USA TODAY articles from November 2005

USA TODAY archives from November 2005

Katrina's impact on farm production.(YOUR LIFE)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... A USDA report estimates agricultural production losses from Hurricane Katrina and the drought in the eastern Corn Belt to be nearly $900,-000,000. "Given the severity of the hurricane, the agricultural losses could have been much greater," says...

God, cosmos, Katrina and Rita.(YOUR LIFE)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The desire to assign cosmic significance to hurricanes Katrina and Rita is an example of humankind's ages-old need to find reason within chaos, according to University at Buffalo (N.Y.) anthropologist Phillips Stevens Jr. Stevens is not...

Pro-environmentalists not voting that way.(YOUR LIFE)
November 1, 2005... Eight in 10 Americans say they support pro-environmental policies, but a national survey by the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University, Durham, N.C., finds their support often stops short of the ballot box. ...

The rebuilding of New Orleans.(YOUR LIFE)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Demand for unskilled labor to clean up after Hurricane Katrina will help drive economic recovery in New Orleans, according to an economist at he University at Buffalo (N.Y.) School of Management. "If there is a positive aspect of this terrible...

Fuel costs could trim holiday jobs.(YOUR LIFE)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Holiday jobs may be harder to get this year if gas prices stay high and shoppers stay home, predicts John A. Challenger, CEO of the global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., Chicago. "While we saw a healthy rebound in...

Americans divided on global issues.(YOUR LIFE)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Americans are divided over the most pressing challenges facing the world's population and the best solutions to global problems, according to a poll commissioned by Scientific American and conducted by Harris Interactive. Among the...

Employees just want to have fun.(YOUR LIFE)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Most professionals attend year-end office bashes to have fun--not to hobnob with the higher-ups, maintains a survey by The Creative Group, Menlo Park, Calif., a specialized staffing service that provides marketing, advertising, creative, and...

Tips for beating the party pounds.(Your Life)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The season's weight gain is similar to the "freshmen 15"--inevitable. The holidays mean parties full of hors d'oeuvres and cocktails as well as offices with girl baskets overflowing with chocolates and pastries. It's no wonder that, when...

Hardcore drinkers are a national plague.(Your Life)
November 1, 2005... Americans are more aware than ever of the dangers of drinking and driving. Yet, how many realize that thousands of drunk driving fatalities are caused by extreme or repeat offenders known as "hard cote drinking drivers"? In 2003, 17,013 people...

There is no simple global thermostat.(Your Life)
November 1, 2005... Serious global climate change is nothing new; in fact, it is quite ancient. One University of Missouri-Columbia researcher has reviewed the Earth's temperature fluctuations from the past 70,000,000 years to predict future variations. His...

Company stock: how much is too much?(Your Life)
November 1, 2005... After Enron, WorldCom, and a host of other public companies that either have collapsed or taken nose-dives in value in recent years, you would think workers would know better. Common wisdom among financial advisors is that workers participating...

Rainy days on ancient Mars.(Your Life)
November 1, 2005... Mars is a cold, dry desert, but robotic satellites and rovers have returned evidence of a warmer and wetter climate that existed more than 3,500,000,000 years ago, when conditions may have been more favorable for life. Geologists at the...

Shipping industry vows to cut pollution.(Your Life)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Responding to pressure by various environmental groups and a number of governments, the London-based United Nations body that regulates international shipping agreed to review air pollution standards for the world's fleet. The current...

Gal pals keep teens trouble free.(Your Life)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Hollywood's fascination with "mean girls" and its repeated portrayal of teen girls' relationships as catty and cruel belles the benefits of real-world friendships, according to two University of California, Davis, sociologists, who say teens...

Why war is so affordable: the military's role in the U.S. economy.(National Affairs)
November 1, 2005... During each conflict since the end of World War II, the military establishment has used a smaller share of the nation's resources than during the preceding engagement. Although the absolute level of military resource utilization has been rising...

Private grief as public spectacle.(STATE OF THE NATION)
November 1, 2005... THE U.S. HAS NOT WON A WAR of long duration since World War II. Korea ended in a truce, ratifying the status quo ante; Vietnam ended in a political defeat. Both wars might have been won. The consensus of the Truman and Eisenhower...

Election fraud remains commonplace.(National Affairs)
November 1, 2005... JOSEPH STALIN ONCE SAID, "The people who cast the rotes don't decide an election: the people who count the votes do." In the former Soviet Union, the dictator's minions counted the votes and the totals added up according to his wishes. One...

