Book Says Bush Ignored Urgent Warning on Iraq  —  The White House ignored an urgent warning in September 2003 from a top Iraq adviser who said that thousands of additional American troops were desperately needed to quell the insurgency there, according to a new book by Bob Woodward, the Washington Post reporter and author.

Remarks by the President at Bob Riley for Governor Luncheon  —  Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex  —  THE PRESIDENT: Thanks for coming.  It is a joy to be back in Alabama.  And I appreciate your warm welcome.  I am proud to stand with one of the nation's finest governors …

Many Rights in U.S. Legal System Absent in New Bill  —  The military trials bill approved by Congress lends legislative support for the first time to broad rules for the detention, interrogation, prosecution and trials of terrorism suspects far different from those in the familiar American criminal justice system.

Oberstar Fails The Pork Test  —  The House has considered a new Coast Guard appropriation (HR 5681), but they did so under a suspension of the rules.  This parliamentary manuever allows Representatives to undermine the new rule just created that forces them to identify their earmarks in the Congressional Record.

Beltway Democrats are seriously flawed, but the election is still critically important  —  (updated below)  —  Now that the torture and detention bill will become law, it is necessary to focus on the political implications of what happened yesterday and, more broadly, what has been done …

Abramoff Put White House Contacts at 400  —  Disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his colleagues billed their clients for more than 400 contacts with White House officials between 2001 and 2004, according to a report released yesterday by the House Government Reform Committee.

Wonkette smears Michelle again  —  I make this mistake when I do "head transfer" photoshops, too.  You'd be surprised how hard it is to judge the size and how even minor adjustments to it can make the new image look absurd.  Whoever was responsible for the fake Michelle bikini shot shrunk …

Students Start Petition To Remove UNH Professor For 9/11 Views  —  Professor Says Government May Have Had Knowledge Of Attacks  —  DURHAM, N.H. — A small group of students has started a petition to remove a University of New Hampshire professor who believes that Bush administration officials planned …

Iraqi Journalists Add Laws to List of Dangers  —  BAGHDAD — Ahmed al-Karbouli, a reporter for Baghdadiya TV in the violent city of Ramadi, did his best to ignore the death threats, right up until six armed men drilled him with bullets after midday prayers.  —  He was the fourth journalist killed …

Wildlife Waste Is Major Water Polluter, Studies Say  —  Does a bear leave its waste in the woods?  —  Of course.  So do geese, deer, muskrats, raccoons and other wild animals.  And now, such states as Virginia and Maryland have determined that this plays a significant role in water pollution.

Democrats See Strength in Bucking Bush  —  The Democratic vote in the Senate on Thursday against legislation governing the treatment of terrorism suspects showed that party leaders believe that President Bush's power to wield national security as a political issue is seriously diminished.

Squirrels Go On Attack At South Bay Park  —  MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — An aggressive squirrel pounced on a 4-year-old boy in an attack last week in Cuesta Park in Mountain View, Calif.  —  The attack happened as the boy's mother unwrapped a muffin during a picnic.  —  SLIDESHOW: Squirrel Attacks Child

Poll: Weldon, Sestak locked in dead heat  —  The first nonpartisan poll conducted in the 7th Congressional District shows U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon and Democrat Joseph Sestak locked in a statistical dead heat, with less than 40 percent of registered voters believing the Republican incumbent deserves re-election …