Al Gore's son busted for drugs in hybrid car  —  LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The 24-year-old son of former Vice President Al Gore was arrested for drug possession on Wednesday after he was stopped for allegedly speeding in his hybrid Toyota Prius, a sheriff's official said.

New Video From Al Qaeda Number Two  —  Maddy Sauer Reports:  —  As Americans celebrate the 4th of July today, Al Qaeda's top deputy Ayman Zawahiri is appearing in a new internet video praising jihadi fighters in Iraq and elsewhere.  Dressed in all white and sitting before a news studio background …

The Reign of Witches Is Coming to an End  —  Today is the Fourth of July.  We should remember that on this day our ancestors (well, mine anyway) rose up against tyranny, committing themselves on principle to a path which could well have led to their eradication—had their rebellion failed.

A Stark Edge in Race for '08 Cash  —  New Numbers Heavily Favor The Democrats  —  Campaign contributors to the 2008 presidential candidates heavily favored Democrats in the three-month period that ended Saturday, giving three dollars to the party's leading contenders for every two dollars they gave to the top Republican candidates.

Accountability By Footnote  —  In case you were wondering how truly unusual it is for a President to swiftly commute the prison term of a loyal minion (via NYTimes) in an effort to continue to obstruct justice, wonder no more (via Sentencing Law blog):

Romney-Clinton encounter friendly  —  CLEAR LAKE, Iowa — Former Gov. Mitt Romney and his wife, Ann, had a little time to kill before the start of the Independence Day parade here, so they decided to go say hello to the other presidential candidate and her spouse taking part in the festivities.

No Joy This Fourth Of July  —  "A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."  ~ Declaration of Independence  —  I've always enjoyed the Fourth of July.  —  It's summer, it's a festive holiday about celebration …

The Summer of Drugs  —  Forty years ago, dirty, stinky hippies converged on San Francisco to "turn on, tune in and drop out."  —  This summer marks the 40th anniversary of the so-called Summer of Love.  Honest and intelligent people will remember it for what it really was: the Summer of Drugs.

HERO CABBIE: I KICKED BURNING TERRORIST SO HARD IN BALLS THAT I TORE A TENDON  —  HERO CABBIE..  —  A HERO cabbie who took on the Glasgow Airport terror suspects told yesterday how he booted one of them in the privates.  —  Alex McIlveen, 45, kicked the man, whose body was in flames, so hard that he tore a tendon in his foot.

The Brits and The Others  —  Like Mark and Victor, I too have a very bad feeling about Gordon Brown.  Those Orwellian language changes spooked me, as did the appointment of M.M. Brown.  The obvious intent is to reduce the whole unpleasantness to a policing problem, which is what they did with the I.R.A. …

Johnston attributes release to Hamas' 'law and order agenda'  —  British Broadcasting Corporation reporter Alan Johnston, freed early Wednesday after four months in captivity in the Gaza Strip, told a Jerusalem press conference later in the day that Hamas is to thank for securing his release.

Memorial to SEAL to be dedicated today  —  While many people will be busy celebrating the nation's birthday with barbecues, fireworks or camping getaways, others will also be celebrating the memory of a fallen Navy SEAL.  —  With distinguished guests such as Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter …

Arrest outside Obama's hotel  —  OTTUMWA, IA — Iowa police arrested a man outside the hotel where Barack Obama spent Tuesday night after the man was confronted by Obama's Secret Service detail.  —  Ottumwa Police Lieutenant Tom McAndrew said Davit Zakaryan, of Cincinnati, Oh. …

Happy Rivera Day!  —  That's right: Today's the day we honor the anniversary of what is almost certainly the most important event in our nation's history — the birth of Geraldo Rivera!  —  Yes, millions of pounds of fireworks will be shot off in neo-orgasmic celeration of the nativity …