Tape: Bush, Chertoff Warned Before Katrina  —  WASHINGTON - In dramatic and sometimes agonizing terms, federal disaster officials warned President Bush and his homeland security chief before Hurricane Katrina struck that the storm could breach levees, put lives at risk in New Orleans' Superdome …

High Court Tackles Political Boundry Case  —  WASHINGTON - A key Supreme Court justice said Wednesday that Texas Republicans appeared to hurt minority voters when they redrew congressional boundaries that helped the GOP entrench its power in Congress.  —  But despite Justice Anthony M …

Alleged rape victim won't have to view tape  —  A Naperville woman who alleges she was videotaped while being raped four years ago will not be forced to view the tape at a defendant's trial, a judge decided today.  —  After a brief hearing on the issue in the Bridgeview branch of Cook County Circuit Court …

Bush Confident Bin Laden Will Be Captured  —  KABUL, Afghanistan - In a surprise visit under extraordinary security, President Bush expressed unwavering confidence Wednesday that Osama bin Laden will be captured despite years of fruitless manhunts for the elusive terrorist leader …

Alito Sends James Dobson a Valentine  —  During his broadcast today, Focus on the Family founder and president James Dobson promoted his organization's annual ex-gay conference, Love Won Out, in which gays and their families are told that homosexuality is "preventable and treatable."

Bill Clinton helped Dubai on ports deal  —  Bill Clinton, former US president, advised top officials from Dubai two weeks ago on how to address growing US concerns over the acquisition of five US container terminals by DP World.  —  It came even as his wife, Senator Hillary Clinton, was leading efforts to derail the deal.

U.S. Is Reducing Safety Penalties for Mine Flaws  —  CRAIGSVILLE, W.Va. — In its drive to foster a more cooperative relationship with mining companies, the Bush administration has decreased major fines for safety violations since 2001, and in nearly half the cases, it has not collected the fines …

So Much Swill  —  John Zogby took a poll of the troops in Iraq and claims that 72% want the war ended in 2006.  The poll was paid for by anti-war activists and the methodology is secret.  Yet this lie is sailing around the world through the ravening wolves of the media who chew on anti-Bush agitprop …

Study: Few Americans Know 1st Amendment  —  CHICAGO - Americans apparently know more about "The Simpsons" than they do about the First Amendment.  —  Only one in four Americans can name more than one of the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment (freedom of speech, religion, press …