'We Can't Afford to Leave'  —  As the debate over Iraq intensifies, leading Democrat Silvestre Reyes is calling for the deployment of more U.S. troops.  —  Dec. 5.  2006 - In a surprise twist in the debate over Iraq, Rep. Silvestre Reyes, the soon-to-be chairman of the House Intelligence Committee …

On a Wing and a Prayer  —  Grievance theater at Minneapolis International Airport. … Those are the words that started it all.  Six bearded imams are said to have shouted them out while offering evening prayers as they and 141 other passengers waited at the gate for their flight out of Minneapolis International Airport.

Culture Shock on Capitol Hill: House to Work 5 Days a Week  —  Forget the minimum wage.  Or outsourcing jobs overseas.  The labor issue most on the minds of members of Congress yesterday was their own: They will have to work five days a week starting in January.  —  The horror.

Mary Cheney and Partner Are About to Be Moms  —  Mary Cheney, the vice president's openly gay daughter, is pregnant.  She and her partner of 15 years, Heather Poe, are "ecstatic" about the baby, due in late spring, said a source close to the couple.  —  It's a baby boom for grandparents Dick …

Why Big George Broke Down Sobbing Today Over Medium George  —  Down in Florida today, in case you missed it, Bush #I broke into tears while talking about his elder son Jeb's stoicism in the face of an election defeat—back in 1994.  —  Why break down and cry about that little piece of ancient history?

The 2006 Weblog Awards Finalists Announced  —  Below are the finalists in The 2006 Weblog Awards, presented in both category and alphabetical order.  Finalist badges are available now and voting is scheduled to begin Thursday. … Cateogory Listing of The 2006 Weblog Awards Finalists:  —  Best Blog

ERRORS, OMISSIONS, INVENTIONS AND FALSEHOODS  —  A reader writes that he received the email message below sent by Professor Kenneth Stein of Emory University and the Carter Center.  Professor Stein's expertise lies in the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The Nomination Hearing for Robert M. Gates  —  Following is the transcript of the session of nomination hearing for Robert M. Gates as provided by Federal News Service.  —  SEN. WARNER: Good morning, everyone.  —  Dr. Gates, I think I can safely say on behalf of the citizens of our country …

The Trippy Dream Factory of David Lynch  —  There are, in the movies, few places creepier to spend time than in David Lynch's head.  It is a head where the wild things grow, twisting and spreading like vines, like fingers, and taking us in their captive embrace.

Cavuto to Krugman: 'You Are Lying To People'  —  Princeton economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman went on Fox News this afternoon to talk about his new article in Rolling Stone Magazine, "How the Super-Rich Are Screwing America."  —  Krugman's article is about how income inequality …

Build It Up  —  "[We have] leaks and even the occasional icicle from my computer lab ceiling, asbestos coming up off the floor, the exterior walls are crumbling.  We feel forgotten ...." —a Minnesota technology coordinator  —  "Our school has been built on a former landfill. …

Spam Doubles, Finding New Ways to Deliver Itself  —  Hearing from a lot of new friends lately?  You know, the ones that write "It's me, Esmeralda," and tip you off to an obscure stock that is "poised to explode" or a great deal on prescription drugs.  —  You're not the only one.

Muslim woman cites gym after interrupted prayer  —  Dearborn resident says her complaint to Fitness USA manager about patron went unheeded.  —  DEARBORN — Fitness USA, a gym chain, is investigating an alleged civil rights violation involving a local Muslim woman who says her afternoon prayer …