Keepingitreal

Today's News Highlights 12.30.11

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
Romney prepares aggressive Iowa finish 
Mitt Romney will try to sprint to the finish in Iowa, hoping to take advantage of shifting conditions that have put the wind at his back going into Tuesday’s caucuses.
(By Philip Rucker and and Dan Balz) 

Tax cut shakes a premise of Social Security 
Congress’s extension of the payroll tax cut has many in Washington worried that a foundation of Social Security — its dedicated funding stream — is being undermined.
(By Jia Lynn Yang) 

Dan Balz: Among the candidates, Ron Paul worries everyone but Mitt Romney 
Republican rivals would like to ignore Paul, but they can’t afford to. They’re attacking him at every turn.
(By Dan Balz) 

Across Brazil, plummeting birth rates 
Better health care, migration and even soap operas are playing a role in the shrinking birth rates in Brazil and across Latin America.
(By Juan Forero) 

U.S. democracy groups raided in Egypt 
Egyptian security forces and prosecutors stormed offices of three U.S. organizations and at least three other groups Thursday.
(By Leila Fadel and Joby Warrick) 

NATION 
Challenging the Navy’s numbers 
FINE PRINT | The Navy should face the same changes as other armed services as procurement costs rise. 
(, The Washington Post) 

U.S. touts Saudi Arabia jet deal as a security, economic boon 
Providing F-15 fights could create U.S. jobs while helping deter Iranian aggression, experts say. 
( by Joby Warrick and Jason Ukman , The Washington Post) 

Chesapeake ‘dead zone’ could broaden 
A surge of polluted water from storms and snowmelt might kill more oysters in the bay. 
( by Darryl Fears , The Washington Post) 

More National: Breaking National News & Headlines - Washington Post 

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METRO 
Foreclosures: ‘End of year uglies’ 
Lenders often halt evictions for the holidays, but the process never really stops — especially in Va. 
( by Annys Shin , The Washington Post) 

D.C. police charge man in 2 killings 
Authorities say the target of the 2008 daylight shooting was a teen; a man, 61, was accidentally hit too. 
( by Paul Duggan , The Washington Post) 

Judge: City owes $1.1M in gun case fees 
The amount is about a third of what lawyers who fought to overturn the District’s gun laws had requested.
( by Paul Duggan , The Washington Post) 

Va. Tech killer Cho’s calculator for sale, renewing debate on ‘murderabilia’ 
A calculator used by Virginia Tech killer Seung Hui Cho and hundreds of items like it are being peddled to collectors by Web sites as “murderabilia.” The market is hardly a new one, but the practice renews the ethical debate. 
( by T. Rees Shapiro , The Washington Post) 

John E. Zucker, allergist known for pollen count, dies at 70 
Zucker’s daily pollen counts were used by radio and television stations and by Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone for its recorded weather updates. 
( by Emily Langer , The Washington Post) 

More Post Local: Washington, DC Area News, Traffic, Weather, Sports & More - The Washington Post 

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POLITICS 
Gingrich makes closing argument in Iowa 
Newt Gingrich delivered a closing argument to Iowa Republicans this week, saying that he is the most effective conservative in the race for the GOP presidential nomination even as his opponents continued hammering him with negative ads. 
( by Amy Gardner , The Washington Post) 

Observances planned to mark anniversary of Giffords shooting 

( by Amanda Lee Myers , The Washington Post) 

Romney prepares aggressive Iowa finish 
Mitt Romney will try to sprint to the finish in Iowa, hoping to take advantage of shifting conditions that have put the wind at his back going into Tuesday’s caucuses. 
( by Philip Rucker and Dan Balz , The Washington Post) 

Michele Bachmann’s campaign flameout 
How the Minnesota congresswoman’s once-promising presidential campaign came unglued. 
( by Karen Tumulty , The Washington Post) 

Among the candidates, Ron Paul worries everyone but Mitt Romney 
Republican rivals would like to ignore Paul, but they can’t afford to. They’re attacking him at every turn. 
( by Dan Balz , The Washington Post) 

More Post Politics: Breaking Politics News, Political Analysis & More - The Washington Post 

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STYLE 
Dead Letters: Our obit poem contest 
Style Invitational contest Week 952: Write an obit poem about someone who died in 2011. 
(, The Washington Post) 

Carolyn Hax: Readers’ wisdom 
Readers weigh in with advice on the value of therapy, letters to elderly relatives and a well-timed thank-you note. 
(, The Washington Post) 

Novel ‘The Tiger’s Wife’ races to acclaim 
At least 19 major year-end roundups cite Tea Obreht’s novel as one of 2011’s best, according to Publishers Lunch. 
( by Neely Tucker , The Washington Post) 

Fox News hasn’t picked a GOP favorite 
The network seemed poised to play a kingmaking role in the 2012 GOP presidential primaries but it hasn’t crowned any one candidate. 
( by Paul Farhi , The Washington Post) 

Subverting strict art patterns 
Abstract painters Chip Allen, Katherine Sable and Camilo Sanin follow and subvert strict patterns in “In Line/Out of Line” at Heiner Contemporary. 
( by Mark Jenkins , The Washington Post) 

More Style: Culture, Arts, Ideas & More - The Washington Post 

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SPORTS 
TV and radio listings: December 30 

(, The Washington Post) 

No. 5 North Point boys edge Coolidge, 59-57 
Marquis Wright leads No. 5 North Point past Coolidge, 59-57, in the Waldorf Holiday Hoops Classic final. 
( by Paul Tenorio , The Washington Post) 

