LEBANON UPDATE  —  Even though it's Thanksgiving, there is so much going on in Lebanon today that I thought I'd gather some news from around the web and from local Lebanese media to update you on what's happening on this dramatic day.  —  I will add to this post if necessary as the day goes on.

More than 140 killed in Baghdad's Sadr City … BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — A savage string of bombing attacks erupted in Baghdad's Sadr City on Thursday, killing more than 140 people, according to Iraq's health minister.  —  Police told The Associated Press the death toll was expected to rise significantly.

Hastert Scouts for House Role After 8 Years as Speaker  —  Speaker J. Dennis Hastert made history this year when he became the longest-serving Republican in that post.  Now he is about to go into the books again as one of the few House speakers, and the first in almost 50 years, to rejoin the rank and file.

A Bad Omen in Rumsfeld's Firing  —  Donald Rumsfeld, one week after his sacking as secretary of defense, was treated as a conquering hero, accorded one standing ovation after another at the conservative American Spectator magazine's annual dinner in Washington.

Thanksgiving: the White House "Pardoning" Scandal  —  Here's an extra serving of hypocrisy for your Thanksgiving dinner.  —  I think we're all familiar with the big, flashy show that the White House puts on every year when the president pardons his Thanksgiving turkey.

Panel Calls for Big Changes in Medicaid  —  A federal advisory panel says that long-term care for aging baby boomers threatens to bankrupt Medicaid, and it recommends sweeping changes to rein in costs, including greater use of managed care for the sickest Medicaid recipients.

Democrats' Victory Is Felt On K Street  —  The Democrats' takeover of Congress this month has turned official Washington upside down.  —  Labor and environmental representatives, once also-rans in congressional influence, are meeting frequently with Capitol Hill's incoming Democratic leaders.

EPA to Regulate Nanoproducts Sold As Germ-Killing  —  The Environmental Protection Agency has decided to regulate a large class of consumer items made with microscopic "nanoparticles" of silver, part of a new but increasingly widespread technology that may pose unanticipated environmental risks, a government official said yesterday.

K Street happy with Hoyer victory  —  A party held in honor of a new House majority leader is bound to draw a crowd, and space was tight last week on the 10th floor of 101 Constitution Ave., where supporters of Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) gathered to celebrate his victory over John Murtha (D-Pa.).

Ten things to be thankful for this time of year  —  From freedom's march abroad to brave US soldiers, there is much to appreciate.  —  SALT LAKE CITY - For years now, I've made it a practice in this column at Thanksgiving time to list some of the things for which Americans should be grateful.

Alcee Hastings to Dems: Support me — or Michelle Malkin wins  —  It's the left's very own moronic version of "If X doesn't happen, then the terrorists have already won."  With "X" in this case defined as his appointment to the chairmanship of the House Intel Committee and "terrorists" …

A New D.C. Paper Poaches, Encroaches Cross-Platforms  —  Allbritton Communications, which owns seven ABC affiliates, including WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C., now wants to own a newspaper.  —  A newspaper?  Didn't everyone write those old, unprofitable things off?