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.

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.

Doing the jobs Americans aren't willing to do  —  Given the recent rhetoric in Republican circles about immigration policy, I found this story spectacularly amusing. … Wait, it gets funnier.  Matthews was hired by Michael Kamburowski, the state GOP's chief operations officer, who is ... wait for it ... an Australian citizen.

Legislators vote to defeat same-sex marriage ban  —  A proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage was swiftly 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.  The measure needed at least 50 votes to advance.

Senators Agree to Revive Immigration Bill  —  Senate Democratic and Republican leaders announced on Thursday that they had agreed on a way to revive a comprehensive immigration bill that was pulled off the Senate floor seven days ago.  —  The majority leader, Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada …

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 …

Gonzales Meeting With Aide Scrutinized  —  Justice Dept. Checking For Possible Wrongdoing  —  The Justice Department is investigating whether Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales sought to improperly influence the testimony of a departing senior aide, two of its senior officials said yesterday …

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 …

Romney Plans Major Arena Fundraiser To End Quarter  —  Mitt Romney's presidential campaign will commandeer Fenway Park and a Boston arena for a night and a day late next week for a major last-minute fundraising extravanganza.  It even has a fancy title: "America's Calling."  —  And once again, reporters are invited.