NSA killed system that sifted phone data legally … WASHINGTON // The National Security Agency developed a pilot program in the late 1990s that would have enabled it to gather and analyze massive amounts of communications data without running afoul of privacy laws.

Feingold, Specter Clash Over Gay Marriage  —  WASHINGTON - A Senate committee approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage Thursday, after a shouting match that ended when one Democrat strode out and the Republican chairman bid him "good riddance."  —  "I don't need to be lectured by you.

Out of Touch  —  What the president's immigration speech and "The DaVinci Code" have in common.  —  What was missing in the president's approach the other night was the expression, or suggestion, of context.  The context was a crisis that had gone unanswered as it has built …

No Rush to Impeachment  —  As Republicans have become increasingly nervous about whether they will be able to maintain control of the House in the midterm elections, they have resorted to the straw-man strategy of identifying a parade of horrors to come if Democrats gain the majority.

Sensenbrenner: Bush Turned Back on Bill  —  WASHINGTON - Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, who has pushed a tough border security bill through the House, accused President Bush on Wednesday of abandoning the legislation after asking for many of its provisions.  —  "He basically turned his back on provisions …

Senate Votes to Extend Fence Along Border  —  WASHINGTON, May 17— The Senate voted overwhelmingly today to add hundreds of miles of fencing along the border between the United States and Mexico and to bar illegal immigrants convicted of a felony or three misdemeanors from remaining …

"Fairy Tales"  —  The (lack of) intelligence underpinning Bush's Iraq policy  —  During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Saddam Hussein's Information Minister became the butt of a million jokes for predicting that American soldiers were being routed, even as U.S. troops were quickly closing in on Baghdad.

Have A Heart  —  This has to be just about the nastiest piece of direct mail we've ever seen.  —  A candidate for State Assembly in the central valley region of CA, Bill Conrad (R) is apparently running on the platform that his opponent won't survive his term because he had a heart transplant.

Who Isn't A 'Values Voter'?  —  An aggressively annoying new phrase in America's political lexicon is "values voters."  It is used proudly by social conservatives, and carelessly by the media to denote such conservatives.  —  This phrase diminishes our understanding of politics.

And if It's a Boy, Will It Be Lleh?  —  Chances are you don't have any friends named Nevaeh.  Chances are today's toddlers will.  —  In 1999, there were only eight newborn American girls named Nevaeh.  Last year, it was the 70th-most-popular name for baby girls, ahead of Sara, Vanessa and Amanda.

Seeking to Control Borders, Bush Turns to Big Military Contractors  —  WASHINGTON, May 17 — The quick fix may involve sending in the National Guard.  But to really patch up the broken border, President Bush is preparing to turn to a familiar administration partner: the nation's giant military contractors.

The biggest scandal  —  The worst thing said in the case involving rape charges against Duke University students was not said by either the prosecutor or the defense attorneys, or even by any of the accusers or the accused.  It was said by a student at North Carolina Central University …

G.O.P. Conservatives Topple Veteran State Lawmakers in Pennsylvania  —  WASHINGTON, May 17 — A revolt among Pennsylvania conservatives gained national attention on Wednesday after challengers toppled at least 12 state lawmakers they deemed insufficiently committed to small government and fiscal restraint.

Anti-Incumbent Voters Sent Messages Tuesday  —  Pennsylvania voters dumped two Republican leaders in the state Senate and scared a GOP member of Congress, while Oregon voters sent a warning they are unhappy with the Democratic governor.  —  Cumulatively, the results Tuesday were the latest signals …