Meet the Press Moments! 1) Doris Kearns Goodwin, absolving Barack Obama on the question of his lifted uplift. ... Writes itself! ... 2) Goodwin, on politicans' sex scandals:

But I think the serious thing that happened is just this change in relationship between the candidates and the reporters has been such a sea change. In 1920, the reporters knew in detail that Warren Harding was having an affair for 15 years. They thought it wasn't their business to talk about the private life, compared to a front-page article that suspects an affair on the part of some aides. In fact, the Republican committee was so worried about this affair that they actually gave the woman $20,000 and sent her to the Orient during the entire campaign to get her out of the way. So we've changed the whole notion of what part of a private life matters.

Sportscotland is saved in merger

The future of Scotland's national sports agency was secured yesterday when the SNP government bowed to a major campaign to prevent it being scrapped.

Viewers' Comments On Randy Salerno - Part 21

Keep family first. Cherish your friends. Remember where you came from. Live in the moment. The "smart-aleck" kid from Crystal Lake taught us many things by just being himself.Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in this tragedy.--Curt Mitchell, Hinsdale, ILI have written before, but I had to tell this story. When Randy died it hit me hard as it was so sad, as he left his family and friends behind. After watching all the tributes and hearing the stories of Randy from his friends and family, I realized he was just like my brother-in-law who was killed going on three years in Aug. on Lake Shore Drive in a traffic accident. Jeffrey who was killed was just like Randy and would get away with comments of how he handled himself. I was with Jeffrey the day he died as we buried my friend his cousin, and we were sitting at the table for the lucheon and Jeffrey had us in stiches laughing.

The way it used to be, kids...

I would not have liked to live back then," laughs 10-year-old Jack Heap, a Year 6 pupil. "Going on the walk was great, especially looking at the old wells."Fellow classmate, Kiera Janicwiez, 11, agrees."It must have been quite hard living back then but I have enjoyed finding out all about it. "It was especially interesting to learn about a pub that was called The Anchor which used to be a field that belongs to my grandad."The book contains descriptions of what it was like to be a child in the village in an age when there were few cars and they could safely play in the streets, sledging in winter all the way from the chapel to the stream.There are descriptions too of how the village sounded with church bells ringing out and cartwheels and clogs clattering over the cobbles, as well as the "knock-upper" who woke mill workers by rattling a long pole against their windows.Other topics include health, families, the home, washing, communications, clothes, play and entertainment, community, transport and travel and religion.Head teacher of St Mary's, Simon Scott, said the book had been enjoyed by all children at the school."It was Year 5 and Year 6 who went on the walk and have been involved in the main but we have put other copies in our library and all the children, of all ages have been interested.

Comcast: we’ll loose TV subs

The AB group has concluded a range of deals ahead of its launch of the low cost satellite platform Bis Television next week. The basic Bis package costs just E4.90 a month for 25 channels, with film and adult add-on options costing an extra E4.90 a month each.

Alternatively, a tuner with a viewing card pre-paid for one year costs E199, or a one-year pre-paid card alone for E99.

UK MPs reject referendum on EU Treaty

Brown has been under severe pressure from opposition parties and campaign groups to hold a popular vote on the treaty ever since he signed the text last December (seeEurActiv 21/01/08). Meanwhile, parliamentary committees have already been discussing the treaty on an issue-by-issue basis for a month.

The issue split the Liberal Democrat party, whose leader Nick Clegg had ordered his MPs to abstain from yesterday's vote. Yet aquarter of Lib Dem MPs defied the orderand voted in favour of a referendum, with three frontbenchers resigning to do so.

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Dust to dust? More ask for eco-friendly funerals

PORTLAND, Ore. - Cynthia Beal wants to be an Oregon cherry tree after she dies. She has everything to make it happen — a body, a burial site and a biodegradable coffin.

Davidson Calendar: Jan. 25-Feb. 8

Improv Nashville performs scenes, games and a one-act play based on audience suggestions. 8 p.m. Jan. 25, 12th South Arts Venue, 2907 12th Ave. S.; $10; tickets: 418-0905 or www.improvnashville.com.