Applying for a promotion in the Reagan administration 20 years ago, Samuel A. Alito Jr. described himself as a thoroughgoing conservative "particularly proud" of contributing to cases arguing "that racial and ethnic quotas should not be allowed and that the Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion. —New York Times

[Alito] tried to play down the importance of the 1985 job application as he met with senators, including two prominent Democrats on the Judiciary Committee.

"He said first of all it was different then," said one of the two, Senator Dianne Feinstein of California. "He said, 'I was an advocate seeking a job, it was a political job and that was 1985. I'm now a judge. I've been on the circuit court for 15 years, and it's very different. I'm not an advocate; I don't give heed to my personal views. What I do is interpret the law.' "

...

"And so I asked him, 'Why shouldn't we consider the answers that you're giving today an application for another job?' " Mr. Kennedy said.
—New York Times

Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed a bill Tuesday meant to provide comprehensive health coverage for every uninsured child in Illinois. —Chicago Tribune

By REUTERS
Published: November 16, 2005

MOSCOW, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Russian authorities alleged on Wednesday priceless artworks from a Moscow museum had been impounded in Switzerland, apparently at the request of a Swiss firm that has long claimed repayment of debts from Russia.

[...]

Noga, a trading company, has in the past caused the temporary seizure of a ship, warplanes and diplomatic property in a series of bids to secure payment of debts linked to deals for the supply of food in exchange for oil in 1991-2. It has demanded immediate payment of $63 million.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/international/international-switzerland-russia.html?hp&ex=1132203600&en=abbcfdc97099a0fa&ei=5094&partner=homepage