The reality of Obama's strength dawned on me on caucus night in Iowa, walking into the auditorium of the Callahan Middle School in a working-class neighborhood in western Des Moines and finding half the room filling up with Obama supporters. In expressing their initial preference, 174 out of 365 attendees stood with Obama, with another 63 seats occupied by Clinton backers, 55 more for former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, 29 for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, 13 for Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich, 12 for Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden, six for Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd and 16 uncommitted. But what was more interesting was that the Obama section did not look like a fraternity or sorority party. While there were certainly more young people seated in the Obama camp than in the others, his supporters encompassed a remarkable range of ages.

Love and Diabetes: dLife Valentine's Day Quiz Tests and Teaches ...

WESTPORT, Conn., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Just in time for Valentine's Day, dLife.com, the number one source for diabetes information, inspiration, and connection, has a spicy and informative "Is Your Partner Bad For Your Diabetes?" relationship quiz for people with diabetes. Accessible at http://www.dlife.com/diabetes-valentines, the quiz is designed to have people test their IQ on diabetes, dating, and romantic relationships.

Partners can help or sometimes be toxic for diabetes control. They may not even know they are impacting the health of their loved one. When dating, some people keep their diabetes to themselves, while others wear their type 1 or type 2 diabetes on their sleeve and make it part of their introductions. Being close with someone means that they need to know what diabetes involves on a daily basis.

Despot's end: Castro's departure offers hope of change

What do you think of Fidel Castro's resigning? Do you know anyone who has visited Cuba? Fidel says farewell in Cuba 'As long as Fidel is alive ... no desire to go back'Memories: Isle had nothing to live for, ex-resident says The future: Hope comes with caution Reaction to Castro Commerce: Many see opportunity Castro timeline .

Ups and Downs

Henry Lowe (Nate Parker), articulate, talented and hot-headed; Hamilton Burgess (Jermaine Williams), a play-it-safe type, and Samantha Booke (Jurnee Smollett), an aspiring lawyer and firebrand. As the social ills of the era swirl around them, the Wiley debate team forges an undefeated season. The final showdown with Harvard provides all the underdog vs. top-dog dynamics you'd expect. While Washington and Forest Whitaker add their Oscar-winning heft to the proceedings, the film belongs to the team members, in particular the wonderful Jurnee Smollett, who had proven her acting chops at age 11 with her brilliant performance in Eve's Bayou. She embodies the strength of will and passion needed to succeed as an ambitious black woman in the 1930s. The Great Debaters smooths out the edges too much to be a great film, but it is a good one.

Obama Received $80,000 From Firm Of Abramoff Notoriety

The title to this article is exactly how I'd write it if I were a political hack trying to drum up a faux controversy for use by other political hacks in the mainstream media. Which is exactly what Sam Stein of the Huffington Post did on February 12th as he broke out the yellowkid journalistic mold for a fantasy leftist hack attack on John McCain headlined in giant font, McCain Received $100,000 From Firm Of Abramoff Notoriety.

Before I comment further on the idiocy of Stein's assertions it is only fair that I mention that there is nothing in his article that isn't true just as there isn't anything untrue in mine here. Barack Obama did in fact receive over $80,000 from the same firm that Stein tries to hang John McCain with. In addition both John McCain and Barack Obama were eclipsed by the $162,450 amount received by Hillary Clinton from employees of the same jaded firm.

Darkroom Productions Keeps the Good News Coming

We get a number of boastful e-mails from local hip-hop labels, and trust us when we say they're not all newsworthy. But pretty much anytime Juan Donovan, who along with Jamal Roberts makes up Darkroom Productions, sends out an e-mail blast, he's got something genuinely exciting to tell us. Every few weeks there's another major-label rapper they're collaborating with, or another show on MTV that they're composing original music for. And this morning came a whole slew of information from Donovan, including the release date for Darkroom's first nationally distributed album, among other things.

In January, Donovan first announced that Darkroom Productions had signed a deal to release Hamsterdam The Album with distribution from independent hip-hop giant Koch.

January 2008

It includes a Pos Falls man on the street. Columns by Mary Jane Honegger (Rathdrum) and our own S&S Herb (Bayview/Athol). And a nice tribute to the late Rathdrum farmer Lawrence Meitzner. The weekly is available at a bunch of places in the west side (for non-SR subscribers) as well as a bunch in CdA (for both regular and non-subscribers). The Prairie Voice (formerly called Post Falls Voice) is available at the following locations here. Now, for your evening Wild Card ...

Microcap Monday: Investing in India’s infrastructure

Important Notice: We speculate on microcap stocks, we do not invest. Speculating on microcaps (penny stocks) is nothing more than educated gambling and you must always be aware that it is extremely high risk. The returns can be tremendous, but never speculate with more than you can afford to lose as they are often subject to extreme volatility. We are not investment advisors but are here to provide insight into various aspects of the market and research into microcap stocks we feel offer strong growth potential over a 12 to 18 month period.

Company's so low on the radar it's ridiculous

With almost 1/2 the world's population - China and India (chindia as they call it) is becoming "The" global economic powerhouse. Recently, India was thrown into the world spotlight with the announcement they have developed the worlds cheapest car.