| World Briefing 2/2
Ever since Hamas-allied militants toppled the border wall Jan. 23 with a series of explosions, Hamas militants have stopped several attempts by Egypt to reseal the frontier. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have rushed into Egypt, shopping and visiting relatives, but most have returned to Gaza. It remains unclear whether Gaza's Hamas rulers will use force to keep the border open. They want a role in running the border with Egypt, a demand rejected this week by Egypt and Hamas's rival, moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The Hamas prime minister in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, said he would not allow the border to be resealed. .
BUSINESS AND THE ENVIRONMENT: Grocers bag plastic sacks Flimsy ...
Ask her about plastic bags. As University Medical Center nurse Kim Hofstad loaded her pickup with groceries from Smith's Food & Drug on Rancho Drive on Wednesday afternoon, she talked about why she refuses to cart her food home in plastic sacks. Part of it is convenience: Paper bags simply fit better in Hofstad's kitchen garbage can. But Hofstad also deplores the environmental fallout of ubiquitous plastic film. .
Pot luck! From chili to saucy shrimp, blog is stirring interest
It's hard to believe that it's been six months since we launched the Stirring the Pot recipe-exchange blog on knoxnews.com. With the help of readers and chefs who have willingly shared their recipes, we've answered more than 45 requests. There are plenty we haven't been able to answer, including recipes for sanchos like those served at Los Charros Mexican Restaurant (it operated on Forest Avenue in the late 1970s), S&S Cafeteria's jalapeno corn bread, Smoky Mountain Market's hot dog chili, and Greek salad dressing served at Pizza Palace. If you have a recipe to share, or want to make a request, visit the site at http://blogs.knoxnews.com/ knx/constantine/. Here's a sampling of our latest finds: * Beverly requested the red and white bean chicken chili recipe from Puleo's Grille.
Rush Gives Up?
His vision of a universal health care system is one that will be sufficiently generous that even families in, say, the 89th percentile of the income distribution never feel inclined to make private expenditures for additional services on top of what the government provides and that won't involve any potentially innovation-starving price controls. That, I'm inclined to agree, really would be very expensive. "And if you could really pay for such a system by severely means-testing Social Security benefits I wouldn't have a particular objection to that." I'm declaring Fallows-style victory (which is not necessarily the same thing as having won). ... 10:51 P.M Maybe Jeff Jarvis is Right: I've resisted kicking Dell when it's down--I've been a relatively happy Dell customer for several years.
Fire alarm: The cost
Long Islanders are paying big-city prices to preserve a small-town volunteer fire service that struggles to keep pace with the growing demands placed upon it.
High cost of fire protection
Long Island is the last densely populated region in America served almost exclusively by volunteers. Their service is cherished by many residents as the ideal of what a community should be, neighbor caring for neighbor. But between 1980 and 2000, the costs to taxpayers of supporting fire districts more than doubled after adjusting for inflation, growing almost three times as fast as spending by other local governments.
With 179 different agencies -- each with its own rules, budgets and closely held membership lists -- fire protection on Long Island is so fragmented that it has long defied analysis.
Rambo on steroids, Vending machines with pot
The Herbal Nutrition Center in Los Angeles has installed a 24-hour medical marijuana vending machine, according to an Associated Press story. But, before Californians get too excited, they have to have carry cards authorizing marijuana use for medical purposes in order to access the vending machine. Old Kids: The New Kids On The Block may be old kids now, but apparently not too old to still kick it together. The ‘90s boy band New Kids On The Block are back with a new song they recorded this past November in Orlando. Fourteen years later, we wonder if their new song is as good as "You Got It (The Right Stuff") was in 1989. More Missy, literally: The former Portsmouth resident and lady rapper/producer is going 3-D. Disney Studio's did it up with a music video that combines her two songs.
Australia condemns bloody killing of whale and calf by Japanese fleet
Pictures of a whale and her calf bleeding from harpoon wounds and slung lifeless in the slipway of a Japanese whaling vessel have provoked outrage in Australia and inflamed diplomatic tensions. Recent video and photographs taken from the decks of an Australian Customs vessel and released yesterday show the whales being pursued and then shot with explosive-tipped harpoons. They are seen thrashing about in bloodied Southern Ocean waters before being winched aboard the Yushin Maru 2 whaler. Peter Garrett, the Australian Environment Minister, said that the pictures of the slaughter had made him feel sick. He seized on the images in an effort to galvanise opinion against the annual hunt and to build a consensus within the International Whaling Commission to close the legal loophole that allows scientific whaling.
Authentic flavors hallmark of Del Toro's Tex Mex Grill
From the moment diners enter Del Toro's Tex Mex Grill in Huntley, their senses are filled with an authentic southwest, San Antonio-style experience. Mexican art, a south-of-the-border color scheme and memorabilia from the Lone Star State combine for a visual taste of the Tex-Mex experience. More important than the look, however, are the savory aromas and mouth-watering flavors that await Del Toro's customers. .
Boulder: Impeach Bush?
The Coloradoan says: "Rising crime, growing traffic congestion, and overall, a diminishing quality of life in Boulder. Crimes of rape and assault go unsolved. High paying jobs are going away. And Instead of focusing on Boulder issues, the council wastes time and money on meaningless gestures." Because as more cities pass this measure, the more meaningful it becomes. Especially cities that are disparate on so many levels. Coloradoan also said: "To what point? So they can encourage even more companies to leave Boulder?" Attracting business is not the end all and be all of every city. Some cities would prefer a more localized economy, rather than depend on companies who decide to live there because of the tax advantages - and thus, have no real loyalty to that city and will have no problem picking up stakes and leaving if they get a higher bid one day.
Rethinking Organics
Few things make you feel better about your health than eating organic fruits and veggies. A diet high in produce is commendable enough, but organic produce? That's a double dose of virtue. What's less clear is how much good that virtue does you. Are there real benefits to going organic? If so, are some organic fruits and vegetables better than others? And how do you choose? One thing is certain: it's easier than ever to find organic produce. As demand for pesticide- and chemical-free foods has grown, the onetime niche product has gone mass market. Sometimes organic produce simply looks or tastes better, which for me is often reason enough to pay the higher price it may sell for. And sure, it makes sense to avoid pesticides as much as possible. At the same time, scientists have yet to document a definite, long-term negative effect of modern pesticides on our bodies, meaning that while organic foods do you no harm, they may not turn out to be as beneficial as you think.
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