USA TODAY articles from July 2008

USA TODAY archives from July 2008

Black support may end up hurting Obama.(YOUR LIFE)(Barack Obama)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... The enthusiastic turnout of African-American voters on behalf of Sen. Barack Obama (D.-III.) in the presidential primaries and caucuses could backfire, leading to defections from some white supporters, maintains Kerry Haynie, associate...

A kinder, gentler form of bigotry.(YOUR LIFE)('Joey Gonzalez, Great American')(Book review)
July 1, 2008... "There is a kinder, gentler form of bigotry. It is called affirmative action. Those who practice this legal bigotry look at themselves in a mirror and no doubt see a kindhearted, sensitive liberal--but look again. Behind the friendly facade of...

Religious congregations prove tough to close.(YOUR LIFE)
July 1, 2008... Religious congregations in the U.S. have one of the lowest closure rates ever observed for any type of organization, with only one percent on average going out of existence each year, reveals a study by researchers at the University of Arizona,...

Parents are right to be stricter with older kids.(YOUR LIFE)
July 1, 2008... If you think your parents let your younger siblings get away with everything, you probably are right. A study from researchers at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md., and the University of Maryland, College Park, concludes that parents...

Teens indulging stronger marijuana.(YOUR LIFE)(tetrahydrocannabinol)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... The levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)--the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana--have reached the highest-ever amounts since scientific analysis of the drug began in the late 1970s, according to the latest analysis from the University of...

Illegal tobacco sales to minors decline.(YOUR LIFE)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Illegal sales of tobacco products to underage youth have reached an all-time low under the Synar Amendment program, it was announced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Washington, D.C. The national average of...

Bully police restricting internet.(YOUR LIFE)(cyber-bullying)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... The Internet, home of no-holds-barred political blogs, democratic forums on every subject, and Wikipedia, often is hailed as an untouchable bastion of free speech. However, bills passed earlier this year in Missouri make "cyber-bullying" a...

Big decreases in prime-age employees.(YOUR LIFE)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... More than half of the 50 states will face the dilemma in coming decades of having fewer workers in the age group considered to be in the prime earning years--25-to-54-year-olds, according to a study by Indiana University, Bloomington. "As...

Ways to stop summer spoilers.(YOUR LIFE)(mosquito bites)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Mosquitoes cause more human suffering than any other organism, with over 1,000,000 people dying from mosquito-borne diseases every year. Not only can these winged, six-legged blood-sucking creatures carry diseases that afflict humans, they...

Looking to travel on the cheap.(YOUR LIFE)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Some 57% of Americans feel they have less money to spend this year on summer vacations than they did in 2007 and are looking for ways to save on their traveling costs, according to a survey from AOL Travel and Zogby International. To save...

"Vintage industrial" preserves our past.(YOUR LIFE)(American Furnishings)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... As U.S. industrial strength slowly creeps across the Pacific Ocean and bleeds south of the border, one couple is salvaging the proud legacy of America's past. Dennis and Denise Blankemeyer, the husband-and-wife duo of American Furnishings, are...

Foster care survivor decries conditions.(YOUR LIFE)('My God Box: Parable of the Incorrigible Child')(Book review)
July 1, 2008... There are more than 500,000 children in the U.S. foster care system. For perspective, that is more than the population of pre-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans. Beyond the numbers, each child bears a personal story that starts with heartbreak and...

Lessons from the Bush years.(STATE OF THE NATION)(George W. Bush)
July 1, 2008... THE STORY OF George W. Bush is a work in progress. At this point in history, his public support rivals the historic lows of Pres. Harry Truman after he fired Gen. Douglas McArthur, as well as Pres. Richard Nixon after Watergate. While his...

Policy challenges facing the next president.(National Affairs)(US economy, Iraqi war)
July 1, 2008... WHOEVER TAKES the oath of office as president of the U.S. on Jan. 20, 2009, will face a staggering array of policy challenges. It is not surprising that few of these difficult issues are being taken up in the election campaign to date. Yet, it...

Race to the bottom? The presidential candidates' positions on trade.(Political Landscape)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Only when the American people are free to exchange goods unimpeded by the often faulty judgment of politicians will freedom and prosperity prevail." IN RECENT MONTHS, the economy has been in the headlines and in...

Talking the talk.(American Thought)(Barack Obama)
July 1, 2008... DURING RECENT months, we have been treated to a flood of oratory emanating from the mouths of participants in the national political marathon known as the presidential primaries. Many would agree that the political oratory of Sen. Barack Obama...

A virtual secret of history.(USA Yesterday)(Mary Jemison)(Brief biography)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ABOUT TWO DECADES before 13 colonies decided to join forces to throw off the shackles of Great Britain, a young girl was snatched by a band of Shawnee from her home in the south central Pennsylvania wilderness. One...

The media's blind spot.(WORDS IMAGES)(media coverage of Iraqi War)
July 1, 2008... THE PEOPLE WHO RUN television news do not even have enough conscience left to be embarrassed anymore. It used to be different. When a mistake was made, when an ethical breach was discovered, the TV networks or local news stations would go to...

