White House, Joint Chiefs At Odds on Adding Troops  —  The Bush administration is split over the idea of a surge in troops to Iraq, with White House officials aggressively promoting the concept over the unanimous disagreement of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to U.S. officials familiar with the intense debate.

Conservatives fear tax-increase deal  —  The Bush administration has sent signals since last month's elections that the president is prepared to accept some tax increases on upper-income families, worrying congressional Republicans and fiscal conservative watchdogs who say he will compromise …

AP Covering It's Tracks  —  Kind of curious that the AP has taken their response of Nov 28th off their website.  The address that I, along with many other bloggers, linked to is this one.  —  What kind of information was given in that response? … Also they said in that response …

Semper Fly: Marines in Space  —  A proposed suborbital space transport will put boots on the ground anywhere in the world in two hours or less.  But can it overcome huge technological—and political—hurdles?  —  As any battlefield commander will tell you, getting troops to the fight can be as difficult as winning it.

Barry Arrested, Claims He Was Targeted  —  Barry Considers Suit Against D.C., Park Police  —  WASHINGTON — Marion Barry said that he is talking to his lawyers and thinking about suing the D.C. government and the U.S. Park Police after he was stopped, arrested and then released this past Saturday.

Mystery Surfaces Over Apartment of Kofi Annan  —  As Secretary-General Annan prepares to leave his post at the United Nations, a mystery is surfacing surrounding his apartment on Roosevelt Island, subsidized by New York taxpayers, which is still in use by the family of his brother, Kobina Annan.

Iraqi Ex-Minister Escapes Jail in Green Zone  —  Iraq's former electricity minister, the most senior official arrested on corruption charges here, made a brazen escape Sunday afternoon from an Iraqi jail in the heavily fortified Green Zone.  —  There were conflicting reports about how the former official …

Romney against bias to gays despite opposition to gay marriage  —  BOSTON —Gov. Mitt Romney said Monday he opposes discrimination against gays and lesbians despite his ongoing battles to outlaw same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, including a pending lawsuit.

DUKE JUSTICE DEMANDS NIFONG'S REMOVAL  —  This is not the way the system is supposed to operate.  Prosecutors are supposed to be out for justice, not blood; committed to the truth, at all costs, not winning, without more.  —  Prosecutors aren't just morally obliged but legally required …

BREAKING: Cheney On Libby Witness List  —  Hot off the wires from the AP: … Here are the things I'm wondering: (1) Is Cheney going to be called as a regular defense witness, or will they be calling him as a hostile witness to the defense?  —  (2) If Team Libby calls Cheney as a defense witness …

Iraq Insurgents Starve Capital of Electricity  —  Over the past six months, Baghdad has been all but isolated electrically, Iraqi officials say, as insurgents have effectively won their battle to bring down critical high-voltage lines and cut off the capital from the major power plants to the north, south and west.

Poll: Hillary tops McCain, ties Rudy  —  WASHINGTON — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton beats John McCain and ties Rudolph Giuliani in a new Newsweek national poll, a stunning counterpoint to recent surveys showing the former first lady trailing the GOP's dueling presidential frontrunners.

Giuliani's Primary Hurdle  —  Polls Aside, Skeptics Say GOP Won't Nominate a Social Liberal for President  —  His national poll numbers are a dream, he's a major box office draw on the Republican Party circuit, and he goes by the shorthand title "America's Mayor."

Wily 'court jester' is a frequent case-winner  —  Attorney Sy Gaer's courtroom antics are legendary, but the aging veteran of the defense is also known for his legal skills.  —  snesmith@MiamiHerald.com … Ladies and gentleman, Sy Gaer, a little old man who is something of a giant in courthouse circles.

Joseph Barbera, Half of Cartoon Duo, Dies at 95  —  Joseph Barbera, an innovator of animation who teamed with William Hanna to give generations of young television viewers a pantheon of beloved characters, including Tom and Jerry, Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound and the Flintstones, died yesterday at his home in Los Angeles.