Democrats Step Up Criticism of Iraq Plan  —  As the contours emerge of President Bush's expected plan to increase troop levels in Iraq, Congressional Democrats, who now hold the power to restrain military spending for the war, sharpened their opposition today — and revealed their internal divisions.

Gas Smelled Over Large Area Of Manhattan  —  NEW YORK — People over a large part of New York City are smelling a gas, but no cause has been identified.  —  Numerous people have called 911 concerned about the odor.  Con Edison, the Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard are investigating.

War Could Last Years, Commander Says  —  The new American operational commander in Iraq said Sunday that even with the additional American troops likely to be deployed in Baghdad under President Bush's new war strategy it might take another "two or three years" for American and Iraqi forces to gain the upper hand in the war.

Tax Cuts Offer Most for Very Rich, Study Says  —  Families earning more than $1 million a year saw their federal tax rates drop more sharply than any group in the country as a result of President Bush's tax cuts, according to a new Congressional study.  —  The study, by the nonpartisan …

Slimmer Time in the Age of the Internet  —  Richard Stengel, the managing editor of Time, took his wife and kids out to dinner Friday night.  —  As historic moments go, not a big deal, but it does reflect a seismic change.  Time magazine, which has been coming out every Monday for over 36 years, hit the streets on Friday instead.

This is "new"?  —  Second coat of lipstick, meet pig.  Haven't we been here before? … Let's see, we've got benchmarks (nee "milestones").  We've got no discernible penalties in the [inevitable] event the Iraqis fail to meet said benchmarks, only the Administration's swearing on Saddam Hussein's noose that there will be penalties.

Will Bush back lifting payroll tax cap?  —  More than the ascension of Nancy Pelosi & Co. was disturbing congressional Republicans last week.  They ask this question: Will President Bush embrace a tax increase that would produce potential economic disaster and guaranteed political catastrophe?

Free-Market Justice  —  SIXTEEN years as a state trial judge have left me with a deep respect for the professionalism and competence of the public defenders who handle felony cases for indigent criminal defendants in my courtroom.  In fact, I've told friends, only half-jokingly …

VIDEO FLASHBACK: Bush Says Sending More Troops To Iraq Would 'Undermine Our Strategy'  —  On Wednesday night, President Bush is expected to announce plans to escalate the war in Iraq by sending more U.S. troops.  On June 28, 2005 — just 18 months ago — Bush said that sending more troops to Iraq would …

As Obesity Fight Hits Cafeteria, Many Fear a Note From School  —  Cassie Allen, 15, left, says other children have called her "anorexic."  Holly Berguson, 17, center, says "who you are" counts more than how you look.  Karlind Dunbar, 6, has been anxious about eating, her mother says.

Big Lizards: Media Matters In the Meme Streets of Baghdad - 1  —  This post is by the lizards (mostly Sachi), not by our dearest Michelle; the host is on holiday somewhere — I think she said Akron, but the connection was bad.  —  The Iraq war — indeed, the larger GWOJ (global war against jihadism) …

Intel: A Writer's Blocked  —  A CIA panel has told former officer Valerie Plame she can't write about her undercover work for the agency, a position that may threaten a lucrative book project with her publisher.  Plame's outing as a CIA officer in July 2003 triggered a criminal probe …

Bush $1bn jobs plan to draw Iraqis into fold  —  President George Bush will this week announce a renewed reconstruction package for Iraq costing up to $1bn (£500m) and a fresh push by a reinforced Iraqi army to quell the insurgency in Baghdad to sweeten the pill of his decision to dispatch …

Talks with radicals called key to ending violence  —  U.S. must negotiate with insurgents and militias, experts say  —  As President Bush prepares this week to announce a new plan for the war in Iraq, doubts are growing in Baghdad and among some international analysts over whether U.S. attempts …