Petraeus 'Betray Us' ad is group's 'shock and awe'  —  MoveOn.org was looking to get attention and so they have with their full-page New York Times ad in which they slam Gen. David Petraeus, rhyming his name with "betray us."  It's the liberal group's version of shock and awe.

ARMY CHECKMATES THE NEW REPUBLIC  —  Last month Pajamas Media published an in-depth report on the scandal surrounding the "Baghdad Diarist" articles by Scott Thomas Beauchamp in The New Republic.  —  Now PJM's Bob Owens interviews Major John Cross, who led the U.S. Army's investigation into Private Beauchamp's shocking claims.

Thompson climbs in GOP poll  —  WASHINGTON — Former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson has gotten a modest bump in support after finally announcing he's running for the Republican presidential nomination, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds.  And Arizona Sen. John McCain may have started to turn around his beleaguered campaign.

A Quick Guide to Key Petraeus Points (Excerpts)  —  As a bottom line up front, the military objectives of the surge are, in large measure, being met.  In recent months, in the face of tough enemies and the brutal summer heat of Iraq, Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces have achieved progress in the security arena.

Thompson: Due process for bin Laden  —  GREENVILLE, S.C. - Republican presidential contender Fred Thompson said Monday that while Osama bin Laden needs to be caught and killed, the terrorist mastermind would get the due process of law.  —  In his first campaign trip to South Carolina …

Second Bin Laden Tape Expected  —  Brian Ross Reports:  —  A second tape from Osama bin Laden was recorded in the same location as the video released last week.  —  People in the intelligence community who have seen the tape feel it is directly related to the 9/11 anniversary since …

Activists take Al Gore to task on his diet  —  He may be the hero of the environmental movement for his crusade against global warming but Al Gore is about to be targeted by animal rights activists over his carnivorous contribution to greenhouse gases.  —  Citing United Nations research …

Hagel bows out of politics  —  Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) officially announced Monday that he will not run for a third term and does not plan to run for president in 2008, setting in motion a battle for his Senate seat and leaving anti-war Republicans and independents without one of their candidates of choice in the presidential contest.

Study finds left-wing brain, right-wing brain  —  Even in humdrum nonpolitical decisions, liberals and conservatives literally think differently, researchers show.  —  Exploring the neurobiology of politics, scientists have found that liberals tolerate ambiguity and conflict better than conservatives because of how their brains work.

COOKING THE BOOKS....Is it just me, or does anyone else think that Republicans are making a big mistake by spending all their TV time this morning complaining about accusations that Gen. Petraeus is cooking the books in his assessment of progress in Iraq?  Repeating the accusation …

Limits proposed on fast-food restaurants  —  Health concerns are cited for a proposed moratorium on such eateries in South L.A., which has the city's highest concentration of them.  —  As America gets fatter, policymakers are seeking creative approaches to legislating health.

Democrats Face Hobson's Choice  —  I must say that I sympathize with the bind that Democratic leaders are in somewhat.  Defeatism is forced upon them by their base.  That's why they have no choice but but to insist that Iraq is going disastrously badly, that it was all a mistake, and that we should get out now.