Regardless of the bizarre press conference behavior, regardless of the bombastic allusions and ensuing media circus, Roland Burris must be allowed to represent Illinois in the incoming Senate. And, after literally blocking him from the door last Tuesday, that is exactly what Senate Democrats, led by majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada), now say they will do. The way is officially cleared for his confirmation. Why? Because it’s the law.

Interesting topics for the New Year

Mexicans and Americans Thinking Together or MATT.org in conjunction with the Mexican American Catholic College (MACC) would like to invite you to our January event, "Immigration: Politics and Beyond," a community dialogue on the political, personal and faith aspects of the immigration issue. 

Check out the December issue of the Student Voices monthly online newsletter, “SV Top 5,” and see if your content was featured this month.  As the year draws to a close, December was a chance to look back on the top news stories of 2008, and begin to look forward to the goals of 2009.

With Obama’s administration getting ready to settle in, and a promise for change, the view of comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) is certainly on the horizon.  Proponents for CIR are continuing to build with recent cabinet appointments, and more support for immigrant rights and appreciation for their contributions to society.  It’s time in ’09!
 

The Associated Press just released its list of the top ten most voted upon news stories of 2008, and not surprisingly, Obama’s election win, topped it off.  Also making the list was the economy, the Olympics, and Sarah Palin, of course

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081222/ap_on_re_us/ye_top10_stories_4

The Boston Chronicle has posted photographs from around the world of events in 2008.  VIew the stunning collection here.

Get valuable information on internship opportunities with fast approaching deadlines, for students and recent graduates in the public/federal policy, and journalism fields.

I've always thought of the U.S. as more like Italy than say, England--as a federation of territories and regions with their own varied cultures, rather than one homogenous country.

Maybe your first grade teacher used to say that books bring the world to you: open one, and you can traverse the continents without leaving your chair. Apparently, no one ever told Congress.

When it comes to handing out unthinkable sums to failing industries, Congressional Democrats and Republicans alike have chosen to rescue the more practical mode of transport--autos--over publishing houses. But that doesn't mean that the publishers aren't failing. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has temporarily suspended acquisitions of new manuscripts. Doubleday has cut its staff by 10% and HarperCollins' first-quarter operating income slid to $3 million from $36 million a year earlier, even despite the publication of Oprah's new Book Club selection.