No. 20 Osbourn boys beat Madison, 59-46 
Raphael Edwards scores the first 16 points of the second half for Osbourn as the No. 20 Eagles beat Madison, 59-46. 
( by Preston Williams , The Washington Post) 

Jones leads top-ranked Riverdale Baptist girls 
Jonquel Jones’s dazzling skills were on display against Spring Valley (S.C.), but her story off the court is more interesting. 
( by James Wagner , The Washington Post) 

Maryland women stay unbeaten 
Laurin Mincy and Alyssa Thomas combine for 48 points as the fifth-ranked Terps withstand 32 points from Elena Delle Donne in College Park. 
( by Gene Wang , The Washington Post) 

More Sports: Sports News, Scores, Analysis, Schedules & More - The Washington Post 

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WORLD 
New fencing doesn't stop illegal crossings 
The patchwork of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico divide has mixed success, border agents say. 
( by Nick Miroff , The Washington Post) 

Across Brazil, plummeting birth rates 
Better health care, migration and even soap operas are playing a role in the shrinking birth rates in Brazil and across Latin America. 
( by Juan Forero , The Washington Post) 

Challenging the Navy’s numbers 
FINE PRINT | The Navy should face the same changes as other armed services as procurement costs rise. 
(, The Washington Post) 

U.S. touts Saudi Arabia jet deal as a security, economic boon 
Providing F-15 fights could create U.S. jobs while helping deter Iranian aggression, experts say. 
( by Joby Warrick and Jason Ukman , The Washington Post) 

Vote delayed on Indian anti-graft bill 
After heated debate, the government said it needs more time to study lawmakers’ 187 amendments. 
( by Rama Lakshmi , The Washington Post) 

More World: World News, International News, Foreign Reporting - The Washington Post 

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LIVE DISCUSSIONS 
Dave Barry's 2011 year in review 
Dave Barry discusses all that made up 2011. 
(, vForum) 

Video: The D.C. Sports-O-Meter with Cindy Boren and Dan Steinberg 
See who was up and who was down in D.C. sports last week. Cindy Boren and Dan Steinberg dissected which sports names are hot and cold in D.C. Who's your pick? 
(, vForum) 

Got Plans? Eater DC editor Amy McKeever joins the gurus to discuss our favorite local dishes. 
Got Plans? Discuss great ideas for local entertainment, dates and family fun. 
(, vForum) 

Washington Post music writers David Malitz and Chris Richards discuss the top artists, albums and concerts of 2011, and what they're looking forward to in 2012. 
Got Plans? Discuss great ideas for local entertainment, dates and family fun. 
(, vForum) 

Real Wheels Live 
Live online discussion with Real Wheels columnist Warren Brown about car-buying and the auto industry.
(, vForum) 

More Conversations: Discussions, Blogs, Debates, Live Q&A's and More - The Washington Post 

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TECHNOLOGY 
Report: Two new iPads to debut in Jan. 
The devices will fill the mid-range and high-end tablet segment for Apple, a report says. The existing iPad 2 will remain unchanged. 
( by Devindra Hardawar | VentureBeat.com , VentureBeat.com) 

Biggest disappointments of 2011 in tech 
HP, Nikon 1, Blackberry and more. 
( by The Verge Staff , The Washington Post) 

2012: A look ahead at the future of tech 
Next year is likely to bring ultracheap ultrabooks, high-definition phones and new phones from Intel and Microsoft. 
( by The Verge Staff , theverge.com) 

Apple’s iTV may feature channel customization 
Reports suggest that Apple is working on a new streaming platform that would allow customers to pick their exact channel lineup. 
( by Tom Cheredar | VentureBeat.com , VentureBeat.com) 

McAfee: Security threats to mature in 2012 
In its cybersecurity predictions for 2012, the firm says hacking group Anonymous will have to disband or reorganize. 
( by Meghan Kelly | VentureBeat.com , VentureBeat.com) 

More Technology News - The Washington Post 

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EDITORIAL 
Time for a ‘People’s Veto’? 
Gingrich echoes old progressive ideas. 
( by Thomas Donnelly , The Washington Post) 

Our befuddled leaders 
2011 saw heads of state unified in confusion. 
(, The Washington Post) 

No military custody for al-Qaeda 
Give the fighters what they hate. 
( by Philip Mudd , The Washington Post) 

Can a woman win Iowa? 
Female politicians are always the bridesmaid. 
( by Jeanne Zaino , The Washington Post) 

A threat to Egypt’s hopes 
The military hijacks the revolution. 
( by David J. Kramer , The Washington Post) 

More Opinions: Washington Post Opinion, Editorial, Op Ed, Politics Editorials - The Washington Post 

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BUSINESS 
Online retail leads holiday sales 
The sector has enjoyed steady double-digit growth over the past two months compared with last year, providing a stable counterpoint to the broader industry’s more volatile season. 
( by Ylan Q. Mui , The Washington Post) 

Judge accuses SEC of misleading court 
Federal judge accuses the agency of misleading appeals court and withholding crucial information. 
( by David S. Hilzenrath , The Washington Post) 

Tax cut shakes a premise of Social Security 
Congress’s extension of the payroll tax cut has many in Washington worried that a foundation of Social Security — its dedicated funding stream — is being undermined. 
( by Jia Lynn Yang , The Washington Post) 

