N.Y. Times: Al-Qaeda Gaining Strength in Pakistan, Waziristan Accord Has Failed  —  A report in today's New York Times discusses American intelligence and counterterrorism officials' view that al-Qaeda's senior leadership has "re-established significant control" over the worldwide terror network.

Maryland to Unveil the Page That Began a New Chapter  —  George Washington's Resignation Speech Left the U.S. Military in Civilians' Hands  —  It was a speech so moving the crowd wept.  It was a speech so personally important George Washington's hand shook as he read it until he had to hold the paper still with both hands.

George Bush Doesn't Care About Wounded Vets  —  Shakes:  —  And that's only the beginning of the abject horror wounded veterans are facing during life as "outpatients" at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, some of whom "have been stuck there for as long as two years."  Black mold invades the walls.

Murtha in Command  —  After 16 undistinguished terms in Congress, Rep. John P. Murtha at long last felt his moment had arrived.  He could not keep quiet the secret Democratic strategy that he had forged for the promised "second step" against President Bush's Iraq policy (after the "first step" …

In Limbo in Washington, McCain Comes Alive in Iowa  —  Campaigning for Conservatives, He Plays Up Fiscal Discipline  —  Former Texas senator Phil Gramm was wrapping up his introduction in Des Moines on Saturday morning when a white-haired man wearing gray slacks and a big …

Militants Attack U.S. Base in Iraq  —  In a coordinated assault on an American combat outpost north of Baghdad, suicide bombers drove three cars laden with explosives into the base, killing two American soldiers and wounding at least 17 more, according to witnesses and the American military.

HEAVENLY DEAL  —  SIRIUS, XM SET TO CONFIRM MERGER PLAN TODAY  —  Satellite radio operators Sirius and XM are expected to announce their long-awaited merger today, according to a source familiar with the deal.  —  The two sides were locked in negotiations over the weekend trying to hammer …

Some mull idea of Sen. Bill Clinton  —  WASHINGTON - If Hillary Rodham Clinton wins the presidency, some top Democrats would like to see her husband, former President Bill Clinton, appointed to serve out Hillary's unexpired Senate term.  —  "As a senator, he'd be a knockout," said Harold Ickes …

Reid: Iraq war 'worst foreign policy mistake' in U.S. history … WASHINGTON (CNN) — After months of heated rhetoric slamming President Bush's Iraq policy, the Senate's top Democrat moved into new terrain by declaring the Iraq war a worse blunder than Vietnam.  —  "This war is a serious situation.

Iraqi Sunni Lands Show New Oil and Gas Promise  —  In a remote patch of the Anbar desert just 20 miles from the Syrian border, a single blue pillar of flanges and valves sits atop an enormous deposit of oil and natural gas that would be routine in this petroleum-rich country except for one fact: this is Sunni territory.

Global-warming theory and the eugenics precedent  —  "Global Warming" had a precursor in capturing the hearts and minds of the world.  Michael Crichton, in his novel "State of Fear," brilliantly juxtaposes the world's current political embrace of "global warming" with the popular embrace of the "science" of eugenics a century ago.

Making Martial Law Easier  —  A disturbing recent phenomenon in Washington is that laws that strike to the heart of American democracy have been passed in the dead of night.  So it was with a provision quietly tucked into the enormous defense budget bill at the Bush administration's behest …

MTP Transcript for Feb. 18, 2007  —  MR. TIM RUSSERT: Our issues this Sunday: The House says no to the Bush plan for more troops in Iraq.  And the president sends a message to Iran.  —  (Videotape):  —  PRES. GEORGE W. BUSH: We do know that they're there and I intend to do something about it.

Diane Sawyer, On the Ground And in High Gear  —  Eight days ago, amid shouts of "Death to America!," Diane Sawyer waded into a huge demonstration in Tehran and asked a group of boys, "Do you not like me?"  They thought for a moment and switched to "Death to George Bush!"

My Conversation With McCain Recall Organizer Leonard Clark  —  I have spoken twice with anti-Iraq War veteran and in my humble opinion, hero, Leonard Clark.  First we rapped on the phone, and then through email.  I wrote up a piece last night about how we need more Leonard Clarks on our side.