Reid labels military leader 'incompetent'  —  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called Marine Gen. Peter Pace, the outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, "incompetent" during an interview Tuesday with a group of liberal bloggers, a comment that was never reported.

Libby Loses Liberty  —  Walton: As a prelude to my ruling, the fact that I've written lengthy decisions does not suggest I think an issue is close.  We are expected to give significant consideration to what we do.  My effort is to try to get it right, so this is why I tke my time so length does …

Hamas fighters control Gaza … GAZA CITY (CNN) — President Mahmoud Abbas dismissed the Hamas-led unity government and declared a state of emergency Thursday after four days of fighting that has left Hamas in control of much of Gaza.  —  Hamas has seized control of all Palestinian Authority security installations in the territory.

Chris Matthews on Fred Thompson's sexiness and smells  —  I've written a fair amount recently about the media's obsession with the faux-masculinity of GOP candidates in general, and the tough-guy military persona of Fred Thompson in particular, and don't have all that much to add about that specific topic at the moment.

Legislators vote to defeat same-sex marriage ban  —  A proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage was defeated today by a joint session of the Legislature by a vote of 45 to 151, eliminating any chance of getting it on the ballot in November 2008.  At least 50 votes were needed to advance the measure.

DOJ Investigates if Gonzales Tried to Influence Aide's Testimony  —  The Justice Department is investigating whether Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales sought to influence the testimony of a departing senior aide during a March meeting in Gonzales's office, according to correspondence released today.

Students and Faith  —  Whether the source is God and Man at Yale or any number of more recent studies, the conflict between a college education and the faith that students bring to campus (secular campuses at least) is well accepted.  The more you pursue a higher education …

State GOP goes outside the U.S. to hire top aide  —  The California Republican Party has decided no American is qualified to take one of its most crucial positions — state deputy political director — and has hired a Canadian for the job through a coveted H-1B visa, a program favored …

Angelina Jolie's Freedom of Press, on Her Terms  —  Odds 'n' Ends  —  Angelina Jolie's Freedom of Press, on Her Terms  —  Angelina Jolie's true colors came out Wednesday as she promoted a film about freedom of the press and then tried to censor all her interviews.

Hillary's race to lose  —  I don't have a dog in the race, and voted "other" in the MyDD poll.  But I gotta tell you, this race is Hillary Clinton's to lose at this point.  I wish to be wrong, and see Obama or Edwards get the nomination, but I honestly don't see it happening from this vantage point, and it's very frustrating.

Republicans claim victory on earmarks deal  —  House Republican leaders Thursday announced an agreement to end the standoff over member-requested spending projects that temporarily stalled floor action, allowing the annual appropriations bills to move forward.  —  But Democrats were not so sure.