Virginia’s ballot-access laws turn tables on GOP 
The goal of the laws run counter to the efforts Republicans have mounted in dozens of states to make it more difficult for ordinary Americans to participate in the 2012 election. 
(, The Washington Post) 

Detroit stands out in housing data 
An unlikely name has been popping up lately as a rare bright spot in the nation’s still-abysmal housing market: Detroit. 
( by Brady Dennis , The Washington Post) 

Today's News Highlights 12.28.11

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
Under Obama, an emerging global apparatus for drone killing
Other commanders in chief have presided over wars with far higher casualty counts. But no president has ever relied so extensively on the secret killing of individuals to advance the nation’s security goals.
(By Greg Miller)

Gingrich counterattacks as Iowa campaign heats up
Republican candidates picked up the pace in Iowa on Tuesday, with Newt Gingrich fighting back against negative attacks from his rivals.
(By Dan Balz and Amy Gardner)

Kim Jong Eun leads funeral for father
With thousands packing streets in snow, North Korea choreographs a dramatic funeral for Kim Jong Il.
(By Chico Harlan)

Can anyone deal with the debt?
After a year of crises that put the federal debt at the forefront of Washington news, lawmakers on both sides are frustrated and pessimistic about the prospects of coming to grips with it.
(By Lori Montgomery)

Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska won’t seek reelection
The Nebraska Democrat will not seek reelection in 2012, which is good news for Republicans who hope to take control of the Senate.
(By Aaron Blake)

NATION
State efforts put more children on health insurance rolls, despite economic downturn
Publicly funded programs have enabled 1.2 million more children to gain health insurance since 2008, at least in part because of efforts by many states to sign up eligible children, according to Obama administration officials.
( by N.C. Aizenman , The Washington Post)

Under Obama, an emerging global apparatus for drone killing
Other commanders in chief have presided over wars with far higher casualty counts. But no president has ever relied so extensively on the secret killing of individuals to advance the nation’s security goals.
( by Greg Miller , The Washington Post)

More National: Breaking National News & Headlines - Washington Post

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METRO
Artist Helen Frankenthaler dies
Ms. Frankenthaler, a noted abstract painter who inspired the Washington Color School, dies at 83.
( by Matt Schudel , The Washington Post)

Vet helps others on rough road she trod
Ginger Miller, a Navy veteran, once was homeless. She founded and runs a group that helps other vets with the problems that can lead to homelessness.
( by Erica W. Morrison , The Washington Post)

Perry challenges exclusion from Virginia ballot
Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) filed a lawsuit Tuesday challenging his disqualification from the Virginia presidential primary ballot.
( by Martin Weil and Anita Kumar , The Washington Post)

No peace for homicide victim’s parents
Justin DeSha-Overcash was killed Jan.11 in a botched robbery in his College Park home.
( by Matt Zapotosky , The Washington Post)

‘The Muslims Are Coming!’
Muslim American comics are touring to promote understanding, make film about Islamophobia.
( by Tara Bahrampour , The Washington Post)

More Post Local: Washington, DC Area News, Traffic, Weather, Sports & More - The Washington Post

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POLITICS
Vet helps others on rough road she trod
Ginger Miller, a Navy veteran, once was homeless. She founded and runs a group that helps other vets with the problems that can lead to homelessness.
( by Erica W. Morrison , The Washington Post)

For Romney, stealth campaign brings real hopes of winning Iowa
The former Massachusetts governor pursued a stealth campaign designed to tamp down expectations — but now he is trying to squeeze out a caucus victory.
( by Philip Rucker , The Washington Post)

Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska won’t seek reelection
The Nebraska Democrat will not seek reelection in 2012, which is good news for Republicans who hope to take control of the Senate.
( by Aaron Blake , The Washington Post)

2012 resolution tips for D.C.’s newsmakers
For many of the District’s prominent officials and residents, 2011 was memorable for the wrong reasons. We try to offer help in righting their ships for 2012.
(, The Washington Post)

Gingrich counterattacks as Iowa campaign heats up
Republican candidates picked up the pace in Iowa on Tuesday, with Newt Gingrich fighting back against negative attacks from his rivals.
( by Dan Balz and Amy Gardner , The Washington Post)

More Post Politics: Breaking Politics News, Political Analysis & More - The Washington Post

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STYLE
Children and unfaithful parents
A reader with parents who made each other miserable says that yes, kids can handle infidelity in their parents.
(, The Washington Post)

2011 National Film Registry list is announced
The latest list spans eight decades and includes mainstream fare such as “Bambi” and “Forrest Gump.”
( by Ann Hornaday , The Washington Post)

2011 National Film Registry list

(, The Washington Post)

Matisyahu dares to go barefaced
The Hasidic reggae-rapper caused an uproar among Jewish fans with his announcement that he had shaved.
( by Emily Wax , The Washington Post)

Blessing of the candidates
Donald Trump says “millions of people” are waiting for him to endorse a candidate — that is, if he doesn’t run as an independent. But research shows endorsements do little to help.
( by Vanessa Williams , The Washington Post)

More Style: Culture, Arts, Ideas & More - The Washington Post

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SPORTS
TV and radio listings: December 28

(, The Washington Post)

Magruder’s Owens comes up big
Garland Owens records 16 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots to lift the Magruder boys’ basketball team to a 64-45 win over No. 14 Eleanor Roosevelt.
( by James Wagner , The Washington Post)

