February 2012 – Page 101 – The Portland Press Herald

Watchdog: GOP plans also would grow debt

by Tribune Washington Bureau February 24, 2012

Of the Republicans, only Ron Paul’s plans would begin to sharply decrease the debt, the group says.

M.D. Harmon: Some tips for affirming life via license plates and vigils

February 24, 2012

This week’s column contains a couple of tips for people concerned that Americans’ efforts to protect children fall a little short when we deliberately kill hundreds of thousands of them every year. FIRST, THE effort to make Maine the 26th state with a “Choose Life” license plate, which has been scooting along under the media […]

Opinion

Dana Milbank: If Romney is recovering, it isn’t because of anything he’s doing in public

February 24, 2012

WASHINGTON – In terms of sizzle, Sen. Rob Portman makes Mitt Romney look like Lady Gaga. So when the two men shared a stage in suburban Cincinnati on Monday afternoon, the result was pure and unadulterated ennui — exactly the sentiment greeting Romney’s presidential aspirations in the Republican electorate. “If you think,” the Ohio Republican […]

Nation & World

Human rights violations charged in Syria

by McClatchy Newspapers February 24, 2012

WASHINGTON – As the city of Homs shuddered Thursday from another day of Syrian army bombardments, U.N. investigators held regime officials and military commanders “at the highest levels” responsible for “crimes against humanity and other gross human rights violations” against civilians and opposition groups. Although it didn’t name individuals, the U.N. Human Rights Council report […]

Opinion

Maine Voices: LURC’s role needs to be reaffirmed, not subject to local political pressure

by ROBERT KIMBER February 24, 2012

The agriculture committee should reject the LURC reform proposal to protect Maine’s woods

Nation & World

Bird flu fatalities may be lower than WHO estimates

by Los Angeles Times February 24, 2012

LOS ANGELES – The World Health Organization says the H5N1 bird flu kills nearly 60 percent of people who become infected, but a study released Thursday suggests the true fatality rate may actually be much lower. Virologists at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City examined data on blood samples collected from […]

Nation & World

12 Iraq cities pounded as bombs, shootings continue

by The Associated Press February 24, 2012

BAGHDAD – Bombs and deadly shootings relentlessly pounded Iraqis on Thursday, killing at least 55 people and wounding more than 225 in a widespread wave of violence the government called a “frantic attempt” by insurgents to prove the country will never be stable. The daylong series of attacks hit 12 cities across Iraq. The assault […]

Sports