CAN REPUBLICANS NAME A REPLACEMENT FOR TOM DELAY?  —  With news that Tom DeLay is withdrawing from his House reelection contest, the question is what happens now in his race.  It appears that the following is the applicable Texas law (putting aside any caselaw that might affect interpretation of these chapters):

Islam's Imperial Dreams  —  Muslim political ambitions aren't a reaction to Western encroachments.  —  When satirical depictions of the prophet Muhammad in a Danish newspaper sparked a worldwide wave of Muslim violence early this year, observers naturally focused on the wanton destruction …

CBS Prepares to Land a New Anchor  —  Katie Couric Set to Leave NBC's 'Today'  —  NBC executives expect Katie Couric to leave the "Today" show and accept an offer from CBS to become the first woman to anchor a network evening newscast on her own, with an announcement of her departure likely …

NBC: STAGING THE NEWS AGAIN?  —  ***update: a reader sends another message notifying Muslim activists that taping will take place April 8...see below...update: NBC confirms Dateline is working on the story...***  —  A source who monitors political e-mail lists sent me an intriguing message disseminated …

Sex tourism thriving in Bible Belt  —  ATLANTA (Reuters) - In a sleazy hotel room, "Brittany," then aged 16 and drugged into oblivion, waited for the men to arrive.  Her pimps sent as many as 17 clients an evening through the door.  —  A "john" could even pre-book the pretty young blonde …

To Become an American  —  Seven years ago, when I was visiting Germany, I met with an official who explained to me that the country had a foolproof solution to its economic woes.  Watching the U.S. economy soar during the 1990s, the Germans had decided that they, too, needed to go the high-technology route.

McCain: Not Enough Guest-Worker Backing  —  WASHINGTON - Supporters of a guest worker program that would let illegal immigrants stay in the United States said Tuesday they don't have enough Senate votes to overcome objections from conservatives who oppose the measure on grounds it amounts to amnesty.

The Right-wing Seeks to Take Your Internet  —  You can follow this in detail on Public Knowledge's blog or on the special section of Ed Markey's site dedicated to Net Neutrality.  —  Remember this interview with Edward Whiteacre, the CEO of SBC Communications?

DELAY STEPS DOWN  —  Former Majority Leader Tom DeLay apparently has announced that he will not seek re-election in the fall.  No indication, yet, of his reasons.  —  It's too bad, I think.  DeLay was an effective leader, albeit too liberal in recent years.  It's possible, of course, that he did something wrong along the way.

Virginia Beach agrees to change the way it scores police math exams  —  VIRGINIA BEACH — The city has reached a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department to resolve allegations that it discriminated against black and Hispanic police recruits.  —  Under a consent decree filed Monday …

Dignan v. Cynthia McKinney  —  Some jokes are too close to home.  —  For many years now, Rep. Cynthia McKinney has been viewed as a political joke, not just by Republicans but I believe by the average person in America.  Michael Moore probably comes closest to Cynthia in sheer outlandish demogoguery.

Iran: Stealth 'Flying Boat' Successfully Tested  —  TEHRAN, Iran — Iran said Tuesday it had tested what it called a "super-modern flying boat" capable of evading radar.  State TV showed a brief clip of the boat's launch.  —  "Due to its advanced design, no radar at sea or in the air can detect it.

IRAN'S KOOKY, INCENDIARY ARSENAL  —  Super-fast underwater missiles — they ain't the half of it.  Iran's armed forces are rolling out a slew of new military hardware this week, as part of its "Great Prophet" naval war games.  Some of the gear seems downright comical.  Others, downright dangerous.