Social Issues

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"We have to address it in a realistic fashion, and aid has to be gauged on the degree of cooperation that they are showing us and helping us prevent the needless deaths of young Americans. That's our first obligation." - Sen. John McCain of Arizona and ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee

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A police officer detains an activist in St. Petersburg during a protest of reported ballot-stuffing. (Associated Press)

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ASSOCIATED PRESS Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad says Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has a compromise plan to extend payroll tax cuts. "We should not have a tax increase on the middle class," Mr. Conrad says. [Mr. Reid's plan] will be paid for in a way that is credible and serious."

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Author and activist Michael Eric Dyson (Associated Press) ** FILE **

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A textbook used in the Georgetown University class called Sociology of Hip Hop: Jay-Z praises the rapper as a "philosopher king." (Associated Press)

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A pro-Syrian-regime demonstrator waves a Syrian flag as he stands in front of portrait of Syrian President Bashar Assad during a protest against sanctions in Damascus, Syria, on Friday, Dec. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Muzaffar Salman)

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Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl M. Levin pressed for a probe of a government briefing program, but no misconduct was found. (Associated Press)

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Law officers last month prepare to arrest demonstrators protesting Alabama's immigration law outside the state's Capitol in Montgomery. Alabama is now requiring special training in the law for all its 16,000-plus sworn law officers because of the law's complicated provisions. (Associated Press)

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President Obama announces a renewed American commitment to making HIV treatment available in the United States and around the world during a speech Dec. 1, 2011, on World AIDS Day at George Washington University in Washington. (Associated Press)

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"I am confident that we will supply the information you have requested," Gary Mead of ICE told the House's immigration subcommittee. (Associated Press)

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This undated photo provided by the Brown County Jail shows Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Erik Walden. Walden spent the weekend in jail after being arrested Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, on suspicion of felony domestic violence/substantial battery. He's accused of assaulting his girlfriend at their apartment near Green Bay. Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, court was closed for the weekend and Walden stayed in jail. (AP Photo/Brown County Jail)

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Speaking at the premiere of "Keep a Child Alive With Alicia Keys," a documentary about AIDS in Africa, U2 singer Bono said he was "terrified" when he met Miss Keys, adding that he "was shaking in my boots." (Associated Press)

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Sen. Tom Coburn, Oklahoma Republican, says a Republican president "could absolutely gut the vast majority" of the health care law by executive order. (Associated Press)

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Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich said he would give some illegal immigrants permanent resident-worker status - but not citizenship. (Associated Press)

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Republican National Committee The Republican National Committee's official "Take Back the White House" Christmas tree ornament is among the holiday offerings at gopstore.com.

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Julian White, fired as director of Florida A&M University's famed Marching 100 band after the suspected hazing death, said Monday he thinks he was unfairly dismissed. (Associated Press)

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Egyptians wave national flags while protesting against the country's ruling military council in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Sunday. "How can we have elections right after so many people have died?" asked farmer Hemdan El-Ready. (Associated Press)

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Dangerous or toxic children's toys, according to US Public Interest Research Group's (PIRG) 26th annual report, are seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, during their annual news conference on . (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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Pro-Syrian regime protesters shout slogans and carry a huge portrait of Syrian president Bashar Assad during a protest against the Arab League decisions in Damascus, Syria, on Nov. 25, 2011. Syria missed an Arab League deadline to allow hundreds of observers into the country, prompting the bloc to consider economic sanctions against Damascus for its eight-month crackdown on dissent, a senior diplomat said. (Associated Press)

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Volunteer Emmy Ridings, 8, wheels a dessert cart through the Salvation Army Community Thanksgiving dinner at the First Presbyterian Church in Winchester, Va., Thursday Nov. 24, 2011. Nearly 1,000 meals were served during the dinner. (AP Photo/The Winchester Star, Scott Mason)