BOTTOM OF THE PORK-BARREL
     We know it's always dangerous to raise the concept of merit when discussing the actions of elected officials, but there's something particularly special about Senate Republicans' jettisoning of a Federal measure that would have aided workers who became ill as a result of the World Trade Center clean
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BERKMAN EARNED HER LAURELS
     When Brenda Berkman spearheaded the lawsuit that compelled the Fire Department to modify its physical test, leading to the hiring of 41 women as Firefighters 24 years ago, it was common for veteran firemen and union officials to say she wasn't long for the job.
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