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* It's Cow Business

I agree with Food Logic's Kennedy that this RFID program ("Bovine Intervention," May 2008 Baseline) should have been sold on the business merits of tagging, not because there was a mandate. Livestock are high-value items that need to be tracked for a variety of reasons including theft Inventory of animals during inclement weather is …

Federal judge says so-called Indian tribe in Utah is `complete sham', orders it to pay damages

A federal judge has ordered a $63,000 (euro40,750) civil judgment against four people who claim to be chiefs of an American Indian tribe in eastern Utah.

The men, who organized at a fast-food restaurant and say they have hundreds of tribal members, refuse to recognize federal or state laws, have issued their own drivers' licenses and filed countless lawsuits against Utah authorities for ignoring their purported sovereignty.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Stephen P. Friot ordered the men to stop pretending to be American Indians and pay Uintah County damages. He called their tribe a "complete sham."

The group calls itself the Wampanoag …

No lack of fighting spirit among our volunteer forces

In the wake of Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch's battlefield heroics anddaring rescue, someone has to be cooking up a movie about her. Andwhy not? Having fought Iraqi troops with all her resolve and all herbullets, and suffering broken limbs before being taken prisoner, the19-year-old supply clerk is worth celebrating. Her ascent fromunworldly small-town girl to international symbol of American courageis remarkable.

But as the war proceeds and other young coalition soldiers pay aneven greater price fighting for this just cause, it should be boldlynoted that Lynch's story of bravery and commitment is one of many. Inembodying the most admirable character traits, these fighting men …

WINE SIPPER; THE NEW FETZER

Starting back in the Sixties, the Fetzer family wines form Mendocino were known for their emphasis on quality and value. But in 1992 they sold their operation and signed an eight-year non-compete agreement that prohibited them from making wine. Times up - they're back, and Jim Fetzer, the fourth of ten siblings, was in town recently to talk about his latest enterprise: Ce�go Vinegarden.

During his winemaking hiatus, Fetzer concentrated on the vineyard, taking the organic farming he did for their Bonterra wines a step further. C�ago Vinegarden operates biodynamically. It's a farming method that recognizes the interconnections among air, light, water, soil, the sun and the moon. …

Group: Zimbabwe forced evictions stranded children

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Forceful mass evictions in Zimbabwe six years ago have left thousands of displaced children without education and even forced some to seek work in the sex industry to support their families, rights group Amnesty International said Wednesday.

The government at the time said the nationwide eviction of 700,000 people from homes and market stalls in urban centers was intended to clear slums. The program was called Operation Murambatsvina, which in the Shona language means "clean out the filth."

Amnesty said in a statement Wednesday that demolished schools were not replaced and adequate schooling was not provided for the children. Many of their parents lost …

Panathinaikos acquires Marcus Haislip

Reigning Greek and European champion Panathinaikos has announced the acquisition of forward Marcus Haislip, who was recently waived by the San Antonio Spurs.

There was no formal team release, but a team executive announced the acquisition to the fans at halftime in Panathinaikos' Saturday league match against Kolossos Rhodes.

Panathinaikos (12-1) leads the Greek League along with archrival Olympiakos and has reached the Final 16 in the Euroleague, but has been hit with …

Prosecutors back Death Row reforms

SPRINGFIELD Illinois prosecutors on Tuesday proposed nine ways toimprove the system under which capital punishment is imposed, butthey denied that the current method is flawed.

The Illinois State's Attorney's association adopted many of therecommendations made by five other groups studying what led courts tofree 11 Death Row inmates - two in February alone - after newevidence arose or cases unraveled.

Recommendations include minimum qualifications for defenseattorneys as well as increased state funding for defense lawyers,their investigators and expert witnesses."The laws and Constitution of Illinois are not foolishly writtenas though it is impossible to be wrongly …