Scott leads U-Va. over Md.-Eastern Shore
Mike Scott scores 17 points, as the Cavaliers get their first glimpse of freshman Paul Jesperson and like what they see.
( by Steve Yanda , The Washington Post)

Blatche to critics: ‘Shut up’
A day after Andray Blatche said he wasn’t used properly on offense he dodged reporters and expressed his frustrations on Twitter.
( by Michael Lee , The Washington Post)

In the grand scheme, a marked improvement
Most of the right pieces have been assembled for a 3-4 defense. Now the Redskins must take the next step.
( by Rick Maese , The Washington Post)

More Sports: Sports News, Scores, Analysis, Schedules & More - The Washington Post

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WORLD
Kim Jong Eun leads funeral for father
With thousands packing streets in snow, North Korea choreographs a dramatic funeral for Kim Jong Il.
( by Chico Harlan , The Washington Post)

Religious limits on women spur controversy in Israel
The events in Beit Shemesh are seen by many Israelis as symptomatic of a growing encroachment of religious zealotry into the public sphere.
( by Joel Greenberg , The Washington Post)

Obama mulls allowing Saleh into U.S.
Yemeni leader’s request to enter the United States for medical treatment remains in flux amid conflicting reports about a U.S. visa.
( by Sudarsan Raghavan and David Nakamura , The Washington Post)

Protests in Syria while monitors watch
Team assessing whether Damascus is implementing agreement to withdraw troops, end crackdown.
( by Alice Fordham , The Washington Post)

Al-Qaeda-allied group claims Baghdad attacks
The Islamic State of Iraq calls the bombings that killed 65 people the “Thursday Invasion” in what analysts see as a bid to inflame sectarian divisions.
( by Dan Morse , The Washington Post)

More World: World News, International News, Foreign Reporting - The Washington Post

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LIVE DISCUSSIONS
Lisa de Moraes' TV Column Live
Post TV columnist Lisa de Moraes chats with readers about the start of the Fall television season.
(, vForum)

The 2012 In/Out List
Washington Post writers Dan Zak and Monica Hesse will be online Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 1 p.m. ET to discuss The List, Style's guide to what's in and what's out in 2012. They welcome your questions, additions and passionate dissent.
(, vForum)

Ask Tom -- Washington Post restaurant critic Tom Sietsema discusses the DC dining scene
Washington Post restaurant critic Tom Sietsema discusses the DC dining scene
(, vForum)

More Conversations: Discussions, Blogs, Debates, Live Q&A's and More - The Washington Post

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TECHNOLOGY
Rumors of an Apple television resurface
Supply chain sources say they're starting to prepare components for 32- and 37-inch "iTV" sets to sell in 2012, according to a report.
( by Thomas Ricker | The Verge , theverge.com)

SOPA debate puts GoDaddy in hot water over domain transfers
Go Daddy has been accused of blocking domain transfers in the wake of its Stop Online Piracy Act revolt.
(, The Washington Post)

Italy fines Apple $1.2M
The Italian Antitrust Authority fines Apple for failing to properly inform customers of their legal right to two years of warranty service.
( by Nilay Patel | The Verge , theverge.com)

Go Daddy accused of blocking domain transfers
Namecheap alleges in customer service emails that GoDaddy is blocking its WHOIS requests.
( by Chris Ziegler | The Verge , theverge.com)

More Technology News - The Washington Post

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EDITORIAL
A real wild card
Americans Elect is both impressive and worrying.
(, The Washington Post)

We the Palestinians
A people with a history rich and deep.
( by Maen Rashid Areikat , The Washington Post)

Pepco’s $1 million slap
A signal of a new resolve to hold the utility accountable.
(, The Washington Post)

Presidential power grab
The White House’s ludicrous Arizona lawsuit.
( by David B. Rivkin Jr. and Joe Jacquot , The Washington Post)

Keep the courthouse lawn a religion-free zone

(, The Washington Post)

More Opinions: Washington Post Opinion, Editorial, Op Ed, Politics Editorials - The Washington Post

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BUSINESS
Can anyone deal with the debt?
After a year of crises that put the federal debt at the forefront of Washington news, lawmakers on both sides are frustrated and pessimistic about the prospects of coming to grips with it.
( by Lori Montgomery , The Washington Post)

Legal battle between SEC, federal judge heats up
The battle between federal judge Jed S. Rakoff and the SEC adds tension to a struggle over how the government should police white-collar fraud and what it should do to hold Citigroup accountable.
( by David S. Hilzenrath , The Washington Post)

Obama to ask for $1.2 trillion more in debt
The Obama administration is expected to ask Friday for a $1.2 trillion increase in the limit on the federal government’s borrowing.
( by Felicia Sonmez and Zachary A. Goldfarb , The Washington Post)

Obama nominates a Republican and a Democrat to Fed
President Obama nominated a Republican and a Democrat to serve on the Federal Reserve, in an apparent attempt to ease their confirmation on Capitol Hill.
( by Zachary A. Goldfarb , The Washington Post)

In legal industry, a call to innovate in 2012
Chas Rampenthal explains how more innovation from both inside and outside the traditional legal industry will help bolster new and emerging businesses in 2012.
( by Chas Rampenthal , The Washington Post)

Today's News Highlights 12.20.11

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
House GOP unbending on payroll tax deal 
House Republicans vow to kill a bipartisan Senate agreement on a federal payroll tax cut, saying the deal represented the Washington ways they were elected to change.
(By Rosalind S. Helderman, Paul Kane and Felicia Sonmez) 

