December 2009 Archives

RAINA KELLEY

My season's greetings to the biggest news--and newsmakers--of the past year.

Limbaugh Hospitalized in Hawaii

12.30.09 / 2009 Year in Review

GOP Seizes on Terror Issue

Republican Reps. Peter King (N.Y.) and Pete Hoekstra (Mich.) have wasted no time in attacking Democrats on intelligence and screening failures leading up to the failed Christmas Day bombing of Flight 253.

Handling Problems the Obama Way

Karl Rove Granted Divorce in Texas

Karl Rove and wife, Darby, attend the 2005 inauguration of George. W. Bush.

Obama Still Plans to Close Gitmo

The detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, is shown. Closing Gitmo remains a 'national security imperative,' a senior administration official says.

Palins Wanted Custody Case Private

Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin, seen here in happier days, are now embroiled in a legal battle over custody of their son.

Is Islam Europe's Leading Religion?

A minaret in the German town of Rendsburg

I'm doing relatively okay.

President vows to disrupt and defeat extremists while al Qaeda claims responsibility for the attempt

Bush Recovering From Presidentialitis

Survivalism Lite

They call themselves 'preppers.' They are regular people with homes and families. But like the survivalists that came before them, they're preparing for the worst.

The Big Zero

PAUL KRUGMAN

Maybe we knew, at some unconscious, instinctive level, that it would be an era best forgotten. Whatever the reason, we got through the first decade of the new millennium without ever agreeing on what to call it. The aughts? The naughties? Whatever. (Yes, I know that strictly speaking the millennium didn't begin until 2001. Do we really care?)

12.27.09 / Meet the Press Full Broadcast

Alexa Dezsofi, 21, wasn't too concerned about her family's World War II history until she had a child of her own two years ago. With help from the Red Cross, she discovered a man who she believes is a distant cousin who survived the Dachau concentration camp.

How to Get Admissions Officers to Say Yes

From essays to interviews to teacher recs, make sure your authentic voice comes through--loudly and persuasively

Unraveling the secrets of the aging process could lead to lives that are healthy and decades longer

Democrats Revive 'Party of No' Attack

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) : 'History will judge harshly those who have chosen the simple path of obstruction over the hard work of making change.'

Senate Lifts Debt Ceiling by $290B

DAVID ROGERS

A $290 billion increase in the federal debt ceiling narrowly cleared Congress on Thursday, giving Treasury just enough leeway to pay the government's bills into February and setting the stage for a showdown over fiscal policy early next year.

The Obama Family Christmas

Clyburn: I Never Was Sold on Public Option

Peter King Rebukes Napolitano

Gibbs: More Air Marshals Added

Napolitano Mum On al Qaeda Ties

JONATHAN MARTIN

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano declined to say if al Qaeda was behind the attempt to blow up a Detroit-bound plane on Christmas.

No Air Marshal on Detroit Flight

JONATHAN MARTIN

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Sunday there was no air marshal on the Amsterdam-Detroit flight that a Nigerian national attempted to blow up on Christmas.

Napolitano: "The System Worked"

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, greet supporters after arriving at Hickam Air Force base for their holiday vacation in Honolulu, 24 Dec 2009

Like presidents from George Washington to George Bush, Obama escapes from the pressures of the capital

The New Abortion Divide

With Senate compromise, pro-choice stalwarts have disappointed their supporters in the women's rights movement.

Don't Forget America's Other War

FAREED ZAKARIA

Remember Iraq? For months our attention has been focused on Afghanistan, and you can be sure that the surge will be covered exhaustively as it unfolds in 2010.

Rudy Giuliani Exits National Stage

12.23.09 / FLOTUS, Daughters Visit Hospital

Studying Young Minds, and How to Teach Them

Melissa Hitzges, a teacher at the Stanley M. Makowski Early Childhood Center, working with her students to help them recognize patterns.

Heaven and Nature

ROSS DOUTHAT

It's fitting that James Cameron's "Avatar" arrived in theaters at Christmastime. Like the holiday season itself, the science fiction epic is a crass embodiment of capitalistic excess wrapped around a deeply felt religious message. It's at once the blockbuster to end all blockbusters, and the Gospel According to James.

