AN OPEN LETTER TO CPAC SPONSORS AND ORGANIZERS REGARDING ANN COULTER  —  Conservatism treats humans as they are, as moral creatures possessing rational minds and capable of discerning right from wrong.  There comes a time when we must speak out in the defense of the conservative movement, and make a stand for political civility.

STILL THE BEST CARE ANYWHERE....Following the Washington Post's series on problems at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, attention started to focus on the VA hospital system as well.  Is the VA system in bad shape too?  Does this go to show that government-run healthcare is inherently disastrous?

Wake Up and Smell the Questions  —  We just received a note that two teams will return to court to review a note from the jury.  Whew hew, the media room jumps to life at the chance of doing ... something.  —  The two legal teams appear to have the note.  Some animated discussion.

Senator complained about fired attorney  —  WASHINGTON — The Justice Department said Monday that Republican Sen. Pete Domenici called Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and his deputy four times to complain about a U.S. attorney who claims he was fired for not rushing a corruption probe.

Audio: Hillary, Obama develop southern accents for Selma  —  They were both in town today to commemorate Bloody Sunday.  First up: the Glacier.  Commentary by Matt Drudge, audio courtesy of Jim C. at Drudge Radio Archives.  In fairness to Hillary, if you've ever heard the Gorebot testifyin …

Taiwanese set off 8.1-mile firecracker  —  TAIPEI, Taiwan - Organizers lit up a 8.1-mile string of explosives in a southern Taiwanese county Sunday, hoping to create the world's longest firecracker in a record-setting attempt expected to last two hours.  —  TV footage of the Chinese …

Video: UNC jihadi says "Death to Israel" during court appearance  —  Not the first colorful episode he's had before a judge.  He was there to discuss letters he'd written to the local media about his drive-by jihad.  Quoth his lawyer: … They took him away to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.

The Big Green Fuel Lie  —  George Bush says that ethanol will save the world.  But there is evidence that biofuels may bring new problems for the planet  —  The ethanol boom is coming.  The twin threats of climate change and energy security are creating an unprecedented thirst for alternative energy with ethanol leading the way.

For Rep. Sanchez, a hot-tomato label means a hot potato  —  Pacing next to the desk and U.S. flag in her district office in Garden Grove, the paradox that is Rep. Loretta Sanchez was on full display.  —  The congresswoman ticked off a meaty legislative to-do list: immigration reform …

Basra Raid Finds Dozens Detained by Iraq Spy Unit  —  Iraqi special forces and British troops stormed the offices of an Iraqi government intelligence agency in the southern city of Basra on Sunday, and British officials said they discovered about 30 prisoners, some showing signs of torture.

Shamen on the NHS, it's away with the fairies  —  Tom and Donna (not their real names) are professional shamen.  They teach classes in shamanism at a "foundation", where you can learn "soul retrieval healing", help the dead "continue their journey into the Hereafter", and investigate "the Fairy Kingdom".