Poll: Gingrich, Romney in dead heat nationally 
Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are tied two weeks before the caucuses in Iowa begin the nominating process, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows.
(By Jon Cohen and Dan Balz) 

Secrecy defines Obama’s drone policy 
The Obama administration is resisting calls for it to explain its rules for the drone attacks that have killed as many as 2,250 people in Pakistan in the past three years.
(By Karen DeYoung) 

Blizzards crawling across Midwest blamed for at least 6 deaths, halting pre-holiday travel 
WICHITA, Kan. — Fierce winds and snow that caused fatal accidents and shuttered highways in five states crawled deeper into the Great Plains early Tuesday, with forecasters warning that pre-holiday travel would be difficult if not impossible across the region.
(By Associated Press) 

Seat Pleasant 59: The Legacy 
Some look back with pride at the gift two wealthy businessmen offered them. Others are haunted by regret. They all remember the moments when they were defined by their potential.
(By Paul Schwartzman) 

NATION 
After death of N. Korea’s Kim Jong Il, ‘it is scary how little we really know’ 
U.S. has little knowledge of and virtually no leverage over what is to come from Pyongyang’s ruling elite. 
( by Karen DeYoung and Joby Warrick , The Washington Post) 

Secrecy defines Obama’s drone policy 
The Obama administration is resisting calls for it to explain its rules for the drone attacks that have killed as many as 2,250 people in Pakistan in the past three years. 
( by Karen DeYoung , The Washington Post) 

Health-care model for seniors to be tested 
Thirty-two groups have been named to test a health-care model called for in the health-care law and designed to improve seniors’ care and reduce costs. 
( by Christian Torres Kaiser Health News , The Washington Post) 

Investigators find link between Manning, WikiLeaks 
Prosecutors presented new evidence Monday that appears to link Pfc. Bradley Manning to a massive leak of government material to the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks. 
( by Ellen Nakashima , The Washington Post) 

A voice in the wilderness 
Former defense secretary Robert M. Gates served for more than 30 years in government, and his criticisms of Washington should be taken seriously. 
(, The Washington Post) 

More National: Breaking National News & Headlines - Washington Post 

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METRO 
Seat Pleasant 59: The Legacy 
Some look back with pride at the gift two wealthy businessmen offered them. Others are haunted by regret. They all remember the moments when they were defined by their potential. 
( by Paul Schwartzman , The Washington Post) 

Two dead, two wounded in D.C. shootings 
Three incidents in the District leave two dead and two wounded in less than two hours. 
( by Martin Weil , The Washington Post) 

Two die, one missing in boat accidents 
Authorities continue to search for a man missing in the Chesapeake Bay after a sailboat capsized Saturday. 
( by Martin Weil , The Washington Post) 

Erica Wilson, ‘America’s first lady of stitchery,’ dies 
Erica Wilson, 83, was a British immigrant who built a multimillion-dollar embroidery empire through her needlework designs, television shows, books and stores. 
( by Valerie J. Nelson , The Washington Post) 

Gadget helps heart patients at Children’s 
A nifty new medical gadget can help Children’s Hospital patients who suffer from heart disease. 
(, The Washington Post) 

More Post Local: Washington, DC Area News, Traffic, Weather, Sports & More - The Washington Post 

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POLITICS 
Newt Gingrich takes aim at ‘activist judges’ 
The former speaker’s latest condemnation drew criticism from members of his own party. 
( by Beth Marlowe , The Washington Post) 

Poll: Gingrich, Romney in dead heat nationally 
Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are tied two weeks before the caucuses in Iowa begin the nominating process, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows. 
( by Jon Cohen and Dan Balz , The Washington Post) 

Providing state-of-the art technology to our sailors and Marines 
As director of transition in the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Joseph P. Lawrence manages a $1 billion research and development portfolio that delivers science and technology solutions from the lab to the naval fleets and the battlefield. 
( by The Partnership for Public Service , The Washington Post) 

Obama’s ratings may be recovering 
A new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds that views of his overall performance have recovered among key groups. 
( by Peter Wallsten and Jon Cohen , The Washington Post) 

House GOP unbending on payroll tax deal 
House Republicans vow to kill a bipartisan Senate agreement on a federal payroll tax cut, saying the deal represented the Washington ways they were elected to change. 
( by Rosalind S. Helderman, Paul Kane and Felicia Sonmez , The Washington Post) 

More Post Politics: Breaking Politics News, Political Analysis & More - The Washington Post 

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STYLE 
She wants to quit, but feels guilty about it 
She’s extremely well paid, but hates her job. The thought of quitting and leaving her husband as the only breadwinner makes her feel guilty. 
(, The Washington Post) 

Theater resolves Latino name dust-up 
Shakespeare Theatre Company has restored the names of changed character names for its Cuban-set production of “Much Ado About Nothing.” 
( by Peter Marks , The Washington Post) 

Sia Tolno: ‘My Life’ 
Sia Tolno’s album is an irrepressible song-cycle confronting the ravages she witnessed in her native Sierra Leone. 
(, The Washington Post) 

Ann Hornaday: ‘Dragon Tattoo’ review 
Rooney Mara exerts an undeniable command of the screen as cyber-sleuth Lisbeth Salander in ‘The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,’ David Fincher’s adaptation of the best-selling novel. Part plodding procedural, part sordid pulp-shocker, this handsome production is at once satisfying and underwhelming, considering the breathless hype that’s preceded it. 
( by Ann Hornaday , The Washington Post) 