Norman Rockwell in Black & White.(Art Scene)('NORMAN ROCKWELL in Black and White: Drawings for Classic Saturday Evening Post Covers')
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "NORMAN ROCKWELL in Black & White: Drawings for Classic Saturday Evening Post Covers features rarely-seen preparatory drawings created by the artist, offering intriguing insights into his creative process. Before...

Spinning Disney's World: the memories of a Magic Kingdom press agent bring to life the halcyon days of promoting Walt Disney's theme parks in California and Florida.(Mass Media)
July 1, 2008... THERE I WAS, less than a week into my new press agent's job at Disneyland, standing on top of a desk to reach photo files on shelves that stretched up to a 15' Victorian ceiling. It was Monday, the park was closed; there was no one around. The...

West Coast wonderlands: Disneyland and California Adventure provide a treasure trove of family fun.(Going Places)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I'M LOOKING AT the blueprint--well, I guess it would be more accurate to call it a drawing; no, perhaps you better make that a rough sketch--for a proposed new roller coaster (called The Sonic) that was designed for...

The American evolution: a history through art.(Museums Today)
July 1, 2008... "THE AMERICAN Evolution: A History through Art" showcases more than 200 objects in a wide range of media, dating from the colonial period to modern times. "It is not size and scope alone that distinguishes [this exhibition]. The display also...

Shades of greatness: art inspired by Negro Leagues baseball.(Athletic Arena)('Shades of Greatness: Art Inspired by Negro Leagues Baseball')
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Shades of greatness" is the first collaborative art exhibition inspired by the history of Negro Leagues baseball, which dates back to the 1880s. shortly after the founding of the National League. It features 35...

Red Sox nation welcomes "baseball as America": Boston is the latest venue for a traveling Hall of Fame exhibition that brings the game's past to life while celebrating the accomplishments of today's teams and stars.(Athletic Arena)
July 1, 2008... "BASEBALL as America," produced by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, celebrates the national pastime through more than 500 artifacts from the collections in Cooperstown--presenting them in a variety of themes, including invention...

Saluting Pittsburgh's finest.(ATHLETIC ARENA)(Roberto Clemente)(Cover story)
July 1, 2008... IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, there has been a renewal of attention to one who some believe to be the best all-round player ever to have played the game of baseball: Roberto Clemente, the right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955-72. Let us,...

Not quite a movie star.(SPORTS SCENE)(New York Mets-Pittsburgh Pirates scene in 'The Odd Couple')
July 1, 2008... I ALMOST STARRED IN AN ACADEMY-AWARD nominated movie with Roberto Clemente--really! Well, not exactly starred, but we both were supposed to be in the picture (in the same scene, no less); too bad Clemente backed out and I never got my cameo...

"Take Me Out to the Ball Game": the first century of baseball's enduring anthem: the Chicago Cubs were reigning world champions; John McGraw was in the early stages of his three-decades-long stint as manager of the New York Giants; Teddy Roosevelt occupied the White House; and the national pastime had a new song to call its own.(Entertainment)(Brief biography)
July 1, 2008... IT IS THE THIRD MOST frequently sung tune in the U.S., after "Happy Birth" day and "The Star Spangled Banner." It is played on radio or television 365 days a year. It is heard at weddings and funerals alike. It is one of the first songs...

George Washington's Spiritual Journey.(Colonial America)('George Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation')
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] GEORGE WASHINGTON enthusiastically embraced life's lessons. In 1745, when he was 13 years old, young Washington transcribed "The Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation" in colonial...

The bear went over the mountain: visiting the gravesites of U.S. presidents is nothing new--but vice presidents? One man's journey across the country to learn about our forgotten leaders yielded some interesting lessons about the nation ... and himself.(Life in America)(Travel narrative)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SUNDAY, MEMORIAL DAY weekend. 50. I buckle myself into an RV and flee to America. I never had traveled in an RV, never been alone or anonymous, never fended for myself, never visited most states. I was counting on...

All about real people.(REEL WORLD)(biographical movies)
July 1, 2008... AS A COLLEGE FILM PROFESSOR, my most popular class is movie genres. Each week we tackle a different type of film, such as fantasy, gangster, film noir, dark comedy, Westerns, and so on. Yet, my favorite part of the course comes late each...

There's nothing trivial about the U.S. presidency.(U.S. History)
July 1, 2008... WHAT TWO presidents died on the very same day? Our second and third commanders in chief, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, political rivals, then friends, both died on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the adoption of the Declaration of...

Sleep tight these summer nights.(WHAT'S NEW?)(tents)(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2008... It's hard to escape the realities of today's tight economy--many of us are struggling to find the means to keep up with our ever-increasing costs for fuel, food, and other essentials--yet we're still trying to find ways to have fun this summer....

Waterproofing your memories.(WHAT'S NEW?)(EcoShot)
July 1, 2008... In many parts of the country, and especially here in the Northeast, the short season of summer is the only time for partaking in water sports, frolicking at the beach, and enjoying the wave pools. While we definitely want to capture those...

