For the 9/11 Families, A Day Without Answers (washingtonpost.com)

Grok Headline matches for For the 9/11 Families, A Day Without Answers (washingtonpost.com)

'Spyware' Eludes Easy Answers
(washingtonpost.com)

'Spyware' Eludes Easy Answers
(washingtonpost.com) 04/19/2004 08:25 PM
washingtonpost.com - Federal regulators and the business community "still have a little bit of homework to do" before deciding on the best way to protect people from computer software that tracks their Web-surfing habits, a top U.S. consumer protection official said today.

Youth Violence Has Japan Struggling for
Answers (washingtonpost.com)

Youth Violence Has Japan Struggling for
Answers (washingtonpost.com) 08/09/2004 02:54 PM
washingtonpost.com - SASEBO, Japan -- On a cloudless afternoon in this sleepy port city, an 11-year-old girl drenched in blood and clutching a box cutter walked into the lunchroom at her elementary school. Teachers and students froze, assuming the sixth-grader known for her lighthearted nature had gravely hurt herself -- but she quickly dispelled that impression, witnesses said, by uttering a few chilling words: "This is not my blood."

GuruNet's Answers.com Now Provides Free
Instant Reference Answers

GuruNet's Answers.com Now Provides Free
Instant Reference Answers 01/05/2005 01:44 PM
Answers.com, GuruNets's site-and-software combination that provides instant reference answers is now free to users.

"The 9/11 Families" Don’t Represent Me

"The 9/11 Families" Don’t Represent Me 03/08/2004 11:12 PM
an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal .. read her entire statement .. who is calling them on it .. Today's Opinion Journal .. Debra Burlingame .. OpinionJournal .. coming out

opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110004787
track this site | 12 links

Families 'feared the worst'

Families 'feared the worst' 12/28/2004 01:35 PM
Two Londonderry families contact relatives caught up in the earthquake that has killed thousands of people.

Between 2 First Families, a Complicated
Rapport

Between 2 First Families, a Complicated
Rapport 06/09/2004 12:08 PM
Like all relationships between American presidents and vice presidents, the truth about the Reagans and two generations of Bushes is complicated.

Families flee after attack

Families flee after attack 07/26/2004 02:26 AM
Nine people flee from their County Antrim homes after a gang storm a house and attack a man.

Survey: 9/11 Families Split on RNC in
NYC (AP)

Survey: 9/11 Families Split on RNC in
NYC (AP) 08/29/2004 03:16 AM
AP - Nearly half of the relatives of victims who died in the World Trade Center attack say the Republican National Convention should have been held elsewhere, and about a quarter believe the GOP chose New York "to capitalize on Sept. 11," according to a new survey.

Tax credits backfire on families

Tax credits backfire on families 06/22/2005 01:59 AM
Two reports criticise the government's tax credit system - saying it leaves families struggling.

Disbelief of cocklers' families

Disbelief of cocklers' families 05/06/2004 07:15 AM
Bereaved relatives of cockle pickers who died at Morecambe Bay say they cannot comprehend how the tragedy could happen.

Costs bonus for DVT families

Costs bonus for DVT families 04/12/2004 01:03 AM
Campaigners for victims of deep vein thrombosis welcome news that an airline will not seek costs if legal claims fail.

Families get Lib Dem cash pledge

Families get Lib Dem cash pledge 04/06/2005 09:58 AM
The Liberal Democrats promise to ensure new mothers get a minimum income of £170 a week.

Red Cap families to meet Hoon

Red Cap families to meet Hoon 01/22/2004 03:34 PM
Relatives of the six military policemen killed by a mob in Iraq are to meet Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon.

Sept. 11 families sue Motorola, NYC

Sept. 11 families sue Motorola, NYC 01/22/2004 11:40 AM
Chicago Tribune Jan 22 2004 2:01PM GMT

Families struggle with Alzheimer's

Families struggle with Alzheimer's 04/26/2004 12:56 PM
Then, in one of his unexplained flashes of clarity, he told Debbie: "I don't want to have Alzheimer's." On Saturday, John will be 57. Although he is in the end stage of early-onset Alzheimer's, he still enjoys simple pleasures: walking outdoors, eating ice cream, listening to music. His wife, children and church friends — some of whom have relatives with dementia — will gather at the nursing home for a birthday party. They will honor the man John once was, and the spirit that survives. And some will no doubt wonder if they are bearing witness to their own futures. Alzheimer's is a disease that can create nurses and chambermaids out of loved ones. Jim Broomall doesn't blame his mother. It's not her fault. She can't help it. No one with Alzheimer's can and caregivers must remember that, he says. "If you don't, you'll go crazy". Or maybe even die: home care for Alzheimer's patients is a major health risk for the caregiver spouse. That's the choice for the families of the Alzheimer's patients (4.5 million of whom are Americans).

Two Portuguese families attacked

Two Portuguese families attacked 08/21/2004 03:36 AM
Two Portuguese families are moved from their homes in Armagh after an early morning racist attack.