Young Jeezy: ‘Thug Motivation 103’ 
The album isn’t thrilling, but proves that Jeezy doesn’t have to see the future to remain among the genre’s elite. 
(, The Washington Post) 

More Style: Culture, Arts, Ideas & More - The Washington Post 

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SPORTS 
TV and radio listings: Dec. 20 

(, The Washington Post) 

Epps comes up big for Magruder 
J.J. Epps overcomes a shoulder injury to lead sixth-ranked Magruder past No. 10 Springbrook in a Montgomery County nonleague game. 
( by Josh Barr , The Washington Post) 

Redskins buoyed by turnaround 
Their offense has come to life and their defense played one of its best games of the season Sunday, providing optimism about next season. 
( by Rick Maese , The Washington Post) 

Hokies pull away from Ospreys 
Virginia Tech breaks open a tight contest to close the first half and then cruises to its fourth straight win. 
( by Mark Giannotto , The Washington Post) 

Young returns to Wizards 
Shooting guard Nick Young signs his one-year, $3.7 million qualifying offer to stay in Washington, but he hopes to work toward the long-term deal and big-time money that eluded him in this deal. 
( by Michael Lee , The Washington Post) 

More Sports: Sports News, Scores, Analysis, Schedules & More - The Washington Post 

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WORLD 
Kim Jong Eun in as ‘Great Successor’ 
North Korea is preparing to put its leader Kim Jong Il to rest and welcome his successor, Kim Jong Eun, after the announcement of Kim Jong Il’s death on Saturday. 
(, The Washington Post) 

After death of N. Korea’s Kim Jong Il, ‘it is scary how little we really know’ 
U.S. has little knowledge of and virtually no leverage over what is to come from Pyongyang’s ruling elite. 
( by Karen DeYoung and Joby Warrick , The Washington Post) 

Philippine storm killed nearly 1,000 
Nearly 1,000 people were killed when flash floods and landslides caused by Typhoon Washi hit the southern Philippines last week, the national disaster agency said. 
( Reuters , Reuters) 

Secrecy defines Obama’s drone policy 
The Obama administration is resisting calls for it to explain its rules for the drone attacks that have killed as many as 2,250 people in Pakistan in the past three years. 
( by Karen DeYoung , The Washington Post) 

Investigators find link between Manning, WikiLeaks 
Prosecutors presented new evidence Monday that appears to link Pfc. Bradley Manning to a massive leak of government material to the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks. 
( by Ellen Nakashima , The Washington Post) 

More World: World News, International News, Foreign Reporting - The Washington Post 

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LIVE DISCUSSIONS 
Reindeer: What do they do the other 364 days of the year? 
Dr. Layne Adams discusses reindeer, including what they eat, where they live, if they really do fly and more. 
(, vForum) 

Free Range on Food: Cheap eats, holiday cooking and beef 
Have cooking questions? We have answers. Ask us now. 
(, vForum) 

The Seat Pleasant 59: Where are the scholarship recipients today? 
Post reporter Paul Schwartman discusses the Seat Pleasant 59 "Dreamers" and where they are today. 
(, vForum) 

What does Kim Jong Il's death really mean? 
Michael Nacht discusses what Kim Jon Il's death means for North Koreans and the rest of the world. 
(, vForum) 

Advice from Slate's 'Dear Prudence' 
Live discussion with Slate advice columnist Dear Prudence, a.k.a. Emily Yoffe. 
(, vForum) 

More Conversations: Discussions, Blogs, Debates, Live Q&A's and More - The Washington Post 

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TECHNOLOGY 
AT&T gives up on T-Mobile merger 
AT&T ended its pursuit of T-Mobile, bowing to government opposition to the $39 billion deal that would have created the nation’s biggest mobile provider of phone and Internet service. 
( by Cecilia Kang , The Washington Post) 

Apple wins small victory in smartphone patent battle 
The U.S. International Trade Commission ruled that HTC devices that use “data tapping” technology in a specific way will be hit with an import ban on April 19, 2012. 
( by Hayley Tsukayama , The Washington Post) 

Sweety High aims to help young girls shine 
“Sweety High”, a social networking site for young girls, takes a privacy-first approach. 
( by Hayley Tsukayama , The Washington Post) 

British Telecommunications the latest major company to sue Google over patents 
We'll see if Google decides to fight this one out or head back to the negotiating table. 
( by Nilay Patel | The Verge , theverge.com) 

Report: Production starts on Apple’s next iPad 
There are indications that Apple has started more iPad production 
( by Hayley Tsukayama , The Washington Post) 

More Technology News - The Washington Post 

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EDITORIAL 
Radical GOP Winterfest 
Speaker Boehner tends bar for backbenchers. 
(, The Washington Post) 

The outsider in power 
Madeline Albright remembers Vaclav Havel. 
( by Madeleine Albright , The Washington Post) 

Revolution of truth 
Vaclav Havel was a historical prophet. 
(, The Washington Post) 

Life, interrupted 
A dictator, a dissident and Suzanne Hart. 
(, The Washington Post) 

What’s next for North Korea 
The White House has many reasons for concern. 
( by Michael J. Green , The Washington Post) 

More Opinions: Washington Post Opinion, Editorial, Op Ed, Politics Editorials - The Washington Post 