In this photo taken Oct. 30, 2009, Research Director for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Andrew DeVogelaere paddles his kayak at the sanctuary in Monterey, Calif. Far from Copenhagen's turbulent climate talks, the sea lions, harbor seals and sea otters reposing along the shoreline and kelp forests of this protected marine area stand to gain from any global deal to cut greenhouse gases.

DANIEL GROSS

The Treasury secretary was largely responsible for directing the federal government's response to the financial crisis. He's still got his work cut out for him.

A Job Search Assist From God

In this economy, finding a job can be an exercise in faith. How houses of worship are turning into career centers.

US NEWS & WORLD REPORT

DAN GILGOFF

The Democrats' Senate abortion compromise won over the party's last healthcare holdout, Nebraska's Ben Nelson, this weekend but is drawing lots of fire from both sides of the abortion issue--even though it paved the way for the Senate vote to end debate on the bill early this morning.

White House Selects New Cybersecurity Chief

President Obama last week with Howard A. Schmidt.

Meeting of the Diplomats

Hillary Clinton and Henry Kissinger talk about presidents, priorities --and the difficulty of winding down wars.

JON MEACHAM

Two of the most prominent secretaries of state in recent history sat down with NEWSWEEK's Jon Meacham to discuss their relationships with their respective presidents and the difficulties of managing diplomacy during wartime. Excerpts:

Last-Minute Tech Gifts for Under $100

Innovative gadgets for all ages that don't break the bank

Dean: GOP Behavior "Reprehensible"

KENNETH P. VOGEL

Howard Dean last week feuded with Democrats over their willingness to compromise in the health care debate, but on Sunday he made it clear that he thinks the real problem is on the other side of the aisle.

Graham Slams Health Care Process

NIA-MALIKA HENDERSON

Fresh off a marathon weekend session on health care and headed into an up-or-down cloture vote this week, senators weighed in Sunday on the pace of the legislation and debate on "CBS's "Face the Nation."

Conrad: Senate Bill or Bust

Axelrod: Dean Not Insane

Axelrod: Health Debate Plenty Transparent

McCain: GOP Can't Stop Health Care

Graham: Copenhagen "Ineffective"

Sen. Democrats on Health Care

NIA-MALIKA HENDERSON

A pair of Senate Democrats on Sunday praised the movement on the health insurance reform bill, saying that some of its provisions would be felt immediately.

McCain on Sarah Palin's Blacked-out Visor

McCain on Health Care and POTUS

NIA-MALIKA HENDERSON

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) says that Republicans will "probably not" be able to stop the passage of health care this week, but that his party will continue to "win the battle of American public opinion."

Why the End of Copenhagen Is Good

Under Obama, the Left Feels Left Out

President Obama's failure to expand government-run health care caps a year of disappointments for his allies on the left.

Health Care Deadline Obstacles Pile Up

Sen. Ben Nelson's rejection of an abortion compromise worsens the prospects of vote by Christmas.

Sarah Palin Cuts Vacation Short

Monica's Back - Says Clinton Lied

Parents' concern for their children's risky behavior with new technologies is an untapped market

This mosque stands at the heart of the Malaysian capital of Putrajaya

A Dollar and a Dream

Is a strong U.S. dollar really good for the economy and the country? Maybe not.

Grading Obama's Copenhagen Speech

Sen. Joe Lieberman may have done President Barack Obama one of the biggest favors in the health care debate.

Palin Supports McCain '100 Percent'

Sarah Palin pushes back hard against a report that she dissed Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

Poll: Clinton Approval Soars

A survey shows that Hillary Clinton's approval rating is much higher than Barack Obama's.

Impeachment Dropped in S.C.

Members of the House Judiciary Committee raise their hands to show support of a roll call vote in the impeachment proceedings for Gov. Mark Sanford, during a special meeting in Columbia, S.C.

Mad About Mammograms

Former Ambassador Nancy Brinker, founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, is taking issue with a new government report that says women should get mammograms at a later age than what was previously recommended.

