Social Issues

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Education Secretary Arne Duncan chimed in Monday in support of federal recognition of same-sex marriage. (Associated Press)

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Vice President Joseph R. Biden made his remark in favor of gay marriage two days before voters in the swing state of North Carolina are to weigh in Tuesday on a ballot measure that would codify the traditional definition of marriage as only the union of one man and one woman. (Associated Press)

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"We must make certain they do not harm the economy by drowning small business lenders in a sea of red tape," says Rep. Spencer Bachus, Alabama Republican, of the health care law.

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Police detain a demonstrator in St. Petersburg during a protest rally against Mr. Putin's inauguration. (Associated Press)

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Sudanese President Omar Bashir is condemned by South Sudan's chief negotiator as not a man of peace. “He is a warmonger and a racist, and someone who is calling for genocide.” (Associated Press)

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Model Linda Evangelista attends the American Foundation for AIDS Research's gala benefit at Cipriani Wall Street in New York on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Outgoing French President Nicolas Sarkozy leaves after addressing supporters at his Union for a Popular Movement party headquarters after conceding defeat to Socialist Francois Hollande. (Associated Press)

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Supporters of Socialist Party candidate for the presidential election Francois Hollande celebrate with champagne after the first results of the second round of French presidential elections outside Socialist Party campaign headquarters in Paris. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

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Supporters of president-elect Francois Hollande celebrate after socialist Francois Hollande defeated conservative incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy on Sunday to become France's next president. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

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Supporters of Socialist Party candidate for the presidential election Francois Hollande celebrate with champagne after Hollande won the election. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

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Outgoing French President Nicolas Sarkozy leaves after addressing supporters at his Union for a Popular Movement party headquarters after conceding defeat Sunday to Socialist Francois Hollande. (Associated Press)

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A riot squad policeman guarding a government building in April confronts a Greek protester in Athens. Police clashed with demonstrators upset about the country's harsh austerity measures taken in an effort to offset the economic downturn. (Associated Press)

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Thousands protest labor reform at Puerta del Sol square in Madrid during a general strike day in March. Spanish unions, angry over economic reforms, called the strike to challenge a conservative government that was not yet 100 days old. The action coincided with other troubled European workers in venting their frustration on the street. (Associated Press)