A Republican Party whose members still give George Bush a 70 per cent approval rating is out of step with the rest of the nation, and starting to worry about it. So Republicans are swallowing their bile about Mr McCain's stance on climate change and immigration and are talking him up as a war hero. Incredibly, the Republicans have a chance to hold the White House for another term.

The deadlocked Democrats are no less exciting. Even a few days ago, the consensus was that the Clinton machine was unbeatable, having banked so many IOUs from unions and Hispanic and women's groups. Worries about the economy have favoured Mrs Clinton and distracted from her Iraq record. But Super Tuesday was not conclusive. The New York Times, having endorsed Senator Clinton only two weeks ago, sounds increasingly lovelorn for her rival.

Regency sees restructuring as response to fewer sales

Iowa's largest home builder has appointed an executive whose job will be to help it restructure as it expects to sell 43 percent fewer homes this year than it did three years ago.

Regency Homes said Harold Brandt, a 30-year veteran of the construction industry who works in its commercial services office in Minneapolis, has been named as executive vice president and chief restructuring officer. He assumes his duties immediately.

James M. Myers, a partner in the West Des Moines-based Regency, said as home-building activity has slumped, the company decided to look at the way it does business.

Escape to Orlando

Loch Haven Park, straddling East Princeton Street just a few blocks from Leu Gardens, is Orlando's cultural heart, home to, among other things, three general-interest museums and a theater.

- Mennello Museum of American Folk Art: Its signature collection is of the works by Earl Cunningham (1893-1977)--flat land- and seascapes interpreted in strong, straight-from-the-tube primary and secondary colors.

- Orlando Museum of Art: One of its restaged and ongoing exhibitions is a group of some 150 pre-Columbian works, 25 of which are being shown for the first time.

- Orlando Science Center: In addition to hands-on science exhibits, there's the Dr. Phillips CineDome--reputedly the biggest Iwerks theater anywhere, with a Digistar II planetarium packing a 28,000-watt sound system--and, rare among science museums, an observatory open to the public.

Monday wild card

Nice day for a ride. Or to take a swim. Me? I'm helping my wife's sister and her husband from Big Sur, Calif., move into their Post Falls home this afternoon. When they pull in around noon tomorrow, they'll make Nos. 16 & 17 members of my extended family who'll be in North Idaho. I'm excited. But enough of me. You can start your own threads with this Wild Card ...

Rebate Helps Americans Enjoy Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Travel

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, as President George W. Bush signs the economic stimulus package into law that includes rebate checks of between $300 and $600 per person, Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates point toward one surefire way of stimulating the American economy: travel within the United States. America's largest travel agency franchise network stands ready to assist fellow Americans rediscover their country, while at the same time injecting a major shot in our nation's economic arm. Rebates will begin arriving in homes in May, with the bulk expected to arrive in June. The amounts will depend on income level and taxes previously paid.

"America's travel and tourism is not only a vital cog that keeps our economic engine humming, it is also an enduring symbol of our freedom," stated Roger E.

For Pace's Shipman, family is everything

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What's Your Favorite Love Song?

There's certainly no shortage of love songs out there. My personal favorite is "I Don't Want to Get Over You" by the Magnetic Fields.

Foreign firms eye Turkey's cargo sector

Many foreign companies are willing to collaborate or form partnerships in order to enter the Turkish cargo sector, but further growth of the sector is only possible with the removal of some legal restrictions, said MNG Cargo's vice chairman.

The cargo market constitutes 10 percent of the gross national product (GNP) in the world and European countries, said Aslan Kut. However, in Turkey it is only worth $6 billion, he added. Considering the world average, Turkey's transportation market should reach $50 billion. A market worth $44 billion is still waiting for services. Turkey, if it manages to use its geographical advantages well enough, has the potential to become the region's logistics center, said Kut. There is goods circulation worth $600 billion from Europe to the Middle East and Asia via Turkey.

Tobacco Advertising

After a Government bill failed to become law before the 2001 general election, Ministers adopted an identically-drafted private member's bill, first introduced by Liberal Democrat Peer Lord Clement-Jones.Television advertising of tobacco products was banned in the UK in 1965 under the Television Act 1964, which was reinforced by an EU directive in the 1980s. Other advertising, such as press and billboard, was governed by a self-regulatory agreement with the Government. This covered the manner of advertising and the positioning of promotional sites.Controversies Contentious issues are the degree to which tobacco advertising encourages people to take up smoking and to what extent individuals of different ages should be exposed to promotional messages.Opponents of a ban argue that tobacco advertising does not grow the market for tobacco products, seeking only to influence the brand decisions of existing smokers and informed adults.

Every School Every Thursday -- West Des Moines & Clive

Presentations can include PowerPoint presentations, movies, demonstrations, Web quests, or re-enactments. Students also become aware of how to organize information and develop skills valuable in making presentations. Project-based learning has proven very successful in Shonts English classes at Scavo.

For a project in Eve Shonts English class, Breann Schaffer planned a mini-unit on the Holocaust for Jewish Awareness Month. It has been an intense week of learning about the Holocaust and the many perspectives and stories regarding this horrendous atrocity. The culminating activity is a speaker coming in to talk to students and show video clips of several survivor stories. In addition to the Holocaust, students related this event to similar incidents throughout history. Many students were shocked to find out that we didnt learn our lesson and that genocide continues to this day.