Top Ten Religion Stories of 2009

The Cairo Speech

Slow Progress at Copenhagen Climate Talks

China and India continue to accuse the United States of not being transparent in negotiations

Qualities that made Woods successful on course might have led to his downfall

High-Tech Handiwork

How the advertising boom for iPods, Kindles, and other gadgets is creating a new kind of supermodel.

Bishops Press Senate On Abortion

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, chairman of the conference's Committee on Pro-Life Activities, urged on Monday last minute language blocking taxpayer money for abortions.

LISA MILLER

The YouTube video is almost too corny to believe. The year is 1955. A young boy, about 6 and afflicted with polio, is sitting on Oral Roberts's lap.

Houston Election Signals Key Trend

Angry Liberals: Why Didn't Obama Fight?

D.C. Council Approves Homosexual Marriage

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

After suffering setbacks from California to New York, Maine to New Jersey, same-sex marriage supporters got a victory Tuesday with the City Council's vote to legalize gay marriage in the District of Columbia.

10 Reasons Not to Skimp on Sleep

Too busy to go to bed? Having trouble getting quality sleep once you do? Your health may be at risk

Tebow Putting 'Student' in Student-Athlete

It's BCS bowl time. Here's how some football student-athletes are making waves in the classroom

Oral Roberts, Fiery Preacher, Dies at 91

Bestselling author, Raina T. Shaw, in her newly expanded edition of, Ridiculous Situations, presents new thought- provoking quotes on love, relationships and plain old common sense. In observing women and how they handle relationships, Shaw is amazed that, what should be governed by common sense in relationships isn't being done so at all.

President Obama on Monday. His words about Wall Street might not be having the intended impact these days.

Obama: 'Last Chance' for Health Reform

S.C. Ponders Jenny Sanford's Future

This Nov. 4, 2008 file photo shows President Barack Obama looking out into the crowd after his acceptance speech at Grant Park in Chicago.

The Republican Party's Health-Care Hypocrisy

JACOB WEISBERG

Charles Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, has emerged as one of the harshest critics of what the right likes to call "Obamacare." After spending the first half of the year working with Democrats to find a bipartisan compromise, Grassley has spent the second half trying to prevent one.

Prisons of Our Own Making

ROSS DOUTHAT ROSS DOUTHAT

If you're a governor with presidential aspirations, you should never, under any circumstances, pardon a convict or reduce a sentence. That's the lesson everyone seems to have drawn from the dreadful case of Maurice Clemmons, an Arkansas native who murdered four Lakewood, Wash., police officers over Thanksgiving weekend -- nine years after Mike Huckabee, then governor, commuted his sentence and the Arkansas parole board set him free.

Senator Kent Conrad speaking at a news conference last week on fiscal issues. He supports creating a deficit-cutting panel.

Senator John McCain, left, with Senator Richard C. Shelby of Alabama.

Palin Book Tour Ends

Twenty-four states later, Sarah Palin, seen here shaking hands at Elmendorf AFB, is back in Alaska.

What Took You So Long?

LISA MILLER

Rick Warren does the right thing.

Jobs Are Back, But Still Hard to Come By

The nattering nabobs of negativism are ignoring the facts.

President Obama Gives Himself a B-plus Grade

In this Dec. 3, 2009, photo released by the White House, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, left, pose with Oprah Winfrey, right, in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington during a taping of a special, "Christmas at the White House," airing Sunday, Dec. 13, at 10:00 p.m. EST on ABC.

Afghanistan veteran and founder of American Women Veterans, Genevieve Chase, 32, of Alexandria, Va., poses for a portrait in Washington, Monday, Oct. 19, 2009. A staff sergeant in the Army Reserves, Chase said that after her service the same guys she'd been close comrades with in Afghanistan didn't invite her to get drinks with them later because their significant others wouldn't approve. "One of the hardest things that I had deal with was, being a woman, was losing my best friends or my comrades to their families," Chase said.

Civil Rights During the Bush Years

A new GAO report shows how George W. Bush's Justice Department abandoned advocacy for minority groups.

