Business Interests

This is the 52nd presidential election.The sixth was held in 1808. The Democratic-Republican caucus nominated Secretary of State James Madison, President Jefferson's choice, for the top of the ticket and re-nominated Vice President George Clinton.Leaders of the Federalist Party, still in decline but hoping to exploit one issue, met in secret session and renominated their losing ticket of 1804, Charles C. Pinckney and Rufus King.The one big issue of the campaign was Madison's support of Jefferson's embargo on American shipping.

WASHINGTON -- In an effort to defend U.S. business interests overseas, the Department of Justice amended its antitrust enforcement policy yesterday to enable it to challenge foreign businesses that boycott U.S. products, rig bids or otherwise block access to their markets.Although department officials said that the shift was "not aimed at particular foreign markets," the Japanese Foreign Ministry immediately objected to the move on grounds that it is "not permissible under international law."

[Our country] is greatness. . . . We must all be soldiers -- every one of us. . . . [Our country] needs our total devotion. . . . We need to create in ourselves the kind of steely will . . . that our Japanese and German counterparts still have. . . . Will, discipline, dedication, commitment, patriotism. . . .To compete with societies with strong cultures requires an equally strong culture. . . . We are now being challenged by outside forces that seek to erode our standard of living [and] internal forces that are undermining the fabric of our social order.

Charles I. Ecker reached into a pile of papers and pulled out a letter. The writer, who hadn't signed her name, said she and her husband both are Howard County employees who are vulnerable to the layoffs Ecker says he needs to make."

The only thing better than a little media attention to reverse the fortunes of a struggling enterprise is a lot of it.The armed forces reported a significant increase in would-be recruits at recruitment centers after the release of the blockbuster military film "Top Gun" several years ago, and gymnastics schools popped up like mushrooms overnight in the United States after the dynamic display of Soviet gymnast Olga Korbut in the 1972 Summer Olympics.But...

Having just soundly defeated a well-known Carroll commissioner to win a state Senate seat, Larry E. Haines basked in the election night limelight like a prizefighter whose long months of preparation culminated in a knockout blow.Former County Commissioner Jeff Griffith jabbed at Haines' conservativeness, lack of political experience and religious affiliation throughout the campaign, but the Republican weathered the flurry with confident composure.Supporters embraced the victor at an impromptu Nov. 6 celebrationat Republican headquarters, showering him with applause and relishing his triumphant words.