Radical Islam in America: the media, prisons, the military, and academia are four key areas where the Saudi government and its Wahhabi ideology have gained tremendous influence in the U.S.(Worldview)
November 1, 2005... WHEN THE HORROR of Sept. 11 first occurred, Americans experienced a great deal of confusion and were subject to much speculation about the motives for such terrorism. It was natural for many of us to assume that we were attacked because of who...

An exit strategy for Iraq.(WORLD WATCHER)
November 1, 2005... WITH POLLS SHOWING that Americans now favor a withdrawal of troops from Iraq, it is time to start planning for that eventuality. Sixty-three percent think that the U.S. should withdraw some or all of our troops now. However, facing arguments...

Will Bill Clinton's global initiative change the world?(The World Today)
November 1, 2005... A FEW MONTHS AGO, former Pres. Bill Clinton invited heads of state, business executives, and others to gather for a Global Initiative at a UN Summit in New York. He believes that individuals can make a big difference in solving world crises....

Hailing a new era of cooperative conservation.(Ecology)
November 1, 2005... IT IS TIME TO SET the course for a new era of conservation. In doing so, an absolutely vital point must be driven home: Conservation no longer is about conflict: it now concerns cooperation, partnerships, and collaborative solutions. I have had...

Ethanol: more than just corn.(EYE ON ECOLOGY)
November 1, 2005... AT THE FUEL PUMPS in Sao Paulo, customers have a choice: gas or alcohol. Since the mid 1970s, Brazil has worked to replace imported gasoline with ethanol, an alcohol distilled from locally grown sugarcane. Today, ethanol accounts for 40% of the...

Theraphy overload on campus.(Psychology)
November 1, 2005... THE EVER-GROWING specter of psychological counseling centers is haunting colleges and universities--and the utopia they aim for may be more a dystopia of dependency. There is no data base to document how many psychological counseling...

Echoes of the Great Depression.(ECONOMIC OBSERVER)
November 1, 2005... THE ECONOMIC POLICIES of the 1930s are a continuing source of myth and confusion. Many people believe that capitalism caused the Great Depression and that Pres. Franklin Roosevelt helped to end it. The events of the 1930s influence economic...

Saving man's best friends.(Life in America)(dogs and cats )
November 1, 2005... SOME 9,600,000 DOGS and cats are euthanized annually in the U.S. The good news is that, in numerous communities, this sad fact is becoming more and more unacceptable. In New York City, for instance, Animal Care & Control implemented a five-year...

Dinosaurs as they've never been seen: a landmark exhibition reveals how current theories about dinosaurs have evolved over the past 20 years, as a groundbreaking walk-through diorama of a prehistoric forest brings these ancient creatures to life.(Science & Technology)(Cover Story)
November 1, 2005... "DINOSAURS: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries" represents landmark research that dramatically is changing the public's perception of these astonishing prehistoric creatures. This groundbreaking exhibition reveals how current thinking about...

A rustic spirit for the holidays.(Museums Today)(Tasha Tudor (Starling Burgess))
November 1, 2005... AMONG THE MOST beloved illustrators of our time, Tasha Tudor--the subject of a special exhibition that illuminates the holiday season with her heartwarming images for greeting cards--has written, illustrated, and been the subject of more than...

That should "cover" it.(Mass Media)
November 1, 2005... STARTED IN 1925 at the height of the Prohibition era as a witty humor magazine, The New Yorker rose to preeminence as a bastion of journalistic excellence following World War II. However, after decades of flying high in the cultural firmament,...

An uninspired press translates into an uninformed electorate.(Mass Media)
November 1, 2005... FORMER CBS NEWS anchor Walter Cronkite was, until his retirement in 1981, the most trusted man in America. He used to end his newscasts with, "That's the way it is on [such and such a date]"--and everyone believed him. That trust in the media,...

Everyone's a journalist.(WORLD IMAGES)
November 1, 2005... THERE IS SO MUCH NOISE over bloggers threatening professional journalists in the gathering and dissemination of news that most people seem to forget that the notion of a "professional journalist" is a product of the 20th century and not typical...

Is drug testing of athletes necessary?(Athletic Arena)
November 1, 2005... IN TODAY'S SOCIETY, the economic and intangible rewards for extraordinary athletic achievements and winning performances are substantial. Therefore, there is a significant incentive for athletes to maximize their on-field performance, which is...