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BUSINESS 
Former controller pleads guilty to role in Madoff fraud 
The former controller at Bernard L. Madoff’s investment firm, Enrica Cotellessa-Pitz, pleaded guilty Monday to participating in Madoff’s fraud. 
( by David S. Hilzenrath , The Washington Post) 

Euro-zone credit crisis may come to a head in early 2012 
Banks and governments have hundreds of billions of dollars in loans to refinance early in the year, and the European Central Bank is worried about the outcome. 
( by Howard Schneider , The Washington Post) 

Apple wins smartphone patent ruling against Android devices 
Apple Inc. won a patent-infringement ruling that bans some HTC Corp. smartphones from the U.S. starting next year, bolstering efforts to prove that devices running Google Inc.’s Android operating system copy the iPhone. 
( by Susan Decker Bloomberg News , Bloomberg) 

AT&T gives up on T-Mobile merger 
AT&T ended its pursuit of T-Mobile, bowing to government opposition to the $39 billion deal that would have created the nation’s biggest mobile provider of phone and Internet service. 
( by Cecilia Kang , The Washington Post) 

SEC names examinations chief in Boston 
Michael E. Garrity, 54, has been named head of examinations in the SEC’s Boston regional office, where he will scrutinize mutual funds, brokerage firms, hedge funds, and private-equity firms. 
( by David S. Hilzenrath , The Washington Post) 

Today's News Highlights 12.12.11

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
Congress edges toward spending deal
It appears exceedingly unlikely that lawmakers will let the government close down at the end of this week
(By Rosalind S. Helderman)

Rick Perry is confident, but is he ready?
Rick Perry’s charisma belied an uncertainty he had about his own presidential bid. Back in Texas, the governor had vacillated about a White House candidacy for months.
(By Michael Leahy)

Amid need, cities try to set right troubled housing deals
Distressed communities are scrambling to figure out how to weather steep cuts in housing-construction funding and revive delayed and ailing projects.
(By Debbie Cenziper)

A calm before Iowa’s caucus storm
Four years ago, Iowa was awash with candidates and campaign activity. This year it’s been much quieter in the Hawkeye State. Is this the new normal?
(By Dan Balz)

Chris Cillizza: When passion trumps process
Conventional wisdom says that a large, well-funded political organization is a must in Iowa. But is it, really?
(By Chris Cillizza)

NATION
Looking to the East for action on climate change
Broad in scope but short on details, the Durban Platform aims to break down the firewall that has divided the historic big emitters of greenhouse gases from the major developing countries.
( by Juliet Eilperin , The Washington Post)

More National: Breaking National News & Headlines - Washington Post

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METRO
Donald ‘thrilled’ to lead family services
Her introduction as director of the agency she worked at from 2001 to 2005 seemed more like a reunion.
( by Mike DeBonis , The Washington Post)

When ‘improvements’ aren’t, really
Our columnist suffers his own banking crisis.
(, The Washington Post)

In rural Va., majoring in top secrecy
A community college hopes to prepare students for an emerging job market near Charlottesville.
( by Susan Svrluga , The Washington Post)

A star recruit’s job: Erode school’s racist legacy
The private Fuqua School in Farmville, Va., which opened in the 1960s amid white defiance of desegregation orders, wanted a student ambassador to the African American community. So it recruited Charles Williams.
( by Kevin Sieff , The Washington Post)

Black women struggle with job losses
Women— especially black women — were among the hardest hit in the nation’s economic crisis. And the so-called recovery has been even worse for them.
(, The Washington Post)

More Post Local: Washington, DC Area News, Traffic, Weather, Sports & More - The Washington Post

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POLITICS
Donald ‘thrilled’ to lead family services
Her introduction as director of the agency she worked at from 2001 to 2005 seemed more like a reunion.
( by Mike DeBonis , The Washington Post)

A calm before Iowa’s caucus storm
Four years ago, Iowa was awash with candidates and campaign activity. This year it’s been much quieter in the Hawkeye State. Is this the new normal?
( by Dan Balz , The Washington Post)

Obama chides GOP for intransigence
In an interview on “60 Minutes,” President Obama lashed out at GOP resistance to his economic policies and said changing Washington’s political culture would be a “long-term project.”
( by David Nakamura , The Washington Post)

Republicans scramble to curb Gingrich’s lead
Former House speaker’s lead in the polls strengthens as Iowa caucuses grow near; lower-ranked candidates take shots at front-runners
( by Philip Rucker and Dan Balz , The Washington Post)

Schumer calls for passenger advocates at airports
Sen. Charles E. Schumer and New York state Sen. Michael Gianaris are calling for a passenger advocate program after claims of TSA mistreatment.
( by Michael Gormley , The Washington Post)

More Post Politics: Breaking Politics News, Political Analysis & More - The Washington Post

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STYLE
Imperfect Dancers Company at Lansburgh Theatre
Italy’s Imperfect Dancers made their U.S. debut Saturday with a forceful performance alternatively fueled by deep feeling and absurdism.
(, The Washington Post)

Stars turn out for ‘Christmas in Washington’
The annual concert, set to air Friday, was taped Sunday at the National Building Museum and included performances by Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson, the Band Perry and others.
( by Chris Richards , The Washington Post)

On Facebook, Irish town is off the map
When Ann Marie Kennedy, who is from Effin, Ireland, tried to update her Facebook profile in June, she had a hard time adding her home town. Months later, it’s still not an option .
( by Karla Adam , The Washington Post)

