The Pope's Words  —  There is more than enough religious anger in the world.  So it is particularly disturbing that Pope Benedict XVI has insulted Muslims, quoting a 14th-century description of Islam as "evil and inhuman."  —  In the most provocative part of a speech this week on …

Behind the Debate, Controversial CIA Techniques  —  President Bush's push this week for legislation that narrowly defines U.S. obligations under the Geneva Conventions is motivated by his aides' conviction that the CIA must continue using a small number of highly controversial interrogation techniques …

We Don't Support Gropers except for Bill Clinton  —  In a recent post, Ann Althouse rightly pokes fun at a picture of a group of left-leaning bloggers who met with and posed with Bill Clinton.  Professor Althouse points out the irony of a female blogger from a "feminist" …

Excommunicate the DLC  —  For some time we have known about the DLC's interest in an independent presidential bid by Michael Bloomberg, so it should not come as a major surprise that the organization is helping New York City's Republican mayor plan his potential campaign.  Andrew Kirtzman has the scoop for WCBS-News.

In a replay of Iraq, a battle is brewing over intelligence on Iran  —  WASHINGTON - In an echo of the intelligence wars that preceded the U.S. invasion of Iraq, a high-stakes struggle is brewing within the Bush administration and in Congress over Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program and involvement in terrorism.

Republican Voters Dismayed by Biggest Spending Rise Since 1990  —  Sept. 15 (Bloomberg) — Republican voters are angry, not for the first time, at big-spending politicians in Washington.  This year, their wrath is aimed at their own party.  —  The Republican-controlled Congress heads …

Who's the Next Target in the Abramoff Probe?  —  Former Ohio Congressman Bob Ney has admitted his role in Washington's influence-peddling scandal, but prosecutors still have other politicians in their sights  —  After months of defiant protestations of innocence about his role …

Intruder killed by nurse was hit man, police say  —  PORTLAND, Oregon (AP) — When Susan Kuhnhausen returned home from work one day earlier this month, she encountered an intruder wielding a claw hammer.  After a struggle, the 51-year-old nurse fended off her attacker by strangling him with her bare hands.

Lebanon Must Disarm Hezbollah, Israeli Foreign Minister Warns  —  The Lebanese government must fully implement a recent U.N. resolution requiring the disarming of the militant Shiite group Hezbollah or Israel will be less reluctant to attack the Lebanese state if Hezbollah resumes hostilities …

Neo-Nazis join quiet march to poll victory  —  THERE was not a skinhead to be seen in this Baltic town at the heart of Germany's neoNazi revival.  No thugs with steel-tipped paratroop boots, no ranting xenophobes.  —  Yet the signs are clear: the far Right is on the march in Eastern Germany.

Los Angeles Times Editor Openly Defies Owner's Call for Job Cuts  —  The editor of The Los Angeles Times appears to be in a showdown with the paper's owner, the Tribune Company, over job cuts in the newsroom.  —  In a highly unusual move, Dean P. Baquet, who was named editor last year …

Hynes to Obama: Run for president  —  Barack Obama's one-time rival for the U.S. Senate wants him to run for president in 2008 — a move that could leave Obama's Senate seat vacant again.  —  State comptroller Dan Hynes, a fellow Democrat whom Obama trounced in the 2004 primary …