Rice Deputy Quits After Query Over Escort Service  —  Randall Tobias Oversaw U.S. Foreign Aid Programs  —  Randall L. Tobias, the deputy secretary of state responsible for U.S. foreign aid, abruptly resigned yesterday after he was asked about an upscale escort service allegedly involved in prostitution, U.S. government sources said.

The Reeds and Brass Have Been Weaving  —  Often people, usually in the course of needing to explain the almighty power of blogs to people who don't get it, want to describe blogs in terms of specific tangible successful events.  You know, "blogs took down Trent Lott," and whatnot.

Clinton Campaign Tries to Keep Heat on Obama Over Debate Response  —  The first Democratic presidential debate did little to change the shape of the 2008 race, but it provided a post-debate flash point Friday between the campaigns of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton …

Rebuilt Iraq Projects Found Crumbling  —  In a troubling sign for the American-financed rebuilding program in Iraq, inspectors for a federal oversight agency have found that in a sampling of eight projects that the United States had declared successes, seven were no longer operating as designed …

Political Appointees No Longer to Pick Justice Interns  —  The Justice Department is removing political appointees from the hiring process for rookie lawyers and summer interns, amid allegations that the Bush administration had rigged the programs in favor of candidates with connections …

Balancing the Prophet  —  Ever since the Crusades, people in the west have seen the prophet Muhammad as a sinister figure.  During the 12th century, Christians were fighting brutal holy wars against Muslims, even though Jesus had told his followers to love their enemies, not to exterminate them.

Former C.I.A. Chief's Memoir Irritates Some High-Ranking Readers  —  In January 2002, George J. Tenet, the man who oversaw all American spy agencies, was asked by a visiting Italian intelligence official what he knew about United States officials making contact with exiled Iranian opposition figures.

Done  —  Today is going to be the day that I've been dreading for quite sometime now.  Today is the day I walk away from this blog.  Done.  Finished.  —  There are many reasons, each would take a post to list, and I just do not have the energy to list them.

Defra in storm over discredited EU carbon plan  —  The government department spearheading Britain's effort to reduce carbon output is driving companies and individuals towards paying for emissions cuts that do not take place.  —  The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs …

Sen. Durbin Drops Bombshells on the Senate Floor  —  Senator Dick Durbin, who was on the Senate Intelligence Committee during the lead up to the war, fills us in on what was going on behind the intel scenes in 2002-2003 and how accurately it matched up with what we were being told publicly.

U.S. Proposal Would Allow Oil Drilling Off Virginia  —  Five-Year Plan Would Also Open Alaskan, Gulf Waters  —  The Interior Department will announce a proposal Monday to allow oil and gas drilling in federal waters near Virginia that are currently off-limits and permit new exploration …

Mr. Obama's Worldview  —  BARACK OBAMA, who has been chided for failing to supplement his inspiring rhetoric as a presidential candidate with substantive stands on issues, took an important step this week toward correcting the deficiency.  In a 40-minute address to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs …