NY+Times+11+nov

 **** __Blackwater Said to Pursue Bribes to Iraq After 17 Died__ **** By MARK MAZZETTI and JAMES RISEN Former executives said it was unclear if payoffs of about $1 million were made to Iraqi officials, but the goal was to hush criticism and buy support after 17 civilians were killed.

**** __President, at Service, Hails Fort Hood’s Fallen__ **** By PETER BAKER and CLIFFORD KRAUSS President Obama took on the role of national eulogist on Tuesday for the first time since assuming office.

**** __2 Bear Stearns Fund Leaders Are Acquitted__ **** By ZACHERY KOUWE and DAN SLATER A jury found that two managers did not lie by presenting an upbeat picture while their funds plummeted in value.

**** __Top Obama Advisers Favor Adding Troops in Afghanistan__ **** By ELISABETH BUMILLER and DAVID E. SANGER The president’s national security team is coalescing around a proposal to send 30,000 or more additional troops to Afghanistan, officials say.

**** __Bomb Material Cache Uncovered in Afghanistan__ **** By DEXTER FILKINS Afghan police and U.S. soldiers discovered a half-million pounds of the fertilizer used in most of the bombs made in the country.

**** __Blackouts Plague Energy-Rich Venezuela__ **** By SIMON ROMERO With his nation plagued by power failures and water shortages, President Hugo Chávez has turned to lecturing about overconsumption.

**** __You Can Quote Me, Next Week__ **** By ADAM LIPTAK Justice Anthony M. Kennedy insisted on pre-approving a school newspaper article about a talk he gave at a Manhattan high school.

**** __Maine Finds a Health Care Fix Elusive__ **** By GARDINER HARRIS Maine’s history is a cautionary tale for national health reform, as many overhauls to the system have done little more than solve one problem while worsening another.

**** __‘Opt-Out’ Proposal Puts State Leaders to the Test__ **** By KEVIN SACK Candidates for governor will likely be pressed for answers if the provision becomes part of a new health plan.

**** __Under Attack, Fed Chairman Studies Politics__ **** By EDMUND L. ANDREWS As the Federal Reserve has come under scrutiny, Ben S. Bernanke, its chairman, is nurturing political ties as never before.

**** __Senate Plan Would Expand Regulation of Risky Lending__ **** By STEPHEN LABATON Senator Christopher J. Dodd’s plan, a dramatic overhaul of financial regulation, has met with resistance from Republicans and business interests.

**** __Calming the Black Friday Crowds__ **** By STEPHANIE ROSENBLOOM After a trampling death last year at one of its stores, Wal-Mart has overhauled its crowd-control measures and other retailers are taking precautions.