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 …

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 …

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.

The Life of the Chinese Gold Farmer  —  It was an hour before midnight, three hours into the night shift with nine more to go.  At his workstation in a small, fluorescent-lighted office space in Nanjing, China, Li Qiwen sat shirtless and chain-smoking, gazing purposefully at the online computer game in front of him.

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 …

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.

Melissa Noriega easily wins council seat runoff  —  Travis Quinn wins Ward D race in Clute by 1 vote  —  Melissa Noriega, a Houston educator whose campaign had strong funding and key support, easily defeated retired Air Force officer Roy Morales in Saturday's runoff for the Houston City Council At-Large Position 3 seat.

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.

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 …

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).

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).

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 …

Market Value  —  Looters Raid Arafat's Home, Steal Nobel Peace Prize.  The Jerusalem Post reports, "They stole almost everything inside the house, including Arafat's Nobel Peace Prize medal .. they stole all the widow's clothes and shoes."  Israel Matzav asks, "How much would you pay for a Nobel Peace Prize on E-Bay?"