On second anniversary, health care divide grows - The Washington Times

		Thursday, March 22, 2012 Today's Top Stories
On second anniversary, health care divide grows President Obama's health care overhaul marks its second anniversary this week, and from the way Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill are talking about it, you would think they are looking at two entirely different laws. Court backs Idaho couple in battle with EPA An Idaho couple facing ruinous fines for attempting to build a home on private property that the federal government considered protected wetlands may challenge an order from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in a unanimous decision. South Korean leader: North's regime may be mired in old ways South Korea's president said Wednesday that North Korea's new leadership, including young dictator Kim Jong-un, may be trapped in the secretive regime's old ways, noting the North's announcement of plans to launch a satellite after having promised not to conduct missile tests in exchange for U.S. food aid. Nuns, strippers to be next-door neighbors On one side of the fence are women in habits who have taken vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. On the other, if a developer gets his way, will be women in G-strings in the business of nudity, cash and prurience. Evangelical states sketchy for Romney Mitt Romney's lopsided victory in Illinois this week showed again that he's hard to beat in states with more moderate, less evangelical-minded voters - a good sign for the former Massachusetts governor when that describes most of the big prizes left on the Republican primary schedule. Fueled by mild winter, consumers save enough cash to fill up the tank It's not making headlines, but this year's unusually mild weather and low home-heating costs substantially offset the pinch from fast-rising gasoline prices and underpinned the revival of consumer spending. MOVIE REVIEW: 'The Hunger Games' offers a feast for sci-fi fans "The Hunger Games" is a movie about an authoritarian world in which unwitting teenagers are thrust into a life-or-death, winner-take-all game that uncaring adults manipulate for their own amusement — and to reinforce their control. In other words, it's a movie about how teenagers view high school. Or the college admissions process. Scientist receives 13-year sentence in espionage case A noted scientist who held sensitive and high-profile positions in the U.S. government, developed state-of-the-art programs in defense and space, and once worked at the White House in the Executive Office of the President was sentenced Wednesday to 13 years in prison for attempted espionage, conspiracy to defraud the United States and tax evasion. Inside the Beltway: The secular press Not many headlines, it seems, are inspired by the Creator these days: Just 19 percent of Americans say reporters and the news media are "friendly" toward religion. Clinton calls on Taliban to eschew violence for peace talks The Taliban must renounce terrorism and embrace peace talks that include the Afghan government, if the militants want to restart negotiations with the United States, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday. Robert Griffin III gives Redskins a potential glance into future at Pro Day Robert Griffin III dined with Washington Redskins brass, and then he did his best to dazzle them on the field. Mexican survey finds support for drug war Only 26 percent of Mexicans believe their government is winning its war against drug cartels, but most approve of the crackdown on the narcotics trade, according to a new survey by independent researchers in Mexico. Small-business bill clears key Senate hurdle A bipartisan, White House-backed package aimed at loosening securities rules for small businesses is speeding its way through Congress, as the measure has cleared a key test vote Wednesday afternoon. Campaign finance fix 'daunting,' Gray says D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray said Wednesday that it is time to take a "broad look" at staffing levels in the Office of Campaign Finance and the laws that govern political contributions to city races. Stephen Strasburg gets Opening Day start At home this winter in Michigan, Washington Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty watched as his staff grew and improved. The Nationals added Gio Gonzalez and Edwin Jackson, and infused the No. 5 spot in the rotation with competition among three candidates who once appeared locks. "As good" a staff, Nationals manager Davey Johnson said, "as any I've had, in my estimation." Va. legislators see their job rating head south A contentious legislative session has sent the Virginia General Assembly's approval scores underwater after months of positive ratings - a development that comes as lawmakers gaveled in a special session Wednesday to break an impasse on the state's two-year, $85 billion budget proposal. Commentary TYRRELL: Overextended America We in America today live in a country circumscribed by entitlement policies devised by an America that has steadily been disappearing. Those policies established more than a generation ago cannot possibly - in mathematical or demographic terms - support the America of the present, much less the America of the future. That is the stark reality. MILLER: Paul Ryan's window of opportunity Nobody spends borrowed money faster than Washington. Lawmakers blew through $232 billion in February alone, spending their most recent $1.2 trillion loan at breakneck speed. House Speaker John A. Boehner insisted last summer on making dollar-for-dollar cuts in return for increasing the federal government's borrowing limit, but, so far, not a buck has been matched in actual deficit reduction. Mr. Boehner's push for fiscal responsibility took center stage as the House began its work Wednesday on the 2013 budget. WATTS: Pipeline ruling filled with politics Four years ago, the State Department issued permits authorizing the construction of an oil pipeline that would cross our northern border on its way from Alberta, Canada, down to oil refineries in Texas. Along the way, this pipeline would snake through more than a half-dozen states, creating jobs and contributing to local tax bases. In fact, the pipeline would create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, which are badly needed during this economic rut. WOLF: Obamacare: It's a big, disastrous deal Joe Biden may not always have complete command of the facts. Franklin D. Roosevelt did not hold his fireside chats on television. The word 'jobs' does not have three letters. And you do not need a slight Indian accent to shop at 7-Eleven or Dunkin' Donuts. But give the vice president credit - his description of Obamacare is spot-on: "This is a big [expletive] deal." EDITORIAL: Ending EPA's land grab Federal agencies are out of control. The grant of virtually unlimited power with no accountability has gone to the heads of some unelected bureaucrats, and nowhere is that more true than at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Even the Supreme Court has had enough. All nine justices agreed Wednesday that the agency has finally gone too far. Other Recent Articles Havelange doctors trying to control infection Chilean Gonzalez plays last match of career Derek Fisher signs with Oklahoma City Thunder R. Kelly brings back 'Trapped' series Week before major, strong field set for LPGA Phillip Phillips moves up on 'American Idol' Six-race suspension of crew chief Knaus overturned Shaka Smart staying at VCU; Illini search moves on Steven Millhauser wins $20,000 Story Prize Bautista, Toronto aim high in always tough AL East Hockey coach Graham James sentenced to 2 years Move-in before marriage no longer predicts divorce Gay-themed movie overcomes Balkan divide IBM, NYC hospital training Watson in cancer NASA's Dawn craft captures new images of asteroid		Most Read Stories Inside the Ring: Beijing coup rumors Troops stressed to breaking point WOLF: Obamacare: It's a big, disastrous deal Court backs Idaho couple in battle with EPA Retired military officers call for curbing China's power WATTS: Pipeline ruling filled with politics Was Florida shooter a vigilante or diligent neighbor? EDITORIAL: Destroy all churches TYRRELL: Overextended America MOVIE REVIEW: 'The Hunger Games' offers a feast for sci-fi fans Latest from WT Communities Independent Social Contributors Sports Around Tebow traded to Jets; Broadway Joe to Broadway Tebowing Tebow-Mania moving east? Manning to Broncos, trade talk goes wild Deaver Drive A Christian reply to "animal rights" From Naïve to Native in Madrid Mona Lisa's Doppelganger Unveiled at Prado Spain's Santiago de Compostela: Same old cathedral, right? Wrong. Politics of Raising Children Trayvon Martin not a 2nd Amendment case, Black parents say he could have been their kid Dharun Ravi verdict in Clementi suicide: Stop cyberbullying now (NDTV-Video) For Advertising Opportunities Click Here