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, The Political Pit Bull, Oliver Kamm, All Things Beautiful and Betsy's Page
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
ShrinkWrapped:Do We Now Return to the Garden of the Finzi-Continis?
Discussion:
Kobayashi Maru, Sigmund, Carl and Alfred, Front Page Magazine, Atlas Shrugs, Roger L. Simon, BBC, Fausta's Blog, Dr. Sanity and Kesher Talk
Associated Press:Iranian President Hopes Sharon Perishes
Discussion:
Haaretz, The Moderate Voice, Kesher Talk, Liberty Street, TPRS, Cold Fury, Centerfield, kare11.com, BillHobbs.com, damnum absque injuria and Thomas Joscelyn
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 — BAGHDAD, Iraq - The U.S. military said Friday that six more American troops died in the recent surge of violence in Iraq, bringing to 11 the number of U.S. troops slain on the same day. — Thousands of Shiites, meanwhile, rallied in Baghdad …
Discussion:
Operation Yellow Elephant
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, Shakespeare's Sister, Amygdala, BAGnewsNotes, The Heretik, The Next Hurrah, Brad DeLong's Semi … and Dependable Renegade
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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 …
Discussion:
Thoughts of an Average Woman
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David D. Kirkpatrick / New York Times:At Hearings, Democrats Plan to Call Critics of Alito's Integrity
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
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
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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
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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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".
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.