CNN chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta and Mads Gilbert in Tromso, Norway, on location during shooting of "Another Day: Cheating Death," based on Dr. Gupta's new book, "Cheating Death: the Doctors and Medical Miracles that Are Saving Lives." Dr. Gilbert is head of emergency medical services at the University Hospital of North Norway and a leading clinical expert in hypothermia. His medical team saved the life of Anna Bagenholm, a radiologist whose head was submerged in icy water for 40 minutes.

Obama is the fifth-youngest president of the United States

The 10 Youngest Presidents

(Obama: Charlie Archambault for USN&WR)
(Kennedy/Grant: National Archive/Newsmakers)
(Clinton: Paul Richards/AFP/Getty Images)

Is youth a positive or a negative for the president?

12.13.09 / Meet the Press Full Broadcast

12.13.09 / Face the Nation Full Broadcast

Senate Democrats and Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) discuss health care reform. Plus; Bob Schieffer on Tiger's women getting their 15 minutes of fame.

CBC: W.H. Not Doing Enough for Blacks

McConnell: Unemployment is the Key

JONATHAN MARTIN

Lawrence Summers, director of the National Economic Council, said flatly on Sunday that the recession is over.

Obama is "Slandering" CIA

Romer: Recession Not Over

Inhofe: Higher Temps Means "Very Little"

JONATHAN MARTIN

Senior White House economic adviser Lawrence Summers, director of the National Economic Council, said Sunday that more jobs could be created than eliminated by this spring.

Becoming a War Time President

President Obama's new Afghanistan plan could make coalition-building in Congress even harder

US NEWS & WORLD REPORT

KENNETH T. WALSH

Afghanistan is now President Obama's war, and the immediate question in Washington is whether his military escalation will succeed. But beyond that, it's very possible that Obama's controversial new plan may have the unintended effects of jeopardizing his domestic priorities and making coalition-building in Congress more difficult than ever.

Rick Warren Condemns Ugandan Antigay Bill

Sports, Politics, and Mandela

So how true is Invictus? A reporter who covered apartheid South Africa examines fact and hype in Clint Eastwood's latest movie.

9 Top Cosmetic Treatments for Aging Skin

Here is a quick guide to some of the most popular treatments and procedures.

John McCain, critic-in-chief?

Illustration by Matt Wuerker

Conservative Praise for Nobel Speech

Mike Huckabee trails Barack Obama by only one percentage point in a potential 2012 matchup, a new poll shows.

12.11.09 / Obama's Nobel Toast

Obama Rises To Nobel Challenge

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Barack Obama and wife Michelle, wave to the crowd from a balcony on Grand Hotel after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.

George Stephanopoulos's Latest Reinvention

Few public figures in recent years have reinvented themselves as successfully as George Stephanopoulos.

Obama at War and Peace

REAL CLEAR POLITICS

EUGENE ROBINSON

The traditional Nobel Peace Prize lecture, given every year at Oslo's modernist City Hall, does not usually include such words as: "I am responsible for the deployment of thousands of young Americans to battle in a distant land. Some will kill. Some will be killed."

Anointed Authors on Tour

"Spreading the Gospel. Promoting Literacy."

Mrs. Obama applauded her husband.

States Compete for Obama School Reform Funds

His Race to the Top program offers money to public schools that make changes to improve education

Health-Care Nation, by Robert J. Samuelson

ROBERT J. SAMUELSON

President Obama's critics sometimes say that he is engineering a government takeover of health care or even introducing "socialized medicine" into America. These allegations are wildly overblown. Government already dominates health care, one-sixth of the economy.

Expectations Game Awaits President Obama

The U.N. climate delegate from Bangladesh says 'the world expects a lot from President Obama.'

Reid: Dems Reach 'Broad Agreement'

Senate Dems agreed Tuesday to ask for a cost estimate on a possible public option deal.

Gay Marriage's 'Inevitability' Tested

A Maine referendum that was seen as the best chance for popular approval of same-sex marriage instead was soundly defeated

Sarah Palin says Mike Huckabee made a mistake in granting clemency.

Al Gore talks about global warming, those e-mails, and his new book.

