A beautiful mosaic of anti-blogger hatred  —  Various prominent personages share their visceral contempt for blogs:  —  John Yoo at an April 18 Civil Liberties debate (via blogger Roger Ailes): … As Ailes says: "Yoo wishes they never existed because, unlike illegally-detained prisoners …

An Open Declaration of War Against The House Republican Leadership  —  There is only one thing you need to do.  Call John Boehner at (202) 225-4000 and tell him the House GOP will get no support until Ken Calvert is off Appropriations.  —  Dear Readers of RedState,

Bush and Democrats in Accord on Trade Deals  —  The Bush administration reached agreement on Thursday with the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and other Democrats to attach environmental and worker protections in several pending trade accords, clearing the way for early passage of some pacts and improving prospects for others.

Iraqi Lawmakers Back Bill on U.S. Withdrawal  —  A majority of members of Iraq's parliament have signed a draft bill that would require a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. soldiers from Iraq and freeze current troop levels.  The development was a sign of a growing division between Iraq's legislators …

The Assassination of Journalists - Protected by States Secrets  —  I wrote about this two years ago: … <snip> … We now learn that both Keogh and O'Connor have been found guilty: … So, two government officials acting out of their conscience to expose President Bush's plans to bomb journalists are found guilty.

'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' for May 10, 2007  —  Guests: Howard Fineman, John Dean, John Batiste, Craig Crawford, Alex Borstein  —  KEITH OLBERMANN, HOST: Which of these stories will you be talking about tomorrow?  —  In the wake of the visit by the gang of 11, the president picks a peck of Peter Pace's predictions.

U.S. commander in Iraq urges troops to fight fair … BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — America's top military commander in Iraq has sent a letter to troops challenging them to "occupy the moral high ground" after a Pentagon survey showed some service members were reluctant to report the "illegal actions" of fellow personnel.

Poll: Congress' Approval Same As Bush  —  WASHINGTON (AP) - People think the Democratic-led Congress is doing just as dreary a job as President Bush, following four months of bitter political standoffs that have seen little progress on Iraq and a host of domestic issues.

Another Hearing, Another Chance to Say Nothing  —  Alberto Gonzales is not a details guy.  —  During the attorney general's appearance before the House Judiciary Committee yesterday, he was tossed a softball question by Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.), who wanted to know how many lawyers there are in the Justice Department.

How the CIA Failed America  —  George Tenet sets the stage in his memoir by recalling a conversation he claims to have had with me on Sept. 12, 2001: "As I walked beneath the awning that leads to the West Wing[, I] saw Richard Perle exiting the building just as I was about to enter. …

Bloggers could be dead link for Clinton  —  As Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination, her biggest opposition may not come from primary rivals or Republican challengers, but rather from the leftist blog community that often views her as a political punching bag.

The Religion Test  —  John F. Kennedy's election in 1960 was supposed to have laid the "religious question" to rest, yet it arises again with a fury.  What does the Constitution mean when it says there should be no religion test for office?  It plainly means that a candidate can't be barred …

Rudy's Party Or Reagan's?  —  "After months of conflicting signals on abortion, Rudolph W. Giuliani is planning to offer a forthright affirmation of his support for abortion rights in public forums, television appearances and interviews in coming days," writes The New York Times.

U.S.: Terror plot discovered in Germany  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — U.S. authorities say they have discovered a terrorist plot in the advance stages of planning against U.S. citizens or interests in Germany.  —  The plot — which has been planned for some time — included the use of bombs and small arms …

As Gas Prices Rise Again, Democrats Blame Big Oil  —  A week after U.S. gasoline prices hit a near-record $3.05 a gallon, Democrats in Congress are promoting legislation taking aim at the big oil companies, although industry experts say that the efforts aren't likely to have any effect.

Art Critic Obama  —  Britney Spears painting, other work ditched before gallery fundraiser  —  When Barack Obama arrived this week for a campaign fundraiser at a Virginia art gallery, one large painting was covered by a curtain and another had been removed entirely before the Democrat's arrival.

Karl Rove's big election-fraud hoax  —  By evil chance, I spent the Saturday night before Election Day 2000 at a jolly dinner for high-level Republicans.  Most of the talk over the entrees concerned why then-candidate George W. Bush had been too pusillanimous to tell the voters that Al Gore …