Tales of a tailgater.(SPORTS SCENE)
November 1, 2005... EVERY SATURDAY, SUNDAY, and Monday morning during football season, I wake up early, step outside my home, and go to work--in the NFL and college football stadium parking lots across the country. It's actually not work. Work is something that...

Photogarphy of the paranormal.(Focus on the Occult)("The Perfect Medium: Photography and the Occult" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art)
November 1, 2005... GHOST, SEANCES, levitation, auras, ectoplasm... extraordinary photographs of these and other paranormal phenomena are on display in an exhibition devoted to the historical intersections between photography and the once wildly popular interest...

Clark Gable's "Hoosier Tornado".(REEL WORLD)(Carole Lombard)
November 1, 2005... IN READING ABOUT SCREWBALL comedy actress Carole Lombard of "My Man Godfrey" (1936) and "Nothing Sacred" (1937) fame, it is easy to be drawn to her comic courtship of 1930s box office king Clark Gable. Though they had co-starred together in "No...

"New-look" sound has been found.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)(RKS Guitars' Ruby Red Hollow Body)
November 1, 2005... It's hard to believe, but electric guitar design has gone virtually unchallenged for the last 50 years--until now. So, while we won't be throwing away our Fender Stratoscaster or Gibson Les Paul anytime soon, they will be gathering dust for...

Nicktronics for the tech-savvy younger set.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Kids are so tech-savvy these days that even the youngest understands how to operate VCRs and DVD players. They know which buttons to push to get to see their favorite programs. Now, with the Dora the Explorer Portable DVD Player ($130),...

Arrival of the ultimate Kodak EasyShare-One.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)
November 1, 2005... Let's face it: we live in a world of instant gratification. We've become an impatient, give-it-to-us-now society. In many instances, this is out of necessity. We simply don't have much free time. People are working longer hours; roads are more...

Patch proves its worth year after year.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)
November 1, 2005... One of the best ways to get to know your children better is to sit down and play games with them. Cards, puzzles, board games, it doesn't matter which variety, kids love to play with their parents. Being game-players at heart, one of the...

Stocking up on holiday cheer.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)
November 1, 2005... Now that another holiday season has arrived (already!), it's time to make plans for visits from friends and family. For many of us, that means restocking our liquor cabinets. Whether getting together for cocktails or selecting a wine to serve...

Sleep as the perfect Crowne-ing achievement.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)
November 1, 2005... When we think of first-class hotels, one of the first names that jumps to mind is Crowne Plaza. In addition to providing luxurious accommodations, the folks at Crowne Plaza recognize the importance of getting a great night's rest when you...

An ongoing love affair with Tupperware.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)
November 1, 2005... Is it just us or does everyone love Tupperware? It's such a versatile product line. Whether it's an ordinary day or you're entertaining at home, carrying lunch to school, or bringing a dish to any festivity, the Tupperware Corp., Orlando, Fla.,...

You've got "GAIM" with G360 putter.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)
November 1, 2005... If you have a golf enthusiast on your gift list, there seems to be no end to the products on the market that would interest this individual since, as technology continues to improve, it's hard to keep up with all the products sporting the...

Relaxing holidays the HoMedics way.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)
November 1, 2005... If you're all about relaxing this holiday season, don't miss out on the new products HoMedics, Inc., Commerce Township, Mich., has unveiled just in time for gift-giving or some much-needed self-indulgence. Devoted to personal care, health, and...

Fisher-Price's unique flourish with toys.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)
November 1, 2005... We've always believed that, when it comes to the younger set, Fisher-Price simply has the most wonderful toys imaginable. After seeing this year's crop, our belief is stronger than ever. Elmo--one of the most endearing characters ever to...

Classics with a twist: USAopoly is at it again.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Do you love sports and think you know the subject better than anybody else? Well, USAopoly, Carlsbad, Calif., is giving you a chance to prove it. The ESPN All Sports Trivia Challenge ($29.95) was created by sports fans for sports fans. With...

Lindt Gourmet Truffles ... mmmmmmmmmmm.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... There are few foods that give you that overall good feeling like a piece of fine chocolate. The most perfect treat we can think of is a really good truffle. To experience this most extraordinary confection in its most extraordinary form, you...

Crayola's crafty cooking kits.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... When we imagine the warm, fuzzy occasions of this festive season, they often involve spending meaningful time together with our children: decorating our home, watching holiday specials, or baking delicious treats. Crayola, Beachwood, Ohio, has...

