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.

Prodi Declares Victory in Italian Election  —  ROME - Italy's parliamentary election hung in the balance Tuesday as the country counted ballots cast by Italians living abroad, including in the United States, for six new Senate seats.  —  Near final returns showed opposition leader Romano …

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 …

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.

Cheney booed loudly, throws out first pitch  —  Vice president throws out first pitch after visiting Mets, Nats locker rooms  —  WASHINGTON - Greeted with loud boos and some cheers, Vice President Dick Cheney threw out the ceremonial first pitch Tuesday at the Washington Nationals' home opener.

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.

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.

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 …

Christians Sue for Right Not to Tolerate Policies  —  Many codes intended to protect gays from harassment are illegal, conservatives argue.  —  ATLANTA — Ruth Malhotra went to court last month for the right to be intolerant.  —  Malhotra says her Christian faith compels her to speak out against homosexuality.

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 …

If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride  —  A few weeks ago, National Review's Rich Lowry wrote this: … I didn't have the chance to comment on this at the time, but I've decided to do so now not only because this kind of assessment is taken seriously by so many …

In Iraq, brave troops and a noble cause  —  I have seen many incredible sights living and flying in Iraq the last two months.  Two things, the bravery of our soldiers and the importance of completing our mission and building a free Iraq, prompt me to write today.

WHAT BUSH SHOULD DO  —  When I talk to people about the sad state of the Bush administration lately, we always ask ourselves, "Well, what can he do now?"  And I never have an answer, nor does anyone I talk to.  Which is a pretty good reason to give way to the kind of despair George Conway expressed today.

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.

Death Toll Up to 40 in Pakistan Bombing  —  KARACHI, Pakistan - A bomb exploded during evening prayers at a park in this southern Pakistani city Tuesday, killing at least 40 people and wounding dozens.  An angry mob burned cars and threw stones at police, who fired into the air to disperse the crowd, a witness said.

It was just like Cinco de Mayo, only with less food and more intimidation  —  I'm writing this on the National Mall, surrounded by (my buddy Tom estimated) about 25,000 people.  Most of them are Hispanic, Latino, Chicano or whatever we're now calling people from south of the border, down Mexico way.