Tuesday roundup

Italy grapples with its epidemic of violence against women, including police who tell victims to cook up some pasta and make up.

Rail for fossil fuels threatens the Northwest's identity as well as its environment.

This is the Times' quote of the day? They needed an expert to offer up the following wisdom?

"The Saudi monarchy is absolutely afraid of an Islamist-based democracy movement."

AMANDA E. ROGERS, a lecturer in Arabic at Emory University in Atlanta, on the Saudi government's pledge to support the military rulers of Egypt.

No matter the circumstances, there's always a place for poetry. It's not even that; it's that poetry just is. People naturally become creative in their language. Take the case of beggars' cant.

Carolyn rightly points out that the LR has taken to feeling guilty and demanding about her own very legitimate feelings and needs. Amazing how that happens.