Social Issues

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Pro-Palestinian activists for the second day Sunday blocked an Israeli-owned ship from docking at the Port of Oakland in a protest against Israel's military action in Gaza. A protest against a Zim ship in 2010 (pictured here) was held by hundreds of Bay Area activists condemning Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip. (Facebook/Block the Boat for Gaza)

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**FILE** House Veterans Affairs' Committee Chairman Jeff Miller, Florida Republican, leaves a Republican caucus meeting, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, July 25, 2014, on the influx of illegal immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. With Congress scheduled to recess in a week, Miller and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, have offered competing proposals to fix the veterans' health care program that has been scandalized by long patient wait times and falsified records covering up the delays. (Associated Press)

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Rep. Jeff Miller, Florida Republican (left), and Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vermont independent, have a tentative deal on legislation to make the VA more accountable and recruit more doctors, nurses and other health care professionals, a statement said. (Associated Press photographs)

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If the GOP is to make greater inroads with Hispanic and female voters, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, a former Democrat, is well-positioned to lead the charge. (Associated Press)

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A Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter prepares to take off to patrol along the Rio Grande, Thursday, July 24, 2014, in Mission, Texas. Texas is spending $1.3 million a week for a bigger DPS presence along the border. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, Pool)

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House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., takes questions from reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, July 25, 2014. (AP Photo) ** FILE **