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October 13th, 2007

First person: Suffering through a stroke, getting through recovery

Posted by: Reuters Staff

In a Reuters Witness column correspondent Nelson Graves relates the experience of suffering a stroke while working last month. He writes that he first thought he had indigestion before realizing it was something much worse.

Have you or a family member suffered a stroke and had a similar experience? Was it difficult to recognize what was causing your symptoms at first? How did you react? How did your treatment and recovery progress?

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comment area below.

September 17th, 2007

What’s the housing market like where you live?

Posted by: Reuters Staff

Former Fed chief Alan Greenspan has been called downbeat on the housing market in many of hAlan Greenspan speaks at Book Expo America in New York in this file photo from June 1, 2007is numerous media appearances since Friday to promote his memoir. He told NBC’s “Today Show” that he expects more mortgage delinquencies and home foreclosures in U.S. and global housing markets.

What’s the housing market like in your region? Nationally, the average house price saw its slowest appreciation in a decade with a 3.2 percent rise.

August 23rd, 2007

Comment: medical advice and drugs under one roof

Posted by: Reuters Staff

Do you think health clinics at pharmacies fill a need? Is there a conflict of interest in getting health care advice at the same location that sells you your medicine?

As many as 2,000 health clinics will open at retail locations by 2008. The growth of these clinics comes amid a shortage of family physicians.

The American Medical Association is asking state and federal authorities to investigate whether there is a conflict of interest.

Some bloggers, like Every Patients Advocate, think that organizations critiquing these clinics worry about it cutting into their bottom line. What do you think?

August 15th, 2007

Your child’s toys aren’t safe: who’s to blame?

Posted by: Reuters Staff

Weak regulation and standards in China, in the U.S.? Multinationals that outsource manufacturing in poorer nations? Who or what should take the blame for hazardous toys on American shelves with the latest recall this week by Mattel Inc. ? Some bloggers are calling for a boycott of Chinese goods but is China really the culprit? Submit your comments below.

As expected, views vary on the Web. “It is a case of global economy and outsourcing meeting the safety of kids toys,” says business site Know More Media. “There is a third culprit in this,” surmises Product_reviews.com “and that is us the consumer.”

Toy store owners and bloggers at Spillingthebeans.net, who maintain a list of recalls - Chinese manufacturing-related and otherwise, conclude “every day, as parents we worry about our kids. Its so frustrating that we have to add toys to the list of potential dangers.”

This post was updated to correct the Spillingthebeans URL.

August 13th, 2007

Karl Rove quits: Comments from around the Web

Posted by: Reuters Staff

Karl Rove, White House deputy chief of staff, said on Monday he was resigning. His departure at the end of this month could complicate President Bush’s agenda for his remaining 17 months, Reuters Jeremy Pelofsky reports. Rove set the political strategy for Bush’s two White House victories.

The resignation set off a round of speculation among political blogs over Rove’s future and what his departure means for the Adminstration.

Rove told the Wall Street Journal “it’s time” for him to move on. Tennessee Guerilla Women surmise a “more likely story” could be that Rove is facing legal issues. (Rove was investigated by a special prosecutor in the Valerie Plame case but he was never charged.) Politico leads with the first draft on Rove’s legacy: “Analysis: Rove bows out despised and deified.” Allahpundit at Hotair.com figures Rove “set out to build a permanent Republican majority and may have ended up with a permanent Democratic one. Theres his epitaph.”

Submit your comments on Rove’s resignation below.

July 24th, 2007

YouTube… Did citizen video raise the level of debate?

Posted by: Reuters Staff

Getting campaigning candidates to directly answer questions isn’t an easy task for reporters… or citizen journalists either. The CNN/YouTube-sponsored debate of Democratic contenders on Monday featured videos questions submitted by viewers. (CNN transcript and Reuters video highlights)

The questions sparked a clash beween Hillary Clinton and rival Barack Obama, but do you think the video questions drew more revealing answers than the usual debate format? Comment below.

The New York Time felt “the experiment by CNN and YouTube looked less like a breakthrough in the democratic process than a high-tech town hall.” But blogger Andrew Sullivan liked it, saying the candidates “dodged anyway. But it was more obvious. That’s a step forward. More, please. ”

The CNN/YouTube debate was “fairly good” for Josh Marshall at left-leaning talkingpointsmemo.com blog. “I agree with a lot of viewers who have said that having actual voters posing the questions made it harder for the candidates to duck the questions. Perhaps a third or maybe a quarter, though, were just silly.”

Captain’s Quarters didn’t find the questions riverting either. “Let’s hope that CNN can pick better questions in the next YouTube debate in September, with the Republicans — and that YouTubers give them better material.”

July 3rd, 2007

Bush spares Libby from prison: Your comments

Posted by: Reuters Staff

President Bush commuted former White House aide Lewis “Scooter” Libby’s 2.5-year  prison sentence but left his perjury conviction intact.

Democrats swiftly condemned Bush’s decision. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada called it “disgraceful” and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy of Vermont said it was “emblematic of a White House that sees itself as being above the law.”

Conservatives applauded Bush’s decision. “While for a long time I have urged a pardon for Scooter, I respect the president’s decision. This will allow a good a man who has done a lot for his country to resume his life,” said former Tennessee Republican Sen. Fred Thompson, a likely 2008 presidential candidate who helped raise money for Libby’s defense.
What’s your view? Send a comment with the link below.

June 11th, 2007

Sopranos fades to black

Posted by: Reuters Staff

(more…)

June 7th, 2007

Paris Hilton released from jail after 3 days

Posted by: Reuters Staff

Hotel heiress Paris Hilton is heading home to spend the rest of her sentence for violating probation, the Los Angeles sheriff said. She will be confined at home for 40 days. The L.A. County Sheriff’s office said the decision was made for medical reason. Spokesman Steve Whitmore explains the next steps in this video.
He declined to specify the medical issue that led to her “reassignment” or say why she could not be treated in jail, Steve Gorman reports.

Hilton was sentenced in May to 45 days in jail, later cut to 23 days, for being caught in February driving with a suspended license (booking photo is left). Hilton was charged in September 2006 wtih drunken driving.

“Star” magazine chief editorial director Bonny Fuller tells Reuters MediaFile blogger Michelle Gershberg that Hilton “absolutely got special treatment She also could suffer from backlash.”

What do you think? Send in your comments to the link below.

May 30th, 2007

The writing on the wall: Your comments

Posted by: Reuters Staff

Steve Grody, author of a new illustrated book “Graffiti L.A.”, refers to the spray-can creations on dilapidated walls as “buried treasures.” Others see acts of vandalism.
Grody’s “treasures” are gaining momentum in the art world. According to artprice.com, the auction house Artcurial will sell works by American and French graffiti artists for as much as 20,000 euros ($26,000).

The question remains: is graffiti art or vandalism? Send us your thoughts.

Photo: A work by graffiti artist “Mandoe” in undated publicity photo released to Reuters May 29, 2007.