Report: CIA Director Unprepared for al-Qaeda Threat  —  Former CIA Director George Tenet failed to lead a strategic effort against al-Qaeda before the Sept. 11 attacks, the agency's inspector general concluded in a long-classified report released today.  —  The report, which Congress ordered …

A New York State of Mind  —  When I was working in television, I spent quite a bit of time in New York City.  There are lots of things about the place I like, but New York gun laws don't fall in that category.  —  Anybody who knows me knows I've always cared deeply about the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.

Congress Approval Rating Matches Historical Low  —  Just 18% approve of job Congress is doing  —  PRINCETON, NJ — A new Gallup Poll finds Congress' approval rating the lowest it has been since Gallup first tracked public opinion of Congress with this measure in 1974.

DOD 'Talon' Database Declawed  —  The Quakers can sleep easier.  This morning, the Pentagon announced that it's canceling a database created to monitor threats to Defense Department installations in the U.S. that ended up compiling lists of citizens engaged in peaceful, constitutionally-protected protest speech.

CAIR blames Justice for its troubles  —  The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) says it is suffering from a decline in membership and fundraising and blames the Justice Department for listing it as an unindicted co-conspirator in a case involving a charity accused of terrorist ties.

Can the GOP Make a Comeback?  —  The recipe for Republicans is to stop acting like, well, Republicans—that is, Republicans of recent vintage.  —  It's not particularly visible at the moment, but there is a road to political recovery for Republicans.  Chances are they won't get far enough …

LA-Gov: Jindal (R) accused of being anti-Protestant  —  The gloves are off in Louisana: … Wow.  Jindal can deny it all he wants, but fact is he wrote stuff to that effect.  —  It's worth noting that Louisiana Dems are pulling this material from the New Oxford Review …

Book Chief: Conservatives Want Slogans  —  WASHINGTON (AP) - Liberals read more books than conservatives.  The head of the book publishing industry's trade group says she knows why—and there's little flattering about conservative readers in her explanation.

How to Spy in Iraq  —  BAGHDAD - American soldiers arrived in Iraq in 2003 with not much of a plan and little idea what to expect.  The Iraqi government, military, and police were overthrown and disbanded under de-Baathification.  Most Iraqis who knew how to run the country were either sent home or imprisoned.

An Unjust Judge  —  To understand the furor over President Bush's nomination of Leslie Southwick to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, one should start with the Goode family of Mississippi.  —  A propane heater exploded in their house, killing their granddaughter.  The Goodes sued the manufacturer.

Bloomberg says won't run for president  —  NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg says he cannot win the U.S. presidency and won't run, the strongest statement to date about his intentions for the 2008 presidential race.  —  Bloomberg previously had said he had no plans to run …

Are Democrats really so lame?  —  Republicans are on the ropes, but yet another mainstream media star says it's Democrats who are in trouble, thanks to Bush-hating bloggers and billionaires.  Here we go again.  —  The Republican Party is the least respected institution in the U.S today …

Arctic August: NYC Sets Record For Coldest Day  —  High Of 59 Degrees Ties Chilliest August High Set In 1911  —  Featured Slideshows:  —  (CBS) NEW YORK Don't forget to bundle up if you're headed out in New York City today.  After all, it is August 21.  —  The city along with the rest …

I fear you may have misunderstood me  —  One of my commenters demands: … I am not defending Rudy, the presidential candidate.  Almost no one who has lived in New York wants Rudy anywhere near the nuclear football, nor would we like to see his strongly authoritarian instincts …

UPDATED: ES&S to Face Millions in Fines, Possible Decertification in CA for Use of Uncertified Voting Systems!  —  By Brad Friedman from St. Louis, MO...  ED NOTE: Story now updated with additional information and statement from Secretary of State, Debra Bowen.

Michelle gets stronger all the time  —  'I don't want my girls to live in a country based on fear'  —  Barack Obama often says that his wife, Michelle, is smarter than he is, stronger than he is, and gives better speeches than he does.  —  On a trip to Iowa last week, Michelle was a firebrand …