Top Items:
Washington Post:
Maliki Aide Who Discussed Amnesty Leaves Job — Premier Disavows Remarks; Egyptian Seen Replacing Zarqawi — BAGHDAD, June 15 — Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's office on Thursday accepted the resignation of an aide who had told a reporter that Maliki was considering a limited amnesty …
Discussion:
Unqualified Offerings, Raising Kaine, The Left Coaster, Blue Crab Boulevard, Eschaton and Middle Earth Journal
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Sameer N. Yacoub / Associated Press:
10 killed, 20 hurt in Iraq mosque bombing — BAGHDAD, Iraq - A suicide bomber struck a Shiite mosque during Friday prayers in Baghdad, killing at least 10 people and wounding 20, police said, as violence persisted in the capital despite a massive security operation aimed at restoring order.
Lolita C. Baldor / Associated Press:
American deaths in Iraq reach 2,500 mark — WASHINGTON - American deaths since the invasion of Iraq have reached 2,500, marking a grim milestone in the wake of recent events that President Bush hopes will reverse the war's unpopularity at home. — The latest death was announced as Congress …
New York Times:
Senate Rejects Call for Iraq Withdrawal — WASHINGTON, June 15 — The Senate overwhelmingly rejected a call this afternoon for withdrawal of most American combat troops from Iraq by the end of the year as debates in both houses of Congress mixed high emotion with calculated maneuvering.In the House …
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New York Times:
Congress Erupts in Partisan Fight Over War in Iraq — WASHINGTON, June 15 — The House and the Senate engaged in angry, intensely partisan debate on Thursday over the war in Iraq, as Republicans sought to rally support for the Bush administration's policies and exploit Democratic divisions …
Washington Post:
Parties Face Off Over Iraq War in 11-Hour Debate — Congress plunged into a wide-ranging debate over the origins and conduct of the war in Iraq yesterday, with each party excoriating the other for alleged weakness and complacency about the stakes involved. — As the Pentagon announced …
CNN:
Rep. Jefferson loses Democratic caucus vote — Black Caucus leader cites racial unfairness — WASHINGTON (CNN) — With members of the Congressional Black Caucus crying double standard, House Democrats met behind closed doors Thursday and voted to strip Rep. William Jefferson of his seat on the Ways and Means Committee.
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David Espo / Associated Press:
House Dems strip Jefferson of assignment — WASHINGTON - House Democrats, determined to make an election-year point about ethics, voted 99-58 Thursday night to strip Rep. William Jefferson (news, bio, voting record) of his committee assignment while a federal bribery investigation runs its course.
Kate Zernike / New York Times:
Democrats Vote to Force Jefferson Aside
Democrats Vote to Force Jefferson Aside
Discussion:
The Reality-Based Community
Linda Greenhouse / New York Times:
Court Limits Protection Against Improper Entry — WASHINGTON, June 15 — Evidence found by police officers who enter a home to execute a search warrant without first following the requirement to "knock and announce" can be used at trial despite that constitutional violation, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday.
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Fred Barbash / Washington Post:
Court Backs No-Knock Search
Court Backs No-Knock Search
Discussion:
New York Times, Legal Fiction, The Washington Monthly, Crooked Timber, Booman Tribune, Amygdala and OrinKerr.com
Larry Johnson / NO QUARTER:
Sacrificing Our Troops on the Altar of Republican Politics — Leave it to the Porcine Draft Dodger—Karl Rove—to impugn the character of combat veterans. Can't blame him for trotting out the same playbook that worked so well in 2004 against the candidacy of John Kerry. If it worked once it should work again.
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Jeff Goldstein / protein wisdom:
When you care, it's okay to say "controversial" things... (UPDATED) — ... Because, well, sometimes that's the only way you can get people to listen. And we all know that the problem with the message of anti-war ideologues isn't that voters have consistently rejected it (or that, hell …
Discussion:
Patterico's Pontifications, Sweetness & Light, Blue Crab Boulevard, Hot Air, Wizbang, JunkYardBlog and Alternate Brain
Jerusalem Post:
Iran would 'use nuclear defense' — TEHERAN, Iran — Iran's defense minister on Thursday vowed that his country would "use nuclear defense as a potential" if "threatened by any power." — Speaking following a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Hassan Ali Turkmani in Teheran on Thursday …
Michael Barone / Opinion Journal:
Vietnam, Watergate and Rove — Left-wing nostalgia dies hard, but can it survive the events of this week? — It has been a tough 10 days for those who see current events through the prisms of Vietnam and Watergate. First, the Democrats failed to win a breakthrough victory …
Peter Daou / The Grit:
Ann Coulter Identifies John Murtha as a Target for Murder — I posted an extended guest entry on Crooks and Liars earlier today explaining why I think Ann Coulter should not be ignored by the online community. Since Coulter-fatigue is setting in, I'm posting the entire essay below to reiterate …
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Jane Hamsher / Firedoglake:
Marshall Wittmann: Donkey or Ass? — I read your post with interest this morning (via Greg Sargent). As a leading light in the Democratic Party and the DLC we need you now, Marshall. More than ever. You're absolutely right — nobody should listen to us "puerile bloggers and assorted lefties."
Lisa Girion / Los Angeles Times:
U.S. 'Stagflation' Worries Mount — Inflation data and a possible Fed rate hike stir fears of prices rising amid a languishing economy. — With inflation heating up amid the prospect of another interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve, some economists said Wednesday they were beginning …
Hilary Sargent / Senate Majority Project:
Great Moments in Senate Fashion — Rick Santorum (R-PA) pulls off the tricky Great-Gatsby-meets-My-Little- Pony look.
Discussion:
Wonkette