Edwards's Bloggers Cross the Line, Critic Says  —  Two bloggers hired by John Edwards to reach out to liberals in the online world have landed his presidential campaign in hot water for doing what bloggers do — expressing their opinions in provocative and often crude language.

Global warming debate spurs Ore. title tiff  —  In the face of evidence agreed upon by hundreds of climate scientists, George Taylor holds firm.  He does not believe human activities are the main cause of global climate change.  —  Taylor also holds a unique title: State Climatologist.

Baghdad Push Begins, U.S. Military Says  —  The long-awaited Baghdad security operation has begun, the top United States military spokesman in Iraq said today, also confirming that a transport helicopter had come down near Baghdad.  He declined to comment on any casualties.

Bill Banning iPods In Crosswalks Slated For Albany  —  State Sen. Kruger: Electronic Devices Put Many In Danger  —  (CBS) NEW YORK First it was cell phones in cars, then trans fats.  Now, a new plan is on the table to ban gadget use while crossing city streets.

Senate Dems to try again on the 'surge'  —  As Senate Democrats seek votes on capping troop numbers and funding for Iraq, they may use the pending bill on the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission as a vehicle.  That would set up a replay of the debate over funding for troops that this week derailed …

Matthews drops the F-bomb.  —  Once again allowing his emotions to get the better of him, Hardball host Chris Matthews told Don Imus this morning that he's "so sick of Southern guys with ranches running this country.  I want a guy to run for President who doesn't have a f**king — I'm sorry, a ranch."

Iran Considers Gasoline Rationing  —  Sitting on a mountain of oil, the Iranians move toward gas rationing.  —  IRANIANS are among the world's biggest consumers of gasoline because the product is kept at an artificially low price through government subsidies.

Libby Live: Tim Russert, One  —  Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be live-bloggers.  Trying to keep up with the tapes of rapid-fire Fitz and soft-spoken Scooter was no fun.  But now we're back in the world of live witnesses, who hopefully will pause for breath more often ...

WE DO USE BOOKS THAT CALL JEWS 'APES' ADMITS HEAD OF ISLAMIC SCHOOL  —  The principal of an Islamic school has admitted that it uses textbooks which describe Jews as "apes" and Christians as "pigs" and has refused to withdraw them.  —  Dr Sumaya Alyusuf confirmed that the offending books exist …

Wal-Mart and a Union Unite, at Least on Health Policy  —  They have established one of the fiercest rivalries in the American economy, attacking one another's organizations through dueling blogs, newspaper advertisements and news conferences.  —  But this morning, in an extraordinary meeting in Washington …

Giuliani speaking fees draw scrutiny  —  Firm headed by `America's mayor' challenged in court  —  WASHINGTON — As Rudolph Giuliani prepares to run for the nation's highest public office based on his image as the heroic take-charge mayor of New York in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks …

Pelosi's push for jet remains up in air  —  The Bush administration has agreed to provide House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with regular access to an Air Force passenger jet, but the two sides are negotiating whether she will get the big aircraft she wants and who she may take as passengers …