Analysis: CIA program expands Bush's power  —  WASHINGTON - A secret CIA-Treasury program to track financial records of millions of Americans is the latest installment in an expansion of executive authority in the name of fighting terrorism.  The administration doesn't apologize …

The Daily Kos: Arresting Terrorists Is Just A Way To "Change The Focus"  —  Over at the Daily Kos, there's a recommended diary at krazypuppy, that explains that the terrorist ring down in Miami was busted — get ready for this — in order to distract people from John Kerry's attempts to cut'n'run in Iraq.

Lone Democrat in Bush Cabinet Is Departing  —  Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, who oversaw the tightening of airport security after the 2001 terrorist attacks and is the lone Democrat in President Bush's Cabinet, will step down early next month, the White House announced yesterday.

Executive Order: Protecting the Property Rights of the American People  —  By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to strengthen the rights of the American people against the taking of their private property, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Clinton Says GOP Blindly Follows Bush  —  She Calls an Open Debate on the Iraq War More Important Than Party Unity  —  One day after suffering a pair of defeats on the Senate floor, Democratic leaders argued yesterday that their internal divisions over Iraq will help push the country toward …

A MESSAGE FROM TNR'S LIEBERMAN-LOVING NEOCON OWNER:  —  Forgive me.  But I never read Daily Kos until today.  Well, now that I've read it, the first thought that came to me is how illiterate Kos is, just plain illiterate.  There has been other not-with-a-pick-axe-but-with-a- bludgeon left-wing journalism …

Television producer Aaron Spelling dies  —  LOS ANGELES, California (AP) — Aaron Spelling, a onetime movie bit player who created a massive number of hit series, from the vintage "Charlie's Angels" and "Dynasty" to "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Melrose Place," died Friday, his publicist said.  He was 83.

Patterico on Times reporters: Lock 'em up  —  He wants them subpoenaed to find out who leaked the bank info, and then, after the leakers are put away, it's their turn at the defense table.  —  I think he's kidding himself.  Not on the law, but as a political matter.

New intel report reignites Iraq arms fight  —  WASHINGTON - Hundreds of chemical weapons found in Iraq were produced before the 1991 Gulf War and probably are so old they couldn't be used as designed, intelligence officials said Thursday.  —  Two lawmakers — Sen. Rick Santorum (news, bio …

ATHEISM FOR DECEPTIVE A**HOLE FUNDIES  —  Stop me if you're shocked: as far as the Christies are concerned, the Raving Atheist has decided to shut his yammering trap: … Instead, he will limit his raving to attacks on women's rights.  —  As you might recall, Amanda wrote …

Ex-DIA analyst admits passing secrets to China  —  A former Defense Intelligence Agency analyst has pleaded guilty to illegally holding classified documents and admitted in a plea agreement to passing "top secret" information to Chinese intelligence officials.

Mondale: Force an option for stopping North Korea  —  Former Vice President Walter Mondale says he supports a pre-emptive U.S. strike against a North Korean missile that is raising nuclear fears around the globe.  —  Earlier this week North Korea announced it was preparing to test a missile that could reach United States mainland.