillance, Mortgage crisis, Writers strike, Rev. Wright retires, Australia, Iran, Waterboarding, Iraq, Nuclear weapons, Canada-Afghanistan, Darfur, Kenya, Hezbollah leader killed, and Irrigation. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » Primaries. Obama on primary roll "It's time to remove the asterisk from the candidacy of Sen. Barack Obama in the Democratic presidential race. And it is perhaps time to place one on the candidacy of the presumed Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain."

The latest news on Campaign-Democrats, Campaign-Republicans, Budget, Congress, School vouchers, Immigration, Environoment, Chad-Darfur, Iraq, Pakistan, Israel-Gaza, Arms control, Iran, Book reviews, and Opinion. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » Campaign-Democrats. Obama Defeats Clinton in Maine Caucuses "Barack Obama defeated Hillary Rodham Clinton in Maine presidential caucuses Sunday, grabbing a majority of delegates as the state's Democrats overlooked the snowy weather and turned out in heavy numbers for municipal gatherings."

The latest news on Stimulus, Presidential campaigns, Free trade, Green communities, Immigration, Iraq, Torture, Gaza, Canada, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Chad, and Editorial. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » Stimulus. Senate's Stimulus Measure Blocked "A $158 billion economic stimulus plan drafted by Senate Democrats that included relief for low-income seniors, disabled veterans and the unemployed was blocked by a Republican filibuster when the Senate fell a single vote short of the 60 needed to consider the measure."

Interesting exit poll results from five southern "Bible-belt" states. Of those who identify as "Born-again or evangelical Christians," Mike Huckabee won their votes. In all but one, John McCain came in second, and Mitt Romney third. Here are the numbers: GA

the lastest news on Budget, Presidential Campaign, Job loss, Baptists Chard-Darfur, Iraq, Middle East, Gaza, Colombia, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and selected Opinions. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » Budget. Bush budget sees bigger deficits as economy slows "U.S. President George W. Bush acknowledged on Monday a weaker economy would lead to higher budget deficits, as he unveiled a $3.1 trillion spending plan for fiscal year 2009 that would nearly freeze domestic programs. The budget makes military spending and the Iraq war its centerpiece, proposing a 7.5 percent increase for the Pentagon to $515 billion. On top of that Bush also sought $70 billion more for the conflicts in ...

The latest news on Republican debate, John Edwards, Economy, Trade agreements, Homeless in Columbus, Wages in Iowan, Baptists, Soldiers and vets, Afghanistan, Lebanon war report, Iraq, Saudi women's rights, Native people, Iran, Kenya, Gandhi, Editorial, and Opinion. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » Republican debate. Accusations fly at Republican debate "John McCain and Mitt Romney carried their bitter Florida clash into California, each impugning the other's honesty in a hot-tempered debate as they sought to attract voters casting ballots in five days in a coast-to-coast array of primaries and caucuses. "

The latest news on State of the Union, Democratic response, Republican campaign, Democratic campaign, Economy, War funding, Latino evangelicals, Baptists, Health insurance, Immigrants, Iraq, Gaza, Kenya, Darfur, Russia, and selected Op-Eds. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » State of the Union. Bush Speech Focuses on War and Taxes"Facing an unstable economy and an unfinished war, President Bush used his final State of the Union address to call for quick passage of his tax rebate package, patience in Iraq and a modest concluding agenda." Bush lays out a ...

The latest news on Economy, Republicans, Democrats, Homelessness, Family Leave Act. Wolfowitz is back, Gaza, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Sudan, Kenya, Editorial, and Opinion. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » Economy. Bush, House Hammer Out $150 Billion Stimulus Bill "House leaders and the Bush administration reached agreement on a $150 billion economic stimulus package that would quickly send hundreds of dollars to poor and middle-class workers while offering businesses one-time incentives to invest in new equipment."

Economy, Democrats, Republicans, Army recruiting, Abortion, Congo, Gaza, Iran, Iraq, Global poverty, features and selected op-eds. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » Economy. Poor still suffering from last recession "Many of the poorest people in the United States are still struggling to recover from the effects of a recession that ended six years ago, making them very vulnerable as the country stands on the brink of a new downturn." Bush, Lawmakers Are Close to Deal on Stimulus ...

the latest reports on abortion, the economy, Gaza, the Democratic debate, immigration, Iran, nuclear weapons, Sudan, Pakistan, and selected op-eds Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » Abortion. Antiabortion cause stirs new generation "Thirty-five years after Roe vs. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, opponents are pouring resources into building new generations of activists. Young people are responding with passion. Today's students and young adults have grown up in a time when abortion was widely accessible and acceptable, and a striking number are determined to end that era."

the latest news on Abortion, Voters, Republicans in South Carolina, Immigration & campaign, Economy, Iran, Egypt, Israel-Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Kenya, Afghanistan, Cities, India, and Food aid. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail » Abortion. Abortions Hit Lowest Number Since 1976 "The number of abortions performed in the United States dropped to 1.2 million in 2005 -- the lowest level since 1976, according to a new report."