Court decides endangered species, religion, student speech, campaign finance cases; four new grants  —  Amid several 5-4 rulings on the merits, the Supreme Court on Monday granted four cases for review next Term, including a significant test case on the use of references to the O.J. Simpson …

Reclaiming Control of U.S. Security in the Middle East  —  With the Iraq war well into its fifth year, the Bush administration still lacks a realistic plan for the Middle East and Iraq.  The United States must reclaim control of its core national security interests by taking active steps …

Just 22% Favor Stalled Immigration Bill  —  As the Senate prepares to resume debate the "comprehensive" immigration reform bill, the legislation continues to face broad public opposition.  In fact, despite a massive White House effort, public opinion has barely moved since the public uproar stalled the bill just over two weeks ago.

Democrats tear into Fred Thompson  —  Even before his expected July announcement, Fred Thompson's all-but-declared entry into the Republican presidential stakes has prompted the Democratic National Committee to attack him as a potential GOP front-runner and to use his prospective candidacy to raise money.

McCain could pull out of race by autumn  —  Presidential hopeful drops campaign staff as Republican consultants predict he'll be gone by September  —  THE former presidential front-runner, John McCain, may drop out of the 2008 race by September if his fundraising dries up and his poll ratings continue …

Undercover Journalism  —  Ken Silverstein says he lied, deceived and fabricated to get the story.  —  But it was worth it, he insists.  Those on the receiving end don't agree.  —  As Washington editor of Harper's magazine, Silverstein posed as Kenneth Case, a London-based executive …

Plaintiff Gets Nothing in $54M Case of Missing Pants  —  Ruling for Dry Cleaner May Spell Bigger Woes for D.C. Judge Roy Pearson  —  The D.C. administrative law judge who sued his neighborhood dry cleaner for $54 million over a pair of lost pants found out this morning what he's going to get for all his troubles.

Drilling for Justice  —  Army officers have been pleased with Michael Gordon's portrayal of the events in Baqubah.  —  On 19 June American forces sealed off Baqubah and began attacking targets within the city.  The immediate goal of Arrowhead Ripper was to free Baqubah of al Qaeda …

Mum Warner likely to move on  —  Virginia Sen. John W. Warner has said little about whether he will run for re-election, but the 80-year-old Republican is giving clear indications that he will not return for another term and that his coyness is merely an attempt to help Rep. Thomas M. Davis III, a fellow Republican, replace him.

Look Forward to Anger  —  IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SATISFY "RAGE BOY" AND HIS ILK.  IT'S STUPID TO TRY.  —  If you follow the link, you will be treated to some scenes from the strenuous life of a professional Muslim protester in the Kashmiri city of Srinagar.  Over the last few years …