Body parts families to sue NHS

Body parts families to sue NHS 01/19/2004 12:37 AM
More than 2,000 families are taking the NHS to court for removing the body parts of dead children without consent.

Looking for Answers

Looking for Answers 07/15/2004 05:27 AM
Are there non-evil reasons why customers continue to like Microsoft products?

Among Military Families, Questions About
Bush

Among Military Families, Questions About
Bush 04/10/2004 04:35 PM
As the conflict in Iraq deepens beyond some prior predictions, the military voting block could become a serious domestic casualty for the Bush administration.

Families briefed on Iraq deaths

Families briefed on Iraq deaths 01/22/2004 06:35 AM
The families of six Royal Military Policemen killed in Iraq last June will be briefed in London today on progress in the investigation into their deaths.

Pope Says Young and Families Forgetting
God

Pope Says Young and Families Forgetting
God 05/02/2004 05:50 AM
Reuters via Wired News May 2 2004 10:37AM GMT

Families Heckle Giuliani at 9/11 Hearing
(AP)

Families Heckle Giuliani at 9/11 Hearing
(AP) 05/19/2004 08:56 PM
AP - Outraged relatives of World Trade Center victims heckled former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani on Wednesday as their hopes that he would be grilled by the Sept. 11 commission faded in the face of gentle questioning and effusive praise from panel members.

Childcare costs hurting families

Childcare costs hurting families 07/06/2004 12:11 AM
Families are facing a 9% rise in the cost of childcare as schools break up for the summer holidays, a survey reveals.

Donor Gives Soldiers, Families Computers

Donor Gives Soldiers, Families Computers 12/19/2003 02:26 PM
AP via Newsday Dec 19 2003 1:38PM ET

Donor gives soldiers, families computers

Donor gives soldiers, families computers 12/19/2003 05:08 PM
Boston Globe Dec 19 2003 3:39PM ET

Families Honor Victims in 9/11 Ceremony
(AP)

Families Honor Victims in 9/11 Ceremony
(AP) 09/11/2004 07:45 PM
AP - Their voices breaking, parents and grandparents of those lost on Sept. 11 stood at the World Trade Center site Saturday and marked the third anniversary of the attacks by reciting the names of the 2,749 people who died there.

Military Families Angry Over WMD Intel

Military Families Angry Over WMD Intel 02/15/2004 09:27 AM
MSNBC Feb 15 2004 1:10PM GMT

Families 'facing holiday poverty'

Families 'facing holiday poverty' 07/29/2004 01:32 AM
The poorest families are plunged deeper into poverty at school holiday time, a children's charity claims.

Money-Saving Tips for Families

Money-Saving Tips for Families 04/14/2004 03:54 PM
You and your loved ones can have fun while spending less.

With 9/11 as G.O.P. Backdrop, Families
Express Raw Emotions

With 9/11 as G.O.P. Backdrop, Families
Express Raw Emotions 08/28/2004 05:15 PM
A survey by The New York Times shows that those who lost a loved one in the 9/11 attacks differ from the public at large on some political and national issues.

Somber Memorial Day for Troops' Families
(AP)

Somber Memorial Day for Troops' Families
(AP) 05/30/2004 08:26 PM
AP - More than 800 U.S. servicemembers have died in Iraq, and because most of the casualties were after May 2003, this Memorial Day will be a more somber one.

Families slam Austria ski verdict

Families slam Austria ski verdict 02/19/2004 02:10 PM
Relatives of 155 people killed in a fire on an Austrian ski train condemn a ruling that no-one was responsible.

happiness and cheer, families draw near

happiness and cheer, families draw near 12/19/2004 03:48 PM

According to The Man, I need to walk for about a week before I can start running again, so I've been dragging my lazy ass out of the house for the last few days, and reminding my muscles what it feels like to do more than move from the office to the living room and back. This hasn't been as difficult as I thought it would be, because I'm super motivated to get back into shape, and the weather in Los Angeles has been just amazing. Right now, it's 71 in my backyard, and it has been near 80 for almost a week. I have also taken the boredom out of walking by listening to America: The Audio Book by Jon Stewart and the writers from The Daily Show. It's awesome, and I highly reccommend it.

This morning, I added two miles to my walk, which took me past Nolan and Ryan's elementary school. The streets around the school were lined with cars, and I paused my iPod long enough to hear a chorous of children singing holiday tunes as I passed the auditorium. It reminded me of a blog entry I wrote a few years ago, which didn't make it into Just A Geek. The original is in the archives, but rather than cut-n-paste, I did a little . . . uh . . . cleaning up, because, well . . . uh . . . wow.

Hope new readers like it, and hope returning readers don't mind the reprint.

I am Jack's Holiday Program
Originally published on December 20, 2001, edited on December 15, 2004

I just got back from watching Nolan's holiday program at his school.

Nolan is in 5th grade this year, so it's the last elementary school holiday program I'll probably ever see, and when I realized that this morning, I felt immense regret for all the years I attended because I felt obligated to be there, rather than truly looking forward to the show.

