An Affront to Civilization  —  We should have no illusions that Afghanistan — in many ways the backwater of the Islamic world — will soon embrace Western-style religious pluralism.  But the trial of Abdul Rahman, who faces a potential death sentence for converting to Christianity some 15 years ago, is an affront to civilization.

Russ Never Sleeps  —  'Politicians and Pundits Are Afraid,' Says Wisconsin's Feingold, As Democrats Abandon Him on Bush Wiretap Censure Motion; Will Senator Become the Eugene McCarthy of '08 Primaries?  —  None of this fits any of the tried-and-true formulations in the red-and-blue American playbook.

Clinton vows to block bill criminalizing illegal immigrants  —  NEW YORK — Invoking Biblical themes, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton joined immigration advocates Wednesday to vow and block legislation seeking to criminalize undocumented immigrants.  —  Clinton, a potential 2008 presidential candidate …

To Hell with the "To Hell With The 'To Hell With Them' Hawks" Hawks  —  Just kidding there — actually, making the point that "The 'To Hell With Them' Hawks" is a really clunky way of identifying a faction.  It used to be said of the mathematician Camille Jordan, whose papers were famously unreadable …

AP's Bush 'Straw Man' Story: News Analysis Or Unlabeled Opinion?  —  NEW YORK Did a recent Associated Press story examining President George Bush's alleged tendency to use a "straw man" approach in his speeches cross the line from news to biased opinion?  Or was it just a long-overdue …

Israel May Be Next al-Qaida Battleground  —  Signs are mounting that al-Qaida terrorists are setting their sights on Israel and the Palestinian territories as their next jihad battleground.  —  Israel has indicted two West Bank militants for al-Qaida membership, Egypt arrested operatives trying …

Albright lectures on public service  —  Madeleine Albright says she knows how to have fun.  —  Soon after Albright became Secretary of State under President Bill Clinton LAW '73, she received a memo informing her that she would be required — at an upcoming Asian summit of foreign ministers — to perform a skit.

Christopher Hitchens on the media coverage of Iraq, and whether some on the other side are recognizing what they've wrought.  —  HH: Happy to have back to begin today's show Christopher Hitchens, Vanity Fair columnist, author of many books, including a recent bio of Thomas Jefferson.

I Am Very Worried About 2006  —  The Democratic primary in the IL-06 was not supposed to be close.  I travel to DC often these days (in fact, I am about to leave for DC now), and from everyone I had talked to down there, I was told more or less the same thing: Duckworth will win this primary, and win it huge.

A Punchy President Meets the Press  —  President Bush had a senior moment midway through his news conference yesterday.  Referring to an earlier question from the Los Angeles Times' Jim Gerstenzang, who has covered much of Bush's presidency, Bush looked at the veteran correspondent — and forgot his name.

Court rejects searches when occupants disagree  —  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A divided U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the police cannot enter a home and seize evidence without a warrant when one occupant agreed to the search after the other occupant refused permission.

Git Yer Boots On, It's Recess Time!  —  It's recess time on the Hill and our congressional representatives are trekking into their own back yards for a spell — the perfect time to stop by and let them know how you feel about leading Democrat Russ Feingold's censure resolution.

President Discusses War on Terror, Progress in Iraq in West Virginia  —  THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much.  Please be seated.  Thanks for coming.  First of all, Terry, thanks for the invitation.  My purpose is to share with you what's on my mind, and then I look forward to hearing what's on yours.

Will Your Job Survive?  —  In case you've been worrying about how the war in Iraq will end, or the coming of avian flu, or the extinction of the universe as we drift into the cosmic void, well, relax.  Here's something you should really fret about: the future of the U.S. economy in the age of globalization.

New Mexico Democrats call for Bush impeachment  —  Web Editor's Note: Due to unusually heavy readership, you may be reading this article out of the normal template of www.freenewmexican.com, the Web site of The Santa Fe New Mexican.  Therefore the usual place to add your comments may be missing.