2 artists, 3 films, lots to discuss
Actor Viggo Mortensen and director David Cronenberg have worked together three times, most recently on “A Dangerous Method.”
( by Ann Hornaday , The Washington Post)

‘Distracted’ and shutting out her child
A parent who just lost her mother has a “habit of numbing myself” with Internet, crosswords, reading, knitting — while ignoring her child.
(, The Washington Post)

More Style: Culture, Arts, Ideas & More - The Washington Post

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SPORTS
Giants stun the Cowboys
Eli Manning and the Giants erase a 12-point, fourth-quarter deficit to rally past Dallas and move into a first-place tie in the NFC East.
( by Mark Maske , The Washington Post)

RESULTS

(, The Washington Post)

TV and radio listings: December 12

(, The Washington Post)

Impressive turnaround for Jenkins
Gonzaga junior Kris Jenkins scores 20 points to lead his team to a 56-52 victory over Neumann-Goretti of Philadelphia in the championship game of the Gonzaga DC Classic.
( by James Wagner , The Washington Post)

Opinion | Failure finds the Redskins again
They did many things right Sunday in battling the New England Patriots for the entire game. But mistakes and poor judgement still plagued them.
(, The Washington Post)

More Sports: Sports News, Scores, Analysis, Schedules & More - The Washington Post

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WORLD
Afghan folk tales take new role in the classroom
Oral stories turned into printed words help students break the bonds of illiteracy
( by Joshua Partlow in Kabul , The Washington Post)

Maliki heads to U.S. for ‘post-war’ consultations
It is the Iraqi prime minister who will ultimately determine which if any of the goals of the nine-year U.S. military engagement will be achieved.
( by Liz Sly , The Washington Post)

Angry Russians aren’t buying Medvedev investigation
After President Dmitry Medvedev posted on Facebook that election fraud reports would be investigated, thousands of commenters reacted with disdain.
( by Kathy Lally , The Washington Post)

23 reported killed in Syria clashes
The fresh violence came as anti-government protesters in Amman, the capital of neighboring Jordan, stormed the Syrian embassy there.
( by Alice Fordham , The Washington Post)

Cameron’s E.U. veto splinters his coalition
The British prime minister’s move against a European pact brought an extraordinarily scathing reaction from his deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg.
( by Anthony Faiola , The Washington Post)

More World: World News, International News, Foreign Reporting - The Washington Post

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LIVE DISCUSSIONS
Fix Face-Off: The finale (video)
Political blogger Chris Cillizza's fast-paced video Q&A about the 2012 presidential election and other political issues.
(, vForum)

Five myths about Ron Paul
Nick Gillespie separates Ron Paul fact from fiction.
(, vForum)

Redskins-Patriots postgame chat with Cindy Boren
Live discussion about the Redskins vs. Patriots game.
(, vForum)

More Conversations: Discussions, Blogs, Debates, Live Q&A's and More - The Washington Post

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EDITORIAL
A new mirage in the Iraqi desert
U.S.-Iraqi relations rest on a set of inaccurate assumptions.
( by Kimberly Kagan and Frederick W. Kagan , The Washington Post)

Cameron’s eyes are on the City
The British prime minister has his own art of the deal.
(, The Washington Post)

Fed bashing gone wild
Federal Reserve paying a price in current round of revisionism.
(, The Washington Post)

Obama is lagging on Egypt
Obama isn’t much engaged by the fight for freedom in the Middle East.
(, The Washington Post)

Obama abroad: Democratic realism
The president and his foreign policy team present a new focus on democracy abroad.
(, The Washington Post)

More Opinions: Washington Post Opinion, Editorial, Op Ed, Politics Editorials - The Washington Post

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BUSINESS
Investment firms playing role in legal field
Burford Group is one such third party with corporate clients of area law firms.
( By Catherine Ho , The Washington Post)

First-time suppliers to U.S. drop most since ‘05
Contributing to the decline are federal budget cuts and the expanding use of multiple-award contracts that direct orders to a pre-selected pool of companies, a trend that has hurt smaller vendors in particular.
( by Nishad Majmudar , The Washington Post)

New at the top: Debra Cabral
In her new role at Story Partners, she aims to lead a public affairs firm that is recognized for its work in digital and social media.
(, The Washington Post)

Washington area business events
Seminars and workshops for the week of Dec. 12.
(, The Washington Post)

Site hopes to get students out of dorm
The startup NeverBoredU.com offers students a comprehensive list to local happenings and events.
(, The Washington Post)

More Business News, Financial News, Business Headlines & Analysis - The Washington Post

The DL Chronicles RETURNS 2012!

2nd Year Anniversary Issue Swagga Digital Magazine Winter 2011

2nd Year Anniversary Issue Swagga Digital Magazine Winter 2011

Swagga Digital Magazine 2nd Year Anniversary Issue Winter Dec/Jan 2012

By Ronald Fulcher in Swagga Digital Magazine

108 pages, published 2 DEC 2011

Winter Issue Dec/Jan 2012 2nd Year Anniversary Our latest issue featuring art by Eve Harlowe, Special Music Insert illuminating local artists Planet B. Fashion editorial of West Coast Leather, designs by Emporium Armani, Kairon John Rise of the Phoenix, a Bi-Monthly publication illuminating people of color, from different backgrounds in four (4) areas, including fashion, lifestyle, culture and music. We feel there is a need for our publication f…