For years, Anne and I would arrive at the school moments before the show began, and we'd end up standing in the back, with all of the other parents who overslept, or took too long for breakfast, or had to grab a quickie once the kids were at school. But this year, Anne got there nice and early, and grabbed us two seats with a great view of the stage.

Unfortunately, our great view was tainted a little bit by the horrible people who surrounded us. To my immediate right, I present the old woman who kept farting loudly throughout the entire show. I will not deny that there was more than a little amusement value in listening to them reverberate off the metal cafeteria chairs, but they weren't just the loud "hey, pull my finger" farts. They were the really horrible, lingering, "holy shit, man! Was that you?" ones. Behind us to the right, please enjoy the two little kids who did not stop talking the entire time, except when their mother told them that a good way to stay occupied would be to stand on the floor and bang on their chairs in time to the music. And finally, say hello to the kid immediately behind me, who had one of those little kid colds, and coughed and sneezed throughout the whole performance. I especially loved it when he sneezed all over the back of my neck.

Once the show got started, though, all the annoyances that surrounded us insignificantly faded into the background, as we focused our attention on the stage. All of the classes were great, and the kids were just adorable. The theme this year was Peace and Diversity, which is very funny, considering that I live in the most reactionary, demagogic Republican area in the freakin' world. (All of my neighbors had those offensive "Protect Marriage" signs last year, when the homophobes were trying to make it certain that marriage should only be between men and women. Because those marriages always succeed. And we have to keep the gays from soiling that sacred, unspoiled institution, right?) Sorry. mini-rant. I'm back now.

Nolan's class performed the Christmas carol "O, Tannenbaum," which meant that I spent the last five weeks helping Nolan learn three verses in German, so I could sing along. It was easy to pick out the other 5th grade parents, because they were singing too. Nolan was so adorable in his red sweater and Santa Claus hat, and he held his head high as he belted out, "O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter!" He did all the same things on the stage that he did when we were learning the song: when he sang "Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit" he clenched his hands into tiny fists and looked at the ceiling. When he sang "Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit" he punctuated the three syllables in wenn es schneit with little punches in front of his chest.

I am certain that I, like all the other parents, was able to pick out and isolate my child's voice from the chorus, and I am equally certain, as were the other parents, that my child had the sweetest voice, and turned in the most adorable and memorable performance that has ever graced the cafetorium's stage. Or any cafetorium's stage, for that matter.

My absolute favorite moment was watching Nolan's subdued Joe Cocker as he sang,of course . . . but coming in a close second was when these kids read poems about winter. There were 4 kids up on the stage, all in their holiday finest, who each read a different winter-related poem. The first kid read "The Snowman" by Shel Silverstein, and I'm embarrassed to report that I can't recall what the middle two kids did. But the last kid, who looked an awful lot like Dewey from "Malcolm in the Middle", who wore a checkered shirt and non-matching clip-on tie (it was so damn cute, I couldn't stand it) recited, from memory, a poem by elementary school staple Jack Prelutsky, which was quite an impressive achievement, especially for a third grader. This kid did a great job, and when he was done, he proudly scanned the audience, clearly looking for his parents. When he found them, shrugged his shoulders as if to say, "Well, that's about as good as it gets", and picked his nose and ate it.

Nolan starts Middle School next year, and I realized this morning how much I'm going to miss not just these performances, but all the things that are part of elementary school: the macaroni art work, the turkey on Thanksgiving that's made from a little handprint on brown paper, the mobiles at Christmas that are made from sixteen inches of yarn, green construction paper cutouts that look like trees if you squint, and fifty pounds of glue.

I know that they'll both be in high school before I know it, and then they'll be off to college . . . but wherever my stepkids are, I'll always have these memories to keep me company each holiday season.

Happy Holidays, everyone. I hope you get to spend some time this season with people you love.

Families use internet to find loved ones

Families use internet to find loved ones 12/30/2004 08:42 AM
Belfasttelegraph.co.uk - Thu Dec 30, 10:30 am GMT

Hostage families to march in Rome

Hostage families to march in Rome 04/29/2004 03:34 AM
The relatives of three Italians held hostage in Iraq lead a peace march in a bid to secure the men's release.

Families: 9/11 panel failing at mission

Families: 9/11 panel failing at mission 05/19/2004 05:51 PM

Straw focus on grieving families

Straw focus on grieving families 09/06/2004 05:40 AM
The UK foreign secretary says thoughts should be with relatives of the dead in Beslan, not on the political implications.

Paedophilia On The Web: Police Gives
Advice To Families

Paedophilia On The Web: Police Gives
Advice To Families 06/21/2004 02:07 PM
AGI Online Jun 21 2004 5:09PM GMT

Inquiry hope for Deepcut families

Inquiry hope for Deepcut families 05/23/2004 11:56 PM
Relatives of four young soldiers who died at Deepcut Barracks are hoping the government will announce a public inquiry into their deaths.
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For the 9/11 Families, A Day Without Answers (washingtonpost.com)

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