Israel plans attack on Gaza  —  ISRAEL's new defence minister Ehud Barak is planning an attack on Gaza within weeks to crush the Hamas militants who have seized power there.  —  According to senior Israeli military sources, the plan calls for 20,000 troops to destroy much of Hamas's military capability in days.

POINTING THE WAY FOR PROSECUTORS  —  Under fire, not in retreat  —  Gonzales' plan for attorney reviews would further politicize process  —  Atty Gen. Alberto Gonzales so far has survived a political crisis over the firing of nine U.S. attorneys, a rare potential vote of no-confidence …

Palestinian Affairs: Fatah's final death blow  —  Why did the Gaza Strip fall so easily and quickly into the hands of Hamas?  How come Fatah, which has more than 40,000 armed men there, was defeated despite the millions of dollars and the large amounts of weapons that it received over the past year and a half?

Prosecutor in Duke Case Disbarred by Ethics Panel  —  A state ethics panel on Saturday disbarred Michael B. Nifong, the Durham district attorney who pursued a false accusation of sexual assault against three Duke University lacrosse players, shortly after Mr. Nifong said through his lawyer that he thought disbarment was appropriate.

Beware of government as the last action hero  —  The other day, six Anglican archbishops called for the church to bless the unions of same-sex couples.  The Anglican Church of Canada is about to have a big vote on the issue, and depending which way they swing it will either deepen the schism within …

Home Buyers: A Borrowed Dime Grows More Costly  —  Higher Mortgage Rates Reflect Inflation Fears  —  The price of money has gone up.  —  Or more technically, long-term interest rates have jumped in recent weeks, rattling the already slumping housing market.

The War Inside  —  Troops Are Returning From the Battlefield With Psychological Wounds, But the Mental-Health System That Serves Them Makes Healing Difficult  —  Army Spec.  Jeans Cruz helped capture Saddam Hussein.  When he came home to the Bronx, important people called him a war hero and promised to help him start a new life.

Bush's blank check  —  War critics are rightly disappointed over the inability of congressional Democrats to mount an effective challenge to President Bush's Iraq adventure.  What began as a frontal assault on the war, with tough talk about deadlines and timetables, has settled into something …

Revealed: rising toll of deaths before dishonour  —  The death threats drop through Jasvinder Sanghera's letter box at least twice a week.  More often than not, when the notes are particularly vicious, they are accompanied by a smearing of filth across her windows.

BBC report finds bias within corporation  —  The BBC has failed to promote proper debate on major political issues because of the inherent liberal culture of its staff, a report commissioned by the corporation has concluded.  —  The report claims that coverage of single-issue political causes …

Take Back America 2007  —  Welcome to the online headquarters for Take Back America 2007, the premier progressive event of the year.  Starting Monday through June 20, thousands of progressive activists, thinkers, bloggers, and leaders will convene in Washington, DC to begin transforming …

Sen. Webb on Military Sons and Fathers  —  · On this Friday before Father's Day, we take a few minutes to talk about the tradition of military service in families — about fathers and sons going to war.  One person who knows about that is Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA).

Around The 'Sphere June 17, 2007  —  Our famous linkfest offering readers intriguing links from sites of varying viewpoints.  Linked posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Moderate Voice or its writers.  —  It's Father's Day and people call their fathers (mine passed away three weeks ago today).

Jefferson Memorial's Signs of Sinking Raise Fresh Alarms  —  Up on the surface, the signs of the trouble at the Jefferson Memorial are small:  —  A few blacktop patches over uneven seams in some concrete.  A cordoned-off section where the sea wall has slipped below the front plaza.