How the left led us into 9/11  —  The Clinton and Carter administrations made the U.S. look like a weak, attractive target for terrorists.  —  In considering a funding cutoff for U.S. troops in Iraq, the liberal leadership in Congress runs the risk of making the United States more vulnerable …

Chinese Satellite Test Draws Sharp Protest From Other Nations  —  The Chinese military used a ground-based missile to hit and destroy one of its aging satellites orbiting more than 500 miles in space last week, an apparent test of anti-satellite technology that raised concerns about a possible arms race …

Spy Court's Orders Stir Debate on Hill  —  The Bush administration quickly locked horns with Democratic lawmakers yesterday over its revised domestic wiretap program, signaling that the government will probably oppose efforts to release new court orders from a clandestine court that now governs the spying.

Exclusive: Pelosi Won't Block Iraq Funding to Stop Troop Surge  —  Tells ABC News' Diane Sawyer Bush "Has to Answer for This War"  —  There may be a growing battle between Congress and the president over the Iraq War strategy, but new House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said she won't block funding for additional troops.

Mahdi Army expressing siege mentality  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq - Mahdi Army fighters said Thursday they were under siege in their Sadr City stronghold as U.S. and Iraqi troops killed or seized key commanders in pinpoint nighttime raids.  Two commanders of the Shiite militia said Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki …

Potomac High  —  The earnest straight-A student.  The mysterious newcomer.  The guys who love to hear themselves talk.  No, it's not the pep rally.  It's the Democratic primary.  —  Jan. 18, 2007 - You knew Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in high school.  At least I did.

Republicans Halt Ethics Legislation  —  Senate Republicans scuttled broad legislation last night to curtail lobbyists' influence and tighten congressional ethics rules, refusing to let the bill pass without a vote on an unrelated measure that would give President Bush virtual line-item-veto power.

BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY TO ALLOW REBUTTAL AFTER CARTER SPEECH  —  WASHINGTON — Former President Jimmy Carter won't go unchallenged after his appearance next week at Brandeis University, where he is lecturing on his latest book about what he terms the Palestinian apartheid by Israel.

Don't mention the war (or bash Bush)  —  Look, we realize that the White House Correspondents Association dinner is a "fun" event, and it would be nice, in theory, to free it from the shackles of the supposed adversarial relationship between the press corps and the president it covers.

Taking Power, Sharing Cereal  —  SOME of the most powerful Democrats in America are split over a most incendiary household issue: rodents.  —  "I once had to pick up a mouse by the tail that Durbin refused to pick up," complained Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York, referring to his roommate Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois.

Miracle Cancer Drug: 'Shrinks Tumors, Costs $2, Can't Get Funding'  —  Edmonton, AB (AHN) - It is expected there would be no problems securing funding to explore a drug that could shrink cancerous tumors and has no side-effects in humans, but University of Alberta researcher Evangelos Michelakis …

The Waiting Room, Fifth Cuppa  —  (Painting by Vincent Van Gogh, The Starry Night.)  —  Via a call from Digby, I can now officially report that Jane is out of surgery and her surgeon says that she is doing very well — she's strong, she's a fighter, and thus far, she's having no complications …

An Impartial Interrogation of George W. Bush  —  The Nation — I'm glad to be back at the National Press Club.  Indeed, at the age of eighty-four, I'm glad to be anywhere.  In my younger years when the subject of aging came up, trying to sound worldly wise, I would say …

No Blank Check on Iran  —  The Iraq Study Group recommended that the Bush Administration engage Iran.  Instead, the Administration chose to threaten it.  —  In recent weeks President Bush attacked Iran in a speech announcing his escalation in Iraq, deployed a second naval battleship …

House Democrats finish '100 hours' agenda by passing oil revenue bill  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — House Democrats brought their "100-hour" legislative agenda to a successful close Thursday evening with passage of legislation designed to force oil and gas companies to pay more royalties …