Monday's New York Times front page has some stories worth checking out. I'd recommend most strongly John F. Burns' "Shadow of Vietnam Falls Over Iraq River Raids" for the topic and information to be found in the article, but also because this is strong reporting. (This reader wishes Burns could run a writing program for others at the Times.) (I'll try to address that point in another entry.)
Here's the opening paragraphs:
As marines aboard fast patrol boats roared up the Euphrates on a dawn raid on Sunday, images pressed in of another American war where troops moved up wide rivers on camouflaged boats, with machine-gunners nervously scanning riverbanks for the hidden enemy.
That war is rarely mentioned among the American troops in Iraq, many of whom were not yet born when the last American combat units withdrew from Vietnam more than 30 years ago. A war that America did not win is considered a bad talisman among those men and women, who privately admit to fears that this war could be lost.
In addition, I'd recommend "Trying to Avoid 2nd Caeserean Many Find Choice Isn't Theirs" by Denise Grady (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/29/health/29birth.html) which deals with pregnant women who've had Caesareans in a prior pregnancy being told by some doctors that they can't utilize national birth for the current one.
I was doing a summary, but I really think you should read this yourself. Post on this story or e-mail the site (at common_ills@yahoo.com) what your thoughts on this are.
No Ohio story on the recent filing by PFAW and no story on Wednesday's court verdict. Presumably, tomorrow being the sixth day after the judge's verdict, it's a good candidate for the front page then. (See yesterday's post on the Times' Sunday front page choices).
Ukraine's election, at least, continues to get front page news. C.J. Chivers "Ukrain'es Unity Is Under Threat by Vote Impasse" is a strong story, but I'm going to follow Rachel & Lizz's lead on Unfiltered (Air America) and recommend that you instead check out the story on A10 -- Steven Lee Myers "A Silent Act of Rebellion Raises a Din in Ukraine"
(http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/28/international/29media.ready.html) which tells the tale of Natalia Dimitruk.
Ms. Dimitruk was an "interpreter for the deaf on the official state UT-1 television" station.
While the anchor was announcing Yanukovich was claiming victory, Ms.Dimitruk signed onscreen:
"The results announced by the Central Electoral Commission are rigged. Do not believe them. [. . .] I am very disappointed by the fact that I had to interpret lies. I will not do it any more. I do not know if you will see me again."
Ms. Dimitruk deserves strong applause for her brave actions.
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