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 …
Discussion:
David Corn, Right Wing Nut House, Classical Values, baldilocks, Tammy Bruce, A Chequer-Board of Nights … and TigerHawk
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.
Associated Press:Iranian President Hopes Sharon Perishes
Discussion:
Haaretz, The Moderate Voice, Kesher Talk, Liberty Street, TPRS, kare11.com, Cold Fury, Centerfield, damnum absque injuria, BillHobbs.com and Thomas Joscelyn
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
David D. Kirkpatrick / New York Times:
At Hearings, Democrats Plan to Call Critics of Alito's Integrity — WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 - Signaling their intent to put up a tough fight in next week's hearings on the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr., Senate Democrats said Thursday that they would call at least two witnesses …
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Jesse J. Holland / Associated Press:Democrats Don't Plan Alito Filibuster
Discussion:
Elephants in Academia
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 …
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 and Decision '08
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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 …
John / AMERICAblog:
CNN covers Amanpour spy story — Ok, CNN just did the story. Here's the quick summary: — Jacki "Blog Chick" Schechner did a good summary of how the story broke online. Then national security correspondent David Ensor gave his report. And it was, uh, a bit surreal.
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:
White House, Amygdala, BAGnewsNotes, The Heretik, The Next Hurrah, Brad DeLong's Semi … and Dependable Renegade
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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, Crooks and Liars, Middle Earth Journal, 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
BBC:
Iran absent from nuclear meeting — Iran failed to attend a meeting in Vienna to discuss its decision to resume nuclear fuel research, the UN's nuclear watchdog says. — The International Atomic Energy Agency said a meeting with Iranian delegates scheduled for Thursday never took place and no new meeting was planned.
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National Review:
Now Judges Are Leaking — On Thursday morning, the Washington Post published an article ("Surveillance Court Is Seeking Answers — Judges Were Unaware of Eavesdropping") that is jaw-dropping in the matter-of-factness with which reports on an outrageous impropriety by at least two FISA court judges.
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Washington Post:
Warner Orders DNA Testing In Case of Man Executed in '92 — Virginia Gov. Mark R. Warner has ordered DNA testing that could prove the guilt or innocence of a man executed in 1992, marking the first time a governor has asked for genetic testing of someone put to death.
George F. Will / Washington Post:
Chief Among the Silliness — The University of Illinois must soon decide whether, and if so how, to fight an exceedingly silly edict from the NCAA. That organization's primary function is to require college athletics to be no more crassly exploitative and commercial than is absolutely necessary.
