End of an Affair  —  WE'RE RELUCTANT to return to the subject of former CIA employee Valerie Plame because of our oft-stated belief that far too much attention and debate in Washington has been devoted to her story and that of her husband, former ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV, over the past three years.

Education Dept. Shared Student Data With F.B.I.  —  The Federal Education Department shared personal information on hundreds of student loan applicants with the Federal Bureau of Investigation across a five-year period that began after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, the agencies said yesterday.

In Latest Push, Bush Cites Risk in Quitting Iraq  —  President Bush said Thursday that withdrawing now from Iraq would leave Americans at risk of terrorist attacks "in the streets of our own cities," and he cast the struggle against Islamic extremists as the costly but necessary successor …

Hezbollah's 'Victory'  —  "We did not think, even 1 percent, that the capture would lead to a war at this time and of this magnitude.  You ask me, if I had known on July 11 . . . that the operation would lead to such a war, would I do it?  I say no, absolutely not."  —  Hezbollah leader, Aug. 27

Highly Enriched Uranium Found at Iranian Plant  —  The global nuclear monitoring agency deepened suspicions on Thursday about Iran's nuclear program, reporting that inspectors had discovered new traces of highly enriched uranium at an Iranian facility.  —  Inspectors have found such uranium …

FBI searches offices of Alaska lawmakers  —  Legislators targeted in five locations as part of 'pending investigation'  —  JUNEAU, Alaska - Federal agents raided the offices of at least six Alaska lawmakers Thursday in a search for any ties between the legislators and a large oil field services company, officials said.

Sen. Clinton Touts Woman for President  —  Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, standing outside an abandoned knitting mill that will become the new home of the National Women's Hall of Fame, said Thursday she hopes America is ready for its first woman president.  —  "It just depends on when and if that happens," the former first lady said.

GOP lags in key races for Senate  —  As the Labor Day weekend launches a final nine weeks of campaigning, USA TODAY/Gallup Polls in five key states show Democrats poised to gain Senate seats but facing an uphill battle to regain control.  —  Democrats seem more likely to carry the House …

What if Bush really was assassinated?  —  Held up by a Secret Service bodyguard in his dying moments after being shot in the stomach, this is President Bush being assassinated.  —  The American leader is surrounded by a crowd of panicking onlookers just seconds after being gunned …

Now is the Time to Act on S. 2590  —  I'm very encouraged to see that all one hundred Senators have now answered the blogosphere's inquiries on the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act.  Now is the time to act.  In September, I will bring S. 2590 to the floor of the Senate for the vote it deserves.

The Army has met its reenlistment goal  —  ...a full month before the end of the fiscal year.  —  The article gives the top billing to the bonuses, of course.  Journos seem to be hard-wired to think that way - as if they could be the only people on the planet motivated by the ideals …

Democrats Target Rumsfeld  —  Lawmakers to Seek a Vote of No Confidence in Defense Secretary  —  Under assault from Republicans on issues of national security, congressional Democrats are planning to push for a vote of no confidence in Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld this month as part …

Defense CEOs doing well since 9/11, study says  —  Average pay has doubled, compared with slight gains at other companies  —  WASHINGTON - The chief executives of corporations making big profits from the war on terror are enjoying far bigger pay increases than CEOs of nondefense companies, according to a study by two liberal groups.

On the Job, Nursing Mothers Find a 2-Class System  —  When a new mother returns to Starbucks' corporate headquarters in Seattle after maternity leave, she learns what is behind the doors mysteriously marked "Lactation Room."  —  Whenever she likes, she can slip away from her desk and behind those doors …

Meth bust highlights Mexican groups' influence  —  Last week, federal officials announced the seizure of 174 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, calling it one of the largest ever on the East Coast.  —  But that's old news.  On Wednesday, the feds announced a bust that doubled that.