| ID debate also permeates elections
When you cast your vote, some Americans feel you should have to show a card proving your identity. Others believe just as strongly that such a requirement would be undemocratic.This perennial debate has found its way, again, to the U.S. Supreme Court. It has also roiled San Diego County politics as local leaders and activists stake out sides in a struggle that could sway upcoming elections. The arguments, even the sense of the scope of the potential problem, split largely along party lines: Republicans tend to worry a great deal about voter fraud;Democrats tend to be more concerned about voter disenfranchisement.At issue is nothing less than the integrity of U.S. elections.As Californians prepare to vote in the state's earliest-ever presidential primary Feb. 5, concerns over citizenship, identification documents, elections integrity and partisan power are being heard at every level of U.S.
Chat transcript: Users question advocate and opponent of vouchers
In the first part of the CNN Special Report, "Democracy in America," the concept of spending public tax money on private school educations was explored. Two activists in this debate joined CNN to chat with viewers. Jeanne Allen is president of the Center For Education Reform, a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying group which promotes vouchers, charter schools and other forms of educational choice. Elizabeth Coleman is the national civil rights director for the Anti-Defamation League, which, among other goals, seeks to maintain separation of church and state. CNN Chat Moderator: Welcome to the CNN Chatroom, Jeanne Allen. Jeanne_Allen: I'm happy to be here! This is a very important issue for people to focus on. CNN Chat Moderator: Welcome to the CNN Chatroom, Elizabeth Coleman.
Study pessimistic about Afghanistan
WASHINGTON // Afghanistan could become a failed state and the scene of a "forgotten war" because of deteriorating international support and a growing violent insurgency, according to an independent study co-chaired by retired Marine Corps Gen. James Jones and former U.N. Ambassador Thomas Pickering. "Afghanistan stands at a crossroads," concludes the study, an advance copy of which was obtained by the Associated Press. "The progress achieved after six years of international engagement is under serious threat from resurgent violence, weakening international resolve, mounting regional challenges and a growing lack of confidence on the part of the Afghan people about the future direction of their country." A major issue has been trying to win the war with "too few military forces and insufficient economic aid," the study says.
Can you spare the city $2.50 per month?
To help manage the budget deficit anticipated for 2008, city manager Matt Kline and the city's audit finance committee recommend the city add a $2.50 temporary surcharge per month per utility customer for the next three years. "It's a cautious recommendation," Kline said after Monday night's Sandusky City Commission meeting. With approximately 10,000 utility customers in the city, the proposed surcharge would generate about $25,000 per month, Kline said. "I'm not reinventing the wheel," Kline said. Other municipalities have enacted similar temporary surcharges to cover energy costs. .
Market news: Charles Saatchi's latest buy
Charles Saatchi's latest acquisition is a portrait of Heinrich Himmler, the SS commander who controlled the Nazi concentration camps. However, Saatchi, who is of Iraqi-Jewish descent, has not bought the painting for shock value. A spokesman said simply that he liked it. .
2nd Annual Cayman Islands Conference: Hedge Fund Best Practices
Marran Ogilvie is a Partner, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of Ramius Capital Group, LLC. Ms. Ogilvie is also a member of the Senior Management Committee. Ms. Ogilvie joined Ramius in 1994, was appointed as its General Counsel in 1997 and as its Chief Operating Officer in 2007. She oversees the Firm's infrastructure areas which include legal, compliance, accounting, operations, technology and human resources. She is also involved in the strategic decision-making for Ramius products and its business. Ms. Ogilvie is NASD licensed as a Financial and Operations Principal, General Securities Principal, Municipal Securities Principal, Registered Options Principal, General Securities Representative, Commodity Futures Representative and Registered Equity Trader. In addition, she is a member of the American Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association.
Aiken County reaches out to its young people
Because of that willingness to help, Aiken County was named one of America's Promise Alliance 100 Best Communities for Young People. The honor came as a result of an application prepared by the Aiken County Community Partnership, a collaboration of agencies with a mission to look at quality-of-life issues in the county and improve them.Specific accomplishments that led to the award included the Summer Institute for Educators, the creation of a 211 telephone system that serves a number of counties, establishing the state's first therapeutic childcare center, having the first Health Center of the Year Award winner in the state and for the setting up the first South Carolina iAm laptop project for ninth graders.Problems are nothing new. They have been with us all along. It is what a community does about solving those problems that means the most.
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