The Politico Fails Journalism 100  —  When I was studying journalism way back in the early 1980s, they hammered on us pretty hard about fact checking, verifying sources and not accepting things as fact based on hearsay.  I don't think we covered conference calls specifically …

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.

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 …

Street battles leave Gaza in chaos … GAZA CITY (CNN) — Fighters from the Islamic party Hamas claimed full control of Palestinian Authority security agencies in Gaza late Thursday as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas dissolved his unity government and declared a state of emergency.

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 …

THE WAR OVER EARMARKS, CONT.  —  As we noted a few days ago, the House of Representatives has been embroiled in a battle over the Democrats' effort to roll back the earmark reforms that were initiated in the last Congress by the Republicans.  The Democrats are trying to adopt a program …

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 …

LOU DOBBS TONIGHT  —  Lebanese Politician Killed in Beirut Bomb Blast; Is Gaza on Brink of Civil War?  ; Iraq Mosque Explosion  —  THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT.  THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.  —  LOU DOBBS, HOST: Tonight, the Middle East exploding in violence from Beirut to Gaza to Iraq.