Word: important
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...think is listening to us? Since just taking a stance on an issue is barely, barely taking a stand, why are we so insistent on it? And at the same time that our discussing such issues accomplishes little to nothing, these discussions often deal with issues of huge import (war and welfare come immediately to mind). One can’t help but wonder if we don’t display incredible callousness to the truth of “issues” in people’s lives through our casual or rhetorical conversations of them...
...they had nothing to build on as they regained independence. And in contrast to Ukraine, which inherited warships and planes from the Red Army, departing Russian troops completely stripped their Baltic bases. Given these disadvantages, Baltic militaries have improved dramatically over the past decade. But their real strategic importance to NATO doesn't lie in military might - the three countries combined have just over 20,000 troops - but from the new pan-Baltic radar network known as BaltNet. U.S. General Joseph W. Ralston, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, calls the system "one of the best I've ever seen...
...matters of import--Iraq, North Korea, terrorism, etc.--the world is as divided as ever. But on matters trivial, people of all colors, cultures and creeds seem to want the same thing: a brainless but catchy chorus and easy-to-learn dance moves. The Ketchup Song (Hey Hah), written and sung by three Spanish sisters known as Las Ketchup, is the latest bit of happy ephemera bringing the world closer. It has reached No. 1 in 18 countries and is taking off on U.S. radio. You will not hear a dumber song this year, but its easy Andalusian vibe...
...price of modernization as a newly-moneyed citizenry moves up to motorized transportation. But there's a strange twist to this familiar developing country saga. The government has started to treat motorcycles like dangerous drugs. It wants to curtail the blacktop carnage by cutting off the supply?imposing stiff import quotas on motorcycle manufacturers operating in the communist country...
...crats are using trade rules as an air bag. The country is not directly restricting motorcycle production. It is doing so indirectly, by limiting the flow of parts that go into bikes. In September, the government announced it was slashing the number of "assembly kits" manufacturers are allowed to import this year from 2.5 million down to 1.5 million?effectively cutting the motorcycle output of Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki by some 40% at a time when they are already feeling pressure from cheaper Chinese-made bikes...