A Smaller, Kinder Way to Retire

Can't cope with the idea of a nursing home? Consider a retirement commune.

Critics Start Fast in Copenhagen

20,000 participants begin Day 2 of the Climate Conference in Copenhagen with one thing clear: This is still going to be hard.

Steele wrote in a letter to the White House Tuesday that President Obama should push back health care reform and focus solely on a still lagging economy.

Col. Van T. Barfoot, 90, lowers the flag outside his home in Henrico County, Va.. According to the subdivision's homeowner association's board, Col. Barfoot is in violation because he flies the flag from a flagpole instead of a pole attached to his porch or doorway.

World leaders convene at Copenhagan.

Obama to Accept Nobel Peace Prize This Week

President Barack Obama's peace efforts included trying to restart talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, right, in September.

Religious Groups Active in Climate Debate

Before traveling to Copenhagen to lobby world leaders for policies to limit climate change, Sister Joan Brown leads a prayer vigil Wednesday in Albuquerque

Delegates raise their ballots at the Episcopal Church's annual meeting of the Diocese of Los Angeles in Riverside, Calif., on Friday. The diocese elected its first two female bishops, one of whom is also the second gay bishop in the Church's history.

An Affordable Truth

PAUL KRUGMAN

Maybe I'm naïve, but I'm feeling optimistic about the climate talks starting in Copenhagen on Monday.

Top Democrats fear that unless Obama is more assertive, the military chain of command will undermine his July 2011 target.

Five Keys to Copenhagen

People walk on the street with a huge globe in the background in Copenhagen on Sunday. Copenhagen is the host city for the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Palin Hits Iowa On Book Tour

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin signs books at a stop in Sioux City, Iowa.

Like many others, I am a big fan of Tim Tebow, and I am thankful for his bold stand for the Lord. He is a good role model for all young men to follow in many ways.

The Post-Imperial Presidency

Even as Obama increases troop levels, he is scaling back American foreign policy.

Is There a Doctor in the House?

HOWARD FINEMAN

Ron Paul, the GOP's unlikely savior.

W.H. Rolls Back Curtain On Surge Call

Half An Occupation?

DiANNA HEITZ

There was a telling contrast during Afghan President Hamid Karzai's appearance Sunday on CNN's "Amnapour," as his view of the American role there shifted dramatically along with his interests.

Romney: 'Put the Brakes On the Stimulus'

Karzai Mirrors Gates on Drawdown

Rice: This Is a War of Necessity

MANU RAJU

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), who is strongly supportive of a public option in health care legislation, said Sunday the differences between liberals and conservative Democrats are narrowing - and he hoped a deal could be reached within days.

Clinton: Talks With Taliban Possible

Clinton Punts On Knox Trial

Abortion Vote Could Come Monday, Durbin Says

MANU RAJU

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin said on "Fox News Sunday" that the Senate could vote Monday on the abortion issue - which could help determine the outcome of the health care bill.

Durbin 'Skeptical' of Troop Surge

McCain Very "Proud" of Palin

Petraeus Takes 2012 Run Off Table

Petraeus: Obama Acknowledged 'Surge' Worked

MANU RAJU

As a senator and presidential candidate, Barack Obama strongly opposed the troop surge that President George W. Bush called for in Iraq.

Clinton, Gates Dismiss 'D' Word

Gates: July 2011 a "Beginning"

JONATHAN MARTIN

Appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates was asked right at the start if the July 2011 troop withdrawal date amounts to "a deadline."

Your Sunday Keyword: "Pace"

Don't Use the "D" Word!

Is Sarah Palin the Next James Dobson?

Sarah Palin with son Trig and the Rev. Billy Graham

Private colleges are likely to be less generous to applicants in spring 2010

The Jobs Summit: Who Cares?

A presidential confab to create jobs won't work. Rethinking some of Obama's policies might.

What to know before you buy or use a gift card

Christmas Shopping, Bah Humbug

DANIEL GROSS

The early economic reports about holiday shopping are confusing, contradictory, and useless.

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. greets participants after speaking at a rally to stop the abortion coverage ban in health care reform

Voting for Discrimination