Facing Down Iran  —  Our lives depend on it.  —  Most Westerners read the map of the world like a Broadway marquee: north is top of the bill—America, Britain, Europe, Russia—and the rest dribbles away into a mass of supporting players punctuated by occasional Star Guests: India, China, Australia.

Believe it this time, buster  —  My friend Fred Kaplan can't bring himself to believe that the Cheney administration is, pick your adjective (sufficiently crazy, irresponsible, evil, uncaring about human life, happy to encourage terrorism against the United States, whatever) to launch a pre-emptive nuclear war against Iran.

Six in Ten Americans Critical of Bush on Leaks  —  But Bush job approval holds steady at 37%  —  PRINCETON, NJ — The latest USA Today/Gallup poll finds more than 6 in 10 Americans critical of President George W. Bush on the leak controversy.  The more closely people are following the issue …

Gingrich at USD: Pull out of Iraq (video)  —  Ex-House speaker says U.S. should scale back  —  VERMILLION - Newt Gingrich, the former Republican Speaker of the House, told students and faculty at the University of South Dakota Monday that the United States should pull out of Iraq and leave …

Opposition Leader Claims Win in Italy  —  ROME, April 11 — After a long night of uncertainty, Romano Prodi today declared himself the winner of the Italian elections, though supporters of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said the whisker-thin margin demanded a recount.

Pressure, Frustration Mount  —  The immigrant demonstrators who flooded the streets of America's cities yesterday ratcheted up pressure on lawmakers to complete an overhaul of the nation's immigration laws, while raising Republicans' frustration with President Bush for what they see as a muddled stand on the issue.

Cheney Throws Out First Pitch in D.C.  —  WASHINGTON - Greeted with a loud chorus of "boos" and some cheers, Vice President Dick Cheney threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Washington Nationals' Major League Baseball home opener on Tuesday.  —  Christening the team's second season …

Which side is the national media on?  —  Uncle Jimbo- Bestriding the internets like a colossus  —  Love this blog?  Hate it?  Want more info?  Add your comment to the Military Matters forum  —  Is the US military allowed to have an information warfare strategy?

US economy's latest output: better jobs  —  Newest job numbers show that businesses are expanding opportunities in high-wage fields.  —  The US economy isn't just producing jobs these days, it's also producing good jobs.  Alongside the ads for jobs handling a cash register or a spatula are these new opportunities:

Security lapse reveals secrets of Air Force One  —  Air Force One, the presidential jet, is a near-mythical symbol of US power, shrouded in so much secrecy that even foreign leaders invited on board are forbidden from seeing every corner.  But the aircraft just became rather less mysterious …

Iraq's Beauty Queen Resigns After Four Days  —  Pageant Winner Cites Threats by Religious Extremists  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 10, 2006 — Iraq's newly crowned beauty queen, Tamar Goregian, has decided to step down — just four days after her election, making this the shortest reign in the pageant's 60-year history.

Rubber Stamp Republican Congress Video Goes Live  —  UPDATE: I'm pulling the video links up to the top so everyone can find them more easily:  —  **You can watch the video of our stamp delivery to Sen. Arlen Specter at Crooks and Liars and at PoliticsTV.  Our first Rubber Stamp Republican Congress stamp delivery went well.

VIDEO/PHOTO ESSAY: VIVA LA RAZA IN D.C.  —  ***scroll for updates***  —  So, my Sony Handycam and I attended the illegal alien demonstration in D.C. yesterday.  Here are some of the more interesting moments captured on tape of what I saw at the revolucion:

Back to Iraq Part II - The Anatolian Deathmarch  —  This is the second installment of a Back to Iraq series.  Read the first installment here.  —  ANATOLIA, TURKEY - Sean and I woke at first light and headed south from Canakkale toward the ancient ruins of Troy.