Blasts Destroy Remnants of Samarra Shiite Shrine  —  Early morning blasts Wednesday destroyed two minarets at the same Shiite shrine in Samarra where an attack last year demolished the mosque's gilded dome and plunged the country into a wave of deadly sectarian violence.

Rivals try to deflate F. Thompson campaign  —  Fred Thompson has had a relatively easy ride as he has flirted with a bid for the Republican presidential nomination.  His strategists have found traction promoting him as the heir to Ronald Reagan — and a conservative alternative to the top tier of the GOP field.

Secret UN report condemns US for Middle East failures  —  Envoy's damning verdict revealed as violence takes Gaza closer to civil war  —  The highest ranking UN official in Israel has warned that American pressure has "pummelled into submission" the UN's role as an impartial Middle East negotiator in a damning confidential report.

Our Common Struggle  —  America had its civil war.  Why expect freedom to come easy to Iraq?  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq—Americans keen to understand the ongoing struggle for a new Iraq can be guided by the example of their own history.  In the 1860s, your country fought a great struggle of its own …

Broward may cancel deal with radio station because it airs Rush Limbaugh  —  Rush Limbaugh has long been a thorn in the side of liberals, but now, because of him, some Democratic politicians don't even want to join with a local radio station to broadcast hurricane information.

Don Herbert, 89; TV's 'Mr. Wizard' taught science to young baby boomers  —  Don Herbert, who explained the wonderful world of science to millions of young baby boomers on television in the 1950s and '60s as "Mr. Wizard" and did the same for another generation of youngsters on the Nickelodeon cable TV channel in the 1980s, died Tuesday.

Bush Lobbies G.O.P. Senators on Immigration  —  In an effort to revive a crippled immigration bill, President Bush visited the Capitol on Tuesday to try to assure wary Senate Republicans personally that border security was a driving force behind his push for changes in immigration law.

Florida primary will not count, Dean warns  —  Sure, Florida is America's biggest political swing state.  But don't expect the national Democratic Party to back off punishing Sunshine State Democrats for scheduling an early presidential primary.  —  "Their primary essentially won't count …

The Progressive Majority: Why a Conservative America is a Myth  —  For anyone interested in where the American public really stands on the big issues that distinguish progressives from conservatives — including the issues at the forefront of today's political debates — "The Progressive Majority …

Coleman faces challenge from his former adviser  —  An Iraq war veteran and former adviser to Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) yesterday said he is considering a primary challenge against the lawmaker in 2008.  —  Retired Lt. Col. Joe Repya (R) lost a race for the state Republican Party chairmanship last week …

The Rightosphere Temperature Check For June  —  Right Wing News emailed more than 240 right-of-center bloggers and asked them to answer 8 questions.  The following 52 blogs responded,  —  Aaron's CC, The Absurd Report, The Agitator, The American Princess, Argghhhh!, AtlanticBlog, Bad Example …

Pardon Scooter  —  Until a very short while ago, few had heard of Scooter Libby.  Today, still not a celebrity with the larger public, he carries on his shoulders the full weight of charges against the administration in the Wilson/Plame matter.  Convicted of lying, he is not really reviled for that.

Lebanese lawmaker killed in blast … BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) — A member of the Lebanese parliament was killed in an explosion Wednesday outside a Beirut military sports club in what hospital sources said was an assassination.  —  Lawmaker Walid Eido, known as a foe of Syrian involvement in Lebanon …

The demonizing of illegal immigrants  —  WRITING IN The Examiner last month, the ranking Republican on the House Immigration Subcommittee offered an endearing analogy to explain his opposition to the Senate's proposed immigration overhaul.  —  Kindergarten students, wrote Iowa Representative Steve King …

Judge Who Seeks Millions for Lost Pants Has His (Emotional) Day in Court  —  B efore trial began yesterday in the case of the D.C. judge who sued his neighborhood dry cleaners after they lost his pants, the most extraordinary fact was Roy Pearson's demand for $65 million in damages.