Ex-Aide Says Gonzales Was Involved in Firings  —  The former chief of staff to Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales testified today that contrary to Mr. Gonzales's earlier assertions, the attorney general was involved in discussions to fire United States attorneys.

Britain takes case against Iran to U.N.  —  UNITED NATIONS - Britain took its case to free its 15 sailors and marines held by Iran to the United Nations on Thursday, asking the Security Council to support a statement that would "deplore" Tehran's action and demand their immediate release.

EXCLUSIVE: Rudy Giuliani 'Couldn't Have A Better Adviser' Than Wife Judith  —  Judith and Rudy Giuliani Talk to Barbara Walters About Their Controversial Relationship and His Presidential Campaign  —  In an interview with Barbara Walters, former New York City Mayor and presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani …

Senate OKs war bill with Iraq timeline  —  WASHINGTON - Senate Democrats ignored a veto threat and pushed through a bill Thursday requiring President Bush to start withdrawing troops from "the civil war in Iraq," dealing a rare, sharp rebuke to a wartime commander in chief.

Evil Americans, Poor Mullahs  —  Forty-eight percent of Germans think the United States is more dangerous than Iran, a new survey shows, with only 31 percent believing the opposite.  Germans' fundamental hypocrisy about the US suggests that it's high time for a new bout of re-education.

Democrats Fail to Impress in First 100 Days  —  Government Faulted on Vets' Care, Military Ratings Slip Post-Walter Reed  —  Summary of Findings  —  Also inside...  Reps see McCain, Giuliani and Romney as more moderate than "self"  —  Hillary and Obama Backers differ little on Iraq

Income Gap Is Widening, Data Shows  —  Income inequality grew significantly in 2005, with the top 1 percent of Americans — those with incomes that year of more than $348,000 — receiving their largest share of national income since 1928, analysis of newly released tax data shows.

Moderate American Muslim gives a challenging response to the six imams  —  Dr. Zuhdi Jasser of Phoenix was deeply troubled after 9/11.  A Muslim, he saw his faith threatened by extremists seeking to hijack it for political ends.  "Islam is a spiritual path," he says.

MCCAIN STANDS IN THE GAP  —  Let's put aside for a moment McCain/Feingold and the right's other grievances against John McCain.  When it comes to the war on terror, is he the Lincoln of our time?  McCain has now launched a petition drive, under the name Surrender Is Not an Option.  McCain says:

Sampson Suggested Removing Fitzgerald  —  Here's Kyle Sampson's testimony about suggesting to White House counsel Harriet Miers and deputy White House counsel Bill Kelley that they remove U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.  —  Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) asks if Fitzgerald was ever considered for removal?

Culture Of Corruption, Democrat Style  —  The new Congress has barely made it past its start before a new face has been put on lobbyist influence.  Dianne Feinstein, the senior Senator from California, has resigned her leadership position on a subcommittee which put billions of dollars into her family's business (via QandO):

Bush's long history of tilting Justice  —  The administration began skewing federal law enforcement before the current U.S. attorney scandal, says a former Department of Justice lawyer.  —  THE SCANDAL unfolding around the firing of eight U.S. attorneys compels the conclusion …