Iran Curtails Freedom In Throwback to 1979  —  Iran is in the midst of a sweeping crackdown that both Iranians and U.S. analysts compare to a cultural revolution in its attempt to steer the oil-rich theocracy back to the rigid strictures of the 1979 revolution.

Duke Prosecutor Is Found Guilty of Ethics Breaches  —  In a case that has brought one surprise after another, a disciplinary hearing panel found Michael B. Nifong, the Durham County district attorney, guilty today of ethical violations while pressing a false accusation of sexual assault …

Palestinians Flee to Israel  —  According to the international left and the paleo-right, Israel is a fascist apartheid state, a brutal occupier, universally despised by the oppressed Palestinian people.  —  So where do the oppressed Palestinians look for sanctuary, when the terrorist government …

McCain's run for presidential candidacy in trouble, experts say  —  WASHINGTON - Of all the insults that get hurled at a U.S. presidential candidate during the course of a long campaign season, few sting worse than attacks motivated more by pity than anger.  —  Just ask John McCain.

Hispanic Leaders Blast Schwarzenegger's Advice to Turn Off Spanish TV  —  Some Hispanic leaders lashed out Friday at California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's advice that immigrants should "turn off the Spanish television set" to better learn how to speak English.

An Also-Ran in the GOP Polls, Ron Paul Is Huge on the Web  —  On Technorati, which offers a real-time glimpse of the blogosphere, the most frequently searched term this week was "YouTube."  —  Then comes "Ron Paul."  —  The presence of the obscure Republican congressman from Texas on a list …

Iraq Contractors Face Growing Parallel War  —  As Security Work Increases, So Do Casualties  —  BAGHDAD — Private security companies, funded by billions of dollars in U.S. military and State Department contracts, are fighting insurgents on a widening scale in Iraq, enduring daily attacks …

Hannity's new BFF is Tim Russert...  Tim Russert appeared on H&C the other night and repeated Roger Ailes talking points on the Democratic Party's refusal to debate on the propaganda network.  —  Download (2046) |  Play (1598) Download (1313) |  Play (928) … Roger Ailes:

A Sacred River Left in Peril by Global Warming  —  VARANASI, India — With her eyes sealed, Ramedi cupped the murky water of the Ganges River in her hands, lifted them toward the sun, and prayed for her husband, her 15 grandchildren and her bad hip.  She, like India's other 800 million Hindus …

Justice Dept. Official To Quit  —  A fifth senior Justice Department official announced his resignation yesterday in the wake of the controversy over the firings of nine U.S. attorneys last year.  —  Michael J. Elston, chief of staff to Deputy Attorney General Paul J. McNulty …

Ayatollah Dies in Tehran and in London, at the same time  —  Grand Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani, who was hospitalized since a long time ago in Tehran, passed away in his home in Qom, at the age of 76.  Or at least that's what Fars reports at first.  According to ISNA, all businesses will be closed …

The group blog of The American Prospect  —  SHADOW GOVERNMENT IN WAITING.  The Bush administration had the American Enterprise Institute as its ideological brain trust and frequent employment agency.  The next White House will likely have the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) …