On the Air!  —  Today, our campaign launched two new Ned Lamont for U.S. Senate commercials created by renowned producer and innovator Bill Hillsman.  They'll go on the air in the traditional media this afternoon.  The two, "Underdog" and "Right Now" can be viewed below.

The Hayden Show  —  9:15 a.m. Hart Office Building, room 216.  Fifteen minutes until the hearing begins, and two dozen print photographers form in a tight horseshoe facing an empty seat, three glasses of ice water and a microphone.  Gen. Michael Hayden, the man who would lead the CIA …

Hamas force battles police in Gaza, 4 hurt  —  GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian police fought gunbattles in Gaza City on Friday with a new Hamas-led security force set up by the Islamist government in defiance of President Mahmoud Abbas.  —  At least four people were wounded …

Senate Votes English as 'National Language'  —  After an emotional debate fraught with symbolism, the Senate yesterday voted to make English the "national language" of the United States, declaring that no one has a right to federal communications or services in a language other than English except for those already guaranteed by law.

In The Crosshairs  —  Steve Clemons reports back from a Princeton conference that, according to BobbyRay Inman, the man in Special Counsel Fitzgerald's crosshairs is... Richard Armitage.  —  Questions I can ask, but not answer (yet):  —  (1) Why would Inman know this?

Where Does Brian Bilbray Really Live?  —  Bilbray Vies For North County Congressional Seat  —  SAN DIEGO — It is now more than just mudslinging in the race for the 50th Congressional District.  —  Wednesday, the Democratic Party called for an investigation into allegations of perjury …

Best of the Web  —  'In Cold Blood'  —  The Pentagon is investigating whether U.S. Marines committed war crimes in a November incident in which 15 Iraqi civilians were killed in Haditha, Iraq.  NBC News reports that Rep. John Murtha, who voted for the war in Iraq, claims to have advance knowledge of the investigation's outcome:

Giuliani Headlines Ralph Reed Fundraiser  —  ATLANTA - Rudolph Giuliani, the former New York mayor considered a potential 2008 candidate for president, headlined a fundraiser Thursday for former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed in his run for Georgia lieutenant governor.

Once There Were Giants  —  In a doleful shirt-tail, or footnote, to the New York Times story this morning on the appointment of a new managing editor at Time magazine, we learn this:  —  "Donald Barlett and James Steele, two investigative reporters who have chronicled the vicissitudes …

Jesus Christ as Poached Egg  —  Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code is one of the most popular best sellers in recent history and the Sony motion picture to be released this Friday (May 19) is expected to be the first major blockbuster of the summer (given how relatively poorly MI3 performed).

Ahmadinejad mocks Iran's 'mental' nuclear opponents  —  TEHRAN, May 18, 2006 (AFP) - Hardline Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday mocked those opposed to the Islamic republic's controversial nuclear program, saying they were suffering mental problems.

Kenya's 'Koranic fish' disappears  —  A fish with markings that resembled a Koranic text has disappeared from the Kenyan Fisheries Department in Mombasa.  —  The tuna fish, which had provoked intense interest from Muslims, was apparently stolen by people posing as National Museum officials.

The Real Iraq  —  Spending time in the United States after a tour of Iraq can be a disorienting experience these days.  Within hours of arriving here, as I can attest from a recent visit, one is confronted with an image of Iraq that is unrecognizable.  It is created in several overlapping ways …

A Job Americans Won't Do, Even at $34 an Hour  —  Some landscape firms rebut claims that higher pay, not immigration reform, is needed.  —  Cyndi Smallwood is looking for a few strong men for her landscaping company.  Guys with no fear of a hot sun, who can shovel dirt all day long.