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.

Senators Left Out of Loop Make Their Pique Known  —  WASHINGTON, May 18 — There were two types of senators at Thursday's confirmation hearing for Gen. Michael V. Hayden: the briefed, and the briefed-nots.  —  The former were mostly polite.  The latter, especially Democrats, threw the Congressional equivalent of a temper tantrum.

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.

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 …

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 …

As Death Stalks Iraq, Middle-Class Exodus Begins  —  Roula Kubba, 13, whose family plans to leave Baghdad because of the rising sectarian violence.  They live in the wealthy Mansour district.  More Photos >  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 18 — Deaths run like water through the life of the Bahjat family.

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).

Photo ID Required For Federal Elections?  —  We very rarely get "ALERTS" from the calm, composed folks at Electionline.org, so our heart pumped a bit when this crossed our inbox. … Electionline's Doug Chapin sends along the relevant amendment text: … The full amendment is after the jump.

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.