U.S. Is Detaining Iranians Caught in Raids in Iraq  —  The American military is holding at least four Iranians in Iraq, including men the Bush administration called senior military officials, who were seized in a pair of raids late last week aimed at people suspected of conducting attacks …

Legendary Singer James Brown Dies at 73  —  James Brown, the dynamic, pompadoured "Godfather of Soul," whose rasping vocals and revolutionary rhythms made him a founder of rap, funk and disco as well, died early Monday, his agent said.  He was 73.  —  Brown was hospitalized with pneumonia …

What's Wrong With Cinderella?  —  I finally came unhinged in the dentist's office — one of those ritzy pediatric practices tricked out with comic books, DVDs and arcade games — where I'd taken my 3-year-old daughter for her first exam.  Until then, I'd held my tongue.

The Freshman  —  Q: As a 60-year-old novelist, screenwriter and military man who served in the Reagan administration but had never run for elected office, you beat the incumbent, George Allen, for a Senate seat from Virginia this year.  Have you seen him since the election?

10 myths — and 10 truths — about atheism  —  SEVERAL POLLS indicate that the term "atheism" has acquired such an extraordinary stigma in the United States that being an atheist is now a perfect impediment to a career in politics (in a way that being black, Muslim or homosexual is not).

DeLay bound for D.C. to lobby for conservatives, but some say no thanks  —  Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay is about to return to the Washington political scene as a high-profile operative for the American Conservative Union if his negotiations with group Chairman David Keene are successfully completed.

Joyeux (Belated) Festivus!  —  Sorry I wasn't home to celebrate Festivus with everyone yesterday evening, but I was at a family food and Christmas fest that went a bit longer than expected.  But frankly, who can get enough?  The fact that a comedy bit from a Seinfeld show (episode #166) …