Appeals Court Guts D.C. Gun Ban  —  A federal appellate panel today struck down parts of the District's gun law as unconstitutional, ruling that the city cannot bar people from keeping firearms in their homes.  —  The decision was a victory for six D.C. residents who said they wanted to keep firearms for self-defense.

Democrats Dump Fox  —  The Huffington Post can confirm that the Nevada Democratic Party has decided to back out of a Fox News-sponsored presidential debate in August following Fox President Roger Ailes's recent remarks comparing Democratic Senator Barack Obama to al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.

Insurgent leader nabbed in Iraq raid  —  BAGHDAD - The leader of the al-Qaida-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq was captured Friday in a raid west of Baghdad — his identity revealed by a fellow insurgent detained with him, an Iraqi military spokesman said.  —  Abu Omar al-Baghdadi was captured …

Priests to purify site after Bush visit  —  GUATEMALA CITY - Mayan priests will purify a sacred archaeological site to eliminate "bad spirits" after President Bush visits next week, an official with close ties to the group said Thursday.  —  "That a person like (Bush) …

Obey berates woman over war funding, later apologizes  —  House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) berated a woman who approached him in a Congressional corridor, claiming that "idiot liberals" don't understand the war supplemental spending bill process.

I.R.S. Letting Tax Lawyers Write Rules  —  The Internal Revenue Service is asking tax lawyers and accountants who create tax shelters and exploit loopholes to take the lead in writing some of its new tax rules.  —  The pilot project represents a further expansion of the increasingly common …

National Security Letters...An Important Investigative Tool for the FBI  —  Periodically, media stories appear articulating a sense of concern about the increased use of National Security Letters (NSLs) by the FBI since 9/11.  Civil libertarians and critics of the FBI use these reports …

They're Not in Your Club but They Are in Your League: Firedoglake at the Libby Trial  —  "What happens?  One blog puts more boots on the ground than any commercial news operation.  The writers bring more background, savvy and commitment to the case.  And they dominate in coverage of a big news event.

Naughtywords  —  Yup, I use 'em—and when I do, it's not because I'm so moronic as to lift an image from a Google Search without even paying attention to what it says.  —  In case you can't make out the text, here's a still image in which they're clearer:  —  That's right.

Two Days Of Coolness: My Visit To the Set Of Battlestar Galactica.  —  Long promised, finally here: my posting recounting my visit to the Vancouver set of Battlestar Galactica back on November 30th and December 1st, 2006.  —  Now, before I continue, I'll address the obvious question first …

After Mastering Web Traffic, Google Runs Bus Line  —  MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — The perks of working at Google are the envy of Silicon Valley.  Unlimited amounts of free chef-prepared food at all times of day.  A climbing wall, a volleyball court and two lap pools.