France Looks Into bin Laden Death Report  —  PARIS (AP) - The French defense ministry on Saturday called for an internal investigation of the leak of an intelligence document that raises the possibility that Osama bin Laden may have died of typhoid in Pakistan a month ago but said the report of the death remained unverified.

Detainee Deal Comes With Contradictions  —  The compromise reached on Thursday between Congressional Republicans and the White House on the interrogations and trials of terrorism suspects is, legal experts said yesterday, a series of interlocking paradoxes.  —  It would impose new legal standards that it forbids the courts to enforce.

Sure Beats Getting Dan Rather Fired, Huh  —  I stole the title of this entry from Gene Healy, in conversation this evening.  It looks very likely that Radley Balko has saved Cory Maye's life.  I put it that way on purpose.  In fact, it has taken dogged, pro bono legal work by Covington and Burling …

Former Washington Post senior political reporter, Thomas Edsall, with an extremely candid look at mainstream media  —  The Hugh Hewitt Show  —  HH: Welcome to the program now Thomas Edsall, whose new book, Building Red America, has turned a lot of heads.  He's got an article in the New Republic this week.

Abbas says unity effort 'back to zero'  —  CAIRO, Egypt - Efforts to form a Palestinian government acceptable to the West have gone "back to zero," Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday, a day after Hamas said a coalition government that recognizes Israel is unacceptable.

Democrats accuse Steele of 'political identity theft'  —  No, Maryland voters, the printer did not make an error.  Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele's new campaign signs seem to identify him as a Democrat.  —  A "Steele Democrat," they read.  —  The bright blue placards and bumper stickers …

'Democrats Offer a New Direction'  —  We need a Democratic Congress to fight the war on terror — and to end the war on America's families.  Republican policies of the last five years have damaged our economy and failed Americans.  Democrats believe strengthening the middle class is essential …

Afghan Girls, Back in the Shadows  —  Home Classes Proliferate as Anti-Government Insurgents Step Up Attacks on Schools  —  SHEIKHABAD, Afghanistan — In a small, sunlit parlor last week, 20 little girls seated on rush mats sketched a flower drawn on the blackboard.

Unleashing The Beast  —  I have written often about how the Republicans are becoming what they railed against for decades: totalitarians.  Unsurprisingly I suppose, it turns out that what they really hated about Soviet communism was the economics.  The 50 years of ranting about personal liberty …