U.S. Sets Conditions for Talks With Iran  —  The United States is willing to join European nations in direct talks with Iran if the Iranian government first agrees to suspend its programs to enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel, activities that Washington charges are part of plans to build nuclear weapons.

U.S. troops kill pregnant woman in Iraq  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. forces killed two Iraqi women — one of them about to give birth — when the troops shot at a car that failed to stop at an observation post in a city north of Baghdad, Iraqi officials and relatives said Wednesday.

Paulson Pick Goes From Bad to Worse  —  A few things to add to my earlier report on the nomination of Henry M. Paulson Jr. to replace John Snow as Treasury secretary.  Let me preface this post by noting that what you read here is depressing.  At a time when the Bush Administration desperately needs …

GI'S BIG FAT SUIT VS. MOORE  —  SEEKS $85M FOR 'LYING' 9/11 CLIP  —  A double-amputee Iraq-war vet is suing Michael Moore for $85 million, claiming the portly peacenik recycled an old interview and used it out of context to make him appear anti-war in "Fahrenheit 9/11."

EXCLUSIVE: BOBBY KENNEDY JR. TO QUESTION 2004 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN MAJOR ROLLING STONE FEATURE ARTICLE!  —  Says 'Evidence Shows High-Level Republicans Suceeded in Scheme to Steal Election in Ohio'!  —  Mag to Hit Stands Friday, Internet on Thursday, Publicity Push to Accompany

So, How Bad Are Things in Iraq Really?  —  We all know that despite news reports of massacre and carnage, the civilian death toll in Iraq has gone down considerably since the war to remove Saddam Hussein began back in March 2003.  —  Here are more figures on how the Iraq War stacks up historically:

Bill to Bolster Election Clout Gains  —  The Assembly passes a measure to pledge the state's Electoral College votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote.  —  SACRAMENTO — Seeking to force presidential candidates to pay attention to California's 15.5 million voters …

Taheri Invited to the White House  —  Wait until you read this one.  It is simply incredible.  —  I've been all over the Iranian badge story, as you undoubtedly know by now.  But this latest development defies all rational thinking.  —  The man who fabricated the whole story was invited to the White House as an "expert" yesterday.

What You Don't Know About the Immigration Bill  —  The Senate passed legislation last week that Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) hailed as "the most far-reaching immigration reform in our history."  You might think that the first question anyone would ask is how much it would actually increase or decrease legal immigration.

HADITHA: PERSPECTIVE  —  Video overview.  —  My column today, What we know and don't know, concludes: … Or rather, death.  —  I linked to Dan Riehl's post the other day on life for the Marines in Haditha.  It's worth revisiting.  I'm posting some of the photos Dan linked to from the Marine Corps site here:

As Hurricane Season Looms, States Aim to Scare  —  MIAMI, May 30 — Convinced that tough tactics are needed, officials in hurricane-prone states are trumpeting dire warnings about the storm season that starts on Thursday, preaching self-reliance and prodding the public to prepare early and well.

Coin dealer admits illegal donations  —  TOLEDO, Ohio - A coin dealer and prominent GOP fundraiser at the center of an Ohio political scandal pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges he illegally funneled about $45,000 to President Bush's re-election campaign.

Deaths of 2 in CBS Crew Lead to Painful Reassessments  —  The roadside blast in Baghdad on Monday that killed two CBS News crew members and seriously wounded a third has deepened concerns among television network executives about the risks their crews face trying to cover the Iraq war …

The Baffling Mind of Anya Kamenetz  —  Anya Kamenetz's mind is an ideological funhouse mirror designed to baffle and enrage the economically literate.  In an op-ed yesterday in the NY Times, Kamenetz laments the rise of unpaid internships, and asks the question foremost in all our minds …

Gagged librarians break silence on Patriot Act  —  Connecticut librarians spoke about their fight to stop the FBI from gaining access to patrons' library records at a news conference yesterday organized by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and in a subsequent interview with RAW STORY.

McCain cancels Bilbray event over immigration  —  SAN DIEGO - Arizona Sen. John McCain on Tuesday canceled an appearance for a Republican congressional candidate who has attacked his opponent for supporting McCain's immigration bill.  —  McCain, R-Ariz., was scheduled to speak Wednesday …

DHS to Slash Funds for N.Y., Washington  —  Smaller Cities to Receive Larger Antiterror Grants  —  The two cities attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, will receive far less antiterrorism money under plans unveiled today by the Department of Homeland Security, which has designated more money for many smaller cities throughout the country.