Why the Gore Story Matters  —  As the controversy over global warming doomsayer Al Gore's voracious energy-eater mansion rolls on, there's an angle I think merits deeper investigation than it is currently getting.  While much of the focus has been on whether or not Gore is an environmental hypocrite …

U.S. Set to Join Iran and Syria in Talks on Iraq  —  American officials said Tuesday that they had agreed to hold the highest-level contact with the Iranian authorities in more than two years as part of an international meeting on Iraq.  —  The discussions, scheduled for the next two months …

Political interference alleged in sacking of a U.S. attorney  —  WASHINGTON - The U.S. attorney from New Mexico who was recently fired by the Bush administration said Wednesday that he believes he was forced out because he refused to rush an indictment in an ongoing probe of local Democrats …

Walter Reed patients told to keep quiet  —  Soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center's Medical Hold Unit say they have been told they will wake up at 6 a.m. every morning and have their rooms ready for inspection at 7 a.m., and that they must not speak to the media.

For Want of a Dentist  —  George's Boy Dies After Bacteria From Tooth Spread to Brain  —  Twelve-year-old Deamonte Driver died of a toothache Sunday.  —  A routine, $80 tooth extraction might have saved him.  —  If his mother had been insured.  —  If his family had not lost its Medicaid.

Washington: Hiding behind titles  —  One of the most peculiar artifices of the White House is the "senior administration official.''  —  This is the official who provides all sorts of background information and insight into the White House's thinking on policies and practices for reporters …

Republicans Set to Block Jefferson's Appointment to Homeland Security Panel  —  Republicans plan to force a floor vote on Rep. William Jefferson's move to the Homeland Security Committee in an unprecedented maneuver to force Democrats to go on the record supporting their embattled colleague …

Defending His Country, but Not Its 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Policy  —  Once a Marine, always a Marine.  That pretty much sums up the life of retired Sgt. Eric Alva, who was sworn into the Marine Corps at 19, stationed in Somalia and Japan and lost his right leg when he stepped on a land mine on March 21 …

Going it alone because we have to  —  Unless allies spend more on defense, the U.S. will continue to act unilaterally out of necessity.  —  TONY BLAIR'S decision to withdraw 1,600 troops from Iraq is understandable.  The prime minister had to make a difficult decision about where to allocate …

Bill would mandate nicer term for illegals  —  TALLAHASSEE — A state legislator whose district is home to thousands of Caribbean immigrants wants to ban the term "illegal alien" from the state's official documents.  —  "I personally find the word 'alien' offensive when applied to individuals …

THE ROYAL PASTY THAT'S UNHEALTHIER THAN A BIG MAC  —  He's a tireless champion of organic farming and healthy eating.  —  So it was perhaps no surprise when Prince Charles launched an attack on the fast-food industry.  —  But when he went as far as suggesting that McDonald's should be banned …

An Editor's Confession: I'm the Source of 'Slow Bleed'  —  With a mixture of pride and remorse, I have a confession: I am the author of the Democratic Party's "slow-bleed strategy" for ending the war in Iraq.  —  I had nothing to do with the details of the plan that Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.) floated two weeks ago.

Some push for Huckabee to run for Senate, not president  —  Though his long-shot presidential campaign is still in its early stages, some wish former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee would drop his national aspirations and return home to wage what they see as a vital campaign against Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) in 2008 instead.

Iran to Take Part in Iraq Security Conference  —  The top Iranian national security official, Ali Larijani, indicated Wednesday that Iranian officials would probably take part in a regional security conference on Iraq next month, which would include the first high-level diplomatic contacts between American …

Dominion of Canada: Marty Peretz Sells Last New Republic Share  —  It feels like a burden has been lifted from me," Martin Peretz said on Feb. 27.  —  It feels like a burden has been lifted from me," Martin Peretz said on Feb. 27.  —  For the first time in three decades, Mr. Peretz, 68, no longer owns a stake in The New Republic.

VIDEO COMPILATION: Matthews Obsessed With Clinton Sex Speculation  —  MSNBC host Chris Matthews is obsessed with Bill Clinton's sex life.  Over the last four weeks, Matthews has incessantly raised baseless speculation that President Clinton may have an extramarital affair or engage …