Metro - Voices

US – Sunday, March 21

Final push is on for health care reform

Democrats in the House of Representatives on Thursday predicted weekend passage of a sweeping health care overhaul that budget analysts said would cut the U.S. deficit over 10 years and dramatically expand health coverage.

Abuse apology not enough, critics say

Pope Benedict’s apology to Ireland went further than any other papal statement on child sex abuse by priests, but still fell far too short for many victims of the scandals shaking the Roman Catholic Church across Europe.

Just when it couldn’t get worse for Bullock, here come the neo-Nazis

Sure, it’s Monday, but it could be worse — you could be Jesse James. On Saturday, James went back to work at West Coast Choppers, days after allegations surfaced that he cheated on his wife, Sandra Bullock, with a tattoo model. Us Weekly notes he was wearing a wedding ring.

SXSW ’10: Get your dance on, great songs optional

The trends that emerged from the SXSW Music Conference in Austin last week are still bubbling to the top as I make sense of the hundreds of songs that filled the city for four days, but one thing I definitely noticed is that popular music may soon have a lot more emphasis on flexibility.

‘Free’ ad leads to fraud suit

NEW YORK. A Wisconsin college student is suing credit firm Experian — the brains behind the ubiquitous FreeCreditReport.com jingles — for fraudulent advertising after she inadvertently signed up for a monthly $14.95 monitoring service.

At AKC, it’s score one for the mutts

Founded in 1884 as a registry for pure-bred dogs, the American Kennel Club didn’t traditionally offer many perks for your beloved lab-poodle-schnauzer mix. But as of April 1, the AKC Canine Partners Program will offer mutts not only membership benefits, but opportunities to compete at dog sporting events.

My Voice

The Senate’s Weak Health Care Bill

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid “got to 60” at 1:08 yesterday morning, clearing a key Republican hurdle and keeping the Senate’s version of a health care reform bill on track for passage before Christmas.

My Voice

New Hess ‘Truck’ is a wheel drag

Santa’s sleigh isn’t the only eagerly awaited vehicle that turns up this time of year. For countless American boys — and a few hardy tomboys, too — the holiday season means the latest Hess truck.

My Voice / Boston

’Tis always the season for taking!

Merry Chistmas, taxpayers!

My Voice

This year’s best movie ever made

Forget swine flu, there’s a new epidemic sweeping the nation, with a slightly lower mortality rate: “Avatar” fever!

My Voice

Q&A: Three the hard way

Once again, my mail bag is bulging. Here’s what’s inside:

The March MMMpod features conversation and music from Surfer Blood and The Allman Brothers Band (There's a double-bill you're not too likely to see. However, Gregg Allman does mention Hannah Montana!). We also speak with Vampire Weekend and the Dropkick Murphys.

[Flyers by PaperG]