A flavorful fountain of decadence.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)(Rival Chocholate Fountain)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Picture, if you will, scrumptious chocolate cascading from a waterfall; its sweet aroma filling the air. Surrounding this mouth-watering sight is a tray of dippable treats. Sound too good to be true? Indulge your fantasy with the Rival...

Deck the wish list with Mattel toys.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)
November 1, 2005... Whether you're looking for board games, Barbies, Hot Wheel racers, or anything in between, Mattel has toys and games to deck the wish lists of kids of all ages. The popular Scene It? turns a flat board game into a 3-D multimedia match...

Personalized bats for special sluggers.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Back in the 1920s and '30s, Paul and Lloyd Waner of the Pittsburgh Pirates dominated the National League like no brothers before or since, piling up batting titles and hitting records galore. Paul was dubbed "Big Poison"; his younger brother,...

Beacon street girls are rarin' to go.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... One of the hardest groups to find suitable gifts for are the so-called 'tween girls. They're not babies anymore, but they're not young adults, either. B*tween Productions, Inc., Lexington, Mass., is filling the niche with its line of Beacon...

Jeep gets gear where it needs to be.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)
November 1, 2005... When we think of a Jeep, certain characteristics come to mind: rugged, outdoor adventure, durability, and reliability. However, beyond their outstanding vehicles, Jeep has an extensive line of products as distinctive and dependable as the very...

Tennis royalty crowned by prince.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)
November 1, 2005... When the teenage Russian phenom Maria Sharapova rocketed to fame over the last year or so, she was tearing up the court with the original "Shark" racquet from Prince Sports, Inc., Bordentown, N.J. Not satisfied with even overwhelming success,...

Star Wars to Furby: Hasbro has it all.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)
November 1, 2005... Remember the Furby? Well, it's back and better than ever. Hasbro, Pawtucket, R.I., has reinvented the Furby ($39.99) using emoto-tronics technology, making it more vibrant, expressive, and humorous than the previous version. Through advanced...

Columbia sportswear for style and substance.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)(Columbia Sportswear Company)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... As the weather outside turns nippy, there's nothing like the warmth of a down jacket. If you are looking to stay active and fit this winter, Columbia Sportswear Company, Portland, Ore., offers the latest in stylish functionality. We love...

At Jakks Pacific, what's old is new again.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... As we cruise the aisles this season, we are finding many of our favorite toys from years past are back again. We remember fondly the Cabbage Patch craze of our youth--everybody had to have one. Now, Play Along, Inc., Deerfield Beach, Fla., a...

Bionaire update.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... In this section in September 2005, we told you about the PERMAtech Ionizing Air Cleaner by Bionaire from The Holmes Group, Milford, Mass. This superior air cleaner is the first of its kind to offer HEPA-type filtration with a filter that never...

"Light up" that special room with pillows.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Decorative pillows are an excellent way to accent a room. Available in just about every shape, size, fabric, and print imaginable, you're sure to find the perfect match for your decor. Yet, what if you were hoping to find something just a...

So many titles, so much fun to be had.(VIDEO GAMES)
November 1, 2005... You won't have to took far down a child's wish list to find video game requests. From compelling action adventures to sports challenges to repackaged old favorites, there are titles to please all age groups. Activision, Santa Monica,...

Big laughs for "Little Britain".(DVD)(Sound Recording Review)
November 1, 2005... Let's be clear--we love American comedies. However, let's also be honest--British imports are just so much more outrageous, provocative, thought-prevoking, enjoyable, and, well... funnier than their U.S. counterparts. Yes, we can boast about...

Game Boy Advance Video is just that.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... It seems anywhere you look--cars, waiting rooms, supermarkets, even, unfortunately, church--you see kids playing with Game Boys. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find a child who doesn't have one. A new activity for this favorite handheld game...

Cranium is still the cradle of family fun.(WHAT'S NEW? Holiday Gift Guide)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... In a recent survey of parents with children under the age of 18, eight out of 10 assert that their family deserves more time to play together. The folks at Cranium, Inc., Seattle, Wash., say they strongly agree with these eight parents and hope...

The new Pope as old Pope.(PARTING THOUGHTS)(Pope Benedict XVI)
November 1, 2005... IT IS SMALL WONDER that the new Pope in many ways is the spitting image of the old one, John Paul II. This despite the one being Polish and the other German, but then somehow clergy who work for the Papacy in the Vatican all become Italian. No...