USA more pessimistic on Iraq war  —  WASHINGTON — As President Bush weighs changing course in Iraq, Americans are increasingly pessimistic about the war and want most U.S. troops withdrawn within a year, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken Friday through Sunday says.

A devil food is turning our kids into homosexuals  —  There's a slow poison out there that's severely damaging our children and threatening to tear apart our culture.  The ironic part is, it's a "health food," one of our most popular.  —  Now, I'm a health-food guy, a fanatic …

Obama's magic  —  With his rock star visit to New Hampshire, the highflying senator continues to tantalize Democrats with intimations of a White House run — and a buzz not felt in American politics since JFK.  —  Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., acknowledges the crowd at the state Democratic election celebration …

A Dictator's Double Standard  —  Augusto Pinochet tortured and murdered.  His legacy is Latin America's most successful country.  —  AUGUSTO PINOCHET, who died Sunday at the age of 91, has been vilified for three decades in and outside of Chile, the South American country he ruled for 17 years.

Holocaust Deniers and Skeptics Gather in Iran  —  Holocaust deniers and skeptics from around the world gathered at a government-sponsored conference here today to discuss their theories about whether six million Jews were indeed killed by the Nazis during World War II and whether gas chambers existed.

An Exclusive Mini-Interview With Tom DeLay  —  Yesterday, I got together with former Majority Leader Tom DeLay for a short interview.  What follows, is an edited transcript of our discussion.  —  To begin with, let me ask you a question that just about everyone in politics has been asked …

STUDENTS 'LOVE' COP KILLER HONORED AT NEW YORK COLLEGE  —  NEW YORK — New York City college students who share a community room named for an escaped cop killer called the fugitive their hero Tuesday as the school's officials demanded the removal of the honor.

Saudi Ambassador Abruptly Resigns, Leaves Washington  —  Prince Turki al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States, flew out of Washington yesterday after informing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and his staff that he would be leaving the post after only 15 months on the job …

THE SITUATION ROOM  —  President Bush Stops At State Department To Show He's Listening To New Ideas About Iraq; Rumors Say There May Be Some Effort To Get Rid Of Nouri Al-Maliki; Space Shuttle Discovery Docking With International Space Station In Series Of Dangerous Maneuvers …

Iraqis Consider Ways to Reduce Power of Cleric  —  After discussions with the Bush administration, several of Iraq's major political parties are in talks to form a coalition whose aim is to break the powerful influence of the radical Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr within the government, senior Iraqi officials say.

Intelligence panel's 'Phase Two' to be completed next year: Rockefeller  —  The three unreleased sections of the Senate Intelligence Committee's controversial "Phase Two" report on the Bush administration's use of prewar intelligence are headed for circulation next year, incoming Chairman Jay Rockefeller …

Michelle Malkin fiddles while Baghdad burns  —  Warbloggers endured a bleak November, watching their political heroes suffer the loss of both houses of Congress, while President Bush's approval ratings fell toward Nixonian levels, the mainstream media finally conceded the battle for Iraq …

Israel Nuke Comment Sparks Controversy  —  JERUSALEM (AP) - A slip of the tongue by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert about Israel's nuclear policy ballooned into a domestic crisis Tuesday for the Israeli leader, who came under criticism from across the political spectrum.

Gore chases Oscar nod, possible 2008 bid  —  NEW YORK - Al Gore is waging a fierce campaign for recognition and an Oscar statuette for his global warming documentary, while reviving talk that he's pursuing a bigger prize: the presidency.  —  His recent itinerary has been the ultimate in high profile.