Now you can have it made in the shade.(WHAT'S NEW?)(Sports Shade Portable Retractable Awning )(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Though we love to have our fun in the sun, we also enjoy a little respite in the shade. For those times when there is none to be found, we bring our own--in the form of the Sports Shade Portable Retractable Awning ($169). [ILLUSTRATION...

Enjoy a blast from baseball's past.(WHAT'S NEW?)('Home Run Derby')
July 1, 2008... Journey back to baseball's Golden Era with MGM's series of "Home Run Derby" DVDs, featuring the sport's ultimate power-hitting contest-a true blast from the past. Filmed in 1959--when there were two All-Star Games a season; yes, you read that...

Who says you can't skateboard underwater?(WHAT'S NEW?)(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2008... When it comes to keeping peace among children with a little extra free time on their hands, were learned one thing: You need to keep them busy! In the summer, that means giving them a few new pool toys so they'll stay entertained. One amusement...

It's safety first thanks to the turtle.(WHAT'S NEW?)(safety turtle)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... As much as we want to just kick back and enjoy the warm weather as we vacation by the ocean or relax by the pool, we know we must be ever vigilant when it comes to allowing our little ones by the water. That's why we turned to Terrapin...

Perfect plants for sun and shade.(WHAT'S NEW?)(ball horticultural)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Planting flowers, ornamental grasses, and other colorful foliage really can add a lot to your home's curb appeal. A spectacular splash of color can make a world of a difference. Whether you're creating a peaceful garden for your own relaxation...

Getting a foothold on garden chores.(WHAT'S NEW?)(nimbus)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Many of us have a ratty, old pair of sneakers that we use for gardening and other yard work, but we recognize that they really don't perform and protect our feet the way they should. Why not try a waterproof shoe that offers comfort and...

Dylan does it again time with a paintbrush.(WHAT'S NEW?)(Bob Dylan: The Drawn Blank Series)
July 1, 2008... "Ever since the beginning of time, and closely aligned with man's upright gait, a connection has existed between sound, language, song, rhythm, sign, and drawing.... Consequently, human nature and creative versatility have also been linked...

Easy Gardener makes gardening just that.(WHAT'S NEW?)(Easy Gardener Products)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... As we all make efforts to do our part to "go green," what better place to start than in the garden. Easy Gardener, Waco, Tex., has a line of products designed to make these transitions seamlessly. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Natural-looking...

To stay cool, you've got to be O2 Cool.(WHAT'S NEW?)(Portable Plus Indoor/Outdoor Fan)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Granted, being in an air-conditioned room is our preferred way to stay cool when it's really hot out, but what if the power goes out or you're at a Little League game in 90 [degrees] weather? How do you stay comfortable then? A portable fan...

You never can have enough ice cubes.(WHAT'S NEW?)(Portable/Silver Countertop Ice Maker)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... When we think about all the activities we're involved in at this time of year, from barbecues to pool parties to outings at the beach, the one constant in all these situations is we never seem to have enough ice. Whether the children and all...

WII just love getting in shape.(WHAT'S NEW?)(wii fit)
July 1, 2008... We love the way Nintendo's Wii system has transformed patently passive video gaming into an active experience. Following the axiom that "the path to fitness begins with a single step," Nintendo, Redmond, Wash., has launched Wii Fit, which...

Neatsheets are really neat.(WHAT'S NEW?)(Everest Luxury Linens' NeatSheets Bedding)
July 1, 2008... Remember that feeling of being tucked into a freshly-made bed as a child? The bed didn't make itself; most likely your mom made it for you. Now you can repay Mom for all she did for you with a gift of NeatSheets Bedding from Everest Luxury...

Get your popcorn, hot dogs ... Margarita!(WHAT'S NEW?)(Retro Kettle Popcorn Maker, Margarita Oasis)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Retro cool has had its way with fashion and now comes "home" with three ultra-retro products from Nostalgia Electrics. For movie night, the Retro Kettle Popcorn Maker ($99.99) lets you have it the cinema way. For the big game on TV, recreate...

For the air guitar rocker in all of us.(WHAT'S NEW?)(Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker, Jada Toys)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Is there anyone out there who never has played an air guitar? Admit it, once you get a song in your head like "Smoke On the Water," you can't help but start fingering those imaginary strings and strumming your belt buckle. So, how do you get...

Zippo still hot after all these years.(WHAT'S NEW?)(Zippo Manufacturing Company, BLU butane pocket lighter)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... The Zippo Manufacturing Company has taken flame to a new level with its BLU butane pocket lighter, which delivers a hot, consistent, clean-burning blue flame, unlike the traditional windproof lighter that sports a yellow flame fueled by liquid...

Pennsylvania Avenue: Profiles in Backroom Power.(Book review)
July 1, 2008... PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE Profiles in Backroom Power BY JOHN HARWOOD AND GERALD F. SEIB RANDOM HOUSE 2008, $26.00, 247 PAGES Almost every important event in American history has "played out" in one way or another on...

Costumes don't make the pirate.(PARTING THOUGHTS)(support groups)(Viewpoint essay)
July 1, 2008... IN THE PAST YEAR, Veggie Tales (if you listen to Christian radio or have small children, you've got a passing acquaintance with talking cucumbers and zany zucchini) released the film, "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything." Initially, the...