Attack on U.S. Embassy foiled … DAMASCUS, Syria (CNN) — Syrian security forces killed four attackers Tuesday outside the U.S. Embassy in Damascus after a car exploded near the walls of the American compound, the Syrian Information Ministry said.  —  There was no claim of responsibility for the attack …

White House Responds to Charge of Politicizing 9/11  —  The White House today dismissed charges by prominent Democrats that President Bush sought to capitalize politically on the Sept. 11 attacks when he addressed the nation on Monday night.  —  "The president was not making partisan remarks …

Reinforce Baghdad  —  We are at a crucial moment in Iraq.  Supporters of the war, like us, have in the past differed over tactics.  But at this urgent pass, there can be no doubt that we need to stop the downward slide in Iraq by securing Baghdad.  —  There is no mystery …

ONE ARAB'S APOLOGY  —  WELL, here it is, five years late, but here just the same: an apology from an Arab-American for 9/11.  No, I didn't help organize the killers or contribute in any way to their terrible cause.  However, I was one of millions of Arab-Americans who did the unspeakable on 9/11: nothing.

President Bush's Reality  —  Last night, President Bush once again urged Americans to take terrorism seriously — a warning that hardly seems necessary.  One aspect of that terrible day five years ago that seems immune to politicization or trivialization is the dread of another attack.

Arkansas Governor: Beebe by 11  —  Beebe (D) 49% Hutchinson (R) 38%  —  For the first time since May, State Attorney General Mike Beebe's lead in the race for Arkansas governor is back to double digits (see crosstabs).  The latest Rasmussen Reports election survey shows Beebe leading Asa Hutchinson 49% to 38%.

Video: Commanders privately express needing 3X more troops  —  U.S. Commanders in Iraq have privately expressed the need for an increase of three times the number of troops currently serving in Iraq, reports Michael Ware of CNN.  Officially, the military continues to say that …

Fears of revenge attacks on stingrays over Irwin death  —  At least ten stingrays have been found dead and mutilated on Australia's eastern coast in the last week in what conservationists believe could be revenge attacks for the death of Steve Irwin, the popular naturalist and television personality.

Stop blaming America for terrorism  —  'Poised as I am, halfway between the two cultures, it was a little strange watching British reactions to events in America last week.  It was a little strange even being in Britain last week.  On Tuesday after hijacked planes had hit targets in Washington …

CONSPIRACY CRANKS  —  CREATING CRAZED '9/11 TRUTH'  —  ON Feb. 7, 2005, I became a member of the Bush/Halliburton/Zionist/CIA/ New World Order/Illuminati conspiracy for world domination.  That day, Popular Mechanics, the magazine I edit, hit newsstands with a story debunking 9/11 conspiracy theories.

Election '06 Briefs: D-Day for Chafee  —  RI Sen: Today's the big day for Lincoln Chafee in Rhode Island.  Expect it to be very close.  Laffey has run an effective outsider campaign, fueled by $700,000 from the Club For Growth.  Chafee, on the other hand, has gotten more than $1 million …

Montgomery to Extend Voting Hours After Election Glitches  —  County Polling Places to Stay Open Until 9 P.M.  —  Polling stations in Montgomery County will remain open until 9 tonight—an hour later than usual—to accommodate voters who were turned away from the polls this morning …

A SCENT OF DREYFUS: A TRAIL OF JIHAD  —  We wander over to place de la République, perhaps the most schizophrenic of all of Paris's major places.  —The Paris Free Voice Magazine, June 1999  —  If Place de la Republique was schizophrenic back in the summer of 1999, then by the autumn of 2000 it was overtly psychopathic.

'Blogosphere' spurs government oversight  —  WASHINGTON — When watchdog groups that monitor federal spending wanted more information on 1,800 "pork barrel" projects buried in a House appropriations bill, they listed them on the Internet and asked readers to dig deeper.  Within days, details began pouring in.

Toronto fest on 'Death' watch  —  Controversial pic inks distrib deals  —  Big buzz has turned into big bucks for controversial film "Death of a President," as Newmarket inked a deal Monday in Toronto to release in U.S. theaters the pic about the fictional assassination of President Bush.

Cheney to stump for GOPer who bullied wife with guns  —  Vice President Dick Cheney will be attending a fundraiser for Rep. Randy Kuhl (R-NY) in late September, today's issue of Roll Call reports.  —  The Vice President and Kuhl have each earned a measure of infamy for incidents involving firearms.

In Unpredictable District, Some Say Bush Is Politicizing Terrorism  —  Leaving services Sunday morning at Faith Bible Chapel, an evangelical megachurch, Jim McBride, a pilot who served in Vietnam, said he was not happy with President Bush's handling of Iraq.

Bill Clinton Meets Bloggers  —  Why would I fly to New York for a day?  Because former President Bill Clinton invited a group of progressive, Democrat bloggers in for a 2 hour roundtable meeting at his Harlem office.  It was awesome.  More later, including a list of all the bloggers there …