Top Items:
worldtribune.com:
Ariel Sharon dies — JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the most powerful Israeli leader in 50 years, has died. He was 77. — Sharon was declared dead by physicians at Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital before 1 p.m. Israeli time [6 a.m. EST], Middle East Newsline reported.
Discussion:
Stop The ACLU
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BREITBART.COM:
US Christian broadcaster says Sharon's stroke divine retribution — US evangelical broadcaster Pat Robertson suggested Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine retribution for "dividing God's land" of Israel, igniting his latest trademark controversy. — As the Israeli prime minister battled for life …
Charles Krauthammer / Washington Post:
A Calamity for Israel — The stroke suffered by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon could prove to be one of the great disasters in the country's nearly 60-year history. As I write this, Sharon's condition remains uncertain, but the severity of his stroke makes it unlikely that he will survive, let alone return to power.
Discussion:
Haaretz, Yourish.com, Vodkapundit, Oliver Kamm, The Political Pit Bull, All Things Beautiful and Betsy's Page
CNN:
Robertson suggests God smote Sharon — Evangelist links Israeli leader's stroke to 'dividing God's land' — (CNN) — Television evangelist Pat Robertson suggested Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine retribution for the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, which Robertson opposed.
Christopher Hitchens / Slate:What Sharon Did — The Bulldozer's long, brutal career ended better than anyone expected.
Haaretz:Kadima official: Everything will fall apart if Peres leads the party
Discussion:
Big Lizards, Mere Rhetoric, TKS on National Review Online, Yourish.com and The Political Pit Bull
Eric Schmitt / New York Times:
Iraq Facing Hurdles, U.S. General Warns — CAMP VICTORY, Iraq, Jan. 4 - The top American operational commander in Iraq has offered a sober assessment of the hurdles facing a new Iraqi government, voicing concerns that sectarian rivalries and incompetence could cripple major ministries …
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Richard A. Oppel Jr / New York Times:
Up to 130 Killed in Iraq, Drawing a Shiite Warning — BAGHDAD, Iraq, Jan. 5 - Attacks by suicide bombers killed as many as 130 people in Karbala and Ramadi on Thursday, rekindling fears of a return to mass sectarian killings after a relative lull and prompting Iraq's most powerful Shiite political faction …
Jason Straziuso / Associated Press:11 U.S. Troops Killed in One Day in Iraq
Discussion:
Operation Yellow Elephant
Scott Shane / New York Times:
Republican Senator Defends Briefings on Domestic Spying — WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 - In a sign of growing partisan division over domestic eavesdropping, the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee on Thursday defended the Bush administration's limited briefings for Congress …
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Tom Maguire / JustOneMinute:
Let Me Help With This Non-Denial — Was Christiane Amanpour spied upon? Andrea Mitchell asked James Risen the following question, which later disappeared from the NBC transcript: … CNN has followed up, and this is at their website: … Let me help - even though Ms. Amanpour was not …
Discussion:
Elephants in Academia, The Indepundit, Michelle Malkin, QandO, Balloon Juice, Macsmind, CNN, Decision '08 and The Political Pit Bull
David E. Sanger / New York Times:
Bush and Former Cabinet Members Discuss Topic No. 1: Iraq — WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 - Colin Powell said nothing - a silence that spoke volumes to many in the White House today. — His predecessor, Madeleine Albright, was a bit riled after hearing an exceedingly upbeat 40-minute briefing …
Discussion:
Shakespeare's Sister, White House, Amygdala, The Heretik, BAGnewsNotes, The Next Hurrah, Brad DeLong's Semi … and Dependable Renegade
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Washington Post:
After Abramoff, a GOP Scramble — DeLay's House Colleagues Anticipate a Leadership Shake-Up — An internal battle is underway among House Republicans to permanently replace Rep. Tom DeLay (Tex.) as majority leader and put in place a new leadership lineup that is better equipped to deal with the growing corruption scandal.
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R. Jeffrey Smith / Washington Post:
Prosecutor Broadens DeLay Inquiry — Data on GOP Donation to U.S. Family Network Demanded — The Texas prosecutor who secured an indictment of Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) on money-laundering charges broadened the scope of his inquiry into election spending yesterday, demanding documents related …
Discussion:
AMERICAblog
Charles Babington / Washington Post:
Senators to Demand Full Answers From Alito — Democrats Signal Willingness to Delay Final Vote on Supreme Court Confirmation — Senate Democrats warned Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr. yesterday to expect pointed questions at next week's hearing, and said they may postpone …
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David D. Kirkpatrick / New York Times:At Hearings, Democrats Plan to Call Critics of Alito's Integrity
Ylan Q. Mui / Washington Post:
Wal-Mart Web Site Makes Racial Connections — Wal-Mart apologized yesterday after its retail Web site directed potential buyers of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Planet of the Apes" DVDs to also consider purchasing DVDs with African American themes.
Discussion:
AMERICAblog, Middle Earth Journal, Crooks and Liars, firedoglake, TalkLeft and Air America Radio
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Tom Maguire / JustOneMinute:
Hard Times At The LA Times — Michael Hiltzik mans the Golden State blog at the LA Times, and he decides to go after Patterico, a long-time LA Times critic. — Ironists will applaud Mr. Hiltzik's effort - here is the smallest of samples: … Emphasis added - try to square the criticism …
Discussion:
Patterico's Pontifications
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Michael Hiltzik / Golden State:On Partisan Criticism of the Press (Part One)
Discussion:
Patterico's Pontifications
Nicholas Wade / New York Times:
DNA Offers New Insight Concerning Cat Evolution — Researchers have gained a major insight into the evolution of cats by showing how they migrated to new continents and developed new species as sea levels rose and fell. — About nine million years ago - two million years after the cat family …
Duncan Gardham / Telegraph:
Galloway booed at Big Brother house — George Galloway checked into the Big Brother house last night for the latest controversial instalment of his political career. — "Gorgeous George", as the MP for Bethnal Green and Bow has been described, has told producers his favourite things are his "daughter, sunbathing and sex".
